US08389738B2
A production method of an isoxazoline-substituted benzoic acid amide compound of Formula (1) where X is a halogen atom, C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., Y is a halogen atom, C1-6 alkyl, etc., R1 is a C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., R2 and R3 independently of each other are a hydrogen atom, C1-6 alkyl, etc., R4 is C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, etc., R5 is a hydrogen atom, c1-6 alkyl, etc., m is an integer of 0 to 5, n is an integer of 0 to 4, including: reacting an isoxazoline-substituted benzene compound of Formula (3) where X, Y, R1, m, and n are the same as defined above, L is a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, —C(O)OH, —C(O)J, etc., J is a halogen atom, with a 2-aminoacetic acid amide compound of Formula (2) where R2, R3, R4, and R5 are the same as defined above, or a salt thereof; crystal forms and the production method thereof.
US08389720B2
The present invention is directed to quinolone compounds which are antagonists of neuropeptide S receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which the neuropeptide S receptor is involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the neuropeptide S receptor is involved.
US08389715B1
A nanostructured molecular unit and method for forming is described where a cationic porphyrin having an ethanolic substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity is combined with an anionic porphyrin having a sulfonate substituent species and a metal in the porphyrin cavity to form by self-assembly a nanostructured molecular unit with a morphology comprising four dendritic elements connected at a central node.
US08389711B2
Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer and asthma.The object can be solved by a pharmaceutical composition comprising a siRNA molecule that directs cleavage of mRNA of mucin subtype 5 AC via RNA interference, or an antibody against mucin subtype 5AC as an active ingredient. According to the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention, diseases involving an overexpression of mucin subtype 5 AC can be treated efficiently. In particular, the pharmaceutical composition comprising a siRNA molecule of the present invention is effectively used in the treatment of a cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer. In addition, the siRNA or the antibody of the present invention can inhibit the expression or function of MUC5AC, thereby preventing or treating the symptoms of asthma effectively.
US08389708B2
The present invention is a method for the treatment of cancer involving tumor derived immunosuppression in a subject. The method comprises administering to a subject one or more siRNA constructs capable of inhibiting the expression of an immunosuppressive molecule. The invention also provides siRNA constructs and compositions.
US08389704B2
This invention relates to binding members, especially antibody molecules, for IgE. The binding members are useful for, inter alia, treatment of disorders mediated by IgE including allergies and asthma.
US08389697B2
The present invention relates to conjugates of therapeutically useful anthracyclines with carriers such as polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, proteins or peptides of natural or synthetic origin; methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical composition containing them and use thereof in treating certain mammalian tumors.
US08389694B2
An isolated and characterized monoclonal antibody (“440c”) prepared by immunizing Wistar/CRL rats subcutaneously with purified rat bone marrow IPC, fusing popliteal lymph nodes of the rats with SP2/0 myeloma spleen cells and differentially selecting for hybridome supernatants that successfully stain bone marrow derived IPC and fractions thereof using CD11c+ spleen cells and, differentially selecting for hybridoma supernatants from the CD11c+ spleen cells that successfully stain only CD 11 c+/Ly6c+/CD 11 b−/B220+ splenocytes to provide the monoclonal antibody.
US08389692B2
The present invention provides an antibody which has the following features, its active fragment, or a derivative thereof: a) It specifically binds to human platelet membrane glycoprotein VI (GPVI); b) The function to activate a platelet and/or the function to induce a thrombocytopenia in vivo are low; and c) It at least partially depletes GPVI on the platelet membrane by contacting with a platelet.
US08389686B2
The present invention provides a collagen crosslinking agent superior in biocompatibility that is free from the damage by UV irradiation and also from the problems of toxicity caused by residual monomer or unreacted functional groups. Provided is a noncovalent collagen crosslinking agent (for fibrous protein collagen), comprising a spacer of a polyvalent alcohol having two or more OH groups at the terminals and arms of collagen peptides formed of repetitions of three amino acids, the arms being bound via the OH groups to the spacer.
US08389682B2
The invention relates to Staphylococcus epidermidis peptides, antibodies and nucleic acids that can inhibit Staphylococcus epidermidis infection of a mammalian subject and colonization of a medical device in the mammal.
US08389672B2
A diaphragm for electro-acoustic transducers, especially a diaphragm for speakers, and a film for the diaphragm excellent in the formability and the durability in high-output operation are obtained. A diaphragm for electro-acoustic transducers formed of a film that contains a polybiphenyl ether sulfone resin (A) having a specific repetitive unit or contains it and a crystalline resin (B) such as polyaryl ketone resin; and a film for use for the diaphragm.
US08389671B2
The present invention can provide a composition for optical members, which contains (a) a compound having one or more of any group selected from the group consisting of an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group, an allyl group and a vinyl group and one or more β-epithiopropyl groups in a molecule. In a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the composition for optical members further contains at least one compound selected from (b) a compound having one or more β-epithiopropyl groups in a molecule while having no polymerizable unsaturated bond group, (c) an inorganic compound having a sulfur atom and/or a selenium atom, (d) a compound having one or more thiol groups in a molecule, (e) a compound having one or more amino groups in a molecule while having no heterocyclic ring, and (f) a compound having one or more of at least one group selected from the group consisting of a vinyl group, an acryloyl group, a methacryloyl group and an allyl group in a molecule.
US08389649B2
The present invention is a siloxane-based resin composition including a siloxane-based resin and an imidosilane compound having a specific structure. Moreover, the present invention is a siloxane-based resin composition including a siloxane-based resin which is a reactive product to be obtained by hydrolyzing an alkoxysilane compound and an imidosilane compound having a specific structure and then making the resulting hydrolysate undergo a condensation reaction. According to the present invention, it is possible to form a cured film excellent in adhesion.
US08389646B2
The present invention refers to medical devices comprising a modified Co-Polymer or to the modified Co-Polymer itself having high flexibility and high stress resistance, especially tensile strength or tear resistance, in addition to the good physical characteristics of a Block-Co-Polymers of a polyamide and a polycarbonate, either polycarbonate diol or polycarbonate diamine.
US08389642B2
A method of treating a polymer includes oxidatively treating the polymer including a carbon-carbon bond framework in a gas atmosphere at a pressure of not less than 5.0 MPa and at a temperature of higher than 140° C. and lower than 200° C. by using oxygen included in the gas atmosphere.
US08389641B2
The present invention provides a modified diene rubber which can be produced economically and improve low-loss properties and wear resistance of a rubber composition made therefrom, as compared with the conventional modified diene rubber. The present invention further provides: a method of producing the modified diene rubber; a rubber composition using the modified diene rubber; and a tire using the rubber composition. Specifically, the present invention provides: a modified diene rubber, produced by first oxidizing diene rubber latex and then adding a polar group-including hydrazide compound to a terminal end of a molecular chain of the diene rubber; a rubber composition, comprising the modified diene rubber; and a tire, comprising a tire member made of the rubber composition.
US08389635B2
The present disclosure describes a polypropylene resin composition useful for the preparation of buried structures such as corrugated, non-pressure pipe.
US08389629B2
A multi-layered adhesive sheet 100, includes: a substrate film 106, an adhesive layer 103 formed by coating an adhesive having a specific composition onto this substrate film 106, and a die attachment film 105 laminated on the adhesive layer 103. The multi-layered adhesive sheet 100 employing an adhesive having this specific composition has superior retention of die chip 108 during the dicing of silicon wafer 101, allows the die attachment film 105 and adhesive layer 103 to be easily peeled apart during a pick-up operation of the die chip 108, and prevents poor adhesion during the bonding of die chip 108 to lead frame 111.
US08389624B2
A stable liquid intermediate comprising a polyol, and/or an acid and/or a catalyst and/or water for the preparation of polymeric compositions, the polyol being polyester polyol, a polyoxpropylene-polyoxypropylene polyol or a mixture thereof. There is disclosed a method of use of said stable liquid intermediate wherein said stable liquid intermediate is mixed with rubber granules.
US08389622B2
A non-aqueous pigment ink comprising a pigment, a pigment dispersant and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the pigment dispersant is an acrylic polymer comprising, as constituent monomers, (M1) an alkyl (meth)acrylate having an alkyl group of 12 or more carbon atoms, (M2) a (meth)acrylic acid derivative having an amino group, and (M3) (meth)acrylic acid and/or a (meth)acrylic acid derivative having a carboxyl group, in which a combination of all the constituent monomers comprises from 8 to 15 mol % of the monomer (M2) and from 0.6 to 8 mol % of the monomer (M3), and the molar ratio (M2)/(M3) between the monomer (M2) and the monomer (M3) is within a range from 1.3 to 15.
US08389618B2
A composition includes an elastomeric composition. The elastomeric composition can include an epichlorohydrin composition, and the elastomeric composition can be substantially free of a fluoroelastomer composition. The composition can further include a filler material which includes a reinforcement-grade carbon black. The composition can further include a peroxide curative.
US08389617B2
The invention provides structurally modified, pyrogenically prepared silicas obtained by reaction of pyrogenic silicas with cyclic polysiloxanes of the type —[O—Si(R2)]n—, where R is a C1 to C6 alkyl group and n is 3 to 9, and subsequent structural modification of the silanized silicas obtained. The invention further provides an adhesive comprising the structurally modified, pyrogenically prepared silicas.
US08389615B2
A composition comprising: (i) at least one low molecular weight polyolefin; (ii) at least one block copolymer obtainable by selectively hydrogenating a block copolymer having terminal polymeric blocks of a vinyl aromatic monomer and a mid-block prepared originally with an olefin and subsequently hydrogenated; (iii) at least one polypropylene; and (iv) at least one plastomer, wherein the plastomer is an ethylene based polymer having a density of 0.86 g/cc to about 0.910 g/cc or a propylene based polymer having a heat of fusion (Hf) of 70 J/g or less.
US08389614B2
Biodegradable nanopolymer compositions and methods of making the compositions are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a biodegradable nanopolymer composition made from starting material comprising poly(lactic acid), co-polyester polymer with adipic acid compounded and nanoparticles of a mineral material such as silica and magnesium silicate. In addition, the present disclosure provides processes for making the biodegradable nanopolymer compositions as well as biodegradable articles made using the biodegradable nanopolymer compositions such as molded, formed and extruded articles.
US08389613B2
Water-emulsifiable polyisocyanate compositions admixed with at least one solvent of formula (1) (R1O)2C(R2)—X—R3 are formulated into aqueous emulsions which advantageously further comprise a compound, bearing a mobile hydrogen function, or a compound containing precursor functions capable of liberating hydroxyl functions, and are useful for producing coatings on a variety of substrates, e.g., made of cement, wood or leather in particular, and also for producing adhesives.
US08389607B2
Golf ball 2 has core 4, cover 6 and paint layer 12. The base polymer of the cover 6 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. The cover 6 includes a benzotriazole based ultraviolet ray absorbing agent, a hindered amine light stabilizer and a hindered phenol heat resistance stabilizer. Provided that the molar concentration of the benzotriazole based ultraviolet ray absorbing agent is defined as A; the molar concentration of the hindered amine light stabilizer is defined as B; and the molar concentration of the hindered phenol heat resistance stabilizer is defined as C, the molar ratio (B/A) is 0.01 or greater and 0.5 or less, and the molar ratio [(B+C)/A] is 0.1 or greater and 1.5 or less. Preferably, the hindered amine light stabilizer does not have a hindered phenol group in the molecule. Preferably, the principal component of the elastomer is a reaction product of MDI and polyether polyol.
US08389600B2
Provided are an ink jet ink set, an ink jet recording method, and an ink jet recording apparatus each of which can reduce the graininess of an image to be recorded and improve the water fastness of the image even in a recording medium such as plain paper. The ink jet ink set has a first ink and a second ink independently, and is used so that the first and second inks overlap each other at least partly upon application of the inks to a recording medium. The first ink contains at least a pigment and a silicone oil. The second ink contains at least a pigment and a graft polymer that includes at least a nonionic unit represented by the general formula (I) and a unit having a polysiloxane structure.
US08389595B2
The invention relates to the production of superabsorbent polymers comprising polymerizing a monomer solution on a continuous belt reactor, wherein the consistency of the formed polymer gel at the end of the continuous belt reactor is controlled by adjusting the intensity of energy-rich radiation.
US08389592B2
Optical elements, in particular for holographic applications, have a gradient structure formed by a refractive index gradient and include one or more organic polymers and at least one ionic liquid.
US08389589B2
A nanoporous material exhibiting a lamellar structure is disclosed. The material comprises three or more substantially parallel sheets of an organosilicate material, separated by highly porous spacer regions. The distance between the centers of the sheets lies between 1 nm and 50 nm. The highly porous spacer regions may be substantially free of condensed material. For the manufacture of such materials, a process is disclosed in which matrix non-amphiphilic polymeric material and templating polymeric material are dispersed in a solvent, where the templating polymeric material includes a polymeric amphiphilic material. The solvent with the polymeric materials is distributed onto a substrate. Organization is induced in the templating polymeric material. The solvent is removed, leaving the polymeric materials in place. The matrix polymeric material is cured, forming a lamellar structure.
US08389585B2
The embodiments of the present invention are characterized by degasifying a portion of a gas and slurry mixture in a three-phase slurry process and lowering the solids content of the degassed slurry portion to below about 20 wt %. The degassed and lowered solids content slurry portion is then introduced into a fines separation device for separation and removal of fines. The foregoing procedure has been found to increase the effectiveness of the fines separation device.
US08389584B2
Nanodiamond material containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen characterized by the absence of sp2 carbon phase based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and containing more than approximately 11 wt % of oxygen and demonstrating a pH approximately below 2.5 when dispersed in an amount of 10 wt % in deionized water. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08389581B2
The present invention is generally directed to compositions and methods for the treatment of an infectious disease of the foot of an animal. One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for preventing and/or treating one or more infectious diseases of the hoof in animals, comprising: preparing a copper-free and zinc-free composition comprising at least one cross-linking agent, wherein the cross-linking agent is not formaldehyde; and administering the composition to a lower leg and hoof area of said animal to prevent and/or treat said one or more infectious diseases. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a copper-free and zinc-free composition for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more infectious diseases of the hoof in animals, comprising at least one cross-linking agent, wherein said cross-linking agent is not formaldehyde. The present invention is also directed to a method for treating and/or preventing papillomatous digital dermatitis in an ungulate, comprising: preparing a copper-free and zinc-free composition comprising at least one cross-linking agent and at least one quaternary ammonium compound; and spraying or applying in a foam a therapeutically effective amount of said composition to a lower leg and hoof area of said ungulate in order to treat and/or prevent said papillomatous digitial dermatitis.
US08389580B2
Described herein are arylcyclopropylamine compounds that may inhibit enzymes comprising an amine oxidase domain, such as LSD1, MAO A and/or MAO B.
US08389577B2
The invention involves various embodiments of a method for treating a human being for a condition associated with (1) a clinical state of impairment of carnitine or carnitine esters, or decreased fatty acid metabolism, (2) low energy production or lower ATP production, (3) clinical hyperammonemia, and (4) clinically high pyruvate levels resulting from a deficiency in the biosynthesis of carnitine. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective salt of N-6-trimethyl-L-lysine.
US08389570B2
The present invention is directed to certain hydroxamate derivatives that are useful in the treatment of hepatitis C. These compounds are also inhibitors of histone deacetylase and are therefore useful in the treatment of diseases associated with histone deacetylase activity. Pharmaceutical compositions and processes for preparing these compounds are also disclosed.
US08389562B2
The invention relates to new crystalline polymorphic forms of N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3H-indol-3-ylidine)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (i.e., sunitinib base), including Form I, Form II, and Form IV, processes for preparing crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of new crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base and pharmaceutical compositions comprising new crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base, salts of new crystalline polymorphic forms of sunitinib base and mixtures thereof.
US08389553B2
The present invention relates to a novel class of 4-carboxybenzylamino derivatives. The 4-carboxybenzylamino compounds can be used to treat cancer. The 4-carboxybenzylamino compounds can also inhibit histone deacetylase and are suitable for use in selectively inducing terminal differentiation, and arresting cell growth and/or apoptosis of neoplastic cells, thereby inhibiting proliferation of such cells. Thus, the compounds of the present invention are useful in treating a patient having a tumor characterized by proliferation of neoplastic cells. The compounds of the invention may also be useful in the prevention and treatment of TRX-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory diseases, and in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as neurodegenerative diseases. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the 4-carboxybenzylamino derivatives and safe dosing regimens of these pharmaceutical compositions, which are easy to follow, and which result in a therapeutically effective amount of the 4-carboxybenzylamino derivatives in vivo.
US08389531B2
The present invention provides an improved and commercially viable process for preparation of erlotinib substantially free of N-methoxyethyl impurity, namely N-[(3-ethynylphenyl)-(2-methoxyethyl)]-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-quinazolinamine, and its pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof in high purity and in high yield. According to the present invention, erlotinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of erlotinib substantially free of N-methoxyethyl impurity is prepared by isolating erlotinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of erlotinib from a solvent medium comprising dimethyl sulfoxide and an alcoholic solvent.
US08389522B2
The present disclosure provides compounds that function as modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymatic activity, as well as compositions and formulations comprising the compounds. The present disclosure provides therapeutic methods involving administering a subject compound, or a subject pharmaceutical composition.
US08389510B2
11-piperazin-1-yldibenzo[b,f][1,4]thiazepine, compositions thereof, preparations thereof, formulations thereof, prodrugs thereof and pharmaceutical uses thereof.
US08389508B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds having pharmacological activity, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of various disorders.
US08389505B2
The invention relates to adamantane diaza-crown ether derivatives and the use of mono and diaza-crown ether adamantine derivatives in treatment, especially in tumor treatment. Adamantane aza-crown ethers were obtained by reaction of the corresponding adamantane derived tosylates or adamantane acid chlorides with mono- and diaza-18-crown-6. The prepared compounds showed moderate (monoaza-18-crown-6) to strong (diaza-18-crown-6) antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity on several tumor cell lines, revealing their potential for inhibiting the growth of other tumor cells.
US08389504B2
The present invention relates to a prenatal dietary supplement comprising at least one omega-3 fatty acid, at least one omega-6 fatty acid; folic acid; lutein; and at least one proanthocyanidin.
US08389500B2
The present invention relates to compounds that are sodium channel inhibitors and to their use in the treatment of various disease states, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In particular embodiments, the structure of the compounds is given by Formula (IA) or (IB): as further described herein. The invention also relates to methods for the preparation of the compounds, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
US08389490B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions that decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. The compositions of the invention comprise short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siNA) including, but not limited to, siRNA that decrease expression of genes associated with production or drainage of intraocular fluid. The compositions of the invention can be used in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of an eye conditions displaying increased IOP such as glaucoma, infection, inflammation, uveitis, and diabetic retinopathy. The methods of the invention comprise the administration to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of one or more siNAs of the invention.
US08389488B2
The present invention relates to antisense antidote compounds and uses thereof. Such antidote compounds reduce the magnitude and/or duration of the antisense activity of an antisense compound.
US08389487B2
The present invention is directed to small interfering RNAs that down regulate expression of a synuclein gene and methods of using the small interfering RNAs.
US08389485B2
Methods and compositions for delivering agents (e.g., gene silencing agents) and molecules to cells using yeast cell wall particles are presented herein. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of nucleic acids (e.g., siRNAs) to cells.
US08389476B2
The invention provides parstatin peptides, particularly a mammalian parstatin peptide including amino acids 1-26 of full length mammalian parstatin, preferably a human parstatin. The invention provides parstatin peptides in appropriate pharmaceutical carriers and formulated for administration. The invention provides for the use of the peptide for example as a medicament or for the preparation of a medicament. The invention provides methods of use for parstatin peptides including for inhibition of angiogenesis, for example for inhibition of ocular angiogenesis, for methods of cardioprotection, and for methods of prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.
US08389475B2
Human relaxin analogs, polypeptide compositions related thereto, as well as nucleotide compositions encoding the same, are provided.
US08389471B2
Disclosed are compositions, including low-calorie beverages or liquids, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, cysteine, and methionine, in specified amounts, weight ratios, or both. The compositions are especially useful in treating individuals afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.
US08389468B2
The present invention relates to the use of an antisecretory protein or a derivative, homologue, and/or fragment thereof, having antisecretory activity, and/or a pharmaceutically active salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition and/or a medical food for the treatment and/or prevention of compartment syndrome. A compartment syndrome may be caused by or a cause of a variety of other conditions which are also encompassed by the present invention, such as viral and bacterial infections. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of compartment syndrome in a mammal in need thereof.
US08389467B2
The present invention relates to self-setting compositions consisting in admixed liquid and solid components enable the formation of hardened bio-materials having a broad range of properties and performances. The present invention proposes a) a thermo-sensitive self-gelling liquid component, being water-based, comprising at least a polycationic and a phosphate source, wherein the liquid component is a thermo-gelling solution at a pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.4; b) a powder component consisting in at least two calcium phosphate sources. The preferred calcium phosphate source includes apatites, tricalcium phosphates, tetracalcium phosphates and dicalcium phosphates. Both solid and liquid components are admixed to form a flowable slurry that sets in situ into a hardened calcium phosphate based bio-material.
US08389465B2
Isosorbide monoesters according to the general formula (I) wherein R′ or R″ represent a hydrogen atom, or an group CO—R′″, with the proviso that one group R′ or R″ is a hydrogen atom, and R′″ represents linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl- or alkenyl groups with 6 to 22 C-atoms are useful compounds in the preparation of all kind of detergents, in particular dish washing detergents or of cosmetic preparations.
US08389462B2
Fabric softening compositions comprising two specific encapsulated perfume compositions provide an improved laundry experience to consumers.
US08389460B2
The present invention washes clothes using a phosphorous-free detergent composition for clothes, which contains an organic alkaline chelating agent as an essential ingredient, and an anti-soil redeposition agent, but no surfactant.
US08389450B2
The present invention relates to a lubricant concentrate containing the following components (i) at least one amine, (ii) at least one phosphate according to the general formula (I), (iii) at least one acid, (iv) optionally at least one ether carboxylic acid compounds with the general formula (II) R20—(O(CH2)m)nOCH2COO−M+ (II), (v) optionally at least one further aid or additive.
US08389449B2
A gear oil additive composition and gear oil composition comprising a organic polysulfide having at least 30 wt % of a dialkyl polysulfide compound or mixture of dialkyl polysulfide compounds, a thiadiazole; and at least one ashless phosphorus-containing wear inhibitor compound is disclosed as having low yellow corrosion in axles and transmissions.
US08389448B1
The process for making amphoteric surfactants derived from ether amine s is described. The ether amines may be derived from natural products such as animal, marine or vegetable oils or from petroleum derived raw materials. The application of these amphoteric surfactants to the recovery of residual oil by Enhanced Oil Recovery methods is disclosed.
US08389445B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate.
US08389439B2
Compositions and methods for producing a manufactured product, a method for making a liquid absorbent, and processes for disposal of flammable liquids with a flue gas desulfurization by-product. The compositions for the manufactured products combine a binder and the by-product. The composition contains a greater percentage by weight of the by-product than the binder. The methods for producing manufactured products include dewatering the gypsum-depleted waste stream to reduce a water content, and forming the manufactured product. The method for making a liquid absorbent includes dewatering, granulating, drying, heating, and packaging a granulated gypsum-depleted composition as the liquid absorbent. The processes for disposal of flammable liquids include distributing a by-product into contact with flammable liquid, absorbing the liquid, transporting, and igniting the flammable liquid. The artificial soils are a combination of by-product and animal waste.
US08389429B2
A composite ceramic body with increased strength is disclosed. The composite ceramic body, composed of a matrix of alumina particles with a mean particle diameter ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 μm and nano-zirconia particles with a particle diameter of 0.15 μm or less, wherein the alumina particles and the nano-zirconia particles fall in a respective weight percentage ratio ranging from 80:20 to 95:5 with a relative density of 93% or more and wherein in a cross section, a total sum of surface areas of pores, having cross-sectional areas equal to or greater than surface areas of circles having the same diameters as a mean particle diameter of the alumina particles, falls in a value of 2.2% or less based on a whole of the cross-sectional areas.
US08389421B2
When an object to be processed is transferred into a process chamber capable of keeping a vacuum and an interior of the process chamber is kept in a vacuum state, the film formation method includes performing forming a first ZrO film on the object to be processed by supplying a zirconium material and an oxidizing agent in the order listed above into the process chamber and forming a second ZrO film doped with Si on the object to be processed by supplying the zirconium material, a silicon material, and the oxidizing agent in the order listed above into the process chamber, in such a way that a number of times the forming the first ZrO film is performed and a number of times the forming the second ZrO film is performed are adjusted, respectively, to form a zirconia-based film having a predetermined film thickness while controlling a Si concentration in the film.
US08389418B2
The present disclosure relates to a solution for selectively removing metal, such as Ta or TaN, from a substrate, such as an aluminum containing substrate. The solution comprises an acid, such as HF or buffered HF, an ingredient comprising a fluorine ion, such as ammonium fluoride (NH4F), ethylene glycol, and water. A method of selectively removing metal from a substrate using this solution is also disclosed.
US08389414B2
A wiring board has an insulating layer, a plurality of wiring layers formed in such a way as to be insulated from each other by the insulating layer, and a plurality of vias formed in the insulating layer to connect the wiring layers. Of the wiring layers, a surface wiring layer formed in one surface of the insulating layer include a first metal film exposed from the one surface and a second metal film embedded in the insulating layer and stacked on the first metal film. Edges of the first metal film project from edges of the second metal film in the direction in which the second metal film spreads. By designing the shape of the wiring layers embedded in the insulating layer in this manner, it is possible to obtain a highly reliable wiring board that can be effectively prevented from side etching in the manufacturing process and can adapt to miniaturization and highly dense packaging of wires.
US08389410B2
A chemical-mechanical polishing process includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having a first conductive line thereon, and then forming at least one dielectric layer over the substrate and the first conductive line. Next, a chemical-mechanical polishing method is used to polish the surface of the dielectric layer. Thereafter, a cap layer is formed over the polished dielectric layer. The method of forming the cap layer includes depositing silicon oxide using a chemical vapor deposition method with silicane (SiH4) or tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS) as the main reactive agent. Alternatively, the cap layer can be formed by depositing silicon nitride using a chemical vapor deposition method with silicane or silicon dichlorohydride (SiH2Cl2) as the main reactive agent. Finally, a via opening is formed through the dielectric layer and the cap layer, and a second conductive line that couples electrically with the first conductive line through the via opening.
US08389409B2
Semiconductor wafers are produced by a process of: a) providing a semiconductor wafer by cutting a silicon ingot into wafers; b) rounding the edge of the wafer, so that the wafer comprises plane surfaces on the frontside and backside and rounded oblique surfaces in the edge region; c) polishing the frontside and backside of the wafer, the frontside being polished by chemical-mechanical polishing using a polishing pad which is free of abrasive fixed in the polishing pad; backside polishing being carried out in three steps, using a polishing pad containing fixed abrasive which is pressed onto the backside of the wafer, a polishing agent free of solids introduced between the polishing pad and the backside of the wafer in the first step, a polishing agent containing abrasive being introduced in the second and third steps, a polishing pressure of 8-15 psi in the first and second steps being reduced to 0.5-5 psi in the third step.
US08389407B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming openings. For instance, a construction may have a material over a plurality of electrically conductive lines. A plurality of annular features may be formed over the material, with the annular features crossing the lines. A patterned mask may be formed over the annular features, with the patterned mask leaving segments of the annular features exposed through a window in the patterned mask. The exposed segments of the annular features may define a plurality of openings, and such openings may be transferred into the material to form openings extending to the electrically conductive lines.
US08389397B2
A method of forming a device includes providing a wafer including a substrate; and forming an under-bump metallurgy (UBM) layer including a barrier layer overlying the substrate and a seed layer overlying the barrier layer. A metal bump is formed directly over a first portion of the UBM layer, wherein a second portion of the UBM layer is not covered by the metal bump. The second portion of the UBM layer includes a seed layer portion and a barrier layer portion. A first etch is performed to remove the seed layer portion, followed by a first rinse step performed on the wafer. A second etch is performed to remove the barrier layer portion, followed by a second rinse step performed on the wafer. At least a first switch time from the first etch to the first rinse step and a second switch time from the second etch to the second rinse step is less than about 1 second.
US08389392B2
The present invention relates to a FinFET with separate gates and to a method for fabricating the same. A dielectric gate-separation layer between first and second gate electrodes has an extension in a direction pointing from a first to a second gate layer that is smaller than a lateral extension of the fin between its opposite lateral faces. This structure corresponds with a processing method that starts from a covered basic FinFET structure with a continuous first gate layer, and proceeds to remove parts of the first gate layer and of a first gate-isolation layer through a contact opening to the gate layer. Subsequently, a replacement gate-isolation layer that at the same time forms the gate separation layer fabricated, followed by filling the tunnel with a replacement gate layer and a metal filling.
US08389375B2
In a first aspect, a method of forming a memory cell is provided, the method including: (1) forming a pillar above a substrate, the pillar comprising a steering element and a metal hardmask layer; (2) selectively removing the metal hardmask layer to create a void; and (3) forming a carbon-based switching material within the void. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08389374B1
The present invention is a method for producing a capacitor. The method includes applying a dielectric substance (ex.—silicon nitride) to a first gold seed layer, the first gold seed layer being formed on a wafer. A second gold seed layer is formed upon the dielectric substance and first gold seed layer. Gold is electroplated into a photoresist to form a first set of 3-D capacitor elements on the second gold seed layer. A first copper layer is electroplated onto the second gold seed layer. Gold is electroplated into a photoresist to form a second set of 3-D capacitor elements, the second set of 3-D elements being formed at least partially within the first copper layer and being connected to the first set of 3-D elements. A second copper layer is electroplated onto the first copper layer. Then, both copper layers are removed to provide (ex.—form) the capacitor.
US08389366B2
Breakdown voltage BVdss is enhanced and ON-resistance reduced in RESURF devices (40, 60, 80, 80′, 80″), e.g., LDMOS transistors, by careful charge balancing, even when body (44, 44′, 84, 84′) and drift (50, 50′, 90, 90′) region charge balance is not ideal, by: (i) providing a plug or sinker (57) near the drain (52, 92) and of the same conductivity type extending through the drift region (50, 50′, 90, 90′) at least into the underlying body region (44, 44′ 84, 84′), and/or (ii) applying bias Viso to a surrounding lateral doped isolation wall (102) coupled to the device buried layer (42, 82), and/or (iii) providing a variable resistance bridge (104) between the isolation wall (102) and the drift region (50, 50′, 90, 90′). The bridge (104) may be a FET (110) whose source-drain (113, 114) couple the isolation wall (102) and drift region (50, 50′, 90, 90′) and whose gate (116) receives control voltage Vc, or a resistor (120) whose cross-section (X, Y, Z) affects its resistance and pinch-off, to set the percentage of drain voltage coupled to the buried layer (42, 82) via the isolation wall (102).
US08389361B2
A silicon nitride film, which is a second hard mask, is dry etched to be removed completely. The silicon nitride film, which is formed on a sidewall of a silicon nitride film used as a first hard mask, has a relatively low etching rate. Therefore, if the silicon nitride film is continued etching until the corresponding portion thereof is removed, polysilicon is etched in a direction of depth in trench shape. Then, floating gates in adjacent cells are separated and a step portion of the polysilicon is formed. Consequently, a remaining portion of the silicon nitride film used as the first hard mask is removed, an ONO film is laminated on a whole surface of the poly silicon having the step portion on an edge that has been etched, and then, a polysilicon for a control gate is laminated on the ONO film.
US08389359B2
The present disclosure provides a method that includes forming a high k dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a polysilicon layer on the high k dielectric layer; patterning the high k dielectric layer and polysilicon layer to form first and second dummy gates in first and second field effect transistor (FET) regions, respectively; forming an inter-level dielectric (ILD); applying a first CMP process to the semiconductor substrate, exposing the first and second dummy gates; removing the polysilicon from the first dummy gate, resulting in a first gate trench; forming a first metal electrode in the first gate trench; applying a second CMP process; forming a mask covering the first FET region and exposing the second dummy gate; thereafter removing the polysilicon from the second dummy gate, resulting in a second gate trench; forming a second metal electrode in the second gate trench; and applying a third CMP process.
US08389356B2
Methods for forming split gate flash cell structures provide for symmetrical cells that are immune to misalignment of the photoresist pattern when forming the control gates. Spacers are utilized to form the floating gates in the floating gate transistors used in the flash cells. The spacers may be oxide spacers used to mask a polysilicon layer that will form the floating gates or the spacers may be polysilicon spacers that will themselves form the floating gates. The inter-gate oxide of the floating gate transistors may be formed using HTO or may be deposited. Hard mask spacers are used in conjunction with the control gate photoresist patterning operation to control the size and configuration of the control gate and the channel length.
US08389345B2
To achieve TFT having a high light-resistance characteristic with a suppressed light leak current at low cost by simplifying the manufacturing processes. The TFT basically includes: a light-shielding film formed on a glass substrate that serves as an insulating substrate; an insulating film formed on the light-shielding film; a semiconductor film formed on the insulating film; and a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor film. Each layer of a laminate that is configured with three layers of the light-shielding film, the insulating film, and the semiconductor film is patterned simultaneously. Further, each layer of the laminate is configured with silicon or a material containing silicon.
US08389337B2
Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods include attaching a patch structure to an interposer by thermal compression bonding, forming an underfill around an array of interconnect structures disposed on a top surface of the interposer, curing the underfill, and then attaching a die to the patch structure.
US08389318B2
A method of producing a thin film photovoltaic system (2) having a two-dimensional metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) as an absorber of sunlight and a metal layer (8) applied to the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer is provided, wherein the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) and the metal layer (8) form a Schottky contact at their contact face. The method is characterized in that the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) is produced by applying a dispersion containing nanoscale particles having a diameter of about 3 nm to about 30 nm to a transparent substrate material (12), wherein the layer thickness of the metal chalcogenide compound semiconductor layer (7) applied to the substrate material ranges from about 150 nm to about 2500 nm.
US08389313B2
The present invention provides a deposition method of a multilayered structure composed of a III group nitride compound semiconductor having good crystallinity on a substrate. The multilayered structure comprises at least a buffer layer and an underlying layer from the substrate side, and the buffer layer and the underlying layer are formed by a sputtering method. A deposition temperature of the buffer layer is adjusted to a temperature lower than a deposition temperature of the underlying layer, or the thickness of the buffer layer is adjusted to 5 nm to 500 nm. Furthermore, the multilayered structure comprises at least an underlying layer and a light-emissive layer from the substrate side and the underlying layer is formed by a sputtering method, and the method comprises the step of forming the light-emissive layer by a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD method).
US08389308B2
A method for producing a surface emitting semiconductor device includes a step of forming a semiconductor stacked structure including an active layer, a first semiconductor layer containing aluminum on the active layer, and a DBR portion, on the first semiconductor layer, to include alternating stacked second semiconductor layers and third semiconductor layers having different aluminum contents; a step of forming a mesa portion by etching the DBR portion and the first semiconductor layer; an oxidation step of oxidizing the first semiconductor layer from a side face of the mesa portion toward the inside of the mesa portion to form an annular oxidized region inside the first semiconductor layer; a first etching step of selectively etching an oxidized region formed in the DBR portion; and a second etching step of removing a peripheral portion of the DBR portion.
US08389307B2
A light emitting diode package and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The light emitting diode package comprises a lead frame, having a frame body and a conductive layer covering the frame body. A reflector has a first portion and a second portion sandwiching the lead frame, wherein the first portion has a depression to expose the lead frame, and a light emitting diode chip is disposed on the lead frame in the depression. The fabrication method comprises forming a frame body and forming a conductive layer covering the frame body to form a lead frame. A first portion and a second portion of a reflector are formed to sandwich the lead frame, wherein the first portion has a depression to expose the lead frame. A light emitting diode chip is disposed on the lead frame in the depression.
US08389304B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, the device including a light-emitting layer which is formed so as to contour a stripe-pattern embossment and to have a uniform thickness. In the production method, firstly, a stripe-pattern embossment having a serrated cross section is formed on one surface of a substrate. Subsequently, on the surface of the substrate on the side of the stripe-pattern embossment having a serrated cross section, an n-type layer, a light-emitting layer, and a p-type layer are sequentially deposited through reduced-pressure MOCVD so as to contour the embossment. Thus, each of the layers is formed so as to contour the embossment, and to have a stripe pattern with a serrated cross section. In this MOCVD process, the direction of gas flow is parallel with the direction of the stripe of the embossment. Thus, the light-emitting layer has uniform thickness and composition in an in-plane direction.
US08389292B2
Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay.
US08389290B2
The current invention relates to sensing elements and devices comprising at least one amphipathic lipid-binding protein or fatty acid binding protein, wherein the binding proteins are associated with a luminescent reporter group. The binding proteins and luminescent reporter groups are encapsulated within a hydrogel matrix that comprises at least one co-monomer, wherein the co-monomer is present at a concentration that decreases or inhibits micelle formation of the amphipathic lipid. Binding of the amphipathic lipid or fatty acid to the appropriate binding protein can produce at least one detectable change in the property of the luminescent reporter group.
US08389284B2
Polypeptides which are related to the neprilysin enzyme family and have zinc metalloprotease activities and are referred to as IGS5, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, vectors containing such polynucleotides, host cells containing such vectors, processes for producing such polypeptides and/or polynucleotides, screening methods for identifying compounds which stimulate or inhibit IGS5 polypeptides and/or polynucleotides, and the use of such polypeptides and/or polynucleotides in therapy of various dysfunctions, disorders or diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease.
US08389259B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08389257B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08389256B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08389253B2
Biomass is pretreated using an organic solvent solution under alkaline conditions in the presence of one or more alkylamine and optionally one or more additional nucleophile to fragment and extract lignin. Pretreated biomass is further hydrolyzed with a saccharification enzyme consortium. Fermentable sugars released by saccharification may be utilized for the production of target chemicals by fermentation.
US08389250B2
A method of producing methionine, derivatives or precursors thereof comprising culturing a microorganism modified to enhance production of cysteine in a culture medium comprising a source of carbon and a source of sulfur and recovering methionine from the culture medium. A microorganism for fermentative production of methionine or its derivatives in which production of methionine or derivatives thereof, wherein the microorganism enhances production of cysteine.
US08389249B2
An L-amino acid can be produced by culturing a bacterium which belongs to the Enterobacteriaceae family, and has an enhanced ability to use a fatty acid. The bacterium is capable of producing the L-amino acid in a culture medium containing a fatty acid or a hydrolysate of an oil-and-fat as a carbon source, thereby producing and accumulating the L-amino acid in a culture.
US08389246B2
It is intended to provide a novel convenient approach for DNA quantitative analysis that overcomes the disadvantages of conventional formulations. A standard DNA sample is prepared by introducing a single-base substitution into target DNA, and a predetermined amount thereof is mixed with a target DNA sample. The target and standard DNAs are amplified using the same primers designed to amplify a region comprising the single-base substitution site. To a hybridization product of a probe capable of binding to a site immediately before the single-base substitution site, ddATP, ddGTP, ddCTP, and ddTTP are sequentially added one by one to perform a complementary strand synthesis reaction. Luciferase reaction-induced luminescence derived from the formed pyrophosphoric acid is detected. The target DNA is quantitated from the amount of the detected luminescence and the amount of the added standard DNA sample.
US08389237B2
The present invention provides an isolated antibody capable of binding a receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) of CRLR receptor which antibody is of IgG, IgA or IgM isotype.
US08389233B2
Provided are methods for sampling, testing and validating test lots, comprising: assembling a plurality of product portions from each of a plurality of test lots and combining the portions to provide a corresponding set of test lot samples; enriching the test lot samples; removing portions of each enriched sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and testing of the modular composite sample, and individual testing of the enriched test lot samples, using at least one suitable detection assay for a target microbe or organism, wherein when such testing is negative all test lots are validated, and wherein when such testing is positive with respect to the modular composite sample, or with respect to an individual enriched test lot sample, individual test lots may nonetheless yet be validated by further testing of a portion of respective initially-negative enriched test lot samples and obtaining negative results.
US08389232B2
The invention herein disclosed provides for compositions, methods for synthesizing said compositions, and methods for using said compositions, wherein the compositions and methods may be used to bind to and/or deactivate a poison oak oil, such as urushiol. The compositions and methods can be used to treat and/or reduce an inflammatory reaction and/or hypersensitivity to natural compounds found in poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, mango, lac tree, and cashew nut.
US08389230B2
The present invention provides an immunoassay analyzer capable of discriminating between normal coloring due to a specific immunoreaction and abnormal coloring due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction in a measurement region of a sample analysis tool. An immunoassay analyzer 1 of the present invention includes an optical detection unit 4 and a determination unit 5. The optical detection unit 4 includes an optical signal measurement unit for measuring an optical signal at each of two or more different wavelengths including a main wavelength for detecting color change due to the specific immunoreaction and a sub-wavelength(s) other than the main wavelength. The determination unit 5 includes a discrimination unit for comparing the respective optical signals at the two or more different wavelengths and discriminating between the color change due to the specific immunoreaction and color change due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction based on a comparison criterion determined previously.
US08389211B2
A method for highly sensitive determination of a target substance by means of an aptamer includes: causing an aptamer capable of specific binding with a target substance to bind competitively with said target substance and a nucleic acid strand having a base sequence complementary to at least a portion of said target substance, detecting at least either of the physical change and the chemical change that results from said aptamer binding with said nucleic acid strand, and determining said target substance based on the result of detection.
US08389208B2
A kinase is used in a biological indicator for validation of treatment processes designed to reduce the amount or activity of a biological agent in a sample. The indication can be used for validation of sterilization treatment. The formation of ATP from a substrate comprising ADP is measured via the liciferin/luciferate system in a luminameter. Thermostable adenylate kinase from sulfolobus acidocaldarius is especially suitable for the validation of procedures to inactivate transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents.
US08389204B2
To provide a method for producing a comb-shaped electrode capable of precisely carrying a large amount of active materials on a surface of current collectors with a fine shape. The method for producing comb-shaped electrodes 1a, 1b of the present invention includes a current collector forming step of forming a pair of comb-shaped current collectors 2a, 2b on a surface of a substrate 4, a resist coating step of forming a resist layer 6 on the surface of the substrate 4, and a guide hole forming step of forming guide holes 7a, 7b for forming a positive electrode 1a or a negative electrode 1b, in which a cationic polymerization type resist composition (i), a novolak type resist composition (ii), a chemically-amplified type resist composition (iii), or a radical polymerization type resist composition (iv), is used as a resist composition for forming the resist layer 6.
US08389192B2
An electrophotographic carrier includes a magnetic core material and a resin layer that coats the magnetic core material, the resin layer comprising a resistance control agent and a polymer including a repeating unit derived from an alicyclic group-containing methacrylic ester, the resin layer including a monomer as a base material of the repeating unit in the polymer in an amount of from about 0.5% by weight to about 3.0% by weight relative to the total amount of the resin layer.
US08389184B2
Disclosed is a reflective mask blank (10) which comprises a substrate (1), a multilayer reflective film (2) for reflecting exposure light, a buffer film (3), and an absorber film (4) for absorbing exposure light, said films being sequentially formed on the substrate. The absorber film (4) has a multilayer structure which is composed of an uppermost layer (4b) and a lower layer (4a). The uppermost layer is formed from a material containing oxide, oxynitride or carbide of Ta, and has a refractive index (n) of 0.95-0.97 and an extinction coefficient (k) of from −0.033 to −0.023. The lower layer is formed from a material containing Ta, and has a refractive index (n) of 0.94-0.97 and an extinction coefficient (k) of from −0.050 to −0.036. A reflective mask (20) can be obtained by forming a transfer pattern on the absorber film of the reflective mask blank.
US08389177B2
A combined subgasket and membrane support for a fuel cell is provided. The combined subgasket and membrane support includes a substantially fluid impermeable feed region circumscribing a porous membrane support region. The membrane support region is integrally formed with the feed region. At least one of the membrane support region and the feed region is at least partially formed by a radiation-cured structure. A method for fabricating the subgasket and membrane support for the fuel cell is also provided.
US08389172B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heat exchanger, a reformer, and a combustor. A combustion gas path for supplying the combustion gas produced in the combustor to the heat exchanger as the heat medium is provided. The combustion gas path is provided between a space of dual walls comprising a first inner plate and a second inner plate and a first case unit and a second case unit accommodating a load applying mechanism and the fuel cell stack.
US08389169B2
A hydrogen generator includes a water storage container for storing water, a reaction container for receiving a solid fuel that is a mixture of a complex metal hydride and catalysts, and a water supplying source that is connected between the water storage container and the reaction container to supply the water to the reaction container.
US08389164B2
A nonaqueous electrolytic solution includes an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a chain compound having a hydroxyl group and a carbon-carbon double bond, a light metal alkoxide thereof and a derivative thereof obtained by substituting the hydroxyl group with a protective group.
US08389162B2
An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery that includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an electrolyte additive. The electrolyte additive includes 2 to 6 wt % of succinonitrile, 2 to 6 wt % of alkane sultone, and 1 to 3 wt % of vinylethylene carbonate based on the total weight of the electrolyte.
US08389157B2
An electrode having an oriented array of multiple nanotubes is disclosed. Individual nanotubes have a lengthwise inner pore defined by interior tube walls which extends at least partially through the length of the nanotube. The nanotubes of the array may be oriented according to any identifiable pattern. Also disclosed is a device featuring an electrode and methods of fabrication.
US08389152B2
A polymer battery pack includes a core pack having a protective circuit module attached to a bare cell, a case having the core pack coupled thereto, the protective circuit module having a portion exposed to an exterior of the case, and a resin enclosing at least a portion of the protective circuit module that is exposed to the exterior of the case. A method of manufacturing a polymer battery pack includes forming a bare cell, forming a core pack having a protective circuit module, coupling the core pack to an interior of the case such that the protective circuit module is exposed to an exterior of the case, and molding the protective circuit module with a resin such that a terminal on the protective circuit module is exposed to an exterior of the resin.
US08389148B2
Separator for cylindrical cell of the outwardly guided type, wherein a sheet material is wound around a mandrel, and starting from the winding step until the insertion of a separator into the cell, an outward support is used that renders the binding of neighboring turns of the separator winding unnecessary, and the separator sheet has an extended portion, with the extension being at least equal to the radius of the separator cylinder, and with this extended portion being wetted with distilled or de-ionized water until the material softens and the winding and the mandrel are rotated and the bottom part is folded back and heat fused to close the separator cylinder.
US08389145B2
Battery assemblies have been provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a battery assembly includes a casing including a plurality of walls defining a coolant chamber and a battery cell pocket disposed in the coolant chamber including a container section, a lip, and a first spacer, the lip surrounding the container section and including a casing adjoining section and a pocket adjoining section, the casing adjoining section configured to couple to the casing, and the pocket adjoining section configured to couple to an adjacent lip of an adjacent battery cell pocket, and the first spacer protruding outwardly from the container section.
US08389131B2
Provided is an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device), in which the luminous efficiency of the device is improved, driving stability is sufficiently ensured, and the construction of the device is simple. This organic EL device is an organic electroluminescent device, including a light-emitting layer between an anode and a cathode laminated on a substrate, in which the light-emitting layer contains a phosphorescent light-emitting dopant and an indolocarbazole compound as a host material. Examples of the indolocarbazole compound include a compound represented by the following formula (1). It should be noted that in the formulae: a ring A and a ring B are represented by the formulae (1a) and (1b), respectively; Ar's each represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group; R's each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a cycloalkyl group; X represents a methine group or a nitrogen atom; A represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a group represented by the formula (1c); and n represents 0 or 1.
US08389126B2
A structural component suitable for use as refinery and/or petrochemical process equipment and piping is provided. The structural component has improved corrosion, abrasion, environmental degradation resistance, and fire resistant properties with a substrate coated with a surface-treated amorphous metal layer. The surface of the structural component is surface treated with an energy source to cause a diffusion of at least a portion of the amorphous metal layer and at least a portion of the substrate, forming a diffusion layer disposed on a substrate. The diffusion layer has a negative hardness profile with the hardness increasing from the diffusion surface in contact with the substrate to the surface away from the substrate.
US08389120B2
A glazing comprising a sheet of glass, a film of damping material, and a rigid sheet, the assembly being laminated and comprising one or more exciters fastened to the glazing.
US08389108B2
A surface-coated cutting tool of the present invention includes a substrate and a coated layer formed on the substrate, and the coated layer is a physical-vapor-deposition layer having a thickness of 10 μm or more. A surface region having a thickness of 1 μm from a surface of the coated layer includes a first region whose integrated residual stress is a compressive stress and a second region whose integrated residual stress is a tensile stress, and the integrated residual stress of the surface region falls within the range of −1.5 to 1.5 GPa in any region included in the surface region.
US08389101B2
Lanthanum containing cordierite bodies are provided that exhibit high strength, little or no microcracking, and a high thermal shock resistance. Improved maintenance of low microcracking and high strength is obtained even after exposure to high temperatures.
US08389098B2
An optical information recording medium in which recorded information is stably stored for long time in the initial state, signals are not deteriorated by a laser beam for reproduction at the time of signal reproduction, the quality does not change in normal long-term storage, the write characteristic is held, a manufacturing cost is reduced, a margin in the manufacture process is assured, and excellent recording/reproducing characteristics are obtained in the wide range of linear speeds and recording powers is provided. An optical information recording medium 1 is formed by sequentially stacking a first information recording layer 11, an intermediate layer 12, a second information recording layer 13, and a protection layer 14 on a substrate 10. As a material of a recording layer 13b of the second information recording layer 13, a material having a composition expressed by [(ZnS)x(SiO2)1-x]y(SbzX1-z)1-y (where 0
US08389092B2
A stack includes one or more web-shaped materials, at least one of the web-shaped materials having a visual pattern, wherein a similar pattern is seen as an edge pattern on a face side of the stack. There is also provided a method to produce such a stack.
US08389073B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound that has a large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) and also has at least one of characteristics such as the stability to heat, light or the like, a high clearing point, a suitable refractive index anisotropy (Δn), a large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds. An excellent effect in which especially the value of the dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) is increased negatively is achieved by use of the compound having two moieties of 1) a tetrahydropyran ring and and thus the effect is utilized.
US08389070B2
A method for depositing a polymeric material onto a substrate, said method comprising introducing an organic monomeric material in a gaseous state into a plasma deposition chamber, igniting a glow discharge within said chamber, and applying a high frequency voltage as a pulsed field, at a power of from 0.001 to 500 w/m3 for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly suitable for producing oil and water repellent coatings, in particular where the monomeric material contains haloalkyl compounds. Apparatus particularly adapted to carry out the method of the invention is also described and claimed.
US08389057B2
The present invention discloses systems and methods for printing functional blocks from a plurality of printheads to a target substrate. In exemplary embodiments, the printing system comprises a main printhead for the majority of printing process, and a secondary printhead for supplemental printing. The system further comprises a controller, utilizing a positioning intelligence system to distribute the printing of the functional blocks between the main printhead and the secondary printhead, to minimize the motions of the printheads while maximize the printing speed.
US08389056B1
Decorative engineered bamboo product and a method of forming a decorative engineered bamboo product in which a block of engineered bamboo product is sliced to expose an edge grain formed by edges of strands of bamboo of the product. The slices can be used directly or attached to a substrate. The slices can be further treated to produce additional decorative features. Additives can be introduced to the engineered bamboo product during the manufacture thereof to incorporate decorative elements therein which are made visible by slicing the engineered bamboo product to expose edge grain, inclusive of the cross-section of the additives.
US08389055B2
A process for preparing a metal nanostructure having metal masses with zero valence aligned on a substrate surface wherein the size and shape of the metal masses are controlled is described. The process can include preparing a micro phase separation membrane of an amphiphilic block copolymer on a substrate and then exposing the membrane to a solution containing metal ions; drying the membrane to form a micro phase separation membrane with the metal ions localized in hydrophilic segments of the membrane; and irradiating vacuum ultraviolet light on the membrane to reduce the metal ions and to remove organic materials.
US08389038B2
A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.
US08389027B2
The present invention provides methods of isolating cytotoxic metabolites from a fungus, and specific metabolites obtained from such methods. The present invention also provides methods of controlling fungal diseases in plants by treating the plants with cytotoxic metabolites as well as methods of treating cardiac arrhythmia in organisms in need of such treatment by administering the above-noted metabolites to such organisms.
US08389023B2
Novel methods for the chemical ablation of tissue (e.g. prostatic tissue) are described. These methods include the steps of: (a) providing one or more solid salt dosage form comprising 50-100% w/w salt; and (b) inserting one or more of such solid salt dosage forms into the tissue. The solid salt dosage form is optionally inserted into the tissue under real-time ultrasonic observation. An advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate toxic byproducts. For example, where NaCl-based solid salt dosage forms are used to effect localized chemical ablation, the concentration is ultimately reduced to the level of normal saline (i.e., about 0.9%) upon absorption by the body of the subject being treated.
US08389022B2
A coating product composition has the general formula AOx-(L-Men+)i, wherein AOx is a metal or metalloid oxide in which x indicates the number of the Oxygen atom(s) (O) bonded to the metal (A) atom, Men+ is a metal ion, L is a bifunctional molecule that could bind both metal oxide or metalloid oxide (AOx) and the metal ion (Men+), i is the number of the (L-Men+) groups bound to the metal oxide AOx. The value of the parameter i depends on various factors, such as the size of the nanoparticle of AOx, and the nature of the molecule L.
US08389016B2
The invention relates to the use of a CD28-specific superagonistic monoclonal antibody (mAb) or of a mimicry compound hereto for making a pharmaceutical composition for the induction and/or multiplication of regulatory T cells.
US08389006B2
Pharmaceutical compositions comprise a low-solubility drug adsorbed onto a high surface area substrate to form an adsorbate. The compositions in some embodiments include a concentration-enhancing polymer.
US08388997B2
There is provided a method of preparing an unsaturated fatty acid dry concentrate, wherein a substance comprising at least one unsaturated fatty acid is applied on a biologically inert matrix having a large surface area and is subsequently dried, as well as a composition comprising at least one unsaturated fatty acid and foods, beverages, drugs comprising this composition.
US08388979B2
Delivery proteins are provided for transferring a protein, antibody or foreign substance into a cell without impairing the function or structure thereof. Further, methods of transferring a foreign substance into a cell at a high efficiency by using the delivery protein or an envelope virus or inactivated envelope virus in combination with said delivery protein are provided. The inventors discovered that a protein containing a polypeptide having an affinity for a constituent of the envelope virus contributes to the efficient enclosure of the foreign substance in the envelope. Moreover, the inventors discovered that use of the delivery protein enables foreign substances to be included in an envelope virus or inactivated envelope virus and therefore makes it possible to efficiently transfer the substances into cells without damaging the physiological function thereof.
US08388975B2
The present invention relates to HLA-A26-binding cancer antigen peptides derived from WT1, polynucleotides encoding said peptide, CTL-inducers, and cancer vaccine comprising said peptide or polynucleotide.
US08388974B2
Immunoconjugates for treating diseases associated with neovascularization such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, the exudative form of macular degeneration, and atherosclerosis are described. The immunoconjugates typically consist of the Fc region of a human IgG1 immunoglobulin including the hinge, or other effector domain or domains that can elicit, when administered to a patient, a cytolytic immune response or cytotoxic effect against a targeted cell. The effector domain is conjugated to a targeting domain which comprises a factor VII mutant that binds with high affinity and specificity to tissue factor but does not initiate blood clotting such as factor VII having a substitution of alanine for lysine-341 or of alanine for serine-344.
US08388965B2
The present invention relates to novel humanized anti-IL-4 and IL-13 antibodies and fragments thereof and novel bispecific antibodies and fragments thereof that specifically bind to IL-4 and IL-13. The invention also includes uses of the antibodies to treat or prevent IL-4 and/or IL-13 mediated diseases or disorders, including allergic asthma and dermatitis.
US08388957B2
The present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an IGF-1R kinase inhibitor. Methods are provided for predicting the sensitivity of tumor cell growth to inhibition by an IGF-1R kinase inhibitor, comprising assessing whether the tumor cell has undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), by determining the expression level of epithelial and/or mesenchymal biomarkers, wherein tumor cells that have undergone an EMT are substantially less sensitive to inhibition by IGF-1R kinase inhibitors. Improved methods for treating cancer patients with IGF-1R kinase inhibitors that incorporate the above methodology are also provided.
US08388956B2
Fully human monoclonal Abs includes (i) an antigen-binding variable region that exhibits very high binding affinity for IL-1α and (ii) a constant region that is effective at both activating the complement system though C1q binding and binding to several different Fc receptors.
US08388937B2
A specific targeting peptide binding to glypican-3 can specifically binds to glypican-3 overexpressed in carcinoma cells and includes an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or some thereof. Glypican-3 is overexpressed in malignant tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, germ cell tumor, etc., and may be targeted in diagnosis and treatment of tumors by labeling the targeting peptide. A diagnosis using the specific peptide may detect even small tumors more accurately than conventional methods. A treatment method using the specific peptide may remove only carcinoma cells without harming other normal tissues.
US08388935B2
Disclosed is a method of treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or a SIBO-caused condition in a human subject. SIBO-caused conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, impaired mentation, impaired memory, halitosis, tinnitus, sugar craving, autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, drug sensitivity, an autoimmune disease, and Crohn's disease. Also disclosed are a method of screening for the abnormally likely presence of SIBO in a human subject and a method of detecting SIBO in a human subject. A method of determining the relative severity of SIBO or a SIBO-caused condition in a human subject, in whom small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been detected, is also disclosed.
US08388932B2
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor and therapeutic and diagnostic methods that employ the disclosed targeting ligands.
US08388927B2
Scorodite-type iron-arsenic compound particles in which the particle surface layer part comprise an iron-rich layer having an Fe/As molar ratio of at least 1.24. The particles can be obtained in a reaction process of feeding an oxygen-containing gas to an aqueous solution containing an arsenic(V) ion and an iron(II) ion to precipitate a scorodite-type iron-arsenic compound crystal at a pH of at most 2, in which an oxidizing agent is further added to the liquid before the end of the reaction (treatment A). The particles may also be obtained by a method comprising keeping a scorodite-type iron-arsenic compound particle of good crystallinity in contact with an iron ion-containing aqueous solution having a controlled pH of from 2 to 9 at 0 to 90° C. (treatment B). The scorodite-type iron-arsenic particles have good filterability and excellent arsenic release-preventing effect.
US08388926B2
The present invention relates to a system and associated method for the production of gypsum in manufacturing plant. More specifically, the invention relates to the production of alpha-type gypsum in a gypsum board manufacturing plant. The system yields increased efficiencies by capturing heat given off during processing steps and using that heat to reduce the energy needed for calcination. The invention finds particular application in the production alpha-type gypsum. The present invention is described in greater detail hereinafter in conjunction with the following specific embodiments.
US08388925B2
Methods for producing aluminum trifluoride by acid digestion of fluoride salts of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and aluminum, optionally, in the presence of a source of silicon; methods for producing silane that include acid digestion of by-products of silane production to produce aluminum trifluoride.
US08388922B2
The present invention relates to a negative electrode material for a lithium battery comprising a carbonaceous negative electrode active substance having a specific surface area of 1 m2/g or more, a binder formed of styrene-butadiene rubber and a carbon fiber having a fiber diameter of 1 to 1,000 nm; and to a lithium battery using the negative electrode material, which has excellent characteristics, i.e., low electrode resistance, high electrode strength, excellent electrolytic solution permeability, high energy density, and good high-speed charging/discharging performance. The negative electrode material contains carbon fiber in the amount of 0.05 to 20 mass % and the binder formed of styrene-butadiene rubber in 0.1 to 6.0 mass %, and may further contain a thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose in the amount of 0.3 to 3 mass %.
US08388920B2
A method and apparatus for producing ammonia suitable for use as a reductant in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR), a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR), or a flue gas conditioning system is provided. A method for treating combustion exhaust gas with ammonia is provided that includes the electrolytic hydrolysis of urea under mild conditions. The electrolysis apparatus includes an electrolytic cell, which may be operatively coupled to an exhaust gas treatment system to provide an apparatus for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) and/or particulate in exhaust gases.
US08388914B2
Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
US08388908B2
This invention provides fluidic devices, in particular microfluidic devices, with diaphragm valves having low failure rates. Low failure rates are achieved by inhibiting sticking of the diaphragm to functional surfaces such as valve seats, valve chamber and fluidic channels and conduits. One way to implement this is to provide exposed surfaces facing the diaphragm, particularly valve seats, with a low energy material, such as a noble metal, a perfluorinated polymer, a self-assembled monolayer, hard diamond, diamond-like carbon or a metal oxide. In other embodiments, the valves are provided with ridges and the diaphragm is adhered to the fluidic or actuation layer with an adhesive material.
US08388902B2
A method for regenerating activated coke used for treating wastewater or sewage is provided. The method includes loading the activated coke to an environment under 150 to 250° C., heating the activated coke to a temperature of 700 to 850° C. for about 40 to 90 minutes; and providing a steam to the activated coke with a rate of 0.1 to 0.5 m3/(ton of activated coke). When the activated coke is being heated at the temperature, it generates a gas mixture including a steam portion and at least a paraffine gas. The gas mixture flows along a reverse direction relative to a flow of cooling water, so that the steam portion is converted into a part of the cooling water for recycling. The paraffine gas is used as a fuel. An apparatus for regenerating the activated coke used for treating wastewater or sewage is also provided.
US08388895B2
In an apparatus for producing U3O8 powder, the apparatus has an oxidation reactor including an interior space, a scrap box loaded with UO2 sintered pellets to be oxidized and introduced into the interior space of the oxidation reactor, an impact generating unit applying an impact to the scrap box to dissipate heat generated by the oxidation of the UO2 sintered pellets in the oxidation reactor, and a control unit controlling an oxidation process. The apparatus for producing U3O8 powder allows the heat generated by the oxidation of the UO2 sintered pellets in the oxidation reactor to be uniformly dissipated by the impact generating unit, thus producing U3O8 powder having a larger specific surface area which can be used to obtain a sintered UO2 pellet with a larger and more stable grain size of increased quality.
US08388892B2
An in-line loss-on-ignition measurement system includes an on-site extractor subsystem configured to collect fuel or a combustion by-product from a hydrocarbon fuel burning plant. An on-site analyzer is configured to receive the collected matter from the extractor subsystem and configured to weigh the collected matter, burn the collected matter, and weight the collected matter again. A controller is responsive to the analyzer and is configured to determine the loss-on-ignition data for the plant based on the weight of the collected matter before and after it is burned in the analyzer.
US08388883B2
The use of induction furnaces for producing thermoelectric legs and components for thermoelectric modules is described, as is a process for producing thermoelectric semiconductor materials by co-melting mixtures of the particular element constituents of the thermoelectric semiconductor materials or alloys thereof in an induction furnace and pouring the melt thus obtained into the mold of a thermoelectric leg, or spraying the melt thus obtained to produce a pulverulent thermoelectric semiconductor material.
US08388866B2
A conductive composition comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a dopant, and a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound. A capacitor comprises an anode composed of a porous material of valve metal, a dielectric layer formed by oxidizing the surface of the anode, and a cathode provided on the dielectric layer and having a solid electrolyte layer containing a π conjugated conductive polymer, which comprises an electron donor compound containing an electron donor element provided between the dielectric layer and the cathode. Another capacitor is based on the above-described capacitor, wherein the solid electrolyte layer further comprises a dopant and a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound. An antistatic coating material comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a solubilizing polymer containing an anion group and/or an electron attractive group, a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound, and a solvent. An antistatic coating is formed by applying the antistatic coating material.
US08388863B2
The present invention relates to a phosphor for UV and long-wavelength excitation and a preparation method thereof, more particularly to a phosphor for UV and long-wavelength excitation prepared from a phosphor precursor comprising strontium, barium, zinc, silica and rare-earth metal, wherein the proportion of barium and zinc is optimized to obtain a color coordinate in the range of x=0.50-0.64 and y=0.38-0.51, and a method for preparing the same by heat-treating the phosphor precursor under a mixed gas atmosphere of nitrogen and hydrogen with specific proportion. Since heat treatment is possible even at low temperature, a phosphor for UV and long-wavelength excitation having superior luminescence characteristics and thus offering superior efficiency when applied to diodes or liquid crystal displays can be obtained without having to use conventional flux materials to lower baking temperature and without using toxic substances.
US08388862B2
InGaN-based blue LEDs and, specifically luminescent materials, are described containing yttrium oxide, oxides of rare earth metals, as well as aluminium oxide in proportions that yield a luminescent material whose average composition fits the general formula (Y1−x−yCexΣLny)3+αAl5O12+1.5α, where α—defines increase in stoichiometric index over the known value for yttrium-gadolinium garnet and varies between 0.033 and 2; x—is atomic fraction of cerium, 0.0001-0.1; ΣLny —is one or more lanthanides from the Gd, Tb, La, Yb group, whose atomic fraction in an yttrium sub-lattice is 0.01
US08388855B2
Novel solvents and methods of use for the removal of CO2 from flue gas, natural gas, hydrogen gas, synthesis gas, and other process and waste gas streams are provided. The solvent contains an alkali salt such as potassium carbonate and a polyamine such as piperazine (PZ) where the polyamine concentration is at least 1.5 equivalents/Kg H2O and the alkali salt concentration is at least 0.5 equivalents/Kg H2O. The preferred alkali salt/polyamine ratio is from approximately 1:2 to 2:1, and no additional alcohol is required for solubilizing the PZ. This chemical solvent and method of use provides efficient and effective removal of CO2 from gaseous streams and other sources.
US08388849B2
An adjustable and removable skimming assembly is provided for attaching to the bow of a watercraft. When mounted, the skimming assembly presents vertically orientated starboard, port and bow cages that house oil absorbent padding. The cages with the positioned pads are largely porous so that at slow watercraft velocities, the water flows through the pads but the oil is retained within the pads across a substantially horizontal plane. As the pads become oil saturated along this common plane, the vertical cages are adjusted to expose a section of the pad that is not saturated. This process is repeated until the entire pad surface is saturated. The resistance force created by the water against the starboard and port cages during movement is countered by a plurality of tethering cables extending from the structural members attached to the bow of the watercraft to the outer edges of the cages. The lengths of these cables are such that the port and starboard cages are swept forward from the bow cage to form an oblique u-shape. As the skimmer moves through the water, this cage positioning creates a capture zone for funneling floating debris and oil toward the center of the bow cage where it can be collected and removed by other means.
US08388847B2
The invention relates generally to methods of concentrating mixtures including shear sensitive biopolymers, such as von Willebrand Factor. Conventional methods of concentrating biopolymers impart too much shear stress, which causes the degradation of shear sensitive biopolymers. The methods disclosed herein reduce the shear stress while maintaining a high rate of filtrate flux. Disclosed herein is a method for concentrating shear sensitive biopolymers including flowing a mixture with a shear sensitive biopolymer into a hollow fiber dialysis module to form a retentate having a shear sensitive biopolymer concentration that is greater than that of the mixture. Hollow fiber dialysis modules have high filtrate fluxes and low shear rates at low flow rates. This ensures a high product yield and minimal loss of shear sensitive biopolymers.
US08388837B2
A circulation system for bodies of water. In one set of embodiments for larger bodies of water, modified horizontal plate designs are provided at the entrance of the draft hose. The plate designs have sections that pivot downwardly as the flotation platform and depending draft hose are rapidly raised in high wave conditions to let the water escape downwardly out of the hose. Adaptations to the floats for the elongated arms of the platform are also made to essentially eliminate the creation of any damaging torques on them from high waves. Another set of embodiments are particularly adapted for smaller systems in municipal water tanks for thorough mixing of the water and treatment to kill undesirable ammonia oxidizing bacteria and prevent or at least inhibit their return.
US08388836B1
A waste separator apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first screen assembly for screening fluids from a waste stream where the first screen assembly defining an enclosure. A second screen assembly is provided for screening fluids from the waste stream and is disposed closely spaced-apart within the enclosure of the first screen assembly. A waste stream pathway is defined between the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly. A first separated fluids stream pathway is defined outwardly of the first screen assembly. A second separated fluids stream pathway is defined inwardly of the second screen assembly. One or more blades extends inwardly from the first screen assembly or outwardly from the second screen assembly for advancing the waste stream through the waste stream pathway. A related system is also provided.
US08388830B2
A process is presented for the removal of oxygen from a hydrocarbon stream. The oxygen can react and cause polymerization of the hydrocarbons when the hydrocarbon stream is heated. Controlling the removal of the oxygen from the hydrocarbon stream produces a hydrocarbon stream that is substantially free of oxygen and has a reduced activity for generating undesired compounds.
US08388823B2
The invention pertains to a method and apparatus to separate and quantify particles using time-variable force fields. The force fields can be for dielectrophoresis (positive or negative), electrophoresis, or electrohydrodynamic. In one aspect, the fields are translated and/or modified in space at a speed substantially comparable to the speed of translation of the fastest particles in the sample. The translation and/or modification of the force fields can also occur with varying speed. In another aspect, the field is translated and/or modified in a first direction at high speed. In another aspect, the quantity or size of the particles is determined by an indirect measurement of the speed of movement after varying the force field by means of a relationship between the speed of movement and the volume of the particles. This invention also pertains to an apparatus to produce appropriate field configurations necessary for the selective movement of particles.
US08388819B2
A magnet target comprising a fixing plate, a plurality of shafts arranged in an array, a plurality of connecting rods pivotably provided onto a plate surface of the fixing plate at one end and capable of rotating about corresponding one of the shafts, and a plurality of magnets that are each attached to the other fee end of one connecting rod. The magnets comprise magnets having external S poles and magnets having external N poles, and the magnets having external S poles and magnets having external N poles are arranged alternatively in an array.
US08388818B1
Lightweight photoelectrochemical system for real-time hydrogen production from water and sunlight, using lightweight multi-junction photo electrodes made from the highly reliable and efficient copper indium selenide thin films, preferably made by low-cost electrodeposition on flexible foil.
US08388815B2
A coated article includes a substrate, a catalyst layer, a bonding layer and a hydrophobic layer. The catalyst layer made of tin is formed on the substrate. The bonding layer is formed on the catalyst layer, including titanium, tin, stannic oxide and titanium dioxide. The hydrophobic layer made of silicon-nitrogen is formed on the bonding layer.
US08388811B2
The present invention relates to a press felt for a machine for the production and/or processing of a fibrous web including a carrier structure which fundamentally influences the dimensional stability of the felt. The carrier structure includes a flat manufactured textile fabric formed from longitudinal threads, transverse threads crossing the longitudinal threads, and sewing threads which connect the longitudinal and transverse threads with each other at the crossing points. The textile fabric is longer than the carrier structure and is laid onto itself in sections such that the carrier structure is formed by several layers of the textile fabric, extending respectively along the entire length of the carrier structure. The layers are connected with each other, at least in sections. Due to the placement of the sections of the textile fabric on top of each other, turned over edges which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the carrier structure are formed defining transverse ends of the carrier structure. In an area of the turned over edges, the longitudinal threads have a curved progression to form seam loops on the respective transverse ends, whereby the carrier structure is seamable in a paper machine in that the two transverse ends of the carrier structure are brought together to make the carrier structure continuous and the seam loops are meshed with each other, thus forming a connecting channel extending in the cross direction of the carrier structure. To make the carrier structure continuous, a pintle wire is inserted through the connecting channel.
US08388807B2
A partially fire resistant cellulosic fiber thermal insulation material from a fibrous web of unrefined virgin softwood and hardwood provides fibers which provides an R-value (as measured by the ASTM C518 test) of at least about 3, and a wood ash fire retardant component present in and/or on the fibrous web in an amount of at least about 1.5% by weight of the fibrous web and sufficient to impart at least partial fire resistance (as measured by the ASTM E970-08A test) to the fibrous web. Also, a process for preparing this at least partially fire resistant thermal insulation material.
US08388804B2
A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes applying a jet of papermaking furnish to a forming wire, the jet having a jet velocity and the forming wire moving at a forming wire velocity. The papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a nascent web. The nascent web is applied to a transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed. The nascent web is fabric-creped from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric that is traveling at a fabric-creping speed, the fabric-creping speed being slower than the transfer surface speed, and the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, such that the nascent web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric to form a creped web. The creped web is dried. The jet/wire velocity delta and the fabric-creping step are controlled such that the dry machine direction to cross-machine direction (MD/CD) tensile ratio of the dried web is about at most 1.5.
US08388799B2
A composition for forming a chemical mechanical polishing pad having polishing characteristics such as a high polishing rate, an excellent planarity of the polished object, and less scratches of the polished object. The composition includes (A) a polyurethane having a carbon-carbon double bond on a side chain and (B) a cross-linking agent. The polyurethane (A) is preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane (A′) obtained by mixing at least components (a11) to (a13) and component (a2) in a proportion satisfying the following conditions (1) and (2) and reacting them.
US08388796B2
A metal member (3) is bonded with an adhesive (6) to have a bond strength higher than the basic material strength of the metal member (3). A metal insertion coupling has a socket portion (4) in which an insertion hole (2a) for inserting the end portion of the metal member (3) is formed. The socket portion (4) has a tapered outer surface extending from the opening end to the back side. The tensile strength of the socket portion (4) at the deepest position along the center line of the insertion hole is equal to or higher than the tensile strength of the metal member (3) in the direction of the center line. The insertion hole (2a) has a width 0.2 mm-0.6 mm larger than that of the end portion of the metal member (3). The end portion of the metal member (3) is pressed into the insertion hole (2a), and an adhesive exists densely between the end portion of the metal member (3) and the surface of the insertion hole (2a), by quenching or cold working the end portion of the metal member (3).
US08388793B1
The invention provides a method for fabricating a camera module. An exemplary embodiment of the method for fabricating a camera module comprises providing plurality of lens sets. A dry film layer is formed on the plurality of lens sets. The dry film layer is patterned to form a plurality of dry film patterns respectively attaching to a plurality of lens sets. The plurality of lens sets are separated. A lens set separated from the plurality of lens sets is bonded to an image sensor device chip. The dry film pattern on the lens set is removed.
US08388786B2
The present invention provides a substrate-less pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for protection of semiconductor wafer, which is to be stuck to a front surface of a semiconductor wafer in grinding a back surface of the semiconductor wafer, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed of a UV-curable pressure-sensitive adhesive containing a polymer composed mainly of an acrylic monomer polymerizable compound, the pressure-sensitive adhesive force of a surface of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to be stuck to the front surface of the semiconductor wafer is larger than the pressure-sensitive adhesive force of the opposite surface thereof, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has an initial elastic modulus of from 0.01 MPa to 500 MPa.
US08388784B2
The present invention is directed to a method of retreading a pneumatic tire, comprising the steps of: A) mixing a tire retread cushion laminate of to form a cushion compound, the tire retread cushion laminate comprising a first rubber layer, a second rubber layer, and an intermediate rubber layer disposed between the first and second rubber layers such that the first and second rubber layers do not meet; the first rubber layer comprising a sulfur donor and substantially devoid of vulcanization accelerators; the second rubber layer comprising a vulcanization accelerator and substantially devoid of sulfur donors; the intermediate rubber layer being substantially devoid of sulfur donors or vulcanization accelerators; B) applying the cushion compound to a tire carcass; and C) applying a tread portion to the cushion compound.
US08388782B2
A method for attaching a handler to a wafer, the wafer comprising an integrated circuit (IC), includes forming a layer of an adhesive on the wafer, the adhesive comprising a polyimide-based polymer configured to withstand processing at a temperature of over about 280° C.; and adhering a handler to the wafer using the layer of adhesive. A system for attaching a handler to a wafer, the wafer comprising IC, includes a layer of an adhesive located on the wafer, the adhesive comprising a polyimide-based polymer configured to withstand processing at a temperature of over about 280° C.; and a handler adhered to the wafer using the layer of adhesive.
US08388778B2
A method for reducing stress between a silicon chip and a bonded mounting structure having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially different from a coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon chip includes the step of bonding a thermal stress-attenuating layer between the silicon chip and the mounting structure. The thermal stress-attenuating layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially similar to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the silicon chip.
US08388774B1
A multi-wave thermal process for treating a metal to improve structural characteristics is herein disclosed. The metal can be placed in a chamber. Each wave of the process can include: selecting a target temperature; selecting a temperature rate; and controlling the temperature rate while chilling the metal by introducing a cryogenic material into the chamber, while preventing over-stressing of the metal, to the target temperature at the temperature rate. While chilling the metal, the process can include inserting a hold time on the metal at an intermediate temperature for equalization of the temperature uniformly throughout the metal, thereby creating uniformity in a microcrystalline structure of the metal. The process can further include: stopping the introduction of the cryogenic material once the target temperature is reached and holding the metal at the target temperature. The process can result in a treated metal without fractures and with an organized microcrystalline structure.
US08388765B2
Disclosed is a portable and self contained washing and sanitizing apparatus. The apparatus finds particular application in washing small baby items such as bottles, nipples, teething rings or toys. The apparatus includes three primary components: a container for housing the items to be washed; a water reservoir for storing and collecting wash water; and a housing for interconnecting the container and reservoir.
US08388758B2
A surface cleaning apparatus comprising a chamber, and a thermal transfer device. The chamber is capable of holding a semiconductor structure therein. The thermal transfer device is connected to the chamber. The thermal transfer device has a surface disposed inside the chamber for contacting the semiconducting structure and controlling a temperature of the semiconductor structure in contact with the surface. The thermal transfer device has a thermal control module connected to the surface for heating and cooling the surface to thermally cycle the surface. The thermal control module effects a substantially immediate thermal response of the surface when thermally recycling the surface.
US08388756B2
An evaporation source that causes the evaporation bars to vaporize and emit small particles. The small particles of the evaporation bars are evenly dispersed all around the evaporation source. Thus, the particles then accumulate on workpieces to form symmetrical films. A vapor deposition apparatus using the present evaporation source is also described.
US08388738B2
A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid flow, wherein a) the fluid flow is brought into contact with an absorption agent which contains a solution of ammonia and at least one amino carboxylic acid and/or amino sulfonic acid, a charged absorption agent being obtained, and b) the charged absorption agent is regenerated while releasing carbon dioxide. The additional use of the amino carboxylic acid and/or amino sulfonic acid increases the circulation absorption capacity of the absorption agent.
US08388737B2
A method and apparatus for recovering a gaseous component from an incoming gas stream is described. The incoming gas stream is contacted with a lean aqueous absorbing medium to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous component from the incoming gas stream to form a lean treated gas stream and a rich aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the gaseous component is desorbed from the rich aqueous absorbing medium at a temperature to form an overhead gas stream and a regenerated aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the overhead gas stream is treated to recover a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is used to form a heated stream. At least a portion of the heated stream is recycled back to the desorbing step. Novel absorbing medium compositions to recover carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide are also described.
US08388736B2
Certain aspects and examples are directed to sorbent devices and methods of using them. In certain embodiments, a sorbent device comprising a body comprising a sampling inlet, a sampling outlet and a cavity between the inlet and the outlet, the cavity comprising a serial arrangement of at least four different sorbent materials is described. In some embodiments, the sorbent materials are arranged from a material with a weakest sorbent strength to a material with a strongest sorbent strength with the weakest sorbent strength material adjacent to the sampling inlet.
US08388725B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of manufacturing metal nanoparticles, and more particularly to an apparatus including: a precursor supplying part which supplies a precursor solution of metal nanoparticles; a first heating part which is connected with the precursor supplying part, includes a reactor channel having a diameter of 1 to 50 mm, and is heated to the temperature range where any particle is not produced; a second heating part which is connected with the first heating part, includes a reactor channel having a diameter of 1 to 50 mm, and is heated to the temperature range where particles are produced; and a cooler which is connected with the second heating part and collects and cools metal nanoparticles produced at the second heating part which allows continuous mass production of metal nanoparticles.
US08388724B2
High-temperature solders having a higher melting point than solder alloys used for soldering of printed circuit boards are used for internal bonding of electronic parts, but high-temperature solders which are free from Pb have not been developed. There exist high-temperature solders which comprises Sn balls and Cu balls and which perform bonding through the formation of an intermetallic compound without melting to form a single-phase structure, but they have poor wettability to the lands of a printed circuit board or electrodes of electronic parts and have not been used.A solder paste according to the present invention is provided by mixing flux with a powder mixture of Sn powder or an Sn based lead-free solder powder with Cu or Ag powder which has Ni plating formed on its surface. Although the solder paste performs bonding by means of an intermetallic compound without melting to form a single phase structure, the Ni plating acts as a barrier which retards the formation of the intermetallic compound so as to leave enough time to permit wetting of the lands of a printed circuit board or electrodes of an electronic part.
US08388721B2
A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a honeycomb structure having large numbers of flow paths partitioned by porous cell walls, and plugs alternately formed in the flow paths on the exhaust-gas-inlet and outlet sides, the area ratio of pores opening at the cell wall surfaces being 20% or more, porous, cross-linked structures being formed by heat-resistant particles introduced together with a gas into penetrating holes constituted by communicating pores in the cell walls, such that they clog the penetrating holes, and the cross-linked structures being formed more on the exhaust-gas-outlet side of the ceramic honeycomb filter than on the exhaust-gas-inlet side.
US08388703B2
A method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell by preparing a positive electrode by applying a positive electrode mixture onto a positive electrode core material, the mixture containing a positive electrode active material mainly made of a lithium nickel composite oxide and a binding agent containing polyvinylidene fluoride; measuring the amount of carbon dioxide gas generated when a layer of the positive electrode mixture is removed out of the positive electrode and the layer is heated to 200° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower in an inactive gas atmosphere; selecting a positive electrode satisfying the following formulas: y<(0.27x−51)/1000000(200≦x<400) formula 1 y<57/1000000(400≦x≦1500) formula 2 where x is a heating temperature (° C.) and y is the amount of carbon dioxide gas (mole/g) per 1 g of the lithium nickel composite oxide measured; and preparing the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell by using the positive electrode selected.
US08388695B2
An automatic washing machine can be operated in accordance with a selected wash cycle by determining a concentration of a wash aid prior to a dispensing of the wash aid into at least one of a tub and a drum, and selecting an operating parameter of the automatic washing machine in response to the determined concentration.
US08388691B2
A ureteral drainage stent is designed to be placed in a patient's ureter and extend into a patient's bladder. An ureteral drainage stent includes a distal region for placement in the ureter and renal cavity, and a proximal region for placement in a urinary bladder and urethra. The distal region includes an elongated member with multiple lumens and the proximal region includes multiple elongated member, each defining a lumen. At least one lumen in the distal region is in liquid communication with a lumen from the proximal region. At least two of the elongated members in the proximal region are joined at their proximal ends and form a retraction structure, a structure used for removing the stent from a patient.
US08388690B2
An osteotomy system, typically for tibial alignment correction, includes a wedge implant and an osteotomy guide. The wedge implant is generally U-shaped and its upper and lower surfaces may be inclined with respect to one another in two orthogonal planes to correct respective misalignments. The osteotomy guide controls cutting of the osteotomy opening and the drilling of a hole defining the apex of the osteotomy, forming a bony hinge about which the osteotomy may be opened.
US08388688B2
An apparatus and method are provided that allow for the realignment and stabilization of adjacent vertebrae. An implant of this invention both repositions adjacent vertebrae and remains in situ to maintain a new position. The implant has an upper half and a lower half, which are interlocked such that they can slide horizontally with respect to each other. Movement of the implant halves and their respective positions are controlled by a reduction bar and reduction rod in combination with an internal locking block within the implant. The reduction rod, being connected to a lower half and placed adjacent to the upper half, is rotated to bring the implant halves into alignment. The internal locking block engages to permanently hold the alignment and maintain the new position. A release mechanism for the internal locking block allows for readjustment of the implant halves and realignment of the vertebrae.
US08388686B2
An intervertebral implant (1) including an upper section (10) provided with a ventral side area (11), a dorsal side area (12), two lateral side areas (13, 14), a top apposition surface (15) and a bottom surface (16), a lower section (20) provided with a ventral side area (21), a dorsal side area (22), two lateral side areas (23,24), a bottom apposition surface (25) and a top surface (26). The two sections (10,20) are moveable in relation to each other by means of two joints (38;39) arranged between the two sections (10;20), wherein each of the joints (38;39) has a swivel axis (3;4) and the two swivel axes (3;4) are arranged perpendicular to each other, and each joint (38;39) comprises a first joint section (31;32;33) with an elevation (49;50) provided with an edge (51;53) for the bearing of a second joint section (31;32;33) in a way that allows titling around the swivel axis (3;4).
US08388682B2
Disclosed is an assembly for loading a bronchial flow control device into a container, such as into a delivery catheter. The assembly includes a funnel housing and a puller housing that mate with one another. The funnel housing defines a funnel-shaped loading cavity that receives a flow control device and that gradually reduces in size moving in a first direction. The puller housing is removably attached to the funnel housing and is also removably attachable to a bronchial flow control device that can be positioned in the loading cavity. The puller housing pulls the bronchial flow control device in the first direction through the funnel housing to gradually contract the bronchial flow control device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to the expanded size.
US08388678B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which contain the following: (a) substrate having one or more depressions that contain at least one therapeutic agent and (b) a porous membrane disposed over the substrate and the one or more depressions, which regulate transport of chemical species between the therapeutic-agent-containing depressions and the exterior of the device. The substrate and the porous membrane are formed of different materials each with a different thermal expansion coefficient. Moreover, one of the substrate and the porous membrane at least partially surrounds the other. Other aspects of the present invention are directed to methods of making such medical devices, and methods of treatment using such medical devices.
US08388667B2
First and second bone segments separated by a fracture line or joint can be fixated or fused by creating an insertion path through the first bone segment, through the fracture line or joint, and into the second bone segment. An anchor body is introduced through the insertion path. The distal end of the anchor body is anchored in the interior region of the second bone segment. An elongated implant structure is passed over the anchor body to span the fracture line or joint between the bone segments. The proximal end of the anchor body is anchored to an exterior region of the first bone segment to place, in concert with the anchored distal end, the anchor body in compression, to thereby compress and fixate the bone segments relative to the fracture line or joint. A bony in-growth or through-growth region on the implant structure accelerates the fixation or fusion of the first and second bone segments held in compression and fixated by the anchor body.
US08388665B2
A fastening assembly is provided for fastening a fixing element, for example a plate, a brace, an angle, a profile, an armature, a retainer or the like to a substructure by means of at least one screw, which can be passed through at least one bore in the fixing element and can be screwed into the substructure. A bushing is arranged in the bore to be able to be swiveled in arbitrary spacial direction. The screw is passed through the bushing. The bushing comprises a seat for at least partially receiving a head of the screw.
US08388662B2
Systems and methods for stabilizing the spine are provided. For stabilizing the L5-S1 junction, the system includes a plate that has a generally triangular shape with an upper node and a pair of lower nodes. The upper node has a hole through the plate to receive a screw for passage into the L5 vertebra. The lower nodes each include a hole through the plate to receive screws for passage into the S1 vertebra. The system further includes a plate having a retaining element for preventing backout of screws inserted through the plate. Instruments and methods for attaching the plate to the spinal column are also provided.
US08388658B2
A dynamic spinal stabilization assembly includes a rod having a plurality of slidable collars thereon. The rod is mounted to at least one of the relevant bone anchoring element(s) via the collars. The collars are spaced from one another such that the bone anchoring element engages at least two collars. The collars may be arranged on the rod so that adjacent collars are longitudinally spaced from one another by a distance not more than one-half the length of the rod-receiving channel in the relevant bone anchoring element. There may be elastic elements slidably disposed on the rod between adjacent collars.
US08388652B2
This disclosure relates to surgical stapling apparatus for enhancing one or more properties of body tissue that is or is to be repaired or joined. The apparatus includes a staple anvil, a staple cartridge, a driving member for driving the surgical staples from individual staple slots in the staple cartridge and against the staple anvil, and a wound closure material applicator assembly. The applicator assembly includes at least one conduit extending along at least a length of the driving member, anvil and/or cartridge and at least one reservoir in fluid communication with the at least one conduit, the reservoir containing a wound closure material therein. The staples can be coated with a wound to closure material.
US08388651B2
A method and apparatus to terminate sacral hemorrhaging in a patient having a sacrum and a pubic bone is disclosed. A C-shaped driver is positioned around the pubic bone of the patient and a hemorrhage occluder pin is driven into the sacrum of the patient by applying an impact force to a proximal end of the C-shaped driver. The driver may include a C-shaped shaft that defines a radius in the range 50 mm to 200 mm and a maximum span in the range 100 mm to 650 mm. The proximal end of the C-shaped shaft may have a blunt face with a breadth that is at least 2.5 times the diameter of the pin cap. A shaft distal end has a driver face facing away from an interior of the C-shape, and defining a driver face diameter that is preferably no less than 50% of the pin cap diameter.
US08388644B2
A medical device for embolic protection within a patient's body vessel is provided. The device includes inner and outer tubular members each having proximal and distal ends and a lumen formed through the proximal and distal ends. A flexible everting filter portion includes a body having a first end attached to the distal end of the inner tubular member and a second end attached to the distal end of the outer tubular member. The inner and outer tubular members are movable relative to one another to position the filter portion within the body vessel. The filter portion is movable from a collapsed, everted delivery and removal configuration to an expanded, generally non-everted deployed configuration. The filter portion expands radially outward to engage the filter body with the body vessel. The filter portion allows the passage of blood cells and prevents the passage of emboli or thrombi through the body vessel.
US08388643B2
A embolic, bioabsorbable polymeric material (BPM) is incorporated into a coil to improve long-term anatomic results in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The material includes at least one biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer and growth factors, is carried by hybrid bioactive coils and is used to accelerate histopathologic transformation of unorganized clot into fibrous connective tissue in aneurysms. An endovascular cellular manipulation and inflammatory response are elicited from implantation in a vascula location. Thrombogenicity of the biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer is controlled by the composition of or proportioning the ratio of constituents making up the polymer. The biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid, polyglycolic acid/poly-L-lactic acid copolymers, polycaprolactive, polyhydroxybutyrate/hydroxyvalerate copolymers, poly-L-lactide. Polydioxanone, polycarbonates, and polyanhydrides.
US08388642B2
Devices, systems and methods for stenting, spacing, draining, ventilating and/or delivering drugs and other therapeutic or diagnostic substances to desired locations within the bodies of human or non-human animal subjects, including methods and systems for treating paranasal sinusitis and ethmoid disease.
US08388627B2
Methods and apparatus for aligning two or more longitudinally space parts of a body, such as leg bones, prior to and/or during a surgical procedure using a laser light guide assembly are described. The apparatus may have a saddle for attachment to a specific body part, and comprises a first horizontally rotatable structural member pivotably secured to the saddle or other support means, and a second rotatable structural member aligned vertically and perpendicular to the first structural member. A laser light guide which includes a laser is attached to the second structural member, the laser capable of generating a laser light beam of sufficient strength and intensity to allow for alignment of the body parts prior to and during a surgical procedure.
US08388616B2
In a compression sleeve for the local enclosure of a blood vessel or vein area comprising a retaining structure of a biocompatible material, the retaining structure is a flexible mat consisting of a mesh or net-like structure provided with an arrangement holding the retaining structure in a vein enclosing position.
US08388613B1
Methods and apparatus for joining biological tissue together are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a method for joining biological tissue together can include applying a biological solder on a wound. A barrier layer can be disposed on the biological solder. An antenna can be located in proximate spatial relationship to the barrier layer. An impedance of the antenna can be matched to an impedance of the wound. Microwaves from a signal generator can be transmitted through the antenna to weld two or more biological tissue pieces of the wound together. A power of the microwaves can be adjusted by a control circuit disposed between the antenna and the signal generator. The heating profile within the tissue may be adjusted and controlled by the placement of metallic microspheres in or around the wound.
US08388603B1
A device detracts fluid from a flow line into a repository for temporary storage and later use. Before an infusion set is changed, medication from the infusion set is detracted into the repository, where it is temporarily stored. Once the new infusion set is connected, medication is dispensed from the repository into the flow line of the new infusion set. The device thus reduces or eliminates waste of medication that was in the flow line of the infusion set, by saving the medication in the repository while the infusion set is being changed.
US08388599B2
The present invention relates generally to dilatation balloon catheters and systems used for expansion against an obstruction within a body vessel or channel, or to deliver devices such as, but not limited to, stents and therapeutic agents to sites within vascular or tubular channel systems of the body.
US08388581B2
Devices and methods are described for delivery of therapeutic substances to a depth within the heart muscle via the venous side of the heart, with a primary focus on delivery through the coronary sinus. The devices and methods may be combined with percutaneous access catheters in order to provide for right heart delivery of therapeutic agents.
US08388577B2
A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.
US08388573B1
A catheter configured for delivering an agent to a patient's vessel wall is described. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon substantially covered by a expandable cage such that when the inflatable balloon is inflated the expandable cage substantially surrounds an outer surface of the inflated balloon. The inflatable balloon is configured to be deployed within a lumen against a lumen wall and separated from the lumen wall by the expandable cage in an expanded state, and is adapted to provide an agent delivery to a treatment site, and the expandable cage is further collapsible and is removable from said lumen.
US08388571B2
A novel dispensing system for dispensing medicaments to a patient that includes means for controllably heating fluid medicaments within the dispensing system by converting a chemical component, such as calcium chloride or the like, into a solution or solvent by adding a suitable solution or solvent to create an exothermic process causing an increase in temperature of the mixed solution.
US08388564B2
A knee brace for treating hyperextension in a patient's knee. The knee brace includes two lateral uprights and a back support positioned horizontally to and generally at a middle portion of the lateral uprights. The lateral uprights and the back support define an integral frame. A plurality of straps includes a thigh, shin and patella strap connected at opposed ends to the frame for securing the brace to the patient. A plurality of cushion pads is disposed along inner surfaces of the lateral uprights and the thigh and shin straps for providing comfort and for mitigating brace migration. An inflatable air bladder is located on an inner surface of the back support for positioning behind the knee. The air bladder has an inflation tube for increasing or decreasing the air volume within the air bladder to affect a range of motion for the patient's knee.
US08388561B2
A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or other neurological disease, neurological disorder, neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary motor control of the hyoid, pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the invention generally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject's neck; a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject's neck, and a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module. Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of a subject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in the subject.
US08388540B2
The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for orienting image data derived from body tissue. An imaging assembly is introduced into the body of a patient and rotated about an axis. A tracking beam mechanically associated with the imaging assembly is generated, such that the tracking rotates about the axis in unison with the imaging assembly. An angle that the rotating tracking beam makes between a reference rotational orientation and a reference point is determined. The reference rotational orientation can be associated with a fiducial point within the ultrasound image data, such that the ultrasound image can be oriented based on the determined tracking beam rotation angle.
US08388537B2
An echo signal reflected from a microbubble contrast agent is discriminated from an echo signal generated upon reflection of a nonlinearly propagated transmission pulse from the body tissues without degradation of the axial resolution, by performing transmission/reception twice or less which would hardly decrease the imaging speed. By detecting a difference in phase of the second harmonic component based on the fundamental component included in the echo signal, an echo signal generated upon nonlinear reflection from a microbubble contrast agent is discriminated from an echo signal generated upon linear reflection of a nonlinearly propagated transmission pulse from the body tissues. The phase of the second harmonic component is detected through phase sensitive detection in which the square of the fundamental component is used as a reference wave. Concurrently, a pulse inversion method is used to extract the second harmonic component included in the original echo signal, whereby degradation of the axial resolution is prevented.
US08388533B2
The present invention provides for safe and reliable electronic circuitry that can be employed in ingestible compositions. The ingestible circuitry of the invention includes a solid support; a conductive element; and an electronic component. Each of the support, conductive element and electronic component are fabricated from an ingestible material. The ingestible circuitry finds use in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.
US08388529B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating neuropsychiatric diagnoses. Quantitative information describing diagnostic characteristics associated with a patient is generated based on an analysis of a set of patient scans. The quantitative information comprises a set of indictors associated with regions of interest in the set of scans for the patient. The set of indicators of potential neuropsychiatric conditions is compared with a set of diagnostic signatures. A diagnostic signature comprises a set of indicators of a known neuropsychiatric condition. Matching signatures are identified. A matching signature is a diagnostic signature that corresponds to at least one indicator in the set of indicators to form a set of signatures. A diagnosis associated with each signature in the set of signatures is identified to form a set of potential diagnoses. The set of potential diagnoses is presented with links to relevant portion of the medical literature.
US08388526B2
A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor includes a first ring having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound. A second ring has a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and is adapted for disposition exteriorly of the wound. A plurality of retraction elements are disposed in a generally cylindrical relationship to each other, between the first ring and the second ring. These elements extend through the wound to exert a radial retraction force on the wound which is dependent on the distance separating the first ring and the second ring. Retraction elements, both distensible and non-distensible are contemplated with appropriate attachment means at the rings to provide for variations in the retraction force. With a suitable retraction sleeve, a third ring can be provided to form a circumferential retainer to vary the retraction force. Rings can also be made inflatable or self-expanding to vary the retraction force. An associated method includes the step of rolling the second ring circumferentially of the third ring to form the circumferential retainer.
US08388522B2
An endoscope system having a two-stage depression button provided in an operation portion of an endoscope; a first switch changing from off to on by a first stage depressing operation of the depression button and maintaining the on state after the first stage; a second switch changing from off to on by a second stage depressing operation of the depression button; and a control unit controlling to provide an air feeding function when the first switch is on and provide a water feeding function without providing the air feeding function regardless of a state of the first switch when the second switch is on, the control unit controlling to provide the air feeding function with a delay of a predetermined time period so long as the first switch does not change from on to off within the predetermined time period when the first switch changes from off to on.
US08388518B2
A handgrip for a colonoscope shaft is equipped with a novel compact multifunction force and torque sensor allowing for a comprehensive characterization of colonoscope manipulation during a colonoscopy procedure. A two-part hinge design of the handgrip in combination with the multifunction sensor provides for a light weight design in a compact package making using the handgrip convenient and natural. An electronic unit is provided to receive the sensor data wirelessly and calculate a variety of motion parameters guiding a medical practitioner during the procedure and aimed at making colonoscopy safer and less painful.
US08388516B2
An improved interface between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery, holding a laparoscopic came and/or controlling an automated endoscope assistant includes at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key (12a). at least one wireless receiver (11), at least one conventional laparoscopy computerized system (15) loaded with conventional surgical instrument spatial location software, and conventional automated assistant maneuvering software, software loaded onto to the conventional laparoscopy system that enables a visual response to the depression of at least one key on the wireless transmitter as well as an interface with the conventional automated assistant maneuvering software so as to achieve movement of the endoscope, and at least one video screen (30).
US08388511B2
Counterpulsation methods and systems for assisting the heart of a patient involve, for example, coordinating the operation of a pulsatile pump to suction blood from an artery through a blood flow conduit while the heart is in systole and expel the blood into the blood flow conduit and the artery while the heart is in diastole.
US08388508B2
A dunnage crumpling apparatus is provided having first and second entry-side crumpling members and first and second exit-side crumpling members. The first and second entry-side crumpling members define an entry therebetween. The first and second exit-side crumpling members define an exit therebetween that is disposed along the longitudinal path downstream of the entry. A crumpling zone being defined between the entry and exit. The first entry-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an first rate and is associated with the second entry-side crumpling member for moving sheet material through the entry in a first direction along a longitudinal path at an entry rate. The first exit-side crumpling member is configured for moving at an second rate and is associated with the second exit-side crumpling member for moving the sheet material through the exit in the first direction along the path at a exit rate that is slower than the entry rate to crumple the sheet material for producing dunnage. The entry and exit-side crumpling members are displaced laterally along the path with respect to each other to cause shearing of the sheet within the crumpling zone.
US08388503B2
Several embodiments of martial arts practice assemblies are described involving variations spanning from apparatus permitting movement along a single translational axis and about a single rotational axis to an embodiment mounted on a robotic arm enabling translation in all three axial directions and about all three rotational axes. A dual-lockout circuit requiring simultaneous activation by an operator and a user is used to activate the pneumatic system powering the assembly.
US08388493B2
A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle including a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor. A transmission is arranged between the hybrid drive and a drive output and a clutch is arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor so that, if a failure occurs in the drivetrain, especially in a transmission control device of the transmission, a gear corresponding to an emergency gear is engaged or remains engaged in the transmission. When the emergency gear is engaged, the motor vehicle is in motion and the engine speed falls below a defined value, the clutch arranged between the combustion engine and the electric motor disengages.
US08388490B2
A fixed internal gear hub comprising a fixed axle, an input member and an output member each rotatably mounted about the axle, an epicyclic gear system comprising at least one sun gear, rotatably mounted about the axle, planet pinions disposed in a planet cage and a gear ring. The gear ring is connected non-rotatably to the input member. The planet cage is connected non-rotatably to the output member. A clutch enables the input member to be selectively non-rotatably connected to the planet cage and a selector key enables the sun gear to be selectively locked rotationally to the axle. The hub provides two fixed gear ratios and further fixed gear ratios may be provided by adding an additional sun gear or gears.
US08388488B2
An automatic transmission includes four planetary gear sets, a plurality of friction and synchronizing clutches and two drive assemblies. Input torque is provided to four clutches which selectively provide torque to various elements of the first and second planetary gear assemblies. Similarly, various elements of the first and second planetary gear assemblies provide power to the two drive assemblies which may either be chain drive or gear assemblies. The outputs of the drive assemblies drive sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear assemblies. The transmission output is connected to and driven by the planet carriers of the third and fourth planetary assemblies. Sequenced operation of the friction and synchronizing clutches provides eight, nine or ten forward speeds or gear ratios.
US08388485B2
A multispeed automatic transmission is provided having four planetary gear sets, a plurality of friction and synchronizer clutches and two chain drive assemblies. The transmission is arranged along two parallel axes of rotation: a first axis defined by the input shaft and a second axis defined by the output shaft. The chain drive assemblies transfer power between sprockets disposed on the two axes. Various combinations of clutches may be engaged to provide nine forward speed ratios and five reverse speed ratios.
US08388477B2
Toothed belt for use in contact with oil and comprising a body and a number of teeth extending from at least one surface of the body; the teeth are coated by a fabric; a resistant layer comprising a plastomer based on fluorine with the addition of elastomeric material, in which the plastomer is present in a larger quantity than the elastomeric material, is applied by adhesion onto the coating fabric. The elastomeric material forming the body of the belt is a copolymer obtained from a dienic monomer and a monomer containing nitrile groups, in which the nitrile groups are between 33% and 49%, preferably 39%, in weight with respect to the copolymer.
US08388472B2
A plurality of articles for playing a sport game, the plurality of articles including a game ball, a plurality of goal rods and a sport court having a court top, a court base, two court sides and two court ends which define a game space, wherein the court top includes open areas on each end of the court top, wherein the open areas are separated by a studded area, the court base is divided into four sections, wherein the four sections include a goal zones separated by neutral zones, each of the two court sides include a flat portion and a studded portion, and each of the two court ends includes a goal opening.
US08388470B2
A training device for detecting improper or proper form for batting and pitching. The present invention makes use of two sensors that will detect the positioning of the user during the pitching or batting motion. The invention helps detect whether the user is “lunging” or “rushing” and encourages users to keep their upper body back during the motion of pitching or batting. The present invention can also be used for other sports that require users to perform similar body mechanics.
US08388469B1
A golf ball marker includes a base and an ornamental inlay. The base defines a closed recess, and has a flat marginal surface surrounding the recess. The ornamental inlay is carried by the base, and held flush within the recess such that an outside surface of the inlay and the flat marginal surface of the base reside in substantially the same plane and form a substantially continuous smooth top surface of the ball marker.
US08388440B2
Methods and apparatus for managing and linking network accounts to share access privileges among accounts. In one implementation, a method of managing network accounts includes: linking a second account having general access to a first account having member access; and granting at least part of said member access to said second account while said second account is linked to said first account; wherein said first account has a corresponding subscription, said general access provides at least one privilege, and said member access provides two or more privileges that are not provided by said general access.
US08388434B2
A gaming machine according to the present invention variably displays a plurality of symbols wherein a speed of the variable display of the plurality of symbols while executing a free game is different from a speed of variable display of the plurality of symbols while executing a basic game. In this manner, it is possible to impart a sense of expectation for free game to a player without separately preparing any effect video image such as a video image showing a process of adding WILD symbols.
US08388419B2
In a sanding block having two expansive sides and two adjacent sides, each adjacent side adjoins each expansive side at a given one of two opposite edges of that expansive side. The expansive and adjacent sides are abrasive. When viewed macroscopically before the sanding block becomes worn, the expansive sides between their opposite edges are planar and are parallel, a given one of the opposite edges of each expansive side is a curved edge, which defines a radius not less than about ⅛ inch at any location on the curved edge, and the other one of the opposite edges of each expansive side is a sharp edge, which defines an acute angle in a range from about 55° to about 70°. The curved edges are intended to minimize gouging or scuffing due to uneven pressure being applied by a user holding the sanding block in one hand and to minimize damage when gouging or scuffing due thereto occurs. The sanding block is intended particularly for drywall-finishing uses but is expected to be also useful for fiberglass-finishing, metal-finishing, wood-finishing, and other uses.
US08388407B1
An apparatus for treating a workpiece with a granular media includes a hopper for storing media and discharging the media into a flow path. A source of compressed air mixes with the media, which is forced through a nozzle for directing media onto the workpiece. A flow sensor includes a beam extending into the flow path and is responsive to flow of media in the flow path to increase and decrease deflection of the beam in response to increasing or decreasing flow of media through said flow path. A proximity sensing device measures deflection of the beam and generates an electrical signal which varies in response to deflection of the beam. The flow path is defined by a conduit having a branch in which the beam is mounted. One end of the beam is mounted on a base in the branch. The base is mounted on a cap closing an open end of the branch, permitting the beam to be easily removed and changed when necessary.
US08388405B2
A toy launcher and dual powered toy vehicle apparatus where the toy launcher includes a base part to be held stationary during operation and a slidable part mounted to the base part, the slidable part being movable between first and second positions. Captured between the base and slidable parts is a spring. The expanding spring causes the toy vehicle to be propelled away from the launcher. At the same time, the rapid movement of the rack energizes the flywheel motor so that after the spring discharges the toy vehicle and a flywheel of the flywheel motor engages a supporting surface, the toy vehicle is moving in response to both the spring and the flywheel motor, two different power sources. The single action of pulling the rack appears to the user to cause compression and release of the spring, and the flywheel motor to be energized, essentially simultaneously.
US08388399B2
A method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus according to a laser-induced thermal imaging (LITI) method, the method including patterning a transfer layer arranged on a donor film; disposing the donor film on an acceptor substrate; laminating the donor film on the acceptor substrate; transferring the transfer layer of the donor film to the acceptor substrate; and removing the donor film from the acceptor substrate.
US08388397B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal cell manufacturing device and a method thereof. The liquid crystal cell manufacturing device includes a pre-alignment vacuum chamber, a vacuum lamination chamber and a sealant curing chamber. The pre-alignment vacuum chamber includes a comb-type transferring system for aligning a first substrate with a second substrate and sending them into the vacuum lamination chamber. The vacuum lamination chamber uses a lamination device to laminate the first substrate and the second substrate into a substrate assembly under a nearly vacuum status, and then uses a transferring device to send the substrate assembly to the sealant curing chamber. The sealant curing chamber uses at least one UV spot light source to move above the substrate assembly and irradiate a surface of the substrate assembly to cure at least one sealant in the substrate assembly, and thereby complete manufacture of liquid crystal cells of liquid crystal panels.
US08388387B2
A connecting terminal (1) having an insulating-material housing (2) and having at least one spring clamping unit with a clamping spring (4) and a busbar section (3), in the insulating-material housing (2), is described. The clamping spring (4) has a contact section (6) and a clamping section (8) which is designed to clamp an electrical conductor against the busbar section (3). The clamping spring (4) has an operating section (13) which originates from the clamping section (8), extends away from the direction of the spring force, which acts on the clamping section (8), of the clamping spring (4) and is aligned to be acted on by an attachment element (16, 31, 33, 39) such that the operating element (16, 31, 33, 39) can be engaged with the operating section (13) in order to exert a tensile force, which acts on the operating section (13) in the opposite direction to the spring force when the operating element (16, 31, 33, 39) is moved, in order to open the clamping spring (4).
US08388378B2
An electrical connector includes a terminal subassembly having inserts holding terminals. The terminals extend between a mating end and a cable end. The cable end is configured to be terminated to corresponding wires of a cable. A front shell surrounds a front portion of the terminal subassembly. The front shell provides electrical shielding around the mating ends of the terminals. The front shell is configured to be mated to a mating connector. A back shell surrounds a rear portion of the terminal subassembly. The back shell provides electrical shielding around the cable ends of the terminals. The back shell is configured to be terminated to an overbraid of the cable. The back shell includes a plurality of contacts that extend from a front of the back shell. The contacts engage, and are electrically connected to, the front shell.
US08388373B2
A connector soldered to a PCB has an insulating housing of which two opposite ends are recessed to form a pair of holding recesses, terminals mounted in the insulating housing with soldering portions projected out of a bottom of the insulating housing, a pair of supporting members mounted to two opposite ends of the insulating housing and a pair of supporting members. A bottom of the supporting member extends perpendicularly to form an inserting slice having a portion thereof punched sideward to form a projection. The positioning member mounted to the inserting slice has a soldering tail and a base slice having two opposite ends thereof bent sideward and then extended toward each other to form a pair of clasping portions. A guiding slot is opened in the base portion for receiving the projection. The projection can move up and down in the guiding slot to adjust the position of the positioning member to keep the soldering portions and the soldering tails level even when there is tolerance in production.
US08388369B2
A multi-way connector connects a plurality of lighting apparatuses together, wherein connector comprises a plurality of lighting connectors, each lighting connector comprising an upper housing having plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and a lower housing which has a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions, the lower housing being connectable with the upper housing to form each lighting connector by coupling at least one of the interlocking grooves with at least one of the interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes; a multi-way connecting portion configured to permit power and/or signals to pass between and among the plurality of lighting connectors; and plural flexible connectors electrically connecting each lower housing with the multi-way connecting portion.
US08388363B2
A connector assembly for connecting and/or disconnecting an electric power cable (1) to/from a subsea pipeline (8) includes a female cone element (6), a complementary male cone element (5), and bolt tightening means (70). The tightening means (70) includes in a first stab member (7) adapted to be received in a first receptacle (16) in said female cone element (6), the first receptacle (16) has an opening facing in opposite direction of the cone (12) of the female cone element (6) for receiving the first stab member (7). A tightening bolt (7a) is provided in the first stab member (7) with an inner end (7c) of the bolt (7a) being adapted to engage the male cone element (5) and with an outer end (7b) being accessible for the connecting and/or disconnecting operations.
US08388357B2
An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
US08388355B2
An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.
US08388354B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing having a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls. A rear surface of the front wall extends rearward to form a tongue portion. A receiving space is formed among the front wall, the top wall, the bottom wall and the side walls, wherein the tongue portion is located in the receiving space. A plurality of probe pins is assembled in the insulating housing. A magnetic block has a shape matched with the receiving space and is assembled in the receiving space. A metal plate is placed behind the magnetic block by passing a rear end of the tongue portion therethrough. A metal shell encloses the insulating housing and further electrically resists against a rear side of the metal plate to secure the magnetic block and the metal plate in the insulating housing.
US08388347B2
Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a system for allowing a user to experience a simulation of an age-related medical condition. The system can include eyewear, footwear, handwear, and an audio recording. The eyewear can include two colored lenses. Each lens includes a marking that can at least partially bock central vision of the user and a lens sideguard that can at least partially block peripheral vision of the user. The footwear includes a surface that can be located adjacent to a sole of the user. The surface includes protrusions that can at least indirectly contact the sole. The handwear can impair physical sensory of the user. The audio recording is stored on a medium and includes voiced instructions and static for a first pre-set time and static for a second pre-set time. The voiced instruction identifies home-based tasks for the user to perform during the second pre-set time while wearing the eyewear, footwear, and handwear.
US08388336B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a structure made up of at least two bodies in a cavity of a mold defining the structure.
US08388333B2
A system for purging molten thermoplastic material from a molding apparatus. The purge system includes a blow mold apparatus, a purge diverter valve operably connected to the blow mold apparatus and including a channel, a closing member, a spacer having a conduit in communication with the channel, and a melt pipe. The system can be used to purge molten thermoplastic materials out from an upward extruding blow mold apparatus.
US08388326B2
A piston pump assembly includes a first pump having a first cylinder member inserted in a piston hole of a pump housing, and a first piston inserted in the first cylinder member, and a second pump having a second cylinder member inserted in the piston hole, and an annular second piston slidably fitted in an annular groove formed in the outer periphery of the first piston, and also axially slidably inserted in the second cylinder member. The first cylinder member axially presses the second cylinder member, thereby preventing the second cylinder member from being dropped out of the piston hole. The second cylinder member has an annular seal surface in contact with a shoulder surface formed on the inner periphery of the piston hole. Strain-absorbing protrusions are formed on the end of the second cylinder member in abutment with the first cylinder member. The protrusions are compressed when they are pressed by the first cylinder member.
US08388322B2
A fuel pump for deployment in a fuel system for an internal combustion engine comprises a 3-phase brushless direct current motor, a sling vane impeller with blade-shaped sling vanes, sensorless electronic motor drive and an electronic controller. The controller is adapted to receive analog or pulse-width modulation inputs to control pump speed.
US08388319B2
A stator device includes a base having a shaft tube receiving a bearing. The shaft tube includes a top end having at least one groove. A stator unit is mounted around an outer periphery of the shaft tube. The stator unit includes at least one limiting member extending through the at least one groove into the shaft tube. The at least one limiting member prevents the bearing from disengaging from the shaft tube, enhancing assembling convenience. The stator can be coupled with a rotor to form a motor with enhanced assembling convenience and enhanced rotational stability. The base can be interconnected by connecting members to a housing having air inlet and outlet sides. Vanes can be formed on the hub of the rotor to form an impeller. Thus, a heat-dissipating fan can be formed from the stator device.
US08388318B2
A heater is provided inside a hermetic compressor to heat the fluid in an oil sump of the compressor. The heater can be substantially submerged in the fluid even at low fluid levels. The heater can raise the temperature of the fluid to a predetermined temperature to substantially maintain non-lubricant fluids in a gaseous state and prevent non-lubricant fluids from mixing with the lubricant in the sump. A feed through assembly in the compressor housing is used to supply power to both the compressor motor and the heater.
US08388306B2
A method for varying the geometry of a mid-turbine frame includes detecting a strain in a mid-turbine frame with a piezoelectric material; applying a deformation voltage to the piezoelectric material as a function of the detected strain; deforming the piezoelectric material to actuate an actuation plate; and repositioning an engine casing through the actuation of the actuation plate.
US08388297B2
An apparatus is disclosed for downending a vertically disposed cylindrical coil supported on an underlying pallet, with a stem projecting from the pallet through the coil. The apparatus comprises a cradle rotatable about a horizontal axis. A table on the cradle is configured and arranged to receive and retain the pallet with the coil in a vertical first position at which the coil extends across the horizontal axis. An electrically powered drive serves to rotate the cradle about the horizontal axis to translate the coil from its vertical first position to a horizontal second position.
US08388288B2
A captive screw formed of a lock screw, a cap-shaped knob, a spring member and a mounting barrel and mountable in a mounting through hole of a first panel frame and fastenable to a mounting screw hole of a second panel frame to detachably secure the second panel frame to the first panel frame is disclosed. The lock screw has a top protrusion raised from the top wall of the head thereof and a tool groove formed in the top protrusion. The cap-shaped knob is molded on the head of the lock screw by insert molding and defining an endless isolation groove on the top wall of the head of the lock screw around the periphery of the top protrusion that facilitates attachment of a hand tool to the top protrusion of the lock screw for enabling the lock screw to be driven by the user with the hand tool into the mounting screw hole of the second panel frame conveniently with less effort.
US08388281B2
A face milling cutter method for manufacturing various hypocycloidal bevel gears that is characterized in that the following steps are performed to manufacture a first bevel gear: equipping a universal face milling cutter in a first configuration with a first number of cutter groups that corresponds to a first number of passes. A first bevel gear is then produced in the continuous partial method using the universal face milling cutter in the first configuration. The following steps are performed to manufacture a second bevel gear: equipping the same universal face milling cutter in a second configuration with a second number of cutter groups that corresponds to a second number of passes. The second bevel gear is then produced in the continuous partial method using the universal face milling cutter in the second configuration.
US08388278B2
An indexable drill which has cutting edges formed of a plurality of indexable inserts and which provides stable performance so that the accuracy of entrance hole diameter and exit hole diameter is improved and generation of burrs at the hole exit can be suppressed. Indexable inserts which form a center cutting edge and a peripheral cutting edge are attached to a drill main body at an end thereof. A ratio between a cutting contribution of the center cutting edge and a cutting contribution of the peripheral cutting edge is set such that the cutting contribution of the center cutting edge is larger. The indexable insert is disposed so at to project forward in the axial direction from the indexable insert so that an outer-end corner of the peripheral cutting edge engages a workpiece first.
US08388256B2
A clamp (10) for holding two members together. The first member includes a recess into which a fastener is located. A bore is provided to the recess to allow a tool to be used to operate the fastener. The second member is arranged to accept the fastener and so join the members. The recess and bore are sized to prevent release of the fastener through the bore. In this way, the fastener cannot easily be removed or lost when the clamp is in use and is tamperproof. Embodiments of a downhole tool are described where the clamp is used to hold portions of a sleeve around a body of the tool, and to hold scraper blades and/or brushes to the body.
US08388254B2
An adjustable positioning structure of a shaft member contains an inner tube including a plane having plural holes, an outer tube including a cutout to receive the inner tube, an adjustable positioning device including a fixing seat, and a retaining block formed in a twisted piece shape and axially defined between two extending sides of the fixing seat. The retaining block includes a pressing portion and a bore fixed on one end thereof, and includes a lock tab extending outward from another end thereof. A stop switch is covered by the fixing seat and includes a shoulder to be inserted in the bore to stop the retaining block to be pressed and to operate. An resilient element is defined between the retaining block, and the stop switch to contact with the retaining block, so that the lock tab is retained in one of the holes.
US08388250B2
A toothbrush combined with a toothpaste dispenser with a wall mounted holder. The present invention comprises of a twist knob that is able to push a piston up a toothpaste compartment. The piston creates pressure inside the toothpaste compartment and causes the toothpaste to travel up a main channel. The main channel branches into a plurality of smaller tubes. Each tube has a respective rubber tube dispenser that protrudes and extends from the brush head. The rubber tube dispensers allow the toothpaste to be dispensed on top of the bristles. The toothbrush additionally comprises of a mouthwash strip roll dispensing mechanism positioned in the knob. The present invention additionally comprises of audio and visual indicators to provide users with visual or hearing impairments with a signal notification of toothpaste depletion.
US08388245B2
An integrated printing apparatus is capable of printing on a separate sheet and of book printing on a block of pre-bound pages. The apparatus includes a a block support structure comprising two height-adjustable tables for supporting the block in two adjacent stacks, so that when a page is turned from atop a first stack to an adjacent second stack, the two adjacent stacks present substantially co-planar printable top surfaces. The apparatus also includes an automatic page-turning mechanism for redeploying a top page from the first stack to the second stack, holder for separate sheets, and a printing head. A relative motion mechanism provides relative motion between the printing head and a page of the block of printable pages or a sheet of the separate sheets while printing.
US08388236B2
An optical fiber connector assembly includes a female connector, a male connector, and a thin film filter. The female connector includes a first main body and a first lens portion. The first main body and the first lens portion are made of a same polymer material having a lower melting point and higher fluidity than polyether-imide. The male connector is used for insertion into the female connector and includes a second main body and a second lens portion for optically coupling with the first lens portion. The second main body and the second lens portion are made of a same polymer material having a lower melting point and higher fluidity than polyether-imide. The thin film filter is formed on each of the first and second lens portions. A related optical fiber connector is also disclosed.
US08388225B2
A controller measures a temperature at which an ultraviolet (UV) fluorescent lamp is operating and, in response, controls heat transfer between a heat-generating portion of the fluorescent lamp power supply circuitry, such as the ballast, and the interior of the curing chamber to maintain the fluorescent lamps operating at a stable temperature.
US08388224B2
An assembly for sensing temperature in a gas turbine engine includes a first array of RTDs connected in parallel, a second array of RTDs connected in parallel, and a circuit electrically connected to the first and second arrays. The circuit determines an approximate temperature of a medium as a function of resistance of the first and second arrays.
US08388222B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include devices for monitoring and indicating the completion of eradication of a pest infestation in a space in which heating is utilized for eradication. In an exemplary embodiment, a device includes a sensor configured to sense temperature proximate the device, and a visual indicator configured to provide indication of status. The device further includes a processor that is connected to the sensor and visual indicator. The processor is configured to determine whether the sensed temperature exceeds the MINIMUM LETHAL TEMPERATURE, and configured to determine occurrence of completion of a minimum heating duration required for eradication in which the sensed temperature exceeds the MINIMUM LETHAL TEMPERATURE. The processor is further configured to activate the visual indicator subsequent to completion of the minimum heating duration, to thereby provide visible indication that the minimum heating duration for eradication of a pest infestation has elapsed.
US08388219B2
A method for calibrating a pyrometer a temperature of a calibration sample is determined from the ratio of a first reflectance and a second reflectance and the pyrometer is calibrated by assigning the determined temperature of the calibration sample with a thermal radiation signal measured by the pyrometer.
US08388217B2
A cooling stick for a blender includes a cylindrical member designed to fit tightly through a circular aperture extending through the blender lid. The member has a lower portion and an upper portion with a surrounding rim of a diameter larger than the circular aperture. The lower portion has a lower end sized and shaped to avoid contact with the blender blade assembly. The cylindrical member has an interior chamber, an opening extending from an exterior of the member to the chamber and means for sealing the opening. A cooling fluid is located within the interior chamber. The fluid is cooled or frozen when the cooling stick is located in a cooling environment. When the chilled cooling stick is mounted to the lid of the blender, the cooling stick will cool contents of the blender when the blender is operated. The cooling stick also cools the blender contents after operation.
US08388205B2
An electrically powered light source including a light emitting diode (LED) having variable chromaticity, which is adapted for use in a dental operatory. A dental operatory lamp includes a thermally conductive housing having a front directed toward the operating area and a rear away from the operating area; a generally elliptical reflector located on the rear of the thermally conductive housing; at least one heat pipe; a plurality of color LEDs projecting light toward the elliptical reflector, the plurality of LEDs being in thermal contact with the at least one heat pipe; and an optical light guide for combining light from said LEDs. Another embodiment of the lamp includes at least two user selectable light spectra, one of said spectra providing white light with color temperature in the range 4000° K-6000° K and one spectra having reduced output in the wavelength range 400-500 nm.
US08388204B2
An optical inspection system and method are provided. A workpiece transport moves a workpiece in a nonstop manner. An illuminator includes a light pipe and is configured to provide a first and second strobed illumination field types. First and second arrays of cameras are arranged to provide stereoscopic imaging of the workpiece. The first array of cameras is configured to generate a first plurality of images of the workpiece with the first illumination field and a second plurality of images of the feature with the second illumination field. The second array of cameras is configured to generate a third plurality of images of the workpiece with the first illumination field and a fourth plurality of images of the feature with the second illumination field. A processing device stores at least some of the first, second, third, and fourth pluralities of images and provides the images to an other device.
US08388198B2
An apparatus is described, including a light source, a lens and two reflectors. A first reflector is positioned to reflect a first portion of light from the light source, wherein the first portion of light is radiated from the light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by an outer edge of the first reflector. The lens is azimuthally horizontal to the light source for accepting a second portion of light from the light source emitted in a peripheral forward solid angle. A second reflector reflects the first portion of light after reflectance from the first reflector and the second portion of light after passing through the lens in a composite beam, wherein the first reflector and the lens are configured such that the first and second portions of light behave as though they were emitted from a point source at the second reflector focus.
US08388196B2
A heat dissipator having a heat-conducting substrate and a plurality of heat-dissipating columns is disclosed. The heat-conducting substrate is opened with a plurality of through-holes. Each of the heat-dissipating columns is discretely set on a surface of the heat-conducting substrate. An illuminator having the heat dissipator and an LED illuminating module is also disclosed. The LED illuminating module is fixed on the heat-conducting substrate and includes a circuit board and a plurality of LEDs arranged on the circuit board. This arrangement can increase the surface area for heat exchange with surrounding air and enhance the heat-dissipating efficiency of the heat dissipator.
US08388184B2
The invention provides a light emitting tufted carpet (1). The carpet (1) comprises a primary backing layer (100), an optional secondary backing layer (200), an optional adhesive layer (300), a plurality of carpet integrated LEDs (40) arranged to generate carpet light (41), and a first electric conductor (10) and a second electric conductor (20). The first electric conductor (10) and the second electric conductor (20) are arranged to provide power from a power source (50) to the LEDs (40). The primary backing layer (100) comprises a first felt layer (30′), or the optional secondary backing layer (200) comprises second felt layer (30″), or both the primary backing layer (100) and the optional secondary backing layer (200) comprise felt layers (30′,30″). One or more of the first electric conductor (10) and the second electric conductor (20) are at least partially integrated in one or more of the first felt layer (30′) and the second felt layer (30″).
US08388183B2
A lamp capable of effectively suppressing increase in the temperature of circuit devices is provided. The lamp includes: an LED module composed of LED chips; a base through which electric power is received; a lighting circuit which includes a circuit device group for generating electric power for causing the LED module to emit light using the electric power received through the base; an inner casing which is a tubular portion made of resin for housing the lighting circuit; and an outer casing which is a tubular portion for housing the inner casing. On the circumferential surface of the inner casing, a protrusion is provided which directly abuts the inner circumferential surface of the outer casing.
US08388175B2
A lighting device (100, 200, 300, 400) is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of light sources (111, 119, 120, 211, 219, 220) providing light in different wavelengths, a collimating means (104, 204) having a receiving end (103, 203, 407) and an output end (114, 214, 409), wherein said light sources are arranged at said receiving end. The collimating means comprises a set of wavelength selective filters (109, 110, 115, 116, 117, 118, 215, 217) arranged as sub-collimators (106, 107, 108, 206, 207, 208) to each of said plurality of light sources such that, for each light source, said sub-collimator collimates the light from its light source, and said wavelength selective filter of said each light source is translucent for light from adjacent light sources of different wavelength, and a second set of wavelength selective filters comprising compensation filters (222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232) wherein each compensation filter is arranged symmetrically with respect to corresponding part of the wavelength selective filter of said first set around a general light direction of the corresponding light source.
US08388174B2
The invention relates to a lighting arrangement (1) for illuminating an area under mesopic conditions. The lighting arrangement has one or more LEDs (6) emitting substantially monochromatic light in a first wavelength region. The lighting arrangement further has one or more LEDs emitting (8) substantially-monochromatic light in a second wavelength region. Aforementioned combination of LEDs is such that, in use, the light provided by the lighting arrangement has an S/P-ratio greater than 2.
US08388173B2
The present invention provides various embodiments for apparatuses and methods of manufacturing low profile housings for electronic and/or optoelectronic devices. Some embodiments provide low profile housings with a hollow casing comprising a first surface, second surface, and at least one lateral side surface. The housing is substantially light-diffusive. At least one cap is provided for sealing an end of the casing, with the at least one cap being sized to account for variations in the casing. At least one light emitting device, such as an LED, may be mounted within the casing. A mounting means may be included for mounting the housing to a mounting surface.
US08388169B2
A light device is provided that includes a light source and electrical circuitry for supplying electrical power to the light source. The light device also includes a housing having first and second ends and a hollow interior defining a compartment for holding a power source. The housing comprises a woven fiber thermoset composite. The housing is made by applying woven fibers to a mandrel and impregnating the woven fibers with an epoxy and curing the epoxy impregnated woven fibers to form the thermoset composite housing. An electrical interconnect is provided within the housing having first and second resilient contacts for providing an electrical connection between the power source and the light source.
US08388163B2
A method and apparatus of lighting a marine habitat for growth utilizing an LED light system. The light system includes an LED light source, a power supply for such light source and a controller for controlling the activation status and the intensity of the LED light source.
US08388162B2
Disclosed are a light source device and a display device having the same. The light source device comprises light emitting modules comprising a light emitting device, a circuit termination module provided at a second end of the light emitting module, first and second connectors connected to a first end and the second end of the light emitting modules, respectively, and a fourth connector connected to the circuit termination module, and connected to the second connector of the light emitting module.
US08388151B2
An interactive image projecting device that projects an image onto a display surface and controls the projected image based upon the detection or identification of the device housing or the remote object. The device has a touch-sensitive, flexible housing that may be transformed into different shapes. The image projecting device includes a projector that generates an image from a control unit. The device includes an illuminating emitter, which illuminates the device body and remote objects, and a light sensor that is operable to detect the position of its housing or remote object. Based upon the sensed housing or remote object, the control unit operates to modify the image projected from the device such that the image from the device can interact with its housing or remote object.
US08388148B2
An optical system is provided which includes an illumination system with a light source, a lens member which guides light from the light source, and a mirror member; an image unit on which an image is formed and on which light from the illumination system is incident; a projection system which magnifies and projects the image formed on the image unit; and a blocking unit which is mounted to the mirror member of the illumination system and partially blocks light from the light source that is directed to the mirror member.
US08388145B2
An image processing device in a projection system that includes a first image generation section adapted to project first image on a projection surface and a second image generation section adapted to project second image on the projection surface so as to overlap the first image is disclosed. The image processing device includes: a pixel shift amount calculation section adapted to calculate a pixel shift amount between the first image and the second image; a modulation transfer function (MTF) obtaining section adapted to obtain MTF at a predetermined frequency, corresponding to the pixel shift amount calculated by the pixel shift amount calculation section; a correction filter generation section adapted to generate a correction filter adapted to correct the MTF so that the image displayed on the projection surface has desired sharpness; and a filter applying section adapted to apply the correction filter to image data corresponding to the image.
US08388143B2
A projection display device includes a light source, a reflector, and a fixing portion. The device further includes a first air supply portion and a second air supply portion; a first air drawing portion which separates the cooling air from the first air supply portion into streams of the cooling air to guide one of the streams into an interior of the reflector in a first direction and to guide the other of the streams to the fixing portion in a second direction; and a second air drawing portion which separates the cooling air from the second air supply portion into streams of the cooling air to guide one of the streams into the interior of the reflector in a third direction and to guide the other of the streams to the fixing portion in a fourth direction.
US08388141B2
An electric apparatus includes a centrifugal fan that includes an impeller in a casing, and is configured to draw air when the impeller rotates in the casing, and to have a blowoff channel of the air from the impeller in the casing, which spreads in a rotating direction of the impeller, and a first cooled part and a second cooled part that has a necessary cooling air capacity larger than that of the first cooled part, the first cooled part and the second cooled part being cooled by the air drawn by the centrifugal fan, wherein a drawing surface of the centrifugal fan has a first drawing area and a second drawing area that has a drawing speed higher than that of the first drawing area when the impeller rotates.
US08388124B2
The present invention relates to a radiation-curable ink-jet ink comprising at least two monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers; a monofunctional monomer selected from an N-vinyl amide, an N-acryloyl amine, or a mixture thereof; a polymerisable (meth)acrylate oligomer; a radical photoinitiator; and a colouring agent; wherein the ink has a viscosity of less than 100 mPas at 25° C. The ink is substantially free of multifunctional monomers; and the at least two monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers include a combination of a cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer and an acyclic-hydrocarbon monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer. The ink displays an excellent balance of cure speed and viscosity for the ink together with hardness and flexibility for the cured film.
US08388117B2
A method of making an inkjet printhead comprises forming a first patterned layer 20 on a surface of a first substrate 10, forming a second patterned layer 28 on a surface of a second substrate 100, bonding the first and second layers in intimate face-to-face contact, and removing the second substrate 100 from the second patterned layer 28. The first and second patterned layers 20, 28 together define at least one ink ejection chamber having at least one ink ejection nozzle.
US08388116B2
Piezoelectric unit, comprising a fluid chamber, a fluid outlet, an actuator, comprising a thin film piezoceramic element and a membrane, acting as a wall of the fluid chamber, and a support element arranged for preventing a supported portion of the actuator from movement in a main direction of actuation movement of the actuator, while allowing such actuation movement on at least two sides of the supported portion, wherein the support element is connected to a unit portion that extends approximately opposite to the actuator.
US08388115B2
A piezoelectric inkjet head structure includes an upper cover plate, a lower cover plate, a piezoelectric actuating module, a nozzle plate and a seal layer. The piezoelectric actuating module includes an upper piezoelectric chip, a lower piezoelectric chip, a first electrode, a second electrode, a conductive layer and a plurality of flow channels. The entrances of the flow channels of the upper piezoelectric chip and the lower piezoelectric chip are separated from each other by the same spacing interval. The entrances of the flow channels of the upper piezoelectric chip and the entrances of the flow channels of the lower piezoelectric chip are arranged in a staggered form. During operation of the piezoelectric actuating module, ink liquid is introduced into the flow channels of the piezoelectric actuating module from the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate, and then ejected out of the nozzles.
US08388111B2
A method of printing at a dot density exceeding a nozzle density in a stationary pagewidth printhead. The method includes the steps of: (i) advancing a print medium transversely past the stationary printhead at a rate of one line per one line-time; and (ii) firing droplets of ink from predetermined nozzles in a nozzle row to create successive lines of print. Some or all of the predetermined nozzles fire droplets of ink at a plurality of predetermined different dot positions along a longitudinal axis of the printhead during one line-time, such that the printed dot density in each line of print exceeds the nozzle density.
US08388108B2
The liquid droplet spraying apparatus includes a chamber containing a fluid; a nozzle body having a nozzle for spraying the fluid in the chamber to one side of a material to be printed; an electrostatic spray module which is arranged in the vicinity of the chamber or the nozzle, and which forms an electrostatic field for the fluid contained in the chamber to provide a first spray force for spraying the fluid via the nozzle to form a liquid droplet; a physical spray module which is arranged in the chamber and opposite the nozzle, and which provides a second spray force for assisting the first spray force when the first spray force is generated; and a control unit for controlling the electrostatic spray module and the physical spray module such that the first spray force and the second spray force can be provided in a specific pattern.The liquid droplet spraying apparatus includes a chamber containing a fluid; a nozzle body having a nozzle for spraying the fluid in the chamber to one side of a material to be printed; an electrostatic spray module which is arranged in the vicinity of the chamber or the nozzle, and which forms an electrostatic field for the fluid contained in the chamber to provide a first spray force for spraying the fluid via the nozzle to form a liquid droplet; a physical spray module which is arranged in the chamber and opposite the nozzle, and which provides a second spray force for assisting the first spray force when the first spray force is generated; and a control unit for controlling the electrostatic spray module and the physical spray module such that the first spray force and the second spray force can be provided in a specific pattern.
US08388087B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a recording head that has a first column of nozzles, in which nozzles that eject dye ink are provided in line in a sub-scanning direction intersecting a main scanning direction of the recording head and recording paper, and a second column of nozzles, in which nozzles that eject pigment ink are provided in line in parallel to the first column of nozzles, which are disposed side by side in the main scanning direction. The liquid ejecting apparatus also includes a control section that adjusts an ejection amount of at least one of the dye ink and the pigment ink by changing a driving signal in accordance with the landing sequence of the dye ink and the pigment ink on the recording paper.
US08388083B2
A system for efficiently boosting drive capability for high-voltage linear power amplification to supply transducers in a print head is provided. A linear power amplifier to drive the transducers in the print head includes a charge pump capacitor to boost the output voltage of the amplifier above the supply rail voltage. The amplifier can provide both positive and negative output pulses to drive the transducers. A distribution switch is used to distribute the output pulses among multiple transducers and a biasing circuit provides proper sequencing and timing signals to generate smooth output pulses. A method for driving a plurality of transducers in a print head using a charge pump capacitor is also provided.
US08388079B2
Inkjet head, method of detecting ejection abnormality of the inkjet head, and method of forming film
There are provided n number of line-type inkjet nozzles (2) which include nozzles (4) that eject a liquid material and are arranged in a row, and which are arranged in parallel with each other so that positions of the nozzles (4) are shifted from each other by 1/n of a nozzle pitch (P1). Thus, an inkjet head (1) as a whole has a state equivalent to a state in which the nozzles (4) are arranged at 1/n of a nozzle pitch of one line-type inkjet nozzle (2). The inkjet head (1) is capable of adjusting a timing of ejecting the liquid material for each line-type inkjet nozzle (2). Accordingly, adjustment of a dot pitch such as fine coating and rough coating can be performed with ease.
US08388073B2
Modular storage units that can be assembled without additional fasteners or tools and then coupled together with or without optional shelves into an overall storage system using a common twist-lock fastener. The modular storage units are assembled from top, bottom and side panels. The top and bottom panels for each modular storage unit are structurally identical as are the side panels. Modular storage units having different widths have commonly sized and structurally identical side panels. Storage systems that are built up from the modular storage units can be easily assembled in work vehicles and other close quarters or tight spaces. The modular storage units can include plurality of trays or other articles for storing various parts, articles, etc.
US08388070B2
In a mining machine (1) for the processing of a ground (3), in particular surface miner, with a machine frame (2), a cutting drum (4) mounted in the machine frame (2), a first transport device (6), which accepts mining material from the cutting drum (4), a second transport device (12), which accepts the mining material from the first transport device (6) at a point of acceptance (18) that is arranged at the lower end (14) of the second transport device (12) and is located below the upper end (22) of the first transport device (6), a conveyor suspension device (10) for the second transport device (12), which is mounted at the machine frame (2) to slew about a vertical slewing axis (8), where the second transport device (12) is pivotable about a first horizontal pivoting axis (24) that runs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the second transport device (12) and is mounted in the conveyor suspension device (10), and where the vertical slewing axis (8) of the conveyor suspension device (10) runs essentially centrally through the point of acceptance (18), it is provided that the conveyor suspension device (10), together with the second transport device (12), is pivotable, relative to the machine frame (2), about a second horizontal pivoting axis (28).
US08388059B2
An actuating system for a head restraint of a vehicle seat is provided. The head restraint includes a part that can be shifted from a comfort position to a safety position, such as in the event of an accident. Limbs are expandable from an initial position as a consequence of pressure loading to bring about a lengthening which can be transmitted to force transmission means. The limbs are connected to one another and/or to fastening means by joints, each having a first and a second joint pin which can be inserted axially into holes to form the joints.
US08388031B1
Shovels and trowels are formed from metal and plastic for enhanced soil and sand penetration, and for cutting into roots. The shovels and trowels can each have one or more narrow tip teeth edges extending outward from the front end of the blade, the teeth edges each having embossed surface portions for strengthening the blade and disbursing stress during digging applications. The embossed portions can be indented. The embossed portions can be raised. A shovel version can also have foot brakes on both side of the handle above the rear end of the blade, to allow for a stable and safe foot placement.
US08388028B2
A fluid line having a crimp joint comprises a flexible hose, a tube and a ferrule. The tube has a tube stem portion located in the flexible hose, with the tube stem portion including a first flat portion adjacent to the free end, a second flat portion, a third flat portion, a first tube stem bead located between the first and second flat portions and extending radially outward, and a tube stem groove located between the second and third flat portions and extending radially inward. A ferrule is located radially outward from the flexible hose, with the ferrule including a first crimp tooth located radially outward from the first flat portion, a second crimp tooth located radially outward from the second flat portion, and a third crimp tooth located radially outward from the third flat portion, wherein the crimp teeth are out of phase with the bead and the groove.
US08387993B2
A sealing device for sealing a first side against a second side of a machine part, wherein the sealing device has a sealing element which contacts a counter element. At least a part of the sealing element and/or at least a part of the counter element is coated with a layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride (FL-CNx), wherein an inter-layer of chromium (Cr) or aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (Mo) or titanium (Ti) or tungsten (W) or a diamond-like coating (DLC) or a metal-mix diamond-like coating (Me-DLC) is arranged between the surface of the sealing element and the layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride and/or between the surface of the counter element and the layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride.
US08387991B2
A sealing assembly provides a seal between a first element and a second element, the first element being movable with respect to the second element, wherein the sealing assembly comprises: a sealing member adjacent to the first and second elements; a first seal portion for providing a first seal between the sealing member and the first element, the first seal portion being arranged in a first direction; and a second seal portion for providing a second seal between the sealing member and the second element, the second seal portion being arranged in a second direction, wherein the first direction is arranged at an angle with respect to the second direction and the sealing member is disposed such that the sealing member is movable relative to the second element in the second direction.
US08387976B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes: a guide unit for guiding the side end of the sheet; a first roller pair arranged on the downstream side of the guide unit for conveying the sheet, including a driven roller held in contact with a whole sheet in a sheet width direction; and a second roller pair having a conveyance roller arranged on the downstream side of the roller and adapted to convey the sheet, and a plurality of pinch rollers pinching the sheet in cooperation with the conveyance roller, wherein each of the plurality of pinch rollers applies to the sheet a conveyance force inclined toward a conveyance path side end, which is nearer to the pinch roller, and wherein the smaller the distance between the pinch roller and the conveyance path side end, the greater the inclination of the conveyance force thereof.
US08387966B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a laterally moveable post-processing module moveable from a predetermined operating position to a predetermined lateral delivery position and a control unit. The control unit is configured to operate the post-processing module such that a lateral delivery position for a set of at least one sheet is determined, the post-processing module is moved to the operating position, the post-processing module is operable to subsequently engage the set of at least one sheet to obtain a processed set of at least one sheet, then move the post-processing module from the operating position to the delivery position in coupling engagement with the processed set of at least one sheet, to move the processed set of at least one sheet to the lateral delivery position and disengage the post-processing module to deliver the processed set of at least one sheet at the lateral delivery position.
US08387964B2
A creasing device includes a creasing unit that creases sheets on a one-by-one basis, which is conveyed to a folding device of a subsequent stage, a sheet detection unit that detects a position of a sheet delivered to the creasing device and a control unit that obtains reference information of a fold-position for the folding device and performs control of a stop position of the sheet according to reference information of the fold position, thereby adjusting a crease position.
US08387956B2
A reboiling jet apparatus includes at least two nozzles in series, configured to cause boiling of a hot liquid in the first nozzle, deceleration and reduction of the gas phase in the second nozzle, followed by acceleration and reboiling in the second nozzle. A second deceleration and reduction of the gas phase occurs at the outlet of the second nozzle. Each deceleration causes heating of the liquid by reduction of the gas phase; thus, energy of a pressurized input fluid is efficiently converted into heat by action of the nozzles. A convergent-divergent nozzle for steam injection with a mixing chamber may be used instead of the first nozzle to cause the first boiling. Another nozzle may be used to introduce a cold fluid at the outlet of the second nozzle for mixing with the hot flow prior to completion of the second deceleration.
US08387955B2
A fencing system operable to define a barrier relative to a foundation. The fencing system includes a mount that is operable to be supported by the foundation. The mount includes an upright portion configured to extend from the foundation. The fencing system also includes a first barrier member having a lower bracket that receives the upright portion such that the mount supports the first barrier member generally upright. The fencing system also includes a second barrier member having an upper bracket that receives the upright portion such that the mount supports the second barrier member generally upright and such that the upper bracket substantially overlaps the lower bracket to limit movement of the first barrier member.
US08387952B2
A staple remover, with a staple removing blade, for removing a staple from a stack of sheets of paper. The staple remover prevents staple jams by providing a means for automatically discarding removed staples from the staple removing blade. The staple remover comprises a storage compartment and an elongate staple removing blade. The elongate staple removing blade comprises a longitudinally extending staple pulling surface and a laterally flared portion located at the apex of the staple pulling surface. The geometry of the elongate staple removing blade substantially resiliently deforms the legs of the staple, allowing the legs to spring back towards each other and project the staple into the storage compartment.
US08387949B2
The invention relates to a coaxial coupling which comprises a male part (501) and a female part (502) and comprises a bypass valve (218) so that the female part (502) can be decoupled from the male part (501) while pressurized fluid passes through the female part (502). The nipple pipe (105) of the male part (501) pushes a spring-loaded valve (218) in the female part (502) over said rear holes (301) in the inner pipe (2) of the female part. The female part (502) has a rotatable locking sleeve (207), which is coupled to a sleeve (214) accommodating pins (213). The nipple pipe body (104) has helical grooves (100), wherein, upon coupling and rotation of the locking sleeve (207), the pins (213), through rotation of the pins (213), when they fall into the grooves (100), catch in the walls of the grooves (100) and cause the nipple pipe body (104) of the male part to be pulled into the female part (502), one end of the inner pipe (2) meets a relief valve (113) of the male part (501) and opens the relief valve (113), and pressurized oil is discharged against the valve of the female part (502) prior to continued opening of valves (115, 122) in the nipple pipe body (104).
US08387947B2
A capacity control valve includes a solenoid portion; a tube placed in the solenoid portion; and a movable core which forms a slide surface that is fitted to the tube. An actuation rod has a joint portion and a valve body, the joint portion being engaged with an abutting surface of a solenoid rod portion, and the valve body opening or closing a control fluid passage. The joint surface of the solenoid rod portion or the abutting face of the actuation rod has a concave cone-shape surface while the other has a convex cone-shape portion. A bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface is formed as a wide area of either a planar surface or a circular cross section, wherein a head portion of the convex cone-shape portion is truncated to form a truncated cone surface, the truncated cone surface corresponding to the bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface.
US08387945B2
The system contains a top permanent magnet and a bottom permanent magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have substantially opposing magnetization. A top coil is positioned substantially enclosing the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned substantially enclosing the bottom magnet. A ferromagnetic spacer is positioned between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. The slug has an opening formed therein. The slug opening is sized and positioned to slidably receive at least one of the top magnet, the bottom magnet, and the ferromagnetic spacer. An actuating member is integral with the slug.
US08387943B1
A pinch valve for controlling fluid flow through flexible tubing is disclosed. The valve has a frame for accommodating flexible tubing and a tube-constricting arrangement, which arrangement includes a pair of arc sections on one side of the frame forming a throat or crimping channel transverse to the tube axis and a blade member extending correspondingly and transversely on the other side. An actuator reciprocally positions the blade member between an open and closed position. When the blade member is in the closed position, flexible tubing is crimped within the throat, preventing fluid flow therethrough. When the blade member is moved away from the tubing in an open position, the flexible tubing reverts to a relaxed condition and allows fluid flow therethrough. The pinch valve is utilizable with a bladder that provides a closed system and assists in throttling the flow of the fluid.
US08387934B2
An over-the-door game hanger system having a pair of first and second hooks capable of receiving a top edge of a standard door. An attachment plate is removably attached between the first and second hooks. A game support strap is operably secured to the attachment plate at one end and to a game panel at the other end. A balance block may be provided which is removable mounted proximate an upper edge of the game panel. The strap is disposed to extend from the game panel over the forward end of the balance block such that the strap extends at an angle therefrom toward the attachment plate proximate the top edge of said door thereby generating a moment and a force in a direction toward the door face such that the game panel hangs substantially vertically flush against the substantially vertical door face. In an alternative embodiment wherein the balance block is used, the game support strap may be supported or secured by any means proximate a top edge of a standard door.
US08387930B2
Various embodiments are directed to stand for a display. One embodiment includes a base, a display, and a mounting arm that includes a first end connected to the base and a second end pivotally connected to the display.
US08387928B2
An apparatus for a flat panel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flat panel assembly and a hinge mechanism coupled to the flat panel assembly. The hinge mechanism is adaptable to an industry standard mount and a non-industry standard mount. A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows for the replacement of a non-VESA standard compatible display mount with a display mount that is compatible with the VESA standard. Utilizing the system and method in accordance with the present invention, such a replacement can be accomplished with minimal effort, and in an efficient manner.
US08387927B1
A cable positioning bracket is provided for mounting to a building component, e.g. a wall stud. The bracket has an anchor plate for being connected to the broad surface of the building component and a pair of side plates for being connected to the narrow surface of the building component. A pair of platforms are positioned adjacent to a slot for supporting one or more cables. A series of opposed tabs are provided in several embodiments, the tabs oriented to engage and support one or more cables. One side plate pivots away from the building component by means of a hinge plate to insert the cable or cables. The tabs in one embodiment are formed with side strips surrounding a window, the strips allowing arcuate bending of the tabs to minimize fatigue failure.
US08387926B2
A support arrangement, operable to clamp a cam tube for a drum brake assembly in position relative to an adjacent vehicle component, includes a first jaw having a first pair of arms, each of which has an one opening in an inclined end section, a second jaw having a second pair of arms, each of which has an opening in an inclined end section, and a base associated with the vehicle component and having a third pair of arms. Each of the third pair of arms also has an opening in its end section. Bolts or other such fastener elements are receivable within aligned sets of openings in the first, second, and third pairs of arms, permitting displacement of the first and second jaws relative to the base upon adjustment of the fasteners so that the jaws grip the tube and clamp the tube in its proper position. A clamping process is also described.
US08387924B2
An actuation system for deploying and retracting a lift assisting device of a wing of an aircraft, is presented. The actuation system includes a track pivotally coupled to the lift assisting device, a shaft rotating in response to flight control signals to deploy or retract the lift assisting device, means for actuating the lift assisting device between a retracted position and a deployed position along an arcuate path, a plurality of track roller bearings and a plurality of side roller bearings. The roller bearings rotatably contact the track to guide the track along the arcuate path. The track roller bearings are comprised of an outer ring, a split inner ring and liners disposed between bearing surfaces of the outer and the inner rings. The split inner ring is configured for accommodating deflection and bending of a mounting pin coupling the track roller bearing in proximity to the track.
US08387920B2
A device for launching unmanned missiles from an aircraft with a pallet, on which at least one container is provided to receive a missile. The container has an upper container section that has a pylon for the suspended, detachable support of the missile. The container has a lower container section that is embodied as a support area for the missile.
US08387918B2
A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
US08387914B2
A vehicle includes a housing having a wall with a central port and radial port formed at a lower portion of the housing, a blower disposed within the housing to move air through the central port, a distributor coupled to the blower to distribute air inside the housing, a heat-absorbing body disposed within the housing to absorb thermal energy, and at least one arm coupled to the housing.
US08387912B2
A lifting foil having a lower trailing course having a margins and an upper leading course margins connected in a manner to enhance lift of the foil.
US08387908B2
A feeding station for a splicer of a rotary offset printing press is provided. The feeding station includes a feeding device for feeding a paper roll into a splicer; an unpack station for unpacking a paper roll; and a buffer station for storing an unpacked paper roll.The feeding station includes an unpack conveyor leading from the unpack station to the feeding device; and a buffer conveyor leading from the buffer station to the feeding device. The feeding device includes a feeding carriage having a core container for holding two or more cores.A corresponding method is also provided.
US08387907B2
A seat belt device is provided with a pin for connecting a spindle and a tread head in an initial state. The breaking load of the pin is varied depending on the direction of relative rotation between the tread head and the spindle, such that the pin breaks at a smaller load during operation of a pretensioner. As a result, this allows firmly fixing together the spindle and the lock member during ordinary use without adversely affecting usability, and, upon vehicle collision or the like, the EA load is not affected through breaking of the pin at the smaller load.
US08387906B2
An engaging member supporting structure having a rotating body being connected to a spool, transmitting rotation to the spool and having rotation from the spool transmitted thereto; a support body provided coaxially with the rotating body; an engaging member provided at the support body and rotating in one direction to engage with the rotating body; a shaft potion formed at one of the support body or the engaging member; and a bearing portion formed at the other of the support body or the engaging member in such a manner that the shaft portion is inserted therein, whereby the engaging member is rotatably provided at the support body, wherein, in a state in which the engaging member engages with the rotating body, a clearance is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion and a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion.
US08387905B2
A modular bottom shell of a multi-shell crusher device, the shell includes a central hub having a centered cylindrical support hole and at least two support arms extending orthogonally from the centered cylindrical support hole, each support arm having an end plate, and wherein at least one of the two support arms has an orthogonal bore therein which extends from within the centered cylindrical support hole to an outer portion of the support arm; and at least two outer shell sections having an annular inner surface, and wherein each of the outer shell sections has an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper and lower surfaces extending from one end of the outer shell section to the other end of the outer shell, and a first vertical end plate on one end of the outer shell section and a second vertical end plate on the other end of the outer shell section, and wherein each vertical end plate has at least one bore therein, which has a corresponding bore within one of the end plates of the support arm.
US08387902B2
A recycling method of slurry for use in wafer polishing for reusing slurry used in a polishing process of semiconductor wafer, comprises the steps of: adding a dispersant to a recovered used-slurry to inhibit aggregation of the slurry; breaking up aggregates in such a manner that the whole of the used slurry, subjected to the dispersant addition step, is passed through a shearing force imparting device to impart shearing force to the aggregates contained in the slurry by the shearing force imparting device, thereby breaking up the aggregates; and removing foreign substances in the slurry subjected to the aggregate breakup step, by means of a foreign substances removing device. According to the method, a large amount of used-slurry can be processed in a short time.
US08387899B2
An applicator assembly for mixing at least a first and second component is provided. The applicator assembly includes a manifold configured for operable engagement with at least a first and second source of component, the manifold including at least a first and second component channel therethrough, an elongated shaft extending distally from the manifold, the elongated shaft including at least a first and second component lumen extending the length thereof, the at least first and second component channels in fluid communication with the at least first and second component channels, a tip assembly defining a first chamber, an intermediate chamber and a final chamber.
US08387898B1
A paint sprayer includes a motor-driven multi-stage turbine for compressing air, which subsequently flows through a venturi in a paint gun to draw in paint or some other liquid from a canister. To prevent the high-pressure air from expelling lubricant from the motor's inboard bearing, a pressure responsive annular seal axially deflects and sealingly engages an axial face of the bearing. To avoid subjecting the seal and bearing to excess air pressure and temperature created by the turbine, a bypass bleed line diverts some air to atmosphere when the paint gun is closed.
US08387894B2
An ultrasonic waterjet apparatus (10) has a mobile generator module (20) and a high-pressure water hose (40) for delivering high-pressure water from the mobile generator module (20) to a hand-held gun (50) with a trigger and an ultrasonic nozzle (60). An ultrasonic generator in the mobile generator module (20) transmits high-frequency electrical pulses to a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducer (62) which vibrates to modulate a high-pressure waterjet flowing through the nozzle (60). The waterjet exiting the ultrasonic nozzle (60) is pulsed into mini slugs of water, each of which imparts a waterhammer pressure on a target surface. The ultrasonic waterjet apparatus (10) may be used to cut and de-burr materials, to clean and de-coat surfaces, and to break rocks. The ultrasonic waterjet apparatus (10) performs these tasks with much greater efficiency than conventional continuous-flow waterjet systems because of the repetitive waterhammer effect A nozzle with multiple exit orifices or a rotating nozzle (76) may be provided in lieu of a nozzle with a single exit orifice to render cleaning and de-coating large surfaces more efficient. A water dump valve (27) and controlling solenoid are located in the mobile generator module (20) rather than the gun (50) to make the gun lighter and more ergonomic.
US08387889B2
An object has first coded data and a random pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The first coded data identifies a plurality of fiducials on the surface and the random pattern defines a fingerprint for the object. The random pattern is defined by a taggant randomly dispersed in ink printed on the surface. A data reader for reading the first coded data and random pattern includes first and second optical sensors.
US08387885B2
A laptop that interacts with a television system. At least one module may be adapted to receive a user input identifying a video selection. The at least one module may also be adapted to display video information corresponding to the video selection. The at least one module may further be adapted to transmit a control signal adapted to cause the display of video information corresponding to the video selection on the television system. The laptop may, for example, be adapted to receive television system setting information and provide for user control of various television system settings. Also for example, the laptop may be adapted to receive media guide information, present such information to a user, provide for user selection of a media element, and transmit a control signal adapted to cause delivery of the selected media element from a multimedia source to the television system.
US08387884B2
A variable focus imaging lens assembly (50) for an imaging-based bar code reader (10) including: a lens assembly (52) focusing light from a field of view (FV) onto a sensor array (28), the lens assembly (52) including a lens (53) movable along a path of travel; a drive mechanism (58) to drive the moving lens (53); a focusing system (60) for establishing a reference point (RP) for the moving lens (53) along the path of travel corresponding to a reference focal plane (RFP) within the field of view; and a projection assembly (62) projecting a virtual target image (64a) of a reference target light source (64) to a predetermined position (P) within the field of view and coincident with the reference focal plane (RFP), the predetermined position (P) being a known distance (D) from the lens assembly (52) along its optic axis (OA).
US08387880B2
A position Z of an image sensor is moved to an initial position A (image forming position) in a Z axis direction. An exposing operation is performed at a position A, and it is determined whether or not an exposing time counted by a timer has reached ta. If the exposing time has reached ta, an image sensor 27 is moved to a position B. The exposing operation is performed at the position, and it is determined whether or not a total exposing time has reached ta+tb. If the total exposing time t has reached ta+tb, the image sensor is moved to a position C, and the exposing operation is performed at the position. Thus, the output distribution of the image sensor can be assigned a desired low pass filter characteristic.
US08387875B2
A method of providing an incentive for crushing containers prior to disposal by providing a reward for doing so. When a container is substantially crushed a code on the container that was previously unreadable is caused to be readable by a code reading means. In response to reading the code by the code reading means, a reward is provided. The container may be disposed of in a disposal means. The disposal means may include the code reading means and provide the reward. Alternatively the code reading means may be provided, for example, on a mobile phone or other device. The reward may be any item of value such as a prize, token, money, account credit or voucher, for example.
US08387874B1
An aspect of the invention provides methods, computer media, and apparatuses to support the administration of a cash recycler system. An administrator sets hours of operation for the cash recycler system during which a user can access a cash handling device in the cash recycler system. The cash recycler system may be configured according to an operating time setting to operate between a beginning time and a terminating time, where the operating time setting may specify a periodic operating time for a specified day of the week. Access to the recycler system may be restricted based on identification information from a user and may be restricted only to an administrator outside configured operating hours. The recycler system may receive a calendar entry corresponding to a time period of operation and may override a periodic operating time by the time period contained in the calendar entry.
US08387870B2
A secure card is described that includes a front surface, a back surface, a memory operably placed between the surfaces, the memory having an interface to an external device, a removable image transfer film having a releasable coating disbursed thereon, at least one digitally created image originally applied to the releasable coating in reverse image format, and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is operable such that the at least one digitally created image is between the releasable coating and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is applied adjacent one or more target surfaces associated with at least one of the surfaces, a selective release transfer process utilized such that the portions of the adhesive layer adjacent the at least one digitally created image remain on the surfaces when the image transfer film is removed from the card.
US08387869B2
A device, a system, and methods of securing an authentication device are disclosed. A security system includes an authentication device configured for transmitting a second signal to deactivate the authentication device, in response to receiving a first signal. The authentication device further includes a receiver, a transmitter, an activation device, and a power source, and wherein the second signal includes a unique identifier of the authentication device. The security system further includes an authentication device reader configured for receiving the second signal from the authentication device, extracting the unique identifier from the second signal, and transmitting the extracted unique identifier. The security system further includes an identification data management system configured for storing stored unique identifiers corresponding to authentication devices, storing validity status indicators corresponding to the stored unique identifiers, validating a transaction of the at least one authentication device in response to a combination of the corresponding stored unique identifier and the corresponding validity status indicator, receiving the extracted unique identifier from the authentication device reader, matching the extracted unique identifier with the plurality of stored unique identifiers, and deactivating the authentication device corresponding to the at least one matched stored unique identifier, wherein the deactivation is performed by modifying the corresponding validity status indicator, if a match is found between the extracted unique identifier and at least one stored unique identifier. Also disclosed are a device and methods for securing the authentication device.
US08387851B1
An apparatus for aligning a bonding tool of a die bonder with respect to a bond stage is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a connecting member to which the bonding tool is coupleable such that the connecting member is located between the bonding tool and a main body of a die bonder; and a plurality of actuators engaged to the connecting member. In particular, the plurality of actuators are actuable to rotate the connecting member and the bonding tool relative to the main body of the die bonder about a plurality of axes, to align the bonding tool with respect to the bond stage.
US08387834B2
A dispenser includes a housing and a push bar movable between a rest position and an actuated position. A container is retained in the housing and holds a liquid, and a pump is associated with a liquid. The pump is actuated to dispense a dose of the liquid, when the push bar is moved from its rest position to its actuated position. A dispensing tube includes an inlet associated with the pump, an outlet associated with the push bar, and a bellows portion between the inlet and the outlet. Upon moving the push bar from its rest position to its actuated position, the bellows portion is collapsed from an expanded volume to a compressed volume, and the outlet of the dispensing tube moves with the push bar. Upon return of the push bar from the actuated position to the rest position, the bellows portion expands from the compressed volume to the expanded volume, and draws liquid at the tip of the dispensing tube into the dispensing tube to reduce or eliminate dripping. Pinch members are employed to pinch the dispensing tube closed to prevent product dripping therefrom when the dispenser is not in use.
US08387832B2
A dispenser including a housing with a backplate, an intermediary member pivotally connected to the backplate, and a cover pivotally connected to the intermediary member. The intermediary member is pivotally connected to the backplate adjacent to a first end of the housing, and the cover is pivotally connected to the intermediary member adjacent to a second end of the housing. The dispenser also includes a refill unit including a pump and a product reservoir. The product reservoir is flexible and resilient so that it can be compressed repeatedly.
US08387819B2
A carbonated beverage container includes a bottle having a flexible sidewall of generally circular cross section, a cap for closing a top opening of the bottle, pairs of coupling elements provided on diametrically opposite portions of the sidewall respectively and configured to be pushed towards each other and couple together, thereby partially collapsing the bottle and expelling a predetermined amount of air therefrom. A method of preserving the taste of carbonated beverage in a container is also disclosed.
US08387813B2
The invention is a collapsible container for transporting fresh fish or the like, in particular ice-cooled goods or foodstuffs. This “fish crate” is essentially manufactured by means of plastic injection molding, i.e. by injection-molding the side walls and the base of the collapsible container using an injection-molding tool. In particular the four side walls are implemented to be double-walled, a closed air cushion being created by welding on a footing after the injection molding process. In the area of the slightly tray-shaped base, openings for the passage of liquid are provided; in particular, the melt water of the ice-cooled fresh fish is to be drained off to the outside. Besides these base openings, further additional openings which join the base and the side walls in a foldable manner may be provided in the area of the hinges.
US08387801B2
The invention relates to a flotation process for removal of slimes from potash ores wherein a collector is used selected from the group of ethoxylated fatty amines having the formulae (formula I) wherein R1 and R2 are, independently, a hydrocarbyl group having 1-22 C-atoms, and n is on average above 15 and less than 100, and (formula II) wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl group having 8-22 carbon atoms; z is a number 1-3; X, Y and Y′ are, independently, an alkyl group with 1-4 carbon atoms or the group -(EO)sH, wherein EO is an ethyleneoxy unit and s is on average 5-50, and the sum of all s is on average 15 or more, and less than 100; provided that at least one of X, Y and Y′ is a group -(EO)sH. The invention further relates to a process wherein the step of flotation of slime is followed by a step of flotation of KCl using a different type of collector.
US08387792B2
A sleeve kit has a case, multiple sleeves and a cover. The case has multiple sleeve brackets and multiple fasteners. Each fastener is mounted on a position between two adjacent ones of the sleeve brackets, protrudes from a plane where openings of the sleeve brackets are located and has two barbs and a gap. The cover covers the sleeve brackets and has multiple secure holes respectively mounted around the fasteners. With the secure holes mounted around the fasteners, the cover is difficult to be removed from the case, and the sleeves are protected against burglars.
US08387781B2
A conveyor belt support for a conveyor may comprise: a mandrel mountable to the far side of the conveyor and extending transversely toward the near side thereof; a member mountable to the mandrel from the near side of the conveyor that is slideable on and rotatable about the mandrel; and a roller supported by the member, wherein the roller is transverse to the conveyor belt when the member is mounted to the mandrel, wherein rotating the member in a first direction moves the roller to an operating position for supporting the conveyor belt and rotating the member in a second direction moves the roller to a position wherein the member and roller are removable from the support mandrel.
US08387779B2
A method for filling a terrain using bulk material, preferably excavating material from an ore mine. The method includes a) the terrain has at least three levels disposed parallel to each other; b) a conveyor system (1) by which the bulk material is conveyed is positioned on at least the level second from the bottom; c) a traveling tripper (2) can be displaced along the entire conveyor system (1), by which the bulk material on one or the other side of the conveyor system (1) can be transferred to a connecting conveyor bridge (3) that can also be displaced along the conveyor system (1); d) the connecting conveyor bridge (3) transfers the bulk material to a depositor (4) that can also be displaced along the conveyor system (1); e) the depositor (4) successively deposits the bulk material in elongated filling strips (A-G) on the various levels below and above the level (0) of the conveyor system (1); f) initially one or several levels below or above the level (0) are each filled with at least one strip (A-D or E-G) on one side of the conveyor system (1); and g) the traveling tripper (2), connecting conveyor bridge (3), and the depositor (4) are subsequently displaced to the other side of the conveyor system (1) in order to fill the corresponding filling strip at that location as well.
US08387778B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking rolling material, such as wood chips, bark or grain into a pile (10) and reclaiming from the pile (10) to a conveyor (20) located below the storing point, said apparatus comprising a center column (30) that supports a stacker boom (40) and a reclaimer boom (50) that are hinged to be turnable independently of each other in relation to the vertical axis of the center boom (30). A characteristic feature of the apparatus is that at least at one point that is hinged in relation to the center column (30) the supporting is arranged resting on a support wheel (60, 60′, 60″) arranged around the frame of the center column (30).
US08387768B2
A parking lock device for a motor vehicle transmission including a parking lock gear, a locking pawl, a locking element with an operating rod as well as a guide plate. The locking pawl engages with and blocks the parking lock gear when the parking lock is engaged and locked by the locking element, and when the parking lock is disengaged, the locking pawl disengages from the parking lock gear and can be locked in a form-locked manner. An unlocking element is fixed to the operating rod, and the unlocking element disengages the form lock before the parking lock is engaged. The locking element is arranged on a leaf spring which has a fixed end, a free end and a center arranged between the fixed and the free ends. The center can be moved outwardly by the unlocking element and the locking element is arranged on the free end.
US08387750B2
Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
US08387749B2
Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
US08387748B2
This invention is directed to a composite laminate comprising in order (a) a flame retardant polymeric moisture barrier (b) an inorganic platelet layer and (c) a flame retardant thermoplastic film layer The invention is also directed to a thermal insulation and acoustic blanket comprising a core of fibrous material or foam surrounded by the above composite laminate wherein the thermoplastic film layer of the composite laminate contacts and encapsulates the core.
US08387747B2
A soundproof panel comprising a nonwoven structural member and a board member is prepared. The nonwoven structural member comprises a thermal adhesive fiber under moisture which is melt-bonded to a fiber of the structural member to fix the fibers. The soundproof panel may be a soundproof panel 1 comprising a nonwoven structural member 2 and a honeycomb member 3 stacked thereto. Moreover, the soundproof panel may be a soundproof panel comprising a board-like nonwoven structural member and first and second surface members stacked to first and second sides of the board-like nonwoven structural member, respectively. Further, the soundproof panel may be a soundproof panel having first and second surface members stacked through a square-pole rail member comprising a nonwoven structural member. The soundproof panel of the present invention has toughness for the lightweight design and has excellent sound absorption and sound insulation properties.
US08387746B2
The inventive subject matter describes systems and methods for the implementation of an aquatic acoustical barrier, the aquatic acoustical barrier having a multiplicity of acoustical layers, the acoustical layers further having a multiplicity of acoustical leafs, such that when the acoustical barrier surrounds a noise source in the water there is an attenuation created by the noise source.
US08387741B2
A drive train arrangement for a vehicle comprising a main transmission and a transfer box which are both housed within a transmission housing. The transfer box comprises a drive output which is connected to a rear axle differential transmission and connectable, by a torque transmission element and a connecting shaft, to a front axle differential transmission. The connecting shaft is arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the drive output shaft of the main transmission. The end of the connecting shaft, facing toward the front axle differential transmission, is actively connected to the front axle differential transmission. The front axle differential transmission is fixed to the vehicle by at least one adaptor device allowing the front axle differential transmission to be adapted to a variety of arrangement positions along the rotation axis of the connection shaft.
US08387738B1
A compact vehicle having a body frame that contains an automatic transmission. The operating system of the vehicle has either an engine with a crankshaft that is transverse to the axis of movement of the vehicle or is parallel to the axis of movement of the vehicle. Additionally, the crankshaft is an input shaft to a split power transmission and actuates an output shaft to drive the axle and wheels of the vehicle. The split-power transmission uses a power summing device in combination with a plurality of clutches and variable power units in order to provide a shift between a first operating mode and a second operating mode.
US08387736B2
A fuel supply apparatus is provided having an increased curvature of radius of a fuel pipe. The fuel supply apparatus is provided with a pressure regulator, disposed at a middle portion of a fuel supply pipe interconnecting a fuel pump and an injector, in which fuel is supplied to the pressure regulator from the fuel pump via the fuel pipe, and is then supplied from the pressure regulator to the injector via a fuel pipe and extra fuel is returned from the pressure regulator to a fuel tank via a return pipe. The pressure regulator is disposed in front of a storage box, the fuel pipe and the return pipe are disposed on opposite sides of the storage box, respectively, the pressure regulator is disposed in front of the storage box, and the fuel pipe and the return pipe are disposed in a substantially U-shaped configuration.
US08387735B2
Method and apparatus for remotely disabling a vehicle using modulated microwave energy. The modulation characteristics are preferably tailored for different types of vehicles. This approach enables the use of a low power radiation source, which minimizes injury to people and property and which enables the use of portable devices, such as for use on law enforcement or military vehicles.
US08387733B2
The battery pack of the present invention includes a bipolar secondary battery used as a power source of a vehicle, and a cooling passage allowing flow of a cooling medium. The cooling passage is integrated with a casing. The cooling passage includes an inlet passage provided along that one of a plurality of battery modules which is positioned at one end of the plurality of battery modules for introducing the cooling medium from an input port, an outlet passage provided along that one of the plurality of battery modules which is positioned at the other end of the plurality of battery modules for discharging the cooling medium from an outlet port, and a direction changing portion provided between the inlet passage and the outlet passage changing the flow direction of cooling medium coming from the inlet passage and passing the cooling medium to the outlet passage. According to the present invention, the cooling medium is discharged to the same side as the introducing side. Specifically, the direction of cooling medium flowing in the inlet passage is opposite to the direction of cooling medium flowing in the outlet passage. As the cooling medium is caused to flow in this manner (a so-called counter flow method), temperature distribution in bipolar secondary battery can be made uniform.
US08387728B1
An electric vehicle having good range and power is achieved by providing a vehicle having a motor side assembly and a power side assembly. A battery starts or activates a starter. The battery is connected to a direct current motor to start off or begin the engine function by activating a rear alternator. The rear alternator has three phases by using three hot lines, one neutral line, and one ground line. One hot line and the neutral are connected or will go to a transformer to bring the voltage to the correct voltage. From the transformer, the feed goes to an inverter, so the alternating current voltage is changed to a direct current voltage. This structure will feed the direct current motor for a continuous feed.
US08387726B2
A robot 1 is equipped with a leg 2 including a knee joint 16 connecting a thigh link 32 and a crus link 34. The knee joint 16 is equipped with a connecting rod 44, one end of which is connected so as to be freely rotatable with respect to an axis 40 of the crus link 34 and the other end of which is connected so as to be freely rotatable to an axis 42 of the thigh link 32, and a distance varying mechanism 50 which changes the distance between an axis 60 of the crus link 34 and an axis 56 of the thigh link 32 by a driving force of an electric motor 40. When a bending angle of the knee joint 16 is 0 degree, a sum of the distance between the axis 40 and axis 42 and the distance between the axis 60 and the axis 56, is smaller than the distance between the axis 40 and the axis 56.
US08387720B1
A drilling rig for automatically executing rocking of a drill string with a moveable top drive using a control system having a processor and data storage connected to a torque pin sensor, a speed sensor; a remote control enabling a user to actuate automatic remote rocking, drilling, orienting and making up of a drill string using the top drive that provides simultaneous right hand and left hand torque applied to the drill string while simultaneously controlling speed of turning of the drill string. A drilling rig for orienting drill pipe, drilling with drill pipe and making up drill pipe into a drill string using the automated control system.
US08387716B2
A joint device of an agricultural machine has at least one tool-bearing beam (2a-c, 3a-c) for soil tillage tools (4, 5, 38, 39), such as seed coulters and cultivator tines, whereby a portion (10) of the beam end, at least on one side of the machine, is detachably fastened by means of a bolt/nut connection (13, 18, 23) arranged within the tool-bearing beam. A threaded body (18, 50) in the bolt/nut connection is fixed, preferably plug welded, in the main part of the beam (2a-c, 3a-c).
US08387707B2
A tieback connection between an offshore production platform and a wellhead on the sea floor has a riser and a tubular expandable and contractable member within the riser. The expandable and contractable member compensates for axial movement within the riser while maintaining axial tension in the riser. The expandable and contractable member is of uni-body construction having a wall configured to correspondingly expand and contract to compensate for the riser movement. In cross section, the member wall comprises folds formable by alternating slots formed into the inner and outer wall surface or an undulating surface.
US08387705B2
Systems and methods for running and cementing casing into wells drilled with dual-gradient mud systems include running casing through a subsea wellhead connected to a marine riser, the casing having an auto-fill float collar, and connecting a landing string to the last casing run. The landing string includes a surface-controlled valve (SCV) and a surface-controlled ported circulating sub (PCS). The SCV and PCS are manipulated as needed when running casing, washing it down while preventing u-tubing on connections and prior to cementing to displace mixed density mud from the landing string and replace it with heavy-density mud prior to circulating below the mudline thus maintaining the dual gradient effect.
US08387699B2
Coal friendly, non-toxic, green fracturing compositions, methods of preparing fracturing compositions and methods of use in various fracturing applications are described. The compositions are characterized as non-toxic compositions enabling effective use of the fracturing compositions in coal bed methane (CBM) formations and particularly shallow CBM formations. The compositions include a liquid component (water-based component) and a gas component in proportions that can support a proppant under turbulent conditions and that promote the formation of a mist.
US08387696B2
A process that includes pumping a first wellbore fluid comprising an oxidative degradable polymer into a wellbore through a subterranean formation; pumping a second wellbore fluid comprising a pH-activated oxidative breaker into the wellbore; pumping a third wellbore fluid comprising a delayed acid source into the wellbore; and allowing the delayed acid source to acidify at least a portion of the wellbore to a pH of less than 7 so as to activate the pH-activated oxidative breaker at the lower pH and degrade the oxidative degradable polymers is disclosed.
US08387695B1
The present invention relates to methods of cementing, for example, an oil or gas well. The method may involve pumping a suspension of a filler mixture and at least about 5 weight percent of a thermosetting resin based on the total weight of resin and filler mixture. Advantages may include superior properties and reliability as compared to conventional cementing operations often involving Portland cement.
US08387678B1
A mold system and method for producing a casting. The mold system utilizes multiple channels, each channel comprising a sprue and gating system, to feed the mold cavity at different heights. When a lower portion of the mold is filled, a controller is signaled to initiate filling of the mold through a second channel positioned above the lower portion. This mold system desirably provides the hottest molten metal to the last portion of the casting to freeze with or without the use of risers, eliminating casting defects. The system also enables the controlled pouring of dissimilar metal castings.
US08387673B2
An apparatus includes a heating station, a laminating and transfer-printing station, and a molding station in succession, and a transport arrangement that transports the material being processed among the stations. In the heating station, a substrate is pre-heated and consolidated. In the laminating and transfer-printing station, a decorative cover layer is laminated onto the substrate and simultaneously a surface decoration (design, pattern, image, colors, text, etc.) is transfer-printed by sublimation of inks or dyes from a transfer paper onto an outer surface of the decorative cover layer. The resulting laminated body with a transfer-printed surface decoration is then three-dimensionally deformed and molded to form a three-dimensionally contoured, molded, laminated article with the transfer-printed surface decoration. The article may be a motor vehicle interior trim component.
US08387670B2
A tire noise reduction device including at least one sound absorbing member of flexible polyurethane foam to be attached to an inner surface of a tire facing a cavity of the tire. The sound absorbing member includes a first sound absorbing layer placed on a tire inner surface side thereof and a second sound absorbing layer placed on a tire reverse inner surface side thereof, with the second sound absorbing layer being disposed on the first sound absorbing layer. The second sound absorbing layer has a density lower than that of the first sound absorbing layer. The second sound absorbing layer is of a thickness that is greater than or equal to that of the first sound absorbing layer. The second sound absorbing layer extends annularly in the tire circumferential direction, while the first sound absorbing layer includes a plurality of the sound absorbing members.
US08387665B2
A compact fluid accumulator both stores a relatively large amount of fluid and provides good fluid pressure stability. The accumulator includes a piston slidably disposed in a cylinder having a fluid inlet/outlet at one end which communicates with a first chamber and one face of the piston. Engaging the opposite face of the piston, and disposed in a second chamber, is a compression spring. The second chamber is filled with a gas which is at atmospheric pressure when the accumulator is relaxed. When pressurized hydraulic fluid fills the first chamber, the piston moves against the pressure of the spring and gas in the second chamber. The present invention thus provides an accumulator having the relatively small size of a gas filled accumulator without the leakage problem of a super-atmospheric gas charge—the extra force being provided by the compression spring.
US08387662B2
A device for directing the flow of a fluid comprises: a pressure pocket; a first fluid passageway; a pressure source; and a pressure switch, wherein the first fluid passageway operationally connects at least the pressure pocket and the pressure source, and wherein the pressure switch is positioned adjacent to the pressure source. According to an embodiment, depending on at least one of the properties of the fluid, the fluid that flows into the pressure pocket changes. In one embodiment, the change is the fluid increasingly flows into the pressure pocket. In another embodiment, the change is the fluid decreasingly flows into the pressure pocket. According to another embodiment, a flow rate regulator comprises: the device for directing the flow of a fluid; a second fluid passageway; a third fluid passageway; and a fourth fluid passageway.
US08387657B2
Methods and apparatus to indicate a position of a valve are described. An example apparatus includes a first pressure sensor to detect an inlet pressure of a valve, a second pressure sensor to detect an outlet pressure of the valve, and a controller operatively coupled to the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a position of the valve corresponding to one of a plurality of predetermined operational states of the valve.
US08387637B2
The present invention relates to an umbrella or parasol system that has two shafts for connecting multiple umbrellas or parasols. The system further has opening springs in the upper parts of the shafts, which together with a support arrangement in the lower parts of the shafts, are arranged to open stretchers of the system.
US08387631B1
A machine for cleaning a head-disk assembly (HDA) of a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a nest that seals the HDA between an upper and lower portion during cleaning. An inlet port receives a gas and an exhaust port exhausts the gas and entrained particles. A shock drive delivers mechanical shocks to the nest and the HDA while the gas is flowing through the HDA. A blower may circulate the gas from the exhaust port to the inlet port. A filter may be coupled to the inlet port. The HDA nest may be movable along an axis of the mechanical shocks delivered by the shock drive. A blow tube may deliver gas to a screw hole and a coaxial vacuum tube may rest against a surface around the screw hole to encapsulate the blow tube during cleaning and remove the gas and particles from the screw hole.
US08387620B1
An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes a base, a tongue-engaging member and a tongue pocket. Partial vacuums are separately drawn through the tongue-engaging member and the tongue pocket in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.
US08387612B2
Heating units, drug supply units and drug delivery articles capable of rapid heating are disclosed. Heating units comprising a substrate and a solid fuel capable of undergoing an exothermic metal oxidation reaction disposed within the substrate are disclosed. These heating units can be actuated by electrical resistance, by optical ignition or by percussion. Drug supply units and drug delivery articles wherein a solid fuel is configured to heat a substrate to a temperature sufficient to rapidly thermally vaporize a drug disposed thereon are also disclosed.
US08387611B2
Various embodiments of a gas valve and a sear-zone gas burner are described and claimed herein. One embodiment described herein relates to a cooking chamber with a cooking surface, which has at least two portions including a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions of the cooking surface each have at least one heat source disposed underneath. The at least one heat source for each cooking surface in turn has a highest setting such that a first maximum heat output is provided to the first portion of the cooking surface when set at the highest setting and a second maximum heat output is provided to the second portion of the cooking surface when set at highest setting, wherein the second maximum heat output provided to the second portion is greater than the first maximum heat output provided to the first portion of the cooking surface.
US08387597B2
A high-voltage generator device, including an inductive-capacitive resonator capable of producing a high voltage, a mechanism generating a high-frequency control pulse train, a voltage source, a capacitor, and a voltage generator including a switching transistor, the control electrode of which is connected to the output of the mechanism generating the high-frequency control pulse train, the source of the switching transistor being connect to ground, and the drain of the switching transistor being capable of delivering a voltage pulse train to the inductive-capacitive resonator in response to the control pulse train received on the control electrode of the switching transistor. The drain of the switching transistor is connected to the inductive-capacitive resonator via an isolating transformer, the isolating transformer being connected in parallel with a capacitor, the isolating transformer also being connected to the voltage source.
US08387593B2
An EGR flow rate control apparatus of an internal combustion engine is provided that can correct with high accuracy an EGR gas flow rate measured by a gas flow rate measurement apparatus in an EGR passage and control with high accuracy a gas flow rate regulating valve to reduce discharge amounts of PM and NOx in exhaust gases. An EGR flow rate control apparatus 10 of an internal combustion engine includes a gas flow rate correction unit 45 that corrects the EGR gas flow rate based on a first operating state parameter relating to pressure fluctuations of the intake pipe or exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine and a second operating state parameter relating to a flow channel resistance of the EGR flow channel.
US08387590B2
A four-stroke internal combustion engine, having a brake controller by which pressure is built up in the exhaust system and/or at least one exhaust valve is additionally opened is provided. A hydraulic valve clearance compensation element is incorporated in at least one transmission element between the camshaft and at least one intake and exhaust valve and has at least one piston (3), a cylinder housing part (2) that interacts with the piston (3), a return spring (16) disposed therebetween, a check valve (4), and an actuatable locking device is provided which limits the movement of the piston (3) relative to the cylinder housing part (2) and/or limits the movement of the cylinder housing part (2) relative to an exterior housing (1) connected to one of the transmission elements or relative to a transmission element at least in one direction of movement, and the piston (3) is supported on a stop element (5) connected to the exterior housing (1) or the transmission element.
US08387589B2
A rotary actuator comprises a housing with an output shaft extending from the housing. There is a magnet disposed on the output shaft and the output shaft is coupled to an actuator arm. A motor rotates the output shaft. A position sensor mounted on a circuit board determines the position of the output shaft based on the position of the magnet. A position of the actuator arm may be determined based on the rotating position of the output shaft.
US08387588B2
An ECU controls an internal combustion engine that creates a tumble flow in each engine cylinder and intensifies the tumble flow using fuel injected at a timing near the intake stroke bottom dead center during homogeneous combustion. The ECU includes a fuel property identifying mechanism identifying the property of fuel and combustion state changing mechanism changing the combustion state. When the fuel has a property that requires a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio lower than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio for gasoline, the combustion state changing mechanism changes the combustion state by, for example, retarding the ignition timing, so that the combustion progresses moderately. This prevents an excessive increase in the combustion speed.
US08387582B2
An oil discharging structure of a balance shaft module smoothly discharging oil pumped by a balance shaft outside of the balance shaft module by forming an oil guide surface in a ladder frame that is installed in an upper part of the balance shaft module. The oil discharging structure of the present invention preferably includes a balance shaft housing that is rotatably supported with a balance shaft inserted therein; oil discharge holes formed in the balance shaft housing so that oil in the balance shaft housing is discharged to the outside by the balance shaft; and an oil guiding portion that is provided in a ladder frame mounted on an upper part of the balance shaft housing in order to induce the oil discharged through the oil discharge holes to the outside of the balance shaft housing.
US08387581B2
A subassembly for a valve device for controlling air flow in an intake manifold. The subassembly includes a cartridge including a plurality of compartments having partially open opposing sidewalls, wherein adjacent partially open side walls of adjacent compartments are spaced apart a distance to define a groove therebetween, a plurality of partitions each having a through-hole therein and being disposed in the grooves defined between adjacent partially open side walls of the adjacent compartments. The partitions complete the formation of the opposing side walls of the adjacent compartments and each compartment is alignable with an air intake runner of an intake manifold.
US08387580B2
A plasma ignition device comprising: an ignition plug; an ignition circuit applying a high voltage to the plug to start discharge; a power supply circuit including a battery section for supplying an electric energy to a discharge space of the plug having impedance reduced by discharge start, and a charging section charging the battery section with a boosted voltage by a booster circuit, wherein the power supply circuit including: a first means 610 for stopping a boosting operation of the booster circuit when the charging section voltage is equal or higher than a first reference for high-voltage abnormality; a second means 630 for detecting the charging section abnormal voltage by comparison with a second reference for low-voltage abnormality for detecting ground to conduct a given control on the power supply circuit; a third means 600 for invalidating the control of the second means until the charging section is sufficiently charged.
US08387577B2
A phase changing device for automobile engine, the device comprising curved first guide grooves formed in the control rotor, each groove skewed with respect to a circumference of a circle centered at the rotational axis; oblique guide grooves each groove formed in the middle rotor and extending at an angle with respect to a radius crossing the groove; second guide grooves formed in the drive rotor and skewed with respect to the circumference of a circle centered at the rotational axis, block sections each extending along, and movable in, the respective first guide; first slide members each protruding from the respective block section for engagement with, and for movement in, the respective skewed guide groove; and phase varying members each having a second slide member that extends through an escape groove formed in the middle rotor and engages the respective second guide groove to move in the second guide groove.
US08387559B2
Fluorine gas generators are connected with semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses through a gas supplying system including a storage tank that can store a predetermined quantity of fluorine gas generated in the on-site fluorine gas generators. When one or more of the on-site fluorine gas generators are stopped, fluorine gas is supplied to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses from the storage tank storing a predetermined quantity of fluorine gas, so as to keep the operations of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses. Thereby obtained is a semiconductor manufacturing plant in which fluorine gas generated in the fluorine gas generators can be safely and stably supplied to the semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses, and with superior cost performance.
US08387549B2
Assembly of turret and disconnectable buoy, in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. The annular projection has a base which is wider than a top thereof, whereas the annular recess has a top which is wider than a base thereof.
US08387547B2
A top feeder arrangement for a sewing machine provided with a processor for controlling stitches sewn on a cloth, wherein the sewing machine has a sewing machine head which comprises a needle mechanism with a needle bar (1) provided with a needle (2), a presser bar (3) provided with a presser foot (4) and a top feeder arm (10) provided at its lower end with a top feeder (11) acting from an upper surface of a cloth for feeding the cloth in the sewing direction and wherein the sewing machine is provided with a mechanism (12, 15, 17, 18) providing a controllable pressure of the top feeder (11) against the cloth.
US08387546B2
The invention provides fences for capture and control of windblown particles such as snow. In preferred embodiments the fences comprise a porous upwind panel and a porous downwind panel which are separated by a gap. The fences are adapted to deposit windblown particles in highly concentrated drifts disposed upwind and/or downwind of the fence with relatively few particles deposited in the gap. Methods for snow capture and land reclamation are also provided.
US08387539B1
Bombs lined with reactive liners that improve the blast and fragmentation of the bombs is disclosed. The effect is caused by the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability which is introduced at the explosive/reactive liner interface by introducing semi-cylindrical open linear cells between the reactive liner and the explosive that are void. This geometry produces a turbulent flow effect which readily mixes the reactive liner when accelerated by the grazing shock wave generated during detonation, which moves through the liner and case material. The geometry produces the added effect of creating faster and more plentiful fragments that are lighter in mass than those produced by typical bombs that are annularly lined with reactive liners, while maintaining insensitive munitions capability.
US08387534B1
According to one embodiment, a system comprises a composite and an applicator. The composite comprises an explosive material and a plurality of nanostructures. The applicator is configured to direct microwaves to the composite. In response to the microwaves, the nanostructures within the composite generate shockwaves that detonate the explosive material.
US08387531B2
An impact switch includes a housing having a wall including at least two electrically conductive contact elements spaced apart from one another. The switch includes an inertial body having a conductive surface disposed in a tapered aperture and electrically connecting the contact elements to one another in a switch closed condition. An impact switch for rapidly firing an explosive device is provided.
US08387528B2
A self-sealing stamping device suitable for use with non-alcohol based inks is described. The stamping device includes an applicator that has raised features for providing a stamped design. The applicator also includes sealing features that mate with sealing features on an inkpad housing to provide one or more airtight seals therebetween. The inkpad housing provides an enclosure for an inkpad with one or more apertures. Sealing features are provided circumscribing the apertures for mating with sealing features of the applicator. In a closed position, the stamping device provides an airtight enclosure for the inkpad comprised of the inkpad housing and the applicator.
US08387526B2
The present invention provides a precision press device and a press load control method thereof for downsizing a vacuum chamber in press work in the vacuum chamber, shortening a time required to reach a vacuum and further performing high accuracy pressure control. To downsize a chamber 16, a pressure sensor is set up outside the chamber 16 and a cylinder chamber 17 is formed to allow a tubular plunger 7 to slide up and down using the tubular shape of the chamber 16. A negative pressure 22 in the chamber 16 attracts the pressurized section 2 and the pressurizing section 1 to each other, but by injecting an equivalent pressure 19 of a fluid into the cylinder chamber 17, pushing out the tubular plunger 7, the attractive forces are canceled out. It is possible to control the load on the substrate or the like transferred by the press stage with high accuracy.
US08387521B2
A kneaded dough dividing apparatus has a divider vessel body having a dough inlet and two dough outlets for discharging kneaded dough as two streams of dough. The divider vessel body is provided therein with an outlet control member that simultaneously partially closes the two dough outlets. The outlet control member is displaceable relative to the two dough outlets to reduce the opening area of one of the two dough outlets when enlarging the opening area of the other of the two dough outlets and to reduce the opening area of the other dough outlet when enlarging the opening area of the one dough outlet.
US08387514B2
A hydrostatic piston machine with a cylinder drum, which is rotatably mounted in a housing, is provided. A plurality of cylinder bores are disposed in the cylinder drum, which bores can be connected via cylinder openings provided in the cylinder drum to a first control opening and a second control opening. The first control opening is connected to a low-pressure line and the second control opening to a high-pressure line. The first control opening is connected via a first connection and a second connection to a channel, wherein the first connection and, lying opposite, the second connection are disposed at the first control opening.
US08387508B2
The invention relates to a support member for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon, and a method. The support member (6) comprises means for fastening a support element (8) to at least one fin (5) belonging to the tail end (4) of a shell (1). The means comprise at least one fastening piece (10), which comprises: at least one first fastening surface (14a), which may be arranged substantially parallel with a side of the fin (5), and which fastening piece (10) may be supported to the support element (8); at least one second fastening surface (14b), which second fastening surface (14b) is movably arranged so that the second fastening surface (14b) is movable in relation to the first fastening surface (14a) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the shell (1); and means for pressing the fastening surfaces (14a, 14b) against the sides of the fin (5) arranged between them so as to provide friction locking between the fastening piece (10) and the fin (5).
US08387504B2
A metal matrix composite lightweight compressor airfoil. The airfoil comprises a braided fabric embedded in a lightweight aluminum-lithium alloy. The airfoils are fabricated by forming a plurality of fiber tows by twisting filaments or fibers. The tows are then braided into a fabric. The fabric may be impregnated with an optional fugitive polymer that temporarily occupies interstices of the fabric to facilitate handling of the pre-formed braided fabric, but which is subsequently removed. The airfoil may then be formed as a MMC by one of two separate methods. In the first method, aluminum-lithium alloy is pressure augmented casting into a die that includes a preform of fabric impregnated with fugitive polymer. In a second method, a preform is formed using a tool and mandrel by impregnating fabric with aluminum-lithium alloy. Then aluminum-lithium alloy is pressure augmented cast into a die that includes the alloy-impregnated preform.
US08387502B2
A cutting system includes a cutting assembly and an anvil. The cutting assembly includes an ultrasonic cutting tool having a stylus with a tip and an actuator to move the tip along a path. The path is oriented in a transverse manner relative to movement of a backed ply material. The anvil includes a rigid base for securing the anvil to the cutting assembly and a surface coinciding with the path. The system is configured to drive the tip into the surface and draw the tip along the path to generate a groove disposed upon the surface. The groove being in cooperative alignment with the tip.
US08387474B2
A motion guide device includes an elongated shaft having a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface, a movable member attached onto the shaft and having a bore for receiving the shaft, a housing attached to the movable member and having a space for receiving a lubricating oil, the housing includes a passage communicative with the bore and the space of the housing for allowing the lubricating oil to flow from the space into the groove of the shaft, and an oil applying member is rotatably engaged in the passage of the housing to carry and to apply or distribute the lubricating oil through the passage of the housing and then into the groove of the elongated shaft.
US08387456B2
A gravimeter for detecting a gravity difference between two points is disclosed. The gravimeter comprises an interferometric arrangement wherein the length of a reference arm is dependent upon the gravity local to a first accelerometer and the length of a sample arm is dependent upon the gravity local to a second accelerometer. A pair of photodetectors that operate in complimentary fashion provide electrical signals based on a first signal conveyed by the reference arm and a second signal conveyed by the sample arm. A change in the differential gravity between the two points induces equal and opposite changes to the magnitudes of the two electrical signals.
US08387454B2
The present invention provides a hybrid fluid flow meter pressure vessel assembly (1) that includes an interior housing (11) fabricated from plastic, and an exterior ring structure (26) fabricated from metal. Interior housing (11) has sidewalls (14) and an internal chamber (17). The sidewalls (14) of the interior housing (11) have first and second apertures (20, 23) that are each in fluid communication with the internal chamber (17). The exterior ring structure (26) encompasses at least a portion of an exterior (29) of the sidewalls (14) of the interior housing (11), and includes outwardly extending first and second conduits (38, 41) that are in respective fluid communication with the first and second apertures (20, 23) of the interior housing (11).
US08387450B2
A chassis dynamometer for a vehicle has a base seat, a fixed shaft having one end thereof attached to the base seat, a rotary proximal portion rotatably supported to the fixed shaft, a roller connected to the rotary proximal portion, for loading a wheel of a vehicle, and a motor connected to the roller so that power can be transmitted therebetween. The roller has a single flange portion connected to the rotary proximal portion and extending obliquely to the axis, and an outer peripheral portion extending both axial directions from an outer periphery of the flange portion and disposed outward in the radial direction of the motor.
US08387439B2
In order to determine a signal offset (OFS_SIG) of a roll rate sensor in a vehicle (10), a roll rate sensor signal (OMEGA_ROLL_SIG) is detected. A transversal acceleration (AC) of the vehicle (10) is determined. A temporal derivative (DRV_AC) of the transversal acceleration (AC) is determined. Verification is made as to whether a value of the temporal derivative (DRV_AC) of the transversal acceleration (AC) is smaller than a predefined first threshold value (THD—1). The signal offset (OFS_SIG) of the roll rate sensor is determined in accordance with the roll rate sensor signal (OMEGA_ROLL_SIG) if the value of the temporal derivative (DRV_AC) of the transversal acceleration (AC) is smaller than the predefined first threshold value (THD—1).
US08387435B2
A method and a device for bending a metal hollow thick walled member to a predetermined angle without deviation of the bending center position and without separation from a half die when presser die moves up. With a pair of guide plates (GP1 and GP2) turnably attached to a center pin CP kept horizontal and the axis center of the center pin intersecting with the axis center of the metal hollow thick walled member PM, the member PM is mounted on a half die (82a). When die holding members (80a and 80b) fixedly connected to the above guide plates and kept horizontal are inclined and separated from each other as the center pin lowers, the member PM is bent to the predetermined angle and held on the half die (82b). When the center pin that can be moved vertically by a guide member moves down to a predetermined position, a contact portion (96b) contacts the inclined surface of a stopper (92b) to allow a base plate (16) to receive a pressing force from an upper die via the stopper.
US08387433B2
There is described a method for applying a coolant to a rolled product and/or to at least one cylinder of a roll stand provided with a rolling gap. During the method the following steps can occur: determining a total cooling rate applicable according to the effective power in the rolling gap, determining the cooling rate for several areas according to a flatness distribution determined b a flatness measuring system, wherein the difference in the cooling rate is determined by comparing the totality of the thus determined cooling rates with a predetermined total cooling rate and is used for determining the components of an additional cooling rate for the areas taking into account the top and lower limits of the cooling rate thereof. Said procedure is repeated in such a way that the coolant differences remain above a predefinable value.
US08387418B1
A yarn feeder for flat knitting machines is located on a yarn feeder guide track to move transversely thereon and includes a baseboard slidably coupled on the yarn feeder guide track, a first rocking arm, a second rocking arm and a yarn feeding unit located on the baseboard. The first and second rocking arms have respectively a first pivot end and a second pivot end coupled with the baseboard, and a first pressed end and a second pressed end to receive a horizontal force to swing respectively about the first and second pivot ends serving as fulcrums. The yarn feeding unit includes a yarn feeding arm located between the first and second rocking arms, and a first linkage bar hinged on the yarn feeding arm and first rocking arm to move simultaneously, and a second linkage bar hinged on the yarn feeding arm and second rocking arm to move simultaneously.
US08387417B2
It is an object of the present invention to uniformly disperse fibrous material such as short glass fibers so as to be distributed on a collection conveyor, without using compressed air for dispersion of the fibrous material.The present invention provides a method for collecting fibrous material, wherein the fibrous material fiberized by a spinner of a fiberizing unit is dispersed by a hollow bucket disposed just under the spinner, so as to be collected on a collection conveyor disposed below the hollow bucket, comprising: forming said hollow bucket by connecting a blasting section having an oval opening at its lower end, with a waistline section as a lower end of a hopper section having a circular shape in cross section, and deforming the inner surface of the blasting section toward said oval opening, thereby dispersing the fibrous material dropped in the hollow bucket in a width direction of the collection conveyor from the blasting section, so as to be collected on the collection conveyor.
US08387411B2
An air-conditioning apparatus uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, and includes a two-stage-compression-type compression mechanism, a heat source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a usage-side heat exchanger, and an intercooler. The intercooler uses air as a heat source. The intercooler is configured and arranged to cool refrigerant flowing through an intermediate refrigerant tube that draws refrigerant discharged from the first-stage compression element into the second-stage compression element. The intercooler is integrated with the heat source-side heat exchanger to form an integrated heat exchanger, with the intercooler disposed in an upper part of the integrated heat exchanger.
US08387407B2
The invention relates to a condenser for an air conditioning system, especially an air conditioning system of a vehicle, said condenser comprising a gill block and laterally arranged headers, the gill block comprising horizontal pipes, a condensing section and a supercooling section arranged above the condensing section. Said condenser also comprises a collector (5) arranged parallel to one of the headers and receiving a drier (16), a filter (18), a downpipe (15) and a rising pipe. The collector (5) is connected to the condensing section by means of a first overflow opening (8) and to the supercooling section by means of a second overflow opening (9) in such a way that a coolant can circulate. The downpipe (15) communicates with the first overflow opening (8), on the inlet side, by means of an inflow chamber (10) arranged in the collector (5).
US08387406B2
A method and system for removing oil accumulation from refrigerant lines of a vehicle HVAC system having multiple refrigerant loops each having an evaporator is disclosed. The method for operating the system may comprise the steps of: monitoring a flow rate through at least one of the refrigerant loops; determining if the flow rate through any of the at least one refrigerant loops being monitored is below a predetermined flow rate for greater than a predetermined time limit; monitoring for an indication of imminent vehicle operation; and if the indication of imminent vehicle operation is detected and the flow rate through any of the at least one refrigerant loops being monitored is below the predetermined flow rate for greater than the predetermined time limit, opening a valve to allow for maximum flow through the at least one refrigerant loop.
US08387405B2
A refrigerator is adapted to include a plurality of ultraviolet light bars, which may be adjustably connected to sufficiently radiate UV light throughout the refrigerator compartment in connection with a control box and power cord which operate to control the bacterial level present on and around foodstuffs being stored therein. A series of UV light bars are capable of being arranged and plugged into one another by daisy chain to allow for a timer-controlled illumination of UV light to radiate throughout the compartment. Sensors in the control box signal the timer, and a wire ribbon extending from the control box provides a connection to the external power source without significantly affecting the seal of the refrigerator door. Power is supplied to the UV light sources via a ribbon-type power cable passing from the refrigerator interior compartment to the exterior by passing between the refrigerator and the refrigerator door and over the peripheral gasket, whereby power may be supplied to said control box by connection of said male electrical plug to an electrical outlet without significantly affecting the integrity of the thermal seal.
US08387399B1
A system and method for controlling a combustor assembly are disclosed. The system includes a combustor assembly. The combustor assembly includes a combustor and a fuel nozzle assembly. The combustor includes a casing. The fuel nozzle assembly is positioned at least partially within the casing and includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle assembly further defines a head end. The system further includes a viewing device configured for capturing an image of at least a portion of the head end, and a processor communicatively coupled to the viewing device, the processor configured to compare the image to a standard image for the head end.
US08387398B2
A combustor (28) for a gas turbine engine is provided comprising a primary combustion chamber (30) for combusting a first fuel to form a combustion flow stream (50) and a transition piece (32) located downstream from the primary combustion chamber (30). The transition piece (32) comprises a plurality of injectors (66) located around a circumference of the transition piece (32) for injecting a second fuel into the combustion flow stream (50). The injectors (66) are effective to create a radial temperature profile (74) at an exit (58) of the transition piece (32) having a reduced coefficient of variation relative to a radial temperature profile (64) at an inlet (54) of the transition piece (32). Methods for controlling the temperature profile of a secondary injection are also provided.
US08387385B2
A turbocharger system includes first and second turbines arranged such that exhaust gas passes through the first turbine then the second turbine. A bypass channel is configured such that exhaust gas entering the channel passes only through the second turbine. A valve positioned in the bypass channel regulates the flow of gas therethrough. The valve accelerates a stream of gas and focuses the stream toward the second turbine such that a large part of the added velocity of the stream is preserved as it enters the second turbine. Operation of the valve may be controlled so as to maintain the valve in a closed position while exhaust gas pressure above the first turbine pressure is below a first threshold, to progressively open the valve as the pressure increases above the first threshold, and to maintain the valve in a full-open position while the pressure is above a second threshold.
US08387384B2
An intake control system comprises an estimation module and a turbocharger control module. The estimation module receives one of a first pressure within an intake manifold measured by a manifold pressure sensor and a second pressure measured by a pressure sensor at a location between a compressed air charge cooler and a throttle valve. The estimation module estimates the other one of the first and second pressures based on the received one of the first and second pressures. The turbocharger control module controls output of a turbocharger based on the estimate of the other one of the first and second pressures.
US08387382B1
A booster mechanism is selectively connected to an exhaust turbine which consequently powers an intake air compressor. The booster mechanism applies additional power to the exhaust turbine in order to give the engine full or near full torque above idle revolutions per minute (RPM). In one embodiment, the booster mechanism comprises an air flask which contains pressurized air or another pressurized air source that can be utilized to provide a pressure source for additional power to the exhaust turbine.
US08387376B2
A hydraulic system with an improved complex operation is provided, which can prevent the generation of shock in a boom by delaying pressure supply during start and end of pilot signal pressure supplied to a spool for controlling an option device when a boom ascending operation and an operation of an option device are simultaneously performed or when such a simultaneous operation of the boom and the option device switches over to an independent operation of the boom. The hydraulic system with an improved complex operation includes main hydraulic pumps and a pilot pump; a boom cylinder and an option device; a main control valve including a boom spool and an option device spool which are shifted by a pilot signal pressure from the pilot pump; an operation lever which controls the boom spool; an option operation pedal which controls the option device spool; a confluence spool for controlling the option device; and a controller which outputs an electric control signal to a proportional control valve for the option device so as to delay pilot signal pressure supplied to the confluence spool during start and end of the pilot signal pressure supply when a complex operation for simultaneously operating the boom cylinder and the option device is performed.
US08387364B2
An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a particulate filter provided in an exhaust system of the engine. Regeneration control is performed of burning particulates accumulated in the particulate filter. An oxygen concentration in exhaust gases flowing into the particulate filter is detected, and a flow rate of oxygen flowing into the particulate filter is calculated according to the detected oxygen concentration. An inflowing oxygen amount is calculated by integrating the oxygen flow rate when performing regeneration control. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred if the inflowing oxygen amount at a time when regeneration control ends is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.
US08387358B2
A gas turbine engine steam injector includes an annular steam injection manifold aftwardly bounded by an aft manifold wall having steam injection holes disposed therethrough and located axially aft and radially inwardly of a diffuser outlet. An outer baffle wall around manifold has a curved convex surface which may generally conform to a streamline emanating from outlet. Holes may be circumferentially evenly distributed and non-uniformly sized around the aft manifold wall. Hollow struts extend between radially outer and inner bands of a diffuser and a steam supply header in steam supply communication with a fluid passage of at least one of the struts having a passage outlet open to steam cavity within cavity casing located inwardly of inner band. Openings are disposed in an aft cavity wall between cavity and the injector. Passages may be in only a non-uniformly distributed portion of the struts adjacent to each other.
US08387352B2
A corn head divider lift assist linkage comprises two members and a spring pivotally coupled together, wherein one of the two members is pivotally coupled to a row crop divider and another of the two members is pivotally coupled to a bracket that is fixed at the rear of two adjacent row units.
US08387351B2
A harvesting machine having a ground contacting propulsion system, a chassis connected to the ground propulsion system, and a header. The header has a bat reel assembly rotatingly attached to the header. The bat reel assembly includes at least one reel structural assembly, a plurality of bat rods, a tensioned member, and at least one moveable pivotal member. The at least one reel structural assembly is configured to rotate about an axis. The plurality of bat rods are pivotally connected to the at least one reel structural assembly. The plurality of bat rods include a first bat rod and a second bat rod. The tensioned member is drivingly coupled to the first bat rod and the second bat rod. The at least one pivotal member is in contact with the tensioned member. The at least one moveable pivotal member is located between the first bat rod and the second bat rod along a path of the tensioned member.
US08387349B2
A machine for cartoning products incorporates a cardboard box forming section, at least one box conveyor, and one robotic loading section. The machine includes a section for closing boxes, for example by folding and gluing the respective flaps. The closing section is fed directly by the box conveyor. During the closing operation, a servo-train of the conveyor is operated with a forward motion synchronized with the work cycle of a closing device of the closing section.
US08387347B2
A process for producing a catheter comprises mixing ETFE and PTFE in a mass ratio of from 99:1 to 45:55 to form a mixture, forming the mixture into a tubular body, forming a reinforcement layer and a resin layer on said tubular body to form a catheter configured to be positioned in a lumen of a living body, sealingly packaging the catheter to produce a packaged catheter, and sterilizing the packaged catheter with electron beam irradiation.
US08387343B2
There is provided a medicine dispensing system configured such that a medicine dispensing device includes a sub unit having a function to dispense medicine that is connected to a medicine dispensing device that includes a main unit having a function of packing medicines. There is also provided a medicine dispensing device that can be appropriately integrated with such a medicine dispensing system. The medicine dispensing system includes, in some embodiments a main unit, a sub unit and a transfer device connecting the main unit and the sub unit. The medicine dispensing system transfers the medicine dispensed in the sub unit to the main unit by means of a transfer device and dispenses the medicine at a medicine packing part together with the medicine dispensed from a main storage part in the main unit.
US08387340B2
In an anchor installation in a lightweight construction panel including first and second cover plates with a support core structure disposed between the cover plates, wherein the anchor is installed in a bore so as to extend at least through the first cover plate and the support core to the second support plate, the anchor includes engagement structures for engagement with at least the first cover plate and the support core and also cement containing balloons which are crushed upon insertion of the anchor thereby releasing the cement which solidifies forming a firm connection between the anchor and the first and second cover plates and the support core.
US08387338B1
A method of making siding for attachment to a frame of a building. The siding has the appearance of antique hewn wood logs, and the siding includes modular lengthwise sections and corner modular sections of reinforced concrete façade logs.
US08387329B2
A stiffener ring, and associated method and program product. A stiffener ring is provided having a generally annular shape for supporting a rebar cage, including: a plurality of primary cutouts spaced about an exterior edge of the stiffener ring, wherein each primary cutout is configured to receive a transversely mounted steel bar; a plurality of secondary cutouts spaced about an edge of the stiffener ring, wherein each of the secondary cutouts is configured to received an instrumentation pipe; and a set of flow holes cut into the stiffener ring to facilitate a flow of concrete through the stiffener ring.
US08387317B2
A system for restraining relative lateral and/or vertical movement between adjacent support tiles of an elevated building surface assembly. The system is usable with a support structure including a plurality of support pedestals that are disposed in spaced-apart relation on a fixed surface and that are disposed beneath corner portions of surface tiles to vertically support and elevate the tiles above the fixed surface. The system includes stability members that may be inserted into predetermined gaps between adjacent surface tiles so as to be fit between adjacent surface tiles to restrict lateral and/or vertical movement of the tiles. Fasteners may be placed through apertures in inner portions of the stability members into the top surface of the support pedestals to further secure the stability members to the support pedestals.
US08387313B2
The system and method of securing a single ply membrane to a roof deck or structure described herein is of a system that utilizes sections of cable that are completely protected or surrounded by the single ply membrane. There may be a set of perimeter cables or interior cables that secure the membrane according to the needs of the building and the necessary specifications on the roof. The cables are secured at their endpoints and, possibly, additional fasteners may be provided along their lengths. Flashing of the cables provides that they be completely protected from the elements, as are most fasteners in flat or low slope roofing systems.
US08387312B1
A removable platform for covering bowling alley lanes to provide a flat surface above the lanes suitable for a variety of other activities.
US08387310B2
A sliding door carriage for a vehicle includes a first point for fixing a first cable strand for driving in a first direction, and a second point for fixing a second cable strand for driving in a second direction. Each fixing point is offset toward a rear of the sliding door carriage relative to a direction of driving by the respective cable strand. The sliding door carriage can be included in a sliding door driving system, and the sliding door driving system can be included in a vehicle. The bulk of the sliding door driving system in a body of a vehicle can be reduced.
US08387309B2
A waterproof gate includes a door frame, two side rails mounted on two opposite sides of the door frame, a waterproof door movably mounted between the two side rails, at least one sealing gasket mounted on the waterproof door, and at least one waterproof strip mounted between the waterproof door and the door frame. Thus, when the water level exceeds a preset value, the waterproof door is moved down to press the ground tightly so that the waterproof door blocks the door frame so as to provide a waterproof effect to the door frame.
US08387302B2
A fishline guide according to the present invention has a frame which includes a fixing portion which is mounted on a fishing rod, a ring holding portion, to which a guide ring through which a fishline passes is attached, and a support leg portion which connects the ring holding portion and the fixing portion. The frame is composed of a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin layers in which fiber-reinforced prepregs in which reinforcing fibers are impregnated with synthetic resin are laminated.
US08387300B1
A method of attaching a rifle scope, having a windage knob, to a rifle having a rifle bore and that utilizes a scope mount having a top rail adapted to receive a scope at a predetermined orientation. The scope mount is attached to the rifle in a first manner, permitting adjustment of azimuth angle of the top rail relative to the rifle bore. Then a scope is attached to the scope mount and the error of the scope azimuth angle with respect to initial bullet direction is estimated. The azimuth angle of top rail relative to the rifle is adjusted by the azimuth angle error and the mounting of the scope to the rifle is finalized, thereby creating a rigid attachment.
US08387296B2
A bolt catch assembly for use with a firearm including a receiver with an exposed receiving chamber and an underside engageable magazine. The assembly includes a bolt catch actuator housing supported in seating fashion relative to the receiving chamber and communicating with an attachable magazine. A catch actuator is supported in elevatable fashion relative to an end of the actuator housing. A follower component is upwardly and biasingly disposed within the magazine and which, upon contacting the catch actuator, displaces an associated bolt catch of the firearm in an upper and bolt restraining position.
US08387286B2
A skate having a skate boot with a non-lasted boot shell, the shell having a first non-lasted three-dimensional sub-shell and a second non-lasted three-dimensional sub-shell, the second sub-shell being interior to and adjoining the first sub-shell, the first sub-shell comprising a first material having a first density and the second sub-shell comprising a second material having a second density, the second density being less than the first density, the shell being shaped so as to have a heel portion, an ankle portion, a lateral portion, a medial portion, and a sole portion; and a ground-engaging assembly disposed on an underside of the skate. Additional sub-shells are possible. Methods of manufacturing the skate boot shell, including molding and build-up, are also disclosed.
US08387284B2
A method for providing changeable designs on clothing such as shoes by integrating a portion of the outer surface of an existing article of the shoe with a base anchor, and a system therefor. A selected ornamentation is placed on the shoe at the site of the base anchor. The ornamentation is integrated with an attachment for cooperative releasable fastening engagement with the anchor. The ornamentation is releasably fastened to the outer surface of the shoe by engaging the base anchor with the attachment of the ornamentation. The attachment and the base anchor provide the fastening of the ornamentation to the outer surface of the shoe substantially without intervening fastening elements, between the ends of the ornamentation and the outer surface of the shoe, which space the peripheral ends from the shoe. The engaging between the base anchor with the ornamentation is positioned as not being externally visible.
US08387277B2
The therapeutic system of the preferred embodiments includes a foot platform having a lateral segment and a medial segment. The foot platform is coupled to the foot of the patient and supports the body force of the patient. The foot platform functions to move the foot from an equilibrium position to an activated position. The transition of the foot between equilibrium position and activated position, preferably occurs substantially instantaneously once the foot platform supports greater than substantially half of the body force.
US08387276B2
A shoe with a combined device for vapor permeation and forced air circulation including an assembly insole which is vapor-permeable or includes through holes, an upper which is fixed to the edges of the insole, a sole arranged below the insole and the edges of the upper, and at least one cavity, which is sealed from the rest provided inside the sole, the cavity having an upper wall which faces the vapor-permeable or perforated assembly insole and including a membrane which is waterproof and permeable to water vapor, the cavity having inlet and outlet ducts for changing the air contained therein.
US08387275B2
A method for drying sludge comprising the following steps: (a) Dry dehydrated sludge to obtain a carrier for drying sludge (6); (b) Transport the carrier for drying sludge (6) and dehydrated sludge to be dried (1) to a stirring and mixing apparatus (2) for stirring and mixing and thereby obtain mixed sludge; (c) Transport the mixed sludge (3) to a drying apparatus (4) for drying; (d) Repeat steps (b) and (c); characterized in that in said step (d) a portion of the mixed sludge (3) obtained from the stirring and mixing apparatus (2) which is in an amount determined by amount of sludge carrier (6) required for drying is extracted and transported to the drying apparatus (4) for drying and the rest of the mixed sludge is discharged as final product (7).
US08387273B2
The present invention relates to a heat-pump clothes drying machine, in particular a heat-pump arrangement for removing moisture from and heating up the drying air; said heat-pump arrangement comprises a plurality of separate closed-loop circuits, each one of said separate closed-loop circuits comprising at least one compressor (20, 30; 220, 230; 320, 330), at least one evaporator (22, 32; 222, 232; 322, 332), at least one expansion valve (24, 34; 224, 234; 334, 324), and at least one condenser (26, 36; 226, 236; 336, 326).
US08387266B2
A body limb measurement device (10) comprising a track (12), a cart (14), and a laser source (16) fixedly attached to the cart. The cart is capable of linearly moving along the track. The device can further include a vertical support (18) having a pivot (20), and the track can comprise a pivot receiver (22), wherein the pivot receiver (22) is rotatably attached to the pivot (20). The track (12) can include units of length measurement (24) embedded therein. The cart (14) can include a reference point (26) to correspond to the units of length measurement, to track the cart's position on the track (12). A method of measuring a body part (28) comprising the steps of moving the cart (14) along the track (12) to measure the distance between a first edge (32) and a second edge (34) of the body part (28).
US08387262B2
An ice axe gripping shaft comprises a grip made of plastic equipped with a bottom stop for the hand to press on, located opposite an intermediate brace. An auxiliary lever articulated on the intermediate brace comprises a locking cam and a curved part acting as finger brace in the locked position.
US08387260B2
A handheld pistachio nut opener that is box-shaped comprising an upper and lower piece, each with one protrusion that are oriented vertically but aligned horizontally and inserted into an open or partially open pistachio nut, and through manual compression of the apparatus between the thumb and forefinger, the protrusions travelling in opposite directions through translational vertical motion while remaining engaged with the pistachio nut shell halves until the shell halves break apart into two disjoined pieces revealing the edible portion inside, the arcs of the protrusions protecting the edible portion from being damaged.
US08387256B2
Method of reducing performance variability of membrane scaling devices. Scaling device performance uncertainty is reduced, thereby reducing the scaling safety factor, by specifying a narrow range or subset of the set of all qualified manufactured membranes for installation into scaling devices. In certain embodiments, the scalability factor is reduced by determining where within the performance distribution a particular membrane lies, and adjusting the scaling factor accordingly.
US08387254B2
A method of rebuilding a solenoid for use in automatic transmissions is disclosed. In one embodiment, an improvement over the original equipment design allows for increased durability of the solenoid. In another embodiment, a lower cost method is disclosed for reusing an expensive component. In either case, various components within the solenoid are reused, reconditioned or replaced. A preferred process for disassembling the solenoid is also disclosed.
US08387253B2
A method produces piston-type accumulators, including an accumulator housing (10) and a separating piston, which can be displaced in a longitudinal direction inside the accumulator housing (10) and separates two working spaces located in the housing. One end face of the accumulator housing is sealed by cover part (20). The cover part (20) is fixed on one side (40) via the free longitudinal edge (32) of the accumulator housing (10). The edge is displaced towards the cover part (20), such that a functionally and positionally secure connection of a cover part is ensured within the housing of a piston-type accumulator without using standard threaded connections.
US08387249B2
Apparatus and method for facilitating servicing of a liquid-cooled electronics rack are provided. The apparatus includes a coolant tank, a coolant pump in fluid communication with the coolant tank, multiple parallel-connected coolant supply lines coupling the coolant pump to a coolant supply port of the apparatus, and a coolant return port and a coolant return line coupled between the coolant return port and the coolant tank. Each coolant supply line includes a coolant control valve for selectively controlling flow of coolant therethrough pumped by the coolant pump from the coolant tank. At least one coolant supply line includes at least one filter, and one coolant supply line is a bypass line with no filter. When operational, the apparatus facilitates filling of coolant into a cooling system of a liquid-cooled electronics rack by allowing for selective filtering of coolant inserted into the cooling system.
US08387246B2
A low-cost shaft member for hydrodynamic bearing apparatuses restores the pressure balance in a thrust bearing gap formed on both axial sides of the flange portion in an early stage. A shaft material integrally having a shaft portion and a flange portion with a through-hole between both end faces of the flange portion is formed in a common forging step. As a result, the through-hole is formed to open to an inner diameter side of the bearing gaps avoiding the thrust bearing gaps formed on both end faces of the flange portion of the shaft member as a finished product.
US08387240B2
In one embodiment, a method includes forming a plurality of vias partially through a body, the vias including sidewalls defined by the body. An electrically insulating layer is formed on the sidewalls and on an upper surface of the body. An electrically conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer in the vias and on the upper surface, the electrically conductive layer defining first metal pads on the upper surface and second metal pads in contact with the first metal pads, the second metal pads having a denser pitch than the first metal pads. A dielectric layer is formed between adjacent first metal pads and between adjacent second metal pads. The body is thinned through a lower surface and the electrically insulating layer in the vias is exposed. After the thinning, a portion of the electrically insulating layer in the, vias is removed. The body is coupled to a substrate.
US08387232B2
There is provided an antenna integrally formed with a case and a method of manufacturing the same. An antenna integrally formed with a case according to an aspect of the invention includes: a case unit formed of a dielectric material; a radiator including a radiation unit tightly fixed to an outer surface of the case unit and terminal units each extending from an end portion of the radiation unit, passing through the case unit, and exposed on the inside of the case unit; and contact pins provided on a board disposed adjacent to the case unit and electrically connected to the individual terminal units.
US08387222B2
A pen barrel assembling device includes a base with a first frame and a second frame fixed to the top of two ends of the base. A movable rod extends through the first frame and fixed to the first frame by a first fixing bolt. An end part is connected to the first end of the movable rod and the outer section is positioned in the end part. A push rod extends through the second frame and is movable toward the movable rod by pivoting a lever. The metal section is connected to the free end of the push rod. Multiple blocks are pivotably or slidably connected to the base and each block includes an engaging recess which is removably engaged with the movable rod.
US08387219B2
A casket comprises a casket shell, a casket lid closeable on the shell, a mounting plate mounted to the shell, the plate including at least one keyhole groove therein, a medallion casket ornament having a rear side, the ornament including at least one magnet mounted on the rear side, and a magnetic adapter plate having a rear side, the adapter plate including at least one fastener with a head thereon mounted on the rear side, the adapter plate removably secured to the shell by inserting the head of the fastener in the keyhole groove in the mounting plate and seating the head of the fastener in the keyhole groove, the casket ornament removably secured to the shell by positioning the at least one magnet of the ornament on the adapter plate.
US08387211B2
An arrester (1) for locking a vehicle door or vehicle flap or the like in the open position has a male arrester part (2) for fastening to a first vehicle part, with a locking bolt (4), and a female arrester part (3) for fastening to a second vehicle part. The locking bolt (4) can be inserted into female arrester part. The second arrester part has a rotary latch mechanism for latching the inserted locking bolt (4) and a blocking element (118) for locking the rotary latch mechanism in the position latching the locking bolt (4). Both the male arrester part (2) and the female arrester part (3) have a pushbutton mechanism for releasing the locking of the rotary latch mechanism, the locking of the rotary latch mechanism being releasable by actuating either one of the pushbutton mechanisms.
US08387206B2
A surface treating head includes a main body; a brush unit; and a drive mechanism for moving the brush unit relative to the main body between a stowed position and a deployed position. The drive mechanism includes a pressure chamber and a valve unit for varying the pressure within the chamber. The valve unit includes a housing, a valve located within the housing and, disposed on the housing, an actuator moveable relative to the housing through engagement with a surface to be treated for operating the valve and at least one surface engaging member extending downwardly beyond the actuator. The housing is moveable relative to the main body to maintain the surface engaging member in contact with the surface to be treated.
US08387201B1
A squeegee 10 which may operatively accommodate blades, such as blade 60, of differing lengths by the use of movable members 20, 40 which are movably coupled and which cooperatively form a blade reception slot 80 of differing and desired lengths.
US08387198B2
A paintbrush holder assembly affixes a standard paintbrush to a holder that in turn engages an extension rod. The holder includes a hollow tubular shaft with a circular cross section that includes a first end, a middle portion and a second end. Three or more semi-circular fasteners attach to the middle portion of the tubular shaft via flex points. One fastener includes a lock pin to engage a locking shaft. The locking shaft has an “L” shaped lock track having a sufficient size and dimension to fit about the tubular shaft and capable of sliding from the second end to a point proximate the first end. The extension rod connects to the holder via male threads which secure to female threads located at the second end of the tubular shaft.
US08387194B2
An apparatus for cleaning a gas tube includes an actuator and a plunger head attached to the actuator. The actuator is configured to reciprocate the plunger head along a longitudinal axis of the gas tube between a retracted position and an extended position and to rotate the plunger head from a first angular position to a second angular position. A method of cleaning a gas tube includes positioning a plunger head including a plurality of longitudinally extending tines in the gas tube, rotating the plunger head relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas tube, and scraping deposits from an interior surface of the gas tube using longitudinally extending edges of the tines.
US08387187B2
A positioning system for a body comprises a flexible bag of a gas-impermeable material/including a valve to permit evacuation of the interior thereof, the bag containing a flowable granular material and at least one bolster. The body can be at least part of a human form, such as a patient. Systems are generally provided for specific body regions such as the hip or thorax, and for the whole body. The bolster is larger than the grains of the granular material. A size dimension of the bolster is therefore preferably at least 5 times the- size dimension of the granular material, although it sill usually be one or more orders of magnitude larger. Various forms of bolster are possible. A bolster that includes a generally flat section and an upstanding section extending therefrom can be used to locate a shoulder region of the patient in a reproducible yet comfortable form. A bolster that is generally cylindrical in shape can be used to support various areas of a patient such as the neck or knee. The granular material can consist of polystyrene spheres. The bag is preferably of a nylon material; such as a nylon material coated with a polyurethane-based coating.
US08387186B2
A kind of assembly kit group, for use as a back cushion, a sitting cushion, and a sitting cushion having a rotatable base, with a sitting cushion cover set to cover the outside section of a cushion body, and this cushion body having a concave hole in the central section, then a combining element combines to the inside of the concave hole in the central section position of the cushion body, so as to allow the central section position of this sitting cushion cover to slide into the inside of this concave hole.
US08393007B2
Methods, apparatus, and media for distributing digital content to at least one recipient computing device to be rendered by the at least one recipient computing device in accordance with usage rights information. An exemplary method comprises determining, by at least one sending computing device, if the at least one recipient computing device is trusted to receive the digital content from the at least one sending computing device, sending the digital content, by the at least one sending computing device, to the at least one recipient computing device only if the at least one recipient computing device has been determined to be trusted to receive the digital content from the at least one sending computing device, and sending usage rights information indicating how the digital content may be rendered by the at least one recipient computing device, the usage rights information being enforceable by the at least on recipient computing device.
US08393006B2
A method and computer program product to procure digital rights management (DRM) event data comprises collecting a first set of event data in one or more standardized event data formats, and communicating the first set of event data to an event data collection server for storage. A second set of event data may also be collected in one or more standardized event data formats, which is also communicated to the event data collection server for storage. The method and computer program product may also include storing the first set, and optional second set, of event data in a centralized repository, authorizing access to the event data, and responding to at least one query from an authorized audit computer to provide event data associated with at least one of the first set of event data and the second set of event data retrieved from the centralized repository.
US08393004B2
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for protecting information for use by mobile devices. In one exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a mobile device, a base, and a memory device. The mobile device has a user input interface, and the base is secured to a user. The mobile device is configured to receive data manually input via the user input interface by the user and to wirelessly transmit the data. The mobile device is further configured to wirelessly transmit a retrieval request in response to a user input. The memory device is mounted on the base. The memory device is configured to receive and store the data wirelessly transmitted by the mobile device. The memory device is further configured to retrieve the data and to wirelessly transmit the data to the mobile device in response to the retrieval request.
US08392996B2
A method, system, computer program product and/or a computer readable medium of instructions for detecting one or more entities which are able to reinfect a processing system with malicious software. The method includes: monitoring, in the processing system, activity indicative of the malicious software reinfecting the processing system; in response to detecting the activity, storing a record of the activity and one or more entities associated with the activity; determining if the malicious software has reinfected the processing system; and in response to determining that the malicious software has reinfected the processing system, analysing the record to detect the one or more entities which were associated with the activity that caused and/or assisted in reinfecting the processing system with the malicious software. There is also disclosed a method, system, computer program product and/or a computer readable medium of instructions for detecting a variant of malicious software in a processing system.
US08392995B2
A method of operating a computing entity in a network having a log mapping computing entity network addresses to vulnerabilities, the method comprising the steps of: using the entity's network address, searching the log to establish what vulnerabilities the entity has; and if the log indicates the entity has a vulnerability, sending data identifying a user of the entity to an administrator of the network.
US08392993B1
A computer-implemented method for delaying termination of a process to capture data relating to a potential threat is described. A process that executes an event that indicates a threat is monitored. The event is allowed to execute on the process until a predetermined indicator is triggered. Data associated with the execution of the event is recorded when the predetermined indicator is triggered. The recorded data is transmitted to a processing system for analysis. The process is terminated from continuing to execute the event.
US08392978B2
A method and apparatus for secure authentication of a hardware token is disclosed. In one embodiment, a host computer fingerprint is used to generate a partial seed for a challenge-response authentication which is performed on the hardware token. In another embodiment, the host computer fingerprint is used as a personal identification number for the hardware token.
US08392975B1
Some embodiments provide a system that authenticates a user. During operation, the system obtains an identifier for the user from an identification card associated with the user and displays a set of images to the user. Next, the system receives an image sequence comprising a sequence of images selected by the user from the set of images. Finally, the system authenticates the user based on the identifier and the image sequence.
US08392966B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for limiting the availability of computational resources to a device to stimulate a user of the device to apply necessary updates. Indication of the n update to the device is received and a determination is made as to whether the update has been applied to the device. The availability of computational resources at the device to use to execute processes at the device are limited in response to determining that the update has not been applied to the device. Processes are executed at the device using the limited available computational resources after the limiting of the availability of the computational resources. A determination is made as to whether the update has been applied to the device after limiting the availability of the computational resources. The limiting of the availability of the computational resources at the device is reversed in response to determining that the update to the device was applied.
US08392958B2
[Object]To make it possible for the reception side to carry out an optimum process for an image signal (image data) depending upon the type of a content.[Solving Means]An AV system 40 composed of an HD recorder 41 and a display unit 42 uses a communication interface of the HDMI. An HDMI source 53 of the HD recorder 41 transmits image data (image signal) in the form of differential signals to an HDMI sink 61 of the display unit 42 through three TMDS channels. The HDMI source 53 inserts content identification information for the identification of the type of a content of image data to be transmitted into an AVI InfoFrame packet placed in a blanking period. A control section 64 of the display unit 42 controls operation of a display processing section 62 which carries out a process for displaying for the image data based on the content identification information (ITC, CT1 and CT0) received by the HDMI sink 61 and a display section 63 for displaying an image.
US08392952B2
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a technique is implemented to effectively receive streaming multimedia content in digital form, parse and segment the received transport stream and process the segmented content. Such treatment of received programming content provides for efficient storage of such programming content, and effectively provides for access to such content by administrators of a broadband system as well as users of such systems. In accordance with the invention, a technique enables, among other things: the creation of reference frames for, e.g., effective segmentation of programming content; encapsulation of programming content data as a UDP/IP datagram; associating programming content with provider and dedicated resource attributes; monitoring staging processor activity; effectively segmenting programming content that is scrambled; developing a unicast and multicast; compensating for missing or delayed programming content; and propagating video servers of varying manufacturers.
US08392945B2
A video services receiver system and related operating methods provide alternative event information to a customer who is subject to a blackout for a desired event. If the blacked out content is available via a different event on a different service, the system will find the other event and provide an appropriate notification to the customer. A method of providing access to events by a customer associated with a video services receiver begins by identifying a first event on a first service, the first event corresponding to a first presentation of content. The method continues by retrieving an alternative event identifier for the first event and using the alternative event identifier to search for a second event on a second service, the second event corresponding to a second presentation of the content. Thereafter, the method generates an alternative event notification for the customer. The alternative event notification indicates availability of the second event for access by the customer.
US08392931B2
A method for communicating between devices in a network includes creating an I/O tunnel between a first device and a second device through the network. The I/O tunnel is associated with I/O resources in both the first device and the second device, and wherein at least one of the I/O resources comprises a buffer resource. A data transfer operation may be sent between the first device and the second device by consuming at least some of the I/O resources associated with the I/O tunnel. A plurality of commands or a plurality of responses can be aggregated into a single buffer resource. Upon completion of the data transfer operation, the I/O resources that are consumed are automatically renewed.
US08392923B2
A method, system, and computer program product for computing an optimal time interval between polling requests to determine whether an asynchronous operation is completed, in a data processing system. A Polling Request Interval (PRI) utility determines the optimal time interval between successive polling requests, based on historical job completion results. The PRI utility first determines an average job time for previously completed operations. The PRI utility then retrieves a pair of preset configuration parameters including (1) a first parameter which provides the minimum time interval between successive polling requests; and (2) a second parameter which provides the fraction of the average task time added to the first parameter to obtain the time interval between (successive) polling requests. The PRI utility calculates the optimal time between polling requests based on the average job time and the retrieved configuration parameters.
US08392922B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for marshaling results of nested tasks. Unwrap methods are used to reduce the level of task nesting and insure that appropriate results are marshaled between tasks. A proxy task is used to represent the aggregate asynchronous operation of a wrapping task and a wrapped task. The proxy task has a completion state that is at least indicative of the completion state of the aggregate asynchronous operation. The completion state of the aggregate asynchronous operation is determined and set from one or more of the completion state of the wrapping task and the wrapped task. The completion state of the proxy task can be conveyed to calling logic to indicate the completion state of the aggregate asynchronous operation to the calling logic.
US08392909B2
A computer processor subsystem, e.g. called a “target”, in response to receiving an update to vital product data of the system from a source computer processor subsystem, examines the update to detect the vital product data of the target computer processor subsystem stored by the source computer processor subsystem; and, in response to the detected vital product data being incorrect, the target computer processor subsystem forwards its correct vital product data to the source computer processor subsystem having the incorrect vital product data. A computer processor subsystem is the authoritative reference for its vital product data.
US08392906B2
A computer implemented method, a tangible storage medium, and a data processing system build a runtime environment of a system. A profile manager receives a service request containing a profile identifier. The profile identifier specifies a required version of at least one software component. The profile manager identifies a complete installation of the software component, and at least one delta file. The profile manager dynamically constructs a classpath for the required version by preferentially utilizing files from the at least one delta file followed by files from the complete installation. The runtime environment is then built utilizing the classpath.
US08392905B2
The present invention effectively utilizes auxiliary registers and provides a compiler system which secures error detectability when the auxiliary registers are shared for plural uses. The instruction definition resource configuring unit configures, as preparation for processing by the register assigning unit, respective resources such as a register to be defined or referred to by for each instruction in an intermediate code. The instruction definition resource configuring unit detects possibility of instructions each of which is to be decomposed into plural instructions. As for an instruction to be possibly decomposed, the instruction definition resource configuring unit configures a corresponding register in the intermediate code, assuming the corresponding register used for the decomposition to be defined and referred. The register assigning unit uses the register as a general register as far as a live range of the register used for the decomposition does not overlap.
US08392900B1
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide techniques which modify programs having barrier statements. Dependence relations between statements, and enforcement associations between the barrier statements and the dependence relations, in the program are identified. The dependence relations are classified as being either enforceable by point-to-point synchronization or not enforceable by point-to-point synchronization. A subset of the barrier statements, which will enforce those dependence relations that are unenforceable by point-to-point synchronization, are determined. Other(s) of the barrier statements are replaced with a point-to-point synchronization routine.
US08392897B2
An inherently safe code format for representing computer programs is disclosed. The format provides incorruptible referential integrity and uses type separation to achieve intrinsic type safety. The format preserves a safety guarantee found in a source code language representation of the computer program while the computer program proceeds through various stages of the code compilation process.
US08392894B2
A method and system is provided for using an active server page program in a universal web-based active server page framework. The active server page program has associated recordset objects within an active server page framework. The universal web-based active server page framework has associated dataset objects with data structure requirements which are incompatible with data structure requirements associated with the recordset objects. The method and system communicate recordset objects from the active server page program to a recordset-dataset translation mechanism. The dataset objects communicate between the universal web-based active server page program environment and the recordset-dataset translation mechanism. Translating dataset objects to corresponding recordset objects occurs within the recordset-dataset translation mechanism for transmitting data within the dataset objects to the active server page program of the active server page framework.
US08392888B2
A method, article, and system for providing an effective implementation of assembler language translate-n-to-n instructions implemented on 21, 31, and 64-bit architectures, while maintaining backward compatibility with existing systems. The enhanced Extended-Translation Facility 2 (ETF2) instruction set introduces a new operand in an unused field (M3) that facilitates a change in the original instruction format and its intended function. With the ETF2-Enhancement Facility installed, a value of zeros in the M3 field indicates that instruction operation is to continue as originally defined. When a nonzero value is coded in the M3 field a new function is carried out. The assembler accommodates the changes by making the new M3 field optional when coding the instructions. If the M3 field is not coded, the assembler defaults to providing zeros in the M3 field (as found in the original instruction format), and backward compatible operation is provided.
US08392880B2
Embodiments of the invention provide application development tools that allow developers to rapidly build database-aware applications and database unit tests. Embodiments of the invention support multiple scenarios for database-aware application development, including beginning from a database table and automatically creating application code to access the table, beginning from an existing database query, beginning from existing application code that accesses a database, and hybrids or variations of these approaches.
US08392875B2
A dynamic data-modeling system and a content management framework combined into a high-level application development framework is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system for application development, comprises a data-modeling framework configured to enable a user to define a logical data model. The data-modeling framework dynamically translates the logical data model into a corresponding physical data model. The changes to the logical data model are automatically adjusted in the physical data model accordingly. A content management framework is coupled to the data-modeling framework. The content management framework is configured to provide tools to enable the user to manage content associated with the physical data model based on the logical data model.
US08392872B2
A computer program is pseudo translated within an integrated development environment (IDE). Pseudo translation is performed, within an IDE, on one or more first resource files for the computer program, to generate corresponding one or more second resource files, without modifying one or more source code files for the computer program. The computer program is debugged and/or run, within the IDE, using the second resource files, such that the second resource files remain hidden from a user of the IDE, and without changing the user interface language of the computerized system.
US08392863B2
The present invention provides a design method for circuit layout and a rapid thermal annealing method for a semiconductor apparatus. The design method includes: establishing a ternary relationship among a device electric parameter, an annealing temperature and a distributing density of STI patterns, and establishing a binary relationship between the device electric parameter and a gate pattern length; obtaining a difference between distributing densities of STI patterns in a particular region and in a target region; obtaining an electric parameter difference corresponding to the difference between the distributing densities of STI patterns according to the ternary relationship; obtaining a gate pattern length difference corresponding to the electric parameter difference according to the binary relationship; and adjusting a gate pattern length in the particular region according to the gate pattern length difference. As compared with a traditional design method, the design method for circuit layout provided by the invention does not need adding dummy structure patterns, thereby avoiding negative influence to normal electric performance of the semiconductor apparatus by adding dummy structures.
US08392858B2
A method of generating a hazard-free representation of a logic circuit that can leverage the powerful and mature synchronous-circuit CAD synthesis tools. In a representative embodiment of the method, an initial representation of a specified asynchronous logic circuit is synthesized using one of such CAD tools. The initial representation is then analyzed to identify hazardous transitions and modified, e.g., by iteratively inserting additional logic aimed at preventing the identified hazardous transitions from producing glitches, until a hazard-free representation of the specified asynchronous logic circuit is produced.
US08392856B2
A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of line features including at least one real feature which includes a gate electrode portion, and at least one dummy feature. Two of multiple ones of the dummy feature, and at least one of the line features interposed between the two dummy features and including the at least one real feature form parallel running line features which are evenly spaced. The parallel running line features have an identical width, and line end portions of the parallel running line features are substantially flush. Line end portion uniformization dummy features are formed on extensions of the line end portions of the parallel running line features. The line end portion uniformization dummy features include a plurality of linear features each having a same width as each of the line features and spaced at intervals equal to an interval between each adjacent pair of the line features.
US08392848B2
A relativity controller is a scroll bar/window combination that provides a way to see data in relation to both the context of its wholeness and the salience of its contents. To accomplish this, the linear density or other appearance of the scroll bar (acting as a ruler or scale) varies with the density of the document salience (as indicated by different kinds of annotations or marks). It also provides a way to zoom between perspectives. This is usable on many different data types: including sound, video, graphics, calendars and word processors.
US08392841B1
A computer-implemented method includes, on a client system, displaying a translucent overlay over a first web page displayed in a browser. A plurality of visually distinct sections of the first web page is displayed on the translucent overlay. Each section corresponds to a plurality of hypothetical browser sizes used to view the first web page. In each respective section a percentage corresponding to one of a portion of the community of users that can see or cannot see at least the respective section is displayed.
US08392837B2
A method and apparatus for a browser supporting multiple user identifying states. A plurality of browser instances are initiated on a client. One of a plurality of user identifying states is selected for each of the plurality of browser instances. Each selected user identifying state is used in a distinct session between the browser and a server.
US08392834B2
Systems and methods of authoring a multimedia file are described. In one method of authoring a multimedia file, a collection of media objects, including a reference media object of indexed temporally-ordered data structures, is accessed. The reference media object is rendered. While the reference media object is being rendered, a media object in the collection is linked to the reference media object with a rendering time synchronized to the rendering of the reference media object. In another multimedia file authoring method, a collection of inter-linked media objects is accessed. Media objects are sequentially rendered in accordance with a sequence of media object links selected by a user while media objects are being rendered. The sequence of selected media object links and synchronization data are stored to enable reproduction of media object rendering experienced by the user.
US08392833B2
Provided is an image forming apparatus having a preview function and an original paper size automatic detection function, capable of displaying a preview of original image data immediately next a detected original paper size has been switched with a simple operation. On receipt of an operation of a next skip button by a user, a preview image display control portion refers to a paper size recording table and displays a preview of image data of a top page in the group (unit) next to the group in which the preview of the image data of the top page is currently displayed, the group being different in a paper size from the other group.
US08392824B2
A method and apparatus for accelerating processing of a structured document. A hardware XML accelerator includes one or more processors (e.g., CMT processors), one or more hardware XML parser units, one or more cryptographic units and various interfaces (e.g., to memory, a network, a communication bus). An XML document may be processed in its entirety or may be parsed in segments (e.g., as it is received). A parser unit parses a document or segment character by character, validates characters, assembles tokens from the document, extracts data, generates token headers (to describe tokens and data) and forwards the token headers and data for consumption by an application. A cryptographic unit may enforce web security, XML security or some other security scheme, by providing encryption/decryption functionality, computing digital signatures, etc. Software processing, bus utilization and latencies (e.g., memory, bus) are greatly reduced, thereby providing significantly improved XML processing and security processing throughput.
US08392821B2
In a system and method for displaying a video and an overlay or tag, an application that runs through a browser on a client is used to send a request from the client to a server over a computer network. In response to the request, at least the following is sent from the server to the client: a first uniform resource locator (URL) corresponding to a location on the network where the video is stored, a second URL corresponding to a location on the network where the overlay or tag is stored, and playlist data. The first and second URLs are associated with different servers on the computer network. The first and second URLs and the playlist data are used at the client to retrieve the video and the overlay or tag, and build a playlist. The client merges the video and the overlay into an integrated media sequence that is played to a user via the browser in accordance with the playlist, and displays the tag. The user is automatically linked to content associated with the overlay or tag when the user clicks on a representation of the overlay or tag displayed on the browser.
US08392817B2
Techniques are provided that allow users to collaborate in relationship to data views, application displays, applications or events. A user can type in a text view related to a specific view in an application display, and the information is shared with other users that take part in sharing that view. A user that expresses an interest in an event is notified about the event and has the capability to interact, in relation to the event, with other users (e.g. by text). The particular form of interaction (and sharing) can be selectively specified. This interaction is comparable to a dynamic bulletin board where the subject is event driven, and where a user can specify who are allowed to participate. In the case of an event interest(s), users specify their interest (e.g. in other user application events or system events) and the system automatically alerts them to the occurrence of the event.
