US08283817B2
An electric machine with improved cooling efficiency includes a stator, a rotor operating as a rotor fan and comprising a shaft defining an axial direction and having radial and axial cooling channels, and an axial fan configured as a twin axial fan and arranged coaxially with the shaft and supplying a coolant to the axial cooling channels. The axial fan has first and second blade rings and a funnel-shaped tube with a smaller opening directly connected to the axial cooling channels of the rotor to deliver coolant to the axial cooling channels of the rotor, and a larger opening, which is non-rotatably connected to and encloses the first blade ring. The second blade ring is firmly attached at an outer circumference of the funnel-shaped tube to deliver the coolant to the stator. Both the stator and the rotor can be cooled using an efficient coolant flow.
US08283813B2
A drive section for a substrate transport arm including a frame, at least one stator mounted within the frame, the stator including a first motor section and at least one stator bearing section and a coaxial spindle magnetically supported substantially without contact by the at least one stator bearing section, where each drive shaft of the coaxial spindle includes a rotor, the rotor including a second motor section and at least one rotor bearing section configured to interface with the at least one stator bearing section, wherein the first motor section is configured to interface with the second motor section to effect rotation of the spindle about a predetermined axis and the at least one stator bearing section is configured to effect at least leveling of a substrate transport arm end effector connected to the coaxial spindle through an interaction with the at least one rotor bearing section.
US08283810B2
An electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to control electrical current through the electrical system via a switch module. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. Specifically, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and operates to control electrical current distribution throughout the electrical system, via one or more switch modules, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value. The control device may be further configured to sense average magnitudes of the electrical current in either direction between two electrical components, coupled with a switch module, and switch on/off the electrical current in either direction, via the switch module, to insure that the average magnitude of electrical current between the electrical components in either direction does not exceed one or more default average magnitudes.
US08283805B2
Power is provided to a scanning device. Power supplied by an attached bus is used to power the scanning device when power requirements for the scanning device can be met by the power supplied by the attached bus. Power is drawn from a rechargeable battery to supply power to the scanning device when power requirements for the scanning device cannot be met by the power from the attached bus. When the scanning device is in a stand-by mode, the power from the attached bus is used to recharge the rechargeable battery.
US08283795B2
A system in an electric vehicle converts the mechanical energy resulting from movement of the vehicle chassis to electric energy. The system has one or more energy conversion units including an alternator with a rotatable shaft and a weighted fly wheel fixed to the shaft. A female receptor on an end of the alternator shaft is disposed in spaced, axial alignment with a male driver on the end of a spiral ratcheting shaft that is operatively engaged with a pivoting lever and the chassis of the vehicle, whereupon upward and downward motion of the chassis frame causes the male driver to move between engagement and disengagement with the female receptor. A ratchet mechanism drives rotation of the spiral ratcheting shaft upon engagement of the male driver with the female receptor, thereby rotating the female receptor, flywheel and alternator shaft. The male driver disengages from the female receptor, allowing the fly wheel and alternator shaft to freely rotate in order to generate electric energy which is used to continuously charge a bank of batteries for powering the electric vehicle.
US08283788B2
Method of fabricating thin-film transistors in which contact with connecting electrodes becomes reliable. When contact holes are formed, the bottom insulating layer is subjected to a wet etching process, thus producing undercuttings inside the contact holes. In order to remove the undercuttings, a light etching process is carried out to widen the contact holes. Thus, tapering section are obtained, and the covering of connection wiring is improved.
US08283787B2
A semiconductor device includes a through-silicon-via arranged to couple a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips, an interconnection line coupled to the through-silicon-via at one side and arranged to couple the through-silicon-via to the semiconductor chip, an internal interconnection line disposed at the other side of the interconnection line and intersected with the interconnection line, and at least one first contact disposed to couple the internal interconnection line to the interconnection line. A region of the interconnection line in which the internal interconnection line is disposed is equally divided, and an area between the divided regions is removed.
US08283776B2
An electrical package with improved thermal management. The electrical package includes a die having an exposed back surface. The package further includes a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the back surface for dissipating heat from the package. The die can be arranged in a multi-die stacking configuration. In another embodiment, a method of forming a die for improved thermal management of an electrical package is provided.
US08283771B2
In some embodiments, provided is an integrated circuit with a first die coupled to a second die. The second die has through-silicon vias disposed through it to provide power references to the first die. The through-silicon vias are laterally re-positionable without inhibiting circuit sections in the second die.
US08283769B2
A protective modular package cover has first and second fastening sections located at opposing first and second ends with one or more subassembly receiving sections disposed thereto and is configured to fasten the protective modular package cover to a core. Each fastening section has a foot surface located on a bottom surface of a fastening section and configured to make contact with the core, a mounting hole configured to receive a fastener, and a torque element. Each subassembly receiving section is configured to receive a subassembly and has a cross member formed along the underside of the protective modular package cover. Activation of the first torque element transfers a downward clamping force generated at the fastening element to a top surface of one or more subassemblies disposed in the one or more subassembly receiving sections via the cross member of each of the one or more subassembly receiving sections.
US08283768B2
Disclosed herein are a wafer level package for heat dissipation and a method of manufacturing the same. The wafer level package includes a heat dissipation plate including a cavity and a hole, a die including a pad disposed in the cavity of the heat dissipation plate in a face-up manner, a thermal conductive adhesive disposed between the die and an inner wall of the cavity and disposed in the hole, and a redistribution layer connected at one end to the pad and at the other end extended. The wafer level package protects the die from external environments and enables the die to be easily flush with the heat dissipation plate.
US08283766B2
A ramp-stack chip package is described. This chip package includes a vertical stack of semiconductor dies or chips that are offset from each other in a horizontal direction, thereby defining a terrace with exposed pads. A high-bandwidth ramp component, which is positioned approximately parallel to the terrace, is electrically and mechanically coupled to the exposed pads. For example, the ramp component may be coupled to the semiconductor dies using: solder, microsprings and/or an anisotropic conducting film. Furthermore, each of the semiconductor dies includes a static bend so that an end segment of each of the semiconductor dies is parallel to the direction and is mechanically coupled to the ramp component. These end segments may facilitate high-bandwidth communication of signals between the chips and the ramp component, for example, via proximity communication.
US08283760B1
An integrated circuit package configured to incorporate a lead frame and methods for its making are is described. The package comprising an IC with aluminum bond pads in communication with circuitry of the die with lead frame with silver bond pads. The package having gold bumps bonded between the aluminum bond pad of the die and the silver bond pad of the lead frame. The package including an encapsulant envelope and including various materials and bond pad structures and constructed in a manner formed by thermosonically or thermocompressionally bonding the gold balls to the bond pads. Also, disclosed are methods of making the package.
US08283754B2
A method includes providing a substrate having a seal ring region and a circuit region, forming a seal ring structure over the seal ring region, forming a first frontside passivation layer above the seal ring structure, etching a frontside aperture in the first frontside passivation layer adjacent to an exterior portion of the seal ring structure, forming a frontside metal pad in the frontside aperture to couple the frontside metal pad to the exterior portion of the seal ring structure, forming a first backside passivation layer below the seal ring structure, etching a backside aperture in the first backside passivation layer adjacent to the exterior portion of the seal ring structure, and forming a backside metal pad in the backside aperture to couple the backside metal pad to the exterior portion of the seal ring structure. Semiconductor devices fabricated by such a method are also provided.
US08283743B2
A photodiode includes a silicon semiconductor layer; a P-type high concentration diffusion layer with a P-type impurity diffused therein at a high concentration; an N-type high concentration diffusion layer with an N-type impurity diffused therein at a high concentration; and a low concentration diffusion layer with one of the P-type impurity and the N-type impurity diffused therein at a low concentration. The P-type high concentration diffusion layer and the N-type high concentration diffusion layer are formed in the silicon semiconductor layer, and are arranged to face each other with the low concentration diffusion layer in between. The photodiode further includes an interlayer insulation film formed on the silicon semiconductor layer, so that a covalent bond between silicon and hydrogen is formed in an atom row of the low concentration layer adjacent to an interface thereof with respect to the interlayer insulation film. The silicon semiconductor layer where the low concentration layer is formed may have a thickness between 3 nm and 36 nm.
US08283742B2
Embodiments relate to IC current sensors fabricated using thin-wafer manufacturing technologies. Such technologies can include processing in which dicing before grinding (DBG) is utilized, which can improve reliability and minimize stress effects. While embodiments utilize face-up mounting, face-down mounting is made possible in other embodiments by via through -contacts. IC current sensor embodiments can present many advantages while minimizing drawbacks often associated with conventional IC current sensors.
US08283734B2
An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the integrated circuit device are disclosed. An exemplary method includes providing a substrate; forming a first gate over the substrate for a first device having a first threshold voltage characteristic, the first gate including a first material having a first-type work function; forming a second gate over the substrate for a second device having a second threshold voltage characteristic that is greater than the first threshold voltage characteristic, the second gate including a second material having a second-type work function that is opposite the first-type work function; and configuring the first device and the second device as a same channel type device.
US08283733B2
Performance of field effect transistors and other channel dependent devices formed on a monocrystalline substrate is improved by carrying out a high temperature anneal in a nitrogen releasing atmosphere while the substrate is coated by a sacrificial oxide coating containing easily diffusible atoms that can form negatively charged ions and can diffuse deep into the substrate. In one embodiment, the easily diffusible atoms comprise at least 5% by atomic concentration of chlorine atoms in the sacrificial oxide coating and the nitrogen releasing atmosphere includes NO. The high temperature anneal is carried out for less than 10 hours at a temperature less than 1100° C.
US08283724B2
It is an object to solve inhibition of miniaturization of an element and complexity of a manufacturing process thereof. It is another object to provide a nonvolatile memory device and a semiconductor device having the memory device, in which data can be additionally written at a time besides the manufacturing time and in which forgery caused by rewriting of data can be prevented. It is further another object to provide an inexpensive nonvolatile memory device and semiconductor device. A memory element is manufactured in which a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer that is beside the first conductive layer, and conductive fine particles of each surface which is covered with an organic film are deposited over an insulating film. The conductive fine particles are deposited between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
US08283714B2
Channels of two transistors are vertically formed on portions of two opposite side surfaces of one active region, and gate electrodes are vertically formed on a device isolation layer contacting the channels of the active region. A common bit line contact plug is formed in the central portions of the active region, two storage node contact plugs are formed on both sides of the bit line contact plug, and an insulating spacer is formed on a side surface of the bit line contact plug. A word line, a bit line, and a capacitor are sequentially stacked on the semiconductor substrate, like a conventional semiconductor memory device. Thus, effective space arrangement of a memory cell is possible such that a 4F2 structure is constituted, and a conventional line and contact forming process can be applied such that highly integrated semiconductor memory device is readily fabricated.
US08283704B2
A gas sensor (30) includes two field-effect transistors and gate electrodes on gate insulation films (24) of the two field-effect transistors to detect gas using the gate electrodes. The gas sensor (30) includes a first gate electrode (5), a second gate electrode (6), and voltage applying means. The first gate electrode (5) is provided on one of the field-effect transistors. The second gate electrode (6) is provided on another one of the field-effect transistors. The voltage applying means is for, with the first gate electrode (5) and the second gate electrode (6) coupled to one another by wiring, applying thereto one of a direct-current voltage and an alternating-current voltage having a same potential or a constant voltage difference. The first gate electrode (5) and the second gate electrode (6) are made of different metals. The one field-effect transistor and the other field-effect transistor have approximately the same structures.
US08283702B2
A process for manufacturing a MOS device and the MOS device manufactured thereby are disclosed. The process includes in a semiconductor layer forming a gate structure above the semiconductor layer; forming a first doped region within a first surface portion of the semiconductor layer; and irradiating the first doped region with electromagnetic radiation, to carry out annealing thereof. Prior to the irradiating step, a dielectric mirror is formed above a second surface portion of the semiconductor layer. The dielectric mirror, which may be of the Bragg-reflector type, reflects at least in part the electromagnetic radiation, and protects underlying regions from the electromagnetic radiation.
US08283684B2
An LED semiconductor body includes a number of at least two radiation-generating active layers. Each active layer has a forward voltage, wherein the number of active layers is adapted to an operating voltage in such a way that the voltage dropped across a series resistor connected in series with the active layers is at most of the same magnitude as a voltage dropped across the LED semiconductor body. The invention furthermore describes various uses of the LED semiconductor body.
US08283680B2
A method of fabrication of transparent LED devices, of the type comprising the operations of: i) providing a series of conductive paths on a transparent underlayer; ii) connecting said conductive paths to electronic control means; iii) associating to said underlayer an array of LED sources addressable individually or in groups through said conductive paths, in which i) said LED sources are integrated in the form of chips, i.e., of elements obtained by dividing up a semiconductor wafer and without package, via technologies of the chip-on-board type; ii) said method envisages the use of the flip-chip technique for die bonding, i.e., the electrical connection of the chip to the underlayer.
US08283679B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device having an integrated circuit formed by a low cost glass substrate, which can respond to the increase of an amount of information, and which offers high performance at high speed. A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of glass substrates respectively provided with a circuit including a semiconductor element, in which each of the plurality of glass substrates has both or either of a light-emitting element and/or a light-receiving element; wherein the light-emitting element is formed to have an electroluminescent layer interposed between a pair of electrodes, in which the electroluminescent layer is formed by stacking a plurality of layers capable of emitting light each other so that laser light is oscillated upon applying current to the electroluminescent layer; and a signal is transmitted among circuits formed over the plurality of glass substrates by generating a light signal using the laser light oscillated from the light-emitting element and converting the light signal into an electrical signal in the light-receiving element.
US08283677B2
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting device includes a substrate (101) made of silicon, a mask film (102) made of silicon oxide, formed on a principal surface of the substrate (101), and having at least one opening (102a), a seed layer (104) made of GaN selectively formed on the substrate (101) in the opening (102a), an LEG layer (105) formed on a side surface of the seed layer (104), and an n-type GaN layer (106), an active layer (107), and a p-type GaN layer (108) which are formed on the LEG layer (105). The LEG layer (105) is formed by crystal growth using an organic nitrogen material as a nitrogen source.
US08283675B2
There is provided a light emitting device which makes it possible to reduce optical loss and improve brightness by increasing a ratio of fluorescent light that is not reabsorbed by a light emitting element while decreasing a ratio of scattered light that is reabsorbed by the light emitting element. Individual faces forming outer faces of the light emitting element 2 are in contact with a bonding member 3 or sealing member 4. The bonding member 3 and the sealing member 4 contain a fluorophor. Emitted light emitted from the faces of the light emitting element 2 is transformed into fluorescent light by the fluorophor. Therefore, the ratio of scattered light that is not transformed from the emitted light into the fluorescent light can be decreased while the ratio of fluorescent light is increased.
US08283674B2
MOSFET is provided with SiC film. SiC film has a facet on its surface, and the length of one period of the facet is 100 nm or more, and the facet is used as channel. Further, a manufacturing method of MOSFET includes: a step of forming SiC film; a heat treatment step of heat-treating SiC film in a state where Si is supplied on the surface of SiC film; and a step of forming the facet obtained on the surface of SiC film by the heat treatment step into a channel. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently improve the characteristics.
US08283665B2
Testing of integrated circuits is achieved by a test architecture utilizing a scan frame input shift register, a scan frame output shift register, a test controller, and a test interface comprising a scan input, a scan clock, a test enable, and a scan output. Scan frames input to the scan frame input shift register contain a test stimulus data section and a test command section. Scan frames output from the scan frame output shift register contain a test response data section and, optionally, a section for outputting other data. The command section of the input scan frame controls the test architecture to execute a desired test operation.
US08283654B2
Provided is a nanowire memory including a source and a drain corresponding to the source, and a nano channel formed to connect the source to the drain. Here, the nano channel includes a nanowire electrically connecting the source to the drain according to voltages of the source and drain, and a nanodot formed on the nanowire and having a plurality of potentials capturing charges. Thus, the nanowire memory has a simple structure, thereby simplifying a process. It can generate multi current levels by adjusting several energy states using gates, operate as a volatile or non-volatile memory by adjusting the gates and the energy level, and include another gate configured to adjust the energy level, resulting in formation of a hybrid structure of volatile and non-volatile memories.
US08283649B2
A memristor includes a substrate having a plurality of protrusions, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions extends in a first direction, a first electrode provided over at least one of the plurality of protrusions, wherein the first electrode conforms to the shape of the at least one protrusion such that the first electrode has a crest, a switching material positioned upon the first electrode; and a second electrode positioned upon the switching material such that a portion of the second electrode is substantially in line with the crest of the first electrode along the first direction, wherein an active region in the switching material is operable to be formed between the crest of the first electrode and the portion of the second electrode that is substantially in line with the crest of the first electrode.
US08283647B2
An apparatus for detecting developer liquid (108) level in a plate developer section tank (104) includes a reflective surface (204) installed on at least on one edge of the developer tank; a light emitter (232) which emits light onto the reflective surface; a light detector (236) adapted to detect reflected light from the reflective surface, wherein the light emitter and the light detector are positioned relative to the reflective surface such that the emitted light from the light emitter is deflected by the developer liquid hitting the reflective surface at 90 degrees.
US08283629B1
A mass filter for an ion beam system includes at least two stages and reduces chromatic aberration. One embodiment includes two symmetrical mass filter stages, the combination of which reduces or eliminates chromatic aberration, and entrance and exit fringing field errors. Embodiments can also prevent neutral particles from reaching the sample surface and avoid crossovers in the beam path. In one embodiment, the filter can pass a single species of ion from a source that produces multiple species. In other embodiments, the filter can pass a single ion species with a range of energies and focus the multi-energetic ions at the same point on the substrate surface.
US08283627B2
Provided are methods for determining the amount of underivatized dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing DHEA in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of DHEA in the sample.
US08283626B2
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an Electron Transfer Dissociation device comprising an ion guide. A control system determines the degree of fragmentation and charge reduction of precursor ions within the ion guide and varies the speed at which ions are transmitted through the ion guide in order to optimise the fragmentation and charge reduction process.
US08283620B2
An optical sensor includes an infra red LED, a photodetector and a lock in charge amplifier. The photodetector passes charge to a feedback capacitor of the charge amplifier following an illumination cycle during which the LED is emitting and also following an illumination cycle during which the LED does not emit. An amplifier presents an output indicative of the difference between the charge generated at the photodetector during the illuminated and non-illuminated cycles.
US08283608B2
Method for heating at least one component of an SCR system using several resistive heating elements, according to which these heating elements are fed in parallel by a current source and according to which a current sensor is placed in series with the current source and all the resistors, which are connected in parallel.
US08283605B2
A method for automatically controlling the heating/cooking of a food item in a cooking oven having a door, heaters and an oven temperature acquisition system, comprising the steps of measuring the total electrical power (Pin) absorbed by the oven, measuring the oven temperature, and assessing the actual power (Pload) transferred to the food item by automatically compensating disturbance factors. A cooking oven is also disclosed.
US08283600B2
The present invention includes a multi-use welding gun body configured for use in multiple locations along a welding gun assembly. In a particular embodiment, the multi-use welding gun body includes an enclosure forming an exterior surface of the body, the enclosure configured for both receiving a welding wire and a power source and directing the same toward a torch and having a first enclosure end with a wire-receiving aperture extending to an internal block-receiving cavity, the wire receiving aperture shaped to selectively receive a torch and an extension having an orifice containing both welding wire and shielding gas. The block-receiving cavity of the enclosure extends axially with a non-circular profile to a cable-receiving cavity within the housing, the cable-receiving cavity extending longitudinally to the second enclosure end. The second enclosure end includes an aperture forming an end of the cable-receiving cavity. A removable block is positioned within the block-receiving cavity.
US08283593B2
A wire cleaning guide for guiding a wire in a feed direction and to clean the wire, including a gas supply nozzle for supplying plasma generating gas, a plasma generating chamber with plasma generating gas supplied from the gas supply nozzle thereto for transforming the plasma generating gas into plasma by energizing a bonding wire that passes there through to clean the wire by means of the plasma gas, and wire-feeder-side and bonding-tool-side guide holes for guiding the wire in the feed direction, the diameter of the wire-feeder-side guide hole is greater than that of the bonding-tool-side guide hole so that the outflow rate of gas after wire cleaning flowing between the wire-feeder-side guide hole and the wire is greater than that of gas after wire cleaning flowing between the bonding-tool-side guide hole and the wire.
US08283592B2
The present invention relates to a laser welding method of welding an electrode and a cable core to each other satisfactory by irradiation of a laser beam, even when the core is thin and the area of the electrode is small. The laser welding method welds on a substrate the electrode and the core of a coaxial cable to each other by irradiation of the laser beam. The core is sandwiched between a pressing member and the electrode, while the electrode and the core are brought into contact with each other at a connection section. The pressing member is a member that is transparent to the processing laser beam. A part of the core is molten by radiating the laser beam from the pressing member side. As a result, the electrode and the core are connected with each other.
US08283589B2
A sorting apparatus is described and which includes an inspection station; a multiplicity of electromagnetic radiation emitters and detectors; an optical filter which is positioned in front of the electromagnetic radiation detectors, and which passes electromagnetic radiation having a given polarization; an ejector assembly positioned downstream from the inspection station for removing defective objects of interest which are identified; and a computer/controller for selectively energizing the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and detector, and rendering the ejector assembly operational to remove defective objects of interest, from a stream of objects of interest which have passed through an inspection station.
US08283583B2
A switch for detecting a tilting operation is constructed easy to assemble. A tilt detecting section A is provided on an upper surface of an intermediate wall portion 12B of an upper case 12, a depression detecting section B is provided in a central position of an upper surface of a bottom wall portion 13B of a lower case 13, and a rotation detecting section C is provided around the depression detecting section. A top cover 11 is provided to cover an upper end of the upper case 12 to which the upper case 12 is engageably connected. The lower case 13 is engageably connected to the upper case 12.
US08283582B2
A deflection web is provided for use in a keypad assembly. The deflection web comprises a plurality of actuators resiliently coupled together by a flexible membrane. Each actuator of the deflection web corresponds to a key of the keypad assembly, and for each actuator, the flexible membrane comprises a corresponding radially outwardly extending flange whose thickness varies in a direction from the corresponding actuator. In some instances, the thickness of the flange may increase as the flange extends a distance radially outward from its corresponding actuator. A method for creating the deflection web of the keypad assembly and a method for assembling the keypad assembly are also provided.
US08283579B2
A water-proof junction box and a water-proof connector assembly therein are provided. The water-proof junction box includes a junction box body, a junction box cover and at least one water-proof connector assembly deposited at a lateral of the junction box body. The water-proof connector assembly includes a tube, a water-blocking sleeve, a pressing element and a fastening element, all of a cannular shape. Therein, the tube and the junction box body are integrated, and the tube has an externally threaded portion. The water-blocking sleeve is for being inserted into the tube and has a flange as well as a sleeve portion. The pressing element is for being mounted around the sleeve portion of the water-blocking sleeve. The fastening element is internally formed with an internally threaded portion for screwingly coupling the externally threaded portion of the tube.
US08283575B2
Disclosed is a flexible-circuit flat cable with cluster section, including at least one cluster section, at least one slip section, a first connection section, and a second connection section. The first connection section is set at a first end of the cluster section. The slip section has a first end connected to a second end of the cluster section and a second end at which the second connection section is set. The four sections are all provided with a plurality of signal transmission lines corresponding to and connecting each other. The first connection section and the second connection section are selectively provided with a connector or a plugging end. Further, the cluster section includes a cluster structure composed of a plurality of clustered flat cable components that are formed by slitting in a direction parallel to extension direction of a flexible circuit board to impose free and independent flexibility for bending to each clustered flat cable component.
US08283571B2
A printed circuit board includes a signal layer, a dielectric layer, and a reference layer. The signal layer includes a pair of differential signal lines. The dielectric layer is sandwiched between the signal layer and the reference layer. A first void is defined in the reference layer between projections of the pair of differential signal lines. Two second voids are defined in the reference layer at opposite sides of the projections of the pair of differential signal lines.
US08283569B2
An electrode array, having application as a cochlear implant, includes a tube formed of Parylene defining a hollow channel. A substrate formed primarily of Parylene is supported by the tube. In turn, a plurality of metallic electrodes and feed lines are supported by the substrate. Numerous voids are defined by the tube which opens into the hollow channel. The size and spacing of the voids regulate stiffness and curl of the tube to provide excellent fit within the cochlea.
US08283563B2
A hybrid yarn filament and sleeve constructed therefrom for protecting elongate members against at least one of EMI, RFI or ESD is provided, along with methods of constructing the hybrid yarn filament and sleeves. The hybrid yarn filament has a nonconductive filament and at least one conductive wire filament overlying an outer surface of the nonconductive filament. The hybrid yarn filament is arranged in electrical communication with itself or other hybrid yarn filaments during construction of the sleeve to provide uniform shielding against EMI, RFI, and and/or ESD.
US08283559B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a solar cell. The solar cell includes a metallurgical-grade Si (MG-Si) substrate, a first layer of heavily doped crystalline-Si situated above the MG-Si substrate, a layer of lightly doped crystalline-Si situated above the first heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a backside ohmic-contact layer situated on the backside of the MG-Si substrate, a second layer of heavily doped crystalline-Si situated above the lightly doped crystalline-Si layer, a first layer of dielectric situated above the second heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a second layer of dielectric situated above the first dielectric layer, and front electrodes situated above the second dielectric layer.
US08283557B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a heterojunction solar cell. The solar cell includes a metallurgical-grade Si (MG-Si) substrate, a layer of heavily doped crystalline-Si situated above the MG-Si substrate, a layer of lightly doped crystalline-Si situated above the heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a backside ohmic-contact layer situated on the backside of the MG-Si substrate, a passivation layer situated above the heavily doped crystalline-Si layer, a layer of heavily doped amorphous Si (a-Si) situated above the passivation layer, a layer of transparent-conducting-oxide (TCO) situated above the heavily doped a-Si layer, and a front ohmic-contact electrode situated above the TCO layer.
US08283555B2
A solar power generation system includes a plurality of individual modules, each formed from a photovoltaic cell, a solar concentrator, a sealed evaporative cooling system and a heat sink. The solar concentrator focuses sunlight onto a front side the cell to generate electricity. The cooling system circulates a coolant in a liquid state to an evaporative cooling chamber having a wall defined at least partially by a back side of the cell to remove heat from the cell by direct contact between the coolant and the cell, and emits coolant in a vapor state to a condenser where the vapor coolant is condensed to a liquid state. The heat sink may be any suitable body of water, such that the condenser may be at least partially submerged therein. The modules are combined to form a platform that is rotated on the body of water by a drive device to provide tracking of the sun.
US08283550B2
The present invention relates to a thin karaoke machine, in which a display device, an amplifier and a karaoke machine are integrated into a single body. The thin karaoke system includes a front cover having an opening formed in a center thereof. A back cover is bent backwards to form an inner space in combination with the front cover, and has a plurality of heat radiation holes. A display panel is arranged on a back surface of the front cover and adapted to form a display part on a front surface. A display board is arranged on a first portion of the back surface of the display panel and has a plurality of electronic parts and PCBs. A karaoke board is arranged on a second portion of the back surface of the display panel and has a plurality of electronic parts and PCBs.
US08283532B1
A soybean cultivar designated 02432515 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 02432515, to the plants of soybean cultivar 02432515, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 02432515, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 02432515. 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. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 02432515. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 02432515, 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 cultivar 02432515 with another soybean cultivar.
US08283518B2
Methods and compositions for the administration of transposon-based vectors to the reproductive organs of animals and the creation of transgenic animals. Preferred methods involve administration of the transposon-based vectors to the lumen of the oviduct of an avian, expression of a vector derived transgene in the avian, and deposition of the resultant polypeptide in an egg. This invention allows for large amounts of protein to be deposited in the egg.
US08283517B2
A transgenic non-human animal, in particular a transgenic mouse encoding Aβ peptide proteins, which have been implicated in Aβ peptide-related diseases. Cells and cell lines comprising transgenes encoding for Aβ peptide. Methods and compositions for evaluating agents that affect Aβ peptide, for use in compositions for the treatment of Aβ peptide-related diseases.
US08283516B2
The embodiments provide an absorbent garment, such as a disposable diaper, incontinent pad, sanitary napkin, and the like, that has an absorbent core that provides for a long term dryness profile. The dryness profile reflects real world long term usage of absorbent products. Such new absorbent garments can be constructed with absorbent cores containing synthetic fibers and super absorbent particulates.
US08283514B2
An adhesive bandage is provided with a body portion having a gauze portion and an adhesive portion. The adhesive portion having an adhesive on a first surface of the body portion adapted to adhere to skin. The body portion having a cavity for storing two or more gauze portions, the cavity having a first opening on the first surface for exposing one of the two or more gauze portions to the skin and a second opening on a second surface for removing the exposed gauze portion through the second opening and replacing the exposed gauze portion with another of the two or more gauze portions in the first opening. Also provided are adhesive bandages having a cavity for storing a medicament or a port, each in communication with the gauze portion for providing medicament to the gauze portion.
US08283505B2
This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
US08283504B2
The invention provides processes for producing 2-propanol with higher purity than heretofore possible while suppressing the by-production of impurities.A process of the invention produces 2-propanol by reacting acetone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the process includes reacting a raw material mixture containing water and acetone, with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, and the raw material mixture contains water at 1.2 to 4.0 wt % based on 100 wt % of the total of the water and the acetone.
US08283488B2
The invention relates to a continuous process for preparing radiation-curable prepolymers containing urethane groups, more particularly urethane acrylates.
US08283487B2
Gabapentin enacarbil was prepared and purified from intermediates such as 1-haloalkyl carbamate or carbonate and diacid acetal skeleton. For example, a 1-haloalkyl carbonate or carbamate was prepared by combining a C1 to C10 alcohol or C1 to C10 primary amine, a solvent selected from the group consisting of: acetonitrile, C3 to C7 ketone, C5 to C10 ether, C2 to C7 ester, C5 to C10 hydrocarbon and a combination thereof; a 1-haloalkyl haloformate of the following formula: wherein each X is independently selected from Br, I, or Cl; R1 is alkyl or H; and a C6 to C21 tertiary amine.
US08283484B2
In one aspect of the invention, a method recovers oil from a concentrated byproduct, such as evaporated thin stillage formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method includes forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct. Further, the step of separating the oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil from thin stillage.
US08283479B2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I: in which R1, R2, X, A, B, D and Y1 to Y4 have the meanings indicated in the claims, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or a prodrug thereof. Because of their properties as inhibitors of chemokine receptors, especially as CXCR2 inhibitors, the compounds of the formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof are suitable for the prevention and treatment of chemokine mediated diseases.
US08283478B2
The present invention is directed to novel process for the preparation of sulfonylimine and sulfamide derivatives.
US08283464B2
The present invention discloses a process for synthesizing sucralose, which comprises reacting sucrose with acetic anhydride in the solvent of a N-amide compound in the presence of an organic complex alkali metal salt catalyst to produce sucrose-6-acetate, and then chlorinating and deacetylating the sucrose-6-acetate to give sucralose. The present invention also discloses a process for purifying sucralose, which comprises purifying crude sucralose with one or more organic solvents to obtain purified sucralose.
US08283459B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR). In particular, the invention provides genetic approaches and nucleic acids for the specific inhibition of KSR, particularly of KSR expression. The invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides and the expression of nucleic acid which is substantially complementary to KSR RNA. Oligonucleotide and nucleic acid compositions are provided. The invention provides methods to inhibit KSR, including inhibition of KSR expression. Methods for blocking gf Ras mediated tumorigenesis, metastasis, and for cancer therapy are provided. Methods for conferring radiosensitivity to cells are also provided.
US08283455B2
The present invention describes novel compounds and methods for capping reactive groups on support and during multistep synthesis. These new capping reagents are also useful for high quality synthesis on solid supports and surfaces used as microarrays, biosensors, or in general as biochips. The compounds are also useful for controlling surface density of reactive groups on a support. The compounds may also be used to modify the hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics of a surface or a molecule. The compounds have functional utility in various applications in the fields of genomics, proteomics, diagnostics and medicine.
US08283453B2
The present invention provides a method for selectively placing carbon nanotubes on a substrate surface by using functionalized carbon nanotubes having an organic compound that is covalently bonded to such carbon nanotubes. The organic compound comprises at least two functional groups, the first of which is capable of forming covalent bonds with carbon nanotubes, and the second of which is capable of selectively bonding metal oxides. Such functionalized carbon nanotubes are contacted with a substrate surface that has at least one portion containing a metal oxide. The second functional group of the organic compound selectively bonds to the metal oxide, so as to selectively place the functionalized carbon nanotubes on the at least one portion of the substrate surface that comprises the metal oxide.
US08283450B2
The invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to OX40 (CD134), referred to as OX40 antibodies, anti-OX40 or anti-OX40 antibodies. Invention antibodies that specifically bind to OX40 include mammalian (human, primate, etc.), humanized and chimeric anti-OX40 antibodies. Invention antibodies and antibody subsequences (fragments) that specifically bind to OX40 include purified and isolated antibodies, as well as pharmaceutical formulations thereof, are useful in various methods including treatment, screening and detection methods.
US08283447B2
The invention provides immunosuppressive polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides mutant CTLA-4 polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding mutant CTLA-4 polypeptides. Compositions and methods for utilizing such polypeptides and nucleic acids are also provided.
US08283441B2
A method for regulating Src and its downstream signaling pathway which includes binding between Src and Na+/K+-ATPase is disclosed. The Na+/K+-ATPase/Src complex is a functional receptor for cardiotonic steroids such as ouabain. Also disclosed are Src inhibitors or activators which include either Na+/K+-ATPase or Src that interfere with the interaction between the Na/K-ATPase and Src, act via a different mechanism from ATP analogues, and is pathway (Na+/K+-ATPase) specific.
US08283439B2
The present disclosure describes recombinant and synthetic polypeptides of Bartonella henselae and related methods and kits for the detection of antibodies specific for Bartonella henselae. The 17-kDa polypeptides, methods and kits are useful in the detection of recent and/or ongoing infections with Bartonella henselae, which can be useful in the diagnosis of Cat Scratch Disease (CSD).
US08283436B2
The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula —S—(C═S)— into derived polymers having thiol end groups of the formula —SH. The process includes contacting the aforedescribed starting polymers, with a reagent having the formula Xa Yb, wherein Xa is a nucleophilic group and Yb is an extracting group that results in the starting polymer and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from any odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as contact lenses.
US08283430B2
The present invention relates to a composition for manufacturing a carboxylic group-containing polymer and a carboxylic group-containing polymer manufactured by using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition for manufacturing a carboxylic group-containing polymer comprising an allyl monomer having a long chain of a hydrophilic part containing alkylene oxide and a side chain of a hydrophobic part containing fatty acid ester as a dispersion promoter; a vinyl group-containing unsaturated carboxylic acid; a vinyl group-containing crosslinking agent; and a radical polymerization initiator, and a carboxylic group-containing polymer manufactured by using the same wherein the polymer can be dispersed in water without stirring, its dispersion solution has low viscosity, and its neutralized viscous solution obtained by alkali neutralization has high viscosity and transparency. Therefore, the carboxylic group-containing polymer of the present invention can be effectively used in the fields of a thickener and a dispersion stabilizer for an emulsion, a suspension and the like.
US08283425B2
Adducts are provided comprising MgCl2, ethanol and a Lewis base (LB), said compounds being present in molar ratios defined by the following formula MgCl2.(EtOH)n(LB)p in which n is from 2 to 6 and p has values satisfying the following equation p/(n+p)≦0.1. The said adducts can be used as precursor in the preparation of high activity ZN catalysts.
US08283424B2
The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a Ziegler Natta procatalyst, the process comprising first treating magnesium alkoxide with a twice used mixed solvent of TiCl4 and chlorobenzene to form a first stage product, then treating the first stage product with a once used mixed solvent of TiCl4 and chlorobenzene to form a second stage product and finally treating the second stage product with mixed solvent recovered by treatment of effluent from the first treatment with benzoyl chloride so as to convert contaminant of formula TiCl3OR in the effluent to an addition complex which is precipitated, filtered off and hydrolyzed to recover ethyl benzoate and to form Ti(OH)4 as a side product, the product after final treatment being subjected to a plurality of successive washing steps with used as well as recovered hexane.
US08283422B2
Alkoxysilyl-functional polyether-siloxanes and processes for preparing them by noble metal-catalysed SiC coupling of hydrogensiloxanes having SiH groups with unsaturated polyethers bearing alkoxysilyl groups or by alkoxylation of polyethersiloxanes or polysiloxanes by means of epoxy-functional alkoxysilanes in the presence of double metal cyanide catalysts.
US08283406B2
Compositions comprising a novolac polymer, an olefin-based polymer with an epoxy group, a filler and optionally a thermoplastic polymer are provided. The compositions may be halogen-free. The present compositions exhibit excellent compatibility between the novolac polymer and the olefin-based polymer with an epoxy group resulting in compositions with superior mechanical properties.
US08283403B2
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are so long that they cannot be penetrated inbetween carbon fibers during a prepreg preparation process, and are shortened in order for them not to be filtered out by the carbon fibers. This results in a huge improvement of the mechanical properties (flexural strength and flexural modulus) compared with neat epoxy.
US08283402B2
A seal element (70) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components (74, 78) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material (212) and a plurality of nanostructures (220) forming a nanocomposite material (210). The polymer host material (212) has a plurality of regions of free volume (222) that receive the nanostructures (220). The nanostructures (220) and the polymer host material (212) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element (70) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like.
US08283399B2
Filled, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) compositions having a total energy absorption during impact at −30° C. of at least 20 ft-lb-f as measured by an Instrumented Dart Impact Test (ASTM D3763) at 6.7 m/s and a peak tangent flexural modulus of>2100 MPa (305,000 psi as measured by ASTM D-790, the composition comprising based on the total weight of the TPO composition; A) 36-56 wt % of a crystalline polypropylene having a MFR of at least 1 and a melting point of at least 160° C. as measured by DSC; and B) 64-44 wt % of an elastomer/filler composition comprising (1) an EAO elastomer having a (1) Tg of less than −50° C. as measured by DSC, (b) tan delta between >2 and 3 as measured at 0.1 rad/s and 190° C. with an Advanced Rheometrie Expansion Systems rheometer. and (c) HDT greater than or equal to the peak melting temperature of the elastomer as measured by DSC, and (2) a platy filler, e.g., talc, the elastomer and filler present at a weight ratio of elastomer to filler of 3:2 to 2:1; the crystalline polypropylene and elastomer present at a weight ratio of polypropylene to elastomer of less than 2.
US08283397B2
The present invention provides a resin-coated metal pigment capable of achieving both of water resistance of a water base paint and chemical resistance of a film at a high level, and a water base paint using the resin-coated metal pigment. The present invention provides a method for producing a resin-coated metal pigment including an adsorption step of bringing a solution or a dispersion liquid of a phosphate ester component (A) into contact with a metal pigment to prepare a phosphate ester adsorbing metal pigment, a slurry preparation step of preparing a slurry for polymerization obtained by dissolving a polymerization component (B) therein, and a coating step of polymerizing the polymerization component (B) to form a resin coating layer on the surface of the phosphate ester adsorbing metal pigment; a resin-coated metal pigment obtained by the method; and a water base paint using the resin-coated metal pigment.
US08283392B2
The invention pertains to a particle comprising a composition containing a matrix and a peroxide or azo radical initiator, wherein the particle is a fiber or fibrid selected from aramid, polyester, polyimide, cellulose, and glass. The invention further relates to particle-elastomers comprising said composition, and skim products, tires, tire treads, and belts comprising these particle-elastomers.
US08283391B2
Insulation compositions for electric power cables having a polyolefin base polymer and an additive comprising either low molecular weight wax or polyethylene glycol (PEG) and optionally further comprising one or more hindered amine light stabilizers, amine antioxidants and other antioxidant blends are disclosed. Also disclosed are insulation compositions comprising a C2 to C8 alpha olefin in combination with a polyethylene homopolymer together with, optionally, one or more hindered amine light stabilizer and a liquid cresol antioxidant.
US08283389B2
Method of forming a composition comprising impregnated polylactic acid (PLA) resin beads, by impregnating PLA resin beads with CO2. The method is carried out by contacting the beads with liquid CO2, and holding the impregnated beads at a temperature and pressure that prevents the beads from foaming while allowing the level of impregnated CO2 to reduce to about 4 to 20 weight % relative to the total weight of the beads and CO2.
US08283388B2
A main object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a solid electrolyte material-containing sheet excellent in strength. The present invention attains the object by providing a method for producing a solid electrolyte material-containing sheet comprising the steps of: preparing a raw material composition containing a sulfide solid electrolyte material and a binder composition containing a monomer or oligomer having a double bond and a radical polymerization initiator; applying the raw material composition to form a sheet-shaped composition; and polymerizing the sheet-shaped composition by radical polymerization.
US08283385B2
Reversible switchable surfactants are provided. A surfactant is the salt of an amidine or guanidine: having at least one R group that is a hydrophobic moiety selected from the group consisting of higher aliphatic moiety, higher siloxyl moiety, higher aliphatic/siloxyl moiety, aliphatic/aryl moiety, siloxyl/aryl moiety, and aliphatic/siloxyl/aryl moiety. The other R groups are smaller moieties such as H, C1 to C4 aliphatic or the like. The surfactant is turned on by a gas that liberates hydrogen ions, such as, for example, carbon dioxide, which liberates hydrogen ions in the presence of water. The surfactant is turned off by exposure to a flushing gas and/or heating. When “on” the surfactants are useful to stabilize emulsions, and when “off” they are useful to separate immiscible liquids or a liquid and a solid. The surfactants find uses in polymerization and in the oil industry.
US08283379B2
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of CNS-related conditions. One of the CNS-related conditions treated by the methods and compositions of the invention is Alzheimer's disease.
US08283378B2
Novel phenylurea compounds of formula (I): and cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions containing same are useful for treating disorders of the sebaceous gland, e.g., acne, or have cosmetic applications.
US08283371B2
The present invention pertains generally to certain compounds of the deoxyactagardine A and B type. Such compounds are suitable for use in the treatment of microbial infections, for example Clostridium infection, such as C. perfringens, C. difficile, C. tetani, and/or C. botulinum, in particular C. difficile, especially infection of the colon and/or lower intestines and diarrhea associated with the microbial infection.
US08283353B2
Provided is a novel compound represented by the following formula Wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof, which has an angiotensin II receptor antagonistic activity and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonistic activity, and is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of circulatory diseases such as hypertension and the like and/or metabolic diseases such as diabetes and the like, and the like.
US08283342B2
The present disclosure relates to crystalline monoapadisylate and/or heminapadisylate salt of 5-(2-{[6-(2,2-difluoro-2-phenylethoxy)hexyl]amino}-1-hydroxyethyl)-8-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one, and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof. The present disclosure also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline monoapadisylate and/or heminapadisylate salt of 5-(2-{[6-(2,2-difluoro-2-phenylethoxy)hexyl]amino}-1-hydroxyethyl)-8-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-one, and to methods of treatment comprising these pharmaceutical compositions.
US08283336B2
The invention pertains to a composition comprising (i) uridine in nucleobase, nucleoside and/or nucleotide form; (ii) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); and (iii) a tocopherol and/or an equivalent thereof, wherein said composition has: a) a weight of 200-3000 mg per unit dose; b) an energy content of less than 50 kcal per unit dose; and/or c) a volume between 0.1 and 10 ml per unit dose. The invention also pertains to the use of such composition in reducing abeta plaque burden and neurodegeneration, in the treatment of diseases related with imparted nerve functioning, in particular dementia, Alzheimer's disease and memory disorders.
US08283333B2
The present invention provides novel, serum-stable lipid particles comprising one or more active agents or therapeutic agents, methods of making the lipid particles, and methods of delivering and/or administering the lipid particles. More particularly, the present invention provides serum-stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) comprising a nucleic acid (e.g., one or more interfering RNA molecules), methods of making the SNALP, and methods of delivering and/or administering the SNALP (e.g., for the treatment of cancer). In particular embodiments, the present invention provides tumor-directed lipid particles that preferentially target solid tumors. The tumor-directed formulations of the present invention are capable of preferentially delivering a payload such as a nucleic acid to cells of solid tumors compared to non-cancerous cells.
US08283332B2
Methods of reducing expression of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) and methods of treating a cancer in a cell are provided, the methods including contacting a cell with an effective amount of a PFKFB4 inhibitor. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibitors of PFKFB4 and their methods of use are also provided.
US08283315B2
The present invention provides a cytotoxic 7 to 25 mer peptide with three or more cationic residues which has one or more non-genetic bulky and lipophilic amino acids, as well as esters, amides, salts and cyclic derivatives thereof as well as methods of preparing the peptides, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as medicaments, particularly as antibacterions or antitumoral agents. In a preferred aspect, the invention provides the use of said peptides in a method of inducing adaptive immunity against tumor growth or establishment in a subject, as well as the use of other lytic agents in a method of inducing adaptive immunity in a subject.
US08283307B2
The invention relates to the use of INSP035 for treatment and/or prevention of fibrotic diseases, in particular of scleroderma.
US08283306B2
An aqueous laundry detergent composition in the form of a liquid or gel, having a pH of from about 6 to about 11 in a 1% water solution and containing a non-soap anionic surfactant; soap; nonionic surfactant; fabric softening cationic cosurfactant having a molecular weight of less than about 1000; fabric softening quaternized polymer having a molecular weight of at least 100,000; non-quaternized, non polyamine thickener; perfume microcapsules; wherein at least one of the following is true; i) the ratio by weight of nonionic surfactant to anionic surfactant is greater than 1 and the total percentage, by weight of the composition, of the total of anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant and soap is from 10% to 30%; and/or ii) the aqueous laundry detergent composition further comprises from about 0.5% to about 5% of a hydrotrope. Methods of laundering with such compositions.
US08283304B2
Cleaning compositions in the form of nano- or micro-emulsions and containing one or more green surfactants are disclosed. The composition may further include one or more green linkers. The presence of two or more green surfactants may synergistically improve the cleaning performance of the composition. Moreover, the presence of the one or more green linkers may also synergistically improve the soil removal or streak reduction performance of the composition. The composition may further include additional natural actives, such as natural fragrances, natural insecticides, natural insect repellants, and natural oils to provide prolonged release of the natural actives in a controlled manner. The green surfactants not only improve the ecological profile of the disclosed compositions but also allow the formation of stable micro- or nano-emulsions at room temperature with good cleaning performances.
US08283296B2
A substantially lead-free lubricant for use in hot forging of metals, especially forging of aluminum and aluminum alloy components. The lubricant comprises one or more oils, graphite, and one or more phosphorus-based additives. Additional additives, such as metallic lubricants and dispersants may also be included. The lubricant does not burn when subjected to temperatures in excess of 300° C.
US08283294B2
The invention relates to a procedure for linking cognate pairs of VH and VL encoding sequences from a population of cells enriched in particular surface antigen markers. The linking procedure involves a multiplex molecular amplification procedure capable of linking nucleotide sequences of interest in connection with the amplification, in particular polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR). The method is particularly advantageous for the generation of cognate pair libraries as well as combinatorial libraries of variable region encoding sequences from immunoglobulins. The invention also relates to methods for generation of chimeric human/non-human antibodies and expression libraries generated by such methods.
US08283293B2
A method for producing a high temperature superconductor (=HTS) coated conductor (12), wherein a buffer layer (2; 22) and an HTS layer (4; 24; 65) are deposited on a substrate (1; 21), with the following steps: a) after depositing the buffer layer (2; 22), the surface (2a) is locally roughened, resulting in a roughened surface (13), b) a non-superconducting, closed intermediate layer (3; 23) is deposited on top of the roughened surface (13), c) and the HTS layer (4; 24; 65) is deposited on top of the intermediate layer (3; 23). A simple method for producing a HTS coated conductor with reduced losses, and with improved critical current and critical magnetic field is thereby provided.
US08283286B2
A thermosensitive recording material which comprises a color forming layer comprising a color forming substance, which comprises a colorless or light color leuco dye, and a color developer and disposed on a support, wherein a mixture of (A) at least one compound selected from 4-hydroxy-4′-allyloxydiphenylsulfone, 4-hydroxy-4′-ethyloxydiphenylsulfone and 4-hydroxy-4′-n-propoxydiphenylsulfone and (B) a diphenylsulfone bridged compound represented by general formula (1): n representing an integer of 1 to 10, in amounts such that the ratio of the amounts by mass of (A) to (B) is 85:15 to 25:75 is used as the color developer. In the thermosensitive recording material, color is formed with a great density, image portions exhibit excellent properties for storage, in particular, excellent resistance to plasticizers, and portions of no color formation exhibit excellent properties for storage, in particular, excellent heat resistance.
US08283276B2
The invention relates to a coordination complex system comprising a ligand having the formula: R1—SO2—NH—P (XR2)2 (1a); or R1—SO2—N═PH (XR2)2 (1b); or R1—SO(OH)═N—P(XR2)2 (1c); wherein X is independently O, S, NH, or a bond; R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl; wherein at least one equivalent of the ligand is complexed to an equivalent of a metal selected from a transition metal and lanthanide. The invention also relates to the use of said coordination complexes as catalysts in the hydroformylation, hydrogenation, transfer hydrogenation, hydrocyanation, polymerization, isomerization, carbonylation, cross-coupling, metathesis, CH activation, allylic substitution, aldol condensation, or Michael addition.
US08283274B2
Binderless BaKX zeolitic adsorbents, methods for their production, and processes for their use in a liquid phase adsorptive separation process are provided. An adsorbent includes a binder-converted zeolite portion formed from x wt % kaolin clay binder and (100-x) wt % unconverted Zeolite X with a silica:alumina molar ratio of about 2.5. The kaolin clay binder is in the range of about 10 to about 20 wt %. Ba and K occupy cationic exchangeable sites within the adsorbent. K is in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.9% by weight and Ba is greater than about 31.6% by weight of the binderless BaKX zeolitic adsorbent. Cornstarch may be added to the Zeolite X and kaolin clay binder to increase adsorbent macro-porosity and pore volume. Productivity of the adsorbent is improved decreasing process operating costs. The mechanical strength of the adsorbent is also improved.
US08283265B2
Methods of improving charge trapping are disclosed. One such method includes forming an oxide-nitride-oxide tunnel stack and a silicon nitride layer on the oxide-nitride-oxide tunnel stack. This silicon nitride layer is implanted with ions. These ions may function as electron traps or as fields. The silicon nitride layer may be part of a flash memory device.
US08283259B2
A method of removing a metal nitride material is disclosed. The method comprises forming a semiconductor device structure comprising an exposed metal material and an exposed metal nitride material. The semiconductor device structure is subjected to a solution comprising water, ozone, and at least one additive to remove the exposed metal nitride material at a substantially greater rate than the exposed metal material.
US08283256B1
Methods of forming substrates having two-sided microstructures therein include selectively etching a first surface of the substrate to define a plurality of alignment keys therein that extend through the substrate to a second surface thereof. A direct photolithographic alignment step is then performed on a second surface of the substrate by aligning a photolithography mask to the plurality of alignment keys at the second surface. This direct alignment step is performed during steps to photolithographically define patterns in the second surface.
US08283243B2
This invention discloses a bottom-anode Schottky (BAS) diode that includes an anode electrode disposed on a bottom surface of a semiconductor substrate. The bottom-anode Schottky diode further includes a sinker dopant region disposed at a depth in the semiconductor substrate extending substantially to the anode electrode disposed on the bottom surface of the semiconductor and the sinker dopant region covered by a buried Schottky barrier metal functioning as a Schottky anode. The BAS diode further includes a lateral cathode region extended laterally from a cathode electrode near a top surface of the semiconductor substrate opposite the Schottky barrier metal wherein the lateral cathode region doped with an opposite dopant from the sinker dopant region and interfacing the sinker dopant region whereby a current path is formed from the cathode electrode to the anode electrode through the lateral cathode region and the sinker dopant region in applying a forward bias voltage and the sinker dopant region depleting the cathode region in applying a reverse bias voltage for blocking a leakage current.
US08283241B2
A dopant device includes: a dopant holder that holds Ge which is solid at normal temperature and liquefies the Ge near a surface of the semiconductor melt, the dopant holder including a communicating hole for delivering the liquefied Ge downwardly; a cover portion for covering the Ge held by the dopant holder; and a vent provided on the cover portion for communicating with the outside. A dopant injecting method is carried out using such a dopant device, the dopant injecting method including: loading Ge dopant in a solid state into the doping device; liquefying the solid Ge dopant loaded into the doping device while holding the doping device at a predetermined height from a surface of a semiconductor melt; and doping the semiconductor melt with the liquefied Ge that is flowed from the communicating hole.
US08283231B2
A method and circuit in which the drive strength of a FinFET transistor can be selectively modified, and in particular can be selectively reduced, by omitting the LDD extension formation in the source and/or in the drain of the FinFET.One application of this approach is to enable differentiation of the drive strengths of transistors in an integrated circuit by applying the technique to some, but not all, of the transistors in the integrated circuit. In particular in a SRAM cell formed from FinFET transistors the application of the technique to the pass-gate transistors, which leads to a reduction of the drive strength of the pass-gate transistors relative to the drive strength of the pull-up and pull-down transistors, results in improved SRAM cell performance.
US08283228B2
Monolithic, three dimensional NAND strings include a semiconductor channel, at least one end portion of the semiconductor channel extending substantially perpendicular to a major surface of a substrate, a plurality of control gate electrodes having a strip shape extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate, the blocking dielectric comprising a plurality of blocking dielectric segments, a plurality of discrete charge storage segments, and a tunnel dielectric located between each one of the plurality of the discrete charge storage segments and the semiconductor channel.
US08283227B2
In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, a three dimensional lower electrode including a titanium nitride film is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric film is formed on the surface of the lower electrode. After a first upper electrode is formed at a temperature that the crystal of the dielectric film is not grown on the surface of the dielectric film, the first upper electrode and the dielectric film are heat-treated at a temperature that the crystal of the dielectric film is grown to convert at least a portion of the dielectric film into a crystalline state. Thereafter, a second upper electrode is formed on the surface of the first upper electrode.
US08283225B2
High-k metal gate electrode structures are formed on the basis of a threshold adjusting semiconductor alloy formed in the channel region of one type of transistor, which may be accomplished on the basis of selective epitaxial growth techniques using an oxide hard mask growth mask. The hard mask may be provided with superior thickness uniformity on the basis of a wet oxidation process. Consequently, this may allow re-working substrates prior to the selective epitaxial growth process, for instance in view of queue time violations, while also providing superior transistor characteristics in the transistors that do not require the threshold adjusting semiconductor alloy.
US08283215B2
A method for fabricating a light-emitting integrated device, comprises overlying three layers, wherein each of the three layers emits light at a different wavelength, and wherein the overlying comprises one of: performing an atomic species implantation, performing a laser lift-off, performing an etch-back, or chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP).
US08283209B2
A PiP semiconductor device has an inner known good semiconductor package. In the semiconductor package, a first via is formed in a temporary carrier. A first conductive layer is formed over the carrier and into the first via. The first conductive layer in the first via forms a conductive bump. A first semiconductor die is mounted to the first conductive layer. A first encapsulant is deposited over the first die and carrier. The semiconductor package is mounted to a substrate. A second semiconductor die is mounted to the first conductive layer opposite the first die. A second encapsulant is deposited over the second die and semiconductor package. A second via is formed in the second encapsulant to expose the conductive bump. A second conductive layer is formed over the second encapsulant and into the second via. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to the second die.
US08283200B2
A manufacturing method of a thin film transistor made of a stack of an organic semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film and a gate electrode in this order on a substrate, which includes the steps of pattern coating a gate electrode material on the gate insulating film by printing; and carrying out a heat treatment to form the gate electrode resulting from drying for solidification of the pattern coated gate electrode material.
US08283195B2
A method of manufacturing a backside illuminated image sensor includes providing a start material that has a layer of semiconductor material on a substrate. The layer of semiconductor material has a first face and a second, backside, face. The layer of semiconductor material is processed to form semiconductor devices in the layer adjacent the first face. At least a part of the substrate is removed to leave an exposed face. A passivation layer is formed on the exposed face, the passivation layer having negative fixed charges. The passivation layer can be Al2O3 (Sapphire). The passivation layer can have a thickness less than 5 μm, advantageously less than 1 μm, and more advantageously in the range 1 nm-150 nm. Another layer, or layers, can be provided on the passivation layer, including: an anti-reflective layer, a layer to improve passivation, a layer including a color filter pattern, a layer comprising a microlens.
US08283194B2
A method for applying at least one layer, selected from diffusion barriers, further protective layers, adhesion promoters, solders and electrical contacts, onto thermoelectric materials, is characterized by the fact that the at least one layer is rolled or pressed onto the thermoelectric material at a temperature at which the thermoelectric material is flowable.
US08283186B2
A magnetic memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The magnetic memory device includes a plurality of gates formed on a semiconductor substrate, a source line connected to a source/drain region shared between the gates neighboring with each other, a plurality of magnetic tunnel junctions connected to non-sharing source/drain regions of the gates on a one-to-one basis, and a bit line connected to the magnetic tunnel junctions. The magnetic memory device applies a magnetic memory cell to a memory so as to manufacture a higher-integration magnetic memory, and uses the magnetic memory cell based on a transistor of a DRAM cell, resulting in an increase in the availability of the magnetic memory.
US08283165B2
The present invention provides compositions useful for biomolecule storage comprising a water soluble inorganic compound, a stabilizer, or a combination thereof. The present invention also provides methods of using the compositions of the invention to store biomolecules in the dry state and in solution, as well as sample carriers and kits comprising compositions of the invention.
US08283164B2
A substantially enriched mammalian hepatic liver engrafting cell population is provided. Methods are provided for the isolation and culture of this liver engrafting cell, for example, a cell population containing human liver engrafting cells wherein at least one cell in the population is HLAlow/neg; and expresses at least one marker selected from the group consisting of albumin; 5E12; Ep-Cam; CD49f; and E-Cadherin. The progenitor cells are obtained from a variety of sources, including fetal and adult tissues. The cells are useful in transplantation, for experimental evaluation, and as a source of lineage and cell specific products, including mRNA species useful in identifying genes specifically expressed in these cells, and as targets for the discovery of factors or molecules that can affect them.
US08283163B2
The present invention provides methods for producing DCs, which comprise the step of culturing DC precursor cells in the presence of multiple cytokines, dendritic cells produced thereby, and uses thereof. The methods of the present invention enable production of large quantities of DC precursors with a high ability to differentiate into DCs. The present invention enables one to obtain large quantities of DCs from a small number of DC precursor cells, and therefore makes it easier to increase the number of DCs for administration in DC-based anti-tumor immunotherapy, treatment of infection, and such. Thus, an enhancement is expected for the effect of DC vaccines.
US08283162B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that may be used, for example, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of haepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver cancer and related conditions.
US08283158B2
This invention relates to methods and apparati for performing multiple simultaneous manipulations of biomolecules in a two-dimensional array, such as a gel, membrane, tissue biopsy, etc. Such manipulations particularly include assays and nucleic acid amplification protocols.
US08283154B2
The present invention provides a stable complex microbial system, which simultaneously decomposes a plurality of organic contaminants even under a polluted environment with these contaminants and permits more effective decomposition of persistent organic contaminants such as PCNB and simazine. A support for holding a complexed accumulation of degrading bacteria, which contains a porous material provided as a support on which a degrading bacterium A capable of degrading at least one organic contaminant and a degrading bacterium B capable of degrading another organic contaminant are accumulated, is produced. The degrading bacterium A may be a PCNB-degrading bacterium, particularly a degrading bacterium containing a degrading bacterium having part or all of mycological characteristics of Nocardioides sp. PD653 and the degrading bacterium B may be a degrading bacterium containing a degrading bacterium having part or all of mycological characteristics of β-Proteobacteria CDB21.
US08283153B2
A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of finely ground aggregate and a fluid. A mixture of a fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate is formed. Nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout the mixture. The mixture is inserted into a mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown to fill the mold cavity. The live mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a formed part.
US08283144B2
Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.
US08283141B2
The disclosure includes a method, process and apparatus for the conversion of biomass to carboxylic acids and/or primary alcohols. The system may include a pretreatment/fermentation subsystem operable to produce a fermentation broth containing carboxylic acid salts from biomass, such as lignocellulosic biomass. The system may also include a dewatering subsystem operable to remove excess water from the fermentation broth to produce a concentrated product. The system may also includes an acid springing subsystem operable to produce a mixed carboxylic acid product. The system may also include a hydrogenation subsystem operable to produce an alcohol mixture, such as a mixture containing primary alcohols. Methods of operating this system or other systems to obtain a carboxylic acid or alcohol mixture are also provided.
US08283139B2
Disclosed is a method of producing xylitol using a hydrolysate containing xylose and arabinose prepared from byproducts of tropical fruit biomass and more precisely, a method of producing xylitol which includes the steps of producing xylose and arabinose by the pretreatment of tropical fruit biomass byproducts including coconut shell, palm shell and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) via acid (0.2-5%) hydrolysis and an electrodialysis and an ionic purification; and producing xylitol with high yield based on repeated batch fermentation using a hydrolysate containing xylose and arabinose as a carbon source. In addition, the present invention relates to an active carbon produced by carbonization and activation of a hydrolysate remainder of a tropical fruit shell, the byproduct of xylose and arabinose production, at a certain temperature and a preparation method of the same.
US08283135B2
Oral care compositions containing combinations of anti-bacterial and host-response modulating agents
The present invention encompasses topical oral care compositions comprising the combination of an anti-bacterial agent with an anti-inflammatory agent in an orally acceptable carrier for effective treatment and prevention of bacteria-mediated diseases and conditions in the oral cavity and for modulating host reaction to bacterial pathogens present in the oral cavity and to the toxins, endotoxins, inflammatory cytokines and mediators released by or prompted by these pathogens. The present invention also encompasses methods of use of these compositions comprising topical application to the oral cavity. The benefits of the present compositions and methods extend beyond treating and preventing oral bacterial infections in the oral cavity to promoting whole body or systemic health.
US08283134B2
A cassette for fixing, embedding and slicing biological tissues includes a base sheet and a lid sheet formed of an elongated plastic sheet which is sliceable and has not less than predetermined strength. The base sheet has grooves as biological tissue receiving portions. The base plate and the lid sheet are formed by folding the plastic sheet along a fold line so that the lid sheet can be selectively opened and closed. Biological tissues are pressed against the bottoms of the grooves with pressing/retaining sponge members secured to the lid sheet at its portions corresponding to the respective grooves. In this state, the biological tissues are fixed by a fixing agent, and the cassette is dehydrated, infiltrated with paraffin as an embedding agent to embed the cassette, thereby forming a block including an embedding frame. The block is then sliced with a microtome to provide good biological tissue specimens.
US08283131B2
The present invention provides for the in vitro establishing of a prognosis for a subject in severe sepsis with at least two organ failures or in septic shock with at least two organ failures. Embodiments of the invention comprise the steps of measuring the level of the S100A8/A9 complex from a biological sample from a subject, and comparing the measured level to a predetermined threshold in which the measured level of the S100A8/A9 complex above the predetermined threshold is indicative of a bad prognosis and a measured level of the S100A8/A9 complex below the predetermined threshold is indicative of a good prognosis.
US08283125B2
The invention relates to a method for preserving peptides or proteins over long periods of time. The invention also relates to the use of the preservation method for the transport of labeled peptides or proteins without requiring refrigeration, as well as to a set of tools for implementing said method.
US08283114B2
The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx.
US08283111B2
A method of patterning a substrate using a dual-tone development process is described. The patterning method comprises forming a layer of radiation-sensitive material on a substrate, wherein the layer of radiation-sensitive material comprises a dual tone resist. Thereafter, the patterning method comprises performing one or more exposures of the layer of radiation-sensitive material to one or more patterns of radiation, wherein at least one of the one or more exposures comprises using a mask having a dual-tone mask pattern region configured for printing dual tone features and a half-tone mask pattern region configured for printing half-tone features. Furthermore, the half-tone mask pattern region is optimized for use with the dual tone resist.
US08283108B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of applying patterned metallization to a ceramic block comprising applying a photodefinable ink to said ceramic block; drying said ink; exposing said photodefinable ink to UV radiation through a predefined mask according to the thickness of the film to form a pattern; developing said pattern in a developer solution thereby forming a patterned ceramic block; and rinsing, drying and firing said patterned ceramic block.
US08283107B2
An imageable element can be imaged using non-ablative processes. This element has a non-silicone, non-crosslinked layer contiguous to and under an ink-repelling crosslinked silicone rubber layer. These elements can be used for providing lithographic printing plates useful for waterless printing (no fountain solution). Processing after imaging is relatively simple with either water or an aqueous solution consisting essentially of a surfactant or mechanical means to remove the crosslinked silicone rubber layer and a minor portion of the non-silicone, non-crosslinked layer in the imaged regions.
US08283105B2
A positive resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, the component (A) including a polymeric compound (A1) having an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group in the structure thereof and including a structural unit (a0) having an —SO2— containing cyclic group on the terminal of the side chain, and the component (B) including an acid generator (B1) containing a compound represented by general formula (b1-1) (R0 represents a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 12 carbon atoms which may have a substituent, provided that the carbon atom adjacent to the sulfur atom within the —SO3− group has no fluorine atom bonded thereto, and Z+ represents an organic cation). R0—SO3−Z+ (b1-1)
US08283101B2
Single- and multi-layer positive-working imageable elements include an ink receptive outer layer that includes inorganic, non-metallic, inert discrete particles, such as nano-sized silica, aluminum oxide, or titanium dioxide particles. The presence of these particles in the outermost layer improves the abrasion and scratch resistance of the elements.
US08283099B2
Disclosed are a biomass chemical toner composition and a method for manufacturing the same. First, a biomass resin is mixed with a first hydrophobic resin to form organic particles. The organic particles, a second hydrophobic resin, and a pigment are mixed by emulsion aggregation to form cores. Subsequently, a third hydrophobic resin is formed on the surface of the cores, and the third hydrophobic resin is further heated and coalesced to form a continuous structure encapsulating the cores. Accordingly, the biomass chemical toner obtained from the described method has good anti-humidity, good charge stability, and low fusing temperature.
US08283071B2
A lithium/iron disulfide electrochemical battery cell with a high discharge capacity. The cell has a lithium negative electrode, an iron disulfide positive electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The iron disulfide of the positive electrode has a controlled average particle size range which allows the electrochemical cells to exhibit desired properties in both low and high rate applications. In various embodiments, the iron disulfide particles are wet milled, preferably utilizing a media mill or milled utilizing a non-mechanical mill such as a jet mill, which reduces the iron disulfide particles to a desired average particle size range for incorporation into the positive electrode.
US08283068B2
An alkaline dry battery of this invention includes: a cylindrical positive electrode mixture having a hollow and including at least one of manganese dioxide powder and nickel oxyhydroxide powder; a gelled negative electrode including zinc alloy powder; a separator interposed between the positive electrode mixture and the gelled negative electrode; a negative electrode current collector inserted into the gelled negative electrode; and a negative electrode terminal plate electrically connected to the negative electrode current collector. The gelled negative electrode is filled in the hollow of the positive electrode mixture with the separator interposed therebetween. The height L1 of the gelled negative electrode filled therein and the length L2 of the portion of the negative electrode current collector inserted in the gelled negative electrode satisfy the relation (1): 0.72≦L2/L1≦0.86.
US08283062B2
Electrochemical cells (10), such as fuel cells (12) and fuel reformers (14), with rotating elements or electrodes (34, 24) that generate Taylor Vortex Flows (28, 50) and Circular Couette Flows (58) in fluids such as electrolytes and fuels are disclosed.
US08283059B2
Low-emissivity coatings that are highly reflective to infrared-radiation. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each include silver.
US08283053B2
To provide a high-performance organic light emitting device and a novel compound possessed by the device. Provided are a novel fluoranthene derivative and an organic light emitting compound having the derivative.
US08283052B2
It is an object to provide a new substance excellent in electron-transporting property, and a light-emitting element and a light-emitting device using the substance. A quinoxaline derivative represented by the general formula (G1) is provided. In the general formula (G1), each of R1 to R4 represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms; and each of Ar1 and Ar2 represents an aryl group having 6 to 25 carbon atoms. Such a quinoxaline derivative is excellent in electron-transporting property and very effective as an electron-transporting material in a light-emitting element and the like.
US08283049B2
An aluminum brazing sheet has a core material made of an aluminum alloy and a cladding material cladded on at least one side of the core material and made of an aluminum alloy having a potential lower than that of the core material. The cladding material is made of an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 0.4 to 0.7 mass % of Mg, 0.5 to 1.5 mass % of Si, and 0.4 to 1.2 mass % of Mn, the remainder being Al and unavoidable impurities. Zn in the amount of 6 mass % or less is added in accordance with need. An aluminum brazing sheet having not only high strength but also less pressure adhesion failure and excellent productivity can be obtained.
US08283046B2
A ferrous sintered multilayer roll-formed bushing having a ferrous sintered sliding material layer which is sinter-bonded to a back metal steel, wherein the ferrous sintered sliding material layer is produced in such a manner that a Fe—C—Cu—Sn based sintered sliding material mixed powder containing at least carbon of 0.40 to 15 wt %, Cu of 13 to 40 wt % and Sn of 0.5 to 10 wt % is preliminarily sinter-bonded to said back metal steel and then finally sinter-bonded by a liquid-phase sintering at high temperatures higher than 1000° C. after bending into a roll.
US08283044B2
Conversion coatings with conductive additives, processes for applying same and their coated articles
A coating composition includes a conductive polymer including at least one of the following: a single conductive polymer, a dual strand conductive polymer, a combination of a single conductive polymer and a dual strand conductive polymer or an organic-inorganic hybrid composite.
US08283043B2
In the composite, an aluminum-plated steel sheet and a resin are securely and integrally joined together. Through chemical etching, the aluminum-plated steel sheet is caused to have a surface configuration, in which three-dimensional protrusions having shapes with a minor diameter of at least 0.3 μm and a major diameter of at least 3 μm are scattered over a plain part and a portion covered with shallow fine recesses with a diameter of 20 to 50 nm in a state of being distributed adjacent to each other on the plain part accounts for 30 to 50% of the surface area of the plain part. The surface of the three-dimensional protrusions is mainly ceramic containing silicon and the plain part is mainly ceramic containing aluminum. The resin is joined through injection molding with the aluminum-plated steel sheet having been inserted into a metallic mold.
US08283040B2
The invention relates to silica-containing radiation-curable formulations which in the cured state offer a particular degree of corrosion control for metallic substrates.
US08283039B2
The invention provides a vulcanized rubber laminate obtained by firmly bonding an unvulcanized epichlorohydrin rubber layer and an organic peroxide-containing fluororubber layer. The laminate is obtained by thermal adhesion a layer of an unvulcanized epichlorohydrin rubber composition to a layer of an unvulcanized fluororubber composition. The epichlorohydrin rubber composition comprises 1) an unvulcanized epichlorohydrin rubber containing 3 to 15 mol % of allyl glycidyl ether unit, 2) quinoxaline-based vulcanizing agents, mercaptotriazine-based vulcanizing agents or bisphenol-based vulcanizing agents, and 3) 1,8-diazabicyclo(5,4,0)undecene-7 salts, 1,5-diazabicyclo(4,3,0)nonene-5 salts, quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, basic white carbons or an alkaline metal salt of higher fatty acid the fluororubber composition comprises an fluororubber and an organic peroxide-based vulcanizing agent.
US08283038B2
A layered structure including graphene, wherein a basal plane of the graphene is a (0001) plane; and a layer including an organic material having a conjugated system disposed on the graphene, wherein the layer comprising the organic material layer having the conjugated system is bound to the (0001) plane of the graphene by a π-π interaction, and a method of preparing the same.
US08283032B2
The present invention relates to an electrical contact material having a surface layer made of a noble metal or an alloy having the noble metal as its main component, a method for manufacturing the same and an electrical contact using the same. Recently, electrical contact materials having excellent abrasion resistance are used for sliding electrical contacts such as a connector terminal of an automobile harness, a contact switch mounted in a cellular phone and terminals of a memory card. Although there have been known ones having an organic coating film composed of either aliphatic amine or mercaptan or a mixture of the both provided on the electrical contact material described above as the electrical contact materials having excellent abrasion resistance, they have had problems that even though they are effective with a low load of 0.5 N or below, abrasion accelerates when the load exceeds 0.5 N and sliding characteristics drop under a high-temperature environment. The invention solves the abovementioned problems by providing an organic coating film formed of an organic compound containing aliphatic amine on the electrical contact material.
US08283031B2
A semiconductive film formed from a resin composition comprising poly(ether ether ketone) and a conductive filler, wherein the average value of its thickness is 30 to 250 μm, the maximum value of the thickness is 1 to 1.3 times as much as the minimum value thereof, the average value of its volume resistivity is 1.0×102 to 1.0×1014 Ωcm, the maximum value of the volume resistivity is 1 to 30 times as much as the minimum value thereof, and the number of reciprocating folds as determined in accordance with the testing method for folding endurance is at least 5,000 times, and a production process thereof.
US08283023B2
A flexible edge seal for a vacuum insulating glazing unit. The flexible edge seal comprises an elongate first edge seal portion having a substantially constant first cross-section and including a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a first center portion therebetween. An elongate second edge seal portion has a substantially constant second cross-section and includes a bonding flange at one end, a weld surface at the other end and a second center portion therebetween. Each bonding flange includes a substantially flat portion adapted for hermetic bonding to a surface of a different one of a pair of glass panes. The weld surfaces are hermetically joined to one another forming a hermetic seal therebetween. At least one of the first center portion and the second center portion has a convolute cross-section and is asymmetrical to the other center portion.
US08283020B2
A laminate film having excellent barrier property is provided. The laminate film comprises a substrate film, an organic layer and an inorganic layer in that order, wherein the organic layer has a thickness of 300 nm to 2000 nm, the inorganic layer comprises silicon oxide represented by SiOx, wherein x is in a range from 0.9 to 1.5, and the organic layer has a surface satisfying Ra (100 μm square)<50 nm, Ra (10 μm square)<2 nm, and 75 nm
US08283012B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a composite sheet for creating a customized design. The composite sheet includes a first fabric portion, a second fabric portion, and a membrane portion disposed between the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion, where the first fabric portion is sewn with stitching to the second fabric portion. One advantage of the composite sheet and related systems and methods is that users can create customized designs conveniently on their own home printer.
US08283002B2
Oligomers and/or polymers comprising a backbone comprising arylamine and fluorinated alkyleneoxy moieties which may be crosslinked. Ink formulations and devices can be formed from the oligomers or polymers, or corresponding monomers. Doped compositions can be formed. Charge injection and transport layers can be formed. Improved stability can be achieved in organic electronic devices such as OLEDs and OPVs.
US08282997B2
The invention concerns a method for producing a coating on a support, in particular a glass support, wherein a thin-film metal oxide is deposited on the support, said thin film being subjected to an etching process to roughen its surface, a second coating capable of adhering to the first metal oxide film is then applied on the roughened surface. The invention is characterized in that it consists in depositing a first doped metal oxide or metal oxynitride doped with at least a second metal oxide or metal oxynitride, the second metal oxide or metal oxynitride being distributed in the deposited film. During the etching process, a plasma-activated gas is used which removes at least a second metal oxide or metal oxynitride less than the first metal oxide or metal oxynitride so as to form, after the etching process, on the surface raised irregularities consisting of at least a second metal oxide or metal oxynitride.
US08282991B2
Hydrophobized silicon oxide-coated metal oxide particles excellent in dispersibility in fluororesins, durability to fluorinated compounds and ultraviolet-shielding properties, and a fluororesin film excellent in transparency, weather resistance and ultraviolet-shielding properties comprising the hydrophobized silicon oxide-coated metal oxide particles, the hydrophobized silicon oxide-coated metal oxide particles being obtained by a process including a primary and a secondary hydrophobizing treatment.
US08282989B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly (1) for a fuel cell comprising at least two adjacent cell components, applied by means of the successive steps consisting of: a) solidifying by laser sintering a powder layer (Ci) deposited beforehand so that it forms a section of the assembly; and b) depositing a successive powder layer on the powder layer (Ci) deposited beforehand and solidified by laser sintering; the steps a) and b) being alternately repeated until the obtained stacked sections form together the assembly comprising at least two components. According to the invention, the method is applied so that at least one of the obtained sections (S1-Sp) has at least two areas with different porosities.
US08282984B2
A processing condition inspection method of a damage recovery process for reforming a film having OH groups generated by damages from a predetermined process by using a processing gas includes preparing a substrate having an OH group containing resin film, measuring an initial film thickness of the OH group containing resin film, performing a damage recovery process on the substrate after measuring the initial film thickness, measuring a film thickness of the OH group containing resin film after the damage recovery process, calculating a film thickness difference of the OH group containing resin film before and after the damage recovery process, and determining whether processing conditions of the damage recovery process are appropriate or inappropriate based on the film thickness difference.
US08282972B2
Methods and systems for grouping, recovering, and processing ice obtained from an ice source, i.e., a glacier, ice sheet, ice cap, etc., are described herein. In particular, the ice obtained from the ice source is separated and grouped according to common unique properties and processed as a beverage for consumption having the same unique properties.
US08282969B2
A method for manufacturing an antiviral pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of a rhinovirus infection that includes the utilization of iota-, kappa- or lambda-carrageenan or mixtures thereof.
US08282965B2
The invention pertains to a liquid composition for preventing and/or treating memory decline and/or cognitive dysfunction, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and/or dementia, said composition comprising: (i) at least 50 mg nucleoside and/or nucleotide per 100 ml; (ii) between 0.2 and 10 grams protein per 100 ml; (iii) between 0.05 and 3 wt. % of 5 thickener, based on total weight of the composition. The thickener is preferably selected from the group consisting of cellulose, xanthan gum, gellan gum, alginate, guar gum, locust bean gum, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. The composition preferably has a loss factor tan δ between 0.1 and 100, as measured at any strain in the range of 1 100% at 0.1 Hz and 20° C. It is particularly found that a thickener selected from the group consisting of gellan gum, xanthan gum and cellulose greatly reduces sedimentation.
US08282963B2
This invention provides methods for extracting platelets, compositions obtained therefore, and methods for using the same.
US08282961B2
The present invention provides a preparing method of microcapsule containing unsaturated fatty acid comprising the steps of (a) preparing a first coating material by mixing and gelatinating one or more gums selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, and locusbean gum, with poly glycerin esters of fatty acid in sterilized water, adding unsaturated fatty acid to the solution, and homogenizing the solution; (b) preparing a second coating material by mixing and gelatinating starch or modified starch, gelatin or casein, and poly glycerin esters of fatty acid in sterilized water, adding the first coating material prepared in (a) to the solution, and homogenizing the solution; and (c) spraying the second coating material prepared in (b) in cold sterilized water; a microcapsule prepared by the method; and articles containing the microcapsule.The present microcapsule has effects of preventing the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acid and inhibiting offensive smell.
US08282959B2
Branched end reactants having two or three functional groups at the ends are disclosed. The branched end reactants are used to prepare crosslinked hydrogel tissue adhesives, which have a good balance of mechanical properties in an aqueous environment. Kits comprising the branched end reactants and methods for applying a coating to an anatomical site on tissue of a living organism are also disclosed.
US08282956B2
A main object of the present invention is to provide a novel coated tablet which contains a drug having a guanidino group and does not suffer an obvious color change even when packed in a one-dose pack together with a drug having a (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxol-4-yl)methyl (DMDO) group. The present invention provides a coated tablet characterized in that an uncoated tablet containing a drug having a guanidino group has been coated with a polyvinyl alcohol for film coating which comprises polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid, and methyl methacrylate.
US08282955B2
The present invention concerns a new method of preparing granules comprising 5-aminosalicylic acid and a new method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease by oral administration comprising as active ingredient 5-aminosalicylic acid.
US08282953B2
Described are malleable medical compositions such as pastes or putties that include solids combined with a liquid carrier. The solids include particulate collagen and particulate demineralized bone matrix. The liquid carrier includes an aqueous medium comprising a polysaccharide. Also described are methods for making and using such medical compositions.
US08282951B2
Antimicrobial coatings to protect surfaces and a method of applying such a coating are disclosed. An antimicrobial coating may be applied to a surface, such as the interior surface of a building's exterior wall. The interior surface must be accessed, and then an antimicrobial coating is provided and applied. The antimicrobial coating includes an inorganic antimicrobial additive and a colloidal polymeric medium. The inorganic antimicrobial additive may be silver, platinum, gold, palladium, copper, zinc, boron, or a compound of any of those elements. By including an ultraviolet tracer or color dye additive in the coating, it is possible to detect the coating at any time, provided that the surface is accessed.
US08282948B2
The present invention is directed to a glove wherein the interior surfaces of the glove contain a film which includes water, glycerol and a botanical extract.Further embodiments of the invention are directed to the composition of the film and the process for applying the film onto the interior surfaces of the glove.
US08282947B2
A low viscosity, unstable water-in-silicone emulsion cosmetic composition stabilized upon agitation comprising a volatile solvent, a water phase dispersed within the composition, at least one silicone film-forming polymer and at least one emulsifier, and methods of use thereof as a sprayable composition.
US08282942B2
The present invention provides attenuated Toxoplasma gondii knockout mutants of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway and use of the same in vaccines and methods of providing an immune response and protecting a subject against infection by T. gondii and a non-T. gondii disease.
US08282930B2
An isolated caveolin containing vesicle comprising a caveolin protein and at least one lipid, wherein at least about 30% of the at least one lipid is selected from phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of making an isolated caveolin containing vesicle, an isolated caveolin containing vesicle comprising a recombinant caveolin protein, an isolated caveolin containing delivery vesicle, a method of making an isolated caveolin containing delivery vesicle and a method of treatment of a disease or condition by delivery of a molecule using the isolated caveolin containing delivery vesicle.
US08282922B2
This invention relates to a novel use of IL-1β-ligand/IL-1 receptor disrupting compounds (herein referred to as “IL-1beta Compounds”); such as small molecular compounds disrupting IL-1β ligand-IL-1 receptor interaction, IL-1β antibodies or IL-1 receptor antibodies, e.g. IL-1β binding molecules described herein, e.g. antibodies disclosed herein, e.g. IL-1β binding compounds or IL-1 receptor binding compounds, and/or RNA compounds decreasing either IL-1β ligands or IL-1 receptor protein levels, in the treatment and/or prevention of auto-inflammatory syndromes, e.g. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or adult rheumatoid arthritis syndrome and to methods of treating and/or preventing auto-inflammatory syndromes, e.g. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or adult rheumatoid arthritis syndrome, in mammals, particularly humans.
US08282917B2
The present invention provides mutant viruses with a decreased ability to block nuclear transport of mRNA or protein in an infected cell which are attenuated in vivo. The mutant viruses of the present invention may also be capable of triggering the anti-viral systems of normal host cells while remaining sensitive to the effects of these systems. The present invention further provides for the use of the mutant viruses in a range of applications including, but not limited to, as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and infections, as vaccines and adjuvants, as viral vectors, and as oncolytic and cytolytic agents for the selective lysis of malignant or infected cells.
US08282912B2
Methods for making biomaterials for augmentation of soft and hard tissues, kits containing precursors for forming the biomaterials, and the resulting biomaterials are described herein. The biomaterials are formed from at least a first and a second precursor component. The first precursor component contains at least two nucleophilic groups, and the second precursor component contains at least two electrophilic groups. The nucleophilic and electrophilic groups of the first and second precursor components form covalent linkages with each other at physiological temperatures. The precursors are selected based on the desired properties of the biomaterial. In the preferred embodiment, the first precursor is a siloxane. Optionally, the biomaterials contain additives, such as thixotropic agents, radiopaque agents, or bioactive agents. In the preferred embodiment, the biomaterials are used to augment at least one vertebra of the spine (vertebroplasty).
US08282908B2
A zeolite beta according to the present invention has a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 10 to 16 and is aluminum-rich. The zeolite beta has a BET specific surface area measured in the state of a sodium type of 500 to 700 m2/g, a micropore specific surface area of 350 to 500 m2/g, and a micropore volume of 0.15 to 0.25 cm3/g.
US08282899B2
Solvent absorption processes for separating components of an impure feed gas are disclosed. The processes involve two stages of gas-liquid contacting, namely a first, absorption stage and a second, stripping stage. In the case of a carbon dioxide (CO2)-containing methane gas as an impure feed gas, contacting, in the stripping stage, the solvent effluent from the absorption stage with a recycled vapor fraction of the solvent effluent from the stripping stage can improve the recovery and purity of not only the methane (and/or other light hydrocarbons in the impure feed gas), but also that of the CO2 contaminant gas.
US08282895B2
A reagent cabinet for an automated processing apparatus. The reagent cabinet has a housing, and a drawer slidably mounted in the housing. The drawer has a lower deck adapted to receive a fluid reservoir, and an upper deck located above the lower deck and adapted to receive a fluid supply container. A supply connection hose is provided to selectively connect the fluid supply container to the fluid reservoir. A reservoir connection hose is provided to selectively connect to the fluid reservoir and to convey fluid from the fluid reservoir to a downstream location outside the cabinet. A pump is mounted on the drawer. The pump is adapted to convey fluid through either the supply connection hose or the reservoir connection hose.
US08282891B2
The instant application provides apparatus and methods for the generation of gas, preferably chlorine dioxide. The methods and apparatus of the invention use a removable reaction chamber for the reaction of precursor chemicals, e.g., chlorite salt and an acid. The methods and compositions of the invention provide gas for a number of personal and commercial applications.
US08282884B2
A reacting apparatus includes a reactor having a supply port and a discharge port, a first member connected to the surface of the reactor having a through hole associated with the supply port, and a second member connected to the surface of the reactor and having a through hole associated with the discharge port, a supply pipe connected to the supply port by way of the through hole of the first member, to supply a fluid before the reaction to the supply port, and a discharge pipe connected to the discharge port by way of the through hole of the second member, to discharge a fluid after the reaction from the discharge port. The supply port and discharge port include a portion covered by a surface of the first member and a portion communicating with the through hole of the first member. The discharge port includes a portion covered by a surface of the second member and a portion communicating with the through hole of the second member. A first opening of the through hole of the first member includes a portion covered by the surface of the reactor and a portion communicating with the supply port. A second opening of the through hole of the second member includes a portion covered by the surface of the reactor and a portion communicating with the discharge port.
US08282881B2
An analyte treatment apparatus comprising liquid chemical tanks storing liquid chemicals; and a treatment unit carrying out a treatment by supplying the liquid chemicals, so as to facilitate observation. The liquid chemical tanks are made of resin and housed inside a housing unit. Openings are formed in the housing unit. Light projecting means is provided outside of the treatment unit and projects light into each liquid chemical tank through the opening of the housing unit. A colored transparent door is provided to the housing unit and located at the other side with respect to a specific side of the liquid chemical tanks from which light diffusely reflected at the one side and the opposite side of the liquid chemical tank or in the liquid chemical tank can be visually checked, so as to visually check the reflected light. A control unit controls ON-OFF switching of the light projecting means.
US08282879B2
A fluid purification device includes an inner tube composed of a non-conductive material and an outer tube which is spaced apart from the inner tube by predetermined space S and composed of a non-conductive material, and the tubes are concentrically arranged. A conductive member is attached to apart or entire periphery of the inside of the outer tube to provide an electrode so as to form a device main body. When a voltage is applied to the electrode of the device main body, discharge in the space S is created by using a fluid to be treated W composed of liquid such as water which flows within the inner tube as an earth electrode.This causes a gas such as oxygen or air flowing in the space S to be reacted to generate ozone and mixes the ozone with the fluid to be treated W so as to purify the fluid.
US08282877B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of a hydroentangled product comprising cellulose fibers, which includes the steps of (a) extruding a solution comprising cellulose dissolved in an aqueous tertiary amine-oxide through a spinneret into an air gap, thereby forming filaments (b) drawing said filaments by means of a gaseous stream (c) collecting and precipitating said filaments in order to form a web (d) bonding said web by means of a hydroentanglement process (e) contacting said filaments in the air gap with a medium which at least partially coagulates the filaments. Furthermore, the invention relates to products obtainable by said products, and uses thereof.
US08282873B2
Methods for controlled electrospinning of polymer fibers are described. The methods include spinning a polymer fiber from a fluid comprising a polymer in the presence of an electric field established between a plurality of collectors and a jet supply device controlling the dispersion characteristics of the fluid by applying a magnetic field created by at least one magnet located after the point of jet formation. Different voltages are applied to at least two collectors of the plurality of collectors. At least one magnet, located between the jet supply device and at least one collector, creates a magnetic field substantially transverse or substantially collinear to an electrospinning jet stream. The magnetic field changes direction of travel of the electrospinning jet stream.
US08282871B2
A system includes one or more compacting wall retraction mechanisms for retracting one or more compacting walls of a compactable lightweight concrete block mold having at least two compacting walls. The compacting wall retraction mechanism(s) facilitate release of a compacted lightweight concrete block from the compactable lightweight concrete block mold. The system can include a mold feed conveyor, and a table for receiving the compactable lightweight concrete block mold from the mold feed conveyor. The system can include one or more tube extraction and re-insertion mechanisms for extracting or inserting tubes of a compactable mold. The system can include one or more end wall lock release mechanisms for releasing end walls to remove a molded block from the mold. Mold assembly and disassembly can be controlled by an electronic or computerized controller.
US08282869B2
A precast concrete meter pit consisting of a plurality of precast concrete hollow elongated cylindrical wall sections in end to end relation to one another is fabricated by utilizing a slip form packerhead apparatus in which the wall sections are formed with an annular slip ring when concrete is injected into the slip form apparatus.
US08282861B2
The present invention relates to electrically conductive compositions, and their use in electronic devices. The composition includes either (1) a deuterated electrically conductive polymer doped with a highly-fluorinated acid polymer; or (2) (a) a deuterated electrically conductive polymer doped with a non-fluorinated polymeric acid and (b) at least one highly-fluorinated acid polymer.
US08282856B2
A method for sintering lithium contained electrode material includes: depositing a mixture of a particle like lithium compound and a substance M in a metal container, where M is a chemical element selected from a group consisting of iron (Fe), phosphor (P), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), and carbon (C), or an oxide or compound thereof; subjecting the mixture deposited in the metal container to heat treatment by heating the metal container in two phases of which temperature ranges for heating are respectively 300-700° C. and 500-900° C.; and grinding the heat-treated mixture to obtain a powder like lithium contained electrode material. According to the method of the present invention, in the process of sintering and synthesis, it is not necessary to supply an external (or a great amount of) protective gas, so that substantial reduction of processing cost and time is realized.
US08282846B2
A metal interconnect structure, which includes a bond pad, an overlying anti-reflective coating layer, an overlying passivation layer, and an opening that exposes a top surface of the bond pad, eliminates corrosion resulting from the anti-reflective layer being exposed to moisture during reliability testing by utilizing a side wall spacer in the opening that touches the side wall of the passivation layer, the side wall of the anti-reflective coating layer, and the top surface of the bond pad.
US08282845B2
The present invention relates to a method for etching a feature in an etch layer that has a thickness of more than 2 micrometers from an initial contact face for the etchant to an opposite bottom face of the etch layer, at a lateral feature position in the etch layer and with a critical lateral extension at the bottom face. The method includes fabricating, at the lateral feature position on the substrate layer, a mask feature from a mask-layer material, the mask feature having the critical lateral extension. The etch layer is deposited to a thickness of more than 2 micrometers, on the mask feature and on the substrate layer, from an etch-layer material, which is selectively etchable relative to the mask-layer material. Then, the feature is etched in the etch layer at the first lateral position with a lateral extension larger than the critical lateral extension, using an etchant that selectively removes the etch layer-material relative to the mask-layer material.
US08282844B2
A method and system of etching a metal nitride, such as titanium nitride, is described. The etching process comprises introducing a process composition having a halogen containing gas, such as Cl2, HBr, or BCl3, and a hydrocarbon gas having the chemical formula CxHy, where x and y are equal to unity or greater.
US08282835B2
The invention provides a method of efficiently removing selenium from water. The method involves: adding an oxidant to the liquid, adjusting the liquid's pH to below 7.5, adding ferric salt in an amount such that less than a quarter of selenium in the liquid precipitates and adding a poly dithiocarbamate material to the liquid in an amount such that the amount of poly dithiocarbamate material (in ppm) is greater than the amount of ferric salt (in ppm). This method removes far more selenium than previous methods, and does it using a smaller amount of expensive chemicals. Moreover this method makes it far more likely to achieve cost effective compliance with the ever-increasing environmental standards for selenium in water.
US08282834B2
Dialkoxysilane and Monoalkoxysilane functionalized polymers were applied as scale control agents in Bayer process. The polymer inhibitors reduced the quantity of aluminum silicate scale formed in spent liquor while significantly changed the morphology of the scale. Also a method is provided for reducing aluminum silicate scale of Bayer process by adding the dialkoxysilane and monoalkoxysilane functionalized polymer into the Bayer liquor stream.
US08282830B2
Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source. When used in conjunction with a ship, part or all of the reverse osmosis subsystem can be submersed to a depth sufficient to generate a hydrostatic pressure that is in turn sufficient to passively operate the reverse osmosis membrane such that additional pressurizing equipment, such as a pump, is not needed. Furthermore, the temperature of the water purified by the reverse osmosis subsystem may be low enough to be used as a condensing agent for the ambient humid air passing through the dehumidification subsystem.
US08282822B2
A membrane cartridge in an immersion type membrane separation apparatus capable of suppressing vibrations applied to the membrane cartridge by an ascending force of membrane cleaning gas and others by firmly coupling the adjacent membrane cartridges disposed in parallel. In a membrane cartridge in an immersion type membrane separation apparatus, selvages larger in thickness than a membrane cartridge main body are formed at both sides of the membrane cartridge, and a header forming part is formed on one selvage, and a guide hole is formed in other selvage relatively, and the header forming part and the guide hole of the membrane cartridge disposed adjacently by varying the direction mutually are formed to communicate and connect with each other.
US08282821B2
An oil filter assembly (10) has a receiving chamber (18) that can be closed by a cover element (14) and a spring-loaded supporting tube (22) that is fixed in the receiving chamber and is designed to receive a filter element (20) that can be radially traversed by oil. The supporting tube (22) is axially displaceable between an operating position and a drain position in such a way that, in the operating position when the receiving chamber is closed by the cover element (14), the tube closes a drain opening (42). When the receiving chamber is open in the drain position, the tube releases the drain opening. The supporting tube is mounted to rotate through a rotational angle that is limited by two rotational stops (41, 43) in the housing and the cover element has follower sections (66, 68, 70) that co-operate with the supporting tube and/or filter element to rotate the supporting tube through the rotational angle when the cover element is screwed on and/or unscrewed.
US08282817B1
A system and method includes an aeration subsystem that excites enzymes in the liquid waste passing through the septic system. The aeration subsystem includes a compressor section that compresses the liquid waste and an injector section that injects oxygen into the compressed liquid waste. The system further includes a driver subsystem for driving the compressor section and a control subsystem for activating and deactivating the driver subsystem.
US08282809B2
Various apparatuses and methods for producing ammonia are provided. One embodiment uses a plurality of environments and an electrode configured to be exposed to the plurality of environments. The electrode is configured to receive hydrogen while being exposed to one of the environments, reduce nitrogen while being exposed to another environment, and allow the hydrogen and nitrogen to react with each other to form ammonia. Other embodiments provide for simultaneous hydrogen oxidation and nitrogen reduction at the same electrode, which in turn react for formation of ammonia.
US08282803B2
The procedures involved in isoelectric focusing that entail the use of an electric current can be performed with the gel side of the IPG strip facing either up or down in a tray and electrode assembly in which the electrodes are mounted on an insert from which the inner ends of the electrodes extend into the troughs to reside either below the IPG strips or above them. Slots in one part (either the insert or the tray) mate with walls or partitions in the other part to secure the two parts together, and the heights of the electrodes within the troughs of the tray can be adjusted by the height of the insert in the tray or by a resilient mounting of the electrode to the insert.
US08282802B2
Provided with a work electrodeposition coating method for immersing a work in a paint in an electrodeposition tank provided with a first positive electrode for supplying a low voltage and a second positive electrode for supplying a high voltage to carry out electrodeposition coating of a work surface. The work electrodeposition coating method is comprised of a first step in which a first robot moves the work to a first table provided with an current collecting bar corresponding to the first positive electrode; a second step of connecting the work with the current collecting bar and supplies the work with the low voltage to carry out the electrodeposition coating; a third step in which a second robot provided with a negative electrode switches a connecting condition of the negative electrode connected with the work from the current collecting bar to an current collecting bar corresponding to the second positive electrode when the second robot chucks the work, and then carries out the electrodeposition coating while moving the work to a second table provided with an current collecting bar; and a fourth step of connecting the work to the current collecting bar and supplies the work with the high voltage to carry out the electrodeposition coating.
US08282797B2
An electrochemical sensing method that includes (a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode; (b) providing a sample comprising a metal, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and the metal being capable of being oxidized or reduced at the working electrode when the metal is bound to the working electrode; (c) preconditioning the working electrode by (i) applying a time varying preconditioning potential between the working and pseudo reference electrodes; and/or (ii) baking the working electrode; and/or (iii) air-ageing the working electrode; and (d) applying a measuring potential between the working and pseudo reference electrodes and, during application of said measuring potential, measuring the current generated by oxidation/reduction of the metal at the working electrode.
US08282794B2
An apparatus for the application of coatings in a vacuum comprising a plasma duct surrounded by a magnetic deflecting system communicating with a first plasma source and a coating chamber in which a substrate holder is arranged off of an optical axis of the plasma source, has at least one deflecting electrode mounted on one or more walls of the plasma duct. In one embodiment an isolated repelling or repelling electrode is positioned in the plasma duct downstream of the deflecting electrode where the tangential component of a deflecting magnetic field is strongest, connected to the positive pole of a current source which allows the isolated electrode current to be varied independently and increased above the level of the anode current. The deflecting electrode may serve as a getter pump to improve pumping efficiency and divert metal ions from the plasma flow. In a further embodiment a second arc source is activated to coat the substrates while a first arc source is activated, and the magnetic deflecting system for the first arc source is deactivated to confine plasma to the cathode chamber but permit electrons to flow into the coating chamber for plasma immersed treatment of the substrates. A load lock shutter may be provided between the plasma duct and the coating chamber further confine the plasma from the first arc source.
US08282793B2
The present invention relates to a continuous process for preparing neral (cis-citral) in pure or enriched form by distillatively separating neral from substance mixtures comprising essentially neral and geranial (trans-citral). This distillative separation is performed in a dividing wall column or in a connection of two distillation columns in the form of a thermal coupling.
US08282791B2
This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.
US08282790B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.
US08282789B2
Extraction apparatus and method for obtaining essential oils, essence, and pigments from odorous raw materials (e.g., plant materials and Chinese medicinal herbs) by microwave radiation heating have advantages of easy operation, higher extracting temperature and efficiency. The microwave chamber has a power level of 100 W to 1,500 W and its microwave radiation has a frequency at 915 MHz or 2,450 MHz. The extraction process can be performed without any preheating necessary. A condenser is operated at temperatures between −20° C. and 15° C. for cooling the gas flowing out of the extraction cartridges. Because both volatile fragrant compounds and pigments of the odorous raw materials can be extracted successfully by the top-down extraction fashion, the extracted essence is colorful. Since the extraction process by microwave heating is free from adding any organic solvent and/or any artificial chemical compound, the extraction apparatus and method are environmentally friendly.
US08282785B2
Invention relates to a roll cover and a covered roll for paper, board, finishing and tissue machines. More specifically it relates to a roll particularly used in calendar which roll comprises a metal roll body and a cover of a composite material on it. The cover has at least three layers which comprise polymer matrix and fiber reinforcement the material of the being different at least in successive layers.
US08282772B2
A method for processing wastewater includes the steps of introducing air and a liquid into a pump, and subjecting the air and liquid to high heat and pressure; delivering the heated and pressurized air and liquid from the pump to a gas and liquid separator to separate the air from the liquid; expanding the air from the gas and liquid separator through a nozzle to accelerate the air as it expands; injecting at least some portion of the wastewater to be processed into the air from the nozzle in an entrainment section downstream from the nozzle to entrain the wastewater into the air; passing the liquid portion from the gas and liquid separator through a valve to lower the pressure of the liquid to achieve flash evaporation of the liquid to produce water and steam; introducing the water and steam produced from the valve into the air and entrained wastewater in the entrainment section, to enhance entrainment of water into the air; and delivering the air and entrained wastewater from the entrainment section to an in line gas and solid separator to separate the air and steam from waste solids.
US08282768B1
An apparatus for purging a space in a processing chamber comprises a source of a purge gas; an inlet portion of a purge ring; an inlet baffle located in the inlet portion and fluidically connected to the source of purge gas; and an exhaust portion of the purge ring. The inlet portion and the exhaust portion define a ring hole space having a 360° periphery. The inlet baffle preferably surrounds not less than 180° of said periphery. The inlet baffle is operable to convey purge gas into the ring hole space. The exhaust portion is operable to convey purge gas and other matter out of the ring hole space. Cleaning of the purge ring and other structures in a processing chamber is conducted by flowing a cleaning gas through the inlet baffle. Methods and systems using a purge ring are particularly useful for purging and cleaning porogens from a UV curing chamber. Some embodiments include a gas inlet plenum and an exhaust channel but not a purge ring.
US08282766B2
An etch apparatus, especially for silicon nitride etch includes a control unit coupled to at least one component of the group of components comprising heater current sensors, a pump transducer sensor and a flow sensor provided for a diluting liquid. A malfunction of the apparatus is avoided and the etching process can be controlled for better performance.
US08282763B2
A method for making a composite magnetic-dielectric disc assembly includes forming a dielectric ceramic annular cylinder, forming a magnetic ceramic rod, assembling the magnetic ceramic rod coaxially inside the dielectric ceramic cylinder, joining the magnetic ceramic rod to the dielectric ceramic cylinder using an adhesive comprising a ceramic material to form a rod-and-cylinder assembly, and slicing the rod-and-cylinder assembly to form a plurality of composite magnetic-dielectric disc-shaped assemblies. The magnetic-dielectric disc assemblies can be used as components of, for example, circulators, isolators, or similar electrical assemblies.
US08282758B2
An automated in-line feed-through system integrating the delivery, application and infusion of a resin to one or more fiber tows and layup of the one or more infused fiber tows to form a composite structure. The system includes an automated resin delivery, deposition and infusion system configured to deposit the resin on one or more fiber tows and form the infused fiber tows. The system integrates an automated layup system including a compaction roller, a guide roller coupled to an extending cylinder, and an auxiliary roller configured to adhere the one or more infused fiber tows to a substrate. The system further includes a controller configured to control system parameters, including the control of tension of the one or more infused fiber tows within the automated layup system. Other aspects of the automated in-line manufacturing system are also provided.
US08282753B2
A protection sheet and method of protecting a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the protection sheet comprises an adhesive coated nonwoven material. In an embodiment a surface of the protection sheet captures and retains paint overspray, dust, dirt and other contaminants so as to provide a cleaner paint job. In an embodiment the protection sheet may be laminated to a second nonwoven or woven material to allow clean removal after extended use. The protection sheet may be used to protect horizontal or vertical substrates, and is particularly suited to protect the surfaces of a paint booth used in automotive spray-painting operations.
US08282748B2
The invention relates to a method for producing metal matrix composite materials, including at least one proportion of magnesium or one magnesium alloy and involving at least one production step in which a thixomolding ensues. According to the invention, an Mg2Si phase having a volume fraction of at least 2% is incorporated in a metal matrix preferably comprised of magnesium or of a magnesium alloy. The inventive method uses the thixomolding method for the in-situ production of a metallic composite material and is advantageous in that a broad range of adjustable volume fractions of the Mg2Si phase in the composite material results whereby enabling the properties of the composite material to be individually modified. The inventive metal matrix composite material is particularly suited for producing thermally stressed parts of motor vehicles such as pistons or the like.
US08282745B2
An Fe-based soft magnetic alloy includes: Fe; and a component R, wherein the component R contains at least one of P, C, B, and Si, there is a temperature difference of equal to or greater than 20° C. between a precipitation temperature of an α-Fe crystal phase and a precipitation temperature of an Fe compound, the Fe-based soft magnetic alloy is formed of a mixed-phase structure in which an amorphous phase and the α-Fe crystal phase are mixed, and a diameter of a crystallite of the α-Fe crystal phase is equal to or smaller than 50 nm, and a volume fraction of the α-Fe crystal phase to the total is equal to or lower than 40%. In addition, the composition formula is represented by Fe100−x−uJxRu, a component J contains at least one of Cr, Co, Ni, and Nb, and 0 at %≦x≦6 at %, 17 at %≦u≦25 at %, and 17 at %≦x+u≦27.1 at % are satisfied.
US08282743B2
Alkaline cleaning compositions that are useful to remove burnt-on and/or baked-on soil deposits and grease are described. The alkaline cleaning compositions comprise a buffering system of a strong base and an organic acid such that the pH is maintained in the range of about 10 to about 11.2. Also described are methods of removing burnt-on or baked on soil deposits or grease.
US08282737B2
A CVD device has a reaction furnace (39) for processing a wafer (1); a seal cap (20) for sealing the reaction furnace (39) hermetically; an isolation flange (42) opposite to the seal cap (20); a small chamber (43) formed by the seal cap (20), the isolation flange (42), and the wall surface in the reaction furnace (39); a feed pipe (19b) for supplying a first gas to the small chamber (43); an outflow passage (42a) provided in the small chamber (43) for allowing the first gas to flow into the reaction furnace (39); and a feed pipe (19a) provided downstream from the outflow passage (42a) for supplying a second gas into the reaction furnace (39). Byproducts such as NH4Cl are prevented from adhering to low temperature sections such as the furnace opening and therefore the semiconductor device production yield is therefore increased.
US08282736B2
A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
US08282730B2
The invention consists in the use, in a process of manufacture of GCC and PCC co-ground in water, of a co-grinding agent characterised in that: a) it is constituted by a least one homopolymer and/or at least one copolymer of acrylic acid, which is partially neutralised, of which the rate of molar neutralisation is less than 75% of the total acid functions, b) and in that it is introduced: during the stage of preparation of the aqueous suspensions of GCC and PCC, and/or during stage 2) of co-grinding, and possibly during the stage of co-grinding and another stage of concentration, and possibly during this other stage of concentration. The invention also lies in the resulting aqueous suspensions of GCC and PCC, in the dry pigments of GCC and PCC obtained, and in the use of these products in paper, paint, rubber and plastic.
US08282720B2
A cyan ink for inkjet recording comprising at least one of a phthalocyanine compound represented by Formula (1) and a phthalocyanine compound represented by Formula (2), Z being represented by Formula (3):
US08282719B2
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent and water. The coloring agent includes a dye represented by the following general formula (1). In the ink, an amount of glycerin is set so as to satisfy the following condition (A). 3.5X−5≦Y1≦3.5X (A) X: an amount of a dye represented by general formula (1) relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %) Y1: an amount of glycerin relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)
US08282712B2
A filtration medium is disclosed for use in air filters used in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems. The medium contains at least one nanofiber layer of fibers having diameters less than 1 μm and at least one upstream layer, the medium having sufficient holding capacity for dust particles that efficiency loss and pressure loss across the medium are minimized during use.
US08282711B2
The present invention relates to a subsea installation for treatment of hydrocarbons from a subsea well, having a pipe system comprising a first manifold (2) connected to at least one well (1) and at least two first pipe segments (3) with an inlet connected to the manifold (2) and where the first pipe segments (3) comprise at least two outlets, where the first manifold (2) and the first pipe segments (3) are arranged in a first plane and where one of the outlets from the first pipe segments leads to a second manifold (7). According to the invention a second of the outlets from the first pipe segments (3) leads to at least two second pipe segments (9) arranged in a second plane and where at least one of the outlets forms an inlet to the second pipe segments (9), where the second pipe segments (9) comprise at least one outlet leading to a third manifold (12).
US08282707B2
The present invention relates to an integrated membrane/absorbent/adsorbent process and system for removal of mercury and sulfur compounds from natural gas on a ship that houses natural gas purification equipment. First mercury and most of the sulfur compounds are removed by an adsorbent bed and then the natural gas stream passes through a membrane unit to produce a partially purified natural gas residue stream to be dried and then liquefied and a carbon dioxide permeate stream that can be used as a fuel gas.
US08282703B2
A method for recovering at least one rare earth element from a phosphor is presented. The method includes a halogenation step (a) and a reduction step (b). The phosphor is first halogenated in a molten salt to convert at least one rare earth constituent contained therein to a soluble rare earth halide. Then, the rare earth halide in the molten salt can be reduced, to convert the rare earth halide to a rare earth element in its elemental state. A method for individually recovering multiple rare earth elements from a phosphor is also presented.
US08282701B2
A small diameter, elongated steel article, comprising fully consolidated, prealloyed metal powder is disclosed. The consolidated metal powder has a microstructure that has a substantially uniform distribution of fine grains having a grain size of not larger than about 9 when determined in accordance with ASTM Standard Specification E 112. The microstructure of the consolidated metal powder is further characterized by having a plurality of substantially spheroidal carbides uniformly distributed throughout the consolidated metal powder that are not greater than about 6 microns in major dimension and a plurality of sulfides uniformly distributed throughout the consolidated metal powder wherein the sulfides are not greater than about 2 microns in major dimension. A process for making the elongated steel article is also disclosed.
US08282695B2
An air conditioner has a dust catch filter interposed between an inlet and a heat exchanger, a cleaning unit 5 for removing dust caught by the filter, and filter driver 18 for reciprocally driving the filter with respect to the cleaning unit 5. The cleaning unit 5 has a dust box 21 having a cleaning brush for removing dust caught on the surface of the filter and a filter hold plate that is attached to the dust box 21 and that holds a rear surface of the filter. The air conditioner is provided with cleaning brush driver 20 that draws the cleaning brush from the dust box 21 and brings the cleaning brush into contact with the filter during cleaning of the filter and that separates the cleaning brush from the filter and puts the cleaning brush in the dust box 21 when the filter is not cleaned.
US08282694B2
A pretreatment process of a biomass feedstock for gasification for the production of syngas. The biomass feed, which is preferably a cellulosic feed, is subjected to a two stage torrefaction that comminutes the biomass and increases its energy density.
US08282688B2
Novel laccase mediators, including carboxyamido and cyano derivatives of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol that exhibit improved hydrolytic stability and good bleaching performance. The novel laccase enzymes may be employed in conjunction with the 2,6-dimethoxyphenol derivatives of this invention to provide an improved method for bleaching denim fabrics.
US08282683B2
The present invention relates to an expandable implant for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.
US08282678B2
A cylindrical lining for insertion into a body lumen having a fluctuating caliber, such as a pulsating artery, peristaltic organ, or a lumen adjacent to a sphincter. The lining has a radial resistance less than a radial force applied to it by the lumen as the caliber of the lumen fluctuates so as to allow the lining to continuously conform to the shape of the lumen.
US08282668B2
A vessel filter comprising a mounting section having first and second ends and a first and second filtering section. The filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. In the expanded position a first end of the first filtering section converges to form a first converging region and a second end of the second filtering section converges to form a second converging region. The first converging region is positioned radially and axially inwardly of the first end of the mounting section and the second converging region is positioned radially and axially inwardly of the second end of the mounting section.
US08282655B2
A surgical clip applying apparatus includes a movable member biased in the housing adjacent the wedge plate. An actuator longitudinally advances the wedge plate a predetermined distance to a distal most position. The wedge plate has an end being disposed between first and second jaw portions at the distal most position. The wedge plate end is configured to maintain the jaw assembly in the spaced apart position during loading of the surgical clip and reduce torque and external forces on the jaw assembly during the loading. The movable member holds the wedge plate in the distal most position during the loading and the movable member is deflected at a conclusion of the loading, releases the wedge plate upon deflection, and allows a longitudinal proximal retraction of the wedge plate from the distal most position.
US08282653B2
A light-weight, compact, highly dexterous surgical robot system for performing in vivo minimally invasive surgeries that allows precise control of position and orientation of surgical tools. The surgical robot system has three rotational degrees of freedom and one translational degree of freedom and is composed of seven links joined by three gear pairs and six turning pairs. The surgical robot system maintains an open space where a surgical tool element enters the patient to avoid self-collisions within the robot system during surgeries.
US08282652B2
Force-controlled autodistraction for lengthening a bone is disclosed. A distractor is coupled to first and second fixators that are coupled to first and second portions of the bone, respectively, on opposite sides of an osteotomy of the bone. A motor produces a motion of the first fixator relative to the second fixator such that the first portion of the bone is distracted from the second portion of the bone. A force sensor measures a resistant force to the motion, and a distractor displacement sensor measures a distractor displacement. A controller is operably coupled to the force sensor, the distractor displacement sensor, and the motor. The controller is configured to determine a variable limb stiffness using the resistant force, the distractor displacement, and a known distractor stiffness of the distractor, and to adjust a gain of the motor such that the variable limb stiffness matches a desired limb stiffness.
US08282642B2
A drill guide apparatus for aligning a cervical drill bit and a target site in a vertebral body prior to drilling a hole in the vertebral body is disclosed. The apparatus includes a handle assembly, an extension member extending from the handle assembly, a mounting plate disposed on the distal end of the extension member, a guide member proximally extending from the mounting plate and a rotation mechanism operably connecting the handle assembly and the extension member. The rotation mechanism is configured to selectively position the handle assembly relative to the mounting plate. The guide member may include a single or double barrel configuration. The guide member is selectively positionable relative to the mounting plate. The mounting plate may include a protrusion for selectively engaging a second plate.
US08282639B2
A surgical device for holding and rotating an acetabular reaming head is provided, comprising a shaft having a length which runs from a first end adapted for holding an acetabular reaming head to a second end. At least part of the shaft is divergent from the axis defined by the first and second ends of the shaft, for example the shaft may include a C-shaped divergent portion. A head held by the device can therefore access the acetabular in its true anatomical position while avoiding encroachment of the shaft on surrounding body parts.
US08282627B2
Methods and apparatus for translating a continuous-delivery delivery profile into a plurality of periodic bolus deliveries.
US08282623B2
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating obesity. A tube is positioned that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects.
US08282619B2
A garment-like absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis that defines a waist opening and first and second leg openings. A longitudinal length of the chassis is optimized in a linear relationship with the waist circumference of the chassis, the circumference measured at 500 grams tension. With respect to the linear relationship, the thickness of the garment is substantially constant along the same line defined by the length and the circumference, and decreases as the y-intercept increases.
US08282616B2
A pant-type absorbent article including a chassis structure including a front panel having a front end edge and first and second side edges, a back panel having a back end edge and first and second side edges and a crotch panel arranged between the front and back panels at least one of said front and back panels including an elastic nonwoven/film laminate, and a core being integrated with the chassis structure, the first and second side edges of the front panel being joined by side seams to the corresponding first and second side edges of the back panel. Each side seam is formed at least in part in a weldable connecting member, the connecting member including a first part being secured to a side edge on the front panel and a second part being secured to a corresponding side edge on the back panel, said first and second parts of said connecting member being joined by thermowelding to form said side seam.
US08282615B2
An absorbent article includes a front region (2), a back region (3) and a crotch region (4) there between. The article further includes substantially longitudinally extending inner (12) and outer (13) leak barriers alongside each side of the absorbent core (9). The inner and outer leak barriers are spaced from each other in the transverse direction (x) of the article. The inner leak barriers (12) extend at least along the part of the crotch region (4) having the narrowest width (w1) in the transverse direction (x), and along a length (b) of at least 5 cm, and the outer leak barriers (13) extend along at least a part of the front region (2) and/or back region (3) of the article, while at least a part of the crotch region (4) along which said inner leak barriers (12) extend is free from raised outer leak barriers (13).
US08282609B2
This invention relates to an accessory for attaching to a needle to prevent needle stick injuries. The safety needle accessory is suitable for use with a hollow needle and comprises a needle hub surrounding the needle and a slidable sleeve slidably mounted on the needle hub. The slidable sleeve bears resiliently on the needle hub such that, in use, as the slidable sleeve is caused to move into a retracted position. A restoring force is generated within the slidable sleeve and on removal of the needle from the patient the restoring force causes the slidable sleeve to move into an extended position covering the needle tip. The safety needle locks in this position after removal of the needle from the patient.
US08282602B2
An infusion pump for administering controlled doses of a fluid comprises: a receptacle (2) for storing the fluid (6), the receptacle having an outlet (8) for dispensing the fluid; a plunger (12); a propulsion mechanism (14) which urges the plunger (12) in a direction to pressurise the fluid (6) and dispense it through the outlet (8); and a retaining member (16) which acts on the plunger (12) to control or prevent travel of the plunger (12); characterised in that the retaining member (16) is operably connected to a stepper motor (24) via a worm (22) and worm-wheel (18) drive.
US08282591B2
An apparatus for positioning a graft and catheter operable for subcutaneous access to the vascular system of a patient. A surgically created, hybrid arteriovenous shunt is provided which comprises a flexible graft and a venous outflow catheter connected to the graft via surgical anastomosis over a cuff. The graft is connected to an arterial source and then to a single lumen venous outflow catheter which deposits dialyzed blood directly into the heart at the right atrium. Methods of surgical placement and performing hemodialysis using embodiments of the apparatus are provided.
US08282590B2
In various embodiments, provided are braces for use in supporting the metatarsophalangeal joint, reducing or maintaining the intermetatarsal angle, enhancing or maintaining alignment of the hallux, or combinations thereof in a subject having hallux valgus.
US08282583B2
A massage device includes a housing, a driving unit and two massage units driven by the driving unit. Each massage unit includes a planetary gear disc assembled with a universal joint, an inner gear engaged with the planetary gear disc, and a massage disc assembly disposed on a top of the inner gear and driven by the universal joint. The driving unit drives the planet gear disc to rotate and the universal joint drives the massage disc assembly to rotate, thereby providing kneading massage. The inner gear has an incline top surface. When the planet gear disc drives the inner gear to rotate, the incline top surface makes the massage balls on the massage disc assembly to move up and down, thereby providing patting massage. Thus, the massage device can produce kneading and patting massage actions.
US08282581B2
The present invention relates to an ultrasound treatment clamp. The ultrasound treatment clamp comprises ultrasound therapy applicators and handles connected to the ultrasound therapy applicators. The handles are clamp-shaped. The two ultrasound therapy applicators with their central axes overlapping each other are mounted face to face on the two clamps of the clamp-shaped handles respectively. A parallel moving mechanism for keeping the two ultrasound therapy applicators in parallel when moving along with clamps is connected between the two clamps. The present invention has a compact structure, a convenient operation, a low treatment cost, a capability of quickly causing a coagulative necrosis of the diseased part. Furthermore, the present invention has an abroad use in treating many kinds of diseases.
US08282578B2
Integrated lancing and analyte measurement systems are provided which minimize the number of actions required to operate the systems, accomplished in part by combining two or more user steps into one.
US08282577B2
A method and apparatus (2) for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment includes an apparatus (2) which integrates lancing (12), sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device (2).
US08282573B2
The invention is directed to a system and device for separating and collecting a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient. The device includes a probe component with an elongated tubular section, a penetrating distal tip and a tissue receiving aperture in the distal end of the tubular section proximal to the distal tip, and a tissue cutting member which is slidably disposed within the probe member to cut a tissue specimen drawn into the interior of the device through the aperture by applying a vacuum to the inner lumen of the tissue cutting member. The device also has a driver component to which the probe component is releasably secured. The driver has a drive member for adjusting the orientation of the tubular section and thus the aperture therein and one or more drive members for moving the tissue cutting member within the tubular section to sever a tissue specimen from tissue extending into the interior of the tubular section through the aperture. The motion imparted to the tissue cutter is at least longitudinal and preferably is also oscillation and/or rotational to effectively separate a tissue specimen from tissue extending through the aperture in the tubular section.
US08282571B2
The present invention provides a device for skin testing. The device includes a handle assembly connected to a cylinder assembly having two mutually parallel and spaced apart cylinder housings. Each cylinder housing connects to at least one testing head assembly that includes a plurality of pins having a plurality of tips positionable against the skin. Each head assembly has a collar and cooperating tip structured to pivot the testing head on two axes only and still apply even pressure to the pins. Each testing head readily inserts into the collar for usage and ejects promptly from the handle using a trigger mechanism. The cylinder housing construction minimizes accumulation of detritus therein.
US08282567B2
A method and system for determining pulse rate of a patient are disclosed. The method and system include acquiring measured information for at least one pulse at a pressure step, determining and storing quality values for the at least one pulse at the pressure step, analyzing pulse matching criteria for the pressure step, and determining pulse rate based on the measured information, quality values, and pulse matching criteria.
US08282563B2
ProblemsTo provide a cardiac disease treatment system for accurately diagnosing the functional cause of an abnormality of a cardiac disease by analyzing the hemodynamic state of a patient, automatically performing medication in accordance with the diagnosis result, and treating the cardiac disease.Means for solving problemsThe cardiac disease treatment system is characterized by comprising input means (2) for inputting the cardiac output value of the patient, the left atrial pressure value and/or the right atrial pressure value, first calculating means (31) for calculating the pumping ability value of the left heart or the right heart from the inputted cardiac output and the left or right atrial pressure value, first comparing means (41) for comparing the pumping ability value of the left heart or the right heart with a target pumping ability value, and first medicating means (51) for medicating the patient in accordance with the result of the comparison by the first comparing means (41).
US08282562B2
Techniques are provided for use by a pacemaker or other implantable medical device for detecting and tracking trends in cardiopulmonary fluid transfer rates—such as heart-to-lung fluid perfusion rates and lung-to-lymphatic system fluid excretion rates—and for detecting heart failure, dyspnea or other cardiopulmonary conditions. In one example, the device periodically measures transthoracic admittance values. A first exponential time-constant (k1) is determined using curve-fitting from admittance values obtained while the patient is in a sleep posture. Time-constant k1 is representative of the fluid perfusion rate. A second exponential time-constant (k2) is determined based on admittance values obtained while the patient is standing/walking/sitting. The second exponential time-constant (k2) is representative of the fluid excretion rate from the lungs. The device then detects trends, if any, in the time-constants (or in “DC” baseline values) to detect or predict medical conditions such as an imminent heart failure exacerbation.
US08282556B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus realizes reception focusing processing of performing high-accuracy phase-matching and addition on complex baseband signals by using more continuous amounts of delay than those in conventional reception focusing processing. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit for generating a complex baseband signal based on a reception signal outputted from each of ultrasonic transducers; a first computing unit for obtaining an amplitude value and a phase value of the complex baseband signal; a phase correcting unit for correcting the phase value; a second computing unit for obtaining a real number component or an imaginary number component of the complex baseband signal based on the amplitude value and the corrected phase value; and an adding unit for adding real number components or imaginary number components of complex baseband signals obtained with respect to the ultrasonic transducers to generate a phase-matched and added signal.
US08282554B2
A method and system for ultrasound treatment of sweat glands are provided. An exemplary method and system for targeted treatment of sweat glands can be configured in various manners, such as through use of therapy only, therapy and monitoring, imaging and therapy, or therapy, imaging, and monitoring, and/or through use of focused, unfocused, or defocused ultrasound through control of various spatial and temporal parameters. As a result, ablative energy can be deposited at the particular depth at which the aberrant sweat gland population is located below the skin surface.
US08282551B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a speckle analysis can be made in a simple manner and an analysis result can be promptly displayed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitting and receiving unit for converting reception signals into digital signals; a signal processing unit for generating envelope data based on the digital signals; an image data generating unit for generating image data based on the envelope data; a speckle analysis unit for generating speckle analysis result data based on the envelope data; a display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image and a corresponding speckle analysis result; and a ROI setting unit for setting a ROI in the ultrasonic image; wherein the speckle analysis unit includes a memory for storing the envelope data, and a computation part for generating the speckle analysis result data based on the envelope data corresponding to the set ROI.
US08282549B2
A second numerical value 246 is shown, which is representative of a variation of the measured analyte value 242. The second numerical value is preferably determined from a variation analysis based on statistical, clinical, or physiological parameters, such as described in more detail elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, the second numerical value 246 is determined based on clinical risk (for example, weighted for the greatest possible clinical risk to a patient). In another embodiment, the second numerical representation 246 is an estimated analyte value extrapolated to compensate for a time lag, such as described in more detail elsewhere herein. In some alternative embodiments, the receiver displays a range of numerical analyte values that best represents the host's estimated analyte value (for example, +/−10%). In some embodiments, the range is weighted based on clinical risk to the patient. In some embodiments, the range is representative of a confidence in the estimated analyte value and/or a variation of those values. In some embodiments, the range is adjustable.
US08282548B2
Novel ergonomically designed hand held surgical tissue Z-shaped retractors. The retractors include retractor plates which are angulated and deviated from the main axis along the handle of the retractor. The retractors may be applicable for general, cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, cardio, vascular, obstetrics/gynecology applications, and veterinary practices.
US08282540B2
Methods for using a centrifuge are presented. A vessel containing a sample and a separator substance is placed within a centrifuge. Upon sufficient centrifugation, the sample separates into two or more fractions separated by the separator substance. The centrifuge exposes the separator substance to a sufficient energy to polymerize the separator substance to produce a hardened barrier between the fractions.
US08282535B2
A treadmill roller structure comprises a motor, a gear set and a case. The motor is an out-runner motor. The power output section of the motor rotates about stationary spindle. The rotary power output section is engaged to the gear set, while the gear set is in turn engaged to the case, thus allowing the case to rotate relatively to the spindle of the motor as well. The roller structure does not require a driving belt to transfer power from the motor to the roller, thus reduces the power loss due to frictional force during power transfer through belt driving, which enhances the performance of the motor and offers a space-saving feature. In addition, the instant disclosure also provides a treadmill.
US08282531B2
An engine rotational speed control apparatus is provide to prevent a degradation of fuel efficiency caused by an unnecessary increase of the rotational speed of an engine when a depression amount of an accelerator pedal is briefly increased and then immediately decreased. In particular, when the vehicle is accelerated, an optimum fuel efficiency operating point along an optimum fuel efficiency curve is not moved immediately to another optimum fuel efficiency operating point corresponding to a new target drive force. Instead, the target drive force is reached by increasing the engine load while increasing the engine rotational speed as little as possible, and thus using an operating point that does not lie on the optimum fuel efficiency curve.
US08282530B2
When the driver makes a request for switching the shift range to the P range despite that the vehicle has not yet stopped completely, the wheel cylinder pressure is maintained at a brake hold pressure Ph for a while, rather than switching the shift range to the P range immediately. At this time, more specifically, the wheel cylinder pressure is maintained at the brake hold pressure Ph for a brake hold duration Δt within which the vehicle is estimated to stop, and when the brake hold duration Δt has passed, the shift range is switched to the P range. After the lock mechanism is actuated to establish the P range, the wheel cylinder pressure is gradually reduced from the brake hold pressure Ph at a given pressure reducing gradient.
US08282525B2
An arrangement for controlling a variator in a continuously variable transmission such as a vehicle transmission is described. The arrangement comprises a user operable ratio control part such as a lever and a device for operatively coupling the ratio control part to a movable torque transfer part of the variator such as its rollers. The coupling device is, in the particular embodiment described, a hydro-mechanical arrangement. By moving the user operable ratio control part, the user exercises control over the variator ratio. In accordance with the invention the arrangement further comprises a torque release device such as a valve which is operable by the user to decouple the ratio control part from the movable torque transfer part. By doing so, the torque release device offers functionality which is in some ways analogous to that of a clutch in a conventional stepped ratio vehicle transmission.
US08282518B2
An apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of elongated strands having joinder regions uniting adjacent strands at a distance along a length of an outer perimeter of the elongated strands, the elongate strands being configured to couple together for a distance along their lengths. The elongated strands form a surface of a mesh when the joinder regions are coupled. The apparatus may further include a manducable protrusion coupled to the mesh and extending a distance away from an exterior surface of the mesh.
US08282515B2
A construct for a hockey blade that includes a foam core. The foam core includes a first core face, a second core face, and a core edge. A first layer of resin preimpregnated tape is wrapped continuously around the first core face, the core edge and the second core face. A thread is stitched along the first layer of preimpregnated tape. A second layer of resin preimpregnated tape wrapped continuously around the first layer of resin preimpregnated tape.
US08282512B1
A lacrosse head including a spine element that is at least partially embedded or encapsulated in a base and sidewalls of the lacrosse head. The spine element can terminate short of a scoop of the lacrosse head. Where the lacrosse sidewalls are of an open frame construction and include a non-string hole, the spine element can define a spine element hole that is aligned with the non-string hole. The spine element can also include a transverse element that spans from an upper rail to a lower rail of the sidewalls adjacent a cross member of the sidewalls. The base and sidewalls can include viewing apertures through which some of the spine element can be viewed, while other parts of the spine element remain concealed. The spine element can be constructed from one plastic, while the remainder of the head can be constructed from a different plastic.
US08282505B2
Embodiments of grooves of golf club heads and methods to manufacture grooves of golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08282496B2
An amusement apparatus has a platform with a slot that follows a continuous course including both clockwise and counterclockwise turns, a plurality of cars each supported by respective wheels that ride on the platform, an elongate flexible drive member that translates along a path corresponding to the slot, a plurality of couplers corresponding to the plurality of cars, each respective coupler including a member which couples a corresponding car to the drive member with the couplers allowing the corresponding cars to move away from the slot in opposite directions in response to whipping forces resulting from translational movement of the drive member in clockwise and counterclockwise turns of the path, and springs for the cars that act on the cars to move the cars toward the slot in order to counteract the movement of the car away from the slot as caused by the whipping forces.
US08282494B2
A damper device includes damper portions arranged in series with each other in a power transmission path and absorbing torsion by means of elastic force, hysteresis portions arranged in parallel with the damper portions at the power transmission path and absorbing the torsion by means of friction force, an input plate inputting rotational torque into one of the damper portion closest to the input side and the hysteresis portion closest to the input side, an intermediate plate transmitting the rotational torque from the damper portion, arranged at the input side, and the hysteresis portion, arranged at the input side, to the damper portions, arranged at the output side, and the hysteresis portions, arranged at the output side, and an output plate outputting the rotational torque from the damper portion closest to the output side and the hysteresis portion closest to the output side.
US08282490B2
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.
US08282488B2
The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.
US08282486B2
An electric game apparatus (‘the first apparatus’) for use by a player in a live combat simulation, the apparatus including a firearm-like device, transmission means configured to transmit first and second signals, and a target receiver, the first signal being transmitted towards a target receiver of a like apparatus of another game player (‘second apparatus’) in response to firing said device when aimed at the target receiver of the second apparatus, the second signal being transmitted in response to the target receiver of the first apparatus being hit by a said first signal from a second apparatus to indicate the hit to that other player.
US08282484B2
A game program recognizes a graphic drawn by a player with an input device such as a touch pen (30). An icon corresponding to the graphic is matched and displayed on a display section (20). With such a configuration, the player is able to create a desired icon at a desired position. Thus, the content of the game program may be customized freely and varies widely. Accordingly, the player is able to enjoy a drawing operation with a touch pen. At the same time, it is possible to enhance the flexibility of the development of the game story.
US08282481B2
Disclosed herein is a system and method for virtual martial arts training using a network. The system includes a user terminal, a network server, a data management unit, and a network administrator terminal. The user terminal exchanges user information with a network server, selects a training discipline and grade or an examination discipline and grade, and transmits a difference value and a correction value together with a user motion image. The network server includes user information management means, training information management means, examination information management means, examination and determination management means, image information management means, and communication means. The data management means includes a user information database (DB), a training information DB, an examination information DB, an examination and determination DB, and an image information DB, and inputs and outputs the information. The network administrator terminal accesses the network server to exchange network administrator information, and manages the system.
US08282476B2
A method and system are provided. The method includes providing a multimedia data stream including a first channel having video content representing a first list of video games and corresponding channel identifiers and a second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list. The second channel is associated with a first channel identifier corresponding to the first video game. The system includes one or more storage devices to store video game data, a list generation module to generate video content representing a first list of video games and corresponding channel identifiers and a multimedia stream generator. The multimedia stream generator generates a multimedia data stream including at least a first channel having data representative of the video content representing the first list of video games and a second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list.
US08282468B2
A system and method for providing a terminal with account funding is described. In one exemplary aspect of the invention, a system is provided having an interface whereby a player can interact with the gaming system. The interface allows the player to request a transfer of funds from the player's bank account to a wagering account. The system prompts the player to provide for reading the player's bank card such as by swiping the card. The system receives the player's entry of a personal identification code and sends information concerning the player's request for a transfer to a bank. The system then reports the bank's response to the player's request and, if allowed, credits that player's wagering account with the requested transfer of funds.
US08282465B2
A method and arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first wireless transceiver. A portable data unit includes a second wireless transceiver. In response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, a wireless transmission link is established between the first and second wireless transceivers. The wireless transmission link may, for example, be a radio (RF) link or an infrared (IR) link. Information is transmitted between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link for such purposes as cashless gaming, player tracking, game customization, and data transfer.
US08282462B2
A gaming machine executes a unit game in which it is determined whether or not an outcome of the unit game is worth awarding a payout. The gaming machine includes a lower LCD for displaying images relating to the unit games, a counter for accumulating a count-value with successive unit games and resetting the count-value when a predefined reset condition is met, and a controller. The controller provides a predefined payout to a player when the outcome of the unit game turns out to be a specific outcome. The controller also receives a wager for an insurance pay. Furthermore, the controller executes transition into a second game when the count-value reaches a predefined value in the unit game with a wager for the insurance pay, and provides the rescue pay according to an outcome of the second game.
US08282460B2
A method of presenting and playing a game provides the opportunity for enhanced awards. In one embodiment, if a winning game outcome is a predetermined winning outcome, an enhanced paytable or award is activated. The enhanced paytable or award offers the player a chance for enhanced winnings in one or more subsequent games. The enhanced award may be activated when a particular winning outcome is received in a game and may then be won by repeating that winning outcome in one or more subsequent games. The award might also be won by designating the outcome before a game and then receiving that outcome during the play of the game. The enhanced award or paytable may remain in effect for a period of time or for a certain number of games, and may be triggered, be selected by a player or be selected by a casino.
US08282459B2
The invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real or virtual players. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from a computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed.
US08282458B2
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for executing asynchronous game play by a plurality of players in one or more game instances.
US08282454B2
Example systems and methods relate to a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a scrolling-type game world displayed on a display screen. A first predetermined input supplied by one of the players to the respective input device protects the one player's game character from harm in the game world and the protected game character moves based on the scrolling/non-scrolling state of the game world in accordance with the movement of one or more unprotected characters. The protecting of the one player's game character is stopped in response to one or more protecting stopping conditions, whereby the game character is again controllable by the one player in response to inputs to the respective input device.
US08282439B2
A doll includes a body which is formed by two body cases and two flexible members are clamped by the two body cases. A flexible neck is connected to the top of the body and a head is connected to the flexible neck. Two arms are respectively connected to two arm ends of the two flexible members and each arm is composed of two arm cases. Two hands are pivotably connected to the two arms. The doll can be assembled quickly and firmly without using any nail. The arms, legs and head can be moved naturally to increase the value of the doll.
US08282438B2
A playset system for toy vehicles, preferably wheeled toy vehicles, the playset system having multiple levels including a base level, having one or more and preferably two or more base segments that are interconnectable; and a roadway level having one or more and preferably two or more segments that are interconnectable, wherein the roadway level is located on an upper surface of the base level. In a preferred embodiment, the playset system is specifically designed and scaled to accommodate die cast vehicles, preferably 1:64 scale die cast vehicles that are known in the art. The playset in preferred embodiments utilizes magnetic fields to operatively connect the components of the base level to components of the roadway level.
US08282432B2
A terminal and electrical contact for a pair of leads of an electrical component is provided, the terminal having a pair of terminals each comprising a planar member comprising a conductive material that surrounds an opening in the planar member; and wherein one of the pair of leads is welded to one of the pair of terminals such that the lead traverses the opening and is welded to the terminal at a portion of the terminal adjacent to the opening and the other one of the pair of leads is welded to the other one of the pair of terminals such that the lead traverses the opening and is welded to the terminal at a portion of the other one of the pair of terminals adjacent to the opening, wherein the opening and the planar member are configured such that a high resistance zone is created at the portion of the terminal adjacent to the opening.
US08282427B2
The stable temporarily locked state of a housing and a rear holder is kept. When the rear holder is positioned at its temporarily locked position, the front claw of the locking part for temporary locking of the rear holder slips under the locking piece for temporary locking of the housing, and holds the locking piece in cooperation with the rear claw. The temporarily locked state cannot be easily lost.
US08282424B2
A telecommunications jack 1 is described that comprises a housing 2 defining a port for receiving a plug; contacts 7 for making an electrical connection with wires of a cable; interface contacts 4 for making an electrical connection with contacts of the plug; and a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) 5 for electrically connecting the contacts 7 and the interface contacts 4. The multilayer PCB comprises a free-floating ground plane structure formed from two outer layers of the multilayer PCB and a plurality of internal layers 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E having a plurality of electronic devices 16, 17 disposed thereon. The two outer layers 15 of the multilayer PCB include a continuous coating 19 of electrically conductive material covering at least those parts of the PCB that include the electronic devices and wherein the two outer layers of the PCB are electrically connected with each other and are electrically isolated from the internal layers of the PCB.
US08282418B2
A connector includes a plurality of contact modules each including a contact member and a contact module body covering the contact member, and a plurality of shield members each including a shield body part corresponding to the contact module body of the contact module. The contact modules and the shield members are alternately arranged and accommodated close to each other in a housing. The shield body part of each shield member includes a first hook part configured to be engaged with a rear end of the contact module body in order to prevent the shield body part from turning up from the contact module body.
US08282416B2
A reinforcing plate fixed to a connector main body is arranged on a bottom surface of the connector main body to come into surface contact with a surface of a substrate while a plurality of holes is provided on a surface, which contacts the substrate, of the reinforcing plate. When the reinforcing plate is soldered to the substrate, therefore, a solder wraps around not only a peripheral edge of the reinforcing plate but also an edge of each of the holes so that a soldering portion between the reinforcing plate and the substrate can be sufficiently ensured.
US08282412B1
A flat cable includes a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel, an insulating member covering the plurality of conductors, a first reinforcing member on a surface of an end portion of the insulating member, and a second reinforcing member on an opposite side of the first reinforcing member across the conductor and the insulating member. The first reinforcing member includes a reinforcing metal plate including an end portion bent toward the second reinforcing member, a covering member covering at least a portion of a periphery of the reinforcing metal plate, and an adhesive interposed between the reinforcing metal plate and the covering member and between the covering member and the insulating member to bond the reinforcing metal plate to the covering member and the covering member to the insulating member. The second reinforcing member has a rigidity greater than that of the covering member of the first reinforcing member.
US08282404B1
A card connector includes a main housing having a base portion, a pair of side walls and a bottom wall connecting with the base portion and side walls thereby defining a receiving cavity. Multiple groups of contact sets comprise at least one grounding contact. The contact sets have contacting portions projecting into the receiving cavity. A metallic shell covers a top side of the main housing and defines an insertion opening together with the main housing. A pair of guiders are floatably assembled on opposite sides of the insertion opening for guiding different sized cards. A grounding plate which is attached to a bottom side of the main housing, comprises a pair of flexible tangs respectively pressing against a bottom side of the guiders. The grounding plate further comprises a grounding section electrically contacting with the at least one grounding contact so as to establish a grounding path.
US08282397B2
A method and system are disclosed for computerized training, monitoring, certification or re-certification of human raters in clinical trials. The invention provides an interactive computerized interview that can be compared scores obtained by human raters to monitor and train clinical raters on a continuing basis in order to reduce rater drift and variance during clinical trials. Remediation can be automatically flagged or provided to improve a deviating rater's performance. Computerized assessment of symptom severity is provided without the need for human clinical raters. The system and method enable screening of prospective patients for inclusion or exclusion from a clinical trial by automatically obtaining computerized ratings of symptom severity.
US08282395B2
An abutment clip for use in a dental implant system for orienting an abutment relative to features on a patient's teeth and jawbone so that a prosthesis, which is attachable to the abutment, will be correctly oriented. The abutment clip comprises a housing that includes a chamber sized to receive the abutment therein. The housing has at least one position indicator provided at one end thereof. The dentist engages the abutment clip over the abutment when it is still attached to a manufacturer's plaster model. He notes the position of the indicator on the housing in reference to features on the model and then detaches the abutment clip, abutment and abutment screw as a unit from the model. The combined abutment clip, abutment and screw are then positioned on an implant post in the patient's jaw bone and the position indicator is used to verify the orientation of the abutment before it is secured to the implant post.
US08282391B2
The object is to provide a burner capable of taking in sufficient primary air even though the size thereof is compact, and capable of being used as an all-primary air burner. A burner includes a mixing pipe to which a fuel gas and combustion air are supplied, a burner main body having a mixing chamber at a top end on a downstream side of the mixing pipe, and a burner head which is provided at an upper part of the burner main body while communicating with the mixing chamber and has first and second burner ports for ejecting mixed gas of the fuel gas and air for combustion mixed in the mixing chamber. The burner further includes an extension pipe in the burner main body protruding inside the mixing chamber being formed by extending the mixing pipe.
US08282389B2
A modular flare stack used for the combustion of combustible fluids comprises: a gas feed pipe, at least two burner elements, and an automated control system for applying a fixed stoichiometric combustion to an air/gas venturi mixing system based on a feedback loop from the flue gas temperature. Mixing ratios are obtained either using a fan for gas flows at a lower pressure (less than 0.5 barg) or a venturi for gas flows at a higher pressure (more than 1 barg). The control system also determines the number of operational burner elements and which of the burner elements are to be operational. The flare stack provides premixed surface burners for waste gas streams, thus guaranteeing extremely low emissions and high destruction efficiency by complete combustion with a high turndown ratio.
US08282379B2
A dough sheet for producing thin, baked chips is obtained continuously by compressing a dough sheet to a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.035 inch between counter-rotating gauge rolls while maintaining the surface of each gauge roll at a temperature of about 85° F. to about 95° F. Maintaining the gauge roll surface temperature at about 85° F. to about 95° F. avoids sticking, tearing, and shredding of the thin dough sheet as it is compressed and transferred by the gauge rolls, even at high production rates or line speeds. A rotary cutter is employed to obtain thin, irregularly shaped, scallop-edged snacks in a variety of shapes from a single dough sheet without producing dough scraps between the pieces.
US08282374B2
Disclosed is an evacuation system for use with plastic extrusion dies, in particular a contaminant evacuation system for removal of air borne contaminants generated at the die orifice of a plastics extrusion apparatus. The system includes an annular evacuation chamber and a suction source connected to the evacuation chamber for generating a vacuum in the evacuation chamber. The evacuation chamber has a radially inwardly directed annular air intake opening for placement about the die orifice, and a baffle structure in the evacuation chamber for equalizing suction pressure along the air intake opening and reduce or avoid localized pressure differences around the extruded product, which would lead to deformation of the product.
US08282371B2
A screw pump includes a casing including a main accommodating bore and plural sub accommodating bores, a main rotor adapted to be rotatably accommodated in the main accommodating bore, and plural sub rotors adapted to be respectively rotatably accommodated in the sub accommodating bores. Each sub rotor is adapted to engage the main rotor. A cross sectional shape of a flank surface of the main rotor, which is taken in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the main rotor, is formed along an epitrochoid traced by an edge of the sub rotor not to include an undercut shape. Further, a cross sectional shape of a flank surface of each sub rotor, which is taken in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the sub rotor, is formed along an epitrochoid traced by an edge of the main rotor not to include an undercut shape.
US08282369B2
A variable displacement pump including a rotor, a plurality of vanes, a swingable cam ring, a suction port and a discharge port, wherein a dynamic radius of the vane which extends from a center of the rotor to a leading edge of the vane is gradually decreased in a closed section that is defined between a terminal end of the suction port and an initial end of the discharge port, along with rotation of the rotor, and a port timing defined as a position of the terminal end of the suction port or a position of the initial end of the discharge port with respect to a rotational position of the vane varies along with a swing motion of the cam ring.
US08282367B2
A centrifugal pump with an existing pump housing made of plastic material that can be processed through injection molding, the pump housing having a first housing section featuring a suction nozzle and a pressure nozzle, a second housing section supporting an electronically commutated DC motor and a split case, a motor housing section that closes a dry chamber separated from a wet chamber by the split case in which a stator and electronic components are arranged, and a permanent magnet rotor that is mounted in the wet chamber in such a way that it can rotate, thereby driving a pump impeller that reaches into the pump chamber. The electronic components are arranged on an electronic circuit board parallel to a base of the split case. The electronic circuit board is in heat conducting contact with the base.
US08282365B2
A pump is disclosed which has a housing with a upper end and a lower end. A conduit is defined through the housing between the upper and the lower ends. The pump includes an impeller within the housing, an inlet from the conduit to the impeller and an outlet from the impeller. Portions of the impeller may be distributed around the conduit. The pump may also include a motor coupled to the impeller. Portions of motor may also be distributed around the conduit. The outlet from the impeller may be independent of the conduit.
US08282355B2
A turbomachine rotor wheel having composite material blades is disclosed. The wheel includes a slideway disk having a circumferential groove at its outer periphery, the groove having an opening that is narrower than its bottom, with a plurality of composite material blades each having a blade root engaged in the groove of the slideway disk and presenting a longitudinal section adapted to the longitudinal section of the slideway disk in order to be held radially therein by co-operating shapes, and an orientation disk fastened coaxially around the slideway disk and including, in its outer periphery, a plurality of axial slots each of which is open at one end. Each slot presents a cross-section that is adapted to the cross-section of a corresponding blade root so as to hold it angularly by co-operating shapes.
US08282352B2
A helical multi-piece auger that is rotatable by a moving fluid for the generation of energy is provided. The helical multi-piece auger may include several interior pieces and two tapered end-pieces mounted on a central shaft. The pieces may include an outer spiral flange perpendicular, in both directions, to a portion of helical auger. Each tapered end-piece may be tapered with respect to both the outer diameter of a helical auger portion, and the width of an outer spiral flange. Each tapered end-piece may have an outer edge that effectively merges with the central shaft of the multi-piece auger over a radial arc of between 90 and 180 degrees. The helical multi-piece auger may include wing-shaped nose cones that are axially offset with respect to each other and house hydraulic components. The helical multi-piece auger may be rotatable by the moving fluid to facilitate generation of energy.
US08282351B2
A gearbox for a wind turbine, comprising a first planetary gear set; and a second planetary gear set having the same transmission ratio as the first planetary gear set; and, a load splitter to split the torque between the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set, wherein the load splitter is adapted to provide slip for absorbing deviations in the rotational position between the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set; and, wherein the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set are coupled in a split load arrangement for transmitting torque from a rotor shaft to a high speed shaft.
US08282349B2
A steam turbine rotor is provided. The rotor includes at least one bearing section coupled axially to a steampath section including at least one end, the at least one end further including a flange and a bore, the flange and the bore configured to be coupled to the at least bearing section.
US08282341B2
With highly loaded rotors and stators problems can occur with secondary flows sweeping low momentum fluid across the blades reducing efficiency. By provision of collector slots to collect the secondary air and direct that air to a return slot in a rotor hub it is possible to provide impetus to the collected secondary flow to an outlet slot such that there is dispersal of the secondary flow and therefore reduce the effects upon the overall performance of a gas turbine engine incorporating the arrangement.
US08282339B2
Turbine systems and apparatuses and methods for operating a turbine. The turbine has a shaft coupled to a generator and a segment and the segment has an asymmetric shaped wall.
US08282328B2
The present invention includes various embodiments directed to apparatus and methods surrounding a fastener device. In particular embodiments, the fastener device is a quick charging and discharging device that includes a solenoid, a fastener striker, a flash capacitor, and a control circuit. Other novel features of the fastener device exist. In particular embodiments, the present invention also includes apparatus and methods related to deforming staples for securing conduit and the like, and staple insulation and insulated staples that may be discharged by the fastener device. The insulation may be provided in an ordinary staple strip for use in the fastener device. Each insulation form may include deformation voids to assist the adaptation of the insulation about a target object that is being secured by the insulated staple.
US08282327B2
An anti-theft fastening device for fastening an SBW motor externally mounted to a transmission case that includes a bolt having a head portion and a threaded portion integrally formed with the head portion, a bottomed tubular bolt cover having an opening end, and a cap member closing the opening end of the bolt cover. The bolt cover has a through bore to allow the threaded portion of the bolt to pass through, a bottom portion abutting a bottom surface of the head portion of the bolt, and a grip portion projecting from an outer circumference of the bottom portion and surrounding a periphery of the head portion of the bolt. When the threaded portion of the bolt is screwed into a threaded groove of the transmission case, the bottom portion of the bolt cover is interposed between the bottom surface of the head portion and each fastening portion of a bracket portion.
US08282313B2
A motor-powered concrete finisher, having a motor and a rotatable circular disc powered by the motor are attached at the end of a counter-balanced extension pole. A handle may be provided at or near the balance point of the extension pole. The motor may be disposed on the rear end of the extension pole, to assist in counterbalancing the weight of the circular disc, hub, front end of the extension pole and other weight on the front end of the extension pole. An angled gear drive on the front end of the extension pole, driven by a shaft extending through the extension pole, has an attachment hub at its end for attachment of the circular disc. The motor may be an internal combustion engine. The concrete finisher may be a weed trimmer having the weed trimmer attachment replaced by a rotatable circular disc.
US08282310B2
The paver installation system includes a grid having a plurality of mounting holes for selective installation of spacers, a flexible edging and a screed guide rail. The screed guide rail may be selectively installed on the grid via mounting pegs mounted in select mounting holes for screeding an intermediate layer of aggregate material between the grid and the pavers to be laid thereon. The flexible edging is attached to the grid in order to set the edges of the pavement to be laid, and the flexibility thereof easily accommodates curved edges by bending to conform to the curves. The spacers are laid onto user selected mounting holes in the grid in order to serve as guides for laying pavers in a desired pavement pattern and to maintain spacing between adjacent pavers.
US08282306B2
A joint (1) between two vehicle components (2, 3) joined to each other with a hinge, such as of an articulated vehicle, comprising an articulated joint (10), wherein the articulated joint (10) comprises two joint segments (11, 12) that are rotatably connected to each other by a tensioning device (20) acting as a vertical axis, the one, first joint segment (11) having a U-shaped, jaw-like opening (13) for seizing the other, second joint segment (12) in the region of the vertical axis, sliding devices (16) being provided between the joint segments (11, 12) and acting in at least the axial direction, the tensioning device (2) operable to generate pretension on the joint segments (11, 12), the one joint segment (11) having two joint segment elements (11a, 11b) that are each separately fastened with screws to the frame (40) of the vehicle frame (3).
US08282302B2
A pen includes a shank that has a reservoir and an applicator tip for an application fluid that includes a solvent that is volatile at room temperature. The pen also includes a closure cap that is fitted onto the shank. The closure cap has a cavity that accommodates the applicator tip. The closure cap includes a storage chamber for accommodating a sacrificial liquid that is volatile at room temperature. The closure cap also has a connecting channel that communicates with the storage chamber and the cavity.
US08282297B2
A writing instrument having a housing accommodating various sizes and lengths of cartridges fixed inside the housing by an adjustable control element. In its correct placement, the cartridge will abut against one end of the control element and will be held in place with a spring at the other end, such that the user may write steadily with the pen.
US08282295B2
A label sheet positioning device is provided for a barcode printer, including a pressure regulation seat having two pressure adjusting knobs and at least one universal adjusting knob mounted to a top thereof. The pressure adjusting knobs serve to adjust pressure for positioning in the upward-downward direction of a label sheet of the barcode printer. The universal adjusting knob functions to realize fine adjustment of pressure for positioning in a universal adjustable manner that the pressure regulation seat applies to the label sheet. At least one universal adjusting mechanism is coupled to bottom of the pressure regulation seat for effecting adjustment of inclination direction by the universal adjustment realized by the universal adjusting knob. At least one printing head holder is coupled to a front portion of the universal adjusting mechanism and has a bottom coupled to a printing head, whereby the printing head holder is subjected to adjustment of pressure in upward-onward direction by the pressure adjusting knobs of the pressure regulation seat and is also subjected to fine adjustment of inclination direction by the adjustment that the universal adjusting knob applies to the universal adjusting mechanism to effect universal fine adjustment for the printing head holder and the printing head in order to ensure tight engagement of the printing head with respect to the label sheet of the barcode printer. Thus, a label sheet positioning device featuring universal fine adjustment of inclination direction is provided.
US08282291B2
A method of aligning a non-circular fiber with another component is provided. A method of aligning a first D-fiber with a second D-fiber includes rotating the first D-fiber; obtaining a first image profile of an end of the first D-fiber; using the first image profile to measure a diameter of a cladding of the first D-fiber along a first direction; and repeating these operations until a minimum diameter of the cladding of the first D-fiber is aligned along the first direction. The method also includes rotating the second D-fiber; obtaining a second image profile of an end of the second D-fiber; using the second image profile to measure a diameter of a cladding of the second D-fiber along the first direction; and repeating these operations until a minimum diameter of the cladding of the second D-fiber is aligned along the first direction.
US08282285B2
A bearing support provides a circumferentially-extending structure to substantially transmit a radial bearing load to a housing when a radial deflection/deformation of the circumferentially-extending structure caused by the radial bearing load, is within a predetermined limit. The bearing support provides a direct support link bypassing the circumferentially-extending structure to transmit an over-limit portion of the radial bearing load to the housing when the radial deflection/deformation of the circumferentially-extending structure reaches the predetermined limit.
US08282284B2
A micro drive assembly may comprise a substrate, a micro shall oriented in-plane with the substrate and at least one micro bearing to support rotation of the micro shaft. The micro shaft and micro bearing may be in or less than the micrometer domain.
US08282273B2
A temperature monitoring technique for collecting radiation intensity (blackbody emission) across a broad wavelength range. A solid state spectrometer (26) acquires spectra from a sample (10) in real time and resolves the spectra to a radiation intensity (I) versus wavelength (λ) curve. This curve is fitted to Planck's equation using a non-linear least squares fitting analysis. The system can be configured to self-calibrate and then lock in an amplitude value (A) which is used in subsequent temperature measurements by fitting to the blackbody emission curve. Preferably, the spectrometer (26) is flat field corrected (36) in an initial step to counteract variations in the spectrometer response with wavelength.
US08282270B2
According to this process for manufacturing a ceramic element intended to be fitted onto a watch case, the visible surface of which has features, a soluble layer (2) is selectively deposited on said visible surface, the thickness of said soluble layer being at least equal to the height of said features, a first tie layer (3) of the Ti, Ta, Cr or Th type is vacuum-deposited by magnetron sputtering with a thickness of at least 100 nm by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on said surface thus selectively coated, followed, without venting atmosphere, by PVD deposition of said second layer (4) made of Au, Pt, Ag, Ni, Pd, TiN, CrN, ZrN or alloys thereof with a thickness of at least 100 nm, and then said soluble layer (2) is dissolved.
US08282266B2
A method for introducing inhibitor into a fluid to be treated by forming a dispersion comprising droplets, particles, or gas bubbles of the inhibitor dispersed in a continuous phase of a carrier, wherein the droplets, particles, or gas bubbles have a mean diameter of less than 5 μm, and wherein either the carrier is the fluid to be treated or the method further comprises introducing the dispersion into the fluid to be treated. A system for inhibiting an undesirable component, the system comprising at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap, wherein the high shear mixing device is capable of producing a tip speed of the rotor of greater than 22.9 m/s, and a pump for delivering a mixture of a carrier and an inhibitor to the high shear mixing device.
US08282265B2
The apparatus comprises a first fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing first fluid and a second fluid line for conducting an intermittently flowing second fluid, the two fluid lines being connected at a junction to a third fluid line, which forwards the two, particularly mixed, fluids. Further, the apparatus comprises a first flow adjuster, inserted in the first fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the first fluid, and a second flow adjuster, inserted in the second fluid line for setting a volumetric or mass flow rate of the second fluid, as well as apparatus for generating a first control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the first flow adjuster, and a second control signal, representing an instantaneous setting value for the second flow adjuster. To produce the fluid mixture, the first fluid and the second fluid are made to flow into the third fluid line alternately. The invention is particularly suited for mixing fluids having different viscosities.
US08282262B2
A light source receiver 31 is disposed adjacent to an incident end face 11 of a light guiding plate 1 using the light source holder 31 for receiving the LED unit 4 and a light source holder 3 formed in an L-shape in a cross section having a standing plate 34 at one end of the light source holder 31, the standing plate 34 is disposed outside of a reflective plate 2 laminated on the light guiding plate 1, and a bolt 81 via a long hole 35 of the standing plate 34 is screwed into an insert-nut 8 of the light guiding plate 1 via a clearance hole 21 of the reflective plate 2, thereby the standing plate 34 follows the heat expansion or contraction of the light guiding plate 1 except the reflective plate 2. A relative position between the incident end face 11 of the light guiding plate 1 and the light source receiver 31 of the light source holder 3 is always constant, and the LED unit 4 is prevented from being damaged.
US08282258B2
A backlight module includes a frame, a reflective sheet, a light guide plate, a light source, and an optical film set. The frame defines an accommodation space, and the reflective sheet is disposed in the accommodation space. The light guide plate is disposed in the accommodation space and on one surface of the reflective sheet. The optical film set is disposed one side of the light guide plate opposite the reflective sheet. The reflective sheet is hollowed out at a position overlapping the light source to form at least one opening so as to reduce light halos.
US08282248B1
A direct and indirect luminaire has a stem, a generally dome shaped upper optical element, and a generally dome shaped lower optical element. The upper optical element is situated about a lamp axis and has a top that surrounds the stem and a reflective exterior surface that surrounds the stem and diverges away from the top toward a base of the upper optical element. The lower optical element is situated about the lamp axis and has a top with an uplight opening therethrough and a reflective interior surface that diverges away from the upper optical element toward a base of the lower optical element that has a downlight opening therethrough.
US08282242B1
A light emitting diode (LED) assembly. Implementations of an LED light assembly may include a base having a circuit including a one or more LEDs, a thermally conductive polymer support coupled to the circuit, and a non-thermally conductive polymer member coupled to the thermally conductive polymer support. A non-thermally conductive polymer lens cover may be coupled to the non-thermally conductive polymer member. The non-thermally conductive polymer lens cover may be configured to enclose the circuit of the base when coupled to the non-thermally conductive polymer member.
US08282241B2
An exemplary general lighting fixture includes an assembly forming an optical integrating volume for receiving and optically integrating light from one or more solid state light emitters and for emitting integrated light. The assembly includes a reflector having a diffusely reflective interior surface defining a substantial portion of a perimeter of the integrating volume. A light transmissive solid fills at least a substantial portion of the optical integrating volume. A light emitter interface region of the solid, for each solid state light emitter, closely conforms to the light emitting region of the respective emitter. A surface of the transmissive solid conforms closely to and is in proximity with the interior surface of the reflector. The transmissive solid also provides a light emission surface, at least a portion of which forms a transmissive optical passage for emission of integrated light, from the volume, in a direction facilitating a general lighting application.
US08282236B2
A light fixture including a turbine generator having one or more vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) for generating energy and a plate located above and/or below each turbine for focusing and converging the wind inwardly. The plate is aerodynamically-designed to converge the wind onto the turbine and provide a strong wind current. The turbine generator is incorporated into a light fixture to provide self-sustaining light energy. Solar panels may be provided in conjunction with the turbine generator to provide an additional source of energy and a controller is included to manage the flow of electricity and ensure that the light fixture is powered during periods of darkness.
US08282233B2
A compact flashlight that allows a user to view documents in a dark situation without having to hold a flashlight. The pocket light fits easily over the top of the pocket and can be covered by a conventional pocket flap. The light is an LED display device that produces a significant amount of light so a user can check identification or documentation, as in a license check, or registration verification for police. The pocket light has a push button power switch that can be activated by the user through the fabric of their shirt.
US08282225B2
A system and method to polarize a reflective layer on a vehicle mirror to reveal a convex mirror to view objects in a vehicle blindspot includes a primary mirror having first and second surfaces, an electrically polarizable reflective coating on at least a portion of the first surface reflective in a depolarized state and clear when polarized by an applied electric current, a blind zone viewing convex mirror adjacent to the second surface and proximal to the polarizable coating of the first surface; and a blind spot detection system electrically connected to the primary mirror and a power source to automatically apply current to the first surface when an object is detected in a blind spot and change the reflectivity polarizable coating on the first surface and expose the concave mirror and discontinuing current to the reflective coating once an object has passed out of the blind spot.
US08282217B2
A projector includes: at least one light emitting device having a light emitting element adapted to emit a first outgoing light and a second outgoing light proceeding in a direction different from a direction of the first outgoing light; a first light modulation device adapted to modulate the first outgoing light in accordance with image information; a second light modulation device adapted to modulate the second outgoing light in accordance with image information; and a projection device adapted to project the light modulated by the first light modulation device and the light modulated by the second light modulation device, wherein the light emitting element is a super luminescent diode provided with a stacked structure having an active layer sandwiched between a first cladding layer and a second cladding layer, and the active layer has a first emission surface adapted to emit the first outgoing light and a second emission surface adapted to emit the second outgoing light.
US08282211B2
The present invention provides a method and device to image the fundus of the eye using polarized light which includes circular polarization. The invention is most broadly comprised of a device to generate polarization states of light, including circularly polarized light (i.e. potentially combinations of elliptically polarized light and depolarized light combined, elliptically polarized light alone, or circularly polarized light with depolarized light or circularly polarized light alone). This light can be used with any fundus imaging device including but not limited to fundus cameras, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, optical coherence tomography instruments, with or without some form of wavefront correction. This is a change from common fundus imaging systems which use randomly polarized light or linearly polarized light. The simplest implementation of this is a quarter wave plate (or equivalent retarder) combined with a linear polarizer located after the light source and before the eye. The QWP can be rotated to produce differing circular and elliptical polarizations of light which are ideal for imaging differing structures at the rear of the eye for different people.
US08282207B2
A printing unit includes a support structure having a body portion with a tray positioned at one end of the body portion and a power and data connector positioned at an opposite end of the body portion; a media supply cartridge located between the connector and the tray, the media supply cartridge storing a stack of print media; a feed arrangement including a primary feed roller on an in-feed side of the tray for feeding a sheet of print media from the stack of print media towards the tray, and a secondary feed roller on an out-feed side of the tray for feeding the sheet of print media out of the tray; and a print head assembly mounted on the tray, the print head assembly for printing on the sheet of print media fed by the feed arrangement.
US08282203B2
One method of ink formulation may include providing a shipping material in a reservoir of a printing mechanism, placing a concentrated ink in communication with the reservoir, and mixing the shipping material and the concentrated ink together to create a print-ready ink.
US08282199B2
The present invention relates to a refillable, recyclable ink cartridge having a rigid outer casing. The outer casing has a side wall section and first and second end caps. At least one ink compartment is defined between the side wall section and one or more interior walls. A plunger located in an end of each ink compartment remote from the ink outlet. The plunger is pushed through the ink towards the ink outlet by air pressure or other suitable biasing means.
US08282197B2
An inkjet printing method including, in order, the steps of: a) providing at least two or more color inkjet inks of the same color and color density but having a different composition to an inkjet printer; b) mixing the two or more color inkjet inks in a controlled amount; and c) printing the mixture of the two or more color inkjet inks with the inkjet printer onto an ink-receiver. An inkjet printer and an inkjet ink set include two or more color inkjet inks of the same color and color density but having a different composition.
US08282190B2
A printhead assembly includes an elongate carrier. A plurality of printhead modules is serially positioned on the carrier. Each printhead module includes an ink supply arrangement mounted on the carrier and a printhead chip mounted on the ink supply arrangement to be fed with ink from the ink supply arrangement. A plurality of capping devices is mounted on the carrier. Each capping device is displaceable with respect to the carrier between an operative position in which the capping device caps the printhead chip and an inoperative position in which the printhead chip is uncapped.
US08282189B2
The present invention provides an ink jet printing apparatus having a plurality of caps connected to a common negative-pressure supply source, in which an optimum amount of ink can be sucked and discharged from a plurality of print heads corresponding to the respective caps in spite of a variation in channel resistance among the caps. A plurality of individual suction paths connect a common suction pump to each of the plurality of caps. An introduction condition for a negative pressure to be introduced into each of the caps is set according to the channel resistance of the corresponding individual suction path.
US08282181B2
Provided is a method of controlling a CMOS-implemented control circuit for operating a micro-electromechanical inkjet nozzle arrangement of a printer. The circuit includes a plurality of sequential shift registers, a transfer register, a firing control gate and a drive transistor. The method includes the steps of transferring data from the shift register to the transfer register, latching the data in said transfer register, activating the firing control gate to arrange a heater element of the nozzle arrangement in electrical communication with a current source to facilitate ink ejection via thermal cavitation of ink in the nozzle.
US08282179B2
An image recording apparatus is provided with the following a conveying section including a platen which conveys a recording medium, an image recording section which performs image recording with respect to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying section, and a moving mechanism which moves at least one of the image recording section and the conveying section and enables a movement between a recording position in which the image recording is performed and a non-recording position in which the image recording is not performed, and a positioning section which permits the space between the image recording section and the conveying section to have a predetermined value at the recording position. The point of application of a force with which at least one of the image recording section and the conveying section is moved by the moving mechanism is substantially coincident with the positioning section.
US08282169B2
A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided.
US08282164B2
A vehicle seat assembly has a seat bottom that is adapted for attachment to a vehicle. The seat bottom has a foam layer and an expanded polymer layer that defines a first cavity. The first cavity is configured to receive an electrical component.
US08282155B2
A motor vehicle front end and a method for producing a motor vehicle front end are provided in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The motor vehicle front end has a front wall and the front wall girder, the front wall girder essentially being situated in the direction of a vehicle transverse axis. In addition, the motor vehicle front end has a first front wall girder, the first front wall girder being situated essentially in the direction of a vehicle vertical axis. The first front wall girder is supported on the front wall crossbeam in a first area of the front wall crossbeam.
US08282152B2
A collapsible roof assembly for a vehicle includes a collapsible roof and a sealing mechanism. The roof has a top rail with a frame element running along a longitudinal side of the roof. The sealing mechanism has a seal configured to receive and seal a window pane inserted therein, wherein the seal runs along the longitudinal side of the roof and is attached to the frame element. The seal has a similar cross-section between front, middle, and rear sections of the roof. The seal is attached to the frame element in a form-fit manner in the front section of the roof and is attached to the frame element in a force-fitted manner in the middle section of the roof.
US08282141B2
A latch assembly for a vehicle seat is provided which includes a base plate, a latch coupled to the base plate to rotate between locking position and open position, and a pawl and a pawl plate being coaxial on the base plate and coupled to overlap and interact therebetween, wherein the latch includes a locking surface, the pawl plate includes a pressing surface pressing the locking surface when the latch is at the locking position and a first supporting surface supporting the locking surface when the latch receives impact, and the pawl includes a second supporting surface supporting the locking surface together with the pawl plate when the latch receives the impact. Thus, the latch assembly has an improved configuration enabling a convenient handling and smoothly operating although there is a coupling condition error, and stably maintaining a coupling state in spite of external impact.
US08282131B2
The present invention concerns a ski pole. More specifically, the invention is directed to an aerodynamically favorable ski pole, which is designed to allow glue less or adhesive less directionally controllable fixation of replaceable means for limiting the sinking of the ski pole into ground surfaces.
US08282130B2
Mobile work machine having a chassis that is designed as a tractor-trailer, a multi-axle tractor unit and a multi-axle semi-trailer that carries the work machine and is connected with the tractor unit by means of a fifth-wheel coupling, having a support construction that is disposed in the region of the semi-trailer and can be supported on a surface, raising the tractor-trailer, which construction has two front support booms disposed at bearing locations on the tractor unit end of the semi-trailer, symmetrical to the longitudinal chassis axis, which can be pivoted between a transport position and at least one support position, by means of a hydraulically driven activation mechanism, in each instance, and two rear support booms that can be pivoted between a transport position and at least one support position, whereby the semi-trailer has means for raising and holding the tractor unit in place.
US08282124B2
A side airbag for use in a vehicle includes a main chamber extending along a ceiling of the vehicle and configured to restrain a head of a vehicle occupant when the airbag is deployed. The main chamber includes an inboard panel and an outboard panel that are joined together. The airbag also includes a forward chamber extending from the main chamber and configured to restrain at least a portion of the vehicle occupant when the airbag is deployed. The forward chamber at least partially overlaps at least one of the inboard and outboard panels of the main chamber when the airbag is stowed.
US08282122B2
An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle is disclosed having an airbag 110 that is inflated by an inflator when the airbag 110 is deployed in accordance with a control signal from an electronic controller. The airbag 110 has a main chamber 114 and at least one subsidiary chamber 116 fluidly connected to the main chamber 114 by a transfer vent 117. The main and subsidiary chambers 114 and 116 are vented to atmosphere by respective vents 115, 118 and the pressure in the subsidiary chamber 116 is arranged to be equal to or lower than the pressure in the main chamber 114. The subsidiary chamber 116 is produced in a simple manner by forming a depression in the main chamber 114 using a tether 124 and covering the depression so formed with a cover 125.
US08282121B2
A foldable cart for transporting golf clubs includes a main frame, a joint unit, a handle frame, two supporting frames, a club holder, a front wheel, two rear wheels, an auxiliary frame unit and a linking rod. The joint unit has four joints, each of which includes a first, second and third lock. When the first lock is released, the handle frame may be folded towards the main frame. When the third lock is released, the front wheel and fork may be turned over. When the second lock is released, one of the joints is moved upwards and pushes the linking rod and two supporting rods to make the front wheel, front fork, two auxiliary supports and two rear wheels folded towards the main frame.
US08282118B1
The tow bar assembly apparatus is offered in more than one embodiment. The most basic embodiment provides for coupling between two balls designed for receipt of a hitch socket. The second embodiment provides the same function, with the addition of another socket assembly on one end of the bar, whereby a height choice is provided. The third embodiment of the apparatus provides either or both of the above described bar assemblies with the addition of a dolly assembly.
US08282117B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a bicycle trailer hitch for use in securing a bicycle trailer to a bicycle. Unlike prior art trailer hitches the transfer of most of the load between a bicycle and an associated bicycle trailer during use does not pass through the bolt/fastener used to couple the bicycle attachment section to the trailer attachment section thereof. Rather, the majority of the load is transferred through a direct connection between the respective sections.
US08282109B1
An apparatus which is convertible from a portable cargo container to a wheeled vehicle. In particular, the present invention is a backpack or article of luggage that includes a deployable wheeled platform so that the backpack or luggage is convertible to a scooter type vehicle. The present invention is particularly useful for transporting relatively heavy loads along with a human operator, quickly and with minimal effort.
US08282108B2
A water leakage-proof apparatus aims to be firmly held between a shaft and a fixed surface to maintain water leakage-proof effect of the fixed surface and the surrounding of the shaft to prevent external water from flowing along the shaft into chinks around the shaft to form water leakage. The water leakage-proof apparatus includes a casing which has an orifice and an opening at one side. The water leakage-proof apparatus is coupled on the shaft through the orifice so that the opening covers the fixed surface. The water leakage-proof apparatus holds waterproof powder inside to achieve water leakage-proof effect.
US08282105B2
A mechanical packing system for use for a device allows one or more packing rings to be installed one at a time and die formed in place. A reversible, detachable flange having a key offset from the center is inserted into a key slot of the hub of the mechanical packing system which is also offset during this installation process. When the device is operated, the flange is detached from the hub rotated 180° and the key of the flange is then inserted into the key slot of the hub. A spacer with integral lantern ring and internal bore surface which reduces or prevents marring or galling. A stuffing box of sufficient length to eliminate the need for a spacer or unneeded packing rings.
US08282096B2
An automatic document feeder includes a transfer channel, a pick-up module and a thickness detecting module. The thickness detecting module includes a detecting member, a transmission member and an optical displacement sensing member. By the pick-up module, a sheet article is fed into the transfer channel. When the sheet article is transported across the detecting member, the sheet article is sustained against the detecting member, so that the detecting member is moved. The transmission member is connected to the detecting member. As the detecting member is moved, the transmission member generates a displacement amount. The optical displacement sensing member is used for detecting a displacement amount of the transmission member, thereby acquiring the thickness of the sheet article.
US08282093B2
A sheet feeder includes a sheet cassette insertable into a housing in a first direction, a remaining amount detecting member including a contact piece extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction and coming into contact with an uppermost sheet, and detecting a remaining amount of sheets according to a position of the contact piece, and a switching member switching the position of the contact piece between a contact position where the contact piece enters a storage space to come into contact with the uppermost sheet and a retracted position where the contact piece is retracted from the storage space. The position is switched to the contact position when the sheet cassette is inserted into the housing in the first direction and set to a feeding position while switched to the retracted position when the sheet cassette is separated from the feeding position and withdrawn from the housing.
US08282091B2
A spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer, a clamping unit disposed downstream from the sheet conveyer in a sheet conveyance direction, for squeezing a folded portion of a bundle of folded sheets, a contact member against which the folded portion of the bundle is pressed, disposed downstream from the clamping unit, and a controller to cause the bundle of folded sheets to bulge by stopping the sheet conveyer after the bundle of folded sheets is transported a predetermined conveyance distance from a contact position between the contact member and the folded portion of the bundle and to cause the clamping unit to squeeze a bulging portion of the bundle created between the sheet conveyer and the contact member with the folded portion pressed against the contact member. The predetermined distance is set in accordance with a predetermined sheet-related variable.
US08282078B2
A system, method and apparatus for guiding and installing cables in a building provides automatic and controlled release of cables that are temporarily retained by the cabling apparatuses to allow the once retained and now bundled cables to be permanently mounted in the building. The cabling apparatus has a frame supporting four elongated rollers so as to define a rectangular cable retention area bounded by the four elongated rollers. The cable retention area allows for the accumulation and retention of a number of cables fed through the cable retention area. A lower elongated roller of the four elongated rollers is pivotally connected to the frame such that pivoting of the lower elongated roller releases the accumulated cables. A remote controlled actuation system is connected to the pivoting lower elongated roller to provide automatic pivot control thereof. The system of a plurality of cabling apparatuses allows the stringing and temporary holding of one or more cables during a cabling installation and the simultaneous or individual release of the accumulated cables from the cabling apparatuses.
US08282077B1
A pole puller system comprising a base plate, a slide tube, and a slide. The system further comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic fluid pump, and a pair of hydraulic hoses. There is also provided a means for coupling a pole to be pulled to the slide.
US08282075B2
An adjustable carriage assembly is provided that includes a shaft assembly, a carriage section and a vertical movement section. The carriage section has a centerline and first and second lift pad assemblies operably connected to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is configured to translate rotational movement to synchronous movement of the lift pad assemblies. The vertical movement section is connected to the carriage section and is configured to attach to a lift system for raising and lowering the carriage section.
US08282073B2
A presettable gas valve is disclosed herein. The gas valve may have a maximum gas flow that can be adjusted to the particular requirements of the fireplace in which the gas valve is used. By way of example and not limitation, for real biomass/fuel burning fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a quarter turn of a handle. In contrast, for fake fireplaces, which require more gas flow compared to real fireplaces, the gas valve may be opened to its maximum level with a half turn of the handle. The maximum gas flow through the gas valve may be set during installation such that the user does not need to manually determine the appropriate amount of gas during use.
US08282072B2
The invention relates to a valve cartridge (1′) for a solenoid valve having a capsule (4′), having a valve insert (32) which is pushed into the capsule (4′) and having a plunger (33) which is guided in a movable fashion in an inner passage (32.1) of the valve insert (32), wherein at least one axially running volume-compensating groove (35) is arranged between the inner passage (32.1) of the valve insert (32) and a plunger casing (33.1). According to the invention, the plunger (33) is designed such that the plunger casing (33.1) has a simple geometric shape and the valve insert (32) is designed such that the at least one axially running volume-compensating groove (35) is formed into the valve insert (12, 22, 32) and is defined by the shape of the inner passage (32.1) of the valve insert (32).
US08282071B2
A device for activating an electropneumatic valve of a pressure medium-operated position controller, in which the valve is activated by a manipulated variable. To achieve a blocking fail-safe behavior in case of a failure of a pressure medium, the device includes means for detecting the current position of a booster stage downstream of the valve and assigning the manipulated variable based on the detected position, and means for measuring a first variable to be influenced by the position controller. The device includes an evaluation unit configured to determine an expected directional reaction of the first variable to the assigned manipulated variable, compare the expected reaction with the measured reaction, determine a pressure medium failure as a fault situation if the expected reaction does not coincide with the measured reaction, and assign, as a new manipulated variable for the valve, an emergency signal generating a blocking fail-safe behavior of the valve.
US08282069B2
A cinch valve includes an upper plate having a first aperture; an orbital plate rotatable relative to the upper plate and having a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture; an actuator coupled to the orbital plate arranged to rotate the orbital plate between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of cables each having a flexible portion and each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is coupled to the upper plate and each second end is coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure in approximately the center of the second aperture.
US08282067B2
A ceiling joist formwork system (1) comprises a ceiling table (2), a vertical support (6), an inner board (3), a ceiling joist base (4), and an outer board (5), the outer board (5) and the ceiling joist base (4) being interconnected, especially rigidly interconnected. The vertical support (6) is rigidly fixed to the ceiling table (2), and the ceiling joist base (4) is fixed to the vertical support. The system is characterized in that the ceiling joist base (4) and the outer board (5) are rotatably mounted about a first articulated point (GP1) on the vertical support (6), a guide (7) is rigidly fixed to the inner board (3) and the guide (7) and the inner board (3) are rotatably mounted about a second articulated point (GP2) on the ceiling joist base (4). The inner board (3) is guided by means of an edge (14a, 14b) in relation to the ceiling table (2) along a direction comprising at least one component vertical to the formwork upper plane of the inner board (3). The ceiling joist formwork system can be used to simplify the dismantling, especially of the inner board, and the risk of damage to the inner board is reduced.
US08282066B2
The present invention is a method for using a universal support consisting of one or more modules having a deformable enclosure (3) connected to a vacuum source (5) through an orifice. Said enclosure is of concave shape forming a chamber (6) provided with a flexible body (7). The method consists in the following series of steps: applying a vacuum to the chamber (6) so that the deformable enclosure (3) collapses; positioning the part which is to be supported; breaking the vacuum in the chamber (6); and applying a vacuum inside the deformable enclosure (3).
US08282064B2
A support mechanism comprises a support board, a bracket and a stopping mechanism. The support board comprises an end portion and a center portion, the support board end is configured to pivotably connect to a housing. The bracket comprises a first end and a second end, the first end is configured to pivotably connected to the support board center portion. The stopping mechanism is adapted for coupling the second end to the housing such that the bracket is selectively and stably stopping at a closed position and an open position or positions between the closed position and the open position.
US08282062B2
A tilting device is disclosed. The tilting device may include: an arm, on which a tilt-shaft is formed; a tilt-base coupled to the tilt-shaft in a manner that allows tilting; a pulley rotatably coupled to the tilt-base; a wire, which is wound around the pulley, and of which either end is coupled to either side of the arm on opposite sides of the tilt-shaft; and a driving unit, which drives the pulley. An embodiment of the invention enables tilting operations using a smaller driving device, and also allows manual operations.
US08282061B2
Clips for attaching sensors, cables, or other items to doors, such as retrofitted armored vehicle doors, are provided. In one example embodiment, a clip includes a strip portion, a first attachment arm extending from the strip portion, and a second attachment arm extending from the strip portion. A barb leg is disposed at an angle relative to the strip portion and includes a first leg end and a second leg end opposite the first leg end. The barb leg is connected at the first leg end to the second attachment arm, and the second leg end is disposed towards and spaced apart from the strip portion. A cable clamp extends from an end of the second attachment arm opposite the strip portion or an end of the strip portion opposite the first attachment arm.
US08282050B2
The invention comprises a hose support for supporting a hose extending from a CPAP or oxygen machine to a mask on a user. The hose support comprises a housing, a reel mounted within said housing and having a tape wound thereon, a tensioning mechanism operatively connected to said tape for maintaining a pre-determined tension in said tape, such that the tape extends when under a tension greater than said pre-determined tension and retracts when slack is provided, and a connector attached to a free end of said tape, said connector sized and dimensioned to be secured to a fixed position on the hose. The fixed position defining a tensioned segment of the hose, extending from said connector to the mask. The pre-determined tension is selected to support the tensioned segment of the hose away from the user, and wherein said tape extends and retracts in response to movement of the user, thereby maintaining the tensioned segment away from the user. Preferably, the pre-determined tensioned is adjustable such that the hose support is adaptable to different CPAP machines and mounting arrangements.
US08282048B2
A side-locking clamp that includes a lower band and an upper band is provided. The lower band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion disposed at a proximal end, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab disposed at a distal end. The upper band includes an arcuate body with a hinge portion, disposed at a proximal end, to engage the lower band hinge portion and form a hinge about which the upper band rotates from an open position to a closed position, and an extension with a mounting hole and a locking tab, disposed at a distal end, to slidingly engage the lower band locking tab and lock the clamp when the upper band is disposed in the closed position.
US08282045B2
The invention relates to a craft comprising an energy storage system of the RFCS (regenerative fuel cell system) type and a system for pressurizing the propellants used for propulsion. The craft also comprises a plurality of means (31 to 38) for coupling the tanks of the fuel cell to the propellant-pressurizing tanks of the propulsion system of the craft when the tanks of the propellant-pressurizing system are no longer used.The invention also relates to the method of coupling the tanks of the propellant-pressurizing means to the energy storage system.The invention applies particularly to telecommunication satellites and more generally to spacecraft.
US08282041B2
A fastening element includes, but is not limited to at least one first body, at least one second body, and at least one locking device. The first body and the second body in each case on one end include, but are not limited to a pressing element for pressing an insulation package against an object. The first body and the second body movably engage each other so that the pressing elements are located at opposite ends of the fastening element. The at least one relative position of the first body to the second body may be fixed by means of the locking device. In this way effective fastening of insulation packages to objects in an aircraft cabin may be ensured without all the insulation packages having to comprise openings for accommodating fastening pins.
US08282033B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing web-like paper towels. The apparatus contains a dispensing accommodation for a towel paper roll, a further accommodation for the roll (1) when partly consumed, a dispensing drum (7), means (3, 4, 5) for leading the paper towel web (6) on the periphery surface of the dispensing drum (7) to a dispensing aperture (8), means (3, 4) for guiding the leading end of the towel paper web (11) from a supplementary roll (10) to a ready-to-use position for the change mechanism and a mechanism for amending the paper towel web to run from a supplemental roll when the previous roll is consumed. The change mechanism comprises a falling flap (12) supported by the web (6) coming from the partly consumed roll (1), a slide (13) impeded against a pushing force by the flap (12) and a press (14) impeded against a pushing force (A) by the slide. The press (14) guides the leading end of the web of the supplementary roll (10) to the dispensing drum (7) when the support of the towel web from the consumed roll (1) for the flap (12) ceases.
US08282025B2
In an ejector, a refrigerant passage of a nozzle for decompressing and expanding refrigerant includes a throat portion in which a refrigerant passage sectional area is most reduced, a first taper portion arranged downstream of the throat portion to gradually enlarge the refrigerant passage sectional area, a second taper portion arranged downstream of the first taper portion to gradually enlarge the refrigerant passage sectional area, and an end taper portion arranged in a range from an outlet side of the second taper portion to a refrigerant jet port to gradually enlarge the refrigerant passage sectional area. Furthermore, a second expanding angle at the outlet side of the second taper portion is larger than the first expanding angle at the outlet side of the first taper portion, and an end expanding angle at the outlet side of the end taper portion is smaller than the second expanding angle.
US08282021B2
An apparatus for application of a liquid or liquid-solid solution to soil includes an articulating tractor, a frame, a pivot point, a boom and a drag hose. The articulating tractor has a front portion and a rear portion connected to an articulation point. The rear portion has a rear wheel axle. The frame is adapted to mount on the rear portion of the articulating tractor. The frame has a front frame end located between the rear wheel axle and the articulation point. The pivot point is on the front frame end and positioned about 12 inches or more from the rear wheel axle. The boom pivotally attaches to the pivot point. The drag hose has a distal end in fluid communication with a source of liquid or solid-liquid solution and a proximal end coupled to the boom.
US08282007B1
A laminated card is provided with manual input interfaces. Such manual input interfaces may provide tactile feedback to a user. Laminated cards may be provided as payment cards, identification cards, medical cards, or any other type of card.
US08282006B2
The invention relates to an imaging device of the type having an imaging assembly including a two dimensional image sensor. In one embodiment an imaging device can be used to obtain an area image representation. In one embodiment, the image representation can be processed. The processing of the image representation can include recognition of an indicia represented in the image representation. In one embodiment an image imaging device can output image data to a first external processing system responsively to reorganization of first indicia and can output image data to a second external processing system responsively to recognition of second indicia.
US08282000B2
Systems and methods are provided for selectively controlling the illumination, and particularly dark field illumination, applied to a symbol to be decoded, and for determining a suitable or optimized level of lighting for decoding the symbol. A method includes providing a light source comprising a plurality of individually-controllable lighting elements for providing low angle dark field illumination; activating an image sensor for detecting image data reflected from an encoded data symbol when the encoded data symbol is illuminated by the light source; and providing a controller connected to each of the individually-controllable lighting elements, the controller being programmed for: selectively activating the individually-controllable lighting elements to vary the direction of the low angle dark field illumination provided by the light source; and processing the image data detected by the image.
US08281996B2
An apparatus for storing and informing health care professionals of patient's radiation exposures may comprise a radiation dosage history card, being a pre-printed card with a magnetic stripe. The card, having originating medical provider information preprinted thereon, may comprise one or more removably attached placards. A first removable placard may comprise a visual listing of a currently administered radiation dose and dosage date. A second removable placard may comprise a listing of: a year-to-date total radiation dosage, and a total tracked radiation dosage; while a third removable placard may comprise a list of each previous radiation dosage, treatment type, treating medical center, and date of said previous radiation dosage to comprise the total tracked radiation dosage. The placard data may be coordinated to match the data encoded upon the magnetic stripe. Data may be electronically mailed between present and previous medical providers to maintain an up-to-date universal exposure record.
US08281994B1
An interface system for providing product identifier data to a legacy system for a unit tracking system comprises a reader for reading unit tracking information for items. The unit tracking information uniquely identifies each of the items. In one example, this unit tracking information is an RFID serial number. Then, a translator looks up universal product numbers associated with the items with which the unit tracking number is associated. The translator passes the universal product number to the legacy system.
US08281980B2
The invention relates to a cup package made of a fiber-based material, such as polymer-coated packaging board, comprising a cup (1) containing a packaged product (2) and a lid (6) closing the mouth of the cup. In accordance with the invention, the cup (1) has a collar (5) bent downwardly from the mouth of the cup and diverging from the cup skirt (3), and the lid (6) has a rim (8) oriented accordingly downwardly from the collar, the lid being fixed in position by heat-sealing between said collar and rim parts. For opening the package, the lid (6) can be equipped with a tear strip (11) surrounding its rim (8). In addition, the lid (6) may be nested with the cup (1), so that compression and friction between their opposite surfaces retain the lid in position in the reclosed package.
US08281977B2
A method of welding includes a first primary welding step of carrying out a friction stir welding on the abutting portion of metal members from a first surface of a metal member. In a second primary welding step, the abutting portion is friction stir welded from the reverse face side of the member, while penetrating a stirring pin of rotation tool in a plasticized region formed in the first primary welding step.
US08281976B2
A method for forming a multi-component composite metallic tube, in particular, a bi-component metallic tube, comprises the steps of forming a coextrudable, multi-component billet including an inner component formed from a first metallic material, and an outer component formed from a second metallic material. Notably, explosive bonding is employed for bonding the first and second components to form a metallurgical bond at the interface thereof, thus forming the desired multi-component billet. The multi-component billet is subsequently heated, and coextruded to form a multi-component tubular structure, having a metallurgical bond at an interface between inner and outer layers of the composite metallic tube.
US08281971B2
A labor-saving stapler of the present invention includes a base, a press arm, a transmission arm, a connection arm, a magazine, a staple pusher, a moving mechanism, a buckling mechanism and a switching mechanism. The magazine is slidably disposed between the connection arm and the base. The moving means moves the magazine outwardly when the switching mechanism is activated. As such, the magazine can be opened by operating the switching mechanism. When the switching mechanism includes a button or the same, users can open the magazine easily with only one hand.
US08281969B2
Trailer racks, and more particularly to straddle-type trailer racks for closed trailers, which racks include a load platform supported by legs mounted directly to the trailer sub-frame, fit within the foot-print of the trailer wheels, do not interfere with side and rear doors, and are spaced from and not supported on the trailer body top nor rely on it for structural rigidity. The inventive straddle-type trailer rack can also be adapted for use with open trailers. A wide range of options are available, including equipment brackets secured to the legs that can also be used as steps, lockable keeper assemblies, dual function lockable safety cross braces, catwalk for the load platform, access ladder, and forward extensions. The inventive rack is also configurable in kit form.
US08281965B2
In accordance with one embodiment, a garment hanger for use with a top sizer clip includes a body having a cross bar and a hook member extending outwardly therefrom. The hook member includes a web portion having an inner edge and an opposing outer edge, wherein the hook member terminates in a curved distal end and includes a neck portion that connects the hook member to the cross bar. The neck portion is defined by a portion of the outer edge that faces one end of the cross bar and a portion of the inner edge that faces an opposite end of the cross bar. The outer edge in the neck portion has a concave shape, while the inner edge in the neck portion has a convex shape.
US08281959B2
A dosage-dispensing device, which can be used for dosage materials in the form of powders or pastes, includes a housing with at least one receptacle compartment formed inside the housing for the purpose of holding the dosage material. The dosage-dispensing device further includes at least one dispensing head that comprises an elastic material and has an outlet for the dosage material. In the non-stressed condition, i.e. when there is no mechanical force or pressure acting on it, the outlet is tightly closed against the outside. When a force or pressure is applied, the outlet opens up, with the aperture width being variable, dependent on the applied force. Furthermore, inside the receptacle compartment and/or the dispensing head, there is at least one mechanical actuator element arranged through which the outlet can be opened.
US08281955B2
A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.
US08281953B2
A plastic container includes a bottom portion and a main body portion having a plastic sidewall that is connected to the bottom portion. The main body portion has a reinforced sidewall area that comprises a plurality of first sidewall portions and a plurality of second sidewall portions that are respectively interposed between the first sidewall portions. Each of the second sidewall portions is shaped to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced structures that are selected from the group consisting of indentations and projections. The second sidewall portions may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical columns, and adjacent second sidewall portions that are rotationally staggered with respect to each other so that the vertical columns on one second sidewall portion are not aligned with the vertical columns of an adjacent second sidewall portion.
US08281952B2
A container incorporating an integral roller surface for use with a roller-type liquid applicator. The roller surface may be movable from a first, operational position to a second, access position. The floor of the container may be sloped so that a well forms at a particular location, e.g., at or near one end of the container. The roller surface preferably provides access to the well during use. When the roller surface is moved to the second, access position, the sloped floor of the container may provide a second roller surface.
US08281948B2
An overpack salvage drum including a drum body for holding a package to be overpacked, a lid adapted to be rotatably threaded onto the drum body to seal the package held in the drum body therein, and a clip adapted to be operatively associated with the lid before the lid is rotatably threaded onto the drum body. The clip is adapted to break in preference to the lid and the drum body in the event that the initial integrity of the seal between the lid and the drum body is compromised.
US08281946B1
A hose concealing device adapted to contain and conceal a coiled hose within an inner cavity is described. The inner cavity resides beneath a planting receptacle, which is equipped with drainage means that permits water to drain therefrom, rather than accumulating within the planting receptacle. The drainage means is adapted to collect excess water from the planting receptacle and prevent the water from dripping onto or otherwise contaminating the coiled hose.
US08281945B2
Closure system for a container including a cap and a ring adapted to engage by screwing in order to seal the opening, the cap including an upper wall from which in a downwards direction there extends an annular skirt that has a lower annular end and a radially inner surface fitted with a thread. The ring has an annular top rim, an annular collar and a thread complementary to the thread of the cap provided between the collar and the rim of the ring. The skirt of the cap includes a projecting annular member forming a barrier and adapted to be supported against the whole periphery of the collar of the ring in a substantially radial direction.
US08281937B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger received within the open end such that it slides within the interior of the housing. The plunger is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position, wherein the plunger has an elongated housing that includes a filter element, such as, a plurality of hollow filter elements that are open at a distal end of the plunger housing and are in communication with an outlet that is associated with the plunger. Movement of the plunger toward the fully extended position causes unfiltered liquid to be drawn into the interior of the housing and the device includes a second valve disposed within the outlet and being configured to only permit filtered liquid to be discharged from the plunger housing. The unfiltered liquid is filtered when the plunger is moved toward the fully retracted position causing the unfiltered liquid in the interior to flow into the inside of the filter elements and then across the filter elements and into the outlet.
US08281935B2
An automated machine is used to handle and manipulate individual pieces of particulate matter. The particulate matter is contained in a bin. The machine operates to pick single individual pieces of the particulate matter from the bin. The picked individual pieces are then conveyed for further handling. Pneumatic transport is primarily used for the conveying operation. One aspect of the handling involves individually weighing each piece of the picked particulate matters. Another aspect of the handling involves sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter into a plurality of receptacles. Yet another aspect of the handling involves both weighing and then sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter, wherein the sorting operation may be performed based upon the measured weight of each piece.
US08281932B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for efficient hydrophobic particles to gas bubble attachment in a slurry is provided. The process comprises: tangentially introducing a slurry stream into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall with sufficient volume and pressure to develop a vortex in the flowing slurry; introducing gas into the flowing slurry during at least a portion of its travel in the chamber, the gas being introduced orthogonally to the stream through means located at the chamber inner wall and for developing gas bubbles which move into the slurry. The apparatus comprises of: a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall, the chamber being oriented in any direction, enclosed at both ends, and with an entry port to introduce the stream of slurry to develop a spiral flow of the stream along the chamber inner wall toward the output end, a porous wall to permit the introduction of gas orthogonally into the stream to develop gas bubbles within the stream, and an exit port to discharge the mixture of slurry and gas bubbles.
US08281931B2
An apparatus and method for post-threshing inspection and sorting of tobacco lamina is described and which includes a separation conduit which receives a source of post-threshed tobacco lamina and other contaminants for inspection and sorting, and wherein a source of pressurized air causes the tobacco lamina to move along the separation conduit past an inspection station where it is optically inspected to identify undesirable tobacco lamina or other contaminants; and a downstream reject station is provided which responds to a sorting signal provided by the inspection station and which removes unwanted or undesirable tobacco lamina and other contaminants from an air stream so as to provide a resulting product which is substantially free from contaminants or other defects.
US08281926B2
A package for household articles provided with a holistic coding system. The coding system allows consumers to select the articles required for their needs without confusion. The coding system includes first coding elements on the dispensing means of package and second coding elements on the articles contained in the package.
US08281923B2
An apparatus for receiving and protecting interchangeable camera lenses which includes a cylindrical body shell, having an outer rigid casing with inner and outer diameters, and having an inner soft-lined receptacle within the inner diameter of the body shell for receiving the camera lens; a base end cap; a ringed shaped mouth member having inner and outer diameters; a lid cap assembly; a first visco-elastic material bonded to the lid cap assembly; a second visco-elastic material bonded to the base end cap; and, the first and second visco-elastic materials conform to the shape of the lens when the lid cap assembly is engaged with the mouth member.
US08281919B2
A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module. The system includes at least one friction drive belt, a repositionable backstop assembly for arresting the motion of the envelope when disposed in a first position and permitting the conveyance along the feed path when disposed in a second position, an actuator operative to position the backstop assembly into the first and second positions and consuming energy to maintain the backstop assembly in the first position, a sensor for measuring the magnitude of energy consumed by the actuator; a means for developing a pressure differential across the envelope to urge the envelope into frictional engagement with the drive belts and for developing friction forces along a mating interface between the envelope and the friction drive surface, and a system controller, responsive to a sensed signal indicative of the energy consumed, for varying the magnitude of the pressure differential and the friction forces developed along the mating interface of the envelope.
US08281911B2
The invention relates to an active vibration isolation system in which at least one sensor is provided for detection of ground vibration, and the system has a control device which calculates compensation signals in at least two degrees of freedom, based on movements of the ground.
US08281906B2
The present embodiments relate to a braking apparatus, in particular for slowing down a carriage, with a brake pad, which is formed using a magnetic material, at least one first spring to press the brake pad onto a surface for the purposes of braking and an electromagnet. The brake pad, the at least one first spring and the electromagnet are disposed and embodied in such a manner that when current flows through the electromagnet a force acts on the brake pad by way of the magnetic material, compensating for the action of the at least one first spring on the brake pad in such a manner that the brake pad assumes a position, in which braking cannot take place due to the pressure of the brake pad. The braking apparatus allows braking independently of the material characteristics of the environment in which the braking apparatus is deployed.
US08281901B2
In an elevator control system, an evacuation operation control section outputs a command for evacuation operation by an elevator in case of fire. Moreover, in case of fire, the evacuation operation control section controls opening and closing of a fire door adjacent to an elevator landing based on information from a passenger detector for detecting a passenger at the elevator landing and information on a fire situation in a vicinity of the elevator landing.
US08281896B2
A drain plug housing body coupled to the interior of an oil pan, which receives, via threaded portions, an extended length drain plug. The drain plug housing further comprises a first threaded aperture having a first diameter terminating at the interior of the oil pan and a second threaded aperture having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, with a hollow cavity therein between. The drain plug is a substantially cylindrical bolt of varying diameters having a first male threaded portion and a second male threaded portion on its shaft that are compatible, respectively, with each of the threaded apertures of the drain plug housing.
US08281894B2
A safety harness and a method of integrating the safety harness into apparel such as a firefighter's turnout suit. The safety harness may include a waist strap, a leg strap for encircling a wearer's leg, and a support strap slideably attached to the waist strap.
US08281889B2
A seat structure for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a seat arranged rearwardly of a fuel tank mounted on a vehicle body frame. The seat includes a cushion member, and a bottom plate for holding the cushion member. The cushion member is made of an elastic material. The bottom plate is fixed to the vehicle body frame and to the fuel tank. The cushion member includes a bulging portion which bulges forwardly from a front end portion of the bottom plate and onto an upper surface of a stepped portion of the fuel tank. The bulging portion is supported on the upper surface of the fuel tank.
US08281887B2
An automobile air intake system is provided that channels air from outside the automobile engine compartment to the engine. The automobile air intake system according to an embodiment of the invention includes an intake enclosure coupled to a bulkhead across the front of the engine compartment. The automobile grille, radiator, and a front portion of the hood in front of the bulkhead form a flow channel to an intake port of the intake enclosure. Aspects of the invention include a screen extending from the bulkhead to the grille for inhibiting the flow of water and particles through the flow channel. Other aspects provide an alternative air path for channeling air from the engine compartment to the intake enclosure.
US08281884B2
A cooling system for a vehicle with hybrid propulsion; the cooling system is provided with a hydraulic circuit, inside which a cooling fluid flows, and has: a main branch, which carries out the cooling of a heat engine and comprises at least a first pump mechanically operated by the heat engine, and at least one radiator which is hit by air when the vehicle is moving; and a secondary branch, which is connected in parallel to the main branch by means of a starting offtake and an arrival offtake, has no heat exchangers of the water/air type, carries out the cooling of a reversible electric machine which may be mechanically connected to the driving wheels, and of a first electronic power converter which controls the electric machine, and comprises at least a second pump electrically operated.
US08281881B2
A rolling cone drill bit for drilling a borehole in earthen formations. In an embodiment, the bit comprises a bit body. In addition, the bit comprises a cone cutter mounted on the bit body and adapted for rotation about a cone axis in a cutting direction. Further, the bit comprises at least one transition insert mounted to the cone cutter. Still further, the bit comprises a first asymmetric insert mounted to the cone cutter. Moreover, the bit comprises a second asymmetric insert mounted to the cone cutter. Each insert includes a cutting surface with a leading side relative to the cutting direction. The leading side of the first asymmetric insert has a leading geometry and the leading side of the second asymmetric insert has a leading geometry that is different than the leading geometry of the first asymmetric insert.
US08281879B2
A method of drilling a wellbore comprises arranging a drill string and an expandable tubular in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded section extending around a remaining section of the tubular, drill string extending through the remaining section, and axially extending the expanded section by moving the remaining section downward relative to the expanded section so that the lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction, wherein the expanded section covers the wellbore wall in an upper portion of the wellbore. The drill string is operated so as to drill a lower wellbore portion, and a compound is transferred between the lower wellbore portion and a layer of the earth formation surrounding the lower wellbore portion.
US08281871B2
A system, and a method of using a system, for controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a force application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in communication with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with operational information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational information is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least information about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the controller. Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which sends operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service information from the tool after use.
US08281861B2
A method of heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.
US08281860B2
A system that is usable with a well includes a tubular string, which includes a jetting sub. Fluid is communicated outside an annular region that surrounds the string to a first zone of the well for purposes of treating the first zone. During the communication of the fluid through the annular region, fluid is communicated through the tubing string and through the jetting sub to perforate a second zone of the well.
US08281857B2
Fluid compositions and methods of making and using same are described, one composition comprising a well treatment fluid and an additive combined with the well treatment fluid, wherein the additive is selected from solids, liquids and combinations thereof, the additive having a surface shape, at least one property of the surface shape enabling it to change under influence of a controllable parameter after the composition is deployed into a hydraulic fracture or gravel pack. In methods of the disclosure, the additive exists initially in a first state, and then is changed to a second state. The first state may increase proppant flowback efficiency, while the second state may increase hydraulic conductivity. In certain embodiments, the additive may change back to its first state.
US08281853B1
A tool for use in well monitoring is described to insert devices for well fluid level control into a wellhead. The tool also permits removal of the devices for well fluid level control from an operating well for servicing. The tool also permits precise positioning of the components utilized to take measurements in the well annulus.
US08281851B2
A cable head for use with coiled tubing electric line in well operations has upper and lower housings attached by a shearable connection to allow release of the lower housing and any downhole equipment carried thereon. A piston is slidable within the housing by fluid pumped through the coil tooling to release a locking mechanism that otherwise prevents the shearing disconnect of the housings. Flow ports in the housing to allow pumping or circulation of fluid through the cable head are positioned to remain continuously open, regardless of the piston position, to maximize the range of flow rates over which fluid can be circulated. The electric line of coiled tubing is only stripped of its armor past sealed receipt thereof in a cable passage below the flow path of the fluid, thereby avoiding exposure of the conductor to the fluid to minimize the potential for damage or failure.
US08281841B2
The folding storm shutter provides a shutter for protecting a window during inclement weather, and shade similar to that provided by an awning when window protection is not required. The folding storm shutter has an upper shutter panel and a lower shutter panel pivotally attached to the lower edge of the upper shutter panel so that the lower shutter panel can be extended to cover the entire window, and, alternatively, the lower shutter panel can be placed in a folded configuration against the upper shutter panel when not needed for window protection. A latching mechanism is provided for selectively retaining the lower shutter panel in the folded configuration. Hinges pivotally attach the upper shutter panel to the window frame. A rod removably supported by brackets on opposite sides of the window may be used to support the shutter in the folded configuration.
US08281838B2
Tape heating means is allowed to come close to an adhesive tape for support and, in a heating state, the adhesive tape for support is stretched and tensioned with proper tension in a tape width direction and a transport direction. A heated work is bonded to an adhesive face of the tensioned adhesive tape for support, thereby supporting the work.
US08281832B2
To provide a pneumatic tire which can reduce fuel consumption without causing reduction in grip performance and after use of which can be degraded by microorganisms. The present invention relates to a rubber composition including 100 parts by mass of a rubber component including a natural rubber and/or a diene rubber and 0.5 to 80 parts by mass of a biodegradable aliphatic polyester. The biodegradable aliphatic polyester is preferably one or more species selected from polylactic acid, polycaprolactone and polyalkylene succinate.
US08281827B2
Provided is a pneumatic tire enabling an easy estimation of the presence or absence of an internal failure of the tire only by the observation of the external appearance of the tire, by interposing a detection layer mainly composed of at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer and a thermoplastic resin, which has a softening point of 50° C. to 150° C., in an interlayer between materials constituting the tire.
US08281824B2
An instrument (23) for filling a substance supply container (1) of a device (21) for personal care treatment has a filling needle (4) having a proximal end connected or connectable to a storage reservoir (22) and a distal end, a substance transport conduit (9) extending from the proximal end to at least one outlet (10, 11) provided in a radially facing surface portion closely adjacent the distal end of the filling needle (4). A sleeve (14, 15) is arranged around the filling needle (4) and is movable between a first position closing off the at least one outlet (10, 11) and a second position proximally away from the first position and the at least one outlet (10, 11). A system (20) including such an instrument (23), a container (1) for cooperation with such an instrument (23) and for provisioning a device (21) for personal care treatment as well as a device (21) for personal care treatment including such a container (1) are described.
US08281823B2
A refueling apparatus. The refueling apparatus having a combination float control module and fluid flow control valve for use in high pressure, high flow rate refueling systems. The refueling apparatus further having a fluid flow control valve module, a fluid level sensor module having a sensor, and a testing module.
US08281814B2
A water supply valve cartridge in which a flow rate control rotary disk has a reduced size, so that surface friction between the flow rate control rotary disk and a flow rate control fixed disk is minimized, thus improving manipulation efficiency of the water supply valve while opening or closing the valve, and which does not sensitively respond to flatness allowance due to the reduced size of the rotary disk, thus executing stable opening and closing operation. The flow rate control fixed disk (140) has water discharge holes (142). The flow rate control rotary disk (150) has a diameter to cover only the area around the water discharge holes (142), with a pair of flow rate control grooves (151) formed on the rotary disk (150) to open only the water discharge holes (142) during rotation.
US08281813B2
A coolant temperature controller for a fuel cell vehicle comprises: a housing including first and second inlet ports provided on one side thereof and an exhaust port provided on the other side thereof in a horizontal direction with respect to the first inlet port; a plunger operating portion including an operating plunger for capable of vertical movement between the first and second inlet ports and the exhaust port of the housing to proportionally control degree of opening of the first and second inlet ports; a motor mounted on the top of the plunger operating portion; and a motor shaft connected to the motor and extending from the motor to the bottom of the plunger operating portion to be connected to the operating plunger, wherein the vertical movement of the operating plunger is driven by a rotational force transmitted through the motor shaft as the motor operates. The controller can maintain the coolant at a preset temperature for optimal operation of the fuel cell stack.
US08281807B2
A fluid connector system features a stopper and an extending section. Installable within an outlet of a fluid container, the stopper defines a passage therethrough. Defining air and fluid conduits, the extending section has a first abutment member threadably connectible thereto and a second abutment member affixed thereto. The extending section is adapted to be extended through the passage of the stopper when assembled thereto. When the first abutment member is tightened about the extending section, the first and second abutment members abut against the exterior and interior sides, respectively, of the stopper. With the stopper installed within the outlet and the extending section and the abutment members therewith assembled to the stopper thereby sealing the passage therein, fluid within the container may be extracted via the fluid conduit as air exterior to the container flows therein via the air conduct to displace the fluid being extracted from the container.
US08281806B2
A nipple of a check has a first portion that is selectively positionable within a housing of the check valve. A second portion of the nipple extends from the housing when the first portion of the nipple is selectively positioned within the housing. The check valve is configured to allow fluid flow through the check valve in either a first direction or a second direction when the first portion of the nipple is selectively positioned within the housing. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid flow through the check valve in the first direction when the first portion of the nipple is removed from the housing.
US08281805B2
A spring cup in an automatic suction and pressure valve has an internal contour which opens in the shape of a calotte so as to reduce wear at the ends of a valve spring positioned in the spring cup and thereby lengthen its useful life.
US08281800B2
A system for mounting a faucet to the exterior portion of a dwelling is provided. A mounting sleeve is employed that is associated with a tube that is interconnected to the faucet that is generally positioned outside of a dwelling. The tube is rigidly interconnected to a mounting sleeve that is supported by at least one bracket that allows for selective adjustments. That is, the mounting sleeve may be selectively offset from the interior surface of the dwelling, thereby accommodating exterior building surfaces with irregular shapes such as stone, brick, mortar, stucco, etc. The mounting system provides additional rigidity to the faucet/dwelling interconnection.
US08281796B2
A system for feeding a slurry catalyst composition including: a primary slurry feed system comprising a primary slurry flow meter and a primary catalyst injection device, wherein the primary slurry flow meter measures a primary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the primary catalyst injection device; and a secondary slurry feed system comprising a secondary slurry flow meter, a secondary carrier liquid, a secondary carrier liquid control device, and a secondary catalyst injection device, wherein the secondary slurry flow meter measures a secondary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the secondary catalyst injection device, wherein the secondary carrier liquid control device controls a process parameter of the secondary slurry feed system based a ratio of the primary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the secondary slurry catalyst composition flow rate.
US08281793B2
Nanoscale particles are formed and deposited in situ on tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper and/or cigarette filter materials by physical vapor deposition. The nanoscale particles are capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
US08281786B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O2 or SF/O2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.
US08281784B2
A mouthpiece for an inhaler for administering a drug in the form of substances, substance formulations or substance mixtures that can be inhaled comprises an inhalation channel (4) for coupling to a chamber for receiving the drug. At least one component (10) having an aerodynamic cross-section is arranged in the inhalation channel (4).
US08281779B2
An oven according to some embodiments includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a heating element, a fan, a sensor for sensing the temperature of the oven chamber, a remote input device, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the remote input device and to change the fan or heating element based at least in part upon the signal received from the remote input device. In a method of operating the oven according to some embodiments, the oven enters an operating mode from an energy-savings mode responsive to receiving an signal from a remote device.
US08281778B2
A venting system for a stove includes a screen disposed beneath a bottom opening of the stove and an elevation means for adjusting a height of the screen so as to enable the screen to selectively move close to or away from the bottom opening. More specifically, the elevation means includes a main body and an adjuster, and the screen includes an elevator. The main body has a fixation portion and a connecting portion. The fixation portion is fixed to a bottom of the stove, and the adjuster is movably connected to the connecting portion. The elevator and the adjuster are in a motional operative relationship. As such, the elevator can be elevated, by the adjuster to selectively move close to or away from the bottom opening.
US08281774B2
A cam system for an archery bow including a module that is readily attached to and detached from a cam while leaving the cam on the bow. The module can include a draw stop selectively moveable relative to the module, even while the module is joined with the cam, to adjust the draw stop to specific locations corresponding to different draw lengths and/or draw stop walls of the bow. The module can include a recess that surrounds only part of an axle joining the cam and bow so the entire module is removable from the cam without removing the axle. The cam system can include indexing features that precisely and consistently align features of the cam and module. These features can include first and second indexing posts, and corresponding indexing holes, that register with one another to precisely align the cam and module when joined.
US08281771B2
An exhaust gas recirculation valve in a vehicle has two valves that are controlled individually by using one driving source. The exhaust gas recirculation valve enables secure operation of a vehicle even if the driving source is out of order. The exhaust gas recirculation EGR valve includes a driving unit having a driving motor for rotating a motor shaft and an interlocking unit for receiving rotational force from the motor shaft. A rod portion moves upon reception of the rotational force. A valve unit at an end portion of the rod portion controls a flow rate of the exhaust gas. A valve housing is coupled to the driving unit as one unit and has an EGR port and a bypass port. The interlocking unit includes a valve return member for rotating the motor shaft forcibly to make the valve unit to move to an initial position.
US08281766B2
A combustion chamber side end portion of a fuel injection valve is placed at a location that overlaps with an imaginary plane, which is perpendicular to a center axis of a cylinder and extends along a portion of a wall surface of an intake port where an intake valve protrudes, or is projected out from the imaginary plane toward a combustion chamber. Alternatively, a center of a fuel injecting side end port of the fuel injection valve, which injects fuel into intake air that flows in a branch port branched from the intake port, may be placed on the center axis side of the intake valve in a radial direction of the cylinder. Further alternatively, an upstream side fuel injection valve may inject fuel into intake air that flows in the intake port, and a downstream side fuel injection valve may inject fuel into intake air that flows in the branch port branched from the intake port. Alternatively, an injection quantity of fuel may be controlled for each of fuel injection valves, which injects fuel into intake air that flows in the corresponding branch port branched from the intake port.
US08281765B2
Systems, methods and a processor are provided for adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine. The systems, methods and processor include adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle toward peak torque timing based on an output of a longitudinal acceleration sensor configured to sense a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle.
US08281763B2
A connecting member coupled to four pistons that reciprocate within cylinder bores is coupled to a crankpin of a crankshaft, and a pinion member which integrally rotates with a crankshaft portion is capable of rolling along the inner periphery of an internal gear member and has an outer diameter equal to ½ of an inner diameter of the internal gear member. The crankpin executes a reciprocating rectilinear motion through the rotation and revolution of the pinion member, and a journal support member has a bearing for supporting a crank journal so as to rotate positioned between the pinion member and a crank arm, and which is supported by a case member so as to rotate coaxially with an output member.
US08281759B2
The antirotational, mechanical lash control mechanism for two reciprocating bodies having opposing cylindrical surfaces uses a radial U-shaped groove in the outer surface of the outer housing; a radial cut in the leg of said U-shaped groove, that extends from the groove into said bore; a U-shaped clip adapted to fit the U-shaped groove, the U-shaped clip having a ledge on a leg of U-shaped clip, where the ledge extends through said cut and into said bore; and a first stop on the outer surface of the inner housing, such that the first stop abuts said ledge to control mechanical lash between the outer housing and the inner housing. To prevent rotation, the ledge has a flat surface that mates to a flat surface on the inner housing.
US08281756B2
A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotating member, a driven-side rotating member arranged coaxially with the driving-side rotational member so as to be rotatable relative to the driving-side rotating member, a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber, each of which is defined by the driving-side rotating member and the driven-side rotating member, a lock mechanism locking a relative rotational phase of the driven-side rotating member at a predetermined phase between a most advanced angle phase and a retarded angle phase, an operation fluid supply-and-discharge mechanism supplying/discharging an operation fluid to/from the retarded angle chamber, the advanced angle chamber and the lock mechanism, and a first air inlet mechanism for connecting one of the retarded angle chamber and the advanced angle chamber to an outside of the valve timing control apparatus in order to allow air to flow thereinto.
US08281754B2
A radiator is provided within an engine room and in front of an engine for cooling engine cooling water. A shutter is provided in front of the radiator and covers a portion of a core surface of the radiator for adjusting an amount of cooling air to be directed toward the radiator. A baffle plate is provided behind a remaining portion of the core surface, which is not covered with the shutter, for directing the air, having passed through the remaining portion, to outside the engine room.
US08281750B2
A boiler furnace avoids NOx and increases thermal efficiency with a small boiler. The boiler furnace has an outer water wall and an inner water wall with flared top and bottom portions.
US08281746B2
An arrangement for fetching a teat cup from a teat cup magazine in which each teat cup has a respective fixed position includes a reference entity in a fixed spatial relationship to the teat cup magazine and each teat cup stored therein; a remote detecting element that registers wireless energy reflected by the reference entity, and based thereon determines a respective position for the teat cup relative to a robotic arm. The robotic arm carries a gripper element configured to hold the teat cup during removal thereof from the teat cup magazine. The reference entity is configured to allow the remote detecting element to receive wireless energy reflected against the reference entity while moving the robotic arm towards the least one teat cup for removing the at least teat cup from the teat cup magazine.
US08281744B2
An autonomous mobile milking implement having a frame with, a sub-frame which is adjustable in height and which has at least one teat cup holder and a teat cup movable relative thereto. The teat cup holder is tiltable, via a tilting mechanism coupled to the teat cup holder and the frame between a substantially vertical position and a second partially inverted position. The milking implement protects the teat cups against contamination and is capable of storing them in a compact manner.
US08281742B2
A system for milking cows including a structure for retaining cows therein. Such structure includes at least one holding area within such structure, at least one exit alley connected to and extending from a predetermined portion of such at least one holding area to at least one of a predetermined housing area, at least one additional holding area, and a combination thereof. At least one of at least one milking robot, at least one automated milking machine, and a combination thereof is disposed within such at least one holding area for automatically milking at least one predetermined cow when such at least one predetermined cow is closely adjacent a predetermined side of such at least one of such at least one milking robot, such at least one automated milking machine, and such combination thereof. A method for milking cows is also provided.
US08281735B2
A squeegee holder including a self-cleaning sliding mechanism, a squeegee blade, two end caps at each end of the squeegee blade. The end caps include a flange and a hole. Two actuating motors are attached to the flanges, the motors include drive shafts pointing downwards. A wiper blade is attached to a blade mount slidable along the squeegee blade and a drill rod is secured at each end with press fittings into the holes in the end caps.
US08281729B1
A drainage system is provided for a livewell compartment within a fishing boat. A flexible and reinforced hose is coupled on a first end to a pump assembly associated with the livewell and extends through an aperture in the boat hull to a second end. A seal interfaces the hose and the hull in association with the aperture. Fluid is delivered from the livewell through the hose to the exterior of the boat through the second end of the hose. The hose includes a compression or tension spring which applies a first longitudinal force with respect to the second end of the hose. The hose is effective to extract from the hull in response to a second longitudinal force applied to the hose and greater than the first force, and is retractable toward the hull in the absence of the second force.
US08281727B2
A wind-propelled vehicle, includes: a vertical mast assembly having a lower end rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on the vehicle; and a wing sail carried by the vertical mast assembly for propelling the vehicle, including a fore sail panel defining the leading edge of the wing-sail, and a pair of aft sail panels attached to a pair of booms defining the sides and trailing edge of the wing-sail. The vertical mast assembly includes a pair of vertically-extending posts connected together at their upper ends, diverging apart at their lower ends, and connected together at the diverging lower ends to define an “A” configuration frame. The diverging lower ends of the pair of posts are rotatably mounted on the vehicle.
US08281720B2
A flechette cartridge is provided, containing a plurality of flechettes, capable of firing the flechettes in a concentrated and accurate spread pattern upon firing. In particular, both low and high velocity flechette cartridges are provided, which accurately disperse flechettes in a concentrated spread pattern. The flechette cartridge minimizes the parasitic launch mass to maximize flechette payload, flechette velocity and kinetic energy, and to maximize target effects. The flechette cartridge provides a robust means for reliably stripping the flechette payload cup.
US08281716B2
In a printing press having a transfer cylinder for transferring a freshly printed substrate, an anti-marking device is provided. The anti-marking device comprises a flexible jacket comprised of fluoropolymer to engage the freshly printed substrate as it is transferred over the transfer cylinder, the anti-marking device removably attached with free play to the transfer cylinder. In an embodiment, a base cover is installed on the transfer cylinder between the anti-marking device and the transfer cylinder.
US08281714B2
For collecting fine particles from fume generated in the process of thermal cutting or welding of a metal material and solidifying them, a fume disposal system comprises a fume introducing chamber 25 which is connected to a cutting machine body through a suction duct 2 and into which suctioned fume is introduced; a bug filter 24 for separating and collecting fine particles from the fume introduced into the fume introducing chamber 25; a hopper 22 for storing the separated, collected fine particles; a screw conveyor for conveying the fine particles stored in the hopper 22 to a molding chamber; and a pressurizing device 38 for pressurizing the fine particles fed into the molding chamber to reduce the volume thereof.
US08281703B2
Recoil mitigating devices and methods for use with projectile firing systems such as a disrupter mounted to a robotic arm. A pair of parallel spring provides dampening of axial recoil movement of the disrupter relative to the robotic arm. Forward ends of the springs are attachable to the barrel of the disrupter while rearward portions of the springs are attachable to the robotic arm by a robot mount block. The robot mount block at least partially encloses the barrel of the disrupter in connecting the parallel springs and permits axial movement of the disrupter along or through the mount during firing.
US08281702B2
A net deployment system which, in one example, includes a manifold assembly including multiple weight ducts and a bladder port. A weight is disposed in each weight duct and each weight is tied to the net. A bladder is behind the net and is over the bladder port. At least one inflator charge is associated with the manifold for inflating the bladder and firing the weights out of the weight ducts to deploy the net in the path of an incoming threat.
US08281693B2
The method for shaping a hexagonal tool of the present invention includes the following steps: preparing a hexagonal rod having an axis and a bottom, which has a periphery; fixing the hexagonal rod on a lathe, the lathe having a clamp and a lathe tool, the hexagonal rod being clamped and rotated about the axis by the clamp, the lathe tool lathing the hexagonal rod in a single operation to form a neck portion on the hexagonal rod, a driving head being defined on the hexagonal rod between the neck portion and the bottom; and lathing a rounding edge around the periphery of the bottom by the lathe tool. As such, a hexagonal tool having a neck portion and a driving head is thus quickly formed.
US08281692B2
A wrench includes a hollow handle, a driver, a battery base, an alert device, a switch and a force applying device. The driver includes a drive shaft and a drive head. The drive shaft is received in the hollow handle and pivotally connected to the inner wall of the hollow handle. The drive head is connected to the drive shaft and protrudes from the hollow handle. The switch electrically connects the battery base and the alert device. The switch includes a first contact and a second contact. The first contact is located on the drive shaft. The second contact is located on the inner wall of the hollow handle. The force applying device applies a predetermined force to the drive shaft to separate the first contact and the second contact.
US08281687B2
A rotation angle detection device includes rotary body 1 rotating in linked motion with a steering wheel; detectors 2 and 3 that rotate in linked motion with rotary body 1; detecting parts 5 and 6 for detecting rotation of detectors 2 and 3; control part 21 for detecting a rotation angle of rotary body 1 from a detection signal from detecting parts 5 and 6; latching body 23 for latching the rotation of rotary body 1; and case 8 containing rotary body 1, detection parts 5 and 6, control part 21 and latching body 23. Latching body 23 includes latching part 23B urged by elastic body 24 and brought into elastic contact with an outer periphery of rotary body 1; and releasing part 23C for releasing an elastic contact of latching part 23B to rotary body 1 and a part of which is exposed to the outside of case 8.
US08281681B2
A shift-by-wire (SBW) device includes a capacitor, which stores electric power. When an abnormality occurs in a battery or an electric power supply system, an actuator of the SBW device receives electric power from the capacitor and changes a shift range of an automatic transmission to a P range at least once. Furthermore, when a lever of a P range releasing arrangement is operated, the P range of the automatic transmission is released.
US08281679B2
A slide mechanism includes a main body, a slide body and an elastic member. The slide body is slidably connected to the main body. The elastic member is positioned between the main body and the slide body. The main body includes a base plate and two guide rails fixed on opposite sides of the base plate. The guide rails are elastic. A distance between the guide rails is less than a length of the elastic member in a normal state. Opposite ends of the elastic member are fixed to the guide rails, and a middle portion of the elastic member is fixed to the slide body, so that the elastic member remains bent between the guide rails.
US08281675B2
Apparatus (50) is described for use with a drug on a drug patch (28), the drug patch including a drug side and a back side. An absorbent material (54) is configured to be disposed on a surface (56) and underneath the drug patch. A squeezing device (52) having a squeezing surface is configured to squeeze the drug patch together with the absorbent material. Other embodiments are also described.
US08281667B2
In a method for determining mass flow with a Coriolis mass flow measuring device arranged on a rotary filler, a correction value Δ{dot over (m)} is ascertained, which is proportional to the RPM n of the rotary filler. This correction value is subtracted from the conventionally ascertained value {dot over (m)} of the mass flow. The corrected measured value {dot over (m)}corr is thus {dot over (m)}corr={dot over (m)}−Δ{dot over (m)}.
US08281662B2
Propagation of ultrasound through a porous body saturated with liquid generates electric response. This electro-acoustic effect is called “seismoelectric current”, whereas reverse version, when electric field is driving force, is “electroseismic current”. It is possible to measure seismoelectric current with existing electro-acoustic devices, which had been designed for characterizing liquid dispersions. Such versatility allows calibration of said devise using dispersion and then applying it for characterizing porous body. In general, magnitude of seismoelectric current depends on porosity, pore size, zeta potential of pore surfaces and elastic properties of matrix. It is possible to adjust conductivity of liquid for simplifying these dependences. For instance, liquid with high ionic strength causes double layers become thin comparing to the pore size, which eliminates dependence of said currents on pore size. We suggest using such case for characterizing porosity. Magnitude of the said currents is proportional to zeta potential. This parameter can be calculated when porosity is known. In contrary, saturation of porous body with low conducting liquid leads to complete overlap of double layers, which can be used for characterizing pore size. Phase of the said currents can be used for determining iso-electric point because it rotates 180 degrees when liquid composition varies through this point.
US08281653B2
A test stand for an internal combustion engine is provided with a drive (2) and/or load system (3), a force transmission device (4) for connecting the internal combustion engine with the drive and/or load system (3), and a sensor and evaluation system for automatically collecting and evaluating measurement variables, wherein the force transmission device (4) comprises a system for detecting torque and rotation angle (6), which system is coupled to the internal combustion engine in a torsionally stiff manner, to achieve a coupling between the test object and the system for detecting torque and rotation angle, which coupling is improved for exact measurements, the force transmission device has at least one vibration damper (7) which is arranged on that side of the system for detecting torque and rotation angle (6) which is opposite to the internal combustion engine.
US08281648B2
A non-contact sensor is attached to the indenting module with its working range encompassing the tip of the indenter. The sensor directly measures penetration depth of the indenter during scratch, wear or instrumented hardness testing. During the test, the non-contact sensor records the height of the surface as the indenter penetrates the surface of the testing specimen.
US08281640B2
A check weight (1) that is used to check a gravimetric measuring instrument, specifically a balance, or to check a further weight, is provided with a means of identification. This marking which is applied on the outside surface of the check weight includes a permanently affixed machine-readable identification code (2) which makes the specific weight piece individually recognizable. This opens the possibility for a method whereby an individually identifiable check weight can be traced back in time. A system for tracing check weights back in time includes one or more reader devices (6) that serve to record the marking, one or more processors (10) wherein the machine-readable identification code can be converted back into an identification code that can be electronically processed, and one or more data storage units, in particular a database (8) serving to store at least the data contained in the identification code.
US08281636B2
In a heading device for elongate workpieces having a hydraulic chucking unit and an shaping ram, which is movable axially from a retracted idle position against the workpiece, the chucking unit comprises a housing having a sliding body which is hydraulically displaceable in the axial direction of the workpiece from a starting position into a clamping position (and vice versa), in which at least two chucking segments which are situated uniformly around the workpiece are inserted, which, on their side facing toward the shaping ram, press against a locking plate which is inserted into the housing and can be fixed therein, are movable radially against the workpiece by a displacement of the sliding body in its clamping position, and each receive at least one clamping jaw, which can be pressed by the chucking segment holding it radially against the workpiece for its clamping. The shaping ram carries a forming tool for upsetting the workpiece on the extension side, using which it can be pressed against the head of the workpiece protruding axially from the clamping jaws upon extension through an opening provided in the locking plate, and is moved completely out of the opening in the locking plate with its forming tool in its retracted idle position.
US08281635B2
There is provided a production method capable of forming spiral ribs stably by reducing troubles at the time of cold drawing for forming the spiral ribs on an internally ribbed steel tube. When the internally ribbed steel tube on which a plurality of stripes of spiral ribs are formed in the tube axis direction is manufactured by inserting a plug on which a plurality of stripes of spiral grooves are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof into the tube to be worked subjected to chemical treatment and then performing cold drawing, drawing is performed with the plug preheated to 50 to 200° C., thus forming the spiral ribs on the internal surface of a blank tube. The chemical treatment preferably includes a pickling step of removing oxided scale and rust on the tube surface, a step of forming a zinc phosphate coat on the neutralized tube surface, and a step of forming a lubricating layer on the zinc phosphate coat. The internally ribbed steel tube thus obtained is well applicable to increased capacity and higher temperature/higher pressure of a boiler because the steel tube is provided with formability and quality excellent as a boiler steel tube.
US08281634B2
Apparatus for continuous extrusion of an aluminum sheathing on to a core cable includes a rotatable wheel formed with two identical circumferential grooves outwardly bounded by arcuate tooling discharging through radial exit apertures to an extrusion chamber positioned around a portal mandrel. A powered pay-off reel is arranged continuously to supply core cable through the mandrel while aluminum sheathing is extruded as a loose fit from extrusion chamber around the core cable. The extruded cable is discharged through cooling device to roller corrugator including a rotating frame mounted on carriage freely moveable axially of the cable and provided with a rotational drive having a roller arranged to form a continuous helical indentation in the sheathing. Pneumatic actuating cylinders positioned on the carriage provide a constant, low magnitude, tension on the portion of the sheath intermediate the extrusion chamber and roller corrugator and limit forces tending to distort the uncooled sheath.
US08281632B2
(EN) The present invention relates to a device for cooling a working roll (1, 2) belonging to a rolling stand used for rolling a long or flat product (3), characterized in that it comprises a cooling head in the form of a box section (6A, 6B) that is sealed except along a front face (42) lying a short distance from said roll (1, 2), and in which face a plurality of nozzles (41) has been machined or positioned in a determined pattern, said box section (6A, 6B) being concave and cylindrical at its front face (42). The box section (6A, 6B) is also fitted with transverse (5, 7) and lateral (8) plates which collaborate with the front face (42) of the box section so as to control the flow of cooling liquid and confine said liquid in the form of a highly turbulent flow. This then yields optimal cooling of the roll both in terms of the uniformity of the cooling across the surface thereof and in terms of the reduction in temperature as a result of the turbulent effect created.
US08281621B2
The embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus.
US08281617B2
A coated article is provided which may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered) and/or heat bent in certain example instances. In certain example embodiments, a zinc stannate based layer is provided between a tin oxide based layer and a silicon nitride based layer, and this has been found to significantly reduce undesirable mottling damage upon heat treatment/bending. This results in significantly improved bendability of the coated article in applications such as vehicle windshields and the like.
US08281612B2
The invention provides a mobile container for cooling produce. The container includes a box-like housing and a plenum wall creating a plenum chamber and a treatment zone. Within the treatment zone, produce can be placed. A plurality of openings are located within the plenum wall to allow conditioning air flow to pass between the plenum chamber and the treatment zone. The openings are of a non-uniform size such that the conditioning air passes from the plenum chamber into the treatment zone through the openings in a substantially uniform manner, allowing the produce to be cooled in a substantially uniform manner.
US08281607B2
An electrically controlled expansion valve package (10) comprises an expansion valve (30), sensors (32, 33, 36) and control electronics (35) all included in a monolithic package that greatly simplifies installation, while also enabling performance enhancements. The expansion valve is controlled by control electronics that, among other things, determines from pressure and temperature sensors the type or nature of the refrigerant being used in the refrigeration system for adapting control of the expansion valve to the refrigerant.
US08281606B2
A vacuum storage system in a refrigerator includes a bin or drawer unit removably received in a housing. The vacuum storage system may be utilized in a storage configuration or in a vacuum sealing configuration to remove air from one or more food preservation containers having one-way evacuation valves. A switch on a control interface actuates a vacuum source and a front wall of the bin or drawer unit seals against the cabinet. Air is drawn from the storage space via a hose in communication with the vacuum source and air pressure within the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereby air is simultaneously evacuated from the containers housed in the storage space. At a predetermined pressure, a control deactivates the vacuum source and an equalizing valve is opened to return the storage space to atmospheric pressure.
US08281586B2
A method to operate an electronically controlled internal combustion engine having an electronic central unit with memory a turbocharger and exhaust gas recirculation valve to determine performance characteristics of said variable geometric turbocharger.
US08281582B2
A method for supplying fluid to a transmission component such as a transmission control unit, a transmission lubricating system, and/or a transmission cooling system. The transmission is an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having a hydraulic actuating system. A hydraulic medium is drawn from a region within the interior of a transmission case by a positive displacement pump, and the region of the transmission case from which the positive displacement pump draws the hydraulic medium is subjected to an overpressure that is somewhat greater than the ambient pressure around the transmission case.
US08281558B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an especially panel-shaped vacuum insulation element which is wrapped in a film and is filled with a powder. According to the method, the unmolded, loose powder is filled, particularly poured, into the opening of a bag which is formed from a high-barrier film and is open on one side. A filter material that is permeable to air and impermeable to powder dust is fixed to the internal face of the film bag in the area of the opening of the filled film bag such that the interior of the bag is closed in a dust-tight manner while air can still be discharged. The interior of the dust-tightly closed film bag is then evacuated and the evacuated film bag is air-tightly closed in a vacuum.
US08281556B2
Packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations.
US08281554B2
In a machine for wrapping sticks of chewing gum, sticks of substantially rectangular outline and relatively small thickness advance singly and in succession on a conveyor, arranged flat and spaced apart at a predetermined first pitch, toward a position where they are transferred to a spacing roller revolving tangentially to the conveyor and presenting peripheral seats spaced apart at a pitch greater than the first pitch; the sticks are taken up at the transfer position by a pick-up and transfer mechanism operating between the conveyor and the seats of the spacing roller, describing a trajectory that includes a movement perpendicular to the plane occupied by the sticks and producing a minimal displacement equating approximately to the thickness of a single stick.
US08281542B2
A wall-mounted component can be flush-mounted into a wallboard by first installing a panel with a receiver bracket flush into a wallboard. Once the panel is installed, the component can be inserted into the receiver bracket at which point a locking mechanism automatically or manually engages to lock the component into the wall. The locking mechanism is concealed from view so that a casual observer does not see how the component is affixed to the wall, yet is accessible from the wall's exterior for routine service and maintenance, as well as reinstallation of updated components.
US08281539B2
A shingle layer of shingle is provided having an increased thickness adhesive coating on at least a portion of its rear surface, with granules embedded therein, with the granules being of a size range that is larger than the fine particles normally applied to the rear surface of a shingle layer.
US08281536B2
A wall fixture positionable between interior and exterior walls of a structure and including a first member having a flange extending from a web, the flange including mounting locations spaced along a length of the flange for supporting fasteners securable at a plurality of locations spaced along the interior wall and a second member having a flange extending from a web. The second member can be adjustably securable to the first member such that a distance between exterior sides of the flanges is variable. The flange of the second member can include mounting locations spaced along the flange for supporting fasteners securable at a plurality of locations spaced along the exterior wall. The web of one of the first and second members can define apertures sized to receive at least one of plumbing, conduit and wires.
US08281528B2
An apparatus for securing a plurality of wall members together to define a wall. The apparatus includes a base portion having a stud extending upwardly therefrom, the base portion configured to engage a surface of a first wall member. The apparatus also includes a first securing member sized and shaped to engage with a surface of a second wall member stacked above the first wall member. The apparatus also includes a first coupling member configured to extend through a bore in the first and second wall members. The first coupling member has an elongate rod member having an upper end and a lower end, and a coupler on the lower end of the rod member, the coupler being sized and shaped to receive the stud member therein. The upper end of the rod member is configured to be coupled to the first securing member for biasing the first and second wall members together to inhibit the formation of undesired spaces therebetween.
US08281522B1
A multi-layered roofing system and method of construction which replaces standard sloped or flat roof surfaces is herein disclosed. The system comprises a roof surface having a dual layer construction provided by two (2) layers of roof sheathing material which are separated by vented spacing members. A top layer of sheathing material is covered with a top layer of roofing felt, shingles, rolled roofing, or the like. The system utilizes various vented spacing channels, vented drip edge elements, and a vented ridge vent that provide for a ventilating gap within the roof. The ventilating gap runs the entire length of the roof and helps to moderate interior building temperatures, thereby improving energy efficiency.
US08281517B2
A modular wall planting system includes at least a pair of planting units each comprising a mounting structure mountable to a vertical wall surface, and a trough extending outwardly from the mounting structure and including an upwardly opening aperture, the trough defining an interior compartment divided into a first section and a second section at least partially divided from the first section, wherein the first section is adapted to receive plant matter therein, the second section is adapted to receive fluid drained from the first section, and wherein the trough includes at least one weep aperture adapted to allow water to drain from the interior compartment and the second section to an exterior of the trough. The system further comprises a fluid line extending into the interior of the trough and adapted to transport a fluid thereto, wherein the individual planting units are adapted to be secured to a wall structure in at least a partially vertically aligned manner such that a lower planting unit of the pair of planting units receives fluid drained from the interior of a higher planting unit via the at least one weep aperture of the trough.
US08281513B2
A fishing rod, and a method of manufacturing a tubular structure such as a fishing rod. The fishing rod extends within a plane (210). At least a portion of the rod (202) has a flexural rigidity in a first direction (B) within the plane different from the flexural rigidity in the opposite direction (A) within the plane. The difference in flexural rigidity between said directions is at least 5% of the value of the flexural rigidity in the first direction.
US08281512B2
A system is provided for simultaneously carrying two firearms is provided wherein said system has a first firearm; a receiving bracket attached to said first firearm; a second firearm having a trigger; a holster housing said second firearm, said holster having a mounting bracket acting in concert with said receiving bracket such that said mounting bracket is releasably attached to said receiving bracket, and wherein said holster restricts access to said trigger of said second firearm housed within said holster.
US08281509B2
A nautical navigation aid comprising a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescent qualities used to enhance the safety of nautical travelers on waterways in conditions where visibility is limited. The navigation aid sign has a first rigid sheet member having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge, a second rigid sheet member having an upper surface and a lower surface extending outward from the peripheral edge of the first rigid sheet member at a predetermined angle to a predetermined length, thereby defining an angled collar of the first rigid sheet member sized and configured to redirect light waves emanating from a light source, and a luminescent layer. It is envisioned that an embodiment of the present invention might also include a means for retrofitting existing nautical navigation aids with a photoluminescent element and a light wave re-directing means for improved photoluminescent qualities.
US08281507B2
A three-dimensional illuminated greeting card which combines a unique card construction having a 3D pop-out structure with one or more lights contained therein. The 3D pop-out structure forms an internal cavity in which illumination means and other electronic components are contained. One or more sides of the 3D structure are made of translucent or semi-translucent material, creating a screen that can be illuminated from behind by one or more miniature lights, such as LED lights. The light or lights may be connected to an integrated circuit chip that can be programmed with various lighting effects. The greeting card may optionally include other electronic components which are configured to play sound or music or perform other electronic effects.
