US08945861B2
Methods for producing an isotope-labeled mammalian, including a human, biomolecule, such as polypeptides and proteins, in a cell-free protein synthesis system. A biomolecule standard is produced having at least one isotope different in abundance than that of the naturally occurring isotopes in the biomolecule. Methods for quantifying biomolecules standards expressed using mammalian cell-free extracts are disclosed. Methods for producing such standards, kits, systems and reagents, relating to the use of isotope-labeled biomolecule as quantification standards in mass spectrometric and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.
US08945860B2
The present invention relates to compositions and highly sensitive methods for the detection of biotechnology product residual when monitoring product carry over and/or for cleaning verification in the manufacture of biotechnology products. In particular, the present invention is directed to immunoassays wherein one or more capture antibodies, or antigen binding fragments thereof, are used to detect residuals associated with the production of biotechnology products.
US08945852B2
A method for performing homogeneous immunoassay formats with electrochemical detection in solution includes combining two different conjugates as reagents with a sample or a sample/buffer mixture, one conjugate including a redox marker and an analyte molecule and the second conjugate including an anti-redox marker antibody or a specifically binding fragment thereof and a molecule specifically binding the analyte.
US08945850B2
The present invention relates to a method for the specific detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus species, in particular Staphylococcus aureus, using new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region. The present invention relates also to said new nucleic acid sequences derived from the ITS region, between the 16S and 23S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) or rRNA genes, to be used for the specific detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus species, in particular of S. aureus, in a biological sample. It relates also to nucleic acid primers to be used for the amplification of said spacer region of Staphylococcus species in a sample.
US08945848B2
The invention provides for compositions and methods for identifying and validating modulators of cell fate, such as such as maintenance, cell specification, cell determination, induction of stem cell fate, cell differentiation, cell dedifferentiation, and cell trans-differentiation. The invention relates to reporter nucleic acid constructs, host cells comprising such constructs, and methods using such cells and constructs. The invention relates to methods for making cells comprising one or more reporter nucleic acid constructs using fluorogenic oligonucleotides. The methods relate to high throughput screens.
US08945844B2
A method of amplifying a target nucleic acid with reduced amplification bias and a method of determining a relative amount of a target nucleic acid in a sample.
US08945837B2
A sterilization indicator, including a first compartment containing a genetically engineered biological indicator, and a second compartment containing an enzyme substrate, the second compartment adapted to maintain the enzyme substrate separate from the biological indicator during sterilization, and to permit the enzyme substrate to contact the biological indicator after the biological indicator has been exposed to the sterilization medium; in which the genetically engineered biological indicator comprises at least one test organism and at least one reporter gene suitable for producing an indicator enzyme, the reporter gene being taken up by the test organism; and the test organism is free of any active or activatable repressor gene that would inhibit expression of the reporter gene if present in the test organism or sterilization indicator, and the indicator enzyme and the enzyme substrate are selected such that enzymatic action of the indicator enzyme upon the enzyme substrate yields a detectable signal.
US08945833B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining drug resistance mutations in any of the non-structural protein regions NS3 to NS5B of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) for genotypes 1 to 6, more in particular for subtype specific genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a and 4d.
US08945810B2
A positive resist composition comprises: (A) a resin that has a repeating unit represented by general formula (a1) and increases its solubility in an alkali developer by action of an acid; (B) a compound which generates an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or a radiation; and (C) a resin that has at least one of a fluorine atom and a silicon atom and has a group selected from the group consisting of (x), (y) and (z); and (D) a solvent: (x) an alkali-soluble group; (y) a group capable that decomposes by action of an alkali developer to undergo an increase in a solubility of the resin (C) in an alkali developer; and (z) a group that decomposes by action of an acid, wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rxa represents an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group, and n represents an integer of 1 to 8.
US08945809B2
A fluorinated monomer has formula (1) wherein R1 is H, F, methyl or trifluoromethyl, R2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group which may have halogen or oxygen, A is a divalent hydrocarbon group, and k1 is 0, 1 or 2. A polymer derived from the fluorinated monomer may be endowed with appropriate water repellency, water slip, acid lability and hydrolysis and is useful as an additive polymer in formulating a resist composition.
US08945804B2
Treated metal oxide particles include metal oxide particles treated with at least a charge modifying agent. The charge modifying agent is represented by the following formula: An-Zc—Yb—Ar(EW)a wherein Ar represents an aromatic group, EW represents an electron withdrawing group, Y represents a spacer group, Z represents an alkylene group, An represents an anchor group, a is an integer from 1 to 5, b is 0 or 1, and c is 0 or 1. The treated metal oxide particles may also be treated with a second charge modifying agent or with a hydrophobicity-imparting agent. A toner composition including toner particles and treated metal oxide particles is also disclosed.
US08945792B2
A separator for a fuel cell includes a metal plate which defines a passage and a manifold, frames having gaskets which are integrated therewith using injection, and a bonding unit for bonding the frames to the metal plate. The gaskets may be differently formed. This resolves process interference problems between conductive surface treatment and gasket cross-linking, obviates deburring of the gasket, and preventes poor injection of the gaskets, which ensures stable quality of the separator, increases productivity and decreases the manufacturing cost.
US08945791B2
In a fuel cell including an electrolyte layer allowing an anion component to migrate, and a fuel-side electrode and an oxygen-side electrode arranged to face each other while sandwiching the electrolyte layer, the oxygen-side electrode contains a first catalyst containing a first transition metal and polypyrrole, and a second catalyst containing a second transition metal and a porphyrin ring-containing compound so that the mixing ratio of the first catalyst relative to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the first catalyst and the second catalyst is more than 10 parts by mass, and below 90 parts by mass.
US08945788B2
A fuel cell system whose fuel loss caused by the crossover of the fuel is small and which can be operated economically. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell 10, a primary feeding system 12 for feeding a primary fuel which is a liquid fuel to the fuel cell 10, a secondary feeding system 13 for feeding a secondary fuel which is a liquid fuel whose saturation vapor pressure is lower than that of the primary fuel to the fuel cell 10, a ECU 30 for controlling each part so that the primary fuel in the fuel cell is replaced with the secondary fuel when terminating the operation of the fuel cell 10.
US08945786B2
A fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, the membrane electrode assemblies being configured to generate electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizer; and a plurality of bipolar plates positioned adjacent to the membrane electrode assemblies and between the membrane electrode assemblies, the bipolar plates including a fuel channel at one side thereof and an oxidizer channel at a second, opposite side thereof, wherein the bipolar plates include a plurality of cooling channels penetrating therethrough, the cooling channels having a curvature along a length thereof.
US08945781B2
The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery wherein a reaction between a non-aqueous electrolyte and an electrode is suppressed and decrease in battery capacity under high temperature is restricted, so that long time excellent battery characteristics can be obtained. A non-aqueous solvent of the non-aqueous electrolyte contains: chain fluorinated carboxylic acid ester represented by the formula R1-CH2—COO—R2 where R1 represents hydrogen or alkyl group and R2 represents alkyl group and the sum of the carbon numbers of R1 and R2 is 3 or less, and in the case that R1 is hydrogen, at least one part of hydrogen in R2 is replaced with fluorine, and, in the case that R1 is alkyl group, at least one part of hydrogen in R1 and/or R2 is replaced with fluorine; and a film forming chemical compound decomposed in the range of +1.0 to 3.0 V based on an equilibrium potential between metal lithium and lithium ion.
US08945773B2
According to one embodiment, a negative electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a titanium oxide compound having a crystal structure of monoclinic titanium dioxide. When a monoclinic titanium dioxide is used as the active material, the effective capacity is significantly lower than the theoretical capacity though the theoretical capacity was about 330 mAh/g. The invention comprises a titanium oxide compound which has a crystal structure of monoclinic titanium dioxide and a (001) plane spacing of 6.22 Å or more in the powder X-ray diffraction method using a Cu—Kα radiation source, thereby making an attempt to improve effective capacity.
US08945772B2
A power storage device a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer includes a plurality of particles of x[Li2MnO3]-(1−x)[LiCo1/3Mn1/3Ni1/3O2] (obtained by assigning 0.5 to x, for example) which is a positive electrode active material, and multilayer graphene with which the plurality of particles of the positive electrode active material are at least partly connected to each other. In the multilayer graphene, a plurality of graphenes are stacked in a layered manner. The graphene contains a six-membered ring composed of carbon atoms, a poly-membered ring which is a seven or more-membered ring composed of carbon atoms, and an oxygen atom bonded to one or more of the carbon atoms in the six-membered ring and the poly-membered ring, which is a seven or more-membered ring.
US08945770B2
Disclosed herein is a cathode active material including a lithium transition metal oxide based on at least one transition metal selected from a group consisting of Ni, Mn and Co. The lithium transition metal oxide contains fluorine, and most of the fluorine is present on a surface of the lithium transition metal oxide, and at least one metal selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ti, Zr, Al and Fe as well as sulfur (S) are further contained in the lithium transition metal oxide.
US08945767B2
A water-based coating formulation for an electrode plate of an electricity storage device, said water-based coating formulation being adapted to form a coating film layer on the electrode plate, contains at least one resin binder having a saponification degree of 40% or higher and selected from unmodified and modified polyvinyl alcohols and unmodified and modified ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, an electrically conductive material, and a specific polybasic acid or its acid anhydride in a water-based medium containing water as a polar solvent. Per parts by mass of the electrically conductive material (2), the resin binder is from 0.1 to 3 parts by mass and the polybasic acid or the like is from 0.01 to 6 parts by mass. The coating formulation has a solids content from 0.02 mass % to 40 mass %.
US08945766B2
In an all-solid secondary battery, in an electrode active material layer of at least one of positive and negative electrode bodies, a total content ratio, which is represented by a ratio of mass of an electrolyte contained in the electrode active material layer to mass of an active material contained in the electrode active material layer, is larger than 1; and the electrode active material layer of the at least one of the positive and negative electrode bodies has a composition distribution in which a local content ratio, which is represented by a ratio of mass of the electrolyte contained in a portion of the electrode active material layer to mass of the active material contained in the portion of the electrode active material layer, increases from a solid electrolyte interface toward a current collector interface in a thickness direction of the electrode active material layer.
US08945764B2
Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery cell, having an electrode assembly mounted in a pouch-shaped battery case made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer and is sealed by thermal welding, mounted in a pack case, wherein the pack case includes a frame member constructed in a structure in which a receiving part for receiving the battery cell is open, opposite side sealing portions of the battery cell are mounted to the frame member such that the opposite side sealing portions cover the opposite sides of the frame member, and a sheathing film is applied to the outer surface of the frame member, to which the battery cell is mounted.
US08945763B2
A system includes a battery cell having a packaging and a coil disposed within the packaging. The battery cell further includes a first terminal electrically coupled to a portion the coil and protruding through an opening in the packaging, wherein the first terminal is hermetically sealed at the opening in the packaging using a compressive force.
US08945758B2
A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly; a collecting plate electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and having a short circuit hole; a short circuit member comprising a metal can, wherein the metal can is in the short circuit hole; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the collecting plate and having an opening; and a cap assembly comprising a cap plate sealing the opening of the case.
US08945749B2
A cooling system includes a cooling plate configured to abut a battery cell. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the cooling plate by at least one carbon fiber brush, the carbon fiber brush coupled to one of the cooling plate and the heat sink and flexible at a free end.
US08945740B2
An electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first end and a vent located at the first end that is configured to deploy from the housing to allow the expulsion of gases from within the cell. The electrochemical cell also includes at least one projection extending outward from the first end adjacent the vent. The at least one projection is configured to prevent accidental deployment of the vent.
US08945734B2
An easily assembled pack type secondary battery. The secondary battery includes a bare cell, a protection circuit module having a circuit board and coupled with the bare cell, and a top case covering the circuit board of the protection circuit module and having a coupling slot into which at least part of the circuit board is fitted. The secondary battery allows the top case to be attached to the protective circuit module and the bare cell without having to use an adhesive and without requiring an injection molding technique.
US08945727B2
The present invention provides organoselenium compounds comprising dibenzoselenophene, benzo[b]selenophene or benzo[c]selenophene and their uses in organic light emitting devices.
US08945726B2
Provided are a polymer for an organic electroluminescent element, which improves light emission efficiency of the element and is applicable to a wet process, and an organic electroluminescent element, which is obtained using the polymer. The polymer for an organic electroluminescent element includes a repeating unit represented by the following general formula (1) in a repeating unit constituting a main chain. Further, the organic electroluminescent element includes organic layers between an anode and a cathode laminated on a substrate, in which at least one of the organic layers includes the polymer for an organic electroluminescent element, including an indolocarbazole skeleton in the repeating unit constituting a main chain. In the general formula (1), Z represents an N-indolocarbazolyl group, W represents a charge transporting group, m and n represent molar ratios, m represents 0 to 95 mol %, and n represents 5 to 100 mol.
US08945695B2
PET resins containing a small amount of a blue dye and/or further containing inorganic particles of Fe3O4 or BaSO4 are synthesized in the presence of an inorganic Ti—Mg catalyst employed as a polycondensation catalyst and a phosphorus stabilizer during a polycondensation process, and the resultant PET resins are free of yellowish appearance and reduced regenerated acetaldehyde and cyclic oligomers after processed so that PET bottle preforms if made of the PET resins can facilitate reduction in aging time thereby to improve the product yield of the bottle preforms and to save the stock space for storing the bottle preforms.
US08945685B2
A method for dying and/or printing adhesive closure parts (10) having a plurality of hooks (12) predominately made of a plastic material connected to a carrier (14), applies a dye medium to the surface (16) of the adhesive closure part (10) or its parts by an application unit (18). Because the dye used is based on a solvent free wax applied by the application unit (18) in a melted form in droplets, bubbles, or pellet form, and enters into a fixed connection to the surface (16) in the cooled, cured state, a wax dye application may be achieved that is markedly colorfast and UV resistant.
US08945681B2
There is described (pref. non-adhesive) coating compositions (which may be either water or solvent borne) that comprise an autoxidisable vinyl polymer, the autoxidisable polymer having a vinyl polymer backbone 25% to 75% by wt of the autoxidisable polymer; fatty acid residue 25% to 75% by wt of the autoxidisable polymer; Tg from −60° C. to +20° C., Mw from 3500 to 50000 g/mol; and polydispersity from 2 to 10; the autoxidisable polymer obtained by a process of: (A) polymerising ethylenically unsaturated vinyl monomers comprising: at least one epoxy functional vinyl monomer 15% to 100% by wt total monomers in (A); 0 to 85% of at least one other ethylenically unsaturated vinyl monomer, (preferably other than styrenic monomers) by wt total monomers in (A); (B) reacting the epoxy functional polymer from (A) with fatty acids having an average iodine value from 30 to 250 g I2/100 g fatty acid; where composition has: a) a opt. co-solvent content ≦40% by wt of the composition; b) a solids content either ≧30% (aqueous) ≧60% (solvent based) by wt of the composition, the composition as a coating film having a telegraphing value of less than 10 gloss units (difference between an initial smooth gloss minus an initial rough gloss of the film).
US08945678B2
An article of manufacture and a method of manufacturing a soft batt insulation material. The article of manufacture comprises fibers having crimps and surface features such as scales that provide a batt structure which is resiliently compressible. Fiber treatments provide fire, pest, fungus, and mold resistance. The treatments can be to the surface or to the internal structure of the fiber. The insulation batts are comprised of one or more layers of intermeshed fibers. The fibers can be wool or other protein based hair. The batts can include a restrainment structure that limits that expansion of the batts.
US08945671B2
A process for producing coated sodium percarbonate particles by spray application of a sodium sulfate-containing aqueous solution onto sodium percarbonate particles in a fluidized bed and simultaneous evaporation of water, wherein sodium sulfate and sodium percarbonate-containing dust is used to prepare the sodium sulfate-containing aqueous solution.
US08945669B2
The invention provides an extrusion material supply device suitable for use in melt extrusion molding, and a method for manufacturing an optical transmission body, in which a deterioration of an optical signal transmission loss is extremely small, and productivity intrinsic to an extrusion molding method is provided in combination. An extrusion material supply device 1 includes: a vertical hopper 2, which has a cooling unit 3 and a heat melting unit 4 continuous with a lower portion thereof, and houses a material rod R; cooling means 5 for cooling the cooling unit 3; an electric heater 6 that heats the heat melting unit 4; and gas pressurizing means 7 for sequentially supplying molten plastics M to a metal die by a gas pressure. The heat melting unit 4 is formed into a cylinder shape in which an inner diameter is larger than an inner diameter of the cooling unit 3 arranged above, and enables the molten plastics M to spread in the heat melting unit 4. A portion between an outer circumference of the material rod R and an outer circumference of the molten plastics M is defined as an annular gas pressurizing surface 7a.
US08945659B2
A method for preparing a fiber-in-water slurry containing insoluble fibers includes the steps of (a1) preparing a fiber-in-water slurry containing the insoluble fibers, (a2) freezing the slurry and (a3) grinding the frozen slurry. Insoluble fibers of tomatoes, peaches, pears, apples, plums, citrus, and combinations are used.
US08945658B2
The combination of: a) an apple with a top and bottom and having fibrous/woody carpels and seeds removed to produce a cavity extending from the bottom of the apple upwardly but not fully to the top of the apple so as to leave the top stem intact; and b) an edible filling added to the apple within the cavity.
US08945652B2
The present invention relates generally to functional sweetener compositions comprising non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweeteners and methods for making and using them. In particular, the present invention relates to different functional sweetener compositions comprising at least one non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic high potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and at least one functional ingredient, such as a weight management agent. The present invention also relates to functional sweetener compositions and methods that can improve the tastes of non-caloric or low-caloric high-potency sweeteners by imparting a more sugar-like taste or characteristic. In particular, the functional sweetener compositions and methods provide a more sugar-like temporal profile, including sweetness onset and sweetness linger, and/or a more sugar-like flavor profile.
US08945644B2
The present invention is directed to a process to remove impurities from triacylglycerol oil including mixing the oil and a fluidic agent, pumping the mixture through a flow-through hydrodynamic cavitation apparatus at a pre-determined inlet pump pressure, creating hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture, maintaining the hydrodynamic cavitation for a pre-determined period of time, moving the impurities from the oil to the fluidic agent, and then separating the fluidic agent from the oil. The impurities can include phytosterols, sterol glucosides, acylated sterol glucosides, in which case the fluidic agent is water, an alkali hydroxide, an inorganic base, an organic base, phosphoric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a mixture thereof. The impurities may also include phosphatides, in which case and the fluidic agent comprises water and an enzyme such as phospholipase, a lipid acyltransferase or a mixture thereof.
US08945639B2
The present invention relates to compositions (including medicaments and nutritional products) for use in the prevention or treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Such compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a soluble fiber derivable from fruit of the Musa spp. The soluble fiber may in particular be derived from plantains or bananas.
US08945624B2
Visible light-activated polymer cosmetic filler preparations useful in a variety of applications are provided. In some embodiments, the photo-activated polymer composition comprises a conventional polymeric material, such as HA, together with a modified, crosslinkable polymer, such as PEG or PEODA, to permit the formation of crosslinks within the polymer matrix in situ on exposure to a visible light source, such as an IPL device. The preparations provide for a more stabilized composition that is contourable during gelation.
US08945623B2
The invention provides compositions, kits, and methods for treatment of neuronal injury. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a biomembrane sealing agent, such as PEG, and a bioactive agent, such as a magnesium compound. The biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent an intravenous administration, an intramuscular administration, an intrathecal administration, a subcutaneous administration, an epidural administration, a parenteral administration, a direct application onto or adjacent to a site of the pathological condition, and any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the biomembrane sealing agent and/or the bioactive agent may be delivered from a pump or an implant.
US08945616B2
Embodiments of a controlled release minitablet comprise an extended release core and an optional pH dependent delayed release coating thereon, wherein the extended release core comprises budesonide, a carrier, and an extended release polymer. The budesonide may be embedded in the extended release polymer to facilitate extended release of the budesonide upon administration.
US08945605B2
An aerosol preparation assembly includes an entrainment chamber defining an entrainment volume. The entrainment chamber includes a gas inlet port, an aerosol inlet port and an outlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that a velocity of a flow of a gas within the entrainment volume is less than a velocity of the flow of the gas within the gas inlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that at least a portion of inlet aerosol is entrained into the flow of the gas within the entrainment volume to produce an entrained aerosol flow at the outlet port. The particle selection chamber is configured to receive the entrained aerosol flow and produce an outlet aerosol flow. The particle selection chamber and nozzle are collectively configured such that a volumetric median diameter of the outlet aerosol flow is less than a volumetric median diameter of the inlet aerosol.
US08945599B2
The present invention relates to immobilized biologically active entities having heparin cofactor II binding activity.
US08945593B2
An orally ingestible energy-boosting device is provided for facilitating a temporary metabolic increase in a user. The device comprises a small container filled with an energy-enhancing substance. All or a portion of the small container is constructed of a water or saliva-soluble film that dissolves when placed in the mouth of a user. When the film dissolves, energy-enhancing substance is released into the mouth where it is absorbed. The small container may come in a variety of shapes and configurations to meet the varied energy boost needs of users.
US08945586B2
The present invention relates to the therapeutic use of the carboxy-terminal domain of the heavy chain of the tetanus toxin for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
US08945582B2
The standard dose of polio vaccines contains 40 D-antigen units of inactivated poliovirus type 1 (Mahoney), 8 D-antigen units of inactivated poliovirus type 2 (MEF-1), and 32 D-antigens units of inactivated poliovirus type 3 (Saukett). The present invention teaches that reduced doses of inactivated poliovirus can maintain adequate or improved level of protection against polio.
US08945577B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising Haemophilus influenzae Protein E and Pilin A. More particularly, the present application relates to fusion proteins and immunogenic compositions comprising Protein E and PilA, vaccines comprising such immunogenic compositions and therapeutic uses of the same.
US08945561B2
Method of identifying a modulator of CD28 comprising comparing a structural model of a candidate modulator with a structural model of CD28 to thereby determine whether the modulator will bind to CD28, wherein the structural model is derived from, or comprises, structural coordinates of a crystal of: (i) CD28, (ii) a fragment of CD28, or (iii) a homolog of (i) or (ii). The crystal of CD28 in a soluble form complexed with the Fab fragment of a mitogenic (superagonistic) antibody has been obtained and used for the determination of the 3D-structure of the receptor. The application also relates to modulators of superagonistic signalling for any receptor of the CD28 family, i.e. to superagonistic antibodies and chimeric proteins thereof, and to the screening of the superagonistic modulators. In the methods of screening, the binding of the candidate modulators to a portion of the receptor proximal to the cell membrane is investigated.
US08945541B2
Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US08945540B2
Methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting the growth of susceptible microorganisms by contacting the microorganisms, in the presence of a peroxide and chloride or bromide, with myeloperoxidase and at least two activity enhancing agent amino acids.
US08945525B2
The present invention is directed to an anhydrous glossy composition which is long wearing and transfer resistant, while at the same time providing superior comfort, non-tacky feel and cushioning, the composition containing (a) at least one siloxysilicate resin; (b) at least one polyorganosiloxane-containing polymer; (c) at least one volatile solvent; (d) at least one non-volatile solvent having more than one phenyl group; and (e) optionally, at least one colorant; and wherein the ratio by weight of (b) to (a) is greater than or equal to 1.
US08945524B2
A method of makeup and/or non-therapeutic care for non-fibrous human keratin material, particularly the skin, the mucus membranes thereof, or the nails, including: bringing an outer surface of a piece of solid cosmetic composition, having a temperature-sensitive dynamic rub coefficient, into contact with, or near, a heating device, said dynamic rub coefficient, at 25° C., being greater than or equal to 0.5, preferably 0.6, so as to heat said piece in a localized manner with a view to essentially softening only said outer surface and lowering the dynamic rub coefficient thereof; and applying the outer surface of the thus-heated composition onto the area to be treated.
US08945521B2
A composition comprising a physical sunscreen, one or more adjuvants, and a carrier oil is provided. The composition also includes at least one of a compound having multiple phenyl groups, a film former or dispersant, and a silicone surfactant. The composition may also include an organic sunscreen. The combination of these ingredients exhibits an unexpected synergistic effect, in that the photoactive properties of the composition (e.g., SPF, UV absorption) are significantly higher than would be predicted based on the values for each of the components individually.
US08945518B2
The present invention provides a novel composition of matter comprised of a mixture of two specific classes of compounds—Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans—for use in the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with mouth, gums and teeth. This composition of matter simultaneously inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymatic activity and reduces cytokine production at the mRNA level in normal, aged and damaged periodontal cells and tissues. This invention further provides a method for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the mouth, gums and teeth. The method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions of the mouth, teeth and gums is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a mixture of Free-B-Ring flavonoids and flavans synthesized and/or isolated from a single plant or multiple plants, preferably in the Scutellaria, Oroxylum, Acacia or Uncaria genus of plants and pharmaceutically and/or cosmetically acceptable carriers. Finally the present invention provides a method for the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions of the mouth, teeth or gums, including but not limited to periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, pulpitis, periodontal conditions caused by the physical implantation of oral dentures, trauma, injuries, bruxism, neoplastic and other degenerative processes; material alba, pellicles, dental plagues, calculus, and stains. Use of the composition described herein also affords the benefit of maintaining optimum saliva production and pH, minimizing bacterial growth, reducing the formation of pellicles and plague, inhibiting tooth decalcification and tooth caries (decay), promoting remineralization, which yields healthy gums, whitening teeth, maintaining healthy oral hygiene and reducing oral malodor (halitosis).
US08945517B2
Disclosed herein is a continuous process for preparing a silica product, comprising: (a) continuously feeding an acidulating agent and an alkali metal silicate into a loop reaction zone comprising a stream of liquid medium; wherein at least a portion of the acidulating agent and the alkali metal silicate react to form a silica product in the liquid medium of the loop reaction zone; (b) continuously recirculating the liquid medium through the loop reaction zone; and (c) continuously discharging from the loop reaction zone a portion of the liquid medium comprising the silica product. Silica products and dentifrice compositions comprising the silica products are also disclosed. A continuous loop reactor is also disclosed.
US08945503B2
A method of forming CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. The method includes, in the presence of one or more ligands, reacting an iron-containing compound, a copper-containing compound and a sulfur-containing compound to form CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles; and wherein at least one of the ligands forms a coordination complex with copper, and at least one of the ligands forms a coordination complex with iron. Also a method of forming metal-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles such as Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. Also, a CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticle layer on a substrate. Also, a composition of matter including Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. Also, a Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticle layer on a substrate.
US08945502B2
An electronics component is disclosed herein. The electronics component include a substrate and a plurality of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) formed on said substrate, wherein said plurality of SWNTs form a patterned, dense and high-quality arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on quartz wafers by using FeCl3/polymer as catalytic precursors and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of methane. With the assistance of polymer, the catalysts may be well-patterned on the wafer surface by simple photolithography or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp microcontact printing (μCP).
US08945488B2
A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.
US08945487B2
Described is a self-sealing thermal enclosure. In various embodiments, the self-sealing thermal enclosure includes an enclosure having a wall with an opening. The enclosure is configured to surround a temperature-controlled environment. The self-sealing thermal enclosure also includes a porous seal disposed adjacent to the wall at the opening. The porous seal is compressible and is fabricated from an open cell foam material. When the porous seal has absorbed a fluid such as a condensate, the temperature-controlled environment is sealed from an ambient environment such that the flow of air into or out of the enclosure is substantially reduced or eliminated.
US08945481B1
Exemplary embodiments provide microfludic devices and methods for their use. The microfluidic device can include an array of M×N reaction sites formed by intersecting a first and second plurality of fluid channels of a flow layer. The flow layer can have a matrix design and/or a blind channel design to analyze a large number of samples under a limited number of conditions. The microfluidic device can also include a control layer including a valve system for regulating solution flow through fluid channels. In addition, by aligning the control layer with the fluid channels, the detection of the microfluidic devices, e.g., optical signal collection, can be improved by piping lights to/from the reaction sites. In an exemplary embodiment, guard channels can be included in the microfluidic device for thermal cycling and/or reducing evaporation from the reaction sites.
US08945475B2
An exhaust post-treatment device is designed in a layered fashion and comprises an exhaust cleaning arrangement lying between a supply chamber and a transition chamber with soot filters lying at both sides of a denitrification-catalytic converter unit, with the transition chamber comprising a mixing chamber open towards the denitrification-catalytic converter unit, in which starting at the soot filters via separate guide channels, the exhaust is injected in the opposite direction of flow and which mixing chamber is limited by guide panels, which form walls of the guide channels extending encompassing along the housing towards the mixing chamber.
US08945470B2
The present invention is to present a sample analyzer comprising: a first measurement unit; a second measurement unit; a transport unit for transporting a sample container to the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: obtaining measurement item information indicating a measurement item of the sample contained in the sample container; and controlling the transport unit so as to transport the sample container to the second measurement unit when a first measurement item and a second measurement item different from the first measurement item are indicated in the measurement item information, and controlling the transport unit so as to transport the sample container to the first measurement unit or the second measurement unit when the first measurement item is indicated and the second measurement item is not indicated in the measurement item information.
US08945468B2
A sterilizing apparatus includes an enclosure defining an interior chamber and a door for accessing the interior chamber. A fluid source communicates with the chamber to supply a working fluid thereto. A heater heats the fluid in the chamber and a pump moves the fluid in the chamber by the heater. A valve communicates with the chamber and with the exterior of the chamber and is configured to vent the fluid in the chamber to the exterior at a pressure of approximately one atmosphere. Such provides superheating and concentrating of the working fluid in the chamber. A method of sterilization includes introducing a working fluid into an interior chamber and circulating the fluid through at least one recirculation loop having a heater for heating the fluid to an operational temperature suitable for killing microorganisms. The method further provides for killing of very high temperature resistant microorganisms.
US08945458B2
A method of producing a structure from curable material by molding includes arranging a molding tool above a surface, so that in a region between the molding tool and the surface, the curable material adjoins the surface and a molding face of the molding tool which faces the surface, and so that additional curable material may continue to flow into the region. The method further includes irradiating the curable material in the region in a locally varying manner, so that the curable material cures at different speeds in a laterally varying manner and that shrinkages occurring during curing of the curable material are compensated for by the additional curable material. The method further includes applying a constant pressure to the additional curable material. Moreover, a second method and an apparatus for producing a structure from curable material by molding and a molding tool for an optical component are described.
US08945449B2
A method for making a cleated plate member for an article of footwear is described. The method includes a number of steps where various molds are used to form different components of the cleated plate member. A collar receptacle is formed using a first molding process. A cleat member is formed from a non-compatible material with a fastener of the cleat member associated with the collar receptacle using another molding process to form a combined cleat assembly. The combined cleat assembly is placed into corresponding receptacles in a mold used to form the cleated plate member. The cleated plate member is formed using another molding process that embeds the collar receptacle into the body of the cleated plate member. The completed cleated plate member includes releasably attached cleat members.
US08945448B2
Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for the delivery of substances to, or the sampling of substances from, a patient using a portable and preferably implantable device. The substances introduced to and/or taken from the patient are preferably fluidic and are driven by a miniature pump, such as a microimpedance pump. A number of design variations are explicitly and implicitly described, such as the use of multiple pumps and multiple reservoirs for containing medicaments. Methods of manufacture of these systems and devices are also described, for instance, using molding, micromachining, or lithographic processes.
US08945447B2
A method of preparing a green tire innerliner, the method comprising mixing one or more vulcanizable rubbery polymers, less than 0.75 parts by weight zinc oxide, less than 0.75 parts by weight magnesium oxide, and less than 0.75 parts by weight sulfur, per 100 parts by weight rubber, to form a vulcanizable mixture and extruding the mixture to form a green tire innerliner.
US08945445B2
Provided is a method of producing an anode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having battery characteristics equivalent to those of a conventional product by simpler production steps than those of a conventional method.A thermally-polymerized petroleum based or coal based pitch is cooled to the softening point or below so that the pitch is solidified to obtain a solidified pitch. The solidified pitch is ground to form a fine pitch powder having an average particle size (median size) of 60 μm or smaller. Then, the fine pitch powder is compression molded at a pressure of 20 to 100 MPa or 0.1 to 6 MN/m to form a porous compression molded pitch. The porous compression molded pitch is subjected to infusibilization treatment.
US08945442B2
This disclosure relates to a frame for use with formwork to support the formwork for concrete casting and for stripping formwork from a concrete surface. The formwork is secured to the frame assembly such that the level at which the formwork is supported by the framework is adjustable so as to be movable between at least a first level above a floor surface selected for concrete casting, and a second level where the formwork is either away from the cured concrete (i.e. stripped) or unsupported by the frame assembly. The disclosure provides a means of both supporting formwork during concrete casting as well as a means of stripping the formwork after the concrete is cast. An associated method is also disclosed.
US08945436B2
Provided is a conductive paste which contains an inexpensive metal, such as copper or aluminum, as an electrode wiring material and has oxidation resistance that enables the paste to withstand a high-temperature process performed in an oxidizing atmosphere and an electronic part equipped with electrode wiring formed from the paste. The electronic part in accordance with the present invention is equipped with electrode wiring that comprises a conductive glass phase containing transition metals and phosphorus, metal particles, and none of the substances prohibited by the RoHS directive. The electronic part is characterized in that each of the transition metals contained in the conductive glass phase is present in the state of having a plurality of oxidation numbers and that the proportion of the atoms which have the largest oxidation number for each transition metal satisfies a given relationship.
US08945434B2
The present invention relates to an antistatic or electrically conductive, thermoset polyurethane obtained by reacting A) an organic polyisocyanate; B) a compound comprising NCO-reactive groups; and C) optionally a catalyst, a blowing agent, an auxiliary, an additive, or mixtures thereof; and wherein, the polyurethane comprises a carbon nanotube present in an amount of from 0.1 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of the polyurethane.
US08945423B2
Method of extracting syngas between the zone in a furnace where oxygen-starved combustion of biomass occurs and the zone in the furnace where secondary air is added to complete combustion, conditioning and cleaning the extracted syngas, and delivering it in a metered amount to the oxidizer or upstream of the oxidizer to reduce or eliminate the need for additional fossil fuels once the oxidizer has achieved its operating temperature. The gasifier or furnace burns solid waste and produces a syngas containing relatively high levels of CO, which is extracted from the furnace, conditioned, and introduced into an RTO as a fuel source. In certain embodiments, no extraction of syngas from the furnace takes place; the furnace conditions are manipulated so that normally undesirable levels of CO and other VOC's remain in the process stream. The heat from the furnace is used as intended (e.g., to heat a dryer), the stream is conditioned, and ultimately proceeds to a downstream RTO. Since the gas stream remains rich in CO and VOC's, its fuel value in the RTO is substantially higher than otherwise would be the case.
US08945415B2
A method is described for etching ceramic phosphor converters. The method includes contacting a surface of the converter with a solution of phosphor acid for a time sufficient to etch the converter. The method is applicable to ceramic phosphor converters comprising a phosphor having a general formula MxAlyOz:RE wherein M is a metal and RE is a rare earth element.
US08945409B2
The present invention provides a porous medium with increased hydrophobicity and a method of manufacturing the same, in which a micro-nano dual structure is provided by forming nanoprotrusions with a high aspect ratio by performing plasma etching on the surface of a porous medium with a micrometer-scale surface roughness and a hydrophobic thin film is deposited on the surface of the micro-nano dual structure, thus significantly increasing hydrophobicity. When this highly hydrophobic porous medium is used as a gas diffusion layer of a fuel cell, it is possible to efficiently discharge water produced during electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell, thus preventing flooding in the fuel cell. Moreover, it is possible to sufficiently supply reactant gases such as hydrogen and air (oxygen) to a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), thus improving the performance of the fuel cell.
US08945404B2
A mechanism is provided for fabricating nanochannels for a nanodevice. Insulating film is deposited on a substrate. A nanowire is patterned on the film. Insulating material is deposited on the nanowire and film. A first circular hole is formed in the insulating material as an inlet, over a first tip of the nanowire to expose the first tip. A second circular hole is formed as an outlet, over a second tip of the nanowire opposite the first tip to expose the second tip. A nanochannel connects the first and second holes by etching away the nanowire via an etchant in the first and the second holes. A first reservoir is attached over the first hole in connection with the nanochannel at a previous location of the first tip. A second reservoir is attached over the second hole in connection with the nanochannel at a previous location of the second tip.
US08945398B2
A water recovery process for a steam assisted gravity drainage system for a heavy oil recovery facility, the process comprising a flash drum and a flash drum heat exchanger/condenser, wherein the water recovery process receives hot water produced by a facility at a temperature above the water atmospheric boiling point and cools it to a temperature below the water atmospheric boiling point before transferring it to the remaining section of the water recovery process.
US08945397B2
This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the growth of toxic bloom algae caused by cyanobacteria Mycrocystis aeruginosa in freshwater environments comprising administering an effective amount of 5,6-dichlorogramine to the freshwater. Also, the invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the growth of toxic bloom algae caused by M. aeruginosa comprising administering an effective amount of 5,6,7-trichlorogramine to the freshwater. Both compounds, 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine, may be administered individually or in combination to the freshwater. Both compounds are individually very potent and only need to be administered at a very low concentration to be effective at inhibiting the growth of M. aeruginosa in freshwater environments. Both 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine are each individually effective at inhibiting M. aeruginosa at low concentrations, between about 0.01 mg/L and about 0.05 mg/L, or more specifically at a concentration of about 0.03 mg/L. Also, both 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine individually have long potency durations, needing to be added no more frequently than once every 60 days to freshwater to inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa.
US08945393B2
Method for oil removal. The method includes adding a magnetizable material, with or without appropriately selected surfactants, of order micron (having no net magnetization) or nanometer size to magnetize the oil or water phase by either making a ferrofluid, magnetorheological fluid, a magnetic Pickering emulsion (oil in water or water in oil emulsion), or any other process to magnetize either oil or water phases. The magnetized fluid is separated from the non-magnetic phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques or by permanent magnets or electromagnets thereby separating oil and water phases. The magnetized particles are separated from the magnetized phase using novel or existing magnetic separation techniques to recover and reuse the particles. The two magnetic separation steps can be repeated to further increase recovery efficiency of the liquid phases and the magnetizable particles reused in this continuous process.
US08945392B2
The invention employs composites of zeolite and ferric oxide hydroxide for removal of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus wastes from animal environments.
US08945388B2
A filter has first and second filter media (2, 3). The filter media define a flow space (4) between them receiving a device (5) for separation and flow guidance and dividing the flow space such that a functional space (25, 26) is disposed adjacent to the first or the second filter medium. The first filter medium (2) defines a hollow space (21) toward the outside, and the second filter medium (3) defines a hollow space (22) toward the inside. Each of the hollow spaces (21, 22) can be connected to at least one fluid duct (23, 24). The flow space (4) including the two functional spaces (25, 26) can be connected to at least one further fluid duct (27) that is separated in a fluid-tight manner from the other fluid ducts (23, 24).
US08945385B2
The invention relates to a membrane filtration device comprising a plurality of planar membrane filter elements which are combined to form a membrane package and are disposed within the membrane package parallel to and spaced apart from one another. A wall encloses the membrane package on all sides, and within which at least one inlet chamber which is connected to at least one inlet, and at least one outlet chamber which is connected to at least one outlet. An oscillation unit is connected to the membrane package and the wall to induce oscillation in a direction parallel to the membrane filter elements. The oscillation unit is connected to a frame which encloses the membrane package and which is connected to the wall of the membrane package by means of least one spring, whose main direction of spring action extends parallel to the plane of the membrane filter.
US08945358B2
The invention relates to an electrolysis cell of the single-element type design for chlor-alkali electrolysis plants, comprising an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, each of the two compartments containing an electrode connected to the rear wall of the respective compartment by means of parallel bars. The electrodes are thus subdivided into several sections. In accordance with the invention, at least one of two electrodes is provided with a curved shape in each section, this curved section protruding towards the opposite electrode and pressing a membrane area against the opposite electrode. According to a preferred embodiment, the curved shape of the various electrode sections is obtained by means of springs.
US08945357B2
An apparatus (20) for treating contaminated water has an electrocoagulation reactor (26) and a clarifier (30) to receive the effluent of the reactor. The reactor has a reaction vessel (48) having an inlet (58) and an outlet (62), a sacrificial anode (64), a rotatable cathode (68) and a non-sacrificial anode (66). A first gap (70) between the sacrificial anode and the cathode comprises a first water treatment zone. A second gap (74) between the cathode and the non-sacrificial anode comprises the second water treatment zone. The water flow path is from the inlet to the first treatment zone, then to the second treatment zone and then to the outlet. In the clarifier, the reactor effluent is separated into cleaned water and the contaminated sludge.
US08945356B2
A high-temperature module for electrolysis of water with improved operational safety, in which steam containing at most 1% hydrogen can be made to flow simultaneously in each cathode and in each anode, as a draining gas, of a stack of cells. The stack of cells is housed in a sealed case and a mechanism for clamping by compression of the stack is included. The risks of leaks likely to cause impairments of efficiency and breakages of all or part of a stack EHT electrolyzer are reduced, while a high level of efficiency is provided due to the fact that satisfactory electrical conduction is maintained by compression of the stack.
US08945355B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating germicidal compositions for use in a wide variety of settings, including agricultural settings, food production settings, hospitality settings, health care settings, health club settings, exercise facility settings, research based settings, veterinarian settings, medical settings, hydraulic fracturing settings, and/or any setting requiring disinfection.
US08945353B1
An apparatus and method for electrolytically treating water which can include the influent inlet arrangements for cavitation and one or more pairs of electrodes. The electrodes can be suitable for a continuous anodic and cathodic operation for treating water. The pressurized influent premixed with oxidant gas, such as, but not limited to, Ozone or Oxygen can be pumped into the reactor vessel through the mixing nozzles preferably arranged radially along the circumference. A power source for each reactor provides voltage and current to the electrodes. The controller maintains the voltage and current to the electrode. The duration of each voltage polarity applied to each electrode can be preferably the same. The polarity of the voltage to the electrode can be periodically reversed at a set interval.
US08945344B2
Systems and methods of separating bonded wafers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for separating bonded wafers includes a support for the bonded wafers and means for applying a sheer force to the bonded wafers. The system also includes means for applying a vacuum to the bonded wafers.
US08945340B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber that converts a processing gas introduced from a gas supply source into plasma and performs plasma processing on a target object, an exhaust chamber that communicates with the inside of the processing chamber to exhaust a gas converted into plasma from the processing chamber, and a blocking cover that is provided in the exhaust chamber to block communication between the inside of the processing chamber and the inside of the exhaust chamber.
US08945328B2
Methods of forming garments having one or more stretchable conductive ink patterns. Described herein are method of making garments (including compression garments) having one or more highly stretchable conductive ink pattern formed of a composite of an insulative adhesive, a conductive ink, and an intermediate gradient zone between the adhesive and conductive ink. The conductive ink typically includes between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. The stretchable conductive ink patterns may be stretched more than twice their length without breaking or rupturing.
US08945323B2
The invention enables to pressure-bond a carcass ply sheet pasted onto a rubber laminating member wound around a periphery of a building drum firmly along a recessed and projected shape of the rubber laminating member without producing a deformation or a warp of a carcass cord, by using a stitcher apparatus constituted by arranging a plurality of pressure-bond rollers having axis centers in a tangential direction of a concentric circle having a diameter larger than that of a building drum in a peripheral direction by a plurality of rows and by a constant pitch by being respectively supported to be able to progressively displace to an inner side in a diameter direction, while moving the building drum in an axial direction relative to the pressure-bond rollers on an inner side of a circular arrangement of the pressure-bond rollers, a carcass ply sheet is pressed by a predetermined pressure to pressure-bond over an entire periphery and simultaneously by the respective pressure-bond rollers progressively displaced to the inner side in the diameter direction.
US08945320B2
A belt connector and method for interconnecting opposite ends of a filtering belt has a plurality of wire hooks, each with two shanks disposed adjacent opposite faces of the belt, a coupling loop interconnecting the shanks and hook ends that are pressed into the opposite faces of the belt. A flat cover element extends across the width of the belt, covers at least portions of the wire hooks, overlies the opposite faces of the belt, and has a carrier material and a coating that is applied to the belt side of the carrier material, and is constructed from a thermoplastic or an adhesive material which is pressed into the pores of the belt to positively and mechanically interconnect the cover element with the belt.
US08945315B2
A dishwasher includes a hot water inlet device for intake of hot water from an external hot water supply and a cold water inlet device for intake of cold water from an external cold water supply. A program control device controls a wash cycle of a selected dishwashing program for cleaning wash items. The program control device is constructed to operate in at least one of first and second operating modes, wherein the first operating mode includes activation of one wash program which, in at least one partial wash cycle of a wash cycle, draws hot water from the external hot water supply, and wherein the second operating mode includes activation of another wash program which, in at least one partial wash cycle of a wash cycle, exclusively draws cold water from the external cold water supply.
US08945311B2
The present invention provides a method for cleansing a glass substrate of a TFT-LCD, includes the following steps: providing an ultrasonic cleansing machine, a glass substrate in-feeding conveyor, and a glass substrate out-feeding conveyor, wherein the ultrasonic cleansing machine includes a cleansing tank, a cleansing liquid contained in the cleansing tank, and first and second ultrasonic frequency generators arranged in the cleansing tank and having different frequencies; conveying a glass substrate with the glass substrate in-feeding conveyor into the cleansing tank; immersing the glass substrate in the cleansing liquid of the cleansing tank; generating ultrasonic waves of different frequencies with the first and second ultrasonic frequency generators to be applied to the cleansing liquid to effect ultrasonic cleansing of the glass substrate; and conveying the cleansed glass substrate out of the cleansing tank with the glass substrate out-feeding conveyor.
US08945310B2
A method of cleaning at least one optical component of at least one irradiation device having at least one radiation source in a vacuum chamber. The source generates in particular extreme ultraviolet and/or soft X-ray radiation whose rays are guided via the optical component onto a workpiece to be treated, during which the optical component is at least partly polluted because of an inorganic substance introduced by the radiation source. A least one reaction partner that is substantially translucent or transparent to the rays is introduced via a feeder device in dependence on the prevailing reaction conditions. The reaction partner reacts chemically with the polluting deposits so as to remove them from the optical component.
US08945308B2
The present invention relates to a cluster tool for processing semiconductor substrates. One embodiment of the present invention provides a mainframe for a cluster tool comprising a transfer chamber having a substrate transferring robot disposed therein. The substrate transferring robot is configured to shuttle substrates among one or more processing chambers directly or indirectly connected to the transfer chamber. The mainframe further comprises a shutter disk shelf configured to store one or more shutter disks to be used by the one or more processing chambers, wherein the shutter disk shelf is accessible to the substrate transferring robot so that the substrate transferring robot can transfer the one or more shutter disks between the shutter disk shelf and the one or more processing chambers directly or indirectly connected to the transfer chamber.
US08945303B2
The subject is providing a crystallizing device of a biopolymer, which made to form biopolymer crystal efficiently in crystallization solution of a small amount of biopolymers by applying a low voltage and not to make an electrode disturb but observable a state of crystal formation. As an electrode for applying an electric field to a biopolymer solution, a transparent conductor, which does not disturb crystal formation, is used. Between the transparent conductor electrodes 2s, the electric insulating member 4 is placed and the crystallization solution 1 for a small amount of biopolymers is maintained inter-electrode. A biopolymer is efficiently crystallized by applying a low voltage supplied from the voltage generator 5 to the transparent conductor electrode 2. A crystal formation state of a biopolymer is optically observable from the electrode side of a transparent conductor. Orientation control of the biopolymer can be performed by an electric field formed by the above-mentioned voltage application.
US08945298B2
To achieve good adherence of a resist coating, more specifically a photo imageable resist coating, to a copper base while ensuring that the copper base being very thin is not compromised, a non-etching non-resist composition for the treatment of the copper base is provided, said composition comprising at least one adhesion agent selected from the group comprising (i) heterocyclic compounds comprising at least one thiol moiety and (ii) quaternary ammonium polymers having the following general chemical formula: {N+(R3)(R4)—(CH2)a—N(H)—C(Y)—N(H)—(CH2)b—N+(R3)(R4)—R5}n 2n X−, with R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Y and X− being defined as claimed.
US08945297B2
A dielectric protective layer has nanoparticles integrated therein to increase the dielectric constants. The nanoparticles are surrounded by a protective shell to prevent agglomeration, in order to maintain the small particle size, for depositing an extra-thin film.
US08945290B2
A multi-cyclone collector includes a suction port for sucking an air flow including contaminating particles, a cyclone accommodation chamber allowing the air flow sucked through the suction port to be guided thereinto, a plurality of cyclones each accommodated in the cyclone accommodation chamber, for transforming the air flow taken in to a downward swirl flow, separating the contaminating particles, then reversing the swirl flow to the upward swirl flow and releasing the upward swirl flow as a purified air flow, a cyclone exit chamber provided above the cyclone accommodation chamber, that allows the purified air flow from the cyclones to be guided thereinto, and a drain discharge chamber provided below the cyclone accommodation chamber, for collecting the contaminating particles separated by the cyclones.
US08945284B2
An assembly includes a housing having a housing cavity, an inlet, and an outlet, a rotatable shaft positioned proximate the outlet, and a seal positioned at an interface of the rotatable shaft and the housing. The seal includes porous material adjacent the shaft and the housing and a shell substantially separating the porous material from the housing cavity. The shell includes an inlet that allows fluid flow from the housing cavity to the porous material and an outlet that allows fluid flow from the porous material to the housing interior. The inlet is positioned radially inward of the outlet.
US08945276B2
A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes sets of manifolds, between which are mounted arrays of membrane modules, the manifolds and membrane modules forming a stack within a pressure vessel or housing. The stacked, manifolded arrangement enables many membrane elements to be fed in parallel with the gas to be treated.
US08945269B2
A holding sealing material includes a mat, an inorganic binder and an organic binder. The mat includes inorganic fibers and has an upper part, a center part, and a lower part in a thickness direction. The inorganic binder is loaded on the mat. The organic binder is loaded mainly on the upper part and the lower part of the mat. The holding sealing material is disposed between an exhaust gas-treating body and a casing for housing the exhaust gas-treating body to form an exhaust gas purifying apparatus.
US08945264B2
A cyclone has a cyclone body formed with a plurality of inlet ducts and an outlet. A first end of each of the inlet ducts is coupled to a downcomer and a second end of each of the inlet ducts is coupled to the cyclone body. The downcomer proximate the cyclone body is co-axial with and mounted to the cyclone body on a support. Each inlet duct exits the downcomer radially and enters the cyclone body tangentially.
US08945260B2
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08945257B2
A liquid separator is provided with a vessel which defines a space which is sealed at the top by a lid in which is situated an outlet. A pipe is provided in the space extending round the outlet in the space, as of the lid. A fine filter also extends in the space round the outlet such that between the pipe and the fine filter is defined an outlet zone which is connected to the environment by means of a safety valve. The safety valve is connected to the outlet zone via a passage in the lid.
US08945251B2
A cutting tool with a substrate which is coated with a coating layer containing TiaAlbNbdMe(C1-xNx), where M represents one or more elements selected from among Si, W, Mo, Ta, Hf, Cr, Zr and Y, where 0.1≦a≦0.7, 0≦b≦0.8, 0.02≦d≦0.25, 0≦e≦0.25, a+b+d+e=1.0 and 0≦x≦1 and is provided with a rake face; a flank face; a cutting edge between the rake face and the flank face; and droplets on the surface of the coating layer. The droplets include finer droplets having particle diameters of 300 nm or less; and coarser droplets having particle diameters of 1000 nm or more. The flank face has a higher percentage of the finer droplets than the rake face. An Nb content in the coarser droplets on the flank face is higher than an Nb of the coarser droplets on the rake face.
US08945244B2
A method of improving the combustion of a fuel by adding a catalyst or combustion enhancer at an extremely low concentration, preferably in the range of 1 part catalyst per 200 million parts fuel to 1 part catalyst per 6 trillion parts fuel. The catalyst or combustion enhancer may be selected from a wide range of soluble compounds. The method may comprise the steps of an initial mixing of the catalyst or enhancer with a suitable solvent and then subsequent dilution steps using solvents or fuel. Suitable solvents include water, MTBE, methylketone, methyisobutylketone, butanol, isopropyl alcohol and other hydrophilic/oleophilic compounds.
US08945226B2
An anterior cervical column support having a hollow frame having a top load bearing surface and a bottom load bearing surface may be inserted between a first spinal vertebra and a second spinal vertebra. The top load bearing surface and the bottom load bearing surface may each include an opening allowing access to the interior of the frame. A front surface may extend between the top load bearing surface and the bottom load bearing surface, and a rear surface may extend between the top load bearing surface and the bottom load bearing surface. Two side surfaces are attached between the front surface and the rear surface, each side surface having a solid side panel that is at least x-ray translucent. An anterior (front) plate is attached to the front surface of the support device, where the front plate includes clearance holes for receiving fasteners for holding the front plate in position. The top load bearing surface and the bottom load bearing surface may include a serrated or other high friction surface for applying frictional forces between the load bearing surfaces and adjacent vertebrae.
US08945224B2
A sacro-iliac implant system includes at least one implant including a body defining an outer surface and being disposed to space apart opposing articular surfaces of a sacro-iliac joint. The body is engageable with the opposing articular surfaces and the outer surface is compliant to a configuration of the opposing articular surfaces such that the body facilitates relative movement of the opposing articular surfaces. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08945218B2
Degradable, polymeric fiber-based, three-dimensional braided scaffolds for use as graft materials in ligament and tendon repair, reconstruction and replacement are provided. Also provided are methods for preparing these scaffolds.
US08945211B2
A device for treating mitral regurgitation including an anchor which features one or more reinforcing bars, ribbon and suture.
US08945208B2
A delivery system and method for delivering a prosthetic heart valve to the aortic valve annulus. The system includes a delivery catheter having a steering mechanism thereon for delivering a balloon-expandable prosthetic heart valve to the aortic annulus in an antegrade fashion through an introducer passing into the left ventricle through its apex. The introducer may have a more floppy distal section than a proximal section to reduce trauma to the heart wall while preserving good operating field stability. The delivery catheter includes a deflecting segment just proximal to a distal balloon to facilitate positioning of the prosthetic heart valve in the proper orientation within the aortic annulus. A trigger in a catheter handle may be coupled to a deflection wire that actuates the deflecting segment, while a slider in the handle controls retraction of a valve pusher. The prosthetic heart valve may be installed over the existing calcified leaflets, and a pre-dilation valvuloplasty procedure may also be utilized.
US08945205B2
The present embodiments provide a branch vessel prosthesis for placement at least partially between a main vessel and a branch vessel of a patient. The branch vessel prosthesis has a graft including a generally tubular body of a biocompatible material. At least one stent is coupled to a proximal region of the graft, and at least one stent is coupled to a distal region of the graft. The proximal region of the graft includes a generally straight configuration in an expanded deployed state that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a main vessel. The distal region of the graft includes a generally straight configuration in the expanded deployed state that is substantially parallel to a branch vessel. A curvature of a central region varies an angle in which the distal region of the graft is disposed relative to the proximal region.
US08945193B2
A system comprising a screw element having a generally cylindrical body having a bore or lumen therethrough and a plurality of fenestrations or windows through which biological material may be provided. The system comprises a tool for inserting the biological material into the screw element so that the biological material may extrude through the plurality of fenestrations or windows and through an aperture in the tip of the screw element thereby enabling providing a fusion mass across two adjacent facet bones or a facet joint wherein the screw itself provides both a fixation component and a screw component.
US08945192B2
Implants for forming a positive connection with human or animal parts include a material, such as thermoplastics and thixotropic materials, that can be liquefied by means of mechanical energy. The implants are brought into contact with the tissue part, are subjected to the action of ultrasonic energy while being pressed against the tissue part. The liquefiable material liquefies and is pressed into openings or surface asperities of the tissue part so that, once solidified, the implant is positively joined thereto. The implantation involves the use of an implantation device that includes a generator, an oscillating element, and a resonator. The generator causes the oscillating element to mechanically oscillate, and the element transmits the oscillations to the resonator. The resonator is used to press the implant against the tissue part to transmit oscillations to the implant.
US08945187B2
A vertebral rod for stabilizing a patient's spine. The rod may include an elongated body with first and second ends and have an elongated cross-sectional shape with a major axis and a minor axis and a centroid positioned at an intersection of the axes. First and second longitudinal channels may extend through the body. The channels may be spaced apart and contained within the body. The body may have a first flexural rigidity along the major axis and a different second flexural rigidity along the minor axis.
US08945184B2
A spinal implant includes an elongated body dimensioned and configured to function as a spacer, for placement in a target interspinous process space, between two adjacent spinous processes, a distal anchor associated with a distal end of the body, and a proximal anchor mounted for longitudinal movement along the body between a first position spaced apart from the head and a second position approximated with the head, adapted to compress the two adjacent spinous processes, in conjunction with the distal anchor.
US08945180B2
A closure device and system for closing openings in tissue. After placing sutures in the tissue, the sutures are clamped by the closure device to hold the sutures in place and close the opening in the tissue.
US08945175B2
A latch mechanism for a surgical instrument includes a lever moveable from an initial position to an actuated position for moving an end effector assembly from a first to a second state. A pin extends from the lever. A cantilever spring is operably engaged to the housing of the instrument. A pin track member is operably engaged to the cantilever spring at a free end thereof. The pin track member is configured to permit translation of the pin therealong between a first position corresponding to the initial position of the lever and a second position corresponding to the actuated position of the lever. The pin is configured to translate from the first to the second position along a first path and from the second position back to the first position along a second path and is configured to be releasably retained in the second position.
US08945169B2
An embolic protection device is provided for deployment within a body vessel to collect embolic debris there from. The device includes a filter for collecting the embolic debris and a frame for supporting the filter. The frame generally defines a closed loop that has a collapsed state and an opened state. Furthermore, the frame includes a tube portion that receives an opening means to open the closed loop from the collapsed state to the opened state.
US08945168B2
A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing the internal pressure within the balloon. The balloon comprises a balloon layer having an outer surface, the balloon layer including a base layer, a first reinforcing layer and a second reinforcing layer. The base layer is formed of a polymer material. The first reinforcing layer is one of either a plurality of discrete inelastic fibers oriented substantially parallel to the long axis of the balloon and a first layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. The second reinforcing layer is one of either at least one inelastic fiber wrapped around the circumference of the balloon substantially transverse to the long axis of the balloon and a second layer of textile fabric material, the textile fabric material being one of a woven, knitted, braided and non-woven fabric. At least one of the first and second reinforcing layers is a layer of textile fabric material. At least one strengthening rod is connected to the outer surface of the balloon layer.
US08945155B2
The present invention provides a clip for use during surgical procedure, comprising a body, said body is characterized by a main longitudinal axis and having a distal end and a proximal end coupled together by a shaft; said shaft is adapted to reciprocally move along said main longitudinal axis of said body; said shaft is at least partially encapsulated by a sleeve-like enveloping compression spring; said proximal end comprising actuation means; said distal end comprising one movable jaw characterized by at least one open configuration and at least one closed configuration; wherein said transformation is performed by reciprocally and linearly moving said actuation means along said longitudinal axis of said clip such that (i) said shaft is linearly moved towards and away said proximal end of said body; and, (ii) said compression spring is compressed or released such that said at least one movable jaw reconfigured.
US08945154B2
A tissue closing device includes an elongate arrangement device of which a distal end portion can penetrate an opening penetrating an living tissue membrane and which has a handling portion on the proximal side, and a clip which is detachably retained at a distal end portion of the arrangement device and which closes the opening. The arrangement device includes a retaining member for detachably retaining the clip and pulling the clip in the proximal direction, a cover tube, and a fixed tube. The handling portion has a first elastic member. When a restriction for maintaining the coil spring in a deformed state is canceled, the thread is moved to the proximal direction by the restoring force of the coil spring in the condition where the clip is locked to a distal end portion of the fixed tube, and the clip is pulled in the axial direction by the thread, whereby a deformation portion is deformed.
US08945148B2
An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.
US08945147B2
A field generator for use in a surgical targeting system is disclosed. The field generator includes a mounting structure including elements that are configured to receive components of an electromagnetic field generator. The elements are disposed on the mounting structure at locations and orientations relative to each other. The field generator includes at least one covering formed over the mounting structure, wherein, in use, the locations and orientations of the elements relative to each other remain substantially unaltered after exposure to one or more sterilization processes.
US08945146B2
A delivery system assembly includes an outer tube, an inner member, extending within a lumen of the outer tube, and a deflectable shaft, extending within the outer tube lumen and around the inner member; the tube and inner member are longitudinally moveable with respect to the shaft, and a distal end of the inner member is located distal to the shaft within the tube lumen. A medical device can be loaded into the tube lumen, along a distal-most portion of the tube, and contained between the inner member and a distal opening of the tube lumen. Deflecting the shaft orients the distal-most portion for navigation of the assembly, and, when the distal end of the inner member is engaged within the tube lumen, distal movement of the tube, with respect to the shaft, causes similar distal movement of the inner member and the loaded medical device toward an implant site.
US08945145B2
A delivery system assembly includes an elongate inner member that extends distally through a lumen of an elongate outer tube of the assembly; the outer tube is moveable relative to the inner member between first and second positions to deploy an implantable medical device that is held within the outer tube lumen. The inner member may include a flared distal end that abuts, and preferably conforms to, the proximal end of the device, when the device is held within the outer tube lumen. The assembly further includes a stability sheath that surrounds a limited length of the outer tube, in proximity to the handle, to provide an interface for both an operator, who handles the assembly, and for an introducer sheath that provides passage for the assembly into the venous system, so that movement of the outer tube is not hindered by either during device deployment.
US08945144B2
Disclosed is a microwave spacer for guiding and positioning microwave energy delivery devices during a surgical procedure. The microwave energy device spacer includes a body forming a plurality of device apertures defined therein, the plurality of device apertures including at least two lumens and at least one arcuate slot. The lumens are configured to receive an energy delivery device therethrough. The arcuate slot includes a length, a width and a radius of curvature and is configured to receive an additional energy delivery device therethrough.
US08945143B2
Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can include immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis, maceration, and/or removal.
US08945141B2
The present invention provides a device for delivering and/or recovering an object, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder. According to one embodiment of the invention, a device contains an outer sleeve and an inner sheath. The inner sheath has a proximal portion and a distal portion; the distal portion of the inner sheath is disposed inside the lumen of the outer sleeve. The distal portion of the inner sheath can expand radially to facilitate retrieval of an object. The distal portion of the inner sheath has a larger diametrical configuration than the proximal portion of the inner sheath. The distal portion of the inner sheath may be in the shape of a cone or similar shape. The distal portion of the inner sheath further includes slits that form flaps which collapse inward and overlap each other as the distal portion is in its unexpanded configuration.
US08945134B2
A stand for use with a syringe is disclosed. The stand includes a base and a clip affixed to the base. The clip engages a portion of the syringe so as to removably secure the syringe to the stand in a position such that the distal end of the syringe is spaced vertically away from the base. Preferably, the syringe includes a handle extending outwardly from a barrel of the syringe, and the feature which the clip engages includes the handle of the syringe.
US08945131B2
An instrument for measuring the medullary canal of a long bone in order to determine the proper size for a stem centralizer is provided. The instrument includes an elongated central portion defining opposed first and second ends and a contact portion. The contact portion extends from the first end or the second end of the elongated central portion. The contact portion has a contact area for contact with the medullary canal and defines a relief area for providing clearance between the instrument and the medullary canal.
US08945123B2
A high-frequency treatment tool (1) includes an operating wire (12) having a treatment part (10) including a treatment electrode; a first tube (23) formed from an insulating material, in which the operating wire (12) for enabling the treatment part (10) to protrude and recede is inserted; and a second tube (21) having a passive electrode (22) at a distal end, in which inserted the first tube (23) such as to cover an inner peripheral face of the passive electrode (22) is inserted. An engagement part (25) and an engaged part (22C) that can engage with each other are formed in the first tube (23) and the passive electrode (22), and the engagement of the engagement part (25) with the engaged part (22C) restricts the relative movement of a distal-end part of the first tube (23) to a proximal-end side of the first tube (23) with respect to the passive electrode (22).
US08945115B2
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, a power source configured to deliver power to at least one load connected to the generator, a master configured to generate an initial pulse, the initial pulse cooperating with a first floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between at least one first load and the power source, and a plurality of slaves connected in series to the master, wherein a first slave is configured to generate a subsequent pulse based on the initial pulse, the subsequent pulse cooperating with a second floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between at least one second load and the power source, the subsequent pulse configured to cause an ensuing slave to generate an additional pulse, the additional pulse cooperating with a corresponding floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between at least one additional load and the power source.
US08945112B2
A surgical system includes a portable surgical instrument and a sleeve. The portable surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly and a housing operably coupled to the end effector assembly. The housing includes a generator and a battery assembly coupled thereto and configured to supply energy to the end effector assembly for treating tissue. The sleeve is shaped complementarily to the housing and is removably positionable about the housing. The sleeve is configured to cool the housing and/or remove heat from the housing to inhibit overheating of the generator and/or the battery assembly.
US08945098B2
A surgical manipulation instrument which is particularly suitable for minimal invasive surgery, comprising an extra-corporeal drive device and a partial intra-corporeal manipulator part. The drive device comprises several axially displaceable first actuation elements. The first actuation elements are detachably connected to axially displaceable second actuation elements, by a coupling device, the second actuation elements being used to actuate an end effector. The coupling device comprises two coupling elements, one of the coupling elements having undercut recesses in which the second coupling element engages.
US08945096B2
An articulate probe device includes a first mechanism, a second mechanism, and an overtube mechanism. The first mechanism includes a proximal link which is movable coupled to a first intermediate link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a distal link which is moveably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. The second mechanism includes a proximal link which is movable coupled to a first intermediate link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a distal link which is moveably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. The overtube mechanism includes a proximal link which is movable coupled to a first intermediate link, a plurality of intermediate links, and a proximal link which is moveably coupled to a second one of the intermediate links. Further, at least one of the first mechanism, second mechanism, and overtube mechanism is steerable and extendable beyond the other mechanisms.
US08945095B2
An apparatus, system, and method for improving force and torque sensing and feedback to the surgeon performing a telerobotic surgery are provided. Groups of axially oriented strain gauges are positioned on a distal end of an instrument shaft proximate a moveable wrist of a robotic surgical instrument to sense forces and torques at the distal tip of the instrument. Advantageously, errors due to changes in the configuration of the tip or steady state temperature variations are eliminated. Other advantageous configurations and methods are disclosed.
US08945092B1
Systems and methods for accessing body tissue are disclosed. The systems and methods can include an introducer assembly for percutaneous access to a body lumen. The assembly can include a needle and an over-the-needle guidewire. The needle and the guidewire can be inserted into body tissue and the guidewire advanced into the body tissue relative to the needle. The needle can be removed after advancing the guidewire.
US08945089B2
A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse, and a separate tubular tip member forming the catheter distal tip. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.
US08945086B2
A syringe and needle assembly includes a needle that extends through the barrel of the syringe and is attached to a proximal portion of the syringe. The distal end of the needle extends through a sleeve attached to the distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the needle includes a spring which biases the needle proximally, so that the distal tip of the needle is normally retracted within the sleeve. The assembly can be used for injections in portions of a patient's body including delicate tissues that could be damaged if contacted by the needle tip.
US08945083B2
A light sensitive media packaging with unique shrink-wrap light protection label that works as a light barrier to protect media from light damage.
US08945078B2
A wearing article having a chassis bent in a crotch region. A diaper is folded along an imaginary lateral center line so that front and rear waist regions are in contact with each other and so that front and rear upper end edges in the regions substantially have the same level with each other. In such a folded state, first folds extending in the longitudinal direction are defined in portions of gasket cuffs which are biased toward the front waist region relative to the imaginary lateral center line. The first folds are defined along lateral edges of core of a liquid absorbent structure, and the gasket cuffs being located outboard of the lateral edges are folded along the first folds onto a garment-facing side of an outer sheet. Second folds which extend in the longitudinal direction are formed in containment cuffs. The second folds are lying on a side closer to the front waist region in relation to the imaginary lateral center line, and folded distal ends are expanded and folded to the garment-facing side of the outer sheet.
US08945077B2
The female urination device assists a female in urinating from a standing position and directs the urine a suitable distance from the female. The device comprises a first end having a first opening for discharging urine and a second end having a second opening for receiving the urine. The second opening is larger than the first opening. The device further comprises a retractable tip to extend the length of the device.
US08945073B2
A device (2) for generating a vacuum for vacuum therapy of wounds has a facility for generating a vacuum and a vessel (10) for receiving wound exudates suctioned out of a wound. The vessel (10) can be detachably fastened to the device. A connection (12) is provided for a suction tube, the suction tube leading to the body to establish vacuum communication among the facility generating the vacuum, the vessel (10) and the suction tube. A holding facility (102) provides for detachable fastening of the device (2) onto a strut or bar and comprises an essentially rigid holding part (104), which can be attached to a housing (4) of the device and which has a receptacle (106) for detachable disposition of a flexible holding strap (108). The holding strap (108) can be wrapped around the strut or bar through application of a tensile force.
US08945068B2
Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.
US08945066B2
A medication delivery apparatus for use with a medication container includes a housing, a fluid conduit at least partially extending within the housing and configured to deliver medication within the medication container to a patient, a medication port extending from the housing and configured to be coupled to a fluid outlet of the medication container, the medication port being fluidically coupled to the fluid conduit, and at least one sensor disposed within the housing to generate information characterizing administration of the medication for processing by a remote data collection system. The housing can have a size and shape that enables it to be supported by a first hand of a user while the user administers the medication from the medication container via the medication port using a second hand of the user. Related apparatus, systems, and techniques are also described.
US08945063B2
Injection systems comprising a powered injector and one or more hazardous agents are disclosed.
US08945058B2
A surgical access port is provided with a trocar cannula having a substantially rigid portion and an atraumatic distal tip. The atraumatic distal tip is substantially compliant relative to the rigid portion of the cannula. The trocar cannula provides unobstructed surgical access into a body cavity allowing the insertion and removal of surgical instruments through the trocar cannula and into the body cavity using a minimal sized incision or entryway.
US08945057B2
The present application concerns a cannula device for mounting in a base part (9) comprising a housing (Ia, 16) and at least one membrane (4) together defining at least 15 one cavity, the cannula device further comprises a cannula (3) mounted in the housing and being in fluid communication with the at least one cavity, said cannula device is provided with means (5) for attaching the device to the base part (9) on the proximal side of the device.
US08945054B2
An at least partly implantable system for injecting a substance into a patient's body, in particular a penis erection stimulation system, comprises one or more long, flexibly bendable infusion needles, the tip ends of which are disposed within and implanted along with at least one first housing, in particular adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. The respective other end or ends of the infusion needles are disposed and implanted along with at least one second housing remote from the first housing. A reservoir and a pump are also implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body is arranged for advancing and retracting the infusion needle such that its tip end penetrates the at least one first housing's outer wall in at least one penetration area, more specifically at least in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting the substance into the patient's body.
US08945050B2
A pen needle assembly (111) includes an outer shell (151) having a first end adapted to contact a patient's skin at an injection site. A hub (131) is movably disposed within the outer shell. A needle (121) is fixed to the movable hub and has a patient end for piercing the skin at the injection site. An inner shell (171) is disposed within the outer shell and adapted to engage the pen needle assembly with a drug delivery pen (100). A first spring (141) has a first end connected to the outer shell and a second end connected to the inner shell. A second spring (161) has a first end connected to the inner shell and a second end connected to the hub. An adhesive layer (191) is disposed on the movable hub for contacting and raising the skin at the injection site.
US08945044B2
Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to detect when at least one component of the pump system is exposed to an impact above a threshold level. In particular embodiments, the infusion pump system can be equipped with an impact detection system that can sense when an impact above the threshold level has occurred to the pump device, which thereby enables the infusion pump system to initiate appropriate patient safety countermeasures.
US08945043B2
A medical device, such as an infusion pump, obtains a contextual awareness of its operation by communicating with centralized patient records and or other medical equipment communicating with a common patient, and/or provides real time advisory information, at care point or remotely. A protocol obtained by the medical device from a protocol server provides context-aware protocols and necessary predicate information for those protocols. This predicate information may be discovered by the medical device communicating with electronic medical records and the associated medical equipment.
US08945039B2
Devices, systems, and methods for organ retroperfusion. In at least one embodiment of a method of organ perfusion of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of positioning at least part of a first catheter having a cannula within an artery of a patient, the first catheter configured to permit arterial blood to flow therethrough and further configured to permit a portion of the arterial blood to flow through the cannula, positioning at least part of a second catheter within a vein of the patient at or near a target organ, the second catheter configured to receive some or all of the portion of the arterial blood, and connecting the cannula of the first catheter to a portion of the second catheter so that some or all of the portion of the arterial blood flowing through the cannula is provided into the vein to treat a condition or disease of the target organ.
US08945037B2
A blood purification apparatus has a dialyzer (1), an arterial blood circuit (2) with a blood pump 4, a venous blood circuit 3, a dialysate introduction line L1, a dialysate discharge line L2, a substitution line L3, and a substitution pump 9 that supplies the dialysate flowing in the substitution line L3 to the arterial blood circuit 2. A control device (11) estimates or measures the concentration of blood in a dilution channel section A. The control device (11) controls the volume of dialysate supplied by the substitution pump 9 on the basis of the estimated or measured blood concentration.
US08945028B2
A lower extremity exoskeleton, configurable to be coupled to a person, includes: leg supports configurable to be coupled to the person's lower limbs and designed to rest on the ground during stance phases, with each leg support having a thigh link and a shank link; two knee joints, each configured to allow flexion and extension between respective shank and thigh links; an exoskeleton trunk configurable to be coupled to the person's upper body, rotatably connectable to the thigh links of the leg supports, allowing for the flexion and extension between the leg supports and the exoskeleton trunk; two hip actuators configured to create torques between the exoskeleton trunk and the leg supports; and at least one power unit capable of providing power to the hip actuators. In use, power is supplied to the hip actuators in an amount to reduce the energy consumed by a user during a walking cycle.
US08945023B2
An improved electrode layout for a continuous strip sensor is provided which reduces misalignment of the electrodes with the contacts which read the position of the strip. Better contact with the electrodes reduces or eliminates transient signals between stop positions of the sensor strip.
US08945019B2
A system and method for presenting information relating to heart data can involve operations including identifying arrhythmia events in physiological data obtained for a living being, receiving human assessments of at least a portion of the arrhythmia events, determining a measure of correlation between the human assessments and the identified events, and selectively presenting information regarding the identified events based on the measure of correlation. The operations can also include identifying atrial fibrillation events in physiological data obtained for a living being, obtaining heart rate data for the living being, and presenting information regarding the heart rate data and duration of the atrial fibrillation events together with a common time scale to pictographically represent heart rate trend with atrial fibrillation burden during a defined time period.
US08945016B2
Improved methods and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with fluidic systems such as the circulatory system of a living organism. In a first aspect, an improved method of continuously measuring pressure from a compressible vessel is disclosed, wherein a substantially optimal level of compression for the vessel is achieved and maintained using perturbations (e.g., modulation) of the compression level of the vessel. In one exemplary embodiment, the modulation is conducted according to a pseudo-random binary sequence (PBRS). In a second aspect, an improved apparatus for determining the blood pressure of a living subject is disclosed, the apparatus generally comprising a pressure sensor and associated processor with a computer program defining a plurality of operating states related to the sensed pressure data. Methods for pressure waveform correction and reacquisition, as well as treatment using the present invention, are also disclosed.
US08945014B2
An imaging system includes a plurality of elongated rails, a scanhead assembly, and a small animal mount assembly. The scanhead assembly is mounted to be moveable in a linear bidirectional manner along a longitudinal axis of the first rail. The small-animal mount assembly is mounted to be moveable in a linear bidirectional manner along a longitudinal axis of the second rail. The second rail is mounted relative to the first rail so the longitudinal axis of the second rail is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the first rail. The imaging system may also comprise a needle injection assembly that is mounted to be moveable in a linear bi-directional manner along the longitudinal axis of the third rail. The third rail is mounted such that a longitudinal axis of the third rail is substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the first rail.
US08945006B2
A method for identifying changes in an epilepsy patient's disease state, comprising: receiving at least one body data stream; determining at least one body index from the at least one body data stream; detecting a plurality of seizure events from the at least one body index; determining at least one seizure metric value for each seizure event; performing a first classification analysis of the plurality of seizure events from the at least one seizure metric value; detecting at least one additional seizure event from the at least one determined index; determining at least one seizure metric value for each additional seizure event, performing a second classification analysis of the plurality of seizure events and the at least one additional seizure event based upon the at least one seizure metric value; comparing the results of the first classification analysis and the second classification analysis; and performing a further action.
US08945005B2
Controlled activation identifiers for use in ingestible compositions, such as pharma-informatics enabled compositions, are provided. The identifiers include a controlled activation element that provides for activation of the identifier in response to the presence of a predetermined stimulus at a target site of interest. The invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including but not limited to, monitoring of therapeutic regimen compliance, tracking the history of pharmaceutical agents, etc.
US08945000B2
A distal end hood for an endoscope configured to be mounted on a distal end portion of an endoscope including an observation window, and a distal end surface of the distal end portion on which an opening is formed, the opening configured to spray a feed gas, the distal end hood for an endoscope including a conduit including: a first end portion on which a first opening is formed, the first opening being fitted together by insertion with an opening of the distal end surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope and being connectable to the opening; and a second end portion on which a second opening is formed, the second opening being disposed at a position away from the distal end surface toward a proximal end side of the endoscope.
US08944999B2
A coil system for the contactless magnetic navigation of a magnetic body in a work space, has a plurality of coils and a current controller for controlling the respective currents in the plurality of coils. In order to navigate the magnetic body to a variably predeterminable position in the work space, the current controller is designed such that the currents in the plurality of coils are such that the magnetic forces generated by the currents and acting upon the magnetic body at multiple positions at the edge of a convex environment around the predetermined position are directed into the environment. The coil system has the advantage that a movement of the magnetic body toward a spatial position is achieved without any mechanical movement of the coil system and without a positioning system for determining the position of the magnetic body. The coil system is utilized particularly in a medical device, wherein a magnetic body in the form of a probe is moved in the body of a patient. In this way, fast navigation of the probe in the patient's body can be achieved without mechanical movements of the patient table or of the coil system.
US08944998B2
In an endoscope apparatus in which an imaging element and a circuit board to which the imaging element is connected are provided inside a distal end of an insertion part, disconnection between the circuit board and a signal wiring line is prevented. In an endoscope apparatus including an insertion part to be inserted into the body, an imaging element, a circuit board electrically connected to the imaging element and arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the insertion part, and a signal wiring line electrically connected to the circuit board and extending in the longitudinal direction are provided within the insertion part, and a connecting portion between the circuit board and the signal wiring line is provided with a easing member that eases a force applied to the connecting portion.
US08944994B2
A device for sterilization check for an endoscope, comprising: an elongated insertion member insertable into an inner pipeline of the endoscope, wherein a plurality of indicator holding members each capable of holding a sterilization indicator for checking a sterilization effect by a sterilizing medium introduced to the inner pipeline are arranged on the insertion member along a longitudinal direction of the insertion member, and ones of the indicator holding members adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the insertion member are coupled together via a flexible coupling member deformable along a shape of the inner pipeline of the endoscope.
US08944989B2
Disclosed are single-incision surgical procedures for treatment of urinary incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders and related uses, devices, kits, and methods. Implants are also disclosed for use in the exemplary procedures. In certain embodiments, soft tissue anchors are used to anchor the surgical implants to obturator membranes of a patient.
US08944986B2
The present invention provides a biphasic and dynamic direct cardiac contact device adapted to be implanted in a patient suffering from congestive heart failure and related cardiac pathologies, said cardiac device having means for providing ventricular assist, ventricular support and diastolic recoil, or for providing ventricular support and diastolic recoil only.
US08944982B2
An apparatus comprising a dunnage conversion machine (30) for converting a stock material into a dunnage product, a stock material support (22) for a supply of stock material to be fed to the dunnage conversion machine, and a drop-and-slide mechanism (34) configured to allow the stock material support to be moved between an operating position and a loading position, which is spaced both horizontally and vertically from the operating position. The drop-and-slide mechanism includes a guide member (40) and a slide (42) to which the stock material support is mounted. The slide is supported by the guide member for horizontal movement relative to the guide member. A packer can pull the slide horizontally away from the operating position, causing the stock support to fall to the loading position, and the packer can push the slide away from the loading position, causing the stock support to rise to the operating position.
US08944981B2
An exercise machine applicable for strengthening a user's abdominal muscles is described. The exercise machine can include a track frame having a higher end and a lower end. Kneeling assemblies may be mounted on parallel gliding rails of the track frame to receive the knees from a user to make movements up and down between the lower end and the higher end of the track frame. Each kneeling assembly may be engaged with a pair of the gliding rails. A rotationally adjustable armrest holder may be adjustable rotationally mounted on the upper end of the track frame. The armrest holder can be oriented towards a direction having an angular relationship with an axis of the track frame between the lower end and the higher end. The armrest holder may capable of supporting the arms of the user making the movements with a twisting effect according to the angular relationship.
US08944979B2
Disclosed are embodiments of an exercise step that utilize spirally shaped air-cushioning legs. The direction of the spiral of the air-cushioning legs is alternated around the periphery of the exercise step to eliminate rotational creep. Flow regulators are utilized to control the flow of air from the top of each of the air-cushioning legs into an interior portion of the base of the exercise step. Spokes provide an air flow passage between the air flow regulators and the central air regulator, as well as providing structural support for the base. Rings are also used around the base that inner connect the spokes and provide additional support. Recessed portions of a lower plate of the base are welded to an upper plate during a blow molding process to add additional support to the base of the exercise step.
US08944978B2
A pull handle that is ergonomically designed to avoid unnatural stresses and/or discomfort to the user's body and joints through the range of motion. The invention enables a user to perform exercises that cannot be accomplished with existing handles or may be more difficult or uncomfortable to do so. These objects are achieved by providing one or more axes of rotation or flexibility in the pull handle so that the user's hand, wrist and/or arm (or foot, ankle and/or leg) may bend and/or rotate more naturally through the user's range of motion.
US08944976B2
An exercise device includes a first strap portion having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion joined together along a common longitudinal axis at varying points to define a first plurality of loops, a second strap portion having a third elongate portion and a fourth elongate portion joined together along a second common longitudinal axis at varying points to define a second plurality of loops, and an anchoring device. The first strap portion and the second strap portion are coupled to one another and the anchoring device is configured to hold or secure the coupled first and second strap portions such that the first plurality of loops and the second plurality of loops extend substantially symmetrically away from the anchoring device.
US08944972B2
A descent apparatus (1) including a housing (3) with a liquid conduit (4) therethrough and a float (8) constrained within the liquid conduit (4) and capable of slideable movement along a first path between an upper and a lower position. A moveable element (6) is located outside the liquid conduit (4) and is slideably coupled to the housing (3). A mechanical connector (9) physically connects the movable element (6) to the float (8) such that in use, the liquid conduit (4) contains liquid and the position of the float (8) is variable by applying a force to the movable element (6) and wherein the slideable movement of the float (8) along a first path produces a corresponding movement of the moveable element (6) outside the housing (3) along a second path co-axial, or parallel with the first path.
US08944971B2
The present invention is a progressive multi-purpose exercise device, which can be configured as 1) an exercise ball (no handles), 2) a kettle bell (one handle), 3) a medicine ball (two opposing handles), 4) a kettle bell-2 (two handles and 90 degrees) and 5) a rope attached ball with stretch cord and/or rope. For illustration purposes, it may be comprised of a series of elements and systems including, but not limited to, a Connection System, an Attachment Technology System, a Progressive System and a Retainment System with a top hemisphere, a bottom hemisphere, a series of circular weighted discs, a variety of single slot handles or double slot handles and an alignment shaft. The user friendly system allows any user to easily add or change handle configurations and add or change weights for a wide variety of over sixty different combinations of fitness equipment described herein.
US08944968B2
The invention pertains to a stationary exercise bike along with a display that provides instruction to lead a rider through an exercise program. The invention allows a rider to obtain benefits of a group, instructor-led class though the rider's schedule does not permit the rider to participate in the class. The invention also describes a method of exercising with the foregoing bike and display.
US08944967B2
A treadmill includes a base, a pair of parallel, spaced rollers rotatably disposed in the base, and an endless belt extending around both rollers, wherein the belt has a width which is large enough to accommodate two treadmill users side-by-side. The two treadmill users can be, for example, two adult people, or an adult person and a dog.
US08944958B1
A biometric monitoring device with a display is provided. The biometric monitoring device may track the completion progress towards one or more biometric performance goals and provide a goal celebration indicator upon completion of a biometric performance goal and subsequent receipt of an input signal. In some implementations, the completion of a biometric performance goal may be signaled prior to receipt of the input signal using a secondary indicator.
US08944952B2
A differential assembly having a clutch collar actuator mechanism. The clutch collar actuator mechanism includes an actuator and a fork that may pivot about a pivot axis to actuate a clutch collar.
US08944950B2
An electric drive unit (EDU) is configured for driving a first and second wheel of a vehicle. The EDU includes a rotor, a stator, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and a pair of engagement mechanisms. The first planetary gear set is operatively connected to the rotor and rotates about the drive axis in response to rotation of the rotor to transmit torque to the first wheel. The second planetary gear set is operatively connected to the rotor and rotates about the drive axis in response to rotation of the rotor to transmit torque to the second wheel. Rotation of the rotor causes each of the planetary gear sets to rotate about the drive axis. Each engagement mechanism is selectively engages a respective one of the planetary gear sets to vary the torque transmitted to the respective wheel.
US08944948B2
A flat belt (B) includes a cord retaining layer (11) in which a cord (14) extending in a belt length direction and arranged helically at a certain pitch in a belt width direction is embedded, and an inner rubber layer (12) provided on a belt inner side of the cord retaining layer (11) and serving as a pulley contracting portion. The cord retaining layer (11) is made of a rubber composition containing short fibers (15) which are mixed in a rubber component in an amount of 1 to 20 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, and are dispersed to be oriented in the belt width direction. The inner rubber layer (12) is made of a rubber composition not containing short fibers (15).
US08944942B2
A suspension system for eliminating the need to tightly grasp, grip or clench any apparatus (i.e. sports racket, hammer, device, instrument, tennis racquet, squash racquet, racquetball racquet, badminton racquet, lacrosse stick, etc), by producing an apparatus suspension system and decreasing or eliminating the amount of grip pressure required from the hand, wrist and the arm or any part of the body. The suspension system generally includes flexible suspension connector(s), stabilizers, connector-like devices, adjustable finger devices and an adjustable thumb device and/or a glove that, altogether, become a suspension system.
US08944919B2
A network game system includes a server apparatus and a plurality of video game apparatuses connected to the server apparatus. A party includes player characters of a plurality of players. When the party battles with an opponent character, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits movie playback information to each video game apparatus for starting playback of a movie. Each of the players can skip the movie at a desired timing. A screen is displayed on each video game apparatus that has skipped the movie until the battle starts. When information is received from each video game apparatus that indicates playback of the movie has ended, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits battle start information to each video game apparatus.
US08944914B2
Apparatuses, methods and systems for controlling a view of a virtual world character on a display are disclosed. One apparatus includes a controller, wherein the controller is operative to control translational movement and field of view of a character within a virtual world as rendered on a display based upon a first input and second input. The first input controls the translational movement of the character within the virtual world, and the second input controls the field of view as seen by the character within the virtual world. The video game apparatus further includes a sensor for sensing a spatial position of a user, wherein the sensor provides the first input based on the sensed spatial position of the user.
US08944909B2
The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses. Prize input is entered into a prize table describing multiple available prizes and also describing payout information that indicates a desired amount of payout that the operator wishes to provide back to players of the game apparatus in terms of the value of the prizes. Prize information, such as prize costs and specific prize win ratios, is automatically determined by the system for each of the prizes in view of the desired profitability of the game apparatus.Additionally, the invention provides method and article of manufacture for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e. web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.
US08944907B2
Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which allow a player, the gaming device, and/or the gaming system to rearrange the symbols on the reels to represent winning payline patterns.
US08944906B2
In a gaming device means for providing the player with interactive features that include at least one of establishing at least one new winning combination of symbols, establishing at least one new pay line, and enabling a player to bet on the occurrence of a specific combination of symbols at a particular pay line for one or a plurality of spins.
US08944890B2
An object is to provide an internal gear grinding machine and a dressing method for a barrel-shaped threaded tool which make it possible to achieve space savings and reduce the size of a machine by simplifying dressing operation. To achieve the object, an internal gear grinding machine for use in grinding a workpiece (W) by synchronously rotating the workpiece (W) and a barrel-shaped threaded grinding wheel (17) in mesh with each other includes a dressing device (20) for dressing the threaded tool (17) by meshing the threaded grinding wheel (17) with a disk dresser (56). At the time of dressing, the threaded grinding wheel (17) and the disc dresser (56) are operated in accordance with the helix angle and the barrel shape of the threaded grinding wheel (17).
US08944888B2
A chemical mechanical polishing pad includes a polishing layer, a recess being formed in a polishing surface of the polishing layer, the polishing layer including a surface layer that forms at least an inner side of the recess, and a ratio (D1/D2) of an average opening ratio D1(%) to an average opening ratio D2(%) being 0.01 to 0.5, the average opening ratio D1 being an average opening ratio of the inner side of the recess when the polishing layer has been immersed in water at 23° C. for 1 hour, and the average opening ratio D2 being an average opening ratio of a cross section of the polishing layer that does not intersect the surface layer when the cross section has been immersed in water at 23° C. for 1 hour.
US08944882B2
A track set configured to be mounted to a wall by a plurality of wall mounts, the track set having: a tower: a first upper track section configured to receive toy vehicles from a top portion of the tower; a second lower track section, wherein the first upper track section is angularly positioned such that toy vehicles traveling along the first track section move towards a second lower track section, wherein the second lower track section is configured to direct the toy vehicles towards a bottom portion of a tower; a corkscrew rotationally secured to the tower; and a motor coupled to the corkscrew, wherein operation of the motor causes the corkscrew to rotate, wherein rotation of the corkscrew causes the toy vehicles to move from the bottom portion of the tower to the top portion of the tower.
US08944881B2
A toy track set is disclosed herein, the toy track set having: a vehicle path defined by a track and a gap disposed between a pair of ends of the track; a carriage assembly configured to carry a toy vehicle across the gap such that the toy vehicle may travel from one of the pair of ends of the track to another one of the pair of ends of the track on the carriage assembly; a ferromagnetic material disposed in the track; wherein the toy vehicle has at least one magnet disposed on the toy vehicle such that the toy vehicle may travel on the track in anyone of an inverted or vertical fashion; and a release mechanism positioned on the carriage assembly, the release mechanism being configured to engage one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is in a first position and release the release mechanism from the one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is moved to a second position from the first position by the toy vehicle travelling onto the carriage assembly; and wherein the carriage assembly slides along a line from the one of the pair of ends of the track to the other one of the pair of ends of the track when the release mechanism is moved to the second position from the first position by the toy vehicle travelling onto the carriage assembly and wherein the toy vehicle travels from the carriage assembly onto the other one of the pair of ends of the track when the carriage assembly contacts the other one of the pair of ends of the track.
US08944880B2
An apparatus for distributing scale ballast over a model railroad track includes a hopper configured to funnel scale ballast to a spreader assembly, the spreader assembly including a spreader aperture formed between a compactor brush and a spreader plate, a chassis and a pair of contour skirts configured to contour scale ballast along the sides of the model railroad track.
US08944870B1
An exhaust passage of an outboard motor includes a first exhaust passage and a second exhaust passage. The second exhaust passage is positioned on a downstream side of the first exhaust passage. A first honeycomb structure is disposed inside the first exhaust passage. A second honeycomb structure is disposed inside the second exhaust passage. The first exhaust passage and the second exhaust passage are separate and independent members that are connected to each other. A first opening into which the first honeycomb structure can be inserted is provided at an end portion of the first exhaust passage. A second opening into which the second honeycomb structure can be inserted is provided at an end portion of the second exhaust passage.
US08944867B2
The invention provides devices and methods for providing a watercraft transom having an adjustable transom height feature allowing optimal matching with the drive shaft of the watercraft's motor. In one embodiment, the adjustable transom height feature comprises two transom height settings to accommodate long or extra long drive shafts or, alternatively short or long or, still more alternatively, short or extra long drive shafts. In another embodiment, the adjustable transom height feature comprises more than two transom height settings, preferably to include matching transom height to known and available outboard motor drive shafts in order to accommodate and virtually optimize any drive shaft length.
US08944861B2
A terminal fitting has a rectangular tube (2) with a ceiling plate (8). A struck portion (19) is formed by striking an extending end edge of the ceiling plate (8) inwardly of the rectangular tube (2) while maintaining a plate thickness. The inner surface of this struck portion (19) is at the same height as the projecting end of a ceiling plate side contact portion (18) and the outer surface of the struck portion (19) is at the same height as the inner surface of the ceiling plate (8) around the contact portion. A pressing portion (9) is bent from the upper end edge of a second side plate (5) to extend substantially parallel to a bottom plate (3) and contacts the outer surface of the struck portion (19). The pressing portion (9) does not project in a height direction from the ceiling plate (8).
US08944857B2
Power plugs that may include portions that can be used in different regions, may provide reliable functionality, may be reliably manufactured, and have a pleasant appearance. One example may provide a power plug that has a clip assembly that may be used in different regions. Another example may provide a power plug that functions in a reliable manner by having a durable overmold. Another example may provide a power plug that may be reliably manufactured by providing a contact that eliminates the need for soldering or welding, and also provides alignment features to protect the contact during assembly. Another example may provide a power plug that has an attractive appearance by forming an overmold over an inner mold.
US08944855B2
The present invention provides a communication jack for connecting to one of a first plug and a second plug. The jack includes a housing, plug interface contacts, and coupling circuitry. The plug interface contacts are at least partially within said housing and include a plurality of contact pairs having at least a first contact pair and a second contact pair. The coupling circuitry is configured for engaging said first contact pair and said second contact pair when said first plug is inserted into said housing. The coupling circuitry is configured for disengaging from said first contact pair and said second contact pair when said second plug is inserted into said housing.
US08944850B2
Connectors having improved signal paths. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector having a pair of first contacts adjacent to each other. Two second contacts may be located on each side of and adjacent to the pair of first contacts. The second contacts may include a front beam portion that contacts a front shield located along a front face of the connector. The front shield may in turn connect to a top shield that at least partially covers a top, sides, and back of the connector.
US08944849B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of contacts. The contacts include a plurality of signal contacts arranged in differential signal pairs and a plurality of ground contacts. Differential signal pairs are separated by signal contacts. A first ground bar connects each ground contact to form a first electrical connection. A second ground bar connects each ground contact to form a second electrical connection. The first ground bar is electrically connected to the second ground bar through at least a bridge.
US08944848B1
An electrical connector comprises an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing and including a grounding contact and a first pair of differential signal contacts. The first pair of differential signal contacts have a first signal contact and a second signal contact closing to the grounding contact. Each contact has a contacting portion, a soldering portion, a position portion and a connecting portion. A first distance is defined between a center line of the grounding contact and an inner side edge of the connecting portion of the second signal contact, a second distance is defined between the center line and an inner side edge of the soldering portion, and a third distance is defined between the center line and the position portion, the second distance and the third distance are both smaller than the first distance.
US08944846B2
An electrical signal connector for connecting a coaxial cable to a mating connector is disclosed to include a locknut, a metal central tube inserted through the locknut and defining a stop flange at one end, a barbed retaining portion at an opposite end, a locating groove around the periphery between the stop flange and barbed retaining portion and an annular bearing surface portion extending around the periphery between the stop flange and the locating groove, a chuck unit including a collar, which is press-fitted onto the annular bearing surface portion of the metal central tube and having longitudinal clamping strips suspending around the barbed retaining portion of the metal central tube, and a constraint shell surrounding the collar, and an actuation sleeve mounted within the constraint shell around the collar and manually axially movable relative to the chuck unit between two positions to compress or release the longitudinal clamping strips.
US08944832B1
A method includes securing a midplane in a chassis, wherein the midplane has one or more connectors, and securing a circuit board in a module, wherein the circuit board has one or more connectors secured along a leading edge of the circuit board for selectively connecting with the one or more connector on the midplane. The method further includes positioning the module so that the circuit board within the module is orthogonal to the midplane, and manually actuating a handle from an unlatched position to a latched position to rotate a cam plate and cause a cam surface of the cam plate to pull the circuit board toward the midplane and connect the one or more connector on the circuit board with the one or more connector on the midplane.
US08944819B2
An oral care agent delivery device is provided which comprises a permanently deformable backing layer, an oral care layer, and a non-woven binding material with a first part that is substantially invested in the oral care layer and a second part that is substantially invested in the backing layer. The device is sized to fit over a plurality of teeth in an upper or lower dental arch of a subject. The oral care layer comprises at least one oral care agent and at least one hydrophilic polymer. When hydrated, the oral care layer has an adhesiveness relative to the surface of a user's teeth that is sufficient to retain the device on the user's teeth when placed thereon. The device can also have an oral care agent which is activated on hydration of the oral care layer, or an oral care layer which releases the oral care agent over time.
US08944817B2
A connection device includes a holding shell and a retention insert. The retention insert has an end side and a substantially ring-shaped retention rim projecting therefrom. The holding shell has an end side and a substantially ring-shaped holding rim projecting therefrom. An outer surface of the retention rim is at least partly spaced from and adjacent to an inner surface of the holding rim when the retention insert is arranged in the holding shell and when essentially no radial forces are acting on the holding rim and on the retention rim. In that the outer surface of the retention rim and inner surface of the holding rim are at least partly not contacting each other when essentially no radial forces are acting, it can be achieved that the retention insert is connected relatively loosely with the holding shell when the connection device has not yet been placed on the implant structure.
US08944815B2
A locking cap for dental implants embedded in hard dental tissue, such as tooth stubs or bones. The locking caps are ovoidal in plan view and may be formed of materials, such as non-adherent polymers, that are rigid, but softer than the material of the dental implant.
US08944806B2
A blow mold unit including a blow mold including first and second blow cavity split molds and a plurality of raised bottom molds, first and second pressure receiving plates, a first fixing plate to which the first blow cavity split mold and the first pressure receiving plate are fixed, a second fixing plate to which the second blow cavity split mold and the second pressure receiving plate are fixed, a third fixing plate interposed between the first and second fixing plates and to which the plurality of raised bottom molds are fixed at a first surface thereof, a shaft portion extending vertically from a second surface of the third fixing plate, an elevation guide block fixed to one of the first and second fixing plates and elevation guiding the shaft portion, and an elevating rod extending vertically from the second surface. There is also a blow molding machine which includes the blow mold unit.
US08944804B2
A medical device includes a textured surface having a predetermined nanostructure, wherein the nanostructure is less than about 500 nanometers in a broadest dimension. The textures nanostructure surface reduces friction between the medical device and biological tissue.
US08944803B2
A machine and method of extruding concrete building product, e.g., brick, tile, paver, or shingles, and concrete mixture therefor. The mixture has aggregate, liquid and binder that includes fly ash and can include slag with moisture content controlled producing a zero or negative slump loose feed mixture compacted in a consolidation chamber of the machine into increased density consolidated mixture extruded from an extrusion chamber in communication with the consolidation chamber with compaction force being generally transverse to extrusion force. Compaction force is maintained during extrusion through a die of non-tapering construction. Where the extruded product is a brick, the extruded slug is cut into a plurality of bricks using a rotary cutter having an offset forming an increased moisture absorbing region in the cut surface of each brick formed from the slug that better bonds with mortar during bricklaying.
US08944802B2
A fused filament fabrication printer uses a plurality of fixed printing heads mounted to a structure over a build platform on which the model is built by constructing each layer of the model as the build platform is indexed through a multiplicity of successive print planes. The build platform may be in the form of a circular disk mounted for rotation about a z-axis and for linear motion along the z-axis between successive print planes, and for linear motion along a y-axis which is a selected radial direction perpendicular to the z-axis. Because the printheads are fixed, multiple printheads are easily affixed with respect to the build platform along the same radial line defining the y-axis transverse to the selected radial direction along which the build platform moves.
US08944801B2
A pellet press for producing pellets from material which is to be compressed. In the pellet press, the biomass is compressed through the holes of the die by at least one press device comprising a roller which rolls on the die, to form pellets. The die and/or the roller move in relation to each other during the production thereof. Provides essential machine elements or modules which are simple to access and also quick to exchange. The construction and operation of the pellet press should be modular so that the production power can be variably adjusted and/or the production is independent of the repairs of individual modules. At least one press device comprising at least one roller and/or the die is arranged inside a press frame in the pellet press, the press frame being embodied in the form of at least one C-frame and/or at least one window frame.
US08944798B2
A gas assisted co-extrusion apparatus includes a co-extrusion die in communication with an extruder. A nozzle that is defined by a bore in the co-extrusion die extends about a nozzle axis to a nozzle exit of the co-extrusion die. An injector extends through the bore of the co-extrusion die along the nozzle axis. The injector and nozzle together form a dough into a rope that is tubular with a wall portion and an inner cavity surrounded by the wall portion as the dough is extruded out of the nozzle exit and about the injector. A compressed gas source provides a compressed gas out of an injector outlet and into the inner cavity of the rope to radially stretch the wall portion of the rope as the rope is dispersed from the injector. The co-extrusion die is spaced from the extruder to define a void therebetween. A delivery system delivers an entrainable material to the compressed gas in a pipe. The pipe is connected to an injector inlet of the injector in the void. This allows the pipe to operate within the ambient temperature of the environment and for the entrainable material to be entrained into the compressed gas prior to being introduced into the injector.
US08944788B2
Methods for controlling the net-displacement of a rotary fluid pressure device are disclosed. One of the net-displacement control methods (47) includes obtaining a desired input parameter (23) and a relative position (21) of a first member (43) and a second member (35) of a fluid displacement mechanism. A determination of a first and second output value is then made for each of a plurality of volume chambers (45) when the volume chambers (45) are supplied with fluid at fluid inlet and fluid outlet conditions, respectively. A total output value is then computed for each of a plurality of control valve configurations (63) and compared to the desired input parameter (23). The control valve configuration (63) with the total output value most similar to the desired input parameter (23) is then selected. A plurality of control valves (15) are then actuated in accordance with the selected control valve configuration (63).
US08944786B1
A pedicure spa or hydrotherapy system for circulating fluid which includes a motor coupled magnetically with an impeller assembly on the wall of the pedicure spa or hydrotherapy system is disclosed. The system is designed to have low energy consumption and an ultra low profile while at the same time providing a pipeless water circulation that is easy to operate and clean. In addition, the invention minimizes the growth of bacteria within the pumping system as the impeller assembly is easily removed from the wall for cleaning without any mechanical aids. In certain embodiments, the magnetic propulsion and coupling device includes a multi-directional combination of strategically placed and alternating-pole magnets on magnet plates and additional magnets in the housing.
US08944784B2
A motor device includes a main body, an assembling body, a stator and a rotor. The main body includes a first bearing hole and a plurality of first connectors, and all distances between each of the first connectors and an axle of the first bearing hole are the same. The assembling body has a second bearing hole. The stator includes a passage and a plurality of second connectors, the second connectors are coupled to the first connectors respectively to have the stator assembled in the main body, and the passage and the first bearing hole are coaxial. The rotor is disposed inside the passage and two ends of the rotor are installed in the first bearing hole and the second bearing hole respectively. By having both the stator and the rotor positioned by the main body, a gap between the rotor and the stator can be maintained consistently.
US08944782B2
A compact manual pump includes a body, a valve assembly connected with the body, and a first cylinder assembly rotatable with respect to the body. The body includes first and second collect inlets, and an exhaust outlet. The first cylinder assembly includes a seat, first and second inflating inlets. While the first cylinder assembly is rotated to switch to low pressure pumping mode, the first inflating inlet is connected with the first collect inlet and the second inflating inlet is connected with the second collect inlet and the exhaust outlet is blocked by the seat. While the first cylinder assembly is rotated to switch to high pressure pumping mode, the first inflating inlet is connected with the first collect inlet and the second inflating inlet is connected with the exhaust outlet and the second collect inlet is blocked by the seat.
US08944781B2
A horizontal type electrically driven gas compressor includes an electric motor installed in a suction chamber of a housing, a gas compression mechanism section installed in the housing and driven by the electric motor, a sucked refrigerant guide path for guiding a refrigerant from the suction chamber to the gas compression mechanism section, and a lubricating oil supply path for supplying a lubricating oil, which has been collected and stagnated in a bottom portion of the suction chamber, to the sucked refrigerant guide path, the lubricating oil supply path fluidly connecting the sucked refrigerant guide path and the bottom portion of the suction chamber at the position of the bottom portion of the suction chamber.
US08944779B2
The invention relates to a rotary lobe pump for conveying solids-laden fluids engendered in agriculture, in which the conveyed fluid volume flow adapts itself to different operating modes. For improved self-priming, the rotary lobe pump is designed for vertical mounting of the rotary lobes, wherein an angular gear is provided. The rotary lobes are mounted in a topside or underside cover, wherein the axes of the rotary lobes are vertically oriented. Using one of the covers, the rotary lobes can be vertically removed and maintained without having to dismantle other pump components from the pump housing. The rotary lobes can also be removed together with the angular gear as an integral pump component using one of the covers.
US08944775B2
A wind turbine blade with a flow guiding device attached to a profiled contour on a pressure side of the blade is described. The flow guiding device extends along at least a longitudinal part of a transition region of the blade and is arranged so as to generate a separation of airflow along at least a central longitudinal portion of the flow guiding device from the pressure side of the blade at a point between the flow guiding device and a trailing edge of the blade, when the blade is impacted by an incident airflow. The inflow surface, in at least the central longitudinal portion, is formed so that, for each transverse cross-section, a end point tangent to the inflow surface at the end point crosses the profiled contour at a crossing point, where the profiled contour has a profile tangent to the profiled contour, and wherein an angle between the profile tangent and the end point tangent is at least 45 degrees.
US08944769B2
A blade assembly for a torque converter including a shell with an inner surface and a plurality of blades attached to the shell by brazing. Each blade has a first surface for guiding a fluid in the torque converter and a second surface substantially parallel to the inner surface. The blades may include sheet steel and may be made by stamping. In an example embodiment of the invention, each blade includes at least one tab, the shell comprises a plurality of slots or indents, and the at least one tab is disposed in a respective slot or indent. The shell may be an outer shell or a core ring for a pump or turbine for the torque converter.
US08944759B2
A fan cooling system has individual fan modules which are connected together in an end-to-end configuration, where one of the fan modules is connected to a mechanism which rotates the linear array of fan modules. The fan modules are substantially identical, which allows prefabrication of the fan modules prior to on-site installation of the system. Each fan module may contain water injection piping and nozzles, which allows the fan cooling system to dispense fog. The linear array of fan modules may be rotated along a longitudinal axis, such that the axial flow direction of the fans may be changed with respect to a vertical plane. A suggested use of the fan cooling system is for the cooling of livestock in large livestock structures.
US08944755B2
A variable throat device for an air compressor, which is disposed in an air suction passage of an air compressor, and may secure reliable flow control by changing a cross-sectional area of the passage through application of force to the passage, significantly reduce a possibility of unsteady flow by suppressing generation of a vortex in an air stream, secure a desired flow rate without pressure loss in the air stream, and reduce fatigue load applied to a compressor impeller through stabilization of suction flow in order to achieve significant reduction of vibration of the impeller is provided.
US08944754B2
A gas-turbine engine with at least one compressor and at least one bleed-air tapping device, which includes an annular duct in a radially outer wall of a flow duct, and with an annular closing element, which is arranged in the region of the annular duct and can be moved in a substantially axial direction from a closed position to an open position, with the closing element having an annular flow divider projection which in the open position projects in the flow duct.
US08944749B2
An oil purge system for a mid turbine frame (MTF) of a gas turbine engine has an oil transfer tube surrounded by a heat shield tube. The oil transfer and heat shield tubes extend at their respective inner ends downwardly from an oil port of a bearing housing and terminate at their respective outer ends projecting outwardly from an annular wall of an outer case of the MTF. Oil leaked from the oil port is purged by pressurized air through an annular cavity formed between the oil transfer and heat shield tubes, and is discharged out of the MTF.
US08944733B2
A device for holding an add-on part on a support part in an assembly position and in a pull-out position. The device includes an insertion clip and a plug-in part. In an assembly position of the add-on part on the support part, the plug-in part is in engagement with the insertion clip whereas, after the add-on part has been spaced apart from the support part, the plug-in part can be disengaged from the insertion clip by displacement in the direction of a foot end of the insertion clip and can be removed together with the add-on part, which is connected to the plug-in part, from the insertion clip which remains in the support part.
US08944732B2
A machining head replaceable rotating tool having a fastening male screw and a fastening female screw disposed on respective shaft centers of one and the other of a machining head and a holder, the fastening male and female screws being threadably engaged with each other to concentrically and removably attach the machining head to a tip portion of the holder, the machining head and the holder being disposed with abutting surfaces abutted against each other in a fastened state when the fastening male and female screws are threadably engaged, the machining head replaceable rotating tool being integrally and rotationally driven via the holder in a tool rotation direction causing the fastening male and female screws to be fastened by a machining load to perform predetermined machining with the machining head, the abutment of the abutting surfaces preventing the fastening male and female screws from being further fastened by a machining load, the fastening male and female screws being saw-tooth buttress screws having a following flank angle α smaller than a leading flank angle β.
US08944728B2
A screw tap includes a shaft having at least one cutting portion and a drive portion. The drive portion is of a cross-section complimentary to tools adapted to act upon the drive portion. The shaft is provided with a recess extending axially thereof and adapted to receive drive device having a cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the recess.
US08944722B1
A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression system configured to accommodate a change in an underlying tubular diameter. The system including an encircling member dimensioned to at least partially encircle an underlying tubular. The encircling member may be, for example, a collar or a VIV suppression device such as a strake, or any other type of VIV suppression device. The system further including a band member dimensioned to encircle the encircling member and hold the encircling member around the underlying tubular at a desired axial position. A spring member may further be provided. The spring member may be positioned between the encircling member and the band member and dimensioned to contract in response to an increase in a diameter of the underlying tubular and expand in response to a decrease in a diameter of the underlying tubular such that the encircling member remains at the desired axial position.
US08944720B2
A system for containing and managing fluids produced at a work site, such as an oil or gas drilling site, includes one or more fluid containments formed as a basin for collecting and retaining fluids, a berm forming a perimeter of the containments, a layer of sand placed over each basin, a fluid-impermeable membrane placed over the layer of sand, and drainage stone placed over the membrane, filling the basin. A geotextile fabric can be placed over the membrane to help protect the membrane from adverse affects of the drainage stone. A leak detection system can be coupled with the membrane to identify potential leaks in a containment system. One or more catch basins can extend through the basin and the drainage stone filling the basin, to receive fluids. A drainage system is placed in fluid communication with the catch basins to drain fluids from a containment.
US08944715B2
A sanitary disposable writing instrument for minimizing the transfer of bacteria, viruses and/or chemicals from one person to another including a strip of flexible holding material, a writing implement removably secured to the flexible holding material, and a writing tip associated with the writing implement. At least a second writing instrument can be provided to form a series of removably secured writing instruments wherein removal of one writing instrument from the series causes a next writing instrument to be positioned for removal from the series. Combination dispenser and holding members for dispensing the series of writing instruments in a sanitary manner is also provided. The holding members can be mounted on either a vertical or horizontal support surface and can receive replacement dispensers therein.
US08944707B2
A printing medium supplying unit usable with an image forming apparatus which includes a casing and a feeding unit to feed a printing medium, and the image forming apparatus having the same. The printing medium supplying unit includes a feeding cassette to store and to supply the printing medium; and a guide unit rotatably coupled to the feeding cassette to guide the printing medium to the feeding unit.
US08944704B2
A communication device includes a mechanical shell, which is configured to be inserted into a Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) receptacle and contains a notch configured to hold a ferrule for mating with a connector of a passive optical cable. The mechanical shell includes molded upper and lower covers, which are joined together along an assembly line. A pair of elastic clips are molded integrally with at least one of the upper and lower covers and are configured to receive and hold the connector when mated with the ferrule. Circuitry within the shell includes electrical terminals configured to mate with corresponding terminals of the receptacle.
US08944702B2
A fiber optic connector assembly includes a connector and a carrier. The connector, defining a longitudinal bore extending through the connector and having a first end region and a second end region, includes a ferrule assembly, having an optical fiber extending through the connector, at least partially disposed in the longitudinal bore at the first end region, a tube, defining a passage and having a first end portion disposed in the longitudinal bore at the second end region and a second end region, and a spring disposed in the bore between the ferrule assembly and the tube. The carrier includes a cable end and a connector end engaged with the connector, a termination region disposed between the connector end and the cable end, a fiber support region disposed between the connector end and the termination region, and a take-up region disposed between the connector end and the fiber support region.
US08944686B2
The present invention relates to a radial foil bearing for supporting a rotary shaft. The radial foil bearing includes a top foil, a back foil, and a bearing housing accommodating the top and back foils. The top foil is formed by winding a rectangular metal foil into a cylindrical shape so that one end of the metal foil is extended out in a tangential direction of a cylinder formed by the metal foil. An engagement groove is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the bearing housing in an axial direction of the bearing housing, and the engagement groove is formed so that a depth direction thereof corresponds to one tangential direction of the cylinder of the top foil. The one end of the top foil engages with the engagement groove.
US08944684B2
A bag construction for use to distribute flowable material is provided. The bag construction generally includes a first and second panel sections and one or more side gusset panel sections. An internal gusset member may be positioned inside the bag construction, between the first and second panel sections. A tape is disposed inside the bag construction and secures portions of end edges to other sections. In preferred embodiments, a bag construction includes an openable and reclosable closure arrangement and an anti-tamper arrangement.
US08944678B2
An instrumentation rake assembly comprises a rake tower capped at an immersed end and mated to a lead carrier at a base end. The rake tower comprises a curved wall oriented along a longitudinal axis and supporting a plurality of probe holders. The curved wall has an inner surface defining an internal passage for carrying instrumentation from the probe holders to the lead carrier. In another aspect, an instrumentation rake assembly comprises a plurality of rake towers, each having a base end and an immersed end, and each rake tower being coupled at its immersed end to one or more other rake towers.
US08944676B2
An assembly including a member made of a first material, which is axially driven into a circular aperture of a part made of a second material that is brittle, using an intermediate part made of a third material and mounted between the member and the part is disclosed. The intermediate part is a continuous cylinder including a hole for receiving the member so that the intermediate part absorbs radially and in a uniform manner, at least part of the axial driving force of the member. The part includes pierced holes forming elastic deformation units distributed around the circular aperture thereof for absorbing any of the radial force not absorbed by the intermediate part, so as to secure the assembly in a non-destructive manner for the part.
US08944670B2
The base for a light emitting diode lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cap which covers an end of a tube of the light emitting diode lamp; and two pins which are extended respectively from the cap toward the outside of an end of the tube. One of the two pins is nonconductive and the other one of the two pins is conductive.
US08944669B2
An LED light device includes a multiple surface LED track, or multiple LED tracks, having built-in movable LED-unit(s) which can be clipped-on, added, or inserted anywhere along the track or from ends of the track.
US08944667B2
A light emitting module and a display device including the light emitting module are provided. The light emitting module may include a metal plate, a board, and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The board may be attached to a side surface of the metal plate, and light emitting diodes may be arranged on the board.
US08944662B2
Extended area lighting devices, which are useful e.g. as luminaires, include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide. The diffractive surface features are tailored to extract guided-mode light from the light guide. The light guides can be combined with other components and features such as light source(s) to inject guided-mode light into the light guide, light source(s) to project light through the light guide as non-guided-mode light, a framework of interconnected support members (attached to multiple such light guides), and/or a patterned low index subsurface layer that selectively blocks some guided mode light from reaching the diffractive surface features, to provide unique and useful lighting devices. Related optical devices, and optical films having diffractive features that can be used to construct such devices and light guides, are also disclosed.
US08944660B2
A light guide (201) including a transparent element is presented. The transparent element includes a first end (203) including a place for a light source, a second end (204) opposite the first end, an outer surface (205) between the first and second ends, and an interior channel (206) extending from the first end to the second end. The interior channel includes a first portion (207) beginning from the first end and a second portion (208) extending to the second end. The first portion is shaped to guide at least part of light falling to its wall into the transparent material and the outer surface provides total reflection for reflecting the light towards the second end. The second portion is shaped so that light passed through the first portion without falling to a wall of the first portion reaches the second end without falling to a wall of the second portion.
US08944652B2
An optical axis adjusting screw (15) is provided with a shaft portion (16), a gear portion (17), and an elastic engagement portion (18). The elastic engagement portion (18) is provided with a base end (18BE) and a free end (18FE). The base end (18BE) is fixed to the shaft portion (16). A distal end face (18a) is formed at the free end (18FE) and is substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the shaft portion (16). There is no parting line on the distal end face (18a).
US08944628B2
A lighting system for illuminating the interior of a container, such as a purse, includes a light strip having multiple lights, a battery to power the lights, an ON/OFF switch to operate the lights, and a timer set to a predetermined time. Pressing the ON/OFF switch a first time activates the lights and starts the timer. Pressing the ON/OFF switch a second time while the timer is still activated will deactivate the lights. If the predetermined time elapses and the ON/OFF switch is not pressed a second time, the lights will deactivate automatically. The lighting strip is covered in a PVC protective coating and encased in a fabric encasement to match the interior of the container. The fabric encasement is stitched or otherwise fixedly attached to the interior of the container adjacent to the top opening of the container.
US08944627B1
A recessed lighting device includes an electrical component housing that has a cavity. The recessed lighting device also includes a plaster ring that includes a plaster plate that has an opening therethrough. The plaster ring also includes a body extending substantially orthogonally from a perimeter of the opening towards the electrical component housing. The recessed lighting device further includes an illuminated panel that includes an electrical component assembly inserted through the opening and into the cavity, where the electrical component assembly is positioned within the electrical component housing.
US08944621B2
A shelving assembly (500) includes a pair of sheet metal sidearms (506) having ladder connectors (508) releasably coupled to cantilever ladders (504). An LED strip (520) having spaced apart LEDs is positioned immediately behind a refrigerator shelf (516). A rear form (522) is used for securing the LED strip (520) to a refrigerator shelf (516). The LED strip (520) is powered through electrical contact modules (524) which conductively connect to low voltage power strips (534).
US08944614B2
A protective cover for an electronic device includes a front casing and a rear removably coupled to the front casing to substantially enclose the electronic device therein. The rear casing includes a plurality of mounting slots in spaced relation thereon, each mounting slot configured to receive a mounting clip to attach the cover with electronic device to an external article. The rear casing includes an aperture which aligns with a camera lens of the electronic device within the cover. The cover includes a lens assembly removably attached in the aperture of the rear casing to extend the viewing capabilities of the camera lens.
US08944613B2
A vibrating device includes a transducer including a plate-like dust-proof member and a vibration-applying member configured to vibrate the dust-proof member, a holder arranged a predetermined space apart from the dust-proof member, a sealing member configured to seal a space between the dust-proof member and the holder, and a pressing supporting member having formed therein pressing sections configured to press the dust-proof member, supporting sections for maintaining supporting of the dust-proof member or the vibration-applying member when an external force is applied to the dust-proof member, and fixing sections with respect to the holder. The pressing sections are respectively provided in positions symmetrical to each other across an imaginary axis passing a center of gravity of the transducer. Rigidity of the supporting sections is set higher than rigidity of the pressing sections.
US08944611B2
When images are projected in a superposing manner on a screen by a plurality of projectors, a controller of a projector obtains drive timing information of liquid crystal panels of the plurality of projectors and controls a drive timing of a drive unit on the basis of the obtained drive timing information so as to reduce a flicker of a display image.
US08944610B2
An image projection apparatus includes a light source; a projected image outputting unit having multiple mirrors arranged in a matrix, to which radiating light emitted from the light source while controlling an angle of a light reflection face of each of the mirrors; a control unit controls the angle of light reflection face of the mirrors using the a division half-toning control based on image data of a projected image, and settings of control parameters used for the time division half-toning control; and an image capturing device to capture the projected mage. When the control unit detects a false contour in a projected test pattern image based on image data of the projected test pattern image captured by the image capturing device, the control unit corrects the control parameters for the time division half-toning control based on detection of the false contour.
US08944603B2
An ophthalmologic apparatus includes an integration unit configured to integrate a light emission amount of a light source for illuminating a subject's eye, a comparison unit configured to compare an integration value by the integration unit with a first reference value, and an initialization unit configured to initialize the integration value if the integration value exceeds the first reference value as the comparison result by the comparison unit.
US08944598B2
Provided is an actuator formed in a substrate including a handle layer, an elastic body layer, and an insulating layer, the actuator including a movable portion supported to a support portion by an elastic body, a movable comb electrode formed on the movable portion, a fixed comb electrode supported by the support portion, and electrode wirings connected to the respective comb electrodes in which the elastic body supports the movable portion such that the movable portion is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the substrate in accordance with voltages applied to the comb electrodes; the comb electrodes are made up of the handle layer, and the elastic body is made up of the elastic body layer; and a handle layer separation groove is provided to electrically separate between the handle layers of the support portions supporting the comb electrodes, and a structure reinforcing portion is formed across the separation groove.
US08944597B2
Systems and methods for efficiently displaying large volumes of medical imaging data using pre-defined dynamic displays to illustrate key anatomic features are described. In a preferred embodiment, one or more pulse files comprising en face images of sub sections of the volume are displayed sequentially to the user in a playback loop. These displays can aid in navigation of data for review and future data acquisition. Additional images generated from the data can be displayed next to or overlaid on the pulse files.
US08944592B2
The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves heating a silicone hydrogel contact lens in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, highly branched, thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having positively-charged azetidinium groups, to and at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one azetidinium group and one of the reactive functional groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrophilic coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens. Such method can be advantageously implemented directly in a sealed lens package during autoclave.
US08944590B2
Embodiments may provide a first device that comprises eyeglasses, where the eyeglasses may further include a lens housing, a first temple and a second temple coupled to the lens housing, and a first and a second lens supported by the lens housing. The first device may further include a façade that covers the lens housing. The first device may further comprise an electronic component and at least one conductive path may be provided from the electronic component to the first lens having a portion that runs through the lens housing.
US08944587B2
A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a recording portion; a medium-supply portion; a support member for supporting a recording medium while facing the recording portion; a conveyor mechanism including a conveyance guide and a conveyor roller; a first housing accommodating the recording portion; and a second housing accommodating the medium-supply portion, the support member, and the conveyor mechanism. The first housing is pivotable about a pivot shaft with respect to the second housing. The conveyance guide includes a guide portion disposed downstream of the conveyor roller and upstream of the recording portion and having an inclined guide face. The guide portion is opposed to the recording portion in the second direction with a clearance therebetween. The recording portion is configured to pass through a space corresponding to the clearance when the first housing is pivoted between the ejection position and the distant position.
US08944584B2
An ink jet recording apparatus capable of landing an ink drop on an exact position on a recording medium is provided. The ink jet recording apparatus performs recording on a recording medium which has been subjected to application processing with a pretreatment liquid. The ink jet recording apparatus has an electrostatic belt which has a resistance layer formed on the surface thereof, and a power feed roller which imparts charges to the surface of the electrostatic belt. The recording head discharges ink to the surface of the recording medium when the back of the recording medium comes into contact with the surface of the electrostatic belt to which the charges have been imparted.
US08944574B2
The invention relates to a droplet break up device comprising: a chamber for containing a printing liquid comprising a bottom plate; a pump for pressurizing the printing liquid; an outlet channel having a central axis, provided in said chamber for ejecting the printing liquid; and an actuator for breaking up a fluid jetted out of the outlet channel. The actuator is provided around the outlet channel, arranged to symmetrically impart a pressure pulse central to the outlet channel axis. Accordingly, smaller droplets can be delivered at higher frequencies.
US08944554B2
There is provided a liquid jetting apparatus including: a main body, a liquid jetting head including a plurality of nozzles, a first board including a data generation circuit which generates a jetting control data, a second board, and first and second wiring members respectively connecting the liquid jetting head and the first and second boards, wherein the first wiring member is provided with jetting-data transmission wires, and the first wiring member is arranged to bend on an inner side of the second wiring member.
US08944552B2
An inkjet printing apparatus includes a printhead including a temperature sensor and an element array formed by arraying a plurality of heat generation elements each of which generates a thermal energy required to discharge an ink in response to application of a driving pulse, a specifying unit configured to specify a portion used in printing of the element array, and a selection unit configured to select a driving pulse to be applied to the respective heat generation elements based on the portion specified by the specifying unit and a temperature of the printhead measured by the temperature sensor.
US08944540B2
A refrigerator which improves the structure of an auto closing apparatus, increases the sealing ability of a door, and omits mounting of a separate spring. The refrigerator includes at least one door opening and closing at least one storage chamber provided in a main body, at least one upper hinge module including a body part and an extension part rotatably coupled to the at least one door, at least one lower hinge module, a door cap installed on an upper portion of the at least one door and including a hinge receiving part, an auto close lever coupled to the door cap and has elasticity to transmit elastic force to the door, and a cam member including a cam surface contacting the auto close lever so that the auto close lever accumulates elastic force and then transmits the elastic force to the door when the door is closed.
US08944539B2
The present invention discloses a sealing system for a refrigerator and, more particularly, a sealing system located between the doors of a refrigerator and its acclimatized chambers and of the kind that comprises a gasket to be inserted in a receiving channel existing also between the doors of a refrigerator and its acclimatized chambers. The sealing system for refrigerator herein reported consists of at least one gasket comprising a tubular body formed by at least one attaching end and by at least one sealing body; at least one groove defined in at least one movable door or at least one fixed cabinet; and by at least one rib defined in at least one movable door or at least one fixed cabinet.
US08944533B2
A rack is presented including a plurality of at least first and second frame pieces adapted to be interconnected, wherein each frame extends along a longitudinal axis. The rack includes a corner connector arranged to interconnect at least the first frame piece and the second frame piece with the longitudinal axes of the first and second interconnected frame pieces arranged obliquely to one another. The rack includes at least first and second bracing units in which, for the purpose of connecting a plurality of frame pieces, the first bracing unit is capable of bracing the first frame piece against the corner connector arranged between the first and second frame pieces to be connected, and the second bracing unit is capable of bracing the second frame piece against the corner connector obliquely to the first frame piece. Each bracing unit includes at least one tensioning element and two force transmission members.
US08944532B2
A modular apparatus is composed of a plurality of modules obtained from molding plastic materials and adapted to be combined at the user's discretion in order to obtain pieces of furniture with different shapes and dimensions, preferably wardrobes.
US08944526B2
Upon occurrence of a change in the load versus fluid loss property, the braking force for the given brake pedal operation amount is changed so that the vehicle operator is enabled to perceive the change in the load versus fluid loss property. In a vehicle brake system comprising a motor actuated cylinder, wheel cylinders, a stroke sensor for detecting a brake pedal operation amount, a target value setting circuit for setting a target stoke of the motor actuated cylinder, and a fluid pressure compensating circuit for correcting the target stoke upon detection of a deviation between a brake fluid pressure reference value corresponding to the brake pedal operation amount and an actual brake fluid pressure in a direction to reduce the deviation, a stroke limiting circuit restricts a compensation value produced by the fluid pressure compensation circuit according to the brake pedal operation amount.
US08944522B2
A flanged bearing ring (10) for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes two different materials joined as a single piece: a tubular core (15) and an outer body (16) around the core. The outer body forms a radial flange (17) and is made of a lighter material than that of the core. At the axially outer end of the ring, at the side where the flange (17) is provided, the interface surfaces between the external body (16) and the core (15) terminate in a groove (21) formed partly in the outer body and partly in the core. The groove (21) accommodates a sealing ring of polymeric material (22) which is cast and continuously covers a circular separation line (23) at the axially outer end of the interface between the core (15) and the outer body (16).
US08944502B2
Saddle for bicycle, comprising a shaped shell (2) for the support of the user and at least a rail (3) for connecting the saddle to a seat post, the saddle comprises fixing detachable means (4) of the rail to the shell, and means of regulation (28) of the rigidity of the shell.
US08944494B2
A load transmission portion which projects toward a roof rail outer panel is provided at a position between the roof rail outer panel and a roof rail inner panel which is located substantially at the same longitudinal-position as an upper end of a pillar outer panel. Accordingly, a center pillar can be properly restrained from coming into a vehicle compartment, restraining any improper increase of the number of components.
US08944491B2
In a wind deflector for installation in a vehicle roof in a front area, comprising a wind deflector body which extends in a direction of extension transversely to a direction of travel, a lifting device, with which the wind deflector body can be moved between a position retracted into the vehicle roof and a position extended out of the vehicle roof and projecting beyond a contour of the upper side of the vehicle roof and thus deflecting wind, wherein the lifting device has at least one lifting unit with a mounting base and a lifting arm which is mounted with a lifting arm bearing for pivoting about a first pivot axis relative to the mounting base and engages on the wind deflector body at an end located opposite the lifting arm bearing, in order to achieve a reliable movability of the wind deflector body with devices which are as mechanically simple as possible it is suggested that an actuating unit which is supported on the mounting base and engages on the lifting arm be provided for moving the lifting arm and that the actuating unit and the lifting arm bearing be displaceable relative to one another in a direction of displacement extending transversely to the first pivot axis of the lifting arm bearing for the purpose of pivoting the lifting arm.
US08944482B2
A cast steel railway wheel includes a hub that has an axial bore. A rim is concentric with the bore. A plate extends substantially radially from the hub to the rim. The plate has a front face and a rear face. The plate has a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. Adjacent spokes have different thicknesses defined between the front face and the rear face.
US08944479B2
A vehicle door fixing apparatus, a fixed wedge configured to be fixedly attached to one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, a base plate configured to be fixedly attached to the other one of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, a movable wedge slidably provided at the base plate, a biasing member biasing the movable wedge toward the fixed wedge, and a cover fixedly attached to the base plate and covering around the biasing member.
US08944478B2
A locking apparatus with tumbler for safety doors has a door part for fastening on a movable safety door and has a frame part for fastening on a door counterpart. The frame part has a receptacle and the door part has an actuator configured to be inserted into the receptacle. The frame part further has a blocking member which is displaceable between a release position, in which the actuator can be released in, and a blocking position in which the actuator is secured in the receptacle. The actuator is arranged on the door part via an elastic compensating element.
US08944468B2
A tongue or tongue cover to envelop a plastic part of a seat belt tongue of a seat belt. The tongue or tongue cover includes a webbing engagement projection useful to resist unwanted slackening of the lap belt portion of the seat belt while in use.
US08944466B2
An outrigger is disclosed for stabilizing a wheeled vehicle having an extensible service equipment mounted to a chassis thereof. The outrigger is deployable between a stowed and a deployed position where a foot of a telescopic leg assembly comes into contact with the ground thus stabilizing the vehicle. The telescopic leg assembly is mounted to the chassis of the vehicle such that travel of the foot is initially in a horizontal direction with no downward component followed subsequently by travel in a substantially vertical direction with limited horizontal movement such that when the foot comes into contact with the ground, lateral forces are limited. There is also disclosed a stabilized wheeled vehicle comprising opposed pairs of outriggers.
US08944454B2
The present invention is directed to a tilt-in-space wheelchair that limits the shift of the center of a gravity of a wheelchair occupant during tilting. The wheelchair comprises a main frame adapted to be supported on a surface by wheels, a seat frame for supporting a occupant, and an arc plate for slidably or rollably supporting the seat frame with respect to the main frame. The arc plate defines a first track and a second track that guide the tilting of the seat frame relative to the frame. The first track and second track may have non-constant curvatures. Further, the first track and second track may be arranged non-concentrically on the arc plate and may have different lengths.
US08944441B2
The steering assembly is applicable to a human-driven vehicle having a chassis (1) mounted on self-orienting wheels (2). The steering assembly comprises a steering unit (50b) with a steering wheel (4) installed on a mobile support and maintained out of contact with the ground by elastic means at an end (1b) of the chassis (1), and a control unit (50a) with a command member (7) in another end of the chassis. The units are connected by transmission devices (19, 20, 21). The command member (7) is manually operable to lower the steering wheel (4) against the force of said elastic means and to make the steering wheel (4) rotate with respect to a substantially vertical shaft when the wheel (5) is in contact with the ground to steer the vehicle. The elastic means automatically lift the steering wheel (4) when the manual operation of the command member (7) ceases.
US08944440B2
A rider-controllable skimboard includes a planar board having a top surface and a connection mechanism mounted to the top surface and proximate a nose of the planar board. The connection mechanism has a vertical pivoting mechanism and a lateral pivoting mechanism. The skimboard further includes a handle mechanism connected with the vertical pivoting mechanism and the lateral pivoting mechanism of the connection mechanism for respective limited vertical pivoting and lateral pivoting of the handle relative to the planar board. The handle mechanism has a length of 80 to 120 percent of a length of the board, such that in a non-pivoted position a handgrip connected with the handle mechanism is positioned within 20 percent of the length of the board from the tail, and such that the limited vertical pivoting of the handle by the rider positions the upper stem portion substantially horizontal and proximate the rider's waist.
US08944431B1
A media inverting system is described for a cut sheet printing system. A first media transport advances a media sheet in a first direction, the media sheet having a first side that contacts the first media transport and an opposing second side. A rotatable member having a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction receives the media sheet from the first media transport and rotates to advance the media sheet around the rotatable member. A rotatable member force mechanism is switchable between a first state where the second side of the media sheet is held to the rotatable member, and a second state where the media sheet is released. A second media transport receives the media sheet from the rotatable member and advances the media sheet in an inverted orientation in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the first direction.
US08944430B2
On a machine for processing sheets it is provided, in particular in a region of a delivery, to completely close a rear opening on the end side by at least one upper and one lower cover. Lateral openings are also closable by movable guards, which at least partially are formed from a transparent material.
US08944427B2
A supply device (10) for a machine for transversely cutting two strips (11 and 12) of a flexible material, in particular a strip of paper, moving continuously, to produce separate stacks of documents cut transversely according to predetermined formats. The device comprises lower and upper driving mechanisms (13, 14) associated with the two strips (11, 12) of flexible material respectively, which each include a mechanically rotated first roller (13a, 14a) and a freely rotatable second bearing roller (13b and 14b). The driving mechanism is mounted on a frame (15) supported by a movable platform (16) which is rigidly connected to a linear actuator (17) arranged to be moved transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the strips (11 and 12). Optical reading cells (11a, 11b, 12a, 12b) define the operating modes of the driving servomotors (13b and 14b) and of the linear actuator (17).
US08944420B2
The present invention is a container having a diptube inlet, at least one baffle disc positioned between the outlet of the diptube and the outlet of the container to provide a narrow annular space between the baffle disc and the sidewall of the container to prevent liquid droplets from entering the outlet to the container and the inner surface of the container sidewall and an annular, radially inward projecting deflector ledge on the sidewall, proximate the baffle disc. The present invention is also a process of delivering a chemical precursor from a container having the above structure. Liquid and vapor delivery are both contemplated.
US08944419B2
The valve cover has a guide vane extending laterally and downwardly from the central portion towards and in spaced relation to the tray deck for deflecting a majority of the vapor passing upwardly through an orifice downward towards the tray deck. A de-entrainment device with a downwardly angled deflector in vertical alignment with an orifice in the tray deck may be integrated or not with the valve cover below the tray deck.
US08944417B2
A packing layer for a structured packing which has corrugations forming open channels. Each channel includes first and second corrugation peaks bounding a first corrugation valley with each corrugation peak having an apex and the corrugation valley having a valley bottom. A spacer element is mounted on and extends along the apex of at least one corrugation peak. The spacer element has an edge which has a larger normal spacing from the valley bottom than, the spacing of the apex of the corrugation peak from the valley bottom.
US08944415B2
A multi-sided security enclosure includes several wall units. The wall units are connected to one another in series to form a closed space bounded by the interconnected wall units. Each wall unit includes connectors and a pivot joint between wall units so that they may rotate about a vertical pivot axis to vary the included angle therebetween.
US08944414B2
A component railing system and method of use is provided in which railings may be installed with less time and customization over known systems. In particular, two embodiments of the present invention allow mounting of a cap rail to a post or a bracket. The resulting configurations allow quick installation or replacement of panels, which are supported by the cap rail and base shoe.
US08944410B1
The fence post extraction tool is a tool used to extract a wooden fence post from the ground using only vertical movement. The wooden fence post extraction tool includes a threaded rod that screws into an expanding piercing tip. The expanding piercing tip is driven into a pre-drilled hole located on a top surface of the wooden fence post. The piercing tip is driven into the hole via a hammer sleeve that is slideable engaged about the threaded rod. The threaded rod is attached to an attachment clip located at a distal end from the piercing tip. The attachment clip secures to a lifting means suspended under a tripod, and which lifts the wooden fence post vertically from the ground.
US08944404B2
A gas safety valve (1) capable of avoiding unwanted or inadvertent opening and possible closing, with maximum safety and allowing an opening, and possible closing, of these safety valves only through a double intentional and reliable maneuver includes a knob (22) for controlling the shutter (7) of the valve (1), during the opening and closing rotation movement, stop projections (32, 33) of the valve (1) slide on sliding segments (37, 38; 37B, 38B) provided in the knob (22) coplanar or flat-like inclined and associated to relative positioning projections (41, 42), a spring (28) housed in a chamber between a threaded end (19) of a screw (11), and a chamber (23) of the knob (22).
US08944398B1
A portable lift facilitation assembly assists in lifting a person from a seated position. The assembly includes a base and a top. A biasing member urges the top away from the base into an extended position. Extension arms are coupled to the base and the top. Each extension arm is extendable between a retracted position and an elongated position. A latch is coupled to the base and selectively secures the top to the base. A release is coupled to the base and operationally coupled to the latch for selectively releasing the latch from the top wherein the biasing member urges the top into the extended position.
US08944376B2
An aircraft galley is disclosed having a stand-alone beverage station and a stand-alone food preparation station. Each station is equipped with extendable work decks and integrated equipment for plug and play exchange. The beverage station is equipped with brewing stations and a top loading refuse compartment, and the food preparation station is configured with multiple ovens and refrigeration units. The galley further includes a side refrigeration unit which can be used as a self-service beverage area for passengers, and both stations may further be configured with LED displays for communicating with passengers.
US08944372B2
A device (13) for detecting the breakage of a primary path in a flight control actuator, said actuator having a primary path (1) comprising a rotary hollow screw (2), a secondary path (10) comprising a safety rod (3) that reacts the load passing through the screw (2), said device (13) being characterized in that it comprises a position sensor (15), connected to the screw (2), to measure information representative of the angular position thereof, and a disconnection system (17) able to disconnect the screw (2) position sensor (15) in the event of relative movement of the rod (3) with respect to the screw (2) if there is a break in the primary path (1).
US08944371B2
A control force transmission arrangement for an aircraft is provided. A transmission device has a first and a second force transmission point, and a coupling unit disposed between them. The coupling unit has a first and a second side element and a connecting element. The first and the second side elements are each connected to the first force transmission point and to the connecting element. At least the first side element has an element for altering the length of the side element. The second force transmission point is provided on the connecting element and is adjustable at least between a first and a second position.
US08944368B2
An aircraft steering actuator has a driving shaft for connection to a drive source, the driving shaft defining a first axis, and a driven shaft for substantially perpendicular connection to a landing gear axle of an aircraft, the driven shaft defining a driven axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, in which the driving shaft and driven shaft are connected in driving engagement by a ball-worm gear.
US08944360B2
A coreless paper roll rewinding machine using air flow to assist starting winding is mainly characterized in that: an air pipe (11) blowing air downwards is arranged above a rewinding lower roller (2); the roller gap (M) between a rewinding upper roller (1) and the rewinding lower roller (2) is no more than 10 mm; a plurality of air flow channels (4) are distributed in the roller body of the rewinding upper roller (1); a plurality of sets of air suction holes (5) are formed on the surface of the roller body; each set of the air suction holes (5) are interconnected with each air flow channel (4) formed in the roller body; an air suction cover (6) is arranged in the position close to the end part of the rewinding upper roller (1); and each air flow channel (4) formed in the roller body is interconnected with or disconnected with the air suction holes of the air suction cover (6) in turn along with rotating of the rewinding upper roller (1). The coreless paper roll rewinding machine neither needs to depend on the support of a winding assisting plate nor needs to change the roller gap between the rewinding upper roller (1) and the rewinding lower roller (2) during the whole process from starting rewinding to finishing rewinding.
US08944356B2
The fastening of a mantel to a head of a cone crusher with a fastening device. A first part of the fastening device is fastened to the head of the cone crusher. A second part of the fastening device is situated against the mantel and the second part is forced towards the first part with a tightening means.
US08944355B2
A kitchen utensil device comprising of an elongated handle and tapered silicone fins. The kitchen utensil device is useful for effectively stirring foods and liquids and also has a sharp cutting edge on the bottom. This makes the kitchen utensil device useful for both stirring and chopping, potentially replacing two separate common kitchen tools.
US08944354B2
An apparatus is disclosed for containing a material, such as coffee beans, that may be used with a grinding apparatus. The apparatus may have a directing component to guide a controlled dose of material toward the grinding apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a container with a base portion that engages a grinding apparatus. The container, when engaged with the grinding apparatus, can direct coffee beans toward the grinding apparatus and has a door that releases a controlled dose of beans. A grinding apparatus is also disclosed that may have a movable tongue to cause excess grounds caught on interior components of the grinding apparatus to exit the grinding apparatus. The apparatus, systems, and methods reduce labor associated with grinding the material and allow a user, such as a barista, to more efficiently prepare brewed beverages, such as single-cup portions of coffee.
US08944347B2
A deposition nozzle and a deposition apparatus include a nozzle body, a precursor passageway formed at a central region of the nozzle body for a precursor gas to be sprayed on the substrate such that the precursor gas reacts with a surface of the substrate, an extraction passageway formed in the nozzle body and located at a peripheral side of the precursor passageway, and extracting residues after the precursor gas reacts with the surface of the substrate, and an air curtain passageway formed in the nozzle body and located at a peripheral side of the extraction passageway for isolating gas to be sprayed on the substrate so as to form a closed gas flow field enclosing a process reaction region between a substrate carrier and the deposition nozzle such that the residues after the precursor gas reacts with the surface of the substrate do not leak.
US08944345B2
A swing sprinkler includes a main body, a driving unit, a cover body, an inner plate and an action unit. The tightness of a resilient unit can be adjusted by the user through the action unit, and a secured positioning is formed by the engagement of restricting protruding ribs of the inner plate and positioning protruding ribs of the receiving space to prevent the resilient unit from rewinding after adjustment to effectively adjust the tightness of the resilient unit and swing unit, and increase variability, as well as practicability and convenience of the sprinkler.
US08944343B2
A liquid flow monitoring device for monitoring the supply of liquid to a spray nozzle including a deflectable check valve in a liquid supply passage to the spray nozzle, a light sensing device having a light emitter and a light receiver disposed on opposite sides of the check valve, the check valve being deflectable into at least partially obstructing relation to a light beam directed from the light emitter to the light receiver as an incident to liquid flow through the monitoring device to the spray nozzle, and a control system for receiving signals from the sensing device.
US08944341B2
A diffuser structure and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The diffuser structure includes a substrate, a plurality of throughholes, and a glue layer. The throughholes are perpendicularly formed in the substrate. Each throughhole includes a gas-in part, a gas-out part, and a connecting part for connecting the gas-in part to the gas-out part. The glue layer is formed on a side wall of each gas-out part, and a thickness of the glue layer is between 1 μm and 11 μm. The present invention can solve a problem that particles are periodically generated after a periodic self-cleaning function is implemented in a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system.
US08944339B2
A track set for toy vehicles is provided herein, the track set having: a first track segment coupled to a first curved track segment; a second track segment coupled to a second curved track segment; a third curved track segment having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being wider than the outlet end, the inlet end being configured to receive the toy vehicles traveling on the first curved track segment and the second curved track segment; and a snare trap mechanism located at the outlet end of the third curved track segment, wherein the snare trap mechanism is configured to capture a first one of the toy vehicles traveling through the outlet end of the third curved track segment.
US08944326B2
A system for remotely monitoring a plurality of ballot tabulation devices is provided. The ballot tabulation devices are located at a plurality of polling locations, each of which is operable to process a plurality of marked paper ballots and maintain health status information for the device. The system includes a central server located remotely from the ballot tabulation devices that is operable to periodically receive the health status information for each device and generate an alert that identifies any irregularities associated with each device based on the received health status information. Preferably, the health status information is encoded in a machine-readable code that is displayed on a display screen of the ballot tabulation device, and a reading device is used to read the machine-readable code from the display screen and transmit the health status information to the central server.
US08944324B2
A commodity recognition apparatus comprises a function of recognizing a commodity in an image from the image captured by an image capturing unit, and a function of recognizing a data code attached to the commodity in the image from the image, and can switch these functions by a switching unit. The commodity recognition apparatus outputs the information of the commodity recognized by commodity recognition processing or the information of the data code recognized by data code recognition processing to a POS terminal.
US08944323B2
A method for locating an item using a cloud server of a data center and an electronic device. The cloud server receives a barcode corresponding to a product from the electronic device and searches a location of the product in a shopping mall. The cloud server calculates a route from a location of the electronic device to the location of the product and shows the route on an electronic map of the shopping mall. The cloud server sends the electronic map with the route to the electronic device.
US08944322B2
A tri-optic scanner for checking out merchandise at stores includes first and second barcode scanners, and a third barcode scanner placed back-to-back to the second barcode scanner to face an opposite direction of the second barcode scanner. The tri-optic scanner is designed to allow the third barcode scanner to conveniently capture barcodes presented by a customer without a cashier touching barcode carriers that belong to the customer.
US08944319B2
An IC card comprises a card body, a power-signal receiving unit, an electro-phoretic display, a driving circuit, a rechargeable battery and a power management unit. The driving circuit is electrically coupled to the power-signal receiving unit and the electro-phoretic display for receiving the updating information from the power-signal receiving unit and driving the electro-phoretic display according to the updating information. The power management unit is coupled to the rechargeable battery for managing charging process of the rechargeable battery.
US08944304B2
Disclosed herein is a breaking apparatus for glass substrates. The breaking apparatus includes a breaking bar connected to a linear driver, a plurality of linear bushes longitudinally mounted on the breaking bar and each including an outer barrel, a plurality of buffer cylinders longitudinally mounted on the breaking bar, and a breaking tip extending in one direction and having a bar shape with a predetermined width. Each of the buffer cylinders includes a hollow cylinder body generating pressure therein, a piston received in the cylinder body, and a piston rod connected to the piston. The breaking tip is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the breaking bar beneath the breaking bar and connected to the piston rods and the shafts to be brought into contact with a glass substrate.
US08944303B1
A clamp-on saddle bag mounting system preferably includes a base plate, a first pin plate, a second pin plate and a clamp unit. The base plate is secured to a saddle bag. The first pin plate is attached to a bottom of the base plate at a first end. The first pin plate is offset to receive a first end of the clamp unit. One end of the second pin plate is attached to a bottom of the base plate at a second end. The second pin plate is offset to receive a second end of the clamp unit. First and second mounting pins are inserted through the first and second pin plates. The clamp lever is pushed down to secure the saddle bag to a motorcycle. An offset mounting bracket is used to offset the position of a mounting pin on a mounting pin base of a motorcycle.
US08944291B2
A dosing unit includes a piston movable along a first axis in a cavity of a casing, provided with an inlet and with an outlet for a product to be dosed, and in a further cavity of the casing, connected to and substantially coaxial with the cavity and provided with a further outlet for cleaning and/or sterilizing fluids. The casing includes an internal tubular element in which the cavity is made and a covering element that externally envelops the internal tubular element and extends from an end of the internal tubular element in such a way as to form the further cavity.
US08944285B2
A dispensing device for dispensing metered dosages of a medicament from a container includes an indicator housing having an interior and an opening communicating with the interior. A first actuator is disposed within the interior and includes a resilient arm member defining a pawl portion. The first actuator is reciprocally moveable between an actuated position and an at-rest position. A spring is disposed in the indicator housing and biases the first actuator towards the at-rest position. A ratchet gear is rotatably disposed in the indicator housing, and is rotatable in response to the movement of the first actuator between the actuated and at-rest positions. An indicator is rotatably disposed in the indicator housing and is rotatable in response to the rotation of the ratchet gear. A second actuator is shaped to be received through the opening in the indicator housing. The second actuator and indicator housing are moveable relative to each other between first and second positions. The second actuator is inserted through the opening, contacts the first actuator and moves the first actuator to the actuated position when the second actuator and indicator housing are moved to the second position. The first actuator is biased to the at-rest position by the spring when the second actuator and the indicator housing are moved to the first position. A method of dispensing metered dosages of medicament is also provided.
US08944284B2
A device for dispensing a material that has a limited period of utility, a novel device comprises a first part containing the material and a second part, wherein the first and second parts have mutual engagement means and can be disengaged to allow the material to be dispensed, wherein the device includes, located within the device, control mechanisms that can be activated to initiate a time-controlled period of use and that, at the end of that period, causes the first and second parts to be permanently engaged.
US08944283B2
The multiple magazine self dispensing container is designed to dispense a plurality of partially ejected firearm magazines to the operator in proper orientation to facilitate rapid reloading of a firearm. The container is designed to replace a traditional magazine carrying system or supplement one with extra magazine capacity. A constant force member forces the magazines to come into contact with an incline plane opposite a magazine ejection port. The magazine then partially ejects out the port where it can be removed by the operator.
US08944274B2
A wastebasket for facilitating reuse of plastic shopping bags includes a first, open topped receptacle; a second receptacle, sized and shaped to receive therein the first receptacle; and a lid. The first, open topped receptacle may be formed unitary with the second receptacle or the first, open topped receptacle may be removable from the second receptacle. The first, open topped receptacle and the second receptacle are cooperatively adapted to form a bag storage compartment generally within the second receptacle and about the outside, upper portions of the first receptacle. The lid is cooperatively adapted with the first, open topped receptacle and the second receptacle to form an aesthetically pleasing closure for the bag storage compartment while simultaneously providing an also aesthetically pleasing opening to the interior space of the first, open topped receptacle.
US08944273B2
The invention relates to a utensil for cooking food under pressure, which utensil comprises firstly a vessel and a lid and secondly a control member (6) for controlling locking/unlocking of the lid relative to the vessel, said utensil being characterized in that said control member (6) is mounted to move on the lid between firstly a deployed position corresponding to the lid being unlocked, and in which said control member (6) is designed to be taken hold of manually in order to enable the lid to be handled, and secondly a retracted position corresponding to the lid being locked and in which said control member is designed to be more difficult to take hold of manually than it is in the deployed position. Utensils for cooking food under pressure.
US08944260B2
A free-standing display fixture includes a main body having a top edge, a bottom edge, a right side panel, a center panel and a left side panel. Each of the left side panel, the center panel and the right side panel include interior surfaces and the interior surfaces of the left side panel and the right side panel face each other. Located between and coupled to left side panel and right panel are a plurality of uniquely arranged display components.
US08944257B2
The invention provides modified polysulfones substituted in one or more of the phenyl rings by functional groups and membranes composed of the modified polysulfones. Also provided are methods for the preparation of monodispersed nanoporous polymeric membranes. The membranes are useful for reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, and ultrafiltration, particularly for purification of water.
US08944244B2
The storage chamber for secondary material applicable to the discharging direction of contents stored in the container consists of body with storage space and inseparable operating section mounted around the globe. If above operating section moves up, opening and closing hole made or formed in the storage space of storage is opened and contents stored in the storage space is dropped and mixed with contents stored in the container. The mixed contents are discharged via a vent mounted on the top of operating section. A vent is not opened until the operating section is opened, and closing section of opening and closing hole is provided so that the opening and closing hole may not be not clogged after being opened.
US08944239B2
A conveyor apparatus includes a frame, and a pivoting conveyor coupled to the frame. The pivoting conveyor includes a pivotable conveyor section having a free end shaped for supporting objects and a first conveying surface. The first pivotable conveyor section is pivotally coupled to the frame about a vertical axis for pivoting the free end from side-to-side, and a horizontal axis for pivoting the free end up and down. The pivoting conveyor also includes a second non-pivotable conveyor section having a second conveying surface. Furthermore, the pivoting conveyor includes a fixed transition plate located adjacent to the second conveying surface, and a shuttling transition plate located adjacent to the first conveying surface. The shuttling transition plate is configured to move laterally from side-to-side relative to the first conveying surface as the first pivotable conveyor section pivots about the vertical axis. The apparatus may include a third tiltable conveyor section having a rear end and being pivotally coupled to the frame about a second horizontal axis for pivoting the rear end up and down.
US08944238B2
A closed transport track, includes two tubular or rod-shaped guide rails (12, 14), which are arranged parallel to and substantially vertically on top of each other. At least one transport module (10) is connected to each guide rail (12, 14) via at least one support roll pair (46, 48), wherein the rolls of each support roll pair (46, 48) can be rotated about roll axes (a) which are substantially perpendicular to a guide rail axis (x) and include an angle of less than 180° and the rolls are seated against one of the guide rails (12, 14) in a detent position. The support roll pairs (46, 48) are non-positively seated against the guide rails (12, 14) via at least one force element (40), which acts on the support roll pairs (46, 48).
US08944232B2
A hydraulic shifting device for an automatic transmission for engaging and disengaging a parking lock. The shifting device comprises a parking lock cylinder (203) for actuating the parking lock, and a parking lock valve (201) which, for hydraulic control of the parking lock cylinder (203), can be switched to at least first and second shift positions. In this case the hydraulic shifting device comprises a further parking lock valve (202), and the two parking lock valves (201, 202) and the parking lock cylinder (203) are designed and connected with one another in such manner that the parking lock can only be disengaged by pressurizing the parking lock cylinder (203) if the two parking lock valves (201, 202) are each switched to a particular shift position.
US08944221B2
A disc brake, particularly for a commercial vehicle, includes a brake caliper configured as a sliding caliper, two brake pads, which are disposed in the brake caliper, at least one guide spar for fastening the brake caliper to a stationary carrier, a brake application device, effective via at least one adjusting spindle, an adjusting device, which is non-rotatably connected to the adjusting spindle, for compensating brake pad wear, and a restoring device, disposed on the action side and having a restoring element that is elastically deformable if the brake caliper is displaced as a function of the braking operation and by which the caliper can be automatically brought into a starting position. The disc brake is configured such that the restoring device has a supporting part, which remains in position relative to the brake anchor plate if the brake caliper is displaced as a function of the braking operation, and which interacts with the resilient restoring element.
US08944216B2
An example lubricating transfer tube assembly includes a transfer tube having a bore extending from a fluid inlet portion to a fluid outlet portion. The transfer tube is configured to communicate a fluid through the bore between the fluid inlet portion and the fluid outlet portion within a gearbox. The transfer tube defines a spray aperture extending from the bore to an outer surface of the transfer tube. The spray aperture is configured to communicate at least some of the fluid from the bore to an area of the gearbox.
US08944215B2
An applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head includes an applicator body having a plurality of orifices. The body is resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifices are located adjacent the top surface of the rail head and open toward the top surface of the rail head for delivery of lubricant directly from the orifices to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel. The applicator body thereafter returns to the raised position. A metal portion of the applicator body contacts a side surface of the rail head to form a metal-on-metal hard seal extending lengthwise of the rail head for inhibiting leakage of the pumpable material from the top of the rail head.
US08944213B2
A stepladder having a front side, a rear side and a top. The stepladder can include a conduit holder attached to the front side for holding conduit. The stepladder can include a first wire spool holder attached to the front side and a second wire spool holder attached to the rear side though which a conduit having a wire spool extends. The stepladder can include a hacksaw hook attached to the front side. A method for cutting a conduit. A method for using a hacksaw. A method for obtaining wire.
US08944208B2
A flat surface portion is formed on a nut so as to extend to a region where an output pulley attachment portion is formed in an axial direction, and extend substantially in parallel with a tangential direction of a rotational axis of the nut. A ball circulation groove one end side opening, and a ball circulation groove opposite end side opening are formed on the nut. The ball circulation groove one end side opening is in communication with one end of a ball circulation groove and is formed so as to be opened to the flat surface portion in the region where the output pulley attachment portion is formed. The ball circulation groove opposite end side opening is in communication with an opposite end of the ball circulation groove and is formed so as to be opened to the flat surface portion.
US08944197B2
An intake structure for a saddle-ride type vehicle for increasing the degree of freedom of the length of a duct associated with an intake air cleaner case disposed below a seat. An air taking-in port is provided in a lid member serving as a portion of an upper wall of an air cleaner case located below a seat. A concave portion is formed on an upper wall surface communicating with the taking-in port. The concave portion and a bottom plate of the seat facing the concave portion forms a pseudo duct-like intake passage communicating with the taking-in port. A side cover is provided with a stepped surface extending toward the inside of a vehicle from an external surface thereof. An opening, opened downwardly, is provided in the stepped surface to improvement in intake performance and to reduce dust and the like from entering.
US08944195B2
An electrical drive unit for a motor vehicle, with the drive unit including a wheel hub drive that drives a vehicle wheel. The wheel hub drive has a sealing element which is affected by friction and by means of which the interior of the wheel hub drive is sealed off from the surroundings in an airtight manner. A ventilation device is provided by which a pressure difference between the prevailing air pressure in the interior of the wheel hub drive and the prevailing air pressure of the surrounding air can be compensated by displacing volumes of air.
US08944193B2
According to one embodiment, a working vehicle includes: a transmission case including a front transmission case and a rear transmission case, and a power transmission mechanism, arranged in the transmission case, configured to transmit rotating power from an engine to rear wheels or front wheels and transmit the rotating power to an implement mounted to a vehicle body, including: an input shaft; a first switching mechanism configured to switch a rotation corresponding to the rotating power to rotation in advancing direction or reversing direction; a main change speed mechanism; an auxiliary change speed mechanism; a second switching mechanism configured to switch whether to transmit the rotating power to the front wheels or not; and a PTO driving mechanism, wherein a clutch of the first switching mechanism, a clutch of the second switching mechanism and a clutch of the PTO driving mechanism are arranged in the front transmission case.
US08944187B1
A tool for boring holes in soil includes an elongated tubular housing which has disposed through its length a bore having an upper opening coupleable to a vacuum source and a lower opening coupled to the bore of a ring-shaped bore head having circumferentially spaced apart cutting teeth protruding downwards from the bore head. A zig-zag shaped unclogger bar disposed coaxially through the bore head and rotated by a drive shaft disposed coaxially through the tubular and housing and protruding through a bearing in an upper end of the housing and driven by a rotary power source such as an electric motor fixed to the housing fragments lumps of clay or wet soil lodged in the bore of the housing, facilitating removal of soil and clay, which are severed by twisting the tool around its longitudinal axis by manipulating handle bars protruding from the upper end of the housing.
US08944174B2
A fire suppression spray head for attaching to a sink assembly comprising a sink, a tap, a work surface adjacent the sink, a cupboard underneath the sink and at least one cupboard door, the spray head having at least one nozzle for spraying fire suppressant material received from a supply of fire suppressant material, wherein the spray head is configured to be attached to a part of the sink assembly.
US08944172B2
A system and method is provided for hydraulically presetting a metal-to-metal seal, which may be installed in an annular space between wellhead components. A hydraulic running tool may be landed on a first wellhead component and coupled to a second wellhead component, for example, via a hydraulic or mechanical coupling assembly. Fluid pressure may then be applied to the hydraulic running tool to move the components axially together, thereby setting the metal-to-metal seal (i.e., axially compressing and radially expanding the seal). A coupling may secure the wellhead components in place relative to one another, while fluid pressure is being applied so that the metal-to-metal seal remains in the set position after the hydraulic tool is removed.
US08944156B2
Systems and methods are provided for isolating a landing ring of a hanger from pressure inside a wellhead and sealing a portion of the hanger via a seal assembly. The hanger includes a floating ring axially interposed between the landing ring and the seal assembly, and between the landing ring and a shoulder of the hanger. The seal assembly includes one or more radially retractable elastomeric seals that are radially retracted during run in of the seal assembly. The radially retractable seals may be radially expanded via shearing of one or more shear pins by torque applied to the seal assembly. The seal assembly may also include one or more metal seals having a plurality of rings having a nib configuration that includes three smaller nibs for sealing and a larger flat nib for withstanding the energizing load on the seal assembly.
US08944152B2
A compact evaporator including a suction baffle system is provided for use in a refrigeration system. The suction baffle system includes a suction baffle and a passageway. The suction baffle includes a plurality of walls and is adjacent to the interior wall of shell. The passageway extends below one of the walls of the suction baffle toward the lower portion of the shell and is adjacent to the interior wall of the shell. A suction tube having an inlet is attached to the evaporator shell and the inlet is adjacent to the passageway and located partially below the suction baffle. The passageway minimizes the possibility of liquid carry-over in the suction tube that feeds into the compressor.
US08944150B2
A heat dissipating device includes a chamber with an evaporation portion and a condensation portion, the chamber including a refrigerant. The chamber further includes an evaporation portion scraping brush provided corresponding to the evaporation portion, the evaporation portion scraping brush being able to sweep relative to an inner surface of the evaporation portion. A refrigerant liquid film is formed on the inner surface of the evaporation portion. Since the fluid refrigerant is uniformly applied to an inner surface of the evaporation portion to form a liquid film, the heat dissipating ability of the heat pipe heat dissipating device is improved, and the heat dissipating uniformity of the heat pipe heat dissipating device is enhanced. A heat dissipating method is also provided.
US08944149B2
A heat dissipation device includes a base and a fastener. The fastener includes a neck portion, a head portion formed at one end of the neck portion, and an engaging portion formed at another opposite end of the neck portion. The base defines a receiving portion through the base. The receiving portion includes an inserting hole and a mounting hole communicating with the inserting hole. A flange extends upwardly from the base toward the mounting hole. The engaging portion extends through the inserting hole from a top of the base to make the neck portion enter the inserting hole. The neck portion is then crushed into the mounting hole from the inserting hole. A top face of the head portion abuts the flange, a bottom face of the head portion abuts the base.
US08944148B2
The add-on heat sink includes an elongate base having a plurality of fins extending from a surface thereof. A magnetic layer is disposed on the bottom of the base, which permits the add-on heat sink to be installed on any ferromagnetic heated surface. The magnetic layer is composed of either a polymer matrix having a plurality of thermally conductive structural components and a plurality of magnetic particles dispersed therein, or a thermally conductive polymer having magnetic particles dispersed therein. Alternatively, if the heated surface is not ferromagnetic, the heat sink may be magnetically attached by adhesively attaching mating magnetic and ferromagnetic pads to the heat sink and to the heated surface. This configuration allows the add-on heat sink to be installed with minimal footprint. Optionally, a fan may be magnetically attached to the heat sink to cool the heated surface by both conduction and convection.
US08944145B2
A vehicle seat air-conditioner includes a seat on which an occupant sits, a heat exchanger that adjusts the temperature of a conditioned gas, a blower that supplies the conditioned gas to the seat, a seat covering layer provided on a surface of the seat and facing the seated occupant, and a flow channel provided on an underside of the seat covering layer that pass the conditioned gas that is introduced by the blower. The vehicle seat air-conditioner is adapted to convey heat of the conditioned gas to an occupant side of the seat covering layer by directly blowing out a portion of the introduced conditioned gas to the occupant side of the seat covering layer, and to perform heat exchange with the occupant side of the seat covering layer by circulating a portion of a remainder of the conditioned gas through the flow channel.
US08944143B2
A housing for an air conditioning module, in particular for an air conditioning module of a vehicle, includes a hinged cover for at least one part of the air conditioning module. The hinged cover can be molded in one piece with the housing and the housing can include a living hinge.
US08944138B2
Presented is a roller shade system that includes a roller shade drive unit that includes a shade motor and a motor crown that includes one or more grooves. The system further includes a roller shade tube, and a motor crown adapter. The motor crown adapter includes a flange and a cylindrical portion that includes one or more tabs. The cylindrical portion is disposed inside, and coupled to, the roller shade tube. The flange and cylindrical portion together define an opening for receiving the shade motor therethrough. The one or more tabs are configured for engaging the one or more grooves to releaseably couple the motor crown adapter to the motor crown.
US08944137B2
A slat for use in a rolling shutter is provided. The slat comprises a hooking track located at a first edge of a body and a receiving track located at a second edge of the body. Illustratively, the hooking track has a hook-shaped profile, and the receiving track comprises a lip member and a guard member defining a space adapted to receive therein an engaging track of an adjacent slat. The hooking track and the receiving track are designed to minimize the space required for the rolling shutter to be retracted around a spindle.
US08944135B2
An adjustable anchor for anchoring a lift cord in a movable rail of a covering for an architectural opening includes a housing which is releasably positionable interiorly of the movable rail in alignment with a lift cord for the covering with the anchor including a rotatable drum within the housing and around which the lift cord can be wrapped or unwrapped by rotating movement of the drum with a tool. Two distinct systems are provided for releasably securing the drum in any selected position to retain the amount of lift cord wrapped therearound with the two system acting in mutually perpendicular planes for reliable anchoring of the lift cord.
US08944133B2
A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.
US08944118B2
A pressure filling system for filling aerosol cans with liquid includes an enclosure including a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls which form a filling chamber. An air operated pump is positioned within the filling chamber. A liquid supply tube extends into the chamber and into the pump. A pressurized air supply tube extends into the chamber and into the pump. A pressurized supply outlet tube which extends from the pump to a filling head in the filling chamber. An air purge tube is connected to the filling head to purge excess air from the liquid. A lifting mechanism lifts an aerosol can into engagement with the filling head for receiving pressurized liquid.
US08944117B2
The present invention relates to a method for dispensing a liquid to fill a container (4) up to a predetermined liquid level. The invention also refers to a dispenser capable of achieving such a method. A method for dispensing a liquid (2, 22) in a container (4) according to the invention is characterized by a combination of the following steps: (a) place a container (4) beneath an outlet (6, 26a, 26b) of at least one fluid dispensing conduit (3, 23a, 23b); (b) arrange a pair of electrodes (9, 13, 9a, 13a, 29, 213) in a position where they are adapted to face the this liquid (2), electrically isolated from the same, (c) starting the flow of liquid through the the conduit (3); (d) measuring the effective impedance (Z) between the first and second electrode (9, 13; 9a, 13a, 29, 213) during the liquid flow; (e) compare the actual impedance (Z) with a reference impedance (Z1); and (f) interrupting the liquid flow when a predetermined condition between the effective impedance (Z) and the reference impedance (Z1) is achieved.
US08944110B2
A vent duct having an inner fluid flow passage includes a bent portion formed to a duct body portion at which the fluid flow passage is bent, and a protruded portion formed on a downstream side of the bent portion so as to protrude from an inner peripheral surface portion toward an axial center of the fluid flow passage, wherein the protruded portion includes an upstream side end portion formed to be gently continuous to the inner peripheral surface portion of a downstream side portion of the bent portion, a body portion extending from the upstream side end portion toward the downstream side portion along the fluid flow passage, and a downstream side end portion along the fluid flow passage to be continuous to the body, the downstream side end portion of the protruded portion being formed to be perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface portion.
US08944109B2
A diaphragm pressure expansion vessel (1) which is intended to be connected to a line system having two vessel parts (2, 3) which are connected to one another in a pressure-tight and fluid-tight manner in a peripheral connecting region (4), wherein the closed vessel interior (10) which is formed by the two vessel parts (2, 3) is separated into a water chamber (6) and a gas chamber by a diaphragm (5), wherein the water chamber (6) can be connected to the line system via a connection piece (7), wherein the diaphragm (5) is formed from an at least single-layered plastic and is in the form of a bubble, should be developed further such that the risk of fracture of the plastic diaphragm when subjected to loading during replacement is considerably reduced. This is achieved in that the gas chamber is formed by the diaphragm interior (9) and by the vessel interior (10) between that side of the diaphragm (5) which is averted from the water chamber (6) and the adjoining vessel part, wherein that side of the diaphragm (5) which is averted from the water chamber (6) is provided with perforations.
US08944104B2
A hydraulic pilot control unit includes at least one pressure control valve that can be controlled by means of an actuating device. The pressure control valve includes a control piston connected to a stem by means of a neck. The stem has a resilient operative connection to the actuating device. The neck is fastened to the stem. Thus, the mass of the control piston, which tends to oscillate, is reduced compared to the prior art.
US08944101B2
A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between two reservoirs. The valve assembly includes a relief valve arranged inside the housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path when the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value.
US08944100B2
An isolation valve includes a flow restrictor disposed in a passage and having a piston with a first orifice and a depressurization valve with a second orifice. The valve also includes a solenoid valve assembly having a coil that is selectively energized by a signal from a controller and an armature that is moveable between first and second positions to open and close the first orifice and/or the second orifice. When the coil is energized, the armature moves to the second position to allow vapor to flow through the first orifice, the depressurization valve selectively opens to allow vapor to flow through the first orifice, the second orifice, or both. The two orifices work together to provide controlled vapor flow.
US08944089B2
A balanced port control assembly includes a control element with a valve plug coupled to a valve stem and a pressure sensing labyrinth defined at least partly by the valve plug. The pressure sensing labyrinth provides for fluid communication between a sealing surface of the valve plug and a balancing diaphragm carried internally of the control element. The pressure sensing labyrinth includes at least one pressure sensing passage extending from the sealing surface and into the valve plug along a central longitudinal axis of the control element. So configured, fluid pressure resident on the sealing surface of the valve plug is also resident on the balancing diaphragm such that equal and opposite forces are applied to the control element.
US08944085B2
Valves include a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet, an outlet, and a body cavity between the inlet and the outlet; a gate movably coupled to the valve body and moveable over a portion of the valve body at least partially between the inlet and the outlet, the gate including a cam stop; and a drive assembly, the drive assembly including a drive shaft and a sync cam, the sync cam of the drive assembly movably positioned on the drive shaft and slidably positioned relative to the cam stop.
US08944083B2
A microfluidic device for generation of monodisperse droplets and initiating a chemical reaction is provided. The microfluidic device includes a first input microchannel having a first dimension and including a first phase located therein. The device also includes a second input microchannel having a second dimension and including a second phase located therein. In accordance with the present disclosure, the second dimension is different from the first dimension and the first phase is immiscible in the second phase. A microchannel junction is also present and is in communication with the first input microchannel and the second input microchannel. The device further includes an output channel in communication with the microchannel junction and set to receive a monodisperse droplet. In the present disclosure, the difference in the first dimension and the second dimension creates an interfacial tension induced force at the microchannel junction which forms the monodisperse droplet.
US08944082B2
A coupler mechanism comprising plug and receptacle units sealably mates and de-mates first and second reservoirs. In the mating sequence, the plug and receptacle units are brought together so that their end-seals are pressed tightly against each other axially, thus forming a sealed barrier between the units and the outside environment. Once the face-to-face seal between the units has been established, further engagement displaces slidable seal elements laterally, thereby creating an opening between the reservoirs, the opening remaining sealed from the outside environment before, during and after mating. The sequence for demating the units is just the reverse of the mating sequence. One embodiment of the invention applies the aforementioned construction to harsh-environment electrical, fiber-optical, and hybrid electro-optical connectors.
US08944074B2
An apparatus is provided for refining materials such as a tobacco material. The apparatus includes a disc assembly rotatably coupled to a drive arrangement. The disc assembly includes a disc body having first and second lateral surfaces each having a refining arrangement disposed thereon. First and second stationary refining arrangements are positioned in opposing relationship to the first and second lateral surfaces so as to form first and second refining zones. The disc assembly further includes first and second gear members. The first gear member is engaged with the drive arrangement, and the second gear member is engaged with the disc body. The first and second gear members are arranged to engage each other such that interaction therebetween rotatingly drives the disc body. The first and second gear members are configured to resist wear associated with interaction therebetween.
US08944068B2
A pouch formed from sheet material that is commonly referred to as a drape. The pouch is formed by folding the drape, which has a tacky surface, on itself and placing fasteners through holes punched in the drape which ensures the pouch maintains is maintained. The pouch catches medical instruments that may slide off of the drape, preventing the medical instruments from failing to the floor and becoming contaminated.
US08944062B2
A forehead support for a mask assembly includes a frame connector provided to a mask frame, a forehead cushion support movably mounted to the frame connector for generally linear movement between retracted and extended positions with respect to the frame connector, and an adjustment knob movably mounted to the frame connector and threadably engaged with the forehead cushion support such that turning movement of the adjustment knob causes the forehead cushion support to be moved between the retracted and extended positions. The adjustment knob includes a resilient prong having a ratchet bump. The ratchet bump is adapted to selectively engage a series of ridges provided to the frame connector to provide indexed incremental adjustment.
US08944061B2
A full-face mask assembly includes a frame, a cushion provided to the frame, the cushion adapted to form a seal around the patent's nose and mouth and a skeleton frame to maintain the cushion to the frame, the skeleton frame including at least one of an upper support member adapted to support a forehead support, lower headgear clip receptacles adapted to be engaged with clips provided to straps of a headgear assembly, and an annular elbow connection seal adapted to engage an inlet conduit.
US08944060B2
A mask for patient ventilation comprises a frame portion, a retention portion, and a connector portion. The frame portion is for surrounding a respiratory opening of a patient. The retention portion is for maintaining positive pressure between the frame portion and the patient. The connector portion is for connecting delivery tubes to the mask. The connector portion is configured such that the connector only couples with compatible components.
US08944057B2
A user interface for respiratory apparatus comprises a combination of a menu display (302), push buttons (304, 308, 310) and a rotary control dial (306). The user interface may include a menu control for detecting at least one parameter from the user's operation of the controls to navigate the menu and applying this to subsequent operation of the user interface controls. The user parameter may be a direction of operation of the rotary control dial which the user associates with a particular direction of navigation within the menu.
US08944052B2
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for mucous membrane therapy. The method includes receiving at least one body signal from a patient; detecting a condition of the patient based on the body signal; and administering the therapy to at least one of a mucous membrane or a serous membrane of the patient. A medical device system configured to implement the method is provided. A computer-readable storage device for storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method is also provided.
US08944039B2
A pneumatic paintball marker has, for example, a feed system for receiving paintballs from paintball containers having different outlets. The feed system includes a lever and a drive system. The drive system defines an opening through the marker and into the breech. Actuation of the lever moves the opening between at least two positions. The breech receives paintballs from one of the containers when in the first position and from the other paintball container when in the second position.
US08944029B2
A turbo charger driven by exhaust gas from a combustion engine via an exhaust inlet to the turbo charger, the turbo charger having an axial inlet for combustion air generally at atmospheric pressure, from an outlet at a bent pipe portion with an inlet from an inlet channel from an air inlet, the inlet channel having at least one arched wall of non-magnetic material, with an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface relative to the inlet channel, wherein along the arched wall is arranged a series of at least three magnets having sequentially opposite magnetization directions directed mainly orthogonal to the wall, and with a pole surface of each magnet generally in level with the wall, and with a mutual separation between the magnets being at least as long as a half of a first width of the inlet channel's cross-section.
US08944015B2
A steam engine or an internal combustion engine, and more particularly with a rotary geometry, is provided with the engine having multiple combustion chambers delimited by piston heads and an engine housing that defines at least a section of a torus. The engine exhibits improved performance and reduced weight.
US08944012B2
The present invention includes apparatuses, systems and methods for collecting canine feces. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a device which may attach to a tail of a dog and may collect, possibly in a disposable receptacle, feces exiting the dog's anus, as the dog defecates normally. The device may be designed such that when the device is attached the tail of a dog, the opening of the receptacle collocates directly behind the anus of the dog, and may further be encouraged by tension towards the anus of the dog, thereby ensuring that any feces exiting the anus of the dog enters the receptacle directly.
US08944007B2
The present invention provides a feeding device for amphibians and reptiles that includes a food chamber in the form of a cup with a plurality of feeding holes formed in a bottom thereof. The preferred hole size is approximately 4 mm to accommodate the mealworm. The feeding device is made from transparent plastic allowing reptiles or amphibians sitting beneath the feeding device to see the mealworms contained therein.
US08944000B2
Discs (7) arranged along a shaft and having holders (8) distributed over the circumference, inclined outwards and intended for workpieces are supported on a ring (5) surrounding the discs (7). Successive rings (5) form an approximately cylindrical cladding which prevents undesired coating of the discs (7). Cladding has openings for the holders (8) of a disc (7) which are uniformly distributed over the circumference at the same height, each formed by an upper recess (14) in the ring (5) carrying the disc (7) and an adjacent lower recess (15) of the following ring. Boundary lines (17) between successive rings (5) start somewhat below the narrowest points of the webs separating adjacent openings, so that the lower recesses (15) do not narrow towards the edge of the ring (5) and the upper recesses (14) narrow at most slightly so that the workpiece carrier can be assembled from bottom to top.
US08943999B2
Provided is a spray booth that includes a housing and a mechanism for advancing the vehicle through the housing. The spray booth may include a rail system that extends along the long axis of the housing and is off-set from the center of the short axis of the housing for advancing vehicles. The spray booth housing includes walls that define an area for locating a vehicle to be painted. The area defined by the walls includes regions for priming a vehicle to be painted, preparing a vehicle to be painted, and distinct painting areas for separately painting the vehicle that is engaged with the rail system and for painting parts that are not attached to the vehicle. The spray booth may also include one or more air handling systems for handling air that is flowed through the spray booth during the preparation and paint operations.
US08943998B2
An apparatus for cladding the interior surfaces of a curved pipe section includes a flexible track that is positioned longitudinally within the curved pipe and supported at opposite ends to corresponding opposite ends of the curved pipe. The flexible track is caused to bend and conform to the radius of curvature of an interior surface of the curved pipe. A robotic crawler is supported on the track section and carries a material applicator head. The robotic crawler is driven back-and-forth across the track section while the material applicator head applies an overlay material to the interior surface of the curved pipe. In a method, the position of the curved pipe in space, the travel direction and speed of the crawler and the position of the application head are all coordinated to maintain the application of the overlay material in the “flat plane” position.
US08943994B2
A catamaran-style watercraft with a manually adjustable beam. The beam expanded or contracted by an operator applying force in a desired direction to a given hull. Movement is afforded by adjustable-length crossbars, which span and connect each of the two hulls, allowing the hulls to slide beneath the underside of an operator-supporting platform deck.
US08943991B2
In one embodiment of the invention, a rope tender is rotatably affixed to the center pull on the tower to carry the rope over wakeboard racks. The rope tender is clamped to the center pull on the tower by a clamp. The rope is then pulled through an end loop on the rope tender and attached to the center pull on the tower. In one embodiment, the rope tender is looped one or more times in the middle to achieve a flexible, spring effect for the rope tender. The rope may also be pulled through the middle loop for support.
US08943989B2
A device for securing an anchor. The anchor securing device may comprise a shank holder for securing a shank of the anchor and a base fluke holder for securing the base of the anchor. The shank holder may use an elastic shank rope for further securing the shank to the anchor securing device.
US08943987B2
The present invention provides swing away helm for a watercraft. The swing away helm is positionable between a use position in which the swing away helm extends into the watercraft and a non-use position in which the swing away helm is positioned above a gunnel of the watercraft. The swing away helm includes; a mounting member, a support member, a dashboard, a steering device, and a biasing member. The swing away helm maintains an equal distance from the gunnel in the use position and in the non-use position.
US08943983B2
A pedestal which comprises a horizontal component and one or more vertical components which fit into open channels or fit over straight projections in the upper surface of the horizontal component. The pedestals are particularly useful in the catering and hospitality industry for supporting food and beverage containers, tableware, flower vases and sculptures.
US08943979B2
A modular pallet constructed from individual parts, to form a transporting pallet or a storage pallet, by using intermediate components of different dimensions, and changeable from a transporting pallet to a storage pallet for use in a high-bay warehouse by moving adapters beneath the transporting rails automatically when entering the high-bay warehouse, and back from a storage pallet to a transporting pallet by removing the adapters again when leaving the high-bay warehouse.
US08943976B2
A ride system for giving passengers a flying roller coaster experience. The ride system includes a train of vehicles, with each of the vehicles including seat assemblies that each has a seat and seat back for receiving a passenger. The vehicles are supported by the track to roll along a length of the track, and the ride path is adapted for gravity-based movement of the train of vehicles in at least portions of the ride path. The track includes a vertical segment, and the ride system includes a station including a platform assembly with horizontal platforms vertically spaced-apart to provide multi-level loading. The train is positioned on the vertical segment with each of the vehicles proximate to an end of one of the horizontal platforms. The seat backs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track to provide vertical loading and, then, vertical launching from the station.
US08943965B2
Provided are a roller apparatus, a printing method and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same, which can minimize the number of processes and a printing defect. In the printing method, first patterns are formed on a blanket. The first patterns have different surface energy from that of the blanket, and the blanket is formed around a roller. The roller is rotated and a printing material is dropped to form second patterns on the blanket between the first patterns. The second patterns are transferred from the roller onto a substrate.
US08943954B2
A food processor having a dicing tool and a cleaning tool to clean out the dicing tool.
US08943950B2
A multi-throw reciprocating pump is provided. The pump provides active stroke control. Fluid flow is controlled by canceling out at least a portion of a discharge stroke of one plunger with a suction stroke of another plunger. Controlling the degree to which the discharge stroke is cancelled out is used to control the actual volume of fluid being pumped.
US08943949B2
The invention relates to a neutral setting apparatus for adjustable hydraulic machines, in particular the adjustment of the neutral position of a servo valve. In particular, the invention relates to servo adjustment devices with mechanically adjustable control pistons, wherein the forces necessary for this can be applied mechanically, electro-magnetically, pneumatically or hydraulically. The invention relates to a neutral setting apparatus of an adjustable hydraulic machine, with a housing in which a mounted input shaft is arranged, to one end of which a torque can be applied for rotating the input shaft about an axis. Thus providing a robust and cost-effective setting mechanism for the neutral position of a servo valve.
US08943939B2
A die-cutting device for die-cutting labels includes a die-cutting cylinder and a counterpressure cylinder. A distance between the die-cutting cylinder and the counterpressure cylinder is adjustable. Accordingly, the die-cutting cylinder is locked in position by a locking force and the counterpressure cylinder is displaceably supported by a guide. The locking force and the guide generally form a right angle. A narrow-web printing press includes such a die-cutting device.
US08943936B2
Apparatus for forming a bent sheet of foil, comprising a holder for holding a roll of foil; a motor for horizontally feeding the foil from the roll; a bending station for providing the fed foil with an angled portion; a controller for controlling a desired length of foil to be fed by commanding operation of said motor; and a cutting station for cutting said fed foil at said desired length, whereby to form constant length sheets of said foil. The controller is operable to command operation of the motor to sequentially feed the foil a first distance corresponding to a selected longitudinal dimension of the angled portion and then to feed the foil a second distance corresponding to a selected longitudinal dimension of a foil sheet to be formed.
US08943935B2
A knife including a blade section having a sharp edge, a J-shaped section, and a handle section connected to the J-shaped section. The J-shaped section may have a bottom portion connected to a stem portion, and a substantially uniform thickness. The sharp edge may have a thickness which is substantially less than the substantially uniform thickness of the J-shaped section. The handle section may have a thickness which is substantially greater than the uniform thickness of the J-shaped section. The blade section, the J-shaped section, and the handle section may be configured so that a person can place an index finger of the person so that an end of the index finger contacts the bottom portion of the J-shaped section and a length of the index finger contacts the stem portion of the J-shaped section, while simultaneously one or more further fingers of the person grip the handle section.
US08943921B2
An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis.
US08943907B2
In the method for measuring a micromechanical semiconductor component which comprises a reversibly deformable measuring element sensitive to mechanical stresses, which is provided with electronic circuit elements and terminal pads for tapping measurement signals, the measuring element (18) of the semiconductor component (16), for the purpose of determining the distance/force and/or distance/pressure characteristic curve thereof, is increasingly deformed by mechanical action of a plunger (32) which can in particular be advanced step by step. After a or after each step-by-step advancing movement of the plunger (32) by a predetermined distance quantity, the current measurement signals are tapped via the terminal pads (24). The semiconductor component (16) is qualified on the basis of the obtained measurement signals representing the distance/force and/or distance/pressure characteristic curve.
US08943897B2
The present disclosure relates to an element for sensing strain, stress or force. The sensing element comprises a substrate, a pair of electrodes on the substrate, and a network of carbon nanotubes for sensing the strain, stress or force within a structure. The network of carbon nanotubes defines at least in part an electrical path between the electrodes of the pair, and the electrical path has a resistance which is altered by the sensed strain, stress or force. Combining a plurality of sensing elements coupled to a common substrate forms a sensing system.
US08943896B2
A pressure transducer using a ceramic diaphragm which is not easily damaged so that there is no risk of leakage of a target medium to be measured, having a superior mass-production capability and a reduced volume and enabling low-price by simplifying a flexible cable and a printed circuit board (PCB) to connect the transducer and a signal processing chip. The pressure transducer includes the ceramic diaphragm formed as a rectangular planar ceramic diaphragm and having a surface having formed thereon a pattern made of an electrically conductive material and strain gages; a base plate configured to face the surface of the ceramic diaphragm having formed thereon the pattern; and an adhesive layer configured to be formed along edges of a contacting surface of the ceramic diaphragm and the base plate so as to bond the ceramic diaphragm and the base plate and form a space for the strain gages.
US08943895B2
Pressure sensors and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a pressure deflectable diaphragm end formed of a first material with a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a relatively non-deformable component formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The pressure deflectable diaphragm end and the non-deformable component form a first and a second portion of a capacitor. An intermediate component separates, or is disposed between, the pressure deflectable diaphragm end and the relatively non-deformable component. The intermediate component is formed of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than the first coefficient of thermal expansion which may help minimize changes in span with temperature. In other embodiments, a pressure sensor includes an intermediate circuit located between a distal end of the pressure sensor and a remotely located circuit enclosure including a main circuit.
US08943888B2
This invention is related to a microfabricated microelectromechanical systems (a.k.a. MEMS) silicon thermal mass flow sensor integrated with a micromachined thermopile temperature sensor as a flow inception detection sensor. The micromachined thermopile sensor is used to detect the inception of mass flow and therefore to trigger the operation of mass flow sensor from its hibernating mode. By this method, the battery-operated flow speed measuring apparatus can save great deal of electricity and significantly extend the life span of battery. A new design of micromachined thermopile sensor with serpentine shape is used to reduce the complexity of microfabrication process and to increase the flexibility and options for material selection. In order to enhance the sensitivity of the thermopile temperature sensor, a method to maximize the quantity of the junctions is provided as well.
US08943886B2
The present invention relates to an orthodontic force measuring device using a typodont and a load cell, and more particularly, to an orthodontic force measuring device using a typodont and a load cell, which connects an orthodontic application wire to a typodont, employs a load cell to measure an orthodontic force, reduces measurement error which may occur in a measurement method based on an image, precisely measures an orthodontic force, and measures an orthodontic force in a three-dimensional manner.
US08943864B2
A system for securing a cam of a locking mechanism to a rotatable shaft, which comprises a cam for actuating a locking mechanism and a clutch that includes, in part, a sleeve body having a distal end affixed to a face of the cam and a sleeve bore having a tapered sleeve journal and a sleeve screw portion with internal threads opposite the sleeve journal. The clutch also includes a collet that is installed within the sleeve bore and which has a collet nut extending outwardly from a proximal end of the sleeve bore, a collet bore, and an outer surface having an axially-split and tapered collet journal abutting the sleeve journal and a collet screw portion with external threads engaged with the sleeve screw portion. The system further includes a rotatable shaft that is secured within the collet bore with a break-away torque that is proportional to an assembly torque applied to the collet nut. After assembly of the clutch to both the cam and the rotatable shaft, a drive torque applied to the shaft which is less than the break-away torque causes the cam to rotate with the shaft, while a drive torque that is greater than the break-away torque causes the shaft to spin within the collet bore.
US08943863B2
An ignition lock steering column lock includes a locking unit of the type having a lockbolt, a lockbolt carrier, and a spring-biased carrier pin engageable by a post slidably provided on a rotatable driver. The carrier pin is positioned on a steering column side of the driver. The operational positions of the lock are provided by detents formed on the driver.
US08943860B2
A vibration control device for a washing machine is composed of a drum to house laundry, a washing tank to house the drum which is suspended by a chassis of the washing machine, a drum driving motor, an acceleration detecting unit to detect an acceleration in the horizontal direction of the washing tank, a linear actuator fixed to the chassis of the washing machine to generate a driving force in the horizontal direction to the chassis of the washing machine, a force transmitting unit to connect a movable axis of the linear actuator with the washing tank, and a control unit to control the driving force of the linear actuator based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration detecting unit. The force transmitting unit transmits the driving force and absorbs mechanistically relative displacement in the back and forth direction and in the up and down direction.
US08943857B2
A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by changing the duty cycling profile of the heater and/or mechanical action of the basket in the energy savings mode.
US08943855B2
A method of cutting an article (172) from a chemically strengthened glass substrate (110) includes generating a pulsed laser beam (108) from a laser source (106). The pulsed laser beam (108) may have a pulse duration of less than about 1000 fs and an output wavelength such that the chemically strengthened glass substrate (110) is substantially transparent to the pulsed laser beam (108). The pulsed laser beam (108) may be focused to form a beam waist (109) that is positioned in the same horizontal plane as an inner tensile region (124) of the chemically strengthened glass substrate (110). The beam waist (109) may be translated in a first pass along a cut line (116), wherein the beam waist (109) traverses an edge (111) of the chemically strengthened glass substrate. The beam waist (113) may then be translated in a second pass along the cut line (116) such that a crack (119) propagates from the edge (113) along the cut line (116) ahead of the translated beam waist (109) during the second pass.
US08943851B2
An evaporative cooler may include an evaporative cooler housing with a duct extending therethrough, a plurality of cooler louvers with respective porous evaporative cooler pads, and a working fluid source conduit. The cooler louvers are arranged within the duct and rotatably connected to the cooler housing along respective louver axes. The source conduit provides an evaporative cooler working fluid to the cooler pads during at least one mode of operation.
US08943849B2
An air-conditioning apparatus is provided with a heat-source device that supplies a refrigerant, a relay unit that exchanges heat of a heat medium such as water or anti-freezing fluid supplied from the heat-source device in an intermediate heat exchanger and supplies the heat medium, an indoor unit that exchanges heat between a use side heat exchanger through which the heat medium supplied from the relay unit flows and indoor air and performs cooling or heating in the indoor space, a controller that controls operations of the heat-source device, the relay unit and the indoor unit, and a third temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the use side heat exchanger, and if an abnormality in at least one of the heat-source device and the relay unit is detected, the controller continues the operation of the indoor unit while the temperature detected by the third temperature sensor remains within a first predetermined temperature range.
US08943843B2
A method and machine for producing fresh and cool air, dew drinking water, hot air for the dryer, hot water for bathing or other purposes using an energy-saving and environmentally-friendly multipurpose air conditioning as a generator of dew drinking water, hot water and dryer. Mixture of fresh outdoor air and returned air from the rooms passed to the evaporator coils to condense the moisture from the air to produce pure and fresh dew drinking water and cool fresh air, where the air is then flown back into the room. Municipal water or other water then dip the hot discharge line to subcool the refrigerant before entering the condenser thus saving energy and at the same time produce hot water that can be used for bathing or other purposes. Hot air coming from air-cooled condensers can be used as a dryer.
US08943842B2
A process and apparatus that includes a cryogenic source for providing a cryogenic fluid for vaporization, a cryogenic pump in fluid flow communication with the cryogenic source for increasing the pressure of the cryogenic fluid, an unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110 in fluid flow communication with the cryogenic pump and adapted to accept the cryogenic fluid to form a heated stream, a direct-fired vaporizer downstream and in fluid flow communication with the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110 and adapted to accept the heated stream from the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit to form a superheated stream; and a diesel engine power unit 118 to provide power to the cryogenic pump, the unfired vaporizer coolant circuit 110, and the direct-fired vaporizer.
US08943837B2
A fluid management apparatus and method, the apparatus including: a fluid conduit for the passage of a dispersion containing particulate matter; a laser arranged to provide laser light inside the fluid conduit; wherein, in use, the laser light heats the particulate matter sufficiently to generate incandescence; one or more sensors for detecting the incandescence of the particulate matter so as to determine a characteristic of the dispersion; and an electromagnetic wave generator operable to provide electromagnetic waves inside the fluid conduit at a position downstream of the laser light so as to vaporize at least a portion of the dispersion.
US08943836B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of combined cycle power plants having elevated exhaust pressure from a steam turbine. The elevated exhaust pressure from the steam turbine may result in an elevated condensate pressure and temperature. A cooling system removes sensible heat from the condensate. The elevated condensate temperature results in a greater temperature difference between the condensate and the working medium in the cooling system. The amount of heat that is dissipated by the cooling system is proportionate to the heat transfer surface and the temperature difference between the condensate and the working medium. As a result of the greater temperature difference, a smaller cooling system configured to operate with a higher temperature condensate may be utilized in place of a larger cooling system configured to operate with lower temperature condensate. By reducing the size of the cooling system, the overall size of the combined cycle power plant may be reduced.
US08943825B2
A Helmholtz damper for a combustor of a gas turbine includes first and second damping volumes. The combustor has a combustion chamber disposed in a housing and closed off by a front plate at which a plurality of burners are exchangeably fastened. The burners are supplied with fuel via fuel lances which extend from outside the housing through a bushing of the housing to the associated burner. The first damping volume has a first end and a second end, the first end of the first damping volume being configured to attach a connecting passage extending to a front panel such that the Helmholtz damper is connectable with the front plate of the combustion chamber in place of one of the burners. The second damping volume has a first end and a second end and is arranged in series with the first damping volume along an axis of the Helmholtz damper with the first end of the second damping volume being detachably connected to the second end of the first damping volume so as to form a combined larger damping volume. The second end of the second damping volume is configured to attach a connecting tube extending from the second damping volume and through the bushing in place of a respective one of the fuel lances.
US08943814B2
A warm-up system for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes an electronic control unit that performs warm-up control for warming up an exhaust system component upon start-up of the internal combustion engine and a failure diagnosis performing module of the electronic control unit that performs failure diagnosis for the exhaust system component after the completion of warm-up of the exhaust system component. If the internal combustion engine repeatedly stops before completion of the failure diagnosis for a predetermined period of time, then the electronic control unit changes the warm-up control performed upon start-up of the internal combustion engine to a control that raises the temperature of the exhaust system component more quickly than the warm-up control performed during the predetermined period.
US08943808B2
A reductant dosing system for an engine is disclosed. The reductant dosing system may have a supply of reductant, a reservoir configured to hold pressurized reductant, and a pump configured to draw reductant from the supply and discharge reductant at an elevated pressure into the reservoir. The reductant dosing system may also have a plurality of injectors fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a drain valve fluidly connected between the reservoir and the supply.
US08943805B2
Disclosed is a method for detecting abnormality in a reducing agent 17 replenished to a reducing agent tank 14 in an exhaust emission control device for reduction and removal of NOx through addition of the reducing agent 17 from the tank 14 to a selective reduction catalyst 10 incorporated in an exhaust pipe 9. Presence or absence of NH3 slip is determined when a lowering of NOx removal rate is detected. When the presence of the NH3 slip is detected, it is determined that the selective reduction catalyst 10 is deteriorated; when the absence of the NH3 slip is determined, it is determined that a dilute reducing agent or/and a material other than the reducing agent are replenished into the tank.
US08943788B2
In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that harvests crops as the apparatus moves in a direction of travel across a field. The apparatus includes a crop harvesting assembly configured as a line of implements, the line being transverse to the direction of travel. First and second devices for adjusting a vertical position of left and right sides of the apparatus, respectively, are independently operable. Adjustment of a vertical position of at least one of the left and right sides of the apparatus results in tilting the line of implements relative to a horizontal plane defined at a ground surface under left and right ground contacting elements. In other aspects, a method and system are disclosed for automatically positioning a line of implements of an apparatus to follow a ground surface proximate the line of implements.
US08943784B2
It is a method for producing a food-filled and sealed container having a high product value, in which a container lid made of resin is not deformed after sealing. In this method for producing a food-filled and sealed container, after a food is filled in a container body (10) made of thermoplastic resin, the container is sealed by heat sealing a container lid (20) made of thermoplastic resin, and the container body (10) and/or the container lid (20) have sealing surfaces (13, 24) provided with a concavity or convexity.
US08943783B2
A system and method for handling wicket bags involve a wicket bag holder for transporting wicket bags to a working position along a transport path, the bag holder including one or more holding devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of an upper tab of the wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is held suspended within a working zone. Also involved are one or more main gripping devices each being operable between an open position allowing receipt of a suspended wicket bag and a closed position whereby the bag is gripped to form a bag neck portion. The system and method may be used for bag filling applications.
US08943776B2
The present disclosure relates to a steel joist assembly for use in association with a concrete slab and being adapted to form a composite steel joist including a steel joist and a pair of end connectors. The steel joist has a top portion with a generally planar top surface and a planar web generally orthogonal to the generally planar top surface. An end connector is attached at each end of the steel joist. Each end connector has a strut and a diagonal member. The strut has a generally planar bottom surface which is attached to a portion of the generally planar top surface of the steel joist and the diagonal member is attached at one end thereof to the strut and at the other end thereof to a portion of the planar web of the steel joist.
US08943775B2
A block wall system includes a plurality of T-shaped blocks having a head defining projecting load shoulders and a shaft having a first end attached to the head and a second end. There is also provided a plurality of complementary blocks having a first end and a second end. Each of the complementary blocks is shaped to fit securely between a pair of adjacent T-shaped blocks with the first end of each complementary block abutting the load shoulders of the T-shaped blocks to limit relative movement in a first axial direction. The preferred form to have the shaft of the T-shaped blocks wedge shaped and for the complementary blocks is to be wedge blocks. The wedge engagement between the wedge shaped shaft and the wedge blocks limits movement in a second axial direction.
US08943773B2
A universal joint system, to be used in construction, for joining two or more cladding materials together. The joint system is configured to replace conventional caulks joints prone to failure due to short UV longevity or improper installation conditions. The joint system is comprises interlocking extrusions and rubber gasket extrusions along with supportive components. The joint system is configurable for both vertical and horizontal installations and can be used with any substrate finishes.
US08943763B2
Damping arrangement for low, medium and high-rise structures (1) using bidirectional damping means (5) such as visco-elastic Gensui damping devices, placed between two parallel elements of the structure (1), such as a core (2) and a perimeter column (3), or between two cores. Oscillatory or other flexural or shear deformations of the structure (1) are damped by damping axial movements between the two elements (2, 3), and simultaneously damping orthogonal movements between the two elements (2, 3). Outriggers (6, 7, 8) are used to enhance the axial damping moment, and the bidirectional damping means (5) may be installed in pairs, working in opposition to each other to damp dynamic shear or flexural forces in the orthogonal plane.
US08943744B2
An apparatus for using microwave energy for treating an infected site infested with insects or other small pests is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of microwave energy connected to a power source and a power controller, a transmission element, and an antenna. The apparatus can also comprise an isolator to protect the source of microwave energy. Methods to use such an apparatus for treatment of an infected site is also disclosed.
US08943742B2
A method and apparatus for capturing and time-sorting insects is provided. The apparatus comprises a receiving unit configured to serve as an entrance for the one or more insects; and facilitate trapping of the one or more insects. The apparatus further comprises a collecting unit comprising a plurality of containers configured to collect and retain the one or more insects trapped via the receiving unit, wherein the collecting unit is attached with the receiving unit such that at least a portion of the receiving unit is movable with respect to the plurality of containers. In addition, the apparatus comprises a control unit operationally connected with the receiving unit, wherein the control unit is configured to enable time-dependent movement of the portion of the receiving unit with respect to the plurality of containers.
US08943740B1
A holder for storing fish hooks and leaders with the leader in a non-tensioned mode generally comprises a body and a circumferential sleeve sliding on the body. The body includes a plurality of parallel, circumferential grooves including a narrow outer opening for free passage of the leader; and a wider inner portion for retaining the midsection of the leader. A hook and leader may reside in each groove by engaging the hook with the body and by wrapping the hook's leader around the web in the groove by passing the leader through the narrow outer opening so as to reside in the wider inner width of the groove. The sleeve is slidingly attached to said body so as to selectively uncover the grooves for storage or retrieval of a hook and leader.
US08943729B2
A handgun mount is described for attaching a handgun to the forend of a long gun. A pump action of the long gun, if required for operation, may be actuated by moving the handgun along the forend of the long gun, and the handgun may be fired by the user of the long gun simultaneously with operation of the long gun.
US08943723B2
The perimeter of a hollow-core nonmagnetic frame is magnetized with magnetic inserts. Display panels of corresponding shape and size are provided with a ferromagnetic material along their perimeter so that the display panels can be magnetically retained in position on the frame by magnetically coupling to the magnetic inserts through the nonmagnetic frame. In this manner, aesthetically pleasing seamless multi-panel displays can be created in various shapes and sizes.
US08943718B2
An attachment system for use with an excavation implement can include a retainer which secures a wear member to a lip of the excavation implement, the retainer being fixedly attached to the lip, and a biasing device retained within the retainer. The biasing device biases the wear member toward the lip. A method of attaching a wear member to a lip of an excavation implement can include installing a biasing device in a retainer fixedly secured to the lip, and then positioning the wear member on the lip. Another attachment system can include a biasing device which is compressed between the retainer and the locking device. Another method of attaching a wear member can include positioning the wear member on the lip, then extending the locking device from the wear member, and then compressing the biasing device between the locking device and the retainer.
US08943710B2
This invention relates a cover for freshly pedicured toes that is designed for reusable, temporary attachment to and detachment from commercially available, open-toed shoes, sandals or slippers, and a system and method of use comprising such cover.
US08943700B2
A scalpel (10) having a handle assembly (16) and one of a plurality of modular blade assemblies (18). Each blade assembly includes a casing (46) within which is a retractable rod (48) having a distal end to which is permanently affixed a blade (12), and also includes a spring (56) having an unstressed state wherein the retractable rod and its blade are retracted within the casing. The handle assembly (16) includes a handle casing (20) within which is slidably disposed a handle rod (32) that is manipulatable between a retracted position and an active position with respect to the handle casing. In the active position, the handle rod's distal end engages and pushes the proximal end (66) of the retractable rod (48) to urge the blade (12) distally for performance of a procedure, while in the retracted position, the handle rod (32) permits the retractable rod (48) to self-retract within its casing (46).
US08943687B2
A method for the production of a piston made of steel, for an internal combustion engine, in which the upper piston part is produced using the forging method, and the lower piston part is produced using the forging or casting method, and they are subsequently welded to one another. To simplify the production method and make it cheaper, the upper piston part is forged using the method of hot forming and of cold calibration, to finish it to such an extent that further processing of the combustion bowl and of the upper cooling channel regions can be eliminated.
US08943682B2
A method of making a transparent touch-responsive capacitor apparatus includes providing a transparent conductor precursor structure including a transparent substrate, a first precursor material layer formed over the transparent substrate and a second precursor material layer formed on the first precursor material layer; forming a electrically connected first micro-wires in the first and second precursor material layers; forming electrically connected second micro-wires in a precursor material layer electrically connected to the first micro-wires; and wherein the height of at least a portion of the first micro-wires is greater than the height of at least a portion of the second micro-wires, and wherein the total area occupied by the first micro-wires is less than 15% of the first transparent conductor area and the total area occupied by the second micro-wires is less than 15% of the second transparent conductor area.
US08943679B2
A device for manufacturing an antenna pattern frame includes a conveyor for conveying a radiator sheet including antenna radiators successively arranged thereon in a form of cells, the antenna radiators including respective antenna pattern portions for receiving an external signal, a bending mold for successively forming connection terminal portions in the radiator sheet that is being conveyed, by using a bending process, and an injection mold for injection-molding antenna frames such that the antenna pattern portions are placed on one set of respective sides of the radiator frames and the connection terminal portions are placed on another set of respective opposite sides of the radiator frames.
US08943671B2
A method of making a galvanized upper coupler assembly for use in a trailer and the corresponding upper coupler assembly apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a frame, covering at least one area of the frame with a mask, galvanizing the portions of the frame that are not covered, removing the mask, providing a kingpin, and attaching the kingpin to the frame. After attachment of the kingpin to the frame, the combined assembly can be coated with a rust resistant coating. if desired, a cover plate can be attached to the frame, over the kingpin.
US08943669B2
The disclosure provides an assembly method of a vacuum processing apparatus having a reaction vessel and an exhaust port that are made of quartz and airtightly connected to each other, in order to prevent breakage of the vessel. The method includes (a) mounting an attachment member on one end portion of the reaction vessel, (b) connecting and fixing at least a flange portion of an exhaust pipe to the exhaust port, (c) fixing the attachment member to a portion of the exhaust pipe including at least the flange portion connected and fixed to the exhaust port by using fixing members after (a) and (b), (d) fixing the attachment member to a support portion after (a), and (e) fixing the exhaust pipe to an exhaust pipe fixing portion different from the attachment member at a lower position than a fixing position of the attachment member after completing (a) to (d).
US08943657B1
A flower pot and urn put together to make it possible to display a pet or loved one's cremated remains in a way like never before is generally provided. In a typical embodiment, a flower pot and urn are molded closely together so plants or flowers can drape around the urn. The pot and urn may be set on a mantel or table depending on the size or, for larger sizes, put in any room in a house. An embodiment of the present invention presents a combination flower pot and urn on a base that acts as a drip pan for the flower pot and a stand for the urn to keep it up out of the water.
US08943651B2
The present invention relates to a connecting device capable of opening and engaging in dual directions, which includes: a supporter; a corresponding supporter capable of being engaged with the supporter; and two connection bars parallel to each other, each of the connection bars is respectively parallel to the supporter and the corresponding supporter, and two ends of each of the connection bars are respectively pivoted with the supporter and the corresponding supporter thereby allowing the corresponding supporter to be rotated and unfolded towards an end direction of the supporter or to be rotated and unfolded towards an opposite end direction of the supporter so as to form the dual-directional opening operation.
US08943638B1
A floor mop composed of a handle portion, a wringer assembly portion and a mop portion. The handle is equipped with a wringer assembly that slideable moves along the length of the handle a predetermined distance. The wringer assembly has a guide that cooperatively engages the handle to limit travel of the wringer assembly. The wringer assembly has wringer arms that terminate in wringer engagement guide to engage wringer guides on the centerplates of the butterfly floor mop. Each arm further include a cam surface proximal to the wringer engagement guides that cooperative engage linearly inclined ramps to apply progressive pressure on an absorbent material to wring wash liquid during wash operations.
US08943625B2
A swaddling blanket for maintaining a baby in an ergonomic position. One embodiment can include features for positioning the baby's arms in pockets in first and second arm wings and wrapping the arm wings. An embodiment may also include features for positioning the baby's hips in a hip positioning portion and bringing a hip positioning flap into a position to encourage the baby's legs to an ergonomic position.
US08943623B2
A hammock is supported by vertical supports connected to hammock spreader bars at the head end and the foot end of the hammock at two vertically displaced points. An intermediate support comprising a transverse flexible strap suspended between the vertical support members at a user's knee region of the hammock raises the hammock in the knee region so as to remove the concavity at the location and reduce backward knee joint stress on the person reclining in the hammock.
US08943622B2
An infant playpen apparatus includes a playpen frame having two opposite side frame portions, two rail structures respectively affixed with the two side frame portions, a support platform operable to detachably assemble with the rail structures, and two coupling structures connected with the support platform and operable to respectively assemble with the rail structures. At least one of the coupling structures includes a latch that can lock an assembly of the support platform with the rail structure, and unlock the assembly of the support platform with the rail structure for removing the support assembly from the rail structure. The playpen apparatus can further include a bassinet held with the playpen frame. The support platform can slide along the rail structures between a first position where the support platform substantially uncovers the bassinet, and a second position where the support platform lies above and substantially overlaps with the bassinet.
US08943615B2
An innovative sleeping suit for infants, configured to provide warmth, a contained environment, and positive proprioceptive input, and thereby reduce neurological reflexive twitching or habitual waking patterns prevalent when infants are placed on their backs for sleeping and are not swaddled. The weighting in the suit is believed to reduce the neurological reflexive twitching and provides a swaddling effect to infants helping them to fall asleep and remain sleeping when on their backs. At least a portion of an anterior portion of the suit includes the weighting. The weighting may be accomplished by varying the thickness of the materials and/or quantity of layers of materials used on the anterior portion of the suit. The weighting may be distributed uniformly throughout the suit, the anterior portion of the suit, or can be strategically placed at proprioceptive target points along the anterior portion of the suit.
US08950010B2
The piezoelectric response of a sample (3) is measured by applying a scanning probe microscope, whose probe (2) is in contact with the sample (3). The probe is mounted to a cantilever (1) and an actuator (5) is driven by a feedback loop (7, 11, 12, 4) to oscillate at a resonance frequency f. An AC voltage with principally the same frequency f but with a phase (with respect to the oscillation) and/or amplitude varying periodically with a frequency fmod is applied to the probe for generating a piezoelectric response of the sample (3). A lock-in detector (20) measures the spectral components at the frequency fmod of the control signals (K, f) of the feedback loop. These components describe the piezoelectric response and can be recorded as output signals of the device. The method allows a reliable operation of the detector oscillator resonator (1) at its resonance frequency and provides a high sensitivity.
US08950000B1
Application digital rights management (DRM) and portability using a mobile device for authentication
A method, system, and medium are provided for operating a computing device and a mobile device to access computer software with a secure access and to access a packet network, and for operating a computer software on a mobile device with different computing devices. A mobile device is used to authenticate a user's access to computer software. The computer software may reside on the mobile device, the user's computing device, or another computing device. A unique identifier is stored in the mobile device associated with the computer software to enable the authentication.
US08949996B2
A method, computer program product, and system for transforming unit tests is described. A unit test associated with one or more software units is identified. A first input parameter of the unit test is identified. A substitute parameter value is determined, wherein the substitute parameter value is associated with a security test for the one or more software units. A value of the first input parameter in the unit test is replaced with the substitute parameter value. The unit test including the substitute parameter value is implemented for the one or more software units. A first security issue associated with the one or more software units is identified, based upon, at least in part, replacing the first input parameter of the unit test with the substitute parameter value and implementing the unit test including the substitute parameter value.
US08949982B2
A method for administering a top-level domain by analyzing domain name registrations for requests for suspicious or malicious domain names. A request to register a domain name is received. The requested domain name's information may be stored in a registry database. The requested domain name may also be conditionally stored in the domain name system (DNS) zone. The requested domain name is compared to a list of botnet domain names stored in a watch list database. If the requested domain name corresponds to one of the botnet domain names, the requested domain name is prevented from being added to the DNS zone or is removed from the DNS zone, if it has already been stored there. The information regarding the requested domain name is stored in the registry database, even if the domain name does not ultimately stay in the DNS zone.
US08949980B2
In a network comprising number of web sites and at least one simulator web page calls are simulated or monitored and the response to the calls, including content, re-directed calls and cookies are examined in order to identify whether the content of cookies has been written or modified illegally. Illegal modification of content of cookies is referred to as writing of data by a Buyer in cookies of a User that was directed to the Buyer by a Data Publisher, without the consent of the Data Publisher. In some embodiments when illegal cookies are identified an alert may be issued to a user.
US08949973B2
An image processing apparatus is provided that is capable of displaying a customized screen without requiring direct input operations to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus (for example, a multi-function peripheral, or MFP) is communicably connected to an information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer, or PC) and includes a displaying portion. The MFP acquires user information related to a login user who logs in to the PC, authenticates based on the acquired user information to determine whether the login user is a usage permitted user who is permitted to use the MFP, and displays a customized screen corresponding to the login user on the displaying portion of the MFP when the login user is authenticated as the usage permitted user.
US08949972B2
An information recording system includes a recording medium capable of limiting a function by password and an information recording device for controlling the recording medium. The recording medium stores an input password, counts updating event(s) of a password, stores the update count of the password, outputs information stored in the password related information storage according to a READ request issued from the information recording device, compares a input password with a password stored in the password register, limits a predetermined function of the recording medium according to the comparison result from the password comparator. The information recording device stores a password and a password identification ID which is associated with the update count of the password, selects a password with reference to the update count of the password and the password identification ID and outputs the selected password into the recording medium to compare the passwords.
US08949970B2
An improved system and method for controlling access of components to industrial automation system resources by reference to the various operational states of the industrial automation system. A central access control system includes a processing circuitry, interface circuitry configured to receive information pertaining to the operational state of an automation system, memory circuitry, and a display and user interface. In operation, access to automation components are either allowed or denied based on the designation of an operational state of an automation system.
US08949969B2
A system to ensure compliance with data security standards. The system including a security appliance to perform multiple security functions, the security appliance in communication with a plurality of network devices, the security appliance identifying each network device from the plurality of network devices as being included in one of a first zone containing confidential data and a second zone not containing confidential data. The system including a display unit to provide information of compliance performance of the system on a secure basis. The system further including a control unit to monitor compliance performance in real-time to ensure that each network device included in the first zone containing the confidential data is compliant with data security standards regardless of the compliance of each network device included in the second zone with the data security standards.
US08949967B2
An information management apparatus includes a first control information setting unit that sets first control information for permitting use of information within a destination terminal to the information; a second control information setting unit that sets second control information for permitting the destination terminal to forward the information to the information; a displaying permitting unit that controls, when information set with the first control information is received from a source terminal, to permit the information to be used locally within an apparatus; and a forwarding permitting unit that controls, when information set with the second control information is received from a source terminal, to permit the information to be forwarded.
US08949958B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for determining if a requesting client is within a predetermined distance of a location of a trusted client. In one embodiment, a trusted signal having a plurality of trusted signal metrics may be established by the trusted client as being associated with a specified location. The trusted signal may then be rendered to the requesting client to be recorded as a contested signal. In one embodiment, an authentication service may then determine if the contested signal is of an adequate signal quality according a predetermined quality threshold. Assuming the contested signal is of an adequate quality, the authentication service then determines that the requesting client is within a common acoustic environment as the trusted client if the contested signal corresponds to the trusted signal by comparing a plurality of contested signal metrics with a plurality of trusted signal metrics.
US08949946B2
Access to protected content is based on a client device being within a region. The region may be a mobile or movable region, and/or a region that is in motion. In some embodiments, the region may be determined based on a distance from a position within the region, or based on a boundary about the position that need not be symmetrical. In some embodiments, the region is a three dimensional region. In some embodiments, being within the region is further based on the region being above a defined altitude. In further embodiments, a determination for access is based on whether the client device is detected to be in motion relative to the region.
US08949945B2
The invention relates to a network and to a method of operating a network. The network comprises a plurality of stations each able to transmit and receive data so that the network can transmit data between stations via at least one selected intermediate station. The network further comprises a plurality of levels of stations including a first level comprising user and/or seed stations, a second level comprising auxiliary stations providing access to auxiliary networks, a third level comprising at least one location management station, and a fourth level comprising at least one authentication station. The method comprises transmitting, from or on behalf of a station on the first level requiring authentication, to an authentication station via one or more stations, an authentication request message. In response, the authentication station transmits authentication data to authenticate the station on the first level.
US08949939B2
Methods and systems are described for providing support representative access to applications deployed in an enterprise network environment. An access provisioning system defines a support user class in a user profile database for an application executed on an organization partition within the network. The support user is granted read only privileges to metadata of the application. An organization administrator can grant support personnel access to the application as a support user, thus the ability to view, analyze, and possibly modify the metadata. The access provisioning system generates a Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) assertion upon request by the support personnel to enable access to the data to the extent of the granted privileges. The SAML protocol includes authentication of the support representative as an authorized support user within the system.
US08949938B2
Techniques are provided for authenticating a subject of a client device to access a software-as-a-service (SaaS) server. A network access device receives a request from a client device to establish a network session and transfers identity information of the subject, the client device and the network session to a session directory database. A request is sent to access an application on a SaaS server. If it does not contain an identity assertion that identifies the subject, the request is redirected to an identity provider device (IdP), to provide identity assertion services to the subject. A network session identifier is inserted into the request by a network access device and the request is forwarded to the IdP. The IdP uses the network session identifier to query the session directory database for the identity information to be used for a security assertion of the subject to the SaaS server.
US08949925B2
A method includes receiving content and a license to the content at a storage system, receiving a request from a user system for the storage system to send the content and license to the user system, and sending the content and license from the storage system to the user system. Another method includes requesting content and a license to the content, receiving the content and license at a user system, requesting from the user system that the content and license be sent to a storage system, and requesting from the user system that the storage system send the content item to a second user system. In one embodiment, code could be used to perform a method that includes requesting content and a license to the content from a content provider, storing the content and license at a user system and a storage system, and requesting that the storage system send the content to another user system.
US08949923B2
A redirection device for remote streaming media reroutes media content sent to the receiving device, typically located in the home of the subscriber, to the subscriber's mobile device such as a laptop or smartphone. Remote media streaming provides media recipients with capabilities for out-of-home (OOH) viewing for remotely rendering media content from a subscriber based receiving device to a personal electronic device. The remote streaming redirects media that has already been received by the subscription based receiving device, such that the redirection device forwards a rendering signal including the requested content to the rendering device based on the reported location. The redirected media stream therefore emanates from the redirection device as an independent transmission of content already received by the receiving device, and not as a separate transmission of media content from the content provider.
US08949922B2
An apparatus comprising a server that generates a stream of streaming interactive video and/or audio. Means for multicasting the stream to a plurality of client devices accommodating different device video, audio and/or network characteristics, and means for allowing input from one or more of the client devices to control the streaming interactive video.
US08949920B2
A device and method for storage device emulation in a multimedia processing system are provided. The device includes a processing module to process multimedia data, a first mass storage device interface operably coupled to the processing module, the first mast storage interface operable to couple to a mass storage device interface of a multimedia processing device and a second mass storage device interface operably coupled to the first mass storage device and the processing module, wherein the second mass storage device is operable to couple to one or more mass storage devices. A method is also provided. The method comprises receiving a first multimedia data at first mass storage device interface of a first multimedia processing device, processing the first multimedia data at the first multimedia processing device to generate a first processed multimedia data and providing the first processed multimedia data to a second mass storage device interface of the first multimedia processing device for output.
US08949915B2
A method of providing video-on-demand content includes receiving a request from a set-top box, and determining the video-on-demand content is not stored locally. The request includes a content identifier for the video-on-demand content. The method further includes identifying a peer likely to have the video-on-demand content, receiving at least a first portion of the video-on-demand content from the peer, and providing the video-on-demand content to the set-top box.
US08949914B2
A method of delivering video content is disclosed and includes sending data from a set-top box device to a video head-end of a video distribution network. The data indicates that the set-top box device has received a channel change command and identifies a requested channel. The method includes receiving video content associated with a program provided via the requested channel at the set-top box device, beginning at a set-top box receipt time, and retrieving a portion of backfill content from a digital video recorder (DVR) in response to a reverse command received at the set-top box device. The backfill content includes video content associated with the program extending from a start time of the program to the set-top box receipt time. The backfill content is sent from a buffer server at the video head-end to the DVR in response to the data sent by the set-top box device.
US08949910B2
A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing, by a system comprising at least one processor, a content display configuration corresponding to a plurality of feed selections from a plurality of media content feeds available from a service provider network, a plurality of display selections from a plurality of available displays, and a plurality of pairing selections assigning each feed selection of the plurality of feed selections to at least one display selection of the plurality of display selections, transmitting a plurality of displayable content streams according to the content display configuration, modifying the content display configuration according to a request, and transmitting the plurality of displayable content streams according to the content display configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08949908B2
A content upload system includes: a content distributing server that is installed in an airplane and distributes audio-video contents into the airplane; and a plurality of content accumulating servers that are installed in a plurality of airports, in which the airplane is parked, and transmit the audio-video contents to the content distributing server through a network. The content distributing server selectively writes audio-video contents that have not been stored in the content distributing server of audio-video contents transmitted from the content accumulating server while the airplane is parked on the airport.
US08949905B1
A system and process by which a product and the data associated with the product, including standard product information, information associated with the context of the product, external information, as well as live updates and feeds, are accessible to a purchaser during and after the viewing of streaming and non-streaming media on a multi-media device. The system includes a means of purchasing products online on a multimedia device, both during and after a streaming video, that is low cost and easy to use and access. It provides the ability to create and build an interactive catalog and bookmarking system and provides interactive use among the video, the retailers, and buyers, and also the ability for live, automatic, online updates of product, sales and user information and comments.
US08949904B2
A channel control method and apparatus of a broadcast reception system are provided for facilitating channel selection by providing multiple broadcast channel images on a screen. A method of managing channels for a channel control device includes receiving video images of plural channels from a content delivery device, displaying the video images of plural channels on a screen simultaneously, receiving an input for selecting at least one of the plural channels; and transmitting a channel selection request indicating the selected channel to the content delivery device. The channel control method and apparatus are capable of facilitating a user to search for broadcast channels, resulting in improvement of the user's convenience.
US08949903B2
A method includes accessing television (TV) command data including a plurality of TV commands for controlling a TV. The plurality of TV commands includes at least one selection of a feature. The method may include identifying a first pattern of TV commands based on the TV command data. The first pattern of TV commands correlates with the at least one selection of a feature. The method may further include receiving a second pattern of TV commands. The method may include determining whether the second pattern of TV commands substantially matches the model pattern of TV commands. In addition, the method may include providing a feature recommendation based on the at least one selection of the feature in response to a determination that the second pattern of TV commands substantially matches the model pattern of TV commands.
US08949897B2
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US08949896B2
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.
US08949888B2
Systems, apparatus, methods and computer readable mediums for efficient and unconstrained information distribution and IP multicasting are provided. An exemplary method may include receiving, from a set top box, information indicative of criteria associated with targeted advertisement; and determining, at a set top box, whether the criteria corresponds to a characteristic of a household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include joining, from a set top box, a multicast group associated with the criteria in the event the criteria is determined to correspond to the characteristic of the household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include receiving, via multicast, at a set top box, the targeted advertisement associated with the criteria; and displaying, at a video display device, the targeted advertisement. The exemplary method may allow efficient and unconstrained information distribution leading to improved application quality and performance.
US08949883B2
In one method embodiments, providing a transport stream to a client device, the transport stream comprising a head stream and a tail stream, the head stream and the tail stream each comprising a compressed video sequence; providing information in a transport stream packet associated with the head stream, the information configured to cause the client device to selectively control an output of at least one of a plurality of pictures of the head stream yet to be output from a decoded picture buffer (DPB) at an out-point from the head stream to the trail stream.
US08949867B2
A system and method for providing transaction monitor integration with a service component architecture (SCA) runtime. In accordance with an embodiment, a transaction server, such as a Tuxedo or other transaction server, is provided with a transaction interface which provides one or more transaction services to other SCA software components. A configuration file, such as a schema file, can be used to define a transactional behavior of the transaction server within a service oriented environment based on the transaction interface, and to publish the one or more transaction services in the service oriented environment. The software components can use the schema file to invoke the one or more transaction services through the transaction interface.
US08949866B2
A method is provided for managing an application program interface and may include identifying a creation of a new target type in an orchestrator, wherein the orchestrator has the application programming interface; identifying a set of properties of the new target type; and generating a new routine in the application program interface using the set of properties.
US08949858B2
Embodiments of methods, systems, and storage medium associated with a user interface with information augmented elements are disclosed herein. In one instance, the method may include a computing device determining additional information related to a user interface (UI) control element of a user interface of an application or an operating system component, and augmenting a display of the control element with the additional information. In embodiments, the UI control element may be adjusted so as to accommodate the augmenting a display of the UI control element with the additional information. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08949855B2
A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to an address snapshot and an approval process definition business object.
US08949840B1
In a system, method and computer-readable medium for managing message delivery, message delivery jobs are dynamically prioritized into a plurality of priority queues based on a delivery timeframe for each job. A delivery manager controls delivery of the message delivery jobs through a number of delivery channels and ports. A priority manager reviews jobs pending in the queues. If the priority manager determines that a message delivery job will not be completed within its delivery timeframe, the priority manager assigns a higher priority to the message delivery job.
US08949834B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for scheduling an asynchronous workflow having a plurality of processing paths. In one embodiment, one or more predefined constraint metrics that constrain temporal asynchrony for one or more portions of the workflow may be received or provided. Input data is periodically received or intermediate or output data is generated for one or more of the processing paths of the workflow, via one or more operators, based on a scheduler process. One or more of the processing paths for generating the intermediate or output data are dynamically selected based on received input data or generated intermediate or output data and the one or more constraint metrics. The selected one or more processing paths of the workflow are then executed so that each selected processing path generates intermediate or output data for the workflow.
US08949832B2
Techniques for toxic workload mapping are provided. A state of a target workload is recorded along with a configuration and state of an environment that is processing the workload. Micro valuations are taken, via statistical sampling, for metrics associated with the workload and for different combinations of resources within the environment. The sampling taken at micro second intervals. The valuations are aggregated to form an index representing a toxic mapping for the workload within the environment. The toxic mapping is mined, in view of policy, to provide conditions and scenarios that may be deemed problematic within the workload and/or environment.
US08949829B1
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes creating a copy of a backup virtual machine on a deduplicated data storage device, registering the copy with a virtual environment manager, operating a virtual machine based on the copy and storing changes made during operation of the virtual machine to the copy.
US08949820B2
A technique for streaming from a media device involves enabling a local device to function as a streaming server. An example of a method according to the technique includes inserting a removable storage device that includes programs associated with a streaming application, running one or more of the programs, ensuring that a streaming software player is installed, and executing a streaming-related activity associated with the streaming application. An example of a system according to the technique includes a means for providing a streaming application that expects content to be found on a media drive, a means for intercepting requests for content expected to be found on the media drive, and a means for honoring the requests with content from a different media location.
US08949819B2
A method of dynamically offering upgraded services in a network comprising functions, the method comprising a computer performing the steps of: applying a similar functionality analysis on the functions of a network; retrieving the plurality of functions stored by the similar functionality analysis from the repository, and creating a pivot table; categorizing the functions within the pivot table; filtering the pivot table by a functional area of the pivot table; recreating the pivot table based on the functional area; and differentiating the exposable functions within the pivot table from non-exposable functions by attributes of the functions.
US08949812B2
A system and method includes discovering one or more instances of external resource access by statically analyzing application code. One or more locations of constants are identified in the application code and a configuration repository that specify addresses of discovered instances of external resource access. The application code and the configuration repository are updated to change values of the constants to enable migration.
US08949811B2
A method includes constructing a lambda object-oriented scripting language (λJS) model for a software program written in JavaScript; converting the λJS model to a continuation-passing style (CPS) model for the software program; constructing a control flow graph (CFG) for the software program based on the CPS model; and optimizing the CPS model by merging a sequence of two or more “let” operations. The two or more “let” operations in the CPS model and are generated based on the λJS model, so that they are represented by a single node in the CFG.
US08949810B2
Techniques for optimizing data stream processing are provided. The techniques include employing a pattern, wherein the pattern facilitates splitting of one or more incoming streams and distributing processing across one or more operators, obtaining one or mote operators, wherein the one or more operators support at least one group-independent aggregation and join operation on one or more streams, generating code, wherein the code facilitates mapping of the application onto a computational infrastructure to enable workload partitioning, using the one or more operators to decompose each of the application into one or more granular components, and using the code to reassemble the one or more granular components into one or more deployable blocks to map the application to a computational infrastructure, wherein reassembling the one or more granular components to map the application to the computational infrastructure optimizes data stream processing of the application.
US08949804B2
Techniques are disclosed for limiting execution of software programs. For example, a method comprises the following steps. A first set of program code is extracted from a second set of program code. The extracted first set of program code is parsed to generate a parsed structure. The parsed structure generated from the first set of program code is examined for one or more expressions predetermined to be unsafe for execution. The one or more expressions predetermined to be unsafe for execution that are contained in the first set of program code are detected. In one example, the first set of program code may be a script generated with the JavaScript™ scripting language and the second set of program code may be a business process.
US08949802B1
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for static analysis of large-scale computer programs that uses a compiler to shard the computer programs by source files. Original compilation information is received for one or more groups of source files that reference modules in module containers. The compiler is run to determine a set of modules in the module containers and other source files that are referenced by a source file of the groups of source files. The compilation information is modified on the basis of the source file, the set of modules and the referenced source files. Static analysis is performed on the source file using the modified compilation information. Static analysis is efficiently performed over large-scale computer programs.
US08949793B1
Designing a test bed for testing a computer product includes (1) obtaining customer configuration data describing different system configurations in which the computer product is used, (2) preprocessing the customer configuration data to generate structured customer configuration, (3) applying a classification to the structured customer configuration data to separate the distinct system configurations into groupings according to similarity in one or more of the system attributes among members of each group, and (4) for each grouping, identifying a representative system configuration to be used for testing and generating a corresponding set of test bed definition data describing the representative system configuration to enable implementation. The classification may employ clustering analysis, and supplementary and/or backup techniques may be included.
US08949781B1
A method of injecting a feature into an application is disclosed. A definition of the feature of the application is received. It is determined that the feature is an injection feature of a view of the application. It is detected that an instance of the view of the application is being instantiated. The feature is injected into the view of the application based on the determining that the feature is the injection feature of the view of the application and the detecting that the instance of the view of the application is being instantiated.
US08949776B2
According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to display to a developer, a list of business application user interface templates. A selected user interface template from the displayed list of business application user interface templates is received. Business logic definition parameters are also received. Based on the selected user interface template and the received business logic definition parameters, potential services available to be consumed by a business application from a suite of enterprise applications is determined and an indication of the list of potential services to the developer device is transmitted.
US08949775B2
Converting from transaction level model to register transfer level. A method comprises accessing a transaction level model description. Function calls in the transaction level model description are automatically converted to signal accesses in a register transfer level description. Interface logic is automatically generated in the register transfer level description. The interface logic provides an interface between a bus interface and the signal accesses. The register transfer level description is stored in a computer readable medium.
US08949769B2
A hierarchical shared resources spatial visualization system and method including a visualization runtime user interface that quickly and efficiently displays a spatial layout of a shared resource having a hierarchical nature. The user interface provides a spatial layout of the hierarchical shared resource and overlays salient activity information of a group's interaction with the shared resource. In software development, the user interface provides software teams with awareness of activity by other developers in the group regarding files in the shared source code base. The salient activity includes active file information (such as which files are open and by whom) and source repository actions (such as a developer's activity within a project's source repository system). Visual geometry and colors are employed to create a visually distinctive environment that is used to convey the salient activity information quickly and efficiently.
US08949767B2
A method of reliability evaluation and system fail warning using on chip parametric monitors. The method includes determining impact of parametric variation on reliability by identifying key parametric questions to be answered by stress, identifying parametric macros for each parameter, and identifying layout sensitive areas of evaluation. The process can also include a set of parametric macros in one of a test site or a product to be stressed, testing the set of parametric macros prior to start of stress and at each stress read out, and setting life time parameter profile for technology.
US08949762B1
A computer-based system and method for modeling integrated circuit congestion and wire distribution determines a boundary where a tile congestion corresponding to a first layer group is equivalent to a first blockage ratio corresponding to a second layer group, formulates a piece-wise linear formula that relates the tile congestion to a number of wires of a two-dimensional tile, and distributes a portion of the number of wires to a layer of the tile based on the tile congestion.
US08949760B2
A technique will automatically route interconnect of an integrated circuit and adjust spacing between tracks or interconnect in order to improve performance or reduce electromigration effects. By increasing spacing between certain tracks or moving tracks, performance can improve because a track will be more noise immunity from nearby tracks on the same layer or on different layers. The automatic router will adjust spacing between tracks depending on one or more factors. These factors may include current associated with a track, width of a track, capacitance, inductance, and electromigration. In a specific implementation, the technique uses a shape-based approach where a grid is not used. The technique may further vary the width of the tracks.
US08949759B2
In accordance with the present invention there are provided herein asynchronous reconfigurable logic fabrics for integrated circuits and methods for designing asynchronous circuits to be implemented in the asynchronous reconfigurable logic fabrics.
US08949745B2
A method for selection of an option on a device is provided where the device is enabled for option selection through motion gestures by a user. The method comprises providing at least one option for a first input request and announcing the first input request and at least one option of the first input request. A first motion gesture is detected, and the device determines whether the first motion gesture corresponds to a positive selection or a negative selection, wherein a control module of the device determines whether the first motion gesture meets a threshold for a positive gesture selection or a negative gesture selection. The device advances to a second option and announces the second option upon the determination of a negative selection as the first motion gesture. The selected option for the first input request is stored in a memory of the device after a positive selection.
US08949737B2
A package installer identifies a utility tool that is capable of opening a file attempted by a user based on metadata downloaded from a remote server, where the metadata includes information identifying one or more packages available for download from the remote server, including mime types of files that the one or more packages support. A graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed to the user prompting whether the user desires to install the identified utility tool. In response to an input from the user via the GUI, the package installer downloads a package associated with the identified utility tool from the remote server for local installation.
US08949733B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for displaying a subset of a plurality of fields to a user. In use, a plurality of fields for receiving input from a user is retrieved. Additionally, the plurality of fields is displayed to the user in a first window of a display. Further, a subset of the plurality of fields is displayed to the user in a second window of the display separate from the first window, where the second window is positioned according to a span of vision and an angle of vision of the user.
US08949718B2
Methods and systems for providing visual audio links for digital audio content include playing the digital audio content on an electronic device that has a display; displaying on the display visual audio links associated with terms of relevance from the digital audio content as the terms of relevance are played during playing of the digital audio content, wherein each of the visual audio links is a reference to additional content associated with the corresponding term of relevance; in response to receiving a user's selection of one of the visual audio links, presenting the additional content associated with the corresponding term of relevance, wherein the user is granted a license to the additional content; and when presentation of the additional content completes, playing the digital audio content at a point where the corresponding term of relevance was mentioned, such that the user is granted rewind rights based on the terms of relevance.
US08949713B1
Multiple versions of a service can be supported by taking advantage of the fact that version information can be included in any received request. Using the version information, an appropriate template can be determined up front to be used for the response. In instance of the template can be filled in using appropriate data sources, as may be specified using metadata in the template itself. Information can be processed in parallel, respecting any data dependencies specified by the template metadata. Once the instance of the template is filled, the response can be finalized and sent to the source of the request.
US08949703B2
An encoder module includes P/L parity shift registers that are sequentially coupled, wherein an input of a first parity shift register of the parity shift registers is coupled to the input of the encoder module, an output of the last parity shift register of the parity shift registers is coupled to the output of the encoder module, each of the parity shift registers being configured to store L parity digits. The encoder module also includes a feedback circuit comprising P/L parity generation modules, wherein each of the parity generation modules is coupled to an output of a corresponding one of the parity shift registers by a switch and also coupled to the input of the first parity shift register, wherein each of the parity generation modules is configured to generate L parity digits for transmission to the input of the first parity shift register when its corresponding switch is closed.
US08949701B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for media defect detection. For example, a media defect detection systems is disclosed that includes a data input derived from a medium, a fast envelope calculation circuit that receives the data input and provides a fast decay envelope value based on the data input, a slow envelope calculation circuit that receives the data input and provides a slow decay envelope value based on the data input, and a media defect detection circuit. The media defect detection circuit receives the slow decay envelope value and the fast decay envelope value, calculates a ratio value of the fast decay envelope value to the slow decay envelope value, and asserts a defect output based at least in part on the comparison of the ratio value to a defect threshold value.
US08949700B2
Techniques are provided for performing joint equalization and decoding of multidimensional codes transmitted over multiple symbol durations. A reduced state sequence estimation (RSSE) decoder is provided for a multidimensional code. A multidimensional code symbol comprises a number of symbol components of lower dimensionality. The RSSE decodes comprises at least one branch metric unit that calculates branch metrics for a received signal based on intersymbol interference and intrasymbol interference estimates, the at least one branch metric unit compensating for intrasymbol interference caused by symbol components within a current multidimensional code symbol; and a decision feedback unit that processes survivor symbols to calculate the intersymbol interference estimates for different code states of the multidimensional code and channels used to transmit the multidimensional code.
US08949693B2
Examples of the present invention include an electronic-memory-system component. The electronic-memory-system component includes an array of data-storage elements and an encoder that receives input data, processes the input data as a two-dimensional array of bits by carrying out two passes, in one pass subjecting a portion of each row of the two-dimensional array of bits having more than a threshold weight to a first weight-reduction operation, and, in another pass, subjecting a portion of each considered column of the two-dimensional array of bits having more than a threshold weight to a second weight-reduction operation, one of the first and second weight-reduction operations employing an antipodal mapping and the other of the first and second weight-reduction operations employing bit inversion, generates a codeword corresponding to the input data, and stores the codeword in the array of data-storage elements.
US08949690B2
An ECC circuit can operate in a plurality of error correction modes with different correcting capabilities for data stored in a memory. The ECC circuit calculates a syndrome with respect to information data in accordance with an error correction mode set by a control part and adds a syndrome of a fixed length in which dummy bits are added to the calculated syndrome, to the information data. When code data is read out, the ECC circuit performs a correction process on the code data by using the syndrome included in the code data.
US08949683B1
A system including a first receiver to receive a first signal including a first set of codewords and to generate a first set of decoded codewords by decoding one or more codewords of the first set of codewords. A first interference canceller measures first reliability metrics of codewords corresponding to the first set of decoded codewords and selects a second set of decoded codewords from the first set of decoded codewords based on the first reliability metrics. An encoder generates an encoded signal by encoding the second set of decoded codewords. A modulator generates a second signal by modulating the encoded signal. A subtractor subtracts a portion of the second signal from the first signal to cancel interference of first codewords corresponding to the second set of decoded codewords on codewords other than the first codewords in the first set of codewords in the first signal.
US08949681B2
A correction apparatus includes an acquirer that acquires the execution time of an instruction in a given block among a block group that includes blocks obtained by dividing program code; a detector that detects a first resource group designated by a tail instruction in a preceding block that is executed before the given block and a second resource group designated by a head instruction of the given block; an identifier that identifies a resource common to the first and the second resource groups; a calculator that from the time when the identified resource is used by the head instruction and the time when use of the identified resource by the tail instruction ends, calculates a delay period caused by the preceding block; a corrector that based on the calculated delay period, corrects the acquired execution time; and an output device that outputs the corrected execution time.
US08949680B2
A data receiver device includes a logic unit configured to generate a test pattern signal, receive a test result signal in the test mode, and compare the test pattern signal with the test result signal to perform a test in the test mode. The data receiver further includes a system frequency control circuit configured to multiply a reference clock signal by a multiplication factor received from the logic unit and to output a test clock signal, an output terminal configured to serialize the test pattern signal based on the test clock signal and to output an output signal, and an input terminal configured to recover a data signal and a data clock signal from an input signal based on the output signal, to deserialize the data signal based on the data clock signal, and to output the test result signal to the logic unit.
