US08149043B2
The transistor suffers the variation caused in threshold voltage or mobility due to gathering of the factors of the variation in gate insulator film resulting from a difference in manufacture process or substrate used and of the variation in channel-region crystal state. The present invention provides an electric circuit having an arrangement such that both electrodes of a capacitance element can hold a gate-to-source voltage of a particular transistor. The invention provides an electric circuit having a function capable of setting a potential difference at between the both electrodes of the capacitance element by the use of a constant-current source.
US08149040B2
A system is provided for generating a plurality of different voltage level clock signals. The system comprises an electrical energy storage pack having a plurality of series coupled electrical energy storage cells that provide a plurality of different output voltage level, a reference oscillator that provides a reference clock signal and a plurality of voltage clamps that receive the plurality of different output voltage levels and output the plurality of different voltage level clock signals at respective output nodes. The plurality of voltage clamps are configured to clamp each of a given output node to a respective high-side voltage level in response to pulling up of the given output node toward a respective high output voltage level and to clamp each of the given output node to a respective low-side voltage level in response to pulling down of the output node toward a low output voltage level.
US08149031B1
A charge pump includes a reference charge pump with an input interface to accept a phase detector signal and a duty-cycle feedback signal, and an output to supply a control voltage. A replica charge pump accepts the phase detector signal supplies the duty-cycle feedback signal. If the reference charge pump source current (Ip) becomes mismatched with the sinking current (In), non-equal Tn and Tp time periods may result. The phase detector accepts reference and data signals having a steady state offset error and supplies a non-50% duty cycle square wave phase detector signal. The replica charge pump supplies a duty-cycle feedback signal to the reference charge pump responsive to the non-50% duty cycle phase detector signal and the reference charge pump equalizes the source and sink currents. When the phase detector measures reference and data signals fully orthogonal in phase, it supplies s 50% duty cycle signal.
US08149030B2
A clock generator includes a controller, a digital phase locked loop (PLL) circuit, a charge pump phase locked loop (PLL) circuit and a divider. The controller generates a division factor and a first internal clock signal in response to a low-frequency reference clock signal and a multiplication factor. The digital PLL circuit generates a second internal clock signal in response to the reference clock signal, the division factor and the first internal clock signal. The charge pump PLL circuit generates a plurality of third internal clock signals by using the second internal clock signal. The divider generates a high-frequency clock signal in response to a phase selection signal, the division factor and the third internal clock signals.
US08149028B2
A method for dividing a frequency includes the steps of receiving a first signal having a first frequency as a clock input to a first digital counter and outputting a second signal as a clock input to a second digital counter having a higher counting capacity than the first counter. The output occurs when the first counter reaches a first number of count cycles. The method also includes generating a third signal having a high cycle and a low cycle, which are determined at least as a function of the first number of count cycles. Depending on a desired division ratio, the high and low cycles may also be a function of a second number of count cycles associated with the second counter. The third signal has a frequency lower than the first frequency.
US08149027B2
An H-bridge circuit formed from two sub-circuits coupled to each other by a load network across a respective load node of each of the sub-circuits. Each sub-circuit of the two sub-circuits comprises a depletion mode upper transistor with a second electrode coupled to a first electrode of a lower transistor. The load node of the sub-circuit is disposed between the second electrode of the upper transistor and the first electrode of a lower transistor. There is a first voltage supply node coupled to a first electrode of the upper transistor and a second voltage supply node is coupled to a second electrode of the lower transistor. An upper driver transistor selectively couples a gate electrode of the upper transistor to an upper drive voltage node, the upper driver transistor having a control electrode coupled to an upper switched voltage supply circuit. There is also a lower switched voltage supply circuit coupled to a gate electrode of the lower transistor and a voltage dependent non-linear resistor is coupled across the gate electrode and second electrode of the upper transistor. In use, when the lower transistor and upper driver transistor are in a non-conductive state a potential difference across the voltage dependent non-linear resistor is sufficiently small enough to control the upper transistor into a conductive state. Conversely, when the lower transistor and upper driver transistor are in a conductive state the potential difference across the voltage dependent non-linear resistor provides a negative bias to the gate electrode of the upper transistor that has a negative potential sufficient to control the upper transistor into a non-conductive state.
US08149022B2
A frequency synthesizer is disclosed. The frequency synthesizer includes a period control word generator, a delta-sigma modulator, and a delay line unit. The period control word generator generates a period control word. The delta-sigma modulator receives the period control word and generates a phase selection signal. The delay line unit generates an output clock based on the phase selection signal. The delta-sigma modulator performs a carry-in operation based on a base number and the base number is adjustable and determined by a calibration process of the delay line unit.
US08149015B2
A transceiver system includes a first semiconductor device having a first input/output (I/O) pad connected with an I/O channel and a second semiconductor device having a second I/O pad connected with the I/O channel. The first semiconductor device is configured to terminate the first I/O pad with a first voltage when data is received, and maintain the first I/O pad and the I/O channel at the first voltage when data is transmitted. The second semiconductor device is configured to terminate the second I/O pad with a second voltage higher than the first voltage when data is received, and maintain the second I/O pad and the I/O channel at the second voltage when data is transmitted.
US08149012B2
A method is provided for intentionally permanently disabling a target device. The target device comprises an integrated circuit having one or more electronic devices, where the target device is disabled by destroying at least one or more electronic devices. The method comprises charging at least one capacitor in an integrated circuit disabling device, detecting when at least one capacitor is charged, and selecting at least one target signal path associated with the target device for disabling. The method further includes connecting the integrated circuit disabling device to the target signal path and rapidly discharging at least one capacitor to the selected target signal path. The discharging step may apply a high energy impulse to destroy the one or more electronic devices of the target device.
US08149009B2
A probe apparatus and method of terminating a probe that probes a semiconductor device with a signal cable from a tester side by side at a proximal end of the probe and a distal end of the signal cable. In one embodiment, the probe apparatus includes: a chassis; a dielectric block mounted in the chassis for retaining the probe, the probe extending on the chassis from a proximal end of the probe to the dielectric block, extending through the dielectric block, and projecting from the dielectric block towards the semiconductor device at a distal end of the probe; and a terminating apparatus, mounted in the chassis, for terminating the proximal end of the probe with a distal end of the signal cable side by side.
US08149005B2
A position alignment of a transfer point of a transfer arm is performed by using a position detecting wafer capable of being loaded into an apparatus having a thin transfer port. The position detecting wafer S includes an electrostatic capacitance detecting sensor 50 for detecting an electrostatic capacitance in relation with a reference object for the position alignment. The electrostatic capacitance detecting sensor 50 includes a plurality of electrostatic capacitance detecting electrodes 52, each forming the electrostatic capacitance in relation with the reference object; and a control circuit 51 for controlling a detection of the electrostatic capacitance by each electrostatic capacitance detecting electrode 52, while communicating with each electrostatic capacitance detecting electrode 52. The electrostatic capacitance detecting electrodes 52 are provided on a rear surface of the position detecting wafer S, and the control circuit 51 is provided on a front surface of the position detecting wafer S.
US08149002B2
A device for capacitive measurement by a floating bridge, including: a sensor module including at least one measuring electrode and at least one guard electrode arranged close to a target connected to a general earth, at least one integrated circuit for capacitive measurement, provided with a guard to which the guard electrode is connected, having an input connected to the measuring electrode, a guard connected to the reference earth of the integrated circuit, an excitation output connected to the general earth, a measurement output, and structure for supplying the integrated circuit for capacitive measurement in floating mode.
US08148999B2
A circuit for generating an indicative signal regarding the approach of an object to an observation area has a send electrode device, a generator circuit for supplying alternating voltage to the send electrode device, a receive electrode device which extends in or along the observation area, and an output circuit for generating an output signal correlating with the field at the receive electrode device. A compensation circuit is provided to add a compensation current i2 to a signal current i1 flowing from the receive electrode device.
US08148996B2
The invention discloses a circuit testing apparatus for testing a device under testing. The circuit testing apparatus includes a logic tester and a signal-measuring module. The logic tester is coupled to the device under testing for providing a testing signal and a trigger signal, and then determining a testing result for the device under testing according to a digital measuring result. The signal-measuring module coupled to the device under testing and the logic tester, is utilized for measuring a DC signal generated by the device under testing according to the testing signal after receiving the trigger signal, and generating the digital measuring result.
US08148993B2
An abnormality of a current sensor or a voltage sensor is detected. An abnormality detecting section reads out a charging/discharging current I of a secondary battery detected by the current sensor and a battery voltage V of the secondary battery, calculates an estimated battery voltage Vs on the basis of an electromotive force E and an internal resistance r of the secondary battery, and judges the current sensor to be abnormal if the difference between the battery voltage V and the estimated battery voltage Vs is greater than a predetermined threshold and the charging/discharging current I exceeds a predetermined allowable range, and judges the voltage sensor to be abnormal if the difference is greater than the predetermined threshold and the charging/discharging current I is within the predetermined allowable range.
US08148989B2
An apparatus for increasing the ability to detect ferromagnetic objects by increasing the magnetization of the objects. The apparatus includes at least one coil to generate a magnetic field positioned in the area of the object to be detected. The apparatus includes an electrical energy storage capacitor bank capable of quickly releasing stored energy. The apparatus includes a high speed, high current electronic switch capable of quickly transferring the stored energy from the capacitor bank to the coil thereby producing in the coil a short duration, single polarity magnetic field pulse. The apparatus includes a sample and hold circuit capable of acquiring magnetic field sensor data during periods when the pulsed magnetic field is not present. The apparatus includes a microprocessor controller to control timing and sequence of the magnetic pulse generation and the sensor data sample and hold process. The apparatus may be for portal handheld or head mounted applications.
US08148988B2
A magnet arrangement includes (a) a first and a second head ring magnet each having a substantially circular geometry with respect to a center axis and (b) a central ring magnet having a substantially circular geometry with respect to a center axis. The central ring magnet is disposed between the first and second head ring magnet in direction of the center axis. At least one of the magnets includes a first number of first magnets having at least one trapezoidal cross section and a second number of second magnets having at least one rectangular cross section. The second magnets are disposed in between the first magnets in circumferential direction. With this geometrical arrangement, magnets having a trapezoidal cross section include a guidance for a magnet having a rectangular cross section allowing the movements in radial direction of these last magnets.
US08148987B2
A magnetic resonance device has a cryostat and a gradient coil assembly situated within an inner bore of the cryostat. A seal is positioned between the gradient coil assembly and the inner bore. The seal includes a first fluid filled toroid or helix mounted concentrically with the gradient coils; and a second fluid filled toroid or helix situated within the first toroid, or first helix.
US08148983B2
In a method for calibration of a magnetic resonance acquisition channel having a magnetic resonance acquisition antenna in a magnetic resonance system, in a test signal is emitted by the transmission antenna in the magnetic resonance system and is received by the acquisition antenna. Acquisition channel calibration data for the appertaining magnetic resonance acquisition channel are determined on the basis of the received test signal. The method can be implemented by a calibration data determination device for a magnetic resonance system as well as by a magnetic resonance system itself.
US08148981B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an input unit, a data acquisition unit and an image generating unit. The input unit inputs information indicating a matter of which resonance frequency is a center frequency of an excitation pulse. The data acquisition unit acquires magnetic resonance data with obtaining a steady state free precession. Each of the plural excitation pulses has a transmission phase varying by a variation amount determined based on a difference between a resonance frequency and the center frequency. The image generating unit generates an image of the desired matter based on the magnetic resonance data.
US08148977B2
Apparatus for characterizing a magnetic field in a magnetically enhanced substrate processing system
Embodiments of sensor devices for characterizing magnetic fields formed in substrate processing systems and methods of use thereof are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for characterizing a magnetic field in a substrate processing system may include a carrier having a form substantially similar to a substrate to be processed in the substrate processing system. One or more magnetic sensors are disposed on the carrier for measuring a magnitude of a magnetic field formed in the processing system in an x-, y-, and z-direction. A microprocessor is coupled to the one or more magnetic sensors to sample data representative of the magnitude of the magnetic field in the x-, y-, and z-directions proximate a position of each sensor. A memory device is coupled to the microprocessor for storing the sampled data. A power source is provided to supply power to each magnetic sensor and the microprocessor.
US08148969B2
A circuit arrangement (1) for the regulation of a current (IL) through a load (RL) comprises: a resistance (RS), through which a load current (IL) flows and across which a voltage (VS) drops, which serves as a control variable (X) for the regulation of the load current (IL), a tapping point (P) for a reference voltage (Vref), which serves as a command variable (W) for the regulation of the load current (IL), and a differential amplifier for the amplification of the control deviation (W−X) between command variable (W) and control variable (X). In the circuit arrangement (1) are provided for the regulation of the load current (IL) as a function of the load voltage (VL) a transistor (Q4) and also a collector resistance (R2) and an emitter resistance (R6), wherein the series connection of the base-emitter section of the transistor (Q4) and the emitter resistance (R6) is arranged parallel to the load (RL), and wherein the tapping point (P) for the reference voltage is arranged between the collector resistance (R2) and the transistor (Q4).
US08148965B2
A power controller includes a digital control circuit which performs a digital control on a basis of a difference between an output voltage supplied to a power control target device and a voltage reference, so that the output voltage is equal to the voltage reference, and a processor control circuit which conducts an operation of a processor in the digital control circuit, in response to a change of a control signal supplied by the power control target device and indicating a state of a load in the power control target device, which monitors an output from the digital control circuit, and which stops the operation of the processor when the load is judged to have no change.
US08148964B2
A power arrangement that includes a monolithically integrated III-nitride power stage having III-nitride power switches and III-nitride driver switches.
US08148960B2
It is desired for semiconductor devices to reduce an inrush current and an overshoot. According to the voltage regulator circuit of the present invention, when a power supply is turned on, a switch SW1 is turned on in response to a control signal CTR1, a switch SW2 is turned off, and a reference voltage Vref is input to the first (+IN) and second (−IN) inputs of a differential amplifier AMP1 as a common voltage. When a common voltage is supplied to the first (+IN) and second (−IN) inputs, the current I flows into a smoothing capacitor C1 from the high-voltage power supply (VDD) via the differential amplifier AMP1 is regulated to be small. Namely, an inrush current can be reduced. Further, according to the voltage regulator circuit 30 of the present invention, the increase of the output voltage Vout from the differential amplifier AMP1 is relaxed so that the overshoot can be suppressed.
US08148955B2
A motor vehicle includes an on-board vehicle electric system, an electric consumer, whose resistance decreases with the decreasing voltage dropping at the consumer, an electric energy accumulator, and a switching arrangement. The switching arrangement is designed and is connected or connectable to the on-board vehicle electric system, the consumer and the energy accumulator such that in a first switching position, the energy accumulator, and in a second switching position, the switching arrangement, is connected in parallel to the on-board vehicle electric system. The energy accumulator in the second switching position is connected in series to the consumer, and the energy accumulator in the first switching position is not connected in series to the consumer.
US08148953B2
An apparatus and method for recycling and reusing charge in an electronic circuit. The apparatus includes at least one capacitor coupled to a circuit block in the electronic circuit, the capacitor being configured to collect current charge consumed by the circuit block when set to a charge collection mode, and a voltage level comparator configured to detect a fully charged state when the capacitor is fully charged. Further, the apparatus includes a first electrical switch configured to allow, once the fully charged state is detected, the capacitor to switch to a discharge mode for discharging the current charge collected back into the power supply for reuse by the electrical system and a second switch configured to allow, after the capacitor has fully discharged the current charge collected, the capacitor to switch back to the charge collection mode, such that, the current charge is recycled and reused by the electrical system.
US08148952B2
A system and method for equalizing the state of charge of the cells of a battery in an electric vehicle while the vehicle is being driven. The method includes monitoring the state of charge of the battery cells in the battery and measuring the actual current of the battery. The method also includes determining a maximum charge current limit of the battery and comparing the actual battery current and the charge current limit. The method also includes modifying the charge current limit based on the comparison between the actual battery current and the charge current limit. The method then converts the modified charge current limit to a power charge limit and then over charges the battery using a small amount of current and the power charge limit so that all of the cells in the battery become fully charged.
US08148949B2
A system for charging a high voltage battery includes a low DC voltage battery, a DC-to-AC converting circuit, a controller, an AC-to-DC converting circuit and a high DC voltage battery. The low voltage battery outputs a low DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converting circuit receives the low DC voltage signal to convert into a chopped DC voltage signal. The DC-to-AC converter outputs a high AC voltage signal corresponding to the chopped DC voltage signal. The controller controls a duty cycle of the chopped DC voltage signal. The AC-to-DC converting circuit converts the high AC voltage signal into a high DC voltage signal. The high voltage battery charges using the high DC voltage signal. A method for charging a high voltage battery is also provided.
US08148948B2
Provided herein is a controller for a low voltage disconnect (LVD), a method of protecting and providing a maximum or substantially maximum battery reserve coupled to a DC load bus and a power system manager. In one embodiment, the LVD controller includes an adaptive disconnect system configured to determine a variable LVD threshold voltage value and instruct the LVD to disconnect a battery reserve from a DC load bus based thereon. The variable LVD threshold voltage is determined based on a current of the battery reserve during a battery-discharge event.
US08148947B2
A circuit for displaying the state of a battery that is almost discharged features a battery, an inductive load, and a controllable switch connected in series. The circuit also includes a display element connected in series with the inductive load and the battery. The controllable switch is opened when a voltage of the battery is lower than a first threshold level and is only closed again when the voltage of the battery is greater than a second threshold level. The circuit may also include a control circuit having a comparator which compares the voltage of the battery with the first threshold level and the second threshold level and triggers the controllable switch accordingly.
US08148937B2
When a rectangular wave voltage control mode is selected, a control apparatus estimates the output torque of an alternating-current motor based on the outputs of a current sensor and a rotation angle sensor, and executes torque feedback control by adjusting the phase of rectangular wave voltage based on the difference between the torque estimated value and a torque command value. The control apparatus executes a switching interruption that outputs a control command to a switching element of an inverter every 60 degrees of electrical angle, and executes an angle interruption that samples the phase currents of the alternating-current motor based on the output of the current sensor and converts those phase currents into a d-axis current and a q-axis current every predetermined electrical angle that is set beforehand. The control apparatus for the alternating-current motor then sets the predetermined electrical angle such that the number of angle interruptions between switching interruptions varies according to the rotation speed of the alternating-current motor.
US08148930B2
A control device for controlling a machine tool which can be used to drive tools includes a memory for storing a movement limit value which is respectively assigned to the tools and is specific to the respective tool. A desired value generating unit generates desired values for controlling the movement of the tool. The desired values are limited by a limiting unit on the basis of the assigned movement limit value in such a manner that the movement limit value is not exceeded when moving the tool.
US08148923B2
Low-injection energy electrons are accelerated in a continuous standing wave linear accelerator. Electron flow is supplied directly from a low-energy electron source to subsequent sequential accelerating units interconnected via connection cells. By grouping electrons in the first bunch resonator at a determined gap voltage, increasing the electron energy in a booster resonator and accelerating the electron energy in the accelerating unit, the optimal phase of particles with respect to the electromagnetic field is ensured. The length of each accelerating structure segment, which is located between centers of the adjacent cells, is based on the equality between the relation of the length of each following segment to the length of the previous segment and the relation of the average electron speed in the previous segment to the average electron speed in the following segment.
US08148907B2
Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an output driver, a variable pulse generator and a load current detector. The output driver has a power input, a control input and a load path. The variable pulse generator includes a control input and a pulse output, with the pulse output connected to the output driver control input. The variable pulse generator is adapted to vary a pulse width at the pulse output based on a signal at the control input. The load current detector has an input connected to the output driver load path and an output connected to the variable pulse generator control input. The load current detector has a time constant adapted to substantially filter out a change in a load current at a frequency of pulses at the variable pulse generator pulse output.
US08148900B1
Methods and systems for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection are provided. One embodiment relates to a system configured to provide illumination of a specimen for inspection. The system includes an electrodeless lamp configured to generate light. The system is further configured such that the light illuminates the specimen during the inspection. Another embodiment relates to a system configured to inspect a specimen. The system includes an electrodeless lamp configured to generate light and one or more optical elements configured to direct the light to the specimen. The system also includes a detection subsystem configured to generate output responsive to light from the specimen. The output can be used to detect defects on the specimen. An additional embodiment relates to a method for providing illumination of a specimen for inspection. The method includes illuminating the specimen during the inspection with light generated by an electrodeless lamp.
US08148897B2
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display (LCD) using a light emitting diode (LED) is provided. The backlight unit includes a blue light source, a red light source, and a green light source. The green light source includes an ultraviolet (UV) LED and a green phosphor excited by light emitted from the UV LED.
US08148896B2
The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent display device and a method of repairing a defective pixel of an organic electroluminescent display device which can realize the repairing a defective pixel to a light emitting pixel by electrically separating a leak portion which generates a defective pixel. To be more specific, a peeling suppression layer is formed between an anode and an organic light emitting layer formed on a main substrate, and a cavity is formed between the main substrate and the peeling suppression layer due to the evaporation generated by an absorption of laser beams thus electrically separating a defective portion so as to repair a black-dot defective pixel to form a light emitting pixel.
US08148895B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which unevenness generated under a light-emitting element does not impart an adverse effect on the light-emitting element. It is another object of the invention to provide a method for manufacturing a display device in which penetration of water into the inside of the display device through a film having high moisture permeability can be suppressed without increasing processing steps considerably. It is another object of the invention to provide a display device and a method for manufacturing a display device satisfying the above two simultaneously. A display device of the present invention to solve the above problems comprising a thin film transistor and a light-emitting element over an insulating surface formed on a substrate, wherein the light-emitting element includes a light-emitting laminated body interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; wherein the first electrode is formed over an insulating film formed over the thin film transistor; and wherein a planarizing film is formed in response to the first electrode between the first electrode and the insulating film.
US08148892B2
A system for displaying images is provided, including an active-matrix organic light emission display. The active-matrix organic light emission display comprises an active-matrix array on a display area of an array substrate, a peripheral circuit on a peripheral area of the array substrate, a reflective layer on the peripheral area of the array substrate, between a light emission plane and the peripheral circuit and covering the peripheral circuit, an organic light emission layer on the active-matrix array and a cover layer over the organic light emission layer, covering the display area and the peripheral area.
US08148884B2
An electrodeless discharge lamp is provided which prevents the problem of decrease in strength due to degradation of resin material, allowing secure fitting of a lamp part and a coupler member to a base even if it is used for a long time. A bulb containing a discharge gas and a coupler member for generating a high frequency electromagnetic field to excite the bulb are detachably fitted to each other via a base for fixing and supporting the bulb. The bulb and the base form a lamp part. The base comprises a base frame formed of a metal such as aluminum and a base cover formed e.g. of synthetic resin. The base frame has a coupler member fitting portion which is provided at a lower part thereof and fitted to the coupler member, wherein bulb fixing posts provided to stand on the coupler member fitting portion fix a bulb outer tube. Thus, the fitting portions of the lamp part and the coupler member to the base undergo less material degradation than a conventional one which uses a base of resin material.
US08148883B2
The present invention provides a highly reliable spark plug used for an internal-combustion engine and including an insulator with a high withstand voltage, and a method for manufacturing the same. Namely, it provides a spark plug containing a cylindrical metal shell having an insulator holding hole, a cylindrical insulator including an axial hole therein which extends in an axial direction, and engaging with said insulator holding hole of said metal shell, and a center electrode held in said axial hole of said insulator, wherein said insulator has a texture in which one or more pores exposed in a judgment area with 50 μm in diameter occupy 40% or less of said judgment area at any locations in an observation area, in the case where a predetermined mirror-finishing section of an enclosed portion surrounded by said metal shell is used as said observation area to observe pores exposed in said observation.
US08148875B2
A piezoelectric vibrator which can be manufactured efficiently and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The piezoelectric vibrator includes: a tuning-fork-type piezoelectric vibrating piece which has a pair of vibration arm portions, excitation electrodes formed on base end portions of the vibration arm portions, and weight metal films formed on distal end portions of the vibration arm portions; and a package which houses the piezoelectric vibrating piece therein. A gettering film on which a laser radiation flaw is formed is formed on intermediate portions between the base end portions and the distal end portions of the vibration arm portions. A first metal film included in the excitation electrode, a second metal film included in the weight metal film and the gettering film are formed using the same material.
US08148871B2
Disclosed is a structure of a casing of a small stepping motor having an outer diameter of 8 mm or less, in which yoke teeth are integrally formed on the inner surface of the casing, and the thickness of the outer wall of the casing is different from the thickness of each of the yoke teeth. The casing of a small stepping motor includes yoke teeth integrally formed on an inner surface of the casing, in which a thickness of an outer wall of the casing is different from a thickness of the yoke tooth.
US08148865B2
Permanent magnet rotating electrical machine and permanent magnet rotating electrical machine system
Movement of magnets due to centrifugal force is restricted. In a permanent magnet rotating electrical machine 100 having a stator 1 and a rotor core 5 provided with a plurality of permanent magnets 3 inserted in an outer circumferential portion of the rotor 5, each permanent magnet 3 has inclined surfaces on the outer circumferential side of the rotor 2 and the thinnest portions of the inclined surfaces are adjacent to permanent magnets of the opposite polarity. Further, each magnet 3 has a convex-shaped cross section and is divided into two magnet segments 3, 3. A magnetic pole bridge 15 is formed at the boundary of the permanent magnet segments 3, 3. Thus, movement of the permanent magnet segments 3, 3 due to centrifugal force is firmly restricted, and the peeling off of the rotor core 5 and the permanent magnet segments 3, 3 from each other is prevented.
US08148858B2
A totally enclosed motor comprising a housing totally encloses an electrical package that includes plurality of slot vents extending radially outward from a shaft on which the electrical package is mounted. The electrical package being operable to generate a closed circuit electrical package cooling air flow that circulates through the slot vents and is confined within the housing. The motor additionally including an exterior cooling assembly that is operable to generate a directed exterior air flow along an exterior portion of the housing. The motor further including a plurality of heat pipes having evaporator ends disposed within the closed circuit electrical package cooling air flow and condenser ends disposed within the exterior air flow, whereby heat is removed from the electrical package chamber such that the ‘Totally Enclosed’ more provides a power output substantially equivalent to that of an ‘Open’ motor of approximately the same size.
US08148855B2
A method and apparatus for supplying cordless power to a remotely-located load device. A first power supply unit of a portable power supply system is configured to operate in a charge receive mode and/or a charge supply mode. When the first power supply unit is in the charge receive mode, a first energy storage device of the first power supply unit is configured to receive electrical energy via a first switch from one of a second power supply unit or an external power source. When the first power supply unit is in the charge supply mode, the first energy storage device of the first power supply unit is configured to supply electrical energy via a second switch to one of a third power supply unit or a remotely-located load device.
US08148854B2
Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.
US08148850B2
A device for balancing power generators, including a plurality of converters each including an elementary conversion cell with a switch driven by a comparator that receives a ramp on one input thereof and, on another input, a voltage from a driving amplifier wherein the driving amplifiers receive on their negative input an image of the cell current and have their positive input connected to an adjustment loop including a common path CS_Bus, and wherein the CS_Bus path directly connects the positive inputs of the driving amplifiers to the outputs of transconductance amplifiers associated with the elementary conversion cells.
US08148849B2
There is described a plant (1) for converting solar energy into electrical energy, comprising a photovoltaic generator (2a) including at least one string (2) of photovoltaic modules (M), a pulse generator (31) able to send electrical pulses to the input of the string (2), a signal detector (OP) arranged at the output of the string (2) and able to detect, at the output of the string (2), the presence of a signal which is a function of the electrical pulses at the input, and alarm means connected to the signal detector (OP) and able to generate an alarm in the event that there is no signal at the output of the string (2).
US08148846B2
Power supply systems and methods are provided. In one aspect, a power supply system includes a frame, a power input to receive input power from a power source, a power output to provide output power to a load, at least one battery module mounted in the frame and having a battery output that provides battery power, at least one power module mounted in the frame and coupled to the power input to receive the input power, coupled to the battery output to receive the battery power, and coupled to the power output to provide the output power from at least one of the battery power and the input power, a first controller coupled to the at least one power module, and a second controller, substantially similar to the first controller, coupled to the first controller, and coupled to the at least one power module, wherein each of the first controller and the second controller are configured to determine operational parameters of the power supply system and store a first set of parameters determined by the first controller and a second set of parameters determined by the second controller.
US08148841B1
A windmill includes a rotor having an outer blade edge of a stacked blade configuration windmill which generates electricity through outside rings which include wire windings. The outer blade edges are configured in a C-shape to enclose as much as ¾ of the outside ring to give mounting areas and overall blade stability. The system can be mounted in vehicles to charge batteries or provide for hydrogen separation in hydrogen cars as well as many other applications. The system can be modular so that a windmill of any suitable size can be constructed.
US08148838B2
According to some embodiments, a plurality of airborne bodies may each extend horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point. Each body may be, for example, at least partially filled with a gas and two or more vanes may be provided airborne with each body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis. Moreover, one or more electrical generators may be airborne with each body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy.
US08148832B2
An electrical power generating system includes a spring system that stores stored energy, the spring system having an input for recharging the stored energy and an output for releasing the stored energy, wherein the spring system generates a monitor signal based on a status parameter of the spring system and wherein the spring system releases the stored energy in accordance with an output control signal. A generator converts the stored energy released by the spring system into electric power. A spring recharge module recharges the stored energy of the spring system in response to a recharge control signal, based on a supplemental source of power. A control module generates the recharge control signal and the output control signal, based on the monitor signal.
US08148831B2
The present invention provides a latent catalyst for epoxy resin, comprising: a cation moiety having an activity of accelerating curing reaction of epoxy resin; and a silicate anion moiety of suppressing the curing reaction-accelerating activity. Also disclosed are an epoxy resin composition comprising the latent catalyst and a semiconductor device using the epoxy resin composition.
US08148816B2
A semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor chips is stacked. A first semiconductor chip is stacked in a region, on a second semiconductor chip, in which a circuit that generates noise is not disposed within said second semiconductor chip, and a wire of a circuit that easily receives noise within said first semiconductor chip is disposed so as not to extend over said circuit that generates noise.
US08148807B2
Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for manufacturing packaged microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a packaged microelectronic device can include a support member, a first die attached to the support member, and a second die attached to the first die in a stacked configuration. The device can also include an attachment feature between the first and second dies. The attachment feature can be composed of a dielectric adhesive material. The attachment feature includes (a) a single, unitary structure covering at least approximately all of the back side of the second die, and (b) a plurality of interconnect structures electrically coupled to internal active features of both the first die and the second die.
US08148793B2
An integrated passive device (20) includes a first wafer (22), a first integrated device (28) formed on a first surface (24) of the wafer (22), and a second integrated device (30) formed on a second surface (26) of the wafer (22), the second surface (26) opposing the first surface (24). A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (72) includes a second wafer (74) having a MEMS component (76) formed thereon. The integrated passive device (20) and the MEMS device (72) are coupled to form an IPD/MEMS stacked device (70) in accordance with a fabrication process (90). The fabrication process (90) calls for forming (94) the second integrated device (30) on the second surface (26) of the wafer (22), constructing (100) the MEMS component (76) on the wafer (74), coupling (104) the wafers (22, 74), then creating the first integrated device (28) on the first surface (24) of the first wafer (22).
US08148792B2
A pressure sensor of the present invention includes a lower substrate which has an insulating layer having a through-hole penetrating from one side to the other side, and an active layer formed to have a uniform thickness on the insulating layer and having a portion facing the through-hole as an oscillating portion capable of oscillating in a direction opposing the through-hole; a lower electrode formed on the oscillating portion; an upper substrate arranged opposite to the active layer and having a recess at a portion opposed to the oscillating portion; and an upper electrode formed on the recess.
US08148784B2
A semiconductor device comprising a trench device isolation layer and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device are disclosed. The method comprises forming a plurality of first trenches on a first region of a semiconductor substrate, filling the first trenches with a first insulation material to form first device isolation layers, forming a plurality of second trenches on a second region of the semiconductor substrate, and filling the second trenches with a second insulation material different from the first insulation material to form second device isolation layers, wherein the first trenches and the second trenches are formed using different respective processes.
US08148773B2
A structure of power semiconductor device integrated with clamp diodes having separated gate metal pad is disclosed. The separated gate metal pads are wire bonded together on the gate lead frame. This improved structure can prevent the degradation of breakdown voltage due to electric field in termination region blocked by polysilicon or gate metal.
US08148770B1
A memory device includes a number of memory cells and a bit line structure coupled to a group of the memory cells. The bit line structure includes an upper portion having a first width, and a lower portion having a second width, where the first width is less than the second width.
US08148769B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory strings, each of which has a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series; and select transistors, one of which is connected to each of ends of each of the memory strings. Each of the memory strings is provided with a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and a joining portion formed so as to join lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the columnar portions; and a first conductive layer formed so as to surround the side surface of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer, and configured to function as a control electrode of the memory cells. Each of the select transistors is provided with a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of the columnar portions; and a second conductive layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the second semiconductor layer with a gap interposed, and configured to function as a control electrode of the select transistors.
US08148767B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a control gate electrode recessed in the semiconductor substrate, a storage node layer interposed between a sidewall of the control gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a tunneling insulation layer interposed between the storage node layer and the semiconductor substrate, a blocking insulation layer interposed between the storage node layer and the control gate electrode, and first and second channel regions formed around a surface of the semiconductor substrate to at least partially surround the control gate electrode. The semiconductor memory device may include a plurality of control gate electrodes, storage node layers, tunneling insulation layers, blocking insulation layers, and continuous first and second channel regions. A method of fabricating the semiconductor memory device includes etching the semiconductor substrate to form a plurality of holes, forming the tunneling insulation layers, storage node layers, blocking insulation layers, and control gate electrodes.
US08148760B2
A semiconductor radiation detector device, comprising a bulk layer (103) of semiconductor material, and on the first surface of the bulk layer (303) in the following order: a modified internal gate layer (104) of semiconductor material of second conductivity type, a barrier layer (305) of semiconductor material of first conductivity type and pixel dopings (131, 132, 133) of semiconductor material of the second conductivity type, adapted to be coupled to at least one pixel voltage in order to create pixels corresponding to pixel dopings, characterized in that the device comprises a first contact of first conductivity type and said pixel voltage is defined as the potential difference between the pixel doping and the first contact.
US08148756B2
A separative extended gate field effect transistor based uric acid sensing device is provided, including: a substrate; a conductive layer including a silver paste layer on the substrate and a graphite-based paste layer on the silver paste layer; a conductive wire extended from the conductive layer; a titanium dioxide layer on the conductive layer; and a uric acid enzyme sensing film on the titanium dioxide layer.
US08148739B2
An LED package structure includes a heatsink slug, a positive-electrode frame, a negative-electrode frame, and an LED module electrically connected with the positive-electrode frame and the negative-electrode frame. The LED module includes a plurality of LED chips. The heatsink slug is provided, at its surface, with a plurality of cup-like recesses. The plural LED chips are each bonded, correspondingly, on a plane in the cup-like recess. Each of the LED chips is covered with a fluorescent colloidal layer having a curved and convex contour. As a result, a specific proportion for the color lights emitted from all the LED chips and from the fluorescent material in every direction of a space can be maintained, and that a better spatial color uniformity can be achieved.
US08148731B2
Semiconductor films and structures, such as films and structures utilizing zinc oxide or other metal oxides, and processes for forming such films and structures, are provided for use in metal oxide semiconductor light emitting devices and other metal oxide semiconductor devices, such as ZnO based semiconductor devices.
US08148730B2
A first resist pattern is formed by exposure using a first multi-tone photomask, and a first conductive layer, a first insulating layer, a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer are etched, so that an island-shaped single layer and an island-shaped stack are formed. Here, sidewalls are formed on side surfaces of the island-shaped single layer and the island-shaped stack. Further, a second resist pattern is formed by exposure using a second multi-tone photomask, and a second conductive layer and the second semiconductor layer are etched, so that a thin film transistor, a pixel electrode, and a connection terminal are formed. After that, a third resist pattern is formed by exposure from a rear side using metal layers of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer as masks, and the third insulating layer are etched, so that a protective insulating layer is formed.
US08148729B2
An organic light emitting device is disclosed. The organic light emitting device includes a substrate, a display unit that is positioned on the substrate and includes a subpixel and a monitor pixel, a first line supplying a voltage to the subpixel and the monitor pixel, a second line supplying a direct current (DC) power to the monitor pixel, a third line that transfers an electrical signal used to display an image on the subpixel, and a shield layer that is positioned on or under the second line and is electrically connected to the first line.
US08148728B2
A method for fabrication of 3D semiconductor devices utilizing a layer transfer and steps for forming transistors on top of a pre-fabricated semiconductor device comprising transistors formed on crystallized semiconductor base layer and metal layer for the transistors interconnections and insulation layer. The advantage of this approach is reduction of the over all metal length used to interconnect the various transistors.
US08148727B2
A display device including an oxide thin film transistor (TFT) is disclosed. A nitride-based gate insulating layer of a gate pad area is etched when an oxide semiconductor layer of a pixel area is etched by using a half-tone mask, a metal layer is formed at a contact hole of the etched gate insulting layer, and then a passivation layer formed thereon is etched. Thus, an overhang of the passivation layer can be prevented from being generated when the gate insulating layer is etched, and accordingly, the fabrication process can be simplified.
US08148725B2
A light-emitting device including a plurality of light-emitting units is provided. Each of the light-emitting units includes a first common electrode layer, a plurality of light-emitting layers, and a second common electrode layer. The first common electrode layer includes a bridge conductive line and a plurality of first electrode patterns electrically insulated from each other, in which the first electrode patterns cover a portion of the bridge conductive line and are electrically connected to each other through the bridge conductive line. Each of the light-emitting layers is disposed on one of the first electrode patterns. The second common electrode layer is disposed on the light-emitting layers, in which the first common electrode layer of each of the light-emitting units is electrically connected to the second common electrode layer of an adjacent light-emitting unit.
US08148723B2
A first conductive film, a first insulating film, a semiconductor film, an impurity semiconductor film, and a second conductive film are stacked in this order (a thin-film stacked body); first etching is performed to expose the first conductive film and form at least a pattern of the thin-film stacked body; second etching is performed to form a pattern of the first conductive film. The second etching is performed under a condition in which the first conductive film is side-etched. Further, after forming the patterns, an EL layer can be formed selectively by utilizing a depression and a projection due to the patterns.
US08148721B2
Provided is a bottom gate type thin film transistor including on a substrate (1) a gate electrode (2), a first insulating film (3) as a gate insulating film, an oxide semiconductor layer (4) as a channel layer, a second insulating film (5) as a protective layer, a source electrode (6), and a drain electrode (7), in which the oxide semiconductor layer (4) includes an oxide including at least one selected from the group consisting of In, Zn, and Sn, and the second insulating film (5) includes an amorphous oxide insulator formed so as to be in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer (4) and contains therein 3.8×1019 molecules/cm3 or more of a desorbed gas observed as oxygen by temperature programmed desorption mass spectrometry.
US08148720B2
An organic thin film transistor including a substrate having thereon at least three terminals of a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode, an insulator layer and an organic semiconductor layer, with a current between a source and a drain being controlled upon application of a voltage to the gate electrode, wherein the organic semiconductor layer includes a specified organic compound having an acetylene or olefin structure in the center thereof; and an organic thin film light emitting transistor utilizing an organic thin film transistor, wherein the organic thin film transistor is one in which light emission is obtained utilizing a current flowing between the source and the drain, and the light emission is controlled upon application of a voltage to the gate electrode, and is made high with respect to the response speed and has a large ON/OFF ratio, are provided.
US08148719B2
An organic light emitting display includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer arranged on the substrate, an organic light emitting diode arranged on the semiconductor layer, an encapsulant arranged on an top surface periphery of the substrate, which is an outer periphery of the semiconductor layer and the organic light emitting diode, an encapsulation substrate bonded to the encapsulant, and a bonding agent arranged on an under surface of the substrate which is opposite to the encapsulant.
US08148716B2
A group III nitride semiconductor optical device includes: a substrate comprising a group III nitride semiconductor; a first group-III nitride semiconductor region on a primary surface of the substrate; a second group-III nitride semiconductor region on the primary surface of the substrate; and an active layer between the first group-III nitride semiconductor region and the second group-III nitride semiconductor region. The primary surface of the substrate tilts at a tilt angle in the range of 63 degrees to smaller than 80 degrees toward the m-axis of the group III nitride semiconductor from a plane perpendicular to a reference axis extending along the c-axis of the group III nitride semiconductor. The first group-III nitride semiconductor region, the active layer, and the second group-III nitride semiconductor region are arranged in the direction of the normal axis to the primary surface of the substrate. The active layer is configured to produce light having a wavelength in the range of 580 nm to 800 nm. The active layer includes an epitaxial semiconductor layer comprising a gallium nitride based semiconductor containing indium as a group III element. The epitaxial semiconductor layer has an indium content ranging from 0.35 to 0.65. The c-axis of the gallium nitride based semiconductor tilts from the normal axis. The reference axis is oriented in the direction of either the axis [0001] or [000−1] of the group III nitride semiconductor.
US08148707B2
A chalcogenide alloy that optimizes operating parameters of an ovonic threshold switch includes an atomic percentage of arsenic in the range of 9 to 39, an atomic percentage of germanium in the range of 10 and 40, an atomic percentage of silicon in the range of 5 and 18, an atomic percentage of nitrogen in the range of 0 and 10, and an alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. A ratio of sulfur to selenium in the range of 0.25 and 4, and a ration of sulfur to tellurium in the alloy of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium is in the range of 0.11 and 1.
US08148706B2
An oscillating liquid lens and imaging system and method employing the lens are provided. The liquid lens includes a substrate with a channel opening extending therethrough between a first and second surface. A liquid drop is disposed within the channel and is sized with a first droplet portion, including a first capillary surface, protruding away from the first surface, and a second droplet portion, including a second capillary surface, protruding away from the second surface. The liquid lens further includes an oscillator operatively coupled to either the first droplet portion or the second droplet portion for oscillating the liquid drop within the channel. The imaging system, in addition to the oscillating liquid lens, also includes an image sensor coupled to an image path which passes through the first and second droplet portions for capturing one or more images through the oscillating liquid drop.
US08148705B2
If an inspection method for inspecting a patterned medium is intended for the nanoimprint process control, it is necessary to measure a correct shape of each pattern element. On the other hand, if the inspection method is intended for the quality control of products, it is necessary to inspect the products on a I00 percent basis. However, the conventional method which uses SEM or AFM could not satisfy these requirements. According to the present invention, IO0-percent inspection of products becomes possible by a method including the steps of: irradiating a surface of a hard disk medium, on which a magnetic material pattern is formed, with a light beam including a plurality of wavelengths; detecting the intensity of a reflected light beam from the hard disk medium on a wavelength basis; calculating a spectral reflectance from the detected intensity of the reflected light beam; and detecting a shape of each pattern element formed on the hard disk medium on the basis of the calculated spectral reflectance.
US08148704B2
A method and apparatus for determining the alignment of printing plate (14) mounted on an imaging drum (12), and applying an image to a printing plate while maintaining registration and alignment between the image and a reference edge (15) of the printing plate include mounting the printing plate on a plate-making machine (10) and then determining the locations of at least two points on the reference edge. The locations of two or more points are used to determine a transformation that is applied to image data to yield transformed image data (27). The transformed image data is used to image the printing plate. A method and apparatus for determining the locations of the points using backlighting avoids errors encountered in illuminating from the top.
US08148693B2
The present specification discloses an improved detection system employing multiple screens for greater detection efficiency. More particularly, a first enclosure has two adjacent walls, each with interior surfaces, a first end and a second end. The first ends of the two adjacent walls are connected at an angle to form an interior and the second ends of the two adjacent walls are connected to a semi-circular housing. At least one substrate, positioned on each of the interior surfaces of the adjacent walls, has an active area for receiving and converting electromagnetic radiation into light. A photodetector, positioned in the interior portion of the semi-circular housing, has an active area responsive to the light.
US08148692B2
The invention relates to a method of ensuring the safety of the components of the drive train of a vehicle equipped with a heat engine, before or during its startup phase following a deterioration of the quality of the fuel contained in the tank (2) and the fuel feed system of the engine, said method comprising a step of diagnosing the type and extent of the deterioration of the quality of the fuel, said step being based on the measurement of the interactions between an electronmagnetic radiation and the constituent molecules of the fuel, said measurement being performed by a system of analysis, and a step of activating a system (13) to ensure the safety of the components of the drive train as a function of the results of the analysis step.
US08148679B2
An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between higher and lower pressure regions of the mass spectrometer comprises an ion transfer conduit 60. The conduit 60 has an inlet opening towards a relatively high pressure chamber 40 and an outlet 70 opening towards a relatively low pressure chamber. The conduit 60 also has at least one side wall surrounding an ion transfer channel 115. The side wall includes a plurality of apertures 140 formed in the longitudinal direction of the side wall so as to permit a flow of gas from within the ion transfer channel 115 to a lower pressure region outside of the side wall of the conduit 60.
US08148672B2
An optical member includes high refractive index layers having a great refractive index and low refractive index layers having a small refractive index, which are each relatively thin as compared with an optical length, disposed alternately in the lateral direction as to an optical axis. Each width of the high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layers is equal to or smaller than the wavelength order of incident light.
US08148663B2
The present invention generally relates to an optical system that is able to reliably deliver a uniform amount of energy across an anneal region contained on a surface of a substrate. The optical system is adapted to deliver, or project, a uniform amount of energy having a desired two-dimensional shape on a desired region on the surface of the substrate. Typically, the anneal regions may be square or rectangular in shape. Generally, the optical system and methods of the present invention are used to preferentially anneal one or more regions found within the anneal regions by delivering enough energy to cause the one or more regions to re-melt and solidify.
US08148660B2
A high-voltage circuit breaker includes two arcing contacts, which are capable of moving relative to one another along an axis, an insulating nozzle, a heating volume for accommodating quenching gas, a heating channel, and an overpressure valve. The pressure of the quenching gas is based on the energy of a switching arc, which is formed when the breaker opens and generates arcing gas, and the heating channel opens out, with axial alignment, into the heating volume. The heating channel connects an arc zone, and the overpressure valve limits the pressure of the quenching gas by opening a relief duct, which opens out into an expansion space. In high-current switching, the pressure of the arcing gases in the arc zone is limited, and the quality of the quenching gas stored in the heating volume is improved, due to the relief duct having an outflow section extending in the radial direction.
US08148658B2
A non-contact touch switch comprises an outer cover installed at an outlet of an AC power source, a microcomputer control circuit installed on an inner side of the outer cover, a medium transferring interface installed on the outer cover and connecting with the microcomputer control circuit, a start switch with one end thereof being connected with the microcomputer control circuit and another end thereof being disposed with a control contact connected to the power source so as to control electrifying time of an electrical device connected therewith, and a power interceptor disposed between the microcomputer control circuit and the start switch capable of directly intercepting, rectifying, and stabilizing an external power supply as a power supply available for a normal operation of an internal circuit.
US08148655B2
A pressure sensor is provided for a container having a hermetically sealed internal chamber. The pressure sensor includes a support member having a membrane side and an electrical contact extending along the membrane side. The support member is configured to be held by the container such that at least a portion of the support side is exposed to the internal chamber of the container. The pressure sensor also includes a membrane having a chamber side and an opposite support side. The membrane is held by the support member such that the chamber side is configured to be exposed to the internal chamber and the support side is configured to be isolated from the internal chamber. A pressure differential across the chamber side and the support side of the membrane deflects the membrane into and out of engagement with the electrical contact of the support member.
US08148653B2
A domestic appliance for treating laundered articles including a container for receiving laundered articles, which can be introduced into the container via a loading opening that can be closed by a door, and a door contact switch that is actuated as a function of a door position in order to interrupt a treatment process of the laundered articles, wherein the door contact switch is arranged on a substrate, which supports electronic control devices of the domestic appliance.
US08148646B2
A contact apparatus can be made by providing a first substrate with electrically conductive terminals and second substrates each of which can have contact structures. Each of the contact structures can have a contact tip. The second substrates can be aligned such that contact tips of the contact structures are aligned substantially in a plane. An optical system can be used to monitor an actual position of the second substrates, and a mechanical system can be used to move the second substrates to aligned positions. The contact structures can be attached to ones of the terminals on the first substrate while the second substrates are in the aligned positions.
US08148643B2
An opening is formed in resin 20 by a laser beam so that a via hole is formed. At this time, copper foil 22, the thickness of which is reduced (to 3 μm) by performing etching to lower the thermal conductivity is used as a conformal mask. Therefore, an opening 20a can be formed in the resin 20 if the number of irradiation of pulse-shape laser beam is reduced. Therefore, occurrence of undercut of the resin 20 which forms an interlayer insulating resin layer can be prevented. Thus, the reliability of the connection of the via holes can be improved.
US08148630B2
A method for producing a solar cell electrode, comprising the steps of: applying on at least part of a light-receiving surface of a semiconductor substrate a conductive paste comprising conductive component, glass frit, and resin binder, wherein the conductive component comprises silver particles and core-shell particles in which a metal selected from the group consisting of Pd, Ir, Pt, Ru, Ti, and Co is coated on a surface of silver or copper; and firing the conductive paste.
US08148625B2
The present invention provides a solar cell sealing film having enhanced transparency. A composition for a solar cell sealing film contains an ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, a crosslinker and a compound having an alkyleneoxy group. Thereby a solar cell sealing film having excellent all light beam transmittance and enhanced transparency can be formed.
US08148621B2
A music based video game in which a game player's singing performance is digitally sampled while the player performs a free-form vocal over a prerecorded musical composition. Aspects of the game player's free-form vocal performance are compared with predetermined criteria. For example, the vocal performance may be compared with tempo and key information to generate performance evaluation data. The performance evaluation data may be used to present performance feedback to the game player while the game player is singing.
US08148613B1
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 05KL135089 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 05KL135089 and its progeny, and methods of making 05KL135089.
US08148611B2
The invention relates to a novel canola line designated as SCV453784. The invention also relates to the seeds, the plants, and the plant parts of canola line SCV453784 as well as to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV453784 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention further relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV453784, to methods for producing other canola lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV453784 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention additionally relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV453784 with another canola line.
US08148608B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for generating clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants and for expressing gene products in such cell lines and plants. In some embodiments, a viral vector containing a polynucleotide of interest operably linked to a promoter is introduced into a plant or portion thereof to generate clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants. According to certain inventive methods, a viral vector containing a polynucleotide of interest operably linked to a promoter is introduced into cells of a plant cell line that is maintained in culture to generate clonal plant cell lines and clonal plants. The invention provides clonal root lines, clonal root cell lines, clonal plant cell lines, and clonal plants generated using inventive methods.
US08148591B2
A process for alkylating an aromatic compound comprising reacting at least one aromatic compound with a mixture of olefins having from about 8 to about 100 carbon atoms, in the presence of a strong acid catalyst wherein the resulting product comprises at least about 60 weight percent of a 1,2,4 tri-alkylsubstituted aromatic compound.
US08148590B2
A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen, in which a lower hydrocarbons-containing feedstock gas is reformed by being supplied to and being brought into contact with a catalyst under high temperature conditions thereby forming aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen. The method includes the steps of (a) supplying a hydrogen gas together with the feedstock gas during a supply of the feedstock gas; and (b) suspending the supply of the feedstock gas for a certain period of time while keeping a condition of a supply of the hydrogen gas. The catalyst is exemplified by a metallo-silicate carrying molybdenum and a metallo-silicate carrying molybdenum and rhodium. An amount of the hydrogen gas supplied together with the feedstock gas is set to be preferably larger than 2% and smaller than 10%, more preferably within a range of from 4 to 8%, much more preferably 8%. As a pretreatment for a reforming reaction by which aromatic hydrocarbons and hydrogen are formed, the catalyst is increased in temperature and kept at the temperature for a certain period of time while a gas containing methane and hydrogen is supplied thereto.
US08148587B2
The present invention provides a method for producing Lower olefin from the feed of methanol or/and dimethyl ether, characterized in that methanol or/and dimethyl ether are divided proportionally to be fed at 3 reaction zones; and the desired distribution of the olefin product is obtained by modulating the feeding ratio among the 3 reaction zones and the reaction conditions in each reaction zone.
US08148582B2
The subject matter of the present invention relates to a vaporization method of aqueous glycerol solutions in a fluidized bed containing an inert solid. The invention provides a method for vaporizing, in a single step, an aqueous glycerol solution and simultaneously eliminating the impurities present in this solution or generated during the evaporation.
US08148565B2
A method of manufacturing an organic silicon compound that contains a methacryloxy group or an acryloxy group is characterized by the fact that manufacturing or conducting purification by distillation is carried out in the presence of a phenothiazine derivative having a molecular weight equal to or higher than 240. A stable composition comprises the organic silicon compound that contains a methacryloxy group or an acryloxy group and the phenothiazine derivative having a molecular weight equal to or higher than 240. The phenothiazine derivative is used in an amount sufficient to stabilize the organic silicon compound.
US08148561B2
A storage-stable, smooth-feeling, non-comedogenic fatty acid ester mixture of 2-ethylhexanol and fatty acids comprising 2-ethylhexyl fatty acid esters, wherein the aggregate amount of C12 and C14 2-ethylhexyl fatty acid esters is 85% or more of the mixture, based on the total weight of all fatty acid esters in the mixture, which mixtures are useful in or as an oil component of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparation.
US08148559B1
Disclosed are processes for development and recovery of lipids from biomass. A plant or microorganism-based biomass can be developed to encourage a desired lipid profile. Following development, ecologically friendly normally gaseous fluids such as carbon dioxide can be pressurized to a supercritical state followed by rapid expansion. The fluid is first contacted with a biomass source including oil-containing microorganisms and/or agricultural products. For instance, fungi or algae can be bioconverted from another biomass sources such as canola seed or corn syrup and then contacted with the high pressure fluid. During a contact period, the fluid can diffuse into the biomass, and in particular through the cell walls of the biomass. The fluid undergoes rapid release of pressure and opens the cell structure for improved release of oil. The fluid can optionally be utilized for extraction following the explosion process. For instance, the fluid can be re-pressurized in the same vessel for extraction processes.
US08148557B2
Method of producing Δ5-Tibolone (C21H28O2), 6β-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3), 6α-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3), 15α-Hydroxy-Δ4-tibolone (C21H28O3), 6α-Hydroxy-Δ1,4-tibolone (C21H28O3) and 6β-Methoxy-Δ4-tibolone (C22H30O3) contacting tibolone with Gibberella fujikuroi (ATCC 10704) is reported.
US08148555B2
A method for improving the selectivity of a supported highly selective epoxidation catalyst comprising silver in a quantity of at most 0.17 g per m2 surface area of the support, which method comprises contacting the catalyst, or a precursor of the catalyst comprising the silver in cationic form, with a feed comprising oxygen at a catalyst temperature above 250° C. for a duration of up to 150 hours, and subsequently decreasing the catalyst temperature to a value of at most 250° C.; and a process for the epoxidation of an olefin, which process comprises contacting a supported highly selective epoxidation catalyst comprising silver in a quantity of at most 0.17 g per m2 surface area of the support, or a precursor of the catalyst comprising the silver in cationic form, with a feed comprising oxygen at a catalyst temperature above 250° C. for a duration of up to 150 hours, and subsequently decreasing the catalyst temperature to a value of at most 250° C. and contacting the catalyst with the feed comprising the olefin and oxygen.
US08148552B2
The present invention describes a new process for the preparation of (poly)aminoalkylaminoacetamide compounds of epipodophyllotoxin useful for their applications in therapeutics as anticancer agents. This process comprises a step of condensation of a primary-amine-containing reactant, whose amine functions are not protected, with β-chloroacetamido-4′-epipodophyllotoxin in a polar aprotic organic solvent.
US08148548B2
A heterocyclic fused selenophenes and a method of making a heterocyclic fused selenophenes of formula (1): wherein X is S or Se, Y is S or Se, wherein one or both of X and Y is Se, R is a substituent group. The monomer being capable of polymerization to form an electrically conductive polymer or oligomer.
US08148543B2
Disclosed are an organic semiconductor material including a thiazole compound represented by the following general formula (1) and an organic thin-film transistor using the organic semiconductor material: A1-B1-C1 (1) wherein A1 and C1 each represent an unsubstituted or substituted thiazole ring, and B1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted benzene ring or an unsubstituted or substituted polycondensed aromatic ring. Accordingly, there are provided an organic semiconductor material having high ON current and excellent storage stability and an organic thin-film transistor using the organic semiconductor material.
US08148537B2
The present invention relates to a compound according to formula: (I); wherein X1, X2, X3, X4 and X5 independently of each other represent —CH— or N; or X3, X4 and X5 independently of each other represent —CH— or N, and Xi and X2 independently of each other represent C and form part of an additional 6-membered aromatic ring; R1 represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkylcarbonyl, all of which are optionally substituted; R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen, —CH2—C(O)NR—R′, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, alkylaryl, alkylalkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, or alkoxyalkyl, all of which are optionally substituted; R11 represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, amino, alkoxy or alkylamino, X1-X5 represent —CH— or N, including N-oxides, enantiomers and diastereomers; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, or solvates thereof. The invention relates further to processes for the preparation of said compounds, to said compounds for use in therapy, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, to methods of treating diseases, e.g. dermal diseases, with said compounds, and to the use of said compounds in the manufacture of medicaments.
US08148534B2
The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula I: (I) possessing 11β-HSD type 1 antagonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I, as well as methods of using the compounds and compositions to treat diabetes, hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, cognitive disorders, and other conditions associated with 11β-HSD type 1 activity.
US08148533B2
Ionic liquids having melting points below about 100 C formed by reaction of a heterocyclic amine with about 2.8 and about 3.2 moles of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride per mole of amine nitrogen. Electrochemical devices having non-aqueous electrolytes containing the ionic liquids are also disclosed, as well as silicon oxide etching compositions containing the ionic liquids and etching methods in which silicon oxides are selectively removed by the etching compositions in the presence of aluminum.
US08148532B2
The present invention relates to compound of Formula I, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredient, methods for the treatment of disease states associated with angiogenesis, such as cancers associated with protein tyrosine kinases, to their use as medicaments for use in the production of inhibition of tyrosine kinases reducing effects in warm-blooded animals such as humans.
US08148530B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane compounds. According to the invention, in a first step, a dicarboxylic acid ester is reacted with a pyridine aldehyde and a primary amine. The piperidone which forms is reacted in a second stage with formaldehyde and a further primary amine. It is essential to the invention that, in the first reaction stage, a C2-C4-alcohol is used as solvent and, in the second reaction stage, a C3-C4-alcohol is used as solvent.
US08148525B2
The present invention provides 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades that lead to the release of chemical mediators, intermediates and methods of synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated with the release of chemical mediators via degranulation and other processes effected by activation of the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades.
US08148507B2
Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate or rodent, genes, purified proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are provided.
US08148506B2
Applicants have used protein design to develop novel functional protein architectures, termed protein kinase-inducible domains, whose structures are dependent on phosphorylation by specific protein kinases or are dependent on dephosphorylation by specific protein phosphatases. Applicants have designed kinase-inducible domains based on a modular architecture, which allows kinase-inducible domains to be responsive to any specific serine-threonine kinases. Kinase-inducible domains can consist of canonical amino acids, allowing their use as expressible tags of protein kinase activity.
US08148486B2
An amine-containing alkoxysilyl-functionalized polymer, a method of preparing a reactive polymer functionalized with an alkoxysilane functionalizing agent and further reacted with an amino alcohol, the resulting polymer, and vulcanizates thereof.
US08148483B2
The present invention is directed to fluoro silicone acrylates that are used in reaction either alone or with other monomers to make polymers that can modify the surface of hair skin or pigment. This makes them ideal for incorporation into pigmented products in personal care applications like make up and lipsticks.
US08148482B2
A process for forming tactic polymers employing at least one olefin polymerization catalyst comprising a non-racemic mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers of a metal complex containing at least one asymmetrically substituted (chiral) carbon atom, and a chain shuttling agent, a polar aprotic organic compound, or both a chain shuttling agent and a polar aprotic organic compound.
US08148481B2
A method for preparing a reactor for performance of a polymerization reaction, the method including providing at least one seed bed into the reactor; wherein the at least one seed bed includes at least one organometallic compound and polymer particles.
US08148477B2
In the present invention, a tubular flow reactor can maintain a plug flow property even though the tubular flow reactor is downsized, and provided is the tubular flow reactor with which uniform resin fine particles exhibiting a narrow particle size distribution and a narrow molecular weight distribution can be prepared when the tubular flow reactor is used for preparation of the resin fine particle via emulsion polymerization or the like. Disclosed is a tubular flow reactor possessing a stirring blade and a cylindrical channel, wherein a ratio d/D is 0.3-0.9 when a diameter of the stirring blade is represented by d and an inner diameter of the cylindrical channel is represented by D, and a ratio Lb/La is 0.80-0.99 when a length of the stirring blade is represented by Lb and a length of the cylindrical channel is represented by La.
US08148476B2
Process for transferring a slurry stream containing polymer through a transfer line from a polymerisation reactor to a downstream vessel by, prior to entry into the downstream vessel, separating the slurry stream into two flows, the first flow being recycled upstream of the flow separation and the second flow being passed into the downstream vessel. The flow separation is located more than halfway along the transfer line between the reactor and the downstream vessel.
US08148452B2
The object of the present invention is provide a rubber composition for coating a tire cord, which improves adhesion with a tire cord and has an effect of recovering adhesion with a tire cord at hygrothermal aging with maintaining the initial vulcanization rate. The present invention relates to a rubber composition for coating a tire cord comprising 0.7 to 3 parts by weight of benzothiazolyl sulfenamide or benzothiazolyl sulfenimide represented by the chemical formula (1): (wherein R1 is a linear alkyl group having a branched structure of 3 to 16 carbon atoms, and R2 is a linear alkyl group having a branched structure of 3 to 16 carbon atoms or a benzothiazolyl sulfide group) and 3 to 7 parts by weight of sulfur based on 100 parts by weight of a rubber component containing at least 60% by weight of a natural rubber and/or an isoprene rubber.
US08148448B2
A tire puncture sealant having both excellent sealing performance and excellent storage performance, specifically a tire puncture sealant containing a natural rubber latex (A) and a VEVA copolymer resin emulsion (B), wherein the solid content mass of the natural rubber latex (A)/solid content mass of the VEVA copolymer resin emulsion (B) is between 80/20 and 15/85.
US08148445B1
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials. The materials contain a multi-arm PEG macromer.
US08148442B2
The disclosed a pressure sensitive adhesive for polarizing plates which has a storage elastic modulus (G′) at 23° C. of at least 0.3 MPa; a polarizing plate having a pressure sensitive adhesive; a process for producing the above polarizing plate which comprises sticking a polarizing plate on a tacky adhesive material layer formed on a releasing layer of a releasing sheet, and thereafter irradiating with an active energy beam from the releasing sheet side; an optical film which comprises a polarizing plate and a phase difference plate; and a process for producing the above optical film. The pressure sensitive adhesive and polarizing plate having the pressure sensitive adhesive are characterized in that they are capable of sticking with high durability, the polarizing plate to a and phase difference plate, and the resultant liquid crystal display unit is less liable to cause light leakage under the conditions of high temperature.
US08148438B2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a reversible, self-assembly of an imbedded hexameric metallomacrocycle within a macromolecular superstructure. The method occurs by an intramolecular mechanism in which a macromolecular skeleton possesses multiple ligands capable of reversible assembly-disassembly triggered by the presence of metal ions.
US08148428B2
Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain novel compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe, and Pichinde), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever).
US08148416B2
A pharmaceutical composition and a method of treating inflammation in a mammal. The method administers the therapeutic composition to the mammal. The therapeutic composition includes: a standard therapeutic dose of a COX2 inhibitor consisting of celecoxib or rofecoxib; and low dose aspirin in an amount of 70-85 mg.
US08148413B2
This invention relates to compounds that are activators of glucokinase and thus may be useful for the management, treatment, control, or adjunct treatment of diseases, where increasing glucokinase activity is beneficial. The compounds are of the general formula (I) wherein A and B are further defined in the application.
US08148412B2
The present invention describes 2,3-di-substituted N-heteroaromatic propionamides, of Formula (I) wherein the substitution at the 3-position is an optionally substituted phenyl ring and the substitution at the 2-position is an alkyl or cycloalkyl group; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same; and, methods of using the same. The propionamides are glucokinase activators for the treatment of type II diabetes.
US08148410B2
The invention relates to novel thiophene derivatives (I), their preparation and their use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act as immunomodulating agents. Formula (I).
US08148404B2
Compounds of formula (I) suppress the normal signalling activity CB1 receptors, and are thus useful in the treatment of diseases or conditions which are mediated by CB1 receptor signalling activity, such as treatment of obesity and overweight, prevention of weigh gain, treatment of diseases and conditions directly or indirectly associated with obesity and overweight: wherein A1 is hydrogen, —COOH, or tetrazolyl; p and q are independently 0 or 1; A3 is phenyl or cycloalkyl, either of which is optionally substituted with R4 and/or R5; R4 and R5 are independently —R9, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —OR9, —NR7R8, —NR7COR6, —NR7SO2R6, —COR6, —SR9, —SOR9, or —SO2R6; R6 is C1-C4 alkyl, cycloalkyl, —CF3 or —NR7R8; R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or cycloalkyl; R9 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkoxy(C1-C4 alkyl)-, cycloalkyl, or fully or partially fluorinated C1-C4 alkyl; R1 (i) a bond; (ii) a divalent radical of formula —(CH2)aB1(CH2)b wherein a and b are independently O, 1, 2 or 3 provided that a+b is 1, 2 or 3, and B1 is —CO—, -0-, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —CH2—, —CHCH3—, —CHOH— or —NR7—; or (iii) a divalent radical selected from —C(R10)(R11)—*, —C(R10)(R11)—O—*, —C(R10)(R11)CH2—*, —C(R10)(R11)CH2—O—*, —CH2C(R10)(R11)—*, —CH2C(R10)(R11)—O—*, —CH2—O—C(R10)(R11)—* and —C(R10)(R11)—O—CH2—*, wherein the bond indicated by an asterisk is attached to the pyrazole ring; Z is as defined in the specification; R10 is hydrogen and R11 is (C1-C3)alkyl or —OH; or R10 and R11 are both (C1-C3)alkyl; or R10 and R11 taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a (C3-C5)cycloalkyl ring.
US08148399B2
Inhibitors of HCV replication of formula (I) and the N-oxides, salts, and stereoisomers, wherein each dashed line represents an optional double bond; X is N, CH and where X bears a double bond it is C; R1 is —OR7, —NH—SO2R8; R2 is hydrogen, and where X is C or CH, R2 may also be C1-6alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, C3-7cycloalkyl; R4 is aryl or Het; n is 3, 4, 5, or 6; R5 is halo, C1-6alkyl, hydroxy, C1-6alkoxy, phenyl, or Het; R6 is C1-6alkoxy, or dimethylamino; R7 is hydrogen; aryl; Het; C3-7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C1-6alkyl; or C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl or with Het; R8 is aryl; Het; C3-7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with C1-6alkyl; or C1-6alkyl optionally substituted with C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl or with Het; aryl is phenyl optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents; Het is a 5 or 6 membered saturated, partially unsaturated or completely unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and being optionally substituted with one, two or three substituents; pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds (I) and processes for preparing compounds (I). Bioavailable combinations of the inhibitors of HCV of formula (I) with ritonavir are also provided.
US08148395B2
The present invention relates to azolopyridin-3-one derivatives of the general formula I with the meanings indicated in the description, their pharmaceutically usable salts and their use as medicinal substances.
US08148390B2
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: (where variables A1, A2, B, J, K, m, n, R4, R5a, R5b and R5c are as defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US08148388B2
The present invention is drawn to 2,4 (4,6) pyrimidine derived macrocyclcs, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of making said compounds. The compounds disclosed herein are inhibitors of EGF receptor tyrosine kinases and are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and cancer.
US08148386B2
The present invention relates to an agent for preventing and treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH and a relaxant for relaxing urethral smooth muscle or prostatic smooth muscle comprising a pyrazolopyrimidinone compound as an effective ingredient. The agent in accordance with the present invention can provide nitric oxides by inhibiting the activity of PDE-5 that decomposes c-GMP, and the provided nitric oxides relax the urethral smooth muscle or the prostatic smooth muscle to lower the intraurethral pressure (IUP), thus treating BPH and LUTS associated with BPH. Furthermore, the time required for reaching a maximum blood concentration is shorter and the half-life is longer than the other PDE-5 inhibitors, thus reducing the frequency of administration. Moreover, the agent of the invention causing few side effects can be efficiently used as a safe drug.
US08148385B2
The present invention is directed to novel bicyclic triazolopyrimidine compounds of Formula (I) or a form thereof: wherein X1, X2, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein, and their methods of preparation and use as ADP inhibitors.
US08148384B2
Compounds of formula I wherein A1, A2, and A3 are as defined herein are inhibitors of PIM kinase. The compounds of formula I are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
US08148379B2
A therapeutic/preventive agent for cognitive dysfunctions, which comprises as an active ingredient an imide derivative of the following formula [1]: wherein Z is a group of the formula [2]: D is a group of —(CH2)p-A-(CH2)q—; G is ═N—, —CH—, etc.; and Ar is an aromatic heterocyclic group, etc.
US08148378B2
Pyridazine derivatives and their use as inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 activity in a mammal
A method of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, includes administering to a mammal a compound of formula (I): where x, y, W, V, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R6a, R7, R7a, R8, R8a, R9 and R9a are defined herein. The SCD-mediated disease or condition may be selected from the group consisting of Type II diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, obesity, fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, acne, cardiovascular disease, hypertriglyceridemia, inflammation, cancer, and any combination of these.
US08148376B2
The present invention discloses 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones for use as inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. The compounds are useful in treating and/or preventing various human diseases, mediated by stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) enzymes, especially diseases related to abnormal lipid levels, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, oily skin conditions, metabolic syndrome, and the like.
US08148375B2
The invention relates to (cyclopropylphenyl) phenyloxamides and their physiologically tolerated salts, and their use as a medicament.
US08148373B2
The present invention relates to spirocyclic amide derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy.
US08148372B2
Compounds in accord with Formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, methods of making, pharmaceutical compositions containing and methods for using the same.
US08148370B2
Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and X are as defined in the disclosure, or an acid addition salt thereof, and the therapeutic use and process of synthesis thereof.
US08148368B2
Surprising antiviral activity of 7-Nitro-2-(3-nitro phenyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (Compound 1) was reported in the treatment or prevention of viral infections, particularly in combination with other antiviral agents such as interferon and/or ribavarin.
US08148366B2
The invention relates to nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds of formula (I): in which: R1 represents hydrogen, —(CH2)m—NH2, —(CH2)m—NH(C1-C6)alk, —(CH2)m—N(C1-C6)alk2, —(CH2)m—NH—C(NH)NH2 or —(CH2)m—NH—CH═NH, m is equal to 1 or 2; R2 and R3 together form a nitrogenous heterocycle of aromatic character with 5 vertices containing 1, 2 or 3 nitrogen atoms, substituted on a nitrogen atom by R4; R4 represents hydrogen, C1-C6)alk or a chain of formula: -(A)n-(NH)o—(CH2)p—(CHR′)qR″ A represents C═O, C═NH or SO2; R′ represents hydrogen or carboxy.
US08148365B2
This invention relates to a novel 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl pyrimidinyl derivative and its use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions. The compound of the invention is found to be a cholinergic ligand at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.Due to its pharmacological profile the compound of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US08148360B2
Supramolecular complexes that target and cleave DNA are provided. The supramolecular complexes include at least one metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) light absorbing unit, at least one Pt based DNA binding unit, and at least one bridging unit that serves to connect the components. The Pt-based DNA binding unit binds the complex to DNA, and the MLCT unit absorbs light, thereby sensitizing molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species in close proximity to the complex and the bound DNA. The reactive oxygen species cleave the bound DNA.
US08148359B2
The present invention relates to compounds that can be used as metal-ion-chelating agents or as depolluting agents, corresponding to general formula (I) below: and also to precursor compounds of formula (II) and labelled compounds of formula (III) deriving from the compounds of formula (I). The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds (I), (II) or (III) as a medicament, and also the use thereof for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Wilson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
US08148343B2
The present invention relates to a tumor suppressor gene, termed HLS-5 and the amino acid sequence that it encodes. The present invention also relates to the use of HLS-5 in regulating cell growth.
US08148339B2
This invention is in the field of chemical restructuring of pharmaceutical agents known to cause tissue toxicity as a side effect, by producing their orotate salts. More particularly, it concerns orotate salts of the anthracyclines, doxorubicin and daunorubicin, that are found to reduce levels of the pharmaceutical agent in noncancerous tissues. The orotate salts are equally efficacious in inhibiting the SCCAKI-1 kidney tumor in animals and the reduction in the heart tissue of doxorubicin compared with doxorubicin HCl suggests a reduction in toxicity induced by free radical generation by the anthracyclines.
US08148320B2
Provided are purified compounds comprising SEQ ID NO:1, where the tyrosine at residue (10) is phosphorylated. Also provided are purified compounds comprising SEQ ID NO:1, where the amino acid sequence of the compound is less than 400 amino acids. Additionally provided are methods of determining whether an agent is a candidate inhibitor of an AbI kinase. Further provided are methods of inhibiting an AbI kinase. Also provided are methods of treating a patient having a condition characterized by a mutant AbI kinase. Additionally provided are methods of treating a patient at risk for a condition characterized by a mutant AbI kinase. Methods of labeling an AbI kinase are also provided. Additionally, methods of isolating an AbI kinase from a tissue are provided.
US08148318B2
The present invention relates to home or fabric care compositions comprising certain dye-polymer complexes. Additionally, methods for coloration of home or fabric care compositions using said dye-polymer complexes are disclosed.
US08148309B2
A composition and method for a cross-linked acrylic acid polymer based personal cleanser having high clarity is disclosed. Particular compositional ingredients are combined in a specified process such that the final composition comprises a clear, transparent personal cleansing product.
US08148306B2
Product of amines with hydroxy acid as friction modifiers suitable for automatic transmission fluids
Compositions comprising an oil of lubricating viscosity; an amide represented by the formula R1R2N—C(O)R3 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrocarbyl groups of at least 6 carbon atoms and R3 is a hydroxyalkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a group formed by the condensation of said hydroxyalkyl group, through a hydroxyl group thereof, with an acylating agent; a nitrogen-containing dispersant; and a phosphorus-containing compound are suitable for lubricating a transmission.
US08148300B2
The present invention relates to a superconducting film having a substrate and a superconductor layer formed on the substrate, in which nano grooves are formed parallel to a current flowing direction on a substrate surface on which the superconductor layer is formed and two-dimensional crystal defects are introduced in the superconductor layer on the nano grooves, and a method of manufacturing this superconducting film. A superconducting film of the invention, which is obtained at low cost and has very high Jc, is useful in applications such as cables, magnets, shields, current limiters, microwave devices, and semifinished products of these articles.
US08148299B2
A reversible thermosensitive recording material including a support, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer, and a gas barrier layer, the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and gas barrier layer being laid over the support, wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is formed of a reversible thermosensitive composition containing a mixture of an electron-accepting compound and an electron-donating color-forming compound whose color-developed state varies depending upon at least one of a heating temperature and a cooling rate after heating, and wherein the gas barrier layer contains an inorganic layered compound and a gas barrier resin which is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol polymers and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers.
US08148298B2
To provide a method for cleaning a reversible thermosensitive recording medium containing cleaning a reversible thermosensitive recording medium with a cleaning solution which contains at least one of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, wherein the reversible thermosensitive recording medium contains an electron-donating coloring compound and an electron-accepting compound and reversibly changes any one of transparency and color tone depending on temperature.
US08148283B2
A high-purity aluminum nitride sintered body is provided by efficiently removing oxides contained in a raw material powder in producing an aluminum nitride sintered body and preventing composite oxide produced by reaction of oxides contained in the raw material powder with a sintering aid from remaining in the aluminum nitride sintered body. The above sintered body is achieved by an aluminum nitride sintered body having a concentration of residual oxygen excluding attached oxygen of 350 ppm or less.
US08148277B2
A process for securely binding the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material in the absence of the use of a phenol-formaldehyde reaction product is provided. A curable binding composition comprising a water-soluble intermediate reaction product having hydroxyl and carboxylic acid end groups that is capable of undergoing an esterification crosslinking reaction is provided. The intermediate reaction product is formed by the reaction of (i) a polyanhydride, and (ii) certain polyol crosslinkers other than an alkanolamine. Such crosslinkers have been found to yield a bound product that displays improved color (i.e., lighter color). Particularly preferred crosslinkers are triethylene glycol and tripropylene glycol. When applied to a fibrous material, the intermediate reaction product is reacted with crosslinking to form a cured reaction product. In a preferred embodiment the securely bound fibrous product is building insulation of good color that well resists water.
US08148259B2
The present invention offers a method for forming an opening portion by a simple process without using a photomask or a resist. Further, the present invention proposes a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device at low cost. A plurality of light absorbing layers is formed over a substrate, an interlayer insulating layer is formed over the plurality of light absorbing layers, the plurality of light absorbing layers is irradiated with a linear or rectangular laser beam from the interlayer insulating layer side, and at least the interlayer insulating layer which is over the plurality of light absorbing layers is removed and an opening portion is formed; and accordingly, a plurality of opening portions can be formed by removing the plurality of light absorbing layers and an insulating film formed over the plurality of light absorbing layers.
US08148251B2
The present invention includes a method and system for forming a semiconductor device. Varying embodiments generate 2 dimensional alignment features in a device by implementing a 3-dimensional pattern into an underlying device substrate. Accordingly, alignments between successive device patterning steps can be determined regardless of the dilations or contractions that can take place during the device fabrication process. A first aspect of the present invention is a method for forming a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a 3-dimensional pattern in a substrate and depositing at least one material over the substrate in accordance with desired characteristics of the semiconductor device.
US08148246B2
A method for separating a semiconductor from a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: forming a plurality of columns on a substrate; epitaxially growing a semiconductor on the plurality of columns; and injecting etching liquid into the void among the plurality of columns so as to separate the semiconductor from the substrate. The method of this invention can enhance the etching efficiency of separating the semiconductor from the substrate and reduce the fabrication cost because the etching area is increased due to the void among the plurality of columns. In addition, the method will not confine the material of the above-mentioned substrate.
US08148244B2
A lateral growth method for defect reduction of semipolar nitride films. The process steps include selecting a semipolar nitride plane and composition, selecting a suitable substrate for growth of the semipolar nitride plane and composition, and applying a selective growth process in which the semipolar nitride nucleates on some areas of the substrate at the exclusion of other areas of the substrate, wherein the selective growth process includes lateral growth of nitride material by a lateral epitaxial overgrowth (LEO), sidewall lateral epitaxial overgrowth (SLEO), cantilever epitaxy or nanomasking.
US08148243B2
The following discloses and describes a zero capacitor RAM as well as a method for manufacturing the same. The zero capacitor RAM includes an SOI substrate. This SOI substrate is composed of a stacked structure of a silicon substrate, an embedded insulation film and a silicon layer. This layer is patterned into line types to constitute active patterns. Moreover, a first insulation layer forms between the active patterns and gates form on the active patterns as well as the first insulation layer to extend perpendicularly to the active patterns. In addition, a source forms in the active pattern on one side of each gate, a drain forms in the active pattern on the other side of each gate which is achieved by filling a metal layer. Continuing, a contact plug forms between the gates on the source and an interlayer dielectric forms on the contact plug in addition to the gates Finally, a bit line forms on the interlayer dielectric to extend perpendicularly to the gates and come into contact with the drain.
US08148241B2
One embodiment of depositing a gallium nitride (GaN) film on a substrate comprises providing a source of indium (In) and gallium (Ga) and depositing a monolayer of indium (In) on the surface of the gallium nitride (GaN) film. The monolayer of indium (In) acts as a surfactant to modify the surface energy and facilitate the epitaxial growth of the film by suppressing three dimensional growth and enhancing or facilitating two dimensional growth. The deposition temperature is kept sufficiently high to enable the indium (In) to undergo absorption and desorption on the gallium nitride (GaN) film without being incorporated into the solid phase gallium nitride (GaN) film. The gallium (Ga) and indium (In) can be provided by a single source or separate sources.
US08148238B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which, in the case where an InP-based device is formed with a sacrificial layer in between, is capable of obtaining better device characteristics than those in the case where an AlAs single layer is used as the sacrificial layer, and which does not have the possibility that the device layer is etched together with the sacrificial layer during etching of the sacrificial layer. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: a formation step of forming a sacrificial layer which is pseudomorphic to InP on an InP substrate, and then forming an InP-based device layer on the sacrificial layer; and a separation step of separating the InP substrate and the device layer from each other by etching the sacrificial layer.
US08148236B2
An object is to provide a system-on-panel display device including a display portion and a peripheral circuit for controlling display on the display portion over one substrate, which can operate more accurately. The display device has a display portion provided with a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels and a peripheral circuit portion for controlling display on the display portion, which are provided over a substrate. Each of the display portion and the peripheral circuit portion includes a plurality of transistors. For semiconductor layers of the transistors, single crystal semiconductor materials are used.
US08148235B2
Methods of forming air gaps between interconnects of integrated circuits and structures thereof are disclosed. A first insulating material is deposited over a workpiece, and a second insulating material having a sacrificial portion is deposited over the first insulating material. Conductive lines are formed in the first and second insulating layers. The second insulating material is treated to remove the sacrificial portion, and at least a portion of the first insulating material is removed, forming air gaps between the conductive lines. The second insulating material is impermeable as deposited and permeable after treating it to remove the sacrificial portion. A first region of the workpiece may be masked during the treatment, so that the second insulating material becomes permeable in a second region of the workpiece yet remains impermeable in the first region, thus allowing the formation of the air gaps in the second region, but not the first region.
US08148233B2
A semiconductor power device includes a plurality of groups of stripe-shaped gate trenches extending in a silicon region over a substrate, and a plurality of stripe-shaped sinker trenches each extending between two adjacent groups of the plurality of groups of stripe-shaped gate trenches. The plurality of stripe-shaped sinker trenches extend from a top surface of the silicon region through the silicon region and terminate within the substrate. The plurality of stripe-shaped sinker trenches are lined with an insulator along the sinker trench sidewalls so that a conductive material filling each sinker trench makes electrical contact with the substrate along the bottom of the sinker trench and makes electrical contact with an interconnect layer along the top of the sinker trench.
US08148231B2
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same include an electrode having a nickel layer with impurities. The electrode having a nickel layer with impurities can be a gate electrode or a capacitor electrode. The electrode having a nickel layer with impurities may include a combination of a pure nickel layer and a nickel layer with impurities.
US08148215B2
A non-volatile memory in which a leak current from an electric charge accumulating layer to an active layer is reduced and a method of manufacturing the non-volatile memory are provided. In a non-volatile memory made from a semiconductor thin film that is formed on a substrate (101) having an insulating surface, active layer side ends (110) are tapered. This makes the thickness of a first insulating film (106), which is formed by a thermal oxidization process, at the active layer side ends (110) the same as the thickness of the rest of the first insulating film. Therefore local thinning of the first insulating film does not take place. Moreover, the tapered active layer side ends hardly tolerate electric field concentration at active layer side end corners (111). Accordingly, a leak current from an electric charge accumulating layer (107) to the active layer (105) is reduced to improve the electric charge holding characteristic. As a result, the first insulating film can be further made thin to obtain a high performance non-volatile memory that operates at a low voltage and consumes less power.
US08148214B2
A stressed field effect transistor and methods for its fabrication are provided. The field effect transistor comprises a silicon substrate with a gate insulator overlying the silicon substrate. A gate electrode overlies the gate insulator and defines a channel region in the silicon substrate underlying the gate electrode. A first silicon germanium region having a first thickness is embedded in the silicon substrate and contacts the channel region. A second silicon germanium region having a second thickness greater than the first thickness and spaced apart from the channel region is also embedded in the silicon substrate.
US08148213B2
A method for manufacturing a biosensor includes forming a laminate of a first silicon oxide film and a polysilicon film on one surface of a silicon substrate; forming a second silicon oxide film on the other surface of the silicon substrate; forming a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a channel on the first silicon oxide film, the channel connecting the source electrode and the drain electrode; and removing the polysilicon film.
US08148212B2
A plurality of nanowires is grown on a first substrate in a first direction perpendicular to the first substrate. An insulation layer covering the nanowires is formed on the first substrate to define a nanowire block including the nanowires and the insulation layer. The nanowire block is moved so that each of the nanowires is arranged in a second direction parallel to the first substrate. The insulation layer is partially removed to partially expose the nanowires. A gate line covering the exposed nanowires is formed. Impurities are implanted into portions of the nanowires adjacent to the gate line.
US08148209B2
A resin ejection nozzle is scanned over a substrate on which an electronic part is mounted, and ejects an encapsulation resin to an encapsulation area of the substrate. The resin ejection nozzle comprises an ejection part adapted to eject the encapsulation resin, the ejection part having a longitudinal direction which is perpendicular to a direction of movement of the nozzle. An ejection hole part is adapted to cause the encapsulation resin to contact a substantially half area of a side of the electronic part which lies at right angles to the direction of movement of the nozzle. A remaining portion of the side of the electronic part is gradually contacted by the encapsulation resin after the substantially half area of the side of the electronic part is contacted by the encapsulation resin.
US08148202B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated circuit chip, including an active face upon which active circuitry and signal pads reside, and a back face opposite the active face. The integrated circuit chip additionally comprises an electromagnetic via that facilitates communication between signal pads on the integrated circuit chip and signal pads on a second integrated circuit chip. The electromagnetic via couples a signal pad on the active face of the integrated circuit chip to the back face of the integrated circuit chip so that the integrated circuit chip can communicate with the second integrated circuit chip while the back face of the integrated circuit chip is adjacent to the active face of the second integrated circuit chip. Moreover, the electromagnetic via operates by facilitating non-conductive signaling through the integrated circuit chip.
US08148195B2
A process for forming at least one local contact area of a substrate of an electrical component for contacting the contact area with a connector, in which the substrate, on the contact side, is provided with a sintered porous metal layer. To make available a mechanically durable, electrically faultless solderable contact area, it is proposed that the porous layer be compacted and/or removed in the contact area to be formed.
US08148182B2
A manufacturing method of an electro line for a liquid crystal display device includes depositing a barrier layer made of a conducting material on a substrate, depositing a copper layer (Cu) on the barrier layer, wet-etching the Cu layer using a first etchant, and dry-etching the barrier layer using a second etchant using the wet-etched Cu layer as an etch mask.
US08148170B2
An apparatus and methods for binding an analyte of interest in a sample are provided. The apparatus comprises a substrate with an exposed surface with an compound, that is electrostatically charged or capable of forming hydrogen bonds, provided bound to the solid substrate. A recombinant single chain antibody (scFv) molecule specific for the analyte of interest, having one or more amino acids with charged or hydrogen-bond forming sidechains in a linker polypeptide portion, is bound to the layer on the solid substrate. When the analyte of interest is present in the sample the scFv binds the analyte to the solid substrate. The apparatus can be used with an immunoglobulin layer to detect Fc receptors, so as to detect microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus having protein A or protein G.
US08148159B2
Apparatus and methods are described for achieving uniform stretching of polynucleotides in hybrid electrophoretic-gel, micro-constricting microfluidic channels. Polynucleotides in normally relaxed configurations are driven by an electric field along a microfluidic channel. The polynucleotides thread through a porous gel barrier formed in the channel and extend into a constriction where an electric field gradient exists. The combined action of the gel and field gradient acts to extend the polynucleotide configuration fully for direct linear analysis of the molecule.
US08148156B1
A synthetic urine solution is described. The synthetic urine solution is a shelf stable, food grade composition formed of water having a pH between 3 and 10. A thickening agent is dissolved within the water to form a solution having a specific gravity between 1.025 g/cm3 and 1.225 g/cm3. To provide a realistic appearance and odor, a coloring agent and urea are dissolved within the solution. Finally, to provide a shelf stable product, a preservative is also dissolved within the solution.
US08148153B2
A cell culture substrate having at least one area for culturing a cell on a substrate, characterized in that the culturing area comprises an area releasably holding a biologically active substance having a biological activity to the cell and an area for immobilizing a biologically active substance having a biological activity to the cell.
US08148152B2
Provided are means and methods for producing embryoid bodies (EBs) from multi- or pluripotent cells. In particular, a method of generating embryoid bodies (EBs) is described comprising agitation of a liquid suspension culture of multi- or pluripotent cells in a container until generation of cell aggregates, optionally diluting the suspension, and further agitation of the suspension until formation of EBs. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the novel culturing method and EBs obtained thereby for a variety of applications including genomics, diagnostic assays, teratogenic/embryotoxicological and pharmacological assays as well as for the provision of tissue grafts.
US08148151B2
Methods for differentiating primate pluripotent stem cells into hepatocyte-lineage cells are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods utilize sequential culturing of the primate pluripotent stem cells in certain growth factors to produce hepatocyte-lineage cells. In certain embodiments, the population of cells produced by the methods is further enriched for hepatocyte-lineage cells.
US08148143B2
A vector and its use to generate genetically modified animals and cells is disclosed. One aspect involves a vector that comprises a sperm cell and one or more polynucleotide molecules bound to a sperm cell through one or more anti-sperm antibody linker. In one preferred embodiment, the one or more polynucleotide molecules encode for a gene product that confers desired characteristics in the cells or the animals. In another preferred embodiment, the genetically modified cells are able to produce desired therapeutic proteins. The association of the sperm, linker, and the one or more polynucleotide can occur in vitro or in vivo. In another embodiment, the genetically modified cells are transgenic chicken eggs in which one or more desired recombinant protein is expressed. In another aspect, genetically modified cells or animals are derived form the fertilization of an animal egg call with the vector described above. Another aspect includes cells, such as sperm cells or egg cells, and cell lines that are derived from these genetically modified animals or their descendants.
US08148142B2
A system and methods for processing organic waste material for residential type environments includes a reactor tank dimensioned to receive a predetermined amount of organic material therein. The amount of organic material is selected based upon the size of the residential service area the system is servicing. The system includes homogenizing the volume of organic waste materials and selectively introducing the homogenized organic material into a reaction tank. A system for selectively removing gaseous by-products from the anaerobic digestion of organic material within the reactor tank is provided, along with a system for selective removal of waste solids from the reactor tank to provide for substantially continuous processing of materials and production of usable gases.
US08148140B2
The present invention enables to classify and measure two or more kinds of target substances which have the same recognition site recognized by a specific capturing body. Specifically, by using a target substance detecting element for detecting two or more targets, whose kinds are different mutually, at the same time, the target substance detecting element, characterized by having a base material, two or more kinds of metal structures provided on a surface of the base material, and a target capturing body provided on each surface of the two or more kinds of metal structures, and in that the number of kinds of the metal structures are equal to or more than the number of kinds of the target substances, concentrations of the two or more kinds of target substances can be calculated by integrating and analyzing detection signals detected from the target substance detecting element.
US08148136B1
This invention relates to the protein, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis acylase (mpa) and the gene encoding mpa, which we have identified in the pathogen Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Mptb (also designated Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis MAP), and to their use in the diagnosis of Mptb/MAP infections in animals and humans, as well as their use as components of vaccines for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Mptb/MAP. The importance of an intact uninterrupted mpa gene as a determinant of pathogenicity in Mptb/MAP is recognized and the invention also provides attenuated strains of normally pathogenic Mptb/MAP and other mycobacteria in which mpa has been inactivated, for use as vaccines.
US08148135B2
A method for producing bacterial cellulose, said method comprising culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, separating bacterial cellulose produced in said liquid medium from said liquid medium, washing said separated bacterial cellulose and drying said bacterial cellulose. The cellulose-producing Proteus strain is preferably a Proteus myxofaciens strain, preferably strain IDAC 071005-01 or strain ATCC 19692. The liquid medium is provided with a carbohydrate substrate containing at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, xylose, and rhamnose. A bacterial cellulose product produced by culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms.
US08148133B2
The invention provides an isolated haloalkaliphilic microorganism designated as strain sapolanicus belonging to the genus Halanaerobium, which is capable of producing hydrogen from biomass. Methods of producing biohydrogen comprising the fermentation of the microorganism with alkaline pretreated biomass are also provided. Fermentation is preferably carried out without neutralization of the pretreated biomass and at a pH of greater than or equal to about 10.
US08148132B2
The present invention relates to the development and manufacturing of viral vaccines, particularly the industrial production of viral vectors and vaccines, and more particularly the use of avian embryonic stem cells, preferably the EBx cell line derived from chicken embryonic stem cells, for the production of viral vectors and viruses; the invention is particularly useful for the industrial production of viral vaccines to prevent viral infection of humans and animals.
US08148127B2
The present invention relates to polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding said polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to the composition comprising a glucoamylase of the invention as well as the use such compositions for starch conversion processes, brewing, including processes for producing fermentation products or syrups.
US08148125B2
Compositions comprising truncated tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase polypeptides useful for regulating angiogenesis, as well as nucleic acids encoding such tRNA synthetase polypeptides are described. Methods of making and using such compositions are also disclosed.
US08148115B2
Device and methods for extracting and analyzing nucleic acids from biological samples.
US08148111B2
A carrier for cell culture is provided which improves the cell proliferativity in serum-free culture and which is free from risk from infection factor contamination. The gist of the features of the present invention is to be formed of a crosslinked poly(meth)acrylic acid (salt) particle (A) and an artificial polypeptide (P) having at least one cell-adhesive minimal amino acid sequence (X) in one molecule and to have a water retention value of from 2 to 50 g/g. The (A) is preferably a particle produced by reversed phase suspension polymerization of an aqueous monomer solution containing (meth)acrylic acid and/or an alkali metal salt of (meth)acrylic acid. The (P) preferably has at least one auxiliary amino acid sequence (Y) in one molecule of the (P). The (X) is preferably an Arg Gly Asp sequence.
US08148110B2
Methods and compositions for detecting molecular interactions, particularly protein-protein interactions, using at least two inactive, weakly-complementing β-lactamase fragments are provided. The invention allows detection of such interactions in eukaryotic and mammalian cells, in situ or in vitro. Detection of molecular interactions in mammalian cells is not limited to the nuclear compartment, but can be accomplished in the cytoplasm, cell surface, organelles, or between these entities. Methods provided utilize novel compositions comprising fusion proteins between molecules of interest and inactive, weakly-complementing β-lactamase fragments. Association of the molecules of interest brings the corresponding complementary β-lactamase fragments into close enough proximity for complementation to occur and β-lactamase activity to be observed. The invention is useful in the study of protein-protein interactions, functional genomics, agonist and antagonist screening and drug discovery.
US08148108B2
Various methods for the production of cellulase are disclosed. In one embodiment the method for producing cellulase includes contacting a culture comprising a sophorolipid producer and a cellulase producer with a substrate that is consumed by the sophorolipid producer. In addition, a microorganism culture made from a sophorolipid producer and a cellulase producer is disclosed.
US08148105B2
Methods are provided for the production of gram to kilogram quantities of pro-EP-B2 (proenzyme form of EP-B2) in a lyophilized form. The methods include scalable fermentation, refolding and purification processes, which processes may be combined with lyophilization to yield a stable product.
US08148103B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08148098B2
Rationally-designed LAGLIDADG meganucleases and methods of making such meganucleases are provided. In addition, methods are provided for using the meganucleases to generate recombinant cells and organisms having a desired DNA sequence inserted into a limited number of loci within the genome, as well as methods of gene therapy, for treatment of pathogenic infections, and for in vitro applications in diagnostics and research.
US08148095B2
The atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs) have markedly enhanced the treatment of schizophrenias but their use has been hindered by the major weight gain elicited by some AAPDs. We found that orexigenic AAPDs potently and selectively activate hypothalamic AMP kinase (AMPK), an action abolished in mice with deletion of histamine H1 receptors. These findings afford a means of developing better therapeutic agents and provide insight into the hypothalamic regulation of food intake.
US08148080B2
The present invention provides a novel human gene ZNFN3A1 whose expression is markedly elevated in a great majority of HCCs compared to corresponding non-cancerous liver tissues. The gene encodes a protein having a zinc finger domain as well as a SET domain and has been found to form a regulatory complex with RNA helicase and RNA polymerase.
US08148079B2
A method of producing a PCR amplification product is provided that suppresses an effect of precipitate, turbidity, or the like derived from a whole blood sample on a detection in the detection of an amplified nucleic acid by an optical unit. The amplification product complementary to a target nucleic acid in the whole blood sample is produced by PCR in a condition where a ratio of the whole blood sample in a PCR reaction solution is in the range of 0.1 to 0.9% by volume or 0.01 to 1.8 g/L in term of hemoglobin content. When the PCR is carried out with such conditions, even with an untreated whole blood sample, a monitoring of the amplification product by the optical unit can be done while suppressing the effect of the precipitate or the turbidity.
US08148078B2
The present invention methods and systems for determining copy number variation of a target polynucleotide in a genome of a subject including amplification based techniques. Methods can include pre-amplification of the sample followed by distribution of sample and a plurality of reaction volumes, quantitative detection of a target polynucleotide and a reference polynucleotide, and analysis so as to determine the relative copy number of the target polynucleotide sequence in the genome of the subject.
US08148072B2
The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.
US08148052B2
A method of forming a pattern in at least one device layer in or on a substrate comprises: coating the device layer with a first photoresist layer; exposing the first photoresist using a first mask; developing the first photoresist layer to form a first pattern on the substrate; coating the substrate with a protection layer; treating the protection layer to cause a change therein where it is in contact with the first photoresist, to render the changed protection layer substantially immune to a subsequent exposure and/or developing step; coating the substrate with a second photoresist layer; exposing the second photoresist layer using a second mask; and developing the second photoresist layer to form a second pattern on the substrate without significantly affecting the first pattern in the first photoresist layer, wherein the first and second patterns together define interspersed features having a spatial frequency greater than that of the features defined in each of the first and second patterns separately. The process has particular utility in defining source, drain and fin features of finFET devices with a smaller feature size than otherwise achievable with the prevailing lithography tools.
US08148043B2
Silsesquioxane-based compositions that contain (a) silsesquioxane resins that contain HSiO3/2 units and RSiO3/2 units wherein; R is an acid dissociable group, and (b) least one organic base additive selected from bulky tertiary amines, imides, amides and the polymeric amines wherein the organic base additive contains an electron-attracting group with the provision that the organic base additive is not 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin. The silsesquioxane-based compositions are useful as positive resist compositions in forming patterned features on substrate, particularly useful for multi-layer layer (i.e. bilayer) 193 nm & 157 nm photolithographic applications.
US08148040B2
In a toner at least containing a binder resin and a colorant, a value obtained by dividing a particle size D50p by a particle size D84p is 1.43 or more and 1.64 or less, wherein D50p and D84p respectively represent particle sizes at 50% and 84% of cumulative number counted from a large-size side in a cumulative number distribution. Further, in the toner, an average degree of circularity of toner particles having a volume average particle size of 1 μm or more and 4 μm or less is 0.940 or more and 0.960 or less. Further, in the toner, a content of toner particles having an average degree of circularity of 0.850 or less is 10% by number or less among the toner particles having a volume average particle size of 1 μm or more and 4 μm or less.
US08148037B2
The present invention is to provide a method for smoothing the optical surface having a concave defect of an optical component for EUVL.The present invention relates to a method for smoothing the optical surface of an optical component for EUVL, comprising irradiating, with an excimer laser having a wavelength of 250 nm or less with a fluence of 0.5 to 2.0 J/cm2, the optical surface having a concave defect of an optical component for EUV lithography (EUVL), the optical component being made of a TiO2-containing silica glass material comprising SiO2 as a main component.
US08148034B2
A metallic separator for a fuel cell including 2.2 to 6.0 parts by weight of tungsten based on 100 parts by weight of stainless steel containing molybdenum, and the weight ratio of molybdenum to tungsten (Mo/W) is 0.15 to 1.60. The separator for fuel cells has excellent anti-corrosive properties and contact resistance as low as that of a metal material, and thus, a fuel cell having high efficiency can be manufactured at a reasonable cost using the separator.
US08148033B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system in which a noise and a vibration of a compressor can be suppressed. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fuel cell system including a fuel cell; a compressor for supplying an oxidant gas to the fuel cell, having a first rotational speed region within which as a rotational speed increases, a noise becomes greater than a predetermined value, and a second rotational speed region within which as the rotational speed increases, the noise becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value; and a compressor controller for controlling the compressor by calculating a command rotational speed for commanding the compressor based on a required amount of power generation.
US08148027B2
The present invention refers to a self-humidifying electrically conducting composite material for the manufacture of a fuel cell.
US08148024B2
A low temperature PEM fuel cell system is prevented against freezing after a shutdown in sub-freezing conditions. The fuel cell can be heated by filling an anode chamber with a fuel (the hydrogen or a hydrogen-rich reactant gas) and generating the hydrogen on a cathode. A defined amount of air is supplied to the cathode chamber. The fuel cell is locally heated to a defined temperature by the exothermic chemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen on a cathode catalyst. Once the fuel cell is warmed to the defined temperature, the hydrogen generation on the cathode and the air supply can be discontinued. Water formed at the cathode can be evaporated by means of pre-heating of an air flow. This procedure provides plain saturation of the cathode with the hydrogen and, as result, mild, safe heating the fuel cell without use of an additional external power supply.
US08148011B2
An uncycled, preconditioned positive metal-oxide or lithium-metal-oxide electrode for a non-aqueous lithium electrochemical cell, the electrode being preconditioned in an aqueous or a non-aqueous solution containing stabilizing cations and anions that are etched into the electrode surface to form a protective layer. Methods of preconditioning the electrodes are disclosed as are electrochemical cells and batteries containing the electrodes.
US08147995B2
A bit patterned media (BPM) includes many magnetic dots arranged in tracks on a substrate. The magnetic dots each have a hard magnetic core, a soft magnetic cladding surrounding the core and a thin non-magnetic layer that separates the hard magnetic core from the soft magnetic ring. The soft magnetic cladding stabilizes the magnetization at the edges of the hard magnetic core to improve the signal to noise ratio of the magnetic dots. The soft magnetic rings also narrow the magnetic field of the dots which reduces the space requirements and allows more dots to be placed on the substrate.
US08147981B2
An alloy, in particular for an anti-friction coating, includes elements which form a matrix and at least a soft phase and/or a hard phase, which soft phase elements and/or hard phase elements form a solid solution or a bond with the matrix element. The soft phase and/or hard phase is dispersed in the matrix and the solid solution or bond is formed only in the region of the phase boundary of the matrix with the soft phase and/or with the hard phase.
US08147967B2
The decorative panel comprises a first backing layer made, according to its use, from a choice of different materials and geometrically defined by a base wall which in use is fastened, for example by gluing, to the surface to be covered, an upper wall parallel and opposite to said base wall and several side walls, a second layer which is arranged so as to cover the upper wall and the side walls and which consists of a pigmented two-component polyurethane base coat preferably pigmented using iron oxide pigments, a third layer which is arranged so as to cover the second layer and consists of a one-component solvent-based preferably self-curing acrylic resin mordant, a fourth layer which is arranged so as to cover the third layer and consists of a precious metal leaf for instance gold, silver or platinum leaf, and a fifth layer which is arranged so as to cover the fourth layer and is made of transparent material.
US08147965B2
A film that contains a thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer is provided. The film is both elastic and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water -dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water. The dual attributes of elasticity and water-sensitivity may be achieved by reducing the tendency of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer to form separate phases. Namely, phase separation may cause the elastomer to act as a barrier and limit the ability of the water-soluble polymer to contact water and thereby disperse. To minimize such phase separation, a variety of aspects of the film construction may be selectively controlled, such as the nature of the thermoplastic polyurethane and water-soluble polymer, the relative amount of each component, and so forth. For example, thermoplastic polyurethanes are polar in nature and thus may be generally compatible with water-soluble polymers (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol), which are also polar in nature. Further, water-soluble polymers having a relatively low molecular weight and viscosity typically possess better melt compatibility with polar thermoplastic polyurethanes. By carefully controlling the nature of the polymers used to form the film, the present inventors have discovered that a film may be formed that is generally free of distinct phases.
US08147962B2
The invention relates to conductive polymer composites comprising a first layer comprising at least one electrically doped conductive polymer and a second layer comprising at least one material selected from a colloid-forming polymeric acid, a salt of a colloid-forming polymeric acid, a non-polymeric fluorinated organic acid, and a salt of a non-polymeric fluorinated organic acid.
US08147961B2
A metal material that is, without using expensive apparatus, carburized in a low temperature region where crystal grains do not grow so much, and a producing method of the metal material are provided. A metal material mainly containing iron, wherein a surface of the metal material is subjected to a carburization treatment by a treatment using fullerenes as a carbon source.
US08147959B2
A color-change laminate in which a color tone derived from a porous layer is visually perceived in a dry state and a metallic lustrous property is visually perceived in a liquid-absorbed state of the porous layer caused by water application is excellent in luminance and which satisfies both of changing properties and decorative properties in the dry state and in the liquid-absorbed state. A color-change laminate includes a support having a metallic lustrous property and a porous layer provided on the surface of the support. The porous layer includes a low-refractive-index pigment and a transparent metallic lustrous pigment formed by coating a transparent core material with a metal oxide and/or a transparent metallic lustrous pigment having a color-flopping property all fixed onto a binder resin in a dispersed state and is different in transparency in a liquid-absorbed state and in a liquid-unabsorbed state.
US08147947B2
A man-made, molded article is provided. The article includes a profile including a planar wall, and an adjacent integral molded depression having a contoured wall extending downwardly from the planar wall. The contoured wall includes a bead portion, a cove portion, and a ledge between the bead and cove portions. The articles are stackable, one above another for transport, in a nestable relationship in which multiple contact zones are present between the contoured walls of an adjacently stacked pair of the molded articles. The contact zones include an arcuately extending contact interface zone between the bead exterior and interior surfaces. The depression has a substantially uniform thickness varying by no more than about +1 percent to about −11 percent in relation to a thickness of the planar wall. Related methods and assemblies are also provided.
US08147946B2
A polarizing plastic lens comprising a polarizing film with low tendency to detachment from an optical resin layer. There is provided polarizing plastic lens comprising polarizing film constituted of a polyvinyl alcohol resin. Two optical resin layers of different thicknesses may be disposed on both surfaces of the polarizing film. The optical resin layers are formed by polymerizing a polymerization raw material composition in contact with the polarizing film. The polymerization raw material composition contains as one main component an isocyanated or isothiocyanated compound. The iscocyanate or isothiocyanate functional group reacts with the hydroxyl of polyvinyl alcohol resin of polarizing film to thereby form an urethane bond or thiourethane bond, so that the optical resin layers are strongly unified with the polarizing film.
US08147945B2
[Problems] A higher forgery prevention effect is realized.[Means for Solving Problems] A display according to the present invention is characterized by includes a relief-structured region as an image-constituting element including recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them arranged two-dimensionally on one of main surfaces of a light-transmitting layer, and a reflection layer supported by the one of the main surfaces and covering at least a part of the relief-structured region, wherein a center-to-center distance of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them falls within a range of 200 nm to 500 nm. Further, it is characterized in that it comprises multiple relief-structured regions, and a shape, depth or height, the center-to-center distance and an arrangement pattern of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them in at least one of the relief-structured regions are different from those in other relief-structured region(s).
US08147944B2
An apparatus formed or molded from a transparent material to cover a book, composition book, or notebook of various sizes is provided. The transparent apparatus is double layered with an opened ended top edge to allow for paper of various weights to be inserted within the double layered body and mutually spaced inward folded portions. The inward folded portions are deep enough to slide the front and back covers of a book, composition book, or notebook into it for a secure fit. The inward folded edges are affixed and sealed through all thickness of the cover body at the bottom edge.
US08147940B2
Provided is a piece of cloth, wherein clothing composed of a soft and lightweight material can be constituted of flat small pieces. A piece of cloth consists of a hexagonal central part, and first and second peripheral edge parts located alternately at the peripheral edges of the central part. The first and second peripheral edge parts share one side of the hexagons, a first cut having a length shorter than the length of the side but longer than a quarter thereof is made in the border line of the first peripheral edge part and the central part, and second cuts having a length equal to or slightly longer than one half of [(the length of the side)−(the length of the first cut)] are made on the border line of the second peripheral edge part and the central part from the opposite ends of the side.
US08147930B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding two or more characteristics. The invention provides an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. A liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is a specific compound having a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy and the second component is a specific compound having a small viscosity or a large maximum temperature. The liquid crystal display device contains the composition.
US08147923B2
A process comprising applying coating materials to substrates, and curing the coating materials thermally and with actinic radiation, alone or together with optional coating films already present on the substrate. The actinic radiation cure is conducted under an oxygen-depleted atmosphere. The coating materials comprise (meth)acrylate copolymers having an OH number from 100 to 220 mg KOH/g, Tg of −35 to +60° C., number-average MW of from 1,000 to 10,000 daltons and a mass-average MW of from 2,000 to 40,000 daltons and contain in copolymerized form an amount of hydroxyl-containing monomers (a) that corresponds to the OH number, of which (a1) from 20 to 90% by weight are based on (a), 4-hydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate and/or 2-alkylpropane-1,3-diol mono(meth)acrylate, and (a2) from 10 to 80% by weight are based on (a), other hydroxyl-containing olefinically unsaturated monomers. The process further comprises from 0.2 to 8% by weight of photoinitiators.
US08147922B2
A thermal coating includes a substrate, a first coating layer, and a second coating layer. The substrate is selected from the group consisting of superalloys and ceramic matrix composites. The first coating layer comprises an alumina powder, a silica binder, and at least one additive selected from either a first group or a second group. The second coating layer comprises at least one of zinc titanate or cerium oxide. A method for applying a thermal coating system includes spraying a bond coat mixture onto a substrate using a liquid electrostatic sprayer. The bond coat mixture comprises an alumina powder, a silica binder, and at least one additive selected from either a first group or a second group. The method further includes applying a top coat mixture onto the bond coat mixture, wherein the top coat mixture comprises at least one of zinc titanate or cerium oxide.
US08147919B2
A process for the production of multi-layer coatings in A′ color shades, comprising the successive steps: 1) applying a base coat layer in a total process film thickness in the range from 10 to 35 μm to a substrate provided with an EDC primer, 2) applying a clear coat layer onto the base coat layer, 3) jointly curing the base coat and clear coat layers, wherein the base coat layer is applied in a first layer of a modified water-borne base coat modAB prepared by mixing an unmodified, water-borne base coat A with an unmodified water-borne base coat B and with a pigment-free admixture component and in a second layer of the unmodified water-borne base coat A.
US08147916B2
A process for making an electrode sheet for a solid lithium electrochemical cells is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) admixing a polyether polymer or copolymer, at least one lithium salt, at least one electrochemically active material and purified water to form an aqueous solution/suspension containing by weight at least 40% purified water, at least 20% active electrode material, up to 10% electrically conductive material, at least 5% polyether polymer or copolymer, and at least 1.5% lithium salt; b) coating the aqueous solution/suspension in the form of an electrode thin film onto an electrode support; and, c) evaporating the water from the electrode thin film to obtain an electrode sheet having less than 1000 ppm of residual water. The evaporation step is preferably carried out through a dryer/oven tunnel having incremental drying zones.
US08147914B2
Disclosed is a structure made of a trench patterned substrate having a pre-determined trench period and a pre-determined mesa to trench width ratio, and a block copolymer on top of the trench patterned substrate. The block copolymer has at least an organic block and a silicon-containing block, wherein the block copolymer can have either perpendicular or parallel cylinders. The structure is annealed under a pre-determined vapor pressure for a predetermined annealing time period, wherein the pre-determined trench period, the pre-determined mesa to trench width ratio, the predetermined vapor pressure and the predetermined annealing time period are chosen such that cylinders formed in the block copolymer are either perpendicular or parallel with respect to the trench-patterned substrate. A method is also described to form the above-mentioned structure.
US08147912B2
A method for making a composite structure or a portion of a composite structure of a braking band of a brake disc, unusually capable of obtaining a structure with an especially long life, comprising at least the following steps: making a composite ceramic structure, comprising carbon fibre filaments, silicon and silicon carbides, obtaining a body of a braking band comprising at least one braking surface; processing said braking surface removing a surface layer so as to have carbon not bonded with the silicon on surface; removing at least partly the carbon not bonded with silicon from the surface; depositing an anchoring substrate on said braking surface; and depositing a protective coating on said anchoring substrate.
US08147900B2
A method for creating a security mark includes applying a first color fluorescence ink to a substrate and applying a second color fluorescent ink to the substrate is provided. The second color fluorescent ink overlies at least a portion of the substrate where said first color fluorescent ink is applied. A third color is applied to the substrate adjacent the substrate area where said second color fluorescent ink is applied. The first color fluorescent ink, the second color fluorescent ink and the third color border are such that a security mark is formed on the substrate. The blue color fluorescence, the red color fluorescence and the third color on the substrate are such that when viewed through a lens the security mark optical characteristics change. The change is from the optical characteristics of the security mark when the security mark is not illuminated with fluorescence-exciting radiation to a different optical characteristics when the security mark is illuminated with fluorescence exciting radiation.
US08147889B2
A method of decontaminating grain, nut, or seed products and a method for conditioning grain in a milling process for decontamination and to produce an improved milled product which will yield baked goods, for example, of increased size and extended shelf life. In the decontamination and/or conditioning procedure, the grain, nut, or seed product is contacted with an aqueous anolyte product which can be undiluted or can be diluted with non-activated water. In undiluted form, the aqueous anolyte product preferably has a pH in the range of from about 4.5 to about 7.5 and a positive oxidation-reduction potential of at least +550 mV.
US08147883B1
The invention concerns the use of at least a vegetable oil product selected among the group consisting of vegetable oil oleic distillates, vegetable oil unsaponifiable matters, vegetable oil furan lipids and mixtures thereof, as agents for increasing skin lipid synthesis, in particular lipids of the epidermal skin barrier, in or for preparing a composition containing a pharmaceutically or dermatologically acceptable medium. The use enables to prevent and/or treat deterioration of the skin barrier (dry skin, skin subjected to actinic radiation, ichthyosis, acne, xerosis, atopic dermatitis, sensitive skin, chafing and reactive skin, itching and the like).
US08147882B2
Disclosed are natural compositions including at least five core ingredients that provide pain relief without the side effects of synthetic pain relievers. Further provided are methods of making the disclosed herbal formulations or compositions, and methods of treating mammals that include administering the herbal compositions to a mammal in need thereof.
US08147879B2
The present invention relates to a process enhancing the extraction of phytochemicals from plant materials using pulsed electric field. The process is also used with a step of pressing, wherein the pressing and the pulse electric field treatment can be accomplished in a unique treatment chamber.
US08147872B2
Pharmaceutical compositions comprised of low-solubility and/or acid-sensitive drugs and neutralized acidic polymers are disclosed.
US08147869B2
The invention is a composition administrable orally to provide systemic glutathione (reduced) and a method for providing systemic glutathione by oral administration of glutathione (reduced) in a liposome encapsulation. The administration of a therapeutically effective amount of oral liposomal glutathione (reduced) results in improvement of symptoms in disease states related to glutathione deficiency such as Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis. Compounds enhancing the effect of the liposomal glutathione are contemplated such as Selenium, EDTA, carbidopa, and levodopa.
US08147867B2
The present invention provides liposome compositions containing substituted ammonium and/or polyanion, and optionally with a desired therapeutic or imaging entity. The present invention also provide methods of making the liposome compositions provided by the present invention.
US08147863B2
Biocompatible polyarylates of diphenol compounds and poly(alkylene oxide) dicarboxylic acids, articles formed therefrom and therapeutic uses are disclosed.
US08147857B2
The present invention describes microbicidal hydrophilic polyurethane foams endowed with polyhexamethylenebiguanide (PHMB) and/or its hydrochloride and also a superabsorbent, wound contact materials obtainable therefrom and processes for producing the therapeutically endowed polyurethane foams and the wound contact materials obtainable therefrom.
US08147850B2
The present invention relates to molecules, which can be used to induce a therapeutic or prophylactic immune response against MAP. In particular, the present invention relates to polypeptides comprising an alipC polypeptide sequence, a gsd polypeptide sequence, a p12 polypeptide sequence and an mpa polypeptide sequence, wherein said ahpC polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 which comprises an epitope; said gsd polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 6 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 6, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 6 which comprises an epitope; said pi 2 polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 10 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 10, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 10 which comprises an epitope; and said mpa polypeptide comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14, a variant thereof having more than 70% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 14 across the full length of SEQ ID NO: 14, or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 14 which comprises an epitope. Preferably such a variant maintains the ability to generate an immune response against the unmodified polypeptide.
US08147837B2
The present invention is based on the discovery that biological peptide-based mimotopes of mannose-containing cell-wall compounds of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, specifically, ManLAM, have an anti-inflammatory effect and immunoregulator effect in animal models of inflammation. Such models include animal models of allergic peritonitis, allergic asthma and septic shock model (mice injected with LPS) and in Crohn's disease model (TNBS-induced colitis). Thus, the present invention concerns the use a molecule, particularly, an amino acid based molecule for the production of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an inflammatory condition, the amino acid comprising one or more peptides characterized in that it can bind to ManLAM binding antibodies; and/or it can elicit an immune response in a subject inoculated therewith, giving rise to production of ManLAM-binding antibodies. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for treating inflammatory conditions and comprising the amino acid-based molecule, as well as to methods of treatment of such conditions by administering to a subject an amount of the amino-acid based molecules.
US08147836B2
Provided are methods and compositions for using MMP-14 or MMP-9 binding proteins alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents to treat osteolytic disorders such as osteotropic cancer and osteoporosis.
US08147830B2
Described are conjugates formed by an antibody fragment covalently attached to a non-proteinaceous polymer, wherein the apparent size of the conjugate is at least about 500 kD. The conjugates exhibit substantially improved half-life, mean residence time, and/or clearance rate in circulation as compared to the underivatized parental antibody fragment. Also described are conjugates directed against human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human p185 receptor-like tyrosine kinase (HER2), human CD20, human CD18, human CD11a, human IgE, human apoptosis receptor-2 (Apo-2), human tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), human tissue factor (TF), human α4β7 integrin, human GPIIb-IIIa integrin, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human CD3, and human interleukin-2 receptor α-chain (TAC) for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US08147825B2
Topical formulations of CoQ10 reduce the rate of tumor growth in an animal subject. In the experiments described herein, CoQ10 was shown to increase the rate of apoptosis in a culture of skin cancer cells but not normal cells. Moreover, treatment of tumor-bearing animals with a topical formulation of CoQ10 was shown to dramatically reduce the rate of tumor growth in the animals.
US08147821B2
The present invention provides a means to concentrate, dry and formulate biomaterials such as polysaccharides, gums and related biopolymers, and microorganisms such as cells, spores, and the like from dilute solutions using spent germ and other oil bearing residues. In addition, the spent germ can serve as a carrier for such biomaterials. The sorbed materials are useful in animal feeds.
US08147818B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HCV infection.
US08147807B2
A dental composition for oral use, containing a phosphorylated saccharide (a), a cationic bactericidal agent (b) and a solvent (c). By using the dental composition for oral use of the present invention, the adhesion of the bacteria in the oral cavity to the surfaces of the teeth can be suppressed for a long period of time; therefore, the dental composition for oral use can be suitably used for, for example, a mouse-wash agent, a dentifrice agent, a gargling agent, a mouse spray, a coating agent or a bonding agent to tooth surface or a dental prosthetic, a hypersensitive inhibitor, a therapeutic agent for periodontal diseases, that is applied to a periodontal pocket, or the like.
US08147805B2
Compositions and methods for dual imaging and for dual chemotherapy and radiotherapy are disclosed. More particularly, the invention concerns compounds comprising the structure X1—Y—X2, wherein Y comprises two or more carbohydrate residues covalently attached to one another, X1 and X2 are diagnostic or therapeutic moieties covalently attached to Y, provided that when Y does not comprise a glucosamine residue, X1 and X2 are diagnostic moieties. The present invention also concerns methods of synthesis of these compounds, application of such compounds for dual imaging and treatment of hyperproliferative disease, and kits for preparing a radiolabeled therapeutic or diagnostic compound.
US08147804B2
The invention relates to initial 68Ge/Ga-generator elute which is guided directly to a cation exchanger, whereon 68Ga is quantitatively absorbed and is cleaned simultaneously in a chemical and radio chemical manner. Subsequently, the 68Ga-radio nuclide is combined with a radio pharmaceutical substance by a marking precursor made of a ligand or a peptide or a protein which is cross-linked in a covalent manner to a ligand.
US08147799B2
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use of F-18 labeled molecules of use, for example, in PET imaging techniques. In particular embodiments, the labeled molecules may be peptides or proteins, although other types of molecules including but not limited to aptamers, oligonucleotides and nucleic acids may be labeled and utilized for such imaging studies. In preferred embodiments, the F-18 label may be conjugated to a targeting molecule by formation of a metal complex and binding of the F-18-metal complex to a chelating moiety, such as DOTA, NOTA, DTPA, TETA or NETA. In other embodiments, the metal may first be conjugated to the chelating group and subsequently the F-18 bound to the metal. In other preferred embodiments, the F-18 labeled moiety may comprise a targetable conjugate that may be used in combination with a bispecific or multispecific antibody to target the F-18 to an antigen expressed on a cell or tissue associated with a disease, medical condition, or pathogen. Exemplary results show that F-18 labeled targetable conjugate peptides are stable in human serum at 37° C. for several hours, sufficient time to perform PET imaging analysis.
US08147792B2
The subject invention provides a potentially economically viable method for the preparation of reactive superoxide ion in deep eutectic solvents (DES). The superoxide ion can be used for many applications, e.g. the degradation of hazardous chemicals at ambient conditions or in the synthesis of some special chemicals, e.g. carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones from the corresponding alcohols. The superoxide ion can be formed by either the electrochemical reduction of oxygen in DES or by dissolving Group 1 (alkali metals) or Group 2 (alkaline earth metals) superoxides, e.g. potassium superoxide, in DES, with/without chemicals used for the enhancement of the solubility of the metal superoxide in the DES, e.g. crown ethers.
US08147790B1
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) exhibiting enhanced diamond-to-diamond bonding by carbon pumping, and PCD and polycrystalline diamond compacts formed by such methods. In an embodiment of a method of fabricating PCD, a plurality of diamond crystals and a metal-solvent catalyst may be provided. The diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst may be subjected to a first pressure-temperature condition during which carbon is dissolved in the metal-solvent catalyst. After subjecting the diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst to the first pressure-temperature condition, the diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst may be subjected to a second pressure-temperature condition at which diamond is stable. After subjecting the diamond crystals and the metal-solvent catalyst to the second pressure-temperature condition, the diamond crystals and metal-solvent catalyst may be subjected to a third pressure-temperature condition during which carbon is dissolved in the metal-solvent catalyst.
US08147787B2
Refinery off gases are treated in a plant in two processing steps, wherein the off gases are first scrubbed in a wash column using lean oils for removal of heavy mercaptans and C5+ hydrocarbons, and wherein a hydrotreater is then used for saturating olefinic hydrocarbons and reducing sulfurous compounds. Most preferably, lean recycle oil is used for temperature control of the hydrotreater reactor(s) in configurations where the lean oil from a hydrotreater reactor outlet separator is mixed with the reactor feed to so cool the hydrotreater reactor via evaporation.
US08147783B2
Disclosed are a nickel hydroxide powder and a method for producing the same. The nickel hydroxide powder comprises a particle in the form of sphere, an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, and the amount of the particles having a diameter of 0.7 times or more and 1.3 times or less the average particle diameter of 80% by weight or more based on the total amount of particles. The method for producing a nickel hydroxide powder comprises the steps of (1) to (4): (1) injecting a solution containing a nickel salt through a pore into a liquid mutually insoluble with the solution to obtain an emulsion including solution as a dispersed phase and the liquid as a continuous phase; (2) gelating the emulsion; (3) separating the dispersed phase from the obtained gel to obtain a cake; and (4) drying the cake.
US08147753B2
A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes 2 through an inner cavity of which a heat-transfer medium liquid flows, a sealing member 6 that seals the plurality of tubes 2 while exposing both ends thereof, with a blood channel passing outside each of the tubes 2 being formed in a central portion in the axial direction of the tubes, and a housing 5 that accommodates the tubes 2 sealed with the sealing member 6. The heat exchanger further includes a hollow fiber membrane 3 that is formed of a plurality of hydrophobic and gas permeable hollow fibers 4 and that is disposed on at least one of an entrance side and an exit side of the blood channel in the housing 5 so that a liquid flowing through the blood channel passes through the hollow fiber membrane 3. The housing 5 includes openings 10 for exposing open ends of each of the hollow fibers 4 forming the hollow fiber membrane 3 to the outside, and gaps between an inner side of the openings and the hollow fibers 4 are sealed. Air can be removed while suppressing a reduction in the heat exchange efficiency.
US08147751B2
To provide a silver-white copper alloy which represents a silver-white color equivalent to that of nickel silver and is excellent in hot workability and the like. The silver-white copper alloy includes 47.5 to 50.5 mass % of Cu, 7.8 to 9.8 mass % of Ni, 4.7 to 6.3 mass % of Mn, and the remainder including Zn, and the silver-white copper alloy has an alloy composition satisfying relationships of f1=[Cu]+1.4×[Ni]+0.3×[Mn]=62.0 to 64.0, f2=[Mn]/[Ni]=0.49 to 0.68, and f3=[Ni]+[Mn]=13.0 to 15.5 among a content [Cu] mass % of Cu, a content [Ni] mass % of Ni, and a content [Mn] mass % of Mn, and has a metal structure in which β phases at an area ratio of 2 to 17% are dispersed in an α-phase matrix. The copper alloy is provided as a hot processing material or continuous casting material formed by performing one or more heat treatments and cold processes on a hot processing raw material formed by performing a hot process on an ingot or a casting raw material obtained by continuous casting.
US08147748B2
A creep-resistant steel is characterized by the following chemical composition (values in % by weight): 9.0 to 12.0 Cr, 0.1 to 0.5 Mn, 2.3 to 3 Ni, 1.5 to 2.0 Mo, 0.1 to 0.4 V, 0.01 to 0.06 Nb, 0.08 to 0.16 C, 0.02 to 0.08 N, 0.004 to 0.012 B, 0.001 to 2 Ta, 0.001 to 0.5 La, 0.0001 to 1 Pd, maximum 0.005 P, maximum 0.005 S, maximum 0.05 Si, maximum 0.005 Sn, the remainder iron and unavoidable impurities. This steel is distinguished, as compared with commercial steels, by a greatly improved creep behavior at temperatures of 550° C. and above. Moreover, it has an improved resistance to embrittlement during long-term aging and comparatively high toughness. The steel is advantageously used as a material for gas turbine rotors which are exposed to high inlet temperatures in order to increase the efficiency of the gas turbine, but is also used for steam turbines.
US08147745B2
To provide a process whereby an ultrafine fiber of a fluorinated ion exchange resin can be produced easily at low cost, and a method whereby a catalyst layer having a high gas diffusion property can be produced easily at low cost.A process for producing a fiber by spinning a spinning solution containing a fluorinated ion exchange resin and a solvent by a dry spinning method, or producing an electrically conductive composite fiber by spinning n types (where n is an integer of at least 2) of spinning solutions, of which at least one type contains a fluorinated ion exchange resin and a solvent, and at least one type contains an electrically conductive material and a solvent, simultaneously by a dry spinning method, wherein the spinning solution which is being spun by the dry spinning method, is stretched by a gas stream; and a method for producing a catalyst layer, which comprises accumulating the fiber produced by such a process to form a non-woven fabric thereby to obtain a catalyst layer having the non-woven fabric.
US08147732B2
The present invention provides microporous polymers and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, microporous polymers of the present invention are highly porous as indicated by a Gurley air permeability flow rate of about 4 seconds or less per mL of air flow per 25 micron of microporous polymer thickness per square inch.
US08147731B2
Methods described include placing a sensor system over a substrate positioned on a chuck. The sensor system generates a beam of optical energy towards the substrate and is configured to receive optical energy deflected from the substrate. The sensor system generates sensor signals in response to variations in received optical energy from the substrate and the chuck.
US08147726B2
A chromene compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m, and n are defined in the specification. The chromene compound is rarely deteriorated by exposure.
US08147725B2
The present invention provides a photochromic material which is an indeno-fused naphthopyran having a pi-conjugation extending group bonded to the 11-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran, the pi-conjugation extending group having at least one pendent halo-substituted group bonded thereto. The pi-conjugation extending group extends the pi-conjugation system of said indeno-fused naphthopyran. The 13-position of the indeno-fused naphthopyran is substantially free of spiro-substituents. The invention further provides photochromic materials of specified structure, photochromic compositions, photochromic articles and optical elements that include the photochromic material.
US08147723B2
A porous anode active material including a Group 14 element oxide and a non-active material having no reactivity with lithium; a method of manufacturing the porous anode active material; an anode including the porous anode active material; and a lithium battery including the anode. The non-active material may be silica.
US08147719B2
Electrically conductive polymer compositions are provided. The compositions are dispersed in an aqueous liquid medium having an oxygen content less than 10% of the saturated level. The compositions can be an electrically conductive polymer doped with a fluorinated acid polymer, an electrically conductive polymer in admixture with a fluorinated acid polymer, or mixtures thereof. The conductive polymer composition has a conductivity that changes by less than 10% in 30 days.
US08147718B2
An oxynitride fluorescent material includes a JEM phase as a mother crystal and a luminescence center element Ce. The oxynitride fluorescent material has a fluorescence spectrum with a maximum emission wavelength of 420 nm to 500 nm inclusive and an excitation spectrum with a maximum excitation wavelength of 250 nm to 400 nm inclusive.
US08147715B2
A green phosphor for emitting light, a spectrum of which is sharp, in an ultraviolet and visible light region, which has higher green light brightness than the conventional rare earth-activated sialon phosphor and has higher durability than the conventional oxide phosphor, is provided. The phosphor being characterized in that Al and a metal element M (here, M is Eu) are incorporated into a crystal of a nitride or oxynitride having a β-type Si3N4 crystal structure as a solid solution, the content of oxygen in the crystal does not exceed 0.8% by mass, and the phosphor emits a visible light having a luminescence peak wavelength in the range of 450 nm to 650 nm upon exposure to an excitation source is provided. This luminescence spectrum has a sharp spectrum shape. A manufacturing method of the phosphor, a lighting device and an image display device utilizing the phosphor are also provided.
US08147714B2
Fluorescent organic nanoparticles and a process for producing fluorescent organic nanoparticles having a size of less than about 500 nanometers comprising a polymeric matrix comprising one or more crosslinked polymer resins, and comprising one or more fluorescent dyes incorporated into the polymer matrix.
US08147713B2
A method and composition for scale removal and leak detection is disclosed. The composition comprises a scale-removal agent and a fluorescing agent.
US08147707B2
A composition for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on non-cellulosic fibers having a moisture regain of ≦5%, comprising; i) 1 to 50 wt % of at least a self-crosslinkable resin; ii) 0.25 to 20 wt % of at least a catalyst; iii) 0.1 to 4 wt % of at least an antimicrobial active agent, reactive with the resin; iv) 98.65 to 26 wt % of water; wherein i)+ii)+iii)+iv)=100%.
US08147704B2
Nanoimprint molds for molding a surface of a material are provided. A nanoimprint mold includes a body with a molding surface that is formed by shaped nanopillars. The nanopillars may be formed on a substrate and shaped by performing at least a first partial oxidation of the nanopillars and then removing at least a portion of the oxidized material. Once shaped, a hard substance is deposited on the nanopillars to begin forming the molding surface of the nanoimprint mold. The deposition of a hard substance is followed by the deposition of carbon nanotube on the hard substance and then the removal of the substrate and nanopillars from the molding surface.
US08147693B2
A multi-layer filter including a first media layer surrounded by a second media layer, a third media layer surrounding the second media layer, and at least one retainer disposed between the first and second media layers or between the second and third media layers. The first, second and third media layers surround the central axis of the filter. The filter has multiple media layers in a compact package, providing increased media surface area which allows greater contaminant holding capacity, lower pressure drop, and lower face velocity.
US08147690B2
A chromatography column includes a tube, a fit assembly, a first end fitting and a second end fitting. An annular protrusion extends from an end face of the tube to a protrusion height and circumscribes a chamber in fluid communication with the axial bore. Both the chamber and the bore may be filled with a packing material. The fit assembly includes a deformable ring having a yield strength less than a yield strength of the annular protrusion. The ring contacts the annular protrusion such that the frit assembly provides a chamber boundary that retains the packing material. The first end fitting is securely fastened to the tube such that the ring is axially compressed and deformed around the annular protrusion, the chamber height is less than the protrusion height, and the packing material is compressed.
US08147688B2
A stormwater detention system includes a containment row for removing and collecting solids from stormwater. The containment row may be surrounded by a water-impermeable membrane, and designed to receive incoming water before other rows of the detention system. The containment row collects solids from the stormwater before the water is redirected into one or more additional rows, which are water permeable and buried in water permeable media. Filter structure may be associated with a flow system that delivers water from the containment row to the additional rows.
US08147686B2
The present invention provides a ballast water treatment system including a reaction tank in which raw water and ozone are imported and made to react each other for a predetermined period of time to kill microorganisms existing in raw water, an ozone decomposer in which water containing residual ozone discharged from the reaction tank is imported and the residual ozone is decomposed, and a circulation pump installed between the reaction tank and ozone decomposer, forming a circulation system which removes the residual ozone by means of circulating the water containing the residual ozone between the reaction tank and ozone decomposer. Accordingly, this system dispenses with a deaeration tank which would require a wide space for installation, small cost and is able to be applied to existing ships easily.
US08147685B2
A container (10) for liquids is provided, in which pressurization of the container is used to force the liquid through one or more membranes to an output. The membranes are disposed across substantially an entire length of the container, and pass liquid in preference to air. As a result, the liquid may be extracted from the container in any orientation. A particular use for this kind of container is as a portable water bottle containing a filter (20).
US08147678B2
This invention relates to devices and processes for removing asphaltenes and/or metals from crude oil to increase refinery processing of heavy materials. The desalters of this invention reduce and/or remove at least a portion of asphaltenes and/or metals form the crude oil. The separation occurs by mixing water with the crude oil to result in an aqueous phase having water and water soluble salts, an interface phase having asphaltenes and/or metals along with water, and a hydrocarbon phase having desalted, deasphalted and/or reduced metal crude oil.
US08147673B2
A system and process for de-halogenating ballast water before releasing the ballast water from the vessel. In one embodiment, the system comprises a means for measuring the halogen content of the ballast water, a reducing agent source in fluid communication with the ballast water, and a means for controlling the amount of reducing agent supplied to the ballast water. In one aspect, the means for measuring the halogen content comprises one or more oxidation/reduction potential analyzers. In another embodiment, the system comprises one or more hypochlorite electrolytic cells for generating hypochlorite to treat the ballast water.One embodiment of the process for de-halogenating ballast water comprises measuring the oxidation/reduction potential of the ballast water and adding one or more reducing agents to the ballast water to de-halogenate the ballast water in response to the measured oxidation/reduction potential. In one aspect, the oxidation/reduction potential is modulated so that excess reducing agent is present in the ballast water.
US08147670B2
The present disclosure generally addresses the problem of controlling a plating profile in multi-step recipes and addresses, in particular, the problem of compensating for variations of the plating tool state to stabilize the plating results. The compensation is done by adjustments of corrections factors for currents of a plating tool in a multi-anode configuration. The described method enables control of recipes with different current ratios in each recipe step and models different deposition sensitivities in each recipe step. Generally, the method of the present disclosure requires a measurement step, where the tool state is determined, and a data processing step, where the correction factors are set based on models describing the plating process and the tool state.
US08147666B2
Novel membranes comprising various polymers containing heterocyclic nitrogen groups are described. These membranes are usefully employed in electrochemical sensors, such as amperometric biosensors. More particularly, these membranes effectively regulate a flux of analyte to a measurement electrode in an electrochemical sensor, thereby improving the functioning of the electrochemical sensor over a significant range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes are also described.
US08147661B2
The invention discloses a unit for the electrolysis of water. The unit includes a plurality of stacked conductive plates which are separated from each other by a non conductive sealing ring. At least one of the stacked conductive plates functions as an anode. A plurality of the conductive plates functions as a cathode, wherein the number of cathodes is double the number of anodes.
US08147659B2
A gated electrode structure for altering a potential and electric field in an electrolyte near at least one working electrode is disclosed. The gated electrode structure may comprise a gate electrode biased appropriately with respect to a working electrode. Applying an appropriate static or dynamic (time varying) gate potential relative to the working electrode modifies the electric potential and field in an interfacial region between the working electrode and the electrolyte, and increases electron emission to and from states in the electrolyte, thereby facilitating an electrochemical, electrolytic or electrosynthetic reaction and reducing electrode overvoltage/overpotential.
US08147658B2
In a structure for mounting a sacrificial electrode in a cooling water passageway provided in a cylinder block of a water-cooled engine for an outboard engine unit, the cooling water passageway is defined by a groove portion provided in the cylinder block and a lid member closing an opening of the groove portion, a gasket member is provided between the groove portion and the lid member, and a screw fixedly fastens the sacrificial electrode to a bottom wall of the cooling water passageway. The gasket member has an extension portion opposed to a surface of the head of the screw located remote from the bottom wall of the cooling water passageway.
US08147657B2
A sputtering apparatus according to the present invention is provided with first to fourth targets. The first and the second targets are disposed so that their surfaces face each other. The third and the fourth targets are also disposed so that their surfaces face each other. When a dielectric film is formed, sputtering is alternately performed on the first and the second targets and on the third and the fourth targets. When sputtering is performed on two of the targets having surfaces that face each other, the remaining two targets function as a ground. As a result, abnormal discharges are inhibited.
US08147654B2
A wet paper web transfer belt (1) has a wet paper web-side layer (31), including a hydrophilic fibrous body (30), and a machine-side layer (32). A base fabric (33) disposed in the belt comprises a first woven fabric (34), disposed on a wet paper web (W) side, and a second woven fabric (35) disposed on a press roll (10) side, and the first woven fabric (34) and the second woven fabric (35) are stacked together. A portion of the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is exposed on a surface (37) of the wet paper web-side layer (31). The first woven fabric (34) and the second woven fabric (35) include weft yarns (36) made of a material of low water absorptivity. When the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is formed in the wet paper web-side layer (31) of the belt (1) by needle punching, an increase in the widthwise dimension of the belt due to the absorption of water by the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is reduced.
US08147644B2
A release liner web has thermoplastic membranes coated on opposite sides of the release liner web that are thermoplastically fused proximally to an edge of the release liner web, nearly doubling the width of thermoplastic membranes that can be prepared using conventional equipment. Also described are geomembranes prepared from an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic sheet material and having a high gloss surface, and methods of manufacture and use of same.
US08147643B1
A method for manufacturing a pro label book includes printing static indicia on a web of label material, applying an adhesive to each portion of the web of label material that will become a label page in a pro label book that is not the portion of the web of label material that will become a top page of a label book to be formed if the adhesive is applied to a top surface of the web of label material or a bottom page of a label book to be formed if the adhesive is applied to the bottom surface of the web of label material, printing variable information on the web of label material, sheeting the web of label material to form label pages, and batching the label pages together utilizing the applied adhesive. Certain embodiments include attaching one of a backer or a cover to the web of label material following the printing static indicia step.
US08147641B1
Methods and systems for making an improved integrated shipping label and packing list form. In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, such a form comprises a first sheet material, a second sheet material, and a third sheet material. The sheet materials are joined together with the first sheet material between the other two sheet materials. Lines of weakness defining at least one shipping label and packing list label are cut into the joined together sheet materials.
US08147634B2
A honeycomb structure includes a ceramic block and a sealing material layer. The ceramic block includes a plurality of honeycomb fired bodies each having a large number of cells longitudinally disposed substantially in parallel with one another with a cell wall between the cells, an adhesive layer for bonding side faces of the honeycomb fired bodies, and a cavity-holding member placed between the side faces of the honeycomb fired bodies. The sealing material layer is formed on a peripheral face of the ceramic block. The cavity-holding member includes a nonflammable material having Young's modulus of at least about 0.001 GPa and at most about 0.07 GPa.
US08147633B2
There are provided a method of manufacturing a ceramic sintered body. A method of manufacturing a ceramic sintered body according to one aspect of the invention may include: preparing at least one ceramic sheet having first ceramic particles and glass particles; preparing at least one constraining sheet having second ceramic particles having a smaller particle size than the glass particles and the first ceramic particles; forming a ceramic laminate by alternating the ceramic sheet and the constraining sheet while the ceramic sheet and the constraining sheet are in contact with each other; and sintering the ceramic laminate so that components, which do not react with the first ceramic particles, from the glass particle are moved into the constraining sheet to sinter the constraining sheet when the ceramic sheet is sintered.
US08147630B2
An improved wafer-to-wafer bonding method includes aligning an upper and a lower wafer and initiating a bond at a single point by applying pressure to a single point of the upper wafer via the flow of pressurized gas through a port terminating at the single point. The bond-front propagates radially across the aligned oppositely oriented wafer surfaces at a set radial velocity rate bringing the two wafer surfaces into full atomic contact by controlling the gas pressure and/or controlling the velocity of the motion of the lower wafer up toward the upper wafer.
US08147627B2
Ignition means for propellant powders include at least one oxidation means, at least one reduction means and at least one binder, and are free from primary explosives.
US08147626B2
A high strength steel plate containing 0.02 to 0.08% C, by mass, and has substantially a two phase microstructure of ferrite and bainite. The ferrite contains precipitates having a particle size of 30 nm or smaller grain size. The steel plate has a yield strength of 448 MPa or higher. A method for manufacturing the high strength steel plate which comprises hot rolling, accelerated cooling and reheating. The accelerated cooling is conducted down to a temperature of 300 to 600° C. at a cooling rate of 5° C./s or higher. The reheating is conducted up to a temperature of 550 to 700° C. at a heating rate of 0.5° C./s or higher.
US08147616B2
A container rinsing system (10) has an air nozzle adapted to be positioned proximate an opening of the container and adapted to direct a supply of compressed air to the container. A vacuum member is adapted to be in communication with a vacuum source. The vacuum member is positioned around the air nozzle and adapted to vacuum foreign particles away from the container.
US08147615B2
A method of manufacturing cleaning solvents is provided. The method includes selecting a small plurality of test solvents from a large plurality of perspective solvents. The equilibrium composition of a multi-component solution is preferably described by the Hansen solubility model. A small plurality of test solvents is applied to solute samples and the degree of dissolution or swelling recorded. Based on the degree of dissolution or swelling, at least one solvent is selected from the large plurality of perspective solvents based on the Hansen parameters. In other embodiments, the three-parameter Hansen solubility model includes additional parameters that enable more accurate solubility predictions. In one embodiment, an additional parameter accounts for oxidizing solution components. In an alternative embodiment, an additional parameter accounts for the acidic/basic property of the solution. Still another embodiment accounts for temperature effects.
US08147600B2
A fuel gas removal system includes a venturi for reducing a pressure of the fuel, a bubble separator containing media to assist in the formation of gas bubbles within the fuel to separate the gas bubbles from the fuel, and a port to remove gas bubbles created by the reduction of pressure of the fuel and the bubble separator.
US08147598B2
A jacket material into which a gas adsorbing device and core material are inserted is decompressed in a vacuum chamber, the opening is sealed, and then the jacket material is exposed to the atmosphere. In the atmospheric pressure, a pressure of about 1 atm which is equivalent to the pressure difference between the inside and outside is applied to the jacket material of the heat insulator. The jacket material is made of a plastic laminated film and is deformed by pressure. A protruding portion is plunged into a container to drill through holes, and a gas adsorbent in the container communicates with the inside of the jacket material. Thus, both during holding and in applying to the vacuum heat insulator, the gas adsorbent can be applied to the vacuum heat insulator without degradation, and the high degree of vacuum can be kept for a long time.
US08147590B2
A filter separator and method, including an annular microfilter and a separation chamber within the microfilter including a plurality of mixing blades circulating fluid upwardly and downward within the chamber. When the apparatus is used to purify syngas, adherent metal oxide particles are circulated in the chamber to adsorb waste oxides. The apparatus is purged by injecting hot CO2 free gas into the chamber through the filter and the filter pores may be expanded during purging.
US08147588B2
An improved adsorbent useful in removing contaminants from various hydrocarbon streams comprises a zeolite, an alumina and an added metal component provided in the adsorbent by initially contacting primarily the zeolite with the added metal. In a specific application, an adsorbent comprising sodium-impregnated zeolite Y and alumina is used to purify an ethylene stream in order to remove CO2, H2S, methanol, and other S- and O-containing compounds.
US08147587B2
A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.
US08147581B1
A separation housing houses a rotor with multiple suspension chambers. Each chamber has a radially extending web portion between two rotating discs. An orifice is provided through the radially extending web portion. Another web portion urges gas radially out of the rotor. Passages through the rotating disks permit entry of gas and solid particle mixtures into the suspension chambers at high speed traveling toward each other in a suspension adjacent to the orifice. The web portion that urges gas out of the chamber pulls gas away from the suspension zone. Gas moving through the aperture and into a clean gas chamber pulls gas in the opposite direction. The result is gas in the suspension zone being fixed relative to the rotor or changing direction. Centrifugal force moves solid particles radially out of the chamber.
US08147580B2
A lid-opening apparatus for a dust collector includes a base installed on a lid, a controller connected on the base, a cord defining a first end associated with a conduit and a second end associated with the frame, and a limiting member associated with the cord and between the first end and the second end of the cord. The controller can be rotated to a first position and a second position. While the controller is in the first position, the cord is in a loose condition, a flexible portion of the conduit is stretched, and the lid seals the container. While the controller is in the second position, the cord is in a tight condition, the flexible portion of the conduit shortens, and the lid leaves the container.
US08147579B2
An air inerting system for supplying nitrogen-enriched air to a fuel tank on a vehicle includes an air separation module. The air separation module has an inlet for receiving air to separate oxygen, and an outlet for delivering nitrogen-enriched air to a downstream fuel tank on a vehicle. Downstream parallel flow lines of the outlet are each provided with a flow control valve. The downstream parallel flow lines reconnect downstream of the flow control valves to provide a source of nitrogen-enriched air to the fuel tank. An air supply line upstream of the air separation module supplies air to at least a pair of upstream parallel lines. Each of the upstream parallel lines are provided with a shut-off valve. The upstream parallel lines reconnect downstream of the shut-off valves to supply air to a heat exchanger. Air downstream of the heat exchanger passes to the air separation module.
US08147574B2
THIS INVENTION relates to a method of making a diamond containing material comprising diamond particles and a second phase containing an intermetallic compound comprising the steps of providing a reaction mass of reactants capable, on reaction, of producing carbon and an intermetallic compound and subjecting the reaction mass to diamond synthesis conditions. In an embodiment of the invention, the diamond containing material produced is polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and the reaction mass contains diamond particles in an amount sufficient to allow PCD to be produced. In a further embodiment of the invention, the diamond content in the diamond containing material produced does not exceed 70 volume %.
US08147560B2
An implant for insertion into a human or animal body which comprises at least one implant part is provided. The at least one implant part has a base member which is produced from an implant material and has a surface which is designed at least partially in the form of an artificial joint surface. Part of or the entire joint surface is covered with a wear-reducing hard material coating, such that a service life of the implant is extended and the compatibility of the implant increased. An intermediate layer is provided between the hard material coating and the at least one joint surface formed from the implant material for the purpose of reducing tension between the hard material coating and the implant material. A corresponding method for production of an implant is also provided.
US08147553B2
A degenerated nucleus pulposus located in a central core region of an intervertebral disc within the annulus fibrosus is supplemented or replaced by a method wherein an amount of a biocompatible material is introduced into the central core region by a process including the steps of 1) forming a channel through a vertebral body adjacent to said intervertebral disc, extending from an exterior surface of the vertebral body to the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 2) introducing an amount of a biocompatible material through the channel into the central core region of the annulus fibrosus; 3) pressurizing the biocompatible material through the channel to a postsurgical pressure sufficient to alleviate symptoms caused by the degenerated nucleus pulposus; and 4) sealing the channel while maintaining the sufficient postsurgical pressure. After sealing the channel, a vertebroplasty may optionally be performed in the vertebra.
US08147538B2
A covered stent comprises a coiled sheet stent having at least a portion with open cell geometry and a graft material covering at least a portion of the coiled sheet stent.
US08147537B2
Methods, apparatuses, computer program products, devices and systems are described that include a rapid-prototyped blood vessel sleeve that is custom-fitted for a blood vessel at least partly based on anatomical blood vessel data from an individual.
US08147535B2
Disclosed is a deployment catheter for deploying a tubular endoluminal vascular prosthesis, useful in treating, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The deployment catheter includes a proximal tubular section and a distal tubular section which are axially movable in opposite directions to deploy a prosthesis. A central core extends throughout the proximal tubular section and into the distal tubular section. A reinforcing structure is carried by the central core, spanning the junction between the proximal tubular section and distal tubular section, to improve flexibility characteristics of the catheter. In one embodiment, the proximal tubular section and/or distal tubular section are rotationally linked to the central core.
US08147533B2
A device that is used to reduce the pain of a needle stick to a person, the device having a casing containing a vibratory device and a temperature reducing device, and a method for using the device to reduce the pain of a needle stick by applying both thermal and vibration analgesia to a subject during a needle stick.
US08147525B2
A method of treating the spine of a patient involves inserting anchors into vertebrae and connecting the anchors to a longitudinal member via housings. After insertion of the anchors, the housings containing a longitudinal member are positioned over the anchors and fastened.
US08147510B2
A system for placing an implant in the body includes an elongated member having at least one inner lumen extending from a proximal end portion of the member to an opening in a distal end portion of the member. At least one compressible implant is in the inner lumen of the member. The implant optionally includes anchor members projecting from its outer surface to limit migration of the implant in the body. Structure is provided to push the implant through the opening in the distal end of the member. The implant is placed between layers of body tissue to bulk the tissue. In one of the disclosed methods, the system is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by placing the implant between layers of body tissue at or near the gastroesophageal junction.
US08147508B2
Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit. A method for making a medical ultrasound transducer assembly determines acceptable gains for gain stages of the transducer assembly.
US08147507B2
A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue from a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable, flexible, hollow drive shaft having a fluid impermeable wall defining a fluid impermeable lumen of the drive shaft and, an abrasive element mounted to a distal end portion of the drive shaft proximal to and spaced away from a distal support element formed at a distal end of the drive shaft, the distal support element being inflatable by pressurized fluid which flows in an antegrade direction through said lumen of the drive shaft and is at least partially re-directed into the distal fluid inflatable support element. The distal fluid inflatable support element has an outer wall comprising an outflow opening located such that said outflow opening faces an inner surface of a treated vessel during rotation of the drive shaft so that a flow of fluid through said outflow opening forms a layer of fluid between the outer wall of the rotating fluid inflated distal support element and a wall of the treated vessel to form a fluid bearing between the outer wall of the rotating fluid inflated distal support element and the wall of the treated vessel, the drive shaft being comprised of at least one fluid impermeable membrane and at least two torque transmitting coils, one of said coils extending distally beyond the distal end of the other coil and conveying torque to the abrasive element mounted to the drive shaft distal to and spaced away from a portion of the drive shaft formed from the fluid impermeable membrane and said torque transmitting coils.
US08147500B2
A bone filler material delivery system comprising a longitudinal channel, wherein said channel incorporates a perforated segment at least partially along, at or substantially near its distal end, and wherein said channel is sealed at its distal end so the filler material may be delivered only by the lumen and through the perforated segment peripheral wall/s. Optionally, said system comprising an expandable-collapsible permeable bag capable of being inserted into a bone while in collapsed configuration and then to expand within the bone when filled with bone voids filler. The mesh structure is designed to allow such permeable bag to expand to a predetermined size or shape under certain pressures, and further allows exudation of said bone void filler through its walls. One satisfactory result is achieved by extracting the permeable bag out of treated body, thus promoting a flow of the bone void filler through its pores into the cancellous bone and/or cavity in the bone. The procedure described promotes height restoration of the bone while leaving only filler material inside the body, while introducing it in an enhanced controlled manner.
US08147497B2
Disclosed is a patellar cutting jig for use in a knee joint surgical procedure. The jig grips and holds a patella in situ in spatial reference to the femur to enable the appropriate cut to be made to the patella to accurately accommodate the patello-femoral gap at the replacement knee joint. The patella jig has a referencing component that provides a landmark connection between the patella jig and the femur which enables the patella clamp of the jig to be oriented relative to the reference feature prior to gripping the patella. Thus a patella held in the clamp is fixed in the cutting jig an appropriate orientation relative to the femur prior to its resection. Cutting the patella while it is referenced to the patellar groove on the femur increases the accuracy of the resection.
US08147492B2
Systems and methods are provided for fixation of a fractured bone with an intramedullary bone fixation device. During an implantation procedure, the fixation device may be guided by a removable guidewire which is not coupled to the fixation device. The guidewire and device may be inserted into an intramedullary canal along a pathway which is not parallel to the intramedullary canal. The fixation device may be composite, formed of a support structure and a matrix material. The matrix material may be thermo-chemically activated, transformable from a deformable first thermo-chemical state to a hardened second thermo-chemical state. The fixation device may be radially expandable to deform to the shape of the intramedullary canal, to provide support to the fractured bone.
US08147473B2
Folded fibrous structures, more particularly, folded sanitary tissue products, especially in rolled form, are provided.
US08147465B2
A delivery needle apparatus in which a sleeve is fitted over an exterior surface of a delivery needle and methods of manufacturing the same. An elongate medical device may be delivered through the interior of the delivery needle and out of an opening in the distal end of the delivery needle (i.e., the delivery opening). The sleeve may cover a proximal portion of the delivery opening and may align an elongate medical device during insertion and/or withdrawal through the delivery opening.
US08147463B2
One embodiment of the invention provides a method to purge air or liquid from a powered injection system. In this embodiment, the method includes driving a first pumping device in a first operational mode to inject an amount of a first liquid medium through disposable tubing and a disposable valve, driving the first pumping device in a second operational mode to deform the disposable valve, and driving a second pumping device to inject an amount of a second liquid medium through the disposable tubing and the deformed valve. In one embodiment, the first pumping device comprises a first syringe, the second pumping device comprises a second syringe, and the disposable valve comprises an elastomeric valve.
US08147458B2
A multi-seal trocar system includes a plurality of co-axial sealing elements adapted for forming a seal with either a large or small instrument. Small and large sealing elements are disposed in an in-line arrangement such that a-single port is provided for instrument insertion. A zero seal is disposed distally of the sealing elements to seal a working channel of the system and to prevent backflow when no instruments are inserted. The small sealing element is configured such that insertion of a large instrument automatically moves the small sealing element out of its path, thereby avoiding contact with the large instrument.
US08147455B2
An exemplary infusion system for accessing an implanted device is disclosed comprising an insertion assembly, a hub comprising a sealable path configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, a flexible catheter attached to the hub and configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, and an extension tube attached to the hub. The hub may comprise a manifold element configured to provide fluid communication between the flexible catheter and the extension tube. The hub may also comprise a septum configured to seal the sealable path upon removal of the insertion assembly from the flexible catheter. The extension tube may also be configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly. Exemplary methods of providing a fluid communication path to an implanted device are also disclosed.
US08147453B2
A balloon trocar includes a cannula assembly including a cannula and an outer sleeve fitting over the cannula. The distal end of the outer sleeve is proximal to the distal end of the cannula. A balloon is coupled to a distal portion of the sleeve and a distal portion of the cannula. The outer surface of the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for transmitting gas or fluid to the balloon. A bolster having a gel pad at its distal portion is slidably mounted to the cannula assembly and may be locked in a desired position. In use, the trocar is inserted into an incision through a body wall and into a body cavity. The balloon is inflated and the cannula assembly pulled proximally against the incision while the bolster is slid distally to the body wall and locked in place to seal the incision with the compressed balloon.
US08147447B2
A controller for closed loop control of infusion devices is described. A variety of infusion systems are described that use the closed loop control architecture. In some embodiments the closed loop control may be adapted to current commonly used infusion means such as a gravity feed intravenous system. Other embodiments describe infusion pump system that use biasing or drive mechanisms of springs, elastomers, rotary and linear motors.
US08147437B2
In one embodiment, a method of treating a patient includes attaching a shoulder unit to a left shoulder and a right shoulder of a patient, the shoulder unit including a left shoulder portion and a right shoulder portion; securing an anchoring device to a lower body region of the patient; pulling on the left shoulder portion and the right shoulder portion so as to move the shoulders of the patient in a rearward direction; releasing the left shoulder portion and the right shoulder portion; and repeating the pulling and releasing.
US08147425B2
A centesis instrument, wherein a patient applies a contact part to a palm, a finger, or an arm in the state of gripping an outer tube by hand and presses the outer tube against its measured portion. A third coiled spring is compressed to increase spring power. When the outer tube reaches a prescribed position, the tip face of the vertical portion of a centesis button reaches a hole part, and a projected part is allowed to be pressed. When the patient presses a button body from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the button body by using a finger at that position, a locking piece is separated from a locking part and the centesis needle of a centesis needle unit is instantaneously projected from the opening part of the contact part to the measured portion by the spring power of the third coiled spring for centesis. Thus, a prescribed amount of blood can be taken out from the measured portion.
US08147421B2
System (20) and related methods for performing surgical procedures and assessments, including the use of neurophysiology-based monitoring to determine nerve proximity and nerve direction to surgical instruments (30) employed in accessing a surgical target site.
US08147420B2
An apparatus and method can be configured to detect respiratory air temperature information and respiratory air pressure information from a patient using a first piezoelectric film and a second piezoelectric film, wherein at least a portion of the second piezoelectric film overlaps at least a portion of the first piezoelectric film. In an example, the first and second piezoelectric films can be sized and shaped to be disposed on an upper lip of a subject. In certain examples, the first piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to nasal respiration, and the second piezoelectric film can include a non-overlap portion exposed to oral respiration.
US08147414B2
A remotely manipulatable ultrasound transducer element or transducer array permits an operator of an ultrasound system to be remotely located from a patient and yet remotely control the location of the element or array on a patient's body such as on the skin surface or within a body cavity. The transducer element or transducer array associated with motors and control circuits comprises an assembly within a housing for fixation to or within a human body. The transducer assembly may be fixed to a ring surrounding an image guided catheter and may rotate about the image guided catheter or move along its length to an anchoring position proximate the surface skin. Two embodiment systems for pericardial access may comprise surface and internal vision or ultrasound guidance systems that are wireless or wired one operating on suction and another on mechanical grasping of the pericardial lining.
US08147413B2
An interventional medical device that incorporates an imaging system may be minimally invasive and equipped with an anchoring portion that may be slidable and fixed in a predetermined position of its elongate body outside the human body, the device further comprising deployable first and second balloons for also securing the device to an internal wall, for example, within a human body. The medical device can be in the form of a catheter, a sheath or comprise interventional devices, particularly those suitable for minimally invasive procedures in the pericardium. The dual sealing/locking balloons may comprise a slidably moveable assembly for moving from a first position over an inflation channel to a second position over one inflation/deflation channel for separately inflating a distal balloon and then a proximal balloon to the patient's skin surface.
US08147409B2
A method of transducer excitation in medical ultrasound imaging. Based on a stepped approximation of Gaussian modulated cosines, the transmit waveform provides bandlimited spectrum and low level of second order harmonics while retaining the duration of the transmitting within two carrier cycles. The waveform is constructed as a linear composition of four unipolar, rectangle pulses of unity amplitude. Furthermore, the described embodiment supports digitally controlled transmit apodization and focusing.
US08147406B2
In a vital data utilization system (100), measurement systems (110) include a measurement unit (111) measuring the vital data of subjects, a clock unit detecting each measurement time at which vital data is measured and a communication unit (112) sending the vital data including measurement time to a server (120). Further, a server (120) includes a communication unit (121) receiving pieces of vital data from measurement systems (110), a vital data storage unit (126) in which vital data is stored, a value-added information making unit (123) making the value-added information indicating the geographical distribution of the vital data or the changes over time of the geographical distributions of the vital data based on vital data stored in the vital data storage unit (126) and a communication unit (121) providing the made value-added information to the measurement systems (110) and the PCs of service destinations.
US08147403B2
A capsule propulsion device has: at least one acoustic streaming generator for generating acoustic streaming as a flow of the a medium in a space; a control unit for driving and controlling the acoustic streaming generator; and a distance obtaining unit for obtaining an object distance between the acoustic streaming generator and an object existing in the space. The control unit drives and controls the acoustic streaming generator on the basis of the distance information obtained by the distance obtaining unit.
US08147399B2
In one aspect, the invention provides a female stimulation system that includes a device body having an operating region and a body contacting surface, and means for controlling a vacuum produced by the device body when the device body is applied to a user. In addition, the female stimulation system includes an applicator adapted to apply a biocompatible substance to the body contacting surface. In one or more embodiments, the applicator may be a pad, form-fitted insert, or a capsule.
US08147381B2
A grip force of a driving wheel is maintained by identifying an actual condition of a motorcycle and controlling a clutch in a timely manner. A clutch control system includes a clutch, an actuator unit causing the clutch to engage or disengage, a rear wheel speed sensor, a front wheel speed sensor, a clutch lever sensor and a controller controlling a control motor based on a rear wheel speed and a front wheel speed. When the rear wheel speed is lower than the front wheel speed and an absolute value of a difference between the rear wheel speed and the front wheel speed is greater than a threshold value, the control motor is driven so as to reduce a transmission force of the clutch. When an operational amount of the clutch lever is greater than a threshold value, processing to reduce the transmission force of the clutch is suspended.
US08147373B2
A method for controlling an engine restart in a hybrid electric powertrain, including the steps of stopping the engine, using an electric power source and an electro-mechanical actuator connected to the source to engage a gear and stroke to zero torque capacity a dry clutch of a dual-clutch transmission, initiating an automatic engine restart, and increasing the torque capacity of the clutch to a desired torque capacity during the engine restart.
US08147372B2
An automatic transmission includes a first single-pinion planetary gear mechanism including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first carrier that respectively correspond to first to third elements in a velocity diagram. A second single-pinion planetary gear mechanism includes a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and a second carrier that respectively correspond to fourth to sixth elements in a velocity diagram. The fourth element is connected to the first element to form a first connected body. A double-pinion third planetary gear mechanism includes a third sun gear, a third ring gear, and a third carrier that respectively correspond to seventh to ninth elements in a velocity diagram. The ninth element is connected to the third element to form a second connected body. The eighth element is connected to the fifth element to form a third connected body.
US08147367B2
The present invention can achieve hybrid modes with an input split mode, output split mode, and complex split mode, by using only one set of stepped pinion planetary gear sets, one set of single pinion planetary gear sets, three clutches, and two brakes, ensure the space of a vehicle with a compact configuration and reduce the cost by implementing five stages of fixed gear ratio mode, and achieve continuous transmission gear ratios, and improve the fuel efficiency of the vehicle by changing the modes in accordance with the traveling conditions of the vehicle. Further, since it is possible to reduce the performance required for a motor generator under the same conditions, by improving the performance of the system, it is possible to reduce the cost of the vehicle. Accordingly, the present invention provides a power train for a hybrid vehicle that can contribute to reduce the cost of a vehicle.
US08147366B2
The hybrid vehicle includes the engine capable of outputting power to the drive gear; the motors MG1 and MG2; the CVT; the planetary gear mechanism having the sun gear connected to the secondary shaft of the CVT, the ring gear capable of rotating in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of drive gear in conjunction with the drive gear, and the carrier connected the carrier shaft as the drive shaft; the clutch C1 that performs a connection and releases the connection between the primary shaft of the CVT and the motor MG1; the clutch C2 that performs a connection and releases the connection between the motor MG1 and the drive gear; and the brake B1 capable of non-rotatably fixing the sun gear of the planetary gear mechanism.
US08147360B2
A serrated blade for an arrowhead, a crossbow bolt and/or another suitable projectile. The blade has a first blade surface that intersects with a second blade surface to form at least one cutting edge. The blade also has a mixed serration section of at least one small serration and at least one large serration. The mixed serration section is positioned adjacent to at least one cutting edge. The serrated configuration of this invention allows the blade to cut in a saw-like manner as the blade passes in a forward direction through a target material.
US08147356B2
A basketball return apparatus includes an L-shaped frame, a net, and a ball return mechanism. The frame has a back portion and a base portion. The back portion has an upper end adapted to mount on a rim support bracket of the basketball hoop and center and stabilize the frame with respect to the basketball hoop. The back portion has side members that connect to the upper end and extend generally vertically downward to connect to the base portion. The base portion defines an orifice through which shot basketballs can descend. The net is attached to the frame to form open funnel shaped enclosure with an open top end and an open bottom end. The enclosure directs basketballs downward therethrough to the base portion. The ball return mechanism is mounted to the frame below the orifice and net to direct the basketballs back to the shooter.
US08147355B2
The present invention and method is a training system for baseball and softball batters containing but not limited to a manually operated mobile batting tee and an illustrated board on which the tee is maneuvered. The operator is positioned at the opposite end of the board from home plate. The device is operated by placing a ball on the bristled head and using the adjustable handle to push the mobile tee to marked locations where the ball is then hit by the batter. After the ball is struck the operator pulls the tee back to it's original location where another ball is loaded and the cycle is repeated. Ball elevation is adjusted by releasing the tension device and moving the stem up or down. For young players the device with ball can be placed in front of home plate and pulled rearward to simulate a pitched ball.
US08147345B2
A baby seat sling suspends a baby seat from a structure. A lower strap harness extends around the rear surface of the baby seat. A lower strap suspension point extends above the seating surface of the baby seat. The lower strap suspension point comprises a junction of ends of the lower strap harness. An upper strap suspension strap is attached to the lower strap suspension point and to the structure located above the baby seat.
US08147343B2
A tap is designed so that the pollution of the environment can be prevented and the cleaning can be simplified. The tap includes an intake hole having openings at a screw portion of the tap. Air intake is performed through the intake hole, so that the chips generated by the screw portion in the cutting can be aspirated from the openings forcibly. Because the chips can be discharged without using cutting fluids, pollution of the environment can be prevented. Because the chips can be aspirated from the openings and discharged from the intake hole of the tap, the chips are not scattered on the work piece, and thus a cleaning process of the work piece can be simplified.
US08147336B2
A competitive game method which can be executed via a network is achieved irrespective of the type of the game. Terminal devices receive personal data from a center server, and respectively determine whether it will become a master terminal device in an initial game progress unit based on master determination rules. After the initial master terminal device is determined, a game is started. The master terminal device determines the next master terminal device when the initial game progress unit is completed. The master terminal device transmits a switching notification designating the next master terminal device by, for example, describing an IP address to the other terminal devices. The master terminal device further transmits game data which is necessary for continuing the game to the next master terminal device.
US08147334B2
A trusted disaster tolerant system architecture supporting concurrently a number of distributed online gaming operations such as slip-scan lottery, video lottery, fixed odd betting terminals, internet gaming, and interactive TV. A personality front end resolves the peculiarities of the various client systems before submitting the relevant transactional payload to a trusted transactional cache. A universal game random generator may be used either at the central game server or at each individual gaming machine, thus conferring a significant trust to the entire estate of gaming machines fitted with the game random generator. An auditable trusted log allows to rapidly resolve any dispute. The instant-draw model and the differed-draw model are supported. The system may advantageously be used in casino environments.
US08147330B2
A game apparatus determines whether or not a predetermined first condition is fulfilled. When the first condition is fulfilled, the game apparatus causes the second speaker to generate a sound and moves an object in a virtual game space. When a predetermined second condition regarding a position of the object is fulfilled as a result of the object being moved by the moving control means, the game apparatus causes the first speaker to generate a sound. The game apparatus causes a display device to display the game space.
US08147324B2
Various type of jackpot systems are disclosed wherein visible jackpots are replenished after a win by an invisible jackpot. Some embodiments include: replenishing the visible jackpot with less than 100% of the invisible jackpot; increasing the invisible jackpot at a rate faster than the rate at which the visible jackpot is increased; having a criteria for a win of the jackpot based on the amount of the invisible jackpot; and using multiple visible and invisible jackpots in various ways.
US08147322B2
A plurality of gaming devices is linked so as to effectuate multiplayer game play. Multiplayer game play may cost more than single player game play, but may provide bonus payouts in the multiplayer game play. Various embodiments disclose symbol swapping, best ball, and match multiplayer game play.
US08147320B2
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a progressive jackpot awarded in response to a jackpot win event. The gaming system includes a first gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the first gaming machine accepting a first wager. The gaming system further includes a second gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the second gaming machine accepting a second wager that is greater than the first wager. A first player making the first wager at the first gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot if the jackpot win event is associated with the first gaming machine. A second player making the second wager at the second gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot plus an expected value equalizing award if the jackpot win event is associated with the second gaming machine.
US08147316B2
A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.
US08147306B2
The invention provides a role-playing game environment wherein the nature of various NPCs within the game may be varied over time within the game. The goals of various NPCs within the game may be dynamically and automatically changed within the game. At certain in-game time periods, the game server may dynamically assign one or more new goals for some or all of the NPCs based on the current status of each NPC. When a player later interacts with a given NPC assist (or impede) that NPC in reaching its currently assigned goal, the method may dynamically determine a steps that the player's avatar may perform to assist (or impede) the goal. Thus, players cannot predict what will happen when they move through the game and reach a location at which they can interact with a given NPC, making the game-playing experience ever fresh and challenging.
US08147304B2
The game apparatus shoots a moving object from a predetermined weapon object and moves the moving object in a three-dimensional space in a case where an input from an input device is received. At least one of the size, the shape, and the number of a contact determination area defined for the moving object is changed in accordance with a distance over which the moving object moves in the three-dimensional space. The game apparatus determines whether or not the contact determination area defined for the moving object contacts a contact determination area defined for a target object. A predetermined game process is performed when the determination result of a contact determination step is positive.
US08147302B2
A system for monitoring air quality conditions, comprising, a multi-point air monitoring system comprising, a plurality of sensors for collecting air quality data from a plurality of at least partially enclosed areas; one or more data processing units for processing one or more air quality parameters based on the collected air quality data; and one or more communication devices for communicating the data from the sensor to the processing unit; and a signal processing controller that generates one or more blended air quality parameter signals via the multi-point air monitoring system based at least in part on one or more of the processed air quality parameters representative of data from a plurality of the sensors.
US08147300B2
A universal vehicle window vent is provided. The window vent has a bottom portion for receiving a vehicle window, and a top portion for engaging the window channel of a vehicle's door. The window vent is dimensioned to fit any vehicle window such that when it is installed, an opening is created.
US08147298B2
Apparatus for detaching, separating and collecting organic materials having different density; especially liver from fish entrails, which comprises a tank furnished with water or salt water and encasing a conveyor with carrier plates oriented across the direction of movement of the conveyor, and further is provided with an inlet and an outlet for the organic material. The tank also has detaching tools which comprises a stationary part and a movable part. The stationary part comprises a bracket plate with a curved cutting surface extending away from a free cutting edge of the bracket. The movable part comprises at least one detaching tool/knife, which moves or rotates along the cutting edge and is oriented in a small angle or no angle to the edge, wherein the curve form of the surface is in conformity with the path of the knife/knives; and further has synchronizing device which allow a knife to pass by the cutting edge simultaneously with one of the carriers passing by on the opposite end of the cutting edge.
US08147291B2
A convertible nursing bra, in an exemplary embodiment, having bra support cups releasable from straps to provide access and further including underlying support panels connected to the encircling strap or under wire support and remaining connected to the straps to provide continued support during nursing. Released portions of the cups are temporarily retained by auxiliary attachment devices on the encircling strap to reduce interference during nursing. The releasable cup-to-strap and/or cup-to-encircling strap connecting devices are easily managed for access, stowing and re-covering.
US08147284B2
A submersible propulsor unit, comprising: a duct defined between a duct hub and a duct wall, the duct having a water inlet and a water outlet, a propeller means rotatably mounted within the duct, and an array of stator vanes extending between the duct hub and the duct wall, wherein the array of stator vanes comprises stator vanes having a first stiffness and stator vanes having a second stiffness.
US08147282B2
A marine vessel power generation system comprising a conventional machinery arrangement, such as an internal combustion engine (2) and a generator (3), a propulsion system, and a main switchboard (6). In order to provide an environmental friendly power generation system, when the marine vessel enters, leaves or is in port, said system is provided with an H2O operated power generation arrangement (8) for generating H2O from seawater in order to produce electrical energy.
US08147280B2
A battery monitoring system that may be used to measure/monitor any number of battery operating conditions, including those associated with a vehicle battery. The system may be configured to interconnect a battery post that receives energy from the battery and a cable that electrically connects the battery to a vehicle.
US08147277B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a low-speed transmission terminal group including electrical terminals, a high-speed transmission terminal group including at least one outputting signal terminal and at least one receiving signal terminal, and a positioning body which has a fastening portion mounted under a rear of the insulating body and a positioning portion hanged behind the insulating body. Each of the terminals has a fastening strip, a contact portion and a soldering tail connected with two opposite ends of the fastening strip. The soldering tails of the outputting and receiving signal terminals protrude sideward to form eave boards broadening the outputting and receiving signal terminals for lowering the differential impedance of the high-speed transmission terminal group. The fastening strips are disposed in two opposite surfaces of the insulating body. The soldering tails and the eave boards stretch behind the insulating body to be positioned in the positioning portion.
US08147276B2
An electrical connector includes an insulating body having a base portion and a tongue portion extending forward from the base portion, a plurality of terminals disposed in two opposite surfaces of the tongue portion and each having a soldering tail which stretches behind the base portion and further projects upward beyond a top of the base portion, and a lid having a positioning body and a fastening portion protruding forward from the positioning body. The positioning body defines a plurality of positioning apertures spaced from one another and each extending vertically to penetrate through the positioning body. The fastening portion is mounted to the top of the base portion to make the positioning body locate behind the base portion. The soldering tails are inserted in the positioning apertures to be positioned and strengthened by the positioning body, with free ends thereof projecting beyond a top of the positioning body.
US08147274B2
A connector to be connected to a counterpart connector includes a circuit board having a ground layer, an insulating layer, and a first conductive layer successively stacked, the first conductive layer including a signal circuit and a ground circuit; and a second conductive layer electrically connecting the ground circuit and the ground layer, the second conductive layer being provided on a side of the counterpart connector in the ground circuit.
US08147273B2
A connector assembly includes a preassembly frame to which the ends of a number of high-voltage transmission lines are connected, whereupon the preassembly frame is mounted in an open-ended chamber contained in a connector housing. The frame includes a first end wall having openings that receive intermediate portions of the transmission lines, which first end wall carries a grounding plate having projections for engaging exposed portions of braided shielding layers of the transmission lines. The free ends of the transmission lines are provided with contact members that are supported by insulation sleeves in wall openings contained in a second end wall of the preassembly frame. A coding arrangement prevents the connector assembly from being connected to an unauthorized companion electrical device.
US08147266B2
A fastener for a socket connector includes a frame and a pressing assembly. The frame has an opening and a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions extend from inner edges of the frame toward the opening. The pressing assembly has a cover and a buckling piece. The cover is pivotally connected to the frame. The buckling piece locks the cover on the frame. Using the above arrangement, the protrusions are used to accurately align the socket connector within the opening, thus the inter edge surface of the frame is aligned with the outer peripheral surface of the socket connector. In this way, the pressing assembly of the frame can be operated accurately to lock and press a chip module on the socket connector.
US08147256B2
An electrical connector and a terminal are disclosed. The terminal, comprising: a base having an upper end and a lower end; a flexible arm extending upward from the upper end of the base; a retaining portion extending upward from the upper end of the base, wherein a first predetermined distance is between the flexible arm and the retaining portion; a pair of holding legs, each one comprising: a transition arm extending downward from the lower end of the base and a welding portion extending downward from the transition arm; wherein a second predetermined distance is between two transition arms, two welding portions are co-planner and inclined to the base.
US08147254B2
An electrical connector with at least two connector portions. A first connector portion and a second connector portion may each be mountable on a respective surface, such as a printed circuit board. The first and second connector portions may each include a housing. The housing of the first connector portion may include a bore and an adjacent pin. The housing of the second connector portion may also include a bore and an adjacent pin. The pin of the first connector portion may be received in the bore of the second connector portion, and the pin of the second connector portion may be received in the bore of the first connector portion, when the two connector portions are mated to one another. In one embodiment, the first and second connector portions may be substantially identical to one another.
US08147253B2
A connector assembly configured to electrically connect a first substrate with a second substrate is provided. The connector assembly includes an insulating support member including an array of apertures, and terminal assemblies disposed in the apertures. Each terminal assembly includes a hollow cylindrical body, and first and second terminals disposed on opposed ends of the body. The body is split by an opening extending between opposed ends, and resiliency of the body biases the first and second terminals in opposed directions along the longitudinal axis.
US08147248B2
A system and method for training a user to perform a flick gesture is described. A flick gesture is a simple gesture that may be easily detected and is characterized by minimal interference with other applications or gestures.
US08147239B2
Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a gas type clothes dryer. The method control the dryer to continuously detect condition of a flame sensor even after ignition of the dryer, thereby preventing a drying operation from being performed when a flame has been extinguished due to insufficient gas supply caused by failure of a gas valve.
US08147237B2
According to an aspect, there is disclosed a hot runner system (100), comprising: a first surface (205) being elastically deformable; a second surface (210) forming, in cooperation with the first surface (205), a melt-leakage gap (215) being located between the first surface (205) and the second surface (210); and an active material (220) being: (i) coupled with the first surface (205), (ii) held normally stationary, (iii) configured to be operatively coupled with a signal source (225), and (iv) configured to elastically deform in response to receiving a signal from the signal source (225), upon elastic deformation of the active material (220), the first surface (205) becomes moved toward the second surface (210) such that a size (235) of the melt-leakage gap (215) becomes controlled.
US08147233B2
An apparatus for highly controlled color composition and distribution within the face mix of semi-dry concrete mix paving stones.
US08147225B2
The invention concerns a pump having a housing; a working chamber located in the housing for delivery of a fluid; a suction channel which is in flow connection with the working chamber for guiding the fluid into the working chamber; a valve unit disposed in the suction channel, the valve unit has a guide body, a limiting element which is guided for displacement in the guide body and has at least one displacement stop for limitation of displacement, a valve which is movable between an open position and a sealing position for controlling the flow of the fluid into the suction channel, wherein the valve is guided for displacement, and a pressure element which presses the limiting element in the direction of the sealing position of the valve; as well as a pressure channel which is in flow connection with the working chamber for guiding the fluid out of the working chamber.
US08147222B2
A vacuum divider is positioned between rotor blades of a turbo-molecular pump and a vacuum manifold formed from multiple vacuum chambers. A first coupling aperture passes through the vacuum divider and allows gas to pass from a first of the multiple vacuum chambers to the turbo-molecular pump. A second coupling aperture passes through the vacuum divider and allows gas to pass from a second of the multiple vacuum chambers to the turbo-molecular pump.
US08147221B2
An electromagnetic micro-pump includes a substrate, a top plate, a magnetic diaphragm, and a coil unit. The substrate includes a first face and a second face. The first face includes a groove. The top plate is mounted on the first face of the substrate. The top plate includes an input hole, an output hole, and a through-hole. Each of the input hole, the output hole, and the through-hole extends through the top plate and is in communication with the groove. The through-hole is between the input hole and the output hole. The magnetic diaphragm is elastically deformable and mounted to an outer face of the top plate to seal the through-hole. The coil unit is mounted to the second face of the substrate and aligned with the through-hole.
US08147217B2
The invention relates to a pump device for feeding a delivery medium out of a deep borehole which leads from a floor level into the interior of the earth, which deep borehole is provided at least in sections with borehole piping, having a pump and having a motor which drives the pump. As a result of the motor being arranged outside the borehole piping and as a result of it being possible for the motor to be connected to the pump by means of torque transmitting means which extend laterally through the borehole piping, the motor can be protected from overheating, and in the event of a fault, can be pulled out of the deep borehole independently of the pump.
US08147214B2
Provided is a compressor having an enhanced capability of supplying oil to a thrust bearing and a radial bearing which are interposed between a center through-hole in a cylinder block and a driving shaft. To this end, the compressor 1 has an air bleed passage 31 which is configured to allow crank chamber 5 and intake chamber 7 to communicate with each other, including: a first space S1 in the center through-hole 14; a communicating part 41 for allowing the first space S1 and a second space S2 to communicate with each other; the second space S2 in the center through-hole 14; a penetrating passage 43 formed to pass through the driving shaft 10, thereby allowing the second space S2 and a third space S3 to communicate with each other; the third space S3; and a communicating passage 45 for allowing the third space S3 and an intake chamber 7 to communicate with each other.
US08147209B2
A wind turbine comprising a wind turbine blade with high lift and/or low solidity is provided. The blade is directed towards pitch regulated wind turbines, which are operated at variable rotor speed and have blades longer than about 30 meters. The blade is for example advantageous in that it may provide reduced extreme and fatigue loads at the same or near the same power production.
US08147207B2
An airfoil for use as rotor blades in compressors for turbomachines, such as gas turbine engines. The airfoil includes increased forward sweep and forward dihedral effective to reduce losses generated by interaction of tip clearance flow, secondary flows and passage shocks.
US08147194B2
A turbine engine component includes a shaft and two sets of hollow radial plates. The shaft includes an axial section forming a portion of a main passage having a substantially uniform diameter. The axial section has two ends and a center located substantially halfway between the two ends. The first set of hollow radial plates extends radially outwardly from the shaft at a first axial location between the center and a first end of the axial section. Each hollow radial plate is hollow and has an interior surface defining annular chambers surrounding and in flow communication with the main passage. The second set of hollow radial plates extends radially outwardly from the shaft at a second axial location between the center and a second end of the axial section. Each hollow radial plate has an interior surface defining annular chambers surrounding and in flow communication with the main passage.
US08147193B2
A modular ceiling fan housing unit designed to create a focused column or columns of downwardly moving air such that there is little deflection when the column or columns of downwardly moving air arrives at the ground level. The modular ceiling fan housing includes an elongated body element having a fluid impelling device to create the downwardly moving air. At least one plate disposed within the elongated body element directs the downwardly moving air into columns. The modular ceiling fan housing unit may be coupled to another modular ceiling fan housing unit to provide additional columns of downwardly moving air. The modular ceiling fan housing units may be coupled in various configurations, depending on the type of application. Furthermore, the modular ceiling fan housing unit or multiple modular fan housing units may be coupled to an elevated structure located either above or below the housing units.
US08147191B2
A turbomachine stator forming a stator vane ring or upstream guide vane element including a plurality of vanes placed radially between a first inner ring and a second outer ring is disclosed. The two rings are concentric and the second ring has a cylindrical outer surface portion. The stator is characterized in that, on the outer surface portion, at least one vibration-damping laminate is attached. The laminate includes at least one layer of viscoelastic material in contact with the surface portion and one counterlayer of rigid material.
US08147186B2
A centrifugal compressor having a wide operating range, being economically efficient and high reliability in terms of a stable operation is provided. A centrifugal compressor including a partition wall for dividing a flow channel in the diffuser section and the volute section into a plurality of channels in the direction of circulation of the fluid so as to define a hub-side flow channel and a shroud-side flow channel; and a flow rate adjusting valve for lowering the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the shroud-side flow channel to increase the flow rate in the hub-side flow channel when the flow rate of the fluid compressed by an impeller is low and not lowering the flow rate of the fluid flowing the shroud-side flow channel to allow the fluid to flow both in the shroud-side flow channel and the hub-side flow channel when the flow rate of the fluid compressed by the impeller is high is employed.
US08147183B2
A wind turbine and a drivetrain for a generator is provided. The drivetrain includes a hub configured to provide an input rotational speed, and a planetary gearbox in communication with the hub. The planetary gearbox includes a stationary or rotatable carrier and a plurality of planet gears. The planetary gearbox is configured to convert the input rotational speed to an output rotational speed, and includes at least one sun gear. The hub can be rigidly connected to the rotatable ring gear.
US08147177B2
The invention provides an apparatus and a method for economically forming packing unit layers. The apparatus comprises at least one supply conveyor, at least one further conveyor and an exit conveyor. Furthermore, at least one gripper for positioning and/or turning the packing units is associated with the further conveyor. The positioned and/or turned packing units are brought together to form form-fitting packing unit layers by a suitable device on the at least one exit conveyor. The at least one gripper is configured in such a way that is can be used to position and/or turn at least one packing unit and that at least one further packing unit can be placed on the positioned and/or turned packing unit in the same orientation.
US08147173B2
An adapter for operating a keyhole saw (10) on a driving machine includes a driving section (17; 117) for absorbing torque and a threaded section (18; 118) screwed into a threaded hole (20) in the keyhole saw (10). A driving segment (16; 116) is offset radially relative to the adapter axis and is inserted in a form-fit manner into a receiving hole (21) present in the keyhole saw (10). The driving segment (16; 116) is located in an axially extending manner on the end of a driving element (12; 112) which includes the driving element section (17; 117). The threaded section (17; 117) is formed on a threaded mandrel (13; 113) which is situated in the driving element (12; 112) and is non-detachably connected thereto. The threaded mandrel (13; 113) is held in the driving element (12; 112) in a rotatable manner to be axially displaceable to a limited extent.
US08147172B2
Drilling jigs consisting of a first substantially rectilinear bar (2) having a plurality of through holes (4) through which holes can be drilled in a surface, and a plurality of locator members (6, 7, 8) which are rotatable relative to one or other of the surfaces of the bar (2) other than those through which holes are to be drilled, the jigs further including a second substantially rectilinear bar (17) with a plurality of through holes (17) through which holes can be drilled in a surface, and securing means (12, 13) for securing the first and second bars to each other, the holes in the first and second bars through which holes are drilled being substantially in alignment when they are secured together with the securing means.
US08147164B2
A line system (24) for a road miller, which rotates along with the milling roller (11) and which supplies water directly to the nozzles (23) which are arranged on the lateral surface (18) of the milling roller (11), to be arranged in the milling roller (11). Owing to the line system (24), the milling roller (11) no longer needs to be filled with water. The nozzles (23) are instead supplied with water directly from the line system (24) in order to spray the milling region selectively.
US08147153B2
The present invention provides a rinsing method capable of satisfactorily rinsing the surface of a resist film regardless of the condition of the surface of the resist film so that development defects caused by residuals produced by development may be reduced. A rinsing method of rinsing a substrate processed by a developing process for developing an exposed pattern comprises the steps of discharging a rinsing liquid onto a central part of the substrate processed by the developing process and coated with a developer puddle while the substrate is stopped or rotated (step 5), stopping discharging the rinsing liquid in a state where the developer puddle remains at least in a peripheral part of the substrate (step 6), and rotating the substrate at a high rotating speed to shake the developer remaining on the substrate off the substrate together with the rinsing liquid (step 7).
US08147148B2
The present invention relates to a camera system.The system includes a selector configured to select one of a still image shooting mode and a movie shooting mode, and a communication unit employing a plurality of communication methods by which communication between an interchangeable lens and a camera body is performed. If the still image shooting mode is selected by the selector and a lens information request command is sent from the camera body to the interchangeable lens, the communication unit operates such that information on the interchangeable lens is sent from the interchangeable lens to the camera body. If the movie shooting mode is selected by the selector, the communication unit operates such that the information on the interchangeable lens is sent from the interchangeable lens to the camera body even without the lens information request command being sent from the camera body to the interchangeable lens.
US08147140B2
A bag having both a support system and a closure system is provided. The closure system of the bag provides structural support to the bag. In at least one embodiment, the bag includes at least one sheet of flexible material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container, an opening within the semi-enclosed container defined by a generally circular periphery of the semi-enclosed container at an unenclosed end of the at least one sheet of flexible material, and a flexible support rim disposed around the generally circular periphery of the semi-enclosed container at an unenclosed end. The support rim is sufficient to support the opening within the semi-enclosed container in an open position.
US08147136B2
A micromechanical device includes a micromechanical functional structure and an electromagnetic radiation heating associated with the micromechanical functional structure, which is formed to cause a spatially and temporally defined temperature or a spatially and temporally defined temperature course in the micromechanical functional structure.
US08147134B2
Disclosed herein are a method and an apparatus to identify alpha-emitting radionuclides and to measure absolute alpha radioactivity using a low temperature detector. A 4π metallic absorber which encloses a radioactive material containing alpha-emitting radionuclides absorbs the total alpha decay energy in the form of thermal energy. The corresponding temperature changes are measured by a low temperature detector attached to the 4π absorber with high energy resolution. The identification of alpha-emitting radionuclides is declared by comparing the measured temperature signal with characteristic decay energy of radionuclides. The absolute amount of the radionuclides is determined by counting the number of the pulses for each of the identified nuclides.
US08147129B2
An apparatus for use with automatic testing equipment for testing infrared sensors on integrated circuits is provided. The apparatus includes an infrared source, a heat mass, and an electronic frequency modulator. The infrared source is modulated according to a predetermined test frequency such that the infrared source emits an infrared test signal representative of a test temperature and corresponding to the temperature of the heat mass and the predetermined test frequency. A signal processor, electrically coupled to an integrated circuit having an infrared sensor, receives a sensed signal from the infrared sensor in response to the infrared test signal and uses the sensed signal according to the predetermined test frequency to determine a measured temperature.
US08147118B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for homogenizing powder, which includes a drive device and a homogenization unit. The drive device moves the homogenization unit back and forth in at least one horizontal direction. The homogenization unit has a multitude of essentially vertically arranged, rod-shaped elements which are immersed at least partly into a powder to be homogenized.
US08147117B2
A means for mitigating or precluding formation of ice in water stored in large storage tanks generates large mixing bubbles toward the bottom of the tank, causing mixing of thermally stratified layers of water in the tank through turbulence created as the bubbles rise through the tank. Incipient stratification of water along thermoclines is detected and the mixer is engaged only when temperatures of portions of stratified water in the tank approach freezing.
US08147116B1
A safety lamp bulb connector assembly includes a lamp socket with a bottom flange, retaining blocks located on the periphery of the lamp socket and spaced above the bottom flange of the lamp socket, a screw holder disposed adjacent to the bottom flange of the lamp socket, a lampshade having a center opening cut through the bottom wall thereof for receiving the lamp socket and two notches radially outwardly extended from the center opening at two opposite sides for the passing of the retaining blocks for enabling the lampshade to be secured to the lamp socket after insertion of the retaining blocks through the notches and rotation of the lampshade through an angle relative to the lamp socket, and a screw mounted in the screw holder and inserted into one notch of the lampshell to prohibit rotation of the lampshade relative to the lamp socket.
US08147102B1
The invention is a decorative light hanger which is used in mounting the lights to a structure. The hanger has a rigid corkscrew, helix or spiral which has slots between the revolutions of the spiral to allow the decorative light wires to be rotated through the slots until the wires are securely captured in the hole or opening created in the interior of the spiral.
US08147101B2
An LED lamp includes an illumination apparatus and a heat-dissipating waterproof cover. The illumination apparatus includes LED modules; and the heat-dissipating waterproof cover is configured to cover the LED modules. The heat-dissipating waterproof cover includes a plurality of drain members, and a gap is formed between every two drain members so as to increase the air convection, thereby increasing heat dissipation efficiency of the LED modules. Every two adjacent drain members are partially overlapping in vertical to prevent the intrusion of water.
US08147099B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for receiving light from one or more light sources, each of which comprises a substantially point-like light source. The received light is them emitted over an extended surface area including a first surface of an optical controller arranged to refract light received from at least one light source, a second surface of the optical controller arranged to reflect the light received from the first surface of the optical controller, the first surface and the second surface being arranged with respect to each other to enable total internal reflection of the light reflected from the at least one light surface, and a plurality of reflection elements located within the optical controller arranged to alter the path of the light traversing the optical controller so as to direct light out of the optical controller.
US08147088B2
A focusing-type flashlight structure includes a hollow cylinder body for accommodating the power supply component and screwed with an exterior cap having the switch device at the rear side and having a buckle channel and a protrusion stop ring and forming the diameter expansion section; a light emitting device positioned between the buckle channel and the protrusion stop ring of the hollow cylinder body; a light transparent cover for sealing the front side of the hollow cylinder body and having a protrusion hook for clasping with the buckle channel to achieve the positioning; and a zooming device including a hollow tube having a first, second, and third ring section with converged diameters from the front to the rear in order, and a lens disposed between the first ring section of the hollow tube, and a light opening cover to achieve the positioning.
US08147085B2
Herein disclosed is a sprinkler valve on/off key that includes a light source therein. The sprinkler valve on/off key includes a gripping member which is of a shape and size to mate with a standard sprinkler head/valve. The light source is housed within the gripping member and when the light source is energized the light illuminates the area around the gripping member and the sprinkler head assembly. Whereby, the workman can visually see and easily manipulate the sprinkler head/valve assembly between the on and off position.
US08147071B2
Described herein is processor for providing image data signalling to a projector. The provided image data signalling represents an image to be projected by the projector. The processor comprises both an input to receive movement signalling associated with movement of the projector, and an output configured to provide image data signalling to the projector. The processor is also configured to provide image data signalling to the projector based on received movement signalling.
US08147068B2
A projection display apparatus includes a light source, a plurality of light modulating elements that respectively modulate different color components of light emitted from the light source, a plurality of light diffusing elements that are disposed on sides near the light source with reference to the respective light modulating elements, a light integrating element that integrates the different color components modulated by the light modulating elements, and a projection optical element that projects light resulting from the different color components integrated by the light integrating element.
US08147062B2
An eye-side refractive surface 11 of a distance portion is concave and at least part of an eye-side refractive surface 3 of a near portion is a convex region 31 where one or both of principal meridians of the surface are convex. This provides a back surface progressive-power lens capable of solving disadvantages in terms of lens thickness, external appearance and the like in a back surface progressive-power lens in which the eye-side refractive surface is formed of a progressive-power surface.
US08147053B2
The present invention provides an ink-jet recording apparatus having a driving roll 17a and press-contact rolls 17b and 17c that transport an ink-jet recording medium 13, an ink-jet head 11 ejecting an ink onto the transported ink-jet recording medium 13, and a drying device drying the ink ejected from the ink-jet head 11, providing images in which density is high and hue difference (color change) is prevented from being developed, and an ink-jet recording method using the ink-jet recording apparatus.
US08147045B2
A liquid applicator suitable for manufacturing probe arrays comprises a liquid ejection section having a plurality of sets of a liquid ejecting nozzle adapted to eject liquid onto a medium, a liquid containing section communicating with the liquid ejecting nozzle and a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid containing section, a liquid supply section having a liquid supply member arranged therein to store liquid to be applied and adapted to supply liquid to the liquid ejection section by way of the supply ports, an information recording body arranged at the liquid ejection section and/or the liquid supply member of the liquid supply section and an information reading device adapted to read information recorded in the information recording body.
US08147038B2
The image forming apparatus includes: a first group of large nozzles which eject large droplets of liquid for a color; a second group of small nozzles which eject small droplets of the liquid for the color, the small droplets having volume smaller than the large droplets; a dot data creation device which creates dot data according to input image data; a dot data correction device which corrects the dot data if there is an abnormal nozzle in one of the first and second groups, in such a manner that a corrective nozzle is selected from the other of the first and second groups, and droplet ejection performed by the corrective nozzle substitutes for droplet ejection that is originally to be performed by the abnormal nozzle; and a driving device which drives the large and small nozzles to eject the large and small droplets according to the corrected dot data.
US08147036B2
A hyper branched type epoxy resin including a polymerized substance generated from a polyfunctional epoxy compound represented by a formula (I), wherein the polyfunctional epoxy compound represented by the formula (I) includes group A having aromatic hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group or aromatic ring having an amino group, and epoxy containing group B having an epoxy group; wherein R represents an organic group of (n+1) valence, and n represents 2 or 3. A-R—(B)n (I)
US08147030B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus includes an ejection head having an ejection surface with a nozzle region and a capping device that contacts the ejection surface. The capping device includes first and second contact members held by a cap body. When the first contact member contacts the ejection surface, a surface of the first contact member surrounds the nozzle region. The second contact member is formed in a closed frame-shape to be disposed outside a surface of the first contact member opposite the surface of the first contact member. The cap body includes first and second suction ports. The first suction port decompresses a first space formed between the first contact member and the ejection surface when the capping device contacts the ejection head. The second suction port decompresses a second space formed between the second contact member and the ejection surface when the capping device contacts the ejection head.
US08147029B2
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a heater controller and a purge controller. The heater controller controls a heater to heat liquid in at least a part of a liquid path of a head when an ambient temperature of the head is lower than a first predetermined temperature. The purge controller controls a pressurizer so that: the pressurizer is continuously driven until a predetermined amount of liquid is ejected from ejection openings, when the ambient temperature is not lower than the first predetermined temperature; and the pressurizer is intermittently driven plural times until the predetermined amount of liquid is ejected from the ejection openings, when the ambient temperature is lower than the first predetermined temperature, an amount of liquid ejected from the ejection openings in response to a single driving action of the pressurizer being not larger than an amount of liquid heated by the heater.
US08147025B2
An image forming apparatus includes a printhead, an ink container, a sensor, a memory, and a processor. The printhead ejects droplets of ink to form an ink image. The ink container supplies ink to the printhead. The sensor detects an air leak in the ink container when an amount of air therewithin exceeds a given limit level. The memory records a count of air leaks detected by the sensor during a given counting cycle initiated at a given start time and completed following a lapse of a given period of time. The processor compares the detection count against a given threshold value upon completion of the counting cycle, and indicates a defect in the ink container when the detection count exceeds the given threshold value. A storage medium storing a computer-executable diagnostic program for use in such an image forming apparatus is also disclosed.
US08147021B2
When the number of sheets that have been printed has reached the number of sheets guaranteed for printing, a number representing a upper limit of the number of sheets that can be printed, an ink jet printer declines to perform printing with an ink cartridge for which the number of sheets guaranteed for printing has been set, but when the number of sheets printed has not reached the number of sheets guaranteed for printing, performs printing of an image onto a recording sheet S by using the ink cartridge, the ink jet printer determining the number of sheets remaining N on the basis of the number of sheets printed that have been printed, and displaying on a display unit 82 the number of sheets remaining information display screen 80 incorporating a number of sheets remaining display unit 80b that causes visual recognition of a relation between the number of sheets guaranteed for printing and the number of sheets remaining.
US08147016B2
A can receiving apparatus is disclosed. More particularly, disclosed is a can receiving apparatus for a refrigerator, in which a can receiving shelf is conveniently fixed at a pivotally rotated position, assuring easy storage and removal of cans and improved space utility. The can receiving apparatus includes a case, a can receiving shelf coupled to the case in a pivotally rotatable manner, and a fixing structure to fix the can receiving shelf at an upper limit position upon pivotal rotation of the can receiving shelf.
US08147014B2
A refrigerator and/or freezer is provided with a carcass and door, which by a bearing can be swiveled relative to the carcass of the appliance. The bearing includes a bearing block connected with the carcass of the appliance, a bearing bolt and an adjusting member, preferably an adjusting plate. The bearing block includes at least one recess or bore through which the bearing bolt extends and on whose edge portion the head of the bearing bolt rests. The adjusting member includes a bore with an internal thread and is arranged with the bearing block received between the head of the bearing bolt and adjusting member. The bearing bolt has an external thread which is in engagement with the internal thread of the adjusting member. The recess or bore of the bearing block is configured such that the adjusting member with the bearing bolt is movable relative to the bearing block when the bearing bolt is loosened.
US08147007B2
The invention relates to a spring-suspended, bearing force-optimized belt-band traveling gear (10) for ground vehicles, particularly for self-propelled agricultural machines and other off-road vehicles, comprising at least two outer deflection rollers (14, 15, 16, 17) over whose periphery an endless belt-band (22) rolls off, and at least one supporting roller (24) for supporting the belt-band section, which is in contact with the ground, between both deflection rollers (14, 15, 16, 17). A bogie truck (12, 13), in which the at least two deflection rollers (14, 15, 16, 17) are mounted in a manner that enables them to rotate, is supported against a body frame of the vehicle by means of a first fluidic suspension unit and/or damping unit. The at least one supporting roller (24) is supported on the bogie truck (12, 13) by means of a second fluidic suspension unit and/or damping unit. A fluidic coupling of the suspension units and/or damping units of the bogie truck (12, 13) is provided against the vehicle frame and the at least one supporting roller (24) mounted on the bogie truck (12, 13).
US08147005B2
A wheel assembly includes a wheel and a hub assembly. The hub assembly includes a retainer housing, retaining member, biasing element, and restraining element. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of the wheel. The pin sleeve includes a first end fluidly communicating with the sleeve bore, a second end, and a conduit therebetween. The retaining member, disposed within the conduit, is configured to operatively engage an axle groove and includes a lip wider than a first end shoulder to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end. The biasing element, disposed within the conduit, is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The restraining element is configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end.
US08147003B2
A wheel ornamentation that can fit vehicle wheels having different offset dimensions. According to one embodiment, the wheel ornamentation is a two-piece wheel cover that includes center and outer components and an adjustable overlapping junction therebetween, where the adjustable overlapping junction may be partially concealed by an annular flange on one of the components. An adhesive portion may be disposed between overlapping axial ends of the components and can be modified during assembly of the ornamentation to a vehicle wheel.
US08146987B2
In a present fender liner structure of a vehicle, an intake port is positioned in an upper portion of a cavity that is defined by a fender, a fender apron and a fender liner, so that air in the cavity can be introduced into an engine. A fender liner body positioned to surround a tread portion of a front wheel has a plurality of drain openings that are circumferentially formed to be positioned anterior to a center of the front wheel. The drain openings respectively have opening portions that are directed upwardly so as to have larger opening areas in a vertical direction and smaller opening areas in a longitudinal direction, and have guard portions to which muddy water splashed upwardly and passing through the opening portions can impinge.
US08146986B2
A dashboard support for a motor vehicle includes a tubular cross member for installation between A-pillars of a vehicle body, and a holder joined to the cross member for attachment of functional vehicle components. The cross member has at least one slot, oriented in a direction transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cross member, for receiving a limb of the holder such as to allow adjustment of a position of the holder in relation to the cross member by sliding and/or turning the limb before the holder is being joined to the cross member.
US08146981B2
The present invention is directed to a tonneau cover incorporating a cable system which generates the proper amount of cross-car tension, and still provides for the tonneau cover to be rolled up and stowed when not in use. The present invention is directed to a tonneau cover for a vehicle that is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The tonneau cover has at least one pocket extending along a side of the tonneau cover, and at least one cable disposed in the pocket such that a first end of the cable extends out of a first end of the pocket, and a second end of the cable extends out of a second end of the pocket such that when the tonneau cover is in the deployed position, the cable applies tension to the tonneau cover.
US08146980B2
The present invention relates to a vehicle sunshade device 20, which can cover and uncover a rear window provided between a pair of rear pillars 11R and 11L formed in both sides in the vehicle width direction with a screen body 21, and comprising: a winding device 30 for biasing the screen body 21 in its winding-up direction; a pair of guide rails 40R and 40L in both sides in the vehicle width direction of the winding device 30, and capable of being attached to the inner wall of the rear pillar; a pair of sliders 50 fixed at both edges in the vehicle width direction of the screen body 21 respectively, and capable of reciprocately moving within the pair of guide rails 40R and 40L; a drive unit 60 for reciprocately moving the sliders 50 within the guide rails 40R and 40L so as to spread out the screen body 21 against the biasing force of the winding device 30 and wind up the screen body 21 in a spread-out state with the winding device; a temporary joint part 80 for temporarily connecting the pair of guide rails 40R and 40L with the winding device 30 in a condition, where a relative distance between each of the guide rails 40R and 40L is adjustable, until the present vehicle sunshade device 20 is attached to the pair of rear pillars 11R and 11L.
US08146975B2
A framework for supporting stretchers and method of assembling includes a sub-frame having an adjustable length header bar assembly and adjustable height outer frame legs connected to opposing ends of the header bar assembly. A secondary stretcher support is positioned laterally interior of and parallel with each outer frame leg, each of the secondary stretcher support and outer frame leg including stretcher holders. Interframe connectors are transversely positioned between pairs of sub-frames and pairs of secondary stretcher supports. Stretcher handles seat in the stretcher holder and the secondary stretcher support. The framework is configured to fit within varying dimensions of a mass transit vehicle and can be a component of a vehicle conversion kit. The kit can further include tools for assembling the framework, assembly instructions, and a crate for storing and transporting at least the framework, supports, tools, and assembly instructions.
US08146965B2
A vehicle door lock device includes an active lever freely switchable between an unlock position and a lock position, a switching actuator, and a switching lever receiving drive force of the switching actuator to move a bushing. The active lever includes a first engagement piece and a second engagement piece. When the active lever is located at the unlock position, the second engagement piece engages with the first engagement piece located at a set position of the bushing to limit movement of the switching lever so that movement of the bushing is restricted within a range between an unset position and the set position. When the active lever is located at the lock position, the first engagement piece is arranged at a position avoiding engagement with the second engagement piece to allow the switching lever to move the bushing between the unset position and a double lock position.
US08146957B2
In certain embodiments, a PCA connector has a polyethylene body, wherein the polyethylene is durable, corrosion resistant, and exhibits excellent strength over a large range of temperature and moisture conditions. The polyethylene body may be described as a single structure with integral features, such as a bearing portion, a latch housing portion, a latch guide portion, and so forth. Thus, the number of parts is significantly reduced by the one-piece design of the body. In addition, the PCA connector may include a latching mechanism configured to secure the PCA connector to an aircraft. For example, the latching mechanism may include a pair of levers, which engage a pair of latches on opposite sides of the polyethylene body. In some embodiments, the levers may be rotated in opposite directions relative to one another to impart movement of the latches in the same direction, e.g., an axial direction. Also, some embodiments of the latching mechanism include a cam between the levers and the latches, respectively.
US08146945B2
A motor vehicle steering column includes a bracket fixed to the vehicle and a steering column tube. The steering column tube may be adjusted in inclination relative to the bracket fixed to the vehicle via an adjusting device. The adjusting device includes a lever which is mounted pivotably on the bracket and may be deflected about a pivot axis by a driving device. The motor vehicle steering column may permit a maximum inclination setting irrespective of the available construction space. A deflecting clamp which is connected pivotably to the steering column tube is coupled to an output end of the lever.
US08146944B2
An adjustable assembly attaches to the rear storage compartment of a motorcycle and can be positioned in different locations so as to make the rear seating area larger or smaller as desired.
US08146943B2
It is an object to ensure that, even when knee regions of an occupant are in a near state with respect to a storage section of a knee airbag at the time of a frontal collision of a vehicle, the knee regions can be restrained appropriately by the knee airbag.A knee airbag 14 stored in a folded state in a glove box door 22 (a storage section) receives a supply of a gas at the time of a frontal collision of a vehicle 18 and inflates and deploys toward knee regions 36K of an occupant 36 seated in a front passenger seat 12 (a vehicle seat). At this time, when the knee regions 36K of the occupant 36 are in a near state with respect to the glove box door 22, the gas inside the knee airbag 14 becomes ventable to the outside from a vent hole 16, The vent hole 16 appropriately vents this gas from the inside, of the knee airbag 14, and the reaction force of the knee airbag 14 with respect to the knee regions 36K are reduced.
US08146941B2
A Collapsible Trailer is disclosed. Also disclosed is a trailer that is lightweight, but durable, and includes a set of detachable deck segments that can be assembled into a deck. The trailer further includes a suspension assembly that attaches to the deck once the deck is assembled or, alternatively, is permanently attached to one deck segment. The horizontal intra-deck segment support is provided by slidable rods that are extendable to bridge the intersection between a pair of adjacent segments. Each deck segment has a male edge and a female edge; the male edge can be inserted into the female edge to create an interlocking hinge-like structure to provide longitudinal stability along the special plane of the assembled deck. Furthermore, the deck and trailer can be assembled without the need for any tools or additional equipment. In all cases, the deck segments, when disassembled, stackable into a condensed deck stack.
US08146923B2
A vacuum apparatus of rotary motion entry is disclosed, which comprises: a shaft sleeve, disposed on a cavity wall of a vacuum system; a rotary shaft, ensheathed by the shaft sleeve; and a transmission set, connected to the rotary shaft for driving the same; wherein, the rotary shaft is disposed passing through a hole formed on the base of the shaft sleeve while there are a first bearing, a second bearing, a sealing ring and a shaft seal being arranged separately inside the hole. Moreover, the shaft seal has a flake-like lip flange formed extending toward the center of the hole, that is capable of being extended away from the vacuum system by the inserting of the rotary shaft into the hole, and thereby, enabling the lip flange to engage with the rotary shaft tightly by the atmospheric pressure and thus isolating the outside world from the vacuum system.
US08146920B2
A tile-based game is used for teaching symbolic notation corresponding to alphabetical notation, such as found in music and code or sign language, by having players attempt to spell word with the symbolic notations that appear on one side of the tiles. Players are given points for the correct assembly or deciphering of a word with the tiles and check for correct answers by viewing the corresponding alphabetical notations on an opposite side of the tiles. The game can be implemented virtually on a computer.
US08146914B2
An assembly includes a currency cassette, a pressure plate, and a plurality of gears rotatably connected to at least two opposite edges of the pressure plate. In an implementation, a plurality of substantially parallel racks are configured to engage a plurality of the gears.
US08146907B2
A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of improving the productivity of sheet processing as much as possible. An image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet. A finisher is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus and performs post processing on the sheet. The finisher moves at least one of the sheet and a punching unit to adjust a position for punching holes in the sheet. The finisher determines whether or not a post-processing apparatus connected upstream of the finisher is provided with a correction mechanism for correcting a position of a sheet in a direction orthogonal to a sheet conveying direction. When the post-processing apparatus is provided with the correction mechanism, the finisher causes the image forming apparatus to be set such that a sheet conveying interval becomes shorter than when the post-processing apparatus is not provided with the correction mechanism.
US08146899B2
An isolation system for use in damping and isolating low frequency oscillations and shock loads between two members. An exemplary application is a seat isolation system for use with a vehicle such as a lawn mower. The seat isolation system may include two or more isolators interposed between a chassis of the vehicle, and a seat (e.g., operator's seat). The isolators may permit attenuation of shock or low frequency oscillation inputs via damping and isolation in both vertical and horizontal (fore-and-aft and side-to-side) directions. In some embodiments, the isolators include an elastomeric element that provides the seat with six degrees of freedom.
US08146897B2
Self-pumping hydropneumatic spring strut includes a working cylinder divided into first and second working spaces by a working piston carried on a hollow piston rod; a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber partially filled with hydraulic damping medium, the high pressure chamber having a gas cushion and being connected to the second working space; and a piston pump including a pump rod extending into the hollow piston rod, the pump rod having a bore connected to the low pressure chamber, an end provided with a suction valve inside the hollow piston rod, and a deregulating opening, which is closable as a function of position of the working piston in the working cylinder. An adjustable damping valve located outside the external tube has a first flow connection connected to the first working space, and a second flow connection connected to the second working space and the high pressure chamber.
US08146893B2
Apparatus and methods for generating and tracing vortices include an actuator that is moved through a fluid is such a fashion as to produce a difference in pressure between two faces, so that the fluid is drawn from an area of higher pressure into an area of lower pressure around an edge of the actuator, thereby producing a vortex. A vortex generator produces vortices in air or other fluid, without an external chamber being required. The rotational velocity of such a vortex is greater than the rotational velocity of the actuator. The shape, size, and strength of the vortices can be controlled by varying one or more of the size, shape, and speed of the apparatus' actuator including its leading and trailing edges, height of the actuator above the surface, and the angles between the plane of the actuator and the motion through the fluid. A vortex may be visualized easily using a tracing material which is introduced into the vortex. Vortices so produced can be used as amusements or for research into the ways in which vortices interact with structures, including airfoils, vehicles, buildings or other structures.
US08146892B2
A waterfall decorative humidifier, including mainly a housing, a water exit on top of the housing, a water sub-receptacle in the lower portion of the housing, a water pump in the water sub-receptacle, and a fan in the housing; in which the water pump is connected with the water exit through a water pipe, and in which the housing is generally of the shape of a waterfall; wherein at least one shaft is provided on the housing, and a decoration is connected to the shaft directly or through a mechanism.
US08146890B2
A device, adapted for transporting a planar solid oxide fuel cell stack while the SOFC stack is sandwiched between a top plate and a bottom plate, which comprises: a plurality of load units, a lifting unit and a mobile seat. Each of the plural load devices is adapted for exerting a pressure on the SOFC stack. The lifting unit is composed of a joint portion and a plurality of cantilevers. In an exemplary, there is a fixing part arranged at the end of each cantilever while being enabled to connect to the SOFC stack by the bottom thereof. With the aforesaid device, the SOFC stack can be moved out of a high temperature furnace and then into a fuel cell control system smoothly while keeping one's balance without worrying the SOFC stack being damaged or tipping over by collision or losing balance.
US08146878B2
In a vehicle seat sliding apparatus of the type wherein rotating an operating lever causes a lock lever to allow an upper rail to slide along a lower rail, the operating member is supported by a supporting bracket fixed to the upper rail to rotate about a fulcrum which is in the form of a plate of the bracket. The operating lever is provided with a slit into which a spring is fitted for being urged. The bracket also holds the spring. To avoid an engagement between the plate and the slit when the operating lever passes during an assembly of the apparatus, the plate is configured to incline relative to the slit.
US08146869B2
A base structure can support a monitor. A fixed portion is firmly disposed on the rear casing of the monitor and contains at least one slide rail. A slide portion can move up and down the slide rail. A spring is linked to the fixed portion and the slide portion. One end of the push bar is pivotally linked to the slide portion. A first stand is firmly disposed on the rear casing. A second stand is pivotally linked to the first stand. Another end of the push bar is pivotally linked to the second stand. In this manner, the monitor may adjust the expanding angle of the second stand so as to place the monitor on the desk or hang the monitor on the wall.
US08146865B2
The present invention relates to a leading edge (1) for aircraft made of composite material, characterized in that it comprises on its inner face a metallic-type reinforcement (2) firmly adhered to the mentioned inner face of the leading edge (1) arranged such that it confers the leading edge (1) with better capacity to adapt to deformability and greater absorption of energy due to impacts. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a leading edge (1) with a metallic reinforcement (2) for aircraft made of composite material.
US08146864B2
A locking device having a door catch system for helicopter doors, which are embodied as sliding doors, which are to be additionally moved (flush-fitted) into the closed position at right angles to the plane of the door opening in response to their closing movement, consisting of a catch (15a), which is associated with the latch (13) and which is in active connected therewith, by which catch (15a) the sliding door is “caught” directly in front of its locked position in response to a manual closing process until the sliding door has been transferred into its final closed position via the latch (13).
US08146862B2
An active vortex control system (AVOCS) includes a set of primary injectors that inject gas into a cavity to generate a vortex in front of and possibly around components inside the cavity. The vortex interferes with an external flow field in an opening to the cavity to protect the components from the external environment. Sets of secondary injectors may inject gas at a reduced mass flow into the cavity to compensate for energy losses to maintain the coherence of the vortex. The AVOCS is well suited for use in windowless endo- and exo-atmospheric interceptors to protect the electro-optical imagers and optical components from Earth atmosphere.
US08146861B2
The present invention relates to a component, in particular in the field of aviation and spaceflight, having a resin matrix in which carbon nanotubes are embedded for high conductivity of the component.
US08146854B2
A rotorcraft having two coaxial, counter-rotating rotors, one proximate to the forward end of the fuselage and one proximate to the aft end of the fuselage, that generate the forces necessary to lift the craft and maneuver it in the air by adjusting the pitch of the rotor blades throughout their rotation, and a method of flying a dual rotor rotorcraft involving taking off in a vertical orientation, climbing vertically, transitioning to generally horizontal flight, flying horizontally, and subsequently repeating the sequence in reverse to land again in a vertical orientation.
US08146849B2
A chopping drum for a forage harvester has a shaft. Supporting rings are mounted on the shaft one next to the other in the axial direction and extending in the radial direction. Blade holders are distributed around the outer periphery of the supporting rings, and chopping blades are mounted on the blade holders by first screws. The first screws produce a connection between blade holders one following the other in the peripheral direction.
US08146840B2
An electrostatic painting method is disclosed in which air inside a paint feed channel is expelled when a color for painting is changed. An electrically conductive paint is channeled into a discharge channel of a fluid pathway, and the flow rate of the paint is measured. The fluid pathway is provided, via a paint valve, to a color changing valve mechanism, and communicates with a paint cartridge. The changing valve mechanism is provided in a distant position relative to a painting gun. Electrically conductive paint is channeled through a paint feed channel, which extends from the color changing valve mechanism to the painting gun, and air inside the paint feed channel is expelled. The paint feed channel is then filled with the electrically conductive paint according to the value measured for the flow rate.
US08146838B2
A handheld showerhead has a showerhead portion including a plurality of spray nozzles and a handle portion including a fluid inlet that receives water flow from a water source and a fluid passage that transports the water flow from the fluid inlet to the showerhead portion in a first flow direction. A fluid conveyance structure positioned at least partially within the showerhead portion has a base with two or more inlet openings. A mode selector includes a control knob and a fluid chamber with a fluid inlet that receives the water flow from the handle portion in a second flow direction and a rotatable chamber wall that defines a chamber outlet in selective fluid communication with the fluid conveyance structure. Rotation of the control knob rotates the chamber wall to selectively align the chamber outlet with one of the inlet openings in the base of the fluid conveyance structure.
US08146835B2
A sealing plate for use with a rail clip anchoring device having a head and a stem which extends from the head into a concrete sleeper when the anchoring device is in use, is adapted for extending over the underside of the head when the stem of the device is being set in a concrete sleeper, thereby to prevent ingress of concrete into the head of the device, and for being retained on the surface of the sleeper thereafter. A major face of the plate, which is uppermost when the sleeper is in use, is provided with at least one clip seat portion for receiving part of a rail clip. In a method of manufacturing a concrete sleeper with at least one embedded rail clip anchoring device, the floor of a mold, from which the sleeper is to be formed, is provided with an aperture through which the head of an anchoring device is inserted and before concrete is introduced into the mold the aperture is sealed off around its edges and around the underside of the head of the anchoring device by placing a sealing plate over the aperture on the floor of the mold, the plate overlapping and sealing around the edges of the aperture other than where the anchoring device is located and having a mating interface with the anchoring device such that a seal is formed therewith.
US08146834B2
Concrete carriageway for rail vehicles, having single- or multiple-block sleepers embedded in a carriageway panel, whereby the carriageway panel has areas of thinned cross-section disposed transverse to the direction of travel for generating cracks and in each has at least one body for transmitting transverse forces which overlaps the region of thinned cross-section on both sides.
US08146830B2
An RFID tag (1, 1′) comprises at least one antenna (2, 2′) and electronic tag components (4) cooperating with the antenna, wherein the antenna (2, 2′) and the electronic tag components (4) are positioned on a common substrate (3), wherein portions (3b) of the substrate encircled by the antenna (2, 2′) and not occupied by the electronic tag components (4) have been removed.
US08146828B2
For producing a card-type data carrier, an electronic module is inserted into a cutout of a semifinished product having at least one film. The cutout is produced such that an interspace remains between the periphery of the module and the cutout after the module has been inserted into the cutout. After the module has been inserted into the cutout, the at least one film is locally heated and densified around the module such that the at least one film closes the interspace. The film is preferably heated by means of a stamp, in particular of a sonotrode.
US08146826B2
An intelligent synchronization tool ensures access to desired content in a manner that automatically keeps the content current on the portable media device. A variation threshold or user-specified degree of content variation may be introduced among content downloaded to a user's mobile device to prevent the user from becoming bored. Furthermore, intelligent synchronization may automatically populate the portable media device with popular content to save a user time and/or use passive monitoring techniques to ascertain a user's preferences for subsequent population.
US08146815B2
The present invention is directed to a bar code generator which improves a print quality of a bar code and further enhances reading precision thereof, as to both vertical and horizontal bar codes. In this bar code generator, bar width information is set independently for each of the vertical and horizontal bar codes, as a precondition for printing the vertical and horizontal bar codes, selectively. When the bar code is printed (S802), it is determined whether the bar code is vertical or horizontal (S803), and according to the result of the determination, the bar width information of the determined bar code orientation is read out for drawing an image of the bar code (S804, S805, and S806). The result being drawn is transmitted to the printer, and the bar code is printed.
US08146803B1
An automated banking machine can receive user card data from a cell phone. The phone stores the card data of several selectable cards, including electronic account number data. The machine generates and displays a random number correlated with a time period. A machine user manually inputs the displayed random number into their phone. A software application in the phone encrypts the selected card data along with the inputted random number data. The phone displays a bar code image containing the encrypted data. The banking machine includes a bar code reader which can read the displayed image. The machine causes the read data to be decrypted. The random number is used to verify the current transaction session. Thereafter, the user may provide other inputs, including PIN input. The process replaces physical insertion of a card yet allows secure input of the card data. Possible data interception from activities requiring card insertion are also reduced.
US08146791B2
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue.
US08146790B2
A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a safety mechanism, an elongated body portion and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle, an approximation mechanism, and a firing trigger. A lever of the safety mechanism is movable between a first position where the firing trigger is prevented from being actuated, and a second position where the firing trigger is able to be actuated. A first jaw member of the head portion is movable in relation to a second jaw member of the head portion between spaced and approximated positions. Movement of the first jaw member in relation to the second jaw member from the approximated position towards the spaced position causes the lever of the safety mechanism to move from its second position to its first position.
US08146785B2
An apparatus for tethering tool(s) to a worker, object, support or the like, allows single or multiple tools to remain in close proximity to the worker for easy access and use. The tool(s) remain secured, so as not to fall out of the worker's range or fall to a point where the tools become lost.
US08146783B2
Disclosed is a refrigerator having a dispenser, including a main body having a cooling chamber and a door for selectively shielding the cooling chamber. The refrigerator also includes a container accommodating unit and a communication chute that passes through a front surface of the door and guides content to a dispensing cavity defined by the container accommodating unit. The refrigerator further includes an obstruction unit disposed in the container accommodating unit, and movable, about a plane perpendicular to the front which content guided by the communication chute is relatively obstructed by the obstruction unit and a second position in which content guided by the communication chute is relatively unobstructed by the obstruction unit.
US08146773B2
A storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the collapsible container. The collapsible container includes a plurality of wall panels hingedly connected to articulate between a collapsed position and an expanded position that defines an upper lip, and the upper lip further defines a square opening. The lid includes (i) a body that is adapted to cover the square opening in the collapsible container, (ii) a peripheral groove disposed in a side of the body, the groove extending along a square path configured to receive the upper lip of the collapsible container in the expanded position, and (iii) a plurality of wall sections projecting from the same side of the body. The wall sections are disposed radially inwardly from the peripheral groove and define a recess having four sides formed to receive therein an outer periphery of the collapsible container in a substantially parallel orientation with the body when the collapsible container is in the collapsed position.
US08146749B2
A plan sifter for sifting or sieving, flour-like or granular products, includes at least one compartment. Each sifting compartment has a dedicated drive, so that the base surface available can be better utilized, and the sifting capacity can be better adjusted to actual needs.
US08146746B2
A tray for storing and transporting bottles according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a base and a plurality of corner columns and side columns extending upwardly from the base, including center side columns. The center side columns and the corner columns having outer ledges defining a nesting height of the tray, such that the side walls of a similar tray nested thereon would contact and rest on the outer ledges of the center side columns and the corner columns. According to another, independent feature of the present invention, the noncenter side columns are offset inwardly relative to adjacent columns. This accommodates the handle of the tray in a ninety-degree cross-stacked configuration. As another optional feature, end columns are offset inwardly relative to adjacent corner columns in order to accommodate the handle of a similar tray nested thereon.
US08146740B2
A hook handle assembly is disclosed to include a mount, which has a first mounting portion affixed to a golf bag and a second mounting portion with positioning grooves protruded from the first mounting portion, a handlebar pivoted to the second mounting portion of the mount and positionable in the positioning grooves of the mount, and a hook grip, which has a mounting block pivoted to one end of handlebar remote from the mount, a hook-like grip body extended from the mounting block for grasping by the user or hooking on a handrail or support, and an adjustable fastener for securing the hook grip in place after hooking of the hook-like grip body on a handrail or support.
US08146739B2
A case for storing a storage medium device, such as a compact disc or digital video disc, wherein the storage medium itself is used to transition the case from an unlocked position to a locked position, and vice versa. The case includes a front cover having a pocket, wherein when the storage medium is loaded in the pocket, the storage medium may be accessed via a latch window provided in the front cover, and moved to transition the case between the locked and unlocked positions. The latch window also provides the user with visual access to the interior of the pocket to determine whether a storage medium is loaded therein.
US08146737B2
A disposable beverage cup carrier is preferably made from molded pulp, plastic or other resilient material capable of withstanding the force of four filled beverage cups while carried by integral carrying handle and preventing collapsing of the carrier and resultant spillage of the hot or cold beverage. The beverage cup carrier has a top surface, generally square in shape, of sufficient diameter capable of accommodating a integral ergonomically carrying handle. The beverage cup carrier is capable of holding one to four cups of various sizes and shapes of beverage containers providing a safe and sturdy means during transportation preventing spillage. The integral carrying handle positioned in the center of the top surface allows the user to carry up to four beverage containers with one hand providing enhanced safety and allowing a free hand for purposes of opening the door of one's automobile. The larger surface area of the top surface to accommodate the carrying handle further provides more stability to the carrier. The beverage cup carrier is a unitary mold and is capable of nesting with a plurality of similar beverage cup carriers. The top surface is attached to a peripheral rim by a plurality of annular rib components. The peripheral rim having four rounded corners at which points are positioned sockets to receive the beverage cups. The sockets extending downwardly about five inches in depth from a bottom surface containing stabilizing components within an internal wall of the sockets to provide stability by exerting an external force against the beverage container during use.
US08146736B2
Key organizing device including housing, cover, and slider. Housing includes cavity, two housing ends, end opening, back wall, and slider opening. Housing ends are spaced apart in longitudinal direction. End opening is located at one housing end. Back wall is located at other housing end. Slider opening extends in longitudinal direction. Cover is removeably attached over end opening. Slider includes finger pad and key mount. Key mount is positioned inside cavity and connected to finger pad through slider opening. Slider is configured for attachment and detachment of key through end opening upon removal of cover. Key including key head connected to key blade, key head having edge, key including head aperture spaced apart from the edge, key head including ramp between two guide ridges. Key including key head connected to key blade, key head having edge and head aperture, head aperture including notch in edge.
US08146732B2
The invention disclosed provides a drive head assembly for a fluid conveyor system that propels a fluid entraining conveyor through a well bore to carry fluids to the surface. The invention is comprised of a pair of synchronized follower wheels connected to a set of counter rotating sheaves. A fluid entraining conveyor is wrapped in a “figure-8” conveyor path around the sheaves in a plurality of coaxial grooves and around a distal sheave located in the fluid in the well bore. The coaxial grooves incorporate a unique shape which in conjunction with the wrap pattern provide improved tractive qualities and thus reduce tension in the conveyor and increase the durability of the conveyor. The conveyor can run at increased speeds and with no tension on the downward portion of the conveyor resulting in higher efficiency and less down time due to breakage.
US08146729B1
Systems and methods in accordance with exemplary embodiments for assisting cargo onto and from elevators. The system may include deck subsystems comprising rollers, a motor, and a gearbox. The motor may drive the gearbox which may drive the rollers to assist in loading cargo onto an elevator and/or assist in unloading cargo from an elevator. Deck subsystems may be located on multiple deck levels. The system may include an elevator subsystem having rollers. The deck subsystem may include a telescopic driveshaft which may extend and drive the rollers on the elevator subsystem to assist in loading and/or unloading cargo onto and from the elevator subsystem.
US08146728B2
A transmission parking lock and an actuating element (1) for the parking lock. The actuating element includes a pull rod (2) and a roller carrier (3) on which are arranged a first roller (13) for rolling on a first rolling surface on the pawl of the parking lock and a second roller (14) for rolling on a second rolling surface on a guide element, such that the roller carrier (3) can be moved along a predetermined path in the longitudinal direction of the pull rod (2). The roller carrier (3) can move longitudinally on the pull rod (2).
US08146704B2
A control system for a construction vehicle, such as a motor grader, is provided. The control system includes a plurality of joysticks supported by an operator seat assembly of the motor grader.
US08146693B2
According to some embodiments, a motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame 20, an engine 3 mounted on the vehicle body frame, a fuel tank 4 disposed above the engine, a radiator 5 disposed in front of the engine, and an intake device 6 connected to the engine. The intake device 6 has an intake opening 30d, and an intake passage 31 which connects the intake opening in fluid communication with a front portion of the engine. The intake passage 31 is disposed between the fuel tank 4 and the radiator 5 as viewed from a side of the motorcycle.
US08146691B2
A travel drive system for a work vehicle includes: an HST drive device comprising a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover and a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump by a closed circuit; an electric motor driven by using electric power generated by drive of the prime mover; a first drive wheel driven by the HST drive device; a second drive wheel driven by the electric motor; a vehicle speed detector that detects a vehicle speed; and a control unit that distributes output of the prime mover to the HST drive device and to the electric motor such that, as the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detector increases, a proportion of a first power distributed to the HST drive device decreases and a proportion of a second power distributed to the electric motor increases.
US08146689B2
An all-terrain vehicle having a unique suspension system for enabling handicapped individuals or invalids to easily access the vehicle and be self-transportable over ground or an ice surface.
US08146684B2
An apparatus and method obtains a sample from a subterranean formation. The coring apparatus includes an outer core barrel associated with a drill bit; an inner core barrel adapted to accept a core sample; and sensors adapted to provide data relating to downhole conditions. The sensors may be one or more sensors the output of which is indicative of entry of a core sample into the inner core barrel.
US08146680B2
An anti-stall tool in an oil well drilling assembly that controls reciprocation of the drill bit by a controller that alters weight-on-bit (WOB) depending upon measured downhole pressure or torque at the downhole motor. The controller receives preset high and low working pressure limits for the downhole motor and keeps the drill bit rotating by maintaining WOB during normal drilling operations, increasing WOB if sensed working pressure indicates that drill bit loading or torque is undesirably low, and reversing WOB by retracting the drill bit if excessive working pressure or torque is sensed.
US08146679B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling downhole motors. One aspect of the invention provides a valve-controlled downhole motor including: a downhole motor and a spool valve. The downhole motor includes a sealed chamber having a first port and a second port, a stator received within the sealed chamber, and a rotor received within the stator. The spool valve includes a barrel and a spool received within the barrel. The barrel includes an inlet port, an exhaust port, a first feed port, a second feed port, a first return port, and a second return port. The inlet port is located in proximity to the first feed port and second port. The exhaust port is located in proximity to the first return port and the second return port. The spool includes a first gland and a second gland.
US08146676B2
The invention related to a multi-functional power tool, comprises an housing, a motor set in the housing, a main shaft driven through the rotation of the motor, a working shaft extended outside the housing, an active impact block, which can rotate with and make axial motion with respect to the main shaft, is configured on the main shaft, a passive impact block which rotates with the working shaft and can alternatively make axial motion with respect to the working shaft is mounted on the working shaft, the active impact block rotates to drive the passive impact block through the coordination of the first end tooth set on the active impact block and the second end tooth set on the passive impact block; the power tool further includes a function shifting button which can move between the first location and the second location to alternatively limit the passive impact block's axial motion with respect to the working shaft, in this way to realize the shifting between the first function and the second function of the power tool. This function shifting mechanism features simple structure, low manufacturing cost, convenient and efficient operation.
US08146670B2
A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A lock ring has grooves for locking the inner wellhead member to the outer wellhead member during installation. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its inner surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages the surface of the inner wellhead member, locking the seal assembly to the inner wellhead member.
US08146664B2
A method for utilizing gas produced from an in situ conversion process includes heating an organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation. The method may include producing a production fluid from the organic-rich rock formation where the production fluid has been at least partially generated as a result of pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons located in the organic-rich rock formation. The method may include obtaining a gas stream from the production fluid, where the gas stream comprises combustible hydrocarbon fluids. The method may include separating the gas stream into a first composition gas stream and a second composition gas stream, where the composition of the first composition gas stream is a low BTU gas stream maintained in a substantially constant condition and passing the first composition gas stream through a gas turbine to form a gas turbine exhaust stream, where the gas turbine is connected to an electrical generator.
US08146658B2
To assemble a sensor array having plural sections, the sections of the sensor array are sealably attached, where the sections include sensors and cable segments. An inert gas is flowed through at least one inner fluid path inside the sensor array when the sections of the sensor array are being sealably attached.
US08146653B2
The invention concerns a bore screen comprising a plurality of perforated rigid tubular modules (1) impermeably connected in series by ball joint means (2), allowing an extracted fluid to flow though all of the elements in series and allowing the consecutive elements to move freely relative to one another, tilting in all directions.
US08146652B2
A heat exchanger used as an evaporator is configured such that two heat exchange tube groups, each composed of a plurality of heat exchange tubes, are provided between a pair of header tanks, while being separated from each other in a front-rear direction. Each of the header tanks includes two header sections. Each header tank includes a first member to which the heat exchange tubes are connected, a second member which is joined to the first member and covers the side of the first member opposite the heat exchange tubes, and a partition plate disposed between the first and second members and having partition portions which divide the interiors of the two header sections into respective upper and lower spaces. Through holes are formed in the partition portions so as to establish communication between the upper and lower spaces of the header sections.
US08146648B2
An apparatus for forming electrode heads includes a first and second lost-wax areas; a first and second electrode head forming areas; and a first, second and third transfer units. The first transfer unit rotates an electrode plate group from a horizontal to a vertical orientation. The second transfer unit holds the electrode plate group oriented vertically, and delivers it to be dipped in wax in the first lost-wax area, and then delivers the wax dipped electrode plate group to the first electrode head forming area to form one electrode head on one end thereof. The third transfer unit rotates the electrode plate group with the first electrode head, and delivers it to be dipped in wax in the second lost-wax area, and then delivers the wax dipped electrode plate group with the first electrode head to the second electrode head forming area to form another electrode head on thereof.
US08146644B2
A film transfer tool includes an application head, which is adapted to be moved to a stowed position, and a reel assembly having a wall and two stopping members extended therefrom. The reel assembly and a shell have an active member disposed therebetween. The active member has a looped passage on which the two stopping members are adapted to move. The two stopping members can position the reel assembly in a retained position in which the head extends outside the shell, and the reel assembly can be released from the retained position in order that the head is stowed inside the shell.
US08146639B2
The present invention refers to a process and an apparatus for combination of steel tubes or pipes with plastic linings, in which steam is used as heat carrier to heat the steel tubes or pipes lined with linings. The apparatus comprises a multifunctional combining chamber, a multifunctional carriage for conveying tubes or pipes, an arrangement for steam circulating, which continuously supplies re-usable steam, a cooling and shaping arrangement and a controlling device. The steam circulating system comprises a furnace for re-heating the steam and means for supplying supplementing steam. The percentage of passing the qualification control is increased up to 99.9% by embodiment of the method and/or apparatus according to the present invention, while it is only 97% by a conventional apparatus, and the production capacity is increased by 15%. Thanks to the recovery and re-use of the steam in a circulating system, it will use only three tons of steam if the daily production is forty tons in a production line, and 405 RMB will be saved in a day. Thanks to the recovery and re-use of water in a circulating system, the water consumption for producing a ton steel and plastic combined tubes or pipes will be reduced by 8%. That means a remarkable economic and environmental value. The present invention will decrease the labor intensity of the workers and the cost that refers to the work time by 5%. The total cost for a ton tubes or pipes will be reduced by 10 RMB.
US08146633B2
In a pneumatic tire, 48%≦HB/HA≦52%, 98%≦HC/HA≦100%, 108%≦WB/WA≦115%, and 55%≦WC/WA≦75% are satisfied, where, when a line from a position A of rim height FH in tire width direction is X-axis and a line in tire radial direction via center crown CL is Y-axis, WA is distance of a half of tire base width, WB is distance from the Y-axis to a maximum width position P of a carcass layer, WC is distance from the Y-axis to an inflection point Q of the carcass layer, HA is distance from the X-axis to a peak R of the carcass layer on the center crown CL, HB is distance from the X-axis to the maximum width position P, and HC is distance from the X-axis to the inflection point Q.
US08146613B2
A system and method for a surgical scrub automated cleaning station are disclosed. The surgical scrub cylinder automated cleaning station includes a rotatable, extendable, and retractable wash cylinder that is operable to accommodate any variety of arm length. More specifically, the surgical scrub automated cleaning station may include an accordion, telescoping, or otherwise adjustable cylinder to accommodate a variety of arm lengths. The surgical scrub cylinder automated cleaning station may be used to provide a surgeon or other health care personnel with a hand and forearm washing. The surgical scrub cylinder automated cleaning station may also be monitored to ensure compliance with one or more hygiene protocols.
US08146603B2
A tissue ablation system for treating fibrillation in a patient comprises a steerable interventional catheter having an energy source that emits a beam of energy to ablate tissue thereby creating a conduction block for aberrant electrical pathways. The system also includes a handle disposed near a proximal end of the interventional catheter and has an actuation mechanism for steering the interventional catheter. A console allows the system to be controlled and provides power to the system, and a display pod is electrically coupled with the console. The display pod has a display panel to display system information to a user and allows the user to control the system. A catheter pod is releasably coupled with the handle electrically and mechanically, and also electrically coupled with the display pod.
US08146601B2
A bite block is to be positioned between opposing upper and lower teeth in a patient's mouth. The bite block includes an elongate member having a top and a bottom. First and second sidewalls are coupled to the elongate member on opposite sides thereof. Each sidewall extends above and below the top and bottom of the elongate member to define upper and lower teeth spaced apart transverse notches defined in an upper surface thereof. In addition, the second sidewall has a second set of spaced apart receiving channels. The first sidewall has a first set of transverse notches defined in an upper surface thereof. The first sidewall may also have a third set of spaced apart transverse notches defined in a lower surface thereof. In addition, the second sidewall may also have a fourth set of spaced apart transverse notches defined in a lower surface thereof.
US08146595B2
An adjustable patient interface for a breathing assistance system may include a shell portion and a cushion portion. The shell portion may include one or more shell connection portions. The cushion portion may include a face contacting portion configured to contact a patient's face, and an adjustment portion including one or more cushion connection portions. Each cushion connection portion may correspond to a region of the face contacting portion. Each cushion connection portion may be configured to interact with a corresponding shell connection portion such that a particular cushion connection portion may be manually adjusted relative to a particular shell connection portion to adjust the distance between a region of the face contacting portion corresponding to the particular cushion connection portion and the shell portion.
