US08193951B2
A system and method are provided for receiving navigational data via a wireless messaging service on a navigation system. The system and method provide a way to send requests for destination information via the wireless messaging service and capture navigational data from the responsive message received, such as addresses, telephone numbers, or email addresses, and then utilize that data for navigational routing, generation of telephone calls, emailing and the like, from the vehicle's navigation system. A wireless device can be paired with the navigation system over a Bluetooth communication link, wherein the navigation system periodically polls the wireless device for newly received messages. In one embodiment, the NAVI displays icons on a map that correspond to the extracted addresses from the messages received in relation to the vehicle's current location. The icons can be shown in a plurality of visual formats to distinguish previously viewed locations from newly received ones.
US08193947B2
Methods and systems for generating a data link air traffic control center menu are provided. In one implementation, a method comprises associating individual air traffic control center objects with at least one geographic area. Each air traffic control center object represents an air traffic control center having a name, and each geographic area has a name. The method further includes displaying the names of each geographic area and receiving a first input. The first input selects one of the geographic areas having a plurality of geographic sub-areas, with each geographic sub-area having a name. The method further includes displaying the names of the geographic sub-areas and receiving a second input. The second input selects one of the geographic sub-areas including one or more air traffic control centers. The method further includes displaying the names of the air traffic control centers and receiving a third input. The third input selects one of the air traffic control centers.
US08193946B2
Acoustic telemetry devices and methods that provide directional detection. In one embodiment, a disclosed acoustic telemetry device comprises at least two acoustic sensors and an electronics module. The electronics module combines the detection signals from the acoustic sensors to obtain a combined signal that substantially excludes signals propagating in a direction opposite to the communication signal. The disclosed systems and methods can be trained in the field and will readily accommodate an irregular and unknown signal transmission medium between the two acoustic sensors.
US08193943B2
Handheld charge indicator assemblies, children's ride-on vehicle kits including the same, and methods of determining the state of charge of a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. Handheld charge indicator assemblies are sized to be held in the hand of a user and are configured to be selectively interconnected to a battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle and output an output signal representative of a voltage of the battery assembly. Handheld charge indicator assemblies include a body, an electronic circuit housed within the body, an indicator configured to output an output signal representative of an input voltage to the electronic circuit, and a battery connector configured to engage the battery assembly of a children's ride-on vehicle. In some embodiments, the handheld charge indicator assembly further includes an actuator configured to actuate the electronic circuit to detect the input voltage responsive to a user engaging the actuator.
US08193939B2
A wireless-IC-device main component is disposed on a surface opposite to a surface for receiving signals from a reader/writer. The wireless-IC-device main component includes an insulating substrate, which is provided with a loop electrode and an electromagnetically coupled module coupled to the loop electrode. A signal from the reader/writer causes an eddy current to flow across a conductor principal plane of a metal article. The eddy current causes a magnetic field to be generated in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the conductor principal plane of the metal article. Then, the loop electrode is coupled to the magnetic field. Thus, the wireless-IC-device main component functions as an RFID tag even for signals from the principal plane opposite to the wireless-IC-device main component. Thus, it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing a metal article, and to provide a wireless IC device using the metal article as a radiator.
US08193938B2
A method and apparatus for identifying and tracking instruments, in multiple instrument environments such as an operating room or a garage. Each instrument or disposable has attached thereto an identifying tag, such as an RFID tag. Each plane or location the instruments or disposables are placed on, comprises an antenna and thus continuously identifies the tools. In order for the antenna to work in a metallic environment, the antenna is equipped with a metallic board underneath, which insulates form other metals, and in order for the metallic board not to absorb all the energy, a spacing layer is placed between the metal board and the antenna. Flat antennas may be implemented as a collection of wire loops, overlapping in about 20% of one of their dimensions.
US08193934B2
In a communications system, a presence server maintains and distributes presence information in accordance with recording rules and previous value selection rules. The presence server: associates a recording rule with each presence information element in a subset of a plurality of presence information elements for a presentity; maintains a set of previous values according to the recording rule associated with the presence information element, for each presence information element in the subset; receives an initial subscribe request from a watcher for one or more presence information elements in the subset; and in response to the initial subscribe request, notifies the watcher of a number of the previous values maintained for each presence information elements in the subscribe request, wherein the number of the previous values that is sent is determined by a previous value selection rule associated with each presence information element.
US08193929B1
A mesh-networked sensor platform has a mesh network of nodes that connect with existing electrical infrastructure or are powered through other means such as batteries or energy scavenging. The mesh network forms a self-healing and self-configuring network robust against individual node failures. Wireless mesh networking integrated circuits (ICs), energy monitoring ICs and solid state relays are used to create a low-cost, easy-to-install energy visualization and management system. The system can intelligently control energy usage at the sockets to stop energy from being wasted. Software for a central base station uses energy usage data from each node to create an energy usage profile to automatically detect anomalies in energy usage and take steps to correct them. Other sensors can be easily added for a multitude of applications. Power usage and control of each appliance can be viewed via an internet connected PC or smart phone via a social networking website.
US08193926B2
A piezoelectric triggering mechanism (10) includes a piezoelectric element (12), such as the transducer of a SAW device, that is configured to crack or break upon being subjected to excessive levels of mechanical force or other triggering mechanisms, thus generating a burst of electromagnetic energy. The large impulse of energy can then be conditioned (14) through resonant circuits or antennas and modulated (16) with an identification pattern through appropriate structures (such as SAW electrodes) to send a breakage indication signal to a remote receiver (18). Piezoelectric elements (12) may be integrated with a pneumatic tire structure to provide indication upon pressure loss or tire failure. Piezoelectric elements (12) may also be integrated with safety support features of some tire structures to provide indication of tire operation in a run-flat mode of operation. Related aspects of the present piezoelectric triggering technology employ a piezoelectric element (12) in a trigger detection method, which may involve detection of such occurrences as breach of security via opening of a sealed access structure or breakage of a glass panel, deployment of an airbag, loss of pressure or excess deflection in a tire, presence of smoke in a given location, and other rupture and sensor applications.
US08193907B2
The present invention relates to a process for opening a container for the transportation of valuable objects or valuable documents, for example. The container (1) includes a first electronic unit (2), which allows deactivation of an alarm system and/or opening of the container. A first key (10) required to open the container includes a second electronic unit (12), which communicates with the first electronic unit (2) such as to initiate opening of the container. There is used a stationarily disposed second key (20) which together with the first key (10) provides the complete code-set (ABCD) required to initiate deactivation and/or opening of the container (1). The stationarily disposed second key (20) includes a third electronic unit (22) which contains a subset (CD) of the complete code-set (ABCD) required to initiate deactivation and/or opening of the container (1). The electronic unit (12) of the first key (10) contains a subset (AB) of the complete code (ABCD) required to initiate deactivation and/or opening of the container (1). The inventive process ensures that the container (1) will be opened at the correct geographic destination and, when necessary, also within a determined time span.
US08193905B2
A storage circuit of a portable device stores setting data concerning a function installed on a used vehicle or an in-use vehicle. Stored setting data of the portable device is read when the user gets in an in-use vehicle after use of a used vehicle. Setting data stored in the storage section of the vehicle apparatus is also read. The two read setting data are compared. When a comparison result shows a difference, execution of a function is permitted based on setting data read from the storage circuit of the portable device. The user can be notified of a function not used by the user or a new function when execution of the functions is permitted.
US08193892B2
The disclosure provides a wire-wound coil that can prevent contact between an outer flange portion of the wire-wound coil and a mount board so as to prevent breakage of the outer flange portion and misalignment and unwinding of a wound conductive wire. A groove is provided in an outer side face of a flange at an end of a winding core, and an inner flange portion and an outer flange portion are provided on opposite sides of the groove. A distance from a bottom face of the groove to at least an outer side face of the outer flange portion that would be facing a mount board or is attached to a mount board is shorter than a distance from the bottom face of the groove to the inner flange portion.
US08193891B2
A high voltage transformer includes an elongate core of a ferromagnetic material. A plastic transformer frame has segment walls arranged perpendicular to the core. A secondary-winding is wound around the core in winding segments divided by the segment walls. A primary winding is formed of conductor segments to provide a loop around the core. At least one of the conductor segments is a connection pin molded in one of the segment walls.
US08193889B2
A filter appliance comprises first electrical terminals (201-203) for connecting to a multiphase electrical converter device, second electrical terminals (204-206) for connecting to a load, main current coils formed of foil conductors and connected between the first and the second electrical terminals, and shielding coils whose first ends are electrically connected to a third electrical terminal (219) of the filter appliance. Each of the shielding coils is formed of foil conductor that is alongside and a distance apart from the foil conductor of the corresponding main current coil so as to form a capacitive shield between successive turns of the main current coil. When the third electrical terminal is connected to constant electrical potential, the shielding coils reduce the common mode voltage applied to the load and, for example, a risk of bearing damages in an electrical motor driven by a multiphase electrical converter device is reduced.
US08193888B2
This disclosure provides a laminated inductor capable of suppressing concentration of magnetic gap portions, preventing local magnetic saturation, and obtaining excellent DC superposition characteristics. In an embodiment of a laminated inductor, magnetic layers and coil conductors are alternately laminated. The laminated inductor includes plural first mixed layers and plural second mixed layers. Each first mixed layer includes a first nonmagnetic material portion between ones of the conductive patterns overlapping in a lamination direction and a second nonmagnetic material portion that is inside the coil conductor and connected to the first nonmagnetic material portion. Each second mixed layer includes a nonmagnetic material portion between ones of the conductive patterns overlapping in the lamination direction and a nonmagnetic material portion that is outside the coil conductor and is connected to the first nonmagnetic material portion. The plural first mixed layers and the plural second mixed layers are formed as different layers.
US08193886B2
A reception unit is provided including a receiver coil for the contactless transfer of electric energy. The receiver coil includes a plurality of flux guiding elements (16a, 16b) that are made of a highly permeable material and that are designed to concentrate the field lines. The flux guiding elements (16a, 16b) form a continuous molded part that is embodied in a base body (18) and that is combined with the base body to form a component that can be completely prefabricated. The molded part is produced by casting and the base body (18) is used as a casting mold.
US08193879B2
At least one capacitor cell for absorbing noise on a power supply voltage and a ground potential are arranged between at least one logic cell which configures a semiconductor integrated circuit and a power supply main line for supplying a power supply voltage to the logic cell. The power supply voltage where noises are suppressed by the capacitor cells is supplied to the logic cell, thus improving performance of the semiconductor integrated circuit. In addition, a distribution density of the capacitor cell or a capacity of the capacitor cell increases as the capacitor cell is separated from the power supply main line. A predetermined power supply voltage is supply to the logic cell which is separated from the power supply main line, so that a decrease in operation speed of the semiconductor integrated circuit can be suppressed.
US08193878B2
A design structure, structure, and method for providing an on-chip variable delay transmission line with a fixed characteristic impedance. A method of manufacturing a transmission line structure includes forming a signal line of the transmission line structure, forming a first ground return structure that causes a first delay and a first characteristic impedance in the transmission line structure, and forming a second ground return structure that causes a second delay and a second characteristic impedance in the transmission line structure. The first delay is different from the second delay, and the first characteristic impedance is substantially the same as the second characteristic impedance.
US08193872B2
A waveguide circulator which does not cause an arcing phenomenon and deterioration of microwave characteristic, even when a ferrite member generates heat to raise a temperature thereof. The waveguide circulator is composed of a waveguide formed substantially in Y-shape with rectangular waveguides which are provided so as to position horizontally on a predetermined plane, and further they are extended in different three directions from junction positions of the waveguide wherein two ferrite members are placed in the junction positions thereof so as to oppose to each other on the upper and lower sides in the height direction perpendicular to the predetermined plane wherein an extended section extending in the height direction in the vicinities of the junction positions of the waveguides is formed, and a distance between the ferrite members is expanded to compensate decreased impedance.
US08193867B2
A voltage control signal at a voltage control signal input terminal is used to adjust an output frequency of an oscillator circuit. The voltage level of the voltage control signal is converted in a one-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to a digital output indicative of the voltage level. Successive digital representations of the voltage level of the voltage control signal are upsampled to generate upsampled blocks of data. A dither circuit inserts a digital dither in the upsampled blocks of data to generate dithered upsampled data, which is used to generate a control signal for a feedback divider of a phase-locked loop circuit and thereby adjust the output frequency.
US08193862B2
A multi-stage amplification type class-AB operational amplifier disclosed includes an amplification stage having plural amplification sections formed in multiple stages, and a class-AB output stage having a bias section and an output section, in which an input signal input to the amplification stage is sequentially amplified by the plural amplification sections, and further amplified by the bias section and the output section of the class-AB output stage. A positive supply voltage applied to the amplification stage is different from a positive supply voltage applied to the class-AB output stage, and a negative supply voltage applied to the amplification stage is different from a negative supply voltage applied to the class-AB output stage.
US08193849B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed, such as those that comprise a center-swing signal generator that includes a push-pull center-swing driver coupled to a common-mode pre-emphasis module, the center-swing signal generator to receive a low swing current mode logic (CML) signal and output a center-swing signal, and a full-swing cross-coupled inverter coupled to the center-swing signal generator, the full-swing cross-coupled inverter to receive the center-swing signal and output a full-rail single-ended swing signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08193842B2
There is provided a frequency synthesizer. The frequency synthesizer includes a frequency oscillator adjusting an output frequency according to a control bit; a programmable divider having a preset minimum division ratio, the programming divider dividing the output frequency of the frequency oscillator at a variable division ratio; a counter unit receiving an output signal of the programmable divider and a reference frequency to generate a count value by counting rising edges of the output signal of the programmable divider during one cycle of the reference frequency, and outputting a first hit signal when the count value is 1, and outputting a second hit signal when the count value is 2; and a phase detection unit outputting a control bit obtained by subtracting a fractional error of the output signal of the programmable divider from a fractional error at a locked phase obtained from the count value and the reference frequency.
US08193841B2
An electronic device is provided that includes a power-on-reset (POR) circuit. The POR circuit includes a trigger stage configured to change an output if a first power supply voltage level exceeds a threshold voltage level and a first inverter and a second inverter being cross-coupled. An output of the second inverter is the POR output of the power-up reset circuit. The output is coupled to the trigger stage for switching the trigger stage off in response to a change of a signal at the output of the second inverter. The first inverter is dimensioned to follow with a voltage level at an output an initially rising slope of the first power supply voltage level and the second inverter is dimensioned to keep a voltage level at an output at a second power supply voltage level during the initially rising slope of the first power supply voltage level.
US08193832B1
A system comprises a plurality of requesting agents and granting agents configured in an array of rows and a plurality of columns. Corresponding to each requesting agent is a plurality of row address decoders and column address decoders, one row decoder for each row of granting agents and one column decoder for each column of granting agents. Each row decoder receives a first subset of an address' bits from a requesting agent and generates a row output bit provided to each granting agent in the row of that row address decoder. Each column decoder receives a second subset of bits of the address and generates a column output bit provided to each granting agent in the column corresponding to such column decoder. Each granting agent logically combines the row and column output bits from row and column decoders of a requesting agent to generate a request signal for the granting agent.
US08193831B1
A method and apparatus that controls the clock of a digital circuit, and therefore power consumption, without substantially comprising performance is provided. The apparatus may include monitoring the utilization of a First in First Out (FIFO) buffer. For example in a systems and methods according to the invention, clock speed may be reduced when the FIFO is relatively empty and increased when the FIFO is relatively full. The clock speed may be controlled by a phase locked loop, a clock divider, a clock masking device or a combination of more than one of these methods. Power reduction may also be obtained by controlling the clocking of different stages of a pipelined device. One or more aspects of the inventions may be implemented in combination with other aspects of the invention to further reduce power use.
US08193816B2
A method and apparatus for detecting faults in an injector arrangement is described. The injector arrangement comprises a plurality of piezoelectric injectors that are located in parallel branches of an injector bank circuit of an injector drive circuit. Each branch of the injector bank circuit comprises a high side isolation switch. The high side isolation switches are each operable to enable an associated piezoelectric injector in the injector bank circuit when closed, and disable the associated piezoelectric injector in the injector bank circuit when open. The fault detection method comprises the steps of operating the high side isolation switches so as to enable one of the piezoelectric injectors and disable the other piezoelectric injector(s), and performing diagnostics to detect the presence or absence of faults on the enabled piezoelectric injector.
US08193815B2
A photodetector array (142) includes a plurality of photodetector cells (202) such as avalanche photodiodes (208) and readout circuits (210). An array self-tester (226) tests a dark count or other performance characteristic of the cells (202). The test is performed in connection with the manufacture of the array (142) or following the installation of the array (142) in a detection system (100).
US08193802B2
The invention provides a non-contact voltage detector (“NCVD”) that includes a housing, a power switch, and an LED flashlight. The housing includes an upper portion and a lower portion which are slidably attachable to one another. A voltage sense circuit is positioned within the housing and illuminates a voltage sense indicator when it detects an AC voltage. The power switch is operable to activate the voltage sense circuit and the LED flashlight. The NCVD includes a first set of rails and a second set of rails for slidably attaching the NCVD to a test and measurement device, such as a digital multimeter (“DMM”) or an infrared (“IR”) temperature gun.
US08193797B2
An energy converter is disclosed in which self oscillation mode operation is improved by a closed loop feedback control. The feedback control utilizes the voltage error from the voltage valley in the drain voltage (Vdrain) of the converter switch (1), to determine an error (E(n)) in the time domain. Control circuitry (61, 62, 63) is used to minimize this time-domain error (E(n)) to optimize the control of the switch mode converter.
US08193793B2
Provided is a DC-DC converter comprising: a drive switching element so that a current flows to an inductor, the drive switching element being driven by a PWM control pulse or a PFM control pulse, wherein a direct-current input voltage supplied from a direct-current power source is converted so as to output the converted direct-current voltage having a different potential, and wherein a PWM control is performed when a load is larger than a predetermined value and a PFM control is performed when the load is smaller than the predetermined value, the DC-DC converter further comprising: a pulse width regulation section to regulate the PWM control pulse so as not to have a pulse width smaller than a predetermined pulse width, at least when the PFM control is switched to the PWM control.
US08193773B2
An electronic system for a battery designed to supply electrical power to an application, such as in an aircraft, that includes a main power supply, comprises a charging circuit (30) with a charger (K3C), a first battery discharging circuit (20) in parallel with the charging circuit, a component ensuring continuity of discharge (D3) and an electronic control unit adapted to control opening and closing of the discharge switch (K2) and adapted to control said charger (K3C). The control unit keeps the battery charged as long as it is not being called on to discharge and interrupts battery charging and sets the discharge switch (K2) to the closed position when a call for power is detected from the application, the component ensuring continuity of discharge (D3) allowing passage of a discharge current during a transitional phase of closing of the discharge switch (K2).
US08193762B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a portable wireless digital X-ray detector includes a battery electrically coupled to at least one external electrical conductor. In some implementations, the external electrical conductor is mounted flush to an outside of a housing of the portable wireless digital X-ray detector. In some implementations, the external electrical conductor plate includes only hypoallergenic materials. In some implementations, the battery is fixed mounted in the portable wireless digital X-ray detector. In some implementations docking detector receptacle at least one external electrical conductor in a pocket of the docking detector receptacle.
US08193756B2
A drive system for a compressor of a chiller system includes a variable speed drive. The variable speed drive is arranged to receive an input AC voltage at a fixed AC input voltage and provide an output AC power at a variable voltage and variable frequency. The variable speed drive includes a converter connected to an AC power source providing the input AC voltage. The converter is arranged to convert the input AC voltage to a DC voltage. A DC link is connected to the converter. The DC link filters and stores the DC voltage from the converter. An inverter is connected to the DC link. A motor connectable to the compressor for powering the compressor. An active filter connected in parallel with the motor. The active filter is arranged to generate high frequency currents having a magnitude and opposite polarity, with respect to the output AC power of the variable speed drive. The high frequency currents generated by active filter substantially cancel out high frequency currents flowing into the motor.
US08193740B2
A control circuit for a discharge lamp, which can improve the lighting performance of the discharge lamp while realizing low power consumption, and a light source device are provided. The resistance value of the variable resistor (RC1, RC2) is not switched to the low resistance (R02) for steady discharge at the fourth time t4, but is switched to the low resistance (R02) at the fifth time t5, after lowering of power supply to the filament. With such control, a change in the lamp impedance is absorbed sufficiently by the variable resistor while power supply to the filament is being lowered and, therefore, destabilization of discharge is reduced and the lighting performance is improved.
US08193734B2
An light emitting diode (LED) control, a plurality of duty cycle signals corresponding to a plurality of LEDs are stored in a dual-port memory by memory mapping. By sampling, the stored duty cycle signals are outputted to generate a plurality of parallel single-bit data each having one single bit. After the single-bit data are converted by a data transmission module, each bit of the single-bit data is serially outputted to a drive module to drive the LEDs. Thus, the ON duty cycles of the LEDs are modulated by pulse width modulation (PWM), light emitted from the LEDs are mixed in time-domain, and the brightness of the LEDs can be controlled.
US08193721B2
The present invention relates to a backlight unit that includes at least one first light emitting diode (LED) package and at least one second LED package, wherein the first LED package includes a blue LED chip, a green LED chip, and a first phosphor, the first phosphor being excited by blue light and to emit light to be mixed with blue light and green light respectively emitted from the blue LED chip and the green LED chip, the first LED package to thereby emit white light; the second LED package includes a blue LED chip, a red LED chip, and a second phosphor, the second phosphor being excited by blue light and to emit light to be mixed with blue light and red light respectively emitted from the blue LED chip and the red LED chip, the second LED package to thereby emit white light; and the first LED package and the second LED package are alternately arranged.
US08193717B2
A flicker-free method and a control circuit is used in conjunction with a conventional AC dimmer coupled to a main-AC supply to continuously control an intensity of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) over substantially a full range of the dimmer. The control circuit has a controllable source of DC voltage that is configured for coupling to at least one LED and that is powered independently of an output of the AC dimmer thereby isolating the LED voltage from the output of the AC dimmer; and a controller coupled to the source of DC voltage. The controller is powered independently of the output of the AC dimmer and is responsive to a firing angle of the AC dimmer for varying a level of the DC voltage as a function of said firing angle.
US08193716B2
A high-power light-emitting diode (LED) driving circuit relates to a photoelectric technology field. An anode of D1 is connected to a constant current direct current (DC) power supply, and a cathode of D1 is connected to LED1, LED4, and one end of R1 and R2. LED1, ED2, and LED3 are connected in serial and then are connected to a collector of Q1, and LED4, LED5, and LED6 are connected in serial and then are connected to a collector of Q2. Emitters of the Q1 and Q2 are grounded. DZ1 is connected to LED1, LED2, and LED3 in parallel, and DZ2 is connected to LED4, LED5, and LED6 in parallel. The other end of R1 is respectively connected to a base of Q1 and one end of C2, and the other end of C2 is connected to the collector of Q2. The other end of R2 is respectively connected to a base of Q2 and one end of C1, and the other end of C1 is connected to the collector of Q1. The driving circuit is capable of completely controlling a temperature of LED chips, avoiding use of a large area of aluminum to dissipate heat, and reducing material cost.
US08193715B2
A system (100) for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes a sensor (110) structured to be in communication with a light fixture (150), sense a current flow or a temperature of the light fixture (150), and communicate an input signal relative to the current flow or the temperature; a variable switch (120) structured to be in communication with the light fixture (150) and regulate the current flow of the light fixture (150) in response to a control signal; and a controller (130) in communication with the sensor (110) and the variable switch (120) and structured to monitor the input signal communicated by the sensor (110), compare the input signal to a condition, and communicate the control signal to the variable switch (120) to control its operation. A method for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes providing the system (100), monitoring the current flow or the temperature of the light fixture (150); and regulating the current flow of the light fixture (150).
US08193708B2
A plasma display device includes a chassis base supporting a plasma display panel. A printed circuit board having a plurality of scan integrated circuits is mounted on the chassis base. Lines of a first flexible printed circuit and of a second flexible printed circuit connect the scan electrodes to the scan integrated circuits. The lines of each of the first and second flexible printed circuits include a first outer line and a second outer line at respective sides of each of the first and second flexible printed circuits, at least one inner line between the first outer line and the second outer line, and at least one dummy line at an outer side of the first outer line. The second outer line of the first flexible printed circuit is connected to the dummy line of the second flexible printed circuit.
US08193704B2
There are provided a perovskite oxide thin film EL element in which a hole transport layer/a light-emitting layer/an electron transport layer comprising a perovskite oxide thin film are formed on a lower electrode, and an upper electrode is formed thereon, and a perovskite oxide thin film EL element that provides red light emission in the vicinity of a wavelength of 610 nm, which is the basis of display making. A perovskite oxide thin film EL element comprising a lower electrode 1 comprising a polished single crystal substrate, an electron transport layer 2 comprising a perovskite oxide thin film, which is a dielectric, formed on the lower electrode 1, a light-emitting layer 3 comprising a perovskite oxide thin film formed on the electron transport layer 2, a hole transport layer 4 comprising a perovskite oxide thin film, which is a dielectric, formed on the light-emitting layer 3, a buffer layer 5 formed on the hole transport layer 4, and a transparent upper electrode 6 formed on the buffer layer 5.
US08193698B2
An organic light-emitting diode includes an organic light-emitting layer located between a transparent electrode and one other electrode on a substrate. In some embodiments at least one of the transparent electrode and the other electrode has two layers. The two layers include a structured layer, which is a charge carrier injection layer, and a conductive second layer into which the first layer is embedded. In some embodiments the organic light-emitting layer includes a structured charge carrier blocking layer.
US08193697B2
A light-emitting device includes a substrate and a light-emitting element formed on the substrate. The light-emitting element includes a stacked layer structure portion including a reflective electrode, a light-emitting layer on the reflective electrode and a transparent electrode on the light-emitting layer which are stacked over the substrate with the reflective electrode as a bottom layer, the light-emitting layer having a flat surface provided at least on a portion of the light-emitting layer. A bank is disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the flat surface or on a peripheral portion of the flat surface and has a tilt surface tilted with respect to the flat surface. A conductive film is at least provided on the tilt surface and is electrically connected with the transparent electrode, and forms a reflective surface on the tilt surface, and an optical waveguide layer is provided in an area surrounded by the tilt surface.
US08193688B2
An LED lamp includes a heatsink housing (2) and an alternating current LED module (1). The alternating current LED module includes a heat conducting portion (10) combined with the heatsink housing and two electrical connections (11) electrically connected with an external power supply. Thus, the heatsink housing forms a porous structure to provide a greater heatsink effect and to quickly carry away the heat produced by the alternating current LED module to enhance the heat dissipation efficiency of the alternating current LED module. In addition, the heatsink housing is directly formed to have the profile of a common lamp housing and is provided with a metallic screw base (21), an insulating gasket (22) and a power contact plate (23) so that the heatsink housing can be mounted on a traditional receptacle to replace the conventional electric bulb.
US08193687B2
An alkali niobate-based piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramics sintered body including, as a main crystal phase, a perovskite type oxide containing at least one type of element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na and K as A site constituent elements and at least one type of element selected from the group consisting of Nb and Ta as B site constituent elements. The number of lattice-strained layers of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramics sintered body is preferably small. A diffuse scattering intensity ratio, which is a ratio of an intensity of diffuse scattering by a lattice-strained layer present near a domain wall to a sum of an X-ray diffraction intensity of a first lattice plane and that of a second lattice plane different in interplanar spacing from the first lattice plane due to crystallographic symmetry reduction is preferably 0.5 or lower.
US08193685B2
A transducer (800) is provided where a membrane (830) is formed over a front substrate (615); and a piezoelectric layer (820) is formed over the membrane (830) at an active portion (821) and peripheral portions located adjacent the active portion (821). A patterned conductive layer including first and second electrodes (840, 845) is formed over the piezoelectric layer (820). Further, a back substrate structure is provided having supports (822, 824) located at the peripheral portions adjacent the active portion (821). The height (826) of the supports (822, 824) is greater than a combined height (828) of the patterned piezoelectric layer and the patterned conductive layer. Many transducers may be connected to form an array, where a controller may be provided for controlling the array, such as steering a beam of the array, and processing signals received by the array, for presence or motion detection and/or imaging, for example.
US08193680B2
A squirrel-cage rotor including a rotor core provided with a plurality of circumferentially disposed slot holes opened in a rotational axis direction of the rotor; a pair of end rings disposed at opposite sides of the rotor core in the rotational axis direction of the rotor, each end ring being provided with a plurality of circumferentially disposed through holes opened corresponding to the plurality of circumferentially disposed slot holes; and a plurality of bar elements respectively inserted through the plurality of slot holes and the plurality of through holes. Each of the pair of end rings is prepared by laminating a plurality of sheet members, and opposite ends of each of the plurality of bar elements and the pair of end rings are brazed together through a brazing filler metal sandwiched between adjacent sheet members in advance, the brazing filler metal being adapted to melt and flow when the rotor is heated.
US08193666B2
An interior permanent magnet type brushless direct current (BLDC) motor includes a stator having a plurality of slots. The BLDC motor also includes a rotor positioned in the stator and that is rotatable with respect to the stator. The rotor has a rotor core, a plurality of permanent magnets inserted in the rotor core, a plurality of vent holes positioned between the center of the rotor core and the permanent magnets, and a plurality of coupling holes positioned between the permanent magnets and a periphery of the rotor core.
US08193665B2
A system and method of synchronization protocol for fire alarm strobe systems which has the ability to synchronize the strobe light devices from different manufactures simultaneously.
US08193660B2
An HVAC/R system is configured with power storage for power back-up to maintain substantially uninterrupted power in the case of a main power failure. The power back-up system has a DC power source configured to be recharged, and provides power to the HVAC/R components.
US08193655B2
One embodiment of the present invention consists of a system of small, interconnected cubes, each containing interior walls made from a highly sensitive multi-layer piezoelectric material and each having heavy mass, such as stainless steel, inside the cube interior. An elastic material layer covers the heavy internal mass that is in contact with the piezoelectric cube walls. As the system moves with the water, the heavy mass inside each cube exerts varying inertial forces on the cube walls causing a piezoelectric current to be generated. However, the cell walls may also be constructed using commercially available piezoelectric materials. This approach is a second embodiment of the current invention and includes the same system design as the first embodiment except that the internal cubic cell walls are fabricated in a unique manner using commercially available piezoelectric materials, rather than the non-central symmetric LB poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) multilayer piezoelectric material.
US08193654B2
A variable speed power generator system, includes a primary power induction generator (12), a secondary control induction (14), each of the induction generators having a rotor (22, 24) mounted so as to be rotated by a common shaft (16) of a variable speed prime mover (20), an inverter (50) connected to the stator (15) of the secondary control induction generator, a controller (30) connected to the inverter controls the output of the inverter, output of the primary induction generator is connected to the grid (51), controller provides output signal to the inverter based on selected inputs to the controller so that the output of the primary induction generator matches the active and reactive power requirements of the grid. An induction machine which includes a rotor having laminations and insulated cage bars, the bars being electrically isolated from on another as well as electrically insulated from the laminations.
US08193645B2
A device includes a first device structure having a semiconductor platform, and a second device structure having a microstructure spaced from the semiconductor platform. The device further includes a cable having a plurality of beams to couple the microstructure to the first device structure. Each beam of the plurality of beams has a polymer coating and a serpentine-shaped region.
US08193637B2
A semiconductor package may have a semiconductor chip that includes a chip pad formed on a substrate including an integrated circuit, and a passivation layer exposing the chip pad, a first redistribution wiring layer that is connected to the chip pad and extends on the semiconductor chip and includes a wire bonding pad to provide wire bonding and a first solder pad to connect the first redistribution wiring layer to a second semiconductor chip, and a second redistribution wiring layer that is connected to the first redistribution wiring layer on the first redistribution wiring layer and includes a second solder pad to connect the second redistribution wiring layer to a third semiconductor chip.
US08193636B2
A chip assembly includes a semiconductor chip, a bump and an external circuit. The semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a transistor in and on the semiconductor substrate, multiple dielectric layers over the semiconductor substrate, a metallization structure over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the metallization structure is connected to the transistor, and a passivation layer over the metallization structure, over the dielectric layers and over the transistor. The bump is connected to the metallization structure through an opening in the passivation layer, wherein the bump includes an adhesion/barrier layer and a gold layer over the adhesion/barrier layer. The external circuit can be connected to the bump using a tape carrier package (TCP), a chip-on-film (COF) package or a chip-on-glass (COG) assembly.
US08193631B2
A first interconnection is formed along a groove of a substrate and on a bottom surface of the groove, and has a first thickness. A second interconnection is electrically connected to the first interconnection and has a second thickness larger than the first thickness. An acceleration sensing unit is electrically connected to the second interconnection. A sealing unit has a portion opposed to the substrate with the first interconnection therebetween, and surrounds the second interconnection and the acceleration sensing unit on the substrate. A cap is arranged on the sealing unit to form a cavity on a region of the substrate surrounded by the sealing unit. Thereby, airtightness of the cavity can be ensured and also an electric resistance of the interconnection connected to the acceleration sensing unit can be reduced.
US08193626B2
Provided is a semiconductor package including multiple semiconductor chips, and separate groups of leads connected to the semiconductor chips. The leads are exposed to the outside of the semiconductor package. The plurality of leads may include a first lead group for a first chip group and a second lead group for a second chip group. The first and second chip groups are part of the package.
US08193623B2
The specification teaches a device for use in the manufacturing of microelectronic, microoptoelectronic or micromechanical devices (microdevices) in which a contaminant absorption layer improves the life and operation of the microdevice. In a preferred embodiment the invention includes a mechanical supporting base, and a layer of a gas absorbing or purifier material is deposited on the base by a variety of techniques and a layer for temporary protection of the purification material is placed on top of the purification material. The temporary protection material is compatible for use in the microdevice and can be removed during the manufacture of the microdevice.
US08193619B2
Provided is a lead frame that may include a frame, a lead structure, and a dam bar. The frame may include a plurality of openings configured to receive semiconductor chips. The lead structure may be in the openings. The lead structure may also include inner leads and outer leads. The inner leads may be configured to electrically connect to the semiconductor chips and the outer leads may extend from the inner leads. In example embodiments, the lead structure may extend in a first direction. The dam bar may be arranged between the inner leads and the outer leads. In accordance with example embodiments, the dam bar may extend along a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In example embodiments, the dam bar may have a first strength-reinforcing portion extending along the second direction. Also provided is a semiconductor package having the lead frame.
US08193613B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor die having increased usable area has at least six sides. The semiconductor die has a reduced stress at each corner of the die, resulting in smaller keep out zones near the corners of the semiconductor die, which allow the placement of bond pads near each corner of the die. The semiconductor die further allows the placement of active circuitry near each corner of the semiconductor die. One embodiment results in a 5.0% increase in usable area on the semiconductor die.
US08193608B2
A semiconductor device includes: a gate electrode formed above a semiconductor region; a drain region and a source region formed in portions of the semiconductor region located below sides of the gate electrode in a gate length direction, respectively; a plurality of drain contacts formed on the drain region to be spaced apart in a gate width direction of the gate electrode; and a plurality of source contacts formed on the source region to be spaced apart in the gate width direction of the gate electrode. The intervals between the drain contacts are greater than the intervals between the source contacts.
US08193604B2
A semiconductor device includes an IPD structure, a first semiconductor die mounted to the IPD structure with a flipchip interconnect, and a plurality of first conductive posts that are disposed adjacent to the first semiconductor die. The semiconductor device further includes a first molding compound that is disposed over the first conductive posts and first semiconductor die, a core structure bonded to the first conductive posts over the first semiconductor die, and a plurality of conductive TSVs disposed in the core structure. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of second conductive posts that are disposed over the core structure, a second semiconductor die mounted over the core structure, and a second molding compound disposed over the second conductive posts and the second semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die is electrically connected to the core structure.
US08193591B2
Semiconductor devices (61) and methods (80-89, 100) are provided with dual passivation layers (56, 59). A semiconductor layer (34) is formed on a substrate (32) and covered by a first passivation layer (PL-1) (56). PL-1 (56) and part (341) of the semiconductor layer (34) are etched to form a device mesa (35). A second passivation layer (PL-2) (59) is formed over PL-1 (56) and exposed edges (44) of the mesa (35). Vias (90, 92, 93) are etched through PL-1 (56) and PL-2 (59) to the semiconductor layer (34) where source (40), drain (42) and gate are to be formed. Conductors (41, 43, 39) are applied in the vias (90, 92, 93) for ohmic contacts for the source-drain (40, 42) and a Schottky contact (39) for the gate. Interconnections (45, 47) over the edges (44) of the mesa (35) couple other circuit elements. PL-1 (56) avoids adverse surface states (52) near the gate and PL-2 (59) insulates edges (44) of the mesa (35) from overlying interconnections (45, 47) to avoid leakage currents (46). An opaque alignment mark (68) is desirably formed at the same time as the device (61) to facilitate alignment when using transparent semiconductors (34).
US08193577B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a source region and a drain region provided apart from each other in a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film provided on a channel region between the source region and the drain region, a charge storage layer provided on the first insulating film, a second insulating film provided on the charge storage layer and including a stacked structure of a lanthanum aluminum silicate film and a dielectric film made of silicon oxide or silicon oxynitride, and a control gate electrode provided on the second insulating film.
US08193575B2
A flash memory structure having an enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio (CCCR) may be fabricated in a self-aligned manner while using a semiconductor substrate that has an active region that is recessed within an aperture with respect to an isolation region that surrounds the active region. The flash memory structure includes a floating gate that does not rise above the isolation region, and that preferably consists of a single layer that has a U shape. The U shape facilitates the enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio.
US08193562B2
Enhancement mode III-nitride devices are described. The 2DEG is depleted in the gate region so that the device is unable to conduct current when no bias is applied at the gate. Both gallium face and nitride face devices formed as enhancement mode devices.
US08193561B2
A semiconductor device reduces the on-resistance and, at the same time, raises the breakdown voltage. The drain electrode 20 of the semiconductor device runs through cap layer 13 and electron supply layer 12 and gets to a position lower than two-dimensional electron gas layer 14 in channel layer 11. Thus, the drain electrode 20 directly contacts the channel layer 11, the electron supply layer 12 and the cap layer 13. Angles (acute angles) θ, ø and ψ are formed by the drain electrode 20 and the channel layer 11, the electron supply layer 12 and the cap layer 13 as viewed in the direction in which a hetero interface is formed (the transverse direction in FIG. 1) and relationships of ø<θ and ø≦ψ are established. In other words, ø is made smallest among the angles and the drain electrode 20 is remarkably tapered particularly at the position of the electron supply layer 12.
US08193557B2
A sub-assembly of a light-emitting device package and/or a light-emitting device package, the package comprising a cavity filled with an encapsulant, are disclosed with means preventing the encapsulant delamination. The means comprise an expansion volume within the light-emitting device package, together with means allowing the encapsulant to flow from the cavity into the expansion volume as the encapsulant expands, and to flow back into the cavity as the encapsulant contracts during heating and cooling of the light-emitting device package.
US08193556B2
A semiconductor chip assembly includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, a conductive trace and an adhesive. The heat spreader includes a post and a base. The semiconductor device extends into a cavity in the post, is electrically connected to the conductive trace and is thermally connected to the heat spreader. The post extends upwardly from the base into an opening in the adhesive, and the base extends laterally from the post. The adhesive extends between the post and the conductive trace and between the base and the conductive trace. The conductive trace is located outside the cavity and provides signal routing between a pad and a terminal.
US08193542B2
A photoelectric apparatus includes a substrate and an array of a plurality of pixels each having at least one photoelectric device including a lower electrode over the substrate, a photoelectric layer over the lower electrode, and an upper electrode over the photoelectric layer, the photoelectric apparatus further includes an electrically conductive partition between adjacent two of the pixels, the conductive partition being electrically connected with the upper electrode and a transparent insulating layer on the upper electrode, and the pixels is individually sealed in by the partition and the transparent insulating layer.
US08193540B2
An SMD diode holding structure includes a plastic housing and a plurality of metal holders. Two ends of the plastic housing from a function area and a notch. The metal holder has a base portion and a connecting pin portion. The top and bottom surfaces of the base portion are exposed to the function area and the notch. The top surface of one base portion in the function area is connected with an LED chip, and the bottom surface of another base portion in the notch is connected with the anti-ESD chip. The LED chip, the anti-ESD chip, and the base portion are connected with a conductive wire. The function area is covered with a first sealing compound, and the notch is covered with a second sealing compound. Light emitted from the LED chip is uniformly reflected in the function area, and the brightness is uniform.
US08193538B2
Electronic field effect devices, and methods of manufacture of these electronic field effect devices are disclosed. In particular, there is disclosed an electronic field effect device which has improved electrical properties due to the formation of a highly mobile two-dimensional charge-carrier gas in a simple structure formed from diamond in combination with polar materials.
US08193535B2
A thin film transistor, a method of manufacturing the thin film transistor, and a flat panel display device including the thin film transistor. The thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode formed on a substrate; a gate insulating film formed on the gate electrode; an activation layer formed on the gate insulating film; a passivation layer including a compound semiconductor oxide, formed on the activation layer; and source and drain electrodes that contact the activation layer.
US08193524B2
An electronic device and method of manufacturing the device. The device includes a semiconducting region, which can be a nanowire, a first contact electrically coupled to the semiconducting region, and at least one second contact capacitively coupled to the semiconducting region. At least a portion of the semiconducting region between the first contact and the second contact is covered with a dipole layer. The dipole layer can act as a local gate on the semiconducting region to enhance the electric properties of the device.
US08193521B2
A phase change memory cell and methods of fabricating the same are presented. The memory cell includes a variable resistance region and a top and bottom electrode. The shapes of the variable resistance region and the top electrode are configured to evenly distribute a current with a generally hemispherical current density distribution around the first electrode.
US08193517B2
Observation is performed with a fluorescence image having high quantitativeness by satisfactorily eliminating dependencies on distance and angle that remain in an image subjected to division. Provided is a fluoroscopy system 1 including a fluoroscopy apparatus (100); a calibration device (101) equipped with a standard specimen (30) and an observation-state setting mechanism (31), (32) that sets, in a variable manner, an observation distance D and an observation angle θ of the fluoroscopy apparatus (100) relative to the standard specimen (30); and an observation-conditions adjusting portion (10) that adjusts observation conditions on the basis of the set observation distance D and observation angle θ and a reference image G1 and a fluorescence image G2 acquired by capturing the standard specimen (30) with the fluoroscopy apparatus (100).
US08193515B2
A system for sterilizing a sports ball comprises a housing; a door for the housing for opening and closing the housing and for permitting manual location of a ball in the housing; a sterilizing light for sterilizing a ball placed in the housing. The ball is rotatable in the housing such that the surface of the ball is exposed to the light. An elongated track extends from one end of the housing towards another end, and the light can be elongated from one end towards another end. There can be a support pivot on an outer surface of the housing permits the housing to be rocked about the pivot. There can be a series of rollers and one of the rollers can be motorized to rotate a ball. An outlet from the housing is directed to a tray for receiving a sterilized ball. The housing can include an internal surface with a light reflective material.
US08193504B2
A method and apparatus for the remote, non-invasive detection or characterization of materials manifests a controlled temperature perturbation to the sample material location concurrently with sample interrogation by ionizing radiation and with detection of the response emission energy spectra. This configuration induces and detects Doppler effects manifested at the sample location, allowing material inventory and composition measurements, and allowing a comparative reduction of the exposure duration compared to other isothermal proportional count, coincidence count or spectral analysis techniques. The method and apparatus apply primarily to the detection of elements and isotopes in baggage handling, cargo inspection, chemical characterization, process control and geologic operations, though the method and apparatus are not restricted to these applications. Though the magnitudes of the measured effects are substance specific, the contributing physical processes are not strictly material dependent, allowing method and apparatus applications to almost any high-energy photon-emitting material in multiple applications.
US08193501B2
A detector unit (301) for detecting electromagnetic radiation (106), the detector unit (301) comprising a conversion material (332) adapted for converting impinging electromagnetic radiation (106) into electric charge carriers, a charge collection electrode (331) adapted for collecting the converted electric charge carriers, a shielding electrode (334, 335) adapted to form a capacitance with the charge collection electrode (331), and an evaluation circuit (312 to 315) electrically coupled with the charge collection electrode (331) and adapted for evaluating the electromagnetic radiation (106) based on the collected electric charge carriers.
US08193491B2
The present invention discloses a structure and a method for determining a defect in integrated circuit manufacturing process. Test keys are designed for the structure to be the interlaced arrays of grounded and floating conductive cylinders, and the microscopic image can be predicted to be an interlaced pattern of bright voltage contrast (BVC) and dark voltage contrast (DVC) signals for a charged particle beam imaging system. The system can detect the defects by comparing patterns of the detected VC signals and the predicted VC signals.
US08193489B2
A multipole ion guide comprises rods disposed about an axis, each of the rods having a first end and a second end remote from the first end. Each of the rods is disposed at a respective greater distance from the axis at the first end than at the second end. The multipole ion guide comprises means for applying a radio frequency (RF) voltage between adjacent pairs of rods, wherein the RF voltage creates a multipole field in a region between the rods; and means for applying a direct current (DC) voltage drop along a length of each of the rods. A mass spectroscopy system is also disclosed.
US08193478B2
In a light sensor test unit, a test circuit is built in a display panel and connected to an output node of a light sensor which senses an intensity of an external light. When external light having a predetermined intensity is provided to the light sensor, the test circuit outputs a driving signal in response to a sensing signal output from the output node. A test pixel part includes pixels selected from a plurality of pixels arranged in the display panel and receives the driving signal from the test circuit to display a gray-scale corresponding to the driving signal. A brightness measurer measures a brightness corresponding to the gray-scale displayed in the test pixel part to compare the measured brightness with a predetermined brightness, thereby testing whether the light sensor built in the display panel is normally operated.
US08193471B2
The present invention relates to a breadmaker, in which the heating element is shieldingly protected in the shell body without being exposed outside so as to prevent people's hand from touching and being hurt by the heating element, more important, it is able to avoid getting flour falling onto the heating element and being baked excessively to stick on the heating element which may lead to a fire, thus the breadmaker of the present invention is more safely to operate and conforms to the requirements of European safety standards. The breadmaker comprises a shielding member for the heating element, and the shielding member is disposed between the heating element and the upper opening of the bread vessel, the downward projection of the shielding member can completely cover the contour of the heating element so as to completely shield the heating element from the above.
US08193468B2
A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes.
US08193466B2
An information handling system can include a base, a printed circuit board including a capacitive switch, and a cover. The printed circuit board can be attached to the base, and the cover can lie adjacent to the printed circuit board. The capacitive switch can be configured to change state when an object is close to the cover. The cover can be configured such that it can be detached from the remainder of the information handling system while the printed circuit board remains attached to the base. The configuration of the printed circuit board and cover can be particularly useful when maintaining a keyboard or a touch pad or when replacing the cover.
US08193464B2
Disclosed is a micro switch having a high capability of cutting off a direct current. In the micro switch including a stationary contact, a movable contact having a closed position where it contacts the stationary contact or an open position where it is separated from the stationary contact, a movable contact rod for supporting the movable contact, a plunger for pressurizing the movable contact rod upon being pressed, and a leaf spring for supplying a driving force to the movable contact rod to convert a position of the contacts being contacted or separated, a permanent magnet is installed at a position adjacent to the movable contact and the stationary contact, so as to extend an arc generated between the movable contact and the stationary contact upon separating the movable contact from the stationary contact, whereby the arc can be fast extinguished.
US08193462B2
A release device, particularly for a motor vehicle door, comprises a base body intended to be applied on the outer face of a door, having an axial appendage that can be inserted in a corresponding opening of the door. The axial appendage includes a tubular portion provided with a bottom wall having a hole intended to be slidably engaged by a cylindrical member projecting axially from a button to be associated with the base body with a possibility of a relative movement. The tubular portion has connection means for allowing a switch unit to be removably fastened, which switch unit can be operated as a result of an axial movement of a free end of the cylindrical member of the button.
US08193459B2
A disconnect assembly for making and breaking electrical connections to an electrical circuit. The disconnect assembly includes a pullout assembly and a base assembly. The pullout assembly has downwardly facing extensions with slits in them to receive a blade that is inserted securely through the slits. The exposed portions of the blade are received in corresponding lug-jaw connectors in the base assembly. The lug-jaw connectors have a lug and a half jaw attached to the lug. The half jaw has a curved clip portion that opposes a side surface of the lug such that the exposed portion of the blade is received between the clip portion and the side surface, thereby resulting in minimal use of conductive material for the disconnect assembly.
US08193449B2
A busbar assembly for an inverter module has a power module, a capacitor module with at least one capacitor, and a battery all interconnected by a busbar. The busbar includes a base busbar portion that is electrically coupled to the battery and a branch busbar portion that extends from the base busbar to the power module and that electrically connects to the capacitor module at points located between the base node and the power module.
US08193436B2
A method (100) and apparatus (200) are disclosed for transcribing a humming signal into a sequence of musical notes. The method begins by grouping (305) the signal into frames of data samples. Each frame is then processed to derive (320) a frequency distribution for each frames. The frequency distributions are processed to derive (410) a Harmonic Product Energy (HPE) distribution over the frames. The HPE distribution is then segmented (115, 120) to obtain boundaries of musical notes. The frequency distributions of the frames are also processed to derive (412) a fundamental frequency distribution. A pitch for each note is determined (125) from the fundamental frequency distribution.
US08193419B2
A soybean cultivar designated 8322144 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 8322144, to the plants of soybean 8322144, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 8322144, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 8322144 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 8322144, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 8322144, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 8322144 with another soybean cultivar.
US08193405B2
Disclosed is a process for integrating a butene dimerization process with a metathesis process to remove isobutene from the feed stream to the metathesis reactor. The isobutene is preferentially dimerized in the dimerization process to leave n-butenes for metathesis with ethylene. An upstream selective hydrogenation process also isomerizes 1-butenes to 2-butenes which is the preferred butene reagent in the metathesis process. A common fractionator column for the dimerization and hydrogenation processes is also described.
US08193404B2
Methods and processes for increasing the efficiency and/or expanding the capacity of a dehydrogenation unit by use of at least one direct heating unit are described.
US08193402B2
The present invention is directed to renewable compositions derived from fermentation of biomass, and integrated methods of preparing such compositions.
US08193391B2
A new process for preparation of 3-(2-hydroxy-5-substituted phenyl)-N,alkyl-3-phenylpropylamines from cinnamyl chloride via N-alkyl-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-amine has been developed.
US08193384B2
The synthesis and biochemical utility of modified oligonucleotides containing diphosphodiester internucleotide linkages. The synthesis of these compounds was carried out using diphosphitylating reagents. Oligonucleotides containing diphosphate diester bridges wherein said oligonucleotides are synthesized via a solid-phase synthesis strategy to form modified oligonucleotides. Diphosphitylating, triphosphitylating, tetraphosphitylating, β-triphosphitylating, bifunctional diphosphitylating, bifunctional triphosphitylating, and bifunctional tetraphosphitylating reagents wherein, the phosphorus atoms are linked together through oxygen, sulfur, amino, or methylene groups and/or are substituted with chlorine, diisopropylamine and cyanoethoxy groups.
US08193377B2
(−)-EGCG, the most abundant catechin, was found to be chemopreventive and anticancer agent. However, (−)-EGCG has at least one limitation: it gives poor bioavailability. This invention provides compounds of generally formulae below, wherein R11, R12, R13, R21, R22, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of —H, and C1 to C10 acyloxyl group; and R5 is selected from the group consisting of —H, C1-C10-alkyl, C2-C10-alkenyl, C2-C10-alkynyl, C3-C7-cycloalkyl, phenyl, benzyl and C3-C7-cycloalkenyl, whereas each of the last mentioned 7 groups can be substituted with any combination of one to six halogen atoms; at least one of R11, R12, R13, R21, R22, R2, R3 and R4 is —H, which were found to be more potent than their non-protected counterparts, which can be used as proteasome inhibitors to reduce tumor cell growth.
US08193373B2
Compound having the formula below are disclosed herein: formula (I). Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08193372B2
Provided herein are phosphothiophene and phosphothiazole compounds, for example, of any of Formulae I, IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB and VIIB disclosed herein, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and processes of preparation thereof. Also provided are methods of their use for the treatment of an HCV infection in a host infected with HCV.
US08193370B2
Disclosed is an alanine racemase chiral binaphthol derivative having the ability to recognize amino alcohols selectively on the basis of chirality and transform amino acids from an L-form into a D-form. Methods for the optical resolution of amino acid or amino alcohol and for the optical transformation of D- and L-forms of amino acids using the binaphthol derivative are also provided.
US08193352B2
The present invention relates to compounds that inhibit bacterial gyrase and/or Topo IV and pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds. These compounds, and compositions thereof, are useful in treating bacterial infection. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to methods for treating bacterial infections in mammals.
US08193351B2
Compounds represented by formula (1) shown below, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds are provided.
US08193346B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of macrocyclic compounds that are useful as hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor compounds.
US08193333B2
The invention relates to a double-stranded short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecule specific to the Bcl-XL transcript, comprising a sense and an antisense region, wherein the sense region comprises the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence having at least 70% identity, preferably at least 80% identity, more preferably at least 90% identity with said sequence, and the antisense region comprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to the sense region, and its use for treating cancer.
US08193318B2
The present invention relates to antibodies or fragments thereof that specifically bind FcγRIIB with greater affinity than said antibodies or fragments thereof bind FcγRIIA. The present invention also encompasses the use of an anti-FcγRIIB antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof for the treatment, prevention, management, or amelioration of a disease or disorder. The invention further provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies. The invention also provides methods of enhancing efficacy of a vaccine composition by administering the antibodies of the invention with a vaccine composition. The invention also provides methods of breaking tolerance to an antigen by administering an antigen-antibody complex and an antibody of the invention.
US08193296B2
This disclosure relates to golf balls made from a crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer includes crosslinks located in the hard segments, where the crosslinks being the reaction product of unsaturated bonds located in the hard segments as catalyzed by a free radical initiator. The crosslinks may be formed from an unsaturated diol as a chain extender. The unsaturated diol may be trimethylolpropane monoallylether (TMPME). The golf ball may include the crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer in the cover layer, in which case the cover layer may exhibit a high degree of scuff resistance.
US08193294B2
The present invention relates to hyperbranched copolymer networks containing hyperbranched copolymers that have perfluorocarbon and organosilicon entities that have high hydrophobicity, or high oleophobicity, or high thermal stability, or good adhesion to substrates, or any combinations thereof. This invention provides a further desirable combination of properties that include solubility before crosslinking, chemical resistance, and easy processibility. The copolymers may be crosslinked with a variety of crosslinking agents to give either rigid or elastomeric networks.
US08193293B2
Disclosed are low temperature curable coating compositions, related coated substrates, methods for depositing a coating on a substrate and methods for refinishing the surface of an article, such as an automobile. The coating compositions include: (1) an aminofunctional silicon compound; (2) a polyether; and (3) a compound comprising functional groups reactive with the amino functionality of the aminofunctional silicon compound.
US08193289B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to article comprising 1) a functionalized component, 2) tackifier, and 3) an olefin polymer comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins, optionally one or more diolefins, and less than 5 mole % of ethylene having a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more, a branching index (g′) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer; and an Mw of 100,000 or less; where the functional component is selected from the group consisting of functionalized polymers, functionalized oligomers and beta nucleating agents; and where the Gardner color of the adhesive does not change by more than 7 Gardner units when the adhesive has been heat aged at 180° C. for 48 hours as compared to the Gardner color of the unaged composition.
US08193284B2
The process for producing a polyolefin resin composition according to the present invention has a mixing step of melt-kneading a plurality of polyolefin ingredients having intrinsic viscosities different from each other to prepare a mixed fluid; and a filtering step of introducing the mixed fluid into a filter device having a main body section having a flow passage through which the mixed fluid is transferred and a sintered metal filter disposed in the flow passage of the main body section of the device and forcing the mixed fluid to pass through the sintered metal filter so that the filtration rate of the mixed fluid will be in a prescribed range. The sintered metal filter is fixed to the main body section of the device while keeping a section where the edge of the sintered metal filter abuts with the main body section of the device hermetically sealed in the above filter device.
US08193283B2
Disclosed are golf balls having soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers with improved softness and scuff resistance and methods for their preparation. The soft, resilient bimodal ionomeric covers comprise at least partially neutralized mixtures of carboxylate functionalized terpolymers (molecular weight between about 80,000 and 500,000) with carboxylate functionalized ethylene low copolymers (molecular weight between about 2,000 and 30,000).
US08193281B2
The invention is directed to the use of maleic esters selected from compounds of formulae (I) and (II) as copolymerizable emulsifiers in the emulsion polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers, in which A is an alkyl group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms; X and Z independently are hydrogen or methyl; M is hydrogen, an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or an ammonium or other amine salt; and n and p independently are numbers in the range from 0 to 40.
US08193278B2
The present invention provides filled aqueous caulk and sealant compositions made from high solids aqueous binders chosen from copolymers having a mixture of backbone acid and hydroxyl groups that are copolymerized from 0.5 to 7.5 wt. %, based on total monomer weight, of an hydroxyl group containing monomer, and mixed backbone acid copolymers that are copolymerized from methacrylic acid (MAA) with a second acid monomer having a lower pKa than the pKa of MAA. Preferred, compositions comprise one or more organosilane exhibit the adhesion and joint movement capability required by ASTM C-920-08, as well as good weatherability and aged wet adhesion to glass, even at a filler to binder ratio of 0.2:1 to 4:1.
US08193276B2
A fluorocopolymer capable of exhibiting excellent water and oil resistance even with its perfluoroalkyl group being a short chain, and a water and oil proofing composition containing it, are provided.A water and oil proofing composition containing a fluorocopolymer (A) comprising from 40 to 98 mass % of polymerized units (a′) having a C1-6 perfluoroalkyl group, from 1 to 50 mass % of polymerized units (b′) having an alkylene oxide and from 1 to 10 mass % of polymerized units (c′) based on a monomer represented by CH2═C(COOH)-Q-COOH (wherein Q is a C1-4 alkylene group, etc.).
US08193275B2
Aqueous dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water; wherein the dispersion has a pH of less than 12 are disclosed along with dispersions including at least one thermoplastic resin; at least one dispersing agent; and water wherein the dispersion has a volume average particle size of less than about 5 μm. Some dispersions include less than about 4 percent by weight of the dispersing agent based on the weight of the thermoplastic resin. Other dispersions include at least one propylene-rich alpha-olefin interpolymer; at least one dispersing agent; and water. Methods of making such dispersions are also described.
US08193274B2
In accordance with the present invention, compositions are described which are useful, for example, for the preparation of metal-clad laminate structures, methods for the preparation thereof, and various uses therefor. Invention metal-clad laminate structures are useful, for example, multi-layer board (MLB) industry, in the preparation of burn-in test boards and high reliability boards, applications where low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is beneficial, in the preparation of boards used in down-hole drilling, and the like.
US08193272B2
The flame-retardant high impact vinyl aromatic resin composition of the present invention comprises (A) about 100 parts by weight of a rubber modified vinyl aromatic resin; (B) about 1 to about 30 parts by weight of a brominated diphenyl ethane mixture; and (C) about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of antimony oxide. The resin composition can have excellent fluidity as well as high impact strength and can provide a flame-retardant high impact vinyl aromatic resin composition having excellent workability and mechanical properties.
US08193254B2
An apparatus and method of producing methanol includes reacting a heated hydrocarbon-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor; to provide a product stream comprising methanol; and transferring heat from the product stream to the hydrocarbon-containing gas to heat the hydrocarbon containing gas. After removing methanol and CO2 from the product stream, unprocessed hydrocarbons are mixed with the hydrocarbon containing gas for reprocessing through the reactor. Reactor byproducts are injected into the ground to increase the output of a hydrocarbon producing well.
US08193251B2
A method of producing products includes diluting a mater in a quality water as a dilution water a plurality of times until solid stable water clusters are formed having a plurality of water molecules connected with one another by electrical dipole interaction via internal electric field of ions and having a permanent electric dipole moment with an electrical field surrounding the solid stable water clusters, and the produced solid stable water clusters can be used with an additional material to produce the final product.
US08193249B2
The present invention provides synthetic methods and compositions for treatment of autoimmune and anti-inflammatory disorders comprising administering an effective amount of a derivative of triptolide alone or in combination or alternation with other anti-autoimmune or anti-inflammatory compounds.
US08193238B2
The present invention generally concerns microtubule protrusions in cancer cells, including detached cancer cells, and inhibition of the protrusions. In particular aspects, the inhibition of the protrusions interferes with attachment of the cell to a vessel wall, and in further aspects the cell is killed by forcing it to enter capillaries and be destroyed, for example by shearing. Inhibition by a variety of agents and methods is contemplated.
US08193236B2
A compound of formula (I) wherein R denotes another heterocylic residue and wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd and Re, are as defined in the specification, processes for their production, their uses, in particular in transplantation, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US08193232B2
Provided herein are compositions and formulations comprising an antifungal agent. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising luliconazole in an amount effective for the treatment of onychomycosis are provided. Also provided are methods for treating dermatomycoses and onychomycosis using the compositions and formulations.
US08193231B2
Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising 6-(4-Bromo-2-chloro-phenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-amide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of using such compositions for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating hyperproliferative diseases in mammals.
US08193229B2
Disclosed are methods of treating a hyperproliferative disorder or a disease related to vasculogenesis or angiogenesis in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of the formula or a pharmaceutically accepted salt thereof, wherein A, R1, R2, R7, R8, and R9 are as defined in the specification. Such compounds are MEK inhibitors and useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer and inflammation, in mammals.
US08193216B2
The present invention is directed to novel polymorphic forms of the compound 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol hydrate (gaboxadol monohydrate). The invention is further concerned with pharmaceutical compositions containing the polymorphic forms as an active ingredient, methods for treatment of disorders susceptible to amelioration by GABAA receptor agonism with the polymorphic forms, and processes for the preparation of the polymorphic forms.
US08193213B2
Hexahydroindenopyridine compounds are provided which act as spermicides and/or fungicides, spermicidal and/or fungicidal compositions containing the same, and methods for killing motile sperm and/or fungi using the compounds and compositions.
US08193208B2
The invention relates to fused and spirocycle compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or solvate thereof, wherein R1, R2, Q1-Q3, and Z are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention is also directed to the use of compounds of Formula I to treat, prevent or ameliorate a disorder responsive to the blockade of calcium channels, and particularly N-type calcium channels. Compounds of the present invention are especially useful for treating pain.
US08193202B2
Inhibitors of LIM kinase 2 are disclosed, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of their use. Particular compounds are of the formula:
US08193201B2
The invention provides compositions containing a fraction isolated or derived from hops and a methylxanthine. The invention additionally provides compositions containing a fraction derived from hops and a curcuminoid. The invention also provides methods of using such compositions to reduce inflammation.
US08193193B2
There is Provided an Agent for Prevention of glaucoma or an agent for prevention or treatment of ocular hypertension, with a potent ocular hypotensive effect and prolonged duration thereof. An agent for prevention or treatment of glaucoma comprising a Rho kinase inhibitor and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor in combination.
US08193192B2
The present invention relates to compounds which bind to the NR1H4 receptor (FXR) and act as agonists or partial agonists of the NR1H4 receptor (FXR). The invention further relates to the use of the compounds for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions through binding of said nuclear receptor by said compounds, and to a process for the synthesis of said compounds.
US08193182B2
Chemical entities of Formula I: that modulate PI3 kinase activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the chemical entities, and methods of using these chemical entities for treating diseases and conditions associated with P13 kinase activity are described herein.
US08193177B2
Methods are provided for treating fibrotic connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma and conditions such as surgically-induced adhesions using compounds that activate the signaling pathways of hepatocyte growth factor.
US08193174B2
The invention provides a compound comprising a xanthone or thiaxanthone sensitizing moiety, capable of coordinating to a lanthanide ion by the nitrogen atom of an integral pyridyl group or a related group able to bind a lanthanide ion.
US08193173B2
The present invention relates to a liver function ameliorant containing orniplabin as an active ingredient thereof.
US08193172B2
The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a patient suffering from major depressive disorder by administering to the patient an effective amount of a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist and to methods for establishing the optimal treatment regimen.
US08193170B2
This invention discloses 2-methylene-19,26-dinor-(20R,22E,25R)-vitamin D analogs, and specifically 2-methylene-19,26-dinor-(20R,22E,25R)-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits transcription activity as well as pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. This compound also shows very low activity in vivo on bone calcium mobilization and relatively high intestinal calcium transport activity compared to the native hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and therefore may be used to treat autoimmune disorders or inflammatory diseases in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy. This compound may also be used for the treatment or prevention of obesity.
US08193167B2
Compounds and compositions are provided for treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical disorders associated with viral infections, cell proliferation and bone metabolism. The compounds provided herein are alkyl esters of phosphonates.
US08193166B2
A new method is described for the oversulfation of epiK5-N-sulfate to obtain an epiK5-amine-O-oversulfate with very high sulfation degree which, by subsequent N-sulfation, provides new epiK5-N,O-oversulfate-derivatives with a sulfation degree of at least 4, basically free of activity on the coagulation parameters and useful in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical field. Also described are new low molecular weight epiK5-N-sulfates useful as intermediates in the preparation of the corresponding LMW-epiK5-N,O-oversulfate-derivatives.
US08193164B2
A compound of formula (I), or stereoisomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein, R1a, R1b, R2a, R2b, U1, U2, X1, X2 and L are as defined herein.
US08193160B2
In Magnaporthe species and other plant pathogenic fungal species, the appressoriu, (infection structure) is responsible for breaching the host plant cell wall and gaining entry into the host tissues. Magnaporthe ABC3 protein is an MDR transporter that plays an important role during host penetration and also is involved in regulating fungal response to intracellular oxidative stress. The insertional mutant abc3Δ, in which the ABC3 efflux pump function is blocked, lacks functional appressoria and is therefore incapable of causing disease in host plants. This invention provides the abc3 nucleic acid (gene) and ABC3 protein from Magnaporthe or from Aspergillus, Ustilago or Fusarium and describes methods for reducing plant pathogenicity for important rice pathogens.
US08193155B2
A skin care composition comprising at least one keratinocyte CLOCK or PER1 gene activator and at least one DNA repair enzyme; a method for inhibiting damage to human keratinocytes due to environmental aggressors by applying a composition comprising at least one keratinocyte CLOCK or PER1 gene activator and at least one DNA repair enzyme; and a method for repairing DNA damage in human keratinocytes.
US08193144B2
This invention relates to novel compounds derived from the reaction of diamines or polyamines with alkylene oxides. The invention also relates to novel compounds derived from the reaction of amine terminated polyethers with epoxide functional compounds. The novel compounds of the invention are particularly useful as wetting and foam control agents. The disclosed compounds exhibit exceptional antifoaming and defoaming activity while simultaneously reducing the dynamic surface tension when incorporated at low levels in water-based systems.
US08193143B2
A solid laundry detergent composition having: (a) detersive surfactant; and (b) from 0.05 wt % to 20 wt % carboxymethyl cellulose particle, wherein the carboxymethyl cellulose particle: (i) from 70 wt % to 98 wt % carboxymethyl cellulose having an average degree of carboxymethyl substitution of from 0.6 to 0.9; (ii) from 2 wt % to 12 wt % water; (iii) optionally from 0 wt % to 4 wt % sodium glycolate; and (iv) optionally from 0 wt % to 4 wt % sodium chloride.
US08193141B2
The instant disclosure relates to stable color maintenance and/or rejuvenation compositions comprising at least one cationic polymer and anionic surfactant, and methods for providing the same.
US08193132B2
A molybdated succinimide complex is disclosed which is prepared by a process comprising (a) reacting an alkyl or alkenyl succinimide of a polyamine of formula I wherein R is an about C12 to about C30 alkyl or alkenyl group; a and b are independently 2 or 3, and x is 0 to 10, with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof; and (b) reacting the product of step (a) with an acidic molybdenum compound. Also disclosed is a lubricating oil composition containing at least (a) a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) a minor amount of the molybdated succinimide complex.
US08193124B2
A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous base fluid; and a silanated weighting agent is disclosed. In particular, the silanated weighting agents may be produced by reaction between an alkyl alkoxy silane and a weighting agent Methods of formulating such fluids and methods of drilling using such fluids are also disclosed.
US08193121B2
2-(3-Alkylthiobenzoyl)cyclohexanediones of the formula (I) are described as herbicides. In this formula (I), X, Y, R1 to R8 represent radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl and alkoxy.
US08193116B2
To provide a heat-sensitive recording material including a substrate; a heat-sensitive color-developing layer over the substrate, the heat-sensitive color-developing layer containing a leuco dye and a developer; a first protective layer over the heat-sensitive color-developing layer, the first protective layer containing a water-soluble resin and a crosslinking agent; and a second protective layer over the first protective layer, the second protective layer containing a water-soluble resin, a crosslinking agent and a pigment, wherein the heat-sensitive color-developing layer, the first protective layer and the second protective layer are formed simultaneously by curtain coating method, and the second protective layer contains diacetone-modified polyvinyl alcohol and acrylic resin or maleic acid copolymer resin.
US08193108B2
A clad glass composition that is excellent in devitrification resistance and that prevents the whole mother glass rod from devitrifying by preventing a core glass composition from devitrifying in forming a mother glass rod using a concentric crucible drawing method, is provided. The clad glass composition forms a clad of a mother glass rod for a gradient-index rod lens having a core/clad structure.
US08193099B1
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a transistor gate stack over a substrate having an active area and a shallow trench isolation (STI) region. First sidewall spacers are formed on the transistor gate stack, and an isotropic etch process is applied to isotropically remove an excess portion of a metal layer included within the transistor gate stack, the excess portion left unprotected by the first sidewall spacers. Second sidewall spacers are formed on the transistor gate stack, the second sidewall spacers completely encapsulating the metal layer of the transistor gate stack.
US08193092B2
Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices. One example of a method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a conductive feature extending through a semiconductor substrate such that the conductive feature has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the second end projects outwardly from a surface of the substrate. The method can further include forming a dielectric layer over the surface of the substrate and the second end of the conductive feature such that the dielectric layer has an original thickness. The method can also include removing a portion of the dielectric layer to an intermediate depth less than the original thickness such that at least a portion of the second end of the conductive feature is exposed.
US08193075B2
Apparatus and methods for repairing silicon dangling bonds resulting from semiconductor processing are disclosed. The silicon dangling bonds can be repaired by introducing hydrogen radicals with substantially no hydrogen ions into the processing chamber to react with the silicon dangling bonds, eliminating them.
US08193068B2
To provide an SOI substrate with an SOI layer that can be put into practical use, even when a substrate with a low allowable temperature limit such as a glass substrate is used, and to provide a semiconductor substrate formed using such an SOI substrate. In order to bond a single-crystalline semiconductor substrate to a base substrate such as a glass substrate, a silicon oxide film formed by CVD with organic silane as a source material is used as a bonding layer, for example. Accordingly, an SOL substrate with a strong bond portion can be formed even when a substrate with an allowable temperature limit of less than or equal to 700° C. such as a glass substrate is used. A semiconductor layer separated from the single-crystalline semiconductor substrate is irradiated with a laser beam so that the surface of the semiconductor layer is planarized and the crystallinity thereof is recovered.
US08193058B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of memory cell transistors aligned in a predetermined direction on the semiconductor substrate, each memory cell transistor provided with a first gate electrode including a floating gate electrode comprising a polycrystalline silicon layer of a first thickness, a control gate electrode provided above the floating gate electrode, and an inter-gate insulating film between the floating and the control gate electrode; a pair of select gate transistors on the semiconductor substrate with a pair of second gate electrodes neighboring in alignment with the first gate electrode, each second gate electrode including a lower-layer gate electrode comprising the polycrystalline silicon layer of the first thickness, an upper-layer gate electrode provided above the lower-layer gate electrode; a polyplug of the first thickness situated between the second gate electrodes of the pair of select gate transistors; and a metal plug provided on the polyplug.
US08193051B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of source and drain diffusion regions located therein, each pair of source and drain diffusion regions are separated by a device channel. The structure further includes a first gate stack of pFET device located on top of some of the device channels, the first gate stack including a high-k gate dielectric, an insulating interlayer abutting the gate dielectric and a fully silicided metal gate electrode abutting the insulating interlayer, the insulating interlayer includes an insulating metal nitride that stabilizes threshold voltage and flatband voltage of the p-FET device to a targeted value and is one of aluminum oxynitride, boron nitride, boron oxynitride, gallium nitride, gallium oxynitride, indium nitride and indium oxynitride. A second gate stack of an nFET devices is located on top remaining device channels, the second gate stack including a high-k gate dielectric and a fully silicided gate electrode located directly atop the high-k gate dielectric.
US08193048B2
A semiconductor device formed in a semiconductor substrate wherein the semiconductor substrate has a trench for isolating elements from each other, the trench has unevenness at the bottom thereof, and an insulator is buried in the trench.
US08193041B2
The yield of a semiconductor device is improved. Inside the resin sealing body which forms a semiconductor device, the semiconductor chip is sealed in the state where it has arranged aslant to the upper and lower sides of a resin sealing body. In the suspension lead which supports the die pad carrying this semiconductor chip, the small recess is formed in the fifth surface of the opposite side with the surface on which the semiconductor chip was mounted. This recess is a portion used as the starting point when making die pad 2a slanting. The side surface of the side near a die pad between two side surfaces of this recess is formed in the state where it inclined rather than the side surface of the side near the periphery of a resin sealing body.
US08193039B2
A method of manufacturing includes connecting a first end of a first through-silicon-via to a first die seal proximate a first side of a first semiconductor chip. A second end of the first thu-silicon-via is connected to a second die seal proximate a second side of the first semiconductor chip opposite the first side.
US08193036B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die mounted over a surface of a substrate. A mold underfill dispensing needle has a width substantially equal to a width of the semiconductor die. The dispensing needle is placed in fluid communication with a side of the semiconductor die. A mold underfill is deposited from an outlet of the dispensing needle evenly across a width of the semiconductor die into an area between the semiconductor die and substrate without motion of the dispensing needle. The dispensing needle has a shank and the outlet in a T-configuration. The dispensing needle can have a plurality of pole portions between a shank and the outlet. The dispensing needle has a plate between a shank and the outlet. The outlet has an upper edge with a length substantially equal to or greater than a length of a lower edge of the outlet.
US08193034B2
A semiconductor device is made by forming a conductive layer over a temporary carrier. The conductive layer includes a wettable pad. A stud bump is formed over the wettable pad. The stud bump can be a stud bump or stacked bumps. A semiconductor die is mounted to the carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and around the stud bump. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first surface of the encapsulant. The first interconnect structure includes a first IPD and is electrically connected to the stud bump. The carrier is removed. A second interconnect structure is formed over a second surface of encapsulant opposite the first interconnect structure. The second interconnect structure includes a second IPD. The first or second IPD includes a capacitor, resistor, or inductor. The semiconductor devices are stackable and electrically connected through the stud bump.
US08193032B2
A method for formation of a carbon-based field effect transistor (FET) includes depositing a first dielectric layer on a carbon layer located on a substrate; forming a gate electrode on the first dielectric layer; etching an exposed portion of the first dielectric layer to expose a portion of the carbon layer; depositing a second dielectric layer over the gate electrode to form a spacer, wherein the second dielectric layer is deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), and wherein the second dielectric layer does not form on the exposed portion of the carbon layer; forming source and drain contacts on the carbon layer and forming a gate contact on the gate electrode to form the carbon-based FET.
US08193029B2
A PRAM device includes a lower electrode, a phase-change nanowire and an upper electrode. The phase-change nanowire may be electrically connected to the lower electrode and includes a single element. The upper electrode may be electrically connected to the phase-change nanowires.
US08193025B2
Provided are a photomask, an image sensor, and a method of manufacturing the image sensor. The image sensor can include photodiode structures, color filters, a planarization layer, and microlenses. The photodiode structures can be disposed on a semiconductor substrate according to unit pixel. The color filters can be disposed on the semiconductor substrate in a matrix arrangement above the photodiode structures. The planarization layer can cover the entire semiconductor substrate and includes cavities in regions of the planarization layer corresponding to boundaries between the color filters. The cavities may be arranged at boundaries between unit pixels. The microlenses can be disposed on the planarization layer such that portions of the microlenses are arranged in the cavities of the planarization layer.
US08193024B2
The reliability of a photosensor-type semiconductor device is enhanced. The sealing step in a manufacturing process for the semiconductor device is carried out as described below. A molding die having an upper die and a lower die is prepared and a film is arranged between the upper die and the lower die. A lead frame in which first adhesive, a semiconductor chip, second adhesive 11, and a base material are mounted over the upper surface of each tab is arranged between the film and the lower die. The base material has an opening formed therein and the opening is covered with a protective sheet. The semiconductor chip has a light receiving area formed in its main surface. The upper die and the lower die are clamped to cause part of the base material to bite into the film. Thereafter, sealing resin is supplied to between the film and the lower die to form a blanket sealing body. Thus the photosensor-type semiconductor device without resin flash over the light receiving area is obtained.
US08193020B2
Methods for the heteroepitaxial growth of smooth, high quality films of N-face GaN film grown by MOCVD are disclosed. Use of a misoriented substrate and possibly nitridizing the substrate allow for the growth of smooth N-face GaN and other Group III nitride films as disclosed herein. The present invention also avoids the typical large (μm sized) hexagonal features which make N-face GaN material unacceptable for device applications. The present invention allows for the growth of smooth, high quality films which makes the development of N-face devices possible.
US08193013B2
A method of producing a semiconductor optical sensor element includes the steps of: forming an oxide film on a silicon carbide substrate; forming a gate electrode layer on the oxide film; patterning the gate electrode layer to form a gate electrode; and processing thermally the gate electrode layer or the gate electrode under an oxidation environment. Further, the gate electrode layer or the gate electrode is thermally processed under the oxidation environment at a temperature between 750° C. and 900° C.
US08193009B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for packaging IC (integrated circuit) chips to enable both optical access to the back side of an IC chip and electrical access to the front side of the IC chip.
US08192988B2
Disclosed herein are methods and materials for producing a more developmentally potent cell from a less developmentally potent cell. Specifically exemplified herein are methods that comprise introducing an expressible dedifferentiating polynucleotide sequence into a less developmentally potent cell, wherein the transfected less developmentally potent cell becomes a more developmentally potent cell capable of differentiating to a less developmentally potent cell of its lineage of origin or a different lineage.
US08192975B2
Stable pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions are described. The compositions provide protection against loss of recombinant AAV vector genomes and transduceability under conditions such as exposure to cycles of freezing and thawing and storage in glass or polypropylene vials. The compositions comprise recombinant AAV virions in combination with one or more dihydric or polyhydric alcohols, and, optionally, a detergent, such as a sorbitan ester. Also described are methods of using the compositions.
US08192965B2
Method for producing itaconic acid in yeast cells using glycerol as the substrate. The yeast cells express cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase and optionally, citrate synthase and/or aconitase at high levels.
US08192963B2
A bacterium is described which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, and has an ability to produce an L-amino acid, such as L-glutamic acid, L-arginine and L-threonine. The bacterium is modified so that the activity of a protein encoded by ydcI gene is decreased, thereby producing and accumulating the L-amino acid selected from L-glutamic acid, L-arginine, and L-threonine in the culture medium or cells of the bacterium when cultured in a culture medium. Subsequently, the L-amino acid is collected from the culture medium or the bacterium.
US08192956B2
Disclosed are hybrid genes of glucanase and dextransucrase, recombinant vectors comprising said hybrid genes, microorganisms which are transformed with said recombinant vectors, hybrid enzymes which are expressed from said hybrid genes, and processes for preparing isomalto-oligosaccharides or dextran using said microorganisms or enzymes. Expensive isomalto-oligosaccharides and low molecular weight dextran for clinical use can be produced simply and effectively from cheap substrate-sucrose, using a single bacterial strain or enzyme.
US08192953B2
The present invention relates to the design of trimeric polypeptides using polypeptide structural elements derived from the tetranectin protein family, and their use in rational de novo design and production of multi-functional molecules including the application of the multi-functional molecules in protein library technology, such as phage display technology, diagnostic and therapeutic systems, such as human gene therapy and imaging. The trimeric polypeptides being constructed as a monomer polypeptide construct comprising at least one tetranectin trimerising structural element (TTSE) which is covalently linked to at least one heterologous moiety, said TTSE being capable of forming a stable complex with two other TTSEs; or as an oligomer which is comprised of two monomer polypeptide constructs as mentioned above, and which comprises three TTSEs or a multiplum of three TTSEs, or which is comprised of three monomer polypeptide constructs.
US08192950B2
The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases and methods for their production and use. Particularly, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence of citrus valencene synthase (CVS) which codes for at least one CVS. The invention further provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence coding for amino acid residues forming the tier 1 and tier 2 domains of CVS. The invention also provides for methods of making and using the nucleic acids and amino acids of the current invention.
US08192946B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions for detecting pregnancy in an animal by means of assaying peptidase activity of one or more Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs). In certain aspects, methods also comprising use of an antibody that binds immunologically to a PAG that displays proteolytic activity are provided. Substrates of proteolytic PAGs are also provided, as are kits, and methods of use. Further, methods of purifying PAGs based on their proteolytic activity are also provided.
US08192943B2
Methods for quantitatively measuring the amount of an analyte of interest in a fluid sample, and kits useful in the methods, are disclosed. The methods comprise sandwich assays, and utilize an internal calibration reaction that closely mimics the reaction of test particles by the use of a two-step reaction.
US08192942B2
The present invention relates to a method for separating a material that has affinity to an antibody by using a protein-antibody conjugate with modified partition characteristics, more precisely a method for affinity separation to separate a material specifically binds to an antibody, in which an antibody is conjugated to a protein to modify partition characteristics of the protein-antibody conjugate. The method of the present invention can be effectively and widely used as a safe and efficient separation method for biomolecules since it takes advantages of safe aqueous two-phase extraction system and high selective molecular specific conjugation.
US08192934B2
The present invention relates to genetic engineering and especially to the use of DNA transposition complex of bacteriophage Mu. In particular, the invention provides a gene transfer system for eukaryotic cells, wherein in vitro assembled Mu transposition complexes are introduced into a target cell and subsequently transposition into a cellular nucleic acid occurs. The invention further provides a kit for producing insertional mutations into the genomes of eukaryotic cells. The kit can be used, e.g., to generate insertional mutant libraries.
US08192932B2
The present invention provides a method of covalently joining a DNA strand to an RNA strand, a method of tagging a 5′ end of an RNA molecule, a DNA-RNA molecule which has been joined in vitro by the use of a topoisomerase, a method of tagging a 5′ end of an mRNA, and a method of isolating and cloning full-length gene sequences using capped mRNA after subtraction of non-capped RNA.
US08192927B2
The present invention relates to binding molecules such as human monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza virus H5N1 and have neutralizing activity against influenza virus H5N1. The disclosure provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, their sequences and compositions comprising the antibodies and methods of identifying or producing the antibodies. The antibodies can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of an influenza virus H5N1 infection. In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies provide cross-subtype protection in vivo, such that infections with H5, H2, H6, H9 and H1-based influenza subtypes can be prevented and/or treated.
US08192925B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08192919B2
A method for forming a plurality of gate patterns in parallel with each other on a photoresist layer within a circuit block includes forming extension gate patterns on both ends of the gate patterns and on both ends of a dummy gate pattern of the circuit block to reach an edge of the circuit block, and performing a first photolithography process upon the photoresist layer by using a phase shift photomask having first and second openings whose difference in phase is π, the first and second openings alternating between the gate patterns including the extension gate patterns to form phase edges therein.
US08192905B2
An electrophotographic photoconductor contains a photosensitive layer and a conductive substrate, wherein the photosensitive layer is disposed on the conductive substrate, and the photosensitive layer is a single layer containing a charge generating material, an electron transporting material expressed by the General Formula (1) and a hole transporting material expressed by the General Formula (2):
US08192897B2
There is provided a method for preparation of a transition metal electroplated porous carbon nanofiber composite for hydrogen storage. Specifically, the preparation method of a transition metal electroplated porous carbon nanofiber composite for hydrogen storage according to the present invention comprises electroplating a transition metal with a controlled particle diameter and a surface dispersion ratio on a porous carbon nanofiber with specific surface area from 500 to 3000 m2/g, pore volume from 0.1 to 2.0 cc/g and diameter from 10 to 500 nm. With increased hydrogen storage capacity, the transition metal electroplated porous carbon nanofiber composite provided by the present invention can be utilized as hydrogen storage medium of active material for electrodes of electrochemical devices, such as fuel cell, secondary cell and supercapcitor.
US08192893B2
A membrane-membrane reinforcing member assembly includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) having a substantially square shape; a pair of membrane-like first membrane reinforcing members (10a) disposed on one main surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) so as to extend along a pair of opposed sides, respectively, of four sides of said one main surface; and a pair of membrane-like second membrane reinforcing members (10b) disposed on another main surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) so as to extend along a pair of opposed sides, respectively, of four sides of said another main surface, wherein: portions of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) at which portions the first membrane reinforcing members (10a, 10a) and the second membrane reinforcing members (10b, 10b) are disposed are concave; and the first membrane reinforcing members (10a, 10a) and the second membrane reinforcing members (10b, 10b) are disposed such that main surfaces thereof are exposed, and the first membrane reinforcing members (10a, 10a) and the second membrane reinforcing members (10b, 10b) surround a peripheral portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) as a whole.
US08192887B2
A fuel cell has cell units and a manifold for uniformly supplying an anode fluid to each of the cell units. The manifold has a feed port through which an anode fluid is supplied, a first buffer section in fluid communication with the feed port for receiving the anode fluid and for reducing a flow rate of the anode fluid, a second buffer section in fluid communication with the first buffer section for receiving the anode fluid from the first buffer section at the reduced flow rate and for further reducing the flow rate of the anode fluid, and a block group formed of blocks spaced apart from one another to form flow channels in fluid communication with the second buffer section and through which the anode fluid at the further reduced flow rate flows. An array of fine openings is disposed in fluid communication with the cell units for receiving the anode fluid at the further reduced flow rate flowing through the flow channels so that the anode fluid is uniformly supplied to each of the cell units.
US08192885B2
A system and method for providing a fuel cell stack purge to remove excess water during system shut-down. A compressor is operated at a shut-down speed to force water out of the cathode flow channels and draw water through the membrane from the anode flow channels so that a desired amount of water is removed from the fuel cell stack without over drying the membrane. The cathode shut-down purge flow can be introduced in the forward or reverse direction. Further, the flow of hydrogen fuel can be directed so that it flows through the anode flow channels in an opposite direction to push water out of an anode outlet manifold into the anode flow channels so that it will also be drawn through the membrane by the cathode airflow. Finally, a brief rehydration step is added after the shut-down purge to achieve the desired water content in the cells.
US08192884B2
A fuel cell system of the present invention is provided with a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply system that supplies a fuel gas to the fuel cell, and an oxidant gas supply system that supplies an oxidant gas to the fuel cell, and, when operation end processing is started, a flow rate of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell is increased only by a predetermined amount that is determined based on a temperature environment of the fuel cell system. As a result, when the operation of the fuel cell system is ended, the fuel gas at the optimum flow rate in accordance with the temperature environment is provided, thereby efficiently preventing deterioration of the fuel cell after the end of the operation.
US08192869B2
A method for manufacturing a lithium ion secondary battery includes steps of preparing a green sheet comprising at least one of lithium ion conductive inorganic powder and inorganic powder which becomes lithium ion conductive when it is heat treated; producing a thin film solid electrolyte by heat treating the green sheet; laminating an electrode green sheet comprising an active material on at least one surface of the thin film solid electrolyte; and heat treating the electrode green sheet at a temperature which is lower than a temperature at which the solid electrolyte is heat treated.
US08192866B2
A method of preparing tin (Sn) nanoparticles based on a bottom-up approach is provided. The method includes combining a first solution comprising Sn ions with a second solution comprising a reducing agent. After the combination, the Sn ions and the reducing agent undergo a reaction in which at least some of the Sn ions are reduced to Sn nanoparticles. The first solution comprises a tin salt dissolved in a solvent; the second solution comprises an alkali metal and naphthalene dissolved in a solvent; and the combined solution further comprises a capping agent that moderates a growth of aggregates of the Sn nanoparticles.
US08192864B2
In a method for examining a negative electrode of a battery, a total thickness of a current collector and an active material layer is measured. Then, in order to estimate a composition of the active material layer, the total resistivity of the current collector and the active material layer is measured.
US08192863B2
A flexible energy storage device comprising a flexible housing; an electrolyte contained within the housing; an anode and cathode comprise a current collector and anode/cathode material supported on the current collector. The current collector comprising a fabric substrate (101) and an electron-conductive material (102). The electron conductive material contains voids to enable penetration of the current collector by the electrolyte.
US08192858B2
A method for forming an electrode plate for a battery includes the steps of (a) forming mixture layers on a current collector, lateral end surfaces of the mixture layers forming a continuous plane with at least one lateral end surface of the current collector; and (b) forming a porous film on the mixture layers. The step (b) includes the steps of: (b1) placing an electrode plate including the current collector and the mixture layers on a gravure roll having a cylindrical part and a truncated cone part provided continuously on an end surface of the cylindrical part to have an outwardly increasing inside diameter, the location of the end surface of the truncated cone part near the cylindrical part corresponding to the location of the continuous plane; and (b2) after the step (b1), abutting the gravure roll against the moving electrode plate while rotating the gravure roll in the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the electrode plate, thereby continuously applying a coating fluid serving as a precursor of the porous film to the electrode plate to cover longitudinal surfaces of the mixture layers and the continuous plane.
US08192856B2
An article bearing a flow field such as a distribution plate for use in a fuel cell is provided. The active portion of the article, i.e., the portion of the article bearing the flow field, comprises at least two subsections; a first central subsection and a second peripheral subsection; wherein channels within the first subsection have a cross-sectional profile that differs from that of channels within the second subsection. Typically, channels of the first subsection have lesser depth, greater draft or greater ratio of draft to depth. In addition, an article bearing a flow field is provided where the flow field comprises at least two channel segments which differ in draft. In addition, an article bearing a flow field is provided where the flow field comprises at least one channel segment comprising first and second channel walls which differ in draft.
US08192850B2
A combustion turbine component includes a combustion turbine component substrate and a bond coating on the combustion turbine component substrate. The bond coating may include Mn+1AXn (n=1,2,3) where M is selected from groups IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, and VII of the periodic table of elements and mixtures thereof, where A is selected from groups IIIA, IVA, VA, and VIA of the periodic table of elements and mixtures thereof, and where X includes at least one of carbon and nitrogen. A thermal barrier coating may be on the bond coating.
US08192849B2
An organic light emitting display device that can reach the optimum light emitting efficiency of each pixel while operating at a low voltage. The organic light emitting display device includes a first pixel region emitting a first color, a second pixel region emitting a second color different from the first color, a first layer formed over the first and second pixel regions, and having at least one of a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer, and a second layer formed over the first and second pixel regions, and having hole injectivity higher than the first layer, wherein the first and second layers are sequentially deposited in the first pixel region, and the second and first layers are sequentially deposited in the second pixel region.
US08192839B2
An elastomer fishing lure skirt comprising a silicone based elastomer substrate having a rough side wherein the substrate is separated into a plurality of filaments. The lure skirt further comprises an adhesive such as CHEMLOK® 697 (an adhesive), RTV adhesive, LOCTITE® (an adhesive), or combinations thereof. The lure skirt further comprises a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate polyester film having a metalized foil, colored foil, holographic film, or combinations thereof bonded to its surface. Additionally, the lure skirt includes a means for semi-permanently binding the filaments together to form said lure skirt.
US08192836B2
Fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 360 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and optionally, a Total Dry Tensile of less than 2450 g/76.2 mm and/or a Machine Direction (MD) Dry Tensile of less than 1520 g/76.2 mm and/or a Geometric Mean (GM) Total Dry Tensile of less than 1180 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method are provided.
US08192829B2
A non-powered path marking system comprises a substrate defining a cavity. A photoluminescent insert comprises a first resinous layer that is cast with photoluminescent particles suspended therein. Adhesive attaches the photoluminescent insert inside of the cavity. A marking device comprises a photoluminescent insert comprising N cast resinous layers, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to one. A first one of the N cast resinous layers includes photoluminescent particles suspended therein. A fastener includes a first portion cast in the photoluminescent insert and a second portion extending outside of the photoluminescent insert.
US08192819B2
Disc-shaped information recording medium comprising optical penetrating substrate having colored underlayer and ink receipt layer in this order on the principal surface of one side of the substrate, wherein the ink receipt layer contains inorganic fine particles, a binder, and a crosslinking agent, and wherein a pore diameter distribution of a gap of the ink receipt layer has a maximum peak in the range of 30 nm or more when the ink receipt layer is measured with a mercury porosimetry method. Since the shrinkage force functioning in the pores of the gaps of the ink receipt layer weakens, a disc-shaped information recording medium having a reduced occurrence of warp is provided.
US08192817B2
Exemplary embodiments provide a coating composition for an outermost layer of a fuser member that can include a plurality of fluorinated diamond-containing particles dispersed in an elastomeric matrix.
US08192809B2
The present invention is a method for localized chemical vapor deposition (CVD) for localized growing for example for carbon nanotubes (CNT), nanowires, and oxidation using a heated tip or an array of heated tips to locally heat the area of interest. As the tips moved, material such as CNTs grows in the direction of movement. The Scanning Probe Growth (SPG) or nanoCVD technique has similarities to the CVD growth; however it allows for controlled synthesis and direction and eliminates the need for masks.
US08192802B2
A process for producing an overprint is provided that includes a step of preparing a printed material printed on a printing substrate, a step of coating the printed material with a photocurable composition, and a step of photocuring the photocurable composition, the photocurable composition comprising (I) a fluorine-containing polymer having an ethylenically unsaturated group, (II) an ethylenically unsaturated compound, and (III) a photopolymerization initiator. There are also provided an overprint produced by the production process, and the photocurable composition.
US08192800B2
An application robot, specifically a painting robot, for coating workpieces with a coating medium and an appropriate operating method. The painting robot has multiple movable axes and a spatially positionable end effector. Multiple application devices are attached to the end effector.
US08192786B2
In a method to ensure the removability and/or the mobility of at least one element cast in a casting compound for a module of a medical apparatus, wherein the element is coated with a meltable substance before the casting, the meltable substance is melted by heating after the casting in order to remove and/or to produce the mobility of the element.
US08192785B2
A coating for implantable devices, such as stents, and a method of making the same is disclosed. Moreover, an apparatus for depositing the coating is disclosed.
US08192779B2
A novel method for producing a natural cheese is described. The present method utilizes a combination of heating, mechanical processing and pH changes to produce a natural cheese.
US08192778B2
Co-precipitated carrageenan/xanthan gum compositions and a process for preparation are provided. The compositions are simple to prepare and provide functional performance in a broad range of food, specialty and industrial applications.
US08192774B2
This invention features a method of producing a triglyceride solution. The method includes contacting a liquid fatty acid alkyl ester and a substance containing triglyceride so that the triglyceride is dissolved into the fatty acid alkyl ester to form a triglyceride solution.
US08192772B2
The present invention describes a method to improve the properties of a dough and/or a baked product by adding a bread or dough-improving agent containing a enzyme with xylanolytic activity belonging to glycoside hydrolases family 8. Preferred enzymes are the psychrophilic xylanase from Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis and the mesophilic xylanase Y from Bacillus halodurans C-125.
US08192765B2
An antimicrobial and chemical deactivating composition for use in a liquid medium or for incorporation into a coating, structural plastic materials, thin microporous membranes, textiles and sponges. The composition includes macrosize or submicron particles of silver, platinum with silver and their salts with parabens, oxide, salicylate, acetate, citrate, benzoate and phosphate along with copper and zinc salts of the same.
US08192760B2
Compositions for forming a self-reinforcing composite biomatrix, methods of manufacture and use therefore are herein disclosed. Kits including delivery devices suitable for delivering the compositions are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the composition can include at least three components. In one embodiment, a first component can include a first functionalized polymer, a second component can include a second functionalized polymer and a third component can include silk protein or constituents thereof. In some embodiments, the composition can include at least one cell type and/or at least one growth factor. In some embodiments, the composition can include a biologic encapsulated, suspended, disposed within or loaded into a biodegradable carrier. In some embodiments, the composition(s) of the present invention can be delivered by a dual lumen injection device to a treatment area in situ, in vivo, as well as ex vivo applications.
US08192759B2
The present application discloses matrix compositions to support the repair of tissue defects such as an osteochondral injury. A matrix described herein comprises a polyester polymer entangled with a polysaccharide polymer. Also disclosed are methods of preparing a matrix, and methods of using a matrix in the repair of tissue. In certain configurations, a matrix can comprise a polyester cross-linked with a polysaccharide, which can be an oxidized polysaccharide. In some configurations, a matrix can further comprise one or more additional components, such as a growth factor.
US08192755B2
An improved stable pharmaceutical composition for controlled release of an active ingredient comprises a betalactam antibiotic such as cephalexin, cefaclor or their pharmaceutically acceptable hydrates, salts or esters as active ingredient, a calcium salt and a mixture of hydrophilic polymers selected from the group consisting of at least one sodium alginate and one xanthan gum and with or without hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, said composition optionally containing probenecid. The composition may also contain one or more of a water soluble and/or water dispersible diluent, wherein the quantities of the hydrophilic polymers and water soluble and/or water dispersible diluents are such that the therapeutically effective active ingredient is released at a rate suitable for once or twice daily administration of the pharmaceutical composition.
US08192754B2
The invention encompasses micelle assemblies, compositions having micelle assemblies, and methods for preparing micelle assemblies and compositions thereof. Also, the invention encompasses compounds of the formula: A-X—Y—Z—R1 wherein A is a carboxy group or is absent; X is a polyol, Y is —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, or is absent; Z is O, S, or NH; and R1 is a polyether, wherein one or more hydroxy groups of the polyol are acylated with a fatty acid residue, wherein the compounds form micelle assemblies. The invention encompasses methods of encapsulating molecules using the compounds of the invention.
US08192751B2
A bone grafting material composite is provided. The bone grafting material composite includes a demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/glycerol gel carrier. Due to the CMC/glycerol gel carrier, the implantation ability thereof is better than that of the DBM. Therefore, the bone grafting material composite can be easily used, so that a curative effect can be greatly improved. In addition, since the CMC/glycerol gel is used as a carrier, the composite with a mobility maintained is washed out by water after surgery, so that the composite can be fixed on a damaged portion of a bone.
US08192750B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising betamethasone, griseofulvin and tea tree oil, for use in the treatment of ear fungal infections, particularly otomycosis, particularly infections caused by Aspergillus niger or Candida albicans. The composition may be in the form of ointment, cream, gel or liquid, e.g. ear drops.
US08192743B2
Activated polymeric bicine derivatives such as, as well as conjugates made therewith are disclosed. Methods of making and using the bicine derivatives are also disclosed.
US08192737B2
The present invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly immunoglobulins (e.g., antibodies), comprising a variant Fc region, wherein said variant Fc region comprises at least one amino acid modification relative to a wild-type Fc region, which variant Fc region binds FcγRIIIA and/or FcγRIIA with a greater affinity, relative to a comparable molecule comprising the wild-type Fc region. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful in preventing, treating, or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with a disease, disorder, or infection. The molecules of the invention are particularly useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease or disorder where an enhanced efficacy of effector cell function (e.g., ADCC) mediated by FcγR is desired, e.g., cancer, infectious disease, and in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic antibodies the effect of which is mediated by ADCC.
US08192724B2
A water soluble, non-abrasive, effervescent, pharmaceutically acceptable, oral care tablet for use in the oral cavity. The tablet includes a carbon dioxide source, a acid source and a tablet forming material admixed to form a chewable tablet having less than 0.2% water. The carbonate to acid ratio ranges from about 2.33:1 to about 3.33:1, the percent by weight of tablet forming material ranges from about 10% to about 70% of the total tablet weight, and the pH of the tablet when dissolved in water to form a 1.0% by weight aqueous solution ranges from about 5.0 to about 7.0. Also included is a flavor imparting flavor agent in an amount sufficient to mask taste sensations derived from the carbon dioxide source, acid source and binder to provide an abrasive-free texture to the tongue in the oral cavity. Other additives are contemplated.
US08192723B2
A single phase aerosol composition comprising the following constituents: (a) 5 to 75 wt % of a hydrofluorocarbon(s) (HFC) of vapour pressure greater than or equal to 4 bar at 20° C. (60 psig at 70° F.); (b) 10 to 30 wt % of a hydrocarbon propellant; (c) 1 to 70 wt % of a hydrocarbon solvent(s) with a vapour pressure of less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20° C.; (d) 0.01 to 10 wt % of an active constituent(s) selected from the group which includes fragrances, air-sanitisers, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, aroma therapy compositions; and, (e) 0 to 25 wt % of an adjuvant constituent(s) other than (a), (b), (c) or (d). Methods of making the said composition and aerosol dispensers containing the said composition are also disclosed.
US08192722B2
The invention relates to a dosage form that is thermoformed without discoloration and is safeguarded from abuse, comprising at least one synthetic or natural polymer having a breaking strength of at least 500 N in addition to one or more active substances that could be subject to abuse. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for producing said dosage form.
US08192715B2
The present invention provides a lithium-containing composite oxide for a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety, and excellent durability for charge and discharge cycles and charge and discharge rate property, and its production method.The lithium-containing composite oxide is represented by the general formula LipNxMyOzFa (where N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Sn, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than Co, Mn and Ni, 0.9≦p≦1.2, 0.965≦x<2.00, 0
US08192709B2
The present invention relates to the selective separation of methane (“CH4”) from higher carbon number hydrocarbons (“HHC”s) in streams containing both methane and higher carbon number hydrocarbons (e.g. ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, etc.) utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate methane from higher carbon number hydrocarbons in natural gas streams.
US08192704B1
A method of extracting uranium from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) particles is disclosed. Spent nuclear fuel (SNF) (containing oxides of uranium, oxides of fission products (FP) and oxides of transuranic (TRU) elements (including plutonium)) are subjected to a hydrogen plasma and a fluorine plasma. The hydrogen plasma reduces the uranium and plutonium oxides from their oxide state. The fluorine plasma etches the SNF metals to form UF6 and PuF4. During subjection of the SNF particles to the fluorine plasma, the temperature is maintained in the range of 1200-2000 deg K to: a) allow any PuF6 (gas) that is formed to decompose back to PuF4 (solid), and b) to maintain stability of the UF6. Uranium (in the form of gaseous UF6) is easily extracted and separated from the plutonium (in the form of solid PuF4). The use of plasmas instead of high temperature reactors or flames mitigates the high temperature corrosive atmosphere and the production of PuF6 (as a final product). Use of plasmas provide faster reaction rates, greater control over the individual electron and ion temperatures, and allow the use of CF4 or NF3 as the fluorine sources instead of F2 or HF.
US08192701B2
The present teachings relate to surface tension controlled valves used for handling biological fluids. The valves controlled by optically actuating an electro-wetting circuit.
US08192693B2
Hazardous process gases are heated to auto ignition temperatures by rods and cylinders in a heating chamber. The heated gases and oxygen mix in a combustion chamber, and the gases ignite and combust. Air is introduced to cool the hot combustion products. Particles are separated from the cooled gases. Pure non hazardous gases and air are exhausted.
US08192689B2
The invention relates to a device for taking out and analyzing a sample from a polymerization reactor comprising one or more sample conduits (2), for taking a sample out of said reactor and for conducting said sample to one or more sample flash tanks (3), whereby said conduits each are in communication with said reactor (19) and each are provided with at least two sampling valves (4, 5); comprising one or more sample flash tanks (3), for separating said solid particles and evaporated gas, whereby said sample flash tanks are connected to said conduits (2) and provided with means for analyzing said evaporated gas (7), and comprising one or more sample receivers (6), for purifying said solid particles, whereby said receivers are connected to said sample flash tanks (3) and provided with means (8) for analyzing said solid particles. The invention further relates to a method for improving a polymerization reaction in a polymerization reactor.
US08192675B2
A balloon catheter is provided that may be used to dilate hardened regions of a stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with one or more dilation elements that extend along a surface of a balloon. Each dilation element is connected to an outer surface of the balloon by a connector. The connector is sufficiently sized and designed to undergo stress-induced plastic deformation incurred during blow molding so that a significant portion of each of the dilation elements does not become absorbed into the wall of the final blow molded balloon, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of each of the dilation elements.
US08192674B2
The invention concerns an apparatus and a process for the production of a structure from fiber composite material, comprising a mold tool for receiving material which can be joined to provide a structure, and a vacuum system for molding and fixing the structure, wherein the vacuum system has a flexible layer, in particular a separation film or separation layer and/or a tear-off film, and a vacuum film for covering the structure. In accordance with the invention the vacuum system is free from ventilation material and/or tear-off material at least at a portion which corresponds to a portion of the structure to be covered, in which a step extends.
US08192672B2
A method for fabricating a device provided with one or more cavities filled with at least one liquid, comprising the steps of: (a) forming one or more microcavities on a support separated from each other by one or more walls, and filled with at least one given porous material; (b) filling, in at least one cavity filled with said porous material, by means of at least one given functional liquid; and (c) forming a sealing layer enabling said cavities to be sealed.
US08192667B2
A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure having a plugged portion, which is faster and cheaper to manufacture, and a manufacturing apparatus thereof. A film is attached to an end face of a honeycomb structure in a state where the honeycomb structure is positioned in a table portion having a through hole into which the end face portion of the honeycomb structure is to be inserted, and the film is held in a flat state where a remaining portion of the film which is not attached to the end face is attached to the table portion. Then, holes opened so as to correspond to the openings of a part of cells are formed in the film to form the film as a mask, and a plugging material having fluidity is supplied onto the mask or onto the same plane as the mask to fill the cells with the plugging material.
US08192654B1
Disclosed herein is a method for producing a lenticular sheet comprising the steps of providing a substrate of transparent material having a first side and a second side; and engraving a cylinder with an inverse lens pattern, the inverse lens pattern being comprised of a plurality if inverse lenticule shapes, each inverse lenticule shape having an incremental pitch relative to the others; and using the engraved cylinder in an extrusion embossment process such that the substrate can be embossed with the inverse lens pattern, wherein the lenticular sheet produced comprises a lens pattern having a plurality of lenticules each of a uniform pitch relative to one another.
US08192652B2
The tin-doped indium oxide thin film in accordance with the present invention has a tin-doped indium oxide, yttrium ions and europium ions, wherein the yttrium ions are proportional to 0.1-10 mol % of the tin-doped indium oxide while the europium ions proportional to 0.05-5 mol % of the tin-doped indium oxide. The method in accordance with the present invention comprises preparing a tin-doped indium oxide; and doping yttrium ions proportional to 0.1-10 mol % of the tin-doped indium and europium ions proportional to 0.05-5 mol % of the tin-doped indium oxide in the tin-doped indium oxide using a film-manufacturing method.
US08192650B2
A method for manufacturing a conducting polymer composite with carbon nanotubes is described. A conducting polymer is compounded with the CNT film by in-situ chemical polymerization.
US08192647B2
A process for producing synthesis gas from biomass in which biomass is contacted with oxygen and steam, wherein the oxygen is present in an amount effective to oxidize the biomass partially and to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 500° C. and no greater than 750° C. At least a portion of the partially oxidized biomass then is treated with oxygen and steam to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 800° C., thereby producing a synthesis gas, which then is recovered.
US08192645B2
A resin composition for surface-mountable (SMT) camera modules which is excellent in the balance between heat resistance, rigidity, strength or moldability and surface exfoliation characteristics is provided by using a liquid-crystal polyester resin composition which comprises 100 parts by mass of a liquid-crystal polyester, 15 to 60 parts by mass of talc having a number-mean particle diameter of 10 to 50 μm, 25 to 50 parts by mass of glass fiber having a number-mean fiber length of 100 to 200 μm, 6 to 20 parts by mass of titanium oxide, and 2 to 10 parts by mass of carbon black and which exhibits a melt viscosity of 10 to 100 Pa S as determined at a shear rate of 100 sec−1 and 370° C. and a deflection temperature under load of 220° C. or above.
US08192643B2
Fluids comprising graphite particles and related methods are generally described. In some embodiments, “microfluids” are described. Generally, the microfluids can comprise a fluid and a plurality of graphite particles with microscale dimensions.
US08192642B2
New protective coating layers for use in wet etch processes during the production of semiconductor and MEMS devices are provided. The layers include a primer layer, a first protective layer, and an optional second protective layer. The primer layer preferably comprises an organo silane compound in a solvent system. The first protective layer includes thermoplastic copolymers prepared from styrene, acrylonitrile, and compatible compounds such as monomers, oligomers, and polymers comprising epoxy groups; poly(styrene-co-allyl alcohol); and mixtures thereof. The second protective layer comprises a highly halogenated polymer such as a chlorinated polymer which may or may not be crosslinked upon heating.
US08192635B2
A method for improving the service life of passive filtration and infiltration devices. Contaminated water, such as stormwater runoff or wastewater, is filtered through a media comprising of a mixture of filter media and stimuli-responsive polymer particles. The polymer particles reversibly expand/contract in response to changes in certain environmental stimuli, resulting in increased macropores and breakup of sediment and crust that would otherwise reduce hydraulic flow. The method is effective in a variety of passive devices, including conventional particulate filters, infiltration systems, and high loading canister, cartridge and catch basin filter devices.
US08192633B2
Energy is stored and transferred by separating a sodium sulfate product from water containing sodium sulfate, adjusting the phase change temperature of the sodium sulfate product, storing energy in said product by heating the product above the sodium sulfate-sodium sulfate decahydrate phase change temperature and transferring the stored heat by cooling the heated sodium sulfate product to below said phase change temperature.
US08192630B1
Methods for in-line purification of surfactant from a first fluid, such as a microemulsion are disclosed. Magnetic particles coated with surfactant molecules may be used to bind surfactants from a fluid. A magnetic field may be used to separate the bound materials from the fluid.
US08192625B2
A jet aeration apparatus for aerating a membrane bioreactor has a jet aerator and an air supply pipe. The jet aerator is disposed in the membrane bioreactor and includes a water inlet, a pump disposed below a liquid surface of the membrane bioreactor, an air inlet pipe whose air inlet is disposed above the liquid surface of the membrane bioreactor, and a jet pipe having a jet nozzle. The air supply pipe includes a connector; and the connector of the air supply pipe is connected to the jet nozzle of the jet pipe of the jet aerator. A method of using the jet aeration apparatus is also provided. The jet aeration apparatus is easy to install, quiet in operation, and features a high degree of integration.
US08192618B1
In the present invention, dialysis tubing is placed in a chamber, where an ultrasonic or a other mist producer is present. The ultrasonic mist producer will produce mist and small water droplets will be attached to the surface of dialysis membrane (sheet or tubing) and will condense and the water drops will fall back in the solution tank, where the ultrasonic probe produces the mist. When the droplet is attached to the membrane surface, the dialysis will take place.
US08192616B2
A pressurized wastewater effluent chlorination system including a treatment tank defining a contact chamber and an aeration chamber. The treatment tank receives wastewater effluent. The system includes a pressure vessel within a liquid chlorine storage container positioned in or near the treatment tank. Preferably, the pressure vessel is a floating vessel having a check valve at its bottom, enabling the vessel to fill with a predetermined amount or measured charge of chlorine depending on the position of a float on the vessel. In response to a timer control or float switch, a valve operates to communicate air pressure from a compressor to the vessel to displace the measured charge of liquid chlorine into the wastewater effluent in the contact chamber. Effluent flow and air discharge into the contact chamber enhances mixing of the chlorine and the effluent.
US08192601B2
An electroblotting cassette is formed in three separable parts—an upper plate, a lower plate, and a base that receives both plates, with electrodes mounted on both the upper and lower plates. The cassette accommodates transfer stacks of different thicknesses by its inclusion of a set of raised areas, known as “lands,” on the floor of the base and a set of inverse lands on the underside of the lower electrode plate, the two sets being spatially arranged to either abut each other or be offset from each other, depending on the orientation of the lower plate, thereby allowing the user a choice between two heights of the lower plate within the base and hence two thicknesses of transfer stacks. Other arrangements include those with more than one set of lands on one or both parts to allow for three or more thickness selections, or depressions in place of lands. Finger-operated latches secure the upper plate to the base.
US08192599B2
Electrochemical sensors for investigating a physiological sample and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The sensor includes an electrochemical reaction cell, having electrodes and a reagent, and laterally spaced electrical contact points for electrically communication with a meter. Further described herein is a multi-chambered sensor having an electrochemical reaction cell and an immunological cell. The multi-chambered cell can also include a pre-chamber.
US08192590B1
Efficient method for preparing sulfonium photoacid generators (PAGs) by microwave-assisted reaction of diarylsufides in the presence of alkylaryliodonium salts. Microwave-assisted synthesis of the PAGs is significantly faster, reducing reaction time with less energy consumption. Reaction times using the microwave-assisted synthesis are in a range of from 90 to 420 faster than conventional thermal conditions. The photoacid quantum yields of several salts prepared by the microwave reaction were measured; the photoacid quantum yields of new sulfonium PAGs were in a range from 0.01 to 0.4 times greater than yields from conventional synthesis. Incorporating a nitro group in the structures of the sulfonium salts increased photoacid quantum yield, induced intersystem crossing and increased the efficiency of photoacid generation compounds.
US08192581B2
Devices and methods related to a web stabilizer for stabilizing a moving web with a surface adjacent the moving web and with a supply of moving fluid in a direction parallel to the moving web and a supply of moving fluid in a direction perpendicular to the moving web.
US08192576B2
Apparatus and methods are provided to detect and control a voltage potential applied in a plasma chamber for processing a semiconductor wafer. The plasma chamber includes circuitry for monitoring and adjusting a pulsed RF bias voltage signal to be applied to a chuck in the plasma chamber, where the chuck is configured to mount the wafer for processing. The circuitry includes an RF bias voltage detector for detecting individual pulses of the pulsed RF bias voltage signal applied to the chuck. A timing circuit is provided for determining a time for sampling each of the individual detected pulses and a sample and hold circuit. The sample and hold circuit is triggered at the sampling time for sampling each of the individual detected pulses to determine and hold a voltage value representing a peak peak-to-peak voltage value of each individual detected pulse, and the sample and hold circuit is configured to provide a feedback signal representing the peak peak-to-peak voltage value of at least one of the detected pulses. Further included is a feedback circuit for adjusting the voltage of the pulsed RF bias voltage signal applied to the chuck according to a difference between the feedback signal and a desired voltage value of the RF bias voltage signal.
US08192571B2
Provided in some embodiments is a method that includes coupling portions of one or more members using at least one impact driven fastener. At least one impact driven fastener includes at least one penetrating portion formed of plastic, and at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F. Plastic of the penetrating portion provides the penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi. The method also includes applying heat to at least partially deform the head portion of at least one fastener.
US08192569B2
Medical devices and related methods are disclosed.
US08192566B2
A continuous annealing and pickling process of flat cold-rolled products, such as stainless steel strips, to obtain a high surface quality product at high production rates and with a low environmental impact. It comprises the following steps: heating, up to a temperature comprised in the range 650-1050° C., in an atmosphere with an oxygen content comprised in the range from 0.5 to 12%; heating for a time comprised from 10 to 200 sec up to a temperature comprised in the range from 650 to 1200° C. in presence of oxidizing agents and/or inert agents; cooling down to temperatures comprised in the range from 650° C. to ambient temperature in presence of oxidizing agents and/or inert agents; thermochemical or electrolytic descaling and finally possible pickling and/or passivation, by means of the use of pickling baths consisting of mineral acid solutions.
US08192548B2
The invention relates to an arrangement for the coating of substrates, which comprises an evaporation source and a vapor barrier between the evaporation source and the substrate. The vapor barrier is maintained at a temperature which is at least equal to or above the vaporization temperature of the material to be vaporized. The vapor barrier is implemented as a quartz valve, which includes a spherical closure part connected with a movable rod. In a first position this spherical closure part closes a vapor conducting tube, which is connected with the evaporation source, and, in a second position, the spherical closure part abuts a spherical calotte which seals off a quartz tube.
US08192547B2
The present invention relates to vacuum depositions systems and related deposition methods. Vacuum deposition systems that use one or more cyropanels for localized pumping of a deposition region where a substrate is positioned are provided. The present invention is particularly applicable to pumping and minimizing reevaporation of high vapor pressure deposition materials during molecular beam epitaxy.
US08192544B2
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon ingot for solar batteries having a door control device using a hinge. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a crucible, a susceptor which surrounds the crucible, a heater which heats the crucible, and an insulation plate which is disposed below the susceptor and has an opening therein. The apparatus further includes a cooling plate which moves upwards through the opening of the insulation plate and comes into close contact with or approaches the lower end of the susceptor, a cooling plate moving unit which actuates the cooling plate, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the crucible, and a control unit which controls the temperature in the crucible and the cooling plate moving unit. Furthermore, a door is provided on the insulation plate to open or close the opening of the insulation plate. The hinge is provided between the door and the insulation plate. Thus, after the raw silicon material is melted, when the cooling plate moves upwards to cool the crucible and thus pushes the lower surface of the door upwards, the door is opened by the hinge in a swinging manner, and when the cooling plate approaches or comes into contact with the lower end of the susceptor, one end of the opened door is leaned on a corresponding surface of the cooling plate.
US08192542B2
Method for producing an aqueous suspension, which is based on a hydraulic binder, and a hardened binder product. According to the invention, a composition of blending agents is added in the aqueous phase into the binder, which composition comprises calcium carbonate particles having an average particle size of 2-200 nm, in order to generate an aqueous suspension and, if needed, mineral fillers are added into this suspension, in order to produce a hardening plaster or concrete mixture. Besides calcium carbonate, the composition of blending agents can comprise calcium hydrogen carbonate and meta-kaolin sinter, too. By using the present invention, it is possible to improve the properties of products which are bound by hydraulic binders; with the described combination of blending agents it is possible to affect for instance the early strength, the frost resistance, the phenomenon of bleading, the plasticizing, the size of the transition zone and the durability of concrete or plaster, and to reduce the quantity of the hydraulic binder.
US08192538B2
A method for producing a reduced-moisture-content-solvent ink composition includes reducing the moisture content of a pigment dispersion containing a metal pigment and a dispersion medium or an ink composition containing the pigment dispersion and an organic solvent by bubbling treatment using an inert gas having a water vapor content of 2.0 mg/L or less.
US08192534B2
Devices and systems for capturing and removing accumulated gas bubbles in a liquid-carrying line wherein the device is an expanded double-layered chamber designed and adapted to be integrally placed within the flow pathway of a liquid-carrying line. The device allows insertion of tubes and wires through the device while in use without occlusion of the fluid flow path and without interruption of the bubble-removing function. The efficiency of the air venting and bubble-removing process is not dependent on the fluid flow rate under stable flow conditions, and the device works to remove air bubbles under a range of orientations.
US08192532B1
A fuel tank safety system includes a heat exchanger in flow communication with a cabin conditioning system, a blower configured to withdraw a quantity of ullage gas from a vehicle fuel tank for routing through the heat exchanger, and conduit interconnecting the fuel tank, the blower, and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to reduce a temperature of the ullage gas using cooling providing by the cabin conditioning system and thus reduce the fuel content (or fuel-air ratio) of the ullage below threshold required for combustion.
US08192523B1
A respirator leak detection system and method for increasing the sensitivity and accuracy of leak detection through the fit seal of a respirator. A charged particle separator is used to separate charged particles that pass therethrough and to draw charged particles away from an aerosol flow into a clean gas flow. The separator may also be configured as an aerosol concentrator that takes in a major aerosol flow and outputs a minor flow of higher particle concentration. Neutral particles having no charge, which may have passed through the filtering medium respirator and which are not indicative of fit seal leaks are not entrained in the output flow for subsequent detection, thus increasing the accuracy of the filter leak detection system.
US08192519B2
This invention is directed to systems, devices and methods for modifying the process of producing dried biosolids pellets or granules into beneficiated inorganically-augmented bioorganic fertilizer. The present invention describes a method to beneficiate heat-dried biosolids or sludge pellets or granules as presently manufactured by municipalities or companies from a) dewatered municipal wastewater biosolids or sludges within the municipal wastewater treatment plant heat-dried biosolids production facility or from b) finished dry heat dried biosolids pellets or granules in a separate manufacturing facility from the municipal wastewater treatment plant to produce a fertilizer containing sufficient organic and inorganic plant nutrients to be valuable and saleable into the commercial agricultural industry. The present invention describes beneficiation methods to increase the plant nutrient content to a level which permits the finished beneficiated dried biosolids pellet or granule product to compete in the commercial agricultural fertilizer marketplace and also to reduce the odors associated with traditionally-produced heat dried biosolids.
US08192511B2
A method of burning fuel in a combustion chamber whereby reducing overall carbon emissions, comprising: feeding an oxidizing component and a combustible component to a combustion chamber in a ratio based on zero oxygen balance principle, wherein the oxidizing component has an oxygen balance value of more than zero, and the combustible component has an oxygen balance value of less than zero. The method of burning fuel can reduce overall carbon emissions, even to zero.
US08192509B2
An apparatus and method for producing a dye-sensitized cell are provided, in which a pre-transparent electrode and an opposite electrode are partially bonded, dye molecules are applied to the bonded electrodes followed by washing, an electrolyte is injected, and then the electrodes are hermetically sealed. With the apparatus and method, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified.
US08192508B2
Disclosed are ceramic-polymer composite consisting of aggregates of dielectric ceramic particles and polymer resin, and a fabrication method thereof, the method including aggregating dielectric ceramic particles to create aggregates, melting polymer resin in a solvent to prepare a polymer solution, dispersing the aggregates in the polymer solution to prepare a mixed solution, and hardening the mixed solution to obtain ceramic-polymer composites.
US08192506B2
Disclosed herein are compositions suitable for use in dyeing keratin-containing fibers. Further disclosed herein are colorant systems and compositions comprising the colorant systems. Also disclosed are kits comprising one or more colorant systems and an activator composition.
US08192502B2
The present invention is a general pain and phantom pain reducing and eliminating prosthesis socket device for an amputee user with an amputated body part. The device has a core socket and a silicon socket cup placed inside the core socket to receive the amputated body part and a wireless transmitter Fob that includes a programmable microprocessor, a wireless radio transmitter IC board, an adjustable potentiometer, a momentary on and off switch, a light emitting diode and a DC power source. The wireless receiver module also includes a wireless processor printed circuit board, a battery and power supply, a thermocouple temperature probe and a heating coil.
US08192495B2
A spinal implant which is configured to be deployed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The implant has at least one extendable support element with a retracted configuration to facilitate deployment of the implant and an extended configuration so as to expand the implant and effectively distract the disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can also be corrected, and natural curvatures restored. Preferably, the implant has a minimal dimension in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the dimensions of the neuroforamen through which it typically passes to be deployed within the intervertebral space. The implant is provided with a locking system preferably having a plurality of locking elements to lock the implant in an extended configuration.
US08192494B2
Provided is a device and method for replacing a diseased or damaged intervertebral disc in the spine of a patient. The device provided having at least two units, each of the units having an articulation surface and a bone contacting surface, the articulation surfaces of each of the at least two being in articulating opposition one to the other, one of which having a convex articulation surface and the other having a complementary concave articulation surface. The bone contacting surfaces being provided with bone implantation securing elements such as keel type or spike type protrusions. Also provided is a method of implanting the device into an intervertebral space from a posterior approach.
US08192484B2
Luminal endoprosthesis formed of a multi-layer braided framework. The framework is devoid of any cover layer, and formed of a plurality of stabilized layers of biocompatible metal wires which are interlaced, forming a lattice, a plurality of wires of a given layer being integrated in the lattice of the adjacent layers. The mechanical characteristics of an outermost layer is so that when in place, the layer applies against a vessel wall, the other layers extending substantially along cylindrical surfaces distinct from the outermost layer so as to form a multi-layer mat which affects the haemodynamic of a flow of blood passing along or through this mat and preventing a growing of plaque.
US08192483B2
It is intended to provide a stent to be placed in the living body which exhibits excellent extension properties even in a flexion site of a lumen in the body and shows a low restenosis rate after being placed in the living body. A stent to be placed in the living body characterized in that, as one of the characteristics thereof, the stent is in a long and thin tubular shape having both termini, the long and thin tubular body can be extended in the radial direction from the first diameter in the compressed state to the second diameter in the extended state, the stent has a first terminal section, a second terminal section, a third central section, a fourth section located between the first terminal section and the third central section and a fifth section located between the second terminal section and the third central section, the rigidity of the fourth section is lower than the rigidity of the first terminal section and lower than the rigidity of the third central section, and the rigidity of the fifth section is lower than the rigidity of the second terminal section and lower than the rigidity of the third central section.
US08192482B2
A stent is provided comprising a plurality of hoops aligned along a common axis, wherein each of the hoops is oriented in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stent. Each of the hoops includes a plurality of elongate elements joined to one another and forming apices that point in a direction along the axis of the stent. The stent also comprises means for securing an apex of one hoop to a juxtaposed apex of a neighboring hoop.
US08192480B2
A system and method of detecting implant detachment within the body of a patient. The activation of the heater coil causes the degradation, melting or reduction of a component that brings the heater coil into or out of electrical contact with another component, or causes the individual loops of the coil to contact each other, thereby resulting in a notable change in resistance in the circuit supplying the heater coil with electricity.
US08192472B2
A system for the internal fixation of a fractured bone of an elbow joint of a patient includes at least one bone plate, each bone plate having a plurality of holes and generally configured to fit an anatomical surface of the fractured bone. The at least one plate is adapted to be customized to the shape of a patient's bone. The system also includes a plurality of fasteners including at least one locking fastener for attaching the bone plate to the bone. At least one of the holes is a threaded hole. Guides for plate benders, drills, and/or K-wires can be pre-assembled to the threaded holes, and the locking fastener can lock into any of the threaded holes after the guides are removed.
US08192468B2
A dynamic stabilization device for bones or vertebrae is provided which includes at least two bone anchoring elements, at least one connection element, connecting the bone anchoring elements. Each bone anchoring element includes a shank portion to be anchored in the bone or in the vertebra and a head portion to be connected with the connection element. The connection element is at least partly elastic and has at least one loop section. The head portion includes a recess with an opening for inserting the loop section. A securing element is provided for securing the loop section in the recess. The connection element is preferably in the form of an endless loop made of an elastomeric material.
US08192462B2
A surgical suture material and a method to the use thereof are represented by different needles and surgical threads. The main embodiments comprises a needle (6), consisting of two needles (7, 8) jointed by a temporary connection having a tetrahedral, diamond or another shape in such a way that a single needle point (9) is formed, and a surgical thread (10) provided with shaped design projections embodied on the thread surface in the form of notches. The shaped design of the notches has a very important significance since it makes it possible to provide a reliable linkage with soft tissues and to forcedly holding the soft tissues when force actions are applied thereto. The method consists in introducing, during a surgical intervention, the twin needle in one puncture at a small depth, wherein the needle is divided into two needles, and in leading each needle along a required contour. The surgical suture material can be extensively used for surgical and cosmetic interventions.
US08192461B2
The present embodiments provide methods for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one exemplary method, at least a portion of a first tacking device is disposed through at least a portion of tissue at a first location in a vicinity of an opening in the tissue. Then, at least a portion of a second tacking device is disposed through at least a portion of tissue at a second location in the vicinity of an opening in the tissue. A closure member having at least one loop portion is advanced towards the first and second tacking devices, and the loop portion is positioned around at least a portion of the first tacking device and at least a portion of the second tacking device. The closure member then is actuated to urge the first tacking device towards the second tacking device to provide a compressive force upon the opening.
US08192456B2
A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall, having at least two metal petals that can be inserted through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen of the blood vessel. The petals are structured to prevent withdrawal through the blood vessel wall aperture when the length of the petal is generally aligned with the blood vessel wall. The metal petals have alignment features that tend to urge them into alignment relative to each other. The closure device includes a metal expansion member that is alterable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. A bioabsorbable tensioning member interconnects the petals and the metal expansion member and is securable to the metal expansion member.
US08192455B2
An apparatus and method for treating morbid obesity in mammals using a gastric reduction assembly that reduces the gastric volume of a stomach and induces early satiety. The gastric reduction assembly comprises at least two or more expandable devices, each able to be adjustably inflated with a fluid (e.g., a liquid or a gas) using a filling tube. In a preferred embodiment, the gastric reduction assembly is inserted through the abdominal wall and placed at a location exterior to the stomach body, avoiding an abdominal incision. Once positioned near the stomach body, the gastric reduction assembly allows for the external compression of the stomach body to limit food intake. The gastric reduction assembly also minimizes the potential for shifting of the expandable devices after insertion to the stomach body to revert to its pre-compressed state.
US08192453B2
A surgical cutting tool, instrument, kit and system are disclosed, which are adapted for use during in total hip (or shoulder) replacement surgery. The invention optimally and efficiently removes excess bone (osteophytes) and soft tissue from the rim of a hemispherical component such as an implanted acetabular shell, prior to insertion of a liner. The surgical instrument includes an elongated obturator adapted to be removably attached to the acetabular component. An elongated reamer tool has a cannulated central boss for receiving the obturator. The tool has an upper end adapted to be coupled to a powered tool driver, and a lower end provided with a pair of spaced apart blades adapted to engage the rim of the acetabular component and be driven to remove the excess bone fragments from the rim of the implanted shell component.
US08192451B2
The invention provides a rotational and/or axially translatable atherectomy system, device and method having a flexible, elongated drive shaft or catheter having an expandable and collapsible conical coil with a cutting edge on the coil's large diameter proximal end. When retracted, the coil's sections are collapsed around each other, held together in the retracted position by a sheath that, when distally retracted, allows the coil to automatically expand. The coil is expanded at a point distal to the occlusion, then pulled proximally to cut the occluding material near the lumen wall. The proximal pulling force may be combined with low-speed rotation and/or translation and/or axial vibration at low to ultrasonic frequency.
US08192449B2
A fixing device for securely fixing surgical equipment to a surgical field of a human or animal body includes a first lever element including a first gripping portion and a first handling portion, and a second lever element including a second gripping portion and a second handling portion. The and second lever elements can be connected such that they can be pivoted and detached with respect to each other.
US08192446B2
A hair removal apparatus and method is presented. The hair removal apparatus can have a pair of tension units and at least one hair removal line. In one aspect, each of the tension units can have a first arm and a second arm that is moveable in relation to the first arm such that the distance between the distal ends of the two arms can be changed with respect to one another. In one aspect of the hair removal method, the line is configured to form an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point. The hair is removed by moving the twist point past the target hair, catching the target hair in a portion of the twist point, removing it from the skin.
US08192442B2
The present invention relates in certain embodiments to medical devices for treating osteoplasty procedures such as vertebral compression fractures. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to instruments and methods for controllably restoring vertebral body height by controlling the geometry of fill material introduced into cancellous bone. A method of treating bone includes injecting a volume of fill material into a bone and selectively modifying a viscosity of the bone filler to control the direction of flow of the fill material within the bone. A system for treating bone using this method includes an introducer for delivering fill material into the bone and an energy source selectively coupleable to the fill material to alter the viscosity of the fill material via an energy emitter in the introducer.
US08192441B2
An apparatus to aid in cutting a bone during a bone osteotomy procedure, including a frame having a first bushing, a first fixation pin, and an adjustment screw. The apparatus further includes a side plate attached to the frame and moveable with respect thereto, the side plate having a second bushing and a second fixation pin. In addition, the apparatus includes a drill block assembly releasably attached to the side plate and moveable with respect thereto, the drill block having a third bushing and a hinge pin.
US08192440B2
A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.
US08192438B2
A rod reducer is adapted for inserting a rod into position within an orthopedic device. The rod reducer is configured for use with one hand and does not obstruct the surgeon's view of the surgical field during use.
US08192435B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures. The current invention includes specific tools that enable safe tissue modification in epidural space, including a barrier that separates the area where tissue modification will take place from adjacent vulnerable neural and vascular structures. In one variation, a tissue abrasion device is provided including a thin belt or ribbon with an abrasive cutting surface. The device optionally may be placed within a protective sheath that exposes the abrasive surface of the ribbon only in the area where tissue removal is desired.
US08192428B2
An electrosurgical instrument and method for treating varicose veins. In one embodiment, an elongate catheter has a distal working end that carries an electrosurgical energy delivery surface comprising at least one electrode with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTCR) surface and/or an electrode with a pressure sensitive variable resistance to provide a smart surface for controlling Rf current flow at the interface of electrosurgical surface and the tissue. The electrode surface then can limit or modulate Rf energy delivery through the surface in response to the temperature of the surface or the engagement pressure of the surface against the engaged tissue. In operation, the smart electrosurgical surface prevents arcing at the electrode-tissue interface, and thus controls ohmic heating to prevent tissue desiccation, charring and emboli formation.
US08192424B2
System and method for selectively applying electrical energy to structures within or on the surface of a patient's body and controlling the flow of an electrically conductive fluid from the application site to provide or maintain a desired operating condition of the electrosurgical device. An electrosurgical probe is in communication with a fluid transport apparatus through a fluid transport lumen having an opening at an end proximate the application site and disposed proximate the electrosurgical probe. A controller in communication with the fluid transport apparatus provides control signals to the fluid transport apparatus in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system. Based on the received control signals, the fluid transport apparatus adjusts a flow rate of the electrically conductive fluid at the application site through the fluid transport lumen in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system.
US08192421B2
Connector for medical use comprising: a body joined to a line or adapted to be connected at one of its ends to a tubing in which a fluid flows, and a male luer lock connection comprising a base mounted rotatingly on the body and cooperating by friction with it, without any possible translational movement. The base is joined to a hollow tubular body, having a threaded inner surface and a male central luer cone. The outer surface of the body and the inner surface of the base of the connection, cooperating by friction, have a spherical then cylindrical shape.
US08192415B2
A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated. Additional replaceable absorbent core components may also be incorporated.
US08192408B2
The invention provides a trocar assembly for delivering a payload into tissue, such as an eye, comprising a primary housing, a cannula, a payload, an actuator and a trocar.
US08192407B2
The inventive needle protective device (2) comprises a protective support (20), a movable needle protector (22), a compression spring (24) applied between the protective support (20) and the needle protector (22) and means (38, 40, 54) for initially holding the needle protector (22) oppositely to the compression spring (24) action, wherein said means (38, 40, 54) are releasable by the needle protector (22) displacement in a releasing direction with respect to the protective support (20). Said device also comprises mechanical means (45, 62) for locking the needle protector (22) actuatable by the action of a needle protective cap engaged into the end opening (60) of the needle protector (22) and deactivatable by the cap releasing.
US08192391B2
An ultrasound catheter system and a method for operating an ultrasonic catheter at a treatment site within a patient's vasculature or tissue are disclosed. The method of operating an ultrasonic catheter comprises advancing a catheter with at least one ultrasonic element to a treatment site in a patient's vascular system or tissue, driving the at least one ultrasonic element to generate ultrasonic energy, delivering a therapeutic compound to the treatment site through the catheter, and varying a power parameter and a physiological parameter of the ultrasonic element by ramping the power parameter and the physiological parameter between two set of minimum and maximum values.
US08192377B2
Disclosed herein is a device for supporting a human limb during the application of physical therapy to the limb, the device comprising a base, the base defining a base plane; a support member comprising an attachment end separated from a limb support end by a support distance, wherein the attachment end is movably engaged with the base such that the support member is moveable in a plane of motion essentially perpendicular to the base plane; and wherein the limb support end is conformable to a human limb and capable of supporting the human limb when physical therapy is being applied to the human limb. A method of stretching a human knee using the instant device is also disclosed.
US08192374B2
A method is provided for establishing contact of a medical device against a tissue surface within a subject body, the method comprising determination of the geometrical configuration of the distal portion of the medical device, and using this together with known control variable information to determine and control the contact force of the distal tip of the medical device against the tissue surface.
US08192371B2
A method may include collecting at least one analyte from within a body, ejecting the collected at least one analyte from the body through at least one dermal layer of the body, and receiving the ejected at least one analyte outside the body. A system may include a means for collecting at least one analyte from within a body, a means for ejecting the collected at least one analyte from the body through at least one dermal layer of the body, and a means for receiving the ejected at least one analyte outside the body.
US08192368B2
This invention provides a pressure sensing catheter, and method for using the same, which eliminates the practitioners' need to fill the catheter with fluid manually prior to insertion, and thereby increases the accuracy and ease of the overall pressure-sensing procedure. The illustrative catheter includes, in its proximal end, a transducer base or housing that is permanently attached to the catheter shaft. The base includes, inserted thereinto, one or more miniaturized pressure transducer assemblies, which are in fluid communication with corresponding pressure lumens that extend down the shaft and are in communication with one or more predetermined balloons by discrete channels or ports, which provide a fluid passage between the interior space of the balloon and the corresponding pressure lumen. The integral assembly includes a predetermined, previously installed charge of fluid that extends from the transducer, through the corresponding pressure lumen and into the interior volume of the sensing balloon. The charge of fluid has been made free of any air bubbles at the point of manufacture, and is delivered fully charged, so that maximum sensing accuracy and minimum setup time are achieved. In alternate embodiments the catheter can include a fluid infusion/flushing lumen and port interconnected to a proximal fluid connection.
US08192366B2
A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided.
US08192365B2
An ultrasonic probe is provided that is capable of preventing the probe's position from being displaced due to wire slippage on a drive pulley and a swing pulley while swinging. The ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic transducer unit emitting ultrasonic waves while swinging. Furthermore, a wire is attachable to the ultrasonic probe, which allows for the adjustment of a position angle of an ultrasonic transducer unit in swing operation without the use of a position angle sensor.
US08192364B2
A method and system for quantifying the extent of vaso vasorum with contrast enhanced ultrasound and correlating that quantitative value to the risk for vascular disease is provided. An ultrasound contrast agent is administered to a subject and images are obtained using an imaging method that identifies the uptake of the contrast agent by tissues. The amount of uptake is measured and the corresponding signal intensity change correlated with the amount of vaso vasorum present. Additionally, deformations of the vasculature are measured from the series of ultrasound images and this information is coupled with the quantification of the vaso vasorum to determine a risk index indicative of a subject's risk to vascular disease.
US08192363B2
A catheter system for delivering ultrasonic energy to a treatment site includes a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end. An ultrasonic assembly is positioned within the treatment zone and provides providing an average longitudinal power density between about 0.2 and about 1.0 W/cm within the treatment zone.
US08192359B2
A functional module type medical apparatus for use in medical treatment and/or diagnosis and a functional module with individual function of medical treatment and/or diagnosis are disclosed.The functional module type medical apparatus comprises a common functional body with a module connection part, having at least one of a display section for displaying necessary information relating to medical treatment and/or diagnosis, an operation section for medical treatment and/or diagnosis, and a power source section for supplying driving power to the medical apparatus, in which the module connection part is constructed such that the corresponding connection part of a functional module having medical treatment and/or diagnosis is replaceably connected thereto, whereby the common functional body cooperatively functions in accordance with its individual function of the functional module when the functional module is connected thereto.
US08192357B2
A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08192354B2
An endoscope inserted-shape detecting apparatus 8 includes a sense coil unit 23 in which multiple sense coil groups of sense coil groups 23A to 23I for detecting magnetic fields generated by multiple source coils 21 in an inserted-shape detecting probe 6 are placed as a part of the endoscope inserted-shape detecting apparatus 8, a signal detecting section 33, a source coil position analyzing section 35 and a signal control section 37 that selects a magnetic-field detecting element to be used for detection of a magnetic field signal based on the magnetic field generated by each of the source coils 21 from the sense coil groups 23A to 23I in a control section based on positional information signals outputted from the source coil position analyzing section 35.
US08192348B2
The present invention relates to engineered blood vessels and methods of making such vessels using matrices comprising endothelial and smooth muscle cells, or cells capable of differentiating into endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages (e.g., stem cells, or the progenitors thereof).
US08192343B2
A continuous flow centrifuge system is provided. The system includes a rotor, a stator, a stator housing, upper and lower bearing plates, upper and lower bearings, first and second snap rings, and lip seal. The upper bearing rotatably secures a shaft of the rotor in the upper bearing plate. The first snap ring secures the upper bearing to the rotor shaft. The lip seal is over the upper bearing and forms a rotatable seal with the upper bearing plate. The second snap ring secures the lip seal to an inner diameter of the upper bearing plate. The upper and lower bearing plates are secured to the stator housing so that the rotor is operatively aligned with the stator.
US08192342B2
A separator having a conical separator drum mounted rotatably at only one of its axial ends and having a vertical axis of rotation. The drum includes a rotary spindle for driving the separator drum. The separator includes an inflow pipe for a product to be processed and at least two liquid outlets. The first liquid outlet is for a lighter phase and the second liquid outlet is for a heavier phase. The first liquid outlet includes a stripping disk. Further included is a solids discharge port and a separation plate stack in the separator drum. The second liquid outlet is followed outside the drum by a settable throttle device having an annular disk for displacing a liquid radius of the heavier phase by a throttling in an outflow cross section for the heavier phase.
US08192337B2
An apparatus and method provide an elastic resistance to a free-range of motion of a user. A cord running through a pulley and connected at either end to handles permits assisted resistance control (ARC) and a leverage advantage. In ARC, release by an anchor hand, still maintaining a load, may provide consistent or reduced force on the other, active, hand. One bodily member, such as a hand, may selectively halt and move as an “anchor” member, thereby simultaneously exercising itself and exerting control over another “active” bodily member operating in a “free range of motion.” Thereby, motion of the active hand may continue throughout a range desirable for a physical therapy regimen, a sporting activity, a work activity, or the like. A full range of motion of a bodily member and all supporting portions of the body is possible, without excessive stress or strain on joints due to a mismatch of position and load common to prior art systems.
US08192323B2
An epicyclic gear system (A) includes a sun gear (2), a ring gear (4) located around the sun gear, planet gears (6) organized in two arrays between the sun and ring gears, and a carrier (8) having walls (14) located beyond the planet gears and flexpins (24) that project from the walls into the planet gears. Each flexpin includes an inner pin (30) provided with a flange 36 that is secured to the wall from which the inner pin projects, thus cantilevering the inner pin from the wall, and a sleeve (32) that is cantilevered from the opposite end of the inner pin and extends back over the inner pin, thus providing a double cantilever. Between the sleeve of the flexpin and the planet gear for that flexpin is a double row tapered roller bearing (26). The planet gears on the one array may be offset angularly with respect to the planet gears of the other array.
US08192316B2
The invention is directed to a drive belt such as a transport or synchronous or power transmission belt with an elastomeric belt body having a drive side and a back side, a tensile member embedded in the belt body, and an anti-static, wear-resistant, covering fabric on at least one of the drive and back side. The anti-static fabric includes a nonconductive natural or synthetic polymeric fiber and a conductive fiber. The conductive fiber is a synthetic polymeric fiber with a conductive metallic coating. The metallic coating may be silver.
US08192313B2
A plate for a rocker joint chain in which the plate includes two longitudinal legs and two vertical legs that together enclose a plate opening. The plate includes at least one recess in a longitudinal leg to replace a tab that extends from a longitudinal leg in previously employed plates. A guide rail along which the rocker joint chain travels to reduce slack strand vibrations during chain movement is subject to less wear than with the previously employed plates.
US08192310B2
An arrow point includes a base portion, a tip portion, and a plurality of extension members. The plurality of extension members each have a distal end, a proximal end, and a blunt surface. The proximal end of the extension members is pivotally mounted to the base portion. The extension members are movable upon proximal movement of the tip portion between a retracted position wherein the blunt surface is unexposed, and an extended position wherein the blunt surface is exposed and facing in a generally distal direction.
US08192306B2
A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas with dimples configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules, and such that the golf ball exhibits a lift coefficient (CL) of less than about 0.275 over a range of Reynolds Number (Re) from about 120,000 to about 180,000 and at a spin rate of about 4,500 rpm.
US08192304B2
An exemplary golf club head having additional discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing light-weight materials, an favorable average crown height, and/or articulation points. By using a preferred break length, the additional discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
US08192295B2
A method, system and golf ball determine the side spin and/or back spin of a golf ball to facilitate the evaluation of a putt. In one embodiment, a system includes a golf ball and an offboard display device. The golf ball includes a golf ball body, a motion sensor disposed within the golf ball body and configured to measure acceleration of the golf ball along each of three mutually perpendicular axis, and a transmitter within the golf ball body transmits data representative of spin of the golf ball. The display device includes a receiver and a display, and the receiver receives data representative of the spin of the golf ball from the transmitter and the display is configured to provide a representation of a measure of the spin of the golf ball.
US08192287B2
A game apparatus includes an input-output processor, and by following an instruction from the input-output processor, messages are transmitted and received with other game apparatus 12 connected via a network. The messages are transmitted and received in an electronic mail format, and has identification information of an application being a creation source of the message as well as general information, such as a transmission source, a destination and a subject as header information.
US08192281B2
Described herein is a gaming machine configured to output video data that simulates mechanical reels in a traditional mechanical slot machine. Embodiments described herein contribute to the emulation of a mechanical machine by simulating one or more visible mechanical imperfections commonly found in a mechanical reel machine.
US08192279B2
The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may optionally participate and be eligible to win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot. In one embodiment, the player may be eligible for the progressive jackpot by wagering at least a minimum wager amount, and perhaps the maximum bet for the wagering game. In another embodiment, the player may affirmatively elect to be eligible for the progressive jackpot by placing a wager or fee in addition to a wager on the wagering game. Graphics corresponding to the progressive jackpot may be optionally displayed only to players eligible to win the progressive jackpot.
US08192267B2
Embodiments of the present concept provide an electronic gaming device that facilitates wagering by multiple players on a single gaming device. Also provided is a method of sharing game play on such a gaming device, where the method includes receiving a wager from a first player at a first gaming station, receiving a wager from a second player at a second gaming station, initiating a gaming event that is displayed at the first and second gaming stations, and awarding prizes associated with gaming outcomes displayed at the first and second gaming stations.
US08192266B2
Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event, that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.
US08192258B2
A method for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part includes bone parts with at least a part of the rib cage, at least a part of the breast fillet, other muscle tissue that does not form part of the breast fillet, for example at least a part of the back meat that is naturally present on the rib cage and the spine and/or at least a part of the abdominal muscle tissue. This method includes the steps of making an incision through the meat at least up to the bone parts lying under the meat, which incision is made in an area between the breast fillet and the other muscle tissue that does not form part of the breast fillet, and which incision in that area substantially follows the shape of the breast fillet, and detaching the breast fillet from the bone parts of the carcass part.
US08192257B2
Processing pads for mechanical and/or chemical-mechanical planarization or polishing of substrates in the fabrication of microelectronic devices, methods for making the pads, and methods, apparatus, and systems that utilize and incorporate the processing pads are provided. The processing pads include grooves or other openings in the abrading surface containing a solid or partially solid fill material that can be selectively removed as desired to maintain the fill at an about constant or set distance from the abrading surface of the pad and an about constant depth of the pad openings for multiple processing and conditioning applications over the life of the pad.
US08192256B2
A disc-shaped, rotary dressing tool has a rigid core and an abrasive rim around at least one surface of the periphery of the rigid core, the rigid core and the abrasive rim being oriented in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the tool. The abrasive rim comprises an abrasive component bonded to the rigid core by means of an active braze, and the abrasive component is diamond grains arranged in a single layer or diamond film inserts. The abrasive rim may comprise a plurality of abrasive inserts mechanically fastened to the rigid core and comprising an abrasive component bonded to a backing element by means of an active braze.
US08192245B2
A seal for vent openings of inflatable structures is provided that includes an interior and an exterior component that can be affixed to each other and to the inflatable structure and allows for higher pressures to be maintained within the inflatable structure.
US08192240B2
A contra-rotating propeller system is installed between a rudder horn of a ship and shaft support at an engine-output side. The system includes a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the rudder horn and the shaft support, respectively, a front propeller fixed to the propeller shaft, a counter rotating gear set installed on the rudder horn and connected with the propeller shaft, and a rear propeller connected to the counter rotating gear set and disposed between the rudder horn and the front propeller.
US08192237B2
A coaxial cable connector comprising: a connector body; a post engageable with the connector body, wherein the post includes a flange; a nut, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the nut having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the nut includes an internal lip, and wherein a second end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the second end of the nut to the side of the lip of the nut facing the first end of the nut at a point nearest the second end of the nut, and a first end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the first end of the nut to the same point nearest the second end of the nut of the same side of the lip facing the first end of the nut; and a continuity member disposed within the second end portion of the nut and contacting the post and the nut, so that the continuity member extends electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut is provided.
US08192234B2
An electronic device such as a portable music player, cellular telephone, or computer may be provided with an audio jack system that allows audio plug position measurements to be made. Sensors such as optical sensors, magnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, resistive sensors, and capacitive sensors may be used in monitoring the position and movement of the audio plug relative to the audio jack. A user may rotate the audio plug to control operations such as media playback operations, menu selection operations, and other activities in the electronic device. The audio jack may include flexible structures that allow the audio plug to be tilted relative to the audio jack. Capacitive sensors or other sensors may be used to monitor audio plug tilt and axial audio plug movement. This allows the audio plug to serve as a joystick for the electronic device.
US08192227B2
A method and apparatus for jumping a pin connections in an electrical device are provided. The electrical device can be a vehicle having a data link connector that once mated with the apparatus, such a jumping connector that will jump at least two pin connections in the data link connector. The jumping connector can also have dip switches that be in the active or inactive state. In the active state, the dip switch will cause a connection to one of the pin connectors on the electrical device while the inactive state, the dip switch will not cause a connection to one of the pin connectors on the electrical device.
US08192222B2
A connector includes plurality of terminal fittings, a terminal holding member for holding the plurality of terminal fittings, and an electric wire holding member which is attached to the terminal holding member and holds plural electric wires. The electric wire holding member has a plurality of electric wire holding parts which hold ends of the plurality of electric wires at the same spacing as intervals between the plurality of terminal fittings and also are arranged in parallel with space in a longitudinal direction of the plurality of terminal fittings, and an exposure part for exposing exposed portions of core wires of the plurality of electric wires to the outside in order to connecting the exposed portions to the plurality of terminal fittings.
US08192214B2
The invention provides a lamp socket of a backlight module. The lamp socket comprises a lamp holder and an insulation sheet. The lamp holder comprises a lamp clamp, a holder connector and an inverter connector. Specially, the lamp clamp and the holder connector define a first groove where the insulation sheet can lodge in.
US08192207B2
A female circuit board for use with a male circuit board has electrically conductive projections. The female circuit board includes a flexible insulating film. The flexible insulating film includes insertion portions into which the conductive projections of the male circuit board are allowed to be inserted. Each of the insertion portions includes a plurality of slits communicating with each other at the center of each of the insertion portions. The flexible insulating film further includes electrically conduction portions for making contact with the conductive projections to come into conduction with the male circuit board. The conduction portions are disposed around the insertion portions on the surface of the female circuit board facing the male circuit board when the female circuit board is in contact with the male circuit board. The conduction portions conform in shape to the insertion portions.
US08192204B1
An educational workbook for very young children of preschool and kindergarten age, as well as children who are somewhat older but do not have developed fine motor skills, which extends the advantages of U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,522 having a hand-held booklet containing a series of problems with color-coded selectable answers and flat answer card having movable colored clips and compatible to the booklet. The answer card is typically enclosed in the booklet and can serve as a bookmark. Children record their answers by placing the selected colored clips into the corresponding positions on the answer card. Children check their own work by comparing site-by-site the colors of the clips on their answer with the colors of the child-friendly images on the corresponding answer key. No pencil is used, answer keys are easily readable, and exercises can be repeated many times since there is no trace of earlier responses. Additionally, students' answer cards and answer key card may be stacked together and create a color display of class or group understanding encouraging group cooperation and teamwork.
US08192194B2
A mold is provided, at an outer circumferential region thereof, with portions to be gripped, to allow a transfer apparatus to perform transferring to an object. The portions to be gripped are formed in a different shape from the remaining portion of the outer circumferential region. For a mold set including two molds, each of the molds is provided, at an outer circumferential region thereof, with portions to be gripped, to allow the transfer apparatus to perform transferring to the object. The portions to be gripped are formed in a different shape from the remaining portion of the outer circumferential region. The portions to be gripped of one of the molds and the portions to be gripped of the other mold are disposed at different angular positions.
US08192173B2
A pump that includes a piston moveable along a first axis and an eccentric cam positioned about a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The pump also includes an actuator positioned adjacent to the cam and configured to move the cam along the second axis. In addition, the pump further includes a cam-adjacent bearing positioned between the piston and the cam, wherein the cam-adjacent bearing remains positioned substantially along the first axis upon movement of the cam along the second axis.
US08192172B2
A flow sensing valve includes a valve housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a plurality of flow sensing ports. A valve member, located within the valve housing, is configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The valve member allows fuel flow between the inlet port and outlet port in the open position, and blocks fuel flow between the inlet port and the outlet port in the closed position. A position sensor, operably coupled to the valve member, is configured to determine a valve position of the flow sensing valve. The valve position is indicative of a valve open port area. A metered flow rate of pressurized fuel through the flow sensing valve in a upstream manifold is proportional to the valve open port area because the flow sensing valve maintains a nearly constant differential pressure across the inlet and outlet ports.
US08192168B2
An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in TABLE A. X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances can be joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08192166B2
A turbine blade is provided comprising: an airfoil including upper and lower ends; a root coupled to the airfoil lower end; a shroud coupled to the airfoil upper end; and at least one sealing rail extending radially outwardly from an upper surface of the shroud and extending generally along a circumferential length of the shroud. The sealing rail may comprise a mid-section, opposing end sections and at least one intermediate section located between the mid-section and one of the opposing end sections. An axial thickness of the rail may vary.
US08192160B2
A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one rotor blade, wherein the operating height of the hub is adjustable. Further, a method for operating a wind turbine is provided, which includes varying the height of the wind turbine.
US08192159B2
Described herein is a rigid rotor assembly configured to allow rotation of helicopter rotor blades attached to the rigid rotor assembly from a deployed position to a stowed position. The rigid rotor assembly includes a base including a shaft extending therethrough, a first spindle configured to engage the shaft, and a second spindle configured for placement onto the shaft. The second spindle is operable to maintain a first position with respect to the first spindle via an attachment mechanism therebetween, the second spindle further operable to maintain a second position with respect to the first spindle via the attachment mechanism.
US08192158B1
A method for increasing the total-to-static pressure ratio across a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) has designed and experimentally tested. The invention develops a localized accelerated flow of free-stream air near the discharge of the turbine rotor exhaust. This localized accelerated flow decreases the static pressure at the exit of the turbine and allows for additional power generation for a given free-stream flight condition. Full-scale wind tunnel experimenting testing shows that creating this low static pressure region behind the turbine resulted in significant increases in turbine output power when compared to a turbine that is not subjected to this invention. The invention showed the ability to increase the total-to-static pressure ratio across the turbine.
US08192154B2
An axial-flow gas turbine engine includes a plurality of inlet guide vanes (V) which are radially disposed in an annular gas passage defined between an inner peripheral wall (Ch) and an outer peripheral wall (Ct) of a turbine. The inner peripheral wall (Ch) of the gas passage includes inner peripheral concave portions (Cc1 and Cc3) on an upstream side, and inner peripheral convex portions (Cv1 and Cv3) on a downstream side. The outer peripheral wall (Ct) of the gas passage includes outer peripheral convex portions (Cv2 and Cv4) on an upstream side, and outer peripheral concave portions (Cc2 and Cc4) on a downstream side. Therefore, a pressure difference in a radial direction of the inlet guide vane V is reduced or partially reversed, and a secondary flow toward an inner side in the radial direction can be suppressed to reduce pressure loss.
US08192153B2
A circumferential row of aerofoil members span an annular duct for carrying a flow of compressible fluid. The duct is centered on the axis of a turbomachine. Pressure and suction surfaces of neighboring aerofoil members bound respective sectoral passages which receive the flow of compressible fluid. The row of aerofoil members includes at least one radial endwall to which the tangent to the trailing edge of each aerofoil member at midspan is substantially orthogonal. Each aerofoil member has reverse compound lean. Each aerofoil member further has a leading edge which has a position at the endwall which is upstream of its position at midspan. The endwall at each sectoral passage has a non-axisymmetrical cross-section formed by a region that, in meridional section, is convexly profiled immediately adjacent the pressure surface and a region that, in meridional section, is concavely profiled immediately adjacent the suction surface.
US08192147B2
A nacelle assembly for a turbine engine has a cowl. The cowl extends along an axis and has an exterior surface spaced from an interior surface. The interior surface forms an air inlet for directing airflow to the turbine engine. An opening is disposed on the cowl. A device for creating suction through the opening is in fluid communication with the opening. The opening removes a portion of a boundary layer flow through the cowl, thereby providing higher energy flow along the interior surface.
US08192137B2
A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system follows a travel path to a position near the transport and then a sensor profiles a transport so that a transport path is determined for an AGV to follow into the transport to place a load and for exiting the transport upon placement of the load.
US08192136B2
An apparatus for storing at least one specimen slide and at least one cassette comprising a sample that is embedded in a sample block and that is to be processed, a microtome comprising this apparatus, and a method for handling multiple cassettes and multiple specimen slides are described. A cassette magazine receives at least one cassette having at least one sample block. A slide magazine receives at least one specimen slide. At least one connecting element for connecting the cassette magazine and the slide magazine mechanically with each other is provided. This allows handling at least one cassette and at least one specimen slide together in a simple and efficient manner.
US08192135B2
A side puller accessory frame for a tow truck having a cab and a truck frame mounts to the truck frame behind the cab. The accessory frame preferably includes two stiff legs, a wire rope winch mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck that provides pulling force via a removable pivotable center sheave that directs the pulling force to sides or the rear of the truck as desired. The accessory frame may include a removable pivotable side sheave that may mount in a side sheave mounting tube. The side puller accessory frame makes a conventional car carrier with a roll back bed a recovery truck.
US08192120B1
A plurality of self-sealing inflatable dunnage bags are formed on a continuous strip. The continuous strip includes a first bag layer, a second bag layer and an air channel layer. A bag perimeter sealing line is formed between the first and second bag layers for each bag cavity. At least one air flow sealing line extends inward into the bag cavity. An air flow channel is formed between the second and third bag layers. An air pocket is located in the air channel layer for each bag cavity. An air bag opening is formed through the second bag layer in the air pocket. Air flows through the air flow channel into the air pocket and through the air bag opening to inflate each bag cavity.
US08192119B1
A trailer cargo strap rolling device for conestoga-style and flatbed trailers including a base that fits into a trailer stake pocket, an adjustable post member secured into a selected height with a lock pin, and a winder assembly operated either manually or with a wireless drill with two prongs around which a trailer strap can be wound.
US08192116B2
An adaptive device for use as a tool holder for manual and computer numerical controlled lathes is provided to retain and use tools of various sizes, including those intended for use on CNC lathes and on mills. The device includes a sleeve, which includes an inner-tapered surface, a neck and an opening, and a threaded member sized to fit through the neck in the opening. The adaptive device may further include one or more shoulders and/or grooves on the exterior of the sleeve, and/or a retaining member fitted to the threaded section, and may include an embodiment where the sleeve is integrated into a tool holder and/or where the threaded member is constructed to permit fluid flow into the tool holder.
US08192109B2
A subsurface irrigation system includes an athletic field or the like with a length and width equal to the length and width of the official rules for a sporting event or covering an entire agricultural field and with an excavation depth of about 25 to 50 centimeters. The system also includes a generally impervious plastic sheet or the like that covers the excavation and extends upwardly above the sides thereof. A source of water is disposed outside of the field and a plurality of distribution pipes and water distributors are disposed in the excavated area and extend substantially over the length and width of the excavation. In addition, a main channel connects the distribution pipe to the source of water and a plurality of water distributors are operatively connected to the distribution pipes for receiving water therefrom. Each of the water distributors includes an upwardly extending short pipe having a plurality of small holes around its periphery and a plurality of generally hemispherical covers that extend downwardly in the form of a right circular cylinder over the openings to protect the small holes from being clogged by a mass of soil added to the excavation to cover the subsurface irrigation system and support the growth of ground cover thereon.
US08192100B2
A fluid applicator device having the interconnected components of a container, a base, a shaft, a piston, a collar, a plurality of fluid conduction pathways and an applicator head is presented. The applicator head is rotatably mounted within the collar and slidably held in place by the inner surface of the collar. The inner surface of the collar also has a plurality of fluid conduction pathways cut into it so that a viscous fluid confined within the container may be flow into the fluid conduction pathways and onto the applicator head so that it may be soothingly applied onto a portion of a user's epidermis such as onto the lips of a user. The method of using the applicator device includes the acts of manipulating, obtaining, pressing, removing, returning, rolling, and withdrawing.
US08192082B2
A temperature data output circuit is provided which is capable of outputting a temperature signal which is enabled when an internal temperature of at least one of the semiconductor memory chips mounted on a multi chip package exceeds a predetermined temperature.
US08192079B2
A disposable thermometer probe sheath includes a bottom piece and a plastic cover film sealed onto the bottom piece. The plastic cover film comprising an upper plastic sheet film and a lower plastic sheet film, each of which has a front edge provided with an opening, a rear edge provided with a tip, and a sealed peripheral edge except for the opening, so as to receive a thermometer probe. The plastic cover film is made of a flexible and deformable material, while the plastic cover film is provided with two notches respectively formed on two side edges adjacent to the tip. The upper plastic sheet film is provided with a first flap attached to the opening thereof, while the lower plastic sheet film is provided with a second flap attached to the opening. When the thermometer probe is inserted into the plastic cover film, the notches are tightly engaged with the thermometer probe. When separating the thermometer probe from the plastic cover film, one of the upper plastic sheet film and the lower plastic sheet film of the plastic cover film is torn from the opening thereof along a longitudinal direction of the plastic cover film under the assistance of the engagement between the two notches and the thermometer probe, and then the one of the upper plastic sheet film and the lower plastic sheet film will be overturned from the opening toward the tip of the plastic cover film, so that the thermometer probe is separated from the plastic cover film.
US08192073B1
A mixing apparatus is disclosed. The mixing apparatus comprises a mixing device having a constant flow area. The mixing device is configured to create a shearing environment. Several types of mixing apparatus are disclosed. Methods for producing aqueous fuel emulsions with consistently uniform dispersed phase particle sizes using a mixing apparatus are also disclosed.
US08192070B2
A cement mixing method for mixing cement used in cementing oil wells casing and the mixer used in that method. The mixer employs a straight bulk cement inlet, five annular recirculation jets and five annular water jet orifices located downstream of the recirculation jets so that all of the jets discharge at an angle towards the mixing chamber and the discharge from the water jet orifices intersects with the flow from the recirculation jets. This five jet, intersecting flow design allows for more thorough wetting of the cement powder with a smaller, lighter, less expensive and more durable mixer that is less inclined to foul and easier to clean.
US08192061B2
An annular lighting fixture having a housing, a channel, and a plurality of lights disposed in the channel. The fixture can be attached about a tubular portion of a motorcycle. In one embodiment, the plurality of lights are light emitting diodes surface mounted on a flexible printed circuit board disposed in the channel. In another embodiment a collimator is associated with each LED unit to redirect light in a desired direction. In another embodiment reflective portions are arranged on respective sides of the channel so as to redirect light in a desired direction. A method is also provided herein for the illumination of a vehicle.
US08192060B2
An aircraft navigation light comprises a base and circuit board in thermal contact with the base. White and colored LEDs mount on the circuit board. A reflector-shade placed adjacent the LEDs reflects light from the LEDs in desired directions and shades other directions from view of selected LEDs. A light transmissive cover sealed to the base, encloses the circuit board, LEDs and reflector-shade. Temperature responsive circuitry on the circuit board regulates the current through the LEDs and reduces the LED current under high temperature conditions.
US08192056B2
Lighting packages are described for light emitting diode (LED) lighting solutions having a wide variety of applications which seek to balance criteria such as heat dissipation, brightness, and color uniformity. The present approach includes a backing of thermally conductive material and two or more arrays of LEDs attached to a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is attached to the top surface of the backing and the two or more arrays of LEDs are separated by a selected distance to balance heat dissipation and color uniformity of the LEDs.
US08192050B2
An illumination device for visual inspection includes: a transmissive reflector plate that is formed of a light transmitting material, has an opening in a center, assumes a dome shape, a radius of which is gradually expanded downward with a center axis of the opening set as a center, and has a lower surface formed of a reflecting surface on which fine unevenness for diffusing and reflecting light from below is formed and an upper surface located on an opposite side of the lower surface; first, second, and third light source units that irradiate light on an inspection object, the first, second, and third light source units being provided on the upper surface of the transmissive reflector plate and arranged in a place below the opening and passing the center axis; and a fourth light source unit that irradiates light on the inspection object and being provided below the transmissive reflector plate.
US08192048B2
The present disclosure relates to illumination or lighting assemblies and systems that provide illumination using LEDs. In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a lighting assembly, comprising: multiple light emitting diodes that emit light; an optical system that directs the light emitted by the light emitting diodes, the optical system positioned adjacent to light emitting diodes; and a cooling fin including a two-phase cooling system, the cooling fin positioned adjacent to the light emitting diodes such that the two-phase cooling system removes heat from the light emitting diodes. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a lighting system including multiple lighting assemblies. The lighting assemblies and systems of the present disclosure can be used in, for example, a street light, a backlight (including, for example, a sun-coupled backlight), a wall wash light, a billboard light, a parking ramp light, a high bay light, a parking lot light, a signage lit sign (also referred to as an electric sign), static signage (including, for example, sun-coupled static signage), illuminated signage, and other lighting applications.
US08192044B2
A solar-powered lighting apparatus having a light transmissible shade coupled to a housing that receives a solar cell, a battery and at least a portion of a lighting element assembly. In one embodiment, the shade may have a spherical shape achieved with a support unit or achieved by operation of gravity. A bottom device or bottom portion may be coupled to the shade and cooperate therewith forming and maintaining the spherical shape.
US08192040B2
Apparatus and methods to decorate guitars are disclosed. An apparatus of one aspect may include a guitar shaped video game controller having a body and a neck. The apparatus may also include a decoration applied over a front surface of the body. The apparatus may also include a light coupled with the body of the guitar, the light disposed underneath the decoration, the light to transmit visible light through the decoration.
US08192035B2
A projection display apparatus includes a housing case housing a light source unit, a light valve, a projection unit, and a cooling unit. A size of the housing case in an orthogonal direction to a projection plane is smaller than a size of the housing case in a horizontal direction parallel to the projection plane. The projection unit is arranged at substantially center of the housing case in the horizontal direction parallel to the projection plane.
US08192034B2
The invention relates to an image viewing system for aircraft passengers, characterized in that it is embodied in the form of a module (10) which comprises a unit (20) for displaying images originating from at least one image source (12, 14, 16), the display unit being tied to an internal wall of the aircraft, in a position parallel to a floor of the aircraft.
US08192022B2
An imaging arrangement and method for extended the depth of focus are provided. The imaging arrangement comprises an imaging lens having a certain affective aperture, and an optical element associated with said imaging lens. The optical element is configured as a phase-affecting, non-diffractive optical element defining a spatially low frequency phase transition. The optical element and the imaging lens define a predetermined pattern formed by spaced-apart substantially optically transparent features of different optical properties. Position of at least one phase transition region of the optical element within the imaging lens plane is determined by at least a dimension of said affective aperture.
US08192017B2
A hinge for the temples and the lens frame of glasses comprises engaging rods and bushings that are respectively formed at two sides of the lens frame and fronts ends of the temples. A spiral guiding slot and a guiding block are separately formed at an external surface of the engaging rod and at the inner surface of the bushing. The spiral guiding slots at the two sides of the lens frame have the same spiral orientation. The temples at the two sides of the lens frame are respectively slid upward and downward to be staggered in time of folding due to the cooperation of the spiral guiding slot and the guiding block. As a result, the dimension of the glasses is reduced, which conduces to convenient storage for users.
US08192015B2
An eyeglass is provided that can comprise a frame, a lens, and at least one retention component that can secure the lens relative to the frame. The frame can be configured to support at least one lens in a field of view of a wearer. The frame can include a first ear stem and a second ear stem that allows the frame to be worn on the wearer's head. The at least one retention component can be supported by the frame and/or the lens and can be movable or fixed relative to the frame and/or the lens. The retention component can engage an engagement portion of the frame and/or the lens for preventing the lens from separating from the frame in response to a ballistic event.
US08192011B2
A method of preventing electrostatic charge build up on a print media from adversely affecting quality of inkjet printing, comprising: (a) coupling a static discharging wand to print head carriage at a set distance ahead of inkjet print heads and altitude over print media, and (b) coupling the static discharge wand to a power unit to provide a potential difference between said static discharge wand and said print media.
US08192001B2
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus comprises a liquid cartridge including a first unit having a liquid storing chamber and a liquid outlet, a second unit movable relative to the first unit between a close position where the second unit is close to the first unit and a distant position where the second unit is distant from the first unit; and a biasing member which applies a force to cause the second unit in the close position to move toward the distant position. The locking device is configured to lock the second unit in the close position in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion. When the second unit moves from the close position to the distant position under the force applied from the biasing member, in an unlocking state, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are maintained to be coupled to each other.
US08191997B2
A piezoelectric actuator includes piezoelectric material layers, individual electrodes corresponding to pressure chambers, a first common constant electric potential electrode corresponding to outer peripheral portions of the pressure chambers, and a second common constant electric potential electrode corresponding to central portions of the individual electrodes. A plurality of first active portions is formed in areas of the piezoelectric material layers sandwiched between the individual electrodes and the second common constant electric potential electrode, and a plurality of second active portions is formed in areas of the piezoelectric material layers sandwiched between the individual electrodes and the first common constant electric potential electrode. Since the second common constant electric potential electrode has a mesh-shaped form, it is possible to reduce an impedance thereof.
US08191993B2
The present invention provides a nozzle plate for liquid ejector head and a liquid ejector head. The nozzle plate for liquid ejector head includes at least a nozzle hole for ejecting droplets composed of an ejection liquid, wherein the surface energy of an inner wall of the nozzle hole at 25° C. is lower than the surface tension of the ejection liquid at 25° C. and is substantially same as the surface energy of the ejection side surface of the nozzle plate at 25° C.
US08191990B2
An inkjet recording apparatus has an inkjet head with an ejection surface. The ejection surface has a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The ejection surface also has a first and second control portion, and a contact portion located between the first control portion and the second control portion. Additionally, a number of ejection ports are formed through the ejection surface. The inkjet recording apparatus also includes a wiper and a wiper moving mechanism. The wiper moving mechanism moves the wiper between the first end and the second end. When the wiper is located over the contact portion, the wiper contacts the ejection surface, and when the wiper is located over the first or second control portions, the wiper is located away from the ink ejection surface.
US08191989B2
A printing apparatus comprises: a temperature sensor configured to detect an environmental temperature of the printing apparatus; a suction unit configured to suck ink from a printhead according to a target suction amount indicating amount of ink that the suction unit should suck per unit time at a predetermined environmental temperature; and a controller configured to cause the suction unit to suck ink such that the target suction amount in a case where the environmental temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature is greater than the target suction amount in a case where the environmental temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature.
US08191984B2
A recording medium detection method uses transmission and reflection photosensors to correctly detect if a recording medium having labels affixed to a liner is in the transportation path. The label printer has a reflection photosensor and a transmission photosensor disposed to the transportation path at positions separated the distance between the labels. Labels on the recording medium can always be detected by either or both the reflection photosensor and the transmission photosensor. Because the reflection photosensor is downstream from the transmission photosensor, a situation in which a black mark is at the detection position of the reflection photosensor and reflection is not detected and only the liner is at the detection position of the transmission photosensor and transmission of the detection beam is detected is avoided. Detecting transmission without detecting reflection of the detection beam therefore only occurs when the recording medium is not in the transportation path.
US08191979B2
A device for depositing drops includes a head configured to eject drops on a region of a substrate; a stage configured to hold the substrate while the head ejects drops on the region of the substrate; a first transporting device configured to transport the substrate in a transporting direction onto the stage; and a second transporting device configured to transport the substrate in the transporting direction off the stage. The stage and at least one of the first transporting device or the second transporting device are movable together in the transporting direction.
US08191959B2
A front end module for a motor vehicle substantially contains a downwardly open assembly support which is connected to a crash cross-member via lateral connecting limbs, and the two components form a rectangular, closed frame. A further, lower crash cross-member which likewise forms a rectangularly closed frame is connected to the crash cross-member.
US08191958B2
A vehicle front structure 1 includes a front panel 10, a center reinforcing member 20, side reinforcing members 30, protective members 40, and pipes 50. The front panel 10 is mounted on a front surface of a vehicle body 2. The pipes 50 cross, along a rear surface of the front panel 10, a peripheral portion of the front panel 10 at a rear surface side of the front panel 10. The protective members 40 are fixed to the front panel 10. Each protective member 40 includes a plate-like cover portion 41 and at least two plate-like impact absorbing portions 46. The cover portion 41 protrudes toward the front of a vehicle, has a substantially U-shape in a cross-sectional view, and covers the pipes 50 from the front side of the vehicle. The impact absorbing portions 46 are disposed outside the cover portion 41 at both sides of the pipes 50, protrude toward the back of the vehicle, and each have a substantially U-shape in a cross-sectional view.
US08191948B2
A gripper for manipulating containers includes a support on which a cam mechanism is pivotally mounted. The gripper has a first jaw operated by the cam mechanism and a second jaw controlled by the first jaw. The first jaw has an actuator which interacts with a receiving mechanism on the second jaw for opening or closing the gripper. The actuator is pivotally associated with the first jaw so that, when force is applied by the receiving mechanism due to rotation of the second jaw relative to the first jaw, the actuator can rotate relative to the first jaw to allow the gripper to open.
US08191936B2
A gaming machine door latch comprises a slide having one or more associated catches, and lock or latch strikes. The slide may be mounted to the gaming machine housing for vertical movement. The catches are mounted to the slide and may be configured to pivot. The strikes are mounted to the door. When the gaming machine door is closed, the catches automatically engage the strikes, thus latching the door. The door may be opened by raising the slide, causing the catches to move out of engagement with the strikes. The latch may include a lock which locks and unlocks the slide.
US08191929B2
Various embodiments of reduced-size vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility vehicles (UVs) are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the vehicles include frames that are wider near the front and rear sections of the vehicles than within the mid-sections of the vehicles. This, in combination with the use of shock-absorbers that are substantially vertically oriented, allows for the opening-up of large interior cavities within the front and rear sections of the vehicles within which can be positioned large front and rear internal compartments that can provide storage/carrying capacity as well as added buoyancy for the vehicle, among other things. Also, in at least some embodiments, the vehicles can include special cooling and/or exhaust systems having components that are positioned substantially within the mid-sections of the vehicles, thus further increasing the amounts of space available for the cavities/compartments within the front and rear sections of the vehicles.
US08191919B2
A locking device for a stroller is provided. The stroller includes a pair of side frames and a base frame. The locking device comprises an articulated mechanism pivotally connected between the respective rear frames of the pair of side frames, a locking member slidably provided on the articulated mechanism for locking the articulated mechanism, and a pair of side braces pivotally connected to the locking member at one end thereof respectively and pivotally connected to the respective rear frames of the pair of side frames at the other end thereof. The folding and unfolding of the stroller can be easily carried out by means of the locking device.
US08191911B1
An active torsion cartridge may be installed in numerous vehicle applications. An active torque tube subassembly begins with a drawbar bearing securely pressed into a torque insert bore. A torque insert is intimately installed into mating active torque tube. The active torque tube exhibits a finished circular section at the inside end and an outer machined configuration matching the torque insert on the outer end to maintain material wall thickness and load carrying capacity. When the two surfaces meet, multi-point shoulders are created for future use. A retaining ring is installed into mating groove in torque tube inside end. An active torque tube bearing is securely pressed into a bearing housing bore and protruding as desired for thrust loading. An opposite end of a protruding thrust bearing is carefully aligned with active torque tube machined configuration and torque tube bearing slides fully onto its diameter and abuts retaining ring.
US08191907B2
A multi-use wagon is disclosed. The wagon includes a body supported by a plurality of wheels, front and rear seats disposed within the body, and forward and rear back-support panels pivotably coupled to the front and rear seats to provide back support and to selectively fold to create a table top surface. The seats are removable. The wagon also includes left and right side panels pivotably coupled to the body, wherein the left and right side panels are configured to be operatively placed in one of three positions: to be used in a stowed position at a left and right sides, respectively, of the wagon body, to be lifted to provide upper side support to the wagon body while carrying a child or cargo, and to operatively fold, outwardly to provide a right or left side portion, respectively, of the table top surface. The wagon includes an insulated chest.
US08191904B2
A large vehicle with air bags and a leveling system that controls air flow into and out of an air spring (also known as an “air bag”) to maintain the air spring height close to the optimum level. The system is altered at minimum cost to further minimize the repeated flow of air into and out of the air spring, to thereby save fuel. A mechanical-to-electrical converter (50) is mounted on the air spring height sensor to generate an electrical signal indicating vehicle ride height, and the electrical output is connected to a computer (62) on the vehicle. The computer is programmed to control the flow of pressured air through a blocking valve (60) to a leveling valve (22) that flows air into and out of the air spring, according to the outputs of a plurality of sensors on the vehicle.
US08191900B2
An oil seal (1A) has an outer member (2) fitted to a crankcase (100), an inner member (3) integrally rotatably fitted to a crankshaft (101), and a first movable lip (4) disposed in the gap (G1) formed by the outer member (2) and the inner member (3). The first movable lip (4) is disposed such that it is not in contact with the outer member (2) when rotation of the crankshaft (101) is stopped and that it is displaced in the direction to approach the outer member (2), coming into contact with the outer member (2) to close the gap (G1).
US08191899B2
The present invention refers to an apparatus for rotationally fixing a seal ring (4) of a mechanical seal assembly retained at a mounting component (1) to be axially movable, comprising a force transmitting ring (10) retained at the mounting component to be axially movable and a rotation prevention device comprising at least one first engaging member (17) configured to engage with the mounting component and the force transmitting ring in a form-fit manner and at least one second engaging member (18) configured to engage with the force transmitting ring and the seal ring in a form-fit manner, the first engaging member being arranged circumferentially offset with respect to the second engaging member, characterized in that the engaging members (17, 18) protrude axially from the force transmitting ring (10) or the seal ring (4) toward the respectively other component (seal ring or force transmitting ring) and are configured to be received in axial recesses (19, 20) provided in the respectively other component with a play.
US08191897B2
A card game based on the well-known game of Pai Gow Poker is played with five cards which players arrange into a three-card hand and a two-card hand. The three-card hand includes slightly modified poker rankings. In order to win a primary wager, the player's three-card hand and two-card hand must beat the dealer's corresponding three-card hand and two-card hand. Additionally, players may place an independent secondary wager that is related to the poker ranking of the five cards received by the player or the relationship between the two-card hand and three-card hand. A preestablished pay table defines the secondary wager winning combinations and corresponding payouts. A bad beat jackpot is also an option. With only five cards to deal and arrange, the embodiments of the disclosed game are played faster than Pai Gow Poker thereby increasing the casino's revenue generating ability and player interest.
US08191893B2
A gaming apparatus comprising a rotor control means adapted to apply an external force to a rotor of the gaming apparatus so as to alter a rotation speed of the rotor in a controlled manner.
US08191882B2
A spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer to transport a bundle of folded sheets, a pressing unit including a first pressing member movable according to a pressing load in a pressing direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction to press opposed sides of the front end portion of the folded sheets and a second pressing member attached to the first pressing member, to press the front end portion of the folded sheets, and a spine formation member disposed at a predetermined distance from the pressing unit. The second moves in the sheet conveyance direction in conjunction with the first pressing member moving in the pressing direction and presses the folded portion of the bundle of sheets with a predetermined spine-forming load against a contact surface of the spine formation member, thereby forming a spine of the bundle of sheets.
US08191879B2
The present disclosure general relates to vise pads which provide accurate alignment of work pieces in a vise. The movement of internal members of these pads eliminates the need for manual adjustment such as with the use of a hammer to ensure alignment. The vise pads include wedge bars in combination with connectors which reduce friction and thus provide for longer life and efficient operation. In another embodiment, the vise pads include elastomeric bars which act as sealant to reduce entry of dust resulting from machining of a work piece.
US08191865B2
A preferred embodiment of a system includes a lifting device for lifting a motor vehicle, a support structure for mounting the lifting device in a pit, and a carriage for supporting the lifting device from the support structure and being movable within the support structure. The system also includes a cover coupled to opposite sides of the carriage so that the cover extends away from the carriage and continuously between the opposite sides of the carriage.
US08191859B2
The present invention provides a water flow control valve, which has an improved structure, thus reducing manufacturing costs and increasing the reliability of products. To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the water flow control valve includes synchronous motors (20), which generate drive forces in directions opposite each other, an eccentric cam (30), which is provided between the synchronous motors (20) and converts a direction in which the drive force is transmitted, a power transmission unit (50), which is in rolling contact with the eccentric cam and adjusts the amount of fluid that flows through a housing using operation of the eccentric cam, and ratchet gears (40), which are provided between the synchronous motors and the eccentric cam and transmit the drive force of one of the synchronous motors while preventing the drive force of the remaining synchronous motor from being transmitted in a no-load operation manner.
US08191857B2
A valve having a valve body having spaced inlet and outlet ports separated by an intermediate valve seat in open communication with the inlet and outlet ports includes a piston and a valve member being adapted to sealingly mate with the valve seat. A biasing member is positioned to bias the valve member toward the valve seat. A linear motor assembly attached to the valve body, the linear motor having a plurality of stator discs, a plurality of stator coils, a plurality of teeth defining a cylindrical opening, and a slider positioned within the cylindrical opening. The slider has a plurality of teeth defining a generally cylindrical outer periphery of the slider and is movable in response to magnetic flux generated by electrical current passing through one or more of the stator coils.
US08191855B2
A bypass valve for internal combustion engines for connecting the pressure side to the intake side of a supercharging device. The bypass valve includes an electromagnetic actuator and a valve housing in which a closing component is movably accommodated. The closing component has a valve body, acted upon by pressure and movable in a flow channel, and a switchable sealing element.
US08191846B2
A magnetic support (10) for aquariums includes a first and a second support element (20a, 20b), each of them having a magnet (26a, 26b) so that by coupling the first and second support elements (20a, 20b) by interposing an aquarium wall (50) between them, the attracting magnetic force operating between the two magnets (26a, 26b) locks the two support elements (20a, 20b). Each support element (20a, 20b) comprises a flat element (40a, 40b) made up of flexible material having a peripheral projecting lip (46a, 46b), so that when the two support elements (20a, 20b) are coupled together by interposing the wall (50), the peripheral projecting lips (46a, 46b) are flattened against the wall (50), thus creating a suction effect.
US08191840B2
A pole clamp is disclosed that can firmly attach heavy fixtures to a pole, such as a center or side pole of a special-events tent, with quick and easy fixture mounting and dismounting. The head of a fixture-mounting bolt is downwardly slidable into a T-channel of the clamp, where it rests against a stop pin and rigidly supports the fixture until it is lifted out of the T-channel. A plurality of T-channels can provide for a plurality of fixture attachments at a plurality of orientations. In some embodiments, the clamp includes a pair of identical, hingedly joined, rigid aluminum segments that can be placed on opposite sides of the pole and compressed against the pole by pressing of the unhinged, flanged ends toward each other using a bolt, cam lever, or similar means. The rigid segments can be shaped to accommodate a pole of any cross-sectional size and shape.
US08191836B2
A clip for a snap-in cable hanger with a top from which at least two clip arm(s) extend and at least one of the clip arm(s) formed with a clip tab projecting proximate a distal end. The top having a length greater than a diameter of the mounting hole and a width dimensioned to fit within a spring space when the snap-in cable hanger is seated upon the mounting hole. The clip arm(s) spaced apart proximate the diameter of the mounting hole, having a length longer than a depth of the mounting hole.
US08191828B2
Methods and systems are provided which may allow a first vehicle to recover a second air vehicle while both are moving. The first vehicle and the second air vehicle may be traveling at different velocities. An attachment member of the second air vehicle may attach to a recovery member of the first vehicle while the first vehicle and the second air vehicle are traveling at different velocities. The recovery member attached to the second air vehicle may move relative to and along an exterior surface of the first vehicle in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of travel of the first vehicle.
US08191825B2
A fairing system for a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft and to a process for installing said system, such that the fairing system for the sealing of the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage of the aircraft includes a primary fairing arranged on the horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft, the primary fairing being solidly connected to the horizontal stabilizer which is in turn trimmable with respect to the fuselage, the fairing system in turn comprising a secondary fairing such that the primary fairing is coupled to the horizontal stabilizer through supports arranged in the direction of the chord of the primary fairing, said supports being located in the outer part of said primary fairing with respect to the fuselage, the secondary fairing being arranged in the outer part of the supports.
US08191787B2
An image capturing apparatus having an image capturing unit and an image filtering surface in which the optical axis of the image capturing unit is disposed at an angle α to a normal of the image fitting surface.
US08191780B2
A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID} tag. The kiosk includes a frame defining a portal through which the patron must exit from a vending area in which product is stored and available for purchase. A card reader, bill acceptor and a computer monitor adjacent the portal enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The frame carries RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without completion of a purchase transaction.
US08191777B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for determining, communicating, and/or executing hold decisions for deposit items. For example, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving information associated with a deposit item; (b) determining a deposit amount for the deposit item; (c) determining a payee account to receive the deposit item; (d) determining a hold limit for the payee account; and (e) determining a hold decision for the deposit item based at least partially on a comparison of the deposit amount to the hold limit. In some embodiments, the hold limit is based at least partially on (a) an account balance associated with the payee account, and (b) one or more other characteristics associated with the payee account.
US08191772B2
Multiple secure transactions are provided through use of a method that uses customer one-time unique purchase order numbers (“Coupons”) generated by an algorithm that uses a permutated user key and a user insertion key as input variables. A user key (such as a Personal Identification Number, or “PIN”) is combined with a permutation variable that is correlated with a customer sequence number to create the permutated user key. A random number generator is used to generate the user insertion key correlated with the customer sequence number. The algorithm can insert the permutated user key into a user account number through use of the user insertion key. A Coupon is validated by confirming that it is contained in a set of money source Coupons generated by a money source using the user key and a random number generator that is synchronized with the random number used to generate Coupons. Once a Coupon is validated, the matching money source Coupon and all earlier generated money source Coupons are deleted from the set, and a new set is generated. If a preselected number of Coupons are not validated for a chosen entity, an invalid user account number will be set. Coupons can be used for credit card or bank card transactions, and they can be generated without changing fixed digits of traditional twenty digit account numbers.
US08191765B2
The present invention provides an image processor capable of preventing illegal copying of a document. The image processor first extracts information from a barcode in a first region of document image data. Then, the image processor extracts information from a barcode in a second region of the document image data if the information is extracted from the barcode in the first region. On the other hand, if the information is not extracted from the barcode in the first region, the image processor does not extract the information from the barcode in the second region of the document image data. This enables a copying operation for a document consisting of a plurality of pages to be efficiently controlled.
US08191762B2
The present invention is directed to a container having a bottom wall, first and second opposite sidewalls, opposite end walls, a top wall. An integral interior partition is dividing the container into two side-by-side compartments each adapted for holding a respective article. The container and partition are made from a single unitary blank cut and folded to form the container and partition. The partition comprises the first and second panels of the first and second sets of panels that are interleaved with one another at inner end edges thereof and the partition is three panels thick over a center portion thereof and two panels thick over the remainder thereof.
US08191752B2
A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.
US08191751B2
A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source including a cylinder head and a combustion chamber defined by the cylinder head, a valve sleeve and an upper surface of a reciprocating piston, the valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the cylinder head between a rest position and a pre-firing position. The valve sleeve has a range of positions between a first sealing position in which the combustion chamber is closed, and said pre-firing position in which the valve sleeve is prevented from further movement. A lockout device is associated with the power source and has an actuated position configured for preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve beyond the first sealed position to open the combustion chamber, but permitting movement of the valve sleeve from the first sealed position to the pre-firing position until the piston returns to a piston pre-firing position post combustion.
US08191747B2
A soft-sided insulated container assembly includes a collapsible cooler body made of insulated panels. The body is to be carried by an arrangement of lifting apparatus that includes asymmetrically arranged fittings. One lifting fitting may be an inboard shoulder strap. Another fitting may an handle located on an outboard portion of face of the container body, and may be at a height for engagement by the hand of the user. The soft-sided insulated container assembly may have a liner to contain liquids. The soft-sided insulated container assembly may have an easy access lid. The insulated container may be collapsed to a flat position, and secured in place. In one embodiment the asymmetric lifting arrangement includes a shoulder strap attached to the sides of the container in a manner that distributes the load into the sides of the container, and a grip, such as a handle, located on the lower portion of the front side of the container. The grip may be attached to the container so as to pull up on the bottom of the container when used by a person.
US08191740B2
A device and method are provided for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container. The dispensing device includes an integral source of compressed gas for maintaining the beverage within the container at a desired pressurized state. The dispensing device also includes a regulator for controlling the flow of gas from the compressed gas source to the interior of the container, as well as a pressure relief mechanism that accounts for potential over pressurization of the container. The beverage is selectively dispensed by actuation of a tap handle. Delivery is achieved through the device by a resilient delivery tube, and the delivery tube is either pinched closed or allowed to decompress by the actuation of the tap handle. In another embodiment, a check valve is used to control flow of the beverage in which the tap handle activates a transfer rod to seat and unseat a check element. The device can be manufactured in either a unitary construction or a modular construction. Modular construction provides greater flexibility in testing and replacement of defective components.
US08191738B2
Device for grains dosing with air sealing, comprehending a molded packaging in a way that the product within is not in direct contact with the air outside and is totally hermetical when closed, preserving its physical and chemical characteristics, therefore it is conformed basically by five pieces being one lid (1A), a container/bottle (2A), a mobile acting element (3A), a spring (4A) and a passage element (5A)1 where said lid (1A) is connected to a mobile sealing element, conformed by the container/bottle (2A), containing a fixed passage element (5A) at its top portion which may be connected to or screwed and at its bottom portion it is conformed the inlet (6A) of the dosing element; at the bottom portion of the body (1A) is provided a guide (7A) for the accommodation of the acting element (3A).
US08191736B2
A fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir (1) provided with a neck (11) that is externally threaded and that internally defines an opening (10) that communicates with the inside of the reservoir, the neck (11) forming at least one helical thread (12); a dispenser head (2) mounted on the neck (11) of the reservoir (1), the head (2) comprising: a dispenser member (3), such as a pump or a valve; a pusher (4) for actuating the dispenser member (3); and a fastener member (5, 6) engaged both with the threaded neck (11) of the reservoir (1) and with the dispenser member; the fluid dispenser being characterized in that the fastener member (5, 6) comprises: a deformable and malleable skirt (51) for coming into engagement with the threaded neck (11); and a rigid hoop (6) that is engaged around the skirt (51) so as to push the skirt radially against the threaded neck (11) in such a manner as to deform the skirt (51) against the thread (12) so as to create a thread imprint (530) in the skirt.
US08191735B2
A dispensing system for use on a liquid container such as a bottle or the like for dispensing the liquid contents from the bottle. The outlet opening of the container is closed by the improved throat plug assembly of this invention having a valve positioned therein which is open when the container is mounted in a dispensing fixture which is closed when the container is not mounted on the dispensing system. A plastic spring yieldably urges the valve to its closed position. In the preferred embodiment, a retainer and plastic spring are of one-piece molded construction. The throat plug assembly also includes a specifically shaped valve which is opened slightly when the container is being stored or transported to vent vapor pressure from within the container should the same be necessary.
US08191734B2
Embodiments of a method and apparatus for gasifying and maintaining gasification of a liquid contained in a resealable container are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gas delivery system for gasifying a liquid is provided, including a storage vessel for storing a gas; a controllable release mechanism; and an output device for facilitating delivery of a gas from the storage vessel via the controllable release mechanism.
US08191733B2
An arrangement for dispensing color paste, a shading apparatus, a method, a computer program product, and a memory. The arrangement includes a piston pump including a feed channel. The feed channel is provided with a substantially different amount of color paste per travelling length unit when the piston is moving towards the first end of the cylinder than when the piston is moving towards the second end of the cylinder. The arrangement further includes a valve connected to the feed channel, a dispensing channel connected to a first outlet channel of the valve for conveying color paste into a can, and a by-pass feed channel connected to a second outlet channel of the valve for conveying color paste past the can for the paint to be shaded.
US08191730B2
A stamped bucket for a vending machine having an elongated body with opposing first and second ends, a first end wall integrally formed on the body along the first end and a second end wall integrally formed on the body along the second end. The first and second end walls extending in generally transverse relation to the body. The first end wall has one or more tab portions extending therefrom that are secured to the body adjacent the first end. The second end wall also has one or more tab portions extending therefrom that are secured to the body adjacent the second end. An axis of rotation extends between the first and second end walls substantially longitudinally along the body.
US08191723B2
There is disclosed an apparatus for storing flowable product. The apparatus has a receptacle formed of a fabric that is impermeable to the flowable product, and further has a base, at least one upstanding side wall and a brim. One or more lateral bracing members are disposed between the base and the brim of the receptacle and abutting the at least one side wall of the receptacle.
US08191706B1
A protective casing is adapted for a first electronic device with a first button and a second electronic device with a second button. The protective casing includes a lower casing and an upper casing. The lower casing includes a partition member disposed therein. The partition member has a first resilient arm extended from a periphery of the partition member. The upper casing cooperates with the lower casing to form a first accommodating space, wherein the first accommodating space is above the partition member. When the first electronic device is accommodated in the first accommodating space, the first button is at a first distance from a bottom of the partition member. When the second electronic device is accommodated in the first accommodating space, the second button is at a second distance from the bottom of the partition member. A length of the first resilient arm covers the first and second distances.
US08191705B2
A conveyor belt has a reinforcement insert and is provided to transport hot materials at higher temperatures. The core of the conveyor belt is protected against the high temperatures by an additional textile layer made of basalt fibers arranged above the reinforcement insert in the rubber cover layer defining the load-carrying side of the conveyor belt.
US08191703B2
Methods for initiating one or more maintenance procedures on a conveyer system employ a load cell assembly that is supported by a link of a conveyor chain of the system in order to collect tension measurements. According to preferred methods, one or more threshold values for a rate of change in tension along particular portions of a circuit, around which the chain is driven, and/or for a variation in tension profile, from one cycle to another around the circuit, are established for comparison with tension measurements that are collected and/or processed by the load cell assembly, in order to detect operating issues and initiate the appropriate maintenance procedure(s). According to some methods, plots of the rate of change of tension versus time are generated and displayed for an operator to view.
US08191698B2
A hydraulic system having a clutch assembly (30) which is hydraulically actuated, a pressure device (32) in fluid communication with the clutch assembly, and a multi-position actuator device (34) in fluid communication with the pressure device and the clutch assembly. The position of the actuator device includes at least a first position in order for the pressure device to fluidly communicate with the clutch assembly, a second position for maintaining fluid pressure in the clutch assembly, and a third position for bleeding the hydraulic system.
US08191695B2
The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for engaging and disengaging a separating clutch of a single-clutch or multiple-clutch transmission, which has a housing, for a motor vehicle, having: an actuating drive; a cam segment which has a curved recess and which is rotatable about a first bearing, said first bearing being fixed with respect to the housing, and which can be rotated by the actuating drive in an engagement rotational direction or a disengagement rotational direction; and an engagement fork which is rotatable about a second bearing, said second bearing being fixed with respect to the housing, and which is coupled at one side of the fork to the cam segment by means of a cam follower and which can be coupled on an opposite side of the fork to the separating clutch in such a way that the separating clutch is closed in the event of a rotation of the cam segment in the engagement rotational direction and the separating clutch is opened in the event of a rotation of the cam segment in the disengagement rotational direction. The cam follower engages into the curved recess and being guided by a contour of the curved recess in the event of a rotation of the cam segment; with the contour being shaped such that the cam follower is offset in a radial direction of the cam segment in the event of an actuation of the actuating drive (FIG. 1).
US08191663B2
A radioisotope powered thermoelectric vehicle lacking an internal combustion engine. The vehicle may include a commercially available, federally-approved encased radioisotope, sensors, an encased metal heat conductor, a heating element embedded within a heat sink, a plurality of thermoelectric chips mounted around the outer surface of the heat sink, a hollow body surrounding the heat sink with a space present between the heat sink and the hollow body, a power converter, an electric power regulation and distribution system, a magnetic reed relay unit, operational and directional controls, radioisotope thermoelectric power generator, and at least one DC motor mounted to a wheel of the vehicle. A portable lead-lined metal, climate-controlled, and airtight lockbox may house the entire power generating unit providing for more than redundant systems protection. The vehicle is capable of running indefinitely under all weather conditions, without “refueling” for decades and without introducing toxic emissions into the environment.
US08191657B2
A drill bit for cutting casing employing a plurality of discrete, abrasive particulate-impregnated cutting structures having cutting structures therein extending upwardly from abrasive particulate-impregnated blades, which define a plurality of fluid passages therebetween on the bit face. Additional cutting elements may be placed in the inverted cone of the bit surrounding the centerline thereof.
US08191655B2
An apparatus for reaming a wellbore without rotating a tubular string that is extendable to a surface. A mandrel (102) is coupled to a downhole end of the tubular string. The mandrel (102) has at least one groove (110) in a sidewall portion thereof. A sleeve (112) is operably associated with the mandrel (102) such that longitudinal travel of the mandrel (102) relative to the sleeve (112) shifts the sleeve (112) between extended and contracted positions relative to the mandrel (102). A reamer shoe (122) is coupled to a downhole end of the sleeve (112). At least one coupling device (116) is operably associated with the sleeve (112) and extendable into the at least one groove (110) such that longitudinal travel of the mandrel (102) relative to the sleeve (112) caused the sleeve (112) to rotate relative to the mandrel (102), thereby rotating the reamer shoe (122).
US08191647B2
A dry sprinkler installation and sealing device for a cold environment is disclosed. The dry sprinkler installation includes a supply conduit having a first end adapted to communicate with a fire retardant fluid source and a second end supporting a sprinkler head. The supply conduit is dimensioned to extend through an opening in a wall of a cold environment, e.g., a freezer ceiling. A flexible sealing device is positioned about the supply conduit adjacent an exterior surface of the cold environment. A first end of the sealing device is secured about the supply conduit and a second end of the sealing device is secured to an exterior surface of the cold environment. The flexible sealing device allows for radial and axial adjustments to the supply conduit and sprinkler head without comprising the integrity of the sealing device.
US08191644B2
Disclosed herein is a completion device that includes an interior layer that swells when exposed to a wellbore fluid; and an exterior layer encasing the interior layer and configured to be impermeable to the wellbore fluid at temperatures below an activation depth temperature, and configured to be permeable to the wellbore fluid at temperatures above the activation depth temperature. Also disclosed herein is a method of deploying a completion device that includes encasing an interior layer of the device in a temperature-sensitive exterior layer that is impermeable to a fluid in the wellbore at temperatures below an activation depth temperature; attaching the device on a tube string; inserting the tube string into the wellbore; creating a leak path in the temperature-sensitive exterior layer in response to the device being exposed to the activation depth temperature in the wellbore; and swelling the interior layer with the wellbore fluid.
US08191638B2
A drill stem connection system and method is shown that provides a secure hold on drill stem surfaces while unscrewing a threaded connection. Two lever arm components are adjustable to a number of possible orientations to allow for fitting the drill stem wrench in tight spaces. Concentric rotation of lever arm components facilitates connection of the lever arm components together. Configurations and methods shown provide a stable and powerful tool to loosen threaded drill stem effectively.
US08191630B2
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons including mobilized hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
US08191629B2
An electronic actuation system for a pressure equalizing device in a downhole apparatus such as a wellbore plug is described. The system includes a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the wellbore, and means for setting a reference pressure value using a measurement from the pressure sensor. In a method of use, an applied pressure value is determined using a measurement from the pressure sensor and the reference pressure value, and the device is actuated, or opened, when the applied pressure meets a pre-determined condition, such as falling within a pressure window for certain time period. The invention allows natural changes in wellbore pressure to be accounted for when detecting a pressure actuation event.
US08191626B2
A tool having a first lower sub end, a second upper sub end, and an extensible joint connecting the first and second sub ends. The joint has a first inner latch piece connected to the lower sub end, and a second outer latch piece connected to the upper sub end, and a stationary restraining collar. The joint, in a latched position, has the outer latch piece latched to the inner latch piece and the inner and outer latch pieces restrained from unlatching by the restraining collar. The joint, under tensile force, unlatches into an unlatched position by the inner latch piece pulling the outer latch piece through the restraining collar into a position where the inner and outer latch pieces are free to separate. An impact force is generated from the tensile force when the joint unlatches and reaches a maximum extension.
US08191625B2
A downhole tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereabout. The sealing element is movable from an unset position to a set position in which the sealing element engages the well. Extrusion limiters are positioned at the ends of the sealing element. The extrusion limiters have first and second layers and the first and second layers are different materials. The second layer may be made up of a plurality of discs. At least one of the discs may be a disc with an irregularly shaped outer peripheral edge and a generally circular inner peripheral edge. A plurality of the discs with the irregularly shaped outer edge may be stacked and may be stacked with a generally circular or ring-shaped segmented disc. The first and second layers are stacked and then molded into a final shape for placement at the ends of the sealing element.
US08191609B2
A method for manufacturing a clad material composed of a core material and one or more skin materials which are superposed on either one or both faces of the core material, includes a clad material preparation process where an ingot for core material is manufactured by dissolving and casting a metal, and an ingot for skin material is manufactured by dissolving and casting a different metal for skin material, without hot rolling. The ingot for skin material is superposed as a skin material at a predetermined position of either one or both faces of the ingot for core material and the superposed material is hot-rolled to manufacture a clad material.
US08191593B2
Non-slipping wheel (1) comprising an elastomer layer (3) which covers at least the radially outer part of the wheel, characterized in that the elastomer layer has been provided with bubbles which are continuously torn open during use of the wheel thereby generating a suction effect. The bubbles can be provided by foaming the elastomer. The elastomer can be polyurethane, and the wheel can further comprise an inner core layer (2) of a different material which is elastic, e.g., rubber. The wheel is particularly useful for floor cleaning machines: due to their use on ground which is covered by a cleaning solution, the wheels face traction problems—on the other hand, the wheels should not leave additional residues or markings on the floor.
US08191585B2
Systems and methods for detecting a failure in a Stage II fuel vapor recovery system are disclosed. An exemplary failure is a restriction in the vapor recovery system. In one detection system dispensing points may be flagged if it is determined that there has been a series of detected A/L ratios at the respective dispensing point below a first threshold. Further, an estimated ORVR penetration percentage may be determined for each dispensing point. In a second detection system an average A/L ratio for each dispensing point may be determined. The average A/L ratio may be an approximation of the average A/L ratio for non-ORVR transactions.
US08191575B2
Two independent poppets/valves that open and close independently as a quick connect coupling is mated and unmated are employed as part of a cooling system for high end data processing systems. More particularly, the present invention comprises a quick connect poppet valve having two internal, independently functioning sealing seats therein disposed within a serially connected flow path to prevent leakage and to minimize the effects of debris.
US08191566B2
Systems (e.g., bioprocessing systems), including methods and apparatus, for controlling the flow of a sterilizing agent (e.g., steam) and/or at least one fluid reagent by utilizing a pressure-responsive valve, such as a rupture valve and/or a swing valve.
US08191563B2
A collapsing mechanism for umbrellas includes a transmission member and a movable member which is engaged with the transmission member to stop the mechanism from being stopped during the action and the umbrella does not opened suddenly to hurt people. During the collapsing action, the action can be stopped as desired and the umbrella is maintained at that status and does not open. By the mechanism, the user does not need to complete the collapsing action at one time.
US08191562B1
A telescopic umbrella with integral anchor which has parallel dual spikes integrated into the support shaft and a parallelepiped foot pad member disposed in a position perpendicular to the dual spikes upon which a user steps to insert and anchor the spikes into the ground thereby securing the umbrella canopy in place. An alignment tab on an upper attachment end of the support shaft and an alignment groove on an opposite securement end of the support shaft assist in the insertion of the upper attachment end into the securement end while aligning and engaging a locking protrusion on the upper attachment end with one of the holes on the securement end to adjust the height of the support shaft. A protective cover is also provided to removably contain and secure the spikes and the foot pad member during period of non-use to prevent personal injury due to accidental contact therewith.
US08191560B2
An upper rack vertical adjustment system for a dishwasher, including an upper rack first portion, and an upper rack second portion rotatably attached to the first portion to selectively create an opening in the bottom of the rack to provide clearance for items placed in the lower rack. For adjusting the height of the upper rack, a slidable member has two elongated arms extending therefrom each having a wheel attached at an end of the arms is provided on each side of the rack. For each slidable member, a plate is mounted to a portion of the upper rack and the said slidable member is pivotally mounted to the plate. A locking mechanism locks the slidable member in one of several predetermined positions.
US08191555B2
The invention relates to a heating device (9), for a mobile inhalation unit for the inhalation of active agents, comprising a heating wire (15), with two connector ends (23, 31) for the introduction of electrical energy and a thermal reservoir (13, 17) for heating air flowing along the thermal reservoir, whereby the thermal reservoir may be heated by means of the heating wire. The heating wire has a temperature coefficient of at least 0.001 K−1. The invention further relates to an inhalation unit with such a heating device and a method for heating a thermal reservoir on such a heating device.
US08191554B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to a covering member for a protruding portion of a patient's body. This cover is flexible and collapsible so that it conforms to the shape of the encased portion of the body. This prevents the cover from being noticed while it is worn under clothing. The cover can contain a medicament or agent for pretreating a portion of the body before an examination or procedure. When the cover is used to apply a topical anesthetic to a portion of the body for a recommended period of time prior to the procedure or examination commencing, the amount of discomfort experienced by the patient can be significantly reduced compared to the amount experienced by the patient who has the anesthetic applied for just a few moments before the procedure begins. Alternatively, the cover can be used to hold a medicament or agent on the intended portion of the body in order to heal a wound or cure a condition such as a skin rash or the like.
US08191547B2
A solar-heating system having an inflatable solar collector connected to a housing that can be installed, e.g., in a sash window of a house. The housing has an air blower that draws air from the interior of the house and directs it into the inflatable solar collector, which is positioned outside the window. The collector has a flexible permeable membrane that serves as a transpired absorber of solar radiation. The air flowing through the collector is heated when it percolates through the membrane exposed to solar light. The heated air is returned back to the interior of the house, thereby providing space heating. In certain embodiments, in addition to serving as a transpired absorber, the membrane can also serve as an air filter that removes particles, odor-causing pollutants, and/or allergens from the drawn air.
US08191541B2
A crossbow may include a main beam; a compound bow assembly mounted to the main beam; and, a trigger mechanism mounted to the main beam for use in holding a bowstring in a cocked position. The crossbow may include wheels at opposite ends of the bow that operatively receive the bowstring. The wheels may be separated by a wheel distance (WD) when the crossbow is in an un-cocked position. The crossbow may also have a power stroke distance (PD) and the ratio WD/PD may be less than 2.0.
US08191534B2
An improved high viscosity fuel injection pressure reduction system and method is disclosed for use in an internal combustion engine. The system may include a first fuel line and a second fuel line. The first fuel line may be configured to be coupled upstream of a combustion chamber of the engine when the engine is operated with the first fuel and to provide a first pressurized volume when installed. Likewise, the second fuel line may be configured to be coupled upstream of the combustion chamber of the engine when the engine is operated with the second fuel and to provide a second pressurized volume when installed. The first and second volumes of the fuel lines may provide peak injection pressures lower than a desired pressure when the engine is operated with the first and second fuels, respectively.
US08191532B2
A method and a control module for performing the same include a filter module filtering in-cylinder pressure signals using a filter to form filtered in-cylinder pressure signals. The control module further includes a heat release rate determination module generating heat release rate signals based on the in-cylinder pressure signals and a maximum heat rate determination module determining a maximum heat release rate from the heat release rate signals. The system also includes a correction module correcting auto-ignition for the engine based on the maximum heat release rate.
US08191527B2
A compensation shaft for a multi-cylinder engine at least two bearing pegs and at least four unbalanced weight sections, two of the at least four unbalanced weight sections being arranged respectively, around each of the at least two bearing pegs, so that at least two units are formed, these at least two units being connected to each other by a connecting part, wherein two of the unbalanced weight sections are arranged asymmetrically around each of the two bearing pegs, and the connecting part is configured as a flexurally rigid and torsion-proof component.
US08191525B2
A system for improving distribution of gases within an intake manifold of an engine is presented. The system may be used to improve engine air-fuel control. In one example, turbulence of gases entering an intake manifold is increased.
US08191517B2
Improvements in a gas powered engine. Said improvements include use of a piston with a fixed piston arm that extends through a seal in the lower portion of the cylinder. In this proposal of four-stroke engine, the down chamber is used as supercharger for the upper chamber cylinder engine. In this proposed two-stroke engine the down chamber is used as a compressor chamber and the compressed air passes to the upper chamber. The piston arm operates on an elliptical crank that drives the output shaft. Valves that move air and exhaust into and out of the pistons are lifted by a cam located on the crank. A unique oil injector passes oil between the rings when the piston is in at the bottom of the stroke.
US08191512B2
A heat exchange apparatus of a high-load bottom-up-type condensing gas boiler is disclosed. In the gas boiler system having a ventilator attached to a lower part of a combustion chamber, the heat exchange apparatus structured in such a manner that a Venturi path for achieving a high-pressure and high-velocity flow of exhaust gas is mounted in an exhaust duct formed between a sensible heat exchanger in which first heat exchange is performed and a latent heat exchanger to which firstly heat-exchanged exhaust gas is flown, so that the sensible heat exchanger and the latent heat exchanger are perfectly independent from the exhaust gas after combustion. In addition, a curve-type exhaust guide and a V-guide are mounted to an upper part of the latent heat exchanger to guide a flow of the exhaust gas being firstly heat-exchanged and discharged from the sensible heat exchanger, such that condensed water generated during second heat exchange in the latent heat exchanger can be smoothly discharged and the thermal efficiency is enhanced.
US08191511B2
An animal exercise wheel is illuminated by LEDs connected to a battery via a reed switch. A magnet actuates the reed switch when an animal begins to rotate the wheel. The LEDs flash with the frequency of rotation of the animal wheel or continuously. As long as the wheel rotates, the magnet continues to actuate the reed switch, which resets a counter. When the wheel stops and the reed switch is no longer actuated, the counter counts a predetermined time, and terminates the illumination of the LEDs.
US08191508B2
A wild bird feeder comprising a container and a base. A cable extends through the container and the base and is provided with a hanging loop at one end and a bottom cover at the other end for retaining the components of the bird feeder between them and suspending the bird feeder in a hanging position when hung from a tree or otherwise. The container comprises and is formed by a cover, a dome, a collar, and a hopper. The cover is provided with a star shaped opening that frictionally engages with the hanging cable for enabling the separation of the cover from the dome to fill the bird feeder when the bird feeder is in the hanging position. The collar comprises a plurality of divider walls for creating a plurality of sections to direct the bird feed when filling the bird feeder. The hopper comprises a vertical column having a plurality of ports. The base comprises a tray having a conical shaped cone that is centrally located within the vertical column for directing the bird seed out the plurality of ports. The hopper is releaseably attached or fastened to the base for enabling cleaning of the bird feeder in either the hanging or non-hanging position. A perch ring is provided on the base to support the birds when feeding.
US08191499B2
The liquid application apparatus applies liquid to media of a plurality of types having different widths in a widthwise direction that is perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the media. The liquid application apparatus includes: a liquid application member which has an application surface applying the liquid to the media; and a liquid holding member which has a plurality of recesses arranged in the widthwise direction, a plurality of liquid supply ports arranged respectively in the recesses, and a plurality of liquid discharge ports arranged respectively in the recesses, the liquid holding member forming a plurality of liquid chambers with the recesses by abutting against the application surface of the liquid application member. The liquid is supplied through the liquid supply ports and discharged through the liquid discharge ports, respectively and independently for the liquid chambers as selected in accordance with one of the widths of the media so that the liquid is applied only to a region that is inside a range of the one of the widths of the media, of the application surface of the liquid application member.
US08191491B2
A sewing machine that is capable of sewing an embroidery pattern on a work cloth held by an embroidery frame includes a display device that is capable of displaying at least one of an image and embroidery information, a detection device that detects an occurrence of a thread break, an image capture device that is capable of capturing an image of at least an area including a needle drop point, a display control device that displays an image captured by the image capture device and an operation key on the display device in a case where the detection device has detected the occurrence of the thread break, the operation key being to be used to transfer the embroidery frame by at least one stitch, and a sewing control device that causes the embroidery frame to be transferred based on a number of stitches specified by operation of the operation key.
US08191481B2
A material handling system includes a composite beam including an upper rail and a lower track connected through a plurality of spaced apart transverse members. A trolley includes an upper set of wheels and a lower set of wheels. The lower set of wheels is received within two parallel channels defined by the lower track. A drive tube is positioned between the upper rail and the lower track such that the upper set of wheels are in frictional engagement with the drive tube. A drive system is configured to rotate the drive tube.
US08191475B2
A method is provided for detecting a target impact of a munition. The method including: providing the munition with a power supply having a piezoelectric material for generating power from a vibration induced by the munition; monitoring an output from the power supply; and determining whether the output of power from the power supply has dropped below a predetermined threshold.
US08191473B2
A method and an apparatus are used for providing information about printing plates to be manufactured for a new production of a printing press. A point of use of at least one of the printing plates is visualized on a display. Several different positions exist at the point of use of each respective printing plate. Each may relate to one of several installation positions on a plate cylinder disposed in the printing press. These can also relate to storage positions of a printing plate magazine. Using the display, several different points of use in the printing area, for a particular printing plate, are displayed. The display depicts which one of the positions of use is to be provided. The display additionally depicts different states or properties of at least one printing plate. It may also depict a print location of a printing plate on a transport path.
US08191470B2
Screw press, preferably for removing liquid from a material to be conveyed, comprising a screw shaft (1) complete with a helical conveying flight (2) mounted on the screw shaft (1) and a housing shell (3) surrounding it, where a transport channel (4) is formed for the material to be conveyed between the screw shaft (1), the conveying flight (2), and the housing shell (3). In order to prevent conveyed material components from adhering to the screw shaft (1), and thus uneven filling of the transport channel (4), the invention provides for the screw shaft (1) to have a surface profile (5), at least in one section of the transport channel (4).
US08191468B2
A cooking utensil having five layer members which includes a first diaphragm member and a second diaphragm member, at least one thermostat set wherein said at least one thermostat set is situated within first layer, at least one heat sensor, wherein said at least one sensor comprises of a liquid which is sensitive to heat, a thermal induction actuator (81), which selectively closes said first diaphragm member and second diaphragm member according to temperature of the outer member of bottom of intermediate member. A hot air passage formed vertically in a part of the circumference between the sidewalls of the outer member and outer member of third layer, which causes the passage of hot air, a cool air passage formed vertically in a part of circumference between the sidewalls of outer member and inner member of second outer member which causes entering of cool air. Heat energy transmitted from the bottom of outer member will be diverted from the intermediate member and guided to outside of the cooking utensil by being spread out throughout the sidewalls of the cooking utensil. Therefore, the food in inner member which is closely contacted with the intermediate member is not scorched or burned.
US08191465B2
An oven includes a scanning mechanism that facilitates cooking food items according to cooking recipes/programs associated with the food items. The oven may include a Bluetooth link to facilitate receipt of cooking programs and other information, as well as export of data.
US08191454B2
Embodiments of a canisterized interceptor and method to prevent the launch of a canisterized interceptor that may have been penetrated by small arms fire are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the canisterized interceptor includes a composite canister for housing an interceptor. The canister includes an embedded winding to provide a conductive path and comprises a conductor arranged within composite material of the canister. A maximum spacing may be provided between windings of the conductor and penetration of the canister may be indicated by an open or short circuit in the conductive path.
US08191449B2
The present invention is directed toward a repositioning device for a tool such as miter saw. The device includes a tool platform rotationally coupled to a base platform via a reorientation mechanism. The tool platform supports the miter saw. The base platform connects directly to a workbench, or connects to a support assembly that supports the cutting tool on a supporting surface.
US08191447B2
The invention pertains to a method and device for machining a workpiece (2), which rotates about a central axis (1) by means of a tool (3), which contains at least one planar cutting plate (17) arranged in an inclined plane (E) relative to the central axis (1) of the workpiece (2) and is provided with a curved cutting edge (21) directed toward the workpiece (2), wherein the tool (3) is non-rotatably held during the machining, and wherein the workpiece (2) and the tool (3) are displaced relative to one another along two mutually perpendicular axes (X-axis, Y-axis) within a plane (X-Y plane) that lies perpendicular to the central axis (1) of the workpiece (2) such that the point of action between the cutting plate (17) and the workpiece (2) travels along the cutting edge (21).
US08191445B2
Fibers for diamond-impregnated cutting tools and their associated methods for manufacture and use are described. A matrix is formed that contains fibers made from carbon, glass, ceramic, polymer, and the like. The matrix is then sintered to form a cutting portion of a drill bit. The type and concentration of the fibers can be modified to control the tensile strength and the erosion rate of the matrix to optimize the cutting performance of the tools. Additionally, the fibers may be added to the cutting section to weaken the structure and allow higher modulus binders to be used for the cutting tools at a lower cost, allowing the amount of fibers to be tailored to retain the diamonds in the cutting portion for the desired amount. As the cutting portion erodes, the fibers may also increase the lubricity at the face of the cutting portion.
US08191442B2
An electro-mechanical actuator is provided resisting back driving of a gear train in at least one direction. The actuator includes an internal gear train. A clutch is coupled to an output of the gear train and transmits a driving force from the gear train to a clutch output. When a back driving force is applied to the clutch output in at least one direction, the clutch assumes a locked configuration. When the clutch is in a locked configuration the clutch resists rotational movement of the output and back driving of the gear train.
US08191441B2
A dual clutch transmission is provided including a transmission input member, a first output member, a first, second, third and fourth gear sets, a first and second countershafts, and a first and second sleeve shafts. In operation, the first countershaft is engaged to the first sleeve shaft or the second countershaft is engaged to the second sleeve shaft, at least one of the first and second gears of the first and second gear sets is engaged to at least one of the first and second sleeve shafts, and at least one of the first and second gears of the third and fourth gear sets is engaged to at least one of the first and second countershafts to establish at least eight forward speed ratios between the transmission input member and the output shaft.
US08191437B2
A system and method for capturing a sample gas for analysis is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an accumulator that has a variable volume. A volume of the sample gas is fed to the accumulator. The system also has an analyzer. An aliquot of the sample gas is withdrawn from the accumulator and fed to the analyzer. The analyzer analyzes a desired component of the sample gas.
US08191430B2
A method of testing pipes for use in making subsea pipelines comprises cutting a ring from one or more pipes of the type used to make the pipeline; forming flat, substantially parallel surfaces on the ends of the ring; providing means for measuring strain and deformation of the ring; mounting the ring in a pressure chamber such that the ends of the ring form seals with opposing walls of the chamber to isolate the inside of the ring from the outside; increasing the pressure outside the ring and measuring the strain and deformation on the ring as the pressure increases; and using the deformation and strain measurements to determine a wall thickness for pipes to be used for the pipeline. An apparatus for testing rings cut from pipes for use in making subsea pipelines, comprises first and second test chamber sections which, when placed together define a test chamber for receiving the ring to be tested; one or more sensors for measuring strain and deformation of the ring; sealing means located in the chamber for forming a seal against the ring when received in the chamber; means for clamping the first and second sections together to form the chamber and engage the sealing means against the ring when received in the chamber to form a pressure resistant seal between the inside and outside of the ring; and a fluid inlet port in one of the chamber sections to allow a pressurised fluid to be admitted to the chamber outside the ring when received in the chamber.
US08191425B1
A gage pressure transducer comprising a first pressure sensing assembly exposed to a main pressure and a second pressure sensing assembly exposed to a reference pressure. The pressure sensing assemblies comprise half-bridge sensors and means for using an alignment glass plate with each sensor which reduces the amount of oil required for operation, which consequently reduces the back pressures caused by large volumes of oil. The pressure sensor assemblies are hermetically sealed using glass frits, therefore enabling the gage pressure transducer to robustly and accurately measure pressure in harsh environments.
US08191412B2
A method for determining a deviation of a fuel quality from a reference quality and for determining a change in exhaust gas emissions caused by this deviation by evaluating pressure waves in a fuel system of an internal combustion engine outfitted with one of a discontinuous fuel delivery and a fuel take-off. The method includes detecting pressure oscillations in the fuel system during operation by at least one sensor; determining at least one of a fuel type and the deviation from a reference fuel quality by analyzing the detected pressure oscillations in an electronic monitoring unit; and at least one of changing behavior of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system downstream of the internal combustion engine based at least in part on deviations of the untreated emissions of the internal combustion engine from the untreated emissions occurring when using the reference fuel, changing service intervals when a deviation from the reference fuel quality is determined, changing engine oil change intervals are changed when a deviation from the reference fuel quality is determined displaying information about use of a fuel deviating from the reference fuel is, displaying the changed service interval, changing operating parameters of the internal combustion engine, and changing operating parameters of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system downstream of the internal combustion engine.
US08191401B2
A method and system supporting the formation and propagation of tunable highly nonlinear pulses using granular chains composed of non-spherical granular systems. Such a method and system may be used to support the creation of tunable acoustic band gaps in granular crystals formed of particles with different geometries (spherical or not) in which the tunability is achieved by varying the static precompression, type of excitation and/or pulse amplitude in the system.
US08191399B2
There is described a method for monitoring a drive device for a defective sensor signal from a first sensor of the drive device and to a monitoring device which is suitable for this purpose. Although sensors operate reliably, sensor errors which may give rise to significant damage if they are not detected may arise. Monitoring the sensor makes it possible to increase the reliability of the drive device. The sensor signal from the first sensor is compared with a sensor signal from a second sensor in such a manner that the first sensor is monitored. In this case, the monitoring device is intended, in particular, for a sensor having a sensor disc.
US08191395B2
An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
US08191393B2
An apparatus and method are provided for extruding a micro-channel tube (402) from a non-aluminum metal or alloy such as copper. The micro-channel tube is formed by simultaneously extruding two rectangular shaped billets (404; 406) to form a top portion of the micro-channel tube and a bottom portion of the micro-channel tube in parallel. The top and bottom portions are then joined during the extrusion process (e.g., within a die assembly) to form the micro-channel tube (402).
US08191381B2
An outdoor fan for an air-conditioner is provided to reduce unnecessary energy consumption and noise generated during an operation by reducing a side circulation flow generated when the fan rotates. The outdoor fan may include a hub shaft with a side hole, and rotary blades that convert rotary power received from the hub shaft into a pressure difference. The hub shaft may include a main plate unit perpendicular to the hub shaft and, positioned at a front side as compared to a virtual plane that includes the side hole, and the main plate unit to cover at least a portion of the hub shaft.
US08191378B2
A refrigerator, in which a dispensing unit moves between a received position and a dispensing position, and a dispenser receiving structure defines a receiving space in which at least a portion of the dispenser unit is positioned when the dispensing unit is oriented in the received position. The refrigerator also includes a cover unit that is attached to the dispensing unit and moves with the dispensing unit. The cover unit covers a portion of an opening defined in a surface of a door by the dispenser receiving structure when the dispensing unit is oriented in the received position. The refrigerator further includes a shielding unit that covers a gap remaining between the dispenser receiving structure and the cover unit when the dispensing unit is oriented in the received position.
US08191373B2
An impingement shield assembly for a turbine includes a first impingement shield portion and a second impingement shield joined to the first impingement shield portion. The assembly also includes a first connection portion formed on the first impingement shield portion, a second connection portion formed on the first impingement shield portion and first and second wedge weld portions that mate with and hold the first and a second connection portions in a fixed relationship to one another.
US08191370B2
In an engine equipped with a supercharger consisting of a compressor having a plurality of blades on a turbine shaft and a turbine, at least one index means provided on the turbine shaft or the plurality of blades, and a turbo angular velocity sensor, which detects a rotation of the index means and a rotation of the plurality of blades respectively and connected to an ECU. In the engine, also, a turbo angular velocity computing means, which calculates an angular velocity by obtaining a plurality of pulses per one rotation of the turbine shaft, is provided.
US08191368B2
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel (5) supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis with an annular inlet passageway (9) defined between a radial face of a nozzle ring (11) and a facing wall of the housing (10). The nozzle ring is movable along the turbine axis to vary the width of the inlet passageway and has a circumferential array of vanes (20) that are received in corresponding slots (24) in the facing wall. A wastegate valve (15) is provided in a chamber behind the facing wall and gas bypasses the turbine through the chamber to the wastegate port (14) at high flow rates.
US08191363B2
A system for controlling motion of a hydraulic actuator on a refuse collection vehicle. The system includes an operator input device configured to produce a proportional electrical signal that is proportional to the degree of motion of the operator input device. The system further includes a proportional pneumatic control valve that is configured to produce a pressurized air control signal in proportion to the proportional electrical signal, and a hydraulic control valve that is configured to selectively control flow of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator in response to the pressurized air control signal.
US08191361B2
A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
US08191358B2
A regeneration method for a storage catalytic converter in an exhaust-gas purification system of an internal combustion engine, has the following steps: (a) switching of the internal combustion engine from a standard operating mode with a lean exhaust gas to a regeneration mode with a rich exhaust gas, (b) measurement of a nitrogen oxide concentration in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine after the switchover to the regeneration mode, (c) determination of a characteristic variable of a desorption peak of the measured nitrogen oxide concentration after the switchover to the regeneration mode, and (d) minimization of the characteristic variable of the desorption peak through controlling of the internal combustion engine as a function of the measured characteristic variable of the desorption peak.
US08191352B2
A counter-rotatable low pressure turbine includes counter-rotatable outer and inner drum rotors. The outer drum rotor is connected to a sole shaft for transmitting torque and power out of the low pressure turbine. Low pressure outer drum turbine blade rows extend radially inwardly from an outer shell of the outer drum rotor. Low pressure inner drum turbine blade rows extend radially outwardly from the low pressure inner drum rotor. The outer drum turbine blade rows are interdigitated with the inner drum turbine blade rows. The drum rotors are geared together through an epicyclic gearbox for transmitting all the torque and power produced by the drum rotors to the shaft. The gearbox may be located aft of the drum rotors. A differential thrust bearing is disposed between the drum rotors. A single stage fan section of an engine is connected to the turbine by the shaft.
US08191350B2
An engine supplied with compressed air includes a main drive piston (1) driving a crankshaft (5) and one active expansion chamber (13) of a variable volume allowing work to be produced and which is connected, by a passage (6), with the volume contained in the driving cylinder (2). The passage (6) includes a shutter (7) thus allowing the active expansion chamber to be isolated from or to be placed in contact with the dead volume, in such a manner that the engine works according to a four-phase thermodynamic cycle: * an isothermal expansion without work; * a transfer-slight expansion with work known as quasi-isothermal; * a polytropic expansion with work; * an exhaust at ambient pressure.
US08191348B2
A compact metal cable having two layers (C1, C2) of construction 1+N, rubberized in situ, usable in particular as a reinforcing element for a tire belt for a heavy industrial vehicle, comprising a core or inner layer (C1) comprising a single core wire of diameter d1, and a saturated outer layer (C2) of N wires of diameter d2 wound together in a helix at a pitch p2 around the layer C1. The layered cable has the following characteristics (d1, d2, p2 in mm): 0.15
US08191342B2
A riding lawnmower vehicle includes two main drive wheels, at least one caster wheel, an electric traction motor, an internal combustion engine, a generator driven by the internal combustion engine, and a lawnmower. The electric energy generated by the generator can be supplied directly or via an electric accumulator to the electric traction motor. The main drive wheels are independently driven by the electric traction motor, which can operate as a traction power source. When viewed from one end to the other end in the width direction of the vehicle, the internal combustion engine and a secondary battery operable as the electric accumulator overlap each other, and the main drive wheels overlap at least a part of at least one of the internal combustion engine, the generator, the secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, an inverter, a cooling device, a mower driving motor, and a grass-collecting duct.
US08191339B2
An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
US08191337B2
A stretch wrap device for delivering stretch wrap film to a coil of cable or other filament type product being wound on a rotating mandrel and a traversing assembly for delivering stretch wrap film to the coil of cable or other filament type product; the traversing assembly including a stretch wrap module for traversing parallel to the rotating mandrel; the stretch wrap module including a motor and roller assembly for contacting and transporting the stretch wrap film toward the rotating mandrel so that an end of the stretch wrap film engages the coil of cable or other filament type product, and the continued rotation of the mandrel causing the end of the stretch wrap film to cover the surface of the wound coil of cable or other filament type material; the stretch wrap module also includes a compressed air generator and air jets for supporting the end of the stretch wrap film with compressed air, the end of the stretch wrap film engaging the coil of cable or other filament type with the completion of the winding of the coil of cable or other filament type product.
US08191332B1
A reinforcement system made of steel members, (e.g., steel reinforcing rods, threaded rods or functionally equivalent steel members), closely positioned with respect to, or positioned in contact with, the exterior of straight, tapered, and/or pipe/stepped poles, such as wireless telecommunication poles. The method of use results in providing additional strength to the poles to enhance resistance against deflection caused by, for instance, wind forces and/or added weight resulting from mounting antennas thereto, enabling the placement of, for instance, more antenna arrays and other communication antennas thereon than is otherwise possible.
US08191331B2
A demountable and remountable wall assembly for partitioning room space between an overhead and a floor, the major elements of which are reusable. The assembly provides one or two walls, at lease one of which has an outer fastener-free surface. Additionally, the fastener-free surface may be made substantially smooth and seamless. The walls are arranged in planar congruence, separated by internal spacers or studs, and vertically positioned between the overhead and floor of the room space to be partitioned. Removable tracks or spacers at the top and bottom of the wall assembly serves to interface the wall assembly with the floor and ceiling of the space. The walls are constructed of either finished or unfinished wall panels (e.g., fabric covered or sheet rock panels) which are incorporated into the assembly using a combination of removable fasteners and releasable adhesives. The finished or exposed area of a wall surface includes no fasteners. Any fasteners used to fix a wall panel in place is covered by a removable trim or other removable feature, which make the fasteners readily exposable and easy to remove.
US08191327B2
A wall panel system includes at least one wall panel, each edge of the panel having a flange. At least one flange, and preferably two opposing flanges, have at least one slot therein. Each slot is mated with a clip having a unique shape that allows the clip to be inserted into the slot and secured therein without the use of fasteners and strictly due to its shape. The clip may then be attached to a building surface or intermediary mounting apparatus by a fastener to secure the wall panel thereto.
US08191323B2
A sleeve for protecting a utility conduit or conduits passing through a hole in a stud used in building construction. A provided body portion forms a longitudinally extending hollow trough. The trough includes a circular side section, with a diameter defining a body width. This circular side section is changeable by compression with either the human hand or a conventional hand-tool to adapt the body width, and thus the sleeve, to coincide with a potential range of stud hole sizes. Engagement of the sleeve in the hole can be achieved by placing an inserted end into the hole and pressing a worked end. A provided stop portion at the worked end then stops insertion of the sleeve beyond the stud face, and a provided retention portion in the sleeve affirmatively retains the sleeve within the hole once it is thus inserted.
US08191322B2
An extensible payload system including mounting equipment and a mast system removably coupled to the mounting equipment. The mast system includes a plurality of nested mast sections, at least one cable, and a pull block assembly. The plurality of nested mast sections include a first mast section and a second mast section nested within the first mast section. At least one cable is rollably coupled to the first mast section. The pull block assembly is coupled to an end of the second mast section. The pull block assembly has a cable receiving opening. The cable is routed into the cable receiving opening and is coupled to the pull block assembly.
US08191310B2
A plant pot which is adapted to be stacked with one or more similar plant pots.
US08191305B2
A netting arrangement for use in trawling is described. The arrangement includes a grid portion 120 which is desirably collapsible and is formed from a plurality of loops. Each of the loops are provided with four sides, two sides having a substantially rigid nature and being separated from one another by flexible interconnectors. A netting and ramp arrangement is also described wherein the ramp assists in the selective expulsion of juvenile and small fish from the net.
US08191303B2
A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.
