US08174079B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate; a silicide gate electrode of an n-type MISFET formed on the gate insulation film; and a silicide gate electrode of a p-type MISFET formed on the gate insulation film and having a thickness smaller than that of the silicide gate electrode of the n-type MISFET, the silicide gate electrode of the p-type MISFET having a ratio of metal content higher than that of the silicide gate electrode of the n-type MISFET.
US08174070B2
A dual channel trench LDMOS transistor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type; a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed on the substrate; a first trench formed in the semiconductor layer where a trench gate is formed in an upper portion of the first trench; a body region of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer adjacent the first trench; a source region of the second conductivity type formed in the body region and adjacent the first trench; a planar gate overlying the body region; a drain region of the second conductivity type spaced apart from the body region by a drain drift region. The planar gate forms a lateral channel in the body region, and the trench gate in the first trench forms a vertical channel in the body region of the LDMOS transistor.
US08174068B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a silicon pillar provided perpendicularly to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric film that covers a portion of a side surface of the silicon pillar; an insulator pillar that covers remaining portions of the side surface of the silicon pillar; a gate electrode that covers the silicon pillar via the gate dielectric film and the insulator pillar; an interlayer dielectric film provided above the silicon pillar, the gate dielectric film, the insulator pillar, and the gate electrode; and a gate contact plug embedded in a contact hole provided in the interlayer dielectric film, and in contact with the gate electrode and the insulator pillar. A film thickness of the insulator pillar in a lateral direction is thicker than a film thickness of the gate dielectric film in a lateral direction.
US08174065B2
There are provided a semiconductor device having a vertical transistor and a method of fabricating the same. The method includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a cell region and a peripheral circuit region. Island-shaped vertical gate structures two-dimensionally aligned along a row direction and a column direction are formed on the substrate of the cell region. Each of the vertical gate structures includes a semiconductor pillar and a gate electrode surrounding a center portion of the semiconductor pillar. A bit line separation trench is formed inside the semiconductor substrate below a gap region between the vertical gate structures, and a peripheral circuit trench confining a peripheral circuit active region is formed inside the semiconductor substrate of the peripheral circuit region. The bit line separation trench is formed in parallel with the column direction of the vertical gate structures. A bit line separation insulating layer and a peripheral circuit isolation layer are formed inside the bit line separation trench and the peripheral circuit trench, respectively.
US08174062B2
A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first impurity region; a second impurity region; a channel region; a first gate formed on a main surface on a side of the first impurity region; a second gate formed on the main surface on a side of the second impurity region, with a second insulating film being interposed; and a third insulating film formed on a side surface of the first gate. An interface between the third insulating film and the semiconductor substrate directly under the third insulating film is located above an interface between the second insulating film and the main surface of the semiconductor substrate directly under the second insulating film. The total number of steps can thus be reduced, and lower cost is achieved.
US08174049B2
A semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate having first and second regions; a first transistor comprising a first gate insulating film and a first gate electrode thereon in the first region on the semiconductor substrate, the first gate insulating film comprising a first interface layer containing nitrogen atoms and a first high dielectric constant layer thereon; a second transistor comprising a second gate insulating film and a second gate electrode thereon in the second region on the semiconductor substrate, the second gate insulating film comprising a second interface layer and a second high dielectric constant layer thereon, the second interface layer containing nitrogen atoms at an average concentration lower than that of the first interface layer or not containing nitrogen atoms, and the second transistor having a threshold voltage different from that of the first transistor; and an element isolation region on the semiconductor substrate, the element isolation region containing oxygen atoms and isolating the first transistor from the second transistor.
US08174044B2
A light emitting diode package is provided, which includes a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and a second surface; at least a through-hole passing through the semiconductor substrate; a thermal via formed extending from the second surface toward the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the thermal via has a first end near the first surface and a second end near the second surface; an insulating layer overlying a sidewall of the through-hole and extending overlying the first surface and the second surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the insulating layer further covers at least one of the first end, the second end and a sidewall of the thermal via; a conducting layer overlying the insulating layer in the through-hole and extending to the first surface and the second surface of the semiconductor substrate; and an LED chip disposed overlying the semiconductor substrate.
US08174041B2
A lighting unit comprises a packaging substrate (10) formed from a semiconductor, a channel (12) formed in the substrate and a discrete light emitting diode arrangement (34) in the channel. A surface region of the channel comprises doped semiconductor layers (20, 24) which define a light sensor. The arrangement provides a light sensor (which can be used to determine colour and/or output flux) for a LED unit, with the light sensor embedded in substrate used for packaging. This provides a low cost integration process and provides good registration between the light sensor and the LED output.
US08174035B2
An object is to provide a nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device capable of preventing a Schottky barrier from being formed at an interface between a contact layer and an electrode. LD 1 is provided as a nitride-based semiconductor light emitting device provided with a GaN substrate 3, a hexagonal GaN-based semiconductor region 5 provided on a primary surface S1 of the GaN substrate 3 and including a light emitting layer 11, and a p-electrode 21 provided on the GaN-based semiconductor region 5 and comprised of metal. The GaN-based semiconductor region 5 includes a contact layer 17 involving strain, the contact layer 17 is in contact with the p-electrode, the primary surface S1 extends along a reference plane S5 inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ from a plane perpendicular to the c-axis direction of the GaN substrate 3, and the inclination angle θ is either in the range of more than 40° and less than 90° or in the range of not less than 150° and less than 180°. The GaN-based semiconductor region 5 is lattice-matched with the GaN substrate 3.
US08174020B2
A thin film transistor substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an insulation substrate; a gate line formed on the insulation substrate; a first interlayer insulating layer formed on the gate line; a data line and a gate electrode formed on the first interlayer insulating layer; a gate insulating layer formed on the data line and gate electrode; a semiconductor formed on the gate insulating layer and overlapping the gate electrode; a second interlayer insulating layer formed on the semiconductor; a first connection formed on the second interlayer insulating layer and electrically connecting the gate line and the gate electrode to each other; a drain electrode connected to the semiconductor; a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode; and a second connection connecting the data line and the semiconductor to each other.
US08174013B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor layer having a channel region, an impurity layer having a source region and a drain region, and a gate electrode provided so as to face the semiconductor layer with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The semiconductor layer has a layered structure of at least a first amorphous film and a crystalline film including a crystal phase, and the first amorphous film is formed directly on the gate insulating film.
US08174008B1
A light emitting device includes a substrate and a plurality of pixel rows. The pixel rows are arranged on the substrate. Each of the pixel rows includes a first sub-pixel row having a plurality of first sub-pixels, a second sub-pixel row having a plurality of second sub-pixels, and a third sub-pixel row having a plurality of third sub-pixels. In the mth pixel row, each first sub-pixel includes a first structure layer, the first structure layers are separated from each other and each corresponds to one first sub-pixel. In the (m+n)th pixel row, the first sub-pixels include a first common structure layer, the first common structure layer corresponds to a plurality of first sub-pixels in a same row. The first structure layer and the first common structure layer commonly act as an organic functional layer or an electrode layer, and m, n are each a positive integer.
US08174003B2
An organic light emitting display apparatus having a substrate, a plurality of first electrodes of black color formed on the substrate, separators disposed on spaces between the first electrodes, a black matrix layer that is conductive and formed on the separators, an organic light emitting layer formed on the first electrodes so as to be electrically connected to the first electrodes, and a second electrode formed on the organic light emitting layer so as to be electrically connected to the organic light emitting layer. Thus, the first electrodes can be easily formed and the image contrast can be improved.
US08174001B2
An organic electroluminescence element including at least two light-emitting layers disposed between an anode and a cathode, wherein the at least two light-emitting layers include a light-emitting layer A that contains an electron transporting light-emitting material and a hole transporting host material, wherein a concentration of the electron transporting light-emitting material gradually increases from an anode side toward a cathode side of the light-emitting layer A, and a light-emitting layer B that contains a hole transporting light-emitting material and an electron transporting host material, wherein a concentration of the hole transporting light-emitting material gradually decreases from an anode side toward a cathode side of the light-emitting layer B. An organic EL element with high light-emission efficiency and excellent durability is provided.
US08173998B2
A radiation emitting device comprising a first electrode, which emits first charge carriers having a first charge during operation, a first charge carrier transporting layer, which comprises a fluorescent substance, a second charge carrier transporting layer, which contains a phosphorescent substance, and a second electrode, which emits second charge carriers having a second charge during operation, wherein during operation the second charge carrier transporting layer is largely free of first charge carriers.
US08173996B2
A semiconductive hole transport material containing polar substituent groups, the polar substituent groups substantially not affecting the electronic properties of the hole transport material and the hole transport material being soluble in a polar solvent.
US08173993B2
A method for forming a nanowire tunnel field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a nanowire suspended by first and second pad regions over a semiconductor substrate, the nanowire including a core portion and a dielectric layer, forming a gate structure around a portion of the dielectric layer, forming a first spacer around portions of the nanowire extending from the gate structure, implanting ions in a first portion of the nanowire, implanting ions in the dielectric layer of a second portion of the nanowire, removing the dielectric layer from the second portion of the nanowire, removing the core portion of the second portion of the exposed nanowire to form a cavity, and epitaxially growing a doped semiconductor material in the cavity from exposed cross sections of the nanowire and the second pad region to connect the exposed cross sections of the nanowire to the second pad region.
US08173992B2
A microelectronic device is provided with at least one transistor or triode with Fowler-Nordheim tunneling current modulation, and supported on a substrate. The triode or the transistor includes at least one first block forming a cathode and at least one second block forming an anode. The first block and the second block are supported on the substrate, and are separated from each other by a channel insulating zone also supported on the substrate. A gate dielectric zone is supported on at least the channel insulating zone, and a gate is supported on the gate dielectric zone.
US08173981B2
A particle therapy gantry for delivering a particle beam to a patient includes a beam tube having a curvature defining a particle beam path and a plurality of fixed field magnets sequentially arranged along the beam tube for guiding the particle beam along the particle path. In a method for delivering a particle beam to a patient through a gantry, a particle beam is guided by a plurality of fixed field magnets sequentially arranged along a beam tube of the gantry and the beam is alternately focused and defocused with alternately arranged focusing and defocusing fixed field magnets.
US08173977B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation apparatus and a laser irradiation method that increase energy intensity distribution in a region having low energy intensity distribution in an end region in a major-axis direction of laser light, in performing laser irradiation. In irradiating an irradiation surface with laser light, laser light oscillated from a laser oscillator is converged in one direction through an optical element. The laser light which passes through the optical element and which is converged in one direction passes through a means which shields an end region in a major-axis direction of the laser light. Accordingly, a region where energy intensity distribution is precipitously high in the end region in the major-axis direction of the laser light can be formed in the irradiation surface.
US08173972B2
An optic module verification device for normalizing between X photon counters, including a verification tray with X verification wells and a modular photon emitter in each verification well. Each photon emitter includes a spring, a Beta source disk, a scintillator disk adjacent the Beta source disk, and a neutral density filter over the scintillator disk, all of which are encapsulated in a cylindrical chamber with the filter adjacent an opening on one end of the chamber and the spring biasing the Beta source disk and the scintillator disk toward the opening. The device is periodically used for normalization, and may be updated when emitted photons fall below a desired level by replacing the scintillator disk and then determining a new normalized reference values for each photon emitter.
US08173965B2
A high resolution material observation system includes an object having at least one spatial dimension sufficient to support production of near-field infrared emissions, a holder adapted to receive a sample to be observed, the holder further adapted to position the sample in the near-field infrared emissions, and a thermal excitation unit, adapted to be thermally coupled to at least one of the object and the sample. The thermal excitation unit is further adapted to causing black body radiation in either the object or the sample within the infrared spectrum.
US08173955B2
Methods and apparatus to optically determine velocities of downhole fluids are disclosed. Some example methods to determine a velocity of a downhole fluid include exciting a fluorescent substance in a downhole fluid with an optical signal via an optical interface. The example methods further include detecting fluorescence of the downhole fluid via an optical fiber at a predetermined distance from the optical interface, and determining the velocity of the downhole fluid based on the detected fluorescence.
US08173945B2
There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for guidance of a projectile. The method for guidance of a projectile, includes emission from the launching position of the projectile of beams pointing to the vertexes of a regular polygon, emission from the launching position of a beam encompassing the preceding beams, determination of position of the projectile relative to the beams, the determined position enabling to correct the projectile trajectory to maintain the projectile the closer to the center of the polygon formed by the beams.
US08173943B2
The invention relates to a microwave waveguide element for matching a standard waveguide input port to an enlarged waveguide output port. In the waveguide element, a plurality of intermediate waveguide segments is cascaded in the propagation direction of the microwave energy to first split the waveguide element into two symmetrical waveguide branches and then combine the branches at the output port. Thus, the width of the waveguide element is gradually enlarged and the input port is matched to the output port. The intermediate waveguide segments are preferably dimensioned such that respective characteristic impedances are approximately matched with each other for the fundamental mode.
US08173942B2
An over the range oven includes a main body defining a cooking cavity therein, wherein the cooking cavity includes a front edge surrounding an opening. An RF generation module is coupled to the cooking cavity and is configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. At least one radiant heat source is coupled to the cooking cavity and is configured to supply heat energy to the cooking cavity. The oven is configured to operate in a radiant heat mode of operation, a microwave mode of operation, a dual mode of operation, and a self clean mode of operation.
US08173939B1
A non-film based, thermally conditionable light transmitting article is provided. The article includes an adhesively coated resistive wire and a substrate suitably selected for light transmittance. The adhesively coated resistive wire is solely and directly adhesively affixed to the substrate so as to be thereby supported upon and by the substrate. A layer of adhesive, in the form of an adhesive linkage originating from the adhesive of the adhesively coated resistive wire, is present between the resistive wire and the substrate.
US08173938B2
A controller for a heating cable. The heating cable includes first and second conductors and a separation layer interposed between the conductors. The conductors and the separation layer extend along the length of the cable and electrical resistance provided by the separation layer between adjacent portions of the conductors has a negative temperature coefficient. The controller includes a first switch, arranged for connecting the first and second conductors in series at one end of the cable such that if the first and second conductors are connected at the other end of the cable to respective poles of a power supply currents flow in opposite directions through adjacent portions of the conductors. The controller further includes a second switch and voltage measurement functionality. The controller is arranged to control power to the cable as a function of measured voltage across the first resistor when both switches are open.
US08173937B2
Flash lamps connected to short-pulse circuits and flash lamps connected to long-pulse circuits are alternately arranged in a line. The duration of light emission from the flash lamps connected to the long-pulse circuits is longer than the duration of light emission from the flash lamps connected to the short-pulse circuits. A superimposing of a flash of light with a high peak intensity from the flash lamps that emit light for a short time and a flash of light with a gentle peak from the flash lamps that emit light for a long time can increase the temperature of even a deep portion of a substrate to an activation temperature or more without heating a shallow portion near the substrate surface more than necessary. This achieves the activation of deep junctions without causing substrate warpage or cracking.
US08173935B2
An electric auxiliary heating unit reliably avoids temperature overshoots of the heated air. To this end, the temperature of the air flowing into the heating is determined and converted into a heating power for controlling the heating elements. This is preferably done via a stored characteristic field via which a plurality of vehicle parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the opening condition of the convertible top, etc., can be taken into account. Also the temperature of the incoming air can be derived from temperature values which are already available in the vehicle. A user-friendly electric heating can be realized very easily in this way. Temperature fluctuations in the heated air can be avoided reliably and easily even in the case of dynamically varying operating conditions of the motor vehicle.
US08173927B2
To control a switch apparatus having two interrupters, such as a busbar disconnector and a grounding disconnector, there is provided a rotary control shaft arranged away from, and at right angles to, the planes of straight line motion of the movable contacts, at least one disk cam fastened to the control shaft and having two distinct internal cam grooves, and two pairs of levers hinged to each other. One of the levers has one end hinged at a fixed point while its other end is hinged to the other lever, which is itself hinged to one of the movable contacts, a spigot being located between the two ends of each of the levers that has one end hinged at a fixed point, the spigot being engaged in one of the cam grooves so as to constitute a cam follower.
US08173924B2
A dual function switch assembly includes a switch housing part containing multiple switches at different elevations and a rotor having cam surfaces aligned with the switches for operating the switches. A mounting part is connected to the switch housing part and provides mounting features for attachment in a desired installation.
US08173913B2
A normally closed dome switch comprises a printed circuit board including a switch trace having first and second contact areas electrically insulated from one another, and a conductive switch dome having a central portion spaced from the printed circuit board and a plurality of contacting portions extending from the central portion such that each of the first and second contact areas is contacted by at least one of the contacting portions when the switch dome is unpressed such that the unpressed switch dome forms a closed switch between the first and second contact areas. The switch dome is resiliently pressable to urge the central portion toward the printed circuit board and pivot the contacting portions about a corresponding fulcrum to remove the plurality of contacting portions of the switch dome from contact with at least one of the first and second contact areas to open the switch.
US08173907B2
An interposer includes a first insulating layer made of an inorganic material and having a first land, a second land and a first wiring electrically connecting the first land and the second land, and a second insulating layer formed over a first surface of the first insulating layer and having a second wiring, a second pad for loading a second electronic component over the second insulating layer and a first via conductor electrically connecting the second land and the second wire. The first wiring and the second wiring electrically connect the first land and the second pad. The first land and second land are positioned such that a first electronic component is mounted over a second surface of the first insulating layer on the opposite side of the first surface. The second wiring has a longer wiring length and a greater thickness than the first wiring.
US08173896B2
A fluid-insulated electrical apparatus includes a grounded tank which is an airtight metal vessel filled with an insulating fluid. A conductor to which a high voltage is applied is disposed in the grounded tank. A metal plate that is press-processed to have an inclined portion and a groove between adjacent head top portions is fixed to and electrically connected to an inner wall of the grounded tank.
US08173890B2
A solar cell concentrator structure includes a first concentrator element having a first aperture region and a first exit region including a first back surface region and a first corner region. The structure also includes a second concentrator element integrally formed with the first concentrator element. The second concentrator element includes a second aperture region and a second exit region-including a second back surface region and a second corner region. Additionally, the structure includes a first radius of curvature of 0.25 mm and less characterizing the first corner structure and the second corner structure, a first coupling region between the first exit region and a first surface region of a first photovoltaic device. The structure further includes a second radius of curvature of 0.15 mm and less characterizing a region between the first concentrator element and the second concentrator element.
US08173888B2
A solar energy collection system and components includes a vacuum and an air compressor. The system includes a plurality of flexible units each having a backing portion and a solar cell portion upwardly adjacent and coupled to the backing portion. Each backing portion includes adhesive and at least one channel in the adhesive. Each channel is configured for communication with the vacuum to withdraw air from the channel when the adhesive is initially coupled to a structure and for communication with an air compressor to provide air to the channel to separate the adhesive from the structure. Each solar cell portion has an electricity generating element. The structure for coupling units transfers electricity between units. Each unit has an electricity outlet for passing electricity generated by at least one generating element for storage or use.
US08173885B2
A CPU of an overdubbing device plays back a music file recorded in a memory card of the device and outputs the file as a played-back audio signal while mixing the played-back audio signal with an external audio signal input from the outside, to thus perform overdubbing. A music file recorded through overdubbing last time is automatically set as a playback music file for the next time, and a selected state of means for selecting execution/nonexecution of overdubbing is maintained as the state of execution. As a result, overdubbing is enabled by twice operations of a record key, whereby the operation is made identical with operation performed during ordinary recording.
US08173872B2
The invention pertains to novel insecticidal compounds derived from Bacillus thuringiensis strains. New proteins designated. Cry2Ae, Cry2Af, and Cry2Ag, and variants thereof are provided, as well as DNA sequences encoding these proteins or their variants. Further provided are recombinant hosts expressing such proteins, particularly plant cells and plants.
US08173870B2
The invention relates generally to methods and compositions concerning desaturase enzymes that modulate the number and location of double bonds in long chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA's). In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for improving omega-3 fatty acid profiles in plant products and parts using desaturase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding for such enzymes. In particular embodiments, the desaturase enzymes are Primula Δ6-desaturases. Also provided are improved soybean oil compositions having SDA and a beneficial overall content of omega-3 fatty acids relative to omega-6 fatty acids.
US08173859B2
An epilepsy model animal (CHRNA4:S284L) developing spontaneous epileptic seizure during sleep, which is a nonhuman animal established by ontogenesis of a totipotent cell into which a polynucleotide encoding nonhuman mutant CHRNA4 is introduced and having said polynucleotide in its somatic chromosome, or a progeny of the nonhuman animal, wherein said nonhuman mutant CHRNA4 has the corresponding mutation of human mutant CHRNA4 in which the 284th Ser of SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by Leu. The epilepsy model animal has gene abnormality homologous to human chromosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy and a symptom (epileptic seizure during sleep) the same as that of human autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
US08173858B2
An absorptive article in which an absorptive body is deformed into a stable recessed shape to prevent leakage of a large amount of discharged bodily wastes including bodily fluid. The absorptive article has a front side sheet at least a portion of which is liquid permeable and that is placed on the skin contact surface side, a liquid non-permeable back side sheet placed on the clothing contact surface side, and a liquid retainable absorptive body placed between the front side sheet and the back side sheet. The absorptive body has a compression section formed, when compressed from the clothing contact surface side to the skin contact surface side, into a projected shape projected on the clothing contact surface side, toward the skin contact surface side, and the absorptive body also has a space section formed, when compressed from the skin contact surface side to the clothing contact surface side, into a recessed shape recessed on the skin contact surface side, toward the clothing contact surface side. The space section is formed on each of both sides of or on one side of a projection section located on the opposite side of the compression section on the skin contact surface side.
US08173855B2
Process for the production of ethylene for chemical use starting with a hydrocarbon source according to which: a) the hydrocarbon source is subjected to a first cracking step, namely a pyrolysis step carried out in a cracking oven, thus producing a mixture of cracking products; b) the mixture of cracking products is subjected to a succession of treatment steps, including a compression step, which makes it possible to obtain a purified crude gas stream; c) the purified crude gas stream is then cooled to a temperature where hydrocarbons with 6 and more carbon atoms condense so that they can be removed from the purified crude gas stream; d) the resulting purified gas stream is afterwards supplied to one separating column, where a fraction A containing hydrogen, methane and ethylene is separated at the head of the column and a heavy fraction C is separated at the bottom of the column; e) a part of the reflux of this column is supplied to a refrigeration cycle leading to a fraction B enriched with ethylene; and f) the fraction A and fraction B are separately supplied to chemical use of ethylene.
US08173850B2
A less malodorous alkanediol composition, a process for producing the alkanediol composition efficiently, and a cosmetic containing the alkanediol composition are provided. An alkanediol composition contains 0.005 parts by mass or less of ester compound per 100 parts by mass of alkanediol compound having four or more carbon atoms. An alkanediol composition contains 0.2 parts by mass or less of dioxane compound per 100 parts by mass of alkanediol compound having four or more carbon atoms. Furthermore, an ether-containing dihydric alcohol is preferably 0.3 parts by mass or less per 100 parts by mass of alkanediol compound.
US08173842B2
The invention relates to tuned multifunctional linker molecules for charge transport through organic-inorganic composite structures. The problem underlying the present invention is to provide multifunctional linker molecules for tuning the conductivity in nanoparticle-linker assemblies which can be used in the formation of electronic networks and circuits and thin films of nanoparticles. The problem is solved according to the invention by providing a multifunctional linker molecule of the general structure CON1—FUNC1—X—FUNC2—CON2 in which X is the central body of the molecule, FUNC1 and FUNC2 independently of each other are molecular groups introducing a dipole moment and/or capable of forming intermolecular and/or intramolecular hydrogen bonding networks, and CON1 and CON2 independently of each other are molecular groups binding to nanostructured units comprising metal and semiconductor materials.
US08173840B2
The present invention is directed to novel therapeutic compounds comprised of an amino acid bonded to a medicament or drug having a hydroxy, amino, carboxy or acylating derivative thereon. These high therapeutic index derivatives have the same utility as the drug from which they are made, and they have enhanced pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties. In fact, the novel drug derivatives of the present invention enhance at least one therapeutic quality, as defined herein. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing same.
US08173839B2
A 5-aminolevulinic acid salt which is useful in fields of microorganisms, fermentation, animals, medicaments, plants and the like; a process for producing the same; a medical composition comprising the same; and a plant activator composition comprising the same.
US08173834B2
A process and apparatus for manufacture of aromatic carboxylic acids comprises a liquid phase oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbon feed materials and treatment of a high pressure off-gas from the liquid phase oxidation to separate water and reaction solvent and purification of impure aromatic carboxylic acid products wherein a purification liquid includes water from off-gas treatment.
US08173830B2
A process for the selective production of vinyl ester by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with acetylene with a homogeneous catalyst is disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, reaction of benzoic acid and acetylene in the presence of Group VIII metal complex catalyst at a temperature of about 50 to 180° C. results in quantitative yields of vinyl benzoate.
US08173829B2
The compound of formula (I) is a water-stable, long acting β2-selective adrenoceptor agonist useful as a bronchodilator in the treatment of bronchoconstriction associated with reversible obstructive airways diseases and the like.
US08173827B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing iron-containing porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials where the organic compound ligand is bonded to a central metal and has a large surface area and pores of molecular size or nano size, by irradiating microwaves instead of heat treatments such as the conventional electric heating, etc. as the heat source of the hydrothermal or solvothermal synthesis reaction, after reacting a metal or metal salt and organic compound to form crystal nuclei by a predetermined pre-treatment operation in the presence of a solvent.In another aspect, a method of the present invention further comprises the step of purifying the obtained porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials by treating them with inorganic salt. In particular, a method of the present invention is characterized by not using a hydrofluoric acid.
US08173812B2
Compounds of formula (I) are CRTH2 ligands, useful in the treatment of, for example, asthma and COPD wherein: R1 is halogen or cyano; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; R3 and R4 are independently —OR6, C1-C6alkyl or C3-C6cycloalkyl, the latter two groups being optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R5 is hydrogen or halogen; R6 is C1-C6 alkyl or C3-C6 cycloalkyl, either of which being optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms; X is —CH2—, —S—, or —O—; one of Y and Y1 is hydrogen and the other is OR6, —C(═O)R7, NR8SO2R6 or a heterocyclic group selected from those referred to in the specification; and R6, R7 and R8 are as defined in the specification.
US08173810B2
The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of Beta-secretase enzyme activity and for the treatment of Beta-secretase mediated diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related conditions. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, B, W, R3, R4 and R5 are defined herein. In another embodiment, the invention provides compounds of general Formula II wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R4, R5, W, X and Z are defined herein. The invention also includes use of these compounds in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment, prophylactic or therapeutic, of disorders and conditions related to the activity of beta-secretase protein. Such disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease (AD), cognitive deficits and impairment, schizophrenia and other similar central nervous system conditions. The invention also comprises further embodiments of Formula II, intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of Formulas I and II.
US08173809B2
The present invention provides cysteine and cystine prodrugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions containing prodrugs and methods of using the prodrugs and compositions for treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction. Exemplary prodrugs include the cysteine compound having the formula as well as cystine dimers thereof.
US08173799B2
A composition of a loose mass of comminuted raw cotton linter fibers has a bulk density of at least 8 g/100 ml and at least 50% of the fibers in the mass passes through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is made by obtaining a loose mass of first cut, second cut, third cut, or mill runs raw cotton linters or mixtures thereof and comminuting the loose mass of raw cotton linters to a size wherein at least 50% pass through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is used to make cellulose ether derivatives.
US08173798B2
The invention relates to a vaccine for the treatment of disease caused by Neisseria, the vaccine including one or more immunogenic components for Neisseria serogroups, as well as antibodies to the immunogenic components and methods of preventing and treating Neisseria infections. The immunogens are based on elements of the inner core lipopolysaccharide.
US08173794B2
Compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance in plants by modulating levels or activities of GmUBox1 polynucleotides and polypeptides are provided. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided having enhanced disease resistance.
US08173791B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include polynucleotides that encode mutant Cnidarian luciferases that exhibit modulated properties as compared to the corresponding wild-type luciferases, and the modulated properties include at least one of: modulated stability; enhanced light output; and modulated emission maximum. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include polypeptides or fragments thereof encoded by the polynucleotides, constructs including the polynucleotide, expression cassettes, cells, methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides, antibodies, transgenic cells and/or animals, kits, and the like.
US08173790B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide polynucleotides encoding insect desiccation resistance proteins, and uses thereof cDNA libraries were produced from Polypedilum vanderplanki larvae in a desiccated state, a P. vanderplanki EST database was constructed, and genes encoding LEA proteins were isolated. This resulted in the successful isolation of three types of novel gene encoding LEA-like proteins (PvLEA1, PvLEA2, and PvLEA3.) When secondary structure predictions and motif searches were performed on the proteins deduced from each of the genes, all three proteins had α-helix-rich structures and LEA_4 motifs, which are characteristic of LEA proteins. Moreover, the recombinant proteins synthesized from PvLEA1, 2 and 3 genes were heat soluble even when boiling, so that PvLEA1, 2 and 3 proteins have highly hydrophilic property as well as plant LEA proteins. Therefore, the three isolated genes were found to be novel P. vanderplanki-derived LEA genes. Furthermore, introduction of these PvLEA 1, 2 and 3 genes into animal cells successfully conferred desiccation resistance to the cells. The present invention provides the first example of LEA genes isolated from insects.
US08173786B2
Fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding fusion proteins are disclosed. Fusion proteins comprising non-IL-15 signal peptide linked to IL-15 protein sequences and fusion proteins comprising an IgE signal peptide linked to non-IgE protein sequences are disclosed. Vectors comprising such nucleic acid molecules; and to host cells comprising such vectors are disclosed as well as recombinant vaccines and live attenuated pathogens encoding fusion proteins, and methods of using the same, are disclosed. The immunomodulatory effect following delivery of IL-15 and CD40L, with or without immunogens, is disclosed as are various nucleic acid molecules and compositions thereof used for delivering such proteins and methods of using such compositions.
US08173775B2
A novel human collagen-like protein CLAC occurring in brain amyloid and its precursor CLAC-P; genes encoding the same; cDNA of mouse CLAC-P and its deduced amino acid sequence; antibodies specific to these proteins; and methods of diagnosing treating and preventing Alzheimer's disease by using the same.
US08173774B2
The present invention provides a polypeptide having a biological activity of the Chemotaxis Inhibitory Protein of Staphylococcus aureus (‘CHIPS’), the polypeptide comprising a variant of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. Preferably, the polypeptide is a CHIPS variant wherein one or more of the following amino acids is modified: N31, S32, G33, L34, P35, K40, D42, R46, Y48, K50, G52, T53, K54, N55, S56, A57, Q58, K61, E67, K69, L76, N77, P79, D83, L90, K92, K100, K101, S104, K105, S107, Y108, N111 and G112. In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptide is less immunogenic hi humans than the wildtype CHIPS protein. The invention further provides methods of making and using such variant CHIPS polypeptides.
US08173772B2
The invention provides an isolated major ampullate spidroin protein, which consists of from 150 to 420 amino acid residues and is defined by the formula KEP-CT. KEP is a repetitive, N-terminally derived protein fragment having from 80 to 300 amino acid residues. CT is a C-terminally derived protein fragment having from 70 to 120 amino acid residues. The invention further provides an isolated fusion protein consisting of a first protein fragment, which is a major ampullate spidroin protein, and a second protein fragment comprising a fusion partner and a cleavage agent recognition site. The first protein fragment is coupled via said cleavage agent recognition site to the fusion partner. The invention also provides a method of producing a major ampullate spidroin protein and polymers thereof.
US08173759B2
The present invention provides an organopolysilmethylene represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 is, independently of each other, a group selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, a hydroxy group, R3SiCH2— and R3SiO—, wherein R is, independently of each other, a group selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted or substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group, and a hydroxy group, m is an integer of 1 to 100, and n is an integer of 1 to 100, and wherein at least two out of R1's and R's are an alkenyl group.
US08173758B2
A polysiloxane represented by the formula (1) or (2): where R, R1, R2, m and n are defined in the specification.
US08173752B2
The present invention pertains to a polymer composition comprising one of poly-D-lactide and poly-L-lactide bonded to an anionic clay mineral and the other of poly-D-lactide and poly-L-lactide not bonded to the anionic clay mineral. In a preferred embodiment, the anionic clay mineral is a hydrotalcite or a meixnerite.The polylactide composition according to the invention combines a high polymerisation rate with a low amount of contaminants in the system.
US08173748B1
Provided is a heat-seal resin. The resin includes 5 wt % to 95 wt % of a first copolymer and 95 wt % to 5 wt % of a second copolymer based on the total weight of the resin. The first copolymer and the second copolymer together are 90 wt % or more of the total weight of the resin. The first copolymer includes a first monomer of an alphaolefin of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a second monomer selected from a second monomer of an alphaolefin of 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The first monomer and the second monomer of the first copolymer are different. The first copolymer has an MFR of from 5 to 1000 g/10 minutes and a Tfm of 66° C. to 80° C. The second copolymer includes a first monomer of an alphaolefin of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a second monomer selected from a second monomer of an alphaolefin of 2 to 8 carbon atoms. The first monomer and the second monomer of the second copolymer are different. The second copolymer has an MFR of from 0.5 to 5 g/10 minutes and a Tfm of 45° C. to 66° C., wherein the first copolymer has an MFR of at least 2 g/10 minutes greater and a Tfm of at least 10° C. greater than the second copolymer. There is also a package formed partly or entirely of the resin.
US08173747B2
The present invention relates to a heterophasic polypropylene composition which is sterilizable and has a high impact strength as well as improved optical properties both before and after a step of heat sterilization. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a film comprising said heterophasic polypropylene composition, and to the use of said composition for the production of a film. Finally, the present invention is directed to the use of such a film as a packaging material for medicals and/or food. The heterophasic polypropylene composition comprises a matrix resin which comprises (A) a propylene homopolymer and (B) a propylene random copolymer; and a dispersed phase which comprises (C) an ethylene-propylene rubber wherein (i) the melting point of the heterophasic polypropylene composition is at least 145° C. and (ii) the content of comonomer in the matrix resin is at least 0.5 wt % based on the entire matrix resin without any additives.
US08173746B2
A method for producing an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer comprising mixing 100 parts by weight of an olefin copolymer rubber (A) obtained by polymerizing ethylene, an α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and a non-conjugated polyene, and based on 100 parts by weight of the olefin copolymer rubber (A), 11 to 50 parts by weight of a volatile organic solvent (B) and 5 to 150 parts by weight of an olefin resin (C), and removing from the mixture the volatile organic solvent (B) while kneading in an extruder.
US08173745B2
A composite prepared using a thermosettable epoxy resin composition having, as components: (1) an epoxy resin; (2) an epoxidized cycloaliphatic dicyclopentadiene phenolic resin; (3) an optional epoxidized bisphenol-A novolac resin; (4) an optional oligomeric butadiene; (5) an optional organic solvent; and (6) an alkylphenol novolac resin, the alkylphenol novolac resin serving as a curing agent. The composite so prepared may have good physical properties and superior a electrical properties as compared to conventional composites, such as laminates. The prepregs used to make the laminates may have a better surface appearance as well.
US08173742B2
The invention relates to a composition and a method of preparing one such composition and an isocyanatoalkoxysilane; the polyisocyanate composition contains at least two different oligomeric compounds comprising at least three units and at most five units selected from aminoalkylsilane units and diamine units and at least one function selected from isocyanate functions and from those derived therefrom, the aforementioned compounds having at least two aminoalkylsilane units and another compound having at least two diamine units; the invention is suitable for coatings.
US08173736B2
An addition curable liquid silicone rubber composition for injection molding is provided. The composition comprises (A) an organopolysiloxane containing at least two Si-bonded alkenyl groups within each molecule, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least two Si-bonded hydrogen atoms within each molecule, (C) a fumed silica with a BET specific surface area of 50 m2/g or greater, and (D) an addition reaction catalyst, and exhibiting fluidity such that, at 23° C., the viscosity at a shear velocity of 0.9 s−1 is not higher than 1,000 Pa·s, and the ratio between the viscosity at a shear velocity of 100 s−1 and the viscosity at a shear velocity of 200 s−1 is not higher than 3.5. The composition is resistant to decreases in viscosity of the rubber material under high shear velocity, and generates no burrs on the molded product.
US08173733B2
A polyolefin wax-containing aqueous resin composition that can provide excellent properties without the use of a surfactant is provided. The aqueous resin composition is obtained by heating and dissolving 100 parts by mass of a carboxyl group-containing polyolefin wax in the presence of 15 to 67 parts by mass of a compound that satisfies formula (1) shown below, and 90 to 380 parts by mass of water, and then dispersing this with a basic compound that has been added at a ratio of 1 to 4 chemical equivalents per carboxyl group of the carboxyl group-containing polyolefin wax. CmH2m+1—(OCH2CH2)n—OH Formula (1) m: an integer from 4 to 6, n: an integer from 1 to 4.
US08173724B2
The invention provides a fire resistant material and a formulation thereof. The formulation comprises a liquid suspension of a modified inorganic particle and an organic component. The modified inorganic particle comprises an inorganic particle with hydroxyl groups and a surface modifier coupled to the inorganic particle via a urethane linkage, wherein the surface modifier has an ethylenically unsaturated end group. The organic component comprises a monomer, oligomer, prepolymer, polymer, or combinations thereof, capable of reacting with the ethylenically unsaturated end group.
US08173714B2
Expanded styrene polymers which have a density of less than 25 g/l and a thermal conductivity λ, determined at 10° C. in accordance with DIN 52612, of less than 32 mW/m*K, and also a process for producing them.
US08173711B2
The present invention has its object to provide a safer and highly effective composition capable of relieving or preventing xerostomia. The present invention relates to an agent for relieving or preventing xerostomia comprising an oxidized coenzyme Q and/or a reduced coenzyme Q as active ingredients, a composition containing the agent for relieving or preventing xerostomia in a form of a food product, a health food, a dietary supplement, a supplement, an oral health care product, a medicament, a quasi drug, a pet food, a feed or the like, and a method for treating xerostomia and a method for reducing risks of xerostomia comprising administering the composition.
US08173699B2
Compounds of formula 1 and hetero derivatives thereof and the pharmacologically acceptable salts, enantiomers, racemates, hydrates, or solvates thereof, which are suitable for the treatment of respiratory or gastrointestinal complaints or diseases, inflammatory diseases of the joints, skin, or eyes, diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system or cancers, as well as pharmaceutical compositions which contain these compounds.
US08173692B2
A method of making a bacteriochlorin is carried out by condensing a pair of compounds of Formula II to produce the bacteriochlorin, wherein R is an acetal or aldehyde group. The condensing may be carried out in an organic solvent, preferably in the presence of an acid. The bacteriochlorins are useful for a variety of purposes such as active agents in photodynamic therapy, luminescent compounds in flow cytometry, solar cells, light harvesting arrays, and molecular memory devices.
US08173687B2
Disclosed herein are cannabinoid receptor ligands of formula (I) wherein Y, X1, X2, X3, R1, and R2 are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also disclosed.
US08173681B2
The present invention relates to the use of the compound A) 4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile(fludioxonil) as a microbicide for the protection of engineering or industrial materials, to mixtures containing such compound, and to the use of such mixtures for the protection of engineering or industrial materials.
US08173661B2
The present invention relates to compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting and/or reducing platelet deposition, adhesion and/or aggregation. The present invention also relates to methods for screening compounds and compositions useful for inhibiting or reducing platelet deposition, adhesion and/or aggregation. The present invention further relates to methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of thrombotic disorders, including stroke, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, peripheral vascular disease, abrupt closure following angioplasty or stent placement and thrombosis as a result of vascular surgery.
US08173660B2
The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of 3-amino-8-(1-piperazinyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, a broad spectrum 5-HT receptor binding ligand having potent 5-HT1A-agonistic as well as 5-HT1D-antagonistic activity. The invention also relates to novel salts and solvates, in particular hydrates of salts of said compound, as well as to their use as medicaments.
US08173653B2
Compounds of the formula (I), in which R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular Met kinase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors.
US08173652B2
The present invention is concerned with isoxazole-isoxazoles and isoxazole-isothiazoles of formula I, having affinity and selectivity for GABA A α5 receptor, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as cognitive enhancers or for the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
US08173647B2
Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase inhibitor compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and prodrugs thereof; compositions of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and uses of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, in the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases characterized by the abnormal activity of growth factors, protein serine/threonine kinases, and phospholipid kinases, including proliferative diseases, inflammatory and obstructive airways diseases, allergic conditions, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.
US08173642B2
A composition having BACE 1 inhibitory activity containing a compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein ring A is an optionally substituted carbocyclic group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; E is lower alkylene; X is S, O, or NR1; R1 is a hydrogen atom or lower alkyl; R2a, R2b, R3a, R3b, R4a and R4b is each independently a hydrogen atom, halogen, or hydroxy etc.; n and m are each independently an integer of 0 to 3; n+m is an integer of 0 to 3; R5 is a hydrogen atom or substituted lower alkyl; its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof.
US08173636B2
Disclosed herein are hydroxylthienoquinolones and related compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts useful as antiviral agents and having the general formula in which the variables R2, R6, and R7 are defined herein. Certain compounds provided herein possess potent antibacterial, antiprotozoal, or antifungal activity and are particularly efficacious for the treatment of MRSA infections. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical compositions containing a hydroxylthienoquinolone in combination with one or more other active agent, and methods of treating microbial infections in animals by administering an effective amount of a hydroxylthienoquinolone or related compound to an animal suffering from a microbial infection.
US08173634B2
This invention relates to a novel crystalline form (Form A) of 1-(4-{1-[(E)-4-cyclohexyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxyimino]-ethyl}-2-ethyl-benzyl)-azetidine-3-carboxylic acid (Compound I), to pharmaceutical compositions comprising this crystalline form, to processes for forming it and to its use in medical treatment.
US08173631B2
Compounds exhibiting calcium receptor antagonist activity that are safe and orally administrable having Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof
US08173620B2
The disclosure encompasses caged compounds such as caged nucleoside phosphoesters (caged nucleotides). In an embodiment, the caged nucleotides include compounds corresponding to those described by formula (I) that may be activated by two-photon excitation, and methods of synthesis of such compounds. 8-Bromo-7-hydroxyquinoline-caged ATP was synthesized and examined for its photochemistry as a biologically useful, temporally and spatially controlled ATP-releasing reagent. The combination of two-photon excitation hydrolysis and activation of caged ATP enables methods for finely focusing ATP activation at the sub-cellular level or to a greater depth of activation, thereby providing improved resolution of ATP-dependent processes at the cellular level.
US08173609B2
New macrolide general compounds of formula I with improved activity making them useful for inhibiting human phosphodiesterase 4 and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
US08173603B2
The invention provides isolated BTL-II proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies, antagonists, and agonists and methods of making and using the same. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods using the compositions of the invention are provided. For example, the compositions of the invention can be used for diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and for enhancing a mucosal immune response to an antigen.
US08173602B2
This invention pertains to the discovery that an amplification of the CYP24 gene or an increase in CYP24 activity is a marker for the presence of, progression of, or predisposition to, a cancer (e.g., breast cancer). Using this information, this invention provides methods of detecting a predisposition to cancer in an animal. The methods involve (i) providing a biological sample from an animal (e.g. a human patient); (ii) detecting the level of CYP24 within the biological sample; and (iii) comparing the level of CYP24 with a level of CYP24 in a control sample taken from a normal, cancer-free tissue where an increased level of CYP24 in the biological sample compared to the level of CYP24 in the control sample indicates the presence of said cancer in said animal.
US08173601B2
In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting bone growth and increasing bone density, as well as for the treatment of multiple myeloma.
US08173596B2
A method for treating a disorder characterized by salt retention, fluid retention, and combinations thereof. A method for determining the presence of or the progression of a disorder characterized by salt retention, fluid retention, salt loss, fluid loss, and combinations thereof. An immunoassay kit for detecting a level of prouroguanylin in a sample.
US08173595B2
The present invention is directed to anti-platelet peptides that may be used in various methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of thrombosis. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using compositions GPIbα fragments as anti-platelet agents. The present invention is also directed to peptides that inhibit intracellular function of 14-3-3.
US08173593B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions containing endothelin receptor antagonists for emergency contraception.
US08173592B1
A method of therapeutic management of infertility by programming of controlled ovarian stimulation and assisted reproductive procedures is disclosed containing the steps of a) suppression of premature ovulation with an LHRH-antagonist in controlled ovarian stimulation and assisted reproductive techniques with multiple follicle and oocyte development; b) programming the start of controlled ovarian stimulation by the administration to a patient of progestogen only-preparations or, alternatively, combined oral contraceptive preparations; c) exogenous stimulation of the ovarian follicle growth; d) ovulation induction with HCG, native LHRH, LHRH-agonists or recombinant LH; and e) application of assisted reproduction techniques, especially of IVF, ICSI, GIFT, ZIFT or by intrauterine insemination by sperm injection, wherein onset of the patient's menstrual cycle and of controlled ovarian stimulation are programmed in order to perform oocyte pickup and fertilization procedures during Mondays to Fridays.
US08173589B2
The present invention relates to low energy (e.g., below 1 J/ml) methods of making pearlescent liquid fabric softener compositions.
US08173585B2
The present invention relates to liquid acidic hard surface cleaning composition which are effective against common stains encountered on hard surfaces, methods for cleaning such hard surfaces as well as methods for the manufacture of said liquid acidic hard surface cleaning compositions.
US08173570B2
A catalyst precursor composition and methods for making such catalyst precursor are disclosed. The catalyst precursor comprises at least a Promoter metal selected from Group VIII, Group IIB, Group IIA, Group IVA and combinations thereof, at least one Group VIB metal, at least one organic, oxygen-containing ligand, and a cellulose-containing material. Catalysts prepared from the sulfidation of such catalyst precursors are used in the hydroprocessing of hydrocarbon feeds. In one embodiment, the sulfidation is carried out by contacting the catalyst precursor with hydrogen and a sulfur containing compound, wherein the contacting is carried out ex-situ. Catalysts prepared from such catalyst precursors have a fouling rate of less than 8° F. (4.4° C.) per 1000 hour.
US08173563B2
An object is to provide a sintered body causing less chipping and having a sufficiently higher polishing rate than a conventional AlTiC sintered body, and providing a sufficiently smooth air bearing surface. The sintered body according to the present invention consists of Al2O3, a compound represented by the chemical formula (1) below, and a composite oxide containing Al and Ti, TiCxOy (1) wherein x+y≦1, x>0 and y>0.
US08173555B2
The present invention relates to a color-coated fouling-resistant conductive cloth and a manufacturing method thereof. The method includes the steps of providing a conductive cloth interwoven by natural fibers or artificial fibers and containing a metal layer, and forming at least one colored resin-coating layer on the metal layer of the conductive cloth by means of blade coating, wherein the surface of the resin-coating layer does not exceed the intersections of warp yarns and weft yarns of the conductive cloth. The conductive cloth of the present invention has the characteristics of colored appearance, artificial or environmental contamination resistance, and low surface resistance.
US08173554B2
A method of forming dielectric film having Si—N bonds on a semiconductor substrate by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), includes: introducing a nitrogen- and hydrogen-containing reactive gas and a rare gas into a reaction space inside which the semiconductor substrate is placed; introducing a hydrogen-containing silicon precursor in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration into the reaction space wherein the reactive gas and the rare gas are introduced; exiting a plasma in pulses of less than 1.0-second duration immediately after the silicon precursor is shut off; and maintaining the reactive gas and the rare gas as a purge of less than 2.0-second duration.
US08173546B2
An etchant composition that allows simplification and optimization of semiconductor manufacturing process is presented, along with a method of patterning a conductive layer using the etchant and a method of manufacturing a flat panel display using the etchant. The etchant includes nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, and an acetate compound in addition to water.
US08173542B2
Provided are a method of forming a conductive layer on an inner portion of a through-electrode in which uniform adhesion property of plating in the inner portion of a through-hole is enhanced and a tact time is short, and a semiconductor device. The method of forming a conductive layer includes: a first plating step of forming a first plating layer on the inner portion of the through-hole; a plating suppression layer forming step of forming a plating suppression layer including a material different from a material of the first plating layer in an opening portion of the through-hole after the first plating step; and a second plating step of forming a second plating layer by plating on the inner portion of the through-hole after the plating suppression layer forming step.
US08173537B1
Stability of an underlying dielectric diffusion barrier during deposition and ultraviolet (UV) processing of an overlying dielectric layer is critical for successful integration. UV-resistant diffusion barrier layers are formed by depositing the layer in a hydrogen-starved environment. Diffusion barrier layers can be made more resistant to UV radiation by thermal, plasma, or UV treatment during or after deposition. Lowering the modulus of the diffusion barrier layer can also improve the resistance to UV radiation.
US08173533B2
Semiconductor memory devices and methods of forming semiconductor memory devices are provided. The methods may include forming insulation layers and cell gate layers that are alternately stacked on a substrate, forming an opening by successively patterning through the cell gate layers and the insulation layers, and forming selectively conductive barriers on sidewalls of the cell gate layers in the opening.
US08173529B2
In an MIS-type GaN-FET, a base layer made of a conductive nitride including no oxygen, here, TaN, is provided on a surface layer as a nitride semiconductor layer to cover at least an area of a lower face of a gate insulation film made of Ta2O5 under a gate electrode.
US08173524B1
Methods form epitaxial materials by forming at least two gate stacks on a silicon substrate and forming sidewall spacers on sides of the gate stacks. Such methods pattern a recess in the silicon substrate between adjacent ones of the gate stacks. The methods also provide a liner in a bottom of the recess, and epitaxially grow epitaxial material from sidewalls of the recess to fill the recess with the epitaxial material.
US08173516B2
An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of forming a shallow trench isolation structure. A substrate is provided. The substrate includes a top surface. A trench is formed extending from the top surface into the substrate. The trench has sidewalls and a bottom surface. A liner oxide layer is formed on the sidewalls and the bottom surface. The liner oxide layer is treated in a plasma environment comprises at least one of NF3, F2, and BF2. The trench is filled with a dielectric layer.
US08173513B2
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor pressure sensor, wherein, in a silicon substrate, trenches are dug and delimit walls; a closing layer is epitaxially grown, that closes the trenches at the top and forms a suspended membrane; a heat treatment is performed so as to cause migration of the silicon of the walls and to form a closed cavity underneath the suspended membrane; and structures are formed for transducing the deflection of the suspended membrane into electrical signals.
US08173512B2
A method for forming a structure that includes a relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer on a substrate. The method includes the steps of growing an elastically stressed layer of semiconductor material on a donor substrate; forming a glassy layer of a viscous material on the stressed layer; removing a portion of the donor substrate to form a structure that includes the glassy layer, the stressed layer and a surface layer of donor substrate material; patterning the stressed layer; and heat treating the structure at a temperature of at least a viscosity temperature of the glassy layer to relax the stressed layer and form the relaxed or pseudo-relaxed layer of the structure.
US08173511B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device (10) with a substrate (11) and a semiconductor body (12) which is provided with at least one bipolar transistor having an emitter region (1), a base region (2) and a collector region (3), wherein in the semiconductor body (12) a first semiconductor region (13) is formed that forms one (3) of the collector and emitter regions (1,3) and on the surface of the semiconductor body (12) a stack of layers is formed comprising a first insulating layer (4), a polycrystalline semiconductor layer (5) and a second insulating layer (6) in which stack an opening (7) is formed, after which by non-selective epitaxial growth a further semiconductor layer (22) is deposited of which a monocrystalline horizontal part on the bottom of the opening (7) forms the base region (2) and of which a polycrystalline vertical part (2A) on a side face of the opening (7) is connected to the polycrystalline semiconductor layer (5), after which spacers (S) are formed parallel to the side face of the opening (7) and a second semiconductor region (31) is formed between said spacers (S) forming the other one (1) of the emitter and collector regions (1,3). According to the invention the above method is characterized in that before the further semiconductor layer (22) is deposited, the second insulating layer (6) is provided with an end portion (6A) that viewed in projection overhangs an end portion (5A) of the underlying semiconductor layer (5). In this way bipolar transistor devices can be obtained with good high frequency properties in a cost effective manner.
US08173510B2
An integrated circuit (200) includes one of more transistors (210) on or in a substrate (10) having semiconductor surface layer, the surface layer having a top surface. At least one of the transistors are drain extended metal-oxide-semiconductor (DEMOS) transistor (210). The DEMOS transistor includes a drift region (14) in the surface layer having a first dopant type, a field dielectric (23) in or on a portion of the surface layer, and a body region of a second dopant type (16) within the drift region (14). The body region (16) has a body wall extending from the top surface of the surface layer downwards along at least a portion of a dielectric wall of an adjacent field dielectric region. A gate dielectric (21) is on at least a portion of the body wall. An electrically conductive gate electrode (22) is on the gate dielectric (21) on the body wall. A source region (18) of the first doping type is in the body region (16), a drain region (20) of the first doping type is in the drift region (14), and interconnects (521) are operable to electrically connect the one or more transistors to each other on the integrated circuit (200).
US08173509B2
A type semiconductor device includes: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type; a third semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type; a plurality of gate electrodes which are formed in gate trenches via gate insulating films, the gate trenches being formed through the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer; a plurality of impurity regions of the second conductivity type which are formed at regions below bottoms of contact trenches, the contact trenches being formed at the third semiconductor layer in a thickness direction thereof between corresponding ones of the gate trenches and longitudinal cross sections of the contact trenches being shaped in ellipse, respectively; first electrodes which are formed so as to embed the contact trenches and contacted with the impurity regions, respectively; and a second electrode formed on a rear surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08173501B2
In a manufacturing strategy for providing high-k metal gate electrode structures in an early manufacturing stage, process-related non-uniformities during and after the patterning of the gate electrode structures may be reduced by providing a superior surface topography. To this end, the material loss in the isolation region may generally be reduced and a more symmetrical exposure to reactive etch atmospheres during the subsequent removal of the growth mask may be accomplished by providing an additional etch mask when removing the growth mask from the active regions of N-channel transistors, after the growth of the threshold adjusting semiconductor material on the active regions of the P-channel transistors.
US08173480B2
An image sensor and a method of manufacturing an image sensor. A method of manufacturing an image sensor may include forming an interconnection and/or an interlayer dielectric over a semiconductor substrate including circuitry connected to an interconnection. A method of manufacturing an image sensor may include forming a photodiode having a first doping layer and/or a second doping layer over an interlayer dielectric, and forming a via hole through a photodiode, which may expose a portion of a surface of an interconnection. A method of manufacturing an image sensor may include forming a barrier pattern over a via hole which may cover an exposed surface of a second doping layer, and a contact plug on and/or over a via hole, which may connect an interconnection and a first doping layer. An upper portion of a contact plug may be etched. An insulating layer may be formed over a contact plug.
US08173478B2
A metal wiring suitable for a substrate of large size is provided. The present invention is characterized in that at least one layer of conductive film is formed on an insulating surface, a resist pattern is formed on the conductive film, and the conductive film having the resist pattern is etched to form a metal wiring while controlling its taper angle α in accordance with the bias power density, the ICP power density, the temperature of lower electrode, the pressure, the total flow rate of etching gas, or the ratio of oxygen or chlorine in etching gas. The thus formed metal wiring has less fluctuation in width or length and can satisfactorily deal with an increase in size of substrate.
US08173463B2
Provided is a light emitting device fabricating apparatus, which includes a light emitting device, first and second contact parts, a power source part, a loading plate, and a chamber. The first and second contact parts are connected to the light emitting device to apply a first current to the light emitting device. The power source part supplies power to the first and second contact parts. The loading plate supports and heats the light emitting device. The chamber accommodates the light emitting device, the first and second contact parts, and the loading plate, and has a vacuum state or oxygen atmosphere.
US08173462B2
A manufacturing method of a nitride crystalline film includes following steps. First, a substrate is provided. Next, a first nitride crystalline film is formed on the substrate. A patterned mask is then formed on the first nitride crystalline film. The patterned mask covers a first part of the first nitride crystalline film and exposes a second part of the first nitride crystalline film. Afterwards, the second part is etched, and the first part is maintained. After that, the patterned mask is removed. The first part is then etched to form a plurality of nitride crystal nuclei. Next, a second nitride crystalline film is formed on the substrate, and the second nitride crystalline film is made to cover the nitride crystal nuclei. A nitride film and a substrate structure are also provided.
US08173458B2
A method for forming a quantum well structure that can reduce the variation in the In composition in the thickness direction of a well layer and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting element are provided. In a step of forming a quantum well structure (active layer) by alternately growing barrier layers and well layers on a primary surface of a GaN substrate, the well layers are each formed by growing InGaN, the barrier layers are each grown at a first temperature, the well layers are each grown at a second temperature which is lower than that of the first temperature, and when the well layers are each formed, before a starting material gas for Ga (trimethylgallium) is supplied, a starting material gas for In is supplied.
US08173454B2
Disclosed is a light emitting diode package, including a metal body including a cavity for receiving a light emitting diode therein, a lens mount for mounting thereon a lens through which light is transmitted, a heat sink for dissipating heat, a lead insertion recess formed on a bottom surface of the metal body so that a lead is inserted therein, and a bonding hole formed to communicate with the lead insertion recess and passing through the cavity of the metal body; and a lead seated into the lead insertion recess of the metal body and insulation bonded to the bottom surface of the metal body by means of an insulating binder, so that an insulation type bonding relationship between the metal body and the lead is maintained stable. A method of manufacturing the light emitting diode package is also provided.
US08173453B2
Patterning an organic light emitting diode (OLED) after it has been encapsulated by permanently changing the light emissivity of the diodes. The OLED includes an intervening layer between a source of laser treatment and a light emitting layer. Depending on the composition of the light emitting layer, the laser treatment will enhance or diminish brightness.
US08173452B1
A semiconductor assembly is described in which a support element is constructed on a surface of a semiconductor lamina. Following formation of the thin lamina, which may have a thickness about 50 microns or less, the support element is formed, for example by plating, or by application of a precursor and curing in situ, resulting in a support element which may be, for example, metal, ceramic, polymer, etc. This is in contrast to a rigid or semi-rigid pre-formed support element which is affixed to the lamina following its formation, or to a donor wafer from which the lamina is subsequently cleaved. Fabricating the support element in situ may avoid the use of adhesives to attach the lamina to a permanent support element; such adhesives may be unable to tolerate processing temperatures and conditions required to complete the device. In some embodiments, this process flow allows the lamina to be annealed at high temperature, then to have an amorphous silicon layer formed on each face of the lamina following that anneal. A device may be formed which comprises the lamina, such as a photovoltaic cell.
US08173446B2
A method of integrating a permanent bias magnet within a magnetoresistance sensor comprising depositing an alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material on or within a surface of an insulating substrate; depositing a mask on the surface of the insulating substrate to create an opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; applying a magnetic paste within the opening above the alternating pattern of metal material and semiconductor material; curing the magnetic paste to form a hardened bias magnet; removing the mask; and magnetizing the hardened bias magnet by applying a strong magnetic field to the hardened bias magnet at a desired orientation.
US08173444B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a metal particle with which a highly-sensitive testing method can be conducted, and a testing method using such metal particle. The present invention provides a metal particle, which is produced by coating a metal particle labeled with a molecule binding to an analyte with a mixture of two or more types of water-soluble polymer having a mercapto group, a dithiol group or a sulfide group and differing in molecular weight.
US08173441B2
The present invention relates to a method for screening compounds to identify compounds that bind to a specific target, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a target immobilized to a solid support; (b) generating a first NMR spectrum of the said compounds to be screened in the presence of the solid support without the target molecule immobilized thereto; (c) generating a second NMR spectrum of the said compounds to be screened in the presence of the solid support with the target molecule immobilized thereto; and (d) comparing said first and second NMR spectrum to determine differences between said first and second NMR spectrum. Further the invention relates to an NMR apparatus having arranged therein a particular NMR probe.
US08173431B1
A multi-tier approach for use in a mailroom for detecting bio-threats conveyed by mail. In a first tier procedure, mail entering the mailroom is continuously automatically screened at a mail screening station to detect a potential bio-threat contamination. If a potential bio-threat is detected, an alarm signal is generated, a sample of the potential bio-threat is collected, and a second tier procedure is initiated. The second tier procedure uses a manual test, such as a nucleic acid amplification and detection assay to detect any of a plurality of different specific bio-threats in the sample. If a specific bio-threat is found, appropriate steps are taken to limit spread of the bio-threat and exposure of personnel. A third tier procedure uses a manual assay to check for a specific toxin in background samples collected over a predefined time interval at each mail screening station and in the air handling system for the mailroom.
US08173424B2
This invention provides novel erbB2-binding internalizing antibodies. The antibodies, designated F5 and C1, specifically bind to c-erbB2 antigen and, upon binding, are readily internalized into the cell bearing the c-erbB2 marker. Chimeric molecules comprising the F5 and/or C1 antibodies attached to one or more effector molecules are also provided.
US08173422B2
The present invention relates to the production of proteins in a cell or host cell. The invention uses a TRAnscription Pause (TRAP) sequence to enhance a protein expression characteristic of a protein expression unit. The TRAP sequence is thought to prevent, at least in part, formation of antisense RNA or to, at least in part, prevent transcription to enter the protein expression unit. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for expression of at least one protein of interest in a cell comprising providing the cell with at least one protein expression unit that comprises a promoter functionally linked to an open reading frame encoding at least one protein of interest, characterized in that the protein expression unit further comprises at least one TRAP sequence and wherein the TRAP sequence is functionally located downstream of the open reading frame and at least in part prevents formation of antisense RNA. In another embodiment, the TRAP sequence is functionally located upstream of the promoter and at least in part prevents transcription to enter the expression unit. Preferably, the expression protein unit further comprises at least one STabilizing Anti-Repressor sequence.
US08173418B2
The present invention provides a device for activating a self-contained biological indicator. The biological indicator includes a casing, an ampule having a growth-promoting medium disposed therein and microorganisms. The ampule and microorganisms are disposed within the casing. The device is comprised of a first lever arm having a cavity formed therein. The cavity is dimensioned to receive a biological indicator. A second lever arm has a protrusion extending from a surface thereof and is moveable relative to the first lever arm to deform a casing of the biological indicator thereby fracturing an ampule in the casing and exposing microorganisms in the casing to a growth-promoting medium in the ampule of the biological indicator.
US08173415B2
A microinjection device for injecting a target cell with a reagent. The microinjection device includes a flexible substrate; a target supply channel formed in the flexible substrate for receiving the target cell; a reagent supply channel formed in the flexible substrate for receiving the reagent; a suction capillary mounted within a suction channel formed in the flexible substrate, the suction capillary providing suction to the target supply channel for immobilizing the target cell within the target supply channel; an injection needle mounted within a needle channel formed in the flexible substrate, the injection needle being movable between injected and un-injected positions by deforming at least a part of the flexible substrate; and a plurality of electrodes embedded in the flexible substrate, the plurality of electrodes creating a voltage potential across the injection needle to move the reagent into the target when the injection needle is in the injected position.
US08173406B1
Lignocellulosic biomass is noted for its recalcitrance to deconstruction as a feedstock for biofuel production. A two-step pretreatment method with the aim of enhancing cellulose digestibility, bypassing the traditional severe pretreatment reaction conditions and improving the overall economics of biofuel production is disclosed herein. A 1st pretreatment step is used to partially remove hemicellulose and lignin. A 2nd pretreatment step using electrolyzed water is used to break the crystalline structure and to remove residual hemicellulose and lignin before enzymatic hydrolysis for releasing fermentable sugars. A digestibility of 95% can be achieved by the two-step approach.
US08173388B2
The disclosed invention provides a self-contained sterilization indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of a sterilization process. The sterilization indicator includes a cap configured for housing a growth medium, the cap being mountable on a container that contains a concentration of microorganisms. The cap comprises an inner chamber for housing the growth media. The inner chamber has an opening and a breakable barrier overlying the opening for encapsulating the growth media within the inner chamber of the cap. The biological indicator is adapted for breaking the breakable barrier at a selected time to introduce the growth medium into the container such that the growth medium contacts the microorganisms.
US08173387B2
A method having higher sensitivity in a bioassay method utilizing cell response of a microorganism, for detecting the presence of a chemical in a test specimen is provided. The method of the present invention is characterized in that it uses specified gene-disrupted strains.
US08173373B2
Methods for screening compounds that modulate umami taste signaling in taste cells are provided. These methods comprise contacting a compound with hetero-oligomeric taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors that respond to umami taste stimuli, and determining whether the compound binds to and/or affects the activity of the hetero-oligomeric umami receptor.
US08173367B2
An array in which an external control feature for normalization has been designed and tested for its ability to mimic the range of observed expression levels for a test set of oligos. The external control probes span a series of concentrations. They are spatially randomized across a grid of an array. The series of concentrations is duplicated in a given grid. The individual grid layout and number of control and external normalization features per grid have been designed to cope with sources of both systematic error and spatial variation.
US08173366B2
The present invention relates to the discovery that, in human cancer, an 11q deletion of ATM together with an increase in ATR and CHEK1 expression correlates with resistance to ionizing radiation which could be overcome by inhibition of the ATR/CHEK1 pathway. It provides for methods of identifying patients unlikely to exhibit an adequate response to radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy who may benefit from ATR/CHEK1 pathway inhibition, as well as methods of treating said patients.
US08173357B2
The method of forming an etching mask includes: forming a mask layer on an object layer that is to be etched, to form an etching mask used in etching the object layer; forming a first mask layer on the mask layer, the first mask layer having a first pattern that is to be transferred onto the mask layer; forming a second mask layer on the first mask layer, the second mask layer having a second pattern that is to be transferred onto the mask layer; obtaining a third mask layer having the first pattern and the second pattern, by transferring the second pattern of the second mask layer onto the first mask layer; and forming the etching mask used in the etching of the object layer, by etching the mask layer using the third mask layer.
US08173354B2
A sulfonium salt having a triphenylsulfonium cation and a sulfite anion within the molecule is best suited as a photoacid generator in chemically amplified resist compositions. Upon exposure to high-energy radiation, the sulfonium salt generates a sulfonic acid, which facilitates efficient scission of acid labile groups in chemically amplified positive resist compositions. Because of substantial non-volatility under high vacuum conditions in the EB or EUV lithography, the risk of the exposure tool being contaminated is minimized.
US08173349B2
A polymer compound is provided which is excellent in heat resistance and insulating property, and a photosensitive resin composition is provided which includes the polymer compound, and may form a cured pattern or a cured film excellent in pattern forming property, resolution, heat resistance and insulating property. Also, a method for forming a cured pattern excellent in pattern forming property, resolution, heat resistance and insulating property using the photosensitive resin composition, and an electronic device having high reliance for a semiconductor device or for a display device are provided. The photosensitive resin composition includes a polymer compound obtained by reacting a monomer represented by Formula (1) and a monomer represented by Formula (2), and a photosensitizing agent.
US08173343B2
The present invention provides an electrophotographic photoconductor which includes at least a photosensitive layer and a surface protective layer over a support, wherein the surface protective layer contains a filler, a charge transporting material and a specific compound; and the photosensitive layer contains at least a charge transporting material; the charge transporting material contained in the photosensitive layer has an oxidation potential lower than the oxidation potential of the charge transporting material contained in the surface protective layer and is a specific compound.
US08173331B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for sub-pellicle defect reduction on photomasks. One embodiment of a photomask for use in photolithography includes a substrate on which a pattern is formed, the substrate having a frontside and an opposite backside, and a protective coating formed on at least one of the frontside and the backside, the protective coating comprising silicon-based compound.
US08173329B2
A molded product having a phase separation structure formed by photopolymerization of a photopolymerizable composition and imparting a sharp diffraction spot at a high diffraction efficiency, and a method for manufacturing same are provided. The molded product (1) comprises a matrix (2) and a multiple columnar structures (3) disposed within the matrix (2) and having an index of refraction different from the matrix (2), wherein the half width of a diffraction spot is 0.6° or less and diffraction efficiency is 10% or greater in an angular spectrum obtained by irradiation with a laser beam having an intensity distribution of standard normal distribution and a half width of the intensity distribution of 0.5°. The multiple columnar structures (3) are oriented in approximately the same direction, and are aligned in a regular lattice on a plane perpendicular to said orientation direction.
US08173315B2
The accuracy of detecting gas leakage in a fuel battery system is improved. A fuel battery system includes a fuel battery to which a reactive gas is supplied to generate power, and a gas passage (a fuel gas supply path and a fuel gas circulation path) connected to this fuel battery, this gas passage is provided with a plurality of adjoining closed spaces, and the system includes a detecting unit (a control section) to detect gas leakage in one closed space in a state in which at least a pressure of another closed space adjoining the one closed space as a gas leakage detection target on a downstream side is lowered.
US08173311B2
A fuel cell system and method for controlling relative humidity in a fuel cell system. A controller can be signally coupled to one or more sensors and configured to operate at least one flow manipulation device in response to changes in a relative humidity of a reactant passing through the cathode flowpath of the fuel cell in order to maintain the relative humidity within a prescribed range. The controller correlates one or more of a temperature setpoint, pressure setpoint, stoichiometry setpoint or actual operating condition of any of them to an operating condition of the system. In this way, a desired level of relative humidity can be achieved, maintained or both while minimizing the use of power-robbing flow manipulation devices, such as a pump, compressor, fan or related component.
US08173301B2
A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a lithium-containing transition metal oxide having a closest-packed cubic structure of oxygen, the lithium-containing transition metal oxide having a composition represented by the formula (1): Li[Lip(NixMnyCoz)1-p]O2, where x, y, and z represent element contents of nickel, manganese, and cobalt, respectively, and satisfies 0.2+y≦x≦0.7, 0.15≦y, 0.05≦z, x+y+z=1, and 0≦p≦0.1.
US08173298B2
An electrolyte for a lithium battery includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive comprising a) a compound represented by the following Formula (1), and b) a compound selected from the group consisting of a sulfone-based compound, a poly(ester)(metha)acrylate, a polymer of poly(ester)(metha)acrylate, and a mixture thereof: wherein R1 is a C1 to C10 alkyl, a C1 to C10 alkoxy, or a C6 to C10 aryl, and preferably a methyl, ethyl, or methoxy, X is a halogen, and m and n are integers ranging from 1 to 5, where m+n is less than or equal to 6.
US08173291B2
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed between those two electrodes. The secondary battery also includes a container for receiving the electrode assembly inside thereof; a cap assembly electrically connected to the electrode assembly and fixed to the container to seal the container; collector plates electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrodes, and an auxiliary collector plate disposed between at least either the positive or negative electrode and the collector plate corresponding to that electrode.
US08173280B2
There are provided a nickel oxide film for a bolometer and a manufacturing method thereof, and an infrared detector using the nickel oxide film. The nickel oxide film has properties with a TCR value greater than −3%/° C., a low noise value, and stable and high reproducibility properties. The nickel oxide film is applicable to manufacturing an infrared detector using a nickel oxide film for a bolometer.
US08173275B2
The invention provides an azaindenochrysene derivative, and an organic light-emitting device outputting light having high luminance and a long lifetime with high efficiency having an organic compound layer that includes the azaindenochrysene derivative.
US08173273B2
Anthracene derivatives, method for preparation thereof, and organic electronic device using the same
The present invention relates to a novel anthracene derivative, a method for preparation thereof, and an organic electronic device using the same. The anthracene derivative according to the present invention can function as a hole injecting, hole transporting, electron injecting, electron transporting, or light emitting in an organic electronic device including an organic light emitting device, and in particular, used alone as a light emitting, or as a host or dopant in a host/dopant system. The organic electronic device according to the present invention exhibits excellent characteristics in terms of efficiency, drive voltage, life time, and stability.
US08173272B2
The present invention relates to a novel diamine derivative, a method for preparation thereof, and an organic electronic device using the same. The diamine derivative according to the present invention can serve as a hole injecting, hole transporting, electron injecting, electron transporting, or light emitting material in an organic electronic device including an organic light emitting device. Particularly, it can be used as a light emitting material as used alone, and also serve as a light emitting host, or a light emitting dopant, in particular, a blue light emitting dopant. The organic electronic device according to the present invention exhibits excellent characteristics in terms of efficiency, drive voltage, life time, and stability.
US08173271B2
The present invention provides a fluorescent rare earth complex having high solubility to a medium, showing fluorescence of high intensity and possessing excellent durability, and also provides a light-emitting element using that complex. The rare earth complex comprises a rare earth ion and a phosphine oxide ligand, and the phosphine oxide ligand contains a phosphorus atom connecting to at least one phenyl group. In the phenyl group, at least one of the meta-positions is substituted. It is also necessary that the para-position of the phenyl group be not substituted.
US08173263B2
A heat treatable coated article (e.g., vehicle windshield, IG unit, etc.) is provided with a dual-silver low-E coating. Before and/or after heat treatment (HT), the coating and/or coated article has a visible transmittance of at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%. Moreover, the coating and/or coated article is designed so as to have approximately the same color when viewed over a wide range of viewing angles. In certain embodiments, at least one contact layer (e.g., of or including NiCrOx) that contacts an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., Ag) is oxidation graded so that it progressively becomes less oxidized through its thickness as it nears the IR reflecting layer. In still other embodiments, a Si-rich silicon nitride layer(s) may be utilized to reduce haze.
US08173253B2
A tape construct comprises a laser-imageable composition, whereby images can be created in said tape by irradiation with a laser. In an alternative, a laser-imageable formulation suitable for spray application to a substrate, comprises a color-former, a binder and a carrier.
US08173249B2
A substrate structure applied in flexible electrical devices is provided. The substrate structure includes a carrier, a release layer overlying the carrier with a first area and a flexible substrate overlying the release layer and the carrier with a second area, wherein the second area is larger than the first area and the flexible substrate has a greater adhesion force than that of the release layer to the carrier. The invention also provides a method for fabricating the substrate structure.
US08173248B2
A PVD coating is disclosed, and in particular a nanoscale multilayer superlattice PVD coating comprising high hardness, a low friction coefficient and increased chemical inertness. The multilayer coating comprises a repeating bilayer represented by (VxMe(i-x))CyN(i-y)/(MezV(1-z))CyN(i-y) where 0.1≦x≦0.9; 0.01
US08173244B2
A transparent sheet-like shaped plastic part, in particular a plastic pane, on account of the use of a direct injection-molding process during production of the shaped plastic part (1), has at least one sprue mark (4) located on an optical surface (1.2) of the shaped plastic part (1). The sprue mark (4) is covered by a covering material (2) of lower transparency than the shaped plastic part (1).
US08173239B2
An information recording medium (100) of the present invention is an information recording medium that allows information to be recorded thereon by being irradiated with an optical beam or by being applied with electrical energy, and includes at least a recording layer (115) whose phase can change. The recording layer (115) contains antimony (Sb), carbon (C), and a light element (L) having an atomic weight of less than 33. The light element (L) preferably is at least one element selected from B, N, O, Mg, Al, and S. For example, the recording layer (115) may be composed of a material represented by a composition Sb100-x-yCxLy, where the subscripts 100-x-y, x, and y denote composition ratios of Sb, C, and the L in atomic percentage, respectively, and x and y satisfy x+y≦50.
US08173237B2
Disclosed is a method for joining two strips, where the two strips each include a laminate of a release liner and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and the release liner extends from the corresponding pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in a longitudinal end region of at least one of the two strips. The method includes butting cross-sections of longitudinal ends of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers of the two strips to bond the two pressure-sensitive adhesive layers; and superposing end regions of the release liners of the two strips and fixing the release liners so that surfaces of the release liners in portions at least 1 mm long inward from the longitudinal ends are not in contact with surfaces of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. This method gives a continuous strip from which the release liner can be smoothly removed without “binding” even at the joint.
US08173228B2
A method of reducing the amount of particulates generated from the surface of a processing component used during plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of thin films. The body of the processing component comprises an aluminum alloy, and an exterior surface of said processing component is texturized to increase the amount of surface area present on the exterior surface. The texturizing process includes at least one step in which the surface to be texturized is bead blasted or chemically grained, so that the surface roughness of the texturized surface ranges from about 50 μ-inch Ra to about 1,000 μ-inch Ra.
US08173220B2
The invention provides a method of producing a metal plated material, the method including: preparing a polymer solution containing a polymer; preparing a composition by mixing the polymer solution with a monomer at an amount of from 30% by mass to 200% by mass with respect to the polymer, and with a compound having a non-dissociative functional group and a reactive group, the non-dissociative functional group being capable of interacting with a plating catalyst or a precursor thereof, and at least one of the polymer or the monomer having a functional group that reacts with the reactive group in the compound; forming a cured layer on a substrate by applying the composition, drying the composition and curing the composition; applying the plating catalyst or the precursor thereof to the cured layer; and conducting plating with respect to the plating catalyst or the precursor thereof to form a plating film on the cured layer.
US08173212B2
A method for manufacturing a carbon nano tube by a CVD method includes: supplying a carbon atom to a catalyzer for forming the carbon nano tube; and controlling an amount of carbon supply with time. In this method, super saturation of the carbon atom in the catalyzer is controlled appropriately. Thus, a caulking layer is prevented from being formed on the catalyzer, and therefore, the carbon nano tube having a sufficient length is obtained.
US08173203B2
A recess is formed on an upper surface of a vibration plate at a position corresponding to a pressure chamber. Next, a low-elasticity material having a lower modulus of elasticity than the vibration plate is filled in the recess. Then, aerosol including a piezoelectric material particles and carrier gas is sprayed on the upper surface of the vibration plate to form a piezoelectric layer. At this time, the particles of the piezoelectric material do not adhere to a surface of the low-elasticity material filled in the recess, and hence the piezoelectric layer can be formed only in an area excluding the surface of the low-elasticity material. Thus, there is provided a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, the method capable of easily preventing, when forming the piezoelectric layer by an aerosol deposition method, formation of the piezoelectric layer on a surface of the recess.
US08173197B2
Methods of protecting an insertable medical device from chemical degradation are provided. Methods include coating the insertable medical device with an acrylic layer and then coating the acrylic layer with an acrylic-grafted fluoropolymer. Medical devices coated with oxidation-resistant coatings are also provided.
US08173193B2
A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. The stabilized whole grain flours and the stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel.
US08173181B2
Nutritional compositions are provided containing at least one PPAR agonist, at least one PGC-1alpha agonist, and at least one creatine derivative. Methods of promoting anabolism and improving or enhancing physical performance using the compositions are provided. The compositions and methods can be combined with physical training or exercise.
US08173169B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical tablets comprising modafinil particles, processes for preparing such pharmaceutical tablets, and methods of treating a disease or disorder using the pharmaceutical tablet of the invention. In particular, the pharmaceutical tablet of the invention comprises modafinil particles and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, wherein the modafinil particles have a size distribution such that at least about 65% of the modafinil particles have a diameter greater than 220 microns and the tablet is bioequivalent to PROVIGIL®. The pharmaceutical tablet of the invention is prepared by a dry granulation method.
US08173165B2
A water-dispersible particle for delivery of nitrogen to a plant is disclosed. The water-dispersible particle also delivers an active ingredient such as a plant hormone to a desirable plant or a pesticide or herbicide to an undesirable organism. Methods for making and using the water-dispersible particle are described.
US08173163B2
Degradable polymeric compositions containing water-insoluble drugs blended with copolymers of biocompatible diphenol compound monomer units with pendant carboxylic acid groups polymerized with biocompatible diphenol com-pound monomer units with pendant carboxylic acid ester groups and poly(alkylene oxide) blocks, wherein the molar fraction in the copolymer of biocompatible diphenol compound monomer units with pendant carboxylic acid groups and poly(alkylene oxide) blocks relative to the weight percentage of the drug in the composition is effective to provide pseudo-zero order release of the drug from the composition during the sustained-release phase of drug delivery under physiological conditions. Ocular treatment methods and manufacturing methods are also disclosed.
US08173158B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating a gastrointestinal disorder by administering to a patient in need of treatment thereof a pharmaceutical composition, wherein said pharmaceutical composition can be administered to the patient independent of the intake of food.
US08173154B2
A method and compositions for wound care management comprising a dressing comprising a three-dimensional body of glass-based fibers comprising 40 to 80 weight % B2O3, wherein at least 25 wt. % of the fibers have a diameter between 200 nm and 4000 nm, and a length:width aspect ratio of at least 10. The glasses may also be used for wound care as fibers formed into sutures, as particles in surgical glue to close a wound, or as particles in an ointment or cream to apply to a wound. The compositions may comprise glass formers P2O5 and/or SiO2; alkali oxides selected from Li2O, Na2O, K2O, and Rb2O; and/or alkaline earth oxides selected from MgO, SrO, BaO and CaO. The compositions may further comprise 0.05 to 10 wt. % of one or more trace elements selected from Ag, Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, and Zn.
US08173153B2
In certain embodiments provided are composition suitable for cleansing or treating the skin, the composition comprising: (i) at least 90% water; (ii) a non-ionic surfactant; (iii) one or more hydrophobic emollients present in a concentration from about 200 parts per million (ppm) to about 4000 ppm, and wherein the composition has a ratio of total surfactant concentration to total hydrophobic emollient concentration that is from about 0.5 to about 2.5. In other embodiments, provided are articles comprising a water-insoluble absorbent substrate and a composition comprising a polyol polyhydroxystearate or a water-soluble glyceryl polyacrylate impregnated therein.
US08173151B2
This invention provides a modified catheter biomaterial that provides both immediate, and long-term microbiocidal effects on otherwise antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms. The material, which exhibits good mechanical performance characteristics for medical devices, is composed of a hydrophobic polyurethane (PU), a hydrophilic polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), a soluble silver salt and a sparsely-soluble silver salt. The hydrophobic polyurethane provides the good physical properties, the PEVA the hydrophilicity necessary to allow some water ingress into the catheter, the soluble silver salt for an immediate burst effect, and the sparsely-soluble silver salt for sustained-release over many months postimplantation.
US08173132B2
Nucleic acid and corresponding protein entitled 213P1F11 useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene (designated 213P1F11) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 213P1F11 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 213P1F11 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 213P1F11 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 213P1F11 can be used in active or passive immunization.
US08173129B2
The invention features methods for increasing or maintaining the number of functional cells of a predetermined type, for example, insulin producing cells of the pancreas, blood cells, spleen cells, brain cells, heart cells, vascular tissue cells, cells of the bile duct, or skin cells, in a mammal (e.g., a human patient) that has injured or damaged cells of the predetermined type.
US08173117B2
Nucleic acids encoding a new family of chemokines, the CX3C family, from a mammal, reagents related thereto, including specific antibodies, and purified proteins are described. Methods of using said reagents and related diagnostic kits are also provided.
US08173114B2
An agent for promoting excretion of an accumulative chlorine compound comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable anion exchange resin, which is a novel agent that is for promoting the excretion of an accumulative chlorine compound and is capable of efficiently excreting residual chlorinated compounds including dioxins as typical examples.
US08173103B2
P-Selectin on platelets and endothelium binds cell surface chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans, which are abundantly and stably expressed on the surface many cancer cells. Binding of the cancer cells through the CS moieties may be blocked to inhibit the interaction of cancer cells with platelets and endothelium. The present inventors disclose compositions and methods for the inhibition of cancer metastasis.
US08173100B2
Catalytic system comprising at least two components: a catalyst for the hydrolysis reaction of metal borohydrides to hydrogen; and a material in solid form, the dissolution reaction of which in water is exothermic.
US08173099B2
An aggregate material includes an aluminous material and a toughening agent in contact with the aluminous material. The aluminous material has a primary aspect ratio of at least about 1.5 and a particle size between about 30 nm and about 1000 nm.
US08173098B2
A catalyst for treating exhaust gases having excellent durability and performance for removing nitrogen oxides and organic halogen compounds and a low SO2 oxidation rate, a titanium oxide suitable for preparing the catalyst and a method for treating exhaust gases containing nitrogen oxides and/or organic halogen compounds using the catalyst are provided.The BET specific surface areas of the titanium oxide and the catalyst for treating exhaust gases are in the range of 85 to 250 m2/g and in the range of 50 to 200 m2/g respectively. The titanium oxide and the catalyst for treating exhaust gases have each a ratio in the range of 15 to 145%, the ratio of the intensity of the peak indicating an anatase crystal present in the range of 2θ=24.7° to 2θ=25.7° of powder X-ray diffraction thereof (Ia) to the intensity of the peak indicating an anatase crystal present in the range of 2θ=24.7° to 2θ=25.7° of powder X-ray diffraction of the standard sample comprising a mixture composed of 15% by mass of pure anatase-type titanium dioxide and 85% by mass of pure rutile-type titanium dioxide (Ib).
US08173095B2
In a method of making a functionalized graphitic structure, a portion of a multi-layered graphene surface extending from a silicon carbide substrate is exposed to an acidic environment so as to separate graphene layers in a portion of the multi-layered graphene surface. The portion of the multi-layered graphene surface is exposed to a functionalizing material that binds to carbon atoms in the graphene sheets so that the functionalizing material remains between the graphene sheets, thereby generating a functionalized graphitic structure. The functionalized graphitic structure is dried in an inert environment.
US08173091B2
Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a nanophosphor from a metal hydroxy carbonate and a nanophosphor prepared by the method. The method is capable of mass-production of a uniform particle-size nanophosphor with superior dispersibility and enables reduction in preparation costs. The nanophosphor prepared by the disclosed method exhibits high luminescence efficiency.
US08173090B2
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is removed from carbon dioxide feed gas comprising SO2 as a contaminant by maintaining the carbon dioxide feed gas at an elevated pressure in contact with an alkaline sorbent for a period of time sufficient to react said alkaline sorbent with SO2. Where NOx, oxygen (O2) and water are also present, not only is the rate of reaction with the sorbent increased, but also additional SO2 is removed by conversion to sulfuric acid, and NOx is removed as nitric acid. The method has particular application in the removal of SO2 and NOx from flue gas produced by oxyfuel combustion of a hydrocarbon or carbonaceous fuel.
US08173075B2
The invention is a method and system for the generation of high voltage, pulsed, periodic corona discharges capable of being used in the presence of conductive liquid droplets. The method and system can be used, for example, in different devices for cleaning of gaseous or liquid media using pulsed corona discharge. Specially designed electrodes and an inductor increase the efficiency of the system, permit the plasma chemical oxidation of detrimental impurities, and increase the range of stable discharge operations in the presence of droplets of water or other conductive liquids in the discharge chamber.
US08173068B2
A sample chamber is formed by a housing sealed against a microscope slide. The housing has fluid ports, including a well formed over at least one port. In a rinse station, rinse solution is drawn from a reservoir through the chamber to a waste reservoir. At a fill station, an aliquot of reagent already placed in the well is driven into the chamber. The reagent may be driven into the chamber by first drawing a vacuum on the chamber through the aliquot of reagent and then releasing the reagent to be drawn into the chamber by the vacuum.
US08173061B2
A pattern transfer method for filling a surface on a template having a concave-convex pattern with a resist material has contacting the template with the resist material applied on a substrate, curing the resist material while contacting the template with the resist, electrically charging the template and the resist with an identical polarity, and removing the template from the resist material while eclectically charging the template and the resist with an identical polarity.
US08173057B2
A method of forming a container includes providing a mold including at least one bulbous protrusion. The mold is closed to form a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of the container, with the bulbous protrusion being positioned in the mold cavity. Material is injected into the mold cavity to form the container, and the material envelopes the bulbous protrusion to create an undercut slot. The container is removed from the mold and the bulbous protrusion is withdrawn from the slot.
US08173051B2
There are disclosed insulated ultrafine powder comprising electroconductive ultrafine powder which is in the form of sphere, spheroid or acicular each having a minor axis in the range of 1 to 100 nm and an insulating film applied thereto; a process for producing the same which is capable of covering the surfaces of the insulated ultrafine powder with the insulating film having a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 100 nm without causing any clearance or vacancy; and a resin composite material which uses the same. A high dielectric constant of the material is assured by adding a small amount of insulated ultrafine powder wherein an insulating film is applied to the electroconductive ultrafine powder, while maintaining the processability and moldability that are the characteristics inherent in a resin material.
US08173048B2
A composition for a circuit connection film and a circuit connection film using the same, the composition including a binder resin including an acrylate modified urethane resin, a carboxyl modified acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, and an acrylic copolymer, the acrylic copolymer having an acid value of about 1 to about 100 mg KOH/g, a radical polymerizable compound including at least one of an isocyanurate acrylate compound and a compound having a (meth)acrylate group, and an organic peroxide.
US08173037B2
A wafer polish monitoring method and device for detecting the end point of the polishing of a conductive film with high precision and accuracy by monitoring the variation of the film thickness of the conductive film without adverse influence of slurry or the like after the film thickness of the conductive film decreases to an extremely small film thickness defined by the skin depth. A high-frequency transmission path is formed in a portion facing the conductive film on the surface of the wafer, the polishing removal state of the conductive film is evaluated based at least on the transmitted electromagnetic waves passing through the high-frequency transmission path or the reflected electromagnetic waves that are reflected without passing through the high-frequency transmission path, and the end point of the polishing removal and the point equivalent to the end point of the polishing removal are detected.
US08173036B2
A plasma processing method includes the steps of etching the target object with a CF-based processing gas by using a patterned resist film as a mask, removing deposits accumulated inside a processing chamber during the step of etching the target object by using a processing gas containing at least an O2 gas, and ashing the resist film by using a processing gas containing at least an O2 gas. Relevant places in the processing chamber from which the deposits are removed are heated in the step of removing the deposits.
US08173025B2
Water evaporation devices, systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from water impoundment ponds or other waste water sources. Water evaporation devices include a water evaporation barrel having an air acceleration chamber that creates venturi suction so as to draw water from a water source into a venturi chamber. Fast moving air and water create fine water droplets within a water atomization chamber, which droplets are then emitted from the water evaporation barrel through a discharge nozzle and into the air as a spray or cloud of fine water droplets. Water evaporation devices and associated systems and methods can be used to efficiently evaporate waster water produced by a wide variety of industrial processes.
US08173022B2
A method for manufacturing a packing material includes a first step of reacting an inorganic particle having a hydroxyl group with a silane coupling agent including a silane coupling agent having an alkenyl group with a carbon number of 2 or more and 8 or less and/or an alkynyl group with a carbon number of 2 or more and 7 or less and a second step of reacting the inorganic particle having reacted with the silane coupling agent, with a compound represented by a general formula of: (in the formula, R1 is an alkyl group with a carbon number of 4 or more and 50 or less or an aryl group with a carbon number of 6 or more and 30 or less and each of R2 and R3 is independently a hydrogen atom, a chloro group, or an alkyl group with a carbon number of 1 or more and 4 or less.).
US08173016B2
A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.
US08173014B2
Apparatus and methods for hydrolyzing protein-containing raw material into water soluble protein and other products. The apparatuses and methods include an optional collection or processing stage in which protein-containing raw material, such as fish or animal carcasses from food production plants, are collected and optionally processed. The raw material is then reacted with one or more enzymes to hydrolyze the protein present, after which the one or more enzymes are inactivated and the components separated. The processes and apparatuses, which can be run as a batch processes or, advantageously as a continuous processes, can yield water soluble protein, oils, bone meal and other products that have utility as food or food additives.
US08173010B2
The invention relates to materials used as electrodes and/or catalysts, as well as methods associated with the same. The materials may comprise an alloy or intermetallic compound of a transition metal (e.g., Ni) and a metal additive (e.g., Sn). The transition metal and additive are selected to provide improved electrode and/or catalytic performance. For example, the materials of the invention may have a high catalytic activity, while being less susceptible to coking than certain conventional electrode/catalytic materials. These performance advantages can simplify the equipment used in certain applications, as well as reducing energy and capital requirements. Furthermore, the materials may be manufactured using traditional ceramic processing methods, without the need for complex, unconventional fabrication techniques. The materials are particularly suitable for use in fuel cells (e.g., SOFCs electrodes) and in reactions that use or produce synthesis gas.
US08173004B2
A pulse current from a pulse current supply side is fed to a middle part of an anode holding body to which anodes are connected; both end portions of a cathode holding body, to which cathodes are connected, are connected to a negative pole on the pulse power source side; and inductances of wiring between adjacent anodes and inductances of wiring between adjacent cathodes are set at a ratio of 1:2:3:4 in a direction of spacing from a connection to the pulse power source side. Pulse currents are equally fed to each work and it can be ensured that chromium plating treatment of each work is made equal.
US08172999B2
A low maintenance reference electrode has a liquid junction body with a multiplicity of micron-sized capillary channels extending through the body for transporting electrolyte to a test solution. A viscosity-increasing agent thickens the electrolyte to limit its flow to a rate on the order of microliters/day so that a few milliliters of electrolyte suffice to provide an extended electrode life.
US08172998B2
Ionic liquids are incorporated into transducers, actuators or sensors which employ the ionic polymer membranes. The ionic liquids have superior electrochemical stability, low viscosity and low vapor pressure. The transducers, actuators and sensors which utilize ionic polymer membranes solvated with ionic liquids have long term air stability. Superior results are achieved when a conductive powder and ionomer mixture is applied to the ionic polymer membrane to form the electrodes during or after the ionic liquid is imbibed into the ionic polymer membrane.
US08172995B2
An easily manufactured electrochemical test strip is made with facing electrode but side by side connectors for insertion into an electrochemical test meter. Current is conducted from the electrode on one layer to a connector on the other by a conductive layer disposed adjacent the end of a spacer layer, or by displacing the layer to bring a conductive surface on it into contact with the connector.
US08172989B2
A plating apparatus and method for plating a surface of a substrate are described. Generally, the apparatus includes a double wall plating vessel having an inner cup and an outer cup peripherally surrounding and spaced apart from the inner cup. The inner cup has an inlet for receiving a plating solution and an outlet from which the plating solution overflows into a plenum defined between the inner and outer cups.
US08172978B2
The invention concerns a method for manufacturing a radio frequency identification device (RFID), the device featuring an antenna and a chip (12) connected to the antenna, the method including the following steps: printing an antenna (12) having contacts (17 and 19) on a support (20) made of paper or synthetic paper, placing adhesive dielectric material between the contacts of the antenna, positioning an integrated circuit module (10) on the support, the module featuring groups of contacts (17, 18) and the chip (12) connected to groups of contacts inside an encapsulation (14) of the module, so that the groups of contacts of the module are opposite the contacts of the antenna, placing a thermoplastic layer (22) and a paper or synthetic paper layer (24) on the support, the two layers (22 and 24) being provided with a recess (21, 23) at the location of encapsulation (14) of the module (10), laminating together the three layers, the antenna support layer (20), the thermoplastic layer (22) and the paper or synthetic paper layer (24) in order to electrically connect said module to said antenna and agglomerate the layers (20, 22 and 24) together.
US08172948B2
A feature in a layer is provided. A photoresist layer is formed over the layer. The photoresist layer is patterned to form photoresist features with photoresist sidewalls, where the photoresist features have a first critical dimension. A fluorine-containing conformal layer is deposited over the sidewalls of the photoresist features to reduce the critical dimensions of the photoresist features. Fluorine is removed from the conformal layer, while the remaining conformal layer is left in place. Features are etched into the layer, wherein the layer features have a second critical dimension, which is less than the first critical dimension.
US08172944B2
The device for producing a block of crystalline material from a bath of molten material comprises a crucible having a bottom and heat extraction means arranged under the crucible. It also comprises means for modulating the thermal conductivity fitted between the bottom of the crucible and the heat extraction means. The means for modulating the thermal conductivity comprise a plurality of plates made from thermally conducting material of low emissivity, parallel to the bottom of the crucible, and means for moving said plates closer to and away from one another.
US08172941B2
Semiconductor wafers of silicon are produced by pulling a single crystal from a melt contained in a crucible and slicing semiconductor wafers from the pulled single crystal, heat being delivered to a center of the growing single crystal at the boundary with the melt during the pulling of the single crystal, a CUSP magnetic field applied such that a neutral surface of the CUSP magnetic field intersects a pulling axis of the single crystal at a distance of at least 50 mm from a surface of the melt. An apparatus suitable therefore contains a CUSP field positioned such that a neutral field intersects the axis of the crystal in the crucible 50 mm or more from the melt surface.
US08172936B2
Water repellents based on reactive siloxanes with polyfunctional silylalkoxy modification of the siloxane backbone and processes for hydrophobizing mineral fiber components.
US08172925B2
A multi-functional cabin air filter includes a dust collecting filter layer for collecting fine dust; an oxidation catalyst filter layer for oxidizing nitrogen monoxide into nitrogen dioxide; and an adsorption filter layer for adsorbing nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds, wherein antimicrobial nanoparticles are applied to at least one of the dust collecting filter layer, the oxidation catalyst filter layer and the adsorption filter layer. This cabin air filter has dust collecting, denitrifying, deodorizing and antimicrobial functions, and it may be utilized in various ways for air purification in a limited space such as a vehicle.
US08172922B2
A method for the continuous production of steel using metal charge material that is preheated in an upper part of a melting vessel, is then melted in a lower part of the melting vessel with fossil fuels and the molten material is continuously discharged into a treatment vessel in which the desired steel quality is adjusted while gases are introduced into the melting vessel from the exterior to afterburn the melting exhaust gases. The process gases are step-wise afterburned when ascending in the melting vessel by introducing the afterburn gases into the interior of the charge material column by way of an interior shaft that projects into the material column and in whose walls inlet openings for the gases are disposed and form afterburn planes arranged one on top of the other.
US08172920B2
A fluted filter element may include one or more bridging elements to provide resistance to telescoping of the layers of the fluted filter element. The bridging elements are attached to one or both of the filter faces via adhesives, and/or mechanical means, and may also take the form of one or more beads of adhesive applied across one or both ends of the filter element. The adhesive beads may include a flexible element, such as a string, or strip of material embedded in the adhesive bead.
US08172917B2
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for purifying gas while bleeding a crank housing, said apparatus (10) comprising a housing (12) inside which a separator chamber (14) is provided, a rotor arrangement with a rotor shaft (32) that is rotatably mounted in the housing and a centrifugal rotor (39) located in the separator chamber (14), and a fluid driving device (64) for driving the rotor shaft (32) by means of a driving fluid, the driving device (64) being disposed in a driving chamber (60) that is separated from the separator chamber (14) by means of a housing partition (16), and the rotor shaft (32) extending through a breakthrough in the housing partition (16). In the case of this device, it is provided that a labyrinth-type seal (70) is provided in the zone of the breakthrough in order to seal the driving chamber (60) from the separator chamber (14).
US08172913B2
A shared or common environment membrane reactor containing a plurality of planar membrane modules with top and bottom thin foil membranes supported by both an intermediary porous support plate and a central base which has both solid extended members and hollow regions or a hollow region whereby the two sides of the base are in fluid communication. The membrane reactor operates at elevate temperatures for generating hydrogen from hydrogen rich feed fuels.
US08172911B2
The present invention describes a process for treating phosphogypsum and in particular the related leachate that comprises the steps of feeding a continuous leachate flow with a dry content of below 5% by weight into a concentration unit heated to a predetermined temperature and equipped with dedicated mixing means, and continuously discharging a concentrated leachate flow having a dry content comprised between 20% and 95% by weight from the concentration unit.
US08172910B2
An object of the invention is to provide an azo pigment having extremely good dispersibility and dispersion stability and having excellent hue and tinctorial strength and, preferably, having a long axis observed with a transmission microscope of from 0.01 μm to 30 μm. An azo pigment which is represented by the following formula (1) and having characteristic peaks at Bragg angles (2θ±0.2°) of (i) 7.6° and 25.6°, (ii) 7.0°, 26.4°, and 27.3°, or (iii) 6.4°, 26.4°, and 27.2° in X-ray diffraction with characteristic Cu Kα line, or a tautomer thereof:
US08172907B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of a biologically active prosthetic device for the reconstruction of bone tissue comprising the steps of: a CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scan of the patient and obtaining a three-dimensional electronic model (1) of the part of the bone and of a bone defect (2) to be reconstructed; production by prototyping of a prototype resin model (3) of the area of the patient's bone involved, forming of a model (4), of the patient's bone defect to be reconstructed; construction of a netative mould (5), production of a ready sintered ceramic semi-finished product with controlled and interconnected porosity, said semi-finished product being made with dimensions and shape slightly larger than the bone defect; mechanical processing and manual finishing of the sintered semi-finished product, to obtain the precise dimensions and shape of the bone defect, the invention also relating to the prosthetic device obtained using the method described above.
US08172889B2
An intravascular heat transfer device is provided with a mixing-inducing surface formed by an easily manufacturable process. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, each having a mixing-inducing exterior surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. The device may be conveniently formed, e.g., by vapor deposition or molding, and further lacks undercuts so that the same may be conveniently removed from, e.g., a two-part mold.
US08172887B2
An engagement mechanism for a sternal clamp, the mechanism allowing for an open status where the clamp may be lengthened or shortened, a closing status where the clamp may only be shortened, and a locked status where the clamp cannot be lengthened or shortened, and wherein the device can be disposed in the locked status in differing overall lengths.
US08172886B2
Removable drill guide tips are pre-assembled into threaded holes of a bone plate. The tips may be used with an extension to together function as a conventional drill guide. After drilling, the extension or another tool is used to remove the tips from the plate. According to another use, the tip is used as a guide for a drill bit without any additional extension and then removed with a tool.
US08172885B2
Bone plate and bone screw lock systems are provided for use in surgical implants. In a preferred form, the bone plate or other implantable member defines a bore for receiving a bone screw and a recess in communication with the bore. A screw lock operates in the bore at the recess to engage and lock the bone screw against unintentional movement. The preferred screw lock is shifted about the screw between an unlocked position to allow manipulation of the screw and a locked position in which the screw lock grips the head of the screw to prevent movement of the screw. The screw lock preferably has a c-shaped collar configuration with opposing ends and a camming engagement with the plate or other member in the recess. Upon rotation of the screw lock, the camming engagement causes the ends of the collar to either shift toward one another in which the collar compresses about the screw to lock the screw or away from another to unlock the screw head.
US08172871B2
A closure device for closing a puncture wound has a distal section that can be placed against the interior wall of a vessel and a proximal section that bunches in the tissue tract to close the wound.
US08172868B2
A device for providing stimulation to the skin and treatment of subcutaneous tissue and methods for using the same. The skin stimulation device comprises a handle affixed to a U-shaped housing having side walls, a cylindrical member inserted into the housing and being rotatable relative to the side walls, a plurality of pins extending in rows outward and a rotatable cover affixed over the housing having slits for the needles such that the rotation of the cover varies the length of the needles extending through the slits. The skin stimulation device can be used to apply therapeutic agents to or below a human skin surface. The rotating cover allows for therapeutic agents to be delivered at a precise depth specified by the user.
US08172864B2
Rapid exchange angioplasty catheters and methods of constructing rapid exchange angioplasty catheters including features that provide good pushability and kink resistance. In an illustrative embodiment, a catheter is provided, the illustrative catheter including a proximal hypotube section, which connects to a more distal braided catheter section. The braided catheter section connects to a midshaft portion that includes a guidewire entry port. Distal of the midshaft portion is a distal section having a balloon disposed thereon. An inflation lumen extends the length of the catheter, while a guidewire lumen extends only from the guidewire entry port to the distal end of the catheter. Optionally, a core wire may extend across the joint from the hypotube, to the braided catheter section, and past the guidewire entry port.
US08172859B2
The present invention provides a clipping device having a coil sheath inserted into an insertion tube in a back/forth movable way to allow it to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation wire inserted into the coil sheath in a back/forth movable way, and a clip directly connected to a distal end of the operation wire to allow it to clip a living tissue.
US08172852B2
Systems and methods for injecting bone filler into a vertebra, wherein a spinous process and/or lamina can be strengthened by injecting the bone filler into the spinous process and/or lamina. An insertion device including a needle can be positioned proximal to the junction between the spinous process and the lamina of the vertebra when inserting the bone filler. Various embodiments of the needle and needle guide devices can be used to facilitate the process.
US08172848B2
Trials for spinal surgery include: (a) a trial implant portion having a shape corresponding to an implantable spinal disc implant; (b) a shaft connected to the trial implant portion; and (c) at least one axially extending cutting guide slot attached to the shaft at a position that is axially spaced apart from the trial implant portion, the cutting guide slot configured to releasably slidably receive and guide a cutting blade toward vertebral bone. Also described are additional surgical instruments, including, for example, pilot-hole punches, inserters, and methods of cutting keelways.
US08172840B2
An external fixation component includes two capture members adapted to capture independently a first and a second element of an external fixation system. A rotation member is provided between the two capture members, coupled to both capture members such that the coupling allows the two capture members to rotate about three axes relative to each other. Each capture member comprises a central locking screw extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis of the associated capture member. The rotation member comprises two rotation blockers, each blocker providing one interface surface adapted to be in contact with a complementary interface surface of one of the capture members, each blocker further provides a surface opposite to the interface surface comprising an inner cylindrical surface. The rotation member comprises a central disc element forming a rolling surface as complementary surface to the inner cylindrical surface of the corresponding rotation blocker. The rotation member comprises two nuts, wherein each nut is associated to one locking screw of a corresponding capture member. Each locking screw of a capture member extends through the corresponding rotation blocker and engages the corresponding nut for an individual locking of each capture member.
US08172837B2
Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. A clamping ablation tool can include an upper arm having an upper neck, a link assembly, and an upper actuator. The link assembly can include a distal electrode and a proximal electrode. The clamping ablation tool can include a lower arm that mates with the upper arm. The lower arm can include a lower neck, a distal jaw, and a lower actuator. The distal jaw can include a jaw electrode, and the lower actuator can control movement of the distal jaw.
US08172834B2
Illumination systems are described that can include one or more light sources, which can include LEDs, one or more lenses, and one or more optical fibers. A handheld, portable, and surgical intraocular illumination system is disclosed that is disposable, low-cost, and efficient. A surgeon can have direct control of turning the illuminator on and off and adjusting the intensity via a simple control ergonomically placed on the handpiece and/or voice activated control. A coupling is provided, such as through an endo-probe, which is coupled to the one or more light sources. A user input device can be included that is operable to transmit to a feedback controller a first signal based on a user-selected light intensity. The feedback controller can, in response to the first signal, transmit a second signal to the power source for altering the power provided by the power source to the illumination system.
US08172829B2
A medical device shaft for connection with a handle and for insertion within a body includes an elongated, deflectable shaft having a proximal shaft portion, an intermediate shaft portion, and a distal shaft portion. The elongated, deflectable shaft includes a transition in stiffness from the proximal shaft portion to the distal shaft portion. In a preferred implementation, the shaft includes a plurality of slits that extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. Varying at least one of the number of slits, the location of slits, the frequency of slits, the orientation of the slits, the size of the slits, and the depth of the slits varies the transition of stiffness.
US08172828B2
Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.
US08172827B2
Apparatus for providing intrabronchial delivery of neurotoxins to control the effects of asthma comprises a shaft having proximal and distal ends and a neurotoxin applicator assembly disposed on the distal end. The neurotoxin applicator assembly comprises a deployable needle assembly, a rotating needle assembly, and a needle-less injection assembly or a nebulizer assembly.
US08172824B2
An apparatus for combining under sterile conditions a liquid component held in a first container and a solid or liquid component held in a second container is provided. In one embodiment, two hollow bodies for receiving the two containers are provided, the two hollow bodies being arranged one within the other and being slidable relative to one another in a guided manner in the longitudinal direction. A cannula holder forms a pot-shaped structural unit with the first hollow body. Alternatively, the cannula holder is provided with at least one cannula. The cannula holder and the first hollow body may be separate components, in which the cannula holder is pot-shaped.
US08172818B2
A reduced pressure treatment system includes a liquid-collection canister for collecting liquid from a tissue site to which reduced pressure treatment is applied. The canister includes a first space configured to collect the liquid from the tissue site and a filter having a frame and a non-planar filter element. The filter defines a second space within the canister separated from the first space by the filter element. The filter element substantially prevents liquid from passing from the first space into the second space. The filter element substantially allows gaseous communication between the first space and the second space when the second space is exposed to a reduced pressure.
US08172815B2
A device includes a plurality of skin penetrating devices for delivering or withdrawing a substance through the skin of a patient. The device has a support formed with a top and bottom end and a plurality of channels extending axially through the support. A plurality of the skin penetrating members is positioned in the channels with a tip extending from the bottom end of the support. A coupling member is attached to the support for coupling with a fluid supply and directing the fluid to the skin penetrating members. The skin penetrating members have a length of about 100 microns to about 2000 microns and are about 30 to 50 gauge.
US08172811B2
A pump drive and a method thereof to dispense a liquid drug from a container having a plunger piston are disclosed. The pump drive provides a unidirectional clutch provided about a rotational axis which supports centrally a wheel. The clutch has an inner race operably connected to the plunger piston, wherein the clutch is configured to rotate both the inner race about the axis in unison with rotation of the wheel in only a first direction to advance the plunger piston, and to let the wheel rotate relative to the inner race about the axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction without advancing the piston plunger. The drive in one embodiment includes at least one shape memory alloy wire which when excited rotates the wheel in the first rotational direction to advance the piston plunger and dispense the liquid drug from the container.
US08172808B2
A one piece molded vacuum tube holder is fitted with a one piece molded needle hub assembly. A needle protection device is further rotatably mounted to the neck of the one piece vacuum tube holder. One portion of a locking mechanism is provided at the neck of the one piece vacuum tube holder and a second portion of the locking mechanism is provided at the needle hub of the needle hub assembly, so that when the needle hub assembly is press fit to the vacuum tube holder, the two portions of the locking mechanism will coact to fixedly retain the needle hub assembly within the vacuum tube holder. The one piece vacuum tube holder is configured to have an elongate needle cover integrally extending from its neck. A tamper evident notched joint is provided at the junction where the needle cover is connected to the neck.
US08172787B2
An apparatus to provide a regulated pressurized gas for introduction into the body of a patient during a medical procedure comprises an internal flow path through which to convey the pressurized gas, a regulator in the flow path to regulate the pressurized gas, and a biosensor to detect a body substance entering or in proximity to the flow path.
US08172786B2
A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece by pulsing the power supplied to the handpiece and varying the type of vibration during the power pulse.
US08172781B2
An orthopedic brace is provided with an adjustable support assembly having a support arm, a housing and a locking mechanism. The housing includes a travel track which slidably receives the support arm. The locking mechanism includes a lock lever which selectively applies a sufficient force to the support arm to prevent slidable displacement of the support arm in the travel track. The orthopedic brace is further provided with a hinge having a first rotation plate, a second rotation plate, a pivotal connector connecting the first and second rotation plates, a rotation limiting mechanism, and a rotation locking mechanism.
US08172774B2
A guide wire includes a wire body having a plate-shaped reshapeable section at a distal part thereof, wherein the reshapeable section is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof with a plurality of bent parts bent in opposite directions. At least one of the bent parts is more susceptible to plastic deformation than other parts of the reshapeable section.
US08172768B2
Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide safeguarding against tissue injury during surgical procedures and/or identify nerve damage occurring prior to surgery and/or verify range of motion or attributes of muscle contraction during reconstructive surgery. A stimulation control device may incorporate a range of low and high intensity stimulation to provide a stimulation and evaluation of both nerves and muscles. A stimulation control device is removably coupled to a surgical device or is imbedded within the medical device to provide a stimulation and treatment medical device. A disposable hand held stimulation system includes an operative element extending from the housing, the housing includes a visual indication to provide feedback or status to the user.
US08172766B1
The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to method of sleep diagnosis and treatment.
US08172754B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes: a transmitting section for driving an ultrasonic probe to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a measuring region of a subject, including an arterial vascular wall; a receiving section for receiving a reflected wave, produced by getting the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject, at the probe, thereby generating a received signal; a displacement detecting section for calculating the magnitude of displacement of each measuring point in the measuring region on the wall by analyzing the received signal; a tissue-to-present determining section, which defines at least one boundary between tissues included in the measuring region on the wall and which selects one of at least two areas divided by the boundary defined; and a property value calculating section for calculating a property value of the subject based on the magnitude of displacement of each measuring point. The distribution of property values of the measuring points in the area selected by the tissue-to-present determining section is presented as a two-dimensional image.
US08172735B2
A parachute-like safety device for use with an exercise resistance band. The parachute-like device can attach to the ends of the band to act as handles, and furthermore, such a device can be used at the center portion of a typical exercise resistance band. The benefit of either use, is that in the event of the accidental release (snap back) of any part of the device, the parachute-like device will “catch-air” and function as an air-brake as it is forced to rapidly move through the air, so as to slow down movement of the resistance band and therefore diminish or prevent injury caused by the snap-back effect.
US08172734B2
A dumbbell having an antimicrobial handle comprises a bar having a pair of end regions, and extending generally longitudinally therebetween along a generally central axis, weight plate masses mounted at the end regions and mechanically secured thereto, and a pair of collars located at longitudinally opposed positions on bar to define a handle region therebetween. A handle is located within the handle region and includes a generally tubular grip surface member supported by the bar and formed from an antimicrobial copper alloy, the generally tubular grip surface member extending generally axially between longitudinally spaced-apart end regions. The pair of longitudinally-spaced generally annular collars have axially-inwardly extending flange portions sized and structured to substantially circumscribe the end regions of the generally cylindrical grip surface member and to securely capture the end regions between the flange portions and the bar.
US08172733B1
A linearly adjustable multi resistance ratio exercise apparatus provides at least two linearly adjustable flexible connector ends which can be pressed or pulled for functional and strength training exercises. The flexible connector ends may be interconnected with resistance wherein the pressing or pulling of one flexible connector end will provide the user a different ratio of resistance than the pressing or pulling of an alternate flexible connector end. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide less resistance and will provide more flexible connector travel for functional training exercises. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide more resistance and will provide less flexible connector travel for strength training exercises. Some flexible connector ends may share the same swivel pulley assembly. One handle assembly may be attached to multiple flexible connector ends to obtain additional ratios of resistance.
US08172729B2
An exercise treadmill having an endless exercise surface for walking or running while exercising, a resistance mechanism for providing a resistance for simulating the pushing or pulling of a load, wherein the resistance can be adjusted and set to a specific resistance setting. A movable pushing and pulling means is or are operatively attached to the resistance mechanism to transfer the load to the user. The resistance mechanism applies a constant and static force to the pushing and pulling means only in the same direction the endless movable surface moves and opposite a pushing or pulling direction such that operating the treadmill simulates the pushing or pulling of a load by a combination of gripping and pushing or pulling the pushing and pulling means forward or backwards while walking or running forward or backwards.
US08172721B2
When a reduction in a supply hydraulic pressure to a second shift portion is sensed, an engagement command of C0 clutch is generated so that a power split device (electrical differential portion) is brought into a locked state. In the locked state, a sun gear, a carrier rotated by an engine and a ring gear rotated by a second MG integrally rotate, whereby inertia is increased. Thus, high-speed rotation of a transmission member corresponding to an input shaft of the second shift portion can be prevented.
US08172716B2
An epicyclic gear assembly includes a ring gear, a sun gear, at least one star gear enmeshed between the ring gear and sun gear, a carrier and a journal bearing. The carrier is disposed adjacent the rotatable sun gear and star gear. The journal bearing is disposed in the at least one star gear and connected to the carrier. The journal bearing has an outer radial surface with an amorphous surface finish of less than about 5 micro inches (127 micro mm) measured on an Ra scale and the outer surface of the journal bearing interfaces with an inner surface of the star gear.
US08172715B2
A gear actuation mechanism for an automatic transmission, comprising: a motor; first and second gear actuation shafts; means of selecting one power path from each of two sets of power paths in response to rotation of the first and second actuation shafts, respectively; and means of alternately driveably connecting the motor to either the first gear actuation shaft or the second gear actuation shaft.
US08172706B2
A basketball system may include a basketball goal and a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball system may also include an adjustment assembly that is sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted. The adjustment assembly may include an arm that is connected to the structure connecting the basketball goal and the support structure. The arm may include a plurality of receiving portions, such as openings or slots, and an engaging member may be connected to the support structure. When the engaging portion is connected to a first receiving portion, the basketball goal may be disposed at a first height. Preferably, when the engaging portion is connected to a second receiving portion, the basketball goal may be disposed at a second height. The adjustment assembly may also include a locking mechanism that is sized and configured to lock the arm and basketball goal in a desired position.
US08172705B2
A Soccer Goal Retainer including an enclosure buried in the ground. A bar is mounted in the enclosure and rotates about its longitudinal axis. The bar is located toward the front wall and base of the enclosure. A clamp plate is mounted on the bar by hand bolts which engage threaded openings on the bar. The clamp plate includes a lower member which is secured to the bar. A vertical member extends at right angles from the lower member and an upper member extends from the vertical member generally at right angles remote from the lower member and away from the lower member. A lip extends generally at right angles from the upper member remote from the vertical member toward the lower member. With the vertical member generally positioned vertically, the lip, the upper member and vertical member are placed over the rear rail of a soccer goal and the clamp plate is secured to the bar. The clamp plate is released from the rear rail by loosening the clamp plate from the bar. The clamp plate and the bar are then rotated in a forward manner and downwardly into the enclosure. A cover is placed over the enclosure both when the clamp plate is in use and when it is being stored.
US08172703B2
A batting or ball practice cage has one or more frame members with a net attached over the frame. Frame members may be assembled having springs or elbows at the corner. A pitching machine may be aligned with the cage at one end.
US08172698B2
Embodiments of golf clubs with grooves and methods of manufacturing thereof are described herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes: a body having a strike face with one or more channels; and at least one insert located within at least one of the one or more channels. The at least one of the one or more channels includes a single groove. The at least one insert forms at least a portion of the single groove. A radius of an exterior edge of the single groove is partially formed by the at least one insert and is also partially formed by the strike face. A first part of the at least one insert is formed by a first material, and a second part of the at least one insert is formed by a second material different from the first material. Other embodiments and related methods are disclosed herein.
US08172683B2
A casino gaming system is disclosed that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input. The gaming system includes a casino game server and a plurality of casino game units connected via a network. The game units each include a web browser. The game system enables a player to receive a prize at a casino game unit in response to winning game play, wherein the prize comprises a physical prize, coins, cash, or a ticket voucher for a physical prize, coins, or cash. The gaming system enables casino game units to request games from the game server over the network. The games may be downloaded over the network from the casino game server to the requesting game unit to be executed at the game unit and to be displayed in one or more web browsers.
US08172676B2
A method for managing game accounting on at least one gaming machine comprising one or more active games is provided. The method comprises providing a memory means operatively connected to the gaming machine, wherein the memory means comprises a set of active game meters for each active game on the gaming machine, and one set of removed game meters accumulating data corresponding to all games removed from the gaming machine. Active game data is received and stored in applicable active game meters. For any removed game, the game state data is captured prior to the game's removal and is stored in the applicable accumulating removed game meters. The stored game data is accessed in the active and removed game meters and a theoretical win value is used to determine the overall gaming machine performance.
US08172662B2
A gaming machine includes a roulette board where a game is performed continually, a plurality of player terminals that enables bet to be placed on the game performed in the roulette board, a control section that controls a predetermined amount of game value to be added to a winning player terminal based on a result of the game performed in the roulette board, and a game history storage section that stores a history of the game performed continually in the roulette board, while enabling the history of the game to be retrieved.
US08172661B1
A gaming device adjusts the payout percentage of the gaming device once a player initiates game play. In one embodiment, the payout percentage of the gaming device increases the longer a player plays on the gaming device. In other embodiments, the payout percentage increases as a result of a player-triggered event. Accordingly, player excitement is heightened by the opportunity to obtain a greater payout.
US08172660B2
A gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game is provided. The gaming device includes a primary game, such as blackjack or 21 operable on a wager by a player, and an optional secondary game that is operable on a secondary game wager by a player. After placing a secondary game wager and satisfying certain criteria in the primary game, one or more players are provided with a secondary game card to be used in the secondary game. The secondary game is resolved after a player has accumulated a plurality of secondary game cards over the course of several sequentially played rounds of the primary game.
US08172658B2
A method of participating in an athletic event with a remotely-located competitor using first and second wireless competition devices includes establishing a wireless communication connection with the second wireless competition device. The second wireless competition device is associated with the remotely-located competitor for the athletic event. Positioning data for the second wireless competition device is received via the wireless communication connection. The positioning data for the second wireless competition device characterizes a previous or real-time performance of the athletic event by the competitor. The received positioning data for the second wireless competition device is provided for display on the first wireless competition device relative to positioning data for the first wireless competition device, which characterizes a performance of the athletic event by a user thereof. Related methods and devices are also discussed.
US08172640B2
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a processing apparatus body for processing a lens, which includes a grinding water supply unit for ejecting grinding water to a portion to be processed of the lens; a centrifugal separator which separates processing refuse from grinding water by rotating a dewatering bin to discharge the grinding water to the outside of the dewatering bin; and a calculation control unit which includes a counter for multiplying a processing refuse amount of the lens on the basis of a control signal of the apparatus and a memory for storing a processing refuse extraction reference provided to maintain filtering efficiency of the dewatering bin, the processing refuse extraction reference being determined on the basis of the multiplied processing refuse amount of the lens, and which generates an alarm signal when the multiplied processing refuse amount of the lens reaches the processing refuse extraction reference.
US08172639B2
An exercise garment includes front and rear panels with height adjusting straps that extend over the wearer's shoulders. The front panel includes an outer compression fabric and an inner cup assembly, which is essentially non-compressive. The cup assembly includes individual cups for each breast, which can each include an under support. An elastic band extends around the bottom portion of the garment. Tensioning structures, such as side flaps extending from the back to the front, can be provided to adjust the circumferential size of the garment. The garment can include releasable connectors on the side of the garment to at least partially release the compressive tension to aid in putting on and taking off the garment.
US08172638B2
The invention provides a method and apparatus for educating and entertaining people, such as children, in which the image and voice of a known person are incorporated into a stock medium such as a video or a doll. In the case of children such as toddlers, the known person may be a caregiver, such as a parent, and the recorded voice and the image of at least the face of the caregiver are incorporated into the medium.
US08172635B2
An alignment device for aligning a second aperture in a second plate with a first aperture in a first plate and an alignment method of utilizing the same. The alignment device includes a main body, a first part extending from the main body, and a second part extending from the first part. The main body comprises a first linear dimension exceeding a width of the second aperture for disposing overlying the second plate. The first part comprises a second linear dimension for extending and fitting into the second aperture. The second part comprises a third linear dimension for extending and fitting into the first aperture.
US08172617B2
A radio-frequency connector consisting of a socket member and a plug member electrically connectable to the socket member is disclosed. The socket member or plug member has an impedance element mounted therein such that the impedance element is electrically connected to the metal casing and metal center pin of the socket member or plug member that carries the impedance element when the plug member is disconnected from the socket member, causing the impedance element to provide a terminal effect to insolate external electromagnetic noises; the impedance element is separated from the metal casing and metal center pin of the socket member or plug member that carries impedance element when the plug member is connected to the socket member.
US08172607B2
An electronic torque wrench (10) comprises a hand grip body (11) equipped with a user interface (12), electronics (13) for controlling the wrench, a grasping area (18) and power supply batteries. The hand grip body projects out at the front with a mechanical connecting element (14) which ends at one extreme with a clamping head (16), whereas at the rear end it is equipped with a removable battery element (19) which is connected to the hand grip body through a connector group (20) for electric and mechanical connection. When the battery element (19) is removed, a connector (20a) is uncovered at the rear end of the hand grip body (11) for the connection of the wrench to a matching connector (20c) of an electric cable (21) for connecting to an external unit (22) for supplying power to the wrench and controlling it.
US08172606B2
An attachment device (1) for a connector, includes at least two clamps (2a, 2b, 3) that can attach the attachment device (1) in a removable manner to a panel (30), and a base (4) that delimits a housing (6) that can accommodate a connector (31) or a connector support (31), the attachment device (1) includes a bolt (5), whereby one of the clamps (3) is arranged on the bolt (5) and another of the clamps (2a or 2b) on the base (4), whereby the bolt (5) is able to pivot relative to the base (4) so as to bolt, via the clamp (3) of the bolt (5), the attachment device (1) to the panel (30), whereby the bolt (5) in addition is adjacent to the housing (6) such that when the connector (31) or the connector support (31) is in the housing (6), it prevents the bolt (5) from pivoting.
US08172599B2
A charge cord lock system for a vehicle having rechargeable batteries. The system includes a charging receptacle; and a charge cord assembly having a charge plug slidably received in the charging receptacle and including a recess defining a retention flange. The system also includes a cord lock including a catch mounted to a plunger, with the plunger mounted to an actuator that moves the plunger toward and away from the charging receptacle, the catch engaged with the retention flange when the plunger is in an extended position and not engaged with the retention flange when the plunger is in a retracted position; and a controller in communication with a door lock mechanism and the actuator to cause the plunger to move to the retracted position when a door unlock signal is received and to cause the plunger to move to the extended position when a door lock signal is received.
US08172595B2
A connector (1) impermeable to liquids, having two matching connector parts (3) and (5), which is sealed in a connected position by at least one peripherally extending circumferential sealing ring (6) provided between the connector pats (3) and (5). The plug-in position is secured by a rotatable, axially fixed threaded bushing (8), which is fixed in the axial direction, but rotatably supported on one of the connector parts, and the internal thread (9) of which is mated to the holding thread (10) on the other connector part. A further thread or projection or threaded part (12) mating with the interior thread (9) is provided in a loosening direction at a distance from the holding thread (10) interacting with the threaded bushing (8), and a distance A from the end of the holding thread (10) to that of the further thread (12) is greater than a plug-in depth of the connecting pins (2) into the bushings (4). The sealing ring (6) for both connector parts is disposed at a location at which it is still in the sealing position after pulling back the threaded bushing (8) that is detached from the holding thread (10). Any sparks occurring upon loosening of the contacts are therefore shielded from the environment.
US08172587B2
The card connector can adequately detect the state in which an electronic device such as a memory card to be inserted and removed is fitted, and saves the footprint for mounting the card connector. With this card connector, a card detection switch detects a state in which a memory card is fitted in an accommodating part of a housing through an insertion slot. The card detection switch has movable terminals and fixed terminals, and the movable terminals each have a card contact part which is displaced by being pressed by the memory card to be inserted, and a movable contact part which is displaced in a same direction as a direction in which card contact part is displaced following displacement of the card contact part. The fixed terminals are each arranged in the housing to project in a direction to interest the direction in which the movable contact part is displaced, and is slid against by the movable contact part when the movable contact part is displaced.
US08172584B2
Provided is a connection mechanism which connects a switch portion 20 of a generator 1 to an assembling terminal 11 of a junction box 10 having plural female terminals 12 connected to a generator circuit 13 via a relay connector 30, wherein the relay connector 30 forms a defining wall 31 inside a cylindrical body so that a fitting portion 32 is provided at one side of the defining wall 31 so as to be fitted to the switch portion 20, and plural relay terminals are attached to the other side so as to be connected to the plural female terminals 12, and wherein holes 35 are provided in the defining wall so as to respectively face the front ends of the relay terminals 33. Accordingly, the switch portion 20 and the assembling terminal 11 are integrally and directly connected to each other via the relay connector 30.
US08172582B2
An IC socket comprises a socket body, a plurality of contacts, an actuator mounted on the socket body and moveable up-and-down relative to the socket body, and a latch member configured with one end thereof connecting with the actuator via a pivotal shaft and another end thereof movably connecting with the socket body. When the actuator is moved downwardly, the pivotal shaft is pushed downwardly and drives the latch member to rotate from a closed position to an open position. The actuator further defines a supporting element extending to a position under the latch member for abutting against the latch member during rotational movement of the latch member.
US08172576B2
A system and method are provided for performing a simulation of patient treatment using at least one executable clinical guideline. The method includes the steps of: providing for getting a selected start point associated with a step of a guideline, wherein the start point is selectable regardless of the actual treatment provided to the patient and condition of the patient; providing for accessing a guideline associated with the start point; and providing for performing a simulation. The simulation includes the steps of providing for processing the start point; providing for accessing the guideline having the step associated with the start point; and providing for executing at least the associated guideline including beginning execution at the start point.
US08172569B2
Embodiments include dental appliances, dental appliance systems, and methods of making and using such appliances. In one embodiment, a dental appliance includes a shell having a number of cavities to receive one or more teeth, each cavity having an inner surface. Fewer than all cavities are scaled-up in size by a first selected percentage over one or more dimensions of a corresponding tooth surface to provide a uniform space between the cavity inner surface and the corresponding tooth surface.
US08172568B2
A combustor, in which a flame holding region is formed at a location distant from a pilot burner to avoid burnout of the pilot burner and in which flame holding capability is increased to use a lean pre-mix gas for reducing NOx emission, is provided. The combustor includes a combustion liner having a cylindrical side wall that defines a combustion chamber; and a main burner positioned at a top portion of the combustion liner for injecting an annular pre-mix gas into the combustion chamber to form a reverse flow region at a downstream portion thereof, which region is oriented towards the top portion of the combustion chamber along a longitudinal axis. In this combustor, a pilot burner is arranged at the top portion for injecting a mixture of fuel and air only in a direction confronting the reverse flow region.
US08172567B2
A method for providing uniform heat distribution within a furnace as well as decreasing the amount of NOx in the combustion products, when operating an industrial furnace having at least one conventional burner using air as the oxidant. At least one lance is connected with the furnace, and an oxidant including oxygen gas is flowed into the furnace through the lance to impinge against a flame issuing from the burner at a certain impingement point. The amount of oxygen supplied by the air supply to the burner together with the amount of oxidant issuing from the lance corresponds with the stoichiometric amount for a fuel supplied to the burner. At least 50% of the supplied oxygen for combustion is supplied through the lancing of oxidant, and the oxidant is flowed into the furnace through the lance at a velocity of at least 200 m/s.
US08172545B2
A method for continuously controlling the flow rate of a meat input stream for making a meat product is disclosed. A flow rate algorithm is provided that depends upon pump speed (RPM) for control of the flow rate. A correction factor provides further control of the system and is dependant upon loss in weight data when meat is not being added. When meat is being added and a new target flow rate is desired, a modified correction factor is calculated based upon a previous error factor and a new initial pump speed based on the new target flow rate. The modified correction factor is used to obtain an adjusted pump speed. The RPM of the pump motor is used as the main control of the flow rate, and the loss in weight data fine tunes this RPM parameter for finer control to better achieve a target flow rate.
US08172544B2
To provide an operation control device for a vacuum pump and a method for stopping the operation of the vacuum pump that make it possible to effectively remove products, resulting from solidification and liquefaction of gas in a casing and possibly hindering the rotation of a pump rotor, so that the vacuum pump may be started normally. An operation control device 10 for a vacuum pump having a pump rotor 1 disposed in a casing 2 for free rotation includes a pump rotor control section 15 for controlling the rotation of the pump rotor 1. The pump rotor control section 15 has a function to, after a pump stop action has been taken, rotate the pump rotor 1 in forward and/or reverse directions according to a predetermined timing pattern and then stop the pump rotor 1.
US08172540B2
An airfoil family for a helicopter rotor blade, designated SC362XX. SC362XX essentially removes the large lower surface suction peak associated with ‘drag creep’ at moderate lift coefficients while reducing the peak Mach number and shock strength at high lift/Mach number conditions. Another optional airfoil family for use at inboard regions of the helicopter rotor, which is designated SC3252XX airfoil family, is a relatively thicker airfoil section that includes a significant increase in thickness forward of the 30% x/c location to provide a relatively thick and rigid inboard section. The lift coefficient at which the drag divergence Mach number was optimized is the same in both families thereby readily providing application to a single rotor blade.
US08172537B2
The present invention broadly comprises a stator blade assembly for a torque converter stator including an inner ring having first openings; an outer ring having second openings; and extruded blades with first and second ends. The first end is disposed in a respective first opening and arranged to radially fix each blade with respect to the inner ring and the second end is disposed in a respective second opening and arranged to radially fix each blade with respect to the outer ring. In some aspects, the inner ring includes an inner circumferential surface and a portion of the first end extends radially inward past the inner surface and is in contact with the inner surface. In some aspects, the outer ring includes an outer circumferential surface and a portion of the second end extends radially outward past the outer surface and is in contact with the outer surface.
US08172532B2
A method for adjusting a pivotally mounted rotor blade of a wind energy converter includes controlling a first drive and a second drive to collectively turn the rotor blade into an operating position; detecting whether a failure of the first drive has occurred; activating, when the failure of the first drive has occurred, a first activatable lockout connected to the rotor blade, which prevents turning of the rotor blade into the operating position while allowing turning of the rotor blade into a feathered position; and controlling, when the failure of the first drive has occurred, the second drive to turn the rotor blade into the feathered position.
US08172531B2
A plain bearing assembly for mounting a blade to a hub of a wind turbine includes an outer member mountable to one of the blade or hub, and an inner member mountable to the other of the blade or hub and movable relative to the outer member. The plain bearing further includes fluid cavities associated with one of the outer or inner member and arranged to confront the other of the outer or inner member. The fluid cavities are coupled to a pressure source for establishing a pressurized fluid film between the inner and outer members. A method includes monitoring at least one parameter of the fluid film, comparing the at least one parameter to a threshold criteria, and altering a dynamic state of the wind turbine and/or altering the state of the blade bearing assembly if the threshold criteria is exceeded.
US08172521B2
The present application provides a compressor clearance control system for a gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine includes a turbine producing exhaust gases and a compressor with a casing and a number of rotor blades. The compressor clearance control system may include a casing heat exchanger positioned about the casing of the compressor and an extraction port for exhaust gases from the turbine. The extraction port is in communication with the casing heat exchanger so as to heat the casing of the compressor with the exhaust gases from the turbine.
US08172517B2
A system for passively controlling a variable position guide vane in a turbo-machine. The system includes a shaft rotatable about an axis with an airfoil connected thereto. The shaft is biased toward a closed position, but will open in response to fluid flowing through a flowpath. The guide vane can then be locked in an open position at a desired operating condition of the turbo-machine.
US08172507B2
A turbine blade is provided comprising: an airfoil including an airfoil outer wall extending radially outwardly from a blade root, a squealer tip section located at an end of the airfoil distal from the root, and cooling structure. The squealer tip section comprises a blade tip surface including pressure and suction edges joined together at chordally spaced-apart leading and trailing edges of the airfoil, and a squealer tip rail. At least a substantial portion of the squealer tip rail is located near the blade tip surface suction edge. The cooling structure directs cooling fluid toward the squealer tip rail to effect impingement cooling of the rail after the cooling fluid has convectively cooled at least a portion of the airfoil outer wall. Cooling fluid is also deflected by the squealer tip rail so as to yield a very small effective flow area above the squealer tip section through which hot working gases may flow.
US08172496B2
A locknut system having a projecting screw threaded member with a first external thread. A nut is mountable on the projecting screw threaded member by means of a corresponding thread. A second different screw thread is formed on the projecting screw threaded member. The second screw thread is of a different hand or a different pitch from the first screw thread. A locking member has a screw thread for engagement with the second screw thread of the projecting screw threaded member and has an engaging surface which can be brought into abutting contact with a corresponding engaging surface on the nut by mating the thread of the locking member with the second thread of the projecting screw threaded member. A coupling member operates to couple the locking member and the nut to substantially prevent relative rotation there between. One of the locking member and the coupling member carries a snap ring which snaps into engagement with a retaining recess provided on the other when the coupling member is mounted in its use configuration, to prevent accidental displacement of the coupling member from the locking member.
US08172490B2
A junction between two components of a tool system, that rotates about an axis of rotation, includes a conical seat, on the first component, coaxial to the axis of rotation and which is defined by an annular front face. The second component carries a coupling having a conical surface complementary to the conical seat and an annular end face resting against the front face. A tie bolt axially projects beyond the free end of the coupling pin and engages, in a cavity adjacent to the seat. The junction also has tensioning elements that are actuated from the exterior for mutually bracing the components, which are radially guided in the first component, and which act upon the tie bolt and are functionally linked with joint actuating means for adjustment between detached and tensioned positions. The tensioning elements include ejection portions that can be fitted with a rotatably received rolling element.
US08172486B2
An engineering-purpose netted vegetation blanket including a plurality of mesh units arrayed and interwoven into rows. The mesh units each have borders loop-knitted using threads to form a double-layer structure including an upper and a lower thread layer, and a plurality of curved threads that are so woven to locate between the upper and the lower thread layer and be sequentially arrayed and extended between two adjacent ones of the borders while protruding from a plane defined by the borders. The mesh units are so arrayed that the mesh units in any two adjacent rows are in staggered relation, such that a void is formed between any two adjacent mesh units.
US08172481B2
An undersea installation for transporting hydrocarbons between a seabed and a surface and to a method for installing same. The installation includes a tubular undersea pipeline, a float and a coupling device. The undersea pipeline has a rising part, a connecting part and an intermediate portion. The coupling device includes a first longitudinal part and a second part connected in a coupling region of the first part. The coupling region of the first longitudinal part and the float being configured to be connected together. The first part is configured to pivot about the coupling region while bending the intermediate portion when the rising part is unwound and tilts towards the seabed.
US08172476B2
A swivel coupling is provided for connecting a multi-piece restraint having two trapezoidally shaped segments capable of rotating with respect to each other. Each segment includes rectangular and multiple cylindrical portions with one being orthogonal to the segment and having an orifice for receiving a connecting means to join the segments. In another embodiment, one segment is joined to an attachment having a hook that includes a base portion and a hook portion where the base portion includes an orthogonal cylindrical portion having an orifice for receiving a connecting means that extends through the orifice and through the second orifice of the segment.
US08172475B2
A liquid droplet ejecting device suitable for ejecting a droplet from a substrate onto a support at a distance greater than usual. A liquid droplet ejecting head that includes a plurality of actuating chambers is linked to a single common ejection nozzle through which a droplet is to be ejected from the head.
US08172468B2
Radio frequency identification (RFID) in communication connections, including fiber optic components
Radio frequency identification (RFID)-equipped communication components are disclosed. The communication components can include fiber optic components, such as fiber optic connectors and fiber optic adapters as examples. An RFID-equipped circuit is provided in the communication components to communicate information. In order that the electrical circuit be provided in the communication component without altering the communication component connection type, the circuit may be disposed in at least one recessed area of the communication component housing. In this manner, the communication component maintains its connection type such that it is compatible with a complementary communication component connection type for backwards compatibility while also being RFID-equipped. The circuit may also be provided in a substrate containing one or more electrical contacts coupled to the circuit such that a wired coupling is established with one or more electrical contacts provided in another communication component when connected.
US08172460B2
A CT scanning device includes a scanning gantry, a supporting means for a scanning table, and a supporting base for fixing and supporting the scanning gantry. The scanning gantry is configured to scan a subject and to collect scanning data. The supporting means supports the scanning table, and is mounted on the supporting base and located between the scanning gantry and the supporting base.
US08172457B2
The invention relates to a method and a sensor for determining the hydrocarbon dew point in a gas, in particular in a gaseous fuel. According to the invention a roughened condensation surface is provided on a planar measurement surface of a transparent body. Light is shone onto the roughened condensation surface through the transparent body and the intensity of the light reflected back into the transparent body is measured. The hydrocarbon dew point temperature can be inferred from changes in the intensity of the light which is reflected back when heating or cooling the condensation surface.
US08172451B2
An electronic hand mixer for processing food materials is provided. The electronic hand mixer includes one or more beaters, a housing, and a drive motor mounted in the housing. The drive motor is adapted to apply rotational force to the beaters. The electronic hand mixer also includes a power control device for controlling electrical power supplied to the drive motor, a keypad for receiving instructions entered by users, a microprocessor for processing and carrying out the instructions and sending signals to the power control device, and a memory for storing the instructions. The instructions include at least one user-defined mixing course for conducting a mixing operation. The user-defined mixing course includes one or more mixing operations, and each of the mixing operations includes a user-defined running speed of the drive motor associated with a user-defined running period of time of the drive motor.
US08172442B2
A vehicle headlamp can include a daytime running lamp with favorable light distribution characteristics. The vehicle headlamp can also include a headlight such as a low beam/high beam, a fog lamp, and the like. The vehicle headlamp can include a parabolic type reflector, a halogen bulb, and a driving circuit. The halogen bulb can include a first filament, a second filament and a shield member if necessary or desired. The first filament can be used as the above headlight, and the second filament adjacent the first filament can be used as the daytime running lamp. Because the second filament can be located at a closer position than the first filament with respect to the reflector, light emitted from the second filament can form a wider light distribution than that of the first filament. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp can provide a daytime running lamp with a favorable light distribution pattern along with the above headlight.
US08172441B2
A light emitting module used in a vehicle headlamp is provided with a light source having a light emitting plane directing toward a front side of a lighting unit, a projection lens disposed ahead of the light source, and a reflecting plane extending in an oblique and forward direction from a side of the light source. The projection lens is disposed by setting a focal point in a vicinity of a lower side of the light emitting plane. The reflecting plane has a structure so that a light emitted from the light source is reflected toward a lower region from a cut line.
US08172437B2
An apparatus that improves the usable life and reliability of detachable bow lights for boats. It replaces electrical energy coupling by light energy coupling, thereby eliminating electrical contact corrosion problems.
US08172433B2
An optoelectronic component has optically active region, with the optically active region comprising at least one semiconductor chip which is provided for generating electromagnetic radiation, and comprising a beam-forming element through which at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation which is emitted from the semiconductor chip in operation passes and which has an optical axis, and with the optically active region having quadrant symmetry with respect to a coordinate system which is perpendicular to the optical axis. An illumination device has an optoelectronic component such as this.
US08172426B2
A flexible sheet includes a plurality of sheaths adapted to receive individual elongated light sources, and forming a collapsible backlight system having expanded and collapsed configurations. In expanded configuration, the flexible sheet is generally planar and the elongated light sources are spatially dispersed, while in the collapsed configuration, the elongated light sources are maintained proximal to each other in generally parallel fashion. The flexible sheet may have front and rear layers, each such layer possessing selected optical qualities such as translucency, reflectivity and diffusivity, depending on the desired application.
US08172424B2
Disclosed exemplary solid state light fixtures use optical cavities to combine or integrate light from LEDs or the like. In such a fixture, the cavity is formed by a light transmissive structure having a volume, and a diffuse reflector that covers a contoured portion of the structure. A circuit board has flexible tabs mounting the light emitters. A heat sink member supports the circuit board and is contoured relative to the shape of the light transmissive structure so that the tabs bend and the emitters press against a sufficiently rigid periphery of the light transmissive structure. TIM may be compressed between the heat sink member and the opposite surface of each tab. Various contours/angles of the periphery of the light transmissive structure and the mating portion of the heat sink member may be used.
US08172418B2
A frame structure includes a frame body and fixing structures. The frame structure has an inner edge, an end edge and an outer edge. The fixing structures are disposed on two opposite sides of the frame body respectively, wherein each fixing structure includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion and a stopper portion. One end of the first protrusion or one end of the second protrusion connects to the inner and the end edges to form a containing cavity. The stopper portion is located inside the containing cavity and arranged in parallel to the first and the second protrusions. The lengths of the first and the second protrusions are respectively “L1” and “L2”. The overlap length between the stopper portion and the first protrusion is “α,” the overlap length between the stopper portion and the second protrusion is “b,” L1>α≧0, and L2>β≧0.
US08172412B2
An adjustable optical mount adapted for use with an optical table defining a reference plane includes a hollow housing with openings in the side walls to allow passage of an optical beam therethrough, a gimbal base fixed on the top of the housing, a gimbal plate adjustably mounted under the gimbal base, and a carrier bracket fixed to the gimbal plate for holding preselected optical elements within the housing along the path of the beam. Adjustment mechanisms are provided to tilt and rotate the gimbal plate so as to align the optical element on a selected axis relative to the reference plane.
US08172411B2
A multi-curvature convex mirror is comprised of a first reflective surface having a first curvature and defined by a portion of the surface area of a greater sphere and a second reflective surface having a second curvature greater than the first curvature and defined by a portion of the surface area of a lesser sphere that intersects the surface area of the greater sphere. The primary and secondary reflective surfaces are comprised of a series of locations, each defined by an x, y, and z coordinate, determined in accordance with the relationship z = x a + y b where 600≦a≦1,300 and 100≦|b−a|≦200.
US08172398B2
Unit for obtaining and displaying fundus image is comprised of a memory that stores a plurality of fundus images wherein a positional relation between an optical axis of an eye ball being examined and an optical axis of an objective is different, an image playback portion for producing a three-dimensional pseudo image by repeatedly displaying a plurality of fundus images on a display in order for a display time set on each fundus image, a CUP contour position designating means for designating a CUP contour position on the three-dimensional pseudo image, means for specifying the CUP contour position designated on the three dimensional pseudo image based upon a specific fundus image, and means for computing CUP contour based upon the specified CUP contour CD position and means for displaying the computed CUP contour.
US08172394B2
A rigid lens retaining apparatus has first and second portions. The first portion is engaged with a substantially flexible eyewear frame and the second portion is engaged with a lens. Therefore, the rigid lens retainer provides a secure and releasable attachment of lenses to the substantially flexible eyewear frame.
US08172393B2
A pair of sunglasses is provided with a polarized region in the upper portion of the eyeglass lens and a non-polarized region in the bottom portion of the eyeglass lens so as to permit reading of polarized instruments through the non-polarized region. The two regions may be separated horizontally at the halfway point or below the halfway point such that, by tilting one's head upwardly and looking through the non-polarized region, one can readily read the instruments which would appear black through the polarized region due to the cross-polarization. In one embodiment the polarization level is gradually decreased from the top to the bottom of the lens in a polarization gradient in which there is no polarization at the bottom portion of the lens.
US08172388B2
A liquid container mountable in a liquid ejecting apparatus is provided. The liquid container includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section through which the liquid stored in the liquid storage section is supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus, an air communication section that allows the liquid storage section and an outside of the liquid container to communicate with each other, a bubble separation section that separates bubbles from the liquid, a vertical communication path that has an entrance communicating with the liquid storage section and an exit provided at a higher level in a vertical direction than the entrance and communicating with the bubble separation section, and a detection section that communicates with the liquid supply section and the bubble separation section and is adapted to detect a depletion of the liquid stored in the liquid container.
US08172382B2
A container arrangement includes a packaging arrangement including an ink tank defining an ink chamber therein, in which the ink chamber is configured to store ink therein, and a packaging bag enclosing the ink tank therein. A pressure of an interior of the packaging bag is less than a pressure of an exterior of the packaging bag. The container arrangement also includes an adapter configured to be coupled to the ink tank, and a container enclosing each of the packaging arrangement and the adapter. The adapter is positioned outside the packaging bag.
US08172381B2
A multi-color ink tank includes certain features that properly interface with features on a printhead and carrier support structure to operatively seat the ink tank in the carrier support structure in a sealed flow communicative relationship with the printhead. These interface features are spaced apart relative to one another at distances (or dimensions) that ensure the desired seating and sealing of the ink tank in the carrier support structure and thereby the reliable supply of ink for operation of the inkjet printing system.
US08172380B2
A liquid discharge apparatus is provided. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge head that discharges a first liquid supplied via a liquid supply tube from a liquid tank, wherein the liquid tank has a first liquid reservoir chamber that stores the first liquid and a second liquid reservoir chamber that stores a second liquid whose solvent is the same as that of the first liquid and whose concentration is lower than that of the first liquid, the liquid tank is partitioned by a partition wall that partitions an inside into the first liquid reservoir chamber and the second liquid reservoir chamber, and at least a part of the partition wall has liquid permeability and a solvent for the second liquid stored in the second liquid reservoir chamber is capable of permeating the inside of the first liquid reservoir chamber via the partition wall.
US08172377B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a transporter for transporting a sheet; an image forming section for forming an image on the sheet being transported by the transporter with an ink; a liquid absorbent member; a cleaning liquid feeding section for feeding a cleaning liquid to the transporter via the liquid absorbent member to clean the transporter adhered with ink residues; and a cleaning liquid feeding controlling section for controlling the cleaning liquid feeding section to perform the cleaning liquid feeding operation, based on a condition of the image forming apparatus relating to evaporation of the cleaning liquid. This arrangement enables to properly clean a transport belt in an inkjet image forming apparatus, while preventing waste of the cleaning liquid and securing stable driving of the transport belt.
US08172369B2
A substrate heating system for an inkjet printhead. The substrate heating system includes heating resistors distributed in association with the ink jet nozzle structures, and located thermally adjacent thereto. The plural switching transistors that control the current through the substrate heating resistors are also distributed with the ink jetting nozzle structures, together with the substrate heating resistors. Polysilicon is used in constructing the substrate heating resistors. Cells of the substrate heaters can be arranged physically in a linear manner, along the nozzle structures. The substrate heater cells can be controlled so that the temperature of various zones of nozzle structures can be controlled.
US08172368B2
A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of firing cells and a fire line adapted to conduct an energy signal including energy pulses. Each firing cell in the plurality of firing cells includes a firing resistor, a drive switch, a first data switch, and a second data switch. The drive switch is configured to enable the firing resistor to respond to the energy signal. The first data switch is configured to receive data signals that represent an image and to latch the data signals to provide latched data signals. The second data switch is configured to receive the latched data signals and control the drive switch to enable the firing resistor to respond to the energy signal and heat fluid to be ejected based on the latched data signals.
US08172365B2
A liquid jetting apparatus includes a first liquid jetting head which has a plurality of first nozzles, a head holder to which a first liquid jetting head is fixed, a liquid cartridge which is detachably mounted on the head holder, and which supplies the first liquid jetting head with a liquid which is to be jetted from the first nozzles, and a head cartridge which has a second liquid jetting head having a plurality of second nozzles, and a liquid tank which supplies the second liquid jetting head with a liquid which is to be jetted from the second nozzles. The second liquid jetting head and the liquid tank are integrated to form the head cartridge, and the head cartridge is detachably mounted on the head holder.
US08172354B2
The present invention relates to a printing position adjusting method capable of performing dot adjustment value acquisition processing that can accommodate diversified user needs of recent years, and a printing system capable of achieving the adjusting method. The printing position adjusting method according to the present invention provides a plurality of types of dot adjustment value acquisition processing capable of acquiring an adjustment value for matching printing positions, and enables selection of a single appropriate dot adjustment value acquisition processing type among the plurality of types of dot adjustment value acquisition processing according to the type of the print medium to be used. Consequently, a user will be able to suitably execute dot adjustment value acquisition processing with high accuracy in correspondence with the desired high level of quality.
US08172352B2
A printing apparatus is provided with a line-type ink jet head having a plurality of blocks on each of which a set of ink ejection elements are arranged. A drive signal generating unit is configured to generate a drive voltage signal including a prepulse to be applied to the set of the ink ejection elements for each block, based on data indicating a number of times of ejecting ink to each pixel; and a first storage unit is configured to store a drive signal adjustment value to adjust a set of a voltage value of the drive voltage signal and a width of the prepulse for each block. The drive signal generating unit generates the drive voltage signal for each block, based on the drive signal adjustment value for each block read out from the first storage unit.
US08172351B2
A printing apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a print medium in a predetermined transport direction, and a printing control unit that performs preliminary printing by ejecting ink droplets through a plurality of nozzles, which are the same as nozzles used for printing a reference mark, onto an area on a downstream side of a specific position in the transport direction in an area of the print medium before printing the reference mark on the specific position of the print medium by ejecting ink droplets through a print head provided with the nozzles for ejecting the ink droplets.
US08172350B2
An image forming apparatus includes a moving mechanism having a first member supported by a recording section so as to be movable along a first axis, and capable of moving the recording section in one direction and its opposite direction along a second axis intersecting the first axis according to the movement of the first member in one direction along the first axis relative to the recording section, thereby adjusting a gap between the recording section and a target; a first drive mechanism which moves the recording section supporting the first member along the first axis; and an abutting member which is arranged in a position capable of abutting on the first member by the movement of the recording section, and moves the first member in one direction relative to the recording section by the abutment on the first member.
US08172347B2
A variable shelf assembly includes a mounting member mounted in a storage compartment of a refrigerator, a shelf support member coupled to the mounting member such that the shelf support member is vertically movable, a shelf mounted on the shelf support member, and a lifting unit to lift the shelf support member. The mounting member and/or the shelf support member has a plurality of cool air circulation holes through which cool air circulating in the storage compartment passes. The lifting unit includes a driving gear, a driven gear rotatable by the driving gear, a screw shaft coupled to the driven gear, at least one moving member movable by the rotation of the screw shaft, and at least one rotary link having one end rotatably coupled to the moving member and the other end rotatably coupled to the mounting member.
US08172346B2
An appliance including a housing have an opening, a drawer having a front side and a back side, the drawer being configured for insertion into the opening, a drawer face coupled to the front side, the drawer face having a gasket circumscribing the drawer face and at least one dimension of the drawer face is smaller than a respective dimension of the opening so as to form a gap between the drawer face and the opening on at least one side of the drawer face, and a transom pivotally mounted to the drawer, the transom being configured to substantially bridge the gap between the drawer face and the opening and sealingly engage the gasket when the drawer is in a closed position.
US08172338B2
At vehicle startup and vehicle shutdown, the driver modulates the brake pressure directly by depressing the brake pedal and the driver feels pedal resistance. During normal conditions of vehicle operation after vehicle startup, pressure boosted actuation of the vehicle brakes is provided by the modulation of boosted pressure from an accumulator via a boost valve operable in response to brake pedal depression, while an isolation valve isolates the pedal from direct influence by the brake pressure and the driver feels pedal resistance provided by a pedal simulator. Upon shutdown of boosted actuation, the boost valve reduces the brake pressure gradually over a calibrated period of time until the brake pressure substantially equals the pedal resistance then felt by the driver. Then the isolation valve reestablishes driver's feel of the brake pressure without an abrupt change in pedal resistance upon the reversion from boosted actuation to hydraulic unboosted actuation.
US08172337B2
A toothbrush having needle-shaped bristles with various end points and a method of manufacturing the same. The needle-shaped toothbrush bristle, folded in an asymmetric U-shape to outwardly expose both ends thereof at a height difference ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm and disposed on a head portion of the toothbrush, has a tapered length of 3-7 mm and a blunt end point with a diameter of 0.01-0.07 mm. The toothbrush is advantageous in terms of high insertion function into the periodontal pockets of the user while leaving the user with a refreshed feeling after brushing his/her teeth.
US08172331B2
An article of seating furniture that is particularly desirable for use with bariatric patients is disclosed. The seating furniture includes a seat portion that includes a front seating area and a rear seating area. The front seating area is defined by a generally semi-elliptical front perimeter surface while the rear seating area is defined by a different, generally semi-elliptical rear perimeter surface. The surface area of the front seating area is less than the surface area of the rear seating area to provide enhanced ingress and egress for a bariatric patient. The seating furniture includes a back portion and two pair of support legs that further enhance the desirability of the seating furniture for a bariatric patient.
US08172329B2
An electromotive headrest folding apparatus includes a rotating shaft, a rotary member, a vertical moving unit and a locking unit. The rotating shaft is coupled at opposite ends thereof to a seat back frame so as to be rotatable, and is provided with a striker. The rotary member is mounted to the rotating shaft. A headrest pole is fitted into the rotary member. The vertical moving unit is fastened to the rotary member through a mounting bracket. The vertical moving unit moves the headrest pole upwards or downwards. The locking unit is mounted to the seat back frame and has a locking piece, to which a striker is locked.
US08172328B2
The invention relates to a removable suspended device which serves as both a head rest and a head restraint for the passenger of a vehicle. The invention is essentially characterized in that the device is suspended in space such that it can move without any direct contact being established between the supporting area and the seat, thereby maintaining the vertical position of both the head and the neck. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a rigid suspension element (6) which is generally secured to the highest part (7) of a seat and from which the main body (MB) of the device is suspended. The lower occipital region of the head is supported by the lower area of the main body of the device (2). The head is further restrained by means of a front area (4) restricting forward movement and two vertical side areas restricting side movements. The aim of the invention is to improve a passenger's quality of rest and sleep, to prevent neck discomfort and injury and to provide increased safety in the event of an accident or a sudden vehicle maneuver.
US08172323B2
An easily operable lock device for a movable member of a chair, the lock device being adapted such that a person sitting on the chair can select lock or unlock position by operating operation means with a load, such as the weight of the person, acting on the movable member and, when the load is removed after the selection of the lock or unlock position, lock or unlock operation is executed. A lock pin provided at a spring receiving member functioning as a movable member, is selectively engaged with and disengaged from engagement holes formed in a reinforcement plate functioning as a support member. The lock device has biasing means for biasing the lock pin toward the lock position when an operation member moved by the operation means is set at a lock reservation position and biasing the lock pin toward the unlock position when the operation member is set at an unlock reservation position.
US08172321B2
A novel orientation for a plurality of transport seats within a vehicle, generally consisting of a first seat facing in a first direction, and a second seat facing an opposing direction such that the lateral width of the combined seats is substantially less than in prior art examples. Specific seats and reclining orientations are also disclosed including seats having a unitary structure. A visual barrier is also disclosed, substantially disposed between the first and the second seat to provide a visual barrier between a user in a first seat and a user in a second seat.
US08172319B2
An actuator of an active headrest apparatus for a vehicle, which is operably connected to a headrest assembly and selectively allows a headrest of the headrest assembly to pop out forwards when a vehicle collision occurs, may include a housing installed on a seatback frame and formed with a guide groove, an operating plate elastically supported over the housing, an operating bracket arranged between the housing and the operating plate and having a guide projection slidably inserted into the guide groove of the housing, and an operating wire unit connecting the operating bracket with the headrest assembly, wherein the operating wire unit includes an operating wire and an operating wire retainer to slidably receive the operating wire therein.
US08172318B2
A vehicle seat has a pad carrier with a wire frame and a seat cushion that rests on the pad carrier. The seat cushion structure is connected to the pad carrier and absorbs energy by deformation in the event of high forces.
US08172317B2
In a stackable chair system, a plurality of chairs are provided, each chair having a back, a seat, and first and second armrests all integral with one another in an injection-molded thermal plastic construction. Each first armrest has an integral molded round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the first armrest. Each second armrest has an integral molded plate-holder or an integral molded second round cup-holder positioned in a region of an outer end of the second armrest. Each seat is contoured downwardly forming a seat depression. Each chair is dimensioned so that the chairs can be stacked on top of one another in nested fashion.
US08172314B2
A motor vehicle has a wing (3) with a cutout (16) and a covering part for covering the cutout (16). The covering part is formed by a panel (10) that is visible from outside and by a closing part (11) that holds the panel (10) from the inside against the cutout (16). To further increase the functionality of the covering part a connection in terms of flow extends between the closing part (11) and/or the panel (10) and headlight unit/lamp unit (2).
US08172313B2
A side outer panel of a vehicle having an outer surface including an outer surface edge. The outer surface edge has a predetermined curved path that provides a styling shape to add an aesthetic element to the side outer panel. The side outer panel further includes a mounting portion integrally formed thereto. The mounting portion provides a structure for attaching the side outer panel to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the mounting portion includes a planar surface spaced apart from the outer surface and a step disposed between the outer surface edge and the planar surface. The planar surface at least one flange extending orthogonally therefrom to define a welding surface for welding the side outer panel to the body thereby providing structural reinforcement to the outer surface edge of the side outer panel.
US08172307B2
A motor vehicle (2) has a roof (3) with two laterally spaced longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and side windows (9) under the longitudinal roof members (4, 5). Fins (4, 5) extend rearward from the longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and an outer skin (16) of a rear deck lid (17) is arranged between the fins (12, 13). Air inlet openings (20, 21) are formed on outer sides (14) of the fins (12, 13) adjacent the side windows (9). An air duct (23, 24) extends from the air inlet opening (20, 21) to an air outlet opening (25, 26) on the inner side (15) of the fin (12, 13). The outer skin (16) has at least one supply air inlet (28, 29) for an assembly of the motor vehicle (2) and a rear air deflection device (32) is arranged behind the supply air inlet (28, 29).
US08172303B2
A link mechanism capable of setting any desirable speed of opening/closing a lid during a series of the opening/closing operation and capable of exerting a strong driving force is provided. A lid (6) is attached to a lid bracket (31). The lid bracket (31) is pivotally connected to a driving lever (14) and a coupled-driving lever (15) with which the lid (6) is opened or closed. The driving lever (14) is provided with a cam having an elongated hole (34), into which a driving pin (36) provided to a sector gear (13) is fitted. The sector gear (12) is driven by a motor through a pinion (22). According to rotation of the sector gear (13), the driving pin (36) moves in the elongated hole (34) and drives the driving lever (14). Since the distance between the center of the sector gear (13) and the driving pin (36) is larger than the radius of the pinion (22), such mechanism exerts a strong driving force.
US08172301B2
A rail is disclosed for a top of a wall of a trailer. The rail comprises a body adapted to engage the top of the wall. The body has a concave surface adapted to receive a cover reel.
US08172293B2
Embodiments of a vehicle electronic device support system comprise a vehicle console and an electronic device holder disposed anterior to the vehicle console, wherein the vehicle console comprises a vehicle console bin comprising an auxiliary port, and the electronic device holder is configured to secure an electronic device. The electronic device holder comprises an opening at the bottom of the electronic device holder which extends into the vehicle console bin, which is configured to pass a cord of an electronic device through the opening of the electronic device holder into the vehicle console bin for connection with the auxiliary port.
US08172292B1
An end of arm tool for packing article bearing trays in boxes includes a pair of spaced apart clamping end members and a pair of cylinder assemblies each including a powered cylinder for causing the end members to move from an extended position to a semi-retracted position for picking up trays and then moving to a fully retracted position to cause the tray to bend for placing the tray in a box.
US08172280B2
In one embodiment, an improved high-speed corner flange connection member is disclosed which includes creases or bends allowing the leg portions to be bent or angularly deflected away from such creases downwardly so as to form a bowed configuration. In some embodiments, the connection member includes clearance holes and tap holes which are strategically positioned such that when a pair of duct sections are positioned in end-to-end relationship for joinder, the opposed connection members are arranged such that a clearance hole is positioned in registration with a tap hole; other embodiments include similarly shaped openings which are associated with the respective opposed connection members; and in still other embodiments, a substantially flat corner element is constructed utilizing the strategically placed clearance and tap holes. A plurality of differently configured high-speed fastener members for substantially eliminating misalignment and cross-threading issues are also disclosed.
US08172277B2
The present invention is embodied in a pipe coupling device for joining two pipe segments including a cylindrically shaped gasket for receiving the pipe segments and a cylindrically shaped clamp having a first and second semi-cylindrical segment attached by a hinge that extends along a length of one side each segment parallel to the axis of the cylinder. The clamp includes an inner wall having at least one groove forming a channel aligned in each of the semi-cylindrical segments and extending about the circumference of the inner wall of the clamp. A second side of the semi-cylindrical segments includes flanges that extend radially away from the segments. The flanges include complementary apertures and bolts that are received through the apertures for sealing the flanges together. The semi-cylindrical segments are movable about the hinge between an open position and a closed position, wherein the pipe segments are received in opposing ends of the gasket and the clamp is open to receive the pipe segments a gasket combination and then closed about the gasket pipes and secured about the gasket for a sealing engagement by the bolts.
US08172274B2
An engine exhaust system comprises duct pieces (201, 202) and a sealing joint (30) for interconnecting their adjoining ends. The sealing joint (30) comprises a one-piece tubular body (31) including a first axial end portion (331), a second axial end portion (332), and a bridge portion (34) extending therebetween. The first end portion (331) is at least partially positioned within a female recess (231) of the first duct piece (201) and the second end portion (332) is at least partially positioned within a female recess (232) of the second duct piece (202). Depending upon the thermal expansion-contraction conditions in the exhaust system, the bridge portion (34) can extend across a gap (24) and/or it can be positioned partially within female recesses (231) and (232).
US08172258B2
A ramp apparatus for a curtain airbag for a vehicle, positioned between a headliner and a vehicular body panel such that the curtain airbag is deployed through a matching part formed between the headliner and a pillar trim, may include a support ramp fastened to the vehicular body panel and receiving a lower portion of the folded curtain airbag, and a deployment ramp extending from a first end of the support ramp to enclose a portion of the curtain airbag therein and deploying towards the interior of the vehicle to seal a gap between the vehicular body panel and the pillar trim by expansive pressure of the curtain airbag in the event of a vehicle collision.
US08172250B2
A ski including a structural unit, gliding structure, as well as a decorative and protective structure. The structural unit includes at least one lower reinforcement, at least one upper reinforcement, and an intermediate structure, or core, positioned between the upper reinforcement and the lower reinforcement. The ski has a longitudinally extending cambered shape such that, when the gliding structure is positioned on a flat surface, the ski rests on a shovel contact point and a tail contact point. The ski further includes a tension structure that exerts a tension force between a first anchoring, positioned longitudinally beyond the shovel contact zone, and a second anchoring, positioned on rearward of the shovel contact zone. The tension structure is positioned for most of its length beneath the decorative and protective structure, such tension structure being positioned for most of its length above the neutral axis of the ski, such as above the upper reinforcement. The tension structure further includes a tensioning device that makes it possible to position the second anchoring in at least two positions separated longitudinally from one another by a distance between 0.5 mm and 10.0 mm, or between 1.0 mm and 7.0 mm. The tension structure includes a metal blade. The decorative and protective structure can include a window across which the blade can project. A filler can be positioned between the decorative and protective structure and the upper reinforcement, and a tunnel is arranged in the filler in order to receive the blade.
US08172243B2
A stroller is provided that features a frame element and at least one wheel supporting the frame, a first arm member configured to be gripped by a human hand mechanically coupled to the frame element such that the first arm member moves in a reciprocating manner with respect to the frame element, and a second arm member configured to be gripped by a human hand mechanically coupled to the frame element such that the second arm member moves in a reciprocating manner with respect to the frame element. A coupling member is provided that mechanically couples the first arm member to the second arm member such that the reciprocating movement of the first arm member is substantially maintained in opposition to the reciprocating movement of the second arm member whereby the natural periodic movement of human arms during walking or jogging is facilitated.
US08172238B2
Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. For rescue sleds, a strong strap is passed through slots around the periphery. This distributes forces in ways that avoid tearing, and it provides secure handholds, allowing people to lift and carry an injured person in a manner comparable to a backboard. A rescue sled including straps weighs only about 6 pounds, and can be carried on foot for miles, affixed to a backpack, making these sleds available immediately when needed.
US08172231B2
A target system providing various target arrangements is provided. The varying target arrangements provide different visual presentations to the shooter to increase the shooting experience. Various target arrangements include auto-resetting targets that do not require user input to reset. Further, one target arrangement is an active target that continuously changes its visual presentation to the user.
US08172230B2
A novel board game and a method of playing said game is herein described. The invention provides players an opportunity to traverse a town or city represented symbolically on the game board by a plurality of landmark buildings and locales that can be found throughout a typical town. Accordingly, the present invention includes both an apparatus with which the game is played as well as a method for playing the game according to the rules of play.
US08172229B2
A card game system, including a plurality of terminal apparatuses, a card data reading unit for detecting unique data of each of cards when an operator arranges and manipulates a set of cards selected by the operator on a flat surface of the panel on the terminal apparatus, and a game execution unit which is arranged to organize a playing team in a virtual game space based on the data detected from the cards placed on the flat surface of the panel and to execute a game against another playing team organized on another terminal apparatus connected via a network. A progress of the game is controlled in response to manipulation by the operator with the cards on the panel, a main control unit to which individual game data is transmitted from the plurality of the terminal apparatuses, and a display connected to the main control unit.
US08172227B2
A sheet detecting device includes a rotation unit having an abutment surface, a positioning unit configured to position the rotation unit in a standby position where the leading edge of the conveyed sheet abuts the abutment surface, and a detecting unit configured to detect the conveyed sheet on the basis of the rotation of the rotation unit pressed by the conveyed sheet, wherein the rotation unit rotates to a sheet passage posture where the sheet is allowed to pass after being pressed by the leading edge of the conveyed sheet and, when the trailing edge of the conveyed sheet passes the rotation unit, the rotation unit is rotated from the sheet passage posture in the same direction as a sheet conveying direction and is positioned in the standby position.
US08172224B2
A configuration of a sheet discharge apparatus, a sheet processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus has a lower discharge tray which stacks a sheet thereon; a pair of discharge rollers which discharge the sheets onto the lower discharge tray; and a changing unit (abutment member, eccentric cam, and discharge angle moving motor) which changes the discharge angle of the pair of discharge rollers, wherein the changing unit changes the discharge angle of the pair of discharge rollers such that a first discharge direction in a first discharge mode which discharges each sheet is closer to the lower discharge tray than a second discharge direction in a second discharge mode which discharges a plurality of overlapped sheets.
US08172222B2
Provided is a stacking mechanism that includes a paper feed tray including a paper inlet through which a recording medium to undergo a recording process is to be supplied; a paper output tray on which the recording medium that has undergone the recording process and been transported is to be stacked, the paper output tray being superposed on the paper feed tray; a pivotal shaft that allows the paper output tray to pivot with respect to the paper feed tray so as to expose the paper inlet of the paper feed tray; and a lock mechanism that locks the paper output tray displaced about the pivotal shaft, at a predetermined position.
US08172220B2
A media picking mechanism includes a pair of transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions. A housing is mounted around the pair of transmission shafts such that the first transmission shaft and the second transmission shaft are positioned substantially equidistant from a centerline of the housing. During a media picking operation, the rotation of the first transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a first moment to the housing and rotation of a second transmission shaft of the pair of transmission shafts provides a second moment to the housing, which is equal and opposite to the first moment such that a net moment on the housing is near zero minimizing twisting of the housing. The two transmission shafts rotating in opposite directions, also results in substantially equal normal force to be applied by the first and second pick tires on the media.
US08172219B2
A sheet feeding device is provided to separate a sheet from a plurality of stacked sheets and feed the sheet. The sheet feeding device includes a sheet stacking portion on which the sheets are stacked, a suction conveyance belt which separates the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion, one by one and feeds the sheet, and a separation rotating roller which is rotatable upon abutting on a rear portion, in a feeding direction, of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking portion. The separation rotating roller rotates in a direction which returns the sheet in synchronization with sheet feeding operation performed by the suction conveyance belt.
US08172218B2
In a paper feed system where a first paper feed mechanism takes out and transfers one by one a plurality of papers placed on a paper feed table in a stack and a second paper feed mechanism transfers the papers transferred by the first paper feed mechanism to an image forming section at a predetermined timing. A paper edge detector is provided between the first and second paper feed mechanisms to detect an edge of the paper, and the first paper feed mechanism is controlled to transfer the papers at a first speed and then at a second speed not higher than the first speed when the paper edge detector detects the leading edge of the paper, the second speed being determined on the basis of the timing at which the leading edge of the paper is detected.
US08172212B2
A web product folding and stacking machine includes two folding line making wheels, two folding fingers, a first carrier unit, a stoppage unit and a holder. The folding line making wheels and the folding fingers are operated to fold up web products on the first carrier unit to form a stack of interfolded web products. When a stack of a predetermined number of interfolded web products is finished, the stoppage unit is extended out to isolate the interfolded web products. Further, a retractable member of the stoppage unit is extended out to hold down the finished stack of interfolded web products when the stoppage unit is lowered to carry the finished stack of interfolded web products with the holder, keeping the finished stack of interfolded web products in integrity.
US08172203B2
An auxiliary member for a ratchet buckle includes a U-shaped frame, a shank; two plastic bushes, a levering set, a holder, and a bolt set, wherein central sections of two sides of the frame connect with the shank axially, one end of the shank couples with the levering set, and open ends of the two sides of the frame connect with a body of the buckle by using the bolt set, such that the belt can be pulled while in use and rolled while in no use easily, and used to fix merchandises securely during transporting process.
US08172201B2
An exhaust throttling valve (12) is provided for a vehicle. The valve includes a body structure (16, 41) having a bore (47) there-through. A shaft (28) is supported by the body structure for rotational movement. A valve member (34) is associated with the shaft such rotational movement of the shaft rotates the valve member. The valve member is disposed in the bore and is constructed and arranged to rotate between a first position substantially closing the bore and a second position at least partly opening the bore. A hard stop (56) is associated with the shaft so as to rotate therewith. First and second adjustment structures (52, 54) are constructed and arranged so that upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, the hard stop engages the first adjustment structure and upon rotation of the shaft in a direction opposite the one direction, the hard stop engages the second adjustment structure, thus limiting travel of the valve member.
US08172200B2
A flow control valve for fluidized material comprises a valve housing having a valve chamber with a valve seat and a valve plug having a flow passage, the valve plug being arranged inside the valve chamber in front of the valve seat (30) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation for controlling a flow through the flow control valve. It further comprises spring means biasing the valve plug against the valve seat perpendicularly to the axis of rotation, for achieving a sealing contact between the valve seat and the valve plug. According to an important aspect of the invention, the spring means comprises at least one cantilever spring (40) arranged in a clearance space opposite to the valve seat (30) so as to bias the valve plug against the valve seat.
US08172198B2
A valve assembly (20) for an aircraft water supply system. The valve assembly (20) comprises a valve member (40), an electrical motor (64), and a mechanical returning mechanism (80). When electrical power is provided, the motor (64) can be controlled to move the valve member (40) from a first position and to a second position. The mechanism (80) is operably connected to the valve member (40) and mechanically biases it towards the first position. If a power loss occurs when the valve member (40) is in the second position, the returning mechanism (80) non-electrically (e.g., mechanically) returns the valve member (40) to the first position.
US08172193B2
The invention provides a seat track fitting and a corresponding method to lock seats on a known hollow track. In one embodiment, the track is longitudinally provided with a plurality of symmetric circular-shaped openings of a diameter greater than the width of the slot opening comprises a main body mechanism and a shear plunger provided with a screw associated with an anti-loosening component, slidably arranged with respect to the main body mechanism.
US08172192B2
A longitudinal displacement device is provided that has an upper rail that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction, and a stationary lower rail. A linear guide that has a bearing element for longitudinal guidance and support of the upper rail is located in the longitudinal direction between the upper rail and the lower rail. Provided on the upper rail is a carrier that engages in a recess bounded by two stops and located in the center region of the bearing cage as viewed in the longitudinal direction, in order to carry the bearing cage along. A recess bounded by two stops is located in the center region of the bearing element. Provided on the upper rail is a carrier that engages in the recess. During a displacement of the upper rail, the bearing element is carried along by the carrier, so that the upper rail is always supported on the lower rail over its entire length. The motor vehicle seat can thus be displaced in a smooth-running manner with the application of a small force.
US08172181B2
An apparatus and method for improving the fuel range of an aircraft are provided. The aircraft includes a fuselage with a front windshield, and an external skin providing a top cover for a cockpit of the aircraft. The apparatus includes an aerodynamic fairing secured adjacent the windshield and enclosing the external skin covering the cockpit for a reduction in an abrupt change in area encountered by air flowing along the length of the fuselage. An enclosure is formed between the aerodynamic fairing and the external skin in which a fuel bladder, configured with a reticulated polyurethane foam insert, may be disposed for added fuel capacity of the aircraft. The method includes steps of providing an aerodynamic fairing configured to balance the flow of fluid over the aircraft during flight, and securing the aerodynamic fairing atop the aircraft and adjacent the front windshield.
US08172174B2
A hybrid actuator assembly includes an actuator housing, an electromechanical actuator, and a hydraulic actuator. The electromechanical actuator is disposed at least partially within the actuator housing and is adapted to be controllably energized. The electromechanical actuator is configured, upon being controllably energized, to supply a first drive force. The hydraulic actuator is disposed at least partially within the actuator housing and is adapted to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic actuator is configured, upon receipt of pressurized hydraulic fluid, to supply a second drive force.
US08172171B1
An adjustable doff core device for installation in the hollow center of a center-pull doff has a tubular core with a fixed internal diameter configured for engagement on a processor configured to dispense material from the outside of a doff. An adjustable outer press bar portion is adjustably mounted on the outside of the tubular core by an adjustment mechanism and is movable between an inner, contracted position and outwardly expanded positions spaced outwardly from the tubular core to define an adjustable outer diameter of the device. The press bar portion is configured for substantially non-slip engagement with an inner diameter of a hollow center-pull doff. A locking device releasably locks the press bar portion in a selected adjusted position.
US08172163B2
This system and method for producing nanomaterials allows for the production of relatively high concentrations of nanoparticles with a minimum of expense, time and energy. Ultrasonic waves, produced at a power of approximately 50 W with a frequency of 26.23 kHz, are projected on a material sample while, simultaneously, a fluid stream jet is projected on the material sample. The ultrasonic waves, in the presence of the fluid jet, create cavities that explode at the surface of the solid material, leading to creation of cracks in the material surface. With the increase in the number of cracks in the material, the solid material erodes. The eroded material, which is on the nanometer scale, is collected on a suitable substrate, such as silicon. This method allows for the preparation of nanoparticles from any solid material, in particular very hard materials, such as diamond, silicon carbide and the like.
US08172156B2
Disclosed herein are devices comprising at least one flexible seal, at least one flexible complex seal having at least one closed cavity containing a fluid, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise at least one immobile and inflexible substrate and at least one mobile and inflexible substrate capable of movement due to the flexible seal, the flexible complex seal, or both. The flexible complex seals comprise at least one closed cavity comprising a fluid, such as a gas or a liquid. As disclosed, the presence or absence of heat will cause the mobile and inflexible substrate to move. The movement will increase or decrease the fluid amount or fluid flow rate in the primary fluid layer. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing the insulating properties of insulating assemblies.
US08172153B1
Controlling energy usage of a building. At least one temperature sensor monitors temperature within a zone of a building. A processor determines an off-peak temperature target as a function of a duration of an off-peak operating state of the monitored zone and a desired temperature within the monitored zone during a subsequent peak operating state of the monitored zone. A controller receives the determined off-peak temperature target and is responsive to the received off-peak temperature target to control the temperature within the monitored zone of the building during the off-peak operating state. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for controlling energy usage of a building as described.
US08172150B2
The invention relates to an integrated circuit card (1) comprising: an input/output block (4) for receiving external command data from an interface device (2); a central processing unit (CPU) (3) in signal communication with the input/output block (4) for performing a task corresponding to the received command data; a judgement block (5) in signal communication with the central processing unit (3) for judging whether a working time of the central processing unit (3) reaches a reference time, after an input of the external command data is completed; and a control block (6) in signal communication with the judgement block (5) for operating responsive to an output of the judgement block, wherein the control block controls such that a S(WTX request) is output via the input/output block (4) without intervention by the central processing unit whenever the interface device (2) connected to the integrated circuit card (1) transmits a command to the integrated circuit card and the integrated circuit card is not able to respond to this command within the defined maximum waiting time.
US08172142B2
A personal digital electronic device is provided with two enhancements, namely (a) an IR receiver and associated circuitry and software/firmware for mimicking a laser scanner operation, so that information existing in physical form with an associated bar code may be entered into the personal digital electronic device at the point of transaction; and (b) a radio receiver and associated circuitry and software/firmware to receive and process RDS feeds, so that offers, coupons and promotions embedded in the RDS feeds may be detected and used to place or update information on the personal digital electronic device. The personal digital electronic device is enabled for communication with a bar code scanner preferably using the “active light” communication technology.
US08172128B2
Improved counter device (1) having a hollow casing (2) on the inside of which a mechanical type of numerator assembly (3) is housed with an activation device for the numerator assembly (3), and wherein said activation device has a rod (4) that is axially moveable in a straight line having a protrusion that is perpendicular to the rod (4) coupled in a elongated hole (7) located in a moving element (6) jointed in a fixed point that can move at an angle; said moveable element (6) being coupled at one end to a toothed wheel (8) connected to the hub of the numerator assembly (3) itself, in a such way that when the rod (4) moves, when receives a impulsion, to record a numeric count brought about by the slide of the protrusion along the mentioned elongated hole (7) in turn bringing about the angular sliding of the moveable element (6) that activates the toothed wheel of the assembly (3).
US08172127B2
A cup made of a paper material having a fillable interior is described, which cup is formed by a conical sleeve and a bottom. The bottom is attached to the sleeve at the lower end of the interior with a bottom skirt in an essentially liquid-tight way. The sleeve and/or the bottom in the area of the bottom skirt and/or the bottom skirt itself comprises, at least in one area along the periphery, an outwardly projecting widening. A lower edge of the widening forms a standing surface for the cup. The widening can form means for holding another cup of the same type, which means can act together with a similar cup during stacking. The cup can comprise a heat-insulating outer sleeve.
US08172125B2
A vehicle door frame includes first and second door frame members which are positioned end-to-end to be butt-welded to each other, wherein each of the first and second door frame members includes a design part, an enclosed section provided on a vehicle interior side, a connecting part which connects an inner surface of the design part with the enclosed section; and first and second dam protrusions which project from the inner surface of the design part and are positioned on opposite sides of the connecting part, respectively. Molten metal is present in the first and second spaces after the molten metal has melted and passed through the inner surface of the design part from the outer surface thereof upon butted ends of the first and second door frame members being butt-welded to each other from the outer surface of the design part.
US08172121B2
There is disclosed an auxiliary device for injecting material between the jaws of a surgical stapler. The auxiliary device includes a nozzle assembly having a discharge port and a compression assembly having at least one compression roller for forcing material out of the discharge port. The disclosed compression rollers may be formed of an incompressible or compressible material. The auxiliary device also includes a drive mechanism for moving the compression assembly within a nozzle body of the nozzle assembly. There is also disclosed a rupturable capsule for retaining material to be dispensed.
US08172119B2
Embodiments described herein relate to a stapler that is constructed in a manner such that the handle of the stapler remains at least substantially parallel to the base as the handle is moved downward by a user to actuate a stapling operation. One illustrative embodiment is directed to a stapler movable between a rest position and a staple ejection position that comprises a base, a stapler body, a handle, and a linkage assembly coupled to each of the base and the handle. The stapler body comprises a strike plate, a magazine, and at least one engagement surface coupled to the strike plate. The handle is operable to actuate the strike plate. The linkage assembly comprises at least one linkage member having at least one actuation surface configured to exert a force on the at least one engagement surface as the at least one actuation surface moves along the at least one engagement surface. The linkage assembly couples the base to the handle in such a manner that the handle remains at least substantially parallel to the base as the handle is moved from the rest position to the staple ejection position.
US08172109B2
A cartridge (120) secured to either a nozzle (110) and/or adaptor unit wherein the nozzle or adaptor unit comprises a substantially annular portion (135) adapted to fit snugly around an end of the cartridge (120) wherein the substantially annular portion (135) acts as a seal against any leakage from the cartridge (120).
US08172096B2
A sheet metal shelf has a front edge, a back edge and a load carrying flat portion, the front edge comprising a support for supporting display elements of a display system. The sheet material at the front edge is formed as a first enclosed channel integrally formed with the load carrying flat portion, so the channel provides the support at the front edge of the shelf. The support has apertures for attaching the display elements.
US08172091B2
The present invention relates to a connecting element for hydraulic circuits. The device comprises a body provided with one channel having an inlet section and an outlet section, the channel being connectable with a fluid supply line, said body being further provided with an aperture which opens, to the outside, into a seat located in the channel. The devices also comprises a filter element insertable in a removable manner into the seat, through the aperture, in order to intercept the fluid in the channel. Advantageously the filter element is defined by at least two portions, coupled with angled or radiused joints to define an internal volume, one portion having a different geometry from the other.
US08172084B2
A package containing an article. The article includes a first article texture and a second article texture. The package includes a plastic packaging material having an outer surface. Further the first article texture and the second article texture are non-similar and at least a portion of the outer surface has a packaging texture that is a simulant of the first article texture and at least a portion of the outer surface has a packaging texture that is a simulant of the second article texture.
US08172080B1
A box for a pair of belts having a top wall, bottom wall, a plurality of side walls disposed between the top wall and the bottom wall, and an aperture on at least one of the side walls extending to an edge thereof contiguous with an aperture in the top wall to expose a portion of at least one belt of the pair of belts, whereby at least one of the pair of belts is exposed for a user to feel through said aperture in the side wall and said aperture in the top wall.
US08172076B2
A seal member for sealing a conveyor belt is a monolithic homogeneous piece of material having opposite first and second halves and comprises first and second primary seals and first and second secondary seals. The first secondary seal is resiliently movable relative to the first primary seal. The second secondary seal is resiliently movable relative to the second primary seal. The first primary seal and the first secondary seal are part of the first half of the seal member. The second primary seal and the second secondary seal are part of the second half of the seal member. When the seals on one of the first and second halves of the seal member become excessively worn, the seal member can be flipped so that the seals on the other half of the seal member can be utilized.
US08172073B2
An assembly on a cableway or a goods-conveying system for detecting incorrect positioning of a carrying cable on a mount with a channel in which the carrying cable is located. The assembly includes a device for detecting the faulty positioning of the carrying cable. A segment of the mount is movable, and the device for detecting the incorrect positioning of the carrying cable detects movement of the portion of the mount. It is thus possible for incorrect positioning of the carrying cable, which results in this segment being displaced, to be detected in good time, even before the carrying cable in this portion has been completely derailed.
US08172072B2
This invention is intended to make a crucible feeder mechanism simple in configuration, to realize low cost and to increase the number of accommodated crucibles while making the crucible feeder mechanism small in size. In the crucible feeder mechanism, the crucibles are mounted on an inclined mount surface 311 in parallel and a tapered guide surface guides 312b the crucibles sliding down the mount surface 311 to a crucible moving mechanism 313 provided at an outlet port of a guide member. This crucible moving mechanism includes an accommodation concave portion 3131X accommodating one of the crucibles and provided on a circumferential surface portion 3131a of the crucible moving mechanism. The crucible moving mechanism rotates and moves between an accommodation position at which the accommodation concave portion receives the sliding-down crucible and a feed position at which the accommodation concave portion communicates with a crucible feed port 314 and drops the sliding-down crucible.
US08172068B2
A sloping surface slopes downward. Longwise ribs are provided to be adjacent to each other on the sloping surface. The longwise ribs extend from an upper area of the sloping surface to a lower area of the sloping surface. A diagonal rib diagonally crosses a direction orthogonal to a direction of a gravitational force on the sloping surface. The diagonal rib is not taller than the longwise rib.
US08172066B2
An apparatus for accepting and for outputting documents of value is provided with a checking device for checking the authenticity of fed documents of value, an entrance transport device for transporting documents of value along a transport path past the checking device or through it, which has a first and a second part, which in operation are located opposite each other and between each other form the transport path, a storage unit, which comprises at least two storages for storing at least two different types of documents of value, so that a document of value of each of the two types, independently of the order of input of the documents of value into the storage unit, can optionally be outputted from the storage unit, as well as a system for transporting documents of value for the transport of checked documents of value to the storage unit or from said storage unit to a device for outputting documents of value, at least the first part of the entrance transport device being held at the apparatus swiveling around a first swivel axis between an operating position, in which a transport of documents of value can be effected, and an open position, in which the transport path is accessible.
US08172063B2
An apparatus for transporting substrates and a guide unit are disclosed herein. A guide unit can prevent a substrate from shaking in a side direction when the substrate is transported by the rotation of a transporting roller. The guide unit includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The outer ring includes a ring-shaped guide protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring in a side direction. The outer circumferential surface of the outer ring comes in contact with the bottom edge of a substrate to support the substrate, and a side surface of the guide comes in contact with the side of the substrate to prevent the substrate from traveling in a side direction. The inner ring rotates with the shaft, and the outer ring rotates by a friction force with the substrate.
US08172057B2
A drive train is used at least including an input shaft and an output shaft. A clutch member is rotatable by a clutch shaft about an axis of rotation. The clutch shaft is supported for lateral movement along the axis of rotation to move the clutch member to cooperate with the drive train at a first lateral position to cause the output shaft to turn and to move the clutch member to a second lateral position to disengage the output shaft from rotation of the input shaft. A permanent magnet is supported by one end of the clutch shaft and arranged for receiving an external magnetic biasing force along the axis of rotation to selectively move the clutch member between the first and second lateral positions. A traveling shaft can be used to support a selected gear for movement by the permanent magnet to implement transmission and reversing configurations.
US08172049B2
A quiescent-current-actuated electromagnetic spring pressure brake including torque transmission sleeves disposed between a machine wall and the brake, and an axially movable armature plate having bores along its periphery to receive the torque transmission sleeves. At least one piston guide ring is provided in the area of torque transmission sleeves on the outer periphery of the latter adjacent an O-ring disposed in a groove, said piston guide ring being placed in the groove of said O-ring or in a separate groove and acting to provide a damping action in the circumferential direction and a sliding displacement of the armature plate in the axial direction.
US08172048B2
Method of detecting a braking state of a braking device of a robot drive, having a frame device which, if required, applies braking forces to a rotating component of the robot drive by means of a first movable frame element. As a result, the braking device is shifted into at least two operating states, in particular a closed state or an open state. In the process, during the transition of the braking device from one state into the other, at least one measuring signal is recorded and a braking state is determined by comparing the at least one measuring signal with reference values established beforehand. The invention also relates to a braking device on which the above method can be carried out.
US08172038B2
A silencer for a two-stroke engine includes a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein a flow channel is provided between an outlet of a combustion chamber and the first chamber. A high charge degree of the combustion chamber has a pressure ratio in the region of the outlet which reduces or prevents an escape of fresh gas from the combustion chamber. The flow channel between the outlet and the first chamber is flow-favorably shaped in such a manner that the exhaust gas that flows out of the outlet because of its mass inertia predominantly flows into the first chamber and following charging of the first chamber flows back again and as a result a back pressure is formed in the direction of the combustion chamber.
US08172036B2
A method for fabricating an acoustic metamaterial may include providing a planar pattern of springs arranged in columns and rows and separated from each other by interconnection nodes, providing a planar pattern of mass units separated from each other by a distance corresponding to a distance between the interconnection nodes, providing an array of vertically oriented springs separated from each other by the distance between the interconnection nodes, and aligning and joining the planar pattern of springs, the planar pattern of mass units and the array of vertically oriented springs to form a layer of unit cells.
US08172034B2
An improved system and method for controlling and directing sound waves is provided. A fuel-oxidant mixture is supplied to at least one detonator having at least one spark initiator. The fuel-oxidant mixture flows through the at least one detonator and into the closed end of at least one detonation tube also having an open end. The timing at least one spark initiator is controlled to initiate at least one spark within the at least one detonator while the fuel-oxidant mixture is flowing through the at least one detonator thereby initiating a detonation wave at the closed end of the at least one detonation tube. The detonation wave propagates the length of the at least one detonation tube and exits the open end of the at least one detonation tube as a sound wave. When multiple detonation tubes are detonated with controlled timing, the resulting sound waves are directed to a desired location. Sound waves can be directed from groups of detonation tubes and from a sparse array of detonation tubes.
US08172032B2
The invention is a combination drive and suspension system that includes an upper drive assembly and a lower drive assembly pivotally connected. The pivoting drive system provides improved ground clearance for a farm vehicle capable of carrying a large quantity of field application material.
US08172014B2
A vehicle steering means with a first front ground-engaging steerable wheel located in the front center of the vehicle; second and third front ground-engaging wheels located either side of the first front ground-engaging wheel with means for adjusting the steer angle and the height depending on the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel. When the first front ground-engaging wheel has a straight-ahead steer angle, the second and third wheels are also straight-ahead and all three front ground-engaging wheels are in contact with the ground; and when the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel is turned, the steer angle of the front ground-engaging wheel on the outside of said curve is turned at least partly towards the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel, the steer angle of the front ground-engaging wheel on the inside of said curve is not substantially turned towards the steer angle of the first front ground-engaging wheel.
US08172011B2
A method of manufacturing a tool component, which is typically a cutting element or a gauge stone in a rotary drill bit, including a layer of ultra-hard abrasive material bonded to a substrate, the layer of ultra-hard abrasive material comprising a pair of opposed end surfaces, an upper surface defined between the end surfaces, and at least one curved and tapered cutting edge defined at the intersection of the respective end surfaces and the upper surface. The respective cutting edges of the tool component and the respective end surfaces leading to the cutting edges are generally wedge-shaped, the upper surface of the layer following generally the same or a similar profile, at least in the region of the cutting edges.
US08172008B2
A rotary drilling apparatus and method for drilling subterranean formations, including a body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation, so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per rotation of the drilling apparatus, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the drilling apparatus and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit are all disclosed. The exterior of the drilling apparatus may include a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the drilling apparatus against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock.
US08172006B2
The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action. The electrocrushing drilling process may have, but does not require, rotation of the bit. The electrocrushing drilling process is capable of excavating the hole out beyond the edges of the bit with or without the need of mechanical teeth.
US08172004B2
A transmission assembly for a power tool comprises a first transmission path comprising a high speed transmission path and a second transmission path comprising a low speed transmission path. Driven gears of each transmission path are permanently driven during operation of the transmission. A controller is provided for engaging or disengaging the high speed transmission path in response to monitored operating current of an electric motor providing a driving torque to an input of the transmission. When disengaged, a driven gear of the high speed transmission path continues to be driven, but the driven gear is disengaged from an output of the transmission. Consequently, under these circumstances, the low speed transmission path is the ‘active’ transmission path providing a low speed, high torque drive to the transmission output. A clutch enables the low speed transmission path to operate at a lower speed than an output of the transmission assembly when the high speed transmission path is engaged and is providing a high speed, low torque drive to the transmission output.
US08171994B2
A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular. Alternatively, the tubular can be in open hole and simply have openings for passage of fracture fluid and external isolators to allow fracturing in any desired order.
US08171985B2
The present invention provides a water vaporizer including a first flow path connected to a water inlet, a second flow path for receiving superheated water vapor from the first flow path and being connected to a vapor outlet to exhaust the superheated water vapor, and a third flow path extending between an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet and being oriented to transfer heat from an exhaust flow to the superheated water vapor. The water vaporizer can also include a first convoluted fin positioned along the second flow path, and a second convoluted fin positioned along the second flow path adjacent to and separated from the first fin to define a gap extending between the first and second fins along a length of the first fin in a direction substantially parallel to the exhaust flow along the third flow path.
US08171983B2
A mold for the continuous casting of blooms, slabs or billets is provided with a mold tube (2) and a supporting shell (4) surrounding said mold tube. The mold tube (2) is supported by support profiles (15) on the supporting shell (4) extending in its longitudinal direction and distributed over the periphery and is positively connected thereto via connecting profiles (20) extending in the longitudinal direction. The connecting profiles (20) are respectively configured as profile strips (21, 22) outwardly projecting from the outer periphery of the mold tube (2) and inwardly projecting from the inner periphery of the supporting shell (4), which engage in one another such that in the peripheral direction of the mold a clearance is present. As a result, the stresses, permanent deformation and fatigue cracks produced by the thermal expansion in the mold tube are substantially avoided.
US08171977B2
A sheet peeling apparatus 10 comprises: a supporting means 11 for supporting a semiconductor wafer W stuck with an adhesive sheet S; a feeding means 12 for feeding out a peeling tape T; a sticking means 14 for sticking the peeling tape T to the adhesive sheet S; a holding means 15 for holding a tip side in a feeding direction of the peeling tape T; and a peeling means 16 for imparting a peeling force to the adhesive sheet S. The peeling means 16 includes a peeling roller 44, and the peeling roller 44 abuts against an adhesive agent layer side of the peeling tape T stuck on the adhesive sheet S, and peeling off the adhesive sheet S in a state in which a turned-back portion c is formed by turning back a peeled end side of the adhesive sheet S.
US08171965B2
A fuel leak prevention system and method for providing same includes a check valve for insertion into the discharge end of a spout assembly of a fuel dispensing nozzle, the check valve being located downstream of the nozzle's fuel control valve so as to prevent any leaking or dripping of fuel from the spout when the nozzle is deactivated. The check valve includes a pivoting flap that is preferably spring-loaded and predisposed to remain closed to seal the spout when there is no fuel flowing through the nozzle, but which is allowed to rotate within the spout to open the nozzle and allow the flow of fuel when the nozzle is activated. The system and method disclosed has application to any liquids that are to be dispensed, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, gas oil, gas, liquid petroleum gas, av-gas, chemicals, and water.
US08171964B2
The invention provides a purge apparatus that purges the gas in the interior of a FOUP with a high purging efficiency and an apparatus for opening/closing the lid of a FOUP for use in the purge apparatus. The purge apparatus has a cabinet having an opening portion through with the lid of the FOUP can pass, a door that can close the opening portion and hold the lid, and a gas supply nozzle provide in the cabinet. In this apparatus, a seal member is provided in such a way as to surround an element that is provided on the surface of the door and adapted to actuate a latch mechanism of the lid. The seal member spatially separates the element that is adapted to actuate the latch mechanism from the external space in a state in which the door is holding the lid.
US08171956B2
There is provided a liquid supply method in which, when preparing a solution that can be used as washing water and the like by supplying a minute amount of chemicals and the like to ultrapure water, the amount of supply solution that is supplied can be accurately determined. In this liquid supply method, a solution is prepared by supplying a supply liquid to a primary fluid that is circulating in a primary fluid circulation tube (2). This liquid supply method uses a liquid supply apparatus (1) that includes: a supply section (3) that delivers the supply liquid; and a supply liquid circulation tube (4) that causes the supply liquid to flow from the supply section (3) to the primary fluid circulation tube (2), the internal diameter of the supply liquid circulation tube (4) being between 0.01 and 1 mm. When the supply solution is supplied from the supply section (3) to the primary fluid circulation tube (2) via the supply liquid circulation tube (4), a pressure P1 of the supply liquid in the supply section (3) and a pressure P2 of the primary fluid in the primary fluid circulation tube satisfy the formula P1−P2>0.
US08171948B2
A portable barrier includes a pedestal assembly and a cover assembly. The pedestal assembly includes (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs include a first lateral leg having a first free leg end, and a second lateral leg having a second free leg end, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first lateral leg and the second lateral leg. The cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms include a first lateral arm having a first free arm end and a second lateral arm having a second free arm end, and (ii) a covering connected to the first lateral arm and the second lateral arm. The portable barrier is configured to be moved between a protection mode and a storage mode. When the portable barrier is positioned in the protection mode, (i) a first line is defined between the first free leg end and the second free leg end, (ii) a second line is defined between the first free arm end and the second free arm end, (iii) a third line is defined between the first free leg end and the first free arm end, and (iv) a fourth line is defined between the second free leg end and the second free arm end. The first line, the second line, the third line, and the fourth line define a closed path. The first lateral arm pivots about a first axis during movement of the portable barrier between the protection mode and the storage mode. The first axis defines a line that extends through the closed path.
US08171947B2
A car cover apparatus which has a frame, a plurality of ribs moveably attached to the frame, and a cover attached to the plurality of ribs. Movement of the ribs allow the car cover to be opened and closed. When the ribs are pulled apart, the cover is expanded to cover an automobile. When the ribs are compressed, the user can access the automobile parked within the car cover. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the car cover can be motor-driven and operated by remote control.
US08171944B1
A hair retainer includes an annular body having a receiving through-hole through which a section of hair of a user is adapted to be extended. The annular body is flexible, bendable, and twistable so as to so create a variety of hair styles. Two clamping frames extend outwardly from first and second end portions of the annular body respectively. A plurality of teeth projects from an inner end of each clamping frame and extends toward an outer end of each clamping frame. A hair clipping space is defined between the plurality of teeth and one of the two clamping frames for further retaining the variety of hair styles in place.
US08171937B2
A method for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue, comprises the step of providing laser pulses with a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency from 50 kHz to 1 MHz and with a wavelength between 600 and 2000 nm for acting on the material to be worked. Apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for precise working of material, particularly organic tissue comprising a pulsed laser, wherein the laser has a pulse length between 50 fs and 1 ps and with a pulse frequency of from 50 kHz to 1 MHz is also described.
US08171934B1
A forehead pad including a coupling portion for attachment to a forehead support member, and a contact portion for contacting a patient's forehead. The contact portion includes a contact portion shell formed as an outer wall, which defines a single, continuous inner cavity. The contact portion shell is formed from a substantially deformable material, such that the wall of the contact portion shell is deformable and deflectable upon contact with the patient's forehead. The continuous inner cavity does not include any support structure positioned within the cavity. A forehead support assembly is also disclosed.
US08171932B2
The invention relates to an oxygen breathing device for an aircraft, in particular for oxygen supply to crew member in a cockpit of an aircraft, comprising a filter unit having an inflow port and an outflow port, the filter unit being adapted to extract nitrogen from an air flow flowing from the inflow port to the outflow port through the filter unit, wherein the filter unit is adapted to receive compressed air, preferably, bleed air from a precompressor stage of a turbine driving the aircraft, or directly by a separate electrically driven compressor, via a bleed air supply line connected to the inflow port, a first pressure regulator in the bleed air supply line, a first water separator which is arranged in the bleed air supply line in flow direction of the bleed air before the first pressure regulator and a connection port which can be brought in fluid communication with said outflow port of the filter unit and which is adapted to be coupled to at least one oxygen supply mask via an oxygen supply line. According to the invention, a chemical oxygen generator comprising at least one substance adapted to produce oxygen in a chemical reaction and to provide said oxygen to an outflow port of said oxygen generator is provided. The outflow port of said chemical oxygen generator is connected to an auxiliary oxygen supply line and a control unit is adapted to selectively provide oxygen from the filter unit or the chemical oxygen generator to an oxygen supply mask coupled to the connection port.
US08171928B2
A reciprocating solar engine includes a) a seesawing platform having a central fulcrum support upon which the platform is moveably positioned to reciprocally rotate through a predetermined arc b) a first solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on one side of the support and a second solar heat-receiving closed container located on the platform on a second side of the support; c) a connecting tube connecting the first container and the second container; d) a fluid contained within at least one of the first and the second container, the fluid being evaporable from solar heat and condensable from shading from solar heat; e) a roof above the platform, having at least one window of which is located above the first container and at least one window of above the second container; f) shuttering devices connected to the roof and movable so that one window is closed while the other is open and vice versa; and, g) shutter device controls functionally connected to the shutter device and the platform such that the shutter device controls activate the shutter devices to a first rest position when the second solar heat-receiving closed container is at its arc base, and to the second rest position when the first solar heat-receiving closed container is at its arc base.
US08171920B2
Device for cleaning crankcase gases from an internal combustion engine by means of a centrifugal separator (14), comprising a housing (16) with a rotor (22), which is rotatably supported in the housing and has a plurality of tightly separated separating discs (20). The housing (16) has an interface surface, which is designed for direct mounting of the housing (16) over a corresponding opening in a valve cover of the internal combustion engine.
US08171916B2
A fuel supply system includes a fuel pump for supplying fuel in a fuel tank to an engine, a pressure regulator and a three-way valve disposed in a valve chamber. The pressure regulator includes a pressure regulating chamber and a control pressure chamber and adjusts a fuel pressure in the pressure regulating chamber depending on a fuel pressure in the control pressure chamber. A control pressure passage for flowing the fuel to the control pressure chamber and the valve chamber is formed in a unit case.
US08171914B2
To reduce pollutant emissions and consumption of passenger cars diesel engines multiple injection strategies are applied. Assuming constant cylinder and bowl geometry and constant rail pressure the variation of the number of injections, injection quantity of each injection and separation between two consecutive injections are the major parameters to be optimised. Furthermore, a single injection is applied with a shaped injection rate by a rise in injection pressure, equal to that observed in cam controlled injection systems. The needle lift can be modified for piezo driven common rail injection systems.Both methods are compared in terms of pollutant emission, fuel consumption and robustness. Experiments were carried out on single cylinder research engines. Multiple injection strategies with large hydraulic dwell times were compared with a short dwell setting simulating a “rate shaped” single injection. Rate shaping was implemented performing multiple injections with hydraulic dwell times close to or equal zero.
US08171913B2
An intake system for an engine includes a duct defining an intake passage therein, and a cantilevered valve including a valve main body opening/closing the intake passage, a shaft supporting the body, and a valve extension portion. The duct includes a reduced passage portion between the duct and the body when the body is in a fully closed position, a recess accommodating the body and the extension portion when the body is fully opened, and a pressure introduction passage formed between the duct and the body when the body is fully closed, and communicating with a space between the body and the extension portion when the body is fully closed. The extension portion includes a sealing part. The duct and the sealing part define a clearance therebetween when the body is fully closed. The clearance has a smaller sectional area than the reduced passage portion.
US08171911B2
The invention provides the proper form for the rotary positive displacement internal combustion engine. The construction of the engines according to the invention is based on a specific form of four bar mechanism and features unique simplicity (only three moving parts, no valves or camshafts, no gears to transfer piston movement to rotary movement), compactness and strength that make the engines according to the invention similar in these and some other aspects (e.g. power density) to gas turbines.
US08171907B2
A starting system for outdoor power equipment that has a controller and a start button to control the activation of an internal combustion engine. The starting system includes a controller that receives a start signal from a start button. The controller monitors for the presence of an enable device in an enable device receptacle and, upon activation of the start button and the presence of the enable device in the enable device receptacle, the controller provides electric power to the electric load of the power equipment. When the start button is depressed for longer than a minimum engagement period, the controller initiates operation of the engine. If the start button is pressed for less than the minimum engagement period, the controller activates the electric load for an auxiliary period without starting the engine. During engine operation, if the start button is depressed, the controller terminates operation of the engine.
US08171895B2
A coolant flow control system includes a fluid cooling device, a coolant bypass circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate a control signal indicative of a desired flow of coolant through the coolant bypass circuit as a function of the projected rate of change in the cooling device temperature gradient.
US08171890B2
Generally, a joint stabilized planar motion stretching system for an animal. Specifically, a method of stretching an animal which includes joint stabilization and straight plane motion of the stretched anatomy about the stabilized joint.
US08171885B1
A pet watering device includes a bowl having a base with an upwardly extending sidewall attached to the base. A ramp is disposed within the bowl and extends from the bowl sidewall to the base. The ramp includes an aperture for dispensing water. A pump is disposed within the bowl. A water reservoir is disposed between the pump and the ramp aperture for storing water removed by the pump from the bowl. Water stored in the reservoir overflows the reservoir onto the ramp through the ramp aperture for return of water to the bowl.
US08171879B2
A substrate processing apparatus having various types of elements including a substrate carrier member for performing a substrate processing; and a control section in which a remote operation information transmitted from a remote control unit in a remote place through a communication network is provided only when there is an allow setting of a remote operation by a worker of the substrate processing apparatus with the safety of the remote operation work being confirmed, and the various types of elements are controlled based on the provided remote operation information.
US08171878B2
The coating instrument is provided with a coating head which has a plurality of head members, and in which a groove-like slot is formed, an adjustment unit accommodated in a recessed groove installed on a leading end face continuing to an outer face opposite to an inner face or to the inner face in the head member to adjust the width of the slot by pressing a side wall face of the recessed groove, and a controller for controlling a pressing force to the side wall face of the recessed groove by the adjustment unit. The adjustment unit is provided with a fluid pressure chamber into which a fluid is sealed, a pressing portion for pressing the side wall face of the recessed groove by the fluid pressure of the fluid pressure chamber, and an operating portion for allowing the fluid pressure of the fluid pressure chamber to change. The controller is provided with a pressure detecting portion for detecting the fluid pressure of the fluid pressure chamber and an instruction portion for comparing the fluid pressure detected by the pressure detecting portion with a previously-set pressure range to give instructions to the operating portion.
US08171872B1
An Interactive Submergible Tow Craft pulled by a powered vessel such as water skies and tubes for tubing. A user seated in the craft has control over a pair of rudders which rotate either upward or downward causing the craft to submerge in water or breach the craft while being pulled through the water. The craft may be broken down into smaller parts for customization, maintenance or easy transport.
US08171861B2
A bogie includes two pairs of wheels (2), the wheels (2) of one pair being connected to one another by a shaft to form an axle (4), the axles (4) being connected to one another by a chassis (6) having at least two side members (10) resting on axle boxes (14, 14′) of each axle (4). The boxes (14, 14′) are arranged between the wheels (2) of the axle (4), and a motor (24) fixed to the chassis (6) extends between the wheels (2) of the axle (4) and drives the axle (4) in rotation by way of a coupling (42) and a reducing gear (28). One of the axle boxes (14) accommodates the reducing gear (28) of the motor (24).
US08171848B2
This invention is related to a manufacturing method of a printing plate by using a free-seal, free-quantity liquid photopolymer sachet and an apparatus thereof. Using this technology, the liquid photopolymer sachet is no longer to be limited by quantity with 3 dimensions—width, length and thickness. It is now very free, easy and convenient to use liquid photopolymer resin in a bag to make a printing plate at any width and length with any thickness you want.
US08171845B2
The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.
US08171834B2
A trimmer including a common support frame and first and second cutting units movably mounted on the common support frame. Each respective cutting unit including a unit frame, a cutting strip connected to each respective unit frame, and a knife movably mounted on each respective unit frame for an oblique swing cut against a respective cutting strip. Each respective unit frame absorbing all cutting forces between the knife and the cutting strip during the oblique swing cut.
US08171831B2
A manually fed working machine including a working tool, a feeding area in front of the tool, a detector covering at least a section of the feeding area for a contactless detection of human skin, the detector comprising at least one radiation unit and at least one receiver unit. The at least one radiation unit emitting radiation towards said section of the feeding area, said radiation being emitted with at least two different wavelengths in the wavelength range between 900 nm and 1500 nm, whereas the at least one receiver unit receives the radiation reflected from the section of the feeding area, and a signal evaluation unit connected with the detector calculating the quotients or differences of the intensities of the reflected radiations received by the receiver unit and the at least two different wavelengths emitted from the radiation unit.
US08171830B2
According to one embodiment, a machine tool for machining a workpiece includes: a main spindle that holds the workpiece to rotate the workpiece around a axis; a tool that is configured to machine the workpiece by working together with the main spindle; a headstock that rotatably supports the main spindle and includes a leading-edge portion and a base-end portion; and a bed that supports the headstock by a sliding bearing at the leading-edge portion and rolling bearings at two points of the base-end portion so that the headstock is movable along an axial line of the main spindle, wherein the two points of the base-end portion are spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial line of the main spindle.
US08171826B2
A fastener system is constructed wherein the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in a transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. The transitional surface has a concave form that conforms to the core diameter. The projections of the driver in the system are formed in a blunt shape.
US08171823B2
A power seat driving apparatus for a vehicle includes a moving unit and a decelerating mechanism, wherein the decelerating mechanism includes a driving gear to which a driving force is inputted, a driven gear engaged with the driving gear so as to be rotatably driven by the driving gear while decelerating a rotational speed of the driving force transmitted thereto, and a housing, at least one of the driving gear and the driven gear includes a shaft portion and a gear portion including a tooth portion, which engages with a tooth portion of the other one of the driving gear and the driven gear, an annular recessed portion is formed at a stepped portion between the gear portion and the shaft portion, the annular recessed portion, and the housing includes a bearing bore having a bearing surface and an annular protruding portion, which is fitted into the annular recessed portion.
US08171819B2
A tilt steering apparatus comprises a tilt adjusting mechanism in which a tilt lock release is established only when an oscillation-free end of an operating arm portion of a tilt operating lever is positioned toward a steering wheel side. Even when the tilt operating lever is oscillated to the steering wheel side, the tilt operating lever is prevented from returning under its own weight, thereby preventing it from being difficult to operate. The tilt steering apparatus is configured from an oscillation latch portion formed on the circumference of an oscillation center portion of an oscillation base portion of the tilt operating lever to move reciprocally in the circumferential direction, a hook portion formed in the movable bracket, and a spring that extends between the oscillation latch portion and the hook portion elastically urged in the direction of contraction. The centerline of the spring is able to pass through the oscillation center portion of the tilt operating lever as appropriate.
US08171812B2
Systems for facilitating conversion between reciprocating linear motion and rotational motion include a continuous undulating track circumscribing a circular profile and generally defining a cylindrical volume having a central axis; a reciprocator that is configured to linearly reciprocate along the central axis; a converter coupled to the reciprocator to reciprocate with it, configured to rotate about the central axis, and engaged with the undulating track; and a rotator engaged with the converter and configured to rotate about the central axis with the converter but not to linearly reciprocate along the central axis.
US08171811B2
A breathing tube for a sensor (9) with a horizontally extending grip element (11) shall be improved such that the sensor (9) assumes a preferred position in relation to the connecting component (1). To accomplish the object, a wall section (7), which extends flush and at the level of grip element (11), is provided at the connecting component.
US08171810B1
A method and system for efficiently screening for threatening items are presented. The system includes a test unit configured to subject the object to a combination of two or more different types of tests, sensors configured to receive test outcome from the object and generate corresponding output signals, and a computation unit receiving and processing the output signals to generate parameter values. The computation unit combines the parameter values from the different types of tests to determine a set of risk factors that indicate a likelihood that the threatening item is present in the object, wherein the parameter values include visualization data obtained from different measurement angles.
US08171808B2
A material sampling device comprises an auger, a first motor, and a rotatable tube assembly. The auger is configured to extract material from a container. The first motor is configured to rotate the auger. The rotatable tube assembly comprises an outer tube and a second motor. The outer tube is configured to allow the auger to rotate within the outer tube. The outer tube comprises an upper portion configured to remain stationary, and a lower portion configured to rotate. The second motor is configured to rotate the lower portion of the outer tube. In a second embodiment, a material sampling device comprises an auger, and a rotatable tube assembly. The rotatable tube assembly comprises an outer tube comprising an upper portion configured to remain stationary and a lower portion configured to rotate. The auger and the lower portion of the outer tube are configured to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions.
US08171803B2
A sampling system includes a collection module including a gas handler, and a flow controller in communication with the gas handler of the collection module. The flow controller controls the gas handler to move a selected volume of gas through the collection module.
US08171800B1
A MEMS differential pressure sensing element is provided by two separate silicon dies attached to opposite sides of a silicon or glass spacer, the sides of which are recessed and the recesses formed therein at least partially evacuated. The dies are attached to the spacer using silicon-to-silicon bonding provided in part by silicon oxide layers if a silicon spacer is used. The dies can be also attached to the spacer using anodic bonding if a glass spacer is used. Conductive vias extend through the layers and provide electrical connections between Wheatstone bridge circuits formed from piezoresistors in the silicon dies.
US08171785B2
A method calculates the boundary layer level between fluids, in particular the boundary layer level between oil and water in connection with the use of a segment-based boundary layer meter. The calculations are based on the use of measurement signals from a number of segments, n, and the boundary layer level, L, of the water is calculated as follows: L = ρ _ - ρ 0 ρ v - ρ 0 ( L u - L l ) + L l where: Lu Upper water range area Ll Lower water range area ρn Density of segment no. n from the profile meter {circumflex over (ρ)}n Corrected density for segment no. n ρ Calculated mean density ρv Mean density of water from the profile meter ρo Mean density of oil from the profile meter N Total number of segments included.
US08171783B2
A tire tread scanner drive-over unit is used to measure the tread depth and tire wear condition of a vehicle with two or four wheels on the axle. The unit includes a surface with two tire position area areas, each between an elevated rearward area and an elevated forward area to define a trough therebetween. Scanners are located behind scanner windows in the rearward area under scanner covers. When a vehicle is driven onto the surface so that the tires of one of its axels are on the tire position areas between the rearward and forward areas, the tires self-center against the scanner windows so that the tire profile may be measured to determine wear and wear characteristics.
US08171773B2
To achieve a large measurement range from small up to larger leakage rates, a switchover from normal operation to gross operation occurs. In gross operation, the sucked-in gas flow is separated by different throttles, wherein the throttle that leads to the test gas sensor has a low flow rate. This manner of operation prevents a too large quantity of test gas from reaching the sensor surface and contaminating the sensor. In another alternative, in gross operation the test gas flows only across a part of the sensor surface. The other part is flushed.
US08171771B2
Calibration for a nondestructive ultrasonic material testing system is provided, the system having a multiplicity of ultrasound transducers which are linearly movable as a whole but are arranged fixed with respect to one another, for example mounted fixed in a single sensor holder. In order to achieve optimal alignment of the sensors with a specimen, the mechanical tolerance-induced offset between the beam direction of the ultrasound transducers and the ideal beam directions is found, for example with the aid of a mean straight line. It is then minimized by using the available degrees of freedom of the sensor holder, for example possible tilting of the sensor holder.
US08171768B2
After a rod-like titanium material 20 is accommodated in a generally linear-shaped groove 13 of a first mold 7, a first guide portion 15 of a second mold 8 is fitted to the groove 13. Thereafter, the first mold 7 is moved along an arrow A direction relative to the second mold 8 fixed to an anchor block, by which the titanium material 20 substantially immovably retained in the groove 13 of the first mold 7 is bent and pushed into a through hole 24 of the second mold 8 by the first guide portion 15, thus being plastically deformed.
US08171767B2
A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products are rolled in a rolling direction. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass mill line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected output shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to both the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected input shafts driving a pair of output shafts. Rolling units are arranged in succession along the mill pass line. Each rolling unit is driven by an input shaft and has a pair of mechanically interconnected roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the output shafts of each first gear unit to input shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasably connect the output shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units.
US08171766B1
A pass through inline seam rollformer having a head assembly and a cradle moveably mounted with a frame. The head assembly laterally moves upon the cradle whereby a seam may be formed upon a sheet material via tooling mounted upon the head assembly. The cradle moves relative to said frame whereby the head assembly may be retracted from a pass line of the sheet material and the sheet material may move through the apparatus without interference from the head assembly. For the preferred embodiment, the tooling utilizes one or more rollers having circumferential grooves or profiles which allow a male or a female lock seam to be formed as the head assembly moves over a leading or trailing edge of the sheet material without the need to transfer the sheet material 90 degrees or remove the sheet material from a production line.
US08171763B2
A steering lock device-added structure includes: a steering shaft; a steering column which rotatably houses the steering shaft therein; and a steering lock unit which is disposed on an outside surface of the steering column, and disables rotation of the steering shaft. The steering lock unit is coupled to the steering column while interposing a fracture inducing portion therebetween. The steering lock device-added structure further includes: a steering lock protective member which covers an outside surface of the steering lock unit; and a column protective member which covers a lower surface of the steering column, and is provided adjacent to the steering lock protective member.
US08171762B2
An anti-theft device for a portable device is disclosed, wherein the portable device includes an aperture. The anti-theft device includes a coupler, an engaging/disengaging device, and a localizer. The localizer couples the engaging/disengaging device with an immovable object. The coupler includes a bridge portion and a leg, wherein the bridge portion and the leg are disposed on two different sides of the portable device. The engaging/disengaging device engages with the aperture of the portable device and also couples with the coupler to clamp the portable device.
US08171761B2
A locking device is provided and operable to retain an article intended for display and handling in a designated area. In particular, the locking device is formed with an adjustable fastening loop, which can assume an extended position to receive a free end or a portion of the article, and a retracted position to secure the article in the fastening loop. The fastening loop can be adjusted between the extended position and the retracted position, so that the locking device is adapted to receive and secure articles of various sizes. The locking device is preferably mounted to a fixture, such as a display table or counter via a tether cable. When the cable is mounted to the fixture, the locking device is capable of retaining an article in the designated area and preventing the article from being removed from the designated area. For example, the locking device can secure a sample item to a designated area, such as a display counter in a retail store.
US08171760B2
A padlock having an open indication function is provided. The padlock includes a first lock, a driving device, and an indication device. A portion of the driving device is movably disposed within a key hole of the first lock. The indication device moves in combination with the driving device. A bottom end of the indication device is connected to a top end of the driving device. In addition, the indication device is selectively disposed between a first position and a second position. When a key is inserted into the key hole of the first lock, the key pushes the driving device to force the indication device moving from the first position to the second position.
US08171758B2
A drum type washing machine including a balancer capable of rapidly reducing vibration of a spin tub. The drum type washing machine includes a spin tub which is rotated by receiving rotational force from a driving motor through a rotating shaft, a rear balancer having an annular shape and being coupled to the spin tub, and a shaft flange provided at a center portion thereof with the rotating shaft and coupled to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub. The rear balancer is supported on a rear surface of a rear cover by the shaft flange. Thus, the balls accommodated in the balancer are prevented from moving out of the balancer, even if the balancer is broken due to long-period use.
US08171754B2
A cooling bushing flange having a reduced amount of precious metal is provided for a glass fiber production apparatus. The flange includes a first portion formed of a precious metal or a precious metal alloy extending outwardly from a bushing and a second portion formed of a non-precious metal. The non-precious metal portion of the flange may be affixed to the precious metal portion by known metal bonding methods. A cooling tube is positioned on the non-precious metal portion to create a thermal seal and prevent molten glass from leaking from the interface of the bushing block and bushing. The precious metal portion of the inventive flange is a fraction of the size of precious metal present in conventional bushing flanges. By reducing the amount of precious metal incorporated in the flange, a significant reduction in the overall cost of the bushing and in the manufacture of glass fibers can be obtained.
US08171752B2
The float glass apparatus has a glass melt producing unit including a melting tank and a refining tank for the glass melt, a float tank including a metallic basin and metal bath contained in the basin, conducting devices for conducting the glass melt from the glass melt producing unit to the metal bath and auxiliary devices as needed. In order to minimize bubble defects and extend service life of apparatus parts made from platinum or a platinum alloy, the apparatus includes a device for minimizing direct current flowing between the glass melt producing unit and the float tank, which includes an auxiliary electrode connected with ground and located in the glass melt producing unit in electrical contact with the glass melt and a direct electrical connection between the metallic basin of the float tank and ground.
US08171747B2
A refrigeration device includes a compression mechanism, a radiator, a first expansion mechanism (15), a liquid receiver (16), a second expansion mechanism, an evaporator, a temperature detector, a first pressure storing unit (23a), and a second pressure determining unit, a pressure detector, and a control unit (23c). The first pressure storing unit stores an upper limit and lower limit of an intermediate pressure. The second pressure determining unit determines an upper limit and lower limit of a high pressure based on the upper limit and lower limit of the intermediate pressure and on a temperature in a vicinity of an exit of the radiator. The control unit controls the first expansion mechanism and the second expansion mechanism so that a pressure detected by the pressure detector will be equal to or less than the upper limit and equal to or greater than the lower limit of the high pressure.
US08171741B2
A cryogenic magnet system, comprising a cryogenic vessel (1) housing a magnet winding, a vacuum jacket (3) enclosing the cryogenic vessel and a refrigerator (4) at least partially housed within the vacuum jacket and thermally linked (6) to the cryogenic vessel. In particular, the system further comprises an electromagnetic shield.
US08171740B2
A combustor may include an outer liner having a first group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of outer liner regions. The combustor may further include an inner liner having a second group of air admission holes and defining a plurality of inner liner regions. The first group of air admission holes within a respective outer liner region may include a first plunged air admission hole approximately axially aligned with the respective fuel injector, a second plunged air admission hole approximately on the outer boundary line between the respective outer liner region and a first adjacent outer liner region, the first air admission hole being downstream of the second air admission hole, and a third plunged air admission hole approximately on the outer boundary line between the respective outer liner region and a second adjacent outer liner region.
US08171739B2
An apparatus for internally mounting a fuel manifold within a surrounding casing in a gas turbine engine which includes a fuel manifold and support pins which are displaceable relative to mounting portions on the fuel manifold between a retracted position, wherein the fuel manifold is able to be inserted within a casing of the engine, and an extended position, wherein the support pins project outwardly from the fuel manifold for engagement with the casing.
US08171735B2
A mixer for a gas turbine engine combustor includes: (a) a primary fuel injector with upstream and downstream ends, the primary fuel injector including: (1) a hollow central portion configured to pass a first air stream; (2) an annular fuel passage at the downstream end, configured to discharge an annular first fuel stream surrounding the first air stream; (b) an annular splitter surrounding the primary fuel injector, configured to pass a second air stream surrounding the first fuel stream; (c) an annular first housing surrounding the splitter, and having an exit positioned axially downstream of the primary fuel injector and the splitter; and (d) fuel injection ports disposed in an array outside the first housing, and disposed in communication with a fuel supply and positioned to discharge a second fuel stream into a third air stream at a position axially upstream of the exit of the first housing.
US08171723B2
When the NOx SCR catalyst (15) deteriorates, the NOx removal efficiency increases with an increase in the catalyst temperature as indicated by the curves B1 and B2. When there is an irregularity in the amount or quality of aqueous urea solution that is supplied to the NOx SCR catalyst, the NOx removal efficiency decreases at a constant rate as indicated by the curve C. When the NOx removal efficiency is first within the region X2 and then brought into the region Y1, it is determined that the NOx SCR catalyst deteriorates. When the NOx removal efficiency is first within the region X2 and then brought into the region Y2, it is determined that there is an irregularity in the amount or quality of the aqueous urea solution that is supplied to the NOx SCR catalyst.
US08171718B2
A system for power generation comprises an engine operative to output an exhaust gas, a carbon capture means operative to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the exhaust gas and output the CO2, and a compressor operative to receive the CO2 and output compressed CO2 that cools a component of the engine.
US08171703B2
A method for packaging products, such as any solid or semi-solid product, utilizes a horizontal form, fill and seal (HFFS) system, coupled with a method for subjecting the packages to positive pressure differential while packaging. In the HFFS system, product receiving cavities are formed in a lower film, with each product being arranged in a respective cavity. The loaded product receiving cavities are positioned in a sealing unit, with an upper film above the product cavities. The sealing unit is closed and a lower chamber of the sealing unit is pressurized to force the lower film against the product, while the product abuts a standoff member, in order to remove existing headspace. After minimizing the headspace, a sealing head seals the upper film to the lower film about the product receiving cavities. Thereafter, the pressure is released, the sealing unit is opened and the package can be further processed.
US08171697B2
In an anchor for use in a lightweight construction panel having upper and lower cover plates with a support core disposed therebetween, which anchor comprises a cylinder body including a cement container with rupture areas and having engagement elements which, upon insertion of a displacement body into the cylinder body, spread the engagement elements outwardly below the upper cover plate and push liquid cement out of the cement container into the areas of the upper and the lower cover plates, the displacement body is coupled to the cylinder body for rotation therewith and the cylinder body has a bottom with broaching elements for cleaning the contact area of the lower bottom plate in front of the anchor upon rotation of the displacement body during anchor installation.
US08171693B2
The present invention provides a block useful in the construction of walls and structures that is shaped in the general form of a rectangular solid. A horizontal channel extends along the entire length dimension of the block, open coincident with the top of the block. An open vertical channel associated with each end faces outwards toward an adjacent masonry block end. A protruding portion extends from the flat bottom with the same width of the open channel on the top, so that an interlocking connection is formed. A protruding rectangular portion is optionally incorporated into the front face portion, and also optionally into the rear face portion, leaving a recess along one end, and along the top, so that when assembled into a wall, the recessed parts of the face portion give the appearance of mortar joints. Vertical and horizontal rebar may be set within the aligned channels of the blocks when assembled into a wall. The blocks do not require excessive lifting when assembled to a wall or structure to clear vertically aligned set rebar.
US08171687B2
A water vapor barrier material for a building structure includes a base entangled net material and a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven includes a film layer with a nonwoven layer on each side of the film layer. The film layer has a water vapor transmission rate of less than 10.0 g-MIL/100-in2/day at a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 percent relative humidity.
US08171682B2
Frameless window which comprises a transparent pane, the lower edge of which is fixed in the slot of one or more holders by at least one layer of adhesive and is joined to the walls of the slot of the holders by at least two layers of a first adhesive applied close to the lateral ends of the slot, wherein at least one layer of a second adhesive is applied in the slot between the layers of the first adhesive. A process for manufacturing the window is also disclosed.
US08171674B2
A doorway for a tower of a wind turbine is disclosed. The doorway may generally comprise a doorway frame having a substantially rectangular shape and including an inner face and an outer face. An opening may be defined between the inner and outer faces and may be configured to provide access to an interior of the tower. Additionally, at least one of the inner face and the outer face may define a substantially planar surface along at least a portion of its width.
US08171670B2
The present invention relates, in general, to articles that are packaged in a compressed state relative to an uncompressed fully articulated state and methods of making and using same. In a specific embodiment, but not to be considered as limiting, the articles so packaged in a compressed state are plant covers that are either substantially rigid and/or substantially flexible.
US08171669B1
An air rooting shell comprises a first shell half mateable with a second shell half to form a shell for enclosing around a branch. The shell comprises a reservoir for containing planting medium and an upper lipped opening that receives the branch and collects and funnels water to the reservoir. A bottom opening is provided through which the lower portion of the branch may exit. Side openings on the shell may be used to enclose a branch in a horizontal orientation, while the upper lipped opening remains vertically oriented to receive water.
US08171667B2
A large animal trap including a hollow cylindrical shell having a front end opening. A vertically slidable trap door is positioned to close the front end opening. A trigger mechanism associated with the trap door is provided so that when a bear seizes the bait located within the cylindrical shell, the trigger will allow the trap door to fall closing the front end opening. This animal trap is further provided with a pneumatic braking assembly which stops downward movement of the trap door when an object is within the front end opening. The large animal trap is further provided with structure to allow a user to raise the trap door from a location away from the trap.
US08171662B2
A method for processing a separation and rupture portion of a display label is a method for forming, on the display label attached to an attachment target object, the separation and rupture portion for rupturing the display label upon separation of the display label from the attachment target object. This method includes attaching, to the attachment target object, the display label having a back side on which an adhesive layer is formed, and then forming a slit serving as the separation and rupture portion on the display label.
US08171654B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to an article of open-toe footwear including a sole member and a modular retaining system that allows a user to affect the appearance and function of the article of footwear. The modular retaining system includes a strap member and a plurality of coupling members. The strap member extends from an upper surface of the sole member over a corresponding user's foot between various recesses located on the surface of the sole member. The end regions of the strap member are releasably coupled with the sole member at the recesses via a releasable engagement with coupler members oppositely oriented within the recesses from a lower surface of the sole member. The releasable engagement between the strap member and the coupling members may utilize a threaded coupling configuration in which a male portion of the coupler member is threadably coupled within a corresponding female portion of the end region.
US08171653B1
An outsole with a configuration of protrusions that allows attachment of a gaiter. The protrusions may be similar to conventional lugs and perform ordinary lug functions or they may be highly specialized protrusions dedicated to attachment of a gaiter. Attachment is accomplished by jamming an expanded end of a gaiter cord amongst specialized surfaces on protrusions. Typically a gaiter cord first passes between protrusions typically on either the outboard side of footwear, or at the heel. Thereafter, the gaiter cord passes through a narrow slot and then enters a space wide enough for the expanded end. Tensioning of the gaiter cord further jams the expanded end of the cord in the outsole; thereby attaching the gaiter to the outsole.
US08171648B2
An archery sight can include a scope with a Venturi-like inner opening, smaller in diameter at a narrow position and increasing in diameter toward each end, to provide a circular field of view through a range of off-axis angles. Archery sights with pins, such as extending into a scope, can include sight pin components that include bodies, tube-like parts extending to sight pin ends, optical fibers in the bodies and tube-like parts, and flexible, light-transmissive tubing that engages the bodies and surrounds the fibers along most of their exterior length. Each tube-like part can be attached to its body by inserting it into a portion of the body that surrounds it and then bending the portion of the body to produce one or more bends or kinks but without reducing inside diameter, so that a fiber can then be threaded through the tube-like part.
US08171639B2
A decorative article such as a bracelet is formed from one or more elastomeric cords and one or more braiding cords. Generally, the elastomeric cords provide a structure around which one or more braiding cords may by arranged, and upon which one or more decorative elements may be threaded. The elastomeric cords allow decorative elements, such as buttons, to be secured to the top surface of a decorative bracelet. In addition, the elastomeric cords allow the bracelet to have a more customized fit and increased durability. The braiding cords are woven around the elastomeric cords, such as in knots. A clasp may be formed from the elastomeric cords. The clasp may accept one or more decorative elements to secure the bracelet in a loop configuration.
US08171638B2
A method and system for producing rolls for electrophotography are provided. The rolls can be rotated and shifted laterally during an oxidative baking process to produce finished rolls having improved electrical and printing characteristics. The oxidation of the rolls may be controlled to provide a corresponding increase in surface electrical resistance to within plus or minus 25 microns of a selected roll thickness.
US08171629B2
Coaxial connectors include a connector body and an inner contact post. A compression sleeve is also provided that is configured to impart a generally circumferential compressive force to secure one or more elements of a coaxial cable between the connector body and the inner contact post when the compression sleeve is in a seated position. The compression sleeve or the connector body includes a first disengagement mechanism that is configured to assist moving the compression sleeve from the seated position to an unseated position in which at least some of the circumferential compressive force is eliminated.
US08171622B2
Disclosed is a flexible printed circuit, comprising a substrate, and a silver foil and a reinforcement plate attached on said substrate in order, wherein there is an ink layer between said silver foil and said reinforcement plate. According to the invention, by printing the ink onto the silver foil and then attaching the reinforcement plate, especially printing the ink in the form of a dot, strip or mesh, the total thickness of the flexible printed circuit will not increase while the surface roughness of the silver foil increases, resulting in increase of adhesion of the reinforcement plate. This strengthens the attachment between the reinforcement plate and the silver foil, meeting the requirement of peeling-resistant strength between the reinforcement plate and the silver foil.
US08171616B2
An armature for an electric motor has a lamination stack on a shaft with a commutator mounted on one end of the shaft. Magnet wires wound in slots in the lamination stack, the commutator and armature shaft are at least partially encapsulated in thermoset. The commutator has a commutator ring divided into a plurality of segments with slots between the segments that are filled with a second plastic when the commutator is made by molding a core of the second plastic, such as phenolic, in the commutator ring before the commutator ring is mounted on the armature shaft. Prior to molding the thermoset, the commutator ring is sealed. The seal prevents the thermoset from flowing into the slots between the commutator ring segments or over the commutator ring.
US08171615B2
In this machine the displacement assembly allows the working head to be moved in five or six axes, namely three translational movements along the three Cartesian axes X, Y and Z, and two or three pivoting options; the working head includes several tools for performing the various operations involved in fitting a fastener, particularly a drilling tool, a countersinking tool; these tools can each be moved in turn between a rest position and working position situated on the working axis; in this working position, each tool can move translationally along the working axis; the working head also includes a bearing piece mounted on it intended to come to bear against the components that are to be assembled and including a buffer region with which the drilling and countersinking tools come into contact as they move, this contact determining the fully deployed position of these tools.
US08171609B2
The invention relates to a robotic workstation (1), comprising at least one multiple-axis parts-handling robot (7) having an arm (9) with a free end that is provided with a parts support (10), and first and second operational units (5, 6) for co-operating functionally with the support, and wherein the support comprises a body (11) provided with locations (14) for receiving parts, said locations being arranged so that each of them is accessible simultaneously by one of the operational units. The invention also provides a method of controlling the station.
US08171603B2
A hose clamp has a clamp body, operation pieces, an engaging claw, a receiving portion, an arch shaped opening and a slide guide portion. The clamp body is composed of a plate spring member bent into a ring shape. The operation piece has two legs at one end of the clamp body, and has an operation portion at ends of the legs. The operation piece has a leg at the other end of the clamp body, and has an operation portion at an end portion of the leg. The receiving portion is formed on the operation portion and can engage with the engaging claw. The arch shaped opening is formed on the operation portion, and allows the engaging claw to pass therethrough. The engaging claw and the slide guide portion are disposed on one side of the leg of the operation piece. The slide guide portion contacts with the leg in order to make the engaging claw be opposed to the arch shaped opening.
US08171600B2
The present invention provides a handle for attachment to luggage, vacuum cleaners, or another object to be moved. The handle includes a ball with a smooth surface surrounded by a hollow socket. A hole in the socket provides a passage way for a rod or other attachment mechanism to extend from the ball to the object to be moved. The socket freely moves in all directions with respect to the ball and the attachment mechanism, limited only by contact between the attachment mechanism and the edge of the hole in the socket which surrounds that attachment mechanism. Multiple ribs protrude from the interior of the hollow socket toward the ball, decreasing potential friction between the socket and the ball, thus facilitating free movement of the socket. In this manner, the socket automatically moves into a position which is ergonomically desirable for the user grasping the socket to move the object.
US08171599B1
A hinge, configured to be stably positioned by a simple mechanism and advantageously characterized by ease of installation and uninstallation, includes a first connection member and a second connection member. The first connection member includes a first fixing unit and a support unit. The first fixing unit has a first fixing side and a connecting side. The support unit is connected to the connecting side, and has a cylindrical receiving chamber and a via in communication with the cylindrical receiving chamber. The via is penetrable by a rod-shaped tool. The second connection member includes a second fixing unit and a post connected to the second fixing unit. The second fixing unit has a second fixing side. The post is removably disposed in the cylindrical receiving chamber and has a positioning hole for receiving an end portion of the rod-shaped tool when aligned with the via.
US08171598B1
An apparatus for cleaning and extracting water from carpet, comprising a vacuum head including a vacuum chamber configured to be connected to a vacuum source and two downward facing elongate vacuum ports extending downwardly from the vacuum chamber and an elongate solution manifold mounted between the vacuum ports and configured to discharge cleaning liquid in a space between the vacuum ports. The vacuum ports are configured to extract waste liquid from carpet when the vacuum head is moved in both a forward motion and a backward motion of the vacuum head. Further, the vacuum head includes elongate glides sealingly fitted in lower openings of the vacuum ports, the glides having suction openings formed therein through which fluids may be drawing into the vacuum ports, and the glides project below the bottom face of the vacuum head.
US08171592B2
The present invention relates to a steam cleaner that is light-weight and is prepared for operation quickly and easily and comprises handle assembly, a pivoting connector, a reservoir, a reservoir socket, a steam head and an electric wire. The handle assembly comprises a grip and a lever. The pole connector is attached to the steam head. The reservoir is mounted detachably in the reservoir socket and is easily removed to fill the reservoir with tap water. Squeezing the handle assembly releases water from the reservoir into the steam head where steam is generated to clean a floor.
US08171590B2
Disclosed herein is an anti-expansion joint bridge which eliminates an expansion joint structure from an upper structure thereof, and includes a plurality of slidable steel plates to cover a space between girders or floor slabs expanding and contracting on piers and asphalt concrete pavement on the steel plates, so that expansion and contraction of the girders occurring on the piers is prevented from affecting the pavement, thereby ensuring smooth travel of vehicles thereon. The anti-expansion joint bridge includes a pair of expandable/contractible girders separated from each other while constituting an upper structure of the bridge, a plurality of sliding plates overlapping each other on the girders while covering a gap between the girders, and an ascon part covering the pair of girders together with the sliding plates.
US08171580B2
A patient transfer system including a patient support panel, a first base member mounted on a first support structure, e.g., a gurney, and a second base member mounted on a second support structure, e.g., a patient treatment table. The patient support panel has a pair of longitudinally extending side rails. Each base member has at least one clamp arranged to engage a rail of the patient support panel to hold it in place thereon. The clamps are releasable to enable the patient support panel to be slid off of one base member and onto the other base member. If the support structures are spaced apart at least one bridging member is provided to bridge the gap therebetween and allow the patient support member to be slid thereacross.
US08171579B2
The invention relates to a device for mounting a glass or glass-ceramic vessel-style washbasin (1). The inventive device is characterised in that it essentially takes the form of an adapter (3) which is disposed between the lower face of the glass or glass-ceramic vessel-style washbasin and a support (2) at the drain hole (1′), said adapter (3) being connected to the lower face of the washbasin (1) with a layer of glue (6) or an adhesive and fixed to the support (2) by means of a flow element (4). The invention is particularly suitable for household equipment, in particular vessel-style washbasins and vessel-style washbasins that are made from glass or glass-ceramic.
US08171575B2
A beauty-care bidet includes an introduction hose for introducing washing water, a water purifier connected to the introduction hose for purifying the washing water introduced through the introduction hose, a head separably coupled to the water purifier and having an open tip end portion communicating with the water purifier, a control valve for cutting off the washing water supplied to the open tip end portion of the head or for regulating a pressure of the washing water, a tip end operating unit detachably attached to the open tip end portion of the head, and a vibrator mounted to the head in such a way that the vibrator can be operatively connected to the tip end operating unit. The tip end operating unit is a bidet-washing insertion device that can be inserted into an intestine or a vagina of a user.
US08171574B2
A flexible sink strainer having a cupped body completely comprised of a flexible material including a plurality of apertures to allow fluid to pass therethrough, wherein the body is capable of attaining first and second configurations, the first configuration being suitable for capturing material entrained within fluid as it passes through the apertures and the second configuration being suitable for removing material captured on the body as fluid passes through the apertures, is disclosed.
US08176564B2
A system and method for monitoring a computer, particularly a pay-per-use computer, uses an isolated computing environment or supervisor. The isolated computing environment boots prior to any boot device associated with an operating system, runs concurrently with the operating system and monitors and measures the computer in operation. Once the isolated computing environment determines the computer is not in compliance with the required policies, the isolated computing environment may either impose an impediment to use such as slowing clock speed or completely disable the operating system. The user may have to return the computer to a service provider to restore it from the offending condition and reset the computer to an operational state.
US08176558B2
In one computer system, causing the second virtual machine, which executes antivirus software for detecting and removing the virus, to monitor at least one first virtual machine that is created on the computer and execute one or more application program, periodically storing a state of the first virtual machine as snapshot, suspending the first virtual machine from which the virus is detected if the antivirus software executed on the second virtual machine detects the virus, and restoring the first virtual machine at a state of a point in time when the snapshot is stored by using the snapshot of the suspended first virtual machine.
US08176548B2
A protection system for a display apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The protection system includes an electronic key and a protection module. The protection system performs security identification with a plurality of passwords and updates the passwords every time after the security identification is completed to improve the security of the display apparatus. The display apparatus is allowed to be turned on when one of the passwords is correct, and the passwords are separately updated after the security identification is completed. The protection system is highly secure and provides greater convenience to users.
US08176543B2
Network communications are secured on clients that do not have a user properly logged in and authenticated. The clients have transmit and/or receive functionality disabled. When a user logs into the client and is properly authenticated, the transmit and/or receive functionality is enabled. In some embodiments, the client can then download firewall policy information to prevent the client from communicating on certain ports or with certain clients. The firewall policy information may be specific to a role that a user logged into the client has. For example, administrators, executives and employee roles may each use different firewall policy information.
US08176541B1
Leveraging a persistent connection to provide a client access to a secured service may include establishing a persistent connection with a client in response to a first request from the client, and brokering a connection between the client and a secured service based on a second request from the client by leveraging the persistent connection with the client. The brokering may occur before the client attempts to connect to the secured service directly and the connection may be established between the client and the secured service without provision by the client of authentication information duplicative or additional to authentication information provided by the client to establish the persistent connection.
US08176539B2
The present invention discloses methods, media, and gateways for protecting against cookie-poisoning attacks in networked-communication applications. Methods include the steps of: creating a protected gateway cookie, generated by a gateway, for a server cookie, generated by a server, wherein the server cookie is received by the gateway in an HTTP response message; and validating, by the gateway, that a client cookie from a client request has a corresponding gateway cookie with expected field values. Preferably, the field values include at least one field value selected from the group consisting of: a name, a hash value computed over the server cookie, a hash-function index, a timestamp, a nonce, a hash value computed over newly-generated values, a path, a domain, an expiration, and an HTTP-only value. Preferably, the gateway cookie is signed with a secret key. Most preferably, the secret key is generated by a secret seed.
US08176532B1
A programmable control unit interacts with a physical system. The physical system has a public network interface for communicating with remote computer systems. A user computer system is located remotely from the programmable control unit. A front-end security gateway is located remotely from the programmable control unit, wherein the front-end security gateway communicates with the user computer system to authenticate and authorize a user for access to the programmable control unit. The front-end security gateway forwards messages between the user computer system and the programmable control unit after the user is authenticated and authorized. A public communication network is coupled between the front-end security gateway and the programmable control unit to carry the forwarded messages. The public communication network includes a routing control configured to allow communication with the programmable control unit only by the front-end security gateway.
US08176524B2
A system and method for wireless communication of video data are disclosed. One embodiment of the system transmits partially compressed video data from a transmitter to a receiver over a wireless channel. The transmitter is configured to send a plurality of groups of data bits over a wireless channel. The data bits, in an uncompressed form, together form one or more displayable elements representing at least a portion of a video image. The plurality of groups have different degrees of significance to the quality of the video image. The plurality of groups include a first group of uncompressed data bits, and a second group of compressed data bits, wherein the first group has a higher degree of significance to the quality of the video image than the second group. The receiver is configured to receive the plurality of groups of data bits over the wireless channel. The system allows transmission of a large amount of video data over a wireless channel having a limited capacity or a varying condition.
