US08476696B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises: element isolation insulating films formed in a semiconductor substrate in a first direction; and element regions formed in a region sandwiched by the element isolation insulating film, with MONOS type memory cells. The MONOS type memory cell comprises: a tunnel insulating film disposed on the element region; a charge storage film disposed continuously on the element regions and the element isolation insulating films. The charge storage film comprises: a charge film disposed on the element region and having a certain charge trapping characteristic; and a degraded charge film disposed on the element isolation insulating film and having a charge trapping characteristic inferior to that of the charge film. The degraded charge film has a length of an upper surface thereof set shorter than a length of a lower surface thereof in a cross-section along the first direction.
US08476685B2
An image sensor includes a trench formed by a shallow trench isolation (STI) process, a channel stop layer formed over a substrate in the trench, an isolation structure filled in the trench, and a photodiode formed in the substrate adjacent to a sidewall of the trench. In more detail of the image sensor, a trench is formed in a substrate through a STI process, and a channel stop layer is formed over the substrate in the trench. An isolation structure is formed in the trench, and a photodiode is fanned in the substrate adjacent to a sidewall of the trench.
US08476684B2
Transistors having improved breakdown voltages and methods of forming the same are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a transistor comprises the steps of: forming a drain and a source by doping a semiconductor with a first dopant type to form a first type of semiconductor, the drain and source being separated from one another, wherein the drain comprises a first drain region of a first dopant concentration adjacent a second drain region, such that at least a portion of the second drain region is positioned between the first drain region and the source, and further comprising forming an intermediate region by doping the semiconductor so as to form a second type of semiconductor intermediate the drain and source, the intermediate region spaced apart from the second drain region.
US08476683B2
A semiconductor device includes a first field effect transistor (FET) located on a substrate; and a second FET located on the substrate, the second FET comprising a first buried oxide (BOX) region located underneath a channel region of the second FET, wherein the first BOX region of the second FET is configured to cause the second FET to have a higher radiation sensitivity that the first FET.
US08476682B2
An example embodiment of the image sensor includes a light-sensing device including a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a block copolymer including electron donating blocks and electron accepting blocks. The electron donating blocks are deposited together and connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The electron accepting blocks are deposited together and connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. A color filter may be positioned on the second electrode of the light-sensing device.
US08476674B2
A gate conductor structure is provided having a barrier region between a N-type device and a P-type device, wherein the barrier region minimizes or eliminates cross-diffusion of dopant species across the barrier region. The barrier region comprises at least one sublithographic gap in the gate conductor structure. The sublithographic gap is formed by using self-assembling copolymers to form a sublithographic patterned mask over the gate conductor structure. According to one embodiment, at least one sublithographic gap is a slit or line that traverses the width of the gate conductor structure. The sublithographic gap is sufficiently deep to minimize or prevent cross-diffusion of the implanted dopant from the upper portion of the gate conductor. According to another embodiment, the sublithographic gaps are of sufficient density that cross-diffusion of dopants is reduced or eliminated during an activation anneal such that changes in Vt are minimized.
US08476661B2
The present invention provides a light emitting element, which includes a light emitting diode (LED) chip and a wavelength-converting layer arranged on a surface of the LED chip, the wavelength-converting layer to convert a wavelength of light emitted from the LED chip, wherein at least a portion of the wavelength-converting layer has a width greater than the width of the surface of the LED chip.
US08476658B2
A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a substrate having an upper surface and a plurality of bumps positioned over the upper surface in a periodic manner, a first conductive type semiconductor layer positioned over the substrate, a light-emitting structure positioned over the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer positioned over the light-emitting structure. The first conductive type semiconductor layer includes a plurality of protrusions each facing a portion of the substrate between the bumps, the protrusions are positioned in a ring manner at a peripheral region of the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and the protrusions are spaced apart from the bumps.
US08476654B2
The present invention provides a display device using a copper wiring and having high display properties in which without preventing a higher aperture ratio of the pixel, coloring of a screen due to reflected light of external light produced within the display device can be prevented. The display device according to the present invention is a display device including a plurality of pixel regions, wherein each of the pixel regions includes a copper wiring containing copper or an alloy thereof, and a red-colored layer and a colored layer of another color; and an area of the copper wiring is smaller in the pixel region including the red-colored layer than in the pixel region including the colored layer of another color, the area of the copper wiring reflecting incident light entering from the display surface side of the display device.
US08476647B2
A silicon-germanium, quantum-well, light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode includes a p-doped portion, a quantum-well portion, and an p-doped portion. The quantum-well portion is disposed between the p-doped portion and the n-doped portion. The quantum-well portion includes a carrier confinement region that is configured to facilitate luminescence with emission of light produced by direct recombination with a hole confined within the carrier confinement region. The p-doped portion includes a first alloy of silicon-germanium, and the n-doped portion includes a second alloy of silicon-germanium.
US08476646B2
Provided is a light emitting device, which includes a second conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, a first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a intermediate refraction layer. The active layer is disposed on the second conductive type semiconductor layer. The first conductive type semiconductor layer is disposed on the active layer. The intermediate refraction layer is disposed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer. The intermediate refraction layer has a refractivity that is smaller than that of the first conductive type semiconductor layer and is greater than that of air.
US08476642B2
A compound semiconductor device includes a substrate; an initial layer formed over the substrate; and a core layer which is formed over the initial layer and contains a Group III-V compound semiconductor. The initial layer is a layer of Group III atoms of the Group III-V compound semiconductor contained in the core layer.
US08476640B2
Solid state lighting devices and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a solid state light device includes a light emitting diode with an N-type gallium nitride (GaN) material, a P-type GaN material spaced apart from the N-type GaN material, and an indium gallium nitride (InGaN) material directly between the N-type GaN material and the P-type GaN material. At least one of the N-type GaN, InGaN, and P-type GaN materials has a non-planar surface.
US08476634B2
A display device includes a flexible panel and a cover member. The flexible panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first support layer in which an organic insulation layer and an inorganic insulation layer are stacked thereon, and a thin-film transistor and a pixel electrode disposed on the first support layer. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate. The second substrate includes an organic insulation layer and a second support layer on which the inorganic insulation layer is deposited. The cover member covers an outer surface of the flexible panel. Thus, a display device is manufactured by using a support layer on which an organic insulation layer and an inorganic insulation layer are coated as a base substrate, so that defects generated in a manufacturing process may be prevented.
US08476631B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) having an offset structure is disclosed. The TFT maintains a sufficiently low “off” current and a sufficiently high “on” current. The TFT includes an active region. The active region includes a gate electrode; an active layer that overlaps with the gate electrode; a gate insulating layer between the gate electrode and the active layer; and a source/drain electrode layer including source/drain electrodes that are electrically connected to the active region. Some of the source/drain electrodes overlap partially with the gate electrode. Other of the source/drain electrodes are offset from the gate electrode. The source/drain electrodes and the gate electrode are in a symmetrical arrangement.
US08476624B1
In one aspect of the invention, an organic light emitting diode device has a substrate, a cathode formed on the substrate, an anode spaced-apart from the cathode, a plurality of electroluminescent units stacked between the cathode and the anode, and a plurality of charge generation layers, each of which is formed between two adjacent electroluminescent units. Each electroluminescent unit has an electron-transport layer, an emission layer formed on the electron-transport layer, and a hole-transport layer formed on the emission layer. The electron-transport layer of the first electroluminescent unit is formed on the cathode, defining a first energy barrier, and the anode is formed on the hole-transport layer of the last electroluminescent unit, defining a second energy barrier. The first energy barrier is higher than the second energy barrier. The first electroluminescent unit has a lifetime longer than that of each of the rest electroluminescent units.
US08476618B2
To provide an organic electroluminescent display device including an organic electroluminescent layer that can be easily fabricated under an atmosphere containing oxygen and which can achieve high efficiency. An organic electroluminescent display device includes a substrate, an organic electroluminescent layer, an upper electrode and a lower electrode sandwiching therein the organic electroluminescent layer, either one of the upper and lower electrodes being a transparent electrode, and the other being a reflecting electrode, and a charge transport layer disposed between the organic electroluminescent layer and the substrate. The charge transport layer is photo-cured by light with a wavelength longer than that of a near-ultraviolet light.
US08476612B2
A method of manufacturing a phase change memory (PCM) includes forming a pinch plate layer transversely to a PCM layer that is insulated from the pinch plate layer by a dielectric layer. Biasing the pinch plate layer causes a depletion region to form in the PCM layer. During a read of the PCM in a reset or partial reset state the depletion region increases the resistance of the PCM layer significantly.
US08476604B2
Described is an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor comprising one or more cylindrical cup-shaped filters.
US08476600B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring a Depth-Of-Interaction (DOI), comprising a crystal layer 10 of a mono layer in which a plurality of crystals for absorbing gamma rays are consecutively arranged, scintillation light detectors disposed at one end of the crystals and configured to detect scintillation light emitted from the crystal layer 10 by the gamma rays, change means included in the crystals and configured to linearly change transmittance in a length direction of the crystals, and a control unit 30 configured to calculate the DOI in the crystal layer 10 on a basis of the first output signal and the second output signal. The scintillation light detector outputs the first output signal in one direction and the second output signal in a direction at a right angle to the one direction.
US08476591B2
A radiation sensor device including an integrated circuit chip including a radiation sensor on a surface of the integrated chip, one or more electrical connections configured to connect between an active surface of the integrated circuit chip and a lead frame, a cap attached to said integrated circuit chip spaced from and covering said radiation sensor, the cap having a transparent portion defining a primary lens transparent to the radiation to be sensed, a secondary lens disposed in a recess proximate and spaced from said primary lens transparent to the radiation to be sensed, and an air gap between said primary lens and said secondary lens.
US08476588B2
The invention relates to a method for electron diffraction tomography in a Transmission Electron Microscope. Known methods involve using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope, and use the scanned beam for STEM diffraction. The invention proposes to form the diffraction patterns with a stationary beam with a diameter slightly larger than the crystal, as a result of which a TEM without STEM unit can be used. Finding the crystal is done in TEM mode. Advantages of the method according to the invention are: a TEM without scanning unit can be used, and the diffraction volume is not depending on the orientation of the crystal, as the whole crystal is illuminated while obtaining the diffraction pattern.
US08476579B2
An optical encoder may include an encoder disk, an illumination system, and a detector to detect light diffracted from the encoder disk. The encoder disk may include a signal track comprising a diffraction grating, and an index track comprising a reflective index mark, wherein a width of the index mark is larger than a pitch of the diffraction grating. An indexing method may include providing an encoder disk, providing an illumination system to direct light to the encoder disk, providing a detector structured to detect light diffracted from the encoder disk, calculating an estimated count of quadrature states from a rising edge of an index pulse to a middle of the index interval, and calculating the quadrature state at an approximate center of the index pulse. A dynamic parameter correction method may include calculating a target gain and offset and correcting values based on the target gain and offset.
US08476568B2
A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array; a reference signal generation unit operable to generate a reference signal that changes monotonically for a predetermined period in a horizontal period; a comparator operable to compare the level of a pixel signal with the level of a reference signal; a counter operable to count input clock pulses; a memory operable to store the number of counts counted by the counter as a digital value; and a timing control unit operable to generate a clock that is to be input into the counter, and change frequency of the clock that is to be input into the counter based on external input data.
US08476567B2
An active pixel including a precharge circuit for a sample and hold (S/H) stage and methods of operating the same are provided. In addition to the precharge circuit and S/H stage, the pixel may include a sensor circuit to generate a signal in response to electromagnetic radiation received on a photodetector included therein, and a multiplexer circuit. The S/H stage may include a switching-element to couple the signal from the sensor circuit to a capacitor element in the S/H stage to read-out and store the signal. The multiplexer circuit may include a switching-element coupled to an output node of the capacitor element to couple the signal to a column. The precharge circuit may include a switching-element coupled between the output node of the capacitor element and the column to precharge the capacitor element to a fixed voltage applied to the column when the S/H stage is not reading-out the signal.
US08476565B2
One embodiment of the invention relates to a system for operating a plurality of streetlights in response to motion from a vehicle. The system includes a sensor associated with at least one of the streetlights and configured to detect the presence of a moving vehicle and to provide a signal representative of the moving vehicle. The system further includes a radio frequency transceiver associated with each of the streetlights. The system yet further includes processing electronics configured to receive the signal representative of the moving vehicle from the sensor and to cause the radio frequency transceiver to transmit a command to one or more of the plurality of the streetlights to change lighting states along a pathway for the vehicle.
US08476562B2
An inductive heater humidifier for heating fluids is provided by the present disclosure. The humidifier includes a reservoir having a ferromagnetic bottom plate. The reservoir is disposed on top of a non-metallic cover plate, which rests on a topless ferrite base. The ferrite base includes induction coil for generating heat. The induction coil is energized to produce eddy currents that generate heat, which is convectively transferred to the reservoir via the bottom plate to heat fluid in the reservoir.
US08476551B2
An exemplary cutting apparatus for cutting components from a sprue includes a sprue retainer, a laser cutting unit, and a rotating driving unit. The sprue retainer has a supporting surface. The supporting surface defines a receiving hole, and grooves extending across the entire supporting surface. The grooves are in communication with the receiving hole. The laser cutting unit is disposed above the sprue retainer and is configured for emitting a laser beam to cut the sprue carried on the sprue retainer. The sprue retainer is coupled to the rotating driving such that the rotating driving unit is capable of driving the sprue retainer to rotate.
US08476541B1
A junction/outlet box locking insert, system and method including an insert body with an outer insert body surface and an inner axially extending pass through region having an open end and an end with an electrical cable/conduit stop with a central electrical conductor pass through opening. A retainer flange is connected with the insert body at an axial end thereof. An insert stop device cooperates with the retainer flange for fixing a position of the insert body relative to a junction/outlet box. A locking finger arrangement is connected to the insert body and includes a locking finger extending radially inwardly of the outer insert body surface. The locking finger is self-actuating for engaging a conduit or a metallic sheath of an electrical cable upon the conduit or a metallic sheath being inserted into the pass through region up to the electrical cable/conduit stop.
US08476538B2
One or more customization layers can be added to a wiring substrate. The customization layers can provide customized electrical connections from electrical contacts of the base wiring substrate to electrical contacts at an outer surface of the customization layers, which can allow the contacts at the outer surface of the customization layers can be in a different pattern than the contacts at the surface of the base wiring substrate. The customization layers can comprise electrically insulating material, electrically conductive via structures through the insulating material, electrically conductive traces, electrically conductive jumpers electrically connecting two traces without contacting a trace disposed between the two traces, and/or other such elements. A jumper can be formed by making a relatively small deposit of electrically insulating material between the two traces to be connected and then making a relatively small deposit of electrically conductive material on parts of the two traces and the insulating material. Via structures can be coupled to traces and an insulating material can be cast around the via structures. Alternatively, via structures can be formed in openings with sloped side walls in an insulating layer.
US08476533B2
An exemplary printed circuit board includes a substrate, a differential transmission line, and at least two weld pad pairs. The differential transmission line and the at least two weld pad pairs are disposed on the substrate. The differential transmission line includes two parallel signal conductors disposed on the substrate. Each of the two signal conductors is electrically connected to an edge of one of the weld pads of a respective pair of the at least two weld pad pairs. Thereby, the two signal conductors of the differential transmission line can extend in the same distance anywhere, particularly in the position where the two signal conductors pass the two weld pad pairs. As a result, the coupling performance and the capability of the differential transmission line to resist electromagnetic interference are both enhanced.
US08476516B2
The invention relates to a finger positioner that facilitates playing musical instruments. The finger positioner comprises a wedge (1), which is positioned between two adjacent fingers of the fretting hand and in parallel to said fingers so that the wedge spreads the bent fingers in the area of the distal phalanges of the fingers, wherein the narrowly tapering end of the wedge points at the palm and wherein at least one pin (2; 3; 7) is provided, which penetrates the wedge in the transverse direction and lies against the inside of two adjacent fingers and thus holds the wedge in the correct position. In order to avoid tilting, the wedge is approximately as long as the fingers or is held in position by a further pin. The longitudinal section of the wedge (1) can be bent similar to the fingers of the fretting hand. The pins (2; 3; 7) can be straight or slightly bent and protrude from both sides of the wedge (1) by approximately half a finger width.
US08476506B1
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPXF5467, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPXF5467 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPXF5467, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPXF5467, and plants produced according to these methods.
US08476502B1
A novel maize variety designated X7H202 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7H202 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7H202 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7H202, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7H202. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7H202.
US08476496B2
A lettuce cultivar, designated Rio Bravo, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Rio Bravo, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Rio Bravo and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Rio Bravo with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Rio Bravo, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Rio Bravo and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Rio Bravo with another lettuce cultivar.
US08476492B2
The invention relates to a method of utilizing the pts gene and antisense ads to increase patchouli alcohol content in Artemisia annua L. plants. Using transgenic Artemisia annua L. plants, the method of the invention consistently increases the patchouli alcohol content in those plants, thus laying down a solid foundation for large-scale production of patchouli alcohol and other secondary metabolites such as terpenes other than artemisinin.
US08476483B2
Disclosed is an antibacterial sheet including an antibacterial composition and a sheet-like base member with the antibacterial composition attached thereto. In the antibacterial sheet, a composition including an antibacterial agent and a water-soluble thermoplastic polymer which is solid at a normal temperature and which dissolves in a body fluid is used as the antibacterial composition.
US08476481B2
A method for treating a radioactive liquid waste containing a sodium salt, which includes: feeding a radioactive liquid waste containing at least one of sodium hydroxide, sodium hydrogencarbonate and sodium carbonate to an anode chamber in an electrolytic cell provided with an anode and a cathode on both sides of a permeable membrane, which is selectively permeable to sodium ions, and electrodialyzing the radioactive liquid waste; separating sodium ions permeated through the permeable membrane as sodium hydroxide from the radioactive liquid waste in a cathode chamber; separating a radioactive substance remaining in the anode chamber as a concentrated radioactive liquid waste; and recovering the separated sodium hydroxide and concentrated radioactive liquid waste, respectively.
US08476478B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing hydrogenolysis products of polyhydric alcohols with a good selectivity and a high yield, as well as hydrogenolysis catalysts used in the production process. The present invention provides (1) a process for producing a hydrogenolysis product of a polyhydric alcohol which includes the step of reacting the polyhydric alcohol with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst containing a copper component, wherein the catalyst is a catalyst (A) containing the copper component, an iron component and an aluminum component, or a catalyst (B) containing the copper component and a silicon component; and (2) a hydrogenolysis catalyst for polyhydric alcohols which includes a copper component, an iron component and an aluminum component, and (3) a hydrogenolysis catalyst for polyhydric alcohols which includes a copper component and a silicon component.
US08476476B2
In the hydroformylation of C5-C14 olefins with cobalt catalyst to produce C6-C15 oxygenates, where offgasses from the hydroformylation or cobalt removal step contain volatile cobalt compounds, the cobalt compounds are recovered by scrubbing the offgas with a liquid, and recycling the liquid to the cobalt removal step. Suitable scrubbing liquids are the organic cobalt-depleted hydroformylation reaction product or a downstream derivative thereof, or an aqueous solution of a Co2+ salt, preferably such salt of formic acid.
US08476471B2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides a method of synthesizing prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogs comprising the ring closing metathesis of compounds of Formula (I). Also provided are novel compounds of Formula (I) and Formula (II). In addition to their use as synthetic intermediates in the presently disclosed methods, compounds of Formula (II) can be used as prostaglandin and/or prostaglandin analog prodrugs.
US08476465B2
Methods and compositions for depositing high-k films are disclosed herein. In general, the disclosed methods utilize precursor compounds comprising Ta or Nb. More specifically, the disclosed precursor compounds utilize certain ligands coupled to Ta and/or Nb such as 1-methoxy-2-methyl-2-propanolate (mmp) to increase volatility. Furthermore, methods of depositing Ta or Nb compounds are disclosed in conjunction with use of Hf and/or Zr precursors to deposit Ta-doped or Nb-doped Hf and/or Zr films, The methods and compositions may be used in CVD, ALD, or pulsed CVD deposition processes.
US08476462B2
Fluorescent cyanine and squaraine dyes are described that can be conjugated to analyte molecules of interest such as peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, RNA, DNA, carbohydrates, polymers and small molecules via a sulfonyl or sulfonamide substituent. The new dyes are made via a novel cyanine dye activation procedure that converts the normally stable, water solubilizing sulfonate substituents into a reactive sulfonyl halides. The sulfonyl halides may be directly conjugated to analytes or can be further converted to more stable reactive sulfonamide handles or to water soluble sulfonamides. The general structure of the new dyes is given below where the central linker is an unsaturated carbon chain or an unsaturated chain containing a squaraine moiety.
US08476458B2
The present invention relates to a method for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of p300/CBP. Compounds of the invention are identified by designing or screening for a compound which binds to at least one amino acid residue of the newly identified lysine-CoA inhibitor binding site, L1 loop, electronegative pocket, or electronegative groove of the HAT domain of p300/CBP and testing the compound for its ability to modulate the activity of p300/CBP. Compositions and methods for preventing or treating diseases or disorders associated with p300/CBP are also provided as is a method for producing a semi-synthetic HAT domain.
US08476454B2
Compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of malignancy are disclosed.
US08476453B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacture of dimiracetam (2,5-dioxohexahydro-1 H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole), characterized in that a 4-oxo-butanoic acid ester is condensed with glycinamide in a one-pot reaction with a controlled pH. The reaction may be performed in aqueous solution or in an anhydrous lower alcohol solution.
US08476451B2
The present invention provides novel tubulysin analogues, methods of making and methods of using such analogues and conjugates thereof. The compounds of the invention are highly potent cell-growth inhibitors have been developed that are smaller and considerably more stable than tubulysin D.
US08476437B2
The present invention relates to synthesis of β-amino acid derivatives of formula (I) and its salts of formula (Ia) by a novel process. The process comprises the reduction of a protected or unprotected prochiral β-amino acrylic acid or derivative there of, by using borane containing reducing agents at atmospheric pressure. The resulting racemic β-amino compound is resolved to a pure stereoisomer of formula (I), specifically to (2R)-4-oxo-4-[3-Ctrifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydrol[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-alpyrazin-7(8H)-yl]-1-(2,4,4-trifluorophenyl)butan-2-amine. In an embodiment the invention disclosed polymorphic forms of formula (I), phosphate salt of formula (I) and also a Dibenzoyl-L-tartaric acid salt of formula (I).
US08476434B2
The present invention relates to chemical compounds having a general formula I wherein A, B, D, E, G, H1-5 and R1-4 are defined herein, and synthetic intermediates, which are capable of modulating various protein kinase receptor enzymes and, thereby, influencing various disease states and conditions related to the activities of these kinases. For example, the compounds are capable of modulating kinase enzymes thereby influencing the process of angiogenesis and treating angiogenesis-related diseases and other proliferative disorders, including cancer and inflammation. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions, including the compounds, and methods of treating disease states related to the activity of protein kinases.
US08476421B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of STAT5. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding STAT5. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of STAT5 expression and for diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with expression of STAT5 are provided.
US08476419B2
With the current invention, we provide new methods of enhancing the T-cell stimulatory capacity of human dendritic cells (DCs) and their use in cancer vaccination. The method comprises the introduction of different molecular adjuvants to human DCs through transfection with at least two mRNA or DNA molecules encoding markers selected from the group of: CD40L, CD70, constitutively active TLR4 (caTLR4), IL-12p70, EL-selectin, CCR7 and/or 4-1 BBL; or in combination with inhibition of SOCS, A20, PD-L1 and/or STAT3 expression, for example through siRNA transfection. We could show a clear increase in the immunostimulatory capacity of DCs obtained in this way, enabling them to elicit an unexpectedly high T-cell immune response in vitro. Introduction of at least two of the above molecules, in combination with a tumor-specific antigen enables the DCs to elicit a significant host-mediated T-cell immune response in vivo against the tumor antigen and thus makes them very attractive in the manufacturing of anti-cancer vaccines.
US08476416B2
The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide analogs as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. The invention provides methods for enhancing the immune response caused by immunostimulatory oligonucleotide compounds.
US08476413B2
Sulfanyl-tetrahydropyran-based compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and methods of their use for the treatment of diseases and disorders such as diabetes and obesity are disclosed.
US08476411B2
Non-natural amino acids and polypeptides that include at least one non-natural amino acid, and methods for making such non-natural amino acids and polypeptides, are disclosed. The non-natural amino acids, by themselves or as a part of a polypeptide, can include at least one oxime, carbonyl, dicarbonyl, and/or hydroxylamine group. Methods for making, modifying, and purifying the non-natural amino acid polypeptides are also disclosed. Further, methods for using such non-natural amino acid polypeptides and modified non-natural amino acid polypeptides, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and other biotechnology uses, are disclosed.
US08476408B2
The present invention relates to a method for treating a cardiovascular disease, for increasing the number of circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) and/or improving the function of CAC and a method for improving vascular remodeling and/or neovascularisation. The method comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of unacylated ghrelin or a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment or analog thereof having the biological activity of SEQ ID NO: 1; and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising unacylated ghrelin or a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment or analog thereof having the biological activity of SEQ ID NO: 1.
US08476404B1
This invention relates to polyhydric compounds containing primary and secondary hydroxyl groups selectively conjugated with linkers, polymers, and/or bioactive agents.
US08476399B2
The present invention relates to new classes of monomeric compounds, which may be polymerized to form novel biodegradable and bioresorble polymers and co-polymers. These polymers and co-polymers, while not limited thereto, may be adapted for radio-opacity and are useful for medical device applications and controlled release therapeutic formulations.
US08476397B2
A polymer compound comprising a residue of a compound represented by the following formula (0): wherein Ar0 represents a substituent such as a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group and the like, or a group represented by the following formula (A), at least two Ar0s are groups represented by the following formula (A), R0 represents a substituent such as an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group and the like, l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3, wherein A0 represents —N═ or —C(R2)═. R2 represents a substituent such as a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group and the like.
US08476391B2
The invention relates to a method for producing anionic water-in-water polymer dispersions containing at least one finely dispersed, water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymer A and a continuous aqueous phase. This phase has a partial quantity of at least one polymeric dispersing agent B in which monomers dispersed in this aqueous phase are subjected to a radical polymerization, and after the polymerization is completed, the reaction mixture is subsequently diluted with the remaining amount of dispersing agent B. The invention also relates to the polymer dispersions obtained according to the method and to their use, particularly in the paper industry.
US08476385B2
A composition including at least one first divalent unit represented by formula: Each Rf is independently selected from the group consisting of Rfa—(O)t—CHF—(CF2)n—; [Rfa—(O)t—C(L)H—CF2—O]m—W—; Rfb-O—(CF2)p-; F(CkF2k)—(O—CkF2k)P—O—CF2—; and CF3—O—(CF2)3—(OCF(CF3)—CF2)Z—O-L1-. Each Q is independently selected from the group consisting of a bond, —C(O)—N(R1)—, and —C(O)—O—. Each X is independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene and arylalkylene, wherein alkylene and arylalkylene are each optionally interrupted by at least one ether linkage and optionally terminated by —N(R1)—C(O)— or —O—C(O)—. R and R1 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Rfa represents a partially or fully fluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally interrupted with at least one oxygen atom. Rfb is selected from the group consisting of CF3CFH— and F(CjF2j)-. Methods of reducing surface tension of a liquid, making foams, and treating a surface using the compositions are also disclosed.
US08476384B2
A polymerization process to copolymerize hydrophobic ethylenically unsaturated C4-C30. J olefins with polar monomers such as acrylates is described. The process utilizes an acid source to modify/catalyze the reactivity of the polar monomer and/or radically activated repeat unit from the polar monomer to promote incorporation of the ethylenically unsaturated olefin. The copolymer shows excellent adhesion to a variety of polymeric and/or polar substrates such as polyolefins, acrylate coatings, wood, etc.
US08476383B2
The present invention deals with a process of producing a polymer of at least one olefin in two consecutive reactors in gas phase in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst where an olefin is polymerized in a first polymerization reactor in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst and a first reaction gas mixture to form a fluidized bed comprising an olefin polymer and said first reaction gas mixture.
US08476382B2
This present invention provides devices for the parallelization of the formation of droplets in a multiple droplet generator integrating two or more parallel flow-focusing devices (FFDs) with either identical, or different, geometries. In the parallel identical FFDs, emulsification generates droplets with a narrow (below 4%) polydispersity despite weak coupling between the identical flow-focusing devices. Formation of droplets in the integrated droplet generator comprising FFDs with different dimensions of the microchannels occurs with strong coupling between the FFDs and produces droplets with varying sizes and size distributions. For such devices the regime in which emulsification produces droplets with varying dimensions and a narrow size distribution have been identified. The results of this work can be used in scaling up the production of droplets and in the simultaneous production of droplets and particles with different dimensions.
US08476378B2
Biodegradable aliphatic/aromatic copolyester comprising 50 to 60 mol % of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and 40 to 50 mol % of an aliphatic acid, at least 90% of which is a long-chain dicarboxylic acid (LCDA) of natural origin selected from azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassylic acid or mixtures thereof; and a diol component.
US08476377B2
The invention relates to crosslinkable, thermoplastic polyamide molding compounds. The polyamides are selected from a group comprising amorphous or microcrystalline polyamides, copolyamides thereof and blends thereof, as well as blends of such polyamides with semicrystalline polyamides. A polyamide molding compound according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a crosslinking additive which causes the production of crosslinked molded parts formed from said polyamide molding compound under the effect of high-energy irradiation, having a Tg value of >140° C. and a minimum dimensional stability of 90% at temperatures of ≧180° C. These polyamides have a substantially linear structure and the monomers thereof have no olefin C═C double bonds. Corresponding crosslinked polyamide molded parts produced from a polyamide molding compound and the use of this polyamide molding compound to produce these crosslinked polyamide molded parts are additionally disclosed.
US08476370B2
The present invention deals with polymer compositions suitable for making pipes. The compositions comprise a multimodal copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms wherein the multimodal ethylene copolymer has a density of from 937 to 950 kg/m3, a melt index MFR5 of from 0.3 to 3.0 g/10 min, a melt index MFR2 of from 0.1 to 2.0 g/10 min and a shear thinning index SHI2.7/210 of from 2 to 30. In addition the multimodal copolymer comprises: (A) from 30 to 70% by weight, based on the combined amount of components (A) and (B), of a low molecular weight ethylene polymer selected from ethylene homopolymer and a copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and having a weight average molecular weight of from 5000 to 100000 g/mol and a density of from 960 to 977 kg/m3; and (B) from 30 to 70% by weight, based on the combined amount of components (A) and (B), of a high molecular weight copolymer of ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and having a weight average molecular weight of from 100000 to 1000000 g/mol and a density of from 890 to 929 kg/m3.
US08476369B2
The invention relates to a method for producing metal salt nanogel-containing aqueous dispersions, solid intermediate products and waterproof plastic products, thus allowing the simple production of novel products having homogeneously distributed agents, which exhibit, for example, an antimicrobial or barrier effect and/or have an absorbing capacity, such as with respect to oxygen, humidity, chemical, particularly gaseous compounds, or electromagnetic or radioactive radiation.
US08476365B2
Disclosed is a catalyst injection nozzle that comprises an outer tube with an open end, a nozzle tip with a diameter connected to the outer tube open end, an orifice connected to the nozzle tip internal to the outer tube, an internal mixing zone connected to the orifice internal to the outer tube, an inner tube residing within the outer tube further comprising an open end connected to the internal mixing zone, where a steady-state, uniform two-phase flow regime between an atomizing gas and at least one liquid catalyst feed does not form in the internal mixing zone at an atomizing gas to liquid catalyst feed flow ratio of about 0.05 to about 10.
US08476351B2
A black coating composition which gives a highly adhesive resin black matrix that exhibits a high OD value which was able to be attained only by metal thin film black matrices is disclosed. The black coating composition comprises as indispensable components a titanium nitride oxide and a resin. The X-ray intensity ratios R1 and R2 of the titanium nitride oxide represented by the Equations (1) and (2) below, respectively, satisfy the relationships represented by Formulae (3) and (4) below: R1=I3/{I3+1.8(I1+1.8I2)} (1) R2=I2/I1 (2) R1>0.70 (3) 0.85
US08476350B2
Provided are compositions, processes for making, and processes for using triglycerides as plasticizers. Triglyceride plasticizers can be produced by recovery of linear or branched C4 to C10 aldehydes from a hydroformylation product, oxidation to the acid with oxygen and/or air, recovery of the resulting acid, and esterification with glycerol, wherein the total carbon number of the triester groups is from 20 to 25 for greater than or equal to 45 wt % of the plasticizer. Such plasticizers can be phthalate-free and provide outstanding properties including a suitable melting or glass transition or pour point, low volatility, increased compatibility, and excellent low temperature properties in a range of polymeric resins.
US08476349B2
A rubber composition for a tire is blended with diene-based rubber containing 50 wt % or more of SBR, and 0.2 to 5 parts by weight of cyclic polysulfide represented by the below formula (I), 1 to 30 parts by weight of aromatic denatured terpene resin, 20 to 80 parts by weight of silica, and 40 to 100 parts by weight of carbon black relative to 100 parts by weight of the diene-based rubber. Further, a total blending amount of the silica and the carbon black is 70 to 130 parts by weight. In the formula, R represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted oxyalkylene group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, or an alkylene group including an aromatic ring, x represents an average number of 2 to 6, and n represents an integer of 1 to 15.
US08476345B2
An aqueous wax dispersion comprising a soft wax having an oil content of greater than 20 wt % and from 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % urea for use as a hydrophobizing agent in the production of timber products. The soft wax has a softening point of less than 65° C. and is solid at about 10° C. and below.
US08476338B2
The present invention provides a dental curable composition exhibiting both excellent light diffusion and excellent transparency, and having high mechanical strength and surface smoothness and gloss after polishing as a cured product as well as good handling properties as a paste. The present invention is a dental curable composition including: a polymerizable monomer (A) having a refractive index of 1.52 to 1.58 after polymerization; inorganic particles (B) having a refractive index of 1.43 to 1.50; and inorganic particles (C) having a refractive index of 1.52 to 1.58. The inorganic particles (B) are aggregates of inorganic fine particles having an average primary particle size of 2 to 50 nm, and the content of the inorganic particles (B) is 0.1 to 10% by weight.
US08476335B2
Method of manufacturing monolithic stationary phase and monolithic stationary phase produced thereby
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a polymer-based monolithic stationary phase in an ionic liquid reaction medium via microwave-assisted vinylization and polymerization. The invention is time-effective and environmental friendly for not using volatile organic compounds.
US08476298B2
The present invention provides compounds for modulating protein kinase enzymatic activity for modulating cellular activities such as proliferation, differentiation, programmed cell death, migration and chemoinvasion. More specifically, the invention provides quinazolines and quinolines which inhibit, regulate, and/or modulate kinase receptor, particularly c-Met, KDF, c-Kit, flt-3 and flt-4, signal transduction pathways related to the changes in cellular activities as mentioned above, compositions which contain these compounds, and methods of using them to treat kinase-dependent diseases and conditions. The present invention also provides methods for making compounds as mentioned above, and compositions which contain these compounds.
US08476291B1
A drug substance with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid addition salt of an opioid wherein said organic acid is selected from Structure A: wherein R1-R4 are independently selected from H, alkyl or substituted alkyl of 1-6 carbons, adjacent groups may be taken together to form a cyclic alkyl, cyclic alkyl-aryl, or cyclic aryl moiety; R5 is selected from H, or an alkali earth cation; R6 and R7 are independently selected from H, alkyl of 1-6 carbons, an alkali earth cation, and aryl of 6 to 12 carbons, in a number sufficient to complete the valence bonding of X, and wherein X is selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; and wherein the drug substance has a morphology selected from amorphous and crystalline.
US08476287B2
[Problem]To provide a GPR40 activating agent having, as an active ingredient, a novel compound having a GPR40 agonist action, a salt of the compound, a solvate of the salt or the compound, or the like, particularly, an insulin secretagogue and a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent against diabetes, obesity, or other diseases.[Means of solving the problem]A compound of Formula (I): (where n is 0 to 2; p is 0 to 4; j is 0 to 3; k is 0 to 2; a ring A is an aryl group which is optionally substituted with L or a heterocyclic group which is optionally substituted with L; a ring B is a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, or a pyrimidine ring; X is O, S, —NR7—; and R1 to R7 are specific groups),a salt of the compound, or a solvate of the salt or the compound.
US08476279B2
The invention provides compounds represented by the general formula I wherein the substituents are defined in the application. The compounds are useful in the treatment of an affective disorder, including depression, anxiety disorders including general anxiety disorder and panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.
US08476276B2
Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active ingredients, a mixture of a corticosteroid and a kinin B2 receptor antagonist. Said compositions have proved particularly effective, especially in the treatment of inflammatory disorders such as asthma, ophthalmic or dermatological disorders and, above all, as regards the joints, arthritis.
US08476273B2
The present invention provides materials and methods for modulating an immune response. The materials and methods may be used to treat diseases associated with an aberrant immune response. In some embodiments, materials and methods of the invention may be used to treat autoimmune diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis.
US08476272B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of 2 type diabetes, wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains (R)-7-[3-amino-4-(2,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-butyryl]-3-trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine-1-carboxylic acid methyl ester or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and metformin or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts (such as hydrochlorate), preparation method thereof and method of treating 2 type diabetes with the composition.
US08476265B2
Spirocyclic amide derivatives of formula I wherein ArCH2CH2NH— represents a β-adrenoceptor binding group, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing such pharmaceutical compositions, their use in therapy, and intermediates for use in their preparation.
US08476259B2
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are related to novel therapeutic drug combinations and methods for treating and/or preventing pulmonary arterial hypertension and/or stable angina. More particularly, aspects of the present invention are related to therapeutic combinations comprising a Rho-kinase inhibitor, such as fasudil, and one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of prostacyclins, such as iloprost, endothelin receptor antagonists, PDE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, 5-HT2A antagonists, such as sarpogrelate, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, statins, and vascular remodeling modulators, such as Gleevec.
US08476251B2
Skin care compositions comprising certain substituted diamines, which are particularly beneficial for skin lightening and achieving evenness of color, especially for face and underarm skin.
US08476245B2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides DNA molecules designed to down regulate the expression of MMP genes in a cell. Also provided are compositions comprising the DNA molecules. The presently disclosed subject matter further provides methods of using the DNA molecules to inhibit metastasis of a cancer cell. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides methods of using the DNA molecules to modulate tumor growth in a subject.
US08476238B2
The invention provides a method for inhibiting EGF receptor activity comprising contacting an EGF receptor with an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum, or a recombinant thereof. Also provided is a method for treating invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, comprising administering an effective amount of an immunomodulatory protein (GMI) from Ganoderma microsporum, or a recombinant thereof, to a subject in need of such treatment.
US08476235B2
A process for making pure crystalline D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan is provided which includes the step of deprotecting essentially pure N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan or its diester to yield essentially pure D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan. A process is also provided for the preparation of pure mono ammonium salt of D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan from essentially pure N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan. D-isoglutamyl-D-tryptophan, ammonium salt (1:1) is a stable pharmaceutical solid.
US08476233B2
The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for the prevention and treatment of disease conditions associated with oxidative stress or a compromised reducing environment, including inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Another aspect of the subject invention concerns compositions formulated for administration as an enema. The subject invention also concerns compositions formulated for oral administration. Methods of the invention include administration of compounds or compositions of the invention. In one embodiment, compounds or compositions of the invention are rectally instilled in a patient. In another embodiment, compounds or compositions are orally administered.
US08476219B2
A laundry scent additive having polyethylene glycol and perfume. The laundry scent additive enables consumers to control the amount of scent imparted to their laundry.
US08476215B1
A detergent composition includes: 11 to 45 parts by weight of a natural surfactant; 25 to 35 parts by weight of mirabilite; 10 to 40 parts by weight of a water softener; 0.2 to 5 parts by weight of a chelating agent; and a balance of an additional detergent builder.
US08476214B2
A multi-functional hard surface treating composition is described which includes (1) a surfactant system including at least two surfactants and (2) at least one alkylene glycol alkyl ether. The at least two surfactants include an anionic surfactant and either a polymer surfactant or a nonionic surfactant. The surfactant system and alkylene glycol alkyl ether have a synergistic effect to provide anti-fogging, anti-streaking, and cleaning benefits to a hard surface treated with the composition.
US08476213B1
Scrub bars and methods for making scrub bars are disclosed. In some embodiments, the scrub bars comprise multiple layers.
US08476207B2
A quaternary ammonium salt detergent made from the reaction product of the reaction of: (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted acylating agent and a compound having an oxygen or nitrogen atom capable of condensing with said acylating agent and further having a tertiary amino group; and (b) a quaternizing agent suitable for converting the tertiary amino group to a quaternary nitrogen and the use of such quaternary ammonium salt detergents in a lubricating composition, a fuel composition.
US08476202B2
Methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid; providing a clean-up composition comprising a carboxylic acid; a chlorite-based breaker system comprising an alkali metal compound and an activator wherein the activator comprises a metal and an amine. Placing a viscosified treatment fluid in a subterranean formation via a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; first contacting the viscosified treatment fluid with the chlorite-based breaker; and then contacting the viscosified treatment fluid with the clean-up composition; and, allowing the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid to reduce.
US08476189B1
The present invention further relates to a process to make a superabsorbent polymer comprising the steps of a) preparing a neutralized monomer solution comprising a polymerizable monomer selected from unsaturated acid groups-containing monomers, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydride, salts, or derivatives thereof and a caustic agent selection from an alkali agent, wherein the polymerizable monomer is neutralized to from about 50 mol % to about 85 mol %; b) forming a crosslinker monomer mixture by adding an internal crosslinker composition to the neutralized monomer solution wherein the internal crosslinking composition is the reaction product of a stoichiometric excess of amine with a glycidyl compound, wherein the internal crosslinker composition has a residual amount of glycidyl compounds of less than about 500 ppm based on the mass of the internal crosslinker composition; and c) polymerizing the crosslinker monomer mixture to make a superabsorbent polymer.
US08476157B2
An anti-fuse one-time-programmable (OTP) nonvolatile memory cell has a P well substrate with two P.sup.−doped regions. Another N.sup.+doped region, functioning as a bit line, is positioned adjacent and between the two P.sup.−doped regions on the substrate. An anti-fuse is defined over the N.sup.+doped region. Two insulator regions are deposited over the two P.sup.−doped regions. An impurity doped polysilicon layer is defined over the two insulator regions and the anti-fuse. A polycide layer is defined over the impurity doped polysilicon layer. The polycide layer and the polysilicon layer function as a word line. A programmed region, i.e., a link, functioning as a diode, is formed on the anti-fuse after the anti-fuse OTP nonvolatile memory cell is programmed. The array structure of anti-fuse OTP nonvolatile memory cells and methods for programming, reading, and fabricating such a cell are also disclosed.
US08476147B2
A bond substrate is irradiated with ions, so that an embrittlement layer is formed, then, the bond substrate is bonded to a base substrate. Next, a part of a region of the bonded bond substrate is heated at a temperature higher than a temperature of the other part of the region of the bond substrate, or alternatively, a first heat treatment is performed on the bonded bond substrate as a whole at a first temperature; and a second heat treatment is performed on a part of a region of the bonded bond substrate at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, so that separation of the bond substrate proceeds from the part of the region of the bond substrate to the other part of the region of the bond substrate in the embrittlement layer. Accordingly, a semiconductor layer is formed over the base substrate.
US08476143B2
An embodiment of an integrated circuit includes first and second semiconductor layers and a contact region disposed in the second layer. The first semiconductor layer is of a first conductivity, and the second semiconductor layer is disposed over the first layer and has a surface. The contact region is contiguous with the surface, contacts the first layer, includes a first inner conductive portion, and includes an outer conductive portion of the first conductivity. The contact region may extend deeper than conventional contact regions, because where the inner conductive portion is formed from a trench, doping the outer conductive portion via the trench may allow one to implant the dopants more deeply than conventional techniques allow.
US08476135B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a base carrier having a base carrier hole from a base carrier interconnection side to a base carrier device side; mounting a base integrated circuit over the base carrier; forming an encapsulation over the base carrier covering the base integrated circuit, the encapsulation having an encapsulation top side and having an encapsulation hole directly over the base carrier hole; and forming an interconnection structure as a single integral structure through the base carrier hole and the encapsulation hole, the interconnection structure directly on the encapsulation top side and directly on the base carrier interconnection side.
US08476131B2
In one example, a method disclosed herein includes forming a gate electrode structure for a PMOS transistor and a gate electrode structure for a NMOS transistor, forming a plurality of cavities in the substrate proximate the gate electrode structure of the PMOS transistor and performing an epitaxial deposition process to form raised silicon-germanium regions is the cavities. The method concludes with the step of performing a common etching process on the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor to define recessed regions in the substrate proximate the gate electrode structure of the NMOS transistor and to reduce the amount of the silicon-germanium material positioned above the surface of the substrate for the PMOS transistor.
US08476130B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a memory block and a logic block defined therein, forming a dummy gate pattern on the memory block; forming a first region of a first conductivity type at one side of the dummy gate pattern and a second region of a second conductivity type at the other side of the dummy gate pattern, and forming a nonvolatile memory device electrically connected to the first region.
US08476120B2
A semiconductor device includes conductive pillars disposed vertically over a seed layer, a conformal insulating layer formed over the conductive pillars, and a conformal conductive layer formed over the conformal insulating layer. A first conductive pillar, the conformal insulating layer, and the conformal conductive layer constitute a vertically oriented integrated capacitor. The semiconductor device further includes a semiconductor die or component mounted over the seed layer, an encapsulant deposited over the semiconductor die or component and around the conformal conductive layer, and a first interconnect structure formed over a first side of the encapsulant. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to a second conductive pillar, and includes an integrated passive device. The semiconductor device further includes a second interconnect structure formed over a second side of the encapsulant opposite the first side of the encapsulant.
US08476117B2
An improved stacked-die package includes an interposer which improves the manufacturability of the package. A semiconductor package includes a package substrate having a plurality of bond pads; a first semiconductor device mounted on the package substrate, the first semiconductor device having a plurality of bond pads provided thereon; an interposer mounted on the first semiconductor device, the interposer having a first interposer bond pad and a second interposer bond pad, wherein the first and second interposer bond pads are electrically coupled; a second semiconductor device mounted on the interposer, the second semiconductor device having a plurality of bond pads provided thereon; a first bond wire connected to one of the plurality of bond pads on said first semiconductor and to the first interposer bond pad; and a second bond wire connected to the second interposer bond pad and to one of the plurality of bond pads on the semiconductor device.
US08476109B2
Semiconductor workpiece carriers and methods for processing semiconductor workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor workpiece carrier assembly includes (a) a support structure having an opening sized to receive at least a portion of a semiconductor workpiece, and (b) a replaceable carrier positioned at the opening. The replaceable carrier includes a base and an adhesive layer on the base. The base has a surface, and the adhesive layer covers only a section of the surface of the base. The adhesive layer releasably attaches the replaceable carrier to the support structure.
US08476106B2
Provided are a transparent nonvolatile memory thin film transistor (TFT) and a method of manufacturing the same. The memory TFT includes source and drain electrodes disposed on a transparent substrate. A transparent semiconductor thin layer is disposed on the source and drain electrodes and the transparent substrate interposed between the source and drain electrodes. An organic ferroelectric thin layer is disposed on the transparent semiconductor thin layer. A gate electrode is disposed on the organic ferroelectric thin layer in alignment with the transparent semiconductor thin layer. Thus, the transparent nonvolatile memory TFT employs the organic ferroelectric thin layer, the oxide semiconductor thin layer, and auxiliary insulating layers disposed above and below the organic ferroelectric thin layer, thereby enabling low-cost manufacture of a transparent nonvolatile memory device capable of a low-temperature process.
US08476104B1
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device. The method includes providing a transparent substrate comprising a surface region, forming a first electrode layer overlying the surface region, forming a copper layer overlying the first electrode layer and forming an indium layer overlying the copper layer to form a multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure is subjected to a thermal treatment process in an environment containing a sulfur bearing species to forming a copper indium disulfide material. The copper indium disulfide material comprising a copper-to-indium atomic ratio ranging from about 1.2:1 to about 2:1 and a thickness of substantially copper sulfide material having a copper sulfide surface region. The thickness of the copper sulfide material is selectively removed to expose a surface region having a copper poor surface comprising a copper to indium atomic ratio of less than about 0.95:1. The method subjects the copper poor surface to a sodium species to convert the copper poor surface from an n-type semiconductor characteristic to a p-type semiconductor characteristic. A window layer is formed overlying the copper indium disulfide material.
US08476099B2
Methods, structures, and design structures for improved adhesion of protective layers of imager microlens structures are disclosed. A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure includes forming an interfacial region between a microlens and a protective oxide layer. The interfacial region has a lower concentration of oxygen than the protective oxide layer.
US08476096B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for producing micro electro-mechanical device packages. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, includes a micro electro-mechanical device formed on a substrate layer; and a thermally decomposable sacrificial structure protecting at least a portion of the micro electro-mechanical device, where the sacrificial structure is formed on the substrate layer and surrounds a gas cavity enclosing an active surface of the micro electro-mechanical device. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US08476084B1
A method and structure for fabricating sensor(s) or electronic device(s) using vertical mounting is presented. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and forming sensor(s) or electronic device(s) on a first region overlying the surface region. At least one bond pad structure can be formed from at least one trench structure. The resulting device can then be singulated within a vicinity of the bond pad structure(s) to form at least one integrated sensor or electronic devices having at least one vertical bond pad. At least one singulated device(s) can be coupled to a package, having a package surface region, such that the vertical bond pad(s) are configured horizontally, and at least one interconnection can be formed between the vertical bond pad(s) and at least one portion of the package surface region.
US08476082B2
Devices and methods for the detection of target molecules are disclosed. Devices and methods for detecting food-borne target molecules are also disclosed.
US08476074B1
A method for detecting a predisposition to breast cancer in a subject is provided. The method includes detecting in a biological sample from the subject one or more polymorphisms in the sequence of CD44 gene. The presence of one or more polymorphisms in the sequence of CD44 gene indicates that the subject has a predisposition for developing breast cancer.
US08476073B2
An automatic analyzing apparatus can properly determine a quality of an analysis supporting liquid, after being supplied to the automatic analyzing apparatus, which supports an analysis performed in the automatic analyzing apparatus and can properly maintain an accuracy of the analysis. The analysis supporting liquid which supports an analysis of a specimen is dispensed into a reaction vessel by using a specimen dispensing unit which dispenses the specimen, a reagent dispensing unit which dispenses a reagent, a cleaning unit which cleans the reaction vessel, or a diluted solution dispensing unit which dispenses a diluted solution. An optical measurement is performed with respect to a liquid including the dispensed analysis supporting liquid in the reaction vessel. Analysis data of the analysis supporting liquid is generated by using the measured result. The quality of the analysis supporting liquid is determined by comparing the generated analysis data with reference data.
US08476064B2
An aspect of the disclosure is a method and device for the detection of antibiotics in a sample. Embodiments include a microbial culture with growth indicators and sensitivity adjustment reagents. Adjustment reagents include a variety of antibiotic binders that can be added to microbial culture to reduce sensitivity to certain antibiotics. Some embodiments include multiple buffers with a variety of pKa ranges. Some embodiments also include a complete self-contained apparatus for sampling and testing.
US08476060B2
A novel low cost separation process for separating lipid oil from an algal biomass for biofuel production is described herein. The process of the present invention comprises of two steps: (i) breaking the algae cells and (ii) separation of the lipid oils from the broken cells. The separated lipids are extracted by conventional techniques followed by conversion to a biofuel.
US08476057B2
The present invention relates to the antagonistic bacteria that are used to prevent and eliminate tobacco bacterial wilt and their microbial organic fertilizer, which belong to the technology for agricultural intensive production. The present invention separates two antagonistic bacteria (Brevibacillus brevis NJL-25 and Bacillus cereus NJL-14) that have remarkable antagonistic action against the pathogens of tobacco bacterial wilt. Microbial organic fertilizer is produced from these antagonistic bacteria and organic compost. Wherein, the content of each of NJL-25 and NJL-14 is above 1×1010 cfu/g, the content of total nitrogen is 4˜5% (above 90% of the nitrogen is organic nitrogen), the content of total nitrogen-phosphorus-kalium nutrient is 6˜10% and the content of organic matter is 30˜35%. As indicated by experiments, after the microbial organic fertilizer is applied into soil, it will enable rapid multiplication of the antagonistic bacteria into a dominant microflora in the soil and achieve more than 97.6% of biocontrol rate of tobacco bacterial wilt in the soil suffering from tobacco bacterial wilt. If the microbial organic fertilizer is applied in the soil without continuous cropping obstacle in a long time, it can prevent the occurrence of the bacterial wilt of continuous cropping tobacco to a great extent.
US08476054B2
A thrombin-like enzyme isolated from Agkistrodon acutus venom, comprising an alpha subunit having the sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 and a beta subunit having the sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, which are linked by seven disulfide bonds, is provided. The hemocoagulase of Agkistrodon acutus in the present invention is a serine proteinase having a molecular weight of 29.3-29.5 kD and an isoelectric point of 5.5, and is able to hydrolyze the alpha chain of human fibrinogen. The invention also provides methods of purifying the thrombin-like enzyme from snake venom, which comprise removing insoluble substance by pretreatment, conducting twice of anion-exchange column chromatography, collecting active eluting peak, dialyzing, ultra-filtrating and desalinating so as to obtain a snake venom thrombin-like enzyme.
US08476053B2
The present invention provides an aqueous composition comprising a protein with enzymatic activity of alpha-galactosidase. The present invention further provides a method of stabilizing an aqueous composition comprising a protein with enzymatic activity of alpha-galactosidase, and a method of preparing a purified aqueous composition comprising the protein with enzymatic activity of alpha-galactosidase.
US08476051B2
An alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus guaymasensis was purified to homogeneity and was found to be a homotetramer with a subunit size of 40±1 kDa. The gene encoding the enzyme was cloned and sequenced, and found to have significant sequence homology to known zinc-containing ADHs and L-threonine dehydrogenases with both binding motifs of catalytic zinc and NADP+. The wild-type enzyme is a primary-secondary ADH that exhibits a substrate preference for secondary alcohols and corresponding ketones, and exhibits unusual stereoselectivity. The wild-type enzyme was found to have outstanding thermostability, demonstrating 60% activity after incubation at 80° C. for 40 hours. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to substitute the cyteine residue at position 56 with a serine, to provide the TgADH(C56S) mutant. In the assays that we carried out, we found virtually no difference in enzyme activity and oxygen-sensitivity between the mutant TgADH (C56S) and wild type TgADH.
US08476046B2
Disclosed is a method of pre-treating and saccharifying an algae biomass, by dehydrating the algae biomass to have a water content of about 10% to about 70% by weight, cutting the algae biomass having a water content of about 10% to about 70% by weight to a predetermined size, and saccharifying the cut algae biomass using a hydrolysis catalyst and/or a hydrolase to yield a monosaccharide.
US08476045B2
This invention provides for methods of sequencing and performing polymerase reactions using an improved generation of nucleic acid polymerases. The improvement is the fusion of a sequence-non-specific nucleic-acid-binding domain to the enzyme in a manner that enhances the processivity of the polymerase.
US08476043B2
Inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) are provided that incorporate multiple pharmacophores and are useful in the treatment of diseases.
US08476033B2
Compositions and methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer in a patient and for identifying patients with an increased likelihood of having ovarian cancer are provided. The compositions include novel monoclonal antibodies, and variants and fragments thereof, that specifically bind to glycodelin. Monoclonal antibodies having the binding characteristics of a glycodelin antibody of the invention and monoclonal antibodies that bind to a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed antibody are further provided. Hybridoma cell lines that produce a glycodelin monoclonal antibody of the invention are also disclosed herein. Kits comprising one or more of the disclosed glycodelin monoclonal antibodies and for practicing the methods of the invention are further provided. Polypeptides comprising the amino acid sequence for a glycodelin epitope of a disclosed monoclonal glycodelin antibody and methods of using these polypeptides in the production of glycodelin antibodies are also encompassed by the present invention.
US08476031B2
A method for labeling acyl carrier protein (ACP) fusion proteins with a wide variety of different labels is disclosed. The method relies on the transfer of a label from a coenzyme A type substrate to an ACP fusion protein using a holo-acyl carrier protein synthase (ACPS) or a homologue thereof. The method allows detecting and manipulating the fusion protein, both in vitro and in vivo, by attaching molecules to the fusion proteins that introduce a new physical or chemical property to the fusion protein. Examples of such labels are, among others, spectroscopic probes or reporter molecules, affinity tags, molecules generating reactive radicals, cross-linkers, ligands mediating protein-protein interactions or molecules suitable for the immobilization of the fusion protein.
US08476021B2
Compositions and methods related to transgenic glyphosate/ALS inhibitor-tolerant soybean plants are provided. Specifically, soybean plants having a 3560.4.3.5 event which imparts tolerance to glyphosate and at least one ALS-inhibiting herbicide are provided. The soybean plant harboring the 3560.4.3.5 event at the recited chromosomal location comprises genomic/transgene junctions having at least the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:10 and/or 11. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the 3560.4.3.5 event provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the soybean 3560.4.3.5 events are provided.
US08476013B2
Provided are compositions and processes that utilize genomic regions differentially methylated between a mother and her fetus to separate, isolate or enrich fetal nucleic acid from a maternal sample. The compositions and processes described herein are useful for non-invasive prenatal diagnostics, including the detection of chromosomal aneuplodies.
US08476012B2
Disclosed herein are genetic markers related to the efficacy and/or safety of thiazolidinedione therapy identified by a physiogenomic methodology that correlates the genetic markers with a physiological response. The genetic markers described herein were not previously associated with the efficacy and/or safety of thiazolidinedione therapy. The markers related to safety are those associated with the important side effects of BMI increase and development of edema. In one embodiment, markers related to efficacy of thiazolidinedione therapy are associated with glycosylated hemoglobin. Method of assessing an individual for markers associated with the safety and/or efficacy of thiazolidinedione therapy are described.
US08476008B2
Non-invasive methods are provided herein for the diagnosis of pre-diabetes and diabetes using biomarkers identified in a biological fluid, such as saliva. These biomarkers can be identified using proteomic methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), or a lateral flow immunoassay.
US08476001B2
A pattern forming method, includes: (i) a step of applying a resist composition whose solubility in a positive tone developer increases and solubility in a negative tone developer decreases upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, the resist composition containing a resin capable of increasing a polarity by the action of an acid; (ii) an exposure step; (iii) a step of performing development by using a negative tone developer to form a resist pattern; and (iv) a step of causing a crosslinked layer-forming material to act on the resist pattern to crosslink the resin constituting the resist pattern and the crosslinked layer-forming material, thereby forming a crosslinked layer. According to the present invention, a method for forming a pattern having an effectively micro-dimensioned trench or hole pattern without generation of a scum is provided.
US08475999B2
The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (C1): wherein Rc2 represents a C6-C10 aromatic hydrocarbon group having at least one nitro group and Rc1 represents a group represented by the formula (1): wherein Rc4 represents a hydrogen atom etc., Rc5 represents a C1-C30 divalent hydrocarbon group, and Rc3 represents a group represented by the formula (3-1), (3-2) or (3-3): wherein Rc6, Rc7, Rc8, Rc9, Rc10, Rc11, Rc12, Rc13 and Rc14 each independently represent a C1-C30 hydrocarbon group, and a photoresist composition comprising a resin, an acid generator and the compound represented by the formula (C1).
US08475976B2
An integrated circuit is fabricated using photolithography by selectively exposing a photoresist layer to pattern a coarse line region of a wafer layer using a trim mask, and to pattern a fine line region of the wafer layer using an alternating phase-shift mask. The trim mask includes transparent, attenuated phase-shift and opaque regions. The phase-shifted attenuated light region patterns the coarse line region and the opaque region keeps light from exposing the fine line region. The alternating phase-shift mask patterns only the fine line region and includes one or more alternating phase-shift regions that each overlaps at least a portion of the opaque region but does not overlap the attenuated phase-shift region. The alternating phase-shift mask may be used to pattern the trim mask.
US08475972B2
A fuel cell stack comprising a second metal separator set to have an external dimension larger than a first metal separator, wherein the second metal separator comprises, formed integrally, a first seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of a first electrolyte membrane/electrode structure, a second seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of the first metal separator, and a third seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of an adjoining fourth metal separator. Since the first seal member, the second seal member and the third seal member are integrally formed on one surface of the second separator or one surface of the first separator, a seal-forming step can be carried out at one effort, simply and economically. In addition, use of a triple seal structure containing the first through the third seal members can favorably improve the sealing feature of reaction gas and minimize reaction gas leakage.
US08475970B2
Disclosed is a fluororesin-coated polymer film for reinforcing a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the fluororesin-coated polymer film is fabricated by forming on at least one side of a polymer film a coating of a reaction product of (A) a fluorine-containing copolymer composed of a fluoroolefin, a cyclohexyl group-containing acrylic ester, and a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether, and (B) a crosslinking agent having two or more isocyanate groups. The polymer film according to the present invention not only exhibits sufficiently high initial adhesion strength, with respect to the polymer electrolyte membrane, but also retains thereafter high adhesion strength in actual operating environments.
US08475966B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed for recovering a flammable vapor emanating from a vent of a tank. The apparatus comprises an input conduit for connecting to the vent of the tank. An input manifold connects the input conduit to an input of a compressor with an output manifold connecting an output of the compressor to an input of a storage tank. An output conduit connects an output of the storage tank to the turbine generator for generating electrical power by processing the flammable vapor. An electrical connector directs electrical power from the turbine generator to drive the apparatus as well as to supply surplus power to an external load.
US08475963B2
The microbattery is formed by a stack of solid thin layers on a substrate which, starting from the substrate, successively comprises a first electrode, a solid electrolyte and a second electrode/current collector assembly. A first surface and a second surface of the electrolyte are respectively in contact with a main surface of the first electrode and a main surface of the second electrode/current collector assembly. The dimensions of the main surface of the first electrode are smaller than the dimensions of the main surface of said assembly, and the dimensions of the first surface of the solid electrolyte are smaller than the dimensions of the second surface of the solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is furthermore not in contact with the substrate.
US08475955B2
A thin film battery comprises a substrate having a surface, and a plurality of battery cells on the substrate surface. Each battery cell comprises an electrolyte having opposing surfaces, and a plurality of conductors in electrical contact with at least one of the opposing surfaces of the electrolyte, the plurality of conductors including a first conductor in electrical contact with a surface of the electrolyte and a second conductor in electrical contact with the opposing surface of the electrolyte. At least one electrical connector strip connects a conductor of a first battery cell to a conductor of a second battery cell to electrically couple the first and second battery cells to one another.
US08475943B2
A coated article has a substrate and a coating scheme, which has a PVD coating region. The PVD coating region contains aluminum, yttrium, nitrogen and at least one element selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and silicon. The sum of the aluminum and yttrium contents is between about 3 atomic percent and about 55 atomic percent of the sum of aluminum, yttrium and the other elements. The yttrium content is between about 0.5 atomic percent and about 5 atomic percent of the sum of aluminum, yttrium and the other elements. There is also a method of making the coated article that includes steps of providing the substrate and depositing the above coating scheme with the PVD coating region.
US08475932B2
Disclosed is a composition comprising, or produced from, an organic acid-modified ionomer and silica filler having oil absorption greater than 100 g oil/100 g silica. Also disclosed are articles produced from the composition such as golf balls.
US08475930B2
A composite coated metal sheet comprising a coated film having a low environmental impact prepared free from hexavalent chromium, and having good corrosion resistance equivalent to that provided by chromate treatment and excellent adhesiveness between the coated film and a resin layer formed on the coated film. Also, a treatment agent and a method of manufacturing the composite coated metal sheet with the treatment agent is described. The composite coated metal sheet comprises a coated film formed on a surface of a plated metal sheet or metal sheet, the coated film contains an oxide and/or a hydroxide of metal other than chromium, and an organic component comprising modified and/or unmodified functional group(s).
US08475928B2
The present invention relates to a mix to manufacture a rock sheet on a solid base useful for decorating purposes. The mix includes a binding composition of an agglutinating agent comprising volcanic rock particles having a particle size of 1 to 5 microns and a polymer mixture in a combined amount sufficient to act as a binder for other components of the laminate; a silicate compound in an amount sufficient to stabilize the composition; and water in an amount to moisten and fluidize the composition. The mix can contain other components for forming laminates or shapes, and can be formed as or on a plate useful for building and decorating buildings made-up by a rock sheet manufactured with the aforementioned mix and a solid base. The methods for preparing the aforementioned mix and plates useful for the construction and decoration of construction surfaces are also disclosed.
US08475924B2
The present invention is directed to non-lithographic patterning by laser (or similar-type energy beam) ablation, where the ablation system ultimately results in circuitry features that are relative free from debris induced over-plating defects (debris relating to the ablation process) and fully additive plating induced over-plating defects. Compositions of the invention include a circuit board precursor having an insulating substrate and a cover layer. The insulating substrate is made from a dielectric material and also a metal oxide activatable filler. The cover layer can be sacrificial or non-sacrificial and is used to remediate unwanted debris arising from the ablation process.
US08475915B2
The invention relates to a methacrylic composition comprising (100-x-y) parts of at least one methacrylic polymer comprising a MMA homo- or copolymer containing dispersed therein: x parts of particles of a thermoplastic polymer A containing MMA as a majority monomer which is crosslinked or has a weight-average mass Mw>300,000 g/mol, (in relation to a PMMA standard), with a weight-average diameter (ASTM D1921)>100 μm, and <500 μm; and y parts of particles of a crosslinked thermoplastic polymer comprising MMA as a majority monomer, with a weight-average diameter (ASTM D1921) ranging from 15 to 70 μm; such that x varies between 2 to 20 and y varies between 10 to 25. Preferably, x+y<33. The invention also relates to a multilayer structure consisting of: a layer (I) comprising the inventive methacrylic composition; a layer (II) comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, and an optional intermediate layer between layers (I) and (II).
US08475909B2
Shaped waterproofing membranes having three-dimensional contours are useful for the “reverse tanking” waterproofing of detail areas such as those presented by “tiebacks,” pipes, pile caps, and other irregularities that occur on concrete formworks and other civil construction or building surfaces. A preferred method for making such membranes is to thermoform a membrane laminate, having a carrier support sheet, waterproofing adhesive, and optionally a protective coating layer, as a single unit.
US08475908B2
An embossing roll for producing fibrous products, has a structurized embossing surface suitable to run against an anvil roll. The structurized embossing surface includes male protrusions or female depressions starting from a base circumferential surface of the roll. The embossing pattern is characterized by the following features: the base areas of selected male protrusions or female depressions in the base circumferential surface are different; the heights or depths of selected male protrusions or selected female depressions in a radial direction of the roll and starting from the base circumferential surface are different; and the angles between sidewall sections and the adjacent base circumferential surface of selected male protrusions and/or female depressions are different.
US08475905B2
The present invention is directed to an unstitched design having the appearance of being stitched or embroidered. A stitched design is digitally imaged, and the digital image used to control dye sublimation printing of a representation of the image onto a desired surface. In one configuration, the surface is a woven textile.
US08475904B2
A hollow article is provided having a first wall, a second wall and a plurality of edge walls interconnecting the first wall and second wall. A covering is bonded to the hollow article, wherein the covering is bonded to the first wall, and is dimensioned to partially wrap around the hollow article.
US08475903B2
According to one embodiment, an information recording/reproducing device includes a recording layer, and a recording circuit configured to record information by generating a phase change in the recording layer while applying a voltage to the recording layer. The recording layer comprises a compound including at least one type of cationic element, and at least one type of anionic element, at least the one type of cationic element is a transition element including a d orbital incompletely filled with electrons, and the average shortest distance between adjacent cationic elements is 0.32 nm or less, and the recording layer is provided with a material selected from (i) AxMyX4 (0≦x≦2.2, 1.8≦y≦3), (ii) AxMyX3 (0≦x≦1.1, 0.9≦y≦3), and (iii) AxMyX4 (0≦x≦1.1, 0.9≦y≦3).
US08475901B2
A method and resulting multi-layered media product including a printed layer and a liner layer having inner surfaces adhered together with a clear poly material sandwiched therebetween. The multi-layered media product includes a first section separable from a remainder of the product and containing printed indicia thereon, a second section separable from a remainder of the product and having a removable printed label thereon, and a third section convertible to an envelope. The third section contains printed indicia on one side thereof and a window of the clear poly material on another side thereof. In operation, the sections of the multi-layered media product are separated and a labeled container can be placed in the envelope and the envelope sealed to prevent tampering.
US08475896B2
A film comprising a core layer (5), first and second outer layers (3, 4), first and second intermediate layers (1, 2). The core layer (5) contains at least 50% by weight of a ULDPE. At least one of the outer layers (3, 4) contains at least 50% by weight of a LLDPE. The first and/or second intermediate layer (1, 2) is made of a first composition based on EVA and on a copolymer of ethylene and of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the linear alkenes of order C greater than ethylene, dienes and cyclic alkenes.
US08475890B2
The present invention provides transparent chips with natural metal-like texture by coating silica-containing transparent chips with colored material, such as a metal powder, in a transparent resin as a base resin. The present invention also provides artificial stone with natural metal-like texture and patterns by mixing the colored material coated transparent chips and inorganic filler with a matrix resin. The artificial stone of the present invention can be prepared by mixing about 4 to about 24 parts by weight of inorganic filler and about 0.1 to about 5.0 parts by weight of the colored material coated transparent chips, per about 1 part by weight of the matrix resin. The colored material coated transparent chips can have a specific gravity of about 2.0 to about 2.65, while the matrix resin can have a specific gravity of about 2.2 to about 2.8, and the specific gravity of the transparent chips can be equal to or lower than the specific gravity of the matrix resin in promote uniform distribution of the transparent chips in the matrix resin.
US08475882B2
A titanium aluminide application process and article with a titanium aluminide surface are disclosed. The process includes cold spraying titanium aluminide onto an article within a treatment region to form a titanium aluminide surface. The titanium aluminide surface includes a refined gamma/alpha2 structure and/or the titanium aluminide is cold sprayed from a solid feedstock of a pre-alloyed powder.
US08475880B2
A process and apparatus for treatment of wood, typically moist wood, using a heated bioester derived from vegetable oil or animal fat. The bioester exhibits a decreased viscosity versus other methods of heated oil treatment thereby providing for deep penetration of the heated bioester into the wood.
US08475868B2
Articles having porous or foam-like elements are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the articles exploit properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and their reaction products. In particular, fluids generated by reacting RCM are utilized to create or fill voids in the porous or foam-like elements.
US08475861B2
In the process, at least one piece of meat is destructured by fragmenting it, and the meat fragments are transformed into a restructured meat article. The fragments are transformed into a restructured meat article by: forming a block of meat fragments by cohesive compaction of the meat fragments; removing at least a portion of the block, termed a preform; and compressing the preform between complementary surfaces for molding the preform. The meat fragment compacting device comprises two conveyor belts for cohesive compaction of the meat fragments, the belts converging from upstream to downstream relative to a direction of movement of the meat fragments. The device for compressing a preform for a meat article comprises pistons having surfaces for molding the preform, which surfaces vary from one piston to another.
US08475856B2
A multi-beverage container and mixing system to increase the convenience of mixing and transporting a variety of powder-based beverages in a single unit. The multi-beverage container employs a lid equipped with compartments designed to house multiple powder drink mixes and a container housing designed to accommodate water for mixing. At user activation, powder drink mix is released from a compartment and is mixed with the water to create the desired beverage for instant consumption by the user.
US08475852B2
Disclosed herein is a topical therapeutic composition and method for the palliative treatment of irritated or inflamed perianal tissue. The therapeutic composition comprises olive oil and tea tree oil. The palliative treatment of the invention involves application of the composition to irritated or inflamed perianal tissue. The composition and method of the invention can be employed in the palliative treatment of such human maladies as hemorrhoids, fissures and pruritis ani.
US08475851B2
The present invention relates primarily to the use of locust tree (Gleditsia) wood or heartwood extracts as anti-cellulite active substances. The present invention further relates to certain locust-tree wood extracts and mixtures containing locust-tree wood extracts and corresponding cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical preparations, which are suitable in particular for the prevention and treatment of cellulite in humans.
US08475845B2
A method of co-formulating two or more pharmaceutically active compounds into a particulate product including contacting a dense, supercritical or near-critical fluid With a suspension of a first active compound in a medium that is miscible with the dense fluid and a solution of a second active compound in a solvent that is miscible with the dense fluid. The product may be the first active agent coated with the second active agent. The method may use coaxial nozzles for the fluid, media or solvents. The method may be applied to production of dry powders for inhalation including beta-agonists and corticosteroids. Apparatus for use in the method comprising means for streams of solvents, media and dense fluids to enter a precipitation chamber at substantially the same point and means for collection of particles under gravity in one or more collection chambers.
US08475831B2
Ophthalmic conditions such as presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism can be corrected by the use of a molding contact lens in combination with a pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye. The molding contact lenses are preferably commercially available and are not specifically designed for orthokeratology. The agents in the pharmaceutical compositions such as hyaluronase allow the cornea of the eye to be molded in order to correct the refractive error of the eye. The contact lenses and the pharmaceutical composition induce a change in the radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error of the eye. One advantage of the inventive technique is that the patient with his or her own individual visual needs guides the treatment until the patient near and far visual needs are met. The present invention also provides for kits, which contain molding contact lenses, pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye, and instructions, useful in the inventive system.
US08475828B2
A medical device that includes at least one antibiotic in a macromolecular substance that swells upon contact with a solvent. Also, a method for preparing an antibiotic-containing medical device that involves contacting a medical device having at least a portion of the surface formed from a swellable macromolecular substance, with a solvent that swells the macromolecular substance, contacting the swollen macromolecular substance with at least one antibiotic, and removing the solvent from the swollen macromolecular substance.
US08475812B2
The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a cross-linked gelatin sponge having a surface by providing a cross-linked gelatin sponge, wetting the surface of the sponge by applying a sufficient amount of liquid comprising a protein or peptide active ingredient, wherein a sufficient amount of liquid is one that retains the flexibility of the sponge even after drying. The sponge is then dried the sponge to obtain a flexible, dry and ready to use cross linked gelatin sponge having a layer of protein or peptide active ingredient on the surface thereof.
US08475810B2
The present invention is drawn to a live, attenuated S. Paratyphi A strain, a live, attenuated S. Paratyphi A strain comprising a stabilized plasmid expression system, and methods of using these strains.
US08475807B2
Described in this application are attenuated strains of avian influenza virus containing temperature sensitive mutations in addition to a genetic tag in the PB1 gene. The attenuated viruses are useful as avian and mammalian vaccine for protective immunity against homologous and heterologous lethal challenges with influenza virus. A genetically modified avian influenza virus backbone is described which can be used as a master donor strain for the generation of live attenuated vaccines for epidemic and pandemic influenza.
US08475800B2
Derivatives of the peptide corresponding to the sequence RIHMVYSKRSGKPRGYAFIEY (SEQ ID NO: 1), pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use thereof are provided.
US08475799B2
The invention relates to isolated monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to the C-terminal heptad repeat region of gp41 (HR2) and neutralize an HIV-1 primary isolate.
US08475790B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed which are useful of the treatment and prevention of proliferative disorders.
US08475788B2
The invention is directed to methods of promoting the healing of spinal cord injury. The invention is further directed to methods of minimizing the extent of scarring following spinal cord injury. Such methods utilize novel compositions, including but not limited to extraembryonic cytokine secreting cells (herein referred to as ECS cells), including, but not limited to, amnion-derived multipotent progenitor cells (herein referred to as AMP cells) and conditioned media derived therefrom (herein referred to as amnion-derived cellular cytokine solution or ACCS), each alone or in combination with each other and/or other agents.
US08475784B2
IL-21 variants are provided wherein amino acids have been deleted in the region consisting of amino acid residues no. 65 to 98.
US08475781B2
The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein.
US08475770B2
The present subject matter provides foamable suspension gels that foam after release from a container. The foamable suspension gels contain at least one pharmaceutically active agent that is sparingly soluble to insoluble in water, a second pharmaceutically active agent, and optionally a third active agent.
US08475767B2
The present invention provides methods of killing, inhibiting the growth, and/or inhibiting the reproduction of kinetoplastid protozoan with hydrophobic signal sequence peptides and compositions including such hydrophobic signal sequence peptides.
US08475756B1
A method for the production of UCl3 salt without the use of hazardous chemicals or multiple apparatuses for synthesis and purification is provided. Uranium metal is combined in a reaction vessel with a metal chloride and a eutectic salt- and heated to a first temperature under vacuum conditions to promote reaction of the uranium metal with the metal chloride for the production of a UCl3 salt. After the reaction has run substantially to completion, the furnace is heated to a second temperature under vacuum conditions. The second temperature is sufficiently high to selectively vaporize the chloride salts and distill them into a condenser region.
US08475755B2
An oxidation catalyst deposited on a substrate is described for the destruction of CO and volatile organic compounds, in particular halogenated organic compounds, from an emissions stream at temperatures from 250° C. to 450° C. The oxidation catalyst includes at least two platinum group metals, one of which is either platinum or ruthenium, supported on refractory oxides, such as a solid solution of CeO2 and ZrO2, and tin oxide and/or silica.
US08475752B2
The lean NOx trap catalyst composition of the present invention comprises distinct layers, or zone configuration or multi-brick arrangement. The top layer, front zone or front brick is free of any alkali or alkaline earth NOx trapping components. The under layer, rear zone or rear brick may contain any desirable NOx trapping component in contact with a precious metals group catalyst (e.g., Pt). Catalysts of this invention show wide temperature operation window with superior low temperature performance.
US08475751B2
A device, method of making, and method of using, illustratively wherein a container includes an inlet and an outlet; a catalytic converter intermediate in a path between the inlet and the outlet; at least one surface arranged to ensure at least a majority of gas received from the inlet traverses a first portion of the path from the inlet to the catalytic converter and communicates heat from the catalytic converter to the container; and an optical means arranged to transport visible light, emitted from the catalytic converter during reduction of the smog-generating chemical in the gas, to a location outside the container to indicate whether the catalytic converter is functioning properly.
US08475748B2
Reagent compositions, methods for their manufacture and methods of their use are described. In particular, provided are reagent compositions comprising an aldoxime and ketoxime with an alkyl substituent. Also provided are methods of metal recovery using these reagent compositions.
US08475746B2
Disclosed herein is a uranium ion exchange adsorption method using ultrasound. The method includes placing a slurry obtained by mixing uranium ions, sulfuric acid and an ion exchange resin into a reaction bath, and stirring the slurry in the reaction bath while simultaneously applying ultrasound to the reaction bath to allow the uranium ions to be adsorbed to the ion exchange resin through ion exchange adsorption. The method has an improved ion exchange adsorption rate of the uranium ions.
US08475742B2
The present invention relates to a serum or plasma separating material including a moisture curing component having a specific gravity of from 1.03 to 1.09, and a blood collection tube including the serum or plasma separating material. The present invention provides a serum or plasma separating material which is allowed to be present in a cured state between serum or plasma and a blood cell-containing component obtained after centrifugal separation when separating the serum or plasma component in a collection tube, exhibits a good storage stability capable of keeping the serum or the like and the cell-containing component in a separated state in the collection tube for a long period of time, is excellent in stability upon freezing or thawing and upon handling of a sample, and can be cured without need of irradiation with ultraviolet ray or the like, as well as a method of separating serum or plasma using the separating material.
US08475740B2
A liquid dispensing apparatus is provided which makes it possible to correctly and easily detect a dispensing operation judgment failure with high accuracy without particularly using a complicated detection mechanism or means. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes a nozzle which sucks a solution in a cassette and dispenses the sucked solution into another cassette; and a cassette holder which holds the another cassette, and the nozzle is used as a first electrode and the cassette holder as a second electrode. Further, the liquid dispensing apparatus has measurement means for measuring a capacitance between the first and second electrodes during a solution dispensing operation.
US08475738B2
Provided is a microfluidic injection device and a method for injecting microfluidic. The microfluidic injection device includes a fluid injection chamber, a gas generation chamber applying pressure to the fluid injection chamber, and a channel connecting the fluid injection chamber to the gas generation chamber.
US08475725B1
A method and energy-efficient apparatus for the treatment of liquids through the joint use of a gas mixture-oxidizing agent and UV radiation. This method uses an excimer UV lamp performing two actions affecting the liquid and changing its properties with UV radiation and the generation of a gas mixture containing strong oxidizing agents for influence on the liquid, disinfection and purification of the liquid being treated from contaminants. The apparatus incorporates energy efficient design features to reduce energy consumption and operational costs, as well as an excimer lamp design that improves performance parameters to surpass and outlast existing devices. Unique electrode designs, cleaning systems, and materials combine to create a state-of-the-art liquid treatment apparatus that exceeds existing industrial analogs and norms.
US08475718B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling fecal odors in an enclosed space, such as a pit latrine, include providing an oxidizer, such as a catalytic heater and an optional mechanical ventilation unit, such as an inline fan, both flow connected to a vault (pit) of the latrine. The heater is also connected to a source of fuel, for example, propane. Fresh air is drawn through vents in the latrine housing and thereafter through toilets in the latrine and through the vault, providing oxygen for the reaction. The fan and/or oxidation process draws both fresh air and accompanying odorous compounds directly from the latrine and into the oxidizer wherein the odorous components are substantially destroyed.
US08475715B2
A system having reduced gas interference that includes a fluid chamber and a resonant sensor device in fluid communication with a fluid in the fluid chamber. The system includes a fluid control device adapted to change at least one of the fluid flow or pressure within the fluid chamber to achieve substantial wetting of surfaces in proximity to the resonant sensor device. Fluid surfaces of the system can include a material to increase the wettability (e.g., hydrophilicity) of the fluid surfaces.
US08475700B2
Prepare an oriented polymer composition that is cavitated, has cross sectional dimensions all at least three millimeters and at least one de-oriented surface layer having a thickness of at least 80 microns and at least 50 microns less than half the thickness of the oriented polymer composition, the de-oriented surface layer having a lower degree of polymer orientation than a 100 micron thick portion of the oriented polymer composition adjacent to and below the de-oriented surface layer by sufficiently heat treating a surface of a cavitated oriented polymer composition.
US08475690B2
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a diffusing agent composition used in printing an impurity-diffusing component onto a semiconductor substrate, wherein the diffusing agent composition contains: a hydrolysis product of alkoxysilane (A); a component (B) containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrolysis product of alkoxy titanium, a hydrolysis product of alkoxy zirconium, titania fine particle, and zirconia fine particle; an impurity-diffusing component (C); and an organic solvent (D).
US08475689B2
A topical composition containing galvanic particulates consisting of a first conductive material that is zinc and a second conductive material that is copper is provided.
US08475688B2
Lithium-air cells using poly(ethyleneoxide) (PEO) siloxane-based or poly(ethyleneoxide) phosphate-based electrolytes may be prepared and exhibit improved charge carrying capacity. Such PEO silioxanes and phosphates generally have the formulas Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, IIa, IIb, IIc, where:
US08475686B2
The present invention relates to bridged pyridoquinazoline and phenanthroline compounds, and organic semiconducting materials containing these compounds.The invention also relates to devices containing these compounds, including electronic, optoelectronic, or electroluminescent elements, such as organic light-emitting diodes, field effect transistors, photo detectors, and organic solar cells.
US08475684B2
A composite oxide for a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst which maintains the catalytic activity at a high level over a long period of time, a process for producing the catalyst, and a process for producing syngas using the catalyst, are provided. The composite oxide for a hydrocarbon reforming catalyst is obtained by a process including preparing a mixed solution for impregnation which contains catalytic active components of Co, or Co and Ni, one or more oxidation resistance enhancing components selected from the elements of Group 3B and the elements of Group 6A of the Periodic Table, and one or more additive metal components selected from Ca and Mg; impregnating a carrier formed from a porous molded body selected from magnesia and a composite of magnesia and calcia, with the mixed solution for impregnation; drying the impregnated carrier; and calcining the dried carrier in an oxidizing atmosphere.
US08475675B2
The present invention relates to water-in-oil polymer dispersions comprising of a continuous organic phase and therein finely dispersed and cross-linked, water-swellable polymerizates, where these have a residual monomer content of less than 1,000 ppm. The present invention relates further to a process for the production of polymer dispersions according to the invention. In addition, the present invention relates to devices for fire prevention and firefighting and to the use of the polymer dispersions according to the invention.
US08475673B2
An apparatus for etching high aspect ratio features is provided. A plasma processing chamber is provided, comprising a chamber wall forming a plasma processing chamber enclosure, a lower electrode, an upper electrode, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. A high frequency radio frequency (RF) power source is electrically connected to at least one of the upper electrode or lower electrode. A bias power system is electrically connected to both the upper electrode and the lower electrode, wherein the bias power system is able to provide a bias to the upper and lower electrodes with a magnitude of at least 500 volts, and wherein the bias to the lower electrode is pulsed to intermittently. A gas source is in fluid connection with the gas inlet. A controller is controllably connected to the gas source, the high frequency RF power source, and the bias power system.
US08475671B2
The invention relates to a method for the local etching of the surface of a substrate, characterized in that it comprises: a) making a gas-pervious polymer pad that comprises three-dimensional patterns on one surface thereof; b) contacting the surface including the pad patterns with the substrate; c) submitting the pad/substrate assembly to a plasma so that the species present in the plasma are accelerated and diffused through the pad until they reach the substrate.
US08475669B2
A system, method, and apparatus for forming a high quality master pattern for patterned media, including features to support servo patterns, is disclosed. Block copolymer self-assembly is used to facilitate the formation of a track pattern with narrower tracks. E-beam lithography forms a chemical contrast pattern of concentric rings, where the spacing of the rings is equal to an integral multiple of the target track pitch. The rings include regions within each servo sector header where the rings are offset radially by a fraction of a track pitch. Self-assembly is performed to form a new ring pattern at the target track pitch on top of the chemical contrast pattern, including the radial offsets in the servo sector headers. When this pattern is transferred to disks via nanoimprinting and etching, it creates tracks separated by nonmagnetic grooves, with the grooves and tracks including the radial offset regions.
US08475666B2
A toughening agent composition for increasing the hydrophobicity of an organosilicate glass dielectric film when applied to said film. It includes a component capable of alkylating or arylating silanol moieties of the organosilicate glass dielectric film via silylation, and an activating agent selected from the group consisting of an amine, an onium compound and an alkali metal hydroxide.
US08475665B2
Technologies are generally described for a nanoparticle filter and system effective to move a nanoparticle from a fluid to a location. In some examples, the method includes providing the fluid including the nanoparticles. In some examples, the method further includes applying a first light to the fluid to create a first plasmon. In some examples, the first plasmon is effective to aggregate the nanoparticles to generate a nanoparticle aggregation. In some examples, the method includes applying a second light to the fluid to create a second plasmon. In some examples, the second plasmon is effective to move the nanoparticle aggregation to a location.
US08475664B2
The overflow and underflow effluents of a conventional hydrocyclone are discharged into enclosed vessels, so that the operating pressure may be manipulated for each effluent independently of other operating parameters. Each of the effluent vessels is equipped with a source of pressurized gas to form a gas blanket over the effluent at a controllable pressure. Such variable pressures in each vessel, in combination with the pressure of the incoming feed stream, provide the necessary parameters to implement pressure-differential-ratio control, thereby improving the efficiency of separation.
US08475660B2
A method for separating polar lipids from plant material, in particular, intact algal cells, using an amphipathic solvent set and a hydrophobic solvent set. Some embodiments include dewatering intact algal cells and then extracting polar lipids from the algal cells. The methods provide for single and multistep extraction processes which allow for efficient separation of algal polar lipids from a wet algal biomass while avoiding emulsification of extraction mixtures. These polar lipids are high value products which can be used as surfactants, detergents, and food additives. Neutral lipids remaining in the algal biomass after extraction of polar lipids can be used to generate renewable fuels.
US08475655B2
The curb inlet filter includes a filter bag having an opening at an upper end leading into an interior of the filter bag and a support bar coupled to one side of the upper end of the filter bag. The support bar is configured to rest outside of the basin against curb face sides bounding the opening in the street level curb face. A support frame is coupled to a second side of the upper end of the filter bag and is configured to engage with the support bar to suspend the support frame substantially at grade within an interior of the basis and define a rigid opening into the filter bag. The remainder of the filter bag hangs below grade within the curb side drain basin.
US08475652B2
A method for purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels in liquid state from metal ions by removing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of natural occurring contaminating porphyrins, metalloporphyrins, chlorins and naturally occurring degradations products of these compounds, such as petroporphyrins, containing said metal ions from the fuels. At least one hemeprotein in apo-form selected from the group consisting of globins, peroxidases, pyrrolases and cytochromes having high affinity for porphyrins is added to the fuels. The hemeprotein is mixed with the fuels in such a way that the porphyrins is bounded to the hemeprotein. The hemeprotein with bound contaminating porphyrins is removed so as to obtain purified fuels. The invention relates also to the use of at least one hemeprotein selected from the group consisting of globins, peroxidases, pyrrolases and cytochromes having high affinity for porphyrins for the purification of uncatalyzed natural fuels in liquid state from metal ions.
US08475649B2
Methods and apparatus relate to processing of petroleum with a bed having a sorbent based diluent that the petroleum contacts upon passing through the bed. Magnetic properties of the sorbent and any other material, such as zeolite, used in the bed enable separation of such bed constituents based on a sulfided form of the sorbent being magnetic in contrast to a non-sulfided form of the sorbent being non-magnetic. Dividing the bed constituents into first and second portions by magnetic separation facilitates in selective replacing and/or regenerating the first portion independent of the second portion.
US08475647B2
A diesel fuel based on a blend of a diesel fuel derived from a Fischer-Tropsch process, and a mineral oil based diesel fuel having a sulfur content of less than 100 ppmw; and a method of operating a diesel engine, which method involves combusting such diesel fuel in the diesel engine.
US08475644B2
An apparatus for electroplating a layer of metal onto the surface of a wafer includes an ionically resistive ionically permeable element located in close proximity of the wafer and an auxiliary cathode located between the anode and the ionically resistive ionically permeable element. The ionically resistive ionically permeable element serves to modulate ionic current at the wafer surface. The auxiliary cathode is configured to shape the current distribution from the anode. The provided configuration effectively redistributes ionic current in the plating system allowing plating of uniform metal layers and mitigating the terminal effect.
US08475642B2
Methods and systems for monitoring electrolyte bath fluids are provided. The electrolyte bath fluids can be electroplating, electroless plating or etching solutions. The monitoring systems employ microfluidic devices, which have built in microfluidic channels and microfabricated thin-film electrodes. The devices are configured with fluid pumps to control the movement and mixing of test fluids through the microfluidic channels. The microfabricated thin-film electrodes are configured so that the plating or etching bath fluid composition can be characterized by electrochemical measurements. The monitoring methods and system provide faster measurement times, generate minimal waste, and occupy dramatically reduced physical space compared to conventional bath-monitor systems. The monitoring systems and method also provide low-cost system and methods for measuring or monitoring electroless plating bath rates.
US08475630B2
Compositions and methods of producing an optically-enhanced paper-based material are disclosed. The composition can include an optical brightening agent and an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion is associated with an optical brightening agent. The paper-based material can exhibit a higher capacity for the optical brightening agent relative to a paper-based material that lacks the additive. Techniques for increasing optical brightening agent retention in a paper-based material are also disclosed. The techniques include using an additive having an aromatic portion, where the aromatic portion associates with an optical brightening agent so that the retention of the optical brightening agent is improved.
US08475629B2
Additives for paper making are disclosed herein. Specifically, the additives are wax-free alternatives to conventional coatings, including ASA, AKD and optionally an acrylic containing composition. Other additives may be included in the coating, such as cationic particles or compositions. The coatings may be used at a variety of points during the paper making process, including on the calender stack and in the wet end.
US08475590B2
An apparatus and method for producing a crystalline ribbon continuously from a melt pool of liquid feed material, e.g. silicon. The silicon is melted and flowed into a growth tray to provide a melt pool of liquid silicon. Heat is passively extracted by allowing heat to flow from the melt pool up through a chimney. Heat is simultaneously applied to the growth tray to keep the silicon in its liquid phase while heat loss is occurring through the chimney. A template is placed in contact with the melt pool as heat is lost through the chimney so that the silicon starts to “freeze” (i.e. solidify) and adheres to the template. The template is then pulled from the melt pool thereby producing a continuous ribbon of crystalline silicon.
US08475583B2
A dry product that permanently removes oil and oil stains from liquid or dry surfaces and is environmentally safe. The dry product is formed by mixing efficacious proportions of untreated amorphous silica with a dry, inert organic, inorganic or synthetic carrier, or combinations of said carriers. Suitable inert carriers include, but are not limited to, (a) inert inorganic carriers including, but not limited to, clays, perlite, vermiculite, crushed glass, volcanic ash and sand; (b) inert organic carriers, including, but not limited to, peat moss, straw, hay, sawdust, ground corncobs, flours, and coconut coir, and (c) inert synthetic carriers, including, but not limited to, polyurethane, polyethylene and polypropylene. The dry product can be applied directly to oil stains either on a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt, or to oil spills on water.
US08475582B2
The present invention relates to a process for making a titanium dioxide pigment consisting of titanium dioxide and single layer of inorganic surface treatment consisting of aluminum phosphate wherein the pigment is characterized by and isoelectric point which is greater than pH 6 and a negative zeta potential of at a pH of 7.5 or more.
US08475575B2
An object is to provide a vent plug making liquid unlikely to accumulate therein, while preventing an air-permeable membrane from breaking by means of at least one convex part. The vent plug of the present invention includes a cylindrical member 1 having a through-hole 1a, and an air-permeable membrane 2 attached around the cylindrical member 1, wherein the air-permeable membrane 2 has a circumferential attachment region which is in contact with the cylindrical member 1, and an air-permeable region facing the through-hole 1a, the cylindrical member 1 is provided with at least one convex part 1b which projects beyond the plane including the air-permeable region, and the circumferential attachment region of the air-permeable membrane 2 has a shape following a part or the entire of the convex part 1b.
US08475571B2
In one embodiment, a gas purification system is provided. The system includes a first solvent section having a first carbon dioxide (CO2) absorber, a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) absorber, and a first solvent path that routes a first solvent through the first CO2 absorber and the H2S absorber. The gas purification system also includes a second solvent section having a second carbon dioxide (CO2) absorber and a second solvent path that flows a second solvent through the second CO2 absorber. The gas purification system has a gas path though the first and second solvent sections, wherein the first and second solvent paths are separate from one another, and the first and second solvents are different from one another.
US08475560B2
A method of producing silver nanofilaments that is relatively fast and may be carried out at normal room temperatures (e.g., from about 10° C. to about 25° C.). The method of producing silver nanofilaments includes the steps of adding a solid silver salt to liquid ether to form a mixture, adding a liquid fatty acid to the mixture, adding a reducing agent to the mixture, allowing the ingredients to react, and recovering silver nanofilaments.
US08475555B2
A cyclonic fluid separator has a tubular housing (10) in which the fluid is accelerated and swirl imparting means (2) for inducing the fluid to swirl through an annular space between the housing and a central body (1) mounted within the housing (10), wherein a low pressure fluid (80) is injected through a central opening (82) in the central body (1).
US08475551B2
A method and apparatus is described for reformulating of an input gas from a gasification reaction into a reformulated gas. More specifically, a gas reformulating system having a gas reformulating chamber, one or more plasma torches, one or more oxygen source(s) inputs and control system is provided thereby allowing for the conversion of an input gas from a gasification reaction into a gas of desired composition.
US08475547B2
In a reactor for gasification of entrained solid and liquid fuels at temperatures between 1,200 and 1,900° C. and at pressures between ambient pressure and 10 MPa using an oxidizing agent containing free oxygen, the cooling screen is connected to the pressure shell in a gastight manner via a sliding seal in order to allow length changes. Continuous gas purging of the annular gap between pressure shell and cooling screen is unnecessary and gasification gas is prevented from flowing behind.
US08475543B2
A process for production of biofuels from algae can include cultivating an oil-producing algae by promoting sequential photoautotrophic and heterotrophic growth. The method can further include producing oil by heterotrophic growth of algae wherein the heterotrophic algae growth is achieved by introducing a sugar feed to the oil-producing algae. An algal oil can be extracted from the oil-producing algae, and can be converted to form biodiesel.
US08475541B2
A diesel fuel additive composition, a fuel containing the fuel additive, a method for improving diesel engine performance using the additive and a method for making the additive for diesel engines having a high pressure fuel injection system. The fuel additive has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 500 to about 10,000 and is selected from a hydrocarbyl-substituted succinic acid or anhydride or derivative thereof and a hydrocarbyl-substituted Mannich base. The additive has a molecular weight distribution such that less than about 25 wt. % of the additive has a molecular weight of 400 or less as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) based on a polystyrene calibration curve.
US08475535B2
A prosthetic device for forming at least a portion of a joint may have a plurality of segmented components fixed relative to a femur of a body including: a patellofemoral component and a condyle component. Each segmented component may be configured such that a placement at which the segmented component will be fixed relative to the femur is not constrained by a connection to another of the segmented components that is fixed relative to the femur. In an installed configuration, the patellofemoral and condyle components may be fixed relative to the femur such that: a gap is provided between an edge of the patellofemoral component and an opposing edge of the condyle component, and a transition region is provided that extends from a first femoral coronal plane that intersects the patellofemoral component to a second femoral coronal plane that intersects the condyle component.
US08475524B2
During a minimally invasive deployment of a mitral valvuloplasty device into the coronary sinus near realtime tracking of the device is monitored to determine whether the device is compressing the left circumflex coronary artery or is likely to do so. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more position sensors are included in the catheter that is used to deploy the constricting implant and or in the implant itself. The position of the device is determined during deployment, and compared to the location of the left circumflex coronary artery, which may be determined by mapping relative to a pre-acquired image or by simultaneous intracardiac ultrasound imaging.
US08475519B2
A bodily implant, in particular a stent, for insertion or implantation into a living body, having a marker element for increasing X-ray visibility, which is at least partially insertable into a cut-out in an implant structure and which has a coated material comprising at least two layers. A corresponding method for manufacturing a marker element from a coated material, and a corresponding method for manufacturing a bodily implant, in particular a stent, having a marker element which is visible to X-rays, is disclosed.
US08475515B2
A device for trans-luminal delivery of a self-expanding stent or other surgical device and which is designed for rapid exchange over a guidewire has a guidewire lumen that adjacent its proximal exit port lies side-by-side with the line of the shaft of the device. A sleeve which surrounds and confines the stent has a proximal end that is shaped around the guidewire exit port to show in profile a shape reminiscent of the nose of a dolphin. In preferred embodiments, the sleeve also has a tapered distal tip that is withdrawn proximally over the length of the stent to release it, progressively, from its distal end. The configuration delivers simplicity of design, enhanced performance and reliability in use.
US08475513B2
An apparatus and associated surgical method for repairing abdominal aortic aneurysms is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second stent grafts made from a metal form structure in combination with a flexible fabric, and a flexible guidewire detachably attached to the first stent graft. The first stent graft has an upper tubular body which defines an inlet, and a lower bifurcation which includes a first tubular leg defining a first outlet, and a second tubular leg defining a second outlet. The method includes advancing the first stent graft through one iliac artery and deploying it in the aorta, advancing a guidewire engagement device distally through the other iliac artery and pulling the flexible guidewire into the other iliac artery, advancing a guide catheter over the flexible guidewire into the second tubular leg of the first stent graft, replacing the flexible guide wire with a stiffer guide wire through the guide catheter, and advancing a catheter delivery system provided with a second stent graft over the stiffer guide wire into the second tubular leg of the first stent graft.
US08475509B2
Apparatus, systems and methods for cooling or warming the temperature of all or a portion of the body of a human or animal subject to treat disorders including but not limited to sepsis, septic shock or other inflammatory or infectious conditions which can result in shock, hypoxia, ischemia and/or multiple organ failure in human or animal subjects.
US08475508B2
A therapeutic cooling system used to remove trapped heat from between a person and an object pressed against the person. Such objects would include: beds, chairs and protective clothing such as body armor. A thin bladder encapsulating a liquid placed between the person and heat trapping object absorbs heat produced by the person. Increased heat transferred to the liquid causes it to expand, become less dense and thus more buoyant than the cooler liquid in the bladder. Convection moves heated liquid upwards towards a thermoelectrically driven cooling unit. When the warmed liquid reaches the cooling unit thermoelectric devices pull heat from the liquid and push it in to a heat sink where is it can expelled from the system. The cooled liquid, now denser, flows back down the bladder by gravity.
US08475500B2
A spinal fixation system includes a rod and anchor devices that include a bone engaging fastener having a head defining a spherical socket. A ball insert is placed within the socket and rotated so that the ball insert is juxtaposed with the socket. The anchor device further includes a yoke defining a yoke channel for receiving the rod and a stem engaged to the ball insert captured within the socket. A sleeve disposed between the yoke channel and the fastener head supports the rod. A set screw is operable to clamp the rod against the sleeve and draw the insert into engagement within the socket. A releasable detent defined between the yoke and the fastener head is configured to releasably retain the yoke in at least one discrete position relative to the fastener. Portions of the releasable detent may also exert a frictional retention force against the fastener head.
US08475494B2
An aspect of the invention includes an oral stimulatory device. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device is configured for soothing gums, for instance, the gums of a teething infant. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the oral stimulatory device includes a tubular body. In certain embodiments, the tubular body is configured for being partially positioned in an oral cavity of a user, such as an infant, and is adapted for being deformed. Although the oral stimulatory device may be fabricated from any suitable material, in certain embodiments, the tubular body of the oral stimulatory device is fabricated from a material comprising silicone. For instance, in one embodiment, the tubular body comprises a material that is at least about 50%, that is at least about 60%, that is at least about 70%, that is at least about 80%, that is at least about 90%, such as 95%, or even 99% or 100% food grade silicone. In certain embodiments, the oral stimulatory device includes at least one stimulatory element, for example, a plurality of stimulatory elements, which elements may be adapted for soothing the gums of an infant when positioned in an oral cavity (e.g., mouth) of the infant.
US08475491B2
Interengaging surgical staples (11, 31, 51, 71) are provided that are useful in systems for the surgical correction of defects in cardiac valves and/or supporting weaknesses in abdominal regions. The staples are constructed with at least one ring (21, 41, 61, 81) extending laterally from the upper end of one staple leg (15, 35, 55, 75), which once implanted provides for interengagement with the next staple by passage of the other leg (13, 33, 53, 73) of it therethrough. Either shape-memory staple design or an implantation tool causes the two staple legs to curve respectively toward each other once having penetrated the tissue, thus gathering and constricting the tissue in a region below the surface thereof. Elastic sections (67, 83) may be provided in the crown connectors to allow flex in the plane thereof.
US08475489B2
A luminal occlusion device comprises a tension member, an elongate shaft, and a flat film having an axial receptacle which is received over a distal portion of the tension member. The flat film has proximal and distal ends which are attached to the distal ends of the tension member and the elongate shaft, respectively. Thus, distal advancement of the tension member relative to the shaft will cause the flat film to assume a low profile configuration, while proximal retraction of the tension member relative to the elongate shaft will cause the flat film to assume a foreshortened, compacted configuration. The film usually includes one or more radioopaque markers which help shape the compacted film.
US08475486B2
An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.
US08475481B2
A surgical cutting accessory that includes inner and outer tubes. A cutting feature is attached to the inner tube. The proximal end of the inner tube is connected to an inner hub. The inner hub has features for engaging a drive shaft integral with a handpiece to which the accessory is attached. The outer hub has features that facilitate the removable coupling of the hub to the handpiece. The outer hub is formed with a bore through which the inner tube extends. The outer hub also has an inlet port that extends from an outer surface of the hub to the main bore. Irrigation fluid can be flowed through this port into the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. A seal is located adjacent the inlet port.
US08475478B2
Apparatus and method for maximizing efficiency of tissue removal from body passageways is provided. A rotational atherectomy device comprises, inter alia, an elongated, flexible and rotatable drive shaft with an enlarged cutting surface disposed thereon, guide wire and catheter. The distal end of catheter may have a cutting surface cleaner, either attached thereto or integrated therein. The cleaner may be outwardly radially flexible and biased against the drive shaft. The cleaner may be opened to accommodate the enlarged cutting surface for cleaning particles trapped therein as a consequence of abrading as it is either advanced distally over the drive shaft and/or the drive shaft is retracted proximally toward the cleaner to accommodate the diameter of the enlarged cutting section. The cleaner comprises an inner surface having an abrasive surface for mechanically scraping and dislodging material trapped in the enlarged cutting head tissue removing surface.
US08475473B2
A surgical clip applier includes a handle assembly, a first clip assembly, and a second clip assembly. The first clip assembly is adapted to receive only a single clip while the second clip assembly is adapted to receive multiple clips. The handle assembly is sized and configured to receive the first clip assembly or the second clip assembly. A jaw assembly includes a pair of jaws each with an elongate support arm, and a bridge holding the jaws in an aligned relationship. A housing has a fixed relationship with the bridge while permitting movement of the jaws between an open and a closed state. A coupling attaches the housing to the handle assembly. An associated method of operation includes the step of removing one of the single clip jaw assembly and the multiple clip-jaw assembly, disposing of the one jaw assembly while mounting the other jaw assembly on the handle.
US08475469B2
A medical instrument has a rod-shaped body which has a distal end section which can be inserted through a vagina into an uterus. A bell-shaped element is mounted on the rod-shaped body. The bell-shaped element being slidingly displaceable along said rod-shaped body at least between an axial position on said rod-shaped body close to a proximal end thereof and up to said distal end section inserted in an uterus.
US08475461B2
Instruments are provided for delivering and installing a multi-section spinal implant in-situ one section at a time by sequential deployment and assembling of the multi-section spinal implant sections into an intervertebral space. An advancement mechanism provides controlled deployment of individual implant sections from the instrument. Each instrument accepts a plurality of implant sections that are stacked on a deployment rod. Activation of the advancement mechanism advances a pusher against a rearward implant section of the implant section stack. This, in turn, advances all or some of the implant sections such that the forward most implant section exits the instrument. As the advancement mechanism is further activated, additional implant sections are deployed from the instrument. In this manner, a multi-section spinal implant of any number of implant sections may be delivered and assembled in situ. In one form, the advancement mechanism comprises an indexing mechanism. In another form, the advancement mechanism comprises a ratchet device provided on and between a trigger and an advancement tube.
US08475460B1
A reamer for use in minimally invasive hip replacement surgical approaches is provided. The reamer spindle includes an elongate housing portion that extends along a first axis and a neck or distal portion that extends along a second axis, wherein the second axis extends at an angle of between about 35 degrees and about 65 degrees relative to the first axis. A reamer head is removably connectable to the distal neck portion and has a surface configured to cut bone.
US08475458B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices are used in procedures to removal spinal tissue and in other embodiments, similar devices are used to remove thrombus from blood vessel.
US08475455B2
An electrosurgical scissors comprising an end effector comprising a first blade member and a second blade member, the first blade member and the second blade member pivotally connected; an electrical connector configured to couple the scissors to a power source; and a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one fluid outlet.
US08475450B2
Cardiac catheters, including a lasso catheter, are provided for use in a system for electrical mapping of the heart has an array of raised, perforated electrodes, which are in fluid communication with an irrigating lumen. There are position sensors on a distal loop section and on a proximal base section of the catheter. The electrodes are sensing electrodes that may be adapted for pacing or ablation. The raised electrodes securely contact cardiac tissue, forming electrical connections having little resistance.
US08475447B2
An electrosurgical system is disclosed comprising a generator configured to electrosurgical coagulation waveforms. The generator includes a closed loop control system for controlling the electrosurgical coagulation waveforms. The closed loop control system includes a sensor configured to sense a tissue property and/or an energy property and to transmit the tissue property and/or the energy property as one or more sensor signals having an amplitude. The control system also includes a gain controller configured to process the at least one sensor signal to reduce the amplitude of the sensor signals and to obtain a signal to noise ratio of the at sensor signals within a predetermine range. A microprocessor coupled to the generator and is configured to adjust the electrosurgical coagulation waveforms as a function of the sensor signals.
US08475442B2
An ultrasonic assembly suited for attachment to a catheter, e.g. for medical treatment. The ultrasonic assembly includes an adjustable ultrasonic focus mechanism arranged in connection with the ultrasonic transducer to adjust focus of ultrasonic waves generated by the transducer. The ultrasonic focus mechanism includes a fluid focus lens with at least two fluids separated by an interface such that ultrasonic waves are substantially reflected at the interface. At least two electrodes are arranged in connection with the fluid focus lens so as to allow adjustment of the interface shape, e.g. a curvature of the interface, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes. In preferred embodiments the electrodes are arranged so as to allow adjustment of the fluid focus lens in an elevation direction as well as in a radial direction. In simple embodiments with rotational symmetric geometry with the transducer positioned in the center of the fluid focus lens, ultrasonic waves can be focused in an annular ring. This is e.g. suitable for ablative or coagulative necrotic treatment of human tissue, e.g. for atrial fibrillation treatment. In some embodiments, the assembly has a number of separate individually adjustable fluid focus lens compartments allowing a more detailed control of the ultrasonic focus pattern.
US08475436B1
A steerable surgical instrument provides a steerable tip guided through tissue in a pathway other than linear, the steerable surgical instrument having a fixed handle and a trigger which, when pushed downward, elevates the tip in an upward direction and when pulled towards the fixed handle, lowers the top in a downward allowing the steerable surgical instrument to be guided through tissue in a bi-directional curved pathway, resulting in a reduction of damage to collateral tissue during the surgical procedure.
US08475434B2
A catheter and catheter assembly are disclosed comprising a urinary catheter comprising an insertion end, a rearward end, and a one way check valve arrangement. The check valve arrangement comprises a tubular part of a flexible material, connected to the rearward end of the catheter and extending past the rearward end in a direction opposite to the insertion end, thereby substantially limiting the flow through the catheter to a single direction from the insertion end to the rearward end. Hereby, a very effective anti-reflux function is achieved, and at the same time the construction is relatively simple and inexpensive, and does not require any essential modifications of the other parts of the urinary catheter.
US08475420B2
An arrangement for connecting fecal receiving bags together provides for a simple coupling arrangement, which provides fluid communication between the bags while preventing odor and fluid to leak from the coupling. Such a coupling arrangement between two receiving devices or bags is discreet and comfortable to wear as the coupling members follow the extent of the receiving devices. The coupling members are furthermore capable of extending parallel to the first and second plane of the receiving devices and thereby reduce the extent to which the coupling members bulge out. A method for connecting fecal receiving bags into a coupling arrangement employs the coupling members.
US08475417B2
Assemblies for identifying a power injectable vascular access port are described. One assembly includes a vascular access port, a first identifiable feature, a second identifiable feature, and a third identifiable feature. The first identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port. The second identifiable feature is incorporated into the access port and identifies the access port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least 35 psi. The third identifiable feature is separated from the access port and confirms that the implanted access port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 milliliter per second through the access port and for accommodating a pressure within the cavity of at least 35 psi.
US08475416B2
An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion. In an exemplary embodiment, the luer receiving septum is provided at a port of a stop cock.
US08475415B2
A stopper adapted for attachment with a plunger rod for use within a syringe barrel is disclosed. The stopper includes a main body defining an open rearward end and a closed front end. The open rearward end is adapted to receive a front forward end attachment portion of the plunger rod. The stopper also includes a core member integrally formed with said main body adjacent the closed front end. The core member includes a nose portion having a profile adapted to create a positive seal with an outlet opening of such syringe barrel.
US08475407B2
A support tool for a supply assembly delivers a functional fluid to an implantable medical device. The supply assembly defines a supply axis. The support tool includes a support member defining an opening. The opening has a support axis, and the opening is configured to receive the supply assembly. The support member includes a three dimensionally contoured nesting surface that conforms to a corresponding three dimensionally contoured surface of the supply assembly. The corresponding surface of the supply assembly nests against the nesting surface to support the supply assembly such that the supply axis remains substantially fixed relative to and aligned with the support axis.
US08475406B2
An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.
US08475401B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for treating and controlling obesity and/or type II diabetes. In one aspect of the invention, a bypass device includes gastric and duodenal anchors coupled to each other and positioned on either side of the pylorus and a hollow sleeve designed to extend from the pylorus through at least a proximal portion of a patient's small intestine. The gastric and duodenal anchors are movable between collapsed configurations for advancement through the esophagus and an expanded configuration for inhibiting movement of the anchors through the pyloric sphincter. Thus, the bypass device can be placed and removed endoscopically through the patient's esophagus in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and it is “self-anchoring” and does not require invasive tissue fixation within the patient's GI tract, thereby reducing collateral tissue damage and minimizing its impact on the digestive process.
US08475400B2
Embodiments of the invention are related to devices and methods for modulating renal function, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of modulating renal function in a patient including implanting an occlusive device in the patient, the occlusive device comprising a semi-permeable membrane and configured to expand or contract based on the passage of a fluid across the semi-permeable membrane. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08475387B2
This invention provides methods for non-invasively monitoring patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and for reporting and/or warning of changes in the patients' status. The methods gather physiological data and combine the data into parameters by which the severity of CHF can be judged. Preferred parameters include periodic breathing and heart rate variability. This invention also provides systems for carrying out these methods which permit patients to engage in their normal daily activities. Preferably, physiological data analysis is performed by a portable electronic unit carried by the patients.
US08475381B2
In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image creating unit, an image-creation control unit and a display control unit. The image creating unit creates an ultrasound image from data created by adding a reflected wave signal of an ultrasound wave transmitted to an imaging target portion of a subject by using a reception delay time calculated from a set sound velocity set as a sound velocity in the imaging target portion. The image-creation control unit switches a set sound velocity set at a present moment in a variable range, and controls the image creating unit so as to create a plurality of ultrasound images each using a reception delay time corresponding to each of the set sound velocities to be switched. The display control unit controls display such that the ultrasound images created are displayed on a certain display unit.
US08475364B2
An endotracheal intubation device includes an inflatable cuff connected to an inflation tube, visualization means, where the visualization means include means to enlighten and an image guide, where the means to enlighten, the image guide, and the inflation tube are associated to a first three ways connector adapted to connect the endotracheal intubation device to a control panel; a packaging is also provided containing the endotracheal intubation device wherein the first three ways connector is placed across the packaging so as to allow checking the endotracheal intubation device without impairing its sterility with an endotracheal intubation device tester; an intubation method is further provided using the packaging, the control panel and the endotracheal intubation device tester.
US08475352B2
A hermetically sealed solids discharge centrifugal separator having a separator bowl with a cylindrical upper portion and a conical lower portion, an inlet port at the bottom of the bowl and an outlet port at the top of the bowl. A disposable liner assembly includes a bowl liner having a cylindrical upper portion and conical lower portion, such that the bowl liner can conform to the interior surface of the separator bowl. The liner assembly further includes a piston within the bowl liner, the piston having an upper portion that conforms to the bowl liner cylindrical upper portion and a lower portion that conforms to the bowl liner conical lower portion. A fluid pathway extends through the piston, with a shuttle valve disposed within the fluid pathway.
US08475345B2
An exercise-cord anchored device is used to detachably secure an anchoring end of an elastic cord, and includes an anchored mount, a biasing member, and a tubular insert. The anchored mount has an inner tubular wall defining an insert opening and having an inserting route, a seat, and a rest wall. The biasing member is disposed in the insert opening. The tubular insert is coupled to the elastic cord, is insertable into the insert opening and is manually movable against the biasing force of the biasing member, and has a protuberance configured to be guided along the inserting route. When the mounting end is pushed manually to permit the protuberance to extend beyond the seat, the protuberance is turned angularly over the seat so as to abut against the rest wall, thereby retaining the tubular insert to the anchored mount.
US08475344B1
Exercise devices that can be worn on the hand or foot utilizing resistance from the air to perform the exercises. The exercise device comprises a fitting member and a resistance member connected to the fitting member. The fitting member is configured to be worn on a limb, such as the hand or foot so that the user does not have to hold anything during the exercise. Additional weights can be added to the exercise device, but the overall apparatus remains small and relatively lightweight so that it may be easily carried in luggage and used on the go.
US08475342B2
This invention relates generally to a portable child development station. More specifically, an infant crawling and walking aid. The invention is collapsible and can be stored in smaller confines. When the invention is set up, it is structurally sound and safe with detachable variations allowing assistance in crawling as well as walking by suspending the infant with variable height adjustments to accommodate infant.
US08475340B2
Patients having exercise limiting conditions and those at risk of developing such conditions are exposed to a regimen of hypoxic conditions that simulate various altitude conditions. The exposure is of a temporary nature, being from a few hours to most of a day or night in any one day and repeated on a personally worked out regimen of from a series of consecutive days to a regular number of “on” and “off” days, to a random number of days. An alternate regimen is such exposure for a few minutes at a time followed by normoxic rest period of a few minutes, with the cycle repeated multiple times over the course of a treatment session. The conditioning treatment strengthens the cardiac tissue and skeletal muscle and the results extend beyond the treatment periods whereby the patient's condition is substantially improved.
US08475337B2
When there is an extremely low ambient temperature, an electronic control unit controls operation of a circulation path for coolant water in such a manner that, after starting of an engine, the coolant water is supplied from the engine first to a throttle valve and an EGR valve and then to an oil warmer for a transmission. This solves a failure problem in the throttle valve and the EGR valve caused by frost formation at an early stage. As a result, desired operating performance of the vehicle is quickly ensured and heat management in the vehicle is carried out in a desired manner when there is an extremely low ambient temperature.
US08475335B2
A vehicle includes an engine, torque converter, transmission, accumulator, sensor, and controller. The engine is automatically restarted in response to a start signal during an engine auto-start event. The transmission has a calibrated line pressure and a plurality (n) of clutches. The (n) clutches are engaged to execute the engine auto-start event. The accumulator delivers fluid under pressure to the transmission in response to the start signal. The controller controls (n−1) of the plurality (n) of clutches to the calibrated line pressure in response to detecting the start signal. The controller also modifies clutch fill parameters which control a fill sequence of the remaining clutch, i.e., the designated control clutch, as a function of a deviation of the measured turbine speed from a theoretical no-slip turbine speed. A system includes the transmission, sensor, accumulator, and controller. A method for controlling the designated clutch is also disclosed.
US08475326B2
An outer plate carrier, including a cup-shaped embodied carrier plate (110) comprising a cylinder-shell shaped cylindrical section (130) and a circular-disk shaped bottom section (120). The bottom section (120) of the carrier plate (110) carries a cup-shaped hub section (140), arranged centrally. The cup-shaped hub section includes a cylindrical-shell shaped hub jacket (160) and a circular-disk shaped hub bottom (150). The hub bottom (150) has a smaller diameter than the bottom section (120) of the carrier plate (110). The hub bottom (150) is continuous and embodied in one piece with the carrier plate (110).
US08475312B2
A transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle may include an input element where rotation power may be inputted and an output element from which the rotation power may be outputted, a first motor generator and a second motor generator, a first planetary gear set where the input element, the output element, and the first motor generator may be connected, a second planetary gear set that may be a multiple planetary gear set where the output element and the second motor generator may be connected and that includes at least four or more rotary elements, and a first clutch and a second clutch.
US08475309B2
Toothed belt comprising a body, a plurality of resistant inserts or cords and a plurality of teeth extending from at least one surface of the body; the teeth are coated with a coating fabric. The body is made of a first elastomeric material formed. The fabric is treated with a fabric treatment comprising a second elastomeric material. The resistant inserts or cords are treated with cord treatment comprising a third elastomeric material. The first, second and third elastomeric material are formed of a mixture of one or more copolymers obtained from diene monomers and monomers containing nitrile groups, in which the nitrile groups are between 30 wt % and 39 wt %.
US08475308B2
A belt tensioner includes an arm, a spring case, and a helical spring having inwardly projecting first and second end portions. Another belt tensioner includes a spring, an arm, a spring case, and a pivot bushing surrounding the spring. An additional belt tensioner includes an idler pulley having a bearing with a mounting hole and includes an arm having a post. The post is positioned in the mounting hole, and an annular rim of the post is deformed radially outward and over the bearing. A method for manufacturing an arm and a spring case of a belt-tensioner includes obtaining a belt-tensioner-arm casting mold including a first section and a second section and obtaining a belt-tensioner-spring-case casting mold including a first segment and a second segment.
US08475307B2
The invention relates to a tensioning rail for a chain drive with a support body which is pivotable about a center of rotation and which has a guide channel, which can be placed in contact with a chain, and a pressing region which can be acted on with pressure by a tensioning piston, wherein the pressing region bridges the guide channel at least in regions by forming a peripherally closed guide channel section, wherein the pressing region is formed in one piece with the support body.
US08475306B2
There is disclosed a chain transmission comprising a driving shaft provided with one or more sprockets and a driven shaft provided with complementary sprockets, which is coupled to the driving shaft via a chain. Preferably, two chain-moving elements are provided between the driving shaft and the driven shaft, near the sprockets, by means of which a desired transmission ratio can be set via axial movement of the chain. The chain-moving elements are movable over respective gear-shifting elements upon rotation of said elements, making it possible to shift from one sprocket combination to another with a reduced risk of malfunctions. The transmission is accommodated in a closed, self-supporting casing built up of interconnected casing members, in which the shafts in question are supported.
US08475304B2
A baseball, softball or the like includes a ball core and a plurality of carcass panels attaching on the outer surface of the ball core. Each of the carcass panels, which is cut into a predetermined shape, has a main portion and an edge portion formed along a peripheral edge of the main portion, wherein each of the carcass panels is attached on the outer surface of the ball core without stitching with other the carcass panels at a position that the carcass panels are attached in an edge-to-edge manner, such that the carcass panels form an outer shell at the ball core in a thread-less manner.
US08475294B2
A golf club head that may increase the degree of freedom in design, a face of the golf club head, and a method of manufacturing the golf club head are provided. At least part of the golf club head includes an alloy, and the alloy includes Co and Fe in a total amount of 33 mass % to 65 mass %, Ni in an amount of 15 mass % to 35 mass %, Cr in an amount of 10 mass % to 25 mass %, Mo in an amount of 3 mass % to 12 mass %, at least one of Nb in an amount of 2 mass % or less and W in an amount of 5 mass % or less, and at least one of Mn in an amount of 2 mass % or less and Ti in an amount of 1 mass % or less.
US08475288B2
A snow and water sliding carrier for amusement center has a body having a general shape of a torus having a central opening, a floor member that closes the central opening, and has an opposite side defining a bottom member, such that the floor member is concave and the bottom member is convex. The bottom member extends beyond the floor member and is co-joined with the outside wall, and includes a plurality of threaded receptacles adapted to receive respective threaded nipples, wherein each threaded nipple is adapted to be threaded into a respective receptacle in varying amounts, such that a predetermined rotation of the sliding carrier is induced and controlled.
US08475282B1
A software architecture is provided that has an agnostic interface mechanism coupled between a simulator and a game engine. The agnostic interface mechanism has an extension interface to translate simulator specific data objects to/from interface objects, a reflector interface to translate interface data objects to/from game specific objects, a launcher interface to translate interface control objects for controlling the game engine into game specific control objects, and a core control coupled between the extension interface and the reflector and launcher interfaces for controlling the communication of objects between the simulator and the game engine. The core control through the reflector and launcher interfaces provides game specific objects to the game engine through direct application programming interface (API) calls.
US08475279B2
A method and system facilitating selection of participants in multiplayer online electronic games. The method provides an efficient procedure for players to host and join new instances of multiplayer online electronic games, as well as providing a scheme that enables players to join multiplayer online electronic games that are already in progress. The method is implemented through a gaming utility that runs on each player's electronic device (e.g. PC) and interacts behind the scenes with an online messaging service. Player hosts are enabled to select players from a list of contacts provided by the online messaging service who they want to invite to join a chat session. A selected multiplayer online electronic game is selectively launched on all of the player's computers through a single command issued by the host. Additionally, the gaming utility provides players with a list of existing chat sessions being hosted by other players so as to enable the players to join multiplayer online electronic games that are already in progress. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices linked in communication across a communications network, such as a LAN or the Internet. Each electronic device is operatively coupled to a headset having a pair of headphones and a microphone. The headset is worn by a player, enabling the players to verbally communicate with others in a verbal chat session.
US08475273B2
A Display Manager is placed between the Master Gaming Controller and its Main Game Display and any Secondary Display and between the Player Tracking Unit connected to the casino system network (e.g., player tracking device) and its System display. The Display Manager receives one or more video signals from the Master Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from the system device and displays one or multiple video signals on one or more shared displays. One of the video signals may be presented alone on one of the displays, with the other signal absent from that shared display, or multiple signals may be simultaneously displayed on one of the shared displays. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. Also, the overlaid signal may provide different levels of transparency in different areas of the display, effectively superimposing an image on top of the background signal. The Display Manager receives commands from a device, directing it how to split, overlay, superimpose, and otherwise share the display among the video input signals.
US08475269B2
A controller is provided which includes: a function whereby a video image is randomly determined with respect to a mini game to be displayed on a display each time the mini game is executed; a function whereby the determined video image is extracted from memory and displayed on the display; a function whereby determination is randomly made as to whether the points associated with the displayed video image are to be added to the accumulated points; a function whereby, in a case that determination has been made that the points are to be added to the accumulated points, the points are added to the accumulated points, thereby updating the accumulated points; and a function whereby, after the mini game has been executed a predetermined number of times, the number of free games is determined according to the updated accumulated points.
US08475267B1
An electronic sports book wagering system provides a bettor with an opportunity to purchase a sports book ticket sell back option when placing a bet on the outcome of an event. An option may be purchased by a bettor to be exercised at will by the bettor during a break in play or during an indicated period of the event for the bettor to potentially receive compensation to cancel the wager (e.g., at half time during a football game on which the wager was placed). The amount of compensation or refund provided to the bettor upon exercise of the option may be determined based on a current probability at the break in play or indicated period of whether the bettor will win the bet for which the wager was made. The bettor may be guaranteed a minimum refund amount of the original wager upon exercising the option.
US08475266B2
A gaming system is provided. The gaming system provides players a rich (i.e. akin to leading home- and arcade-based video games) single-player, multi-player cooperative and/or head to head environment in which the participant(s) win cash and credits as a result of their play activity within the environment, based on the wagers which they make entering and playing a game of the gaming system.
US08475260B2
N symbol arrays are scrolled in M rows and N columns of display regions. In each of the symbol arrays, a normal symbol same as a certain normal symbol does not exist within (M−1) rows above and below the certain normal symbol. Therefore, two or more of the same normal symbols are not displayed in each column of display regions, and a maximum of N of the same normal symbols are displayed in all the display regions. Further, the same normal symbols as those present within (M−1) rows above and below the special symbol included in one symbol array do not exist within (M−1) rows above and below the special symbols included in the other symbol arrays. Therefore, when N of the same normal symbols are displayed, a maximum of one special symbol is displayed.
US08475258B2
A gaming machine is configured so as to have a function of allowing a bet raise operation to be input by a simple operation in a case where a player bets different bet amounts on a plurality of bet regions within a bet time that is time limited.In particular, if a double bet button 81 having been touched by a player is detected, all of the bet amounts stored in memory are changed with one operation by a predetermined multiple, so that players, who decide immediately before the bet time end that they would like to raise, can raise with one operation.
US08475255B2
A gaming system which provides the player a plurality of playing cards to form an initial primary card hand and also displays one or more other card hands. The player selects one or more of the initially dealt cards in the primary card hand to hold or to discard. The held cards are also held in one, more or each of the other simultaneously displayed hands. The gaming device evaluates the held cards and determines which card game outcomes are possible based on the held cards and the remaining cards in the deck. The gaming device utilizes a stored table of different distributions of card game outcomes which would result in each payout amount and a table regarding which card game outcomes are possible based on the player's held cards to determine a distribution of outcomes that provides a total payout equal to the payout of the predetermined game outcome.
US08475244B2
An elongated, cantilever baffle for a fume hood is provided. The baffle has a V-shaped bottom, including a right bottom portion and a left bottom portion that form a substantially horizontal edge. The baffle also has a substantially vertical left wall and a substantially vertical right wall. The substantially vertical left wall has a top edge and a bottom connected to the left bottom portion of the V-shaped bottom. The substantially vertical right wall has a top edge and a bottom connected to the right bottom portion of the V-shaped bottom.
US08475232B2
A grinding machine includes a machine frame with a work piece support surface on which a work piece may be transporter through the machine. A grinding bar arrangement including two grinding shoes positioned in parallel is arranged transversely with respect to a work piece feeding direction across the width of the work piece support surface. The two grinding shoes carry a grinding medium on their surfaces facing the work piece support surface and are suspended via an eccentric drive. The two grinding shoes perform rotary movements in a plane parallel to the work piece support surface achieving a high quality grinding result.
US08475227B2
A bee feeder assembly is provided, including a receptacle, a cover member and a ladder arrangement. The ladder arrangement includes at least one ladder member comprising a porous member depending downwardly from the cover member. Methods of assembly and use are described.
US08475224B2
This compact fluorescent lamp includes a discharge tube arrangement with at least one discharge tube formed of glass and enclosing a discharge volume filled with a discharge gas. A ballast circuit is connected to the electrodes disposed at each end of a continuous arc path for controlling the current in the tube. A substantially spherical portion of an outer envelope encloses the tube arrangement and an elongated end portion encloses the ballast circuit. The end portion of the outer envelope is closed and sealed by a seal formed of the same material as the material of the outer envelope.In the associated method of manufacture, the envelope is separated by cutting along a circumferential line into an upper part and a lower part, the ballast circuit introduced into the lower part and respective lead-in wires and the lead-out wires are short and need not be insulated. The ballast circuit and the discharge tube arrangement are held and supported in the outer envelope by the connecting wires and fixing means.
US08475222B2
An outboard engine is disclosed that includes an idling chamber that communicates with a guiding outlet of a first exhaust path and that is open to the atmosphere. The idling chamber includes a cooling water communicating path that communicates with a cooling water supplying path, and a pressure adjusting valve that opens the cooling water communicating path when the value of the water pressure in the cooling water supplying path reaches a threshold value. When the value of the water pressure in the cooling water supplying path reaches the threshold value, the pressure adjusting valve opens and a portion of cooling water is guided to the idling chamber through the cooling water communicating path.
US08475217B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a base with two opposite sides and a tongue extending forwardly from the base, a first insulator attached to one side of the base, a second insulator attached to the other side of the base, and a plurality of contacts including a first set of contacts sandwiched between the base and the first insulator, and a second set of contacts sandwiched between the base and the second insulator. The contacts each has a contact portion arranged on the tongue for mating with a corresponding plug.
US08475214B2
An apparatus for connecting a router blade to a router chassis is provided. The apparatus includes an engagement portion; a first side portion coupled with the engagement portion; and a second side portion coupled with the engagement portion. The engagement portion includes a connector system that is operable to couple a router blade with a router chassis. The first side portion is operable to engage the router blade and the router chassis. The second side portion is operable to engage a router blade and the router chassis. The engagement portion, first side portion, and second side portion are sized to engage the router chassis and receive the router blade.
US08475211B2
An electrical connector adapted for at least two different mating connectors, comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained on the housing. The insulative housing has a base and a tongue forwardly extending from the base. Each contact has a retaining portion retained in the base, a contact portion extending to the tongue from one end of the retaining portion, and at least one soldering portion extending out of the insulative housing from another end of the retaining portion. The contacts comprise two pairs of outer contacts at two sides thereof and at least one middle contact between said two pairs of outer contacts to connect with one contact of one mating connector or two contacts of another mating connector.
US08475210B2
An electrical connector comprises a PCB (220) having a front edge to be inserted into a mating receptacle. The PCB comprises a top face having a row of first mating pads (242), and an opposite bottom face having a row of second mating pads (262) and a row of third mating pads (264) behind the second row of mating pads. The first and second mating pads are compatibly fit with an SFP receptacle (120). The PCB comprises a first sub-PCB (540) having a first outer layer containing the first mating pads and an opposite second outer layer containing the second mating pads, and a second sub-PCB (560) attached to the second outer layer on an area behind the second mating pads, the second sub-PCB having a second outer layer containing the third mating pads.
US08475207B2
A connector includes a contact, a housing having a cavity into which the contact may be inserted formed therein, the housing retaining the contact inserted into the cavity, and a retainer piece that may be inserted into the cavity in the direction opposite to an insertion direction. The housing includes a pressing piece that moves the contact inserted into the cavity in the moving direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, an abut part that the contact abuts due to the movement by the pressing piece, and a locking member that locks the contact abutted to the abut part. The retainer piece is inserted into a back-side gap formed between the contact and an inner wall surface of the housing due to the movement by the pressing piece.
US08475204B2
Electrical connector that includes a connector housing having mating and terminating ends. The connector housing has a housing cavity and a leading edge at the mating end that defines an opening to the housing cavity. A central axis extends through the housing cavity between the mating and terminating ends. The electrical connector also includes a dielectric insert within the housing cavity and an electrical contact that is held by the insert along the central axis. The insert has a recess surface that faces the mating end and extends a radial distance, outward from the electrical contact. The insert includes a dielectric rim that projects from the recess surface toward the mating end. The dielectric rim surrounds: and is radially spaced from at least a portion of the electrical contact. The dielectric rim and the recess surface define an impedance-control space that surrounds at least the portion of the electrical contact.
US08475199B2
A plug connector (100) mating with a complementary connector has a housing (1) defining a latching recess (117), a cover (3) and a releasing mechanism including a puller (5) and a latch (4) operable by the puller. The latch has a latching portion (42). The latching portion includes a resisting portion (423) for engaging the cover and a claw (424) in front of the resisting portion and projecting toward a first direction. The resisting portion, in response to a rearward movement of the puller, is movable to engage the cover and to pivot the claw from a latched position to a released position where the claw is received in the latching recess along a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08475179B2
An electrical connector includes an upper housing formed with a plurality of upper through holes therein, and a lower housing located under the upper housing and formed with a plurality of lower through holes therein corresponding to the upper through holes, respectively. A plurality of contacts are received within the upper housing and the lower housing, and respectively has an upper contacting portion and a lower contacting portion. At least some of the contacts extend with angles of inclination varying in sequence so that a distance defined by two neighboring lower contacting portions is larger than that defined by corresponding two neighboring upper contacting portions.
US08475164B2
The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for rotating a flame and/or a plume of smoke, arranged with a heat source (36) in a chamber (16) with at least one gas inlet opening (24, 26, 30) and a gas outlet opening (32). The gas inlet opening (24, 26, 30) and the heat source (36) are located in a lower area (12, 20′) of the chamber (16). The gas outlet opening (32) is located in an upper region (14) of the chamber (1.6). In this way, an ascending gas flow may be generated in the chamber (16). At least one gas inlet channel or nozzle (24, 26, 30, 40) is adapted to direct inflowing gas therethrough into the lower area (12, 20′) of the chamber (16) approximately along an inner wall of the chamber about an at least approximately circular path following along the inner wall in the same rotational sense around the heat source and then is drawn upwardly by a draw of the upwardly flowing heated gases though the gas outlet opening (32). A flame or smoke plume inside the chamber (16) can thereby be placed into a rotary motion.
US08475156B2
An injection mold for molding a product having a hook portion includes a stationary mold, a return pin, a movable mold, an ejector mechanism and a plurality of ejector pins for ejecting the product out of the injection mold. The movable mold defines an inserting perforation, a receiving groove and a receiving gap. The ejector mechanism includes a slide block located in the receiving groove, a supporting bar stretching into the receiving groove, and an inclined ejector pin having a tail at a top thereof movably inserted in the inserting perforation and fastened on the slide block. The slide block is pressed downward by the return pin when the injection mold is closed. When the injection mold is opened, the slide block drives the inclined ejector pin to move upward and sideward under an upward push of the supporting bar to make the hook portion parted from the tail.
US08475153B2
Strips containers are formed using two continuous webs in thermoformable and heat-sealable material facing each other. The webs are indexed along a feed line through different operating stations that transform the webs into a continuous strip of containers, each one of which is provided with a mouth. The containers are arranged according to two parallel rows that are opposed to a longitudinal median zone. The mouths of the containers of the upper row are arranged on the upper longitudinal edge of the strip and face upwards, whilst the mouths of the containers of the lower row are arranged on the lower longitudinal edge and face downwards. The method enables productivity to be increased and waste to be reduced.
US08475148B2
There is disclosed a scroll compressor which can lower the noise level of a harsh frequency without taking a lot of troubles. In a sealed container, a scroll compression element and an electromotive element are provided. The scroll compression element is constituted of a fixed scroll including a vertically provided spiral lap, and a swingable scroll including a vertically provided spiral lap and swiveled by a rotary shaft of the electromotive element with respect to the fixed scroll. A refrigerant compressed by gradually reducing, from the outside to the inside, a plurality of compression spaces formed by engaging both the laps with each other is discharged to a discharge pressure space in the sealed container.
US08475143B1
A wind driven machine with a furling system to move the machine to between an active position and an inactive position in response to a predetermined condition. The wind driven machine includes a propeller section and a tail section, the tail section hinged to the propeller section to direct the propeller section into the wind. The furling system includes a first portion to rotate with one of the respective sections and a second portion that is generally rotationally fixed and moves axially between an active position and an inactive position corresponding to the active and inactive positions of the wind driven machine.
US08475142B2
The invention relates to a pump comprising a pump unit, an intake line, and a valve device associated with same for implementing suction regulation of the pump, and comprising an intake region downstream from the valve device as viewed in the direction of flow of the medium conveyed by the pump.
US08475133B2
Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
US08475129B2
A method of assembling an air distribution system for use in a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The rotor blade includes a sidewall at least partially defining a cavity extending from a blade root towards a blade tip. The method includes positioning at least a portion of a manifold within the cavity and coupling the manifold to the sidewall. The manifold extends from the blade root towards the blade tip and has a root end and an opposing tip end. A passage is defined from the root end to the tip end. A flow control device is coupled to the manifold root end and configured to channel air through the manifold. A bypass flow assembly is coupled to the manifold and configured to channel air through the air distribution system with the flow control device in a non-operating configuration.
US08475120B2
In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, including a turbine housing and a rotor, the housing having an exhaust gas guide section and the rotor including a turbine wheel and a shaft connected to the turbine wheel which is driven by exhaust gas, and a control device for controlling the exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel comprising an annular guide vane structure and an axial slide supported on a contour sleeve mounted to the turbine housing remote from the rotor and extending toward the rotor and forming also the turbine exhaust gas discharge duct, the axial slide includes a cavity accommodating the guide vane structure.
US08475110B2
A system and method capable of performing online corrosion monitoring of a component installed in a gas turbine. A sensing device is located so that electrodes thereof are exposed to an operating environment within the gas turbine section containing the component. The electrodes are formed of a material so that the component and electrodes similarly respond to corrosive agents within the gas turbine section. The electrodes are electrically insulated from each other and each electrode is operable as an anodic electrode or a cathodic electrode, depending on the extent of corrosion thereat, so that each electrode has an electrical potential value, voltages exist across the electrodes, electric currents flow between the electrodes, and the electrical potential/current values correspond to corrosion behaviors at the anodic electrodes. During gas turbine operation, output signals are obtained from the sensing device and indications are provided as to when certain maintenance operations should be performed on the gas turbine.
US08475106B2
A bookbinding apparatus for producing a booklet by coating an adhesive onto a back side of a bundle of sheets and by pasting a book cover onto the back side of the bundle of sheets, comprises: an oblique cutout portion forming section to form a cutout on an edge of each sheet of the bundle of sheets in such a way that an oblique cutout portion is formed along the width of the back side of the bundle of sheets; a sheet bundle accommodating section to accommodate the bundle of sheets on which the oblique cutout portion is formed; a coating section to coat an adhesive on the back side of the bundle of sheets accommodated in the sheet bundle accommodating section; and a bookbinding section to paste a book cover on the adhesive-coated back side of the bundle of sheets so as to produce the booklet.
US08475100B2
A wall fastener includes a nut having a major planar structure having a hole for receiving a screw, the major planar structure having a first end with two staggered knife edges on opposite sides of the major planar structure and a second end; and a string, wherein the string is detachably connected to the major planar structure.
US08475095B2
A transport unit is provided for cylindrical cargo items supported on a support surface and arranged in parallel in at least two layers. The center axes of cargo items are arranged on top of one another and extend essentially in the same vertical plane. At least one tension device extends between two layers. The tension device extends from an outside edge of a cargo item to an outside edge of an opposing cargo item in the layer. At least two stop elements are positioned on respective ends of the tension device. The stop elements are formed for engaging the cargo items and at least one of the stop elements being adjustably positionable on one end of the tension device. The stop elements being connectable by the tension device in a force transferring manner relative to the cargo items.
US08475094B2
A fixing structure of a spindle balancer for a machine tool is described as having a flange member having a supported surface and provided fixedly to a cylinder body of a gas spring, a supporting member having a flange receiving surface and a fixing hole, and secured to the spindle head of a machine tool, and a plurality of fastening members for fastening the flange member to the supporting member so as to allow the supported surface of the flange member to abut against the flange receiving surface of the support member.
US08475089B2
An indexable milling insert for milling tools, including a bottom surface, an opposite chip surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the bottom surface and the opposite chip surface, two of the side surfaces being primary clearance surfaces and two of the side surfaces being secondary clearance surfaces. A plurality of cutting edges are formed between the opposite chip surface and the primary and secondary clearance surfaces. Two of the cutting edges that connect to the primary clearance surfaces are primarily parallel and constitute main cutting edges. At least one lock structure is provided and includes a locking surface arranged on one of the secondary clearance surfaces so that the locking surface and the primary clearance surface form an acute angle, α, in a section that is parallel to the bottom surface and intersects the locking surface. A coupling structure is arranged on the opposite chip surface and at least partly projects from a plane that is parallel to the bottom surface and passes through points of the main cutting edges situated closest to the bottom surface. The coupling structure comprises at least one flank surface, which is arranged in such a way that the flank surface, in a section that is parallel to the primary clearance surface and intersects the flank surface, forms an acute angle, β, with the bottom surface so that the flank surface slopes in the direction from the secondary clearance surface on which the locking surface is arranged.
US08475088B2
A device and a method of making thereof includes a milling cutter body that is connectable to a rotatable spindle or holder. The milling cutter body is provided with at least one series of a plurality of tangentially spaced-apart cutting edges or a plurality of tangentially spaced-apart seats intended for milling inserts having at least one cutting edge. The cutting edges or seats of the series are arranged such that, within the series, a first angle between a radius that intersects a first cutting edge and a radius that intersects another cutting edge, which is situated closest to the first cutting edge in a direction of rotation around the rotation axis, is smaller than a second angle between the radius that intersects the first cutting edge and a radius that intersects another cutting edge, which is situated closest to the first cutting edge in a direction opposite the direction of rotation.
US08475087B2
A tool for chip removing machining, including a basic body, in which at least one seating is included, which is delimited by a base surface and a rear support protruding in relation to the base surface, the base surface including a first coupling section in the form of one or more ridges and grooves, and a replaceable cutting insert having an upperside, an underside and a clearance surface extending between the upperside and the underside and transforming into the upperside via at least one cutting edge, the underside including a second coupling section having one or more grooves and ridges which engage the grooves of the first coupling section, and vice versa, at the same time as a part of the clearance surface is urged against the rear support. An imaginary extension of the ridges of the first coupling section extends by the side of the rear support.
US08475086B2
A tool cassette having a receptacle for an interchangeable cutting insert, wherein at least one setting element for setting the position of the tool cassette with respect to a seat for the cassette of a carrier tool is provided on the tool cassette.
US08475084B2
A structure for a tidal flow energy generation system is fabricated from tubular framework having tubular modules with mounts for respective tidal flow turbine nacelles. The node modules include tubular limbs extending in transverse directions and elongate tubes and provided to interconnect with the tube limbs of the node modules. The structure can be pre-fabricated and transported to a location for deployment. The structure can be deployed by means of hovering the assembled structure to the seabed, for example by means of flooding the structure.
US08475077B2
A nonlethal barrier system includes a first base having a frame, a shaft and a brake. The brake includes a stationary magnet physically coupled to the frame such that the shaft passes through the stationary magnet. Further, the brake includes an adjustable magnet that creates a magnetic field with the stationary magnet, where the strength of the magnetic field is alterable by rotating the adjustable magnet. A slab physically coupled to the shaft is disposed in the magnetic field. A net is furled around the shaft of the first base such that when an external force is applied to the net, the shaft of the first base rotates and unfurls at least a portion of the net. The slab applies a resistance, based on the strength of the magnetic field, to the shaft of the first base to control the rate at which the net unfurls from the shaft.
US08475064B2
A camera blade drive device includes a base plate 10 that has an aperture 10a forming an optical path, a blade member 20 that is supported by the base plate 10 and opens or closes the aperture 10a, and a driving ring 30 provided to rotate relative to the base plate 10. The camera blade drive is configured to operate the blade member 20 that is linked to the rotating driving ring 30. A permanent magnet 31 is provided on the driving ring 30 and a coil 11 rotates the driving ring 30 by magnetic force generated when the coil 11 is conducting. A magnetic member 12 holds the driving ring 30 in a predetermined position by magnetic attraction with the permanent magnet 31 when the coil 11 is non-conducting.
US08475060B2
An accessory for use on a camera crane has a first plate attachable to an end of the camera crane arm. A second plate is pivotally attached to the first plate and moveable into a first position and into a second position perpendicular to the first position. First and second latches secure the second plate into the first and second positions, respectively. The accessory allows a camera head on a camera crane arm to be quickly and easily reoriented.
US08475058B2
An optical module with an arrangement is disclosed in which the module has the LD, the TEC, and the lens with the lens carrier also mounted on the TEC. The signal light from the LD is concentrated by the lens and reflected by the mirror each assembled with the lens carrier mounted on the TEC. The TEC is mounted on the bottom metal that covers the bottom of the ceramic package, the first layer of which is widely cut to set the TEC therein. The FPC is coupled in at least two edges of the first ceramic layer left from the cut.
US08475049B2
There is provided a fluid dynamic bearing assembly including: a sleeve having a shaft insertedly mounted therein; and upper and lower radial bearing parts formed on at least one of an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve, wherein a clearance between the lower radial bearing part and a surface disposed to face the lower radial bearing part is wider than a clearance between the upper radial bearing part and a surface disposed to face the upper radial bearing part.
US08475047B2
A sliding mechanism includes a first plate, a second plate, a fixing structure and a sliding member. The second plate includes a sliding slot and a guiding part. The fixing structure has a perforation. The sliding member includes a sliding piece and an elastic element. The fixing structure is penetrated through the sliding slot of said second plate. A first end of the sliding piece is sustained against the guiding part. A second end of the sliding piece is penetrated through the perforation. When the second plate is slid with respect to the first plate for a first predetermined distance, the elastic element generates elastic potential energy. Whereas, when the second plate is slid with respect to the first plate for a second predetermined distance, the elastic element releases the elastic potential energy to have the second plate automatically slide with respect to the first plate.
US08475039B2
Mechanisms for providing linear relationship between temperatures and digital codes are disclosed. In one method, at a particular temperature, a circuit in the sensor provides a temperature dependent reference voltage, and a compared voltage, to a comparator. The temperature dependent reference voltage depends on temperature in complement to absolute temperature or alternatively depends on temperature in proportion to absolute temperature. The compared voltage is generated corresponding to digital analog converter (DAC) codes as inputs. Another circuit varies the DAC codes until the temperature dependent reference voltage and the compared voltage are equal so that the dependent reference voltage corresponds to a DAC code. The various temperatures experienced by the temperature sensing circuit and the DAC codes are substantially linearly related.
US08475029B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate with a main body and a light source with a circuit board and a plurality of light bars. The main body has a light incidence surface and a light emitting surface. The light incidence surface has a plurality of accommodating grooves and the light emitting surface or the light incidence surface has a plurality of light-separation grooves which are perpendicular to the accommodating grooves. The accommodating groove has a first and a second light incidence parts. A reflecting layer is disposed on the surface of the circuit board being located between each two light bars. The light source is disposed on the light incidence surface and light bars are disposed for the accommodating grooves so as a predetermined distance located between the light bar and the second light incidence part is formed a light mixing space to reduce the production of bright lines.
US08475027B2
Provided are a backlight assembly and a display device having the same. The backlight assembly includes; a light guide plate (“LGP”) having a light incident portion upon which light is incident and an opposite portion which is disposed substantially opposite to the light incident portion, a lower housing which accommodates the LGP therein, and at least one LGP fixing tape which fixes the LGP into the lower housing, wherein the at least one LGP fixing tape is interposed between the lower housing and lower surfaces of two opposite ends of the light incident portion of the LGP.
US08475026B2
The invention provides amongst others a light emitting tufted carpet with a primary backing layer permeable to light, an optional adhesive layer, a waveguide comprising a light out-coupling site, and an optional secondary backing layer. The primary backing layer is provided with tufts. The waveguide is arranged to couple light source light of a light source in as waveguide light, and arranged to couple waveguide light out at the waveguide light out-coupling site to provide carpet light. The waveguide light out-coupling site is below the primary backing layer.
US08475025B2
One embodiment of the invention proposes a light-emitting device comprising a radiation source for the emission of a radiation having at least a first wavelength, and an elongated, curved light-guiding body, into which the radiation emitted by the radiation source is coupled and which couples out light at an angle with respect to its longitudinal axis on account of the coupled-in radiation having the first wavelength.
US08475014B2
A T-bar mounting bracket assembly for a luminaire fixture frame having a bracket, a clip vertically adjustable relative to the bracket, the clip extending through an opening in the bracket, a fastener extending through the bracket and the clip and, the fastener spaced from a location where the clip passes through the opening.
US08475013B2
A light emitting device has: a light emitting element; a metal member having a first face on which the light emitting element is mounted, and a second face that is on the opposite side from the first face; and a translucent member that seals part of the metal member and the light emitting element, the metal member has an element placement portion on which the light emitting element is placed, and a flat portion disposed around the element placement portion, a covering member is disposed on the second face side of the flat portion, and the top and side faces of the covering member are covered by the translucent member.
US08475012B2
A lamp can includes: a first reflective surface which can be provided on a surface of a circular shaped member, a radius of a top of the annular member can be longer than a radius of a bottom of the annular member; a second reflective surface which can be arranged inside of the first reflective surface and can have a conical shape, a vertex of the second reflective surface can be directed to a top side of the first reflective surface; and a plurality of light emitters which can be annularly arranged on the first reflective surface around the second reflective surface at a predetermined interval so as to be projected on the second reflective surface.
US08475007B2
A light emitting device comprises a light emitting element disposed within a space surrounded by a reflective surface of a reflector disposed on a board. A lower portion of the reflector is placed within a recess formed in the board, and a side wall of the recess is interposed between the lower end of the reflective surface of the reflector and the light emitting element.
US08475002B2
A light fixture is described that measures the ambient light intensity and determines whether to provide illumination. The light fixture may further determine a traffic status proximate the fixture and adjust the illumination accordingly. A network of light fixtures is also provided, the light fixtures communicating data to each other and determining illumination states therefrom.
US08474993B2
Certain people may at times find that life events cause absences from their residence. Due to the configuration of a residence entrance there are times of darkness when there is low or no ambient light to illuminate the entrance door hardware. Some people would not leave their porch light on for several hours. Some people may be uncomfortable with leaving the standard porch light on during their absence to avoid the expense of the utility power used by the lighting. A situation for the need to illuminate the hardware may include the unexpected prolonged time of being away from home. The present invention is a sustainable option to illuminate the storm door and exterior entrance door of a residence. This invention provides illumination of the doors hardware on demand.
US08474985B2
A discharge lamp lighting device includes a lamp current control portion that generates, in synchronization with an input video signal, a control signal for controlling polarity reversal of an AC current with a steady-state lighting frequency and an AC current with a low frequency, and a lamp driving portion that drives the discharge lamp based on the control signal that is output by the lamp current control portion. The lamp current control portion generates a control signal for a brightness reduction waveform with timing corresponding to polarity reversal of the AC current with the steady-state lighting frequency, and the lamp driving portion inserts a current reduction waveform into the AC current with the low frequency by decreasing a voltage applied to the discharge lamp based on the control signal for the brightness reduction waveform. It is possible to reduce flicker that could be perceived due to insertion of a period without a reduction of the projection light amount (a period without a polarity reversal at the low frequency) during repeated reductions of the projection light amount occurring at intervals of polarity reversal of the steady-state lighting frequency.
US08474972B2
A printing device component may include a base surface and a plurality of ribs extending away from the base surface. Each rib may include a nominal guiding surface, one or more primary transition surfaces, one or more secondary transition surfaces, and one or more angled surfaces. Each primary transition surface may begin at a top surface and end at a secondary transition surface. Each secondary transition surface may begin at a primary transition surface and end at an angled surface. Each angled surface may begin at a secondary transition surface and end at the base surface.
US08474969B2
A system (100, 500, 600, 800) of ink and multi-channel data delivery includes an optically transmissive tubular body (113) having at least two ends (105, 107). The tubular body (113) defines an ink channel between an ink supply (101) and at least one inkjet pen (117, 521, 525, 529, 901, 903). A multi-channel optical transmitter (111, 300, 400) is in optical communication with one end (105, 107) of the tubular body (113), and an optical receiver (115, 509, 511, 513) is in optical communication with another end (105, 107) of the tubular body (113).
US08474959B2
Provided is a liquid container containing a liquid which is to be supplied to a liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a containing portion containing the liquid and including a liquid out-flowing hole for out-flowing the liquid to an external portion and an air introducing hole for introducing external air into the containing portion, and a deforming portion being deformed in such a direction that a volume of the containing portion is reduced according to a decrease in an internal pressure of the containing portion; wherein the air introducing portion includes: a first sealing portion disposed in a circumference of the air introducing hole inside the containing portion; a second sealing portion displaceably disposed inside the containing portion and capable of closing the air introducing hole by pressing the first sealing portion outwards; and a biasing portion pressing the second sealing portion toward the first sealing portion.
US08474952B2
A fluid ejecting apparatus includes a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles that eject fluid onto a medium are arranged, a first movement unit that displaces a relative position between the medium and the nozzle row, and a control unit that forms a plurality of dot-lines by repeating a fluid ejection operation in which fluid is ejected so as to form a dot-line, such that a maximum time between when one of the adjacent dot-lines in the plurality of dot-lines is formed to when the other of the adjacent dot-lines is formed is reduced.
US08474943B2
An integrated fluid cartridge (100) for securing onboard memory (150, 215) includes an electrically actuated dispensing mechanism (120, 205) with a number of droplet generators which are fluidically connected to a fluid reservoir (110); a memory module (150, 215); and an electrical interface (200) containing shared select lines (250) and data lines (255) configured to control both the dispensing mechanism (120, 205) and the memory module (150, 215). A method for secure communications between a precision-dispensing device and integrated fluid cartridge (100) includes connecting the precision-dispensing device and the cartridge (100) via an electrical interface (200) containing select lines (250) and data lines (255); the cartridge (100) having several electronic components which are controlled via the select (250) and data lines (255).
US08474928B2
The invention relates generally to an articulating drawer for a bottom mount freezer refrigerator. The drawer can be slidably mounted in the freezer compartment on slides that can include pivots to pivotally mount a drawer front on the slides. A support mechanism can mount a food storage basket for movement with the drawer front and movable slides and can move the food storage basket upward when the door is moved to the open position. The support mechanism can include a pair of guide plates connected to the slides having a guide surface arranged to be engaged by a food storage basket guide surface follower and a pair of links each connected to the drawer front at one end and having a first link pivot at a distal end arranged to pivotally connect to a food storage basket pivot.
US08474926B2
A fully extendable telescopic drawer guide for furniture components that can be extended from the body of an item of furniture, with a guide rail facing the body, a running rail associated with the extendable furniture component, and an intermediate rail arranged between these two rails. Rolling elements are provided which are supported in cages and transfer the load of the extendable furniture component by way of rolling surfaces disposed on the rails. At least one rotatably supported supporting roller for the running rail is provided on the front end of the intermediate rail. The intermediate rail is implemented as a profile rail which encompasses the region of the guide rail provided with the rolling surfaces and which has on the bottom side an elongated opening for insertion of the support region of the guide rail to be secured to the body wall of an associated item of furniture.
US08474925B2
The invention relates to a lockable ejector device for a furniture part that is movably supported in a piece of furniture, including a fixing device for locking the movable furniture part in place in a closed end position, and at least one ejector element for moving the movable furniture part from the closed end position into an open position, wherein the fixing device comprises at least two locking units, which are coupled to each other and each have a receiving element for an engagement element. The at least two locking units are operatively connected to each other by way of a synchronization mechanism, which has at least two coupling elements, each associated with different locking units, and at least one synchronization unit. The coupling elements are coupled by way of the synchronization unit with respect to the movements thereof.
US08474918B2
A method and a device can be used to monitor the travel path of a cutting extraction machine (1), particularly one used in coal mining, which can be moved along the working front (10) equipped with a face conveyor (9) and an advancing support (12, 13) in longwall mining. Despite extremely poor viewing conditions, the method and device determine hindrances that might be present in the travel path of the extraction machine, in the form of shield caps that are standing low, or extendible cantilevers, sliding roof bars, or other attachments of the advancing support that are hanging down, or overloading of the conveyor, in order to be able to take measures to avoid disruptions in operation, in timely manner. The travel path of the extraction machine (1) is scanned by a radar measurement device (14) assigned to the extraction machine (1), and if a hindrance is determined, an alarm is triggered and/or intervention into the control of the extraction machine (1) takes place.
US08474891B2
A tool is disclosed herein for facilitating the opening and closing of mail bags, money bags, tool bags, and other large bags for carrying heavy loads utilizing large zippers. For instance, mail bags have a large zipper closure. Mail workers open and close these zippers dozens of times a day. Frequently, the zippers are hard to operate. Sometimes, the zipper handle may be missing. In both of these cases, a tool of some sort would facilitate the opening and closing of the bag. The present invention provides a zipper pull tool comprising a handle with a hook disposed at a selected optimal angle with a wedge shaped distal end and an eyelet or loop disposed at the other end. The handle is economically designed to provide good grip yet not require the user to squeeze the handle minimizing risk of injury to the wrist due to repetitive motions. The hook is disposed at such an angle as to provide optimum ease for hooking to the zipper or zipper handle. The loop on the end of the tool is attached to one end of an elastic safety laniard which is removably attached to the user's clothing. A safety clip attached to the other end of the laniard will allow the laniard and tool to be safely pull loose from the clothing in the event of an emergency.
US08474869B2
A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a casing unit, which rotatably supports a steering shaft about the longitudinal axis thereof, and a retaining part. The casing unit is held in a fixed manner relative to said retaining part up to a threshold value of a force acting on the casing unit in a parallel manner to the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft in the direction of the front of the vehicle. When the threshold value is exceeded, the casing unit is movably held in a parallel manner to the longitudinal axis in the direction of the front of the vehicle. The casing unit is connected to the retaining part via an energy-absorbing connection, which a bending wire or strip that is deformed when the casing unit is moved relative to the retaining part parallel to the longitudinal axis in the direction of the front of the vehicle, and via a breakaway connection closed up to a threshold value of the force and blocks a movement of the casing unit relative to the retaining part and which opens when the threshold value of the force is exceeded.
US08474860B2
A display apparatus for a vehicle provided in an interior member of the vehicle that covers an airbag device and has specified movable areas that, when a bag portion is expanded and inflated, swing and open so as to form an area through which the bag portion passes. The display apparatus for a vehicle includes displays that have a flexible sheet-like shape and that are mounted on surfaces of the respective movable areas, display control devices that are disposed at positions away from the movable areas and drive the displays in order to cause the displays to display images, and flexible wiring portions that connect the displays to the display control devices and that has flexibility so as to be able to bend when the movable areas swing.
US08474858B2
A vehicle seat is provided. A seat back of the vehicle seat includes: a cover member having a cleavage part; an airbag provided in the seat back; a bracket; and a reinforced cloth that is fixed to the frame member via the bracket, and that reinforces a part of the cover member different from the cleavage part. The airbag is caused to inflate from the cleavage part to protect an occupant's body in a range from an occupant's chest to waist. The reinforced cloth includes a first regulating part that covers a part of the airbag to be inflated toward the occupant's chest and a second regulating part that covers a part of the airbag to be inflated toward the occupant's waist. An attachment portion of the first regulating part and an attachment portion of the second regulating part are attached to the frame member at separate positions.
US08474856B2
A wheelable loadbearing and leveraging frame apparatus amenable to receipt of attachments and consisting of first and second elongated members conjoined by way of anterior and medial cross members each with a plurality of horizontally inclined through holes therein and a posterior cross member with a plurality of vertically inclined through holes therein, and with each elongated member having a pair of horizontally inclined transverse through holes located therein and a plurality of vertically inclined through holes located therein.
US08474852B1
A towing hitch includes a base having a first pivot member, a telescoping arm assembly having a second pivot member, and pivot locking mechanism. The telescoping arm assembly and the base are pivotally connected by their respective pivot members. The pivot locking mechanism is in operative engagement with the first and second pivot members and operates in one of a locking state and an unlocked state. In the unlocked state the pivot locking mechanism allows omnidirectional rotation of the first pivot member relative to the second pivot member, and when in the locking state allows only unidirectional rotation of the first pivot member relative to the second pivot member. The unidirectional rotation is in a direction that causes alignment of the first longitudinal axis of the base with the second longitudinal axis of the telescoping arm assembly.
US08474848B2
The vehicle comprises a base and a seat moveable along a curve having a focal point. The vehicle is adjustable to position an occupant in the seat to achieve a desired position for the center of gravity of the occupant relative to the focal point of the curve. A method for minimizing effort required to tilt the seat of a personal mobility vehicle comprises the steps of providing a personal mobility vehicle having a seat that is adapted to move along an arc having a center of curvature, positioning the seat substantially horizontally, providing an occupant in the seat, and adjusting the position of the vehicle occupant's center of gravity so that the center of gravity is substantially equal to or below the center of curvature of the arc.
US08474847B1
A running board assembly for a three wheel motorcycle including independent first and second support frame members. Each of the support frame members further includes: i) a substantially U-shaped configuration having a rear lateral section, a longitudinal section, and a front lateral section; ii) a connector on the rear lateral section adapted for connection to a motorcycle frame; and iii) a connector on the front lateral section adapted for connection to a motorcycle engine block. A running board member is connected to each of the support frame members.
US08474841B2
Systems and methods for controlling the speed and direction of vehicles such as tractors.
US08474831B2
An axially adjustable tool holder, having a principal body (1)with attachment, in a recess (2) of which is slidably mounted a mobile part (3) for mounting a tool (4). The mobile part (3) cooperates with a ring for transverse adjustment (5), mounted in rotation on the extremity of the principal body (1)with the recess (2) and secured transversely to said extremity, by a ball bearing device (8), in the form of a sleeve with an interior thread (5′). The ball bearing device (8) presenting axial play of the ring for transverse adjustment (5), when the mobile part (3) is tightened, application of the proximal face (51) of the adjustment ring (5)against a corresponding distal external supporting flange (1′) of the principal body (1). The mobile part (3) being locked in working position, after adjustment, by a device for tightening (6) by traction cooperating with a part (7) of the mobile part (3).
US08474830B2
A gasket is provided that forms a sealing connection between a pair of tubular members. The gasket comprises a first section shaped to fit within a recess of one of a pair of tubular members. The first section includes an anchor portion comprising first and second sides. The gasket further comprises a second section extending from the first section and is configured to make a sealing contact with the other of the tubular members. The gasket also includes at least one self-locating arm in a sealing contact within the recess and extending from one of the first or second sides of the anchor portion of the first section. The self-locating arm biases the first section such that the other of the first or second sides is in contact with the recess to form a sealing connection.
US08474828B2
A mounting guard ring for a sealing ring with at least one sealing lip, surrounding a sleeve-shaped protective ring with a supporting surface for the sealing lip disposed at the outer periphery and a holding device shaped as a grip, the protective ring being provided in at least one peripheral region with a first predetermined breaking site and being capable of being severed along the first predetermined breaking site by pulling on the holding device, the protective ring being closed off in sealing manner by a disk-shaped lid.
US08474823B2
A method and system of generating, funding, and distributing multiple jackpots in a game such as poker, specifically such as Texas Hold 'Em. The jackpots may be separate, independent bad beat jackpots that pay out at different intervals due to having independent triggering conditions that have different odds of occurring. Preferably, the triggering condition for each jackpot may be a losing player's hand strength. The specific values for the triggering conditions may be chosen by random, may be generally evenly distributed over the number of jackpots, may be determined by an algorithm, e.g., one that relies on the odds of each hand occurring, or by another method. The jackpots may be funded from rakes collected from substantially every hand that is played—subject to certain prerequisites being established—such that each jackpot may be considered progressive in that it grows over time.
US08474822B2
A modified blackjack card game using an electronic gaming machine and 6 or 8 decks of standard playing cards without jokers, Craps Blackjack is playing in electronic device, computer, slot machine, video game, etc. and using two steps wagering strategies, win or lose at two initial cards and continue to play or fold the hand and providing six side bets. It is a card game combined the playing method of craps, poker and blackjack. It provides optional side bets, dragon's head and phoenix's tail, ace-deuce, ace-ace, any eleven, any seven, and six-six and two main bets, Craps Blackjack and Any Craps.
US08474816B2
A sheet conveying device includes a first rotator, a second rotator, and a third rotator, at least one of which is configured to convey a sheet medium; a first detection unit configured to detect a first control factor for controlling a first motor that rotates the first rotator; a second detection unit configured to detect a second control factor for controlling a second motor that rotates the second rotator; a motor control unit configured to control a rotational speed of a third motor that rotates the third rotator; and a speed control unit configured to request the motor control unit to change the rotational speed of the third motor based on the sum of the first control factor and the second control factor.
US08474811B2
A sheet feeding device includes a sheet carrying unit, an attraction separation device electrostatically attracting and separating an uppermost sheet from a sheet stack and including multiple rollers, an endless dielectric belt stretched over the multiple rollers, and an elastic member provided inside a loop of the belt to cause the endless dielectric belt to contact the uppermost sheet, a sheet conveying device, and a lifting and lowering device. The lifting and lowering device lifts the sheet stack to a lift position at which the uppermost sheet contacts with the attraction separation device, and the attraction separation device stands by for a predetermined time to attract the uppermost sheet and starts to convey the uppermost sheet after the predetermined time elapses in a state in which the sheet stack remains at the lift position.
US08474810B2
A reflective photosensor detects a target object. The photosensor includes a transparent circuit board, a light emitter and a light receiver on one surface of the circuit board, including a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, and disposed so that the light emitting element and the light receiving element face the one surface, a concave portion on the other surface of the circuit board, including a first refractive face to oppose the light emitting element and refract light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element and a second refractive face to oppose the light receiving element and refract, to the light receiver, a component of the light refracted by the first refractive face and specularly reflected by the target object.
US08474806B2
A pipe gripping apparatus has a first jaw with a pipe-contacting surface at one end thereof, a second jaw having a pipe-contacting surface at one end thereof, a tongue having a pipe-contacting surface at one end thereof, and an actuator connected to the first and second jaws and to the tongue. The actuator serves to move the first and second jaws and the tongue such that the pipe-contacting surfaces thereof move radially inwardly simultaneously for a substantially identical distance. A first link pivotally connects the tongue with the first jaw. A second link pivotally connects the tongue with the second jaw. The first and second links extend angularly outwardly from the tongue. The first and second pivot points of each jaw have a distance unequal to a distance between the first pivot point and pipe-contacting surface of each jaw. The pipe-contacting surfaces can be elastomeric pads, toothed dies, or rollers.
US08474805B2
The systems and methods described herein include innerspring assemblies or innerspring cores for use with cushioning articles such as mattresses. The innerspring core may have one or more coil springs formed from a high-carbon steel wire alloyed with one or more suitable alloying elements such as titanium and copper and capable of imparting greater strength and durability to the innerspring core.
US08474803B2
A damping device for damping flexural vibration of a shaft rotating about a first axis, the device having: a supporting body; and a member, which defines an annular opening fitted through with the shaft, and is movable, with respect to the supporting body and radially with respect to the first axis, between a first and a second position when the shaft flexes radially with respect to the first axis. The member is set to the first position, and the opening is traversed loosely by the shaft when the rotation speed of the shaft is within a first range; the member is set to the second position, and the opening cooperates with the shaft, when the rotation speed of the shaft is within a second range differing from the first range and including at least one critical speed of the shaft; and the damping device has elastic means interposed between the supporting body and the member.
US08474802B2
The invention relates to a vibration isolator comprising a canister which ends are closed by end caps and a shaft able to move inside the canister, wherein the shaft comprises a piston-like shaped part for separating the canister in two parts: the first part being defined between the piston-like shaped part of the shaft and the first end cap, and comprising at least one resilient and damping element able to be compressed by a compression movement of the shaft on a first nominal stroke; the second part being defined between the piston-like shaped part of the shaft and the second end cap, and comprising at least one resilient and damping element able to be compressed by a tension movement of the shaft on a second nominal stroke; the tangential stiffness of the vibration isolator being, on at least one part of the first nominal stroke of the shaft, at least twice as lower as its tangential stiffness on the entire second nominal stroke of the shaft.
US08474797B2
An air spring system is disclosed. The air spring system has a compressor, which has a suction side and a delivery side, a pressure reservoir, a first valve device and a second valve device. Each valve device is connected between the compressor and the pressure reservoir. In order to provide the air spring system, which is of simple construction and can be produced economically, the first valve device and the second valve device are each embodied as 3/2-way valves.
US08474781B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for displaying items of goods on shelving systems. A shelf display accessory unit can include a top panel with a top surface configured for displaying an item of goods, and a bottom surface which is opposite the top surface, that includes a module that houses a cable. The shelf display accessory unit further can include a front panel having a display surface that is configured to display a label, and a back panel having a supporting surface that includes means for coupling the shelf display accessory unit to a front portion of a shelf. In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit can include a cable that has one end anchored to the module and the other end connected to the item of goods. In embodiments, the shelf display accessory unit further can include a flap coupled to the front panel and configured to secure a label to the front panel of the shelf display accessory unit.
US08474770B2
A wall mounting bracket assists in mounting equipment to a wall. The wall mounting bracket includes a plate, a post, and a sliding nut. At least a portion of the post extends outwardly from the surface of the plate. The plate is coupled to a stud or other mounting device positioned within the wall behind the sheetrock. The post includes an equipment mounting section and a spacer. The spacer is positioned between the equipment mounting section and the plate and accommodates different wall thicknesses. The bottom surface of the sliding nut is slidably and securely positionable along the top surface of the equipment mounting section. Different types of wall-mounted equipment is coupled to the sliding nut and the equipment mounting section of the wall mounting bracket. Use of the wall mounting bracket allows the equipment to be mounted to the wall without an exposed flange and preserve structural integrity.
US08474769B2
A mounting apparatus includes a drive bracket assembly, a back panel, and a securing member. The back panel is mounted to the drive bracket assembly along a first direction. The securing member is slidably mounted on the drive bracket assembly. The securing member secures the back panel to the drive bracket assembly to prevent the back panel moving along the first direction. The securing member is capable of sliding along a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction to a position, so the back panel is capable of moving along the first direction.
US08474765B2
The embodiments provide a barb assembly for use with a cable duct component to oppose removal of a cable duct section from the cable duct component. The barb assembly can comprise a releasable assembly for applying a force to a barb and, responsive to the application of the force, for moving the barb and one or more barb arms from an unengaged position to an engaged position without the use of tools. The barb assembly and/or cable duct component can also comprise a spring bias, which can bias the releasable assembly to the unengaged position upon actuating the releasable assembly to the unengaged position. The embodiments also provide methods of installing cable duct components and systems with the above-described features.
US08474756B2
This system makes it possible to join a substantially flat base of an element to be fixed to a top plate. It is provided with: at least one hole of elongated shape made in the top plate, a shaft extending substantially perpendicular to the base of the element to be fixed and mounted movable in rotation relative to its longitudinal axis, a fixation head of elongated shape matched to the shape of the hole made in the top plate and disposed on a first side of the base of the element to be fixed, control means for making the shaft pivot around its axis and disposed, relative to the fixation head, on the other side of the base of the element to be fixed.
US08474748B2
The aircraft includes an undercarriage having an upper portion, at least one wheel for running on the ground, and a shock absorber connecting the wheel to the upper portion. The aircraft also includes a motor for driving the wheel, the motor being rigidly fastened to the upper portion.
US08474745B2
A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has at least one weight mounted in a rotating system of a rotor hub of the aircraft, each weight being rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hub relative to the hub and to each other weight. Drive means are provided for rotating each weight about the axis of rotation at a selected speed for creating oscillatory shear forces that oppose and attenuate rotor-induced vibrations having a selected frequency. A vertically oriented vibration attenuator is configured to oppose and attenuate vertical rotor induced oscillatory forces that would otherwise travel vertical down the rotor mast and into the airframe.
US08474744B2
A floor covering storage, dispensing and retrieval rack includes a frame having a roller arrangement for enabling storage, dispensing and retrieval of at least one roll of floor covering relative to the floor surface. A blower device is connected to the frame for supplying a stream of forced air between the floor surface and the floor covering to ease installation and removal of the floor covering relative to the floor surface.
US08474742B2
A spool for a telecommunications cable. The spool winds-up and pays-out the cable without accumulating twist in the cable. The spool can also pay out a distal end of the cable and mount a proximal end of the cable. Because no twist is accumulated in the cable, the first end and/or the second end of the cable can remain connected while the spool is winding-up or paying-out. The spool includes a base, a cable wrap reverser, and a hub. The spool is adapted to wrap the cable about the base in a first wrapping direction and is adapted to wrap the cable about the hub in an opposite second wrapping direction. The cable wrap reverser is adapted to transition and guide the cable from the first to the second wrapping direction.
US08474728B2
A ventilation system utilizing fans to bring air into a building and exhaust air out of the building using solar panels that can be quickly and easily mounted on the building, such as on roof vents, windows, and the like, with quick application fasteners adjacent to the fans. A sensor may be operatively connected to a controller or logic circuit to measure environmental factors to determine whether to activate the fans. The ventilation system is configured to be a modular device with versatile fasteners for easy installment in windows or attics without the need for modification of the building, such as cutting holes.
US08474724B2
A power/communication kit for use with a reader module where the code reader module includes a reader connector and a reader housing, the power/communication kit comprising a plurality of different power/communication modules wherein each module communicates via a different communication protocol and each includes a power source and a communication component suitable for communicating via an associated communication protocol, wherein, each of the modules is securable to the reader module in a similar fashion such that any one of the power/communication modules can be swapped for any other of the power/communication modules so that the reader can be used with different communication systems.
US08474720B2
An optical text scanning device compatible with a small handheld computer such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The scanning device allows for a clear view of the text that is scanned simultaneous to the scanning process so that the operator can continuously align the device to the text. The scanned images of the text are converted in real-time to standard byte or word characters for subsequent display on the computer's viewing screen. The operator can quickly verify the accuracy of the conversion by comparing the displayed character with the actual character of text on the surface that is being scanned. Scanned text characters are stored in standard digital text files for ease of manipulation.
US08474719B2
An optical reader, which is operable in a “host commands” mode and a “host routines” mode. In the “host commands” mode, the reader receives and executes a script routine module from a host. In the “host routines” mode, the reader receives a script routine Module identifier from the host, and the reader, in turn, executes a selected one of a plurality of reader-stored script routine modules based on the identifier.
US08474712B2
Method of and system for displaying product related information at POS-based retail checkout systems
A bi-optical code symbol reading system including a system housing having a vertical housing section with a vertical window and a horizontal housing section with a horizontal window adjacent the vertical scanning window; and a digital video display subsystem, disposed within the vertical section of the system housing, and supporting the display of digital images in substantially the same plane as the vertical window during system operation. The digital images displayed by digital video display subsystem can be video images captured by an integrated digital imaging code symbol reading subsystem, to assist the operator in aligning code symbols during scanning operations. The digital images can also be product and price information captured during product scanning operations.
US08474710B2
The present invention relates to access control systems using proximity cards, and in particular, to a proximity card and an associated method for controlling activation of the proximity card. The proximity card includes an actuation sensor and an access electronics system connected to the actuation sensor, the access electronics system configured to activate the proximity card in response to an input from the actuation sensor to enable communication of the access information from the proximity card.
US08474708B2
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data bearing records. Users of the machine may deliver and receive records including individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine, such as notes, checks, or other documents. Notes assessed by the machine as being of questionable validity can be marked with a removable mark or otherwise identified.
US08474707B2
A banking system operates to allocate funds in accounts in response to data bearing records in the form of paper financial checks. A mobile phone has a camera and a programmable memory. The memory stores phone user data, including a bank account number and an electronic signature. The camera can be used to capture an image of a paper check which has the phone user as the payee. The phone can wirelessly transmit the account number, the electronic signature, and the check image to a bank deposit system. The system can store the check image and the electronic signature in correlated relation in a deposit transaction record. The system can cause the phone user's bank account to be credited a cash value corresponding to the check value. Confirmation of the check deposit can be transmitted to the user's phone.
US08474702B2
A banking system is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes a card reader that operates to read identifying data from user cards, and can authorize operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The machine can generate and present a check to the machine user in response to user inputs. The machine presents an interface for the user to sign the check. The user's banking account is charged an amount corresponding to the check value. In exchange for the same machine receiving the generated check, the user is provided with cash dispensed from the machine. The machine also allows the user to select having a canceled check image displayed at the machine and/or sent to the user's network address.
US08474701B1
An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.
US08474698B1
An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine also includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The machine is operative to cause a computer determination to be made that the card data corresponds to an authorized machine user. The automated banking machine may also include a storage device that is operative to unlock a secured area including information thereon that is used by the automated banking machine to carry out financial transfers.
US08474695B1
An ATM security system preferably a mechanism is provided for capturing and transmitting an occurrence of the emergency event to a backup server. Another mechanism is provided for determining whether a consumer granted permission to a financial institution to share the non-public personal consumer information with the policing authority upon detection of the emergency event. Yet another mechanism is provided for routing a real time output distress signal to the policing authority upon capturing the emergency event in such a manner that the policing authority receives a location, a date and a time of the emergency event. Such a real time output distress signal includes a facial image of the consumer at the emergency event. Notably, the real time output distress signal includes the non-public personal consumer information only if the consumer granted the financial institution permission to share the non-public personal consumer information before occurrence of the emergency event.
US08474694B2
Methods and systems for using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) payment card are disclosed herein. The method generally comprises receiving an indicia identifying an RFID card, receiving a request to activate the RFID card, activating the RFID card by associating an initial value with a database record associated with the RFID card; receiving a PIN associated with the RFID card; receiving profile information; and associating the profile information with the database record. Systems for using RFID cards generally comprise an RFID card, an RFID account associated with the RFID card, a merchant communication module that receives indicia identifying the RFID card and sends a request to activate the RFID card, and a central processor or intermediary that receives a PIN associated with the RFID card and a request to activate the RFID card from the merchant communication module.
US08474693B1
An automated banking machine (10, 30) includes a computer (32) that is operative to output a plurality of desktop environments through a display device (44) of the machine. The desktop environments may include a consumer desktop (54) and a maintenance desktop (58). The consumer desktop is generally empty of visual desktop elements such that when consumer user interface applications (40) are not producing visible outputs, only a background (55) portion of the consumer desktop is viewable. The maintenance desktop includes selectable desktop elements which are configured to conveniently launch terminal maintenance and configuration applications. The machine further includes input devices (46) such as a keyboard (52) and/or a switch device (50). A desktop switching application (36) is operative in the computer. The desktop switching application is operative responsive to specific input signals from the input devices to switch the current desktop between the consumer and maintenance desktops.
US08474689B2
A method for making a multilayered paper-containing product, for example a paper plate or tray, includes assembling two or more sheets of paper-containing material cut into blanks. The blanks are pressed together and shaped in a die, usually with a bonding agent being used to secure the blanks. Pleats are formed in the curved portion of the shaped product. However, the pleats on each blank are formed independently so that the folded region formed in the pleats are arranged in a staggered array and are not interleaved with the pleats of the other blank.
US08474681B1
An apparatus for presoldering electrical components can include a die device having a punch member for punching a solder preform from a sheet of solder, and pressing the solder preform against an electrical component. A heating device can press against the electrical component on a opposite side from the die device for sandwiching the electrical component between the punch member and the heating member, for heating the electrical component and melting the solder preform thereon.
US08474678B2
An end effector for a surgical fastener applying instrument including a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes first and second cartridges each containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, wherein each of the first and second cartridges is configured to move independently with respect to the first jaw member between a proximal position and a distal position.
US08474675B2
A device for automatically controlling the edges of a web of sheeting has a first deflecting roller and a second deflecting roller, which are arranged parallel to each other, and also a drive for shifting the deflecting rollers in opposite axial directions. A sensor detects the position of the sheeting. The drive shifts the deflecting rollers in opposite axial directions and the ratio between the friction of the sheeting on the first deflecting roller and the friction of the sheeting on the second deflecting roller is changed on the basis of the position of the sheeting detected by the sensor.
US08474672B1
An arrangement for replaceably supporting a backpack having a load on the back of a user and transferring the load of the backpack to the ground by way of the legs of the user while allowing the user to take steps unhindered. The arrangement includes a harness and a leg assembly. The harness replaceably supports the backpack having the load on the back of the user. The leg assembly is pivotally mounted to the harness, extends down the legs of the user, and transfers the load of the backpack to the ground by way of the legs of the user while allowing the user to take the steps unhindered.
US08474669B2
An armband that holds an electronic device is presented. The armband includes a pouch which includes a window and an opening configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap wherein the proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: holes arranged in a specified pattern; loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to the pouch configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells.
US08474666B2
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) and shoe donning device is disclosed comprising an L-shaped AFO cradle with unitarily formed hinge pins for releasable and rotatable engagement with channels in a docking base for purposes of stabilizing and positioning an AFO for donning by a patient with restricted movement. The AFO cradle can be rotated in a variety of positions within the docking base for donning an AFO using only one hand at a position of choice. A shoe platform is also provided for engagement with the docking base in which includes an inclined upper surface for placement of a shoe and which is designed for releasable engagement with the docking base and with the AFO cradle to stabilize the shoe platform during donning of a shoe. Adjustable pins are provided to accommodate various AFO and shoe sizes during the donning process.
US08474665B2
A re-sealable spigot includes a cylindrical structure configured to be attached to a liquid receptacle. The cylindrical structure is formed with a stem having an upper portion, a base portion, a top in coaxial arrangement with the upper portion, and a cap having a hollow receiving portion shaped as a multi-sided geometrical element, the cap sealing the cylindrical structure to the liquid receptacle.
US08474663B2
An adapter includes a base having an aperture extending therethrough. A wall extends upwardly from the base, wherein first and second opposing ridges are disposed on an external surface of the wall adjacent a lower end thereof and first and second opposing elongate ribs are disposed adjacent the first and second ridges, respectively. A plurality of outwardly protruding stop members are disposed on the external surface of the wall above the first and second ridges and elongate ribs.
US08474662B2
An architecture is presented that dispenses fresh cooking oil. The dispensing device comprises a rack and a vacuum chamber that secures containers of cooking oil in an inverted position. The vacuum chamber allows the cooking oil to drain out of the container and ensures that all oil is completely drained from the container. A metal cap assembly is secured to an opening of the container, allowing the container to be inverted on the rack. The metal cap assembly comprises a vent hole and a metal tube connected to the vent hole that draws air into the inverted container to prevent vacuum levels from building up in the container. A hose transfers cooking oil from the container to the vacuum chamber. And, an exit hose connects to a pumping station and transfers cooking oil from the vacuum chamber to the pumping station and ultimately to a fryer.
US08474661B2
A dispenser of fluid products includes a ring nut (2) able to be associated to a container of a fluid product and a substantially hollow dispensing head, able to slide coaxially relative to the ring nut (2); the dispensing head (8) includes a dosing chamber (14) obtained within the dispensing head (8) and a dispensing nozzle (12) to allow the outflow of the fluid product; the dosing chamber (14) has a containment volume variable between a configuration of maximum volumetric capacity when the dosing chamber (14) is isolated and a configuration of minimum volumetric capacity; the dispenser further includes a deformable membrane (15) fastened to the ring nut (2) and a deformable disc-shaped body (16) fastened to the dispensing head (8) and defining the dosing chamber (14) in combination with the membrane (15).
US08474660B2
An apparatus for dispensing an adhesive generally comprises a dispensing module, a liquid supply component, and an actuating assembly. The actuating assembly includes a housing proximate the dispensing module and a three-way solenoid valve operatively coupled to the housing. A piston positioned within a piston chamber of the housing is configured to reciprocate along a piston axis when operated by pressurized air controlled by the solenoid valve. The piston is operatively coupled to a valve element within the dispensing module by a pivot arm.
US08474658B2
A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.
US08474657B2
In a bottle spout fitment (24) and cap (26) combination, the cap (26) has a removed condition disengaged from the spout fitment and an installed condition mounted to the spout fitment. The cap has a plurality of radially-protruding lugs (132). The spout fitment has a spout (60) and a plurality of channels (118) positioned to receive the lugs (132) in the installed condition to block a longitudinal extraction of the cap from the spout fitment.
US08474656B2
A syringe has a dripless feature by using an O-ring located between a conical disc and a flat plunger disc in an annular groove on a moving plunger. The flat plunger disc has a series of projections that offset the o-ring off the flat plunger disc surface when the plunger is not actuated. When the plunger is actuated, the o-ring distorts to rest on the projections and also on the surface of the flat plunger disc. When the plunger is released, the o-ring's resiliency pulls the o-ring back to its original shape which sucks back the fluid being dispensed so that no or less drips occur.
US08474650B2
Disclosed is a synthetic resin container provided with an inverting, foldback bottom wall that can maintain a stable, self-supporting position while being able to minimize the amount of residual contents, and that can be formed by blow-molding, etc., and maintain the favorable producibility or low cost of the past. The synthetic resin container is provided with a bottom wall that forms the bottom of the container, and a drum section that is united to the perimeter of the bottom wall and forms a filling space M for contents on the inside, and is a synthetic resin container wherein a raised bottom is formed by inverting and folding back said bottom wall toward said drum section. Said drum section has a lower peripheral wall that touches or approaches the outer wall part of said bottom wall and forms a self-supporting base by the inversion and folding back of said bottom wall.
US08474647B2
A metallic liner for a composite reinforced high pressure gas cylinder is composed of a seamless metal tube contoured with a top dome and bottom dome. The liner is further composed of a seamless top metal end cap having a mating shape of the top dome and a seamless bottom metal end cap having a mating shape of the bottom dome. Alternatively, an extruded cup is shaped to a dome at the open end and one or two seamless metal end caps are used. In the method of manufacturing, the top and bottom ends of the metal tube are contoured, the end caps are produced, and one or two end caps are attached to the ends of the tube.
US08474639B2
A collapsible vase has a sleeve having an open state in which at least one item can be placed in the sleeve and a flattened state for storage during non-use of the vase. The sleeve has a flap at one end of each side panel of the sleeve. The vase also has a base with slots arranged to securely receive respective flaps when the sleeve is in its open state, whereby the sleeve is retained by the base in a substantially upright position.
US08474627B2
A process for the flotation of non-sulfidic minerals or ores, is disclosed in which crushed crude minerals or ores are mixed with water and a collector to form a suspension, air is introduced into the suspension in the presence of a reagent system, and a floated foam containing the non-sulfidic mineral or ores is formed therein along with a flotation residue comprising the gangue polymeric esterquats as the collector polymeric esterquats. The polymeric esterquats are obtained by reacting alkanolamines with a mixture of monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids and quaternizing the resulting esters, optionally after alkoxylation.
US08474621B2
A package system which combines an article and a container in an integrated package with the article secured in nested relationship within a recess of the container. The recess has sufficient depth such that portions of the side walls of the container extend outwardly effectively beyond an exposed surface of the article so as to protect the article against damage. Alternatively, the package system includes a pair of spaced columns which are integrally formed with the side wall of the container and which extend outwardly from the side wall. A recess is formed between the column members which is configured to receive an article in nested relationship within the recess. Methods for securing the article in nested relationship within the recess of the container are also disclosed.
US08474613B2
A carrier has a variable-length compartment for receiving a device of variable length, such as a lens with a hood that may be alternated between a reversed and an extended or operative position. The carrier has an expansion gusset region that allows expansion of the carrier along one dimension when the device is elongated, whereby the carrier is able to securely accommodate the elongated device within the compartment, and contraction of the carrier when the device is less elongated.
US08474597B2
A tray is provided for orienting and conveying items having a longitudinal axis, a tip, an opposite head, and a head-up and a head-down orientation, the tray conveying the items in a direction of travel and including a series of connected, function-oriented static regions configured for orienting the item from a random orientation to a desired tip-down orientation, at least one of the regions being inclined for facilitating movement of the item through the regions, the regions being configured such that proper orientation of the item is achieved without operator contact.
US08474596B2
The invention describes a transfer conveying apparatus (1) having small conveying rollers (14) which form a conveying plane (13) for an item of transported goods (3) for a main conveying direction and at least one auxiliary conveying direction with a pivoting apparatus for pivoting the small conveying rollers (14) about pivot axes which extend perpendicularly with respect to the conveying plane (13) and with a drive apparatus for the small conveying rollers (14). A load-bearing frame of the transfer conveying apparatus (1) having at least one row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) arranged transversely with respect to the main conveying direction and having pivoting transfer and drive transfer for the row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) forms a conveying module which is connected detachably to a base module having at least one pivoting drive arrangement and at least one small-roller drive arrangement.
US08474590B2
A friction part for a frictionally acting device comprising an annular friction surface which has an inner edge and an outer edge, with the friction surface having provided in it an encircling first groove which extends in zig-zag or undulating form between radially inner and radially outer deflection points, a plurality of second grooves which extend from the inner edge to the outer deflection points and a plurality of third grooves which extend from the outer edge into the encircling first groove and which open into the encircling first groove at opening-in points between the deflection points.
US08474586B2
A dual clutch actuation assembly includes a housing, an annular central piston, a plurality of satellite pistons, and an annular apply member. The housing includes an inner cylindrical wall, an outer cylindrical wall, and a plurality of satellite cylindrical walls. The inner and outer walls define an inner piston annulus and the satellite walls define a plurality of satellite piston bores. Each of the satellite walls is disposed at least partially radially outward of the outer wall. The central piston is disposed in the inner piston annulus and is in sliding engagement with the inner and outer walls of the housing. The satellite pistons are disposed in the satellite piston bores and are in sliding engagement with the satellite walls of the housing. The apply member is axially engaged with each of the satellite pistons and includes an annular plate portion disposed radially outward of the outer cylindrical wall of the housing.
US08474580B2
The invention relates to a floating brake disc (1), particularly for a motorcycle, particularly an off-road motorcycle, which comprises an outer ring (2) which carries a brake band (23) and an inner ring (3) via which the brake disc (1) is connected to a wheel of the vehicle. According to the invention, at least one region (5) of contact, in particular a number of regions (5) of contact, between the outer ring (2) and the inner ring (3) is/are formed on a circular arc (6) extending, concentrically with the brake disc (1), between the outer ring (2) and the inner ring (3), the outer ring (2) and inner ring (3) being connected to one another in the at least one contact region (5) with at least one connecting means (16), in particular a rivet. The inner ring (3) also has, next to the at least one contact region (5), a projection (7) which engages in an indentation (8) in the outer ring (2) in such a way that a bearing surface (9) between the inner ring (3) and the outer ring (2) can be formed, at least when the brake disc (1) is in operation in a vehicle, particularly a motorcycle.
US08474575B2
A mounting for a support post of a safety system has a cylindrical stem to be removably received in a cylindrical socket of an anchor device to be secured to a structure, and a connector enabling connection to the support post of the safety system. The connector is articulated with respect to the cylindrical stem to be adjustable over a range of attitude orientations with respect to the cylindrical stem and a securing device secures the connector at a specific attitude orientation with respect to the cylindrical stem. The mounting may be used in a safety guardrail system for working at height, with a vacuum anchor and a support post to which the guardrail is mounted. The support post is mounted to the vacuum anchor by the articulated mounting to enable the orientation angle of the support post to be adjusted with respect to the anchor device.
US08474566B2
A shaft drive type motorcycle includes a drive shaft for permitting a reduction in the vehicle weight. The shaft drive type motorcycle includes a gear box provided at a rear part of a swing arm with a bearing provided between the gear box and a rear wheel axle. The bearing includes an outer race and balls and an inner race operative provided to rotatably support the rear wheel axle. A presser flange is provided between the rear wheel axle and a rear wheel that includes a hollow cylindrical part pressing the inner race in the axial direction of the rear wheel axle. A flange part is provided as part of the presser flange to which a brake disc is mounted. A labyrinth structure is provided for making it difficult for oil from leaking out of the gear box.
US08474563B2
A frontal structure of a vehicle includes: a dashboard lower section; a dashboard lower cross member, positioned at a front surface of the dashboard lower section, and divided into a left part and a right part; a dashboard cross member integrally formed by connecting and welding the dashboard lower cross member to a steering joint cover; and an acceleration pedal bracket fixed to an overlapping part of the steering joint cover and the dashboard lower section.
US08474560B1
The present disclosure provides a work machine having a frame and a front and rear wheel axle. The machine includes a cab coupled to the frame. The cab is configured to include controls for controlling the operation of the work machine. The machine also includes an electrically-powered drive assembly coupled to the frame and front and rear axles and an inverter electrically coupled to the electrically-powered drive assembly. The machine further includes a platform assembly disposed adjacent the cab and coupled to the frame. The platform assembly comprises an outer wall at least partially surrounding the inverter.
US08474559B2
A vehicle body front part structure has an apron side panel 5 joined to an apron side member 4 extending along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a tray 14 for battery supported on the apron side member 4. In the front part structure, a leg part 16 is provided in an tray body part 15, a lower end part 16K of the leg part 16 is fixed to the apron side member 4 with a fixing member B, and the leg part 16 is formed of a plate material so that the deformation of the apron side member 4 is allowed when a vehicle longitudinal force is applied to the apron side member 4.
US08474554B2
An unmanned guided vehicle that is at least twice as fast as those of the prior art, lighter, less vulnerable, and more reliable than the prior art having at least one of: a dual-action dogleg suspension system; a track system comprising a plurality of cleats, a rubber insert secured to each cleat, and two cables serially joining each cleat to make up a track; a track guide system comprising a shark fin secured to each cleat that runs through a plurality of track guides; a dry clutch and braking system; a tubular chassis comprising a tubular center chassis and a tubular suspension chassis; a spring-loaded piston track tension compensator system; a flat drive tooth drive sprocket system that allows for clearing foreign debris from between the teeth; and a suspension carrier modular design assembly system comprising a passenger side suspension carrier, center cage, and driver's side suspension carrier.
US08474552B2
Piston steering devices and methods for use of piston devices. One aspect as disclosed herein provides a ball piston device including: a sleeve in fluid communication with a fluid source and a ball received within the sleeve. The ball is movable within the sleeve from a recessed position and an extended position.
US08474551B2
Disclosed are hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus, subterranean hydrocarbon recovery drilling methods, and subterranean hydrocarbon recovery methods. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus includes an elongated assembly within which a rotatable drill rod is received. The assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a drill rod entrance end, and a drill rod exit end. The assembly comprises a tailcuttings diverter pipe proximate the drill rod exit end, with the tailcuttings diverter pipe defining an initial fluid flow path of the tailcuttings from the longitudinal axis which is acute from the longitudinal axis. Other apparatus and method aspects are contemplated.
US08474538B2
A connector assembly that can be used to connect a tension ring to a telescoping joint on a riser by using a lower set of hydraulically actuated dogs. A set of hydraulically actuated hang-off dogs on the connector assembly can be used to connect the tension ring to a diverter housing mounted on a rig. To prevent accidental disengagement of the hang-off dogs, a hydraulically actuated lock ring is used to provide a positive stop against the back of the hang-off dogs.
US08474533B2
An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.
US08474529B2
An apparatus and a method to control rotational positioning of continuous concentric tubing that extends from a surface downhole in a subterranean well or bore. In one version, a continuous cylindrical inner tube resides within and is concentric with a cylindrical outer tube. At least one elliptical lobe extends from the continuous inner tube. The invention utilizes diameter restrictions within and attached to the outer concentric tubing so that the elliptical lobe or lobes engage the diameter restrictions. Accordingly, rotation of one tube rotates or orients the other tube.
US08474526B2
The present invention provides a screen for a well that utilizes a partial screen wrapping used to advantage with side conduits (e.g., alternate flowpaths), control lines, intelligent completions devices, and the like. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08474525B2
A geothermal liner system with packer for sealing a producing zone within a wellbore has a mandrel placed in an interior of the wellbore, a packer releasably affixed around an outer surface of the mandrel, and a sleeve positioned adjacent an end of the mandrel. The liner system is generally tubular and may include joint casings and a mandrel, all being tubular-shaped. The packer is expandable upon exposure to wellbore conditions. The sleeve has perforations in a wall thereof. The mandrel is slidable relative to the packer when the packer expands against the wellbore. The sleeve is selectively controlled to manage production from sealed wellbore zones. The system is stabilized through various wellbore conditions, such as geothermal heat, by being adjustable for thermal expansion of parts of the system.
US08474522B2
A debris removal device features structural support from an exterior housing that allows more space for debris collection. The debris enters the collection volume from the top to eliminate debris from having to go through a valve. The screen in the device is disposed internally to protect it during handling and running. A variety of external flow diverters are used to direct debris laden fluid into the tool and to keep debris out of an annular space around the tool that could interfere with its removal. The diverters can be actuated by relative movement in the tool or applied pressure to a piston which can inflate a sleeve or orient or misalign paths through brushes for selective bypassing of fluid exterior to the tool.
US08474518B2
A tank body 125 comprising header tanks 120 of a radiator is composed with a polyamide composition containing polyamide 6,10, glass fiber, copper and nucleating agent. At this time, the polyamide composition contains, based on the total weight of the polyamide 6,10, the glass fiber, the copper and the nucleating agent, (a) 48.9 to 79.988 percent by weight of the polyamide 6,10, (b) 20 to 50 percent by weight of the glass fiber, (c) 0.002 to 0.1 percent by weight of the copper, and (d) 0.01 to 1.5 percent by weight of the nucleating agent, and the result of measuring half-crystallization time of the polyamide composition is 5 minutes or less. In addition, the polyamide 6,10 used has a relative viscosity, as measured in 98 percent sulfuric acid, of 2.3 to 2.9.
US08474517B2
A heat exchanger, such as a condenser or gas cooler, having a collecting tube which has a wall and which can be produced by deformation of a single metal strip, which collecting tube has, in its base, at least one row of openings in which heat exchanger tubes, each of which has two narrow and two wide sides, are fastened at their ends. The collecting tube can have at least two chambers, which adjoin one another approximately at a central longitudinal axis, and also a reinforcement, which is formed by the longitudinal edge strips of the metal strip.
US08474505B2
A tattoo applicator for applying temporary tattoos to a subject, the tattoo applicator including a handheld housing and a sponge moveably supported by the housing to moisten the temporary tattoo and to apply pressure to the temporary tattoo. In some examples, the housing defines a retaining slot for receiving a tattoo-forming sheet. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a timer. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a push rod and a tattoo mount supported by the housing, the tattoo mount defining a port through which the push rod extends. In some examples, the tattoo applicator includes a fluid reservoir mounted to the housing.
US08474504B2
A tape dispenser is provided with a roller adjacent its cutter and tape retaining tabs adjacent the roller. The tabs a close to the roller and hold the end of the tape adjacent the roller facilitating application of the tape to a substrate. The dispenser is also provided with feet at its rear end allowing the dispenser to rest on its rear end with the end of the tape remote from the supporting surface.
US08474486B2
An actuator system (14) comprising a valve assembly (40) having an inner spool (50), an outer spool (60), and a sleeve (70). An assembly (80) directly drives the inner spool (50) to move it relative to the outer spool (60), and thereby hydromechanically causes the outer spool (60) to move relative to the sleeve (70). A control assembly (90) provides current input to the drive assembly (80), which converts current input into mechanical motion. The control assembly (90) senses the position of the inner spool (50) and regulates current in accordance with the sensed position.
US08474477B1
A watertight, multi-sectioned, sump-pump basin cover back-up device made of a first cover section defining an outer-rim having a central aperture for accepting a water tightly sealable second cover section having at least one opening therethrough for accepting a water-tightly sealable discharge pipe, another water-tight, uncoverable, covered aperture for drainage of water from the floor adjacent to the sump-pump basin into the basin only when the water-tight cover is removed, and an auxiliary discharge pipe having a predetermined height, providing for said pipe to function as a relief valve. The device fixedly or detachably attachable to a sump pump basin rim, reducing or eliminating sump-pump cavity overflow flooding, while retarding the escape of pump noise, odor, and gases known to emanate from sump-pump basins.
US08474471B2
The present invention relates to a stick (23), such as, for example, a trekking, downhill skiing, hiking or Nordic walking stick, which has a stick handle (28), a stick tube (24) comprising at least three telescopic tubular sections (25, 26, 27), and a stick point (29). Two adjacent tubular sections can each be adjusted relative to each other. The stick (23) according to the invention has a damping device (1) with a compression spring device (35), wherein an axial pin (2) which is secured axially on a second tubular section (26) is guided in a guide sleeve (10) held in a rotationally fixed manner in a first tubular section (25).
US08474465B2
A heated hairstyling clip, optionally with heat-transfer accessories, is provided for rapid informal (“scrunch”-type) hair styling. (To “scrunch” is to crumple, crush or squeeze something tightly together; for example, a handful of hair.) In one embodiment the clip is a pair of concave jaws, optionally with interlocking fingers, held together by a spring mechanism. The hair is set and secured within the heated hairstyling clip, optionally with accessories supplying additional heat, and the clip is then allowed to cool before being removed. The clip is heated by a device, which may be a microwave oven, a conventional oven, a heated bath, or a resistive heating element. Heating of the clip may be supplemented or replaced by a heatable clip liner, held between the clip and the hair being treated, or a heatable clip pad supplying heat to the clip and the hair, or a reservoir within the clip, or a styling element in contact with the hair. The heated clip can be used for the purpose of creating natural looking scrunched styles, tousled body, informal waves or curls, or similar configuration or formation of hair.
US08474460B2
Disclosed are methods and devices for regulating fluid flow to and from a region of a patient's lung, such as to achieve a desired fluid flow dynamic to a lung region during respiration and/or to induce collapse in one or more lung regions. Pursuant to an exemplary procedure, an identified region of the lung is targeted for treatment. The targeted lung region is then bronchially isolated to regulate airflow into and/or out of the targeted lung region through one or more bronchial passageways that feed air to the targeted lung region.
US08474457B2
A harness for use with breathing apparatus has: a flexible hip plate 12 and a flexible bandolier-style shoulder panel 14, linked together by a strap 15, and a waist belt 16 fastenable by a sprung fastener. In use, the flexible hip plate 12 rests against the hip of a user (the left hip in this example), the waist belt is fitted around the waist of the user, and the shoulder panel 14 rests against the shoulder opposite to the hip against which the flexible plate is resting (the right shoulder in this example). At least the bandolier-style panel 14, and optionally also the hip plate 12 of the harness 10, are made of a resilient material which, though flexible, allows the harness substantially to retain its operational configuration even when not being worn.
US08474455B2
A system for circuit compliance compensated volume assurance pressure control in a patient respiratory ventilation circuit, having a patient circuit volume estimator for estimating a patient circuit compliance, a patient circuit volume estimator to estimate a circuit volume VOLCKT—EST based on the patient circuit compliance, a patient volume observer, for estimating a patient volume VOLTID—EST based on a measure delivered net volume VOLNET and the patient circuit compliance, a volume assurance controller for generating a circuit compliance volume compensation factor VOLTID—CTL based on a preset assured volume VOLASS—SET and the estimated patient volume VOLTID—EST, and a decelerating inspiratory flow controller, operative to generate a decelerating inspiratory peak flow based on a preset inspiratory time TINSP and the volume compensation factor VOLTID—CTL.
US08474444B2
A device for recovering, harnessing and reutilizing heat from along a side wall of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel comprising such device, and a method of using such device. The device can be constructed as part of the cooking vessel or can be an accessory that attaches to different sized cooking vessels via adjusting means. Specifically, the device is made of a highly conductive and durable metal or metal alloy and comprises a skirt-like body, extending from the side of the cooking vessel and attached to a perforated slip-like portion that may be attached to or integrated into the side wall of the cooking vessel. The device harnesses and reutilizes heat from the underside of the body and safely and efficiently transfers the heat to the cooking vessel through conduction. The device can further comprise diffusers, a bottom portion with a plurality of ventilation openings, and a heat shield.
US08474442B2
An oil baffle, a system, and a method are disclosed for separating a gaseous component from oil in a blow-by vapor for an internal combustion engine. An example system may include a cam cover configured to be mounted on a cylinder head. The system may also include an oil baffle including a first face coupled to the cam cover and may define an oil separation chamber between the cam cover and the first face. The oil baffle may include one or more stiffening members coupled to and extending from and substantially normal to an opposite face in order to reduce noise.
US08474441B2
An automobile fuel pretreatment device includes an instantaneous constant-temperature heating device including a fuel tube which allows fuel to flow, a heating unit positioned on and heating an outside surface of the fuel tube, and two spring clamp boards enclosing and clamping the heating unit on the fuel tube. Each of the spring clamp boards has a locking hole formed adjacent to a first free end and a locking tab formed adjacent to a second free end. The locking tab of each of the spring clamp boards is received through the locking hole of the other one of the spring clamp boards to engage the first free end of the other one of the spring clamp boards. A magnetization combustion-enhancing device includes two permanent magnets located adjacent to the fuel tube to induce magnetization on the fuel flowing through the fuel tube.
US08474437B2
A fuel injection controlling apparatus (electronic control unit) of an internal combustion engine, which can cause first to fourth fuel injection valves of respective cylinders connected to a fuel delivery pipe to inject a fuel, which is heated after fed from a fuel pump (feed pump), is provided with a fuel pump control unit that stops a drive of the fuel pump (feed pump) until the heated fuel in the fuel delivery pipe is reduced to a predetermined amount or less.
US08474435B2
In an opposed piston, compression ignition engine two crankshafts are single-side mounted with respect to a row of cylinders, which is to say that the crankshafts are mounted so that their axes of rotation lie in a plane that is spaced apart from and parallel to a plane in which the axes of the cylinders lie. Each piston of the engine is coupled to one of the crankshafts by a single linkage guided by a crosshead. The piston has a piston rod affixed at one end to the piston. The other end of the piston rod is affixed to the crosshead pin. One end of a connecting rod swings on the pin and the other end is coupled to a throw on a crankshaft. Each crosshead is constrained to reciprocate between fixed guides, in alignment with the piston rod to which it is coupled.
US08474434B2
In a situation where a conventional inductive throttle sensor is used with a motor-driven throttle valve device to detect the rotation angle of a throttle shaft, plural sensor connection conductor sections for connecting a connector terminal to a circuit board terminal section are formed on the cover on one lateral surface side of a circuit board in the long-axis direction. This increases the dimension of the cover in the short-axis direction (the dimension in the direction of air flow in an intake path). Consequently, it is difficult to install the motor-driven throttle valve device and inductive throttle sensor in a narrow engine room. This problem is addressed by using a separate member to achieve electrical conduction between a stator circuit board and a conductor routed inside the cover installed over the stator circuit board in a concentrated manner on one side of the circuit board. The problem is also addressed by disposing plural electrical conduction spots in a decentralized manner and away from a protrusion provided to limit the amount of axial movement of a gear.
US08474433B2
During engine braking of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, the exhaust gas pressure increases and this is used to pressurize the seals between the turbocharger shaft and the bearing housing so as to prevent oil leakage into the compressor housing. Immediately after engine braking, stored exhaust gas pressure is used to pressurize the seals at the turbine end so as to prevent oil leakage into the turbine housing. In an alternative arrangement the exhaust gas is used to generate a reduced pressure in the bearing housing to increase the pressure gradient across the seals.
US08474420B2
In an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, comprising a crankcase and a crankshaft accommodated therein, and a cylinder housing including at least one cylinder with a cylinder head, the cylinder housing with the cylinder head is supported directly on the crankshaft via eccentric elements which are pivotable for adjusting a position of the cylinder housing with the cylinder head relative to the crankshaft with the crankcase (12) for changing the compression ratio of the engine.
US08474418B2
The position of a passage separating member in the axial direction of the cylinder bores is determined by causing a spacer to contact a bottom surface of a water jacket. When the separating member is inserted in the water jacket, the width of the separating member is reduced due to elastic deformation, so that the separating member can be arranged in the water jacket. After being arranged, the separating member tightly contacts the inner surface of the water jacket due to elastic restoration force. The tight contact prevents the separating member from moving upward in the water jacket. As a result, coolant is prevented from moving between the upper portion and the lower portion with respect to the separating member. The advantages of separate cooling of the coolant in the upper and lower portions with respect to the separating member are obtained. This reliably reduces the temperature difference along the axial direction of the cylinder bore forming body.
US08474417B2
An air-cooled general-purpose engine includes: a cooling fan fixed to one end portion, protruding outward from one end wall of an engine main body, of a crankshaft; and a shroud which is mounted to the engine main body, and which defines a cooling-air path between the shroud and the one end wall, the cooling-air path guiding a cooling air blown under pressure from the cooling fan. The air-cooled general-purpose engine includes: an oil pump which pumps up an oil from an oil reservoir; and an oil-supply path which is formed in the one end wall, facing the cooling-air path, of the engine main body, and configured to guide the oil discharged from the oil pump to a valve operating chamber in a head portion of the engine main body, and a jet for jetting the oil is provided in an opening of the oil-supply path, the opening being open to the valve operating chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to be excellent in cooling oil and to preferably lubricate a valve operating system in addition to the surrounding of a crankshaft.
US08474414B2
A restraint system for an animal comprising a collar assembly and a retractable leash assembly. The collar assembly comprises a strap member adapted to be secured around a portion of the animal and a pouch member secured to the strap member. The pouch member defines a pouch chamber and an open end. The retractable leash assembly comprises a retraction assembly secured to the strap member within the pouch chamber, a cord member operatively connected to the retraction assembly, and a handle member operatively connected to the cord member. The retractable leash assembly is operable in a retracted configuration in which the handle member is substantially within the pouch chamber. The retractable leash assembly is operable in an extended configuration in which the handle member is outside of the pouch chamber.
US08474413B2
A pet restraint harness system for use in a vehicle may be installed in a rear or front passenger seat. The restraint system includes a harness fastened about the pet and a restraint framework fastened about the seat and, in some configurations, to manufacturer latch points provided in the vehicle. The restraint framework includes a vertical strap positioned against the seatback and one or more lateral straps attached to the vertical strap to resist lateral movement, vertical movement, or both. One end of the vertical strap and the lateral straps may attach to the manufacturer latch locations. Alternatively, ends of the vertical and lateral straps may attach to each other about the seat. At least two restraining straps are attached to the vertical strap, the lateral straps, or among the combination of both. The restraining straps are configured to attach to an animal's collar, to a harness, or both.
US08474412B1
A carrier sling for supporting and carrying a four-legged animal off the ground has a sling formed of flexible fabric material having leg openings for receiving the forelegs and back legs of the animal that extends along an underside of the animal including the shoulder and hip areas and around the sides of the animal and has a longitudinally extending loop along opposed shorter sides which contain a rigid support rod. Strap handles and a shoulder strap are secured to each shorter side and support rod. When the animal is supported in the sling and lifted by the handles or shoulder strap, the support rods are positioned closely together substantially parallel with one another and extend longitudinally above the animal's back and spine including the shoulder and hip areas to evenly distribute the animal's weight and significantly reduce twisting or bending stresses applied to the axis of the spine.
US08474411B2
The invention is an animal deterrent device and method of using the device. The device consists of a dazzler laser that produces eye irritation in an animal which results in the animal turning away from the user of the device. The device incorporates a diverging lens such that the dazzler laser produces a beam with a wide spread that makes it is easy to shine the beam on a potentially dangerous animal, but where the light is of sufficient intensity to irritate the animal's eyes.
US08474408B2
A device for cleaning an animal's paw including a container (10) adapted to retain a cleaning agent, the container defining an opening and including a side wall, a cleaning platform (50) disposed in said container and defining a space (60) between said cleaning platform and said container side wall, and a squeegee member (85) substantially covering said opening.
US08474405B1
An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time. At the slaughter facility, the animal's identification is used to correlate the live animal physical characteristics and performance data to the carcass characteristics data and build a-database to more accurately identify and measure value-based characteristics in subsequent animals for more effective selection and management.
US08474402B2
Apparatus and method for electrostatic charging of a container for an electrostatic coating operation includes a support member for supporting a container during an electrostatic coating operation with the support member comprising a non-metallic conductive material or electrically semiconductive portion that directly contacts a surface of the container. The electrically semiconductive portion comprises non-metallic, resistive or low conductivity material and is coupled to a source of electrical energy such that the container is electrostatically charged to an opposite polarity to offset or reduce electrostatic charge build up produced by the electrostatic coating operation.
US08474396B2
Provided is a developing apparatus configured to slim the resist pattern while reducing the number of developing modules. A room temperature developing liquid and a high temperature developing liquid to modify the surface layer of a resist pattern can be supplied from a common nozzle to a substrate disposed on a mount table. Although both developing liquids may be sequentially discharged by switching between the supply line for the room temperature developing liquid and the supply line for the high temperature developing liquid, it is also possible to join these supply lines for supplying the room temperature developing liquid from the former supply line, and then adjust the ratio of the flow rates between both supply lines, and then supply the mixed liquid of the developing liquids as a high temperature developing liquid.
US08474393B1
A sectional boat has a plurality of independently floating sections, each section having an outwardly projecting bulge on the port and starboard sides. A peripheral channel extends on an external surface of each bulge to accommodate a connecting member, which exerts tension to align the floating sections and form a single buoyant hull.
US08474392B2
The present invention discloses a compliant banding system for use in a marine environment comprising a flexible compliant member and an abaxial relatively rigid strap, both constructed to extend circumferentially around an underlying structure such as a strake or fairing collar. The strap maintains a fixed circumference while the compliant member flexes intermediate the strap and an underlying.
US08474389B2
A sectional shape of a seat provided on a personal watercraft includes first to third seat portions, first to third hip support portions, and first and second rearward inclined portions. The first hip support portion extends rearward to a height higher than the second seat portion from the first seat portion. The second hip support portion extends rearward to a height higher than the third seat portion and higher than the first hip support portion from the second seat portion. The third hip support portion extends rearward to a height higher than the second hip support portion from the third seat portion. The second rearward inclined portion is inclined at an inclination angle larger than an inclination angle of the first rearward inclined portion with respect to a horizontal plane.
US08474383B1
The invention relates to a railway car truck incorporating a novel transom attached below the spring seat, having elastomeric fittings and a central opening to receive the truck bolster.
US08474380B2
A projectile (10) comprises a cylindrical body (12) with a first (leading) end (14) and a second trailing axially opposed end (16). An internal cavity (18) is formed between the ends (14 and 16) and holds a volume of propellant material (22). The first end (14) is closed by a nose (20) that is fixed to the body (12). The end (14) is sealed with a base seal (26) that seats a primer (24) for igniting the propellant (22). The primer (24) is located inboard of the second end (16) and the base seal (26) to reduce the likelihood of accidental activation. Seals (30) are formed about the body (12) for maintaining gas pressure of deflagrating propellant. The seals (30) may be formed integrally with the body (12) or separately from the body (12) and seated in respective grooves (40) formed circumferentially about the body (12). Also disclosed is a breech sleeve (810) shaped to complement the breech of the weapon and a throughway (816) defined by an internal surface, the projectile being able to pass through the throughway (816).
US08474372B2
An egg pan has individual egg bowls and a water reservoir having channels surrounding the egg bowls. Water is introduced into the water reservoir during the final stage of cooking eggs. A user would cook eggs inside the egg bowls to desired consistency and then pour a small amount of water into the water reservoir and close a snugly-fitting lid, thus generating steam. Exposure to steam at the final stage of cooking causes improvement in shape and appearance of the cooked eggs.
US08474369B2
A cooking skillet that provides a unique automatic stirring system for continuously stirring foods during cooking. The cooking skillet comprises a base, a receptacle, a heating element, and an automatic stirring system. The automatic stirring system comprises a stirring wand located in the receptacle and a bracket located in the base. The stirring wand and the bracket are attracted to each other through magnetic forces that provide sufficient magnetism to attract one to the other. A motor is attached to the bracket by a connecting rod and provides the means to rotate the bracket in a clockwise direction. The magnetism between the magnets in the bracket and the magnets in the stirring wand forces the stirring wand to rotate in connection with the bracket. During rotation, the stirring wand is designed to mix the food contained within the receptacle. A controlling box is used to control the power to the motor and provides a resisting sensor or reversing circuit to reverse the rotational direction of the stirring system as necessary.
US08474368B2
A beverage filter cartridge having a cup, a filter, a lid and at least one beverage ingredient is provided where the cup and lid are sealed together to form an interior chamber which is separated into a first and second compartments by the filter, which is preferably basket or cone shaped, and a beverage ingredient such as coffee is contained inside first compartment, and at least one of the cup, lid and filter contains calcium carbonate in an amount effective to either improve the ability of beverage makers to pierce the cup or to provide a means for the cartridge to absorb CO2 emitted by the ingredient thereby reducing the hold time to packing and reducing the number of defective cartridges.
US08474367B2
Beverage preparation machine comprising a body 2 having a facade, a beverage preparation area (10) delimited on one side by the facade 3, in its upper part by beverage outlets, and in its lower part by a cup rest 8, and a movable steam nozzle 7 connected to the body by a moving device. The body includes a housing 3c defining a cleaning area 25, in which is disposed a rinsing container 12 having a top opening 22 and including a draining device 23, and in which the movable nozzle 7 is driven in a vertical movement by the moving device so that its free end 7a enters the container 12 through its top opening.
US08474365B2
A diaphragm pump (1) has at least two pump heads (3) arranged around a central eccentric pump drive (2), the diaphragms (4) being drivingly connected to the eccentric pump drive (2) via connecting rods (5). The eccentric pump drive (2) has a connecting rod ring (6) to which the ends (9) of the connecting rods are connected via elastic intermediates (10).
US08474356B2
A machine tool monitoring device having a detection unit, which is configured to detect the presence of a material type in a machine tool work area by spectral analysis of a radiation. The detection unit has a sensor unit having at least one sensitivity region for detecting radiation in a wavelength range that is situated at least partially in the infrared spectrum.
US08474355B2
A glazing panel cut out system for use with a cutting wire in cutting out a vehicle glazing panel cut out procedure has a dispenser unit for dispensing cutting wire and a winder unit for winding the wire, both being mounted to the glazing panel during use. The winder unit has one or more winder spools for winding the cutting wire dispensed from the dispenser. The cutting wire is paid out from the dispenser whilst mounted to the glazing panel during the cut out procedure.
US08474354B2
A cutting device for food products having a handle, a neck portion, and a circular cutting blade. The handle is generally curved relative to its longitudinal axis and includes a top surface with a finger stop, the finger stop engaging a user's index finger during use. The handle length is sized in proportion to a typical user's hand so that a free end of the handle is proximate the user's palm. During use, the user's index finger engages a finger stop and top and bottom surfaces of the handle. A method of using such a flat food item cutting device is also disclosed.
US08474349B2
A power transfer unit (PTU) for a motive device includes an outer housing and a torque transferring clutch. The PTU also includes a piston housing located between the outer housing and the torque transferring clutch, and a piston in the piston housing. The piston is arranged to provide actuation forces to the torque transferring clutch, and to restrict reaction forces back to the piston housing.
US08474346B2
Disclosed is a multi-stage transmission which ensures that gear shifts are efficiently performed with a small number of component parts, smooth operations are performed with small forces, there are no loss of changeover time during gear shifts and no loss of the driving force, and the shift shock is small. The transmission has a driven gear shaft 12, in which are provided a first swing pawl member 25 engageable in a rotational direction with a first gear n1, a second swing pawl member 25 engageable in the rotational direction with a second gear n2 which is one step lower in reduction ratio, a third swing pawl member 24 engageable in the opposite rotational direction with the first gear n1, and a fourth swing pawl member 24 engageable in the opposite rotational direction with the second gear n2. A first cam rod 21 and a second cam rod 22 are provided which are slidable axially on and along the surface of an internal hole of the driven gear shaft 12. The first cam rod 21 is formed with a plurality of cam surfaces, which operate by movement thereof the second swing pawl member 25 and the third swing pawl member 24, while the second cam rod 22 is formed with a plurality of cam surfaces, which operate by movement thereof the first swing pawl member 25 and the fourth swing pawl member 24. Gear shift is carried out by moving the first and second cam rods 21, 22.
US08474335B2
An air sampler device has a top plate and a bottom plate, and receives a Petri dish between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top plate includes 283 substantially small holes. The bottom plate has a deepened center well formed in the top surface. Elongated slots are formed in the top surface which extend out from the well. The slots have distal ends which extend beyond the Petri dish. Air is drawn into the sampler by a vacuum tube through an air port which communicates with the center well. Air is pulled into the 283 holes in the top plate and strikes the capture material in the Petri dish. The air then travels up over the sides of the dish, into the distal ends, through the slots, and into the center well, where it exits out of the vacuum air port.
US08474332B2
Apparatus are provided for sensor assemblies and related medical devices. An embodiment of a sensor assembly includes a beam and a sensing element disposed on the beam. The sensor assembly also includes a structure to prevent deflection of the beam when a force applied to the sensor assembly is greater than a threshold value.
US08474317B2
A microelectromechanical device includes a body, a movable mass, elastically connected to the body and movable in accordance with a degree of freedom, and a driving device, coupled to the movable mass and configured to maintain the movable mass in oscillation at a steady working frequency in a normal operating mode. The microelectromechanical device moreover includes a start-up device, which is activatable in a start-up operating mode and is configured to compare a current oscillation frequency of a first signal correlated to oscillation of the movable mass with a reference frequency, and for deciding, on the basis of the comparison between the current oscillation frequency and the reference frequency, whether to supply to the movable mass a forcing signal packet so as to transfer energy to the movable mass.
US08474310B2
A valve freeze control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a concentration sensor, a valve, a freeze control device, and a start determination unit. The concentration sensor is adapted to detect an alcohol concentration of fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. The valve is provided in one of an intake passage and an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, wherein the valve controls flow of air that passes through the one of the intake and exhaust passages. The freeze control device is adapted to limit malfunction of the valve caused by freeze of water in exhaust gas, and the water has been attached to the valve. The start determination unit determines to start the freeze control device when the alcohol concentration detected by the concentration sensor is equal to or greater than a reference value.
US08474302B2
A sensor control circuit unit (1) includes a circuit board (70) which has opposite sides (70a) and (70b) facing in parallel with each other, and carries a signal detection circuit (28) for receiving a detection signal whose level is equal to or less than one μA and which changes in accordance with NOX concentration, a power supply circuit (35), and a heater circuit (40) for controlling a heater. The power supply circuit (35) and the heater circuit (40) are mounted on one side of the circuit board (70) toward one side (70a) of the opposite sides, and the signal detection circuit (28) is mounted in a mounting area on the other side of the circuit board (70) toward the other side (70b) of the opposite sides, the mounting area being different from a mounting area of the circuits (35) and (40). A ground conductor (24x) connected to the ground is continuously formed on a surface of the circuit board (70) on which the signal detection circuit (28) is mounted such that the ground conductor (24x) extends along at least the other of the opposite sides.
US08474292B2
A tube extending along a tube axis is straightened by radially outwardly plastically deforming and expanding the tube by means of an expander mandrel and simultaneously bending the tube by applying radially inwardly directed forces to the tube at three points lying on a triangle. One of the points is level with the mandrel on one side of the tube and the other two points axially flank it in axially opposite directions and bear on the other side of the tube.
US08474273B2
A coolant delivery system and method for maintaining a temperature within a predetermined range of a set-point temperature in a vessel into which a coolant gas is discharged or a temperature of a material onto which the coolant gas is discharged. The coolant gas results from the mixing of a supply gas with a cryogen. Temperature regulation is provided by regulating the flow rate of a cryogen using a proportional valve, while providing an essentially constant flow rate of a supply gas.
US08474263B2
A system and method are disclosed for converting heat into a usable form of energy, where the system and method are designed to utilize at least two separate heat sources simultaneously, where one heat source stream has a higher initial temperature and a second heat source stream has a lower initial temperature, which is transferred to and a multi-component working fluid from which thermal energy is extracted.
US08474262B2
Advanced Tandem Organic Rankine Cycle (AT ORC) is described for recovering power from source of heat energy into two separated independent cycles with organic fluid of propane or mix of light hydrocarbons with similar thermal stability, namely the high temperature cycle realized in the high temperature closed loop thermally connected to the high temperature zone, and the low temperature cycle realized in the low temperature closed loop thermally connected to the low temperature zone of the source of heat energy. In the process of each cycle, organic fluid changes phases from pressurized liquid to pressurized superheated organic vapor using residual heat energy from depressurized superheated organic vapor, and heat energy from corresponding temperature zone. Separation of the source of heat energy on the high temperature zone and low temperature zone is implemented to maximize thermal and overall efficiency of recovering power in each cycle and of the overall AT ORC.
US08474253B2
A pressure accumulator (10) to establish the necessary power to drive and operate external equipment is described, such as hydraulic and/or mechanical systems comprising a main body (12) with an inner, longitudinal, main chamber (14) that is divided into several sub-chambers. The inner, main chamber (14) comprises at least three sub-chambers (14a, 14b, 14c) that are separated from each other with the help of mutual, intermediate pistons (16,18), where the first of said chambers is a compensating chamber (14a) arranged to take up the same pressure as the surroundings, the second of said chambers is a gas expansion chamber (14b) encompassing a gas generator (20) with an initiator/detonator (22), and the third of said chambers is a pressure chamber (14c) arranged to be pressurized with the help of the gas expansion chamber (14b) and to exert a force on the external equipment.
US08474252B2
An exhaust collector system for discharging a flow of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust collector system includes a plurality of primary headers having their discharge portions merged together at a merge angle into a substantially oval or obround-shaped manifold outlet, and a substantially-round secondary pipe having a pipe inlet with a diameter greater than the diameter of the primary headers. The exhaust collector system also includes an oval-to-round collector flowtube which has a substantially oval-or obround-shaped collector inlet that is coupled with the manifold outlet and a substantially-round collector outlet that is coupled with the pipe inlet. The collector flowtube has a constant circumference along its entire length and a transverse cross-sectional area that continuously increases from the collector inlet to the collector outlet to cause a continuous expansion of the flow of exhaust gases.
US08474250B2
An emission reduction device which may be removably affixed to an engine's exhaust system. The device comprises a cylindrical carcass with a beveled opening in a diagonal line in its proximal part. A bobbin is affixed in the distal portion of the carcass. A cylindrical-shaped fibrous blanket may be inserted in the carcass and the fibrous blanket may be wrapped in a wire mesh. A second fiber mesh formed into a cone may be removably inserted in the cylindrical-shaped fibrous blanket with the larger diameter of the cone positioned proximally.
US08474242B2
A method and system for improving sensor accuracy of diesel emissions is disclosed. The method and system change the sensor reading as a function of sensor age to provide a more accurate measure of the diesel emissions. By estimating the degree of sensor error and then providing a gain correction factor as a function of sensor age, a more accurate measure of the diesel emissions is provided.
US08474186B2
A slider window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a peripheral frame, at least one fixed panel located within the frame and adjacent an opening and a slider panel located within the frame and movable between a closed position wherein the slider panel covers the opening and an open position wherein the slider panel does not entirely close the opening. A drive assembly is operably connected to the slider panel to selectively move the slider panel between the closed and open positions. The drive assembly includes a rack secured to the slider panel, an electric motor secured to a fixed position on the slider window assembly, and a gear operably connected to the motor and operably engaging the rack so that operation of the motor in opposite directions moves the slider panel in opposite directions between the closed and open positions.
US08474185B2
A suspension for at least one panel, which is movable along a travel path, is has a guiding profile configured to longitudinally extend along the travel path and to have sidewall sections. The sidewall sections are configured to extend in a direction of the longitudinal extension of the guiding profile and parallel to a vertical extension of the movable panel. In addition, at an end facing away from the movable panel, the sidewall sections are connected to each other by means of a horizontal wall section. At an end facing the guiding profile, the at least one movable panel is received in a guided and supported manner in the guiding profile. A driver member of a linear drive system is operatively connected to the movable panel. In the guiding profile, in a space between the horizontal wall section and the driver member, a reception space is formed, into which a driving profile is fitted and stationarily mounted to the guiding profile, the linear drive system, at least partially, being accommodated in the driving profile and the driving profile being disposed in the guiding profile above a guide of the movable panel.
US08474176B2
A nit picking device and method for mechanically stripping nits, eggs, and lice from human hair. The device includes a pair of cooperating tongs each of which is elongated and joined at one end to the juxtaposed end portion of the cooperating tong. The opposite ends of the tong serve to carry an abrasive pad capable of stripping nits from nit laden human hair shafts. As the pads are moved along the length of the hair, the nits are removed from the shafts and in one embodiment captured at least in part in the pads carried by tongs.
US08474166B2
The present invention provides a method of assembling a tensile fabric arrangement comprising engaging an end of a carrier member having a tensile fabric attached thereto with a first support member attached to a surface, engaging a second end of the carrier member with a locking member, extending the tensile fabric from the carrier member, engaging an end of a second carrier member for the tensile fabric with a second support member attached to the surface, engaging a second end of the second carrier member with a securing member; and applying a tension to the tensile fabric, wherein the tensile fabric is supported at its top edge only by the first and second support members but may optionally be further tensioned using a tensile structural assembly including a surface, guide hook, loop, and tie, which is also provided.
US08474164B2
A checkout divider having an optically variable effect. The divider includes a sleeve including optically variable material that is disposed upon a face of the sleeve. The sleeve is formed to take on a three-dimensional structure. The divider includes a pair of end caps that are configured to fixedly receive each end of the sleeve. The divider also includes a curved bearing surface associated with the end caps. The curved bearing surface is disposable such that upon disturbance of an equilibrium of the checkout divider, the optically variable material exhibits a change in aspect.
US08474159B2
A land-clearing implement configured to be attached to a small earth-moving machine, such as a skid loader. The land-clearing device has a pusher assembly with telescopically extendable actuator arms that are operated by a hydraulic auxiliary source accessible from the interior of the earthmoving machine. When the actuator arms are extended, the forward end of the pusher assembly applies a pushing force on the trunk of a tree, pushing the tree until uprooted. The pusher assembly is supported by a mounting bracket that rests on the ground and provides stability to the pusher assembly. A pair of opposing grabber arms with C-shaped hooks is secured to the pusher assembly by pivoting securing rods. The grabber arms partially encircle and the C-shaped hooks dig into the root ball of the tree to provide stability as the pusher assembly is engaged.
US08474150B2
A probe system includes a scanning head and a transceiver element. By touching a stylus, a sensor element is able to generate a sensor signal. The scanning head and the transceiver element are configured such that a wireless information transmission is able to be established between them. The probe contact information is able to be transmitted from the scanning head to the transceiver element by a first signal whose carrier wave is an optical wave, and furthermore, additional information is able to be transmitted between the scanning head and the transceiver element by an additional signal whose carrier wave is a radio wave.
US08474136B2
A method of fabricating a camshaft including at least one carrier unit and at least one functional element. The carrier unit is produced at least in part from at least one first blank by way of at least one first machining method, and the functional element is produced at least in part from at least one second blank by way of at least one second machining method. The invention further relates to a camshaft produced by the method of the invention.
US08474131B2
A tool for joining a coupling element, such as a flange to a pipe, wherein the coupling element surrounds the pipe and has grooves facing the pipe to receive a corresponding plurality of beads provided on the pipe. The tool has a plurality of axially separated, radially movable segments. Each segment has a plurality of circle sector formed ridges. The plurality of segments thereby provides circumferentially extending ridges that are capable of deforming a pipe wall by a first pressing action on the inside wall of the pipe to create on the outside of the pipe circumferential beads in the pipe wall and to cause these beads to extend into corresponding grooves in the coupling element. The segments also have circumferentially extending portions located adjacent and between the ridges. The extending portions in a second, subsequent passing action cause post-pressing of buckled-in areas that occur naturally in the pipe wall between and adjacent to the beads during the first pressing action, so that an outward tension is obtained in the pipe at the location of the coupling element.
US08474130B2
Provided are a tripod constant velocity joint, and a method and a device for assembling the joint. The opening of a through-hole formed in an inner member of the tripod constant velocity joint has formed therein a tapered, reduced diameter section having a diameter tapered from the opening toward the inside. A first annular groove is formed in the side wall of a driving power transmission shaft, and a clip serving as an engaging member is engaged with the first annular groove. A second annular groove is formed in the inner wall of the through-hole in the inner member. In inserting the driving power transmission shaft through the through-hole in the inner member, the tapered, reduced diameter section guides the shaft in such a manner that the clip is contracted toward the bottom surface of the first annular groove. The clip expands and contracts due to the elasticity thereof when the positions of the first annular groove and the second annular groove coincide with each other.
US08474129B2
Lamination packs of a controlled height are produced in that laminations are punched with a tool and glue is applied partially onto at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of each of the laminations without the application device that applies the glue contacting the laminations. Several of the laminations are then assembled to a lamination pack. Height of the lamination packs is controlled by interrupting the application of glue for certain laminations so that between some of the laminations that are stacked for assembling a lamination pack there is no glue.
US08474126B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device include forming a capacitor by forming an oxide film on a surface of a valve metal based on anodic oxidization and by forming a conductive part made of a conductive material on the oxide film; adhering the capacitor on a semiconductor element mounted on a supporting substrate; and coupling the capacitor to the supporting substrate via an outside connection terminal.
US08474120B2
A method of making a multi-lumen stent graft includes covering a first mandrel that comprises a groove and a back wall of the groove with an innermost polymeric tube; slitting the innermost polymeric tube along the back wall of the groove; placing a second mandrel into the groove of the first mandrel and aligning the second mandrel with the back wall of the groove, deforming the innermost polymeric tube; placing an outermost polymeric tube over the innermost polymeric tube; and cutting an opening in the outermost polymeric tube over the second smaller mandrel, wherein the outermost polymeric tube and innermost polymeric tube comprise a graft member.
US08474113B2
A side-release buckle assembly includes a main housing, a button positioned through a side of the main housing, a metal coil spring biased between an interior wall of the main housing and the button, and a mating member. Movement of the button is directly transferred to the spring, and vice versa. The ratchet strap is moveable through the main housing in a first direction, and when the button is pressed, the ratchet strap is moveable through the buckle housing in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08474099B2
A hinge assembly includes a first body, and a second body capable of rotating relatively to the first body. The first body includes a first main part and a pair of stopper portions respectively extending from two sides of the first main part and coplanar with the first main part. Two ends of a shaft are fixed with the pair of stopper portions, respectively. The second body includes a second main part, a pair of blocking portions and a resilient arm located between the pair of the blocking portions. When the second body rotates to be perpendicular to the first body, the second body is positioned stably relative to the first body without an external force, due to an elasticity of the resilient arm of the second body.
US08474096B2
An overhead door safety system includes a loading dock having a loading dock wall defining an opening. A truck and trailer door safety device is mounted to the loading dock wall. The truck and trailer door safety device includes a mounting bracket adapted for mounting to the loading dock wall and a swing arm. The swing arm includes an arm extension portion and a pivot portion. The pivot portion is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket so that the swing arm pivots about a pivot axis between a retaining position and a storage position. In the retaining position, the arm extension portion is disposed beneath an overhead door of a truck positioned adjacent to the opening of the loading dock wall to prevent the overhead door from closing.
US08474084B2
There is provided a system for cleaning a surface of a solar cell panel. The system includes a measurement unit measuring a power generation value of a solar cell panel, a reference unit providing a reference value, a control unit comparing the power generation value measured at the measurement unit with the reference value provided from the reference unit to command cleaning of the solar cell panel, a driving unit operating a cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface of the solar cell panel. The control unit commands cleaning of the solar cell panel only when the power generation value decreases because of a contamination of the surface of the solar cell panel.
US08474082B2
A system includes an installation to be cleaned which has at an inlet a fluid feed pipe fed with fluid and at an outlet a fluid evacuation pipe. A cleaning device is arranged to cause cleaning bodies to flow in the installation, the cleaning device including on an inlet filter elements for filtering the fluid and on an evacuation pipe separator elements for collecting the cleaning bodies. The separator and filter elements are static and include separate filters, the separator elements including a filter member, the cleaning device including a circuit for recovering cleaning bodies circulating in the evacuation pipe and a circuit for reinjecting them into the inlet, the two circuits having in common the filter member and being used alternately by actuating a set of controlled valves in order to cause the fluid to flow either in the recovery circuit or in the reinjection circuit.
US08474075B2
A movable bed of the present invention, which includes a mat portion of a bed to lie thereon, and is composed of a fixed portion and a moving portion, is designed as a wheel chair in such a manner that the moving portion can be separated from or joined to the fixed portion and be transformed from a lying posture state to a sitting posture state, and when the moving portion is joined to the fixed portion so as to form the movable bed, an upper surface of a resting portion, allowing a person to carry thereon, of the moving portion and an inner surface of an armrest portion are configured to form a mat surface of the mat portion of the movable bed.
US08474074B2
A patient-support apparatus includes a mattress assembly supported on a frame, the mattress assembly including a coverlet configured to provide low-airloss therapy to a patient supported on the patient-support apparatus. The patient-support apparatus is articulable to a number of positions and includes a control network which is responsive to movement of portions of the frame to alter operational parameters of the frame and mattress assembly.
US08474063B2
A glove includes two “H” shaped stiffening battens on a dorsal side. The battens terminate on a proximal side of the second through fifth fingers, and are formed from a non-rigid material. A one-piece protective panel is attached to the palmar side of the glove. The protective panel covers portions of the wearing hand palm corresponding to the distal ends of the second through fifth metacarpal bones, as well as palmar side portions of the second through fifth digits corresponding to the second through fifth proximal phalanx bones. Flex notch cut-outs in the protective panel correspond to portions of the palmar region which tend to bunch during gripping of a bar or other object and help prevent discomfort during such gripping.
US08479311B2
The invention relates to a device for an atomic force microscope (AFM) for the study and/or modification of surface properties. The device comprises a cantilever (flexible bar) having an integrated, piezoresistive sensor, an integrated bimorphic actuator, and a measuring tip. The measuring tip carries at least two metal electrodes, which can be activated via electrical terminals. The measuring tip and/or the cantilever have at least one nanoscopic hole through which synchrotron radiation or laser light is directed onto the material surface to be studied. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the study and modification of surface properties and surface-proximal properties, which can be executed using such a device. To this end, atomic force microscopy (AFM), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), photo emission spectroscopy (XPS, XAS), and material modification by local exposure are executed in sequence or simultaneously using the same device.
US08479307B1
A method, an apparatus and a system perform software deactivation based on a deactivation time period. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a communication from a first client machine to deactivate a license of a software product that was previously activated on the first client machine. The method also includes determining a specified time period of deactivation. The method includes deactivating the license of the software product from the first client machine responsive to a determination that the license was previously activated on the first client machine during the specified time period of deactivation.
