US07687441B2
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of increasing the viscosity of a treatment fluid comprising the steps of: adding a networking agent to the treatment fluid, wherein the networking agent is represented by the formula: Y—X—[B(OR)2]n, wherein: Y is at least partially capable of forming a crosslink between a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; X is at least partially capable of preventing or inhibiting a reaction represented by the formula: ROH+R′B(OR)2→R′OH+B(OR)3; R and R′ are a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a combination thereof; and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; allowing at least one crosslink to form between the networking agent and a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; and allowing the viscosity of the treatment fluid to increase. Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, networking agent compositions, and treatment fluid compositions also are provided.
US07687438B2
Of the many methods provided, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: placing a drill-in fluid in a subterranean formation, the drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; and forming a self-degrading filter cake comprising the bridging agent upon a surface within the formation whereby fluid loss through the self-degrading filter cake is reduced.
US07687429B2
Catalysts for oxychlorination of ethylene to 1,2-dichlorethane, comprising compounds of copper and magnesium supported on gamma alumina, wherein the copper, expressed as metal, is present in a quantity from 7 to 12% by weight and the Mg/Cu ratio is from 0.05 to 1, wherein the distribution of copper in the catalyst particle is such that the ratio X/Y between the concentration of the copper atoms on the surface given by the Al/Cu ratio (X) on the surface (20-30 nm layer) and the concentration given by the Al/Cu ratio (Y) referred to the entire particle is greater than 1.3 and can reach 3.
US07687425B2
Catalyst systems for preparing phthalic anhydride by means of gas-phase oxidation of o-xylene and/or naphthalene, and a process for preparing phthalic anhydride using the catalyst systems.
US07687424B2
The invention provides an electrode comprising an electrically conductive material having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from a complex adsorbed at the surface of the electrode, the complex including the electrically conductive material combined with a second material that is substantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable. The surface of the electrode can be microroughened. The invention also includes a method for making various embodiments of the electrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell is provided including the electrode of the invention.
US07687414B2
A union fabric comprising 6 to 60% by weight of a polyester fiber (A), 35 to 85% by weight of a halogen-containing fiber (B), and 5 to 55% by weight of a cellulose fiber (C) in which fabric the warp comprises weaving yarn containing the polyester fiber and the weft comprises flameproof chenille yarn and other weaving yarn, with the chenille yarn containing 10 to 70% by weight of halogen and 1 to 35% by weight of a flame retardant consisting of a metal compound, and in which fabric the content of the warp-constituting weaving yarn containing the polyester fiber is 20 to 40% by weight and those of the weft-constituting flameproof chenille yarn and the weft-constituting other weaving yarn are 35 to 70% by weight and 10 to 45% by weight respectively. This union fabric is excellent in design, texture, comfortableness in use.
US07687413B2
The present invention concerns polyester fabric that is employed in airbags. In particular, the polyester fabric has improved resistance to edge combing—the relative tendency of a fabric to pull apart under seam stress or similar action such as inflation of inflatable restraints. Further, the polyester fabric of the invention must have an edge comb resistance of greater than about 350 Newtons at room temperature (20° C.) and greater than 250 Newtons at 90° C. The polyester fabric of the invention has an acrylic polymer or copolymer finish, or a mixture of acrylic and non-acrylic polymers. The finish is applied from about 1 to about 4 wt. % nominal solids add-on of said fabric.
US07687409B2
A dielectric layer containing an atomic layer deposited titanium silicon oxide film disposed in an integrated circuit and a method of fabricating such a dielectric layer provide a dielectric layer for use in a variety of electronic devices. Embodiments include forming titanium silicates and/or mixtures of titanium oxide and silicon oxides as dielectric layers in devices in an integrated circuit. In an embodiment, a titanium silicon oxide film is formed by depositing titanium oxide by atomic layer deposition and silicon oxide by atomic layer deposition onto a substrate surface. Embodiments include structures for capacitors, transistors, memory devices, and electronic systems with dielectric layers containing an atomic layer deposited titanium silicon oxide film, and methods for forming such structures.
US07687408B2
Different sized features in the array and in the periphery of an integrated circuit are patterned on a substrate in a single step. In particular, a mixed pattern, combining two separately formed patterns, is formed on a single mask layer and then transferred to the underlying substrate. The first of the separately formed patterns is formed by pitch multiplication and the second of the separately formed patterns is formed by conventional photolithography. The first of the separately formed patterns includes lines that are below the resolution of the photolithographic process used to form the second of the separately formed patterns. These lines are made by forming a pattern on photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall pacers having widths less than the widths of the un-etched parts of the amorphous carbon are formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is then removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers as a mask pattern. Thus, the spacers form a mask having feature sizes less than the resolution of the photolithography process used to form the pattern on the photoresist. A protective material is deposited around the spacers. The spacers are further protected using a hard mask and then photoresist is formed and patterned over the hard mask. The photoresist pattern is transferred through the hard mask to the protective material. The pattern made out by the spacers and the temporary material is then transferred to an underlying amorphous carbon hard mask layer. The pattern, having features of difference sizes, is then transferred to the underlying substrate.
US07687405B2
A method for patterning and forming very small structures on a substrate such as a wafer. The process uses a difference in surface energy between a mask and the substrate to selectively deposit a hard mask material such as a metal onto the surface of the substrate. The mask can be formed extremely thin, such as only an atomic mono-layer thick, and can be patterned by ion beam photolithography. The pattern can, therefore, be formed with extremely high resolution. The thin mask layer can be constructed of various materials and can be constructed of perfluoropolyether diacrylate (PDA), which can be dip coated to and exposed to form a desirable positive photoresist mask layer.
US07687401B2
The present invention provides substantially spherical composite ceria/titania particles, a method of forming the same, and chemical mechanical polishing compositions comprising such particles. The substantially spherical particles include a substantially crystalline core portion including one or more crystallites having a cubic lattice structure including Ce(1-x)Ti(x)O2, where x is <0.25, and a substantially amorphous cladding covering at least a portion of the substantially crystalline core portion, the substantially amorphous cladding including Ti(1-y)Ce(y)O2, where y is ≦0.50. The method of forming the particles includes combusting an organic solvent including a cerium salt of a carboxylic acid and a titanium (IV) chelate in a combustion supporting gas and collecting agglomerates comprising two or more substantially spherical particles. The agglomerates can be used as an abrasive material in chemical mechanical polishing compositions to remove film layers during the fabrication of integrated circuit devices.
US07687400B2
A module has at least two ICs connected to each other such that they lie in different planes and are arranged as a first stack of ICs, a third IC is connected to at least one of the at least two ICs, wherein the third IC is off plane from both of the at least two ICs.
US07687399B2
A semiconductor product includes a portion made of copper, a portion made of a dielectric and a self-aligned barrier between the copper portion and the dielectric portion. The self-aligned barrier includes a first copper silicide layer comprising predominantly first copper silicide molecules, and a second copper silicide layer comprising predominantly second copper silicide molecules. The proportion of the number of silicon atoms is higher in the second silicide molecules than in the first silicide molecules. The second copper silicide layer is positioned between the copper portion and the first copper silicide layer. A nitride layer may overlie at least part of the first copper silicide layer.
US07687376B2
A method of manufacturing a vertical GaN-based LED comprises preparing an n-type GaN substrate; sequentially forming an active layer and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer on the n-type GaN substrate through an epitaxial growth method; forming a p-electrode on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer; wet-etching the lower surface of the n-type GaN substrate so as to reduce the thickness of the n-type GaN substrate; forming a flat n-type bonding pad on the wet-etched lower surface of the n-type GaN substrate, the n-type bonding pad defining an n-electrode formation region; and forming an n-electrode on the n-type bonding pad.
US07687375B2
A lamination device manufacturing method for manufacturing a lamination device using a reinforced wafer formed with an annular reinforced portion, includes a wafer lamination step in which a rear surface of the reinforced wafer corresponding to the device area is faced to and joined to the front surface of an underlying wafer with corresponding streets aligned with each other, thus forming a lamination wafer; an electrode connection step in which a via-hole is formed at a position where an electrode is formed in each of the devices of the reinforced wafer constituting part of the lamination wafer, so as to reach a corresponding electrode formed in each of the devices of the underlying wafer, and the via-hole is filled with a conductive material to connect the electrodes; and a division step in which after the electrode connection step is executed, the lamination wafer is cut along the streets and divided into individual lamination devices.
US07687372B2
Various embodiments of fabricated crystalline-based structures for the electronics, optoelectronics and optics industries are disclosed. Each of these structures is created in part by cleaving a donee layer from a crystalline donor, such as a micaceous/lamellar mass comprising a plurality of lamelliform sheets separable from each other along relatively weak cleavage planes. Once cleaved, one or more of these lamelliform sheets become the donee layer. The donee layer may be used for a variety of purposes, including a crystalline layer for supporting heteroepitaxial growth of one or more semiconductor layers thereon, an insulating layer, a barrier layer, a planarizing layer and a platform for creating useful structures, among others.
US07687371B2
An isolation structure of a semiconductor device is formed by forming a hard mask layer on a semiconductor substrate having active and field regions to expose the field region. A trench is defined by etching the exposed field region of the semiconductor substrate using the hard mask as an etch mask. An SOG layer is formed in the trench partially filling the trench. An amorphous aluminum oxide layer is formed on the resultant substrate including the SOG layer. An HDP layer is formed on the amorphous aluminum oxide layer to completely fill the trench. The HDP layer and the amorphous aluminum oxide layer are subjected to CMP to expose the hard mask. The hard mask and portions of the amorphous aluminum oxide layer that are formed on the HDP layer are removed. The amorphous aluminum oxide layer is crystallized.
US07687367B2
On the principal surface of a silicon substrate, a side spacer made of silicon nitride is formed on the side wall of a lamination including a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film. Thereafter, a channel stopper ion doped region is formed by implanting impurity ions by using as a mask the lamination, side spacer and resist layer. After the resist layer and side spacer are removed, a field oxide film is formed through selective oxidation using the lamination as a mask, and a channel stopper region corresponding to the ion doped region is formed. After the lamination is removed, a circuit device such as a MOS type transistor is formed in each device opening of the field oxide film.
US07687366B2
An embedded passive structure, its method of formation, and its integration onto a substrate during fabrication are disclosed. In one embodiment, the embedded passive structure is a thin film capacitor (TFC) formed using a thin film laminate that has been mounted onto a substrate. The TFC's capacitor dielectric and/or lower electrode layers are patterned in such a way as to reduce damage and improve cycle time. In one embodiment, the capacitor dielectric has a high dielectric constant and the substrate is an organic packaging substrate.
US07687355B2
A method for manufacturing a fin transistor includes forming a trench by etching a semiconductor substrate. A flowable insulation layer is filled in the trench to form a field insulation layer defining an active region. The portion of the flowable insulation layer coming into contact with a gate forming region is etched so as to protrude the gate forming region in the active region. A protective layer over the semiconductor substrate is formed to fill the portion of the etched flowable insulation layer. The portion of the protective layer formed over the active region is removed to expose the active region of the semiconductor substrate. The exposed active region of the semiconductor substrate is cleaned. The protective layer remaining on the portion of the etched flowable insulation layer is removed. Gates are formed over the protruded gate forming regions in the active region.
US07687349B2
A technique to form metallic nanodots in a two-step process involving: (1) reacting a silicon-containing gas precursor (e.g., silane) to form silicon nuclei over a dielectric film layer; and (2) using a metal precursor to form metal nanodots where the metal nanodots use the silicon nuclei from step (1) as nucleation points. Thus, the original silicon nuclei are a core material for a later metallic encapsulation step. Metallic nanodots have applications in devices such as flash memory transistors.
US07687341B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming at least one gate pattern over a substrate, forming a first insulation layer over the gate patterns and the substrate, etching the first insulation layer in a peripheral region to form at least one gate pattern spacer in the peripheral region, forming a second insulation layer over the substrate structure, etching the second insulation layer in a cell region to a given thickness, forming an insulation structure over the substrate structure, and etching the insulation structure, the etched first insulation layer and second insulation layer in the cell region to form a contact hole.
US07687338B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming embedded silicon germanium (eSiGe) in source and drain regions of a p-type field-effect-transistor (pFET) through a disposable spacer process; depositing a gap-filling layer directly on the eSiGe in the source and drain regions in a first process; depositing a layer of offset spacer material on top of the gap-filling layer in a second process different from the first process; etching the offset spacer material and the gap-filling layer, thus forming a set of offset spacers and exposing the eSiGe in the source and drain regions of the pFET; and finishing formation of the pFET.
US07687332B2
A method allowing the elimination of crosstalk interference, through the semiconductive substrate, between portions of a circuit provided on a same substrate comprising an upper semiconductive layer and an underlying dielectric layer, for instance an SOI wafer, wherein said portions are separated one from each other by forming trenches on said substrate either down to the dielectric layer or, in the case of an SOI substrate, down to the lower semiconductive layer.
US07687331B2
A stacked semiconductor device comprises a lower transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, a lower interlevel insulation film formed on the semiconductor substrate over the lower transistor, an upper transistor formed on the lower interlayer insulation film over the lower transistor, and an upper interlevel insulation film formed on the lower interlevel insulation film over the upper transistor. The stacked semiconductor device further comprises a contact plug connected between a drain or source region of the lower transistor and a source or drain region of the upper transistor, and an extension layer connected to a lateral face of the source or drain region of the upper transistor to enlarge an area of contact between the source or drain region of the upper transistor and a side of the contact plug.
US07687327B2
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and processes for manufacturing the same. The RFID device generally includes (1) a metal antenna and/or inductor; (2) a dielectric layer thereon, to support and insulate integrated circuitry from the metal antenna and/or inductor; (3) a plurality of diodes and a plurality of transistors on the dielectric layer, the diodes having at least one layer in common with the transistors; and (4) a plurality of capacitors in electrical communication with the metal antenna and/or inductor and at least some of the diodes, the plurality of capacitors having at least one layer in common with the plurality of diodes and/or with contacts to the diodes and transistors. The method preferably integrates liquid silicon-containing ink deposition into a cost effective, integrated manufacturing process for the manufacture of RFID circuits. Furthermore, the present RFID tags generally provide higher performance (e.g., improved electrical characteristics) as compared to tags containing organic electronic devices.
US07687304B2
A material for forming a conductive structure for a micromechanical current-driven device is described, which is an alloy containing about 0.025% manganese and the remainder nickel. Data shows that the alloy possesses advantageous mechanical and electrical properties. In particular, the sheet resistance of the alloy is actually lower and more stable than the sheet resistance of the pure metal. Accordingly, when used for conductive leads in a photonic device, the leads using the NiMn alloy may provide current to heat the photonic device while generating less heat within the leads themselves, and a more stable output.
US07687302B2
A frame shutter type device provides a separated well in which the storage node is located. The storage node is also shielded by a light shield to prevent photoelectric conversion.
US07687290B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor optical device includes: forming a laminated semiconductor structure of GaN-based materials on a semiconductor wafer, the laminated semiconductor structure forming a laser diode of GaN-based materials, including an active layer having a quantum well structure; cleaving the semiconductor wafer including the laminated semiconductor structure to expose a cleaved end face of the laminated semiconductor structure; and forming an SiO2 film on the cleaved end face and performing a heat treatment to cause Ga vacancy diffusion in the active layer to disorder the quantum well structure of the active layer.
US07687289B2
A method of manufacturing a pixel structure is provided. A first patterned conductive layer including a gate and a data line is formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed to cover the first patterned conductive layer and a semiconductor channel layer is formed on the gate insulating layer above the gate. A second patterned conductive layer including a scan line, a common line, a source and a drain is formed on the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor channel layer. The scan line is connected to the gate and the common line is located above the data line. The source and drain are located on the semiconductor channel layer, and the source is connected to the data line. A passivation layer is formed on the substrate to cover the second patterned conductive layer. A pixel electrode connected to the drain is formed on the passivation layer.
US07687288B2
A method of manufacturing a lighting module comprises: mounting one or more light emitting diode (LED) packages on a circuit board to define a lighting unit; and injection overmolding the entire lighting unit except the one or more LED packages using a single type of overmolding material. A lighting module comprises: one or more LED packages mounted on a circuit board; and an injection overmolding sealing the circuit board, the injection overmolding not having openings corresponding to piece holding pins, the injection overmolding not covering at least a light emitting portion of the one or more LED packages.
US07687284B2
A small-size magnetic sensor comprises three axial sensors each configured using plural giant magnetoresistive elements, wherein an X-axis sensor and a Y-axis sensor are arranged on the planar surface of an embedded layer of a substrate, and giant magnetoresistive elements forming a Z-axis sensor are formed on slopes of projections, which are formed by etching the embedded layer. It is possible to form an elongated projection on a substrate by way of the high-density plasma CVD method or by way of plasma etching and microwave etching, so that giant magnetoresistive elements are formed on the slopes of the elongated projection.
US07687283B2
A semiconductor device of a wafer level chip size package type is formed by cutting a semiconductor wafer with a plurality of semiconductor elements formed thereon in pieces. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate as the semiconductor wafer having a magnetic layer formed on at least one of a front surface and a backside surface of the semiconductor wafer.
US07687280B2
The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more of a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.
US07687273B2
A method for separating and purifying the active hematinic species (AHS) present in iron-saccharidic compositions, including AHS such as sodium ferric gluconate complex, ferric hydroxide-sucrose complex and ferric saccharate complex and others of similar form and function. The method separates the AHS from one or more excipients and, preferably, lyophilizes the separated AHS. Separation of the AHS permits its analytical quantification, further concentration, purification and/or lyophilization as well as preparation of new and useful products and pharmaceutical compositions, including those useful for the treatment of humans and animals.
US07687245B2
Suitable dyes are used herein to indicate the presence of microbial contamination by spraying them onto surfaces in the form of an aqueous solution. The dye solution may also be allowed to dry, thus producing the dried residue of an aqueous solution. It's believed that these dyes change color in response to a change in polarity of the environment. Since water is a polar solvent and most bacteria are made from non-polar substances, the presence of bacteria changes the polarity of the environment, triggering a change visible by the unaided eye.
US07687236B2
Provided are nucleotide-dye conjugates and related compounds in which a dye is linked to a nucleobase directly or indirectly by an anionic linker. The anionic character of the linker is provided by one or more anionic moieties which are present in the linker, such as phosphate, phosphonate, sulfonate, and carboxylate groups. When the dye is a provided as a donor/acceptor dye pair, the anionic linker can be located between the donor and the acceptor, or between the nucleobase and either the donor or acceptor, or both. In one embodiment, conjugates of the invention provide enhanced electrophoretic mobility characteristics to sequencing fragments, e.g., for dideoxy sequencing using labeled terminators.
US07687230B2
Method to treat collagenous connective tissue for implant remodeled by host cells into living tissue
The invention relates to a method of treatment of collagenous connective tissue removed from a donor for implant into a recipient which is re-habited or re-colonized by host cells without an immune rejection and inflammatory reaction. After removal from the donor, the tissue is trimmed and thereafter soaked in a cold stabilizing solution having a temperature range of 4 to 10 degrees centigrade. The tissue is then soaked at a predetermined temperature in a polyglycol, salt, hydrogen peroxide, and phosphate buffer first solution of predetermined quantities and concentrations and of sufficient ionic strength to permit ground substances to dissociate such that the collagen fibers remain stable. The tissue is then soaked in an alcohol and water solution at a predetermined temperature for a sufficient period of time to remove the residue of the first solution. Following the removal of the residue, the tissue is soaked at a predetermined temperature in a third solution of an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-thrombic agent, alcohol, and water or sequentially in an anti-inflammatory agent, alcohol, and water solution, and then in an anti-thrombic agent, alcohol and water solution and thereafter stored.
US07687229B2
A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material having, on a support, at least each one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers containing yellow-, magenta-, or cyan-dye-forming-coupler, and at least one light-insensitive hydrophilic colloid layer, wherein at least one of the dye-forming couplers is a dye-forming coupler that forms an azomethine dye having a solubility of 1×10−8 mol/L to 5×10−3 mol/L in ethyl acetate; and an image forming method using the light-sensitive material.
US07687224B2
A photosensitive film excellent in workability and making it possible, in a normal pressure laminating process, to laminate photosensitive films on the surface of substrate having a metallic surface with a reduced number of air voids generated and in a high product yield, said film comprising a support film (A), a photosensitive resin composition-containing photosensitive resin layer (B) formed on said support (A) and a protecting film (C) further stuck on said layer (B), wherein the number of fish eyes having a diameter of at least 80 μm included in the protecting film (C) does not exceed 5 fish eyes/m2.
US07687217B2
The present invention provides an image-receiving sheet for electrophotography which contains a support, and a raw paper, wherein the support contains at least one layer of a polymer coating layer on both surfaces of the raw paper and at least one layer of a toner image-receiving layer on a surface of the support; and the tensile strength in the Z-axis direction of the raw paper defined in the JAPAN TAPPI Paper and Pulp Test Method No. 18-1 is 350 kN/m2 to 650 kN/m2. The present invention also provides an image forming process using the image-receiving sheet for electrophotography.
US07687215B2
The presently disclosed embodiments relate in general to toners for use in electrophotographic apparatuses, such as printers and copiers. More particularly, a toner formulation of at least one binder, at least one colorant, and an embrittling agent, and methods for making the same, is provided wherein the embrittling agent increases grinding rate of the toner formulation.
US07687195B2
The present invention provides for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and a producing method therefor, in which a grooved portion provided in an upper portion of the outer casing of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery protrudes toward the inner portion of the outer casing, a group of electrodes being housed in the outer casing, a positive electrode and a negative electrode being wound in a spiral manner while facing each other through a separator in the group of electrodes, and a sealing member is placed on the upper portion of the grooved portion through insulated packing to seal the opening of the outer casing in an airtight manner, and whereby a circular insulating plate 10 provided with an arced opening 12 and cut portions 13 and 14 is arranged between the upper portion of the group of electrodes and the lower surface of the grooved portion, the cut portions 13 and 14 extending from end portions 12a and 12b of the opening 12, and the inner peripheral side of the cut portions 13 and 14 of the circular insulating plate is raised from the outer peripheral side of the cut portions 13 and 14. Such insulating plate does not adversely affect the injection property of the electrolytic solution used in producing the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery as to provide it with excellent battery performance and excellent productivity.
US07687191B2
The present invention provides a set of electrode plates for rolled electrochemical component and a cell comprising it. The set of electrode plates comprises a stripe-shaped first electrode plate, a stripe-shaped second electrode plate and a stripe-shaped separator, said separator being positioned between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, and these three being revolved into a roll in the length direction, wherein said first electrode plate comprising a stripe-shaped first collector and the active material coated on the surface of said first collector, said second electrode plate comprising a stripe-shaped second collector and the active material coated on the surface of said second collector, a first exposed portion with a predetermined width on which the active material are not coated being formed on at least one of two terminals in a width direction of the first electrode plate to constitute a first collecting section, a second exposed portion with a predetermined width on which the active material are not coated being formed on at least one of two terminals in a width direction of the second electrode plate to constitute a second collecting section, a structure for preventing sharp crippling is formed on at least one of said first collecting section and said second collecting section in at least the innermost periphery of the set of electrode plates. Hence, a high quality component having reliable and stable electrical connection between the collecting section and the collecting plate thereof and prevented from inner short-circuit in the set of roll-shaped electrode plates can be obtained.
US07687179B2
According to one embodiment, a fuel cell device includes a main body, an electricity generator, a fuel cartridge, an air inlet, an air intake filter, and a vibration applying mechanism. The electricity generator is housed in the main body, and generates electricity. The fuel cartridge is detachably housed in the main body, and supplies the electricity generator with fuel for electricity generation. The air inlet draws air in from atmosphere to supply the electricity generator with the air. The air intake filter covers the air inlet and cleans air. The vibration applying mechanism causes the air intake filter to vibrate in response to the movement of the fuel cartridge with respect to the main body.
US07687177B2
Nitrided bipolar plates and a scheme for their fabrication are provided. The present invention also contemplates device incorporating bipolar plates according to the present invention. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochemical conversion assembly is provided. The electrochemical conversion cells of the assembly are separated by respective bipolar plates comprising an alloy of Fe and Cr. A surface portion of the bipolar plates comprises a single phase nitrided structure. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a plasma nitriding process is utilized to create a single phase nitrided structure along a surface portion of respective ones of said bipolar plates.
US07687172B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked together in a stacking direction, and end plates provided at opposite ends of the fuel cells in the stacking direction. A fluid unit is provided on one side of the fuel cell stack. The fluid unit includes a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack, and a reformer for reforming a fuel to produce a fuel gas.
US07687168B2
A fuel cell system installed in a fuel-cell movable body. The system includes a fuel cell for generating electric power using reaction gases; a plurality of sensors for measuring states of the fuel cell; an abnormal state detecting device for detecting an abnormal state of at least one of said plurality of sensors; a substitution possibility determining device for determining whether there are one or more substitution sensors from among said plurality of sensors, each substitution sensor outputting a signal value used for setting a substitutional value for a signal value output from the sensor whose abnormal state has been detected; and a predetermined operation control device for operating the fuel cell in a predetermined operation state when the abnormal state of the sensor is detected by the abnormal state detecting device and it is determined by the substitution possibility determining device that there is no substitution sensor.
US07687166B2
The invention provides an auxiliary power unit (APU) and process for electricity generation in combination with an internal combustion engine in which the APU includes a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having an inlet for fuel, an inlet for air and/or engine exhaust gas, and an outlet for off-gas; anda catalytic partial oxidation reformer (CPOx) having an outlet which is connected to the inlet for fuel of the SOFC and an inlet for reactants, wherein the inlet for reactants is connected to an outlet for engine exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine through an evaporator having an inlet for fuel and an inlet for engine exhaust gas and an outlet which is connected to the inlet of the CPOx.
US07687162B2
A purging apparatus for a fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises a steam supply pass 18 and an air supply pass 19. A purging method for the fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises, at a time of causing a fuel reformer 12, a fuel cell body 1 and a fuel supply line 13 to carry out the purging operation, first carrying out the purging operation by steam, and then carrying out the purging operation by air. According to such a structure, there can be provided the purging apparatus for the fuel cell system and the method therefor, which have an easy structure and an easy operation, and enables combustible gas and condensed water remaining in the system to be removed in a reliable manner.
US07687159B2
A magnetic recording medium (10) includes a nonmagnetic substrate (1), an anti-ferromagnetic layer (2) arranged on the nonmagnetic substrate, and a magnetic recording layer (3) formed on the anti-ferromagnetic layer. The magnetic recording layer comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes (31) extending perpendicularly from the anti-ferromagnetic layer and a plurality of magnetic nano-particles (32) contained inside the carbon nanotubes. A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, according to one preferred embodiment, includes providing a nonmagnetic substrate; arranging an anti-ferromagnetic layer on the nonmagnetic substrate; forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes extending perpendicularly from the anti-ferromagnetic layer; and forming a plurality of magnetic nano-particles contained in the carbon nanotubes. The present magnetic recording medium can decrease noise, improve bit storage density, and has excellent thermal stability.
US07687138B2
A porous calcium phosphate ceramic body comprising a substrate 1, and three-dimensional nanotunnel layers 2 formed on wall surfaces of the substrate 1, the three-dimensional nanotunnel layers 2 having pluralities of three-dimensionally connected nanotunnels 21.
US07687129B2
A splice seam for joining various sections of fabric together is disclosed, wherein the fabric sections are initially delaminated into their constituent plies. The plies associated with each fabric section are then interleaved with each other, and bonded together. The amount of surface area between each interleaved plies can be adjusted as so as to achieve a desired level of load carrying strength between the fabric sections. Additionally, the splice seam may utilize an external and/or internal seam tape to increase the strength of the resultant seam.
US07687124B2
A container providing effective oxygen-scavenging functionality, while having low haze. The container has at least one wall, wherein the wall comprises a populated area, and wherein the populated area comprises a film-forming polymer; and a population of particles comprising an effective amount of oxygen-scavenging particles, wherein the number of particles of said population does not exceed a concentration of about (6×107 particles÷T) per cubic centimeter of polymer wherein T is the thickness of the populated area in mils; and wherein the wall has a transmission Hunter haze of up to about 1 percent per mil of the container wall.
US07687123B2
A multilayer, heat-shrinkable film contains at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 6/66, and polyamide 6/12. The film may have a total semi-crystalline polyamide content of at least 35 volume percent, based on total film volume, and a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 35 percent. The film may have an FTIR Transmission Absorbance A1199/A1170 ratio of up to 1.65. The film may be a retortable film, capable of being used in a process for preparing a retorted packaged product. A process for making a heat-shrinkable annular film containing the semi-crystalline polyamide comprises extruding an annular extrudate downward from an annular die, quenching the annular extrudate by applying a quenching liquid to the annular extrudate, reheating the extrudate to an orientation temperature, and orienting the reheated annular extrudate while the reheated annular extrudate is in the solid state, the orientation being carried out with a total orientation factor of at least 2, to produce a film having a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent.
US07687118B2
A diamine compound is proposed as well as polymers, copolymers, polyamic acids, polyamic acid esters, or polyimides based on such compound. The compound is represented by one of the general formulae (Ia) and (Ib). It could be shown that such structures, in particular for a specific choice of the residue B, provide, if e.g. used as orientation layers, a photostable, vertically aligning material with an improved VHR.
US07687117B2
A vacuum vessel and at least two electrodes define an internal process space. At least one power supply is connectable with the electrodes. A substrate holder holds a substrate to be treated in the internal process space. At least one of the electrodes has along a first cross section a concave profile and has along a second cross section a convex profile, the first cross section being parallel to the second cross section. Gas is provided to the space through a gas inlet. Power is provided to the electrodes and the substrate is treated.
US07687116B2
A golf ball has a thin intermediate layer, within specified thickness and hardness, situated between a ball core and cover layer. The thin intermediate layer provides for a ball having superior ball spin performance without loss of ball speed. Particular compositions for the intermediate layer, along with methods for spray-coating of a ball core and grinding down of a thick intermediate layer that are particularly suited for making this thin intermediate layer, also are disclosed.
US07687114B2
The invention relates to a method for metallic coating of fibers by liquid technique, in which a fiber, coated with a material forming a diffusion barrier with the metal, is drawn through a liquid metal bath to be coated therewith. The method is characterized in that prior to the passage of the fiber into the bath, the fiber is coated with a compound wettable by the metal. The coating of the fiber by the metal is facilitated by the presence of the compound, forming an interface wettable by the metal.
US07687113B2
A modified polyimide resin favorably employable for manufacturing an insulation film of an electric-electronic device is composed of recurring units (I) derived from a biphenyltetracarboxylic acid compound, a diamine compound, and a monoamine compound having at least one hydroxyl group and recurring units (II) derived from diisocyanate and polybutadiene having hydroxyl group at each terminal, which optionally contains further recurring units (III) derived from diisocyanate and a compound having hydroxyl group at each terminal and further having a reactive substituent.
US07687107B2
Described is an improved process for producing chemically modified fillers by using a certain combination of functionalizing and hydrophobizing agents in an aqueous suspension of inorganic oxide having a pH of 2.5 or less and increasing the pH of the suspension after chemically treating the filler.
US07687104B2
Disclosed herein are a method of applying an asphalt waterproofing membrane material for buildings and bridge decks using sawdust. More specifically, disclosed is a method for applying a waterproofing membrane composition having excellent waterproofing ability using sawdust, such that the composition is not broken down by external force and can function as a waterproofing material.
US07687101B2
A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a table on which a substrate is loaded, an aligning substrate provided at least along one side of the substrate, at least one syringe having a nozzle at an end portion for supplying a material onto the substrate or onto the aligning substrate; and an image camera provided at a side of the syringe for detecting an image of the material on the substrate or on the aligning substrate.
US07687090B2
An exemplary fuel cell device assembly includes: (i) an electrolyte sheet; (ii) a plurality of cathodes disposed on one side of the electrolyte sheet; (iii) a plurality of anodes disposed on another side of the electrolyte sheet; and (iv) a frame supporting the electrolyte sheet, the frame having a plurality of channels. Preferably the cross-sectional area of the frame has channel density of at least 20/in2 and channel wall thickness of 50 mils or less.
US07687080B2
Methods and compositions for the topical or transdermal treatment of neuropathy. More particularly, transdermal or topical compositions including a combination of ingredients that provide a surprising degree of effective relief from the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and methods for administering the compositions to treat various neuropathies.
US07687075B2
This invention relates to novel colonic purgative compositions in a solid dosage form, comprising at least one purgative and at least one soluble, or soluble, nonfermentable binder, such as polyethylene glycol. Further, this invention relates to methods of using the colonic purgative compositions. The present compositions and methods are designed to improve patient tolerance and compliance, while at the same time improving the quality of bowel cleansing. The formulations and methods of this invention are particularly useful to cleanse the bowel prior to diagnostic and surgical procedures and can also be employed in lower dosages as a laxative to promote elimination and/or to relieve constipation.
US07687074B2
The present invention relates to use of a milk apoprotein or a mixture thereof to prevent or treat microbial or viral infection of the human or animal body. It is believed that this is achieved by inhibiting adhesion of potential pathogens. More preferably, at least one milk apoprotein or a mixture thereof is administered, simultaneously or sequentially, with either or both of at least one free fatty acid or a mixture thereof or a monoglyceride thereof; and/or at least one organic acid or a salt or ester thereof or a mixture thereof. The active agent(s) may be delivered by means of a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery system which includes parenteral solutions, ointments, eye drops, nasal sprays, intravaginal devices, surgical dressings, medical foods or drinks, oral healthcare formulations and medicaments for mucosal applications.
US07687072B2
Methylated polystyrene having pendant N-halamine and N-halamine precursor groups. Biocidal particles have been prepared by reacting highly crosslinked methylated polystyrene beads as starting materials with various N-halamine precursor compounds. The resulting polymer beads are halogenated with chlorine or bromine. The porous beads will be useful in disinfection applications, as well as for sanitization and controlling noxious odor when mixed with absorbent materials in items such as disposable diapers, infant swimwear, incontinence pads, bandages, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, mattress covers, shoe inserts, sponges, animal litter, carpets, and fabrics.
US07687064B2
The present disclosure provides methods for increasing the lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of IL-1 by macrophages, for increasing serum levels of IL-1 in a mammal, for increasing the serum level of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in a mammal, for increasing the secretion of IL-1 by a monocyte, for increasing the secretion of IL-1Ra by a monocyte, for increasing the secretion of IL-1Ra by a macrophage, for increasing expression of TLR4 on the surface of a macrophage, for increasing expression of CD14 on the surface of macrophage, for increasing the uptake and clearance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by a LPS-stimulated macrophage, and for increasing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated activation of at least one of ERK, JNK, and p38 in a macrophage. The methods of the disclosure involve the administration to mammals and immune cells of a fucose-containing glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum.
US07687061B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, such as an antibody, a protein, a peptide or the like, an agent of promoting the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, and an immunologically functional molecule having the promoted activity.
US07687055B2
The method of hardening, fortifying, restructuring, repairing, increasing volume or stabilizing keratinic fibers, especially human hair, includes providing a keratinic fiber treatment composition containing from 0.05 to 1.0 percent by weight of creatine, a salt of creatine, creatinine and/or a salt of creatinine, bringing the keratinic fiber treatment composition into contact with the keratinic fibers and allowing the keratinic fiber treatment composition to remain in contact with the keratinic fibers for a certain time interval.
US07687054B2
Methods, compounds, and medicinal formulations utilizing biocompatible polymers for delivery of a drug, particularly for solubilizing, stabilizing and/or providing sustained release of drug from topical, implantable, and inhalation systems. Many of the methods, compounds, and medicinal formulations are particularly suitable for oral and/or nasal inhalation and use polymers of the formula —[X—R1—C(O)]— wherein each R1 is an independently selected organic group that links the —X— group to the carbonyl group, and each X is independently oxygen, sulfur, or catenary nitrogen.
US07687044B2
A chemical reaction is performed with separation of the product(s) and reactant(s) by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), using an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers cooperating with first and second valve assemblies in a PSA module. The PSA cycle is characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, entering from compressor stage(s) or exiting into exhauster or expander stages, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing the adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor. The reaction may be performed within a portion of the rotor containing a catalyst.
US07687036B2
It is an object of the invention to provide an ion diffusing apparatus having higher ability by suppressing the disturbance or turbulent flow generated in the vicinity of an ion generating apparatus and by enhancing the ion generating efficiency and the ion transfer efficiency. To achieve this object, the ion diffusing apparatus includes an ion generating apparatus which generates ions from an electrical discharging surface, a wind-blowing path which transmits the ions generated from the ion generating apparatus, and a blowout opening which is formed in an end of the wind-blowing path and which discharges the ions, and the wind-blowing path upstream from the ion generating apparatus is provided with a rectifier which rectifies flow of ions.
US07687032B2
A cytological material sample collection device comprises a cylinder having a longitudinal bore extending there through. The sample collection device further comprises a filter membrane configured for collecting a layer of cytological material when the bore is subjected to negative pressure. The sample collection device further comprises a drip guard disposed on the cylinder proximal to the membrane. The drip guard may include at least one access port in fluid communication with the bore. The sample collection device may further comprise a chuck that selectively mates with the cylinder, so that, after usage of the sample collection device, the cylinder can be discarded, while the chuck can be reused with subsequent cylinders.
US07687031B2
A microchip is provided, the microchip comprises a block constituting a reaction system, wherein said reaction system includes: a reaction region including biomolecules immobilized therein in form of a spot(s) or a strip(s); a supply flow channel connected to the reaction region for supplying a sample solution; and a recovery flow channel connected to the reaction region for recovering the sample solution which passes through at least a part of the reaction region. Thereby bonds or bindings between the biomolecules or biomacromolecules and the samples can be detected on the microchip using the slight quantity of both the sample and the biomolecules.
US07687029B2
An automated analyzer is described for determining, by way of combustion, nitrogen contained in organic compounds, in particular proteins present in foods, animal feeds, polymers, fuels etc., characterized in that the carbon dioxide absorption device upstream of the nitrogen detector is self-regenerating and comprises: a distributor valve able to switch different gas circuits without contaminations and losses from one gas sample to another, a carousel consisting of a plurality of absorber elements inside which is placed an adsorbent material, a furnace suitable for said adsorbers, in such a manner that each of said adsorbers presents itself in turn for each analysis and that on completion of said analysis the same adsorber is conveyed to the furnace for degassing of the absorbent material and thus for its relative regeneration.
US07687024B2
A method of cooling a load provided in a load compartment in a furnace chamber of a furnace of a hot isostatic pressing device includes releasing hot pressure medium from the load compartment. Cool pressure medium is provided for enabling it to fall through the released hot pressure medium outside the load compartment. The thus obtained mixed pressure medium is led into the load compartment. A hot isostatic pressing device includes a load compartment having an aperture near an upper portion thereof configured to vent warm pressure medium into a region surrounding the compartment, and a conduit configured to introduce cool pressure medium into the region surrounding the compartment for mixing with the warm medium. The compartment also includes an aperture near a lower portion thereof configured to receive a mix of warm and cool pressure medium from the region surrounding the compartment.
US07687021B2
The invention provides a method of fabricating a turbine stator casing, the method comprising the operations consisting in: between the walls of portions of a mold, forming a cavity of shape corresponding to the shape of the shroud of said casing, securing soluble cores to at least one of said mold portions, said cores being held at a distance from the wall of said mold portion and representing empty spaces that are to be formed inside said shroud; putting soluble inserts into place between the cores to represent flow paths between said empty spaces; filling said cavity with a metal alloy powder; sintering said powder by hot isostatic pressing; eliminating the cores and the inserts by dissolving them; and extracting the shroud as molded in this way. The invention is applicable to fabricating a turbine stator casing for an airplane turbojet.
US07687015B2
A method for producing a laminated dielectric, which comprises laminating a raw material layer containing a high dielectric constant glass ceramic composition comprising from 30 to 70 mass % of a Ba—Ti compound powder having a Ti/Ba molar ratio of from 3.0 to 5.7 and from 30 to 70 mass % of an alkali free glass powder containing, by mol %, from 15 to 40% of SiO2, from 5 to 37% of B2O3, from 2 to 15% of Al2O3, from 1 to 25% of CaO+SrO, from 5 to 25% of BaO and from 25 to 50% of SiO2+Al2O3, and a raw material layer containing a low dielectric constant glass ceramic composition comprising from 10 to 70 mass % of a ceramic powder and from 30 to 90 mass % of an alkali free glass powder wherein SiO2+Al2O3 is at least 34 mol % and larger by at least 9 mol % than that in the above alkali free glass powder, followed by firing.
US07687013B2
A circulating apparatus includes a firing jig assembling apparatus, a firing furnace, a firing jig disassembling apparatus, and a transporting conveyor. The firing jig assembling apparatus includes a lid member attaching mechanism that attaches the lid member to a predetermined position of the firing jig placed on the table or the conveyor; and a jig delivering mechanism that delivers the firing jig which has the ceramic molded body being mounted thereon and the lid member being attached thereto, to the firing furnace. The firing jig disassembling apparatus further includes a jig receiving mechanism that receives the firing jig which has the fired ceramic molded body being mounted thereon and the lid member being attached thereto, from the firing furnace; and a lid member detaching mechanism that detaches the lid member from the firing jig placed on the table or the conveyor with the lid member being attached thereto.
US07687006B2
A form for casting concrete blocks and other products having a resilient insert defining a cavity in which the block is cast and a rigid support or frame for the resilient insert. After the block has cured, the block is removed from the insert either by inverting the form to allow the block to fall from the insert or by lifting the block from the insert. One or more areas of the insert are tethered to the support with at least one generally flat flexible strap so that at least a portion of the insert is allowed to move a limited distance relative to the support and to deform to release the block. One end of each tether strap is embedded in the insert. After the cast block is separated from the insert, the insert is returned to a position wherein it is supported for casting another block.
US07687004B2
A process is disclosed for making a closure having (i) a top portion, and (ii) a latch member that includes an actuator portion and a follower portion, the follower portion including a blocking structure. The process includes providing a mold assembly that defines a space therein which corresponds to the closure, the mold assembly including (i) a first mold portion that defines a first subspace which corresponds to the actuator portion, and (ii) a second mold portion that defines a second subspace which corresponds to the blocking structure. The process further includes advancing a material into the space so as to form the closure. The process also includes moving the second mold portion in relation to the first mold portion after the advancing step so as to remove the actuator portion from the first subspace. In addition, the process includes urging an internal wall of the first mold portion into contact with the actuator portion in response to movement of the second mold portion in relation to the first mold portion so as to cause the actuator portion to move in relation to the top portion. Additionally, the process includes moving the follower portion in relation to the second mold portion in response the urging step so as to cause the blocking structure to move away from of the second subspace.
US07687003B2
An method of forming a thin walled section in an injection molded plastic part includes providing a mold having a first mold half, a second mold half, and a slide, wherein the first and second mold halves, and the slide define a mold cavity when assembled. The slide includes portions that define a thin walled section of the plastic part and is movable between a retracted position wherein the slide is partially retracted from the mold cavity and an engaged position wherein the slide is in position to define the final shape of the plastic part; injecting molten plastic into the mold cavity with the slide in the retracted position; moving the slide to the engaged position; allowing the molten plastic to cool; opening the mold halves and removing the plastic part.
US07687000B2
The invention relates to a method for the production of individual components made from materials which change state from a liquid to solid or a particulate to bonded state during the method. A mold and elastic balloons, which may be placed in the mold under pressure, are used for the method. Either gas or liquid or the liquid material of the component for production, which may later be hardened, are filled in the balloons.
US07686999B2
A casting film is made by casting dope including polymer and solvent on a casting drum whose surface is cooled. The casting film becomes to have a self-supporting property by cooling solidification, and then peeled as a wet film from the casting drum. The wet film is fed into a pin tenter in which both side edges of the wet film is held by plural pins. The wet film is dried while conveyed through the pin tenter, to become a film. Next, the film having predetermined X-ray diffraction intensity is fed into a clip tenter. While the film whose both side edges are held by clips is conveyed, it is stretched in the width direction thereof at a stretch rate in a range of 15% to 40%, to control molecular orientation in the film.
US07686998B2
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising a combination of 10 to 80 wt. % of a polyester and 10 to 90 wt. % of at least one two polyester-polycarbonate copolymers comprising, based on the total weight of the copolymer, 10 to 95 wt. % of arylate ester units, and 5 to 85 wt. % of aromatic carbonate units. Also disclosed is a method of forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom, for example transparent covers.
US07686997B2
Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising a combination of 10 to 80 weight percent of a polyester, 5 to 50 weight percent of a polycarbonate, and 10 to 90 weight percent of a polyester-polycarbonate copolymer comprising, based on the total weight of the copolymer, 15 to 95 weight percent of arylate ester units, and 5 to 85 weight percent of aromatic carbonate units. Also disclosed is a method of forming the compositions, and articles prepared therefrom, for example transparent covers.
US07686996B2
An apparatus and methods for flame-perforating films. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a frame, support surface attached to the frame, where the support surface includes a plurality of lowered portions, a burner attached to the frame opposite the support surface, where the burner supports a flame, and where the flame includes a flame tip opposite the burner and a film contacting the support surface, where the flame of the burner is in contact with the film, where the burner is positioned such that the distance between an unimpinged flame tip of the flame and the burner is at least one-third greater than the distance between the film and the burner.
US07686992B2
An object is to enhance the sound absorbing functions of an interior member, and furthermore, to increase ease of assembly of the interior member, and the interior member for the cab is integrally formed so as to have a laminated structure where a sound absorbing material is contained between an outer layer material and a foundation body panel, or inside a foundation body panel. In addition, such an interior member is formed in accordance with a reaction injection molding method.
US07686988B2
A method of forming a transferring surface onto a producing die to produce an optical element, wherein the transferring surface transfers an optical surface onto the produced optical element, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a material so as to form the transferring surface with a curvature; wherein the material has a hardness not smaller than Rockwell hardness HRA 80 or Vickers hardness Hv 1000 and the cutting step is conducted with a critical cutting-in depth of 5 μm or less for the material.
US07686979B2
A long afterglow luminescent material of the formula aMO.bM′ (SβSe1-β).cAl2O3.d B2O3.eP2O5: xEu.yLn, wherein M is/are selected from Sr, Ca, Ba, and Mg, and any combinations thereof; M′ is/are selected from Sr, Ca, and Ba, and any combinations thereof; Ln is/are selected from Nd, Dy, Ho, Tm, La, Ce, Er, Pr, Bi, and Sm, and any combinations thereof; a, b, c, d, e, x and y are mole ratios, wherein 0.5
US07686977B2
A liquid crystal-containing composition includes a cholesteric liquid crystal, a polymer, and concave and convex portions located at the interface between a region including the cholesteric liquid crystal and a region including the polymer.
US07686973B2
A wafer etching and impurity analysis method is presented in which a wafer is held in a vessel having gas introduction and exhaust ports, a solution including a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid alone or together with sulfuric acid is bubbled with a carrier gas without being heated, which generates a gas containing vaporized hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid, and the inside of the vessel is purged so that the amount of gas supplied is kept constant at all times. All or a specific portion of the wafer is cooled to a specific temperature. Consequently, the gas is condensed on the surface of the wafer, which allows the required portion of the wafer to be etched. The method reduces the amount of liquid needed for residue recovery, the amount of admixed silicon during impurity analysis, and the concentration time.
US07686972B2
It is made possible to manufacturing a magnetic recording medium capable of high-density recording at low cost. A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, includes: forming a magnetic film on a substrate; and forming a pattern transfer film, into which a concavo-convex pattern of a magnetic recording medium is to be transferred by imprinting, by vapor-depositing a material for forming the pattern transfer film onto the magnetic film while heating the material at a temperature of 100° C. to 400° C. in a vacuum of 1×10−3 Torr or less.
US07686966B2
An automatic tank cleaning system includes a water recycling unit having a weir therein and a conically-shaped bottom, a cutting box having a portable weir therein, a hydrocyclonic separator, and a mud tank. Tank slop is pumped from the mud tank to the water recycling unit where solids collect at the bottom. The solids are removed and collected in the cutting box. Water in the recycling unit may be pumped through the hydrocyclonic separator. Solids removed by the separator are collected in the cutting box and the water is directed into a clean water compartment defined by the weir within the recycling unit. Water in the cutting box is collected by the portable weir therein and pumped to the clean water compartment. Water from the clean water compartment is pumped to one or more rotary jet heads within the mud tank. Overflow from the water recycling unit may be directed to the cutting box. A chemical inductor may be used to add cleaning chemicals to the water prior to being directed through the wash nozzle. Turbulence preventers may be included at the inlet of each flow line to prevent turbulence from occurring in the tank to which the fluid is directed.
US07686963B2
In one aspect, ozone is quenched from a water stream, such as a drinking water or wastewater stream being treated with ozone, by contacting the stream with magnesium thiosulfate. In another aspect, a method of scrubbing ozone from a gaseous stream comprises contacting the gaseous stream with magnesium thiosulfate. In an alternative embodiment, chlorine is quenched from a water stream by contacting the stream with magnesium thiosulfate or potassium thiosulfate. In yet another aspect, a method of scrubbing chlorine from a gaseous stream comprises contacting the stream with magnesium thiosulfate or potassium thiosulfate. In another embodiment, a thiosulfate, such as magnesium thiosulfate, calcium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, or sodium thiosulfate, is provided on an air filter for scrubbing ozone or chlorine from gaseous streams.
US07686955B2
The present invention discloses a submerged hollow fiber membrane module which is of such a structure that it is easy to expand a module processing capability according to a treatment capacity, provides convenient module coupling properties and module manufacturing properties, maintains a stable flux under an efficient air diffusion condition and prevents the damage of membranes and water leakage caused by the loosening of module connecting regions. The submerged hollow fiber membrane module comprises [I] two module headers (2 and 2′) having a filtrate water collecting portion (3) for collecting filtrate water filtered through hollow fiber membranes and a filtrate water outlet (7), [II] an air diffusion unit 8 consisting of support tubes (9 and 9′) fixing the two module headers (2 and 2′) while keeping them spaced a predetermined distance and air diffusion tubes (11 and 11′) having air diffusion holes (13), and [III] a bundle of hollow fiber membranes (1) having both opposite ends fixed to the insides of the module headers (2 and 2′) by an adhesive (6) so as to form a water collecting space within the module headers (2 and 2′), the ends (5) of the hollow portions of the hollow fiber (20) membranes being opened and disposed in parallel to a filtrate water discharge surface (4).
US07686953B2
The plunger used as the upper enclosure in a preparative chromatography column is suspended by one or more rods that are supported by a frame through coupling connections on the frame that can fix the position of the rod(s) relative to the frame, while the position of the rod(s) is controlled by a motorized drive system that is suspended above the column. The drive system is mounted either to the column lid or to a functional plate positioned a short distance above the column lid. These constructions allow the plunger to be raised and lowered so that the column and its parts can be exchanged, all without the need for a hoist or crane.
US07686950B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for purifying water whereby: the water to be purified is pressurized; a pressurized flow of said water is directed onto at least one selective permeability membrane to divide (11) the flow of pressurized water into a permeate flow and a retentate flow; the permeate flow is electrodeionized (12) to produce a flow of purified water consisting of the electrodeionized permeate flow; the flowrate of the retentate flow (19) is reduced; a substantially constant predetermined pressure (21) is maintained on the selective permeability membrane(s); and a substantially constant predetermined permeate flowrate is maintained and also relates to a suitable tangential filtration module system.
US07686948B2
The use of one or more alkali metals, preferably sodium, to remove sulfur from hydrocarbon streams containing up to about 100 wppm sulfur. The hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a reactor where it is contacted with one or more alkali metals. The treated hydrocarbon stream is then subjected to a water wash thereby resulting in an aqueous phase fraction and a hydrocarbon phase fraction. The aqueous phase fraction, which is separated from the hydrocarbon phase fraction contains water-soluble sodium moieties.
US07686937B2
Anode and cathode separator plates are suitable for use in ion pumps for converting an input stream such as reformate into a pressurized and purified hydrogen-rich gas stream. The plates may include a single cathode outlet opening forming a portion of cathode output gas manifold, an anode inlet opening forming a portion of an inlet gas stream manifold and being sized larger than inlet cathode outlet opening, the distance of the anode inlet opening to an edge of the plate being less than the distance of the cathode outlet opening from an edge of the plate, and the size of the fluid flow channel of the anode separator plate being smaller than the size of the fluid flow channel of the cathode separator plate. Methods for forming the plates and infrastructure systems are also disclosed.
US07686933B2
An apparatus for electrophoretically removing contaminants from an oil-based drilling fluid includes a housing, a drum, a means for rotating the drum, and a scraper head. The drum is retained within the housing above the housing floor. The oil-based drilling fluid is directed along the housing floor, contacting both the housing floor and the drum. A negative charge is applied to the drum and a positive charge is applied to the housing, creating an electrical field through the fluid. Drilling fluid contaminants are attracted to and collect upon the drum outer surface. The means for rotating the drum turns the drum through the fluid and collected contaminants remain on the drum outer surface. The scraper removes the collected contaminants from the drum outer surface as it rotates. A method for removing contaminants from an oil-based drilling fluid includes directing the contaminated into the electrically charged housing, adjusting the drum height of the oppositely electrically charged drum so that it contacts the fluid, rotating the drum to remove the contaminants collected thereon from the fluid, and scraping the drum with a nonconductive scraper head to remove the contaminants.
US07686929B2
A sensing apparatus comprising an ion sensitive field effect transistor arranged to generate an electrical output signal in response to localized fluctuations of ionic charge at or adjacent the surface of the transistor, and means for detecting the electrical output signal from the ion sensitive field effect transistor, the localized fluctuations of ionic charge indicating events occurring during a chemical reaction.
US07686915B1
Disclosed is a method of vacuum bagging parts being adhered with an epoxy. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) beads are disposed into a cavity defined by the parts to be adhered. These beads will flow to all of the areas of the parts and will not stick to the adhesive. Next, a bagging material is placed over the parts and beads and vacuum is created underneath the material. This administers pressure to the bag which transfers the pressure to the beads and then the parts to ensure proper curing.
US07686911B2
A method for making curved panels including the steps cutting curved subunits to the appropriate size required to form the curved panel, applying adhesive to and assembling the plurality of curved subunits into a predetermined a unitary curved panel, and clamping the curved panel to a mold conforming in shape to curved panel. The mold and clamping provide for a flush curved surface upon bonding of the adhesive.
US07686910B2
A method and a device for the automated application of a self-adhesive paint film to a three-dimensionally curved bodywork part, using a robotic application tool, the paint film being held ready in the form of a multi-layered film composite ready for picking up. After picking up has taken place, a protective strip on the adhesive side is removed from the film section, which is held taut, by means of a contact piece attached to the film composite on the end side and the adhesive side of the film section is thereby exposed. The paint film section is subsequently aligned above the body part to be covered, at a small distance from it, and is progressively pressed onto the bodywork part from the spaced-apart, taut position by means of a roller or doctor moving over the paint film. In order to be able to apply even large or curved paint film sections without creases and at justifiable tool costs, use is made of a rectangular film composite which protrudes on all sides over the bodywork portion to be covered and is secured on all four sides in a rectangular suction frame. As a result, during the application of the paint film, the latter is held under tensile stress in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. To simplify the tool, the protective strip on the adhesive side is removed from the paint film in a stationary manner.
US07686909B2
A method for reel-type packaging flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) is disclosed. Firstly, a flexible plate having a plurality of FPC patterns is cut out to form several bar-like materials, wherein each of the bar-like materials has a plurality of aligned FPCs thereon. Subsequently, the bar-like materials are wound onto a reel one by one to form a reel-type package so as to prevent the FPCs from crumpling, curving and deforming when suffering an external force.
US07686906B2
The present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers used in multiple layer glass panels having one or more glass layers, and specifically the present invention is in the field of polymer interlayers comprising a layer of poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene terephthalate) copolyester (PETG).
US07686905B2
A method for reestablishing the electrical continuity of an electrically conductive layer of a composite aircraft wing damaged by a lightning strike or other mechanical event is disclosed in which a copper patch replaced the damaged section of the electrically conductive layer contained. The repair is performed by first removing any surfacers, fasteners, and damaged electrically conductive layer to expose a portion of the underlying composite skin. A copper patch having a copper foil section coupled to an unsupported film adhesive is then introduced onto an underlying composite skin opening contained within an undamaged section of a copper foil grid and covered with resin-impregnated fiberglass material. The film adhesive and resin-impregnated fiberglass material are then cured and fasteners are then reinserted within the fiberglass material, copper patch and underlying composite skin. The surface of the composite wing is then reprimed and repainted to complete the repair.
US07686898B2
A maraging heat-treatment steel includes 8.5 to 9.5% by weight of Cr, 0.15 to 0.25% by weight of Mn, 2 to 2.7% by weight of Ni, 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of Mo, 0.4 to 0.8% by weight of V, 0.001 to 0.15% by weight of Si, 0.06 to 0.1% by weight of C, 0.11 to 0.15% by weight of N, 0.02 to 0.04% by weight of Nb, maximum 0.007% by weight of P, maximum 0.005% by weight of S, maximum 0.01% by weight of Al, iron and standard impurities, wherein a weight ratio of vanadium to nitrogen V/N is in a range between 4.3 and 5.5.
US07686887B2
An object of the invention is to provide a quartz glass crucible reduced in the generation of vibration occurring on the surface of a silicon melt and free from the generation of rough surface and cristobalite spots, yet capable of pulling up single crystal silicon stably and at high yield even in long-term operations; it is also an object to provide a method for producing the same. In a quartz glass crucible for pulling up single crystal silicon comprising a crucible base body having a bottom part and a straight shell part with an inner layer provided to the inner surface thereof, the quartz glass crucible is characterized by that said inner layer comprises a synthetic quartz glass layer from the lowest end to at least a height of 0.25 H; a naturally occurring quartz glass layer or a mixed layer of naturally occurring quartz glass and synthetic quartz glass extended in a range of from at least 0.5 H to 0.8 H; and one selected from a synthetic quartz glass layer, a naturally occurring quartz glass layer, and a mixed quartz glass layer of naturally and synthetic quartz glass for the rest of the inner layer; wherein H represents the height from the lowest end of the bottom part to the upper end plane of the shell part. It also provides a method for producing the quartz glass crucible above.
US07686884B2
Disclosed is a hydraulically setting composition containing phosphorus-oxygen acid esters or ester salts which comprise alkoxy groups. Also disclosed is a surface-modifying agent for structural steel, which contains or consists of phosphorus-oxygen acid esters or ester salts comprising alkoxy groups. The hydraulically setting composition and the surface-modifying agent are suitable for protecting reinforced concrete.
US07686882B2
In various embodiments, methods and compositions are provided comprising titanium dioxide and silica spacers having improved light stability for use in paper, plastic and paints.
US07686880B2
A process for producing a pigment complex including the steps of dissolving a pigment in a supercritical state or subcritical state fluid and contacting the fluid containing the dissolved pigment with a polymer-containing solution.
US07686878B2
A coating composition is provided which includes an adhesion promoter or a crosslinker silane which, upon hydrolysis, of its hydrolyzable sites, produces a reduced amount of volatile organic compound compared to that produced by the hydrolysis of a silane possessing an equivalent number of hydrolyzable sites all of which are hydrolyzable alkoxy groups.
US07686868B2
A membrane separation module (10) has a shell (11) having inlet port (20), outlet port (21) and a plurality of membrane units (12) disposed therebetween. Each membrane unit (12) has a plurality of elongated membrane elements (13), with at least a portion of each membrane element (13) having a semipermeable surface to permit selective permeation of one or more components of a multi-component feed fluid. The plurality of elongated membrane elements (13) are attached to collecting manifolds (16) (17), with one of those manifolds (16) (17) being unrestrained, permitting axial movement of each membrane element (13) in response to temperature changes. At least one manifold (16) (17) from each membrane unit (12) is in fluid communication with a manifold (16) (17) from one other membrane unit (12).
US07686866B2
A process for recovering copper from chalcopyrite is disclosed. The process includes oxidising sulphur in chalcopyrite with a solution under predetermined contact conditions and thereby releasing at least part of the copper in the chalcopyrite into the solution as copper ions. The process includes a subsequent step of reducing sulphur in a solid product from step (a) to a minus two, ie. sulphide, valence state with a solution under predetermined contact conditions. The process further includes a subsequent step of oxidising sulphur in a solid product from step (b) with a solution under predetermined contact conditions and thereby releasing at least part of the remaining copper in the solid product into the solution as copper ions. The process further includes recovering copper from one or more of the solutions from steps (a) and (c).
US07686855B2
Disclosed are methods for transporting one or more synthetic products produced from a carbonaceous source, such as coal, natural gas, or biomass, which may be located in a location that is remote from markets for such products. The synthetic products may include lower molecular weight alcohols such as methanol, lower molecular weight ethers such as dimethyl ether, olefins and/or the products of a Fischer-Tropsch or other hydrocarbon synthesis. The methods include transport of such synthetic products via a pipeline in the dense phase state, either neat or blended with light hydrocarbons, such as natural gas.
US07686854B2
Seal means for sealing a bipolar plate to a membrane in a PEM fuel cell stack. The seal includes a thin layer of a cross-linkable silicone composition disposed between the bipolar plate and the membrane. The layer is applied as a liquid to either the plate or the membrane and preferably is polymerized prior to assembly of the stack. A preferred means for applying the composition to the bipolar plate is screen printing. Preferably, the layer has a thickness between 0.001 and 0.005 inch. The resulting fuel cell stack exhibits superior leak resistance. In a currently preferred embodiment, a layer of the silicone composition is provided at interfaces between a membrane and both an anode side and a cathode side of a bipolar plate.
US07686851B2
The present invention concerns concentrated storage-stable aqueous dye solutions comprising a) 5% to 30% by weight of a dye of the formula where K is a coupling component of the acetoacetanilide, pyridone, pyrazolone or pyrimidine series, and b) 0.1 to 0.9 mol of aminoalkoxy alcohols or monoalkanolamines per mole of dye of the formula (1) and c) 0 to 3 mol of trialkanolamine per mole of dye of the formula (1).
US07686839B2
Phototherapy treatment devices include a light emitter that is adapted to be placed in close proximity to a wound for applying light/heat energy to the wound to aid in the healing process. The light emitter may comprise a light guide that receives light from a light source or a light source that is affixed to a substrate used to position the light source over the wound.
US07686834B2
A spinal osteosynthesis assembly comprises a connector, a bone anchor capable of being received in the connector, a connecting member capable of being received in the connector, and a ring capable of coming into contact with the bone anchor, the connecting member being able to come to bear against the ring and the bone anchor when the ring and the bone anchor are fitted in the connector.
US07686825B2
A vascular filter for capturing and breaking apart particles in the blood. The vascular filter includes a filter body and an agitation member disposed within the filter body. Movement of the agitation member acts on particles trapped within the filter body for enhancing the dissolution of the particles, thereby reducing the likelihood of filter occlusion and improving the flow of blood through the vessel. The vascular filter is preferably collapsible for percutaneous delivery to a treatment site. The agitation member is preferably rotatably coupled to the filter body and a flow receiving member is provided for causing the agitation member to rotate. A clutch mechanism may be provided such that the agitation member only rotates when a particle, such as a blood clot, is trapped within the filter body.
US07686822B2
An article of manufacture suitable for positioning a sheet of mesh material over tissue is described. In one embodiment, the article comprises a surgical tack having a hook-type material such as Velcro® material carried by the tack, e.g., secured to the top of the head thereof. A plurality of such tacks are positioned around the site of a hernia or the like and the mesh is positioned over the site and the tacks. The mesh is made of a loop-type Velcro® material or the like which allows the mesh to be releasably engaged and disengaged from the hook-type material carried by the tacks so that the mesh can be appropriately positioned over the tissue.
US07686821B2
The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.
US07686817B2
An occluding device is disclosed for occluding a female patient's uterine arteries which have unsymmetrical anatomy with respect to the patient's uterine cervix. The occluding device has a pair of pivotally connected occluding members, with at least one of the occluding member having a movable occluding element on a distal shaft section of the occluding member. The position and orientation of the occluding elements on the distal shaft sections may be adjusted by operative members on the proximal shaft sections of the occluding members to accommodate for asymmetrical uterine artery anatomy. The occluding elements have pressure applying surfaces with one or more blood flow sensors such as Doppler chips which help the physician to better identify the uterine artery and to monitor blood flow therein. A tenaculum-like guiding element configured to be secured within the patient's uterine cervix, may be provided to guide the occluding device to the patient's cervix.
US07686812B2
A method for setting the internal-external rotational position of a prosthetic femoral component with respect to the tibial comprises: forming a cylindrical surface on the posterior femoral condyles. The cylindrical surface is formed about an axis extending in a proximal distal direction with respect to the femur. A template is placed on the distal femur which has a cylindrical guide surface for engaging the posterior femoral condyles. When placed against a planar resected surface of the distal femur the guide surfaces contact the cylindrically shaped posterior condyles. The template is rotated on the cylindrical guide surface as the knee joint is moved from flexion to extension until the template cylindrical guide surfaces are in a position with respect to the tibial condyle surfaces to properly balance the knee ligaments.
US07686804B2
An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto which defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The instrument also includes first and second opposing jaw members coupled to the shaft, the first jaw member having a conductive surface and being movable relative to the second jaw member and the second jaw member being fixed relative to the shaft having an electrode rotatable along the longitudinal axis. The rotatable electrode has a sealing surface and a cutting edge. At least one non-conductive stop member is disposed on at least one of the first and second jaw members which controls the distance between the electrically conductive surfaces when tissue is held therebetween. The jaw member are connected to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween.
US07686797B2
An improved biological fluid filtration system is shown having, seriatim, a blood container, a biological fluid filtration device downstream of the blood container, and a blood receiving container downstream of the biological fluid filtration device; a bypass line is provided to allow fluid communication between the blood container and the blood receiving container, the bypass line includes a loop, the loop of the bypass line being configured to be disposed above the blood container at a sufficient height to prevent the passage of fluid around the leukocyte depletion device; the loop of the bypass line being disposed in a tube support device, the tube support device being configured to support substantially the entire weight of the biological fluid filtration system without substantially crimping said bypass line.
US07686793B2
An interlabial pad is provided that can be easily worn in the interlabial space. A wrapping body is provided that contains the interlabial pad. In the interlabial pad, a finger insertion cavity is formed along the longitudinal direction of a back side sheet between a mini-sheet piece and the side opposite to body on the back side sheet. An opening of the finger insertion cavity for inserting a finger leads to a finger insertion restriction portion which farther restricts the insertion of the finger.
US07686771B2
Sample vials and methods of processing the sample vials are provided. The sample vial comprises a vial container, a sample collection chamber within the vial container, a vial cap configured to be mated with the vial container to enclose the collection chamber, an aliquot chamber, which may be carried by the vial cap or the vial container, and a valve mechanism for selectively sealing and unsealing the aliquot chamber from the collection chamber. The method may comprise flowing an aliquot of the sample from the collection chamber while the sample within the collection chamber is isolated from an environment exterior to the vial, sealing the aliquot chamber from the collection chamber to isolate the aliquot sample from the remaining sample portion, and transferring at least some of the remaining sample portion from the collection chamber to a microscope slide while the aliquot chamber is sealed from the collection chamber. The method further comprises reserving the slide for cytological screening of the sample, and reserving the aliquot sample for deoxynucleic acid (DNA) testing.
US07686769B2
Treatment apparatus and method for the enhancement of neurophysiological processes of a patient's visual system utilizes a computer generated display that provides a patient simultaneously with passive visual stimulation images and visual cognitive exercises. The stimulation images include moving elements having edges or points of contrast. The exercises include visual and phonological elements. The invention is used to treat reading, writing and speech disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as having broader applications for example in sports sciences.
US07686765B2
There is provided a pulse detecting device which resists fluctuations in the quality by locating an ultrasound transmitting piezoelectric element and an ultrasound receiving piezoelectric element with high precision. In the pulse detecting device, a detection sensitivity of the pulse is improved. A transmitting piezoelectric element and a receiving piezoelectric element are fixed onto a substrate by electrodes. The transmitting piezoelectric element is excited in response to an inputted drive voltage signal to generate an ultrasound and transmits the generated ultrasound to a living body. The receiving piezoelectric element receives an echo produced by reflecting the ultrasound transmitted into the living body by a blood flow of the living body and converts it into a voltage signal. A processing arithmetic unit compares the frequency of the ultrasound generated by the transmitting piezoelectric element with that of the echo received in the receiving piezoelectric element to thereby detect a pulse.
US07686759B2
A surgical fastener for use in surgical procedures comprises a first member, a second member, and an anchor. Surgical materials may be secured within the surgical fastener. Methods of securing the surgical fastener to an anatomical structure are disclosed herein.
US07686755B2
Brachytherapy applicators incorporate various forms of selective shielding devices for controlling the direction and intensity of radiation directed at a patient's tissue. In some forms the applicators include a retractable sheath, in some a series of retractable fingers. In other forms the applicator, having an inflatable balloon, has a shield which is retractable from a position adjacent to the balloon or retracted from the balloon, or a shield can itself be inflatable, separately or together with the balloon.
US07686752B2
A rolling pin including a core, a silicone-containing jacket over the core defining a rolling surface. The jacket may be of such length and so positioned on the core as to define end regions of the jacket extending beyond the ends of the core; the jacket end regions being folded inward over the ends of the core; a cap securing to the core each folded inward end region of the jacket. A handle may be at each end of the core.
US07686750B2
An abdominal exerciser in which the body floats with respect to the exerciser frame, which leads to isolating the abdominal muscles. The exerciser includes a seat; a frame adapted to support said seat in a position that is raised off a floor; a seat pivot connecting said seat and frame, said pivot located under said seat; an upper body arm adapted to engage the upper body of a user; an upper body arm pivot connecting said seat and said upper body arm; and a lower body arm attached to said seat.
US07686746B2
A training apparatus 1 includes a seat part 2, a load application part 3 having an adjustable load, right and left guide poles 4 extending vertically with a predetermined interval so that the seat part 2 centered between the guide poles, two lifting parts 5 movable up and down and respectively guided by the right and left guide poles 4, rotating parts 7 connected to shafts 6 fixed to the lifting parts 5, respectively, and are rotatable with respect to the lifting parts 5, pulling members 8 having one-side ends connected to the load application part 3 and having other ends connected to the lifting parts 5, and load transmission parts 9 connected to the other ends of the pulling members 8 in the lifting parts 5, respectively, and apply load to rotation of the rotating parts 5 about the shafts 6 by the load application part 3.
US07686740B1
This patent discloses an exercise device to strengthen and rehabilitate an arm. The exercise device may include a splint, a container, and a ball. The container may include a container shell having a container shell interior surface surrounding a container shell void. The container shell interior surface may form a spherical surface having a container shell interior center. The ball may be positioned within the container shell void and include a ball center where, when the exercise device is moved by the arm, both the container and the ball rotate together with the ball center additionally moving around a circumference that follows a circumference of the container shell interior surface. The container may be attached to the splint so that the container shell interior center may be positioned outside of a hand grab radius of a hand of the arm when the exercise device is attached to the arm.
US07686738B2
Hydraulic pressure supplied to a first brake and a second brake in a transmission is controlled during an upshift such that the second brake releases from an applied state, and the first brake applies from a released state. The hydraulic pressure supplied to the first brake is increased to a standby pressure. When a period of time has passed after the upshift starts, the output torque of a powertrain is increased. The standby pressure is corrected according to a decrease rate of an input shaft rotation speed of the transmission during an inertia phase of the upshift. An ECU executes a program that includes the step of setting the period of time from the start of the upshift until the output torque of the powertrain starts to increase, according to the standby pressure.
US07686737B2
A load control structure for a work vehicle comprises: set rotation speed detection device for detecting a set rotation of an engine of the work vehicle; actual rotation speed detection device that senses an actual rotational speed of the engine; continuously variable speed change device that receives power from an engine of the work vehicle; speed change position detecting device for detecting a speed change operation position of the continuously variable speed change device; operating device for speed-shifting the continuously variable speed change device; control device for controlling the operation of the operating device; wherein the control device calculates a drop amount of the actual engine rotation speed from the set rotation speed based on the detected information from the set rotation speed detection device and the actual rotation speed detection device, and sets a limit operation position for the continuously variable speed change device based on the calculated drop amount and a correlation data that correlates the actual engine rotation speeds with operating positions of the continuously variable speed change device, and controls the operating device such that the operating position of the continuously variable speed change device moves to the limit operating position based on the set limit operating position and detected information from the speed change position detecting device, and wherein the control device has command device for commanding a change of the correlation data.
US07686732B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets having seven torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The seven torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and with the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07686729B2
A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
US07686723B2
A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain includes an engine and an electric machine connected to each other in a power-split arrangement. The electric machine is operable as a motor or a generator, and is offset from the engine, thereby reducing the overall length of the powertrain. A power transfer arrangement includes a planetary gear set in which the carrier is directly connected to an output shaft of the engine. The electric machine is connected to the planetary gear set through an intermediate gear, thereby facilitating the offset of the electric machine and the engine and facilitating an easy change of gear ratio for the motor/generator.
US07686710B2
A golf repair tool includes a pivot repair member movable between a stored and a deployed position, and includes a spring assist construct that facilitates movement from the stored to the deployed position, and vice-versa.
US07686700B2
A golf club utilizing a columnated beam of light for providing a guiding target, all incorporated into a golf club, having a switch that de-actuates when the club handle is dropped or rotated to a position in excess of a predetermined safe angle from vertical. Such a system to be utilized in a practical, repeatable fashion during ball address and stroke, while preventing errant light tracing during follow through. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07686697B2
An amusement ride includes a support structure and at least one vehicle movably supported on the support structure for carrying one or more passengers at least partially along a length of the support structure. The vehicle is moved along the support structure by a drive mechanism and decelerated by a braking mechanism. A cable connects the vehicle with the drive mechanism and/or the braking mechanism and is guided by a guide mechanism which is constructed for passage by the vehicle as the vehicle moves along the support structure. The guide mechanism includes two guide wheels in spaced-apart confronting relationship for allowing the cable to pass in-between the guide wheels, with the cable partially running over one guide wheel, when the vehicle moves along a first section of the support structure, and partially running over the other guide wheel, when the vehicle moves along a second section of the support structure.
US07686692B2
A method, a system and an article of manufacture are provided to generally enable computer interactivity for any type of application. The method is also capable of providing interacting functionality with a computer game. The method includes presenting a pattern code defined by at least two tags. Applying a light toward the pattern code at a specific time. Then, the method moves to capturing a first video frame of the pattern code before the light is applied to the pattern code, such that the first video frame defines a first characteristic of the pattern code. A second video frame is then captured for the pattern code when the light is applied to the pattern code, such that the second video frame defines a second characteristic of the pattern code. The method then enables decoding of the first characteristic and the second characteristic of the pattern code to produce decoded information.
US07686686B2
A gaming device and method for playing a gaming device which provide awards for any and all symbols appearing within selected portions of a symbol matrix (“What You See Is What You Get” or “WYSIWYG”).
US07686685B2
A method for conducting a wagering game on a gaming terminal comprises displaying a plurality of player-selectable elements that initially mask a value, at least one of the player-selectable elements comprises an end-game outcome having a variable value, and in response to a player selecting one of the player-selectable elements that is not the end-game outcome, revealing the value of the selected one of the player-selectable elements and decreasing the value of the end-game outcome.
US07686684B2
The present invention generally provides a sequential method for producing and/or casting a film, television, play or other form of entertainment. More specifically, a lottery based system is implemented so that the winning person obtains rights to be a subject in a play, television show, film or other form of entertainment. The winning person may actually act in the project or the winning person may elect to have an actor play him or her in the project. Audience members who obtain tickets to showings of the project are themselves given a lottery ticket to obtain the rights to be a subject in a subsequent play, television show or film. Further, the winning audience member may also obtain a prize, such as cash, for winning the lottery. The process repeats itself so that a subject of each new project is taken from the audience of the previous project. The cycle may continue until future audiences no longer support the running project.
US07686682B2
A multi-player solitaire or multi-player video game that generates tags for digital images. A tabletop or computer screen video game provides an enjoyable way for collocated players to view, share, talk about and, in the process tag photos. The video games can generate valuable text labels for photos with multiple levels of specificity and named entities. These labels can be used to help manage and index collections of photos for browsing and retrieval.
US07686681B2
A system and method forms playing card markings on playing card media to provide playing cards based on a desired set of payout or house odds and/or house advantage. The playing cards may, for example, be printed in a random or pseudo-random order that is based on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.
US07686679B2
To shorten a long aging time required for meat processing and reducing the viable cell count of a carcass before being cooked, an electric stimulus is imparted by applying an AC voltage via from electrode needles to at least the neck and legs of the meat carcass. The AC voltage is turned on for a time Ton and then turned off for a time Toff, and the application of the voltage is repeated a predetermined number of cycles. The Ton period is not longer than the Toff period, although the first Ton period can be longer than the Toff period. The voltage is not higher than 100V, and the frequency is not higher than the commercial frequency (maximum, 60 Hz). The aging effect is improved by stimulating the entire meat carcass electrically from at most three points.
US07686677B2
A wheel assembly for a floor treatment machine is provided that aids the operator in maintaining positive control of the machine. The wheel assembly includes a body that can be removably attached to the floor treatment machine, and wheels that are configured to contact the floor, while the floor treatment machine is in use. The body of the wheel assembly can include a first end disposed below the base of the floor treatment machine, an intermediate region, and a second end extending beyond the base.
US07686676B2
A knife sharpener is provided which is capable of precision sharpening of hunting and similar knives that have a first and second blade face, each of which terminates at a facet that meets the corresponding facet to create the knife edge. At least the first of the blade faces has a lower distinct planar or concave section adjacent the edge facet with the lower planar or concave section of the face being set at an angle to the center line of the blade thickness that is different from the angle of the adjoining upper section of the same blade face located adjacent to the back of the blade. The sharpener includes a sharpening member such as one having an abrasive coated surface. The sharpener also includes a planar angle knife guide surface of a knife guide which is designed for intimate sliding and sustaining contact with the second face of the blade in order to position an edge facet on the first of the faces into precise angular relation with the sharpening surface. The sharpener also includes a knife holding spring that applies force against the first face of the blade predominantly at one or more locations on the lower planar or concave section of the first face that is adjacent to the edge facet being sharpened in order that the lower section adjacent the edge on the second face of the blade is pressured to align with and remain in intimate sliding alignment with the guide surface as the blade edge facet on the first face is being sharpened.
US07686668B1
A method of coating the interior surface of a latex balloon with a gaseous fragrance or scented formula, using a micro infusion injector.
US07686667B2
A mechanical toy having two enclosed chambers, one positioned above the other, connected by a tube; a vaporizing medium contained within the enclosed chambers and tube; an object within each chamber to displace the vaporizing medium; a rotational shaft centrally connected to the tube and chambers; support arms connected to ends of the rotational shaft at bearing points; means for exciting the vaporizing medium within the lower chamber to create an increase in vapor pressure within the lower chamber relative to the upper chamber that exerts force upon the vaporizing medium within the lower chamber to communicate the vaporizing medium through the tube into the upper chamber, displaced by the object within the upper chamber creating an imbalance, allowing gravity to act upon the upper chamber when a sufficient amount of the vaporizing medium has collected within the upper chamber pulling the upper chamber downward around the rotational shaft in the direction of the imbalance.
US07686663B1
A connector for an audio cable, a combination connector and cable, and a method of securing the connector to the cable are disclosed. The connector includes a connector body formed from an electrically conductive material and having a first end sized to abut an end of an audio speaker cable, a second end shaped to be securely attached to a connecting post formed on a piece of audio equipment, and an exterior surface located therebetween. The exterior surface has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion is sized to receive the exposed terminal surface of each of a plurality of wires present in the cable. An insulating layer extends over the exposed terminal surface of each of said wires and a band surrounds the insulating layer to provide a positive electrical interface between the exposed terminal surfaces and the first portion.
US07686661B2
An enclosed connection system for connecting first and second elongate electrical conductors includes a transverse wedge connector and an enclosure. The transverse wedge connector includes an electrically conductive first connector member, an electrically conductive second connector member, and a clamping mechanism. The first connector member includes: a first body having inner and outer opposed ends; a first hook portion on the outer end of the first body, the first hook portion defining a first channel to receive the first conductor; and a first abutment portion on the inner end of the first body. The second connector member includes: a second body having inner and outer opposed ends; a second hook portion on the outer end of the second body, the second hook portion defining a second channel to receive the second conductor; and a second abutment portion on the inner end of the second body. The clamping mechanism is selectively operable to displace the first and second connector members relative to one another from an open position to a clamping position to clamp the first conductor in the first channel and between the first hook portion and the second abutment portion and to clamp the second conductor in the second channel and between the second hook portion and the first abutment portion to thereby form a connection. The enclosure is configured to receive and cover the connection and to protect the transverse wedge connector.
US07686660B2
An assembly (10) comprises a receptacle (12) having a base (14) including a single longitudinal row (16) of male connector pins (18) extending above and below the base. First wall and second walls (20, 22) project above the base (14) and have similar heights but differing widths, W and W1. The first wall and the second wall are spaced differing distances D and D1 from the single row of pins (18). A connector (24) with a central body (26) is formed to engage the receptacle (12) by mating with the uneven walls W and W1 and the asymmetric spacing of the pins (18). The uneven walls and the asymmetrical spacing of the pins (18) from the walls provide plural asymmetries assuring a positive alignment for the pieces of the assembly (10).
US07686648B2
An electrical connector (100) has an insulative housing (10) including a top wall (12), a bottom wall (13) and a pair of opposite side walls (14), an upper shell (31) and a lower shell (32) locking with the upper shell. The upper shell has a top plate (311) and a pair of side plates (312) at least partially enclose the bottom and the side walls of the housing. The upper shell has a bottom plate (321) and a pair of side wings (322) at least partially enclosing the top and the side walls of the housing. Each side wall of the insulative housing includes a flange portion (17) protruding outwardly therefrom. The side wing of the lower shell are guided onto the side plates of the upper shell by the flange portions and partially overlapping with the upper shell.
US07686647B1
A terminal assembly includes a cable, an electrically-conductive terminal piece, a cavity block member and an electrically-conductive shielding member. The cable has an electrically-conductive core strand, an electrically non-conductive wire insulation surrounding the core strand, an electrically-conductive shield layer surrounding the wire insulation and an electrically non-conductive sheath surrounding the shield layer. The terminal piece is electrically connected to the core strand. The cavity block member defines a cavity block member passageway extending through the cavity block member. The cavity block member passageway is sized to slidably receive and retain the terminal piece therein. The shielding member defines a shielding member passageway extending through the shielding member. The shielding member passageway is sized to slidably receive the cavity block member. The shielding member is connected to the shield layer. The terminal assembly is employed with a receiving connector assembly and an insertable connector assembly to form a sealed electrical connector.
US07686644B2
A battery connector has an insulative housing, a plurality of contact terminals mounted in the insulative housing and a washer mounted on the insulative housing. The insulative housing has a first surface, a second surface, a third surface and a plurality of notches defined through the third surface. Each notch communicates with a first opening and a second opening respectively defined on the first surface and the second surface. Each contact terminal has a flat base portion and a U-shaped resilient portion extending from the base portion. The base portion has a second contact portion. The resilient portion has a first contact portion. The washer encloses around the periphery of the insulative housing and is adjacent to the first surface. Therefore, when the battery connector is mounted to a circuit board, the washer prevents or moisture from getting into the battery connector.
US07686638B2
A cable coupling apparatus includes a base defining a connector channel. A connector coupling feature is located on the base and operable to couple a connector positioned in the connector channel to the base. A socket coupling member is resiliently coupled to and extends from the base. A securing member is located on the socket coupling member, wherein the securing member comprises a socket coupling member release surface that is oriented relative to a connector removal direction at an angle of greater than 90 degrees such that the socket coupling member may be deflected by the movement of the base in the connector removal direction and the resulting engagement of a socket surface and the socket coupling member release surface on the securing member in order to remove a connector coupled to the base from a socket. The apparatus may be coupled to a connector or may be fabricated as part of a connector and allows the connector to be removed from the socket by moving the connector in a connector removal direction and without a need to manually disengage the socket surface and the socket coupling member release surface.
US07686637B2
An electrical socket comprises an insulative housing including a base with a cover moveably assembled thereon. An actuator is arranged between the base and the cover, and has a lever and a cam device to move the cover from a first position to a second position, wherein an interengaging arrangement is arranged between the lever and the housing, and has guiding means for properly positioning the lever and the cover in the second position easily.
US07686635B2
A terminal includes a supporting plate, a holding member, a connection portion and a receiving portion. The terminal is connected to a lamp for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The holding member protrudes from a side of the supporting plate to surround a wire. The connection portion protrudes from an upper portion of the supporting plate and is bent to hold an electrode of the lamp. The receiving portion protrudes from the connection portion and is bent to be held by the holding member with the wire. Therefore, separation of the lamp from the terminal is prevented.
US07686625B1
The invention is directed to a grounding clip which can provide an electrical connection between a ground wire, a first panel and a second panel. The grounding clip has a wire terminating section for terminating a grounding wire thereto, a first panel receiving portion for terminating a first panel therein, and a second panel receiving portion for terminating a second panel therein.
US07686608B2
A system for distributing a substance includes a chamber configured to accommodate a mold surface and an inlet port in the chamber. The substance is introduced into the chamber through the inlet port. Flexible tubing is coupled between the inlet port and a reservoir containing the substance. A pump is used to compress a portion of the flexible tubing to move the substance through the tubing and inject the substance into the chamber.
US07686606B2
An imprint embossing alignment system. In one embodiment, the system includes a die having a bottom surface, an embossing foil positioned above the bottom surface, and a mandrel, to receive the substrate, having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die. The system also includes a ball bushing positioned around the rod portion and a ring portion positioned between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil.
US07686586B2
A compressor comprises an impeller (1) provided with a plurality of radial blades (4). The impeller (1) has an inducer diameter defined by the outer diameter of front edges (5) of the blades (4), and an outer diameter defined by the outer diameter of the blade tips (6). Each blade (4) is backswept relative to the direction of rotation of the impeller (1) with an angle of backsweep in the range 45° to 55°. The ratio of the impeller inducer diameter to the impeller outer diameter is in the range 0.59 to 0.63. The ratio of the compressor diffuser outlet diameter to the impeller outer diameter is between 1.4 and 1.55.
US07686585B2
A fan rotor is provided. Each blade of the fan rotor is held by a bolt. Each blade includes a blade root engaged in a groove of the rim and held by a bolt. The bolt includes a concave plate with its curve directed upstream.
US07686582B2
A turbine engine component, such as a turbine blade has an airfoil portion with an airfoil mean line, a pressure side, and a suction side. A first region on the pressure side of the airfoil portion has a first array of cooling microcircuits embedded in a wall forming the pressure side. A second region on the pressure side has a second array of cooling microcircuits embedded in the wall. The first region is located on a first side of the mean line and the second region is located on a second side of the mean line.
US07686579B2
A ducted fan includes a fan that generates an airflow that flows substantially parallel with the axis of the rotating shaft of the fan; a duct, arranged around the fan, that extends in the direction of the rotating shaft of the fan and includes an airflow inlet defined by the upstream end and an airflow outlet defined by the downstream end, and that has a ramp portion formed in the inner face of the airflow inlet; an airflow guide portion, provided at the airflow outlet, that introduces air from outside of the duct to a position downstream of the airflow outlet; and a negative-pressure forming portion, provided at the downstream end of the airflow guide portion. The negative-pressure forming portion generates a negative pressure near the downstream end of the airflow guide portion when air passes by the negative-pressure forming portion.
US07686578B2
A turbine blade includes an airfoil tip with first and second tip ribs extending from a tip floor. The ribs extend along the opposite pressure and suction sides of the blade and are joined together at opposite leading and trailing edges. A tip baffle is nested transversely between the ribs, and conforms with the second rib to bifurcate the airfoil tip into first and second tip pockets extending along the corresponding pressure and suction sides.
US07686577B2
A ceramic ring segment for a turbine engine that may be used as a replacement for one or more metal components. The ceramic ring segment may be formed from a plurality of ceramic plates, such as ceramic matrix composite plates, that are joined together using a strengthening mechanism to reinforce the ceramic plates while permitting the resulting ceramic article to be used as a replacement for components for turbine systems that are typically metal, thereby taking advantage of the properties provided by ceramic materials. The strengthening mechanism may include a ceramic matrix composite overwrap or plurality of overwraps designed to help prevent delamination of the ceramic plates when the ceramic article is in use by placing the plates in compression.
US07686576B2
A method of operating a gas turbine engine includes forming at least one stator ring passage within at least a portion of a radially inner surface of a casing. The method also includes providing at least one stator ring segment that is sized to be inserted into the at least one stator ring passage. The method further includes forming at least one radial passage within at least a portion of the at least one stator ring segment such that at least a portion of the at least one radial passage is adjacent to at least one substantially axial stator blade passage.
US07686574B1
A housing includes a major component. The major component has a planar section. The planar section has an aperture constituting an inlet. The major component has a generally cylindrical peripheral section. A tangential extension is provided. The aperture constitutes an outlet. The housing also includes a minor component. The minor component has a planar section. The planar section has an aperture. The aperture constitutes an outlet. A tangential extension is adapted to overlie the major component for creating a chamber. A rotatable assembly includes an annular plate. The annular plate has an aperture. Spaced impeller segments are provided. A propeller is also provided. The propeller has an axial bore. Propeller blades are provided. Openings are provided between the blades. The bore is adapted to receive a drive shaft of a motor. In this manner the propeller and the annular plate and the impeller segments are rotated.
US07686557B2
A device for backing rounded book blocks (2) clamped near the spine, by a pressing beam (9) and a slide (7) that accommodates the pressing beam (9) and can be alternately displaced along arc-shaped races (6) in a swinging fashion by driving means (17) in a height-adjustable supporting bearing (5) that is laterally supported against the effect of a spring element (29). Members are provided for controlling (21, 22, 32, 33) the lateral position of the supporting bearing (5) and for lowering and raising (10, 11, 12) the pressing beam into the starting position for its return stroke. An eccentric starting position is realized during the lowering of the pressing beam (9) on the spine (2a), in the form of a swinging position of the slide (7) that is offset toward the opposite side of the spine center (2b) referred to the respective side to be backed thereafter.
US07686555B1
A fastener that includes a shaft and a sleeve is provided. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis that passes through a central portion, e.g., the centroid of a head of the shaft. The sleeve is wrapped partially around the shaft. The sleeve has a gap that separates first and second circumferential extents thereof, a first thickness adjacent the first circumferential extent, and a second thickness between the second circumferential extent and the first circumferential extent. The first thickness is less than the second thickness. The sleeve has a first rotational position relative to the shaft and a second rotational position relative to the shaft different form the first rotational position. The longitudinal axis is in substantially the same location in both the first and second rotational positions.
US07686549B1
This invention is a motorcycle stand for securing a motorcycle to a vehicle. The apparatus has a hook which pulls down the foot peg of a motorcycle onto a receiving portion on the base member of the frame. The hook is attached to a sliding member which slides within an elongated cavity defined by the frame. This sliding motion is tilted so that the hook applies a forward force on the peg to more securely stabilize the front tire of the motorcycle. In addition, the motorcycle stand has a linkage with a groove which fits around a shaft so that the motorcycle peg is secured in a clamping position between the hook and the receiving portion. The device has locking apertures which aligns when the hook is placed in the clamping position for protecting the motorcycle against theft.
US07686548B2
A machine tool capable of removing chips from the machine with a simple structure. A continuous groove is formed at the lowest position of a splash guard surrounding a bed so as to extend from a rear end of the machine along one side portion, a front portion and the other side portion of the bed. Machining fluid brought into the groove from a coolant tank flows along the groove and is recovered into the coolant tank. A bottom of the groove has a continuous slope such that an inlet side where the machining fluid is brought in through the discharge port is highest (or the groove is shallowest) and a discharge side for the coolant tank is lowest (or the groove is deepest). The chips dropped in the groove are discharged together with the machining fluid into the coolant tank where the chips and the machining fluid are separated.
US07686543B2
A mounting system is disclosed for mounting structures and equipment, such as wind-electric generators on water. The structure is attached to a carrier, which is attached to a foundation through connecting elements. Buoyancy tanks or the inherent buoyancy of the carrier or the connecting elements are used to maintain a stable position of the carrier in the water. Utilizing connecting elements that transfer pushing and pulling forces, undesirable movements of the carrier are suppressed while requiring only moderate forces on the foundation.
US07686539B2
The present invention relates to a water movement device comprising a flexible wall (1) placed in water close to the surface, substantially vertically in a static rest state, made up of optionally perforated (5) massive unit blocks (4) assembled to one another in strings by cables (2, 3) on which said blocks (1) are threaded or on which said blocks are crimped, said cables comprising: a series of cables (2) disposed vertically (ZZ′) side by side, parallel to one another, and a second series of cables (3) disposed horizontally (XX′) one above another and in parallel, and said vertical cables (2) being suspended or tensioned at their top ends and/or respectively tensioned or moored at their bottom ends, and said blocks including empty orifices (5) passing through them between the front and rear faces (1-1, 1-2) of said wall (1), and/or empty spaces (7) between said blocks, such that said orifices (5) and/or empty spaces between said blocks (7), if any, confer overall porosity on said wall lying in the range 5% to 75%, preferably 20% to 45%, of the area of the vertical section of said wall.
US07686532B2
A female coupler portion includes first and second vertical ribs arranged in a spaced-apart relationship. The ribs comprise first and second hooks and first and second ears, respectively, wherein each of the first and second ears includes at least one shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom. A male coupler portion includes a frame having a front region and a rear region that is pinned to the machine. A first pair of hook engaging mounts are adapted to be received respectively by first and second hooks of a female coupler portion; a first pair of openings are adapted to receive first and second ears of a female coupler portion; first and second lock members are movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to engage the ears of the female coupler portion. The ribs can be constructed from conventional ribs. The male coupler portion optionally includes multiple mounting locations for mating with different female coupler portions.
US07686530B2
Socket housing has a hemispherical ball socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced retaining tongues which extend toward an insertion opening, the tongues being radially pivotable to engage over the equator of a ball head. An outer part has an insertion region and a receiving opening into which the socket housing can be inserted in an insertion direction via the insertion region, the insertion region having an inside surface defining an opening with a cross-sectional area which is larger than a cross-sectional area defined by an inside surface of the receiving opening. The retaining tongues are in contact with the inside surface of the receiving opening when the socket housing is in the installed position. A locking device prevents movement of the socket housing counter to the insertion direction when the socket housing is in the installed position.
US07686524B2
A camera includes a dust-proofing member which has a transparent portion through which a visible light component is transmitted. The transparent portion is opposed to the front of an image pick-up device at a predetermined interval. A vibration member is arranged at a peripheral portion of the dust-proofing member and vibrates the dust-proofing member. A sealing part seals a space between the image pick-up device and the dust-proofing member. And a spring pressing member presses the dust-proofing member at a periphery thereof toward the sealing part.
US07686522B2
An optical coupling component for use in an optical communication connector is provided which comprises a pair of columnar sending side and receiving side optical functional sections and a joint section integrally molded with the optical functional sections and made from the same material as the material of the optically functional sections and having joint regions adjoining the side walls of the optical functional sections, the joint regions of the joint section having a circumferential length along the side walls of the optically functional sections which is equal to or less than a half circumference of the optically functional sections.
US07686519B2
A female fiber optic connector includes an outer housing, a single internal male fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic adapter. The outer housing has a first end, which receives a fiber optic cable, positioned opposite from a second end, which defines a connector port for receiving an external male connector. The single internal male fiber optic connector is positioned within the outer housing and includes a ferrule in which a fiber is terminated. The fiber optic adapter is positioned within the outer housing and includes an alignment sleeve, a first end, which receives the single internal male fiber optic connector with the ferrule of the single internal male fiber optic connector positioned within the alignment sleeve, and an opposite second end facing toward the connector port and being configured so that a ferrule of the external male connector fits within the alignment sleeve when inserted in the connector port.
US07686512B2
X-ray system with an x-ray radiation source, a digital solid-state image detector with a calibration facility acquiring calibration data in order to ensure an optimum image quality, whereby the x-ray system has at least one sensor or interacts with a sensor which detects any person who may be present in the vicinity, whereby the acquisition of the calibration data is initiated when no person has been detected by the at least one sensor.
US07686510B2
A rod radiation source and its calibration phantom structure mainly have an anti-leak filter layer on one side of a lower lamination layer, and have the anti-leak filter layer evenly deposited with plural drops of liquid radiation sources with each drop of radiation source neighboring but not overlapping, and use an upper lamination layer to cover the anti-leak filter layer to protect each radiation source, and have the above assembly rolled into a rod as a rod radiation source. In another cylindrical container that has a stack of plural sheets, the rod radiation sources get evenly distributed along the axle center and pass each sheet to form a calibration phantom structure for a rod radiation source.
US07686508B2
Methods and systems for producing a digital temperature reading are provided. In an embodiment, one or more current sources and one or more switches are used to selectively provide a first amount of current (I1) and a second amount of current (I2) to the emitter of a transistor (Q1), during different time slots of a time period, to thereby produce a first base-emitter voltage (Vbe1) and a second base-emitter voltage (Vbe2), where I1=I2*M, and M is a known constant. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes analog signals representative of the magnitudes Vbe1 and Vbe2. A difference is determined between the magnitudes of Vbe1 and Vbe2. A digital calculator produces a digital temperature reading (DTR) based on the difference between the magnitudes of Vbe1 and Vbe2.
US07686503B2
An escapement for a mechanical watch comprising: an escapement wheel (10) kinematically connected to a power source, a roller (14) mounted on a balance (16) including, on two different levels, a pin (23) and an impulse pallet (24) co-operating with said wheel (10); a limiting member (26) performing a periodic movement during which it co-operates with the pin (23) to limit the travel of said roller (14); a control member (30) provided with a rest lift (32) performing, from a stable position wherein said wheel (10) is pressed on the rest lift (23), a periodic movement during which the wheel is released and provides an impulse to the impulse pallet (24). The periods of the limiting member (26) and of the control member (30) correspond, respectively, to an alternation and an oscillation of the balance.
US07686499B2
A method for mixing at least two materials is provided. The method comprises introducing the at least two materials into a physical system and combining the at least two materials to form a mixture thereof. The method also comprises independently controlling a desired characteristic of the mixture and a desired parameter of the physical system, wherein the controlling is based in part on estimating a disturbance, wherein the estimating the disturbance is based on processing an error term determined by subtracting a modeled parameter of the physical system from a corresponding sensed parameter of the physical system.
US07686496B2
A light guide plate has an emission face provided with a plurality of projection rows. Each projection row consists of a pair of slopes, a first slope (a slope far from an incidence end face) and a second slope (another slope near to the incidence end face). An inclination angle of the first slope with respect to an imaginary plane perpendicular to a frontal direction decreases gradually in first region on the emission face (or back face) according to an increasing distance from the incidence end face, then increasing gradually in second region according to an increasing distance from the incidence end face. The inclination angle at an incidence-end-face-side end of first region is greater that at a distal-end-face-side end of second region. Variation of the inclination angle in the first region is greater that in the second region.
US07686493B2
A display comprises a light source and an image display panel disposed in an optical path from the light source. The light source comprises a primary light source for illuminating a re-emission material which comprises at least a first nanophosphor material for, when illuminated by light from the primary light source, re-emitting light in a first wavelength range different from the emission wavelength range of the primary light source. The image display panel comprises a first filter having a first narrow passband or a first narrow absorption band, the first narrow passband or first narrow absorption band being aligned or substantially aligned with the first wavelength range. The combination of a narrow wavelength range emitted by the first nanophosphor material and the narrow passband or narrow absorption band of the filter allows a display with high efficiency and a high NTSC ratio to be obtained.
US07686486B2
An LED lamp (10) has a housing (12) with an interior wall (14) defining a cavity (16). An LED light source (26) is positioned in the cavity (16) and project light in a forward direction. A reflector (28) having a reflective surface (30), a forward opening (32) and a rear opening (34) surrounds the light source (26) and a complex lens (38) closes the forward opening. The lens (38) comprises a first optical refractive element (40) arranged around a peripheral edge (42) and a second optical refractive element (44) centrally located on the lens (38); the first optical refractive element (40) including a plurality of flute lenses (40a) and the second optical refractive element (44) comprising a concavo-convex lens (44a).
US07686472B1
A self-defense flashlight includes sharp edges positioned around the head end. A sharp edge protector can be positioned so as to surround and protect the sharp edges, when the flashlight is not being used for self-defense purposes. When needed, the sharp edge protector can be moved so as to expose the sharp edges, allowing the flashlight to be used as a weapon. The protectable sharp edges can also be positioned around the tail end of the self-defense flashlight.
US07686468B2
An illuminated clipboard, including a clipboard base, a license receiving area located on the clipboard base, and a license camera having a display for selectively displaying to a clipboard user an operator license that may be present at the license receiving area and an actuatable recording device for, when actuated, recording information present on the license present at the license receiving area.
US07686467B2
An illuminating device is described. The illuminating device may include a head, a neck and a body. The illuminating device may be manipulated into numerous positions including extended and nested positions so that the light source may be positioned inside the securing structure in the nested position and outside the securing structure in the extended position. Such an illuminating device may be desirable for use, for example, as a portable illuminator, book light, and travel light.
US07686465B2
A key input device includes a key input section, mode switching section, key backlight, and key backlight lighting control section. The key input section inputs characters by key input in a plurality of character input modes. The mode switching section switches a plurality of character input modes. The key backlight is placed on a lower surface of the key input section and is lighted in a plurality of colors. The key backlight lighting control section changes the lighting color of the key backlight in accordance with switching of character input modes. A cell phone is disclosed.
US07686462B2
System and method for limiting reflections off of surfaces, such as optical lens and field goggles. A set of vanes are mounted next to the surface, with one end near the surface and the other end away from the surface. The vanes are mounted closer together at their end near the surface. This permits a wide field of view (FOV) for surfaces such as optical lenses. The vanes can be arranged in various forms, including concentric rings.
US07686458B2
A reflection surface (1a) of a mirror (1) has a rotationally-symmetrical shape about an optical axis (110). The mirror (1) is rotatably supported by a pivot supporting portion (41) on the position of the optical axis (110) of the reflection surface (1a) or in the vicinity of the optical axis (110). Furthermore, the mirror (1) is slidably supported by slide supporting portions (42) at two positions on the upper part thereof. With such a configuration, the mirror (1) is supported at three points. Further, even when the mirror (1) expands and contracts due to the change in temperature or the like, the deformation of the reflection surface (1a) of the mirror (1) is prevented by the action of the slide supporting portions (42). As a result, it is possible to prevent the generation of distortion of an image projected on a screen (300).
US07686456B2
The disclosure is directed to image display apparatus and methods. In one example, an image display apparatus comprises a plurality of light source devices that supply color light components. A spatial light modulation device modulates the color light components from the light source devices according to an image signal. A control unit adjusts a display light emitted from the spatial light modulation device by controlling at least one of the light source devices or the spatial light modulation device. At the time of starting, the control unit adjusts the display light in accordance with an adjustment signal until an amount of light corresponding to at least one of the color light components reaches a predetermined reference value.
US07686454B2
A data processing unit calculates image conversions parameters corresponding to each partial image, geometrically converts photographed partial images on the basis of a current partial image based on the calculated image conversion parameters, and combines them to generate a mosaic image. Also, a display device displays each current partial image, and at least part of the generated mosaic image.
US07686451B2
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for computing a first gaze axis of an eye in a first coordinate system. A camera is focused on the eye and moved to maintain the focus on the eye as the eye moves in the first coordinate system. A first location of the camera in the first coordinate system is measured. A second location of the eye and a gaze direction of the eye within a second coordinate system are measured. A second gaze axis within the second coordinate system is computed from the second location and the gaze direction. The first gaze axis is computed from the second gaze axis and the first location using a first coordinate transformation.
US07686450B2
The invention relates to a device for measuring imaging errors in the human eye, wherein substantial scanning of the lens of the eye with a light beam or laser diode determines the measuring accuracy of local refractive power. Measuring accuracy of locally dependent refractive power is achieved by a two-dimensionally refractable tilting mirror which is embodied in the form of a microscanner mirror with the aid of a piezomotor for positioning and by electrically controllable liquid lenses. As a result, it is possible to manufacture the measuring device as small as possible, enabling it to be integrated in to a processing laser in order to monitor the result of treatment with a laser during individual adaptation of contact lenses, intraocular lenses or surgical correction of the retina in situ and to calculate data of a required correction.
US07686448B2
The present invention relates to eyeglasses and eyeglass frames comprising adjustable earpieces to align and attach to the wearer's ears or earlobes, thus avoiding contact with the wearer's hairline and hair, and minimizing contact with the skin.
US07686447B2
Exemplary embodiments include a safety eyewear including a prescription insert, which inset may be useable between different safety eyewear. Such eyewear may also include: a frame; a removable lens carrier removably attached to the frame, the removable lens carrier including a permanently attached lens; and a prescription insert removably attached to the frame, wherein the removable lens carrier is capable of being removed and attached to the frame during the use of the safety eyewear.
US07686438B2
A liquid tank includes a liquid chamber for holding liquid and an absorption chamber containing an absorber for absorbing and holding the liquid. The liquid chamber and the absorption chamber are separated by a partition. The partition has a communication part allowing communication between the liquid chamber and the absorption chamber. The liquid chamber is substantially sealed except at the communication part. The absorption chamber has a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid-guiding path is disposed on the bottom surface of the liquid tank. The liquid-guiding path extends from the communication part to a point a predetermined distance away from the liquid outlet.
US07686431B2
The liquid droplet ejection head includes: a nozzle which ejects a droplet of a liquid containing microparticles; a pressure chamber which connects with the nozzle; a piezoelectric element which varies a volume of the pressure chamber; a common liquid chamber which stores the liquid that is to be supplied to the pressure chamber; and a supply passage which connects the common liquid chamber to the pressure chamber, wherein the supply passage has a plurality of supply ports through which the common liquid chamber is connected to the supply passage, the supply ports being disposed in different positions in a direction of gravitational force.
US07686412B2
A printing system is provided having a conveyor for conveying a substrate along a conveying direction, and a sequence of printhead groups arranged along the conveying direction for printing respective object layers onto one another. A first printhead group within the sequence prints its respective object layer onto the substrate. At least one of the printhead groups is configured to print its respective object layer with at least two materials.
US07686406B2
A structure for automatically shutting a basket cover in a refrigerator is provided. The structure comprises an inclined portion formed at a front inner periphery of an inner case defining a storage space in a main body of the refrigerator such that a sectional area of the storage space is gradually increased toward an entrance of the storage space, a basket which is installed on a back surface of a door for and closing the storage space in order to store articles therein, and a basket cover for opening and shutting the basket, which includes a shutting-guide portion that is installed at a leading end thereof and guided along the inclined portion to shut the basket cover as the door is closed. A convenience in use of the refrigerator is enhanced and parts can be prevented from being damaged due to their interference.
US07686392B2
Disclosed is an improvement in a bucket seat cover, which permits the functionality of seat-integrated seat belts and seat-attached armrests, which comprises: a vehicle seat cover of a type and size adequate to cover both the front of a vehicle seat and the back of a vehicle seat, characterized by elastic lined pass-through openings in the shoulder and hip area, connected by a zipper or other separation means to permit the transverse of seat-integrated seat belts, and, optionally incorporating additional openings on side panels, behind zipper, for transverse of seat-attached armrests.
US07686389B2
A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat cushion frame for supporting a seat cushion and operated to move between a first position and a second position relative to a vehicle floor, a link member including first and second ends respectively pivotably connected to the vehicle floor and to a first end portion of the seat cushion frame, a guiding member provided at the vehicle floor for supporting a second end portion of the seat cushion frame to the vehicle floor and including a guiding groove, and a sliding member provided at the second end portion of the seat cushion frame and slidably engaged into the guiding groove. The guiding groove extends along a connection line connecting the sliding member and a connection point between the seat cushion frame and the link member so as to move the seat cushion frame between the first position and the second position.
US07686387B2
A tubular beam assembly having a tubular member with first and second spaced apart sides and an internal portion. The first side has an insertion opening and a first fastener receiving opening that open into each other. The second side has a second fastener receiving opening and a shoulder defining opening that open into each other. A reinforcement sleeve includes a fastener receiving sleeve portion and a protrusion that supports the reinforcement sleeve in a fastener receiving position within the internal portion of the tubular member. The protrusion is supported by one or both of the insertion opening and the shoulder defining opening. The fastener receiving sleeve portion is aligned with the first and second fastener receiving openings when the reinforcement sleeve is in the fastener receiving position.
US07686380B2
A feeding unit for supplying electrical power along a cable is coupled to a slide door. When the slide door is substantially closed, a protrusion is vertically restricted by a groove to vertically restrict an end of a connecting cable by a holder. In contrast, when the slide door is open, the protrusion that is accommodated in the groove is capable of moving vertically and horizontally.
US07686377B2
A convertible vehicle has a roof that is movable between a closed position extending over the passenger compartment and an opened position stowed in a rearward storage region. A movable cover has a closed position wherein the cover covers the rearward storage area and is movable to a first opened position to provide a passage opening for the roof and to a second opened position to provide a loading opening for baggage. A cover extension has an extended position wherein the cover extension at least partially covers an opening between the movable cover and the passenger.
US07686372B2
A spot sun visor for use in transportation vehicles having a body of a little larger area than the disk of the sun. By moving the body in the direction of the penetrating sunlight and place the body directly in front of the position of the sun, the sunlight from the front view can be blocked or effectively reduced without undue interference of the field of the front view. The body has at least one arm to support and move the body and an axle of the arm is equipped with a slide device stored in a unit case, which stores the body during non-use. The arm pulls out the body along the front glass and is controlled by a brake device installed at the end of the arm. An electric control and drive system may be used to manually or automatically position the spot sun visor.
US07686370B2
A three-dimensional digital model of a vehicle foot well is used to mold a vehicle floor tray such that large areas of at least two upstanding walls of the tray depart from respective surfaces of the foot well by no more than an eighth of an inch.
US07686366B2
An entertainment system for a vehicle includes a cradle secured within the ceiling of the vehicle, the cradle including a first end and a second end, and a video system selectively secured to the cradle, the video system including a base having a first end and a second end. An attachment mechanism selectively secures the video system to the cradle. The attachment mechanism consists essentially of a first attachment structure at the first end of the base, the first attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with a first attachment structure at the first end of the cradle, and a second attachment structure at the second end of the base, the second attachment structure of the base being shaped and dimensioned for selective coupling with the second attachment structure at the second end of the cradle. The system further includes a portable docking station having a cradle shaped and dimensioned for receiving the video system.
US07686364B2
The invention relates to a lockable housing, to take a telephone for example, especially for use in vehicles, with a lid element pivoted around one of two opposing axes, characterised in that the lid element and housing are supported so as to be capable of sliding in opposite directions to each other longitudinally along the axes and that the swivel bearings for the respective swivelling movement are offset in relation to each other in the direction of the swivel axes and are disposed in such a manner that the lid element only engages with the swivel bearing or swivel bearings of one axis in each case.
US07686363B2
A container lift intended to lift two containers arranged longitudinally that comprises a primary frame (4), external transverse beams (7, 8) arranged on the primary frame (4) with external locking means (9) for locking the short sides of the containers that face away from each other, saddles (5, 6) arranged on the primary frame (4) such that they can be displaced, locking means (9) arranged on the lower surfaces of the saddles (5, 6) for locking two containers with their short sides facing towards each other. At least one of the saddles (5, 6) intended to lock the short sides of the containers that are facing each other can be displaced in a principally sideways direction relative to the primary frame in order to be able to lift displaced containers or containers that are twisted relative to each other.
US07686362B2
A stone lifting device comprises two handles (2, 3) that pivot in relation to each other. A first gripping jaw (11) is located at the one end region of the one handle (2) and a second gripping jaw (9) is located at the one end region of the other handle (3). The one handle (2) and the other handle (3) can be pivoted at their end regions in relation to each other around an axis (7) such that in a clamping position a cobblestone can be clamped between the first gripping jaw (11) and the second gripping jaw (9). A locking mechanism (12) is provided that can be either activated or deactivated. In their activated condition in the clamping position the positions of the handles (2, 3) are maintained and the cobblestone remains clamped between the gripping jaws (9, 11). In the deactivated condition the clamping position is maintained by a clamping force that is exerted onto the handles (2, 3) manually by an operator.
US07686360B2
An apparatus for waste collection and disposal including a tube portion which includes a longitudinal axis, a first end defining a first opening, a second end defining a second opening, an outer side, and an inner side defining a channel between the first and second ends. The apparatus for waste collection and disposal also including a scoop portion coupled to the first end of the tube portion, a plurality of clips coupled to the outer side of the tube portion, and a handle portion coupled to the outer side of the tube portion.
US07686355B2
A locking device is provided for preventing a motor vehicle door from opening when a handle portion of a handle assembly moves with acceleration above a predetermined threshold relative to a base thereof. The locking device includes a lock cup fixedly secured to the base and having a plurality of teeth. The locking device also includes a spool rotatably coupled to the lock cup and operably connected to the handle portion. The spool includes a pawl rotatably mounted thereto. The locking device further includes an inertia element disposed between the lock cup and the spool. The inertia element is coupled to the pawl such that upon the acceleration above the predetermined threshold the inertia element lags rotation of the spool and forces the pawl into engagement with one of the plurality of teeth to stop movement of the handle portion relative to the base and prevent the door from opening.
US07686349B2
A tube coupling includes a body having a cylindrical projection to engage in a tube to be secured to the body. A grab ring is mounted by arms having openings to snap onto abutments on the coupling body. The grab ring encircles with a clearance the projection and engages an outer surface of a tube pushed onto the projection to grip and resist withdrawal of the tube from the projection.
US07686345B2
The plug-type coupling includes a molded sealing ring for producing liquid-tight or gas-tight connections, the plug-type coupling having a socket and a plug that can be axially plugged into each other, and the molded sealing ring being implemented as a lip seal disposed in a circumferential groove of the plug. The object is to further develop a plug-type coupling including a molded sealing ring of the above type in such a way that a pumping effect is prevented, in order to thus prevent a vacuum on the groove bottom during pulsating stresses on the plug-type coupling.
US07686324B2
A seat plate folding mechanism provided in a wheelchair or in a transfer device used to transfer of a person between a wheelchair and a bed etc. The mechanism enables easier transfer of a person with crippled limb between a wheelchair and bed, toilet seat, etc. The seat plates are folded, with the surfaces vertically set, to the sides of the occupant, to more rear-upward than an extended position. More particularly, the seat plate folding mechanism has stays whose base end sides are pivotally supported at side frames of a frame and has seat plates, one side of each of which is supported and connected at the head of a stay so as to be pivotable about a front-back shaft. The seat plates are folded by compound motion of swing of the stays and swing of the seat plates, the swing of the stay occurring at the section where the stay is pivotally supported at a side frame, the swing of a seat plate occurring at the section where the seat plate is supported and connected at the stay. The seat plates are folded to sides of the occupant, to more rear-upward than an extended position, with the surfaces vertically set. An L-shaped, reverse L-shaped, or lateral T-shaped stay is used as the stays, and the stays are supported at the side frames of the frame so as to be pivotable about vertical shafts.
US07686323B2
A baby stroller includes a frame and a portable cradle is removably connected to the frame. The portable cradle includes two pivotal devices which are removably connected to two support devices on the frame. The pivotable device each includes a first part and a second part which is removably connected to a third part of the support device. A sleeve is movably mounted to the first part and connected to a pin which is inserted into a notch in the second part and one of positioning holes in a third part of the support device such that the portable cradle can be easily adjusted the inclination. The second part is removably connected to the third part of the support device. A front wheel assembly is connected to a front end of the frame of the stroller and the front wheel part is removably connected to the base of the front wheel assembly so that the front wheel part can be easily replaced.
US07686316B2
The pedal drive mechanism comprises a pedal arm immovably affixed across the secant of a drive gear, with the drive gear and attached pedal arm rotating through a partial revolution during operation. The drive gear meshes with a smaller pinion gear installed concentrically on the drive wheel axle. The pedal arm extends generally upwardly in its initial position prior to actuation of the mechanism, with operation requiring a rearward and downward kick or push. This is a natural motion for the operator of a scooter type vehicle, and the downward force also transfers a greater force to the drive wheel(s) for better traction during starting and operation. A return spring rotates the pedal arm, drive gear, and pinion gear back to their original starting positions when pressure is released on the pedal, with a one-way clutch disengaging the pinion gear from the drive wheel(s) during the pedal return stroke.
US07686312B2
A blank for an axle beam intended to support a wheel axle is formed from a continuous piece and, at its respective ends, has, on the one hand, a bushing constituting a bearing for a kingpin for supporting a wheel spindle and, on the other hand, lug-shaped protrusions on each side of the bushing, and a wheel axle made from such a blank. The invention can provide a blank which is suitable both for steerable and non-steerable wheel axles for vehicles.
US07686308B2
Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The system includes a housing and a seal disposed relative to the housing. The method reduces flow of a fluid between the shaft and the housing. The method involves installing the housing in an opening relative to the shaft and locating the seal relative to the housing. The seal includes a gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid. The seal reduces flow of the fluid through a gap between the housing and the shaft. Advantages of the system and method include reduced wear to the seal due to friction because the seal does not engage the shaft in the absence of a fluid. The seal engages the shaft in the presence of a fluid. Sealing quality is improved by increasing the pressure differential acting on the gel material. In some embodiments, the seal includes a lip portion.
US07686307B1
A blackjack-type card game with multistage wagering that provides a predetermined set of rules for when a player receives two or three cards, thus removing the option of splitting, doubling-down, or purchasing insurance. The game comprises areas for a player to place an first wager and a second wager. A transitional area is used to transfer the first wager to in given circumstances. The invention may or may not also include an area for an optional bonus wager, wherein the bonus wager would be either collected or paid according to a preset payout schedule and depending upon the cards of the player placing the bonus wager.
US07686302B2
A feeder device for feeding media sheets along a feed path, including: (a) an accommodator for accommodating the media sheets; (b) a feed mechanism including (b-1) a roller that is to be held in contact with the media sheets accommodated in the accommodator and (b-2) a motor that is controllable based on a variable so as to rotate the roller, so that the media sheets can be fed along the feed path by the roller; (c) a detector operable to detect an amount of rotation of the roller or the motor; (d) a controller operable to adjust the variable on the basis of the amount of rotation detected by the detector such that feed movement of each media sheet can be achieved substantially as desired; (e) a monitor operable to monitor the variable that is adjusted by the controller; and (f) a media-related information obtainer operable to obtain information related to the media sheets fed by the feed mechanism, based on the actual value of the adjusted variable monitored by the monitor.
US07686295B2
Curling of a printed sheet is corrected, friction is reduced on a paper transport surface, and the shape of the printed and ejected sheet is adjusted to a predetermined shape.
US07686294B2
A system and method of fully supporting, substantially planarly, a variable thickness stack of non-uniform thickness print media sheets on a single integral and substantially planer pivotal supporting tray which is automatically variably tilted in response to the height of the stack by being mounted on, and moved by, an existing elevator tray, the vertical movement of which automatically changes the pivotal tilt angle of the tray by a lever arm pivotal connection between the pivotal tray and a fixed position to maintain the top sheet of the stack substantially horizontal as the stack thickness changes while the elevator tray is simultaneously vertically moving the pivotal tray.
US07686292B2
A sheet feeder (20) includes a tray (30) for receiving a recording sheet (P). A feed roller (41) is disposed above the tray (30) and feeds the sheet (P). A bottom plate (50) is at a downstream end of the tray (30) and moves up and down for pressingly contacting a leading end of the sheet (P) with the roller (41). A position changer (60) moves the bottom plate (50) between a first position (S1) where the bottom plate (50) contacts the roller (41), and a second position (S2) where the bottom plate (50) is spaced from the roller (41). An elevating mechanism (70) moves the bottom plate (50) set to the second position up and down each time the sheet (P) is fed and brings the leading end of the sheet (P) into contact with the roller (41) when the bottom plate (50) is moved.
US07686281B2
The base member 1 is pivotally connected to the lever member 2 by a pin 5 that provides a leverage fulcrum point. The tongue 3 extends from the front end of the base member 1 and is used to wedge under the staple crossbar 11. The teeth 4 extends from the front end of the lever member 2. The user then lifts the lever member 2 into a second position so that the wider top section 8 of teeth 4 lifts the staple 10 from the substrate. The front edges 9 of teeth 4 are curved such that it does not go below the baseline of base member 1, and thus do not interfere with or damage the substrate. The base member 1 presses against substrate providing support and allows the leverage operation to be performed on pliable and flexible substrates such as sheets of paper, and minimizes damage to the substrate.
US07686280B2
An apparatus and method for a diaphragm valve includes a valve body having a chamber in fluid communication with a first channel and a second channel. A diaphragm is disposed in the chamber, and a tapered seat member is at least partially disposed in the first channel. A sleeve is compressively disposed in the seat member between the seat member and the first channel to maintain a fluid tight seal between the seat member and the first channel. A valve member is movable to controllably urge the diaphragm into and out of engagement with the seat member to control flow of fluid between the first the first and second channel.
US07686279B2
A non-reopenable, single-use clamp for receiving and pinching collapsible resilient tubing thus forming a mechanical tubing seal and having an open position for insertion of tubing, a neutral position for holding the tubing and a closed position for non-reopenably closing the tubing with a locking mechanism with locking hooks.
US07686276B1
A holder is provided for a fishing rod and reel combination and comprises a base and a locking mechanism. The base includes opposed side edges, front and rear ends, and a length. A guide is formed in the base and extends a selected distance along the base. The locking mechanism, which is slidably mated to the guide, is shaped and dimensioned to slide within the guide. The locking mechanism includes opposed sides edges and a latch hingedly connected to each of the opposed side edges. The latch is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the latches are moved to the closed position and the locking mechanism is slidably moved within the guide, the locking mechanism is retained in the closed position by the base so that the fishing rod and reel combination cannot be inadvertently removed.
US07686274B2
A pivoting detent joint for an exterior vehicle mirror assembly comprising a support arm for carrying a mirror head; a mounting bracket for being affixed to a vehicle exterior and carrying said support arm; a base keyway included in said mounting bracket; a key received in sliding engagement with said base keyway along a first axis; a lower detent member having a detent keyway receiving said key in sliding engagement along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis; and, an upper detent member carried by said support arm engaging said lower detent member to hold said support arm in a selected position; whereby said support arm pivots along said first axis and said second axis to accommodate misalignment between said mounting bracket and said support arm to maintain proper detent resistance of said upper and lower detent members.
US07686272B2
An adjustable display holder is disclosed. One embodiment provides a display arm and a display base, wherein the display arm is pivotably connected to the base, and the arm and base have a tongue and groove arrangement, wherein the arm may be elastically deformed to connect to the base, and the arm may retain a shape that arranges the tongue and groove in a way that resists relative pivoting between the arm and base. In this manner, an adjustable display holder may be easily configured without compromising the utility of the display holder.
US07686270B2
Disclosed is a computer support device comprising a base, a rectangular support plate attached to the base in a manner that permits rotation of the support plate around a vertical axis in the center of the base, and a support construct that is moveably attached to the top surface of said support plate, wherein said construct is capable of being vertically elevated relative thereto.
US07686257B2
The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating fluid flow over a surface using synthetic pulsators. Synthetic pulsators produce pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow proximate to the synthetic pulsator. The synthetic pulsator includes a synthetic jet actuator(s) operable to produce an oscillatory flow, and fluidic jet(s) operable to provide a continuous fluid flow. The oscillatory flow of the synthetic jet(s) and the continuous fluid flow of the fluidic jet(s) combine or mix to produce the pulsed jet operable to manipulate the primary fluid flow. These synthetic pulsators may then be actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.
US07686252B2
An airborne tracking system including a radiation emitter, a radiation receiver and a signal processor. The radiation emitter is adapted to direct radiation to a positioning area a defined distance from the radiation emitter, the radiation carrying a modulated location signal containing information corresponding to positions within the positioning area. The radiation receiver is adapted to receive at least a portion of the emitted radiation carrying the modulated signal and output a signal to the signal processor indicative of the modulation of the location signal of the received radiation. Signal processor is adapted to process the outputted signal and identify a position within the positioning area indicative of the location in the positioning area of the received radiation.
US07686247B1
The present disclosure includes various apparatus and method embodiments for vehicle recovery. One embodiment includes at least one inflatable member having a target area for impact of a vehicle thereon and wherein the at least one inflatable member is inflated with a fluid provided by an inflation source.
US07686246B2
A method/system for controlling helicopter vibrations is provided that includes a vibration canceling force generator for actively generating a vibration canceling force. The system includes a resonant actuator having a natural resonant frequency and a resonant actuator electronic control system. The resonant actuator electronic control system provides an electrical drive current to the resonant actuator to drive the resonant actuator about the resonant frequency when commanded by a received command signal. The resonant actuator has a feedback output with the feedback output fed back into the resonant actuator electronic control system wherein the resonant actuator electronic control system adjusts the electrical drive current based on the resonant actuator feedback output to generate the vibration canceling force.
US07686238B2
In order to manufacture the compound powder or the porous granulated substance in an efficient manner, a powder processing apparatus has an accumulating face on which the processing target powder is to be accumulated and a processing face disposed in opposition to the accumulating face and convexly curved, and a moving means for moving the accumulating face and the processing face along the accumulating face relative to each other. The apparatus comprises an excitement treatment means capable of applying an excitation energy to the processing target powder accumulated on the accumulating face from an excitation energy supplying portion disposed in opposition to the accumulating face or an oscillation means for oscillating the accumulating face or the processing face in a direction intersecting the accumulating face.
US07686226B2
A digital imaging-based system for reading code symbols affixed to objects, including an imaging-based code symbol reading subsystem for capturing and processing digital images of code symbols affixed to objects, and reading said code symbols and producing symbol character data representative of read code symbols. A data transmission subsystem, operably coupled to the imaging-based code symbol reading subsystem, communicates such symbol character data to the communication interface of a host system over a communication link therebetween. The data transmission subsystem implements a plurality of different communication interfaces, and thus is capable of interfacing to a variety of different host devices in an automatic and error free manner with minimal human involvement, thus providing significant advantages over the prior art code symbol reading systems and devices.
US07686225B2
A wireless code symbol reading system including a wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader in two-way RF communication with a base station operably connected to a host system, by way of an RF-based wireless data communication link having a predetermined RF communication range over which two-way communication of data packets can occur. The wireless hand-supportable code symbol reader is programmed to automatically detect when it is located inside and outside of the predetermined RF communication range. When the wireless reader is inside the RF communication range, then symbol character data is automatically transmitted to the base station, and when the wireless reader is located outside of the RF communication range, then symbol character data is automatically collected and stored in a data packet buffer, until the wireless reader has re-entered its RF communication range.
US07686219B1
System and method for keeping inventories of sensitive data that has been shared with external entities. The system and method may be used particularly for identifying a source of an unauthorized release of sensitive data.
US07686216B2
There is provided herein an encoded information reading terminal such as may be provided for by a bar code reading terminal for operation in a network such as a retail store network that is configured in one embodiment to automatically enter a unique association mode of operation subsequent to wirelessly receiving a radio address from one computer of a plurality of computers, e.g., a cash register address from one cash register out of a plurality of cash registers. In one embodiment a bar code reading terminal can be configured to wait for a cash register address to be wirelessly received as part of a connection request initiated from one cash register out of a plurality of cash registers. A bar code reading terminal can be configured so that when operating in a unique association mode, a bar code reading terminal transmits all decoded bar code messages output by the bar code reading terminal to an external device to the one cash register sending its cash register address.
US07686213B1
Apparatus and method for purchasing cash from an ATM. The ATM has a unique identifier visibly located thereon. A customer phone includes a camera and a programmable memory. The camera can be used to capture an image of the ATM's identifier. The memory includes customer account data. A customer uses their phone to establish wireless communication with a transaction host. The customer can transmit to the host a request for cash from the ATM. The request includes the account data and the image. The host can use the account data in payment for the requested cash. The host uses the image to identify the particular ATM associated with the request. After payment, the host causes the identified ATM to dispense the requested cash.
US07686212B2
An automated banking machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records has sensing devices adjacent a card reader slot. The sensing devices enable detection of a fraudulent card reading device.
US07686211B2
A card actuated automated banking machine (152, 198, 200) includes a plurality of transaction function devices. The transaction function devices include a card reader (170), a printer (174), a bill dispenser (176), a coin dispenser (178), a display (182), a check imaging device (186) and at least one processor (190). The automated banking machine is operative responsive to receiving a check and certification data to dispense cash in exchange for the check. The person presenting the check need not provide user identifying inputs through input devices in order to receive cash for the check. A check recipient prior to presenting the check for payment is also enabled to verify that the check will be paid through communication with at least one computer (204) through at least one consumer interface device (208).
US07686200B2
A mechanical system for bilaterally securing skin tissue preferably utilizes a tissue manipulator apparatus to approximate a portion of an interior surface of each of two pieces of living dermis tissue along a vertical interface below an exterior surface without overlapping either interior surface across the vertical interface. An applicator apparatus includes a driving head portion positioned in the vertical interface and at least partially below the exterior surface and a handle portion positioned at least partially above the exterior surface. The applicator apparatus bilaterally drives at least one portion of the fastener through each piece of the living dermis tissue behind the interior surface of that piece of tissue such that the fastener is positioned below the exterior surface and a portion of the fastener is positioned generally transverse to the vertical interface.
US07686197B2
In a gas combustion type striking tool which strikes a fastener supplied in a nose portion into a member to be fastened by burning mixed gas inside a combustion chamber above a striking cylinder in accordance with a pulling operation of a trigger lever to drive a striking piston and a driver by a pressure of the combustion gas thus generated, a topper is disposed so as to be able to protrude into a path of a feed pawl or a feed piston, and a stopper engaging member, which extends downward from the striking cylinder and is movable in a vertical direction, engages with the stopper when the stopper engaging member moves downward, thereby retracting the stopper from the path.
US07686196B2
A carrying clip for detachably connecting an accessory to a tool belt in the form of an elongate flexible strap defining an upper edge includes a gripping portion configured to be gripped by the fingers of a user and positioned in proximity, and positioned in proximity to the straps upper edge. The gripping portion is associated with and supports an accessory to be detachably connected to the strap. An attachment member, which may be in the form of a spring-clip or a snap-lock clip arrangement, is used for detachably connecting the gripping portion to the strap and for removing the gripping portion and associated accessory by engagement of the gripping portion with the finger of the user and lifting the gripping portion in a general upward direction relative to the strap.
US07686186B2
A container that holds the golf balls for sequential dispensing of golf balls from an interior cavity through an opening between a pair of opposing legs and a projecting stop movable from a first position for holding one of the golf balls between the legs and retained by the projecting stops to a second outward position sufficient for the golf ball to pass by the projecting stops. A method of holding and sequentially dispensing golf balls for play is disclosed.
US07686173B2
A modular shelving system including a number of separate, selectively inter-connectable pieces, and methods of assembling such a shelving system. The selectively inter-connectable pieces of the shelving system include vertical supports columns, cap shelves for attachment thereto, hanging rods, and adjustable shelves and drawers and selectively placeable support elements for supporting same.
US07686172B2
A storage bin for use in conjunction with slotwall panel storage systems that can be stacked and snapped together or hung on a slotwall or slot track storage system. The storage bin includes a downwardly opening J-shaped hook and one or more upwardly opening J-shaped hooks extending from the rear wall of the storage bin. When the storage bin is engaging the top edge of the slat the upwardly opening J-shaped hook or hooks can extend into the slot forming the bottom edge of a slat without engaging the bottom edge of the slat.
US07686168B1
A container for transporting and handling materials such as ice has a side wall having a top, a middle and a bottom. The side wall forms a containing portion. The top has an opening to the containing portion. The side wall has a recess adjacent to the bottom. The container has a bottom wall. The containing portion extends from the bottom wall to the opening. The container has a top handle adjacent to the top of the side wall. The container has a recess handle that extends from the bottom of the side wall to the middle of the side wall adjacent to the recess.
US07686165B2
A gum packaging design that utilizes two separate compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment. Each of the compartments may be formed from a separate paperboard blank. The blanks are folded to form the compartments and then the lower compartment is adhered to the upper compartment in a fashion that allows the lower compartment to be later separated therefrom by tearing along a perforation after the lower compartment is emptied. A cover flap on the upper compartment can be used to hold the package in a compact, closed position by folding the compartments to face each other and tucking an end into a receiving slot formed in the back panel of the lower compartment. Once the lower compartment is separated from the upper compartment, the same cover flap can be used to close the remaining package by tucking the same end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in a front panel of the upper compartment.
US07686160B2
The present disclosure provides a contact lens package containing a contact lens in a compressed state. In one exemplary embodiment, the overall internal depth of the package is less than the natural sagittal depth of the contact lens. Different single-use contact lens package shapes and configurations may be used. In some embodiments, a spring disc is included in the packages to help present the contact lens to the user when the package is opened. The contact lens packages may be adhered or clipped to a card or other carrier sheet, and may be housed in a number of different secondary packages.
US07686153B2
A package temporary storage control mechanism is located between a feeding end and a discharge end of a cuboidal package conveying apparatus, and includes a temporary storage trough, which has two upright plates defining an upper supporting zone and a lower waiting zone therebetween. Two supporting mechanisms are driven to ascend and descend vertically in the supporting zone and each includes a plurality of supporting fingers that can be extended into the supporting zone to locate at a supporting position for receiving and supporting a plurality of cuboidal packages fed from the feeding end to the supporting zone. Two carrying mechanisms are driven to ascend and descend vertically in the waiting zone and each includes a plurality of carrier seats that can be extended into the waiting zone to locate at a carrying position for carrying the cuboidal packages moved downward from the supporting zone.
US07686152B2
The invention relates to a drive system for moving walkways and stairs by means of horizontal drive chains, having a drive actuation mechanism and drive chains responsible for causing the movement of the plates of the walkway or steps of the stairs. The drive chains and the pallets or steps have direct mutual engagement devices which are opposite and coupled to one another along a straight section of the path of the belt or stairs. The devices have deformable rollers which are assembled in the links of the drive chain and engage in complementary cavities that the plates or links have at the back part.
US07686144B2
A vibration isolation device which dampens vibration of an object. The device includes a vibration isolation unit that can be activated in a plurality of vibration isolation modes, an acquisition unit that acquires estimate information associated with vibration of a floor, in which the acquisition unit receives data associated with an influence degree of seismic vibration and an influence time zone of the seismic vibration from an external device, and a control unit that selects a vibration isolation mode from the plurality of vibration isolation modes, in accordance with the estimate information acquired by the acquisition unit, and activates the vibration isolation unit in the selected vibration isolation mode. The control unit switches between the vibration isolation modes of the vibration isolation unit in accordance with the influence degree and the influence time zone.
US07686139B2
In an elevator apparatus, a brake device for braking the running of a car is controlled by a brake control device. The brake control device monitors a speed of the car and a degree of deceleration of the car at a time of emergency braking of the car. When the degree of deceleration of the car reaches a preset target deceleration, the brake control device generates a target speed pattern for decelerating the car from a speed of the car at that time.
US07686137B2
There is provided an oil separating structure of an automatic transmission, which makes it difficult for an oil strainer of an oil pump to draw oil containing air bubbles. A baffle plate base separates a space around the oil strainer and a space around a driven sprocket as well as a final gear, and therefore, oil containing air bubbles formed as a result of agitation by the driven sprocket, chain, and final gear does not flow directly into the oil strainer. As a result, the oil strainer is unlikely to draw oil containing air bubbles.
US07686134B1
A ladder support and bracing apparatus includes a panel that has a top side, a bottom side, a first end, a second end, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. Each of a pair of lips is attached to and extends upwardly from the top side and each is coextensive with one of the first and second lateral sides. A vertical support is hingedly coupled to the bottom side and is positioned adjacent to the first end. The panel is substantially horizontally orientated when the vertical support is vertically orientated. The bottom side of the panel adjacent to the second is positioned on a step and the vertical support adjusted to horizontally orientate the panel. A ladder is then positioned on and supported by the panel.
US07686133B2
An mobile equipment boarding ladder includes a pair of hinged mounting brackets attached to the mobile equipment at a first end. A ladder step is attached to the second ends of the hinged brackets via a pair of pivot mechanisms. The hinge pins and the pivot mechanisms are substantially parallel so that the entire ladder can fold and collapse against the side of the mobile equipment in response to an external force, such as an obstacle. The hinged brackets can be self-centering via gravity, a spring, or both. A pair of flexible straps are attached to the second end of the hinged brackets, and hang vertically from the brackets. A pair of lower pivot mechanisms and a lower step are attached to the lower end of the straps, oriented in the same manner as the first pivot mechanisms.
US07686132B2
A new acoustic insulating sheet material comprises in laminar assembly a) a primary sound absorbing sheet, and b) a dense porous membrane that i) has an air-flow resistance of about 5000 rayls or less and ii) has an Acoustic Value Ratio as defined herein of at least 3000. Preferably, the membrane is about 200 micrometers or less in thickness, and more preferably is about 150 micrometers or less in thickness. Also, the Acoustic Value Ratio is preferably at least 7,000. The described membrane can also be used alone to acoustically insulate a space, e.g., by mounting it in planar array over an air gap and in position to attenuate noise from a noise source.
US07686129B2
A horn and a loudspeaker employing the horn are disclosed that include a body having a throat that expands outwardly to a mouth such that a first interior area defined by the throat is smaller than a second interior area defined by the mouth. A plurality of raised surface areas is located on an interior surface of the body. The raised surface areas extend into a hollow interior defined by the body a predetermined distance and are utilized to channel sound waves through the body and out the mouth.
US07686117B2
A safety arrangement incorporates a seat-belt (3) to protect an occupant (2) of a vehicle seat (1). A control unit (11) incorporates a calculator (18) to calculate the weight of the occupant (2) of the seat occupant, by comparing the force (6) applied to the seat-belt by the seat occupant with the acceleration (14) of the compartment. A controller (19) controls a restraining force applied to the seat occupant by the safety-belt and, possibly, additional force limiting or energy absorbing devices such as an air-bag (8).
US07686115B2
A suspension and steering system for the front wheel of a motorcycle. The system includes an upright extending along one side of the front wheel at a rake angle, to which the wheel is journalled by means of a cantilevered axle extending from one side of the lower end of the upright. The upright includes a lower section that resides within the inner diameter of the wheel rim and an arcuate upper section that extends upwardly and rearwardly around the wheel rim and tire. The upper end of the upright is connected to a telescoping, splined steering shaft that is journalled to an upper subframe and which transmits steering torque from a handlebar assembly through the upright to the front wheel. The upright is pivotably attached to upper and lower swing arms that extend forwardly from the body of the motorcycle. The lower swing arm extends around the side of the front wheel and functions to locate the lower section of the upright. The upper swing arm is connected to the upper end of the upright and is sprung and damped with a shock absorber assembly connected to the upper subframe. The upright bears and transmits substantially all weight and shock loads between the front wheel and the upper swing arm and body of the motorcycle, allowing the steering shaft to function exclusively to transmit steering torque to the front wheel.
US07686109B2
A gasoline engine powered snowboard having an endless track trained about a support frame containing driven and idler wheels. A molded chassis having alternative contoured track support pans cooperate with flexible track surfaces (e.g. fringe or pleat members) and forward and rear foot supports to enable steering with foot and body movements. Engine operation is directed from an upright operator support column and directed servos coupled to the engine. One support pan exhibits a beveled contour and includes a recessed elliptic channel; another supports a reciprocating plate and steering wheels. Slit fringe members and pleats along right and left peripheral track edges cooperate with the pan contours and/or wheels to steer the vehicle. UHMW covered drive lugs and formed UHMW stiffener surfaces project from internal track surfaces. Ground contact lugs exhibit contoured thickness profiles, elongated, inverted V-shapes and include recesses. Diverter and agitator assemblies rid snow and ice from the track support assembly.
US07686104B2
A drill bit for drilling through earthen formations and forming a borehole. In an embodiment, the bit comprises a bit body having a bit axis. In addition, the bit comprises a plurality of cone cutters, each of the cone cutters being mounted on the bit body and adapted for rotation about a different cone axis. Further, at least one cone cutter on the bit comprises an array of cutter elements mounted in a band. Still further, the cutter elements in the array are mounted in a plurality of differing radial positions relative to the bit axis.
US07686099B2
Downhole positioning systems and associated methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a downhole source, an array of receivers, and a data hub. The downhole source transmits an electromagnetic positioning signal that is received by the array of receivers. The data hub collects amplitude and/or phase measurements of the electromagnetic positioning signal from receivers in the array and combines these measurements to determine the position of the downhole source. The position may be tracked over time to determine the source's path. The position calculation may take various forms, including determination of a source-to-receiver distance for multiple receivers in the array, coupled with geometric analysis of the distances to determine source position. The electromagnetic positioning signal may be in the sub-hertz frequency range.
US07686092B2
Methods and apparatus for subterranean well bore operations. An exemplary embodiment of a method is a method of activating a device in a subterranean well bore, the device having a baffle adapter configured to achieve sealing contact with a cementing plug, the cementing plug having an outer body and a detachable inner mandrel attached to the outer body, including the steps of: displacing the cementing plug into contact with the baffle adapter so that the outer body of the cementing plug achieves sealing contact with the baffle adapter; and applying a differential pressure across the cementing plug, thereby activating the device. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus is a baffle adapter, having an inner bore designed to engage and seal against the outer body of a plug.
US07686091B2
A drive assembly for inserting hose within a wellhead housing that intermittently reciprocates the hose feed into the housing. The intermittent reciprocating action feeds the hose past obstacles in the wellhead housing, such as within annuluses between tubulars. The drive assembly includes rollers that frictionally contact the hose and when rotated drive the hose forward. The rollers are rotated by a drive sprocket that is rotated by a hand crank. An offset cam assembly between the hand crank and the drive sprocket adds an orbital/reciprocating motion to the drive assembly.
US07686087B2
A connector for connecting sections of drilling riser pipe wherein a first riser contains a pin assembly with an external first grooved profile and a second riser contains a housing assembly. An internal split pivoting latch segment assembly carried by the housing assembly contains a second grooved profile adapted to mate to the first grooved profile and a split actuation ring movably carried by the housing assembly forces the second grooved profile of the latch segment assembly into engagement with the first grooved profile of the pin assembly. A plurality of retraction links engage an upper edge of the latch segment assembly to disengage the second grooved profile of the latch segment assembly from the first grooved profile of the pin assembly if the risers are to be disconnected.
US07686077B2
One embodiment of a system for determining a wellbore parameter includes a pulse generator positioned in fluid communication with a wellbore such that a fluid can flow from the wellbore through the pulse generator, wherein the pulse generator selectively releases the fluid to flow through the pulse generator causing pressure pulses in the wellbore; a receiver in operational connection with the wellbore, the receiver detecting the pressure pulses; and a controller in functional connection with the receiver, the controller determining a wellbore parameter from receipt of a signal from the receiver in response to the detected pressure pulses.
US07686069B2
A cooling apparatus has a low profile extrusion with a plurality of micro tubes extended there through. The low profile extrusion is placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid removes heat via an adiabatic process.
US07686060B2
A retractable covering in accordance with the present invention includes a head rail with a horizontally disposed roller and a pair of depending sheets from the roller which form part of a fabric which can be wrapped around the roller or unwrapped from the roller when moving the covering between retracted and extended positions. The sheets can also be moved with the roller between a closed position wherein they are in contiguous relationship and an open position wherein they are separated while remaining in parallel relationship. A plurality of cut-out vanes are formed in one sheet having a free edge thereof secured as with adhesive or the like to the other sheet. Accordingly, when the sheets are in the closed contiguous relationship, the vanes which are integral with one sheet become coplanar therewith but when the sheets are separated the vanes pivot to open a passage through the sheet from which they were cut to permit the passage of vision and light.
US07686057B2
The invention relates to a method for closing off at least one tunnel (2) extending across the width of a folding curtain, after a strengthening rod (3) has been inserted into this tunnel on the one hand, and a folding curtain comprising at least one tunnel (2) extending across the width of the curtain, which has been provided with a strengthening rod (3) on the other hand. To that effect, a strengthening rod (3) is provided in the tunnel (2) at least one extremity of which is comprising a number of pointed projections (4) and that the tunnel (2) is closed off by pricking the said projections (4) through the wall of the tunnel.
US07686054B2
An apparatus for everting a pipe-lining material for rehabilitating an existing pipe. The apparatus has a storage container for storing a pipe-lining material in an un-everted state, an eversion nozzle for everting the pipe-lining material, and a mounting pipe for removable connection between the storage container and the eversion nozzle. The everting nozzle has a nozzle opening to which the un-everted pipe-lining material is attached and which confronts an opening of the pipeline to be rehabilitated during use of the apparatus. The mounting pipe has an exterior surface, an interior space, a side portion provided with at least one opening communicating the exterior surface with the interior space, and an upper portion with an open end through which the un-everted pipe-lining material is inserted for attachment to the nozzle opening of the eversion nozzle.
US07686041B2
A modular manifold system is provided for interconnecting fluid components of a fluid system in a reduced area. The system is comprised of a one or more bridge fittings having an internal fluid passageway which has an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet port of a first fluid component, and an outlet end in fluid communication with an inlet port of a second fluid component. The bridge fittings may additionally comprise two or more ports, which one of said ports may be in fluid communication with a manifold on another substrate level. The bridge fittings may be mounted within a channel of a backing plate for structural support or in channel blocks of varying sizes. An optional locator plate may be utilized which is mounted over the ends of the bridge fittings in order to align the inlet and outlet ports of the fluid components with the inlet and outlet ends of the bridge fittings. The bridge fittings may also be mounted to the locator plate in multiple directions forming multiple flow paths. Additionally, the bridge fittings may be stacked to form multiple layers where bridge fittings of one layer may be in fluid communication with bridge fittings of another layer. The invention may further comprise seals provided in a recess between the fluid ports and the mating bridge fittings ends.
US07686031B2
A fire hydrant system relating to protection of a water supply from contamination. The fire hydrant system includes a barrel adapted to communicate at least indirectly with a water supply; a nozzle extending from the barrel; a hydrant valve adapted to controllably regulate communication between the barrel and the water supply; a valve actuator adapted to allow actuation of the hydrant valve; a nozzle cap adapted to at least close off the nozzle opening; and a hydrant shoe in communication with the water supply, the hydrant shoe comprising a backflow prevention assembly, wherein water can flow from the water supply through the hydrant shoe into the barrel at an open position of the backflow prevention assembly disc, and wherein media cannot enter the water supply via the barrel when the backflow prevention assembly disc is in a closed position.
US07686030B2
A cut valve which is installed on a fuel tank and is adapted to shut off a vent passage between the interior of the fuel tank and the outside when a fuel level in the fuel tank has risen, including: a housing having: a cover having a lead-out pipe connected to an external pipe; a tubular body having a vent hole communicating with the lead-out pipe; and a bottom portion closing a lower surface of the tubular body; and a float valve which is adapted to open or close the vent hole by coming into contact with and moving away from a valve seat provided at a peripheral edge of the vent hole in the ceiling portion, wherein an inner periphery of the valve seat has a tapered shape in which its diameter is gradually enlarged in a direction toward the float valve.
US07686029B2
There is provided a microfluidic device capable of preventing the flow of a fluid from being interrupted by bubbles generated in a micro flow passage. In a microfluidic device 10 wherein a micro flow passage 16 having a substantially constant height is formed for allowing a fluid to flow therein and wherein a narrow portion is formed in a portion of the micro flow passage by forming a columnar portion 12c or the like in the micro flow passage, an extending recessed portion 14c for extending the micro flow passage upwards is formed upstream of the narrow portion, and a plurality of raised portions extending in substantially parallel to longitudinal directions of the micro flow passage are formed on a portion of the bottom face of the micro flow passage facing the extending recessed portion if necessary.
US07686027B2
A multi-port valve arrangement and removable valve element for use in sanitary environments that comprises at least three ports formed by the joining of at least two valve casing bodies at angles necessary to accommodate multiple connecting fluid streams. A seamless, flexible element is used within the valve arrangement to connect the fluid streams. The valve casings may be hinged on one side to permit removal of the top portion of the valve casings and removal/exchange of the flexible element without complete disassembly of the valve casing and without the use of tools.
US07686024B1
An umbrella includes a shank, a fixed ring mounted on the shank, a movable ring movably mounted on the shank, a plurality of ribs each pivotally and detachably connected with the fixed ring, and a plurality of spreaders each pivotally and detachably connected with the movable ring. Thus, each of the spreaders and the ribs can be removed from the movable ring and the fixed ring respectively for replacement or maintenance, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the umbrella.
US07686022B2
The present invention provides a nozzle device comprising a substantially cylindrical nozzle body and a cup member which is arranged within the cylinder of the nozzle body and jets out fluid droplets from the tip thereof while being driven to turn, wherein two or more fluids including a detergent and a gas are mixed and jetted out of the tip of the nozzle in order to achieve sufficient cleaning of a single wafer without a re-adhesion of contamination or destruction of the pattern of the wafer. Therefore, the fluid droplets can be controlled to a smaller size than the conventional double-fluid cleaning system or high pressure jet system.
US07686019B2
A medical ventilation device comprising a cannula having proximal and distal ends; an inflatable cuff adapted to be inflated to an inspiratory pressure, the cuff attached to and surrounding a portion of the cannula toward the distal end thereof; an inspiratory pressure inflation tube having first and second ends, the first end in communication with an interior of the inflatable cuff, the second end adapted to communicate with an inspiratory pressure source; and a pressure valve in communication with the inspiratory pressure inflation tube.
US07686018B2
The invention relates to a new mask for the protection against biological agents having additional features to improve the efficiency. The mask is in particular equipped with a filtering layer providing outstanding performances against biological agents, with a high efficiency exhalation valve and with a boundary sealing layer to enhance the seal between mask and face.
US07686015B2
A disposable active humidifier for the mechanical ventilation of a patient, which has the particularity that it comprises a cartridge which forms a humidification chamber which is delimited by an inlet and by an outlet and can be interposed in the ventilation circuit. The cartridge has an interspace which is externally delimited by a heat exchange surface and is internally delimited by a hydrophobic membrane which surrounds the humidification chamber. A humidification fluid, originating from a bottle or bag, can be introduced in the interspace.
US07686014B2
The aim of the invention is to connect a nebulizer to a breathing air tube of a respirator. This aim is achieved by a nebulizer-connecting device that has a breathing air-directing unit that is provided with a first mechanism for connecting a duct supplying breathing air, a second mechanism for connecting a duct evacuating breathing air, and a third mechanism for connecting the nebulizer, and a sealing unit which is arranged on the third connecting mechanism and by which a flow path for an aerosol generated by the nebulizer can be unblocked when the nebulizer is connected while the flow path for an aerosol generated by the nebulizer can be sealed therewith when the nebulizer is removed. A sealing member is opened when the nebulizer is connected while being closed when the nebulizer is removed.
US07686013B2
A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating one aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve, an air carrying conduit and a retention device for securing system elements in position. The system also includes a flow restriction device for controlling the flow of air through the air carrying conduit.
US07686010B2
A high temperature bake oven including a source of heat, a first stone-like plate located above the heat source receiving an item to be baked, a second stone-like plate located above the first plate and a housing enclosing the first and second plates forming a bake oven chamber between the first and second plates having a front opening directing convection heat upwardly from the heat source against the first and second plates and between the plate over an item to be baked.
US07686007B2
A tile cutting machine includes a tub having at least one sidewall and a bottom for holding water. An opening may be positioned in the sidewall and selectively covered by a door. A cutting head assembly includes a cutting device having a blade and a motor for powering the blade. The cutting device is selectively coupled with a rail assembly and movable there along. A tile supporting surface is located in the tub for supporting a tile to be cut. The tile supporting surface having areas of varying heights to accommodate tiles of various sizes.
US07686002B2
The present invention is a toy launcher which is transfigurable from a compacted state to an operative state for launching projectiles. In one embodiment, the launcher utilizes a hand-pressurized air pump for providing the launching power, and may accommodate multiple types of projectiles to be loaded in the gun at the same time. Projectiles may include, for example, a bolo bullet, grapnel, or miniature missiles. Auxiliary retractable features such as targeting components and a flashlight with a logo projector may be added to enhance the play value of the invention.
US07685998B2
A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, permitting optimal compensation of all losses of the internal combustion engine in half-engine operation. The internal combustion engine has several cylinder banks, at least a first cylinder bank being deactivatable, and, during deactivation of the first cylinder bank, the first cylinder bank losses and the losses of a second cylinder bank being taken into account during activation of the second cylinder bank, and the default value of the second cylinder bank quantity being formed in several steps. In at least one of these steps, the first cylinder bank losses and the second cylinder bank losses are taken into account for forming the default value.
US07685982B2
An outboard engine unit includes a single lubricating oil supply tube for supplying lubricating oil to a valve-operating chain. The valve-operating chain is suspended across a drive sprocket provided to a crankshaft and a driven sprocket provided to a camshaft. A supply tube is connected to a main gallery that is linked to a main oil channel positioned in an area adjacent to the crankshaft.
US07685980B2
A continuously variable valve duration system including a rocker assembly acted upon by two off-spaced camshafts for selectively varying the closing point of a valve in an internal combustion engine. An opening camshaft is rotatably driven by the engine crankshaft and controls at least the opening and point of the valve through a rocker assembly disposed on a fixed pivot shaft. A closing camshaft, rotatably connected to the opening intake camshaft through a cam phaser, is poised to take over control of the valve closing event through the same rocker assembly. By changing the rotational phase of the closing camshaft relative to the opening camshaft via the cam phaser, the valve closing event can be either retarded or advanced so as to override the opening camshaft and thus selectively vary the valve event duration.
US07685973B2
A method and apparatus to heat-activate hydrogen of water for powering rotational, reaction-thrust and projectile-expulsion embodiments (19, 60, 61, 75) of a water engine (10) with hydrogen energy of water which is spray-atomized and electrically heated internally in one or more hydrogen activators (1). Water-hydrogen electrons of the spray-atomized water are heat-activated up to exponentially greater output heat-activation energy than input activation-heat energy added electrically with power generated from forms of the water engine. A minor portion of the output heat-activation energy of the water hydrogen is utilized for generating electrical current for the input activation heat of the spray-atomized water in the hydrogen activators. Net output heat-activation pressure of water-hydrogen is directed from one or more of the hydrogen activators to one or more use chambers (9) of universal-use forms of the water engine. Rotational features of the water engine preferably employ a turbocam drive (20).
US07685969B2
A liquid bird feeder provides a liquid container having a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to attach to the liquid container and adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, wherein the liquid tray includes a bottom port passing through the liquid tray and vertically aligned with the bottom opening, and a valve mechanism adapted to selectively couple the bottom port of the liquid tray to the bottom opening for filling purposes, or to close the bottom port and couple the bottom opening to the liquid tray for supplying liquid from the liquid container to the liquid tray.
US07685958B2
The invention relates to a ship's bow with a central inclined plane area and starboard and port catamaran-like runners laterally thereto, the inclined plane area and runners in the midships direction pass roughly into a fictional keel line. The aim is to create such a ship's bow which, whilst being very economic when operating the ship can be used in modular manner for the most varied ship types and operating zones. To this end the runners are given a wedge-like construction and at the front runner end is provided a free flow attack opening for the inclined plane area, which is constructed with a specific inclination angle α.
US07685956B2
A rub rail for a boat, and methods of manufacturing and installing the rub rail on the boat are provided. The rub rail includes a base polymer and a metal trim embedded or integrated into the base. The metal trim can be made of stainless steel to maximize aesthetic appearance. The metal trim and base polymer are combined during an extrusion process such that substantially no gaps are formed between the metal trim and base. The base polymer optionally can include a non-visible body portion made of recycled material. The rub rail is formed as a single piece which can be installed easily by screws or adhesive tape to a boat.
US07685955B2
A ship and associated methods of formation and operation. In an example embodiment, a ship comprises a vessel for attachment to a second vessel. The vessel may comprise a catamaran hull including first and second parallel sides extending from a fore portion of the vessel to an aft portion of the vessel and defining a cavity when the vessel is afloat and a deck may be formed above the hull. A first connection component may be positioned along the fore portion and a second connection component may be positioned along the aft portion, the second component being of a connectable design, such that when a like second component is formed on another vessel, the like second component can be joined with the first component to effect a connection between the two vessels. A seal may be provided along the first component, positioned to sustain air pressure within the cavity when the like second component formed on the other vessel is joined to the first component.
US07685949B2
A feeding door of a heat treatment furnace comprises a box, at least a starter, and a door plank. The door plank is pivotally coupled with the front side of the box. The door plank is consisted of at least two pivotally coupled door plates. The box has a chamber for holding an object that waits for drying. The box has at least a breach. The door plank is pivotally coupled with the box above the breach. The starter is fixed on an outer lateral of the box. The starter has a hydraulic cylinder for connection with the box and the door plank via both ends so as to upward or downward shift the door plank by an adjustable rod of the hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly, it is more flexible to configure the overall space so as to achieve the purposes of saving space and manpower and provide the material-feeding convenience.
US07685946B1
The tubular transporter for moving a submersible pump through a collecting pipe under a landfill has a set of wheels angularly mounted to a cylindrical housing in positions above a center of gravity of the transporter. The transporter has a screen at a suction end and an end plate at a discharge end. The end plate has a vent hole with an optional plug. A pressure sensor is removably mounted to the housing and operates for determining when sufficient water is present to actuate the pump. The pump discharges the water to be treated prior to being returned to the ground. A series of hose dollies are mounted to the discharge hose to enable entry into a long collection pipe.
US07685945B2
A drag strip race amusement ride runs on a straight-line track and is propelled to high rates of acceleration over the 150-foot racetrack. The vehicle cab seats nine. Each racer has an individual acceleration pedal. Located on the front windshield and on each side window is an LCD video screen. Audio sounds are also introduced into the cab during the ride. When the signal is given to begin the race, each racer hits his acceleration pedal. A central computer system synchronizes the video, audio, acceleration and deceleration so that the sensory perceptions of sight, sound and feeling of an actual drag strip race are created. A winner is determined by measuring the reaction time of each racer between the signal and the pedal.
US07685942B1
Frangible projectiles for firearms and processes for making such projectiles are disclosed. The projectiles include a sintered, compacted mixture of powdered iron particles with other particles, including powdered copper particles and optionally powdered tin particles. The disclosed projectiles produce a similar feel and mimic the ballistic properties of lead projectiles of similar size and caliber, yet readily break-up upon impact with a hard surface in order to minimize ricochet or splatter. The disclosed projectiles and processes for making the projectiles meet the need for inexpensive, lead-free frangible projectiles.
US07685941B2
A penetration-capable projectile has a casing and a fuze with a fuze housing lower part. An interface area between the casing of the projectile and the fuze housing lower part is formed with a shape and/or strength modification which prevents the fuze housing lower part from being pushed into the casing on impact with a target that is to be penetrated.
US07685940B1
There is disclosed a solid fuel rocket motor which may include a case and a nozzle coupled to the case. A plurality of fuel pellets may be disposed within the case. An igniter may be disposed to ignite at least a portion of the fuel pellets. A pellet retainer may be positioned within the case to retain the plurality of fuel pellets within the case. The pellet retainer may be perforated to allow exhaust gases to flow from the ignited fuel pellets to the nozzle while preventing unburned fuel pellets from being expelled through the nozzle.
US07685936B2
A strainer for use with combining beverages and cold food includes a bottom section sized for insertion into a beverage container, and a side section projecting substantially vertically from the bottom section and sized for insertion into a portion of the beverage container. At least one of the bottom and side sections is liquid permeable, and the bottom section and side section are separately or collectively capable of retaining ice pieces when the strainer is in the container. A method for retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid includes placing a strainer capable of retaining ice in a container capable of holding a liquid, adding ice to the container such that at least some of the ice is retained by the strainer, placing a liquid in the container, and removing the strainer from the container.
US07685933B2
A food processing device having a motor shaft of a motor from the device coupled to the tool carrying shaft for multi-speed operation. The tool carrying shaft and the motor shaft are connected by two distinct trains, continuously driven, each train comprising one free wheel, mounted with relation to the free wheel of the other train in such a way that power from the motor is only transmitted to the tool carrying shaft by the relevant train in a single direction of rotation of the motor and that for the other direction of rotation of said motor, the power is only transmitted to the tool carrying shaft by the other train.
US07685924B2
A protection device for the floor of a land vehicle against mines, said device comprising at least one caisson with a convex external surface oriented towards the ground wherein said caisson incorporates a median part arranged between two lateral walls and extending over the full length of said caisson, the median part of said caisson being of a thickness (E) greater than that (e) of said lateral walls and being designed so as to transmit the stress, when a mine detonates, towards said lateral walls.
US07685908B1
A combination device for insulating a beverage vessel and removing a bottle cap is disclosed. This device includes a generally cylindrically-shaped insulating sleeve, a substantially planar and disk-shaped metal insert with a rectangular aperture that pries off a bottle cap, and a ring-shaped structure that stabilizes the insert within the insulating sleeve.
US07685906B2
A vehicle steering wheel (10) includes a hub (12) and an airbag module (26). The vehicle steering wheel (10) further includes a plurality of switches (18, 20, 22) being integrated in a common housing (16). The housing (16) is fitted on the airbag module (26) and includes at least one mount (32) cooperating with a cover (28) of the airbag module (26).
US07685898B2
A linear actuator includes a spindle, a main nut, and a safety nut which cooperates with the main nut. The flank of the safety nut closest to the load supported by the spindle is made steep, i.e., forms an acute angle of between about 20 to 30 degrees with its longitudinal axis, thereby providing a great frictional force by engagement with the threads of the spindle in the event that the main nut fails. The great frictional force is brought about because the threads of the spindle, exclusively with the outer edge, become in linear engagement with the steep flank on the safety nut.
US07685897B1
A differential gear transmission type work units positioning system includes a linking mechanism, which is formed of a compound gear, a fixed rack, a drive rack, a driven rack, a rail and a screw rod, and is coupled to a number of work units, for example, Charge-Coupled Device work units, pitch-adjustable material suction and feeding work units, or pitch-adjustable material carrying work units for controlling the positioning of the work units and moving the work units at an equal pitch, and a driving mechanism for driving the linking mechanism.
US07685894B2
A probe (S) for the extraction of gas from a process environment comprises a tubular element (2), which can be positioned within the process environment. This tubular element has at one end a gas aspiration opening (TS) and defines an internal cavity (CA) by which the interior of the process environment can be put into fluid communication with a gas take off system. The probe further includes a second tubular element (1) extending into the interior of the cavity of the first tubular element (2). This second tubular element has one end (UG) disposed at the aspiration opening end (that is to say the process environment side), formed in such a way as to inject the said accelerated gaseous fluid towards the aspiration opening of the first tubular element (2) and from there back to the process environment. Also envisaged is a system for the extraction of gas from a process environment which can be coupled to the probe, comprising a circuit (40, C) aspirating the gas from the process environment through the cavity (CA) of the first tubular element of the probe (2), and a circuit (50, C) for re-injecting the said gas into the same process environment through the second tubular element of the probe (1).
US07685893B2
A syringe block (1) includes a plurality of syringes (2) and a collector (3), the syringes each having a suction volume, and the collector includes electromagnetic valves. First tubes directly link the electromagnetic valves to the internal volumes and second tubes extend from the electromagnetic valves towards the containers for the sample and/or other liquids, at least one of the syringes being an air pump (15, 16). The syringe block can be used as a support for various components used for the operation thereof, and can be arranged in a climatic condition reproducer. One such syringe block is especially adapted to be used in a liquid analyser, the air pump being used especially to take a sample and/or to drain and clean different recipients containing a sample.
US07685892B2
A method and device for monitoring and/or controlling a load on a slender, tensioned elongated element extending from a subsea wellhead element to a surface vessel. The tensioned elongated element is arranged so as to be displaced in its longitudinal direction into or out of the subsea wellhead element via an entry at a top end of the latter. The structural behaviour of the wellhead element is measured. The bending moment and/or declination of the tensioned elongated element is estimated in a bottom region adjacent to and/or at the entry upon the basis of the measurement of the structural behaviour of the wellhead element.
US07685888B2
A flow measuring system of the Coriolis type for measuring a mass flow, with a flow tube and with excitation elements for causing the flow tube to rotate about an axis of rotation, with at least three sensors arranged free of the flow tube for generating analog signals that correspond to the movement of the tube, and with elements for digitizing the analog signals and for computing the mass flow from the digitized sensor signals. The computation elements are arranged for using exclusively the time information from the sensor signals. The accurate time information of the sensors is used by algorithms in digital electronic circuits for accurately determining the ratio between amplitudes due to excitation and those due to Coriolis forces. The mass flow is derived from this ratio.
US07685886B2
A convexo concave amplifying device for exhibiting a convexo concave by amplifying a sense of a convexo concave of an object, comprising a sensing member and an exhibiting member. The sensing member 101 comprises a flexible sheet able to contact with the surface of the object O and to deform along the surface of the object. The exhibiting member 120 that is formed on a surface of the flexible sheet and has a deformation resistance smaller than that of the flexible sheet in at least one of directions orthogonal to a direction of thickness of the flexible sheet. With such construction, the object convexo concave can be amplified and exhibited.A deformation sensing device for sensing a deformation thereof comprising a capsule deformable by stress, a viscous fluid F contained in the capsule, and a relative movement sensing member that is disposed inside of the capsule and senses a relative movement against the viscous fluid. With such construction, property of the object such as the convexo concave or the stress can be detected.
US07685880B2
A single wire interface for a transducer transmits the transducer output as a frequency modulated signal over one single wire during one interval. During a second interval a reference signal is transmitted as a frequency modulated signal. Both the transducer output and the reference signal output are processed by the same circuitry during the respective intervals to provide both frequency modulated signals. The frequencies of the two signals are measured and then the ratio of the two periods which is the reciprocal of the two frequencies is calculated. This ratio is the direct measure of the output of the transducer and when provided eliminates sources of errors.
US07685873B2
A method for crosswind velocity measurement including using a correlation between the atmosphere turbulence strength and the spatial scale spectrum of turbulence eddies in the atmosphere to calculate wind velocity.
US07685869B2
A new type of indenter is described. This device combines certain sensing and structural elements of atomic force microscopy with a module designed for the use of indentation probes, conventional diamond and otherwise, as well as unconventional designs, to produce high resolution and otherwise superior indentation measurements.
US07685866B2
A liquid delivery system having at least one channel, at least one valve within that channel, at least one flow sensing device within that channel, and a pressure source downstream of the valve capable for generating variable pressures.
US07685864B1
An airtight preconcentrator housing and/or a sensor housing for chemical testing, the housing(s) comprising internal dimensions such that a pre-manufactured preconcentrator and/or sensor can be disposed therein. The housings can also comprise electrical contacts disposed therein which align with and thus provide electrical connection to the preconcentrator and/or sensor. The preconcentrator and/or sensor can be easily and quickly replaced.
US07685861B2
A calibration device is described for use in calibrating an ultrasonic pulse echo apparatus for detecting a moving object in a fluid, where the ultrasonic pulse echo apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer and calibration circuitry. A connector has a first end for connecting with a first fluid conduit and a second end for connecting with a second fluid conduit. A cavity between the first and second ends permits the fluid containing the moving object from the first conduit to flow through the connector cavity to the second fluid conduit. A first calibration sphere is positioned relative to the connector for reflecting an ultrasonic pulse signal transmitted by the ultrasonic transducer. The reflected ultrasonic pulse signal is useable by the calibration circuitry to calibrate the ultrasonic pulse echo apparatus.
US07685847B2
A drum washing machine having an improved frame structure, the rigidity of which is reinforced. The drum washing machine includes side frames forming side surfaces thereof, where inclined planes are formed between front and upper surfaces of the side frames so that additional frames for reinforcing the rigidity of upper parts of the side frames are respectively connected to the upper surfaces of the side frames and upper regions of the front surfaces of the side frames. The drum washing machine further includes top brackets respectively connected to the upper surfaces, the inclined planes, and the upper regions of the front surfaces of the side frames for reinforcing the rigidity of upper parts of the side frames. The drum washing machine further includes a front frame, and a bottom panel or a top panel, connected to the side frames for reinforcing the rigidity of front, lower and upper parts of the side frames. The drum washing machine efficiently supports load increased according to large-scale and high-speed trends of the washing machine, and provides a frame structure capable of withstanding all loads without using a sheathing member, thus having various designs without limit.
US07685844B2
A process for forming mineral fibers, in which at least one stream of vitrifiable material in the molten state is subjected to action of an attenuating gas flow in an attenuation zone. The gas flow in the attenuation zone is in the form of a vortex. Such a process may find application to the manufacture of fibrous products.
US07685832B2
An energy picking-up system by using water of river, lake and sea as low-grade energy source, includes energy collecting device, energy exalting device and radiator in series. The energy collecting device includes a circuit, which is comprised of a heat collector, a low-grade heat exchanger and a diving pump. The heat collector includes a siphon tube, a drain tube and a vacuum equipment. One end of the siphon tube is placed in the heat collecting well that is located near river, lake or sea, and the other end is placed into the water of river, lake or sea. The vacuum equipment is connected with the siphon tube. One end of the drain tube is connected with the outlet of the low-grade heat exchanger, the other end is placed into or onto the water of river, lake or sea. The diving pump is positioned in the heat collecting well, and is connected with the inlet of the low-grade heat exchanger coin. The energy picking-up system has a simple structure, which is easy to install and maintain, and can work normally in any cases.
US07685827B2
A method for operating a gas turbine engine, including a first compressor, a second compressor, and a turbine, coupled together in serial flow arrangement. The method includes channeling compressed airflow discharged from the first compressor through an intercooler having a cooling medium flowing therethrough, operating the intercooler such that condensate is formed in the intercooler from the compressed airflow, and channeling the condensate to an inlet of the first or second compressor to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the gas turbine engine.
US07685825B2
A convergent/divergent nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes liners that are attached to the convergent flaps and seals. The liner is formed of two separate plates. By splitting the liner into two separate plates, a thermal break is provided between the two. Thermal stresses on a downstream plate are not as readily transferred to an upstream plate. External stresses on the upstream plate are not transferred as readily to the downstream plate. The two liner plate portions, and a separate backing plate all have faces that abut and are riveted together. These faces provide a flow blocker to maintain a lower pressure downstream of the flow blocker.
US07685818B2
The reciprocatable power piston of a free-piston Stirling machine is drivingly linked to a reciprocatable component body of an associated apparatus by at least one spring with no rigid connection linking the piston to the component body. The spring drive linkage allows the power piston and the reciprocatable component body of the associated apparatus to reciprocate at different amplitudes of oscillation. Therefore, the Stirling machine and the associated apparatus can be optimized at different amplitudes of piston and the component body oscillation thereby improving the optimization of two very different dynamic systems that are drivingly connected together.
US07685811B2
A method of operating a control unit of an emission abatement assembly includes communicating with an engine control unit of an internal combustion engine. An emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
US07685804B2
A device is provided. The device is configured to introduce a pressurized flow along a Coanda profile and to entrain additional fluid flow to create a high velocity fluid flow; wherein the high velocity fluid flow is directed to an end use system through a flow path in flow communication with the device.
US07685803B2
A gas turbine uses a first fuel at full load and an improved emission behavior is achieved by operating the gas turbine (11) at partial load with a second fuel, which has a richer mix of higher-value hydrocarbons (C2+) with 2 and more carbon atoms per molecule like ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8).
US07685800B2
A mower unit configured to be supported to a work vehicle at a position between front wheels and rear wheels, comprises a mower deck; at least one blade supported by the mower deck; a climb-up assist member in which an inclined surface is formed for assisting the wheels in climbing over the mower unit; and a connecting device for detachably connecting the climb-up assist member to the mower unit in a service position in which the inclined surface assists the wheels in climbing over the mower unit.
US07685797B2
A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US07685786B2
A false ceiling panel frame, at least one side of this frame including, when viewed in cross section, a top wall and a side wall. The side wall includes an approximately vertical top section and a bottom section, the top section and the bottom section forming an angle in the external face of the panel frame.
US07685778B2
A rodent guard configured to be attached to an end of a gutter for preventing rodents from entering the gutter, climbing the gutter to the roof and entering a house is disclosed. The rodent guard may include a gutter receiving opening at one end and a cover receiving opening at a second end generally opposite to the first end. A perforated cover formed from a rigid material may be removably attached to the rodent guard body at the second end that enables the cover to be removed from the base during use such that debris within the gutter can be easily removed from the gutter. The perforated cover may be sized to allow water to pass through the cover, but prevent rodents from entering the gutter through the cover.
US07685771B2
A plant pot system has at least one plant pot with side walls, an open top and a bottom wall for containing planted soil that receives a routine watering through the open top, the plant pot having two parallel rows of a number of through holes aligned circumferentially, each of the through holes being blocked by a removable closure; one or more additional pot members with the same number of through holes at levels corresponding to the through holes of the first plant pot; and at least one water leveling members for fluidly connecting any desired number of laterally disposed plant.
US07685766B2
The invention concerns a fitting consisting of a part made of injected plastic for connecting a water tank (1) and a hollow cone (2) made of porous ceramics, so as to produce a device for dispensing water individually to plants, in particular potted plants, proximate to their roots, and in predetermined amount, comprising three coaxial parts; a disc-shape intermediate part (4) with a central hole (5); a part (A) consisting of one or two cylinders, arranged on one side of the disc (4) and designed to be permanently fixed to the cone (2); a part (B) consisting like part A of one or two cylinders bearing a thread on the inner surfaces, arranged on the other side of the disc (4) and capable of receiving a bottle (1) removably screwed.
US07685764B2
Methods of manufacturing multi-colored mulch pads include providing a mold; mixing together a rubber component, a binder and a first coloring agent to form a matrix having a first colored surface; and introducing a second coloring agent onto the matrix to create a multicolored skirt having a second colored surface opposite the first colored surface.
US07685760B1
A sight apparatus for attachment to a paintball marker having two distinct reticles to assist with the placement accuracy of paintballs. The sight apparatus comprises a body, a first reticle and a second reticle. The first reticle is substantially transparent and includes a diameter line, at least two radius lines, and at least three segment lines extending from each of at least two radius lines. The second reticle is substantially transparent and has a rectangular outline.
US07685755B1
A recoil reduction system having an elongated forend portion having a front end, a rear end, a left side wall, a right side wall and a bottom wall; and recoil reduction means attached to said forend, wherein said recoil reduction means further comprises a longitudinally extending rail extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said forend portion; and an upright oriented handgrip having a top end, a bottom end, a front end, and a primary chamber that extends upwardly within said handgrip, wherein a track is formed in said top end of said handgrip, wherein said rail is slidably received in said track to support said handgrip, and wherein said recoil reduction means is mounted in said primary chamber of said handgrip.
US07685750B2
A collapsible ironing board comprising a board arranged on two legs (1, 2) forming an X configuration, the center of the X constituting the central axis (C) about which the two legs (1, 2) can pivot; at least one (2) of the two legs being hinged and consisting of two continuous segments pivoting about a hinge axis (D), which ironing board is characterized in that it includes return means (R) located in the environment of the hinge axis (D), said return means (R) comprising a first end and a second end connected to the first segment and to the second segment, respectively, of the hinged leg (2).
US07685749B2
The invention relates to a soil stripping device, in particular a trench wall grab, comprising a base body, which can be connected to a carrier implement, a work unit, on which soil working tools are arranged and which is supported on the base body in a rotatable manner by means of a bearing device, and a rotary device for rotating the work unit with respect to the base body. The rotary device has at least one linear drive and a rope or chain transmission, through which a linear movement generated by the linear drive can be translated into a rotating movement.
US07685744B2
An insole for insertion into footwear, comprising a mid-foot portion and a heel portion; the mid-foot portion and heel portion being formed by a cushioning layer of a resilient material having a first hardness and which provides a cushioning function; and a cushioning insert comprised within a recess in said cushioning layer and extending down from said cushioning layer; said cushioning insert comprising a resilient material having a second hardness that is less than the hardness of the hardness of the cushioning layer.
US07685741B2
A shoe comprising a foot retaining portion having a heel area and having an interior side, the interior side sized and shaped to hold a foot and including an upper portion, the upper portion optionally lined with a pliable material; a first exterior insole layer having therein a cut-out adjacent the heel area of the foot retaining portion, the first exterior inside layer having an interior surface forming the bottom of the foot retaining portion and that is lined with pliable material; a second exterior insole layer having a heel strike pad sized and shaped to fit within the cut-out of the first exterior insole layer, the heel strike pad comprised of a material that absorbs and disperses heel strike forces; a third exterior insole layer sized to fit the foot retaining portion and having therein a cut-out adjacent the heel area of the foot retaining portion, the third exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides foot cushioning; a fourth exterior insole layer adjacent the third exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides foot tactile stimulation when foot pressure is applied thereto; an outsole layer adjacent the fourth exterior insole layer comprised of a material that provides outsole flexibility and skid resistance, the outsole layer having a heel with an optional depression therein; and an optional heel strike pad sized and shaped to fit within the depression of the heel of the outsole layer and comprised of a material that absorbs and disperses heel strike forces.
US07685732B2
An orientation sensing apparatus includes a rotatable first member, an orientation sensor device fixed with the first member for generating orientation data relating to an orientation sensor device orientation, and a rotation sensor device for generating rotation data relating to rotation of the first member. A method for determining an orientation includes assembling a set of sensor data including the orientation data and rotation data and processing the set of sensor data to generate a set of corrected orientation data. The set of corrected orientation data includes the orientation data which has been corrected using the rotation data to reduce the effects of rotation of the first member and misalignment of the gravity sensor device. One or more sets of corrected orientation data may be processed to determine an inclination orientation of the first member or a toolface orientation of a second member which is connected with the first member.
US07685731B1
A first plate includes an opening configured to be placed over a blade of a first rotor. A second plate includes an opening configured to be placed over a blade of a second rotor. Each plate includes a first pin configured to contact a leading edge of a blade located on one side of the blade in the opening and a second pin configured to contact a leading edge of a blade located on an opposite side of the blade in the opening, and a third pin configured to contact a leading edge of the blade in the opening. An indicator line is marked on the first plate and a pair of boundary lines marked on the second plate are spaced apart a distance indicative of an acceptable range for blade clocking between the first and second rotors when the indicator line is located between the boundary lines.
US07685729B2
The removable grade pin system includes a base pin and a removable upper pin. The base pin is a rod that is driven into the ground within the concrete form, typically such that the head of the base pin is approximately two inches below the desired level of concrete. The upper pin is a rod with a hollow bore formed in its lower end having a diameter slightly larger than the head of the base pin so that the upper pin telescopes over the base pin. The upper pin has an annular plate or disc extending about its center or medial section to mark the desired level of the concrete. The upper end of the upper pin provides a handle to remove the upper pin when the desired level of concrete has been poured into the form. The position of the circular plate on the upper pin may be adjustable.
US07685727B2
A measuring device is provided for use in the preparation of custom garments. According to one embodiment, the device includes a flexible belt capable of being encircled about a body part of an individual, and a strap attachable fixedly to the belt. One or both of the belt and strap may be formed as closed continuous loops by molded brackets/blocks formed on the belt and strap. The belt and strap each contain a respective scale of measurement indicia. Also provided are several methods for utilizing the measuring device.
US07685726B2
In probing by scanning a workpiece (71) to be measured using a coordinate measuring machine a stylus tip is moved before the scanning along a scanning path (73) along an initialization path (83) or/and after the scanning path (73) along a finalization path (85). A length (Lv, Ln) of the initialization path, respectively finalization path, is chosen in dependence of parameters of a concrete measuring task, in particular in dependence of a pre-determined scanning speed, a stiffness of the stylus or a mass of the stylus.
US07685720B2
A razor handle having a handle body and a lock/release mechanism that includes two arms, each having a bearing for pivotally connecting a shaving head, the arms extending substantially symmetrically on both sides of a medial axis, the arms being elastically biased opposite to one another toward a head locking position wherein the bearings are adapted to pivotally bear the shaving head, and the arms being movable toward one another into a head release position wherein the bearings are adapted to release the shaving head. The razor handle also includes a plunger which is movable between the two arms, substantially parallel to the medial axis, and a spring biasing the plunger away from the handle body, such that the plunger is adapted to cooperate with a cam surface belonging to the shaving head for biasing the shaving head toward a rest position.
US07685716B2
The invention refers to a method of brazing together thin heat exchanging plates of an iron based base material provided with port holes and a pressing pattern of elevations and depressions over the heat exchanging area of the plates and, if present, also over the distribution area to a plate heat exchanger. The plates are coated with brazing material and are arranged such that contact between elevations and depressions in adjacent plates is obtained prior to the brazing together. The plates are then brazed together at the resultant contact points. Only 5-40%, preferably 10-30%, of the heat exchanging area and the distribution area are coated with brazing material prior to the brazing. The invention also comprises a brazed plate heat exchanger built of thin heat exchanging plates of an iron based base material provided with port holes and a pressing pattern of elevations and depressions over the heat exchanging area and, if present, also over the distribution area which has been produced according to the method of the invention. In the brazed heat exchanger the brazing material used for the brazing is present mainly in the brazing joint.
US07685714B2
A catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine exhaust system is manufactured by a multi-step swaging process carried out in a transfer press. The press has a plurality of swaging stations that include swaging die sets that provide a graduated series of swaging steps. The process is operated continuously, with one of the swaging steps being carried out in each station during each press stroke.
US07685709B2
A method of forming spring structures using a single lithographic operation is described. In particular, a single lithographic operation both defines the spring area and also defines what areas of the spring will be uplifted. By eliminating a second lithographic operation to define a spring release area, processing costs for spring fabrication can be reduced.
US07685706B2
A manufacturing method of a wiring board and a semiconductor device at low cost and by a simple process, without performing complicated steps many times is proposed. Furthermore, a manufacturing method of a wiring board at low cost and with fewer adverse effects on the environment, and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using the wiring board are proposed. A pattern of a conductive material is formed over a first substrate, a conductive film is formed over the pattern by an electrolytic plating process, the pattern and the conductive film are separated, an IC chip including at least one thin film transistor is formed over a second substrate, and the conductive film is electrically connected to the IC chip.
US07685705B2
A probe card for testing dice on a wafer includes a substrate, a number of cantilevers formed on a surface thereof, and a number of probes extending from unsupported ends of the cantilevers. The unsupported ends of the cantilevers project over cavities on the surface of the substrate. The probes have tips to contact pads on the dice under test. The probe card may include a compressive layer above the surface of the substrate with a number of holes through which the probes extend.
US07685699B2
A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other. After each robot positions each associated tool arm with the docking station, the robot disengages from the tool arm and then welds the body components together by a welding gun carried by the robots.
US07685695B2
A method of producing a speaker which is manufactured by bonding a plurality of speaker components, including steps of humidifying a joint portion which bonds at least two speaker components among the plurality of speaker components; and bonding the speaker components by humidifying the joint portion and thereafter painting a moisture-curable adhesive on the joint portion, to thereby reduce a time for bonding the speaker components by easily and quickly drying regardless of materials of the speaker components.
US07685694B2
A method for building a three-dimensional (3-D) object is provided. The method may include dispensing an interface material to form a lower part of the three dimensional object, inserting an insert into a recess present in the lower part and dispensing the interface material on the lower part to form the three dimensional object.
US07685681B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic apparatus includes: a main body that has an input unit placed on a top surface of the main body; a display panel that has a display surface and a rear surface on an opposite side to the display surface; a hinge mechanism that joins the display panel to the main body, the hinge mechanism having a pivot shaft, a rotation shaft, and a pivot support member; an engagement part that is provided on the pivot support member; and a reception part that receives the engagement part. The reception part is provided on the main body, wherein the pivot shaft pivotably supports the display panel. The rotation shaft rotatably supports the display panel to be openable about an axis provided along one side of the display panel, and the pivot support member supports the pivot shaft and the rotation shaft.
US07685680B2
A rotatable slide hinge has a stationary leaf, a moving leaf, a spring, a pivot pin assembly and a guide pin assembly. The stationary leaf has a top and a bottom. The moving leaf is mounted on the bottom of the stationary leaf, sliding and turning relative to the stationary leaf and has a top surface. The spring is attached to the top of the stationary leaf and has a stationary end and a moving end. The pivot pin assembly connects the stationary leaf and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide relative to the stationary leaf. The guide pin assembly extends through the moving end of the spring, the stationary leaf and the moving leaf to connect the stationary leaf, the spring and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide and turn relative to the stationary leaf.
US07685678B2
Disclosed is a refrigerator having a height-adjustable door. The body of the refrigerator has at least one storage space having a front opening. The door is coupled to the body so as to cover/uncover the storage space, and a hinge hole is formed on the bottom surface of the door. A hinge frame is fixed to a front surface of a lower portion of the body and has a hinge shaft inserted into the hinge hole so as to rotatably support the door. The hinge shaft is covered with a hinge bush, a part of which is inserted into the hinge hole. The hinge bush has a flange portion on its lower end for supporting the bottom surface of the door. A height adjustment screw is screw-coupled to a screw hole of the hinge frame so as to travel vertically. The upper end of the height adjustment screw abuts the bottom surface of the hinge bush so that, when rotated, the height adjustment screw lifts/lowers the hinge bush, in order to adjust the height of the door.
US07685671B2
A bare floor cleaner for wet and dry bare floor surfaces comprises a base with wet and dry suction nozzles and a handle pivotally connected to the base. A diverter mounted in the working air conduit between each of the dry suction nozzle and the wet suction nozzle to a recovery tank is movable by movement of the handle between a dry suction position and a wet suction position for selectively at least partially blocking working air flow from the wet suction nozzle and the dry suction nozzle, respectively, to the recovery tank.
US07685670B2
An input disk, a clutch disk and wave washers are installed to an output shaft to form an output shaft assembly of a motor apparatus. The input disk is axially non-detachable from the output shaft and is rotatable about an axis of the output shaft. The input disk is driven by a drive force supplied from a motor main body of the motor apparatus. The clutch disk is supported by the output shaft in such a manner that the clutch disk is non-rotatable relative to the output shaft and is axially movable along the output shaft relative to the input disk. The wave washers apply a resistive force against axial movement of the clutch disk from a coupled state, at which the input disk is coupled with the clutch disk to rotate together.
US07685669B2
A snake feeding device comprises a base having opposite ends, an actuator pivotally mounted on the base, and first and second sets of drive rolls spaced apart in the direction between ends of the base. Each set includes a roll on the base and two rolls on the actuator for engaging a snake therebetween and displacing the snake relative to the base in the direction between the ends thereof in response to rotation of the snake. The actuator selectively displaces the rolls of each set relative to one another.
US07685667B2
A method and system for cleaning the wafer after CMP is disclosed. A brush module having at least two brushes placed adjacent to each other and having the wafer placed in between. A dummy roller is in contact with an edge of the wafer and follows a rotation of the wafer, wherein when the wafer is rotated, the brushes clean both sides of the wafer, and the dummy roller detects a rotation speed and a rotation direction of the wafer for adjusting the rotation of the wafer.
US07685663B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.
US07685661B2
A sound generating device having a flexible three-dimensional and substantially planar shaped body including a soft interior encased within a durable exterior covering. A pair of speakers are arranged within the body at first and second locations proximate an upper facing surface. The padded body is adapted to being placed underneath an existing cushion for delivering an audio output, and which is selectively audible to an individual whose head is supported upon the cushion.
US07685659B2
A patient support is disclosed as including a frame and a foot section having an upper surface, the foot section operatively coupled to the frame and movable between a use position for providing support for a patient and a lowered position for storage. The patient support is also disclosed as having an onboard storage location for the foot section.
US07685658B2
A body support such as a cushion, mattress, chair or the like has at least one inflatable air chamber. A pressure sensor senses interface pressures at different locations on a surface of the air chamber. Indicators derived from the interface pressures indicate the onset of a trend toward bottoming out. A controller controls air pressure within the air chamber based at least in part on values of the indicators. The controller may be implemented as a state machine.
US07685657B1
An automated rocking bassinet apparatus includes a support that includes a first upper panel and a second upper panel. A plurality of legs is attached to and extends downwardly from each of the first and second upper panels. A housing includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. A pair of receivers is attached to the housing. A pair of mountings is provided. Each of the first and second upper panels has one of the mountings attached thereto and each of the receivers receives one of the mountings to pivotally couple the housing to the support. A driver assembly is mounted in the first upper panel and selectively rocks the housing with respect to the support.
US07685656B1
The invention provides a convenient, compact and lightweight transfer device for transferring or transporting humans, animals or other objects or substances. One person can lift or maneuver the device under an object with a minimum of effort, with ergonomic safety, and little chance of injury or strain. The device has a generally flat and semi-rigid support member, a plurality of omnidirectional ball rollers for translating the support member across a generally horizontally disposed surface. The ball rollers are positioned in cylindrical extensions extending downwardly from the lower surface of the support member and are distributed in an anterior to posterior direction in parallel rows along the lower surface of the support member. The device has at least one vertical side extending upwardly from the support member. The device can also have a handle positioned on at least one of the vertical sides.
US07685653B2
Odor extraction system having a fluid tank valve, for extracting malodorous air from a toilet bowl and preventing discharge into the environment, a fan connected to the shaft of an electric motor disposed in a pipe chamber that is located between the free end of a suction piece and an outlet piece, where said suction piece is adapted for connecting to the flush pipe of the toilet bowl and where said outlet piece is joined to the sewer pipe, with said pipe chamber fluid tank valve adapted for airtight closure. The fluid tank valve is part of the pipe chamber, the fluid tank of the fluid tank valve having a suction opening and an outlet opening, with a closing mechanism joined to said suction opening, having a free end at the downstream extremity thereof, with said free end submerging into the fluid in the fluid tank with the free end rising from said fluid under the effect of pressure difference.
US07685650B2
The invention relates to a protective garment made of water-tight and air-tight outer cloth formed by superimposing an external layer of a film of polyvinyl chloride and an internal layer of woven cloth, the film and the woven cloth being bonded together. At least one section of the garment is lined internally by a lining made with cloth and including a foam sheet extending in the lining, the cloth of the lining being bonded at least on its periphery to the woven section of the external cloth in bonding zones, the foam sheet being arranged substantially free between the cloth of the lining and the external cloth, the foam sheet being integral with the external cloth and/or with the cloth of the lining at least towards its upper section in order to be held and not fall in the lining. The garment can be a vest, a pair of trousers or an apron.
