US08643714B2
A test device is for testing display parameters of an electronic product with a page browsing function. The electronic product stores display times of a number of standard frames which selected from a standard video file. The standard video file includes frames record the play process of a testing file being played by a standard electronic product. The test device controls a video capturing unit to capture an original video file which includes frames to records the playing process of the electronic product. The electronic product searches matching frames of the number of standard frames in the original video file. Thus the parameters of the electronic product can be determined by display times of the matching frames in the video file.
US08643710B2
An image pickup apparatus includes first and second irradiation units that emit first light and second light, respectively, an image pickup unit that outputs, as pixel information, an electrical signal after photoelectric conversion from a pixel arbitrarily designated as a read target among pixels, a setting unit that arbitrarily sets a pixel as the read target and a read order in the image pickup unit, a control unit that controls irradiation processes in the first and second irradiation units and changes the pixel as the read target and the read order according to a type of an irradiation unit that emits light, a reading unit that reads the pixel information by causing the pixel information to be output from the pixel set as the read target, in accordance with the read order, and an image processing unit that generates an image from the pixel information read by the reading unit.
US08643706B2
Provided are a display apparatus and a control method of the same. The display apparatus includes: an organic light emitting panel which alternately scans a left-eye image and a right-eye image in units of a frame; a signal transmitter which outputs a control signal to external shutter glasses to open or to close a left-eye shutter and a right-eye shutter of the shutter glasses; and a controller which controls the signal transmitter to make open and closed states of the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter be opposite to each other, and controls emission of the organic light emitting panel to display an image corresponding to an open shutter and not to display an image opposite to the open shutter when one of the left-eye shutter and the right-eye shutter is open.
US08643696B2
Techniques are described herein that synchronize media streams using time signal(s) from an independent time source. An independent time source is a time source that is independent from (i.e., that is not connected to) an asynchronous data network via which the media streams are transferred. In accordance with the techniques described herein, media server(s) transfer the media streams to client(s) via an asynchronous data network. The independent time source provides the time signal(s) to the media server(s) and/or the client(s). If the time signal(s) are provided to the media server(s), the media server(s) may provide timing information that is based on the timing signal(s) to the client(s). The client(s) use the timing information from the media server(s) and/or the timing signal(s) from the timing source to synchronize the media streams.
US08643691B2
A gaze accurate video conferencing system includes a screen that alternates between a light-scattering state and a substantially transparent state. A camera is positioned behind the screen and is configured to capture images of a user positioned in front of the screen when the screen is in its substantially transparent state. When the screen is in its substantially light-scattering state, a projector projects a display image on the screen.
US08643680B2
A user interface can enable a user to control the display of content in a way that is natural for the user and requires little physical interaction. The gaze direction and/or viewing location of a user can be determined using any of a variety of imaging or other such technologies. By determining the location at which the user is gazing, an electronic device can control aspects such as the scroll rate or page turns of displayed content. In many cases, a device utilizes the natural reading or viewing style of a user to determine appropriate aspects for that user, and can update automatically as conditions change based at least in part upon the change in gaze location and/or viewing patterns.
US08643677B2
An apparatus includes an overlap detector and a display modification unit. The overlap detector is configured to determine if a first image superimposed with a second image overlaps an object in the second image by greater than a threshold. The display modification unit is configured to change the content of the first image superimposed with the second image such that the first image no longer overlaps the object in the second image by greater than the threshold when the overlap detector detects that the first image overlaps the object in the second image by greater than the threshold.
US08643673B1
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for generating displays based on a layout. A layout is received that specifies a set of rectangular components, where each rectangular component has at least one size. A plurality of grid lines is determined from the layout. A system of constraints related to the plurality of grid lines is generated. A graph is generated with a plurality of nodes corresponding to the plurality of grid lines and a plurality of edges corresponding to the system of constraints. The plurality of edges is topologically sorted. Locations for the grid lines are determined by solving a single-source path-length problem for the graph to using a variant of the Bellman-Ford algorithm configured to operate with the topologically-sorted plurality of edges. A display of the rectangular components based on the locations of the grid lines.
US08643669B1
A measurement and testing system includes a measurement assembly having at least one measurement device, at least one visual display device, and a data acquisition and processing device operatively coupled to the at least one measurement device of the measurement assembly and the visual display device. In one embodiment, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to generate a timeline bar with date icons on the output screen of the visual display device. In other embodiments, the data acquisition and processing device is further configured to automatically displace a side bar menu on the output screen when a user switches from a current mode to another mode, read external files containing one or more testing routines written off-site, and/or automatically alert a system user when one or more signals from a measurement device are no longer detected and/or are corrupted.
US08643664B2
A gamut converting device that applies gamut conversion to image data includes a signal converting unit that performs, when a negative value is included in an image signal value forming the image data, processing for converting the image signal value forming the image data to eliminate the negative value from the image signal value and a gamut converting unit that applies the gamut conversion to the image data, the image signal value of which is converted by the signal converting unit.
US08643662B2
A system and method for dynamically changing the display parameters of a display device. The system includes a server that obtains information about display content, environmental factors and user preferences affecting the display device. This information is used to generate initial display parameters which can be downloaded to the display device. The display device can use the initial display parameters to select final display parameters based upon sensed real-time information about the display device, the user preferences and environmental factors affecting the display device.
US08643659B1
An instruction cache and data cache used to virtualize the storage of global data and instructions used by graphics shaders. Present day hardware design stores the global data and instructions used by the shaders in a fixed amount of registers or writable control store (WCS). However, this traditional approach limits the size and the complexity of the shaders that can be supported. By virtualizing the storage of the global data and instructions, the amount of global or state memory available to the shader and the length of the shading programs are no longer constrained by the physical on-chip memory.
US08643638B2
The display device includes a driving circuit and a panel. The driving circuit is configured to generate a source output enable signal having at least one pulse during one horizontal scanning period in response to a mode signal and configured to generate a source driving signal by latching an image data in response to the source output enable signal. The driving circuit is further configured to generate an internal horizontal synchronization signal in response to the source output enable signal and configured to generate a gate driving signal in response to the internal horizontal synchronization signal. The panel is configured to display the image data in response to the gate driving signal and the source driving signal.
US08643634B2
A control apparatus and a panel assembly are provided. The panel assembly comprises a panel device and a control apparatus. The panel device includes a plurality of organic light emitting diodes and a power system. The control apparatus is configured to control the panel device and includes a drive circuit and an interface. The drive circuit is electrically connected to the panel and is configured to retrieve a parameter of the panel device. The interface is configured to transmit a signal comprising the parameter to the power system so that the power system drives the organic light emitting diodes of the panel under a voltage level determined by the parameter.
US08643621B2
A touch-sensitive user interface includes a sensor element providing a plurality of sensing areas, a measurement circuit coupled to the sensor element and operable to iteratively acquire measurement signal values indicative of the proximity of an object to the respective sensing areas, and a processor operable to receive the measurement signal values from the measurement circuit and to classify a sensing area as an activated sensing area for a current iteration according to predefined selection criteria, wherein the predefined selection criteria are such that activation of at least a first sensing area in a current iteration is suppressed if at least a second sensing area has previously been classified as an activated sensing area within a predefined period before the current iteration. Thus a sensing area may be prevented from being activated for a predefined period of time after another sensing area has been activated.
US08643614B2
A touch-sensitive device includes a transparent substrate, a touch-sensing structure, a decorative layer, a trace layer, a passivation layer and a sheltering layer. The touch-sensing structure is disposed on the transparent substrate and located in a touch-sensitive region. The decorative layer is disposed on the transparent substrate and located in a non-touch-sensitive region, and the trace layer is disposed on the decorative layer. The passivation layer is disposed on the transparent substrate and at least covers the touch-sensing structure and the trace layer. The sheltering layer is disposed at least on the passivation layer and located in the non-touch-sensitive region.
US08643602B2
An optical navigation device and method for performing optical navigation uses an optically transparent flexible film, which is positioned over a sensor that includes an image sensor array, to allow the image sensor array to receive imaging light from a target surface that is produced in response to illumination light emitted into the target surface from a light source. The imaging light from the target surface is received at the image sensor array of the sensor to capture frames of image data of the target surface. The frames of image data are then compared to estimate relative displacements between the target surface and the image sensor array.
US08643598B2
An image processing apparatus includes an extracting unit configured to extract a feature point from a captured image; a recognizing unit configured to recognize a position of the feature point; a display control unit configured to perform control, based on the position of the feature point, to display a feature-point pointer indicating the feature point; and an issuing unit configured to issue, based on the position of the feature point, a command corresponding to the position of the feature point or a motion of the feature point.
US08643595B2
A system and method are disclosed for reducing reverse bias in an electrophoretic display. The system and method include the application of varying levels of voltages across an array of electrophoretic display cells of the electrophoretic display to move the cells towards a stable state in a driving cycle. In addition, the system and method disconnect the voltages from the electrophoretic display cells at a time duration prior to reaching step transitions of the voltages during the driving cycle. Pre-driving approaches apply a first pre-driving voltage at a first polarity to the display cells before driving the display cells with a second driving voltage at a second, opposite polarity. Varying the time duration and amplitude of the pre-driving signals produces further beneficial reduction in reverse bias.
US08643594B2
A display device with a touch pad function is provided which reduces the elements required to form a photo sensor while still accurately detecting input coordinate positions. The display device includes a display part on which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix array, a plurality of photo detection circuits which are arranged in a matrix array in the inside of the display part, wherein each photo detection circuit of the plurality of photo detection circuits includes: a photo sensor which converts an incident light into a optical current corresponding to intensity of the incident light, an integral capacitance which integrates the optical current converted by the photo sensor, and a comparator to which a voltage of the integral capacitance is inputted, and the comparator includes a transistor of an open drain output type with a grounded source.
US08643590B2
A system for modification of an image to be displayed on a display includes receiving an input image and adjusting a luminance level for a backlight of the display for displaying the input image based upon an ambient lighting level and a visual system responsive model to the ambient lightening level.
US08643589B2
The invention relates to a rapid detection method for the decay of a liquid crystal display device having an LED backlight and a display device provided with a rapid compensating device for decay. The invention employs a mutually orthogonal series of driving signals to drive a plurality of LED devices in a synchronized manner with the driving signals having a one-to-one correspondence with the LED devices. A processing device extracts respective light emission data for the respective LED devices, compares the respective light emission data with the corresponding reference values pre-stored in the memory device and commands another device to compensate for any deviation existing therebetween. Accordingly, the LED devices are tested in batch mode and the testing is remarkably speeded up without interfering with users' activities.
US08643587B2
In an FSC mode LCD, a controller operates in response to an external adjustment, and a DC/DC converter converts a battery voltage into a driving voltage under control of the controller. A color LED backlight includes first, second and third color LED arrays connected in parallel, which are operated by the driving voltage. An FSC generator generates first, second and third color PWM signals according to an internal sawtooth voltage and a dimming voltage. A 3-channel current source generates first, second and third driving currents under control of the controller, and on/off switches paths of the first, second and third driving currents flowing through the first, second and third color LED arrays according to the first, second and third color PWM signals generated from the FSC generator, thereby adjusting luminance of the first, second and third color LED arrays of the color LED backlight.
US08643586B2
A first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor are provided. In the first transistor, a first terminal is electrically connected to a first wiring; a second terminal is electrically connected to a gate terminal of the second transistor; a gate terminal is electrically connected to a fifth wiring. In the second transistor, a first terminal is electrically connected to a third wiring; a second terminal is electrically connected to a sixth wiring. In the third transistor, a first terminal is electrically connected to a second wiring; a second terminal is electrically connected to the gate terminal of the second transistor; a gate terminal is electrically connected to a fourth wiring. In the fourth transistor, a first terminal is electrically connected to the second wiring; a second terminal is electrically connected to the sixth wiring; a gate terminal is connected to the fourth wiring.
US08643582B2
A driving apparatus for a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The driving apparatus includes a plurality of data driving ICs and a control board. The data driving ICs are used for receiving and transmitting a clock signal, a plurality of data signals and a first reference voltage from the 1st data driving IC to the last data driving IC in series. The control board is used for providing the clock signal, the data signals and the first reference voltage, and changing the first reference voltage received by each data driving IC according to a variation of the clock signal and the data signals transmitted between the data driving ICs, so that the operation frequency of the data driving ICs is unrestricted.
US08643572B2
A display device having at least a plurality of pixel circuits, connected to signal lines to which data signals in accordance with luminance information are supplied, arranged in a matrix, wherein pixel circuits of odd number columns and even number columns adjacent sandwiching an axis in a column direction parallel to an arrangement direction of the signal lines have a mirror type circuit arrangement symmetric about the axis of the column direction, and there are lines different from the signal lines between signal lines of adjacent pixel circuits.
US08643562B2
A compact patch antenna array for mobile terminal applications comprising: a plurality of radiators mounted on one surface of a dielectric, with a ground plane being mounted on the other side of the dielectric. Beneath the ground plane, another dielectric with feeding network is placed. Other embodiments are described and shown in FIG. 2.
US08643558B2
A multi-frequency antenna (1) includes a grounding portion (1) extending along a transversal direction; a radiating arm (11) extending along a transversal direction and disposed above the grounding portion; a connecting arm (12) connected to the grounding portion and the radiating arm; a capacitor (13) connected to the radiating portion and the connecting arm; and a cable (15) having an inner conductor connected to the connecting arm and an outer conductor connected to the grounding portion.
US08643552B2
The receiver diversity-receives radio wave with a plurality of antennas. The receiver includes a conductive case having a receiving section for executing diversity-receiving processing, a first through hole and a second through hole that are disposed on the surface of the same side of the case and penetrate the case from the outside to the inside, a first antenna and a second antenna for supplying a received signal to the receiving section, and a first hinge and a second hinge that are fixed to the inside of the case, pass the first through hole and the second through hole, directly or indirectly support the first antenna and the second antenna, and are movable, respectively. A partition is disposed between the first through hole and the second through hole.
US08643549B2
A multi-resonant antenna having three independent resonance characteristics for three frequency bands includes a first electrode having an open end formed on the top surface of a dielectric substrate of a rectangular plate shape so as to extend from a feeding portion in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) along the periphery of the rectangular area; a second electrode having an open end and extending from the feeding portion in a second direction (e.g., clockwise) along the periphery of the rectangular area; and a third electrode positioned such that an open end of the third electrode is closer to the open end of the first electrode than to the open end of the second electrode, and such that the open end of the third electrode is closer to the open end of the first electrode than to a midsection (i.e., half the length) of the first electrode in the longitudinal direction thereof.
US08643546B2
A radiation pattern insulator and an antennae system thereof are proposed. The radiation pattern insulator includes a dielectric substrate and a plurality of radiation pattern insulation elements. The dielectric substrate allocated between a plurality of antennae includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and a normal direction of the dielectric substrate is substantially perpendicular to propagation directions of electromagnetic waves radiated from the antennae. In addition, the radiation pattern insulation elements are allocated on the top surface or the bottom surface of the dielectric substrate, or alternatively, all allocated on the top surface and the bottom surface.
US08643539B2
The current invention relates to a monitoring and analysis device and a method for monitoring and analysis that utilizes the unintended electromagnetic emissions of electrically powered systems. The present invention monitors electrical devices by taking detailed measurements of the electromagnetic fields emitted by any component or system utilizing electricity. The measurements will be analyzed to both record a baseline score for future measurements and to be used in detailed analysis to determine the status of the analyzed system or component.
US08643537B2
A method for considering an echo amplitude profile as a result of convoluting a single echo with a channel response sequence, wherein for multiple echo detection, an estimation task is broken into three major steps comprising estimating a channel response, recovering a full shape of a single echo, and iteratively updating the channel response and echo shape to increase their accuracy. The estimation of the channel response is treated as a single echo detection problem and includes estimating the strongest echo for its position and amplitude, removing an echo corresponding to this recovered channel from the echo amplitude profile, and repeating the preceding steps for the next strongest echo.
US08643527B2
A switched-capacitor digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit can include first and second sets of capacitors, an amplifier, a reference signal generator and interconnecting switches. The first and second sets of capacitors can be connected to first and second analog input signals responsive to a first clock signal, and to first and second reference voltages responsive to a second clock signal and digital control signals. The amplifier can be connected to the first and second sets of capacitors in response to the second clock signal. The reference signal generator can provide to the first and second sets of capacitors, responsive to the first clock signal, a common-mode reference signal to set a common-mode voltage at inputs of the amplifier, and can include components to replicate the operation of the first and second sets of capacitors. The switched-capacitor DAC circuit can be used to implement a multiplying DAC in a pipeline analog-to-digital converter.
US08643517B2
Correcting phase error in a two-channel TIADC system in a manner that is independent of the Nyquist zone(s) occupied by the input signal. In the preferred approach this is done using the gradient of a phase error estimate. The gradient may be determined from a simplified expression of linear regression; the direction of the adaptation is then controlled by the sign of the gradient. The adaptive algorithm converges to the optimal value regardless of the Nyquist zone occupied by the input signal.
US08643516B1
A method for converting parallel data having a certain word size to serial data, comprises the steps of: loading a first segment of a word of the parallel data into a shift register having a first size, and inputting remaining segments of the word into two or more multiplexers connected in series for selecting a next segment of the word; selecting the next segment of the word to load into the shift register; shifting out the loaded segment of the word in the shift register as serial data output; loading the selected next segment of the word into the shift register; and repeating the selecting, shifting, and loading the next segment steps until all the remaining segments of the word have been shifted as serial data output.
US08643501B2
A metering apparatus is connectable to the terminals of a circuit breaker and includes a detection apparatus that is configured to detect a status of the breaker and one or more operational parameters of the breaker. The metering apparatus may further include a communication apparatus that is configured to communicate the status of the breaker and/or one or more operational parameters of the breaker to another device. The metering apparatus may additionally include a power input that is independent of the breaker. Alternatively or additionally, the metering apparatus can be configured to communicate with the other device via any of a variety of established protocols, with the metering apparatus being capable of retrofitting to change the communications protocol by which it communicates with the other device.
US08643500B2
Provided are an apparatus and a method for diagnosing an abnormality in a cell balancing circuit. The apparatus may include a floating capacitor charged with voltage of a battery cell, a cell balancing circuit for discharging the floating capacitor, a voltage measuring unit for measuring the battery cell voltage of the charged floating capacitor and a residual voltage of the discharged floating capacitor, and a control unit for determining an abnormality in the cell balancing circuit based on the residual voltage of the discharged floating capacitor.
US08643490B2
A multi-mode RFID tag includes a power generating and signal detection module, a baseband processing module, a transmit section, a configurable coupling circuit, and an antenna section. In near field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to a coil or inductor in the configurable coupling circuit to transmit an outbound transmit signal using electromagnetic or inductive coupling to an RFID reader. In far field mode, the configurable coupling circuit is operable to couple the transmit section to the antenna section, and the multi-mode RFID tag then utilizes a back-scattering RF technology to transmit the outbound transmit signal to RFID readers.
US08643482B2
A vehicle has a display device which widens the field of view (visible area) reflected by a side mirror or a back mirror mounted on the vehicle. To enable a driver driving the vehicle to confirm safety even when it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize some of objects surrounding the vehicle, a liquid crystal display device or an EL display device is provided in the side mirror (door mirror), the back mirror (room mirror) or in an interior portion of the vehicle. A camera is mounted on the vehicle and an image from the camera is displayed on the display device. Further, information read from a sensor (distance measuring sensor) having the function of measuring the distance to another vehicle, and a sensor (impact sensor) having the function of sensing an externally applied impact force larger than a predetermined value is displayed on the display device.
US08643481B2
This invention relates to mirror assemblies for vehicles and in particular to interior rearview minor assemblies having touch screen inputs corresponding to elements representing a symbol. The symbols are located behind a reflective element and not visible until activated by selection of the corresponding input or other means.
US08643478B2
A mouth pipe and porous filter unit for operation of a device, e.g. a pneumatically actuated device, comprises a mouth pipe in communication with an air tube for delivering blown air to the device. The mouth pipe comprises a one-piece transparent thermoplastic extrusion member and has an integral projection for grasping the mouth pipe. The porous filter has a pore size ranging from 90 microns to 130 microns for preventing saliva and/or blood of a patient from flowing into the air tube and surrounding environment. The mouth pipe comprises a first diameter section, a transition member, and an enlarged second diameter section which form a continuous airway therein and the porous filter is wedged within the enlarged second diameter section of the mouth pipe. The material of the mouth pipe may be polyvinyl chloride, and the material of the filter may be polystyrene.
US08643474B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a computer with a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. A system includes a processor, a store of codes representing goods and services cross-referenced to supplemental information, a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator, an input/output tag (IO), and a memory including a process that matches a received code from the RFID interrogator to a code in the store of codes and to display supplemental information of a good or service on the IO tag.
US08643470B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit and an IC card mounted with the same are provided, in which a signal of any one of at least three kinds of reception signals can be received for a short time. An RF signal from an antenna is supplied in parallel to a first and a second demodulator circuit included in a demodulator circuit. The first demodulator circuit demodulates a first reception signal of a first degree of modulation. The second demodulator circuit demodulates a second reception signal having a first communication start signal (SOF), and a third reception signal having a second communication start signal (Preamble). The demodulated output signals of the first and the second demodulator circuit are supplied to a determination circuit. When the demodulation output by the first demodulator circuit is determined, it is determined that the first reception signal is currently received. When the demodulation output of the second reception signal by the second demodulator circuit is determined, it is determined that the second reception signal is currently received. When the demodulation output of the third reception signal by the second demodulator circuit is determined, it is determined that the third reception signal is currently received.
US08643469B2
In one embodiment of the invention, the access control system comprises a door with an integrated mechatronic closing mechanism which is equipped with a receiver device. The receiver device is designed to receive and evaluate capacitive-resistive signals that are emitted by a transmitter and are transmitted via a user's body. The closing mechanism opens or does open the door in accordance with a result of said evaluation. In said one embodiment of the invention, the closing mechanism is battery-operated and has no permanent electric connection to an object that is not located on or in the door.
US08643466B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for setting security of a portable terminal by utilizing an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) function of a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) card used in Third Generation portable terminals. For this, USIM card information is registered in an access control server, and the USIM card information of the portable terminal is sensed through a RFID reader installed at a point of entry of a secure area, and the security setting of the portable terminal is automatically performed according to the registration of USIM card information in the access control server.
US08643459B2
There are provided a transformer and a flat panel display device including the same capable of securing leakage inductance and allowing easy manufacturing. The transformer according to the embodiment of the present invention includes: a bobbin part including a plurality of bobbins each including a tube-shaped body part having a penetration hole therein and one of flange parts protruded outwardly from both sides of the body part; a core inserted into the penetration holes in the bobbins to form a magnetic circuit; a coil part including respective coils wound around the bobbins; and a bobbin fixing member combined with either side surface of the bobbin part in which at least two of the bobbins are laminated, to fix and combine at least two of the bobbins.
US08643456B2
Improved form-less electronic apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shape-core inductive device having a bonded-wire coil which is formed and maintained within the device without resort to a bobbin or other form(er). The absence of the bobbin simplifies the manufacture of the device, reduces its cost, and allows it to be made more compact (or alternatively additional functionality to be disposed therein). One variant utilizes a termination header for mating to a PCB or other assembly, while another totally avoids the use of the header by directly mating to the PCB. Multi-core variants and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.
US08643454B2
An improved field emission system and method is provided that involves field emission structures having electric or magnetic field sources. The magnitudes, polarities, and positions of the magnetic or electric field sources are configured to have desirable correlation properties, which may be in accordance with a code. The correlation properties correspond to a desired spatial force function where spatial forces between field emission structures correspond to relative alignment, separation distance, and the spatial force function.
US08643436B2
Techniques to generate boosted multi-level switched output voltages from a boosted multi-level Class D amplifier. The amplifier may include a multi-level H-bridge, which may include pairs of transistor switches coupled to a first, second, and third supply potential. The second supply potential may be a boosted representation of the first supply potential. The amplifier may receive an input signal, and from the input signal may generate pulse-modulated control signals to control the switching for the transistor switches of the multi-level H-bridge. The amplifier may generate the boosted multi-level switched output voltages from output nodes of the multi-level H-bridge.
US08643430B2
A solution for compensating intermodulation distortion of a component is provided. A circuit element includes multiple connected components. At least two of the connected components comprise current-voltage characteristics of opposite signs (e.g., sublinear and superlinear current-voltage characteristics) such that the current-voltage characteristics of the circuit element produces a level of intermodulation distortion for the circuit element lower than a level of intermodulation distortion for each of the connected components.
US08643419B2
An output buffer includes a pullup driver, a pulldown driver, and an output stage. The pullup driver has a drive control input, and an output for providing a pullup drive signal in a push-pull mode in response to receiving a first drive control signal on the drive control input, and in a current limited mode in response to receiving a second drive control signal on said drive control input. The pulldown driver has a drive control input, and an output for providing a pulldown drive signal in the push-pull mode in response to receiving a third drive control signal on the drive control input, and in the current limited mode in response to receiving a fourth drive control signal on the drive control input. The output stage provides a voltage on an output terminal in response to the pullup and pulldown drive signals.
US08643415B1
A filter circuit in a phase-locked loop circuit includes a capacitor coupled between a control voltage node and a first node; and a variable resistive element coupled between the first node and a ground potential. The variable resistive element has a resistance value modulated by a current proportional to the charge pump current of the charge pump. In one embodiment, the variable resistive element is a MOS transistor biased in the linear region and having a drain-to-source resistance modulated by the current proportional to the charge pump current.
US08643411B1
A system for generating a gated clock signal includes an AND gate and a clock gating cell. The AND gate receives a reset signal and an input clock signal and generates a clock signal that is provided to a clock input terminal of the clock gating cell. The clock gating cell generates a gated clock signal based on an input signal and the clock signal. Gating the clock input to a latch allows a means for conserving power.
US08643405B2
A multi-stage passive capture adapter (PCA) circuit is configured to sense and recover digital signals present on a high-speed serial bus for capture and analysis in external test equipment. A first stage of the PCA circuit includes a differentiator that functions as a high impedance probe that contacts the serial bus to capture an original input signal waveform of the high-speed digital signals. The signal waveform is fed to a dual-slope comparator/driver that includes a plurality of high-speed comparators and drivers. The second stage includes a differential receiver/shaper that converts logic levels of differential receiver outputs to input signals that set and reset a signal restorer whose output signals are fed to a driver of a driver/shaper. The output of the driver is then fed to a shaper network configured to substantially match an output signal of driver/shaper to the input signal waveform sensed from the high-speed serial bus.
US08643404B1
An integrated circuit includes an output buffer and a control circuit. The output buffer has a signal input, a signal output, and a set of control inputs. The output buffer has an output buffer delay, and a driving strength adjustable in response to control signals applied to the set of control inputs. The control circuit is connected to the set of control inputs of the output buffer. The control circuit uses first and second timing signals to generate the control signals, and includes a reference delay circuit that generates the first timing signal with a reference delay, and a delay emulation circuit that generates the second timing signal with an emulation delay that correlates with the output buffer delay.
US08643403B2
There is disclosed current-mode time-interleaved sampling circuitry configured to be driven by substantially sinusoidal clock signals. Such circuitry may be incorporated in ADC circuitry, for example as integrated circuitry on an IC chip. The disclosed circuitry is capable of calibrating itself without being taken off-line.
US08643381B2
A test arrangement is provided for AC voltage testing of high voltage components including at least one inverter, at least one test transformer, at least one high-voltage inductor and at least one further high voltage component arranged as test components in a common cuboid container. The at least one high-voltage inductor is movable at least partially out of the container through at least one opening on a boundary surface of the container, by means of a movement apparatus. The at least one further high voltage component is movable within the cuboid container from a transport position to a working position.
US08643374B2
A marine electromagnetic geophysical survey transducer cable includes a tow cable configured to couple to a tow vessel. A first electrode cable is coupled at a forward end to the tow cable. A second electrode cable is disposed aft of the first electrode cable and configured to indirectly couple to the tow vessel. At least one of the first and second electrode cables includes a cable core comprising a first core material having a first density selected to provide the transducer cable with a selected overall density, and at least one layer of electrically conductive strands disposed exterior to the cable core.
US08643372B2
An electrically conductive transmission line is configured for use in the magnet bore of a magnetic resonance system and includes at least one inductive coupling element for coupling at least two lead segments of the line. The coupling element includes a paramagnetic and/or ferromagnetic material.
US08643360B1
A voltage gradient detector provides notice when a potentially hazardous voltage gradient is present in water, employing a pair of spaced-apart electrodes connected to an LED. The electrode spacing is selected such that, when exposed to a sufficiently large voltage gradient, the voltage between the electrodes causes activation of the LED. The LED can provide visual illumination, or can be a part of a switching device such as a photoMOS relay that in turn activates an alarm device such as an audible sounder or a high-intensity light. Sensitivity in multiple directions can be attained by employing a pair of LEDs between the electrodes, and by employing three pairs of electrodes and associated LED pairs, with the pairs of electrodes being spaced apart along orthogonal axes. The detector can be a passive monitor housed in a floating housing, or can be a handheld device with electrode pairs that are manually immersed.
US08643354B2
The present invention discloses a multi-phase switching regulator, a driver circuit of a multi-phase switching regulator, and a control method of a multi-phase switching regulator. The multi-phase switching regulator includes: at least two power stages, switching power transistors in the power stages to convert an input voltage to an output voltage according to pulse width modulation (PWM) signals generated by corresponding PWM controllers respectively; and a current balance circuit, generating a current balance signal according to the current of the corresponding power stage and a phase adjustment signal to averagely distribute current over the active power stages. In the present invention, the gain of the current balance circuit is adjustable, to avoid or reduce output voltage overshoot and undershoot when the phase number changes, while the current balance function is still achieved in normal operation.
US08643350B2
The present invention provides a self-driven synchronous rectification boost converter having high step-up ratio. The self-driven synchronous rectification boost converter having high step-up ratio has a first switch receiving a pulse driving signal, a first winding, a second winding and a synchronous rectification circuit constructed by an auxiliary winding and a second switch. The first winding inducts a reverse voltage when the first switch is repeatedly switched on and off. The reverse voltage then is raised via the second winding, and the auxiliary winding cooperates with a switch circuit to switch on/off the second switch according to an inducted voltage, so as to achieve an object of synchronous rectification. Under a condition of outputting high current, the present invention can greatly reduce power-consumption of rectifying and enhance efficiency.
US08643342B2
A battery cell charging system, including a charger and a controller, for rapidly charging a lithium ion battery cell, the battery cell charging system having a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile includes: a first charging stage with a constant first stage charging current and an increasing battery cell voltage with the first stage charging current provided until the first stage charging voltage is about equal to a first stage complete voltage less than a maximum battery cell voltage; an intermediate ramped charging stage, the intermediate ramped charging stage including both an increasing ramped voltage and a decreasing ramped iBat current for the battery cell for the voltage charging range of the first stage complete voltage to about the maximum battery cell voltage; and a final charging stage with a constant final stage charging voltage about equal to the maximum battery cell voltage and a decreasing final stage charging current with the final stage charging voltage provided until the final stage charging current reaches a desired charge complete level.
US08643340B1
An integrated circuit (IC) having an internal power supply voltage step down circuit provides efficiency while requiring a minimum of external terminals. In a first operating mode, a storage capacitor is charged from the power supply return of a group of circuits, while the group of circuits is powered from an input power supply voltage provided to the IC. In a second operating mode, the group of circuits is powered from the storage capacitor. The step-down circuit provides for halving the input power supply voltage, but multiple storage capacitors and additional operating modes can be provided for voltage division by greater factors. A sensing circuit can be employed to sense the voltage across the storage capacitor(s) and in response, select the operating mode, providing hysteretic control of the voltage supplied to the group of circuits.
US08643339B2
A battery pack includes a status detection unit for detecting a status of a battery; a switch unit for interrupting a discharging path of the battery; a notification unit for notifying a user of the status of the battery; an operation unit operable by the user; and control unit for opening and closing the switch unit. The control unit is configured to have the switch unit interrupt the discharging path of the battery when the status of the battery detected by the status detection unit is abnormal. Further, the control unit is configured to have the notification unit notify the user of the availability to restart a discharging operation and close the switch unit in response to an operation signal inputted from the operation unit to make the battery pack dischargeable when the status of the battery detected by the status detection unit is recovered from the abnormal status.
US08643338B2
A power supply circuit uses a rechargeable battery that if a connection switching unit changes to a circuit connected state, a current starts to be supplied from the rechargeable battery to an over-discharge protection circuit, a logic circuit, and a power supply control circuit, and if the connection switching unit changes to a circuit non-connected state during this current supply, the current supplied to the over-discharge protection circuit, the logic circuit, and the power supply control circuit is maintained, and a current supplied from the rechargeable battery to the load circuit is started by supplying the current from the power supply control circuit to the load circuit, and if a voltage of the rechargeable battery drops while the current is supplied to the load circuit, and the over-discharge protection circuit stops the current supplied from the rechargeable battery to the load circuit, the over-discharge protection circuit maintains the stopped state.
US08643335B2
A power supply apparatus includes: a plurality of power supply units; a positive polarity coupling portion; and a negative polarity coupling portion; each of the power supply units is provided with: battery units; first relays connected in series to the battery units, capable of disconnecting electrical connection between the battery units and any one of the positive polarity coupling portion and the negative polarity coupling portion; resistor elements having one ends which are connected to the battery units between the battery units and the first relay; a resistor coupling portion; and a second relay connected to the resistor coupling portion, capable of disconnecting electrical connection between the resistor coupling portion and any one of the positive polarity coupling portion and the negative polarity coupling portion which is connected to the first relays, the second relay having fewer in number than the number of the power supply units.
US08643329B2
An overhead mobile charger system for mounting between a pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces and exhibiting full circle traversing so as to reach and charge electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The system includes a single EV battery charger, a boom, and apparatus for rotatably mounting the boom over, and between, the pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The single EV battery charger has a power cable terminating in an EV connector. The power cable of the single EV battery charger runs along, and depends from, the boom, and together with the boom being rotatably mounted via the apparatus so as to allow the boom to exhibit full circle traversing, the electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces are reached and charged by the EV connector of the single EV battery charger.
US08643324B2
The present invention relates to a portable auxiliary power-source device for a vehicle, and more specifically to a portable auxiliary power-source device which incorporates a rechargeable battery and is able to temporarily charge while the vehicle's battery is discharging, and is able to effect ignition of the vehicle and charge portable, personal digital devices.
US08643321B2
An operator ratchet mechanism for effecting reciproctable lateral movement if an element of a geared drive train in a door, gate or barrier operator. The operator ratchet mechanism can be utilized to cause disconnection between the geared drive train and an electric motor of the door gate or barrier operator to enable the door gate or barrier to me manually moved, and subsequent reconnection between the geared drive connection and electric motor. An embodiment of a tilt door operator which enables disconnection and reconnection between a geared drive train and an electric motor of the operator by effecting lateral displacement of an element of the geared drive train is also disclosed.
US08643320B2
The present application refers to a system and a control method especially applied to electric motors designed to drive cyclical loads. The present system includes an electric motor (10), at least an electronic control unit (20) and at least an electronic power unit (30), the electric motor (10) is electrically driven by the electronic power unit (30), the electronic power unit (30) being electrically commanded by the electronic control unit (20), the system including an average speed controller implemented by the electronic control unit (20), the average speed controller being arranged to monitor an instantaneous speed (Vi) of the electric motor (10) and provide an average speed value of the motor (10), the electronic control unit (20) being arranged to calculate an average voltage (Vm) based on the average speed obtained, the electronic power unit (30) being arranged to electrically drive the electric motor (10) by an instantaneous voltage value (Vins), this instantaneous voltage value (Vins) being calculated by multiplying the average voltage (Vm) by the result of the division between the instantaneous speed (Vi) and the average speed.
US08643315B2
A system for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system includes a system controller, a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating or cooling system is stored, and a communication device through which the system controller is configured to transmit and receive signals to/from at least one component controller. The system controller is configured to receive via the communication device a data signal from the at least one component controller that includes information relating to operational parameters for at least one system component installed in the heating and cooling system. The system controller is configured to store in the memory the received operational parameters corresponding to the at least one system component. The stored operational parameters may be retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the at least one component controller is replaced.
US08643314B2
A particle accelerator that is a synchrocyclotron accelerating charged particles and which includes an acceleration electrode that accelerates the charged particles; a high frequency power source that supplies the electric power to the acceleration electrode; a control unit that adjusts the frequency of the electric power supplied from the high frequency power source based on energy of the charged particle which is accelerated; and a matching circuit that has a coil and a capacitor, and performing impedance matching between the acceleration electrode and the high frequency power source, wherein the matching circuit has an inductance adjustment unit electrically adjusting the inductance of the coil.
US08643313B2
An actuator assembly for use within the vacuum field of a cyclotron, one embodiment of which comprises an interactor which is moveable between a first position and a second position, at least one support structure for supporting the interactor in the first and second positions, a shape memory alloy (SMA) element connected to the interactor and/or support structure and being adapted to exert a force on the interactor and/or support structure so as to urge the interactor from the first position to the second position, an electromagnetic activator operatively associated with the SMA element for causing the element to exert the force when the electromagnetic activator is selectably activated, and a return mechanism operatively connected to the interactor, the support structure and/or the SMA element so as to urge the interactor from the second position to the first position when the electromagnetic activator is deactivated.
US08643310B2
A driving circuit for driving a light source of an optical connector includes a controller, an equalizer, a pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) generator, and a driver. The controller controls the driving circuit such that the light source is driven to emit by the driver according to an input signal sending into the equalizer for transmitting the input signal or a PRBS test signal generated by the PRBS generator for test a bit error rate of the optical connector.
US08643302B2
According to one embodiment, a switching power-supply device includes a switching element, a constant current element, a rectifying element, first and second inductors, and a constant voltage circuit. The switching element supplies, when the switching element is on, a power-supply voltage of a direct-current power supply to and feeds an electric current to the first inductor. The constant current element is connected to the switching element in series and turns off the switching element when the electric current of the switching element exceeds a predetermined current value. The rectifying element is connected to any one of the switching element and the constant current element in series. The second inductor is magnetically coupled to the first inductor and supplies induced potential to a control terminal of the switching element. The constant voltage circuit applies control potential to a control terminal of the constant current element.
US08643301B2
Provided is an LED driver circuit, to be connected to an AC power supply via a phase-control dimmer, for driving an LED load, including: a switching power supply part including a switching element and a switching current detection part; an LED current detection part; a first control part for controlling and switching the switching element so that a switching current has a desired current value based on a detection signal of the switching current detection part; a second control part for controlling and switching the switching element so that an LED current has a desired current value based on a detection signal of the LED current detection part; and a switch part for switching between control performed by the first control part when the phase-control dimmer is set to high brightness dimming and control performed by the second control part when the phase-control dimmer is set to low brightness dimming.
US08643286B2
Proposed is an illumination system (100) comprising a plurality of light sources (10) provided with encoders (20) arranged to enable light emitted from the light sources to comprise light source identification codes. In order to enable light effect commissioning, i.e. correlating the light sources (10) with their illumination footprints (11), the system further comprises a camera (40) arranged to register images of illumination spots (11), and a signal processor (111) arranged to derive the light source identification codes from registered images. Arranging the encoders (20) to modulate the light emitted at a frequency above a predefined high level to comprise fast codes (12) and at a frequency below a predefined low level to comprise slow codes (13), beneficially allows for the use of simple low cost camera systems.
US08643281B2
A signal generating system comprises a signal generator (14) for generating an electrical signal at a predetermined frequency; an impedance matching circuit (16), the electrical signal being supplied from the signal generator (14) via the impedance matching circuit (16) to a reactive load (10) in use; and an impedance matching control system (30) for detecting the electrical signal between the signal generator and the reactive load and for adjusting the impedance matching circuit (16) to achieve a predetermined condition. The impedance matching circuit control system (30) comprises a heterodyne circuit, and the system further comprises a heterodyne frequency generator (48) coupled to the signal generator (14) to generate a second, heterodyne frequency from the predetermined frequency from the signal generator. This second, heterodyne frequency is mixed with the detected signal to generate sum and difference signals. A filter (50, 52) passes the difference signal and a processor (Magnitude control; Phase control; 26; 28) responsive to the difference signal is used to adjust the impedance matching circuit (16) to achieve the predetermined condition.
US08643276B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for producing a biologically-corrected light. In one embodiment, the LED lamp includes a color filter, which modifies the light produced by the lamp's LED chips, to increase spectral opponency and minimize melatonin suppression. In doing so, the lamp minimizes the biological effects that the lamp may have on a user. The LED lamp is appropriately designed to produce such biologically-correct light while still maintaining commercially acceptable color temperature and color rending properties. Methods of manufacturing such a lamp are provided, as well as equivalent lamps and equivalent methods of manufacture.
US08643275B2
In some aspects, a micro-plasma device comprises a plasma gas enclosure containing at least one plasma gas, a plasma generation circuit interfaced with the plasma gas enclosure, and a plurality of electrodes interfaced with the plasma gas enclosure. In other aspects, a micro-plasma circuitry apparatus comprises a first layer having plasma generating electrodes, a second layer having a cavity formed therein, and a third layer having a circuit formed therein. The circuit includes a micro-plasma circuit (MPC) that includes one or more micro-plasma devices (MPDs). A metallic layer covers the MPC except at locations of the MPDs. The first layer is bonded to the second layer and the second layer is bonded to the third layer, thereby forming an enclosure that contains at least one plasma gas.
US08643273B2
A light emitting diode device is provided. The light emitting diode device comprises a light emitting diode element, an encapsulation layer, and a plurality of pillars. The encapsulation layer is disposed on the light emitting diode element, and the pillars are disposed on the encapsulation layer. The pillars are formed by a light transmissible material.
US08643269B2
A sealing layer covers more surely both of a display region and a peripheral region on a substrate. A dummy structure is formed in the peripheral region of the substrate. The dummy structure contains, for instance, at least one of the materials constituting an organic EL display structure. The dummy structure is located in the peripheral region so that the volume per unit area of the sealing layer in the peripheral region is substantially the same as that in the display region.
US08643264B2
According to one embodiment, the illuminating device of the embodiment has a base part and multiple light emitting elements; the illuminating device includes a supporting part, which is arranged on one end of the base part, and which at least partially encloses an internal space. The supporting part also has an outer surface exposed to the ambient atmosphere. The multiple light emitting elements are disposed on the inner surface side of the supporting part so that at least light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements are in contact with the supporting part.
US08643263B2
A spark plug (20) includes an insulator seat angle (αi) of 35° to 50° and an increased insulator thickness (ti) in selected areas around the insulator seat (28). The insulator seat angle (αi) is greater than or equal to a boundary value provided by the equation: 90°−a cos [1−(R1−R2)÷(R4+R5)], and preferably not greater than 150% of the boundary value. The radii (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5) can be adjusted to maximize R4 while maintaining an acceptable R2. A gasket is compressed between the insulator (22) and shell (58), and the inner gasket thickness (tg2) is greater than or equal to 70% of the outer gasket thickness (tg1).
US08643262B2
A spark ignition device, ground electrode therefor, and methods of construction thereof are provided. The spark ignition device includes a generally annular ceramic insulator with a metal shell surrounding at least a portion of the ceramic insulator. A center electrode is received at least in part in the ceramic insulator and a ground electrode extends from the shell to a free end portion. A firing tip is attached adjacent the free end portion of the ground electrode to provide a spark gap between the center electrode and the firing tip. The free end portion is at least partially bounded by at least one “as laser cut” peripheral side extending adjacent the firing tip.
US08643259B2
An optical sheet comprising: a transparent substrate having a first surface S1 and a second surface S2; a first light diffusion layer provided on a first surface S1 side of the transparent substrate; and a second light diffusion layer provided on a second surface S2 side of the transparent substrate, wherein a haze x1 (%) of the first light diffusion layer and a haze x2 (%) of the second light diffusion layer satisfy f(x1)/(f(x1)+f(x2))≦2/3 (where when x≦88, a function f(x)=1.9×(ln(1−x/90))2, and when x>88, the function f(x)=22.5x−1952.5) and (f(x1)+f(x2))≧12; and a surface light source device having the same.
US08643258B2
The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having a structure for making it possible to easily realize high detection accuracy and fine processing, and a method of manufacturing the same. The photomultiplier comprises an enclosure having an inside kept in a vacuum state, whereas a photocathode emitting electrons in response to incident light, an electron multiplier section multiplying in a cascading manner the electron emitted from the photocathode, and an anode for taking out a secondary electron generated in the electron multiplier section are arranged in the enclosure. A part of the enclosure is constructed by a glass substrate having a flat part, whereas each of the electron multiplier section and anode is two-dimensionally arranged on the flat part in the glass substrate.
US08643247B2
Disclosed is an electric motor including a yoke formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape; permanent magnets arranged on an inner peripheral surface of the yoke; an armature including a rotary shaft journalled on the yoke, an armature core formed with a plurality of teeth and fixed onto the rotary shaft, an armature coil wound around the teeth of the armature core, a commutator having a plurality of segments and being fixed onto the rotary shaft, and a connecting wire connecting two segments arranged to face each other back to back around the rotary shaft, the armature being surrounded by the permanent magnets and accommodated within the yoke; and a first brush, a second brush, and a third brush coming into sliding contact with the segments of the commutator of the armature.
US08643245B2
A rotational kinetic energy output device includes a housing component, a rotational component and a magnetism generating component. The rotational component includes a rotational body pivotally connected to the housing component, and the rotational body has at least one magnetic element. The magnetism generating component includes a plurality of magnetizers and coils wound on the magnetizers, the magnetizers are disposed in the housing component and surround the rotational body. Each of the magnetizers has a first magnetic arm and a second magnetic arm extended respectively toward the rotational body, and the rotational body is disposed between the first magnetic arm and the second magnetic arm. Thereby, the rotational kinetic energy output device allows a force to be balancedly exerted on the rotational body and a thin shape is also achieved.
US08643234B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical rotating machine capable of securing safety against collision. Included are a rotor having a field winding and cooling fans, and a stator having a stator winding, arranged so as to surround the rotor. A bracket 1 is fixed to a load side end of the stator, and a heat sink is disposed inside the bracket. On the anti-load side of the heat sink, a field circuit unit and power circuit units for controlling the field winding and the stator winding, respectively, are mounted, whereas on the load side thereof, cooling fins are disposed. The anti-load side and lateral side of the field circuit unit and the power circuit units are surrounded by the bracket. Accordingly, a whole of the field circuit unit and the power circuit units is surrounded by the bracket and the heat sink.
US08643229B2
Disclosed is a linear vibration device, the linear vibration device including: a case formed with a storage space; a vibrator including a cylindrical back yoke accommodated in the storage space, a magnet mounted on the back yoke, a leaf spring coupled to the back yoke and a weight coupled to the back yoke; and a coil block accommodated in the case to face the magnet, wherein one lateral end of the leaf spring is coupled to the case, and the other lateral end of the leaf spring facing the one lateral end is coupled to the back yoke.
US08643228B2
A linear motor for optical systems, for example, endoscopes, is described. The motor has a stator with a magnetic guiding member and two adjacently disposed coils which are energized in opposite directions. Furthermore permanent magnets polarized in opposite directions and in the axial direction are provided on both sides of the pair of coils. The armature of the motor has a permanent magnet which is polarized in the opposite direction to the permanent magnet of the stator and is connected to a pole piece at each end. The pole pieces are arranged so that in the rest position each pole piece lies at the centre of one of the coils. By applying current to the coil, the armature can be displaced from a rest position in the longitudinal direction.
US08643224B2
A high voltage safety device for a high voltage battery is provided, which comprises: a switch terminal forming a switch of an electric circuit for a high voltage portion and protruding to be fitted in a position hole of a high voltage cover; and a plug forming the electric circuit by connecting the switch when being fitted on the switch terminal and having a size occupying a portion of the high voltage cover. With the safety device, it is possible to prevent unintended separation of a high voltage cover without using a relatively expensive interlock, thereby ensuring safety.
US08643220B1
The present invention is directed to a device for controlling electrical power provided to at least one electrical load. The actuator retainer housing includes a toggle actuator disposed adjacent to a variable control actuator in a side-by-side arrangement within the actuator retainer housing with no framing or support structure disposed therebetween. The variable control actuator includes a rotatable axial variable control mounting structure coupled to the actuator retainer housing. The axial toggle mounting structure and the axial variable control mounting structure are substantially parallel to a central latitudinal axis. An electronic control circuit is coupled to the plurality of control terminals and the modular switch actuation assembly. The electronic control circuit is configured to respond to actuations of the toggle actuator and/or the variable control actuator.
US08643217B2
An apparatus and method for boosting output of a generator set are provided. The output of the generator set is connected to an electrical load. The apparatus includes an energy storage unit, and a power-electronic unit. The energy storage unit uses batteries and capacitors to store electric energy. The power-electronic unit measures an electrical parameter of the output of the generator set. Based on the measured electrical parameter and a predefined criterion, the power-electronic unit determines additional energy required by the electrical load. Thereafter, the power-electronic unit supplies the additional energy to the electrical load. The additional energy is drawn from the energy storage unit.
US08643214B2
A Wout calculating portion summates limit values of respective power storage devices to calculate an output power limit value of a power storage portion. An excess current FB control portion executes an excess current FB control if at least one of currents IB1, IB2, and IBT exceeds a predetermined threshold. A Woutf correction processing portion corrects the output power limit value given to a motor power calculating portion to a motor power command value at a timing when at least one of the currents IB1, IB2, and IBT reaches the threshold. In a load driving device that includes a plurality of power storage devices connected in parallel to one another, respective parts may be appropriately protected from overcurrent while sufficiently exploiting the capacities of the plurality of the power storage devices to ensure motive energy performance.
US08643209B2
An air-floating carrier type wind power collection device includes a pair of ailerons provided on each of front, middle, and rear sections of a floating body. The pressure and temperature of an uprising gas in a compartment of the floating body is controlled by a floating assembly. A first set of air guiding tubes is extended through the compartment and located at the front section. A second set of air guiding tubes is located at the rear section and extended through the ailerons on the rear section. Each air guiding tube includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet includes a peripheral wall having a windward section and a guiding section. An air channel is formed between and in communication with the air inlet and the air outlet of each air guiding tube. A wind power generating assembly is mounted in each air channel.
US08643205B2
A wind-power generator which can improve the performance of a battery and/or a storage battery for a vehicle. The wind-power generator includes: a cylindrical accommodating member having a cutout hole formed by cutting out a portion thereof and an inner surface along which coil bundles are spaced apart from each other; a rotary member which is rotatably accommodated in the accommodating member, the N- and S-pole magnetism of which is alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the accommodating member such that a portion of the rotary member is exposed to the outside through a cutout hole; and a storage battery electrically connected to the rotary member so as to be directly charged with the electrical energy generated by the rotation of the rotary member. In the present invention, electrical energy is generated using wind power which is a natural energy source, thus protecting the environment in an environmentally-friendly manner.
US08643193B2
A plurality of semiconductor chips may be stacked on the substrate, and each of them may include at least one electrode pad. At least one of the plurality of semiconductor chips may include at least one redistribution pad configured to electrically connect with the at least one electrode pad.
US08643192B2
An integrated circuit package has a host integrated circuit with an active front side that is surface-mounted on a support and an inactive back side. Conductive vias extend through the integrated circuit between the front and back sides. A redistribution layer on the back side of the host integrated circuit provides conductive traces and contact pads. The traces of the redistribution layer establish connection between the conductive vias and the contact pads. At least one additional component is surface-mounted on the back side of the host integrated circuit by electrical connection to the contact pads of the redistribution layer to provide a compact three-dimensional structure. In an alternative embodiment, the additional components can be mounted on the active side.
US08643190B2
A microelectronic structure, such as a semiconductor structure, and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure, include an aperture within a substrate. Into the aperture is located and formed a via. The via may include a through substrate via. The aperture includes, progressing sequentially contiguously at least partially through the substrate: (1) a first comparatively wide region at a surface of the substrate; (2) a constricted region contiguous with the first comparatively wide region; (3) a second comparatively wide region contiguous with the constricted region; and (4) a tapered region contiguous with the second comparatively wide region. The structure of the aperture provides for ease in filling the aperture, as well as void isolation within the via that is filled into the aperture.
US08643183B2
An explanation is given of, inter alia, methods in which the barrier material is removed at a via bottom or at a via top area by long-term heat treatment. Concurrently or alternatively, interconnects are coated with barrier material in a simple and uncomplicated manner by means of the long-term heat treatment.
US08643169B2
A packaged semiconductor device with a cavity formed by a cover or lid mounted to a substrate. The lid covers one or more semiconductor sensor dies mounted on the substrate. The dies are coated with a gel or spray on coating, and the lid is encapsulated with a mold compound. A hole or passage may be formed through the cover and mold compound to expose the sensor dies to selected environmental conditions.
US08643167B2
The present invention relates to a stacked semiconductor package and a method for making the same. The method includes the steps of mounting a plurality of first dice to a wafer by conducting a reflow process; and thinning the wafer from the backside surface of the wafer, thereby reducing manufacturing time and preventing warpage.
US08643165B2
A plastic package (100) in which a semiconductor chip (101) is adhesively (102) attached to a metal stripe (110a) having an agglomerate structure, and electrically connected to bondable and solderable metal stripes (120) having particulate structures; metal stripes (120) are touching metal stripes (110b) of agglomerate structure to form vertical stacks (150); coats of solder (140) are welded to the agglomerate metal stripes (100a and 110b).
US08643163B2
An integrated circuit package-on-package stacking system includes: providing a first integrated circuit package, mounting a metalized interposer substrate over the first integrated circuit package, attaching a stiffener integrated with the metalized interposer substrate and having dimensions within package extents, and attaching a second integrated circuit package on the metalized interposer substrate adjacent the stiffener.
US08643161B2
A semiconductor device includes a package substrate having a front surface and a backside surface; an electrode pad formed on the front surface; an outer connection pad formed on the backside surface and electrically connected to the electrode pad; a semiconductor chip mounted on the front surface and having an electrode electrically connected to the electrode pad; a sealing resin layer having a through hole formed with a die-molding and reaching the electrode pad for sealing the semiconductor chip; and a through electrode filled in the through hole with a conductive material and having one end portion electrically connected to the electrode pad and the other end portion exposed from the sealing resin layer.
US08643159B2
A lead finger of a lead frame has a number of channels or grooves in a portion of its top surface that provide a locking mechanism for securing a bond wire to the lead finger. The bond wire may be attached to the lead finger by stitch bonding.
US08643150B1
Wafer-level package (semiconductor) devices are described that have a pillar structure that extends at least partially into a solder bump to mitigate thermal stresses to the solder bump. In implementations, the wafer-level package device may comprise an integrated circuit chip having a surface and a solder bump disposed over the surface. The wafer-level package device may also include a pillar structure disposed over the surface that extends at least partially into the solder bump.
US08643146B2
A carrier is prevented from being stored in a guard ring region in a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has an IGBT cell including a base region and an emitter region formed in an n− type drift layer, and a p type collector layer arranged under the drift layer with a buffer layer interposed therebetween. A guard ring region having a guard ring is arranged around the IGBT cell. A lower surface of the guard ring region has a mesa structure provided by removing the collector layer.
US08643145B2
A semiconductor device including a substrate, an insulation film being embedded into the substrate and having multiple openings, multiple dummy diffusion layers formed in the substrate and located in the openings, multiple resistance elements being formed over the insulation film so as not to overlap the dummy diffusion layers in a plan view in a resistance element forming region and extending in a first direction, and multiple dummy resistance elements being formed over the insulation film and the dummy diffusion layers and extending in the first direction in the resistance element forming region, in which each of the dummy resistance elements overlaps at least two dummy diffusion layers aligning in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane horizontal to the substrate in a plan view.
US08643142B2
Passive devices such as resistors and capacitors are provided for a 3D non-volatile memory device. In a peripheral area of a substrate, a passive device includes alternating layers of a dielectric such as oxide and a conductive material such as heavily doped polysilicon or metal silicide in a stack. The substrate includes one or more lower metal layers connected to circuitry. One or more upper metal layers are provided above the stack. Contact structures extend from the layers of conductive material to portions of the one or more upper metal layers so that the layers of conductive material are connected to one another in parallel, for a capacitor, or serially, for a resistor, by the contact structures and the at least one upper metal layer. Additional contact structures can connect the circuitry to the one or more upper metal layers.
US08643139B2
A semiconductor device has an electrical fuse formed on a substrate, having a first interconnect, a second interconnect respectively formed in different layers, and a via provided in a layer between the first interconnect and the second interconnect, connected to one end of the second interconnect and connected also to the first interconnect; and a guard interconnect portion formed in the same layer with the second interconnect, so as to surround such one end of the second interconnect, wherein, in a plan view, the second interconnect is formed so as to extend from the other end towards such one end, and the guard interconnect portion is formed so as to surround such one end of the second interconnect in three directions, while placing such one end at the center thereof.
US08643134B2
A method for fabricating a III-nitride semiconductor device includes providing a III-nitride substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, forming a III-nitride epitaxial layer coupled to the first surface of the III-nitride substrate, and removing at least a portion of the III-nitride epitaxial layer to form a first exposed surface. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer coupled to the first exposed surface, removing at least a portion of the dielectric layer, and forming a metallic layer coupled to a remaining portion of the dielectric layer such that the remaining portion of the dielectric layer is disposed between the III-nitride epitaxial layer and the metallic layer.
US08643127B2
A sensor device and a method of forming comprises a die pad receives a sensor device, such as a MEMS device. The MEMS device has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The die pad is made of a material having a second CTE compliant with the first CTE. The die pad includes a base and a support structure with a CTE compliant with the first and second CTE. The die pad has a support structure that protrudes from a base. The support structure has a height and wall thickness which minimize forces felt by the die pad and MEMS device when the base undergoes thermal expansion or contraction forces from a header.
US08643123B2
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate and a select gate structure over a first portion of the semiconductor substrate. The select gate structure comprises a sidewall forming a corner with a second portion of the semiconductor substrate and a charge storage stack over an area comprising the second portion of the semiconductor substrate, the sidewall, and the corner. A corner portion of a top surface of the charge storage stack is non-conformal with the corner, and the corner portion of the top surface of the charge storage stack has a radius of curvature measuring approximately one-third of a thickness of the charge storage stack over the second portion of the substrate or greater. A control gate layer is formed over the charge storage stack. A portion of the control gate layer conforms to the corner portion of the top surface of the charge storage stack.
US08643120B2
A method is provided for fabricating a finFET device. Multiple fin structures are formed over a BOX layer, and a gate stack is formed on the BOX layer. The fin structures each include a semiconductor layer and extend in a first direction, and the gate stack is formed over the fin structures and extends in a second direction. The gate stack includes dielectric and polysilicon layers. Gate spacers are formed on vertical sidewalls of the gate stack, and an epi layer is deposited over the fin structures. Ions are implanted to form source and drain regions, and the gate spacers are etched so that their upper surface is below an upper surface of the gate stack. After etching the gate spacers, silicidation is performed to fully silicide the polysilicon layer of the gate stack and to form silicide regions in an upper surface of the source and drain regions.
US08643114B2
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a p-type organic transistor including an organic semiconductor layer arranged on or above the substrate; and an n-type inorganic transistor including an inorganic semiconductor layer arranged on or above the organic transistor, wherein a channel region of the inorganic transistor overlaps a channel region of the organic transistor at least partially in a plan view.
US08643107B2
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an asymmetric N-type field effect transistor includes: a source region coupled to a drain region via a channel; a gate structure overlying at least a portion of the channel; a halo implant disposed at least partially in the channel, where the halo implant is disposed closer to the source region than the drain region; and a body-tie coupled to the channel. In a further exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric N-type field effect transistor is operable to act as a symmetric N-type field effect transistor.
US08643102B2
A control device of a semiconductor device is provided. The control device of a semiconductor device is capable of reducing both ON resistance and feedback capacitance in a hollow-gate type planar MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided or a trench MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided. In the control device controlling driving of a hollow-gate type planar MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided or a trench MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided, a signal of tuning ON or OFF is outputted to a gate electrode in a state of outputting a signal of turning OFF to the second gate electrode.
US08643093B2
Provided is a semiconductor device that includes a vertical MOS transistor having a trench structure capable of enhancing a driving performance of the vertical MOS transistor. A thick oxide film is formed next to a gate electrode led out of a trench of the vertical MOS transistor having the trench structure, and is removed to form a stepped portion which has a face lower than a surrounding plane and has slopes as well. This makes it possible to form a heavily doped diffusion layer right under the gate electrode through ion implantation for forming a heavily doped source diffusion layer, thereby solving a problem of no current flow in a part of a driver element and enhancing the driving performance of the vertical MOS transistor.
US08643086B2
A semiconductor component having a semiconductor body is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor component includes a drift zone of a first conductivity type, a drift control zone composed of a semiconductor material which is arranged adjacent to the drift zone at least in places, a dielectric which is arranged between the drift zone and the drift control zone at least in places. A quotient of the net dopant charge of the drift control zone, in an area adjacent to the accumulation dielectric and the drift zone, divided by the area of the dielectric arranged between the drift control zone and the drift zone is less than the breakdown charge of the semiconductor material in the drift control zone.
US08643081B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises a first layer, a first conductive layer, a insulating layer, and a second conductive layer stacked on a substrate, a block insulating layer on inner surfaces of a pair of through-holes formed in the first conductive layer, the insulating layer, and the second conductive layer, and on an inner surface of a connecting hole connecting lower ends of the pair of through-holes, a charge storage layer on the block insulating layer, a second layer on the charge storage layer, and a semiconductor layer on the second layer. The second layer includes an air gap layer on the charge storage layer in the pair of through-holes, and a third conductive layer on the charge storage layer in the connecting hole.
US08643078B2
A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a base, a stacked structure and a doped layer. The stacked structure is formed on the base, wherein the stacked structure comprises a plurality of conductive strips and a plurality of insulating strips, one of the conductive strips is located between adjacent two insulating strips, the stacked structure has a first side wall, and a long edge of the first side wall is extended along a channel direction. The doped layer is formed in the first side wall, wherein the doped layer is formed by an ion implantation applied to the first side wall, and an acute angle is contained between an implantation direction of the ion implantation and the first side wall.
US08643075B2
A plurality of metal patterns are disposed on a substrate. A support structure is provided between the plurality of metal patterns. The support structure has a supporter and a glue layer. Each of the plurality of metal patterns has a greater vertical length than a horizontal length on the substrate when viewed from a cross-sectional view. The supporter has a band gap energy of at least 4.5 eV. The glue layer is in contact with the plurality of metal patterns. The supporter and the glue layer are formed of different materials.
US08643074B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure disposed in the semiconductor substrate, a conductive layer disposed over the isolation structure, a capacitor disposed over the isolation structure, the capacitor including a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a dielectric disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode, and a first contact electrically coupling the conductive layer and the bottom electrode, the bottom electrode substantially engaging the first contact on at least two faces.
US08643066B2
A method for making a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a first transistor with a vertical active region and a horizontal active region extending on both sides of the vertical active region. The method further includes forming a second transistor with a vertical active region. The method further includes forming a third transistor with a vertical active region and a horizontal active region extending on only one side of the vertical active region.
US08643048B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure comprising a first area comprising a first semiconductor layer doped with a first dopant, a second semiconductor layer doped with a second dopant and a first active layer, and a second area comprising a third semiconductor layer doped with the first dopant and comprising an exposed region, a fourth semiconductor layer arranged on the third semiconductor layer except for the exposed region and doped with the second dopant and a second active layer, and provided with first and second trenches formed from the fourth semiconductor layer to the first semiconductor layer and separated from each other, a first electrode comprising first and second electrode pad, a second electrode, and a third electrode arranged on the fourth semiconductor layer and comprising a third electrode pad, a fourth electrode pad and a fifth electrode pad.
US08643037B2
There is provided a nitride semiconductor light emitting device including: n-type and p-type nitride semiconductor layers; an active layer disposed between the n-type and p-type nitride semiconductor layers; and an electron injection layer disposed between the n-type nitride semiconductor layer and the active layer. The electron injection layer has a multilayer structure, in which three or more layers having different energy band gaps are stacked, and the multilayer structure is repetitively stacked at least twice. At least one layer among the three or more layers has a reduced energy band gap in individual multilayer structures in a direction toward the active layer, and the layer having the lowest energy band gap has an increased thickness in individual multilayer structures in a direction toward the active layer.
US08643029B2
Disclosed is a light emitting device having a plurality of light emitting cells and a package having the same mounted thereon. The light emitting device includes a plurality of light emitting cells which are formed on a substrate and each of which has an N-type semiconductor layer and a P-type semiconductor layer located on a portion of the N-type semiconductor layer. The plurality of light emitting cells are bonded to a submount substrate. Accordingly, heat generated from the light emitting cells can be easily dissipated, so that a thermal load on the light emitting device can be reduced. Meanwhile, since the plurality of light emitting cells are electrically connected using connection electrodes or electrode layers formed on the submount substrate, it is possible to provide light emitting cell arrays connected to each other in series. Further, it is possible to provide a light emitting device capable of being directly driven by an AC power source by connecting the serially connected light emitting cell arrays in reverse parallel to each other.
US08643026B2
A PFC module includes: a diode bridge having first and second diodes in the upper arm, and third and fourth diodes in the lower arm; and first and second switching elements for power factor correction. The first and second diodes are Schottky barrier diodes formed by using a wide bandgap semiconductor. The third and fourth diodes, and the first and second switching elements are diodes and switching elements respectively formed by using silicon.
US08643020B2
It is an object to provide a flexible light-emitting device with high reliability in a simple way. Further, it is an object to provide an electronic device or a lighting device each mounted with the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device with high reliability can be obtained with the use of a light-emitting device having the following structure: an element portion including a light-emitting element is interposed between a substrate having flexibility and a light-transmitting property with respect to visible light and a metal substrate; and insulating layers provided over and under the element portion are in contact with each other in the outer periphery of the element portion to seal the element portion. Further, by mounting an electronic device or a lighting device with a light-emitting device having such a structure, an electronic device or a lighting device with high reliability can be obtained.
US08643013B2
A flat panel display device having increased capacitance and a method of manufacturing the flat panel display device are provided. A flat panel display device includes: a plurality of pixel areas, each located at a crossing region of a gate line, a data line, and a common voltage line; a thin film transistor (TFT) located at a region where the gate line and the data line cross each other, the TFT including a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode; and a storage capacitor located at a region where the common voltage line and the drain electrode cross each other, the storage capacitor including first, second, and a third storage electrodes.
US08643005B2
An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, a transparent electrode layer, a source/drain layer, an IGZO semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer, a gate layer, a second insulating layer and an organic light emitting diode. The organic light-emitting display device can have a simplified manufacturing process. In addition, the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the organic light-emitting display device.
US08643001B2
An electronic device, such as a thin-film transistor, includes a semiconducting layer formed from a semiconductor composition. The semiconductor composition comprises a polymer binder and a small molecule semiconductor of Formula (I): wherein R1, m, n, a, b, c, and X are as described herein. Devices formed from the composition exhibit high mobility and excellent stability.
US08642993B2
A III-nitride film, grown on an m-plane substrate, includes multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with a barrier thickness of 27.5 nm or greater and a well thickness of 8 nm or greater. An emission wavelength can be controlled by selecting the barrier thickness of the MQWs. Device fabricated using the III-nitride film include nonpolar III-nitride light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a long wavelength emission.
US08642989B2
A Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) cell and a memory are disclosed. In one embodiment, the RRAM cell comprises a two-state resistor and a resistive switching memory cell connected in series. The two-state resistor can supply relatively large currents under both positive and negative voltage polarities. As a result, it is possible to reduce leakage paths in a crossbar array of memory cells, and thus to suppress reading crosstalk.
US08642986B2
An integrated circuit (IC) having a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device buried therein is provided. The integrated circuit includes a substrate, a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) device, a metal interconnect, and the MEMS device. The substrate has a logic circuit region and a MEMS region. The MOS device is located on the logic circuit region of the substrate. The metal interconnect, formed by a plurality of levels of wires and a plurality of vias, is located above the substrate to connect the MOS device. The MEMS device is located on the MEMS region, and includes a sandwich membrane located between any two neighboring levels of wires in the metal interconnect and connected to the metal interconnect.
US08642977B2
An article comprising an array of semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystals are capable of generating light of one or more predetermined wavelengths in response to ambient light. In one embodiment the semiconductor nanocrystals emit light of different predetermined wavelengths.
US08642975B2
To prevent a reduction in an amount of an ion emission while preventing generation of electromagnetic noise. A high-voltage generating circuit section (2) that supplies a high voltage to an ion generating element (1) that generates ions is housed in a housing (3), and sealed with filled resin (22). An emission port (12) for emitting the generated ions is formed in the housing (3), and an outer surface of the housing except the emission port is covered with a shield case (30). A passage port (33) communicating with the emission port is formed in the shield case. A periphery of the passage port of the shield case is covered with an electrically insulating covering sheet (36) so that emitted ions do not adhere to the shield case. The ions emitted from the emission port do not adhere to the shield case covered with the covering sheet.
US08642962B2
A proximity detection system is described among devices in a unified communications network. A narrow beam LED and a diffuse beam LED, both located near a first object, such as a computer monitor, provide a light illumination pattern detected by a narrow beam light detector and a broad beam light detector, both located near a second device, such as a headset. A processor calculates the ratio of measured intensity from the narrow beam LED compared to the broad beam LED as measured by the broad beam detector to provide an estimate for how far off axis the second object (e.g., a user of the headset) is with respect to the centerline in front of the second object (e.g., the computer monitor). The processor also calculates the ratio of measured intensity of the narrow IR beam detector to the broad IR beam detector to provide an estimate of the second object's orientation (e.g., the headset user's head) with respect to the first object to determine if the second object is facing the first object.
US08642960B2
A flux detection apparatus can include a radioactive sample having a decay rate capable of changing in response to interaction with a first particle or a field, and a detector associated with the radioactive sample. The detector is responsive to a second particle or radiation formed by decay of the radioactive sample. The rate of decay of the radioactive sample can be correlated to flux of the first particle or the field. Detection of the first particle or the field can provide an early warning for an impending solar event.
US08642946B2
An apparatus and method for introducing ions into a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer includes producing ions in an ionization chamber of an ion source. The ions are sampled into an intermediate pressure chamber via a first ion transfer tube. In particular, the pressure within the intermediate pressure chamber is maintained at a value that exceeds a maximum pressure for being sampled into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. Some of the ions are sampled from the intermediate pressure chamber via at least a second ion transfer tube, the at least a second ion transfer tube having an outlet end that is in communication with a low-pressure chamber. In particular, the pressure within the low-pressure chamber is maintained at a value that is less than a maximum pressure for being sampled into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. Some of the ions are sampled from the low-pressure chamber into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer.
US08642945B2
A device for use in a mass spectrometer allows an ion-optical assembly to be removed, cleaned and reinserted with relatively high positioning accuracy. In particular, the device obviates the need for complex adjustments requiring special knowledge after the reinsertion. The objective is achieved by an arrangement comprising a receptacle and a mount for a removable ion-optical assembly in a mass spectrometer. Favorable implementations provide a mount and a receptacle with three pairs of complementary support elements, the three support elements on the receptacle form a support plane, and, when the mount is inserted into the receptacle, at least two pairs of support elements are engaged and the mount is aligned with respect to the support plane with the aid of the third pair of support elements.
US08642942B2
A configurable photo detector circuit comprises a photo detector array including a plurality of photo detectors coupled to a plurality of amplifiers. A method for programming a detection pattern of the configurable photo detector circuit comprises selecting a first detection pattern for the photo detector array, generating first signals to create the first selected detection pattern, and applying the first generated signals to the photo detector circuit to implement the first selected detection pattern.
US08642941B2
Photonic structures and methods of operating the photonic structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, the photonic structure includes a detector configured to detect radiation of a first wavelength range. The radiation of the first wavelength range is received from an external radiation guide, and the detector is substantially transparent to radiation of a second wavelength range that differs from the first wavelength range. The photonic structure further includes a coupling structure configured to free space couple out of the photonic structure radiation of the second wavelength range. The photonic structure further includes a guiding structure configured to optically guide the radiation of the second wavelength range through the detector.
US08642925B2
A heating device for testing integrated components is disclosed. In one embodiment, an inner casing is arranged in the heating device surrounding a holding chamber. The inner casing contains at least one recess in which an electrically conductive contact device is moveably arranged. This permits contact to be reliably made with a circuit to be tested. If the inner casing is of compact design, there is a very homogeneous temperature distribution in the heating device.
US08642924B2
A system and method for welding arc termination are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling a welding process includes receiving a signal indicating an operator intention to terminate a welding arc and stopping advance of a welding wire in response to the signal. The method also includes reducing a conduction angle for switching of solid state switches that generate welding power in response to the signal.
US08642921B2
Welding apparatus includes a welding machine that generates welding electric power and an input unit that includes input switches for controlling the operations of the welding machine. The welding apparatus also includes a wireless receiver unit that is electrically connected to the inputs of the input unit to receive wireless instructions for controlling the operations of the welding machine.
US08642920B2
A wafer dividing apparatus for dividing a wafer along a plurality of crossing streets in the condition where the wafer is attached to the upper surface of a dicing tape supported to an annular frame and the strength of the wafer is reduced along the streets. The wafer dividing apparatus includes a frame holding unit for holding the annular frame, a wafer holding table having a holding surface for holding the wafer through the dicing tape supported to the annular frame held by the frame holding unit, a tape expanding unit for relatively moving the frame holding unit and the wafer holding table in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface of the wafer holding table to thereby expand the dicing tape, and a vibration generating unit for applying vibration to the holding surface of the wafer holding table.
US08642912B2
Disclosed is a vacuum circuit breaker. As a plurality of components of main circuit units are integrally formed as one module by molding using epoxy, the main circuit units are easily fabricated, and assembly errors are prevented. Since the main circuit units are arranged to be symmetrical to each other based on a driving unit, an insulation distance between a switchgear and the main circuit units can be obtained without increasing a size of the switchgear. This may allow the main circuit units to be easily arranged at the right side or at the left side according to an installation state of the switchgear.
US08642910B2
A selective-sorting berry-harvesting machine includes a supply system which supplies a computer vision system, a computer vision system including an artificial vision device for acquiring images of harvest components originating from the supply system and a processing device for analyzing said images so that the harvest components can be recognised and differentiated according to pre-established criteria, and a system for selectively separating whole, ripe and healthy berries from other components of the harvest, controlled by the processing device. The supply system is configured such that the harvest can be spread out to form a single layer, harvest components can be isolated individually and the harvest components, particularly the whole, ripe and healthy berries, can be moved rectilinearly at a controlled speed so that they are conveyed individually through the computer vision system. The computer vision system is configured to individualize and locate each element to control the selective separation system.
US08642908B2
An electronic device comprises a housing having an outer face and an inner face. A key is provided on the housing, which comprises a micro hole formed in the housing and a conductive material extending within the micro hole to the outer face of the housing. A sensor is coupled to the conductive material to detect whether an object is brought into contact or out of contact with the micro hole at the outer face.
US08642903B2
A rotary switch having a body, a rotary knob attached to the body, and at least two terminals attached to the body. An actuator is pivotably mounted within the body and operably connected to the rotary knob, the actuator pivoting upon a rotation of the rotary knob. A conductor is pivotably mounted in the body and is in communication with the actuator. The conductor is adapted to connect or disconnect the at least two terminals when the actuator is pivotably moved.
US08642901B2
An electrical component has a protective housing. Two connection surfaces for the electrical connection of connecting cables are provided on the component. The connecting cables are provided with a flexible plastic sheath and connected electrically at their first ends to the connection surfaces. The connecting cables protrude with their second ends through a cable bushing out of the protective housing. An additional sheathing is arranged on the plastic sheath of the connecting cables over a first length and is materially connected to the plastic sheath by a firm bond. The cable bushing is manufactured from plastic and is materially connected by a firm bond to the additional sheathing over a second length.
US08642899B2
A method for manufacturing an electronic device comprising a terminal provided with a conductor which penetrates a cured prepreg is provided. At least one opening is formed in the prepreg. The prepreg is attached to a substrate over which an electronic element is formed so that the conductor included in the terminal overlaps with the opening. A conductive paste is provided in a region of the prepreg where the opening is provided. Part of the conductive paste flows into the opening to be in contact with the conductor included in the terminal. Then, heat treatment is performed so that the conductive paste and the prepreg are cured. In the process for manufacturing the terminal, it is not necessary to perform a step of forming an opening with a laser beam after the prepreg is cured. Thus, an adverse effect of a laser beam on the electronic element can be eliminated.
US08642892B2
The circuit board includes a main body, at least one handle, and at least one connecting element. The main body defines at least one through hole. One end of each of the at least one handle defines a positioning portion. The positioning portion of each of the at least one handle extends through a corresponding one of the at least one through hole and is engaged with one of the at least one connecting elements.
US08642886B2
In a seal structure sealing a housing for passing a signal line therethrough, the seal structure includes: a first case; a second case joined to the first case to define the housing, and provided with a recess portion through which the signal line passes at a joining surface joining the first case; a first seal member arranged on a bottom surface of the recess portion, and mounting the signal line; a second seal member including a gelatinous composition arranged to cover the signal line arranged on the first seal member; and a third seal member arranged between the first and second cases, and pushing the second case.
US08642879B2
System, methods and apparatus for coupling photovoltaic arrays are disclosed. The apparatus may include a first input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a first photovoltaic array; a second input adapted to couple to a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array; a contactor configured to switchably couple the neutral line of a first photovoltaic array to the a neutral line of a second photovoltaic array, the contactor being controllable by an electric control signal; and a control input adapted to couple the switch to a remotely located controller so as to enable the controller to control the first switch by sending the electric control signal.
US08642878B2
A pickup assembly is provided comprising a bridge defining an elongated slot, a saddle at least partially disposed within the slot, and at least one transducer. The slot has a slot end surface and two side walls. The saddle has a string contact surface, a saddle end surface generally opposite the string contact surface, and two opposing side surfaces. The at least one piezoelectric transducer may be located on a side wall of the slot, and have a contact surface in contact with a side surface of the saddle. The at least one transducer may be located on the slot end surface of the slot, and the contact surface contacts the saddle end surface of the saddle. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the bridge and engageable with the transducer. The transducer is adjustable relative to the saddle such that when the adjustment mechanism engages the transducer the force between the transducer and the saddle is adjusted.
US08642875B2
A process and a system are disclosed for some embodiments of the invention that map MIDI signals in a manner which always puts the harmony and melody octaves of an electronic MIDI keyboard in perfect pitch for a user of the keyboard. The process of some embodiments includes (i) receiving a selection of a key signature, (ii) receiving a selection of a scale, (iii) organizing the left side octave(s) (“chord” side) into a chord generator that places all scale tones on white keys and applies a chord effect to each white key, relative to the scale tone position, and (iv) organizing the right side octave(s) (“melody” side) into a melody lock that provides multiple settings for mapping the seven scale tones onto white keys.
US08642874B2
A resonance tuner receives and digitizes an analog signal in response to a resonance of a structure thereby creating a plurality of time samples. A series of the time samples are buffered upon burst detection. A power spectrum is estimated by computing a Time-To-Frequency-Transform of the series of time samples and a magnitude of each of the resulting frequency samples is squared. At least one subset associated with at least one spectral peak is selected from the frequency samples. Each spectral peak has at least one sample with a sufficient magnitude and being spectrally adjacent to any other sample in another spectral peak by less than a threshold. A fundamental spectral peak is determined in a fundamental subset including a spectral peak with a sample at the lowest frequency greater than zero. The fundamental spectral peak has the sample with the largest magnitude within the fundamental subset.
US08642872B2
Described is a technology by which a playback list comprising similar songs is automatically built based on automatically detected/generated song attributes, such as by extracting numeric features of each song. The attributes may be downloaded from a remote connection, and/or may be locally generated on the playback device. To build a playlist, a seed song's attributes may be compared against attributes of other songs to determine which other songs are similar to the seed song and thus included in the playlist. Another way to build a playlist is based on similarity of songs to a set of user provided-attributes, such as corresponding to moods or usage modes such as “resting” “reading” “jogging” or “driving” moods/modes. The playlist may be dynamically adjusted based on user interaction with the device, such as when a user skips a song, queues a song, or dequeues a song.
US08642870B1
A mat is disclosed for engaging an object. A surface supports the mat. The mat comprises a flexible sheet defining a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer edge. A gripper layer is coupled to the bottom surface for resisting displacement of the flexible sheet relative to the surface. A top hook and loop layer is coupled to the top surface of the flexible sheet. An object hook and loop layer is coupled to the object. The top hook and loop layer and the object hook and loop layer interlock for coupling the object to the flexible sheet.
US08642869B2
The invention provides a sound reduction enclosure for hi-hat cymbal assemblies, enclosure which can be fastened directly to the hi-hat stand to greatly reduce sound leakage and offer more precise control of sound emissions during recording sessions and live performances. The enclosure is made up of two (2) primary elements: 1—the main, funnel-shaped body that attaches to the hi-hat stand and surrounds the cymbal assembly, containing and allowing control of the sound; 2—the different lids that provide yet greater sound reduction and control. With or without its lid, the invention allows the user to both: 1—activate the hi-hat cymbals using the pedal; 2—strike the hi-hat cymbals using the drumsticks.
US08642867B1
A drumhead tuning rim apparatus for securing and tuning a drumhead on a drum shell of a drum, the apparatus comprising a plurality of housing grooved bearing wheels rotatably installed spaced along a rim of the drum, the rim being configured for seating over the drumhead on the drum shell, a plurality of lug grooved bearing wheels configured to be rotatably installed spaced about the drum shell substantially between the respective housing grooved bearing wheels, a tensioning cable configured for alternately passing between and about respective housing grooved bearing wheels and lug grooved bearing wheels substantially about the perimeter of the drum shell, and a means for selectively adjusting the tension in the tensioning cable.
US08642860B2
A musical instrument having strings and a soundboard, wherein the soundboard is excited by the strings by a transducer and is associated with differential stiffening mechanism defining at least two zones of the soundboard that present complementary vibratory behaviors. The two zones are separated by a slot extending along a common boundary between the two zones. The transducer extends across the slot so as to be connected to both zones of the soundboard, such that both zones are excited simultaneously when action is taken on one of the strings.
US08642856B2
The present invention provides an inbred corn line designated NPFX6645, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line NPFX6645 with plants of another corn plant. The invention further encompasses all parts of inbred corn line NPFX6645, including culturable cells. Additionally provided herein are methods for introducing transgenes into inbred corn line NPFX6645, and plants produced according to these methods.
US08642850B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1M04 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M04 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M04 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M04 or a locus conversion of PH1M04 with another maize variety.
US08642848B1
A novel maize variety designated X00A030 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 hybrid maize variety X00A030 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00A030 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00A030, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00A030. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00A030.
US08642839B2
Compositions and methods for transiently expressing proteins in a plant are provided. The compositions comprise plants, seeds, plant tissues, and plant parts expressing a protein, wherein the protein is expressed transiently and the transient expression of the protein can be used as a predictive model of how said protein will be expressed in stable transgenic plants in regards to qualitative and quantitative data. The predictive model may be used but is not limited to: promoter evaluation, evaluation of expression cassette construction for best performance (e.g. addition of enhancers or gene silencing suppressors), evaluation of best ways to express heterologous genes (e.g. point mutations, targeting), fast evaluation of endogenous gene knockout, evaluation of protein expression levels, cellular targeting, tissue targeting, transcriptional enhancers, translational enhancer protein toxicity and metabolic profiling. Further provided are methods of use.
US08642828B2
Secondary streams in 1,3-butadiene processing plants still contain high amounts of valuable 1,3-butadiene. An energy-efficient process for purifying a recycle stream from a 1,3-butadiene processing plant is provided. The recycle stream is divided into two substreams: the first substream for prepurifying pure 1,3-butadiene feedstream by removing high boilers relative to 1,3-butadiene in a stripping column and the second substream in an extractive distillation plant.
US08642818B2
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf, CF3—CF═CH2) from 1,1,3,3-tetrachlororopropene (1230za, CCl2═CH—CHCl2) and/or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (240fa, CCl3CH2CHCl2). The process comprises an isomerization step of 1-chloro-3,3,3 trifluoropropene (1233zd, CF3—CH═CHCl) to 2-chloro-3,3,3 trifluoropropene (1233xf or CF3—CCl═CH2).
US08642812B2
A compound having the formula (I) where each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently C6-C18 aryl-, C5-C8 cycloalkyl-, C6-C18 aryl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C5-C8 cycloalkyl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C4-C20 branched alkyl-, C16-C20 linear alkyl-, RO—, —NRR′, —PRR′, —SR, fluoro substituted forms thereof, and perfluoro forms thereof: and R5 is C6-C18 aryl-, C3-C8 cycloalkyl-, C6-C18 aryl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C5-C8 cycloalkyl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C3-C20 branched alkyl-, C2-C30 linear alkyl-, fluoro substituted forms thereof, and perfluoro forms thereof; where R and R′ are each independently C6-C18 aryl-, C5-C8 cycloalkyl-, C6-C18 aryl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C5-C8 cycloalkyl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C4-C20 branched alkyl-, C2-C30 linear alkyl-, fluoro substituted forms thereof, and perfluoro forms thereof; A is N, P, S, or O with the proviso that when A is S, R2 is a nullity; and M is B, Al, Ga or In.
US08642811B2
The invention provides a method to produce primary diamines by catalytic conversion of diols having a linear main chain of from 4 to 31 carbon atoms into the corresponding diamines. The reaction is conducted in a liquid or supercritical phase and is catalyzed by a homogeneous ruthenium-containing complex. The primary diamines obtained may be suitable for polyamide syntheses.
US08642807B2
Crystallized diacetylenic compounds having certain crystallographic and other characteristics; diacetylenic compounds and mixtures crystallized from diacetylenic solutions; methods of preparing and identifying solvent systems for dissolving diacetylenic compounds; diacetylenic solutions; methods of recrystallizing diacetylenic compounds; crystals of 2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-bis(alkylurea) compounds; and ambient condition indicators and time-temperature condition indicators comprising crystallized diacetylenic compounds.
US08642806B2
Provide is a compound having absorbability in an infrared region, excellent invisibility and robustness. The compound is a squarylium compound represented Formula (1): wherein, R1 and R2 represent an alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group, or heteroaryl group, which may be substituted by a substituent; R3 and R4 represent a hydrogen atom or alkyl group; X1 and X2 represent an oxygen atom or —NR5—, in which R5 represents a hydrogen atom or alkyl group; Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 represent a halogen atom, alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, arylcarbonyloxy group, or alkylcarbonyloxy group; a plurality of Y1's, Y2's, Y3's, or Y4's may be bonded to form a ring structure, respectively; Y1 and Y2, or Y3 and Y4 may be bonded to form a ring structure; n1 and n4 represent an integer of 0 to 3; and n2 and n3 represent an integer of 0 to 2.
US08642803B2
A process for preparing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, wherein a) an alkene, carbon dioxide and a carboxylation catalyst are converted to an alkene/carbon dioxide/carboxylation catalyst adduct, b) the adduct is decomposed to release the carboxylation catalyst with an auxiliary base to give the auxiliary base salt of the α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, c) the auxiliary base salt of the α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid is reacted to release the auxiliary base with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal base to give the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of the α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Salts of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as sodium acrylate in particular, are required in large amounts, for example, for production of water-absorbing resins.
US08642800B2
A process for the production of acylbenzenes, comprising reacting diacetoxybenzoyl chloride with a Grignard reagent in the presence of an iron-containing catalyst. The acylbenzenes are useful intermediates in a multistep process for the preparation of resveratrol.
US08642795B2
A process for producing a conjugated di- or poly-unsaturated fatty acid having from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, or a salt or ester thereof, comprises: reacting a non-conjugated free fatty acid, or a salt or ester thereof, with a base in the presence of an alcoholic solvent comprising ethanol; and separating the conjugated fatty acid from the reaction mixture, wherein the separation of the conjugated fatty acid from the reaction mixture comprises contacting the reaction mixture with an aqueous salt solution and removing a liquid phase which comprises the salt solution and at least a part of the solvent from a solid phase which comprises a salt of the conjugated fatty acid.
US08642793B1
Disclosed is a novel compound having biosurfactant activity that is produced by Aureobasidium pullulans L-3-GPY strains (KCCM11200P).The novelty of the structure of the compound having biosurfactant activity was evaluated using spectroscopy, and it was determined that the biosurfactant produced by the strains has excellent surfactant activity.Active ingredients of the biosurfactant may be used for various purposes, for example, for producing a composition for washing and cleaning agents. Furthermore, they can be used in a variety of industrial fields where chemically synthesized surfactants are used such as medicines, foods, cosmetics, onshore and offshore oil decontamination, degradation of oil and fat in treatment tanks, and the like where chemically synthesized surfactants are used.
US08642792B2
The invention relates to a method for the synthesis of amino acids/esters of general formula NH2—(CH2)n—COOR in which n is an integer between 5 and 14, and R is either H or an alkyl radical including from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, from natural long-chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids or esters including at least 10 adjacent carbon atoms per molecule, said method comprising: first converting, if necessary, said natural long-chain fatty acid or ester into a monounsaturated fatty acid/ester of general formula R1—(CH2)m—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR in which R1 is H, CH3 or a COOR radical, m is an integer between 0 and 14 and p is an integer between 2 and 11, then submitting the latter to a crossed catalytic metathesis reaction with a compound of formula R2—CH═CH—R3 in which R2 is either H or CN and R3 is CN or CH2NH2, provided that if R2 is CN, R3 can be only CN, and finally converting the resulting product of the general formula R3—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR into an amino-acid, either by hydrogenation, or by hydrogenation of the triple terminal bond, or by amination of the double terminal bond.
US08642791B2
Described is a process to make hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from glucose. The process includes the steps of reacting a feedstock solution comprising glucose, in the presence of a homogeneous Brønsted acid catalyst and a homogeneous Lewis acid catalyst, in a reaction vessel containing a biphasic reaction medium. The reaction medium includes an aqueous reaction solution and a substantially immiscible organic extraction solution. HMF is produced in the aqueous reaction solution and extracted into the organic extraction solution.
US08642790B2
5-hydroxymethylfurfural of the formula II is prepared via a 5-acyloxymethylfurfural as an intermediate.
US08642788B2
The present invention provides compounds as activators of procaspases 3, 6 and/or 7 and related derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods for their use, and methods for preparing these compounds. In one aspect, the compounds are useful for treating cancers and neoplastic diseases.
US08642784B2
The present invention relates to chemical-pharmaceutical industry and medicine. The present invention relates to N-[3-(4-nitrophenylamino)-indole-2-ilmethylene]aminoguanidine hydrochloride of formula (2) having anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective activity. The compound does not exhibit adverse effects.
US08642777B2
A process for producing a 3-alkoxy-2-amino-6-fluoro bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivative represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof, which includes converting a compound represented by the formula (VI) or a salt thereof to the compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof.
US08642776B2
Compounds having the formula are useful for inhibiting protein tyrosine kinases. The present invention also discloses methods of making the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds.
US08642775B2
Vanilloid receptor ligand compounds corresponding to formula I: a process for producing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and the use of such compounds to treat pain and various other vanilloid receptor mediated conditions.
US08642774B2
This invention relates to compounds of formula I their use as positive allosteric modulators of mGlu5 receptor activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as agents for treatment and/or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction such as schizophrenia or cognitive decline such as dementia or cognitive impairment. A, B, X, R1, R2, R3 have meanings given in the description.
US08642773B2
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, including all stereoisomers and tautomers, which is an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes (referred to herein as p38 MAP kinase inhibitors), particularly the alpha and gamma kinase sub-types thereof, and its use in therapy, including in pharmaceutical combinations, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory diseases of the lung, such as COPD.
US08642766B2
An in vitro synthesis of (+) cortistatin A from readily available precursors is disclosed, as are the syntheses of related 17-aryl substituted compounds, the 17-aryl substituted compounds themselves and novel compounds useful in their preparation.
US08642760B2
The present invention provides low hygroscopic forms of aripiprazole and processes for the preparation thereof which will not convert to a hydrate or lose their original solubility even when a medicinal preparation containing the anhydrous Aripiprazole crystals is stored for an extended period.
US08642759B2
The present invention provides thiazole sulfonamide and oxazole sulfonamide compounds, compositions containing the same, as well as processes for the preparation and methods for their use as pharmaceutical agents.
US08642758B2
A process for the preparation of a salt of N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine comprising reacting a 4-halo-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy) quinazoline with 3-aminophenyl acetylene or an acid salt thereof under acidic conditions to form the corresponding acid salt of N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine, the process optionally further comprising converting the acid salt of N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine to N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy)quinazolin-4-amine.
US08642747B2
Disclosed are methods and systems for preventing or treating cardiac dysfunction, particularly cardiac pacing dysfunction by genetic modification of the conduction system of the heart. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of genetically modifying the cells by delivering to the cells one or more coding sequence in a genetic construct capable of modifying the expression of ion channels of the cells.
US08642746B2
Disclosed herein are polynucleotides which may be used to calibrate or standardize quantitative nucleic acid assays. As disclosed, the polynucleotides comprise a sequence derived from a plant viroid polynucleotide or a bacterial or chloroplast Type II intron polynucleotide. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the polynucleotides.
US08642743B2
A new use of a molecule comprising at least one moiety which is a biologically active protein and at least one moiety capable of binding to a serum albumin of a mammal is provided, for preparation of a medicament which elicits no or a reduced immune response upon administration to the mammal, as compared to the immune response elicited upon administration to the mammal of the biologically active protein per se. Also provided is a method of reducing or eliminating the immune response elicited upon administration of a biologically active protein to a human or non-human mammal, which comprises coupling the polypeptide to at least one moiety capable of binding to a serum albumin of the mammal.
US08642740B2
The invention provides various antibodies that bind to lymphotoxin-α, methods for making such antibodies, compositions and articles incorporating such antibodies, and their uses in treating, for example, an autoimmune disorder. The antibodies include murine, chimeric, and humanized antibodies.
US08642739B2
The present invention is directed to nuclear factor κB (NFκB)-inducing factor polypeptides (NFIF polypeptides) which are capable of inducing NFκB. The present invention includes within its scope NFIF polypeptides, including NFIF-14b and NFIF-7a, DNA, including cDNA, encoding these polypeptides, and expression vectors capable of expressing NFIF polypeptides. Also included are methods and compositions for increasing NFκB induction in a patient, methods and compositions for lowering NFκB induction in a patient, methods for inhibiting inflammation, and methods for manufacture of a medicament intended for the treatment and/or prevention of an NFκB-regulated inflammatory response. In addition, methods for determining whether a test compound inhibits or enhances the activity of NFIF polypeptides are provided.
US08642737B2
The invention relates to materials and methods of conjugating a water soluble polymer to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a therapeutic protein comprising contacting the oxidized carbohydrate moiety with an activated water soluble polymer under conditions that allow conjugation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the aforementioned materials and methods wherein the water soluble polymer contains an active aminooxy group and wherein an oxime or hydrazone linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the active aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer, and wherein the conjugation is carried out in the presence of a nucleophilic catalyst.
US08642721B2
Provided are a complex prepared from ammonium salt-containing ligands and having such an equilibrium structural formula that the metal center takes a negative charge of 2 or higher, and a method for preparing polycarbonate via copolymerization of an epoxide compound and carbon dioxide using the complex as a catalyst. When the complex is used as a catalyst for copolymerizing an epoxide compound and carbon dioxide, it shows high activity and high selectivity and provides high-molecular weight polycarbonate, and thus easily applicable to commercial processes. In addition, after forming polycarbonate via carbon dioxide/epoxide copolymerization using the complex as a catalyst, the catalyst may be separately recovered from the copolymer.
US08642717B2
The present invention is an aliphatic polyester resin in which a polyhydroxy acid skeleton is a main component, manufactured using a polymerization catalyst, characterized in that a specific organophosphorus compound is copolymerized in the resin. Activity of the polymerization catalyst contained in the aliphatic polyester resin of the present invention after the polymerization is well lowered and a lactide is hardly produced even by heating after the polymerization or after the manufacture.
US08642710B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing polyolefin in a loop reactor. The polymer is prepared by polymerizing olefin monomers in the presence of a catalyst to produce a polyolefin slurry while pumping said slurry through said loop reactor by means of a pump. The present process is characterized in that the catalyst is fed in the loop reactor at a distance to the pump. The invention allows production of the polymer with advantageous properties while leading to fewer blockages of the reactor.
US08642709B2
The subject matter of the present Application is two-component compositions whose first component is a mixture of reactive epoxy resins and optionally further formulation constituents which contains, based on the mass of all epoxy resins, a) at least 10 wt % of an epoxy group-containing reaction product of epichlorohydrin with polypropylene glycol which has an epoxy equivalent weight of at least 250 g/eq, and b) at least 10 wt % of an epoxy group-containing reaction product of epichlorohydrin with a novolac resin which has an epoxy equivalent weight of at least 175 g/eq, and whose second component contains at least one thiol group-containing hardener for epoxy resins.
US08642708B2
The invention provides curable adhesives of high tensile sheer strength, which contain an α-silane-terminated polyurethane prepolymer containing low molecular weight polyether or polyester groups in the polymer backbone, and a silane-terminated polyether polymer containing polyether groups of higher molecular weight.
US08642703B2
A composition including polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), an elastomeric compound of core-shell type, and an olefinic copolymer including an ethylenic monomer bearing an epoxy function. The PHA composition exhibits improved impact strength.
US08642698B2
The invention relates to a copolymerizable emulsifier comprising (meth)acrylic acid esters, selected from compounds of the general formula (1) and (II), where: A is an acrylic group having 3 to 40 carbon atoms, x and y independently of each other are a hydrogen group or a methyl group, B is hydrogen or a sulfate or phosphate group, and n a number in the range of 0 to 40. The invention further relates to methods of using said copolymerizable emulsifier in the emulsion polymerization of olefinically unsaturated monomers to prepare polymers.
US08642695B2
A non-aqueous pigment ink comprising a pigment, a pigment dispersant and a non-aqueous solvent, wherein the pigment dispersant is an acrylic polymer comprising, as constituent monomers, (M1) an alkyl(meth)acrylate having an alkyl group of 12 or more carbon atoms, (M2) a (meth)acrylic acid derivative having an amino group, and (M3) a (meth)acrylic acid derivative having a glycidyl group, in which the combination of all the constituent monomers comprises from 7 to 15 mol % of the monomer (M2) and from 0.5 to 3 mol % of the monomer (M3) and the molar ratio (M2)/(M3) between the monomer (M2) and the monomer (M3) is within a range from 4 to 20.
US08642694B2
There are provided: a bio-based coating composition which is a bio-based ingredient coating composition in consideration of environment and does not need any expensive ingredient and is also excellent in hydrolysis resistance; and an article coated with the coating composition. The bio-based coating composition is characterized by comprising the following film-forming ingredients: a lactic acid polymer (A) which contains a polyfunctional compound having a hydroxyl group and/or a carboxyl group in a functionality of not less than 3 and lactic acid as essential monomer ingredients and has a specific SP value; and a resin (B) which contains a hydroxyl group and/or a carboxyl group and has a specific SP value; wherein the difference (ΔSP) between the SP values of the lactic acid polymer (A) and the resin (B) is in the range of 0.2 to 4.0. The coated article is characterized by being obtained by being coated with the aforementioned coating composition.
US08642691B2
Amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes (amino AMS), and/or amino co-AMS compounds that also comprise a mercaptosilane or a blocked mercaptosilane, are excellent adhesives for coating plated or unplated metal wire for adherence of the wire to a rubber stock. The amino AMS and/or the amino/mercaptan co-AMS adhesives can be used with all types of rubber and there is no requirement for the use of special adhesive additives to the rubber vulcanizates, such as, but not limited to, cobalt, resins and high sulfur levels. In particular, the use of amino AMS and/or amino/mercaptan co-AMS compounds as adhesives for bonding wire to rubber also improves the adherence performance of the reinforcements to obtain sufficient bonding that is resistant to degradation over the course of time, especially resistance to thermal aging and/or thermo-oxidizing aging, in particular corrosion in the presence of water. Vulcanized rubber compositions that contain an amino AMS and/or amino/mercaptan co-AMS compound also have improved adhesion to embedded uncoated steel after humidity aging compared with vulcanized rubber compositions not containing the amino alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane.
US08642685B2
Curing agents for air-drying alkyd-based resins, coatings, such as paint, varnish or wood stain, inks and linoleum floor coverings, based on an iron/manganese complex containing tetradentate, pentadentate or hexadentate nitrogen donor ligands are disclosed.
US08642683B1
A polypropylene composition for injection molded parts. The composition includes bio-based fillers (such as coconut shell powder), synthetic fillers and mineral fillers (such as talc powder and Wollastonite). The polypropylene polymer may be virgin polypropylene, recycled polypropylene or a combination of virgin and recycled polypropylene. A polyolefin elastomer such as an ethylene-octene copolymer is included to improve impact resistance. A reinforcing agent, nucleator and melt flow enhancer may also be included in the composition to improve product performance and processing.
US08642680B2
The present invention provides an active radiation curable ink composition for inkjet recording, the active radiation curable ink composition including: (A) a polymer containing a repeating unit having a radically polymerizable group and having a bicyclo ring structure or a tricyclo ring structure at a site forming a part of a main chain thereof, (B) a photopolymerization initiator, and (C) a radically polymerizable compound having a structure different from that of the (A) radical polymer.
US08642665B2
Environmentally friendly, low whitening compositions are described. The compositions have aromatic alcohols and esters with a melting point from about 20° C. to about 40° C. The compositions are substantially free of silicones and suitable to impart excellent sensory characteristics in the absence of whitening and when topically applied to the skin of a consumer.
US08642660B2
A method for altering the lifespan of a eukaryotic organism. The method comprises the steps of providing a lifespan altering compound, and administering an effective amount of the compound to a eukaryotic organism, such that the lifespan of the organism is altered. In one embodiment, the compound is identified using the DeaD assay.
US08642653B2
The present invention relates to novel ketone compounds, compositions comprising ketone compounds, and methods useful for treating and preventing cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemias, dysproteinemias, and glucose metabolism disorders comprising administering a composition comprising a ketone compound. The compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are also useful for treating and preventing Alzheimer's disease, Syndrome X, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor related disorders, septicemia, thrombotic disorders, obesity, pancreatitis, hypertension, renal disease, cancer, inflammation, and impotence. In certain embodiments, the compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are useful in combination therapy with other therapeutics, such as hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic agents.
US08642636B2
This invention provides for dimeric1-arylpyrazole compounds, of formulas (I), (II), and (III): or salts thereof, and the use of these compounds against ectoparasites such as insects, arthropods and acarina. The resulting compounds may be used in veterinary formulations such as, for example, spot-on and pour-on formulations, which may be used for treatment, controlling and preventing of parasitic infections in warm-blooded animals and birds.
US08642630B2
It relates to an endogenous repair factor production accelerator which comprises one or at least two selected from prostaglandin (PG) I2 agonist, EP2 agonist and EP4 agonist. Since prostaglandin (PG) I2 agonist, EP2 agonist or EP4 agonist has various endogenous repair factor production accelerating action, angiogenesis acceleration action and stem cell differentiation induction action, it is useful as preventive and/or therapeutic agents for ischemic organ diseases (e.g., arteriosclerosis obliterans, Buerger disease, Raynaud disease, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, diabetic neuropathy, spinal canal stenosis, cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral infarction, pulmonary hypertension, bone fracture, Alzheimer disease, etc.) and various cell and organ diseases.
US08642620B2
The present invention relates to N-alkylamides of the formula I, in which A, Het, X, R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which modulate the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and are valuable pharmacologically active compounds. Specifically, the compounds of the formula I upregulate the expression of the enzyme endothelial NO synthase and can be applied in conditions in which an increased expression of said enzyme or an increased NO level or the normalization of a decreased NO level is desired. The invention further relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of the formula I, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to the use of compounds of the formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the stimulation of the expression of endothelial NO synthase or for the treatment of various diseases including cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, for example.
US08642619B2
The present invention provides a quinolone compound represented by General Formula (1) or a salt thereof, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, etc.; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, etc.; R3 represents a phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more substituents, etc.; R4 represents a halogen atom; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or halogen atom; R6 represents a hydrogen atom; and R7 represents a hydroxyl group, etc. The quinolone compound have a functional improvement effect, which suppresses progression of neurological dysfunction by inhibiting the chronic progression of Parkinson's disease or protecting dopamine neurons from the disease etiology, thereby prolonging the period before first administration begins.
US08642616B2
Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for the topical or transdermal delivery of 1isobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]-quinolin-4-amine or 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5 c]quinolin-4-amine, i.e., imiquimod, to treat genital/perianal warts with shorter durations of therapy than currently prescribed for the commercially available for Aldara® 5% imiquimod cream, as now approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), are disclosed and described. More specifically, lower dosage strength imiquimod formulations to deliver an efficacious dose of imiquimod for treating genital/perianal warts with an acceptable safety profile and dosing regimens that are shorter and more convenient for patient use than the dosing regimen currently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) for Aldara® 5% imiquimod cream to treat genital/perianal warts are also disclosed and described.
US08642614B2
The present invention provides a compound of the formula: where n, m, X1, X2, X3, X4, R1, R2 and R3 are those defined herein. Some aspects of the invention also provides methods for using these compounds and compositions comprising the same.
US08642608B2
The invention relates to quinazoline derivatives of formula (I), wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; R1 represents halogeno or C1-3alkyl; X1 represents —O—; R2 is selected from one of the following three groups: 1) C1-5alkylR3 (wherein R3 is piperidinyl-4-yl which may bear one or two substituents selected from hydroxy, halogeno, C1-4alkyl, C1-4hydroxyalkyl and C1-4alkoxy; 2) C2-5alkenylR3 (wherein R3 is as defined hereinbefore); 3) C2-5alkynylR3 (wherein R3 is as defined hereinbefore); and wherein any alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, halogeno and amino; and salts thereof; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient. The compounds of formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof inhibit the effects of VEGF, a property of value in the treatment of a number of disease states including cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
US08642604B2
The present invention provides novel compounds that are antagonists of PI3 kinase, PI3 kinase and tyrosine kinase, PI3 kinase and mTOR, or PI33 kinase, mTOR and tyrosine kinase.
US08642602B2
The present invention relates to the discovery of an epigenetic relay pathway that controls hepatic stellate cell activation and the wound-healing response in fibrogenesis, including fibrogenesis of the injured liver. Methods of inhibiting fibrogenesis, including liver fibrogenesis and secondary disease states and conditions thereof, and in treating liver damage, including cirrhosis of the liver (which may be caused by viruses or chemicals, including alcohol), are aspects of the present invention. The methods utilize certain nucleoside compounds and/or antibodies which are optionally conjugated. Pharmaceutical compositions represent additional aspects of the invention.
US08642600B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient suffering from a disorder of the central nervous system associated with 5-HT1A receptor subtype, comprising as an active ingredient a carbostyril derivative or a salt thereof represented by the formula (1): wherein the carbon-carbon bond between 3- and 4-positions in the carbostyril skeleton is a single or a double bond.
US08642590B2
The present invention is concerned with alkylcyclohexylethers of dihydro-tetraazabenzoazulenes, i.e. alkylcyclohexylethers of 5,6-dihydro-4H-2,3,5,10b-tetraaza-benzo[e]azulene s of formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as described herein, their manufacture, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds according to the invention act as V1a receptor modulators, and in particular as V1a receptor antagonists. The compounds are useful as therapeutics acting peripherally and centrally in the conditions of dysmenorrhea, male or female sexual dysfunction, hypertension, chronic heart failure, inappropriate secretion of vasopressin, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, anxiety, depressive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, autistic spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and aggressive behavior.
US08642581B1
Described herein is a method for increasing levels of S-adenosylmethionine within the human body without administering S-adenosylmethionine directly. The method of the invention may be achieved by administering one or more of L-methionine, methylcobalamin, 5-Methyl tetrahydrofolate, betaine, and malic acid, together with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of folic acid, vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, and other cofactors.
US08642577B2
The present application provides methods and compositions for combination therapy with antiviral compounds for the treatment of poxvirus infections, such as orthopox virus infections. In one embodiment, a method of treatment of a poxvirus infection is provided that comprises administering to a host in need thereof cidofovir, cyclic cidofovir, or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof in combination or alternation with at least a second anti-poxvirus agent. The second anti-poxvirus agent is, for example, a biologic, such as a pegylated interferon.
US08642576B2
Compounds of formula Ia and Ib wherein A, B, C and R1 are described herein.
US08642571B2
The present invention provides novel molecules, compositions, methods and uses for treating microvascular disorders, eye diseases and respiratory conditions based upon inhibition of the RTP801 gene and/or protein.
US08642570B2
The invention provides a viral self-inactivating (SIN) vector on the basis of the avian sarcoma leukosis virus (ASLV) as well as a split-packaging system comprising in addition to the SIN vector a first helper plasmid serving for the expression of the viral fusion protein gag-pol and a second helper plasmid serving for the expression of the retroviral envelope protein (env). The first and second helper plasmid, for example contained in a packaging cell line or transiently transfected, serve for the generation of non-replicating (RCR-incompetent) viral particles containing RNA having a SIN LTR according to the invention at the 3′ terminus, wherein the RNA can have a therapeutically effective section which e.g. is denoted a transgene. This 3′ SIN LTR contains an extensive deletion of the U3 region which in the course of the reverse transcription is copied into the 5′ LTR. In addition, in the SIN vector all coding regions of ASLV as well as the retroviral splice donor site are removed.
US08642569B2
Described herein are methods and compositions for expanding hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) ex vivo and in vivo, and methods and compositions for transplanting HSPCs and treatment of anemia in a human subject. HSPCs are expanded in the presence of an inhibitor of serine threonine kinase 38 (STK38), wherein said inhibitor is preferably an RNAi agent.
US08642562B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of their production and use, including use in increasing de-N-acetyl sialic acid antigen of a mammalian cell and methods that exploit the increase in deNAc sialic acid antigen on such cells.
US08642560B2
Template-fixed β-hairpin mimetics and libraries including a plurality of these mimetics are provided. The template-fixed β-hairpin mimetics are of the following general formula: R1-Cys-Z-Cys-R2 I wherein the two cysteine residues are bridged by a disulfide bond, thereby forming a cyclic peptide; R1 and R2 are di- or tripeptide moieties of certain types, as defined herein; and Z is a chain of n amino acid residues with n being an integer from 4 to 20 and with each of these n amino acid residues being, independently, derived from any naturally occurring L-α-amino acid.
US08642559B2
A composition comprising a peptide or a peptidomimetic thereof that inhibits the C-terminal domain truncation of mGluR1α by calpain, wherein the peptide is 10-30 amino acids in length and contains a sequence that is at least 70% homologous to VIKPLTKSYQGSGK. Also disclosed are methods of detecting the C-terminal domain truncation of mGluR1α by calpain, methods of inhibiting the C-terminal domain truncation of mGluR1α in a neuron, and methods of identifying a compound that inhibits the C-terminal domain truncation of mGluR1α.
US08642558B2
Methods, systems and compositions comprising novel peptidomimetics are disclosed that can be used to inhibit calpain and, more specifically, to treat tissue damage caused by pathologic activation of calpains.
US08642552B2
The invention relates to human medicine and to the use of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which is administered by infiltration into the periphery of nerve ganglia and/or trunks for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensory-motor neuropathy as well as manifestations of ischemic neuritis. The invention also includes a composition containing EGF which can be formulated together with anesthetics or analgesics or encapsulated in microspheres and to the use thereof for the morphofunctional restoration of peripheral nerves in painful sensitive-motor-type diabetic neuropathy and the manifestations of ischemic neuritis.
US08642550B2
This document provides natriuretic polypeptides. For example, this document provides polypeptides having a natriuretic activity. In some cases, a polypeptide provided herein can have natriuretic activities without lowering blood pressure. Methods and materials for inducing natriuretic activities within a mammal also are provided.
US08642544B2
The disclosure provides N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds, which may comprise peptide mimetics and/or amino acid substitutions, which may be used in peptides, such as GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds, to induce a β-turn secondary structure at the N-terminus. The N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds may be used for research purposes; to produce GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds having improved GLP-1 receptor binding activity, enzymatic stability, or in vivo glucose lowering activity; and to develop GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds which have fewer amino acid residues. The disclosure also provides GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds, such as exendins, exendin analogs, GLP-1 (7-37), GLP-1 (7-37) analogs, comprising the N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds. The compounds are useful for treating various diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. The disclosure also provides methods for chemically synthesizing the N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds.
US08642543B2
The described invention provides methods for treating or preventing progression of a progressive cognitive disease, disorder or condition, and methods for improving resilience of cognitive function in a subject in need thereof.
US08642539B2
Insl5 has been found to be orexigenic, i.e. it increases appetite. Insl5, or a derivative or fragment thereof that retains the ability to bind to the GPR100 receptor, or an Insl5 antibody, are useful in therapy, in particular to treat anorexia nervosa, bulimia, cachexia or wasting disease.
US08642538B2
The present invention relates to novel macrocyclic compounds and methods of treating a hepatitis C infection in a subject in need of such therapy with said macrocyclic compounds. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
US08642526B2
A removal composition and process for removing low-k dielectric material, etch stop material, and/or metal stack material from a rejected microelectronic device structure having same thereon. The removal composition includes hydrofluoric acid. The composition achieves at least partial removal of the material(s) from the surface of the microelectronic device structure having same thereon, for recycling and/or reuse of said structure, without damage to the underlying polysilicon or bare silicon layer employed in the semiconductor architecture.
US08642525B2
The invention relates to formulations for the washing and care of human or animal body parts, said formulations containing sorbitan carboxylic acid esters and characterized in that the carboxylic acid part of the sorbitain carboxylic acid ester is derived from a carboxylic acid containing between 6 and 10 carbon atoms and the sorbitan carboxylic acid esters have a hydroxyl count (OH count) of higher than 350. The invention also relates to the use of sorbitan carboxylic acid ester in washing or care formulations.
US08642522B2
Disclosed in one embodiment is a hydrocarbon blend made from 0.001 to 10 wt % of at least one poly-α-olefin, by weight of the blend, the at least one poly-α-olefin having a Kv100 within the range of from 10 to 3000 cSt and a molecular weight distribution within the range of from 1.0 to 4.5; and a base stock having a Kv100 below 20.0 cSt; wherein the at least one poly-α-olefin is present in an amount sufficient to lower the pour point of the blend by at least 5° C. relative to the pour point of the base stock. In certain embodiments the blend is formed by (a) reacting a catalyst composition and a feed containing at least two sets of α-olefins, wherein the first set of α-olefins is selected from C4 to C12 α-olefins and the second set of α-olefins is selected from C14 or larger α-olefins. The α-olefin feed may have a number average carbon number of at least 8 carbon atoms or greater.
US08642518B2
In a method for recovering lubricant or lubricant concentrate from a used mixture containing lubricant, the mixture containing lubricant and which is substantially dewatered is subjected to short path distillation at a temperature of at least 150° C. and a pressure of less than 1.5 mbar, in order to obtain a lubricant concentrate which can be recycled into cooling lubricants and which is free of very finely wear debris, metal soaps and polymers.
US08642515B2
Described are methods of determining if a subject has a genetic predisposition to developing prostate cancer (PCa).
US08642511B2
Method of depositing a layer of oxide of at least one metal element on a curved surface of a textured metal substrate, said method comprising the following steps: (1) a layer of a precursor of at least one oxide of a metal is deposited using an organic solution of at least one precursor of said metal, this solution preferably having a viscosity, measured at the temperature of the method, of between 1 mPa s and 20 mPa s, and even more preferentially between 2 mPa s and 10 mPa s. (2) said layer of oxide precursor is left to dry, (3) heat treatment is carried out in order to pyrolyse said oxide precursor and to form the oxide, at least part of said heat treatment being carried out under a flow of reducing gas, said reducing gas preferably having a flow rate greater than 0.005 cm/s, preferentially between 0.012 cm/s and 0.1 cm/s, and even more preferentially between 0.04 cm/s and 0.08 cm/s.
US08642508B2
The present invention is directed to the discovery, isolation, identification and methods of synthesis of a novel chemical complex that can be used to stabilize mixtures of different chemical compounds, and in particular mixtures of different herbicidal compounds.
US08642506B2
The invention provides a plant disease control composition including active ingredients of (RS)-N-[2-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)thiophene-3-yl]-1-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (common name: penthiopyrad) and at least one fungicidal compound other than penthiopyrad, and a plant disease prevention method wherein such a compound is applied to plant seeds or soil. According to the invention, a composition and a prevention method are provided which demonstrate a prevention effect against plural types of disease pathogenic microbes, and also demonstrate a preventing effect to currently emerging resistant pathogenic microbes, when applied to plant seed or soil.
US08642505B2
A method of preventing damage to the shoots and foliage of a plant by a pest includes treating a seed having an exogenous gene that encodes for the production of a protein having activity against European corn borer or corn root worm with a composition comprising at least one pyrethrin or synthetic pyrethroid that is selected on the basis of having an activity against an insect other than European corn borer or corn root worm. Treated seeds are also provided.
US08642499B2
A particulate catalytic cracking catalyst which comprises a zeolite having catalytic cracking ability under catalytic cracking conditions, added silica, precipitated alumina and, optionally clay. The catalytic cracking catalyst has a high matrix surface area and is useful in a catalytic cracking process, in particularly, a fluid catalytic cracking process, to improve bottoms conversion at a constant coke formation.
US08642494B2
A catalyst system can include a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, an internal donor, a magnesium halide in active form, and an organoaluminium compound. The Ziegler-Natta catalyst can have a titanium compound and at least one titanium-halogen bond. The internal donor can include at least 80 wt % of an enamino-imine with respect to a total weight of the internal donor. The Ziegler-Natta catalyst and the internal donor can both be supported on the magnesium halide in active form.
US08642483B2
A substrate processing method that processes a substrate including a processing target layer, an intermediate layer, and a mask layer as stacked in that order. The intermediate layer includes an Si-ARC (Si-containing Anti-Reflection Coating) film and the mask layer has an opening exposing a part of the Si-ARC. The substrate processing method includes a shrink etching step during which an opening width reduction process and an etching process are performed concurrently. In the opening width reduction process, deposits are formed on a sidewall surface of the opening of the mask layer by a plasma generated from a gaseous mixture of an anisotropic etching gas and one of a depositive gas and H2 gas. And in the etching process, the Si-ARC film forming a bottom portion of the opening are etched.
US08642472B2
A generation of a void in a recessed section is inhibited. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: an operation of forming recessed sections in an insulating film, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate; an operation of forming a seed film in the recessed section; an operation of forming a cover metal film in the recessed section; an operation of selectively removing the cover metal film to expose the seed film over the bottom section of the recessed section; and an operation to carrying out a growth of a plated film to fill the recessed section by utilizing the seed film exposed in the bottom section of the recessed section as a seed.
US08642470B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device manufacturing method. This method comprises: etching a first dielectric layer to form a recess; depositing a second dielectric layer over said first dielectric layer and said recess, such that said recess is enclosed by said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer to form an air gap; and performing etching, such that a first trench is formed in said first dielectric layer and said second dielectric layer, adjacent to said air gap. The first trench can be filled with a conductive material to form wiring.
US08642467B2
In a semiconductor device, an insulating interlayer having a groove is formed on an insulating underlayer. A silicon-diffused metal layer including no metal silicide is buried in the groove. A metal diffusion barrier layer is formed on the silicon-diffused metal layer and the insulating interlayer.
US08642462B2
Methods and designs for increasing interconnect areas for interconnect bumps are disclosed. An interconnect bump may be formed on a substrate such that the interconnect bump extends beyond a contact pad onto a substrate. An interconnect bump may be formed on a larger contact pad, the bump having a large diameter.
US08642454B2
Cyclic deposit and etch (CDE) selective epitaxial growth employs an etch chemistry employing a combination of hydrogen chloride and a germanium-containing gas to provide selective deposition of a silicon germanium alloy at temperatures lower than 625° C. High strain epitaxial silicon germanium alloys having a germanium concentration greater than 35 atomic percent in a temperature range between 400° C. and 550° C. A high order silane having a formula of SinH2n+2, in which n is an integer greater than 3, in combination with a germanium-containing precursor gas is employed to deposit the silicon germanium alloy with thickness uniformity and at a high deposition rate during each deposition step in this temperature range. Presence of the germanium-containing gas in the etch chemistry enhances the etch rate of the deposited silicon germanium alloy material during the etch step.
US08642448B2
Methods of dicing semiconductor wafers, each wafer having a plurality of integrated circuits, are described. A method includes forming a mask above the semiconductor wafer. The mask is composed of a layer covering and protecting the integrated circuits. The mask is patterned with a femtosecond-based laser scribing process to provide a patterned mask with gaps. The patterning exposes regions of the semiconductor wafer between the integrated circuits. The semiconductor wafer is then etched through the gaps in the patterned mask to singulate the integrated circuits.
US08642443B2
The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor manufacturing. More specifically, it relates to a method of forming islands of at least partially relaxed strained material on a target substrate including the steps of forming islands of the strained material over a side of a first substrate; bonding the first substrate, on the side including the islands of the strained material, to the target substrate; and after the step of bonding splitting the first substrate from the target substrate and at least partially relaxing the islands of the strained material by a first heat treatment.
US08642442B2
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a nonvolatile memory device having a recess structure and methods of fabricating same.
US08642435B2
A method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A portion of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate stack is recessed to form a recess. A semiconductor region is epitaxially grown in the recess. The semiconductor region is implanted with a p-type impurity or an n-type impurity. A dry treatment is performed on the semiconductor region.
US08642434B2
While embedded silicon germanium alloy and silicon carbon alloy provide many useful applications, especially for enhancing the mobility of MOSFETs through stress engineering, formation of alloyed silicide on these surfaces degrades device performance. The present invention provides structures and methods for providing unalloyed silicide on such silicon alloy surfaces placed on semiconductor substrates. This enables the formation of low resistance contacts for both mobility enhanced PFETs with embedded SiGe and mobility enhanced NFETs with embedded Si:C on the same semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, this invention provides methods for thick epitaxial silicon alloy, especially thick epitaxial Si:C alloy, above the level of the gate dielectric to increase the stress on the channel on the transistor devices.
US08642420B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure begins by forming a layer of oxide material overlying a first gate structure having a first silicon nitride cap and overlying a second gate structure having a second silicon nitride cap. The first gate structure corresponds to a p-type transistor to be fabricated, and the second gate structure corresponds to an n-type transistor to be fabricated. The method continues by performing a tilted ion implantation procedure to implant ions of an impurity species in a channel region of semiconductor material underlying the first gate structure, during which an ion implantation mask protects the second gate structure. Thereafter, the ion implantation mask and the layer of oxide material are removed, and regions of epitaxial semiconductor material are formed corresponding to source and drain regions for the first gate structure. Thereafter, the first silicon nitride cap and the second silicon nitride cap are removed.
US08642419B2
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming isolation structures, such as trench isolation structures, for semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a trench in a semiconducting substrate, forming a lower isolation structure in the trench, wherein the lower isolation structure has an upper surface that is below an upper surface of the substrate, and forming an upper isolation structure above the lower isolation structure, wherein a portion of the upper isolation structure is positioned within the trench.
US08642417B2
A method includes forming a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate. The gate structure defines a channel region in the semiconductor substrate. Trenches are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and the trenches are interposed by the channel region. A first semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown in the trenches, and the first semiconductor layer has a first dopant with a first dopant concentration. A second semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown over the first semiconductor layer, and the second semiconductor layer has a second dopant with a second dopant concentration. The second dopant has an electrical carrier type opposite to an electrical carrier type of the first dopant.
US08642416B2
A method for formation of a semiconductor device including a first wafer including a first single crystal layer comprising first transistors and first alignment mark, the method including: implanting to form a doped layer within a second wafer; forming a second mono-crystalline layer on top of the first wafer by transferring at least a portion of the doped layer using layer transfer step, and completing the formation of second transistors on the second mono-crystalline layer including a step of forming a gate dielectric followed by second transistors gate formation step, wherein the second transistors are horizontally oriented.
US08642414B2
A MOS transistor structure with an in-situ doped source and/or drain and a method for forming the same are provided. The method comprises steps of: providing a substrate; forming a high Ge content layer on the substrate; forming a gate stack on the high Ge content layer and forming a side wall of one or more layers on both sides of the gate stack; etching the high Ge content layer to form a source region and/or a drain region; and forming a source and/or a drain in the source region and/or the drain region respectively by a low-temperature selective epitaxy, and introducing a doping gas during the low-temperature selective epitaxy to heavily dope the source and/or the drain and to in-situ activate a doping element.
US08642412B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device with stable electric characteristics in which an oxide semiconductor is used. An impurity such as hydrogen or moisture (e.g., a hydrogen atom or a compound containing a hydrogen atom such as H2O) is eliminated from an oxide semiconductor layer with use of a halogen element typified by fluorine or chlorine, so that the impurity concentration in the oxide semiconductor layer is reduced. A gate insulating layer and/or an insulating layer provided in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer can be formed to contain a halogen element. In addition, a halogen element may be attached to the oxide semiconductor layer through plasma treatment under an atmosphere of a gas containing a halogen element.
US08642410B2
A catalyst film (2) is formed over a substrate (1). A graphene (3) is grown on the catalyst film (2). A gap through which a lower surface of the catalyst film (2) is exposed is formed. The catalyst film (2) is removed through the gap.
US08642408B2
A semiconductor device and method is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method comprising placing a first semiconductor chip on a carrier. After placing the first semiconductor chip on the carrier, an electrically insulating layer is deposited on the carrier. A second semiconductor chip is placed on the electrically insulating layer.
US08642398B2
A resistive random access memory including, an insulating layer, a hard mask layer, a bottom electrode, a memory cell and a top electrode is provided. The insulating layer is disposed on the bottom electrode. The insulating layer has a contact hole having a first width. The hard mask layer has an opening. A portion of the memory cell is exposed from the opening and has a second width smaller than the first width. The top electrode is disposed on the insulating layer and is coupled with the memory cell.
US08642395B2
A process for assembling a Chip-On-Lead packaged semiconductor device includes the steps of: mounting and sawing a wafer to provide individual semiconductor dies; performing a first molding operation on a lead frame; depositing epoxy on the lead frame via a screen printing process; attaching one of the singulated dies on the lead frame with the epoxy, where the die attach is done at room temperature; and curing the epoxy in an oven. Throughput improvements may be ascribed to not including a hot die attach process. An optional plasma cleaning step may be performed, which greatly improves wire bonding quality and a second molding quality. In addition, since a first molding operation is performed before the formation of epoxy to avoid the problem of the epoxy hanging in the air, the delamination risk between the epoxy and the die is avoided.
US08642389B2
The method comprises providing multiple chips attached to a first carrier, stretching the first carrier so that the distance between adjacent ones of the multiple chips is increased, and applying a laminate to the multiple chips and the stretched first carrier to form a first workpiece embedding the multiple chips, the first workpiece having a first main face facing the first carrier and a second main face opposite to the first main face.
US08642385B2
The present invention proposes a package for semiconductor device and the fabrication method for integrally encapsulating a whole semiconductor chip within a molding compound. In the semicondcutor device package, bonding pads distributed on the top of the chip are redistributed into an array of redistributed bonding pads located in an dielectric layer by utilizing the redistribution technique. The electrodes or signal terminals on the top of the semiconductor chip are connected to an electrode metal segment on the bottom of the chip by conductive materials filled in through holes formed in a silicon substrate of a semiconductor wafer. Furthermore, the top molding portion and the bottom molding portion seal the semiconductor chip completely, thus providing optimum mechanical and electrical protections.
US08642379B2
A method of making a top-gate organic thin film transistor, comprising forming source and drain contacts on a substrate; oxidizing portions of the source and drain contacts; depositing an organic semiconductor layer to form a bridge between the oxidized portions of the source and drain contacts; depositing a gate insulating layer over the organic semiconductor layer; and forming a gate electrode over the gate insulating layer.
US08642378B1
A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes patterning a dielectric layer on a substrate to form a patterned dielectric having local spacings between shapes and remote spacings between groups of shapes, and depositing a doped epitaxial layer over the patterned dielectric such that selective crystalline growth occurs in portions of the epitaxial layer in contact with the substrate and noncrystalline growth occurs in portions of the epitaxial layer in contact with the patterned dielectric. First metal contacts are formed over the local spacings of the patterned dielectric, and second metal contacts are formed over the remote spacings. Exposed portions of the noncrystalline growth are etched using the first and second metal contacts as an etch mask to form alternating interdigitated emitter and back contact stacks.
US08642374B2
An image sensor is described in which the imaging pixels have reduced noise by blocking nitridation in selected areas. In one example, a method includes forming a first and second gate oxide layer over a substrate, forming a layer of photoresist over the first gate oxide layer, applying nitridation to the photoresist and the second gate oxide layer such that the first gate oxide layer is protected from the nitridation by the photoresist, and forming a polysilicon gate over the first and second gate oxide layers.
US08642370B2
A process of forming a MEMS device with a device cavity underlapping an overlying dielectric layer stack having an etchable sublayer over an etch-resistant lower portion, including: etching through at least the etchable sublayer of the overlying dielectric layer stack in an access hole to expose a lateral face of the etchable sublayer, covering exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer by protective material, and subsequently performing a cavity etch. A cavity etch mask may cover the exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer. Alternatively, protective sidewalls may be formed by an etchback process to cover the exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer. Alternatively, the exposed lateral face of the etchable sublayer may be recessed by an isotropic etch, than isolated by a reflow operation which causes edges of an access hole etch mask to drop and cover the exposed lateral face of the etchable sublayer.
US08642367B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a thin film transistor and a manufacturing method of a display panel, and include forming a gate line including a gate electrode on a substrate, forming a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode, forming an intrinsic semiconductor on the gate insulating layer, forming an extrinsic semiconductor on the intrinsic semiconductor, forming a data line including a source electrode and a drain electrode on the extrinsic semiconductor, and plasma-treating a portion of the extrinsic semiconductor between the source electrode and the drain electrode to form a protection member and ohmic contacts on respective sides of the protection member. Accordingly, the process for etching the extrinsic semiconductor and forming an inorganic insulating layer for protecting the intrinsic semiconductor may be omitted such that the manufacturing process of the display panel may be simplified, manufacturing cost may be reduced, and productivity may be improved.
US08642365B2
A method of manufacturing a ridge-type semiconductor laser includes the steps of forming a stacked semiconductor layer including an active layer and an etch stop layer on first and second surfaces of a substrate, etching the stacked semiconductor layer on the second surface, forming a semiconductor portion on the second surface, forming a ridge waveguide portion by etching the stacked semiconductor layer on the first surface to a first depth, forming semiconductor diffraction grating portions by etching the semiconductor portion to a second depth, and forming a diffraction grating section by providing resin diffraction grating portions between the semiconductor diffraction grating portions. The etching of the stacked semiconductor layer on the first surface and the etching of the semiconductor portion are performed simultaneously by using first and second mask portions.
US08642362B2
A method for producing a light-emitting diode device includes the steps of: preparing a light-emitting laminate including an optical semiconductor layer, and an electrode unit formed on the optical semiconductor layer; forming an encapsulating resin layer on the optical semiconductor layer so as to cover the electrode unit, the encapsulating resin layer containing a light reflection component; partially removing the encapsulating resin layer so as to expose the top face of the electrode unit, thereby producing a light-emitting diode element; and disposing the light-emitting diode element and a base substrate provided with terminals so that the light-emitting diode element and the base substrate face each other, and that the electrode unit and the terminals are electrically connected, thereby flip chip mounting the light-emitting diode element on the base substrate.
US08642358B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of layers which are stacked as a bottom layer, an MTJ layer, and a top layer, patterning the top layer and the MTJ layer using an etch mask pattern to form a top layer pattern and an MTJ pattern, forming a carbon spacer on the sidewalls of the MTJ pattern and the top layer pattern to protect the MTJ pattern and the top layer pattern, and patterning the bottom layer using the carbon spacer and the etch mask pattern as an etch mask to form a bottom layer pattern.
US08642351B2
The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for fluid chromatography, and is particularly appropriate to high-pressure liquid chromatography carried out using eluent flow rates less than 1 μl/minute, for example on nanoflow columns. In both single- and multi-dimensional chromatography systems, especially those comprising trapping media to facilitate injection of relatively large volumes of sample on to nanoflow columns, the on-line addition of a diluting solvent enables stronger eluents and sample solvents to be employed without causing premature release of analytes from the trapping media or the degradation of the second dimension chromatographic separation. The invention may be advantageously used for two-dimension reverse phase/reverse phase separations, especially for the separation of complex mixtures of peptides.
US08642345B2
A method of measuring a chemical vapor concentration is provided. A chemical vapor sensor measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectable level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.
US08642342B2
Methods of producing populations of predominantly astrocytes, neurons or oligodendrocytes are provided. In addition, methods of treating mammals having astroglial tumors, oligodendrocyte tumors, or neuronal tumors are provided.
US08642341B2
The invention provides materials and methods for p11-mediated therapy of psychiatric disorders. The invention provides vectors for increasing p11 expression and methods of treating a mammal with one or more symptoms of a psychiatric disorder. The invention also provides methods for improving a mammal's responsiveness to treatment for a psychiatric disorder. The invention further provides model animals for depression and depression therapy.
US08642339B2
The invention relates to a method for culturing epithelial stem cells, isolated tissue fragments comprising the epithelial stem cells, or adenoma cells, and culturing the cells or fragments in the presence of a Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) inhibitor, a mitogenic growth factor, and a Wnt agonist when culturing epithelial stem cells and isolated tissue fragments. The invention further relates to a cell culture medium comprising a BMP inhibitor, a mitogenic growth factor, and a Wnt agonist, to the use of the culture medium, and to crypt-villus organoids, gastric organoids and pancreatic organoids that are formed in the culture medium.
US08642333B2
The present invention provides a vehicle for delivering various chemicals, compositions and proteins to stem cells and embryoid bodies. The vehicle may be biocompatible and biodegradable polymer microparticles. Typically the particles will contain at least a growth factor for delivery to the embryoid bodies, and generally the growth factor induces differentiation of the cells in the embryoid body along a specific lineage. The present invention also provides methods for directing differentiation of the cells in the embryoid body.
US08642329B2
Oogonial stem cell (OSC)-derived compositions, such as nuclear free cytoplasm or isolated mitochondria, and uses of OSC-derived compositions in autologous fertility-enhancing procedures are described.
US08642326B1
A system for the production and harvesting of algae including one or more of the following components: A turbulator for dissolving carbon dioxide in water to form an algae growth media, a photobioreactor having a serpentine flow path for the algae growth media through spaced apart high and low baffles with an associated light source, a dewatering device for the algae slurry harvested from the photobioreactor, a turbulator for breaking up the cells in the algae sludge coming off the dewatering device, a cooker for cooking the broken up algae cells under pressure and a settling tank for separating the cooked cells into oil, spent media and biomass fractions.
US08642324B2
An apparatus for the treatment of organic matter with worms, includes a receptacle with a side wall at least a portion of which is downwardly tapering to facilitate compression of organic matter as organic matter is processed, an upper entry aperture for loading the receptacle with the organic matter and worms, a lower discharge aperture for discharging compressed material including castings and organic matter, and a base lid adapted to releasably close the discharge aperture and to permit removal of the compressed material from the receptacle.
US08642320B2
A bodily fluid analyzer including a dry test strip impregnated with a reagent providing a non-precipitating reaction to exclude non-desired analytes. The reagent complexes the non-desired analytes so they remain in solution but cannot participate in the test reaction. Red blood cells are removed from the detection area by slowing their vertical movement and stopping flow when the detection membrane is saturated.
US08642319B2
An optical-waveguide sensor chip includes an optical waveguide having a first substance immobilized on the surface thereof, the first substance being specifically reactive with an analyte substance, and fine particles dispersed on the optical waveguide and having a second substance immobilized on the surface thereof, the second substance being specifically reactive with the analyte substance.
US08642316B2
A process for the culture of Leptospires in a protein-free culture medium and without any fatty acid source in the culture medium, wherein a fatty acid source is fed continuously or intermittently.
US08642314B2
The present invention relates to the improved production of recombinant parvoviral virions in insect cells. In particular, the invention relates to an improved process for the production of recombinant parvoviral virions in insect cells, wherein the full/empty parvoviral virion ratio is increased. The invention also relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral Rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.
US08642312B2
Polypeptide and recombinant protein having esterase activity which exhibit the amino acid sequence SEQ. ID. No. 1 and the use thereof.
US08642311B2
A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a thymidine kinase wherein at least one of the nucleotides corresponding to the splice donor site nucleotides is replaced by another nucleotide and wherein the nucleotides of the splice acceptor sites are not altered.
US08642309B2
The invention relates to an amphiphilic polymer comprising at least 75% of amphiphilic monomers of formula (I), the average molar mass of the polymer being between 800 and 100 000, and also water-soluble complexes between the polymer according to the invention and a hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound, in particular a membrane protein, a concentrated aqueous solution of one or more such complex(es), a product comprising one or more such complex(es) attached to a substrate by means of the polymer according to the invention, and various uses of these products.
US08642306B2
A liquid sample flow containing living cells is irradiated with measurement laser light and the photo data of at least either scattering light or fluorescence that is generated by each of the living cells in the liquid sample flow due to the irradiation with the measurement laser light is acquired. Based on the photo data thus acquired, it is determined whether each of the cells assignable to the respective photo data is an unnecessary living cell or a target living cell. Based on the determination results, a pulse voltage is then applied exclusively to the living cells having been determined as unnecessary living cells so that the unnecessary living cells are damaged and killed.
US08642299B2
The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed.
US08642290B2
The present invention relates to functional cDNA and genomic sequences encoding PrtT proteins, which are transcriptional activity on a protease promoter, to PrtT proteins and their uses. The invention further relates to two distinct types of filamentous fungal cells. Filamentous fungal cells are transformed to over-express these PrtT proteins: this type of filamentous fungus will be highly suited as protease producer. Alternatively, the endogenous prtT genes of filamentous fungal cells are inactivated: this type of filamentious fungus is highly suited for the production of any polypeptide native or not which is highly sensitive for protease degradation. The PrtT proteins of the invention provide means for identification of functional homologues in other species.
US08642288B2
Provided is a method of focusing particles. The method includes: providing a suspension of the particles in a suspending medium; and flowing the suspension along a channel, such that the flowing suspension occupies a certain volume that has at least one cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 μm. The suspending medium has such viscoelastic properties, that flowing the suspension in the channel directs at least some of the particles towards a focus region, enclosed in said certain volume.
US08642285B2
A method for monitoring consumption or release of a gaseous analyte such as oxygen by a liquid sample under investigation includes providing a cuvette (1) having an elongate narrow tube (12) of a material which is substantially gas impermeable and which is at least partly transparent to measurement excitation radiation and emission radiation along some of the length of the tube. The tube (12) has a cross-sectional area of under 1 mm2. The sample (15) is loaded into the cuvette (1), the sample being in contact with a probe in the tube (12), the probe being sensitive to the gaseous analyte, and the liquid having at least one surface and an associated headspace (16). The cuvette, the sample, and the probe are equilibrated at a target measurement temperature. Excitation radiation is directed at a sampling zone of the tube (12) and which is distal from the headspace (16), while maintaining the cuvette at the measurement temperature. The emitted radiation is measured and analysed to determine consumption or release by the sample of the gaseous analyte.
US08642281B2
Coelenterazine analogues with different luminescence properties from conventional ones and coelenteramide analogues with different fluorescence properties from conventional ones have been desired. The invention provides coelenterazine analogues modified at the 8-position of coelenterazine and coelenteramide analogues modified at the 2- or 3-position of coelenteramide.
US08642278B2
The disclosed modulators of Rb:Raf-1 interactions are potent, selective disruptors of Rb:Raf-1 binding, with IC50 values ranging from 80 nM to 500 nM. Further, these compounds are surprisingly effective in inhibiting a wide variety of cancer cells, including osteosarcoma, epithelial lung carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, three different pancreatic cancer cell lines, two different glioblastoma cell lines, metastatic breast cancer, melanoma, and prostate cancer. Moreover, the disclosed compounds effectively disrupt angiogenesis and significantly inhibited tumors in nude mice derived from human epithelial lung carcinoma tumors. Accordingly, the disclosed compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of inhibiting cell proliferation, methods of treating subjects with cancer, and methods of preparing the disclosed compounds are provided.
US08642273B2
Disclosed are methods for the preparation and use of labeled AChE and labeled AChE inhibitory conjugate compositions for detecting accumulation of toxic materials such as organophosphates, insecticides, and other nerve agents. Also disclosed are methods for the use of labeled AChE and labeled AChE inhibitory conjugate compositions in a variety of areas, including the detecting of toxic materials in biological samples, in the area of food and water analysis, in environmental monitoring, and in industrial settings.
US08642272B2
The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid and polypeptide sequence that encodes for a luciferase of Luciola italica, as well as mutants thereof. The luciferase proteins of the present invention have been found to have extended bioluminescence emission that is red- or blue-shifted, and are useful as a bioluminescent marker or as an additive to selected materials.
US08642264B2
The invention provides methods for the detection of the amount of a nucleic acid in a sample. The described methods exploit the ability to disrupt and redirect a PCR direction, and the ability to physically pair nucleic acid molecules in a sample that have a reference sequence with nucleic acid molecules in the sample that have a target sequence. The redirection of the PCR reaction enables partial amplification as a preparatory step to other techniques within the same tube. The pairing can result in the presence of unpaired target or reference sequence indicating a difference in the amount of the target sequence versus the reference sequence. The methods are broadly applicable for the determination of differences in the amount of nucleic acids in diagnostic and research applications.
US08642256B2
Compositions, including antibodies, polypeptides, and organic molecules, kits, and methods for probing molecular interactions (e.g., deubiquination, ubiquination and kinase activity), e.g., using resonance energy transfer (RET) are provided.
US08642253B2
To provide a resist composition for negative tone development, which can form a pattern having a good profile improved in the pattern undercut and moreover, can reduce the line edge roughness and enhance the in-plane uniformity of the pattern dimension, and a pattern forming method using the same.A resist composition for negative tone development, comprising (A) a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of an acid to increase the solubility in a positive tone developer and decrease the solubility in a negative tone developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid having an acid dissociation index pKa of −4.0 or less upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and (C) a solvent; and a pattern forming method using the same.
US08642252B2
Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.
US08642242B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing toner by which the toner capable of forming high quality images and reproducing high density gradation, which exhibits an excellent high-temperature offsetting property together with excellent low-temperature fixability, and provides appropriate gloss with respect to images to be formed, can be stably prepared; and also provided is the toner. After conducting a step in which particles made of at least a crystalline polyester resin are coagulated to form core coagulated particles, and an unsaturated amorphous polyester resin particle is attached onto the surface of each of the core coagulated particles to form core-shell type coagulated particles, radical polymerization reaction is conducted by acting a radical polymerization initiator on the foregoing core-shell type coagulated particles to conduct a step in which a layer made of a crosslinking amorphous polyester resin is formed on the surface of each of the core coagulated particles.
US08642240B2
A decolorable electrophotographic toner, containing a color former compound, a color developing agent, a binder resin, and a release agent, wherein the toner has a pH of from 6 to 9 when dispersed in water with a pH of from 5.5 to 7 at a mass ratio of toner/water of 1/10.
US08642239B2
A toner for developing an electrostatic charge image includes a core layer including a first binder resin, a colorant and a releasing agent; and a shell layer coating the core layer and including a second binder resin. The first binder resin of the core layer includes a low molecular weight amorphous polyester resin having a weight-average molecular weight of about 6000 g/mol to about 20000 g/mol, a high molecular weight amorphous polyester resin having a weight-average molecular weight of about 25000 g/mol to about 100000 g/mol, and a crystalline polyester resin having a weight-average molecular weight of about 8000 g/mol to about 30000 g/mol. The second binder resin of the shell layer includes the low and high molecular weight amorphous polyester resins.
US08642238B2
A toner including: a core particle; and fine resin particles, the core particle containing at least a binder resin, a releasing agent and a colorant, wherein the toner is in shape of particles, and each toner particle has a sea-island structure having the core particle and island portions, which are convex portions formed from the fine resin particles on surface of the core particle, wherein the binder resin contains first and second resins, and the fine resin particles are made of third resin, wherein the first resin is crystalline resin, and the second and third resins are non-crystalline resin, wherein the second resin has glass transition temperature (Tg2) and the crystalline resin has melting point (Tc1) where Tg2 is higher than Tc1, and wherein the third resin has glass transition temperature (Tg3) and the toner has glass transition temperature (Tgt) wherein Tg3 is higher than Tgt.
US08642235B2
A method of optimizing a die size in a method of manufacturing devices using a lithographic apparatus, wherein the lithographic apparatus is arranged to expose an image field of variable size in a single exposure step, the image field having a certain maximum size, the method comprising: receiving a desired area for the die; and calculating a target aspect ratio for the die, wherein the target aspect ratio is determined so as to maximize the number of good dies that can be imaged per hour using the lithographic apparatus. Desirably, calculating a target aspect ratio comprises finding a first target aspect ratio that maximizes a figure of merit MF, where MF is the ratio of the number of dies exposed in each image field divided by the number of exposures on each substrate.
US08642228B2
A polymer electrolyte membrane, a method of preparing the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane are disclosed in which the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a porous polymer matrix, and an ionic conductive polymer layer coated on the external surfaces of single fibers and inside pores of the porous polymer matrix.
US08642193B2
Disclosed herein is a secondary battery protecting circuit connected in parallel with a nonaqueous secondary battery, the secondary battery protecting circuit including: a first voltage detecting circuit; a second voltage detecting circuit; a switch section; and a heat radiating section.
US08642187B2
A structural member for a manufacturing apparatus has a metal base member mainly composed of aluminum, a high-purity aluminum film formed on the surface of the metal base member, and a nonporous amorphous aluminum oxide passivation film which is formed by anodizing the high-purity aluminum film. A method for producing a structural member for a manufacturing apparatus, includes forming a high-purity aluminum film on the surface of a metal base member mainly composed of aluminum, and anodizing the high-purity aluminum film in a chemical conversion liquid having a pH of 4-10 and containing a nonaqueous solvent, which has a dielectric constant lower than that of water and dissolves water, thereby converting at least a surface portion of the high-purity aluminum film into a nonporous amorphous aluminum oxide passivation film.
US08642180B2
Polyurethane coating compositions that provide transparent, abrasion-resistant, and water-washable anti-fog coatings when applied to a substrate and cured are described herein. These polyurethane coating compositions have surfactants that are chemically associated with the polyurethane so as to not leach out or wash away when the coating surface is soaked or washed with water. The polyurethane coating compositions comprise isocyanate-reactive surfactants, isocyanate-reactive salts of surfactants, carboxylic-reactive surfactants, or combinations thereof that are chemically bonded to the polyurethane. Articles coated with such polyurethane coating compositions, and processes for applying the coating compositions to a substrate, are also provided herein.
US08642174B2
To provide near-infrared-absorbing particles which have a high transmittance in the visible light region and a low transmittance in the near infrared region and which, when incorporated, can give a near-infrared-absorbing coating film wherein the transmittance sharply changes in the wavelength range of from 630 to 700 nm; a process for their production; and their dispersion. Near-infrared-absorbing particles consisting essentially of crystallites of A1/nCuPO4 and having a number average aggregated particle size is from 20 to 200 nm, wherein A is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs), alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) and NH4, and n is 1 when A is an alkali metal or NH4, or 2 when A is an alkaline earth metal.
US08642166B2
A transparent conductive thin film comprises at least one stack layer of Ag—Ag3Sn—SnOx, or at least one stack layer of Ag—Ag4Sn—SnOx.
US08642162B2
A non-aqueous pigment ink which suppresses show-through and improves the print density in printed items, and also exhibits excellent storage stability. The non-aqueous pigment ink comprises a pigment, a non-aqueous solvent, and non-aqueous resin dispersion particles having a pigment dispersion capability, wherein the non-aqueous resin dispersion particles comprise a urethane-modified alkyd resin formed from an oil-modified alkyd resin and/or fatty acid-modified alkyd resin having an oil length of not less than 50% by mass into which urethane groups have been introduced, and the urethane-modified alkyd resin is prepared by bonding an amino alcohol to double bonds within the oil-modified alkyd resin and/or fatty acid-modified alkyd resin, and then reacting the amino alcohol with a polyvalent isocyanate compound to introduce the urethane groups.
US08642161B2
The present invention relates to an optically variable security element for protecting articles against counterfeiting, to a process for the production of a security element of this type, and to the use thereof.
US08642155B2
Provided is an information storage medium using nanocrystal particles, a method of manufacturing the information storage medium, and an information storage apparatus including the information storage medium. The information storage medium includes a conductive layer, a first insulating layer formed on the conductive layer, a nanocrystal layer that is formed on the first insulating layer and includes conductive nanocrystal particles that can trap charges, and a second insulating layer formed on the nanocrystal layer.
US08642153B2
A single crystal silicon carbide substrate has a 4H-polytype crystal structure, has with nitrogen atoms doped as a conduction impurity with an atomic concentration of more than 1×1016/cm3, and has a main surface containing a circle having a diameter of 5 cm. The single crystal silicon carbide substrate includes only one of a facet region and a non-facet region. Thus, variation in nitrogen atom concentration in the single crystal silicon carbide substrate can be suppressed.
US08642151B2
Preforms including fiber reinforced nodes for use in fiber reinforced composite structures and methods for making fiber reinforced composite structures. Preforms with woven fabric elements extending radially from a common node include at least one reinforcing fiber interwoven between at least two elements and passing through the node. A method of assembling preform structures using the preforms to provide a structure with reinforced nodes.
US08642150B2
A shim set comprising at least two shims of different thickness, the shims of the set being integrally formed as a one-piece plastic moulding, the shims of the set being connected in adjacent relationship by a connection which permits an individual shim to be separated from the set but which is flexible to permit a shim while connected to an adjacent shim to be folded over so that the two shims lie in face-to-face relation and thereby form a shim combination of increased thickness.
US08642140B2
A material is applied to a part. The part is placed in a deposition chamber and a first electric potential is applied to the part. Components are evaporated for forming the material. The evaporated components are ionized. The first electric potential is modulated so as to draw the ionized component to the part. The modulation comprises a plurality of first steps for PA-PVD. Each of the first steps comprises a series of pulses of negative potential. The modulation further comprises a plurality of second steps for PVD alternating with the first steps.
US08642136B2
A substrate processing method includes performing a deposition process of depositing a thin film on the substrate while depressurizing the inside of the processing chamber and introducing the gas thereinto; and, while the deposition process is being performed, irradiating light, which is transmitted through a monitoring window installed at the processing chamber, toward the inside of the processing chamber through the monitoring window, and monitoring a reflection light intensity of reflection light by receiving the reflection light through the monitoring window. The substrate processing method further includes measuring a temporal variation in the reflection light intensity during the deposition process and calculating a termination time of the deposition process based on a measurement value of the temporal variation; and terminating the deposition process by setting the termination time as an end point of the deposition process.
US08642116B2
A cartridge block for screening a multilayer ceramic with a conductive paste includes a threaded paste cartridge attachment located at a top of the cartridge block, the threaded paste cartridge attachment being configured to receive a paste cartridge containing the conductive paste; a paste routing section, the paste routing section located underneath the threaded paste cartridge attachment, the paste routing section comprising a flared section located at a bottom of the cartridge block, the paste routing section being configured to receive the conductive paste from the threaded paste cartridge attachment and route the paste through the flared section.
US08642111B2
Methods using light force to fabricate WGM sensors including microresonators having target receptors selectively and substantially provided at only ribbon area of the microresonators.
US08642108B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing fatty acid esters particularly used as bio-diesel fuel from whole oleaginous grains, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: preheating the whole non-husked grains; flattening the oleaginous grains; drying the flattened grains in order to obtain a water content and a volatile material content between 0.5 and 2.5%, and preferably between 1.5% and 2%; performing a transesterification by contacting the dried, flattened grains with an alcoholic medium in the presence of a catalyst; separating the liquid and solid phases resulting from the transesterification; neutralising the liquid phase from step d); and removing the alcohol and separating the glycerine from the fatty acid esters.
US08642105B2
The present invention relates to a butter making device comprising a butter containing section containing a basic butter product to be processed further, a dosing unit for adding additives to the basic butter product, and a flow restricting and generating device disposed at the butter containing section for passing butter from the butter containing section for further processing the basic butter product to the dosing unit, wherein at least one further dosing unit and at least one further flow restricting and generating device disposed at the butter containing portion for passing basic butter containing section to the at least one further dosing unit.
US08642088B2
The invention provides a composition comprising a matrix of chitosan and a tannin wherein the chitosan is electrostatically bonded to the tannin to form a chitosan-tannin composite material. The chitosan can be partially or fully deacetylated, and the tannin can be a monomeric or an oligomeric proanthocyanidin or a hydrolysable tannin. The chitosan-tannin composite material can be a nanoparticle, a hydrogel film, a bio-foam, or a biogel, or the chitosan-tannin composite material can coat a liposome. The composite materials can be used for drug delivery, for antibacterial and/or antifungal applications, for tissue engineering applications, for wound healing applications, or they can be used as adjuvants for vaccination, including oral vaccinations. The invention also provides methods of preparing the composite materials and their various forms.
US08642066B2
Disclosed is a drug delivery system for delivering a drug at a sustained constant rate for a long period, which can be transplanted into an affected part safely and in a simple manner and can deliver a drug to the affected part for a long period. Specifically disclosed is a sustained drug delivery system in which an implant is implanted into a body, wherein the implant is a PEG capsule comprising a box-shaped PEG and a porous PEG sheet.
US08642062B2
The present invention provides an implantable device having a coating including a slow dissolving polymer or material and the methods of making and using the same.
US08642056B2
Process for thickening a composition, through the use of a direct emulsion in water, which is alkali-swellable, of a polymer of the ASE or HASE type, which is both rich in acrylic acid and which has a certain quantity of AMPS. The use of such emulsions simultaneously allows there to be no obligation to use surfactants and organic solvents other than water, and allows the thickening phenomenon to be activated for pHs of less than 7: this latter characteristic is particularly advantageous for formulations intended to be used in contact with skin.
US08642053B2
A topical composition for skin care or administration of a pharmacologically active agent in form of a lotion, cream or similar comprises from 5% to 70% by weight of pentane-1,5-diol and a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, with the proviso that the composition does not comprise polysiloxane, volatile siloxane, phosphatidyl-choline, creatine, carnitine, panthenol, pyruvic acid, monoglyceride of lauric acid, monoglyceride of myristic acid. Also disclosed are corresponding methods of administration, a patch for holding said composition against the skin, and methods of preventing or treating a dry skin condition and of keeping skin in a humid state.
US08642047B2
A Clostridial toxin pharmaceutical composition comprising a Clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum toxin, wherein the Clostridial toxin present in the pharmaceutical composition is stabilized by a non-protein excipient such as a polyvinylpyrrolidone, a disaccharides, a trisaccharide, a polysaccharide, an alcohol, a metal, an amino acid, a surfactant and/or a polyethylene glycol.
US08642040B2
This invention relates to methods for promoting myelination, neuronal survival, and oligodendrocyte differentiation and treating demyelination and dysmyelination disease by the administration of a TrkA antagonist. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting or decreasing Sp35 expression by the use of a TrkA antagonist. Additionally, the invention relates generally to methods for blocking Sp35 and TrkA interaction and inhibiting or decreasing TrkA phosphorylation by the administration of a Sp35 antagonist.
US08642036B2
The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin. The invention further provides a method of treating cancer in a human patient comprising administering effective amounts of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a cardioprotectant to the patient.
US08642018B2
The invention is a sunscreen cosmetic containing (a) a specific hydrophobic zinc oxide powder, (b) decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and (c) an alkyl trimethicone having 6 to 12 carbons.Hydrophobic powder that has the noticeable effects of low oil absorption and a low apparent specific volume is stably blended into a sunscreen cosmetic as a UV radiation dispersing agent to produce a sunscreen cosmetic that has remarkably improved ease of washability after use.
US08642017B2
Compositions for a foaming oral cleaner and related methods and products are disclosed. In one such method, a foaming oral cleaner may be dispensed onto a cleaning surface of a tongue cleaning device in a manner to foam the foaming oral cleaner. A surface of the tongue may be brushed using a tongue brush of the tongue cleaning device, thereby applying the foaming oral cleaner to the surface of the tongue. The brushing of the surface of the tongue can dislodge and loosen material on the surface of the tongue. The surface of the tongue can be scraped using a tongue scraper of the tongue cleaning device to scrape dislodged and loosened material from the surface of the tongue. The foaming oral cleaner may be a composition comprising water, a foaming agent, a sweetener, a flavoring agent, an antimicrobial agent comprising a biologically active enzyme, a preservative, and a coloring agent.
US08642014B2
Luminescent reporter compounds that are rotaxanes having the structure where B—Z—C is a reporter molecule based on a cyanine, squaric acid, or other reporter, and K is a macrocycle that encircles and interlocks with the reporter molecule. Applications of the reporter compounds are provided, as well as reactive intermediates used to synthesize the reporter compounds, and methods of synthesizing the reporter compounds.
US08642003B2
The invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of: i) contacting a compound (C) comprising one or more groups Si—H with a phosphorous based catalyst in the presence of a base in water as solvent, thereby forming hydrogen and a by-product (C1); wherein said phosphorous based catalyst is as defined in claim 1; and ii) recovering the obtained hydrogen.
US08642000B2
A storage and mixing device is illustrated and described. The device can include first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cavities can be substantially sealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, such as chlorine dioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allow gas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients to escape into the ambient environment.
US08641997B2
The invention relates to a method for producing shaped inorganic cyanide bodies, especially made of alkaline metal cyanides and alkaline earth metal cyanides, by pressing particulate inorganic cyanide obtained by means of a crystallization method. According to the invention, a cyanide crystallate separated from a mother liquor by means of a solid-liquid separation device and containing 2-15 wt. % water is fed to a forming device without the addition of an auxiliary forming agent and placed under pressure and compressed to form shaped bodies containing 0.1-12 wt. % water. The amount of water contained by the shaped bodies is always less than that contained in the crystallates used for the production thereof. Preferably, the crystallite is pressed out of a rotary filter or a centrifuge at a temperature of more than 40° C. to form shaped bodies containing 0.2-6 wt. % residual water. The inventive method can be carried out in a more economical manner than previously known methods using dried cyanide. The invention also relates to shaped inorganic cyanide bodies obtained according to said method.
US08641994B2
A method and a plant for capturing CO2 from an exhaust gas from combustion of carbonaceous material are described. At least a part of the combustion gas is introduced into a biol fuel boiler as an oxygen containing gas, to increase the concentration of CO2 and decrease the oxygen concentration in the gas before introduction into an absorption column for separation of CO2.
US08641991B2
The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for processing biomass into usable products, wherein such methods and systems involve an integration into conventional refineries and/or conventional refinery processes. Such methods and systems provide for an enhanced ability to utilize biofuels efficiently, and they can, at least in some embodiments, be used in hybrid refineries alongside conventional refinery processes.
US08641990B2
The present invention concerns a breakable multi-specimen storage vessel. The vessel comprises a tubular container comprising a lower end and an upper end. At least said upper end has an open end opening. The length of said container is continuously formed and provided with break portions at predetermined positions alongside thereof. Said container is adapted to be broken into a plurality of specimens. Further, an external surface of said container may be provided with a screw thread. Said screw thread is provided extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said tubular container and said internal surface is substantially smooth. The invention further relates to a break tool for breaking off specimens from a multi-specimen storage vessel such as a storage vessel according to the invention.
US08641988B2
A sample analyzer which transports a rack holding a plurality of sample containers and analyzes samples includes: a first measurement apparatus which measures samples; a second measurement apparatus which is arranged downstream, in a transport direction, from the first measurement apparatus, and which measures samples; and a transporting apparatus which transports samples to a first supply position for supplying a sample to the first measurement apparatus, and to a second supply position for supplying a sample to the second measurement apparatus. The transporting apparatus linearly transports a rack from the first supply position to the second supply position, and the distance between the first supply position and the second supply position is a multiple of the distance between adjacent sample containers held in the rack.
US08641984B2
The teachings herein provide a surgical instrument tray system comprising at least a stringer tray having an advantageous cradle configured to hold ring-handle instruments in a spaced-apart array. In particular, the cradle includes an array of compartments, with each compartment cradling and supporting the lower ring of a respective one of the ring-handle instruments loaded in the tray. Further, a removable, elongated locking member locks the lower rings within the cradle. These features allow the stringer tray to be used for neatly organizing and holding a potentially large quantity of ring-handle instruments, for presentation and use within an operating room environment, for stowage as part of a tracked tray system within a sterilization container, as well as to position and hold the ring-handle instruments in a fully open position for disinfecting and washing.
US08641979B2
Disclosed is a reaction device including: a reactor to cause a reaction of a reactant; a first container to house the reactor; and a second container to house the first container, wherein a gas is injected to a space between the reactor and the first container and the first container is sealed, and an atmospheric pressure in a space between the first container and the second container is lower than a normal atmospheric pressure.
US08641966B2
A system for microbially deactivating articles, such as medical, dental, veterinary and mortuary instruments and devices. The system includes vibration means for producing ultrasonic waves to facilitate drying after the completion of a liquid microbial deactivation process.
US08641960B1
The present invention relates to a solution blow spinning method for the production of nonwoven webs of micro and nanofibers.
US08641954B2
A method for forming a soft mold includes providing a master mold having at least one pattern thereon, forming pre-polymer layer on the master mold, applying water on the pre-polymer layer, hardening the pre-polymer layer to form a soft mold, removing water, and separating the soft mold from the master mold. A method for forming a pattern comprises forming a resist on an etching subject layer, providing a soft mold, disposing the soft mold on the resist, separating the soft mold from the resist to form the resist pattern, and etching the etching subject layer by using the resist pattern, wherein providing the soft mold comprises providing a master mold having at least one pattern thereon, forming pre-polymer layer on the master mold, applying water on the pre-polymer layer, hardening the pre-polymer layer to form a soft mold, removing water, and separating the soft mold from the master mold.
US08641952B2
A method of fabricating components (23) based on fiber-reinforced plastics material, in particular with the help of a wrapped mold core (10), includes the following steps:a) fabricating the mold core (10); b) wrapping the mold core (10) with a wrapper (14) that withstands resin; c) applying fiber semi-finished products (16) and introducing resin to create the plastics component (23); and d) hardening the plastics component (23) under the effect of temperature; which method is improved by the fact that, under all circumstances, and during hardening in step d), substantial pressure equilibrium is established across the fiber semi-finished product (16, 20) between ambient pressure (pu) and the pressure (pk) inside the core. A device is also described.
US08641943B1
A method for filling a mold with a compressible liquid material is disclosed. The mold is connected to a manifold via a plurality of runners, with at least one valve disposed in at least one of the plurality of runners. A controller is configured to pressurize the manifold with the liquid material, and modulate the at least one valve to perform a plurality of pulse cycles during one filling cycle of the mold. A pulse cycle includes adjusting an aperture of the valve from a first position to a second position, and adjusting the aperture of the valve from the second position to a third position, where the aperture corresponding to the second position is larger than the aperture corresponding to the first position, and the aperture corresponding to the third position is smaller than the aperture corresponding to the second position.
US08641938B2
A method for making a denture comprising a base and a plurality of teeth joined thereto. The method comprises forming a first cavity in a block of a denture base material, the first cavity being formed to match the contour of natural teeth as arranged on maxillae or on a mandible; filling the first cavity with a first fluid synthetic tooth material and solidifying the first fluid synthetic tooth material into a first solid synthetic tooth material; removing a portion of the first solid synthetic tooth material to form the plurality of teeth; and removing a portion of the block of denture base material to form the denture base. The steps of the method may be implemented by a computer. An apparatus for making the denture according to certain embodiments of the method, and a denture comprised of a base and artificial teeth are also disclosed.
US08641933B2
The invention includes a composite material for use in a security device including a radiation diffracting component that exhibits a first optical effect and a photochromic component that exhibits a second optical effect. The composite material is particularly suited for use in authenticating articles, such as currency.
US08641929B2
Provided is a bonding material which enables formation of a bonded article in nitrogen, and can exhibit bonding strength to withstand practical use while having reduced bonding fluctuations between samples without a heat treatment procedure under pressurized or high temperature conditions. The bonding material comprises: silver nanoparticles having an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 200 nm and coated with an organic substance having 8 carbon atoms or less; a dispersion medium having a boiling point of 230° C. or higher; and a flux component including an organic matter having at least two carboxyl groups. Particularly, it is preferable to use the silver nanoparticles and submicron silver particles in combination.
US08641922B2
A sorbent for removal of acid gas from hydrocarbon gas includes a mixture of dewatered residue obtained from the distillation of ethanol, and an amine.
US08641920B2
A polishing composition of the present invention at least comprises about 750 ppm to less than 5000 ppm by weight of abrasive particles, hydrogen peroxide, an accelerator, a dual-corrosion inhibitor and water, wherein the dual-corrosion inhibitor contains a first and a second corrosion inhibitor. The dual-corrosion inhibitor is applied to the planarization of metal layers so as to maintain a high removal rate of metal layers as well as suppress etching of the metal, thus capable of reducing polishing defects such as dishing, erosion and the like.
US08641914B2
Methods for fabricating arrays of nanoscaled alternating lamellae or cylinders in a polymer matrix having improved long range order utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08641909B2
The present invention provides a method (20) of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (1), the method comprising the steps of (23) introducing the feed material (22) into the tank (1); (24) allowing the feed material (22) to settle in the tank (1); (25) allowing the pulp (21) to form into aggregates (13); (26) allowing the pulp aggregates (13) to settle towards the bottom of the tank (1) and form a networked layer (2) of pulp; and (27) causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone (16) in an upper region of the networked layer (2), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (16) and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device (40) for separating pulp (21) from a feed material (22).
US08641907B2
A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) removing coarse particles in the municipal waste sludge and measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing a supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen, a ratio of the solid content of the municipal waste sludge to a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution added in step (d) ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 4 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (e) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (d).
US08641881B2
A dielectrophoresis (DEP) apparatus including a concentration gradient generating unit, a method of separating a target material in a sample solution using the DEP apparatus, and a method of screening the optimum condition for separating a target material are provided.
US08641879B2
A technique for controlling the motion of one or more charged entities linked to a polymer through a nanochannel is provided. A first reservoir and a second reservoir are connected by the nanochannel. An array of electrodes is positioned along the nanochannel, where fluid fills the first reservoir, the second reservoir, and the nanochannel. A first electrode is in the first reservoir and a second electrode is in the second reservoir. The first and second electrodes are configured to direct the one or more charged entities linked to the polymer into the nanochannel. An array of electrodes is configured to trap the one or more charged entities in the nanochannel responsive to being controlled for trapping. The array of electrodes is configured to move the one or more charged entities along the nanochannel responsive to being controlled for moving.
US08641869B2
A method for making particles containing carboxyalkyl cellulose, comprising blending a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch in water to provide an aqueous gel; treating the aqueous gel with a crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; drying the crosslinked gel to provide a solid; comminuting the solid to provide a plurality of particles.
US08641854B2
The invention relates to a Co-extruded, multilayer and biaxially-oriented polypropylene film, which comprises of at least one first sealable covering layer and at least one vacuolate layer, having a thickness of at least 5 μm, is further treated by laminating, pasting, printing, varnishing and/or coating; the result registered as follows: after drying or hardening during further treatments using electron-beam irradiation, the vacuolate layer has a thickness of at least 5 μm. Hot tack is not damaged by electron-beam processing.
US08641853B2
A method of transferring a portion of a functional film (1) onto a substrate from a base plate (100) comprises the formation of a groove (S1) which passes through the said functional film and also a separating film (2) placed between the functional film and the base plate. A portion (2p) of the separating film is then detached from the base plate with the portion of the functional film. The portion of said separating film protects the portion of the functional film in the rest of the method. According to one improvement, the portion of the functional film which is detached from the base plate comprises a useful portion (1p) and a margin (1m) that are connected together by the portion (2p) of the separating film. The useful portion (1p) of the functional film may then be gripped and handled via the margin (1m).
US08641850B2
A polymer material system that consists of multiple layers of polymers of different transition temperatures in a multilayer construction to achieve and tailor a multiple shape memory effect. Wherein two material layers of different transition temperatures are utilized, a triple shape memory effect is achieved. In alternative embodiments, a triple shape memory effect may be achieved wherein each of the two layers are transformable using different external stimulus such as heat, light, magnetism, or moisture.
US08641847B2
Aspects of the present disclosure include various exemplary methods relating to composite lamination using one or more arrays of parallel material dispensing heads. In one example, a method of fabricating a high aspect ratio composite article is disclosed which may involve applying a first strip material to a work surface datum at a first angle with a first material dispenser, and applying a plurality of second strip materials to a work surface datum each at a second angle with a plurality of rotatable parallel material dispensers. The method may also involve advancing the first material dispenser and the rotatable parallel material dispensers as a unit the width of the second strip material and continuing application of the first strip material by the first material dispenser and a plurality of second strip materials by the rotatable parallel material dispensers until a desired length is reached.
US08641843B2
The present invention provides a simulant material comprising a primary explosive and a carrier.
US08641842B2
Propellant compositions include an energetic binder, such as nitrocellulose, and a stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorous as a ballistic modifier. The propellant composition may additionally include an energetic plasticizer, such as nitroglycerine. For example, the propellant composition may be formed by mixing a double or multi base propellant that includes nitrocellulose plasticized with nitroglycerine with the stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus. The propellant compositions may be substantially lead-free and may exhibit improved ballistic properties. Methods of forming such propellant compositions and an ordnance device including such propellant compositions are also disclosed.
US08641839B2
The present invention relates to materials, methods and apparatuses for performing imprint lithography using amorphous metallic materials. The amorphous metallic materials can be employed as imprint media and thermoplastic forming processes are applied during the pattern transfer procedure to produce micron scale and nanoscale patterns in the amorphous metallic layer. The pattern transfer is in the form of direct mask embossing or through a serial nano-indentation process. A rewriting process is also disclosed, which involves an erasing mechanism that is accomplished by means of a second thermoplastic forming process. The amorphous metallic materials may also be used directly as an embossing mold in imprint lithography to allow high volume imprint nano-manufacturing. This invention also comprises of a method of smoothening surfaces under the action of the surface tension alone.
US08641831B2
A method for removing the edge bead from a substrate by applying an impinging stream of a medium that is not a solvent for the material to be removed. The medium is applied to the periphery of the substrate with sufficient force to remove the material. Also, an apparatus to perform the inventive method.
US08641828B2
A cleaning method of a semiconductor manufacturing process is provided. The cleaning method is applied to a semiconductor component including a plurality of material layers formed thereon. An opening is defined in the material layers, and a side wall is exposed from the opening. The side wall at least includes a first material layer and a second material layer. At first, a first cleaning process is performed till a lateral etched thickness of the first material layer is equal to a lateral etched thickness of the second material layer. Then, a byproduct formed in the first cleaning process is removed.
US08641825B2
A substrate temperature regulation fixed apparatus has a base substance on which a vacuumed object is placed, an adhesive layer and a base plate. The base substance is fixed on the base plate through the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer contains a substance having plasma resistance.
US08641824B2
A fab can be constructed as a round or rectangular annular tube with a primary cleanspace located in-between its inner and outer tubes. The fab can be encircled with levels upon which tools can be densely packed while preserving unidirectional air flow. If only tool ports are inside, and robotics are used, primary cleanspace size can be minimized. Highly simplified robotics can be used. Tools can be removed and repaired centrally. A secondary cleanspace can be added for tool bodies. Multilevel construction enhances use of prefabricated units for fab build or maintenance. Curves or folds, applied to a conventional planar cleanroom, can construct a wide range of fab geometries, including a tubular non-annular fab. A fab can also be constructed according to a curved or non-curved sectional cut of an annular tube. A novel fab, of a non-curved section, can include a nonsegmented cleanspace or have its tools vertically stacked.
US08641811B2
This invention relates to an ecologically and environmentally friendly mud-gas containment system. Specifically, this invention relates to a mobile device that is capable of receiving waste gas and, in emergency situations, a volume of a mud-gas mixture from a drilling operation. The waste gas is communicated to a removable flare stack through a vent line. The mud-gas is received at a containment vessel. The impact of the mud-gas within the containment vessel separates the mud-gas into mud and waste gas. The mud is collected for recycling and/or environmentally sensitive disposal. The waste gas from the vessel is communicated to the flare stack. Separate removal ports and conduits are used to remove any residual mud or mud-gas from the vent line and/or containment vessel. Excess mud or mud-gas is communicated to an overflow catch tank for removal. The entire assembly is mounted on a mobile skid sized for highway transportation.
US08641808B2
Method and apparatus for reducing soot particles in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine
An apparatus for reducing soot particles in exhaust gas, particularly of an internal combustion engine, includes first and second at least partially electrically conductive structures with an intermediate space therebetween, a high voltage source forming a potential between the first and second structures and at least one at least partially electrically conductive intermediate structure in the intermediate space receiving an intermediate potential. A method for treating the exhaust gas includes conducting exhaust gas from the first to the second structure and applying a high voltage at least temporarily between the first and second structures. At least part of the soot particles in the exhaust gas is ionized or agglomerated and deposited on the second structure. A high voltage between potentials of the first and second structures is applied at least temporarily to the intermediate structure. An electric field is influenced favorably and disruptions from undesirable voltage flashovers are reduced.
US08641799B2
A process for producing agglomerates from fine-grained iron carriers and at least one binder as a charge material for a metallurgical process is shown. In at least one further agglomeration step, the agglomerates are coated with a layer, comprising iron carriers and at least one binder, and heated in such a way that the binder is cured in the region of the surface of the agglomerates. In a process for producing liquid pig iron or liquid primary steel products from charge materials and possibly additions and agglomerates, the agglomerates are preheated in a reducing zone, which has a preheating stage, in such a way that the agglomerates completely harden in the preheating stage.
US08641786B2
A rotating knife is disclosed for disintegrating a crystal bed formed in a washing column for processing suspension of solid particles in a liquid. The rotating knife is provided with a spoke support. The spoke support comprises at least two spokes. The relative angle of the spokes is between approximately 20° and approximately 80°.
US08641782B2
A compact exoskeleton arm support device compensates for gravity. The compact exoskeleton arm support device compensating for gravity may include at least five joints. Among the at least five joints, two joints may be driven by actuators, and the remaining joints may be driven by user force. The compact exoskeleton arm support device compensating for gravity effectively uses the actuators, thereby increasing operating efficiency and reducing production costs.
US08641777B2
A parent artery occlusion (PAO) device which provides for immediate occlusion of a cerebral artery to isolate a defect. The PAO device includes a self-expanding wire-frame prolate structure which is partially covered with an ePTFE membrane.
US08641769B2
Described here are deformable, monolithic, stabilization devices, or implants, suitable for use within bone and between bones, for instance, to fuse vertebral bodies, to repair herniated discs, or to repair spinal compression fractures. The implants are introduced into a chosen site at a first, smaller height and then plastically deformed to achieve a second, but unique, pre-selected, larger height. Variations of the device provide one or more specific larger heights. The devices are particularly suitable as intervertebral spinal fusion implants for the immobilization of adjacent vertebral bodies. Methods of deploying the implants are also described as are instruments for such deployment.Also described are variations of the device particularly suitable as sizing instruments. These versions are elastic, i.e., not plastically deformable, and may be restored to their original size. Many of the described variations include deformable regions serving as hinges. Other variations are non-monolithic or may have one or more classical hinges substituted for the deformable regions.
US08641765B2
Disclosed is a spinal implant comprising an implant spacer body and a plate. The spinal implant may be installed into an inter-vertebral space between adjacent vertebrae and may be installed from a patient's posterior. The implant spacer body tapers from the anterior toward the posterior and may be tapered at the anterior end to facilitate installation. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise an implant spacer body only, some embodiments may comprise a plate only, and some embodiments may comprise an implant spacer body and a plate.
US08641755B2
A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.
US08641752B1
A catheter assembly for endoluminal delivery of a device to a treatment site utilizing a single motion deployment for opening and removal of a flexible protective sleeve or constraining sleeve.
US08641750B2
A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.
US08641739B2
Methods and techniques for adding an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. In one arrangement the additional spinal construct extends an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an inline rod connector in a minimally invasive or preferably, percutaneous procedure. In another arrangement, the ipsilateral extension of an existing spinal construct uses an offset rod connector for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.
US08641738B1
The present invention is a bone growth stimulating and promoting cytokine type biological implant preferably comprising PTH coated with a controlled release biodegradable coating that is implanted preferably in the concave side of a scoliotically curved spine in combination with a bone growth inhibiting type biological implant preferably comprising methotrexate or like anti-metabolite coated with a controlled release biodegradable coating that is implanted preferably in the convex side of a scoliotically curved spine. The insertion of the biological implant is highly non-invasion, especially as compared to more conventional spine surgical methods, and the biological implant does not decrease spinal mobility or spinal range of motion.
US08641736B2
A spinal correction system comprises a flexible longitudinal element extending between a first end and a second end. At least one fixation element includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the longitudinal element is disposable therein. The second portion is configured for penetrating tissue. A coupling member is engageable with the first portion of the at least one fixation element and the longitudinal element to connect the longitudinal element with the at least one fixation element. The coupling member includes a penetrating element configured to extend through the longitudinal element. A flexible member is disposed between the longitudinal element and the inner surface of the first portion of the at least one fixation element. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08641731B2
First aid or emergency snake bite treatment devices include a belt or other securing member attached to a compression (bite isolation) member, the compression member having an outwardly projecting wall that is configured to surround the snake bite and compress the skin about the snake bite a distance inward to thereby isolate the venom from the bite to impede the venom from entering a victim's lymphatic system.
US08641725B2
Compressed air dissector is a surgical dissector which is used in tumor dissection and excision phases in surgical branches and especially in neurosurgery and microsurgery. The problem at this point is removal of the tumoral tissue without damaging the adjacent normal tissue and the blood vessels feeding the normal tissue. Moreover, serious difficulties may be encounter in the dissection phase of the arachnoid matter in brain surgery. The occurring adhesions can easily be opened with the aid of the air dissector. This provides great convenience in aneurism surgery. The operation principle of the compressed air dissector is direction of the controlled, sterile compressed air (gas) to the brain parenchyma and removal of the dissected particles from the location with an aspirator system. In said system, the particles in the air are cleaned with a filter system. When the compressed air is directed to the tumor tissue it easily dissects and removes the tumor. In the meanwhile, as no liquids are present in the lacuna the operation site can be seen clearly. Furthermore, event the smallest vessels are protected. Thus, peroperative bleeding occurs less and the postoperative wound curing becomes more physiologic. Moreover, tissue damage due to thermal effect is out of the question during the use of compressed air dissector.
US08641712B2
An end effector assembly for use with a bipolar forceps includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces. Each tissue sealing surface is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps also includes an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces and an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within each insulator and defining a geometrical configuration including a plurality of peaks having a period that is a multiple of an operating frequency of the electrosurgical energy. The cutting elements are adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue cut.
US08641710B2
Systems for ablating tissue can include a pair of electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies can automatically align on opposing sides of operative tissue due to magnetic interaction. One assembly can move automatically in response to the other assembly due to the magnetic interaction. Some systems are capable of cooling the electrode assemblies during ablation procedures.
US08641703B2
A skin treatment apparatus that includes, a disposable electrode carrier with a plurality of voltage-applying dome-shaped elements protruding from the surface of the electrode carrier. Further, the protruding elements are spaced apart in a pattern. The apparatus operates to apply a voltage to at least some of the protruding elements. The apparatus applies a voltage to the protruding elements with a magnitude that is sufficient to result in an electrical break down of the skin and thereby cause electric current enabling the desired treatment.
US08641700B2
A telescopic insertion axis, a robotic surgical system including the telescopic insertion axis, and a method of instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, a telescopic insertion axis includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an instrument interface.
US08641698B2
A pivot port that can provide a pivot point for a surgical instrument. The pivot port may be held in a stationary position by a support arm assembly that is attached to a table. The pivot port may include either an adapter or a ball joint that can support the surgical instrument. The pivot port allows the instrument to pivot relative to a patient.
US08641695B2
An absorbent article such as a diaper, pant diaper, a sanitary pant or incontinence garment has at least one first elastic web material which is ultrasonically welded to at least one second web material along at least one weld seam. The second web material is different to the first elastic web material and the second web material has a degree of elasticity which is different to the elasticity of the first elastic web material. The ultrasonic weld seam between the first elastic web material and the second web material is reinforced to have a weld strength in a direction transverse to the weld seam which is at least 5N/25.4 mm.
US08641693B2
Reduced-pressure canisters and methods for recycling are disclosed. In one instance, a method for performing multiple reduced pressure treatments on one or more patients includes providing a reduced-pressure treatment system that includes a first canister body, a fluid reservoir, and one or more modules, such as a pump control module. The method involves using the reduced-pressure system and then removing one or more modules and placing the one or more modules in fitted shipping receptacle that disallows shipping of the fluid reservoir. The one or more modules may be reconditioned and coupled to a second canister body. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
US08641683B2
An injection device for injection of set doses of medicine from a cartridge has a nut that is screwed up along a threaded piston rod during a dose setting operation. The nut is screwed along the piston rod by rotating a dose setting member. A rotational coupling mechanism includes an axially displaceable coupling member which is rotated as a function of axial displacement. During dose setting, the nut is allowed to rotate relative to the coupling member. During injection, the coupling member is rotationally locked to the nut. This provides a dose setting and injection mechanism wherein the nut member is both rotated during dose setting and during injection.
US08641676B2
An exemplary infusion system for accessing an implanted device is disclosed comprising an insertion assembly, a hub comprising a sealable path configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, a flexible catheter attached to the hub and configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly, and an extension tube attached to the hub. The hub may comprise a manifold element configured to provide fluid communication between the flexible catheter and the extension tube. The hub may also comprise a septum configured to seal the sealable path upon removal of the insertion assembly from the flexible catheter. The extension tube may also be configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion assembly. Exemplary methods of providing a fluid communication path to an implanted device are also disclosed.
US08641672B2
Disclosed is a portable ambulatory fluid delivery device. The device includes a dispensing unit to dispense therapeutic fluid, the dispensing unit including one or more rechargeable batteries, a housing to retain the one or more rechargeable batteries, a reservoir to contain the therapeutic fluid, a driving mechanism to cause delivery of the therapeutic fluid from the reservoir to a user's body, and at least one electrical connector to be coupled to a recharging unit to direct electrical power received from the recharging unit to recharge the one or more rechargeable batteries. At least a portion of the housing is securable to a skin of the user.
US08641671B2
Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.
US08641659B2
The invention relates to a method and device for dialysis and or bulk fluid removal by generating a fibrosis chamber within a body cavity and performing dialysis or bulk fluid removal. An implantable medical device is described having a fibrosis chamber and a pump. A dialysis chamber and an optional electrodialysis unit can further be provided. An additional controller uses sensory feedback to regulate the fluid levels by altering the extracellular fluid retention within the fibrosis chamber. This device can be used for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease who may also be suffering from cardiorenal syndrome and hypertension.
US08641658B1
A surgical hand piece has a source of ultrasonic energy provided to a connecting body having a first passage with one end to receive fluid from a first source and the other end at the connecting body distal end. A work tip has first and second tubes each having at least one opening at its distal end and the proximal end of one or both of the tubes connected to the connecting body distal end to receive the ultrasonic energy and to selectively receive or discharge fluid from either the first or second source as controlled by a valve.
US08641655B2
A continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) device is provided that weighs between 2 and 10 pounds. The CRRT device can be portable, mobile or completely worn on the person of the patient. Blood and dialysate are each pumped in a pulsed or pulsatile manner through a dialyzer such that a significant portion of the peak pulse of the blood flow coincides with a significant portion of a low pulse portion of the dialysate flow. An differential pressure between a dialysate inlet of the dialyzer and the blood inlet of the dialyzer periodically changes from a high differential pressure of between 70 and 120 mmHg for a first time period and a low differential pressure of between −10 and 10 mmHg for a first time period and a low differential pressure of between −10 and 10 mmHg for a second time period. The frequency of the high and low differential pressure cycle is between about 0.5 and 4 Hz.
US08641652B2
A lumbar traction device is operable to be used by a user that has a lumbar region and a lower leg. The device includes a garment that includes at least one coupling member. The device also includes a lumbar support member operable to be worn adjacent to the lumbar region. The device also includes at least one lower leg support to be worn adjacent to the lower leg. Moreover, the device includes at least one connecting member connecting the lumbar support member and the lower leg support. The connecting member is substantially inelastic, and a load applied to the lower leg support is transferred to the lumbar support member via the connecting member to provide distraction to the lumbar region of the user. Moreover, the lumbar support member, the lower leg support, and/or the connecting member is coupled to the garment via the coupling member.
US08641650B2
A wrist support worn by a user can diminish or eliminate pain, stress, or discomfort on the wrist and hand regions while lifting various objects of size and weight in a repetitive or non-repetitive manner. The specification describes embodiments of wrist support devices, including a wrist support device that can inhibit wrist extension and flexion, and ulnar and radial deviation, with a support that transfers forces around the wrist muscles and ligaments onto the larger and stronger muscles of the upper and lower arm.
US08641643B2
A tissue penetration device and method of using same that may include a lancet module or sampling module. The sampling module may optionally be in a cartridge configuration and include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated.
US08641641B2
A tissue harvesting and processing apparatus comprises a body and a distally extending needle. The needle includes an aperture configured to receive tissue. A tissue cutting member is movable relative to the needle to sever a specimen from tissue protruding through the aperture. A tissue processor is operable to mince tissue severed by the tissue cutting member. The minced tissue may be mixed with a medical fluid component contained in a reservoir. The medical fluid mixture may be expelled through an applier tip coupled with the body. The tissue processor may comprise a mincing die such that tissue specimens are minced upon being extruded through the mincing die. The tissue processor may comprise a blade that cooperates with a sliding press. The tissue processor may comprise auger blade sections that cooperate with inwardly extending pins. A mixing piston may mix the minced tissue with the medical fluid component.
US08641635B2
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for delivering gas to a subject and obtaining plethysmograph readings from a subject. Specifically disclosed herein are masks and helmets which comprise one or more pulse oximeter probes associated therewith. The masks and helmets may be used in particular contexts, including, but not limited to, emergency responder personnel, pilots or subjects of medical attention.
US08641633B2
A pressure sensor wire assembly measures pressure inside a body of a patient. The assembly comprises a pressure sensor element for measuring pressure and to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the pressure, and a pressure sensor wire having the pressure sensor element at its distal portion, and adapted to be inserted into the body in order to position the sensor element within the body. A sensor signal adapting circuitry is an integrated part of the assembly, wherein the pressure sensor signal is applied to the adapting circuitry which is adapted to automatically generate an output pressure signal, related to the sensor signal, in a standardized format such that the measured pressure is retrievable by an external physiology monitor. The assembly further comprises an external pressure sensor to measure the pressure outside the patient's body and to generate external pressure values in dependence thereto.
US08641632B2
The invention relates to the field of technological assistance for anaesthesia and intensive care practitioners, as well as to the field of simple, reliable medical monitoring for managing anaesthesia and/or predicting deleterious medical events. The invention aims to provide a system enabling prevention and anticipation of procedures necessary for patients and/or maintenance of patients in a suitable anaesthetic state for a surgical operation at a given time. For this purpose, the invention provides a method of predicting abnormal medical events and/or assisting in diagnosis and/or monitoring, comprising the continuous, real-time detection of a concomitant occurrence of a temporary inefficiency in cardiac baroreceptor reflex and an activation of non-baroreceptor reflex cardiovascular control. The invention also relates to the device used to implement said method.
US08641629B2
An ultrasonic probe, a charger and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic system that uses them are provided by the present invention, which comprises a detector for detecting whether or not an ultrasonic probe having a rechargeable battery or the charger for charging this is in charging state; and a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving circuit for executing the generation of a signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves and the generation of the diagnostic information based on the signal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves; a probe switching circuit for selecting one of a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and a controller for controlling the probe switching circuit in accordance with a detection signal from the detector. The ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises the above-mentioned probes, chargers and diagnostic apparatus.
US08641623B2
The present invention provides ultrasonic diagnostic equipment for accurately determining a three-dimensional picture generation start depth, independently of a turbidity degree of an amniotic fluid and the like, which exist between a three-dimensional picture generation target such as an fetus and the like and a portion that is not the three-dimensional picture generation target such as a placenta or an uterine wall or the like serving as the obstacle of the fetus. In the present invention, the brightness values in the depth direction of an ultrasonic received signal are cumulated, and the depth direction of the ultrasonic received signal is divided into a plurality of depth zones S0 to S9 so that the respective cumulative addition values become the approximately same values, and among the depth zones S0 to S9, the plurality of higher depth zones having the longer zone length are selected as three-dimensional picture generation start candidate zones, and among the three-dimensional picture generation start candidate zones, the three-dimensional picture generation start candidate zone having the shallowest depth is selected as a three-dimensional picture generation start zone S, and a predetermined depth inside the three-dimensional picture generation start zone S is determined as a start depth A of the three-dimensional picture generation.
US08641621B2
Presented herein are methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media for image management in image-guided medical procedures. Some embodiments herein allow a physician to use multiple instruments for a surgery and simultaneously provide image-guidance data for those instruments. Various embodiments disclosed herein provide information to physicians about procedures they are performing, the devices (such as ablation needles, ultrasound transducers or probes, scalpels, cauterizers, etc.) they are using during the procedure, the relative emplacements or poses of these devices, prediction information for those devices, and other information. Some embodiments provide useful information about 3D data sets and allow the operator to control the presentation of regions of interest. Additionally, some embodiments provide for quick calibration of surgical instruments or attachments for surgical instruments.
US08641614B2
An umbilical probe sensing system is described which includes an automated system for accurately obtaining physiological information from an infant in real time. The system may also automatically guide a healthcare provider with a recommended course of treatment for infant resuscitation based on the detected and monitored physiological data. Moreover, the automated system may also provide a real time record of the infant's physiological parameters and resuscitation treatment performed by a healthcare team.
US08641611B2
[Problem]To provide a disease diagnostic system capable of diagnosing with high accuracy whether a subject is afflicted with a disease, without inflicting pain on the subject.[Means for Resolution]The disease diagnostic system includes collecting means (5) for collecting a substance (e.g., aspiration, sweat, human waste or urine) emitting an odor (e.g., mouth odor, body odor or underarm odor) and storing the same therein, measuring means (10) for measuring whether an indicated substance indicative of the existence of a disease is contained in the odor-emitting substance stored in the collecting means (5), and control means (20) for processing a signal indicative of a result of measurement by the measuring means (10) to determine whether the subject (2) is being afflicted with a disease.
US08641608B2
A laparoscopic seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal with an access opening. The seal cap also includes a manifold connection for attachment of a functional apparatus. The seal assembly further includes a retractor. The functional apparatus may be a finger mounted tether or an insufflations passageway. The functional apparatus may be combined or provided separately.
US08641590B2
A sheet folder comprising input rollers, exit rollers and a fold box having a fold plate which is curved substantially along its whole length, wherein the curved fold plate is configured to induce a sheet to curve in two different directions during the folding process.
US08641587B2
A device is provided that includes a post, an arm assembly being pivotably connected to the post at one or more connection points, a set of beams comprising an upper beam set and a lower beam set, wherein the upper beam set and the lower beam set each comprise one or more beams, the set of beams being pivotably connected to the post, wherein the post is connected to the upper beam set and the lower beam set such that the lower beam set and the upper beam set are positioned at a first distance apart from one another at their connection point with the post, a platform being pivotably connected to the set of beams, wherein the platform is connected to the upper beam set and the lower beam set such that the lower beam set and the upper beam set are positioned at a second distance apart from one another at their connection point with the platform and a lift tube having a length and being pivotably connected to the upper beam set at one or more connection points and the arm assembly at one or more connection points.
US08641583B2
The boxing training device of the present invention includes two hollow elastic elements which locate on two different positions. The boxing training device also includes two slidable and rigid sliders. The slider can be moved into the elastic element so that the elastic element can be limited by the slider. As such, the whole device does not sway when transporting without disassembling. Also, said device can provide a variety of way to use.
US08641578B2
In a controller of a vehicle drive unit that is one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of slippage control regions (regions A to C) are set based on the timing of booming noise generation that accompanies engine driving (time from when the vehicle running state enters a region until booming noise is generated) so as to actively use, for example, regions B and C where booming noise is generated if the road load comes to a balance due to a slope or the like and running is then continued and where booming noise is not immediately generated even after the vehicle running state enters the regions, so the frequency of performing lockup slippage control is increased and the fuel saving effects of the lockup slippage control are enhanced.
US08641577B2
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive power roller-leg assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
US08641569B2
A planetary gear reduction mechanism is provided in a housing for making up a revolving apparatus, and the planetary gear reduction mechanism is constituted by a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears, and a carrier. Lubricating oil for lubricating the planetary gear reduction mechanism is stored in the housing. A doughnut-shaped guide member for covering meshing portions of the sun gear and the planetary gears and for receiving the lubricating oil scattered from the meshing portions and guiding it to planetary gear bearings is provided at an upper position of the planetary gear reduction mechanism. Hence, the lubricating oil which is scattered from the meshing portions of the sun gear and the planetary gears can be efficiently guided to the planetary gear bearings through the doughnut-shaped guide member.
US08641566B2
A toothed plate for a toothed-plate plate-link chain, wherein the toothed plate includes two teeth, each having an inner flank, and an indentation between the teeth. The indentation includes a transition between a tooth flank and a curved innermost region. The transition has a convex curvature and is positioned at a junction of one of the inner flanks and the innermost region.
US08641558B2
The present invention relates to a golf ball having a solid core of at least one layer, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a paint film on a surface of the cover, wherein at least one cover layer and/or the paint film includes a luster pigment composed of metal oxide-coated alumina flakes. This golf ball has a high commercial value because of its visual impact and high quality feel, and because it achieves a bright, color-saturated effect without the yellow cast typical of conventional golf ball surfaces.
US08641554B1
A golf club having removable components is disclosed herein. The golf club having removable components includes a club head, a shaft, and a connection assembly. The connection assembly includes a sleeve mounted on the tip end of the shaft and a screw-cap. The sleeve has an offset aperture for receiving the tip end of the shaft in order to adjust the face angle of the golf club. The screw-cap is mounted over the sleeve and includes a body having an upper area and a threaded area, the latter of which is capable of engaging the upper threaded portion of the hosel to removably secure the shaft to the club head.
US08641552B2
A grip for sporting equipment includes a base defining a receiver for receiving a gripping end. The base includes a pair of opposed grip base ends and an intervening center portion. At least one sheet of material is provided for encircling at least the base center portion. The at least one sheet of material includes at least two opposed beveled edges which when abutting define a seam disposed within a groove. The opposed abutting beveled edges are secured one to the other by stitching disposed within the groove. An adhesive strip overlays the groove and stitching. A substantially transparent top protective layer may overlay at least a portion of the at least one sheet of material, the adhesive strip, and the base. In turn, items of sporting equipment and methods for providing grips for sporting equipment are described.
US08641548B2
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating holes to be played.
US08641547B2
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for changing and controlling settings for adjustable golf clubs are described. Such setting adjustment systems may alter one or more of: lie angle, loft angle, face angle, shaft stiffness, shaft kickpoint location, weighting, weight positioning, face flexibility, maximum face flex location, etc. These systems and methods may use various types of information to determine the appropriate settings, such as: ball launch monitor data, swing path data, weather input data, course condition input data for a location of play, course design input data for a location of play, daily course layout input data for a location and a time of play, golfer past performance data (e.g., recent past performance, past performances at the location of play, past performance during an ongoing round of golf (i.e., on earlier played holes), etc.), current adjustable club setting information, and information indicating specific holes to be played.
US08641543B2
The invention relates to a portable water ride having a trailer with a water catch basin built therein, wherein at least two pivoting supports are provided which can be deployed to an expanded position and stowed to a vertical position. When the supports are deployed, a flexible ride surface can be stretched between said supports to form an inclined ride surface upon which a sheet flow of water from a nozzle housing can be provided upon which water skimming maneuvers can be performed. A walkway on either side of the ride surface, as well as an entrance platform at the top of the ride surface, and other grated platforms, railings, etc., can also be provided.
US08641540B2
A system for patron movement and entertainment comprising a track, and at least one vehicle engaged with and positioned below the track, capable of carrying at least one patron in a passenger portion and moving along the track. Each vehicle preferably includes a motion base between the track and the passenger portion, and a turntable between the track and the motion base for rotating the passenger portion in the yaw direction, and particularly for directing the patron's viewpoint toward desired show elements.
US08641539B2
A coupling device for transmitting torque between an input shaft and an output shaft have respective opposing ends, includes a male element and a female element for engaging with one another. One of the input shaft and the output shaft includes, at the end, the male element, a cross-section of which has a generally polygonal outer shape. The other of the input shaft and the output shaft includes, at the end, the female element, a cross-section of which has a generally polygonal inner shape complementary to the polygonal outer shape of the male element. The male and female elements engage with one another by meshing with a first functional play between them, and the male element and the shaft on which the male element is mounted have a second functional play between them. The male element and the shaft engage each other by meshing with the second functional play.
US08641531B2
Systems, apparatus and methods for enabling a mobile station to control a virtual world being executed on a console system are described. The method can include establishing a communication link between the mobile station and a console system, identifying user interface characteristics of the mobile station, and providing a game controller application to the mobile station, the game controller application being based on the identified user interface characteristics and configured to transform user interface inputs into game controller commands. The method can further include receiving signals containing data representing the game controller commands from the mobile station over the communication link and determining game results based on the received game controller commands. In one aspect, the system includes a controller application server storing multiple game controller applications for mobile stations characterized by different user interfaces.
US08641519B2
A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
US08641514B2
A system and method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount is disclosed. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method disclosed herein. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount.
US08641510B2
The present invention replicates a symbol into one or more other symbol positions of the symbol matrix in accordance with the replication properties of the location in which said symbol appears in the symbol matrix. A preferred embodiment of the present invention (“Replicating Wilds”) uses a symbol matrix formed by three rows and five columns in which the middle position of the third column possesses replication properties for the wildcard symbol such that a wildcard symbol replicates itself into all adjacent symbol positions.
US08641502B2
A gaming environment is described. If a predetermined number or more marks are displayed in a base game, a progressive chance games will be executed. Also, the progressive chance game is a selection type game. The selectable number of selection items in the progressive chance game is determined based on bet amount in the base game.
US08641500B2
A system and method for increasing player odds at the expense of sharing the jackpot. The interactive lottery game consists in forming as many closed groups as possible, i.e., paid lottery entries, by having players wager small amounts in opened groups, i.e., unpaid lottery entries, before the day of the jackpot draw. Three levels of play are controlled by the system: i) random group play, chosen by players to place wagers; ii) customized group play, chosen by players to close specific groups; and iii) interactive group play for players transferring wagers from players' opened groups to other groups according to game strategies. This is a wiser lottery game because represent higher return on investment for players while increasing house profitability. It defines a new interactive lottery game accessible from any portable device or personal computer as long as players are connected to a network.
US08641497B2
An amusement device system includes a first amusement device, a second amusement device and a central server. The first controller is coupled to the first memory and the first display. The first memory stores an electronic game having a plurality of game content. The first controller is configured to show a first game content of the plurality of game content to an authenticated user. The second controller is coupled to the second memory. The second memory stores the electronic game having the plurality of game content. The central server is configured to store information sufficient to identify the first game content displayed to the authenticated user. The first and second controllers are prevented by the central server from again showing the first game content until a remainder of the plurality of game content has been displayed to the authenticated user.
US08641496B2
A game system is provided that conducts a game having one or more players. In the game, players compete in a number of gaming sessions to achieve an ultimate goal. In one example, the ultimate goal is to win a race, with the players' progress in the race being influenced by each players' success within individual game sessions. In one example, at least one of the game sessions is a guts poker game played among a number of players.
US08641495B2
Device and method for the separation of a part of a crop. The crop part is gripped with the use of a construction including the separation elements, such as cutting blades. The gripping of the crop part is performed with the use of two rollers between which the crop part is received. The crop part is subsequently gripped between the rollers and this construction moves along the crop part to an optimal position for the separation of the crop part from the rest of the crop.
US08641492B2
A directional flow raised floor air-grate is provided for the enhanced thermal management of a raised floor computer room. The air-grate includes a load bearing frame. The frame has four vertical girders connected, in a ninety-degree alignment, so that four corners of the frame are capable of supporting the air-grate as an air handling separation barrier on a raised floor pedestal support system. A plurality of vertical reinforcing beam members is connected to the frame so that the reinforcing beams are aligned in a longitudinal spaced relationship. At least two vertical airfoil vane members have an upper inclined and, lower vertical planar surfaces. These surfaces are demarcated by a longitudinal axis of the vane members. The vane members are connected to the frame in a crosswise spaced relationship to the reinforcing beam members, so that a plurality of openings are created between the reinforcing beams and the airfoil vanes. The upper inclined planar surface of the airfoil directs cooling air from a lower plenum of a raised floor through the openings on an inclined plane towards the cold air intake surfaces of a data server cabinet to be cooled.
US08641487B1
A method of poultry wing segmenting including providing a poultry wing segmenter system having a plurality of spaced shackles which hold the poultry wing suspended by their shoulder joints vertically positioned and presented to a horizontally rotatable wheel which has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral notched slots therearound, the rotatable wheel has a pair of annular slots into which cutting blades are positioned, a plurality of wing engaging members and guide members to bias and open the wing joints against cutting blades drawn through the annular to produce separate poultry wing segments of drumette, flat, and tip.
US08641473B1
The custom motorcycle toys having interchangeable swing arms includes a series of toy motorcycles in which the rear end includes removable swing arms that can be exchanged with interchangeable rear tires so as to further customize the motorcycle. The front tire and rear tire can both rotate to enable movement of the toy motorcycle.
US08641468B2
A method of manufacturing a spark plug includes a joining step of joining a first member and a second member which constitute the spark plug. In the joining step, a first welding electrode in contact with the first member and a second welding electrode which has an elastically deformable intermediate portion and which is in contact with the second member are electrically connected through the first member and the second member, whereby the first member and the second member are joined together by resistance welding.
US08641466B2
A platform board is shown which allows a small child or infant to learn the art of water skiing. The platform is wide enough to accommodate at least the width of two foot grips located on an upper surface of the platform. A handle bar extending upwardly from the upper surface of the platform from a location in front of the foot grips. The handle bar includes a grip portion which can be adjusted to lie in a horizontal plane at a height which allows the grip portion to be conveniently gripped by a small child or infant. The platform board is manufactured similarly to a surfboard that will support the weight of a child prior to acceleration of an associated towing craft.
US08641458B2
To provide a connector in which a lance beak part will not be broken, even though a large load is applied by a front holder. A locking lance is provided, at its distal end, with a lance beak pad which is adapted to be caught by a lock releasing jig for releasing lock of the locking lance with respect to a terminal, and a locking projection which is continued from the lance beak part and erected from a terminal end of the lance beak part. When a projected part is inserted into e deflection space in a state where the locking lance is deflected, a lower face of the projected part overrides an upper face of the lance beak part, and a distal end of the projected part comes into contact with a vertical face of the locking projection which is erected from the lance beak part.
US08641454B2
An electrical connector adapted for electrically connecting with a circuit board includes an insulating housing, a plurality of first and second terminals, and a shielding shell enclosing the insulating housing together with the first and second terminals. The insulating housing includes a main body, and a base body assembled to the main body. The base body defines a plurality of first and second terminal grooves. The first and second terminals are respectively assembled to the first and second terminal grooves. Each first terminal has an inclined first connecting arm connected between a first fastening arm and a first soldering arm of the first terminal, and each second terminal has an inclined second connecting arm connected between the second fastening arm and the second soldering arm of the second terminal to effectively shorten straight lengths of the first terminal and the second terminal which are stretched straight.
US08641446B1
A coaxial probe is revealed. A protective sleeve is mounted in a sleeve port of a main sleeve. A leaning flange projecting inward is formed on a bottom end of a sleeve port of the main sleeve. The leaning flange is stopped and positioned by a stopping flange on an upper part of the protective sleeve. A probe is disposed on a sleeve port of the main sleeve and is passed through a sleeve port of a protective hole. Thus the probe is hidden in the protective sleeve. After the protective sleeve being in contact with a coaxial connector to be detected, the probe is moved to project from the protective sleeve for detecting the coaxial connector. Thereby damages of the probe caused by impact force received can be avoided.
US08641441B2
A connector includes a housing, a cavity formed in the housing, a terminal to which a cable is connected and which is inserted into the cavity from a rear end side of the housing, and a nut held at a front end portion of the housing, wherein the terminal has a plate-like connection portion extended in an insertion direction to the cavity and an insertion hole formed in the connection portion, and the connection portion, which is inserted into the cavity and protruded from a front end portion of the housing, is bent and arranged along a front end surface of the housing, whereby the insertion hole is communicated with an internal thread of the nut.
US08641440B2
An electrical connector is provided comprising a female member configured to couple with male member. The female member includes a female receptacle having an opening, and a female terminal is at least partially disposed within the female receptacle. At least one wall of the female receptacle is resiliently deformable to urge the female terminal together with a male terminal of a male member.
US08641434B2
An electrical connector feedthru insert assembly may include a connector body having a first leg projecting from the body in a first direction and second and third legs projecting from the body in a second direction substantially opposing the first direction. The first leg may be configured for insertion into a bushing well in a transformer, the bushing well including a conductive stud therein. The first leg may include a longitudinal bore extending therethrough configured for alignment with the conductive stud in the bushing well upon insertion of the first leg into the bushing well, the longitudinal bore having a bolt passage portion and a first shoulder portion. The feedthru insert assembly may further include a bolt sized for insertion into the longitudinal bore and including a tool engagement shoulder portion to engage the first shoulder portion of the longitudinal bore. Application of rotational force to the tool engagement shoulder portion may cause the bolt to threadingly engage the conductive stud.
US08641428B2
The present invention is an electrical connector in which a substrate (such as a printed circuit board or PCB) includes a plurality of apertures (or vias) and some of those apertures are filled with two materials to improve the characteristics of the electrical interconnection. The preferred process of crating the filled vias includes the steps of plating the vias with an electrically-conductive material to create an electrically-conductive path between portions of the substrate and components associated with the substrate and partially filling the apertures, then filling at least a portion of the apertures or vias with a second or different filling material to seal at least apart of the electrically conductive path through the plating. The second filling material may be chosen to provide thermal compensation for the connection.
US08641423B2
A model of an adult penis is provided for use in practicing and testing various circumcision procedures. The model includes a form in the approximate shape of an adult penis and a removable and replaceable practice foreskin positionable over the form. The form includes a glans component and a base component. A tube of flexible material is provided to form the artificial foreskin over the glans and base components. A method of forming an practice foreskin for use in testing and training a practitioner in circumcision procedures is also disclosed.
US08641420B2
A simulated participant system is configured to interoperate with existing simulators to create an integrated simulation platform with enhanced capabilities to provide, on a readily-scalable basis, simulated participants of one or more different types that are based on dynamically constructed virtual models of live simulation participants. The system observes live participants as they train with a simulator using a closed-loop, self-training configuration by continuously monitoring conversations and actions to create and maintain the virtual models on-the-fly. The virtual models may then be utilized to generate simulated participants to stand in for the live participants when they are absent from future simulator training sessions. Because a simulated participant was virtually modeled from observations of a live participant, the simulated behaviors, as expressed by actions and responses, can typically closely match the expected behavior of the absent live participant.
US08641408B2
The invention relates to a device for stretching film sections in a monoaxial or biaxial manner, preferably by way of a tenter frame, for films made substantially of polymers, wherein a square or rectangular section of a such film is seized at 4 sides by at least two tenter hooks each, designed as regards improved stretching such that the upper tenter hook part (11) is mounted in an articulated fashion on a rotational axis located outside the film to be stretched, and specifically such that the lower, fixed tenter hook part (13) carries the joint, while the upper tenter hook part (11) is designed so as to pivot upwards and at least one cylinder (14) is disposed rotated by 90° for applying the tensioning power and thus applies the tensioning power to the upper pivotable tenter hook part (11).
US08641386B2
A method of pumping a liquid using at least one operating tank (2), a pneumatic positive pressure displacement pump (1), which is based on the fact that during pumping, inflow valve (4) closure is controlled through the introduction of a control gas into the operating tank (2) positive pressure displacement pump (1) at a pressure lower than the pressure of the compressed actuating gas and from the hydrostatic pressure at the egress of the outflow valve but higher than the hydrostatic pressure on the ingress into the inflow valve (4), which causes the inflow valve (4) to close. A device for pumping liquids comprising at least one operating tank (2) of a positive pressure displacement pump (1), to which leads a control gas conduit (10) with a control valve (11) mounted thereon, which is used to close off the inflow valve (4), and the lower section of the operating tank (2) has a narrow section in the form of a vertical cylinder (16).
US08641383B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of controlling a pump. The method includes sensing a pressure in the pump and entering a low-flow mode when the sensed pressure in the pump is greater than a low pressure threshold. The method also includes reducing power to the pump when the sensed pressure is greater than a shut-off pressure during the low-flow mode and there is flow through the pump until the sensed pressure is less than the shut-off pressure. The method further includes turning the pump off when in the low-flow mode the sensed pressure is greater than the shut-off pressure and there is no flow through the pump.
US08641378B2
A present invention's object is to maintain a discharge performance by making a discharge flow rate constant in a low rotation region of an engine rotation speed and to reduce the discharge flow rate in a high rotation region. The present invention consists of a housing case, an impeller base provided with plural holes and plural elliptical elongated holes, a vane body provided with a rotary shaft on an inner peripheral side and a rocking shaft on an outer peripheral side, a plate cam in which an elongated groove is formed on an outer peripheral side of a disc portion and a single torsion spring. The spring and the plate cam are housed in the housing case and the impeller base. The rotary shaft is inserted rotatably into the holes, and the rocking shaft is movably inserted into the elliptical elongated holes and the elongated groove.
US08641368B1
A turbine rotor blade with a platform hot spot cooling circuit that includes a bracket occupying a space below the platform on the pressure side of the blade neck and forming a cooling air supply hole connected to the blade cooling air supply channel and opening into an impingement cavity located below a hot spot location on the pressure side platform surface. A number of film cooling holes are connected to the impingement cavity and open onto the platform surface to cool the hot spot location.
US08641364B2
A paddle wheel rotatable about an axis and exposed to radial inward and crosswise water flow has a hub on the axis and about which the wheel is rotated in a rotation direction about the axis and a plurality of angularly spaced blades spaced radially outward from the hub, forming spaces through which water can flow, and each formed by a plurality of radially spaced arcuate elements each in turn having a radially outer end and a radially inner end. These elements are each concave between the respective ends toward the incoming water flow with the radial outer ends more widely spaced than radial inner ends such that each element forms an acute angle with the adjacent element or elements and the spaces between the blades narrow in a direction of flow of water through them.
US08641361B2
Methods, apparatus, and products are disclosed for improving the airflow exiting a blower that has one or more adjustable guide vanes that are affixed to the blower at one or more pivot points located in an outlet of the blower that include: determining a rotational speed of an impeller in the blower and adjusting a position of at least one of the adjustable guide vanes in dependence upon the rotational speed of the impeller.
US08641359B2
A mobility scooter device comprising an electrically powered wheeled vehicle provided with a lifting unit for lifting or lowering the vehicle. The lifting unit comprises an extendable lifting arm having two end portions a first end portion that is connected to the vehicle and a second end portion coupled to a support base provided with wheels. The lifting unit can be wheeled to bring the lifted vehicle over a transportation platform for mounting the vehicle body on the platform.
US08641358B2
This invention relates to apparatus for placing battery plates in a line. This includes a pick up and release unit generally indicated at 16. The unit includes a central metal hollow body 17, which is divided into a number of side-by-side vacuum chambers, some of which have a perforate floor 19. A vacuum course 21 can be selectively connected to those, which have a perforate floor, while it is perpendicularly connected to a second set of chambers. Plates can be picked up from elevators 11 and 12 by use of the intermittent vacuum and then held against an endless belt 25 by the constant vacuum until they arrive at a release chamber, having a perforate floor, where upon interruption of the vacuum allows for release of the battery plate.
US08641353B2
The system for storing and retrieving shoes includes a cabinet defining a housing enclosing storage units. The housing defines a central shaft for raising and lowering shoe trays, and defines two columns of storage rack units for the shoe trays on opposite sides of the central shaft. A portal at the base of the central shaft provides access for placing shoes on a shoe tray and retrieving the shoes from the cabinet. A long support arm is movable horizontally to align a shoe tray in either the left or the right column of rack units. A short support arm is movable vertically on the long arm to align the shoe tray vertically, and has clips for grasping and releasing the shoe trays. An electronic control system controls movement of the two arms, and issues a card or claim check identifying the storage rack unit for later retrieval of the shoes.
US08641350B2
A wafer boat assembly for use with a loading apparatus configured to insert the wafer boat assembly loaded with semiconductor substrates into a furnace. The wafer boat assembly includes a first wafer boat part comprising a base and a first cover part mounted on the base; and a second wafer boat part comprising a second cover part that is provided with receiving slots for holding a plurality of semiconductor substrates. The second cover part has an arcuate shape that extends from a first longitudinal edge to a second longitudinal edge. The first and second wafer boat parts are detachably connectable, such that they mate together to extend around an outer perimeter of a loaded substrate at a predetermined distance.
US08641345B2
A dome-shaped aluminum screw cover is adapted to be placed over the head of a self-tapping concrete screw that is used to fasten a metal structure to concrete on a house or building. A concave inner surface of the screw cover provides a space between the cover and the screw head for receiving a charge of silicone adhesive that bonds the cover to the metal structure and screw head, while also providing a watertight seal around the screw head that minimizes entry of moisture and corrosion of the screw. The screw cover is preferably of the same color as the metal structure so as to reduce its visibility while effectively concealing the unsightly screw head.
US08641344B1
A fastener has an integral retention mechanism, which is affixed to the fastener without the need for EDM slots along the length of the fastener. The integral retention mechanism reliably secures the fastener to a panel until it is desired to remove the fastener, in which case the fastener may be easily disengaged without any additional tools. The fastener has an axial aperture having an opening in the tip of the fastener, and axially aligned openings along opposing sides of the fastener which penetrate through to the axial aperture. A u-shaped spring mechanism is disposed within the axial aperture, with a portion of each leg outwardly extendable through the axially aligned openings to provide a retention mechanism.
US08641342B2
A welding stud includes a shank and a head flange, which projects radially relative to the shank and whose outer circumference is of polygonal design in order to be able to apply a test torque (T) to the stud by means of a tool. The flange includes an annular section (16) whose front facing and radially extending annular surface is designed as a welding surface. The annular section directly adjoins the flange, and the annular section and the flange form a head section which has a uniform outside diameter (D) throughout, and wherein the polygonal shape of the flange extends over the annular section up to its front annular surface.
US08641341B2
A unitized component assembly includes an component having an aperture, and a plurality of discrete projections extending into the aperture and spaced apart from one another about the perimeter of the aperture, and a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a necked portion and a threaded portion adjacent the necked portion. The shank is positioned in the aperture such that the necked portion is in facing relationship with the projections. The threaded portion is engageable with the projections to provide an axial stop for limiting movement of the fastener relative to the component.
US08641321B2
A road finishing machine having an extendable screed and including an actuation instrument manually movable by the operator for adjusting the speed of a hydraulic movement actuator of the extendable screed.
US08641318B2
A system and method for joining together a pair of brittle material pieces, such as controlled expansion ceramic pieces, involves using a threaded plug joined to a first brittle material piece, to secure a threaded fastener passing through part of the second brittle material piece, thus joining together the brittle material pieces. The threaded plug may be inserted in a plug-receiving hole that may be substantially perpendicular to a fastener-receiving hole in the first brittle material piece. One or both of the plug and the plug-receiving hole may be conical, to facilitate fitting the plug into the plug-receiving hole. The plug may be secured to the first brittle piece by soldering. The system and method provides a secure way of threadedly joining together a pair of brittle material parts, without use of possibly contaminating adhesives, and without a need to put threads on the actual brittle material itself.
US08641314B2
A quick coupling for a shaft includes a male coupling having a locking portion with a locking groove formed thereon. A female coupling includes a female body having an interior surface bounding a socket. A tapered port is formed on the female body and extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface thereof. The locking portion of the male coupling is received within the socket so that the tapered port is aligned with the locking groove. A ball bearing is disposed within the tapered port so that a portion of the ball bearing can project into the socket and into the locking groove. A locking sleeve is slidably mounted along the female body so as to cover and interact with the ball bearing.
US08641310B2
A replacement cartridge for a safety razor includes a dispensing head and a reservoir for a flowable shaving aid material. A removable shield is between the reservoir and the dispensing head and the shield interrupts fluid communication between channels of the reservoir and the dispensing head when the shield is in place. Fluid communication is permitted when the shield is removed. Removal of the shield is a onetime event. The shield can be a thermoplastic film. A razor cartridge can be disposed adjacent the dispensing head and the housing of the razor cartridge can be integrally formed with the housing of the dispensing head.
US08641309B2
A surface treating implement (10) according to the invention comprises a body (14) comprising a container receiver (36) and a nozzle assembly (26) comprising a fluid conduit fluidly (72) connected to the container receiver (36). At least one container (16) is selectively mounted to the container receiver (36) and contains a predetermined amount of a treating composition and has a dispensing opening (102) in fluid communication with the fluid conduit (72). A handle (12) is associated with the body (14). The nozzle assembly (26) is mounted to the body (14) for selective displacement a predetermined distance to release the treating composition from the container (16) through the fluid conduit (72) and onto a surface to be treated.
US08641308B2
A ballpoint pen system has a pen housing, a top cap, and a ballpoint ink cartridge located in the pen housing. The top cap is located on a pen housing anterior end. In a first closed position a top cap anterior internal annular ridge and a top cap posterior internal annular ridge engage an anterior annular groove and a median annular groove of the pen housing, respectively. In a second, open position, the top cap anterior internal annular ridge and the top cap posterior internal annular ridge engage the median annular groove and a posterior annular groove of the pen housing, respectively. In a first position, the ballpoint tip is located below a top cap anterior end aperture. In a second position, the ballpoint tip is located above and through the top cap anterior end aperture.
US08641307B2
A printer is provided having a printhead assembly having a carrier frame, a pagewidth printhead with a corresponding pagewidth print zone defined by a plane adjacent the printhead assembly mounted at a base of the carrier frame, an approach guide mounted to the carrier frame on a first side of the printhead and an exit guide mounted to the carrier frame on a second side of the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The web is unsupported in the print zone and is guided therethrough by the guides. The approach guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate upstream with a leading angular edge abutting with the web such that the natural path of the web is deflected downwards and around the approach guide, and the exit guide curves about the carrier frame base to terminate downstream.
US08641302B2
The invention discloses a camera rotation mechanism and a portable electronic apparatus therewith. The camera rotation mechanism includes a rotatable carrier, a bearing structure, and a rotating mechanism, which are disposed in a casing. The rotatable carrier includes a carrier body and a rotatable shaft connected to the carrier body and bore by the bearing structure. A camera module is disposed on the carrier body such that a lens of the camera module is exposed through a lens hole of the casing. The rotating mechanism is connected to the rotatable shaft and includes a rotation operation part partially exposed through a slot hole of the casing and capable of being rotated to rotate the carrier body through the rotatable shaft. Therefore, a user can use the camera rotation mechanism to adjust the disposition angle of the lens, which solves the impossibility of adjusting a fixed camera in the prior art.
US08641300B2
A spliced optical cable assembly is reinforced at a spliced portion of coated optical fibers to have adequate strength. The spliced optical cable assembly includes: a pair of optical fiber cables in which high-strength fibers are aligned in the longitudinal direction around coated optical fibers. The outer circumference of the coated optical fibers being covered by sheaths. The spliced optical cable assembly further includes a connecting portion in which the pair of optical fiber cables are connected and the coated optical fibers extend from the sheaths. Glass fibers exposed from the coating of the coated optical fibers spliced to each other. The connected portion is covered and formed into an integral unit, together with the high-strength fibers exposed from the sheaths, by a reinforcing tube placed over the optical fiber cables and caused to contract so that both ends of the reinforcing tube engage the sheaths of the respective optical fiber cables.
US08641296B2
Provided is an optical path change member including a holding member body formed of a transparent material. The holding member body includes: at least two rows of optical-fiber insertion holes which hold optical fibers inserted therein, such that the optical axes of the optical fibers are inclined with respect to an optical axis of the optical device, and a reflective inner surface which totally internally reflects light incident from the optical-fiber insertion holes to a surface of the holding member body configured to face an optical device on a board.
US08641294B2
An assembly, in particular for interfacing an embedded element, in particular a waveguide, at the surface of a substrate, such as a composite panel which forms part of a vehicle, typically an aircraft, to an external module, consolidation tooling for mounting an assembly to a substrate, and a method of mounting an assembly to a substrate.
US08641286B2
A composite bearing member 10 includes: a bearing sliding material 20 whose surface contacts a rotating portion; a bearing base material 30 made of a material different from a material constituting the bearing sliding material 20; and a joining layer 40 joining the bearing sliding material 20 and the bearing base material 30. Further, the bearing sliding material 20 has a sliding layer 50 sliding the rotating portion on a surface. Furthermore, the bearing sliding material 20 has, between the sliding layer 50 and the joining layer 40, a composition graded layer 60 which dispersedly contains the same metal material as a metal material constituting the joining layer 40 and in which a content of the metal material is increased toward the joining layer 40.
US08641282B2
A seismic isolation bearing has a lower plate and an upper plate separated by a slider. The lower plate has an upward facing concave surface. The upper plate has a downward facing concave surface. The slider includes a first member and a second member separated by a shock absorbing pad. The first member has an upper convex surface that slides along the concave surface of the upper plate. The second member has a lower convex surface that slides along the concave surface of the lower plate. In the event of an earthquake, the lower plate and the upper plate are intended to move relative to each other via the slider to dissipate the horizontal seismic energy. In addition, the shock absorbing pad can deform to absorb the vertical seismic energy. Thus, the seismic isolation bearing can increase its ability to isolate seismic energy.
US08641277B2
Systems and methods for making and using sliding counterbalanced C-arm positioning devices are described. In such systems and methods, each C-arm positioning device includes a C-arm X-ray device, a linear bearing rail, a linear bearing block, and a counterbalance mechanism. Generally, the C-arm is connected to the linear bearing block, which, in turn, is slidably coupled to the bearing rail to allow the bearing block and C-arm to slide up and down on the rail. The counterbalance mechanism can apply a force to the bearing block to counterbalance the weight of the C-arm and the bearing block. Thus, the described C-arm positioning device can allow a user to easily raise or lower the C-arm with relatively little effort. While some implementations of the C-arm positioning device are connected to mobile support structure, other implementations of the C-arm positioning device are mounted to a fixed support structure. Other implementations are also described.
US08641275B2
A dental x-ray sensor holder includes at least two clamping faces wherein at least one of the faces includes at least one and preferably a plurality of resiliently deformable gripping protrusions. The clamping faces are positioned in a moveable, spaced opposing relation, such that the faces may be physically moved together to physically impinge the x-ray sensor therebetween.
US08641270B2
The invention relates to a field of measuring engineering.For increase in speed, sensitivity and accuracy of measurement of a hydrocarbon dew point, a method for hydrocarbon dew point temperature measurement is provided, comprising feeding gas to be studied onto a cooled element with a condensation surface onto which a light flux is directed at an angle providing its reflection in the observation aperture, a cooling of condensation surface of a cooled element and registering the value of the light flux reflected from the condensation surface, advent of the hydrocarbon dew point being determined on the basis of the registered value, and as a material for condensation surface of a cooled element use silicon.The device for hydrocarbon dew point temperature measurement contains a cooled element (4) with condensation surface contained in a housing (1), having openings (2) and (3) for an input and an exit of the gas to be studied, a cooler (5), the temperature sensor (6), the light source (7), located in such a manner that a light flux from it is directed after reflection from condensation surface of a cooled element (4) to the observation aperture (8) on the registrar (9) of the reflected beams, and the cooled element (4) with condensation surface is made from dielectric with refraction factor greater than refraction factor of liquid hydrocarbons.
US08641269B2
A mechanism and a timepiece module independent of the bottom plate of a movement, of a simple and compact design. The timepiece mechanism includes a control stem (3) mounted in a pivoting manner and movable between at least two axial positions, a control pinion (11; 13) mounted so as to rotate with the control stem (3), and at least one actuating member (15, 24; 30) configured to engage with the control pinion (11; 13) when the control stem is occupying one of the axial positions. The control pinion (11; 13) is also coupled translationally to the control stem (3) when the latter moves from one to the other of the two positions. The module includes a case (2) containing the mechanism.
