US07696918B2
Provided is a successive approximation AD conversion apparatus that outputs digital output data corresponding to an analog input signal, including a bit selecting section that selects a conversion target bit sequentially from a highest bit of the output data; a data control section that outputs comparison data determining a value of the conversion target bit, each time a conversion target bit is selected; a DA conversing section that outputs an analog comparison signal corresponding to the comparison data; a comparing section that outputs a comparison result between the input signal and the comparison signal, upon the output of the comparison signal by the DA converting section, and that is reset after outputting the comparison result; a completion detecting section that, upon detecting that the comparing section has output the comparison result, outputs a completion signal causing the bit selecting section to select a next conversion target bit, prior to the comparing section being reset; and an output section that outputs output data in which a value of each bit is based on the comparison result by the comparing section.
US07696909B2
An apparatus for adjusting a first signal with respect to a second signal includes: (a) A first converter receiving the first signal and employing n first converting elements for digitally converting the first signal to at least one first signal element. (b) A second converter coupled with an output, receiving the second signal and employing n second converting elements for digitally converting the second signal to a second representative signal presented at the output. (c) An adjusting element coupled with each of selected of the first converting elements. Each adjusting element is coupled with the output and cooperates with the connected selected element to present a corrected signal element to the output. The output presents an aggregate output signal including contributions from the second representative signal and each corrected signal element. Adjusting is effected by altering at least one corrected first signal element presented to the output.
US07696904B2
A system and method for filtering various targets (such as ground vehicles, stationary objects, and aircraft) from display on a display screen within the cockpit of an “Own Ship” aircraft. The system and method withhold from display any non-exempt targets that have an altitude that is either: (1) greater than an upper-threshold altitude; or (2) less than a lower-threshold altitude. The upper-threshold altitude and the lower-threshold altitude may be set to user-specified, customized values as desired to accommodate current flying conditions. In addition, the system and method may also be configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes, each of which features a different upper threshold altitude/lower threshold altitude combination. The system and method are preferably configured to reset certain threshold altitudes to pre-defined default altitudes in response to the aircraft landing.
US07696901B2
Subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods are provided. The subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with power provided to at least one downhole device by a light source at the surface. In one embodiment, a system includes uphole light source, a downhole sensor, a photonic power converter at the downhole sensor, an optical fiber extending between the uphole light source and the photonic power converter, and downhole sensor electronics powered by the photonic power converter. The photonic power converter is contained in a high temperature resistant package. For example, the high temperature resistant package and photonic power converter may operate at temperatures of greater than approximately 100° C.
US07696889B2
A fluid leak detection system includes a reservoir, a predetermined quantity of a disinfecting liquid contained within such a reservoir, and at least a pair of elongated conduits. A mechanism for automatically opening the distal end of the at least one conduit includes a leaking fluid absorbent member disposed along the distal end of each of the conduits. The fluid-dissolvable member is dissolved by the leaking fluid and absorbed by the member to permit the conduit to be unfolded and allow the disinfecting liquid to flow outwardly from the distal end of the at least one conduit. The system further includes a support frame attached to a support surface, an interface, a communications device electrically coupled to a switch, a monitoring station, and a communications link connecting the communications device to the monitoring station.
US07696883B2
In a resonance tag provided with a resonance circuit composed of a capacitive element and an inductive element, the capacitive element is characterized by having a condition under which the capacitance of the capacitive element is reversibly changed by a voltage applied to the resonance circuit and anther condition under which the capacitance of the capacitive element is irreversibly changed by another voltage applied to the resonance circuit.
US07696874B2
Methods and systems for monitoring one or more products by grouping the products into lots are described. Methods and systems of the present invention provide significant benefits over adding an RFID tag to represent and monitor a group of products. For example, the present invention simplifies data management by monitoring information associated with lots, rather than each individual product. In addition, information pertaining to all products included in a lot may be obtained by although only a small portion of products in the lot can be identified.
US07696872B2
In one aspect, the invention provides an access panel that comprises one or more access control boards, each of which provide at least an interface for controlling access to one or more building entry points or zones (via associated sensors) and for monitoring intrusion prevention devices. The access panel includes at least one connector that provides communications coupling between at least one of the control boards and the aforementioned sensors or intrusion prevention devices (e.g., detectors, electrified locks, etc.). That connector permits that coupling without requiring that a field technician, or other person installing the panel at a site, pass wire through the enclosure in order to establish that communications coupling.
US07696871B2
A security system (100) for storing and transporting valuables, the security system (100) comprising at least one security container (20) for receiving valuables having a protection mechanism for protecting the valuables. Furthermore, the security system (100) comprises a storage container (30) or receiving and storing the security container (20). An electrical protection circuit is provided in the security container (20), which comprises an infrared receiver, the protection mechanism of the security container (20) being able to be put into a first protection mode and a second protection mode. An electrical control circuit is provided in the storage container (30), which comprises an infrared receiver. A communication protocol is implemented in the circuit which automatically establishes an ad hoc, point-to-point communication link from the infrared transmitter to the infrared receiver as soon as the security container (20) arrives in direct proximity to the storage container (30). The protection mechanism changes automatically from the first into the second protection mode when it is located in proximity to the storage container (30).
US07696867B2
A sensor node for intermittently sensing data in a short cycle includes a control unit for acquiring information by driving the sensor, a radio communication unit for transmitting the information acquired by the control unit and a battery for supplying the control unit. The control unit includes a clock supply unit (RTC) for supplying the control unit with clocks at a predetermined frequency. A sensor control unit starts the supply of power to the sensor when the measurement period has begun, maintains the power supply to the sensor even if the control unit has shifted to the standby state during the measurement period, and shuts down the power supply to the sensor when the measurement period has been completed. A measurement unit is also provided for acquiring information from the sensor every time the latter has shifted to the operational state.
US07696866B2
A sensor monitoring system is described that identifies inaccurate or degraded sensor data and corresponding sensors. The system analyzes a plurality of sensors to determine reliable sensors and isolate or reinterpret unreliable sensor data. An analysis component analyzes a traffic representation that varies as context varies and determines the probability that current sensor data is invalid. Learning and reasoning are performed from a case library of sensor failure data to build predictive models of sensor health that can provide inferences about the output of sensors. Resulting inferences about sensor reliability can be employed in base-level inferences and predictions about traffic flow.
US07696865B1
An electronic message board includes a housing removably affixed to an interior surface of a selected window of a vehicle. Such housing is visible to another driver during driving conditions and includes a back wall with front and rear planar surfaces respectively and a first electrically conductive plate with a planar rear surface directly attached to the front surface of the back wall. The message board further includes a light display removably interfitted within the housing, a light emitting diode array, a transparent faceplate with predetermined indicia formed in a front surface thereof, and a mechanism for selectively actuating the light display.
US07696864B2
A vehicle information identifier apparatus comprises a display, a receiver, a deactivation device, and a substantially encasing member. The vehicle information identifier apparatus, or similarly, the vehicle information apparatus may be practiced according to a vehicle information system by following a method of use thereof.
US07696858B2
A door lock interface system includes a stationary controller that is mounted to a support surface at an interior of a building. A portable controller is in wireless communication with the stationary controller. An elongated and rectilinear bolt is positioned through a slot of a door and is spaced from the stationary and portable controllers. A mechanism is included for automatically retracting and extending the bolt along a parallel and horizontal path. A mechanism is included for bypassing the automatic retracting and extending mechanism such that the user can manually retract and extend the bolt. A security panel is affixed to one side of the door and covers one door cavity, prohibiting unauthorized access thereto. The security panel is provided with annular openings, allowing a door handle and a deadbolt housing to be connected to the door while maintaining the automatic extending and retracting mechanism hidden from the environment.
US07696850B2
An apparatus for the application of a test load apparatus 100 is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a body 101, having an upper and lower collar 101a, 101b and a spool 102 formed therebetween. A conductive load 202 is then wound about the spool 102 with one end of the conductive load 202 being coupled to a connector 203 such that a portion of the coiled conductor is retained within a central passage provided within the body 101.
US07696849B2
An electronic component of the surface-mounted type having a mounting surface that can be mounted on the printed circuit board, maintaining sufficient insulation among the external electrodes despite the chip size is decreased, and having a large mounting strength. In a common mode choke coil array, for example, an external electrode is constituted by electrode pads formed on the mounting surfaces of insulating substrates mounted on a PCB, and a connection electrode which electrically connects an internal electrode terminal exposed on the outer surface different from the mounting surface to the electrode pads. The connection electrodes near the internal electrode terminals have a width c′ smaller than a width b of the electrode pads as measured in the same direction.
US07696842B2
A composite high-frequency component includes a diplexer arranged to separate/combine transmission/reception signals in frequency bands of a plurality of communication systems, transmit/receive switches, filters, and a balanced-unbalanced reception signal switch, and a matching circuit. The balanced-unbalanced reception signal switch includes a reception signal switch and balanced-unbalanced filters. A stripline in the transmit/receive switch and a stripline in the reception signal switch are provided on the same layers, and the matching circuit including capacitors is arranged between the transmit/receive switch and the reception signal switch.
US07696832B1
A digital loop filter installed in an all-digital phase-locked loop (PLL) receives a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) control code transmitted from a PLL controller in the all-digital PLL, and calculate an average value, such that the PLL controller can produce another DCO control code by the average value for controlling and adjusting an output signal of a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) in the neighborhood of the average value to maintain compensating a phase/frequency difference with an input signal, so as to minimize the jitter effect of the input signal on the all-digital PLL, reduce the jitter effect of the output signal, and keep tracking and locking the frequency and the phase of the input signal.
US07696831B2
Phase locked loop and method for controlling the same includes a phase/frequency detector configured to detect a phase difference between an input clock and a feedback clock to generate an up signal or a down signal depending on the detected phase difference, a charge pump configured to variably control a bandwidth according to a bandwidth control signal input thereinto, the charge pump operating in response to the up signal or the down signal and a voltage controlled oscillator configured to change a frequency according to an output of the charge pump.
US07696824B2
A differential audio amplification apparatus with common mode rejection is shown, having a first input current path (401) and a second input current path (402) with a shunting input resistance (400) therebetween. The apparatus also has a first output current path (403) and a second output current path (404) with a shunting output resistance (405) therebetween. Differential amplifiers (412, 413) are provided with feedback connecting the input paths with the output paths and providing an output signal. The output shunting resistance (405) is controlled to provide gain control while maintaining common mode rejection.
US07696821B2
Aspects of a method and system for extending dynamic range of an RF signal are provided. In this regard, a signal representative of an amplitude of a pair of baseband signals may be generated. The amplitude of the generated signal may be expanded, and the amplitude of the baseband signals may be compressed. In this regard, the compression and the expansion may be inverse functions of each other. Additionally, the compressed baseband signals may be combined to generate an intermediate signal which may be amplitude modulated by the expanded signal. The amplitude modulation may result from controlling a gain, a voltage source, and/or a current source of a power amplifier. The intermediate signal may be generated by up-converting the baseband signals and subsequently combining the up-converted signals.
US07696820B1
An amplifier circuit includes first, second, and third amplifiers each having an input and an output. The amplifier circuit further includes first and second capacitances and a resistance. The input of the second amplifier communicates with the output of the first amplifier. The first capacitance communicates with the input of the first amplifier and the output of the second amplifier. The input of the third amplifier communicates with the output of the second amplifier. The second capacitance communicates with the output of the third amplifier and the input of the second amplifier. The resistance directly communicates with the output of the third amplifier and the input of the first amplifier.
US07696819B2
Provided is a switched-capacitor variable gain amplifier having high voltage gain linearity. According to the above amplifier, a sampling capacitor is shared and used at a sampling phase and an amplification phase, and thus a voltage gain error caused by capacitor mismatch can be reduced. Also, using a unit capacitor array enables circuit design and layout to be simplified. Further, in the amplifier, a voltage gain can be easily controlled to be more or less than 1, as necessary, and power consumption and kT/C noise can be reduced by a feedback factor that is relatively large, so that gain amplification performance can be improved.
US07696809B2
A high current end power stage comprises at least four power transistors, two electrical supply lines and a safety fuse. The at least four power transistors have each a diode which is blocked during normal operation of the respective power transistor. The two electrical supply lines couple the at least four power transistors with a supply potential and a reference potential such that two of the at least four power transistors are connected electrically between the supply potential and the reference potential. The safety fuse is connected in series to the at least four power transistors in at least one of the two electrical supply lines. The at least one safety fuse can be triggered by a current which flows through the diode of the at least four power transistors, said diode being then arranged in the direction of conduction, when the supply potential and reference potential are exchanged.
US07696807B2
A high voltage reception terminal is formed in a semiconductor integrated circuit without increasing the number of manufacturing processes and the manufacturing cost. A transfer gate configured from a NMOS, which is the high withstand voltage transistor, and a pull-up resistor are formed. An input terminal of the transfer gate is connected to the high voltage reception terminal and an output terminal of the transfer gate is connected to a CMOS inverter through an input resistor. One end of the pull-up resistor is connected to the output terminal of the transfer gate and the other end of the pull-up resistor receives source voltage VDD (5V). The transfer gate lowers the inputted high voltage VX (VX>VDD) to VDD-Vt1′. The pull-up resistor biases the voltage at the output terminal of the transfer gate to VDD and boosts the voltage at the output terminal that has been lowered by the transfer gate to about VDD.
US07696805B2
Level shift circuits are disclosed for level shifting an input signal corresponding to a first voltage domain, to generate a pair of complementary output signals corresponding to a second, higher-voltage domain. Snap-back sensitive devices in a discharge circuit for a high voltage output node are protected, irrespective of the loading on the output node, and without requiring precise transistor sizing as a function of the output loading. The snap-back sensitive devices are protected by a voltage shifter circuit in series with the sensitive devices, to limit the voltage across the sensitive devices, even for a high capacitance output node at its highest output voltage. The voltage shifter circuit is then bypassed to provide for an output low level that fully reaches the lower power supply rail.
US07696803B2
A signal generating circuit includes an input stage delay circuit which can switch a state of outputting a reference clock and a state of outputting a signal delaying the reference clock by a first time which is shorter than one cycle of the reference clock, a control section including a gate circuit holding the output of the input stage delay circuit for a second time which is shorter than one cycle of the reference clock from a point at which the output of the input stage delay circuit is changed to output a signal corresponding to the output of the gate circuit, and an output stage delay circuit outputting a signal delaying the output signal of the control section by the second time, in which the input stage delay circuit switches an output state in response to change of the output signal of the control section.
US07696799B2
Provided is an analog/digital control delay locked loop (DLL). The DLL includes a phase detector for detecting a phase difference between an input clock signal and a feedback signal to provide an up detection signal or a down detection signal, a charge pump for generating an adjusted output current based on the up or down signals, a loop filter for low pass-filtering the output current to produce an analog control voltage, a voltage controlled delay Line (VCDL) for receiving the analog control voltage, the input clock signal and a digital code, and delaying the input clock signal based on the analog control voltage and the digital code to provide an output clock signal, a delay replica modeling unit formed by replica of delay factors for producing the feedback signal depending on the output clock signal, and a digital code generator for generating the digital code.
US07696798B2
Method and apparatus for generating system clock synchronization pulses using a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) lock detect signal are provided. The method includes utilizing a clock lock detect signal indicative that a system clock is synchronized with an internal clock, and determining an initial count value. Then, start counting beginning at a first rising edge of the system clock after the clock lock detect signal is generated, the counting starting with the initial count value. The method further includes generating a synchronization pulse (syncnp) when the counting ends, where the syncnp indicates the beginning of the next system clock cycle, and continue generating syncnps separated by one system clock cycle so as to continue indicating the beginning of the next system clock cycle. The method further guarantees stopping the syncnp generation when the lock detect is inactive indicating that the internal clock and the system clock are not synchronized.
US07696788B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit able to reduce a load of layout design when arranging switches in a power lines for preventing leakage current and able to reduce the influence of a voltage drop occurring in the switches on a signal delay, wherein a plurality of groups of power lines are arranged in stripe shapes, power is supplied to circuit cells by a plurality of groups of branch lines branching from the groups of power lines, power switch cells arranged in the groups of branch lines turn on or off the supply of power to the circuit cells, the power switch cells are arranged dispersed in the area of arrangement of the circuit cells, and the supply of power by the power switch cells is finely controlled for every relatively small number of circuit cells.
US07696785B2
An n-valued switch with n≧2, with an input enabled to receive a signal in one of n states, an output enabled to provide a signal in one of at least 2 states, under control of a control signal having one of at least 2 states is disclosed. Signals are instances of a physical phenomenon, an instance representing a state. N-valued inverters are also disclosed. Different types of signals are disclosed, including optical signals with different wavelengths, electrical signals with different frequencies and signals represented by a presence of a material. A kit including an n-valued switch is also disclosed.
US07696784B1
In one embodiment, a programmable logic device includes a plurality of programmable logic blocks and a plurality of slices within each of the programmable logic blocks. At least one programmable logic blocks includes a first slice not adapted to provide register functionality or RAM functionality, a second slice adapted to provide register functionality but not RAM functionality, and a third slice adapted to provide register functionality and RAM functionality. Control logic within the programmable logic block is adapted to provide control signals at the programmable block level and at the slice level.
US07696783B2
A logic module (400) that is capable of implementing data-path and random logic (command Z in block 42) uses control logic for selectively coupling one or more of the input terminals (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 40) to the at least one output terminal (20). The control logic comprises a plurality of logic elements (26, 28, 30, 32) arranged to generate a first set of two-input logic functions (f, (a, b)) and a programmable inverter (36) arranged to generate a second set of two-input logic functions, the second set of two-input logic functions being the complement functions of the first set of two-input logic functions. SRAM memory cells (4 bit memory batch (38)) may be used for configuration purposes, realizing a compact logic module or block that is also re-programmable.
US07696780B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has several configurable circuits for configurably performing different operations. During the operation of the IC, each particular configurable circuit performs a particular operation that is specified by a particular configuration data set for the particular configurable circuit. While the IC operates and a first set of configurable circuits performs a first set of operations, configuration data is loaded from the outside of the IC for configuring a second set of configurable circuits. In some embodiments, the configurable IC includes a configuration network for rapid loading configuration data in the IC from outside of the IC. In some of these embodiments, the configuration network is a pipelined network. Also, the IC of some embodiments includes a configuration controller for retrieving configuration data from outside of the IC, formulating configuration data sets, and routing the configuration data sets to the second set of configurable circuits over the configuration network.
US07696775B2
An apparatus for impedance matching circuit is disclosed. The impedance matching apparatus has an output driver for outputting an output signal and includes an output data generator, for generating an output data signal; an output stage, for generating the output signal according to the output data signal, and receiving a first control signal to adjust an impendence of the output stage; an impendence unit, electrically coupled to the output stage, for receiving a second control signal to adjust an impedance of the impedance unit; and a calibration circuit electrically coupled to the output stage and the impedance unit, for outputting the first control signal and the second control signal to respectively control the output stage and the impedance unit such that a sum of impedances of the output stage and the impedance unit is adjusted to compensate an environment factor of the chip.
US07696769B2
A method of obtaining accurately a heat-dissipating requirement for electronic systems of a same kind uses a thermal analysis software, a passed thermal module with a fan, and a fan speed regulating device. The method includes steps of: (1) connecting the fan to the fan speed regulating device; (2) turning on one electronic system and running the fan, monitoring the electronic system; (3) reducing the speed of the fan until the electronic system is shut down, recording the fan speed; (4) getting a thermal resistance (Ri) of the thermal module when it runs in an open space with the fan running at the speed at which the electronic system is shut down; (5) repeating above four steps to get some Ri's of some other such electronic systems; (6) using the thermal analysis software to analyze the Ri's of the electronic systems and getting accurately the heat-dissipating requirement for the electronic systems.
US07696766B2
A system and a method of testing a semiconductor die is provided. An embodiment comprises a plurality of tips that each comprise a substrate with a conductive via, a first dielectric layer with vias connected to the conductive via, a second dielectric layer with vias over the first dielectric layer, and a metal layer over the second dielectric layer. Additional dielectric layers with vias may be used. This tip is electrically connected to a redistribution line that routes signals between the tip to electrical connections on a space transformation layer. The space transformation layer is electrically connected to a printed circuit board using, for example, a spring loaded connection such as a pogo pin. The space transformation layer is aligned onto the printed circuit board by a series of guidance mechanisms such as guide pins or smooth fixtures, and the planarity of the tips is adjusted by adjusting the screws.
US07696765B2
A system and method for measuring a cable resistance in a power over Ethernet (PoE) application. A short circuit module in a powered device is designed to produce a short circuit effect upon receipt of a cable resistance detection voltage. The cable resistance detection voltage can be designed to be greater than a voltage for detection or classification and less than a voltage for powering of the powered device. The measurement of the current at a time when a short circuit effect is produced at the powered device enables a calculation of the actual resistance of the cable on a given PoE port.
US07696763B1
A fluid sensor is constructed to have a pair of electrodes whereas between electrodes there are not additional materials designated to adsorb analytes if their concentrations are high, or there are adsorbents if the analyte concentrations are low. An alternating current voltage of varying frequencies is applied to the electrodes of the sensor by an alternating current device. In return, it detects electrical properties such as impedance and its components, reactance, resistance, and phase angles of the sensor with analytes whereas the analytes reside in or pass through the electrodes at each frequency. Thus a spectrum of electrical properties of the analyte can be established at various applied frequencies. The electrical properties are analyzed by a pattern recognition process, and compared with those of the known fluids. Therefore, the fluid can be detected and identified. A reference sensor is provided with the same configuration of the fluid sensor. With combining electrical signals from the fluid sensor and reference sensor, the present invention brings a number of advantages, including elimination of humidity influence, polymer film aging effect, and effect of temperature variations. In addition, a temperature programming is suggested in the present invention to better control processes of adsorption and desorption for analytes thus the analytes can be better detected and identified.
US07696758B2
Provided is a plasma diagnostic apparatus having a probe unit, which is inserted into a plasma or disposed at boundary of a plasma, the apparatus including: a signal supplying unit having a signal supplying source; a current detecting/voltage converting unit for applying a periodic voltage signal applied from the signal supplying unit to the probe unit, detecting the magnitude of the current flowing through the probe unit, and converting the detected current into a voltage; and a by-frequency measurement unit for computing the magnitude and phase of individual frequency components of the current flowing through the probe unit by receiving the voltage output from the current detecting/voltage converting unit as an input.
US07696756B2
An apparatus and method for minimizing the effects of a common mode voltage signal in downhole logging tools utilized to determine the resistivity of an adjacent portion of a borehole wall. Two current electrodes are energized by an excitation source to create an oscillatory electric field in a borehole wall. A voltage drop across a segment of the borehole wall is measured by two voltage electrodes, and the differential voltage is used in combination with a measured current flow to determine a resistivity value for the borehole wall. A common mode voltage in front of the two voltage electrodes is measured and minimized by controlling the excitation source, thereby reducing the resistivity measurement error.
US07696752B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a static field magnet, gradient coils, a gantry including an opening and storing the static field magnet the gradient coils, a bed structure for advancing and retreating a table-top, on which an object can be placed, with respect to the opening, a lower coil formed by a radio frequency coil disposed below the table-top, and a movement control unit configured to control the lower coil to be movable.
US07696751B2
A method and apparatus for ferrous object and/or magnetic field detection are provided. Embodiments can improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safety and increase the safety of MRI facilities. Embodiments can detect a given magnetic field strength around a MRI machine and alert users to the field's presence. In an embodiment, the magnetic field warning system can rely on a single badge that warns its user. In another embodiment, the badge can utilize an RFID system. The RFID system can turn the badge on when it enters the MRI room and off when it leaves the MRI room. In another embodiment, a badge with a rechargeable battery and charger can be utilized with or without an RFID tag. The subject badges or other detection devices can be worn by a person, located on or near a ferrous object, embedded in clothing, or located in other positions convenient to a user.
US07696741B2
An adaptive measurement system measures a transition rate associated with an output of a device. An input signal that is characteristic of the output of the device is received by an input signal-to-frequency converter, which changes state based upon a characteristic of the input signal. The input signal-to-frequency converter provides a second signal, which reflects the state changes of the input signal-to-frequency converter. The second signal is sampled over a sample period and an instance of average transition rate is determined. A control subsystem may use the instance of average transition rate for regulating the device.
US07696733B2
A resonant switching power source device is provided which comprises first and second MOS-FETs 1 and 2 connected in series to a DC power source 3, a first transformer 5 which has a first primary winding 5a connected in parallel to first or second MOS-FET 1 or 2 and in series to a first capacitor 4, a first rectifying smoother 10 connected between a secondary winding 5b of first transformer 5 and first output terminals 11, 12, a second transformer 6 which has a primary winding 6a connected in parallel to primary winding 5a of first transformer 5, and a second rectifying smoother 20 and an output-regulatory MOS-FET 41 connected between a secondary winding 6b in second transformer 6 and second DC output terminals 21 and 22 to control peak current flowing through primary windings of transformers 5 and 6 and rectifying smoothers 10 and 20 in secondary sides for improvement in power conversion efficiency and to produce stable DC outputs of desired level from a plurality of output terminals 11, 12, 21 and 22.
US07696729B2
A plurality of supercapacitor elements is arranged in rows and columns within a single housing. The elements have no physical connection until they are configured into series, parallel or combinatory matrix by a configuration circuit composing of switches, a driver and a controller. Under the manipulation of the configuration circuit, the elements can be assembled in a broad voltage range to deliver the desired powers to automobiles, heavy machineries, power tools, appliances, or consumer electronics in real-time responses. When the loads present energy for recovery, the elements can also be immediately grouped in the voltage and capacity ranges corresponding to the power levels of the energy to be harvested. Using the present invention, the efficiency of DC and AC energy utilization can be significantly improved.
US07696719B2
A battery requiring power generation determining unit is operable to determine first power required by the battery depending on a battery condition. An electric component using power determining unit is operable to determine second power used by the electric components. An feeding indispensable power determining unit is operable to determine feeding indispensable power. A power generation determining unit is operable to determine a first power generation to be generated by the generator based on the first power, the second power, and the feeding indispensable power. The feeding indispensable power determining unit determines the feeding indispensable power depending on a running mode of the vehicle.
US07696709B2
There is provided a controller for an electric power steering apparatus having a motor which applies a steering assist force to a steering mechanism. The controller includes a torque command value calculating portion which calculates a torque command value based on steering torque generated in a steering shaft, and a vehicle speed and a current command value calculating portion which calculates a current command value for the motor based on the torque command value. The controller controls the motor based on the current command value. In the apparatus, the controller has a cogging torque compensation value calculating portion which calculates a cogging torque compensation value for the motor, and corrects the current command value based on the cogging torque compensation value.
US07696705B2
A method for measuring the rotational speed of an EC motor having a primary part including a winding, and a secondary part having magnet segments offset with respect to one another in the circumferential direction and magnetized in alternatingly opposite directions, the magnet segments having tolerances regarding their positioning and/or their dimensions, the method including rotating the secondary part with respect to the primary part and detecting the position of the magnet segments with respect to the primary part. The position measuring signal is differentiated to form a rotational speed signal. At least one correction value is determined and saved to compensate the influence of at least one of the tolerances on the speed signal. The speed signal is corrected with the aid of the correction value.
US07696702B2
A transformer includes: a primary winding receiving portion having a primary winding wound around an axis; and a pair of secondary winding receiving portions each having a secondary winding wound around an axis and disposed on the opposite sides of the first primary winding receiving portion with a gap left in the axial direction. The gaps are formed in a size of a value higher than a first predetermined value, and the coupling coefficients between the first primary winding and the two secondary windings are set lower than a second predetermined value by the gaps.
US07696701B2
A circuit (10) for powering a halogen lamp (20) comprises an inverter (100) and an output circuit (300). During operation, the inverter (100) and output circuit (300) provide a magnitude-limited current to the halogen lamp such that the lamp power during an initial period is substantially less than the lamp power during a steady-state operating period. Preferably, output circuit (300) is a non-isolated circuit that includes a current-limiting inductance, and inverter (100) includes a frequency control circuit (R2,C4,C7,Q3,R3,R5,C8) for operating the inverter at a higher frequency during the initial period so as to reduce stress upon the lamp filament and preserve the operating life of the lamp. The circuit (10) is especially suitable for powering low voltage halogen lamps.
US07696694B2
A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp (1) has a discharge vessel (3) enclosing, in a gastight manner, a discharge space provided with a filling of mercury and a rare gas. The discharge vessel (3) comprises means for maintaining an electric discharge in the discharge space. A portion of the surface (15) of the discharge vessel (3) facing the discharge space is provided with a protective layer (16) comprising yttrium oxide or aluminum oxide and further comprises a borate and/or a phosphate of an alkaline earth metal and/or of scandium, yttrium, or a further rare earth metal. Preferably, the alkaline earth metal is calcium, strontium, and/or barium. Preferably, the further rare earth metal is lanthanum, cerium, and/or gadolinium. The lamp according to the invention has a comparatively low mercury consumption.
US07696693B2
A fluorescent lamp includes a tube filled with a discharge gas and a fluorescent material, a first external electrode covering an outer edge of the tube, the first external electrode having a tetragonal cap-like shape, and a second external electrode on an outer surface of the tube, the second external electrode contacting the first external electrode.
US07696689B2
A display device includes an underlying layer formed over a substrate; an insulating layer formed over the substrate to expose the underlying layer; and an organic EL layer formed on the exposed portion of the underlying layer, wherein a thickness of the insulating layer is formed to a predetermined thickness to prevent defects in the organic EL layer that can occur in an edge portion of the exposed portion.
US07696677B2
A lamination-type resistance element includes a laminated sinter having internal electrodes of a first group and internal electrodes of a second group, the first internal electrode group including a plurality of internal electrodes facing each other through a ceramic resistance layer and defining a resistance unit at the portion where the plurality of internal electrodes face each other. A first end of the resistance unit is connected to a first external electrode and the second end is connected to a second external electrode. The second internal electrode group includes a plurality of pairs of internal electrodes in which the inner ends face each other through a gap on the same plane inside the laminated sinter, and a plurality of pairs of gaps in the plurality of internal electrodes are arranged at the same location when seen from one end of the lamination direction of the laminated sinter. Thereby, fine adjustment of a resistance value can be performed.
US07696670B2
An ultrasonic motor is provided with an ultrasonic transducer having a piezoelectric element, a holding member fixed to the ultrasonic transducer and holding the ultrasonic transducer, a pressing member pressing the holding member, and a member to be driven which is driven by frictional force between the member to be driven and the ultrasonic transducer. The pressing member has a hole portion and the holding member has a protruding portion engaged with the hole portion in a direction of pressing conducted by the pressing member. The hole portion and the protruding portion abut on each other so that the pressing member presses the member to be driven via the holding member and the ultrasonic transducer, thereby driving the member.
US07696669B2
An electrically conductive polymer actuator having a laminated structure including: a solid electrolyte membrane constituted with a mixture of an ionic liquid, and an organic polymer that contains at least one or more of a vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer [P(VDF/HFP)], polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN); and an electrically conductive polymer membrane constituted with a mixture of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) and polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) on at least one face of the solid electrolyte membrane, characterized in that polyethylene glycol is included in the electrically conductive polymer membrane.
US07696661B2
The apparatus of the present invention provides a stator for an electric motor. The apparatus includes a plurality of stator components assembled together to form a generally annular stator core. A wire is wrapped around at least a portion of the stator core to form a stator winding. A first generally annular end plate and a second generally annular end plate are mounted to axially opposite sides of the stator core such that the stator core is axially trapped and retained therebetween. A fastener applies a clamping load to the first and second end plates such that the stator core is compressed therebetween. The clamping load from the fastener is applied directly to the first and second end plates which distribute the clamping load to the stator core such that the plurality of components are held together without the fastener directly applying the clamping load to the stator core. A corresponding method for providing a stator is similarly provided.
US07696652B2
A lithographic apparatus has a patterning support constructed to support a patterning device and a substrate support constructed to support a substrate. At least one of the patterning support and the substrate support is moved by an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator has a first part and a second part that are movable relative to each other. The first part has a coil structure, and the second part including a plurality of permanent magnets interacting with the coil structure. The second part is provided with a cooling structure arranged adjacent the permanent magnets. Cooling ducts are arranged between adjacent permanent magnets, or on a side of the permanent magnets facing the coil structure.
US07696649B2
The power control circuitry comprises a series of power switching circuits, each power switching circuit being associated with one of the circuit portions and being provided with an enable signal and responsive to its enable signal being set to connect the voltage source to the at least one voltage line of the associated circuit portion. Further, at least one enable qualifying circuit is provided, each such enable qualifying circuit being associated with one of the power switching circuits and being arranged to generate an output signal used to determine the enable signal provided to a later power switching circuit in the series. Each enable qualifying circuit sets its output signal when both the enable signal provided to the associated power switching circuit is set and the at least one voltage line of the circuit portion associated with that power switching circuit has reached a predetermined voltage level.
US07696648B2
A control unit of an electric power supply system causes, responsive to a closing command signal, a switch corresponding to R phase to be thrown at a timing when a stationary magnetic flux and a residual magnetic flux of R phase are coincident with each other and then subsequently causes other switches corresponding to S phase and T phase to be thrown at a timing which is delayed from a zero point of an alternating voltage of R phase by a predetermined phase angle of 0-30 degrees, such that the difference of the stationary magnetic flux and the residual magnetic flux of each of S phase and T phase is minimum. Therefore, an exciting incoming current which flows into a three-phase transformer at a time of throwing a three-phase breaker provided with interpole capacitors can be suppressed.
US07696647B2
A coupling node for regulating the current flow between two or more drives is described. The coupling node may include an interconnect circuit in communication with the drives for selectively opening the connection between the drives. A sensor circuit in communication with the drives measures one or more electrical properties of the drives or between the drives. A sensor circuit actuates the interconnect circuit in response to the measured electrical property of the two or more drives meeting predetermined criteria. In operation, when an electrical property of the drives, such as the current flowing between the drives, meets a predetermined criteria, such as an short circuit or current overload, as indicated by the sensor circuit, the controller actuates the interconnect circuit to open the connection between the drives.
US07696646B2
An exemplary power switching circuit (20) includes a control signal input terminal (210); an output terminal (220); direct current (DC) power supply (230); a first transistor (250) including a control electrode connected to the control signal input terminal, a first current conducting electrode, and a grounded second current conducting electrode; a second transistor (260) including a control electrode connected to first current conducting electrode of the first transistor via a discharging resistor (264) and a diode (266) respectively and connected to the DC power supply via a discharging capacitor (265), a first current conducting electrode connected to the DC power supply, and a second current conducting electrode connected to the output terminal; and a third transistor (270) including a control electrode connected to first current conducting electrode of the first transistor, a first current conducting electrode connected to the output terminal, and a second grounded current conducting electrode.
US07696641B2
A power supply control circuit (3) having control of the supply and shutoff of electrical power from a power source (2), and including a request-receiving unit (11) operable to receive a power shutoff-requesting signal (10) from each of a plurality of functional blocks, in which each of the plurality of functional blocks has a predetermined processing function, a switchover unit (12) operable to provide switchover between the supply and shutoff of the electrical power from the power source to each of the plurality of functional blocks, and a control unit (13) operable to control the switchover unit (12) in accordance with the power shutoff-requesting signal (10) received by the request-receiving unit (11). The power supply control circuit (3) provides proper control over the supply and shutoff of the electrical power for each of the functional blocks, whereby each of the functional blocks consumes reduced electrical power.
US07696640B2
A power over Ethernet (PoE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) architecture for variable maximum power delivery. PoE PSE subsystems rely on some control to “turn on” a power field effect transistor (FET), which allows current to be transmitted to a powered device (PD). A hybrid approach is provided where an internal FET can be augmented with an external FET to provide an architecture that can be flexibly applied to applications with various space, cost and cooling limitations. The maximum delivered power can also be boosted with the addition of an external FET to the internal FET.
US07696636B2
A midspan power sourcing equipment (PSE) for operation with power over Ethernet (PoE). The midspan PSE provides powering over wire pairs that are also used for data communication. To ensure compatibility with legacy Ethernet devices, the ports used for transmission of data are designed to present an increased level of inductance.
US07696631B2
Inner wire bond pads are formed within a peripheral region of a semiconductor chip and at least one bonding wire is attached to the inner wire bond pads. The semiconductor chip may be customized for a specific configuration of choice by wiring inner wire bond pads. Alternately, the bonding wires may be employed to reinforce a power network or a ground network. Further, the bonding wire may serve as a passive radio frequency (RF) component. In addition, the bonding wire may be used a heat conduction path to transfer heat from the semiconductor chip to the upper package housing.
US07696630B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which is applied to, for example, a WCSP (Wafer Level Chip Size Package) and comprises a semiconductor chip having a high-frequency circuit block, a plurality of electrode pads formed on the semiconductor chip, posts disposed between the high-frequency circuit block and the electrode pads within a horizontal plane and connected to their corresponding external terminals, and redistribution wiring layers that connect the electrode pads and the posts respectively.
US07696616B2
A stacked type semiconductor device includes semiconductor devices, interposers by which the semiconductor devices are stacked, the interposers having electrodes provided on sides thereof, and a connection substrate connecting the electrodes together. The electrodes provided on the sides of the interposers may be connected to the connection substrate by one of an electrically conductive adhesive or an anisotropically conductive film.
US07696611B2
Various apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may include the use of several compositions, such as solder formulations, including about 78%-83% by weight of lead, about 9%-11% by weight of antimony, about 1%-3% by weight of silver, and a balance of tin. Some embodiments include a process of removing a previously-existing lead finish, and applying a new finish to the lead to improve solder operation compatibility, as well as solder joint reliability in high temperature environments.
US07696609B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor chip that provides a semiconductor device with high reliability and low leak current, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor chip, and more specifically, provides a semiconductor chip comprising memory portions and a peripheral circuit portion, where the memory portions and the peripheral circuit portion are formed in a main surface portion of the semiconductor chip, a thickness of the sections of the semiconductor chip passing through the main surface portion in which the memory portions are formed is larger than a thickness of sections of the semiconductor chip passing through the main surface portion in which the peripheral circuit portion is formed, and a method of manufacturing such a semiconductor chip.
US07696603B2
An integrated circuit back end capacitor structure includes a first dielectric layer on a substrate, a thin film bottom plate on the first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and the bottom plate, and a thin film top plate disposed on the second dielectric layer. The thin film top plate and bottom plate are composed of thin film resistive layers, such as sichrome, which also are utilized to form back end thin film resistors having various properties. Interconnect conductors of a metallization layer contact the top and bottom plates through corresponding vias.
US07696595B2
With this semiconductor device, the distortion and cracking of a thinned portion of a semiconductor substrate are prevented to enable high precision focusing with respect to a photodetecting unit and uniformity and stability of high sensitivity of the photodetecting unit to be maintained. A semiconductor device 1 has a semiconductor substrate 10, a wiring substrate 20, conductive bumps 30, and a resin 32. A CCD 12 and a thinned portion 14 are formed on semiconductor substrate 10. Electrodes 16 of semiconductor substrate 10 are connected via conductive bumps 30 to electrodes 22 of wiring substrate 20. Insulating resin 32 fills a gap between outer edge 15 of thinned portion 14 and wiring substrate 20 to reinforce the bonding strengths of conductive bumps 30. This resin 32 is a resin sheet that has been formed in advance so as to surround a periphery of a gap between thinned portion 14 and wiring substrate 20 except for portions of the periphery.
US07696593B2
A semiconductor photo detecting element includes a PIN-type photo detecting element and window semiconductor layer. The PIN-type photo detecting element has a semiconductor substrate, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and a third semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer is provided on the semiconductor substrate, is lattice-matched to the semiconductor substrate, includes a first conductivity type dopant, and has first band gap energy. The second semiconductor layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer, has the first band gap energy, and has a concentration of the first conductivity type dopant lower than that of the first semiconductor layer or is substantially undoped. The third semiconductor layer is provided on the second semiconductor layer. The window semiconductor layer has second band gap energy larger than the first band gap energy at a light-incoming side with respect to the second semiconductor layer and has a thickness of 5 nm to 50 nm.
US07696592B2
A solid state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections formed in an imaging area of a silicon substrate, and an embedded layer embedded in an isolation trench formed in at least one part of the silicon substrate located around the photoelectric conversion sections. The embedded layer is made of an isolation material having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than silicon oxide and equal to or smaller than silicon.
US07696586B2
A structure. The structure may include a layer of cobalt disilicide that is substantially free of cobalt monosilicide and there is substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium on the layer of cobalt disilicide. The structure may include a substrate that includes: an insulated-gate field effect transistor (FET) that includes a source, a drain, and a gate; a first layer of cobalt disilicide on the source, said first layer having substantially no cobalt monosilicide, and said first layer having substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium thereon; a second layer of cobalt disilicide on the drain, said second layer having substantially no cobalt monosilicide having substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium thereon; and a third layer of cobalt disilicide on the gate, said third layer having substantially no cobalt monosilicide and having substantially no stringer of an oxide of titanium thereon.
US07696571B2
A trenched field effect transistor is provided that includes (a) a semiconductor substrate, (b) a trench extending a predetermined depth into the semiconductor substrate, (c) a pair of doped source junctions, positioned on opposite sides of the trench, (d) a doped heavy body positioned adjacent each source junction on the opposite side of the source junction from the trench, the deepest portion of the heavy body extending less deeply into said semiconductor substrate than the predetermined depth of the trench, and (e) a doped well surrounding the heavy body beneath the heavy body.
US07696567B2
A memory device comprising a vertical transistor includes a digit line that is directly coupled to the source regions of each memory cell. Because an electrical plug is not used to form a contact between the digit line and the source regions, a number of fabrication steps may be reduced and the possibility for manufacturing defects may also be reduced. In some embodiments, a memory device may include a vertical transistor having gate regions that are recessed from an upper portion of a silicon substrate. With the gate regions recessed from the silicon substrate, the gate regions are spaced further from the source/drain regions and, accordingly, cross capacitance between the gate regions and the source/drain regions may be reduced.
US07696565B2
A FinFET body contact structure and a method for creating the FinFET body contact structure are disclosed. The body contact structure comprises a wide fin portion of a semiconductor fin, the wide fin portion having a polysilicon polygon shape formed on a top surface of the wide fin portion. The polysilicon polygon shape has a center area having no polysilicon. FinFETs are formed on two vertical surfaces of the wide fin portion and gates of the FinFETs are coupled to the polysilicon polygon shape. Top surfaces of the wide fin portion and the polysilicon polygon shape are silicided. Silicide bridging is prevented by sidewall spacers. All convex angles on the polysilicon polygon shape are obtuse enough to prevent creation of bridging vertices. The center area is doped of an opposite type from a source and a drain of an associated FinFET.
US07696542B2
A protruding structure having a linear edge is formed on a substrate. The protruding structure may be a gate line of a field effect transistor. A stress-generating liner is deposited on the substrate. A non-photosensitive self-assembling block copolymer layer containing at least two immiscible polymeric block components is deposited on the stress-generating liner, and is annealed to allow phase separation of immiscible components. The polymeric resist is developed to remove at least one of the at least two polymeric block components, which formed a pattern of nested lines due to the linear edge of the protruding structure. Linear nanoscale stripes are formed in the polymeric resist which is self-aligning and self-assembled. The stress-generating layer is patterned into linear stress-generating stripes having a sublithographic width. The linear stress-generating stripes provide a predominantly uniaxial stress along their lengthwise direction, providing an anisotropic stress to an underlying semiconductor device.
US07696537B2
A device, and method for manufacturing the same, including a PFET having an embedded SiGe layer where a shallow portion of the SiGe layer is closer to the PFET channel and a deep portion of the SiGe layer is further from the PFET channel. Thus, the SiGe layer has a boundary on the side facing toward the channel that is tapered. Such a configuration may allow the PFET channel to be compressively stressed by a large amount without necessarily substantially degrading extension junction characteristics. The tapered SiGe boundary may be configured as a plurality of discrete steps. For example, two, three, or more discrete steps may be formed.
US07696529B2
The present invention provides a transflective liquid crystal display device having at least one switching element having at least a drain electrode, a first passivation layer formed over the switching element with the first passivation layer defining a drain contact hole exposing a first portion the drain electrode, a transparent pixel electrode contacting the drain electrode through the drain contact hole and defining a contact opening that exposes a second portion of the drain electrode, the contact opening being defined in a portion of the transparent pixel electrode in the drain contact hole, and a reflective pixel electrode contacting the transparent pixel electrode in the drain contact hole and contacting the drain electrode through the contact opening.
US07696523B2
A light emitting device having a vertical structure and a method for manufacturing the same, which are capable of damping impact generated during a substrate separation process and achieving an improvement in mass productivity, are disclosed. The light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer having a multilayer structure, a first electrode arranged at one surface of the semiconductor layer, a metal support arranged on the first electrode, and an impact damping layer arranged between the first electrode and the metal support, and made of a metal having a ductility higher than a ductility of a metal for the metal support.
US07696521B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method of fabricating the same capable of minimizing the number of process operations and a decrease in aperture ratio. The OLED display device includes a compensation circuit to compensate for a threshold voltage of a driving transistor. A pixel circuit of the OLED display device can be stably driven, can minimize a threshold voltage of a driving transistor using a minimized structure, and can increase an aperture ratio of the display device.
US07696507B2
A storage node may include a bottom electrode contact layer, a phase change layer connected to the bottom electrode contact layer, and a top electrode layer connected to the phase change layer. The bottom electrode contact layer may protrude toward the phase change layer. A phase change memory device may include a switching device and the storage node. The switching device may be connected to the bottom electrode contact layer. A method of manufacturing the storage node may include forming a via hole in an insulating interlayer, at least partially filling the via hole to form a bottom electrode contact layer, protruding the bottom electrode contact layer from the via hole, and forming a phase change layer that covers the bottom electrode contact layer. A method of manufacturing a phase change memory device may include forming the switching device on a substrate and manufacturing the storage node.
US07696502B2
A ferroelectric layer (104) is sandwiched between a lower electrode layer (103) and an upper electrode (105). When a predetermined voltage (DC or pulse) is applied between the lower electrode layer (103) and the upper electrode (105) to change the resistance value of the ferroelectric layer (104) to switch a stable high resistance mode and low resistance mode, a memory operation is obtained. A read can easily be done by reading a current value when a predetermined voltage is applied to the upper electrode (105).
US07696497B2
Apparatus for focusing a charged particle beam onto a surface, including a charged particle beam generator which is adapted to project the charged particle beam onto a location on the surface, thereby causing charges to be emitted from the location. The apparatus further includes an imaging detector which is adapted to receive the charges so as to form an image of the location, and an aberrating element which is positioned before the imaging detector and which is adapted to produce an aberration in the image. A processor is adapted to receive the image and to adjust at least one of the charged particle beam generator and a position of the surface in response to the aberration.
US07696491B2
A fluorescence observation or fluorescence measuring system has at least one of a low-fluorescence objective lens including optical elements made of low-fluorescence glass, satisfying Condition (a) described below, a low-fluorescence immersion substance satisfying Condition (b) described below, and a low-fluorescence cover glass satisfying Condition (c) described below: BOB′/BOB≦0.7 (a) BIM′/BIM≦0.7 (b) BCG′/BCG≦0.7 (c) where BOB′, BIM′, and BCG′ are average intensity values of auto-fluorescence from the low-fluorescence objective lens, immersion substance, and cover glass, respectively, and BOB, BIM, and BCG are average intensity values of auto-fluorescence from a conventional objective lens, immersion substance, and cover glass, respectively, generally used.
US07696489B2
An emitter for a liquid metal ion source is provided. The emitter includes a wire comprising a substantially curved portion and a surface wherein at least a portion of the wire surface is tapered at the substantially curved portion to form an emitter tip. Furthermore, a manufacturing method for such an emitter is provided.
US07696487B2
The via chain conduction failure due to non-conduction caused by insufficient etching in a contact plug/via plug forming process can be detected precisely in a short time. For its achievement, a defect is detected at high speed by taking advantage of characteristics of a potential contrast method using a via chain defect inspection structure and an electron beam defect detection apparatus which can perform continuous inspection while changing an inspection direction without rotating a wafer. Accordingly, the capturing efficiency of a critical electric defect and search efficiency of a defect point can be improved.
US07696484B2
An electronic cassette type of radiation detection apparatus having a sensor array including a plurality of sensors for detecting incident radiation has a connecting portion to which detachable additional function modules are connected. A selection unit is provided for changing a radiographing mode from a still image radiographing mode and a moving image radiographing mode into a selectable state in response to a connection of at least one of the additional function modules changes.
US07696469B2
The present invention can be used in a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor indicating an operating status thereof to a non-safety control device. The present invention allows the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor so as to become a easier operation. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor has a control unit to providing a safety control signal representing a result of a distinguish portion in a normal operating status, a safety control signal representing operation non-allowable in an abnormal status and a safety control signal representing operation allowable in a special operating status. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor also has an operating status indication portion for determining an operating status of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor from the normal operating status, the abnormal status and the special operating status, and providing the operating status to an external device via the same output line regardless of the result of the determination.
US07696467B2
A semiconductor photosensor device includes a plurality of photodiode sections, a switch, and an output section is provided. The plurality of photodiode sections have different illuminance-output characteristics. The switch selects any one of the plurality of photodiode sections on the basis of an illuminance of incident light irradiated on the photodiode sections. The output section outputs an output signal from the selected photodiode section through the switch.
US07696453B2
A chromium-free welding consumable and a method of welding stainless steel to reduce the presence of chromium emissions. The consumable is made from an alloy that reduces the emission of chromium during a welding process, and include predominantly nickel, with between approximately five and ten weight percent copper, up to approximately two percent by weight of ruthenium and up to five percent non-copper alloying ingredients. Welding consumables made from the alloy are particularly well-suited for welding austenitic stainless steels, such as type 304 stainless steel. The method involves using chromium-free weld filler material with a stainless steel base material.
US07696447B2
A stored energy assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The stored energy assembly includes a mount removably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. A stored energy mechanism, such as a spring, is coupled to the mount and is movable among charged and discharged positions. An actuating element is cooperable with the gears of a gear assembly in order to move among first and second positions corresponding to the spring being disposed in the charged and discharged positions, respectively. A manual charging mechanism and an automatic charging mechanism are coupled to the gear assembly, and move the gears, in order to move the actuating element and charge the spring. The spring, the actuating element, the gear assembly, and the charging mechanisms are coupled to the mount, thereby forming a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is removeably coupled to the circuit breaker housing.
US07696441B2
A flexible wired circuit board that is provided can improve the yield per sheet and the production efficiency of the wired circuit board and thus to reduce the production costs when a plurality of flexible wired circuit boards are formed and aligned on the sheet. The flexible wired circuit board includes a first wired circuit board portion having a first terminal portion, a second wired circuit board portion having a second terminal portion, and a connecting portion for connecting the first wired circuit board portion and the second wired circuit board portion. The first wired circuit board portion and the second wired circuit board portion are disposed adjacent to each other at one end of the connecting portion, and the first wired circuit board portion is foldable over the other end with respect to the connecting portion.
US07696440B2
A flexible flat cable (10) is adapted for mating with a complementary connector (70). The flexible flat cable (10) includes a number of conductors (20) parallelly disposed, an insulation jacket (30) covering said conductors (20); and an insert portion (40) form at one end of the flexible flat cable (10) with the conductors (20) exposed outside the insert portion (40); a chamfer (201) is formed on the end of the conductors (20) located in the insert portion (40).
US07696428B2
An electronic keyboard musical instrument includes a body unit of the musical instrument and a stand attached to the body unit. The stand includes a pair of side boards disposed in a standing manner so as to interpose the body unit therebetween. The body unit includes a pair of lateral surfaces. Each of the pair of lateral surfaces faces one of the pair of side boards and includes a first engaging portion disposed thereon. Each of the pair of side boards includes a first engaged portion engaged by the first engaging portion and disposed on an inner lateral surface thereof, which faces one of the pair of lateral surfaces of the body unit. The first engaging portion and the first engaged portion are engaged with each other by at least one of the body unit and the stand being moved in a predetermined direction.
US07696423B1
A drum hi hat apparatus including a first tube device, a second tube device, a third tube device, a rod, a support device, a pedal device, and a first adjusting device. The third tube device may have a first end which is configured to have a first cymbal placed on it. The rod may be configured to fit within the first, second, and third tube devices. The support device may be configured so that it is able to support the first tube device in an upright position. The first adjusting device may be configured to adjustably fix the rod to the second tube device, so that the rod extends out from the second tube device different amounts. The pedal device may be connected to the second tube device, which is adjustably fixed to the rod by a first adjusting device, so that the pedal device can pull down the second tube device and thereby pull down a second cymbal fixed to the rod to bring the second cymbal in contact with the first cymbal.
US07696421B1
A four-octave soprano steel pan set includes a first pan and a second pan. Each pan is divided into three concentric rings and six radial sectors. An outermost of the three rings is further radially divided into two portions, to form twenty-four note pads. Each note pad is adapted to produce a distinct musical pitch when struck. Each of the radial sectors has four note pads therein, the four note pads in each of the radial sectors in octave relation to each other. Thus the twelve total radial sectors of the first and the second pan contain the notes sufficient to span four octaves.
US07696407B2
The present invention relates to proteins and nucleic acids related to salt tolerance in plants.
US07696406B2
A system for expression of a heterologous polypeptide in a transgenic host cell is disclosed. The system is based upon a transgene comprising a eukaryotic promoter operably linked to a DNA sequence comprising, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, a DNA sequence complementary to a sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide, a DNA sequence complementary to an internal ribosome entry site, and a DNA sequence corresponding to a 3′ untranslated region of a positive strand single-stranded RNA virus. Following introduction of a stimulus, the host cell synthesizes an RNA molecule complementary to a recombinant RNA encoded by the transgene. The stimulus can be a positive strand single-stranded RNA virus or a nucleic acid thereof. Because the complement of the recombinant RNA comprises an internal ribosome entry site and a sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide, the host cell can synthesize the heterologous polypeptide.
US07696403B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a nonhuman model animal of Th2-mediated hyperimmune response lacking PIR-B gene function on its chromosome by which the Th2-mediated immune response mechanism and allergy onset mechanism in vivo can be analyzed and which is liable to suffer from not only hyper-response of B cells but also allergy, and an inducer/promoter or an inhibitor for Th2-mediated immune response, etc. with the use of the nonhuman model animal of Th2-mediated hyperimmune response. The nonhuman model animal of Th2-mediated hyperimmune response is prepared by integrating a fragment comprising exons 1 to 7 and the domain in the 5′ side of exon 8 of mouse PIR-B gene and another fragment containing exons 10 to 14 into a vector pMC1-Neo, cleaving it with Xho I-Sal I, integrating it into a vector pIC19R-MC1tk having herpes virus thymidine kinase to thereby construct targeting vector, transferring the targeting vector into ES cells and then injecting the ES cells into blastcyst.
US07696399B2
A sutureless biopsy closure that includes an adhesive member adapted to be disposed over a biopsy region prior to the performance of the biopsy; at least one adhesive strip including one end supported on the adhesive member and a second free end forming a tab. The tab is adapted to extend over the biopsy region to seal the wound.
US07696398B2
A process of stabilizing an olefin metathesis product mixture, preferably, against double bond isomerization and thermal and chemical degradation. The process involves (a) contacting an olefin metathesis product mixture comprising one or more olefins produced in a metathesis process, a metathesis catalyst comprising a catalytic metal and one or more ligands, optionally, one or more metathesis catalyst degradation products, and optionally, one or more metals derived from sources other than the catalyst or catalyst degradation product(s), with an adsorbent, more preferably carbon; or alternatively, (b) subjecting the olefin metathesis product mixture to a two-step distillation, preferably, including short path wiped-film evaporation. A stabilized olefin metathesis product mixture to a two-step distillation, preferably, including short path wiped-film evaporation. A stabilized olefin metathesis product mixture is disclosed containing one or more olefins obtained in a metathesis process and having a total concentration of metal(s) of less than about 30 parts per million by weight.
US07696397B2
An improved catalytic composition for oligomerization, in particular dimerization, of monoolefins comprises the product resulting from bringing the following three constituents into contact in any order: a) at least one divalent nickel compound; b) at least one hydrocarbylaluminium dihalide, optionally enriched with an aluminum trihalide; and c) at least one organic Bronsted acid; the catalytic composition being pre-conditioned in a solvent before using it for oligomerization.
US07696388B2
A process for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (p,p-bisphenol-A) from 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman (chroman 1.5) is disclosed. Phenol and chroman 1.5 are contacted over an acidic ion exchange resin at a given temperature for a given period of time. The process results in improved quality of p,p-bisphenol-A, better performance of catalyst, improved raw material usage, and reduced waste.
US07696381B1
This invention relates generally to non-ionic X-ray contrast agents. It further relates to the synthesis of iodixanol. In particular, it relates to alternative dimerisation reagents in the conversion of 5-acetamido-N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide (“Compound A”) to iodixanol.
US07696373B2
Active compounds of Formula (I) are described: wherein: R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C4 alkyl; or R1 and R2 together form a C2-C7 alkylene chain; and Z is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); along with pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrug thereof, and methods of using the same.
US07696364B2
The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of alkenylated aromatic compounds featuring at least one hydroxy group, their ring-closure reactions to 5 chroman derivatives, as well as the acylation of the latter and the aromatic compounds featuring at least one hydroxy group themselves. The present invention relates especially to a process for the manufacture of tocol, tocopherols and their alkanoates such as (x-tocopherol (TCP) and alkanoates (TCPA) thereof, preferably (x-toeopheryl acetate (TCPAc). The processes of the present invention are characterized in that at least one step of the processes is carried out in the presence of an indium salt as the catalyst.
US07696363B2
Disclosed is an improved method for preparing the isoflavonoid compound (+/−)-equol, the method comprising reducing an organic diester of the isoflavone daidzein under hydrogen-transfer conditions using palladium hydroxide catalyst.
US07696362B2
A new artemisinin derivatives, of following general formula (I): In which: a and b are a single or a double bond, n1 and n2 are 0 or 1, R1 is a fluoroalkyl group or a fluoroaryl group, R2 is a hydrogen atom, or a halogen atom, or a group, if appropriate ionisable, making it possible to render said compounds of formula (I) water-soluble, R3 is a group, if appropriate ionisable, making it possible to render said compounds of formula (I) water-soluble, R4 is H or OH. The invention also relates to the process by which they are obtained, and their uses in pharmaceutical compositions intended for the treatment of malaria.
US07696357B2
A stable solid hydrate of a muscarinic receptor antagonist is useful in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, oesophageal achalasia, chronic obstructive airways disease, over active bladder (including symptoms of incontinence, urge and frequency), urinary incontinence, neurogenic urinary urgency or pollakiuria, treatment of bladder functional disorder, urinary leakage, painful or difficult urination caused by neurogenic bladder, spastic or hypertonic bladder, dysfunctional bladder syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders including gastrointestinal hyperactivity, and relaxing effect on intestinal smooth muscle cells.
US07696356B2
The present invention provides a rapid, high-yielding process for preparing 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-methylene-4H-carbazol-4-one from 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-4H-carbazol-4-one without using a secondary amine as a catalyst, and without using glacial acetic acid as a solvent. The present invention further provides a rapid, high-yielding process for preparing ondansetron from 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-methylene-4H-carbazol-4-one without using alumina as a catalyst.
US07696342B1
The present invention relates to a group of novel viral RNA regulatory genes, here identified as “viral genomic address messenger genes” or “VGAM genes”, and as “genomic record” or “GR” genes. VGAM genes selectively inhibit translation of known host target genes, and are believed to represent a novel pervasive viral attack mechanism. GR genes encode an operon-like cluster of VGAM genes. VGAM and viral GR genes may therefore be useful in diagnosing, preventing and treating viral disease. Several nucleic acid molecules are provided respectively encoding several VGAM genes, as are vectors and probes, both comprising the nucleic acid molecules, and methods and systems for detecting VGAM genes, and for counteracting their activity.
US07696339B2
There are provided non-human primate and rat GPR103 genes and proteins and a compound evaluation method employing the genes or proteins. There are also provided highly useful novel ligands for functional analysis of the GPR103 genes and proteins and for the compound evaluation. The nucleic acids or proteins having the sequences listed as SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 4 provide non-human primate or rat GPR103 genes and proteins and information based on the genes and proteins. The genes and proteins can be used for evaluation of compounds. The nucleic acids or proteins having the sequence listed as SEQ ID NO: 5 or 6 provide a GPR103 ligand.
US07696338B2
The present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings provides novel recombinant DT-based immunotoxins, and, more specifically anti-T cell immunotoxin fusion proteins. Also provided are immunotoxins that can be expressed in bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells. The invention also provides means for expression of the immunotoxin fusion protein.
US07696335B2
The invention provides methods, kits, and compositions comprising novel mutant loxP sites. Such sites are particularly useful for procedures requiring multiple site-specific recombination reactions, including deletions or insertions of multiple genes or other sequences in the same organism, staged insertions or deletions of genes of the same organism at different times, assembly of large polynucleotide constructs by serial site-specific recombination, and the like. In one aspect, compositions of the invention includes particular mutant spacer oligonucleotides of loxP recombination elements, the recombination elements themselves, and pairs of non-promiscuous mutant loxP sites.
US07696332B2
The present invention provides a cell-specific replication-competent vector system, which does not target normal cells. The vector system is constructed by linking a transcriptional initiation regulatory promoter region upstream of a viral replication-related gene that integrates the linked region into a viral DNA vector. The constructed vector, when introduced into malignant tumor cells, selectively injures only tumor cells or proliferating smooth muscle cells of tumor neovascular tissue due to the selective expression of the regulatory promoter region upstream of a viral replication-related gene. In particular, the present invention relates to a transcriptional initiation regulatory region of the human calponin gene that can selectively express in tumor cells or proliferating smooth muscle cells of tumor neovascular tissue. The present invention also relates to methods of constructing the cell-specific replication-competent vector system and to treatment methods using the vector system by introducing the vector system into particular living tissues or cells such as malignant tumors and the like.
US07696323B2
This invention relates to the field of recombinant antibody technology. It provides novel recombinant IgY antibody constructs for diagnostic and therapeutical applications. The bivalent antibody constructs display a heterotetrameric or homodimeric format stabilized by disulfide bonds. The constant heavy chain domains CH2-CH4 are partly or completely of avian origin, whereas the VH, VL, CL, and CH1 domains as well as the hinge region may be of avian origin or derived from any other species. The invention allows to combine the advantages of IgY antibodies with those of established mammalian monoclonal antibodies. IgY antibody constructs comprising nonglycosylated IgY constant heavy chain domains allow to reduce unwanted interactions with C-type lectins, e.g., in human sera. Furthermore, chimeric IgY antibody containing mammalian VH, VL, CL, and CH1 domains as well as a mammalian hinge region provide a higher molecular stability than IgY antibodies in acidic conditions and, thereby, are especially suited for peroral therapeutic applications.
US07696315B2
The present invention provides novel polypeptides and polynucleotides useful as biotechnological tools, specifically identified in a coryneform bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum and methods of producing substances in organisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides.
US07696310B2
The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of A. phagocytophilum (formerly known as Ehrlichia equi) antibodies and antibody fragments.
US07696303B2
A polymer for use in an optical device comprising a first, optionally substituted, repeat unit of formula and a second, optionally substituted, repeat unit of formula wherein each Ar and Ar′ is the same or different and comprises an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group and optionally a third, optionally substituted, repeat unit in a molar ratio of no greater than 5%, the third repeat unit having a formula —Ar—N(Ar)—Ar— and having a single nitrogen atom in its backbone.
US07696300B2
Disclosed is an oxygen-absorbing resin which exhibits excellent oxygen absorption performance even in the absence of a transition metal catalyst. Specifically disclosed is an oxygen-absorbing resin which is composed of a copolyester obtained by copolymerizing at least the following monomers (A)-(C). Monomer (A): a dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof having a carbon atom bonded to both the structures (a) and (b) below and also bonded to one or two hydrogen atoms, wherein the carbon atom is contained in an alicyclic structure (a) a carbon-carbon double bond group (b) any one of a functional group containing a heteroatom or a linking group derived from such a functional group, a carbon-carbon double bond group and an aromatic ring; Monomer (B): at least one selected from the group consisting of a dicarboxylic acid having an aromatic ring or a derivative thereof, and a hydroxycarboxylic acid having an aromatic ring or a derivative thereof; Monomer (C): a diol.
US07696295B2
The present invention relates to condensation products of silicic acid derivatives usable especially in optical waveguides and particularly to a condensation product obtained by condensing a silane diol compound (A) of the general formula (1): R12Si(OR2)2 (1) wherein R1 represents a group having at least one aromatic group and having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and R2 represents hydrogen (H which may also be a heavy hydrogen D), with a modified silane compound (B) of the general formula (2): R3Si(OR4)3 (2) wherein R3 represents an organic group having at least one C═C double bond; and R4 represents a group of CnH2n+1 (n=a number of 1 or 2), in the molar ratio 1.1 to 1.4:1 [(A):(B)], and to a process for producing the same condensation product, as well as to an optical waveguide device fabricated using the same condensation product.
US07696281B2
A polyolefin blend comprising: (a) from 30 to 80 weight % of a low molecular weight copolymer comprising from 85 to 100 weight % of ethylene and from 15 to 0 weight % of one or more C4-8 alpha olefins having a density from 0.953 to 0.965 g/cm3 and a melt flow rate (2.16 kg 190° C.) from 0.1 to 20.0 g/10 minutes; and (b) from 70 to 20 weight % of a high molecular weight copolymer comprising from 85 to 99.9 weight % of ethylene and from 15 to 0.1 weight % of one or more C4-8 alpha olefins having a density from 0.915 to 0.940 g/cm3 and a melt flow rate (21.6 kg 190° C.) from 0.05 to 5.0 g/10 minutes, said copolymer being prepared with a single site catalyst is useful in the preparation of pipe.
US07696280B2
The present invention provides bimodal polyethylene resins in which the high molecular weight ethylene copolymer component typically has a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, with short chain branching content being substantially constant across its molecular weight distribution. The resins of this invention are typically characterized by improved toughness and resistance to slow crack propagation properties making them useful for pressure pipe applications.
US07696279B2
A process for producing a thermoplastic elastomer composition, which comprises the steps of: (1) supplying at least an olefin copolymer rubber and an olefin resin to a plasticization-kneading zone of a biaxial extruder, which zone has at least two kneading discs forming a tip clearance of 1% or larger and smaller than 10% of an inner diameter of a cylinder in the biaxial extruder, thereby forming a melt-kneaded product; and (2) supplying an organic peroxide to a dynamically cross-linking zone of the biaxial extruder, which zone (i) is located after the plasticization-kneading zone, and (ii) has at least two kneading discs forming a tip clearance of 1% or smaller of the inner diameter of the cylinder in the biaxial extruder, thereby dynamically cross-linking the melt-kneaded product with the organic peroxide.
US07696274B2
Disclosed is a conductive resin composition containing a polyamide, a polyphenylene ether, a polyester and a conductive carbon filler. The resin composition has attained excellent conductivity by being added with a small amount of the conductive carbon filler, while being excellent in fluidity and surface luster. Also disclosed is a molded body formed from such a resin composition.
US07696266B2
The present invention relates to select elastomeric blends including at least one halogenated random copolymer. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions including at least one halogenated random copolymer of isobutylene and methylstyrene, preferably para-methylstyrene; wherein the at least one halogenated random copolymer includes at least 9.0 wt % methylstyrene, preferably para-methylstyrene, based upon the weight of the at least one halogenated random copolymer; and at least one general purpose rubber. The invention also relates to articles made from these compositions and processes for making the same.
US07696259B2
A coating formulation for a substrate having abstractable hydrogen radicals is disclosed. The formulation includes a hydrophilic polymeric component comprising at least two polymeric species of differing molecular weights, an unsaturated hydrophilic monomer capable of free-radical polymerisation in the presence of a radical and a UV activatable compound capable of abstracting hydrogen radicals from the surface to be coated and from a polymeric specie of the hydrophilic polymeric component so as to initiate and promote the cross-linkage of the monomer to the surface and of the monomer or a propagating monomer chain to a polymeric specie of the polymeric component, and a suitable solvent to give the formulation a desired viscosity.
US07696257B2
An oxime ester compound represented below is useful as a photopolymerization initiator. A photopolymerization initiator including this as an active constituent has high sensitivity and causes no concern about coloration or contamination. (X represents a halogen atom or alkyl group. R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent R, OR, COR, SR, CONRR′, or CN, wherein R and R′ each represent an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, or a heterocyclic group; these groups may be substituted with (a) halogen atom(s) and/or (a) heterocyclic group(s); the alkylene moiety in the alkyl or aralkyl group may be interrupted by (an) unsaturated bond(s), (an) ether bond(s), (a) thioether bond(s), or (an) ester bond(s); and R and R′ may form a ring. Y1 represents an oxygen, sulfur, or selenium atom; A represents a heterocyclic group; m represents an integer 0-4; p represents an integer 0-5; and q represents 0 or 1.)
US07696249B2
The invention relates to novel specifically trifluoromethyl and halogen substituted 1,3-diphenyl ureas and their use as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects like the preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of those compounds and especially their use as anti-infectives.
US07696247B2
Novel nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are provided which comprise a lipid molecule selected from (a) phosphoglycerides, (b) lipids having a sphingosine base as a backbone, (c) monoacylglyerols, (d) diacylglycerols, (e) glycosylacylglycerols, and (f) sterol compounds of the formula: where R is a branched aliphatic chain of eight or more carbon atoms, wherein the lipid molecule is provided with a nitric-oxide containing group which comprises (a) a —S—N═O moiety, (b) a —O—N═O moiety, or (c) a a moiety. Also provided are methods of forming such nitric oxide releasing lipid molecules. Various pharmaceutical compositions, topical liquids and drug delivery systems comprising the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules are also described. Further provided are methods for therapeutically administering nitric oxide to patients, methods of treating or preventing various conditions, methods for promoting wound healing and methods of reducing the cells present in an atherosclerotic lesion, which methods utilize the nitric-oxide releasing lipid molecules.
US07696242B2
Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, Y, n and m are as defined herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of HCV NS3 protease.
US07696237B2
The present invention relates to compositions for controlling plant pests containing the compound of formula (I) in a mixture with fungicidally active compounds.
US07696222B2
Compounds according to formula (I) wherein the radicals R1, R2 and R3 are as herein defined, and wherein Ar represents an aryl group or heteroaryl group, preferably phenyl, n is 1 or 2, and the radical X represents a group selected from —C(Ra)(Rb)—, —C(Ra)(Rb)—C(Ra)(Rb)—, —C(Ra)═C(Ra)—, OC(Ra)(Rb)— or SC(Ra)(Rb)—. These compounds and their pharmaceutical acceptable salts are used in pharmaceutical compositions as prostaglandine D2 receptor antagonists useful in the treatment of CRTH2-mediated diseases such as respiratory, inflammatory or allergic conditions among others.
US07696219B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating the nutritional deficiencies observed in patients suffering from renal disease and associated disorders. Specifically, the method involves administering to a renal patient a composition comprising vitamin C, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, selenium, and zinc.
US07696217B2
Compounds of structural formula I are modulators of the androgen receptor (AR) in a tissue selective manner. They are useful as agonists of the androgen receptor in bone and/or muscle tissue while antagonizing the AR in the prostate of a male patient or in the uterus of a female patient. These compounds are therefore useful in the enhancement of weakened muscle tone and the treatment of conditions caused by androgen deficiency or which can be ameliorated by androgen administration, including osteoporosis, osteopenia, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, periodontal disease, bone fracture, bone damage following bone reconstructive surgery, sarcopenia, frailty, aging skin, male hypogonadism, postmenopausal symptoms in women, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, aplastic anemia and other hematopoietic disorders, inflammatory arthritis and joint repair, HIV-wasting, prostate cancer, cancer cachexia, Alzheimer's disease, muscular dystrophies, cognitive impairment, decreased libido, premature ovarian failure, and autoimmune disease, alone or in combination with other active agents.
US07696216B2
A compound of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3 and Y are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable and -cleavable ester, or acid addition salt thereof, useful for promoting the release of parathyroid hormone, e.g. for preventing or treating bone conditions which are associated with increased calcium depletion or resorption or in which stimulation of bone formation and calcium fixation in the bone is desirable.
US07696214B2
The invention concerns quinazoline derivatives of Formula (I) wherein each of Q1, Z, m, R1, R2, R3 and Q2 have any of the meanings defined in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use as an anti-invasive agent in the containment and/or treatment of solid tumor disease.
US07696208B2
Compounds of formulae: where X is S or O and Ar2, R1, R2, R3, R8, n, m, and t are disclosed herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (a “3-substituted Pyridyl Compound”), compositions comprising an effective amount of a 3-substituted Pyridyl Compound, and methods for treating or preventing pain, urinary incontinence, an ulcer, inflammatory-bowel disease, irritable-bowel syndrome, an addictive disorder, Parkinson's disease, parkinsonism, anxiety, epilepsy, stroke, a seizure, a pruritic condition, psychosis, a cognitive disorder, a memory deficit, restricted brain function, Huntington's chorea, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, dementia, retinopathy, a muscle spasm, a migraine, vomiting, dyskinesia or depression in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a 3-substituted Pyridyl Compound are disclosed herein.
US07696207B2
A compound of formula: wherein X is S or O and A, R1, R2, R3, R4, n, and m are disclosed herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (a “Pyridazinylpiperazine Compound”), compositions comprising a Pyridazinylpiperazine Compound, and methods for treating or preventing pain, UI, an ulcer, IBD and IBS in an animal comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a Pyridazinylpiperazine Compound are disclosed herein.
US07696205B2
The present application describes modulators of MCP-1 of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, useful for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis and asthma.
US07696201B2
The present invention relates to modulators of muscarinic receptors. The present invention also provides compositions comprising such modulators, and methods therewith for treating muscarinic receptor mediated diseases.
US07696200B2
The invention is concerned with novel heterobicyclic derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, V, W, X and Y are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts and esters thereof. These compounds inhibit L-CPT1 and can be used as medicaments.
US07696196B2
The present invention relates to the CGRP antagonists of general formula wherein A, X, D, E, G, M, Q and R1 to R3 are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, the use thereof and processes for the preparation thereof.
US07696195B2
The present invention relates to the CGRP antagonists of general formula wherein A, X, Q and R1 to R3 are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, the isomers, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates, mixtures and salts thereof and the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, their use and processes for preparing them.
US07696187B2
The present invention relates to 9-substituted tetracycline derivatives as well as compositions and use thereof.
US07696185B2
Compounds of the formula, A—L—B, wherein A is glutamate or a glutamate analog; L is a phosphoramidate or a phosphoramidate analog; and B is serine or a serine analog are described which are potent inhibitors of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PMSA). Such compounds are useful in treatment of prostate cancer; and when chemically attached to a fluorescent dye, can efficiently and selectively label prostate cancer cells for fluorescent imaging.
US07696174B2
Peptides having four to fourteen residues are disclosed that possess biological activity. These peptides constitute short fragments of the peptide HB-107 (SEQ ID NO:1), which itself is a fragment of the antimicrobial protein cecropin B, and exhibit cell stimulatory, migratory and anti-inflammatory properties. As keratinocytes are especially sensitive to these effects, the disclosed peptides comprise a useful agent for the medical treatment of injury to the skin, such as from diabetic ulcers. The peptides also are effective in preventing and reversing skin surface damage resulting from various environmental insults. Importantly, the therapeutic effects of the peptides manifest at concentrations equal to or greater than those of peptide HB-107, and thus represent a less expensive, more versatile means for developing effective therapies. Methods for the production and use of these peptides are also disclosed.
US07696163B2
The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.
US07696155B2
This invention features methods and compositions useful for treating and diagnosing diseases of the nervous system, retina, skin, muscle, joint, and cartilage using a Dragon family protein. Protein and nucleic acid sequences of human, murine, zebrafish, and C. elegans Dragon family members are also disclosed.
US07696148B1
The use of leukotrienes and other products of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway to enhance bacterial defense and treat infections is described. The products are especially useful when administered to the lungs for the treatment of pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections. The products may be administered for treatment or prophylactic purposes and may be administered concomitantly with antibiotics to combat infection.
US07696147B2
The present invention relates to a perfume composition comprising a mixture of fragrant materials in a physiologically acceptable carrier comprising a mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes, characterized in that the said mixture of polydimethylsiloxanes consists of hexamethyldisiloxane and octamethyltrisiloxane, in a weight ratio of between 30:70 and 70:30.
US07696139B2
A grease composition for a pivot assembly bearing is provided and includes a thickener of 5 to 25% by mass and a base oil of 95 to 75% by mass with respect to the total mass of the thickener and the base oil. Two or more ureas selected from: urea A: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an aliphatic (ALA)/alicyclic (ACA) substituent; urea B: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an alicyclic (ACA)/aromatic (ARA) substituent; and urea C: a urea comprising diurea compounds having an aromatic (ARA)/aliphatic (ALA) substituent are used as the thickener. A poly α-olefin mixture having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 40 to 70 mm2/s prepared by mixing poly α-olefin (PAO HV) having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 350 to 450 mm2/s with poly α-olefin (PAO LV) having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. of 25 to 40 mm2/s in a mass ratio of 15:85 to 30:70 is used as a base oil. A lead free additive may be used as an additive.
US07696135B2
Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of an internal breaker composition that contains at least one mineral oil, at least one polyalphaolefin oil, at least one saturated fatty acid and/or at least one unsaturated fatty acid. The internal breaker may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the internal breaker, e.g. mineral oil, is added to the fluid after it has been substantially gelled. An oil-soluble surfactant is present to enhance or accelerate the reduction of viscosity of the gelled aqueous fluid.
US07696126B2
A method of producing an oxidation catalyst for cleaning exhaust gas, excellent in the function of oxidizing high boiling point materials such as particulates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained in the exhaust gas of internal-combustion engines is provided. Metal elements A and B are selected so that the value of the ionic radius of metal element A/the ionic radius of metal element B is in the range of from 1.349 to 1.580. After reacting the grind mixed material of the first metal element A, the second metal element B, and urea, the reactant material is grind mixed, and thereafter subjected to firing at 600 to 1200° C. for 1 to 5 hours. By doing so, an oxidation catalyst for cleaning exhaust gas comprising a composite oxide represented by the general formula ABO3 is obtained.
US07696125B2
A catalyst and a process for preparing carboxylic acid esters from an aldehyde and an alcohol in the presence of molecular oxygen are disclosed. The catalyst comprises metals supported on a silica-containing support, wherein the metals consist essentially of palladium, lead, an alkali or alkaline earth metal, and at least one of niobium and zirconium. The process for preparing a carboxylic acid ester comprises reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of molecular oxygen and the aforementioned catalyst.
US07696106B2
A film formation method for a semiconductor process includes placing a plurality of target objects at intervals in a vertical direction inside a process container of a film formation apparatus. Then, the method includes setting the process container to have a first vacuum state therein, and supplying a first film formation gas containing a hydrocarbon gas into the process container, thereby forming a carbon film by CVD on the target objects. Then, the method includes setting the process container to have a second vacuum state therein, while maintaining the process container to have a vacuum state therein from the first vacuum state, and supplying a second film formation gas containing an organic silicon source gas into the process container, thereby forming an Si-containing inorganic film by CVD on the carbon film.
US07696104B2
A mirror package is provided which can reflect a laser to an external screen according to a video signal when the laser enters from outside, and a method of manufacturing the mirror package. The mirror is packaged with a glass to protect from external contamination, an inlet and an outlet are formed by, for example, an anisotropic etching on the glass and blocks a reflected light reflected from the glass. The mirror package is formed as a set, combined on a wafer using a wafer level package and diced to individual chips. Subsequently, a productivity is improved and a ghost image or phenomenon is removed.
US07696100B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of which cost can be suppressed by using a nanoimprinting method is provided. In the invention, a gate insulating film, a conductive film, and a resist are formed in sequence over a semiconductor film and a resist is hardened while pressing a mold formed with a pattern to the resist. Therefore, the pattern is transferred to the resist, the surface of the resist to which the pattern is transferred is ashed until a part of the conductive film is exposed, the resist having the ashed surface is used a mask, and the conductive film is etched.
US07696096B2
A method of forming a pattern includes forming a first layer on a substrate, forming a second layer on the first layer, depositing a multi-temperature phase-change material on the second layer, patterning the second layer using the multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask, reflowing the multi-temperature phase-change material, and patterning the first layer using the reflowed multi-temperature phase-change material as a mask.
US07696091B2
A method of manufacturing a silicon layer includes pretreating a surface of a silicon nitride layer formed on a substrate through a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method using a first reaction gas including at least one of silicone tetrafluoride (SiF4) gas, a nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) gas, SiF4—H2 gas and a mixture thereof. Then, a silicon layer is formed on the pretreated silicon nitride layer through the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition method using a second reaction gas including a mixture of gas including silicon tetrafluoride (SiF4), hydrogen (H2) and argon (Ar).
US07696086B2
An interconnect structure is described, disposed on a substrate with a conductive part thereon and including a dielectric layer, a composite plug and a conductive line. The dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate covering the conductive part. The composite plug is disposed in the dielectric layer electrically connecting with the conductive part, and includes a first plug and a second plug on the first plug, wherein the material or the critical dimension of the second plug is different from that of the first plug. The conductive line is disposed on the dielectric layer electrically connecting with the composite plug.
US07696085B2
A recessed region containing a line portion and a bulge portion is formed in a hard mask layer. Self-assembling block copolymers containing two or more different polymeric block components that are immiscible with one another are applied within the recessed region and annealed. A cylindrical polymeric block centered at the bulge portion is removed selective to a polymeric block matrix surrounding the cylindrical polymeric block. A via cavity is formed by transferring the cavity formed by removal of the cylindrical polymeric block into a dielectric layer. The pattern in the hard mask layer is subsequently transferred into the dielectric layer to form a line cavity. A metal via and a metal line are formed by deposition and planarization of metal. The metal via is self-aligned to the metal line.
US07696075B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a recess channel structure is provided. A first recess is formed in a substrate. A liner and a filling layer are formed in the first recess. A portion of the substrate adjacent to the first recess and a portion of the liner and the filling layer are removed to form trenches. An insulation layer fills the trenches to form isolation structures. The filling layer is removed, using the liner as an etching stop layer, to expose the insulation layer. A portion of the exposed insulation layer is removed to form a second recess having divots adjacent to the sidewalls of the substrate. The liner is removed. A dielectric layer and a gate are formed over the substrate covering the second recess. Source and drain regions are formed in the substrate adjacent to the second recess.
US07696059B2
A consistent reduction in temperature in an SOI substrate manufacturing process is achieved.A gate oxide film provided on an SOI substrate is obtained by laminating a low-temperature thermal oxide film 13 grown at a temperature of 450° C. or below and an oxide film 14 obtained based on a CVD method. Since the thermal oxide film 13 is a thin film of 100 Å or below, a low temperature of 450° C. or below can suffice. The underlying thermal oxide film 13 can suppress a structural defect, e.g., an interface state, and the CVD oxide film 14 formed on the thermal oxide film can be used to adjust a thickness of the gate oxide film. According to such a technique, a conventional general silicon oxide film forming apparatus can be used to form the gate oxide film at a low temperature, thereby achieving a consistent reduction in temperature in the SOI substrate manufacturing process.
US07696054B2
A transistor, transistor arrangement and method thereof are provided. The example method may include determining whether a gate width of the transistor has been adjusted; and adjusting a distance between a higher-concentration impurity-doped region of the transistor and a device isolation layer of the transistor based on the adjusted gate width if the determining step determines the gate width of the transistor is adjusted. The example transistor may include a first device isolation layer defining a first active region, a first gate line having a first gate width and crossing over the first active region, a first lower-concentration impurity-doped region formed in the first active region at first and second sides of the first gate line and a first higher-concentration impurity-doped region formed in the lower-concentration impurity-doped region and not in contact with the gate line and the device-isolation layer.
US07696052B2
By recessing drain and source regions, a highly stressed layer, such as a contact etch stop layer, may be formed in the recess in order to enhance the strain generation in the adjacent channel region of a field effect transistor. Moreover, a strained semiconductor material may be positioned in close proximity to the channel region by reducing or avoiding undue relaxation effects of metal silicides, thereby also providing enhanced efficiency for the strain generation. In some aspects, both effects may be combined to obtain an even more efficient strain-inducing mechanism.
US07696046B2
In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an active channel pattern is formed on a substrate. The active channel pattern includes preliminary gate patterns and single crystalline silicon patterns that are alternately stacked with each other. A source/drain layer is formed on a sidewall of the active channel pattern. Mask pattern structures including a gate trench are formed on the active channel pattern and the source/drain layer. The patterns are selectively etched to form tunnels. The gate trench is then filled with a gate electrode. The gate electrode surrounds the active channel pattern. The gate electrode is protruded from the active channel pattern. The mask pattern structures are then removed. Impurities are implanted into the source/drain regions to form source/drain regions. A silicidation process is carried out on the source/drain regions to form a metal silicide layer, thereby completing a semiconductor device having a MOS transistor.
US07696025B2
A novel transistor structure and method for fabricating the same. First, a substrate, a semiconductor region, a gate dielectric region, and a gate block are provided. The semiconductor region, the gate dielectric region, and the gate block are on the substrate. The gate dielectric region is sandwiched between the semiconductor region and the gate block. The semiconductor region is electrically insulated from the gate block by the gate dielectric region. The semiconductor region and the gate dielectric region share an interface surface which is essentially perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate. The semiconductor region and the gate dielectric region do not share any interface surface that is essentially parallel to a top surface of the substrate. Next, a gate region is formed from the gate block. Then, first and second source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor region.
US07696024B2
A semiconductor device is provided, which comprises a semiconductor film, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode, an insulating film, and a source and drain electrodes. The semiconductor film includes at least a channel forming region, a region, a source and drain regions disposed between the channel forming region and the region, a first silicide region over the region, and a second silicide region over a portion of the source and drain regions. The insulating film has a contact hole to expose at least the first silicide region. Each of the source and drain electrodes is electrically connected to the first silicide region via the contact hole. The region includes an element imparting one conductivity type at a lower concentration than the source and drain regions.
US07696012B2
A method of dividing a wafer having a plurality of streets, which are formed in a lattice pattern on the front surface, and having devices, which are formed in a plurality of areas sectioned by the plurality of streets, into individual devices along the streets, comprising: a protective member-affixing step for affixing a protective member for protecting devices onto the front surface of the wafer; a deteriorated layer-forming step for applying a laser beam of a wavelength having permeability for the wafer from the rear surface side of the wafer along the streets to form a deteriorated layer along the streets in an area where it does not reach the final thickness of each device from the front surface of the wafer and the rear surface of the wafer in the inside of the wafer; a groove-forming step for cutting areas corresponding to the streets from the rear surface side of the wafer where the deteriorated layer has been formed along the streets to form a groove reaching the deteriorated layer; a dividing the wafer into individual devices along the streets where the deteriorated layer and the groove have been formed by exerting external force to the wafer; and a grinding the rear surface of the wafer which has been divided into individual devices until the final thickness of each device is achieved.
US07696009B2
A fabricating method for a semiconductor device includes forming a heat spreading material on rear surface of the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer has a plurality of device areas and scribe lines which are arranged between the device areas. After the heat spreading material is formed on rear surface of the semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer is separated at the scribe lines.
US07696007B2
A semiconductor package board for mounting thereon a semiconductor chip includes a metal base having an opening for receiving therein the semiconductor chip and a multilayer wiring film layered onto the metal base. The semiconductor chip is flip-chip bonded onto the metal pads disposed on the multilayer wiring film within the opening. The surface of the metal base is flush with the top surface of the semiconductor chip received in the opening. The resultant semiconductor device has a larger number of external pins and a smaller deformation without using a stiffener.
US07696006B1
Composite flip-chip with encased components and method of fabricating the same is described. One aspect of the invention relates to fabricating composite flip-chip packages for integrated circuit dice. Interposing substrates are formed. At least one discrete component is attached to a bottom surface of each of the interposing substrates. A first array of solder balls is placed on the bottom surface of each of the interposing substrates. The interposing substrates are mounted to a carrier strip. The integrated circuit dice are attached to top surfaces of the interposing substrates. The integrated circuit dice and the interposing substrates are encapsulated in molding compound to define flip-chip assemblies.
US07696004B2
Provided is a wafer level package fabrication method. The method includes providing a device substrate wafer including one or more devices on an upper surface thereof, and a bonding pad electrically connected to the device, providing a bonding seal surrounding the device along the bonding pad, bonding a cap substrate wafer to the device substrate wafer through the bonding seal, the cap substrate wafer having a via formed in a region corresponding to the bonding pad, forming an external terminal on the cap substrate wafer, the external terminal being electrically connected to the bonding pad, and cutting the cap substrate wafer and the device substrate wafer along a cutting line to individually separate a plurality of wafer level packages. The method is conducive to reducing product size for miniaturization, is capable of performing a bonding process without wafer deformation or damage, and increases freedom in wafer material selection.
US07695996B2
A method of manufacturing a photodetecting device, by providing a first wafer that includes a photosensitive layer made of a semiconductor material and a second wafer that includes a circuit layer of electronic components, with one of the photosensitive layer or the circuit layer incorporating a field isolation layer; bonding the first and second wafers to form a structure comprising successively the circuit layer, the field isolation layer and the photosensitive layer; and forming electrically conductive vias to electrically connect the photosensitive layer to at least some of the electronic components of the circuit layer. Also, photodetecting devices prepared by these methods.
US07695994B2
A method of forming a layer of material on a sidewall of a via with good thickness control. The method involves forming a layer of material with a conventional deposition process. The material formed on a field region surrounding the via is removed with a sputter etch process. Another layer of material is deposited thereon, wherein the sputter etch-deposition cycle is repeated as necessary to achieve a desired sidewall thickness. With this method, the thickness of the material deposited on the sidewall is linearly dependent on the number of process cycles, thus providing good thickness control. The method may be used to form a resistance variable material, e.g., a phase-change material, on a via sidewall for use in a memory element.
US07695990B2
The invention relates to a method for producing an electrical leadframe (10), in particular for a light-emitting diode component, having at least one first electrical connection conductor (2) and at least one second electrical connection conductor (3).
US07695988B2
A nanofluidic channel fabricated in fused silica with an approximately 500 nm square cross section was used to isolate, detect and identify individual quantum dot conjugates. The channel enables the rapid detection of every fluorescent entity in solution. A laser of selected wavelength was used to excite multiple species of quantum dots and organic molecules, and the emission spectra were resolved without significant signal rejection. Quantum dots were then conjugated with organic molecules and detected to demonstrate efficient multicolor detection. PCH was used to analyze coincident detection and to characterize the degree of binding. The use of a small fluidic channel to detect quantum dots as fluorescent labels was shown to be an efficient technique for multiplexed single molecule studies. Detection of single molecule binding events has a variety of applications including high throughput immunoassays.
US07695986B1
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for modifying process selectivities based on process state information. The method includes accessing process state information associated with at least one material removal process, determining at least one selectivity based on the process state information, and modifying at least one process parameter of said material removal process based on said at least one determined selectivity.
US07695981B2
A seed layer is formed on a substrate using a first biological agent. The seed layer may comprise densified nanoparticles which are bound to the biological agent. The seed layer is then used for a deposition of a metal layer, such as a barrier layer, an interconnect layer, a cap layer and/or a bus line for a solid state device.
US07695980B2
The present invention relates to novel chemiluminescent compounds, to a method for synthesizing these compounds, to derivatives and conjugates comprising these compounds, to the use of these compounds or conjugates thereof in chemiluminescence based assays, especially in immunoassays.
US07695962B2
DNAs are provided, whose genes are induced at least by Wnt-1. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides, as well as vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides, and methods for producing the polypeptides.
US07695961B2
The invention provides isolated mMafA polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors and host cells containing them, which encode a novel insulin related transcription factor. Diagnostic methods, methods of selecting and differentiating insulin-producing cells, and methods of treatment utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07695959B2
The invention provide methods and compositions for localized delivery of a vector comprising a therapeutic agent to a specific region of the brain that is overstimulated in neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the invention provides methods and compositions used to deliver an adeno-associated virus vector (AAV) comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) to cells in the hippocampus, subthalamic nucleus of the basal ganglia, mesaphilia and thalamus.
US07695956B2
A microflow device for separating or isolating cells from a bodily fluid or other liquid sample uses a flow path where straight-line flow is interrupted by a pattern of transverse posts which are arranged across the width of a collection region in an irregular or set random pattern so as to disrupt streamlined flow. Sequestering agents, such as Abs, are attached to all surfaces in the collection region via a hydrophilic permeable hydrogel coating. The collection region is formed as a cavity in a body molded from PDMS, which flexible body is sandwiched between a glass slide or comparable flat plate and a rigid top cap plate, both of which are pressed into abutting relation with the PDMS body by a heat-shrunk polymeric sleeve. Following cell separation and washing, cells can be released from the sequestering agents and the device centrifuged to force said cells to collect adjacent the hydrogel-coated slide or plate. Slitting the polymeric sleeve allows the body to then be peeled from the slide or plate, using an integral tab, to expose the separated cells on the top surface thereof for ready microscopic examination.
US07695954B2
A plate manufactured to enable samples of cells, micro-organisms, proteins, DNA, biomolecules and other biological media to be positioned at specific locations or sites on the plate for the purpose of performing addressable analyses on the samples. Preferably, some or all of the sites are built from a removable material or as pallets so that a subset of the samples of interest can be readily isolated from the plate for further processing or analysis. The plate can contain structures or chemical treatments that enhance or promote the attachment and/or function of the samples, and that promote or assist in their analyses.
US07695953B2
An extraction method and apparatus is provided for obtaining quick, safe and highly sensitive testing of any of a variety of body fluids including saliva, blood, urine or other fluids for drugs of abuse or other analytes. The apparatus includes a latchable extraction wand for obtaining body fluid samples from a subject which is adapted to maximize the portion of the body fluid sample that will go into a graduated bottle containing a buffer solution, and a testing device wherein the sample will be received and into which test strips can be inserted to determine levels of drugs of abuse or other analyte in the sample. In one of the methods of the invention, energy is imparted to the sample and buffer solution, such as by shaking, and this facilitates the reduction of sample viscosity, such as by promoting the breakdown of mucins when the sample is saliva.
US07695947B2
The present invention pertains to modified xylanase enzymes that exhibit increased thermostability and alkalophilicity, when compared with their native counterparts. Several modified xylanases exhibiting these properties are disclosed including xylanases with at least one modification at amino acid position 10, 27, 29, 75, 104, 105, 125, 129, 132, 135, 144, 157, 161, 162 or 165, or a combination thereof. Also included within the present invention is a modified xylanase that comprises at least one substituted amino acid residue and that may be characterized as having a maximum effective temperature (MET) between about 69° C. and about 78° C., wherein the modified xylanase is a Family 11 xylanase obtained from a Trichoderma sp. The present invention also includes a modified Family 11 xylanase obtained from a Trichoderma sp. characterized as having a maximum effective pH (MEP) between 5.8 and about 7.6. Modified xylanases characterized as having a MET between about 69° C. and about 78° C. and a MET between about 5.8 and 7.6 are also disclosed.
US07695946B2
The present invention provides novel polypeptides and polynucleotides useful as biotechnological tools, specifically identified in a coryneform bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum ssp. lactofermentum and methods of producing substances in organisms having enhanced or attenuated expression of these polypeptides and/or polynucleotides.
US07695941B2
A PCR method involving: providing a biological sample suspected of containing one or more pathogen nucleic acids; adding a plurality of PCR primers corresponding to genes found in the pathogens; and performing a polymerase chain reaction on the sample to amplify a subset of the nucleic acids that correspond to the genes. The primers include at least one primer pair for each pathogen, and the primers contain a tail sequence that is not homologous any pathogen DNA or to any background DNA in the sample. The concentration of at least one primer in the polymerase chain reaction is no more than about 100 nM.
US07695936B2
The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method involves introducing a protuberance at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding cavity in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that the protuberance can be positioned in the cavity so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation. “Protuberances” are constructed by replacing small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first polypeptide with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory “cavities” of identical or similar size to the protuberances are created in the interface of the second polypeptide by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine). The protuberance and cavity can be made by synthetic means such as altering the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptides or by peptide synthesis.
US07695929B2
A method for performing a multiplexed diagnostic assay, such as for two or more different targets in a sample, is described. One embodiment comprised contacting the sample with two or more specific binding moieties that bind specifically to two or more different targets. The two or more specific binding moieties are conjugated to different haptens, and at least one of the haptens is an oxazole, a pyrazole, a thiazole, a nitroaryl compound other than dinitrophenyl, a benzofurazan, a triterpene, a urea, a thiourea, a rotenoid, a coumarin, a cyclolignan, a heterobiaryl, an azo aryl, or a benzodiazepine. The sample is contacted with two or more different anti-hapten antibodies that can be detected separately. The two or more different anti-hapten antibodies may be conjugated to different detectable labels.
US07695927B2
A method to assess arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites-dependent hypertension by measuring glucuronidated dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs) and DHET metabolites in a biological sample which contains the epitopes unique to DHET (using any methods including GC/MS, LC/MS or ELISA) is disclosed. An example of the glucuronidated DHET metabolite is DHET-alcohols such as omega or omega-1 oxidated DHET and DHET esterified glycerol. The method further includes determining the amount of glucuronidated molecules containing a DHET-specific epitope which is immunoreactive with antibodies produced against DHETs. The present invention measuring glucuronidated DHET levels in a biological sample is useful for drug development and monitoring efficiency of drug treatment of a mammal who has AA epoxygenase-, epoxide hydrolase-and/or UDP-glucuronosyl transferase-dependent hypertension.
US07695926B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for simultaneously detecting the activation state of a plurality of proteins in single cells using flow cytometry. The invention further provides methods and compositions of screening for bioactive agents capable of coordinately modulating the activity of a plurality of proteins in single cells. The methods and compositions can be used to determine the protein activation profile of a cell for predicting or diagnosing a disease state, and for monitoring treatment of a disease state.
US07695925B2
Compositions comprising fusion polypeptides of T. cruzi epitopes are provided, together with methods for the use of such compositions in the diagnosis of T. cruzi infection and in screening blood supplies. Diagnostic kits comprising such compositions are also provided.
US07695924B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for simultaneously detecting the activation state of a plurality of proteins in single cells using flow cytometry. The invention further provides methods and compositions of screening for bioactive agents capable of coordinately modulating the activity of a plurality of proteins in single cells. The methods and compositions can be used to determine the protein activation profile of a cell for predicting or diagnosing a disease state, and for monitoring treatment of a disease state.
US07695922B2
A method of characterizing the biological activity of a candidate compound may include exposing cells to the candidate compound, and then exposing the cells to a repetitive application of electric fields so as to set the transmembrane potential to a level corresponding to a pre-selected voltage dependent state of a target ion channel.
US07695917B2
Herein disclosed is a method of rescuing gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) mutants with IN3 or a mimetic thereof. IN3 significantly rescues 11 missense mutations as assessed by radioligand binding and by IP production. Such rescue occurred despite widely disparate loci along the receptor. In addition, many altered GnRH receptors (terminally truncated, internal deletions, or lacking the ability to form bridges to form tertiary structure) were rescued with IN3.
US07695915B2
The present invention is based on the discovery of a unique 14-gene molecular prognostic signature that is useful for predicting breast cancer metastasis. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and reagents for detecting and profiling the expression levels of these genes, and methods of using the expression level information in predicting risk of breast cancer metastasis.
US07695913B2
A method of predicting clinical outcome in a subject diagnosed with colorectal cancer comprising determining evidence of the expression of one or more predictive RNA transcripts or their expression products in a biological sample of cancer cells obtained from the subject.
US07695911B2
The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US07695909B2
Allelic variations in the genes PLEKHA1 and LOC387715 are identified herein as risk factor for Age Related Maculopathy (ARM). A method is therefore provided for identifying a risk of development of ARM in an individual that comprises identification of allelic variations in PLEKHA1 and/or LOC387715. Related apparatus, such as an array, are identified as being useful in implementing those methods.
US07695905B2
The present invention relates to magnetic fine particles having a lower critical solution temperature to which at least one substance selected from biotin and avidin is immobilized, and a method of converting a substance, a method of separating or concentrating a microorganism, a method of modifying a denatured protein, a method of detecting a nucleic acid, a separating agent, and a method of separating a biological substance using the same.
US07695904B2
The present invention provides for compositions and methods for amplifying target nucleic acids using nucleic acid primers designed to limit non-target nucleic acid dependent priming events. The present invention permits amplifying and quantitating the number of repetitive units in a repetitive region, such as the number of telomere repetitive units.
US07695896B2
A method of forming a photoresist pattern, capable of improving an adhesion property of the photoresist pattern formed on a substrate, includes forming a photocatalytic layer on a substrate, forming a negative-type photoresist layer on the photocatalytic layer, exposing the photoresist layer to ultraviolet rays, heat-treating the photoresist layer, and developing the photoresist layer to form the photoresist pattern. Thereby, applying the photocatalytic layer formed on various substrates, the photoresist pattern has excellent adhesion property and is capable of ensuring a high aspect ratio.
US07695894B2
Compositions, methods of use thereof, and methods of decomposition thereof, are provided. One exemplary composition, among others, includes a polymer and a catalytic amount of a negative tone photoinitiator.
US07695892B2
A resist composition comprises (A) at least two kinds of resins each of which decomposes by the action of an acid to undergo an increase in its solubility for an alkali developer, wherein at least one kind of the resins (A) is a resin synthesized by living radical polymerization using a chain transfer agent represented by formula (I): wherein: A represents an organic group not containing hetero atoms; and Y represents an organic group capable of releasing a radical.
US07695890B2
New photoresists for use during the production of semiconductor and MEMS devices are provided. The primer layer preferably comprises a silane dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. The photoresist layer includes copolymers prepared from styrene, acrylonitrile, and epoxy-containing monomers. The photoresist layer comprises a photoacid generator, and is preferably negative-acting.
US07695885B2
A negatively-chargeable non-magnetic one-component developer for developing an electrostatic latent image using a contact DC-bias development method, having a capacitance of 1.05×10−12 to 1.25×10−12 F, a volume resistivity of 5.0×1010 to 5.0×1012 Ω·cm and a dielectric loss tangent of 1.0×10−3 to 2.0×10−2. In a contact DC-bias development method, the developer has a capacitance of 1.30×10−12 to 1.60×10−12 F, a resistivity of 5.0×109 to 5.0×1010 Ω·cm and a dielectric loss tangent of 1.0×10−3 to 2.0×10−2. In a non-contact DC/AC-bias development method, the developer has a capacitance of 1.45×10−12 to 1.60×10−12 F, a resistivity of 5.0×109 to 1.0×1010 Ω·cm and a dielectric loss tangent of 1.0×10−3 to 2.0×10−2.
US07695864B2
In an electrode plate 3 including a both-surface coated part 14 in which an active material layer 13 and a porous protective film 28 are formed, a core material exposed part 18 which is an end part of the current collector core material 12 and in which the active material layer 13 and the porous protective film 28 are not formed, and a one-surface coated part 17 which is provided between the both-surface coated part 14 and the core material exposed part 18 and in which the active material layer 13 and the porous protective film 28 are formed, a plurality of grooves 10 are formed in both surfaces of the both-surface coated part 14 and are not formed in the one-surface coated part 17. The grooves 10 are formed so that each of the grooves extends from the porous protective film 28 to the active material layer 13.
US07695863B2
The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery having excellent battery cycle property, electrical capacity, storage characteristic and other battery characteristics for a long period of time, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution which is usable for the lithium secondary battery.A nonaqueous electrolytic solution in which an electrolyte salt is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, comprising (i) a dicarbonyl compound represented by the general formula (I), or (ii) a dicarbonyl compound represented by the general formula (II) and vinylene carbonate and the like in the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group or the like; and X represents a hydrogen atom, an R2 group or an OR2 group. R2 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a phenyl group or the like.) (wherein R1 and X are the same as above; Y and Z represents a hydrogen atom, an R2 group, an OR2 group, a COR2 group or a CH2COR2 group; and n is 1 to 6.).
US07695859B2
An insulative feedthrough receives an electrical lead therethrough and includes a ferrule having first and second open ends and an interior surface. At least one polymeric guide member is positioned substantially within the first end of the ferrule and has an aperture therethrough for receiving the lead. An insulating material is deposited in the ferrule through the second end for sealingly engaging the lead and the interior surface of the ferrule.
US07695835B2
A battery pack has increased attachment strength of a protective circuit module molded from a resin on top of a rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, a can, and a cap assembly. The reinforcement groove that is formed on the lead plate retains the molded portion, which has the protective circuit module therein, and increases the strength of the molded portion to the battery.
US07695830B2
An article having a thermal barrier coating includes a superalloy substrate having a columnar grained ceramic coat formed thereon. The ceramic coat includes a nanolaminate region comprising repeating layers of ceramic material with each layer being less than 500 nm in thickness, with dispersions of metal oxide doping material situated between each of the layers. The ceramic coat further includes a non-doped region having a thickness greater than 500 nm adjacent to the nanolaminate region, the non-doped region including one layer or a plurality of adjacent layers of ceramic material without dispersions of metal oxide doping material situated between each of the layers. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, a bond coat is formed between the substrate and the columnar grained ceramic coat. According to another embodiment, the superalloy substrate forms an adherent alumina scale, and no bond coat is necessary.
US07695825B2
A circularly welded joint featuring excellent fatigue strength obtained by welding the ends of two pieces of steel plates perpendicularly together and used for the welded structures such as buildings, ships, bridges, construction machinery and off-shore structures, a method of producing the circularly welded joints and a welded structure using the circularly welded joints are provided. A circularly welded joint is obtained by welding the ends of two pieces of steel plates perpendicularly together. Between the two pieces of the steel plates, at least the steel plate on the side on which the main stress is exerted is one that suppresses the propagation of cracks due to fatigue and, preferably, one having the compressive residual stress in the surface layer of the steel plate. When the thickness of the steel plate is denoted by t, the residual stress in the direction of main stress is the compressive residual stress over a range of not smaller than t/10 or not smaller than 3 mm in the direction of plate thickness from the circularly welded surface of the steel plate.
US07695824B2
A reinforced member which is made from a steel product having a strain aging characteristic and has a closed section at a cross section perpendicular to an axis of the reinforced member. The reinforced member includes a reinforced area which is produced by press-forming the steel product so as to generate a compression strain in the press-formed steel product due to the application of a compression stress to the steel product along the direction from a surface of the steel product to an inside of the steel product, and by giving a strain aging treatment to the press-formed member.
US07695821B2
The present invention provides a polymeric composite binder which comprises binder polymer and a dispersant chemically bound to the surface of the binder polymer, as well as an electrode slurry, electrode and secondary battery using the same. By virtue of the dispersant chemically bound to the binder polymer surface, the present invention achieves an improvement in the stability of binder latex, an improvement in the dispersion and coating properties of electrode slurry, and also an improvement in the capacity and cycle characteristic of a battery.
US07695819B2
Solid organopolysiloxane elastomers particularly useful in gasketing applications are prepared from two normally solid addition-curable elastomer components which are not blended together prior to cure, but are contacted with each other, preferably in the form of sheets or films.
US07695789B2
A fully emptiable flexible tube wherein at least the skirt and the neck of the tube form a single-pieced unit. The wall is 0.30 1.20 mm thick, preferably 0.30 1.00 mm thick and is made of a material comprising at least one polymer from the polypropylene family and comprises a section modulus of 700 MPa maximum, preferably 500 MPa according to French standard NF EN ISO 178. The tubes can be used in the packaging of any type of product, especially pasty bodies in the field of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
US07695783B2
The invention relates to an image-recording element comprising a support and an image-receiving layer, wherein the image-receiving layer comprises anionic colloidal silica particles, hydrophilic polymeric binder, and fluorosurfactant, wherein the binder is present in an amount of between 2% and 15% weight of the image-receiving layer, the image-recording element has a 60-degree gloss of greater than 25, and a dry time of less than 1 minute.
US07695781B2
An antireflective film comprising a transparent substrate and a low refractive index layer formed by coating a low refractive index layer-forming composition, wherein the low refractive index layer-forming composition contains at least one of a hydrolysate of an organosilyl compound represented by the following formula (1) and a partial condensation product of the hydrolysate, and an outermost face of the antireflective film has a centerline surface roughness Ra of from 0.005 to 0.20 μm: R11mSi(X11)n (1) wherein X11 represents —OH, a halogen atom, —OR12 or —OCOR12 in which R12 represents an alkyl group; R11 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or an aryl group; and m and n are each a positive integer provided that m+n is 4.
US07695777B2
A liquid crystal compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (a): wherein Ra and Rb are each independently alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons, alkoxyalkyl having 2 to 9 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons, alkenyloxy having 2 to 9 carbons, fluoroalkyl having 1 to 10 carbons or fluoroalkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons; ring A1, ring A2 and ring A3 are each independently trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, trans-1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, trans-tetrahydropyran-2,5-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, 2,6-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, pyridine-2,5-diyl, 6-fluoropyridine-2,5-diyl or pyridazine-2,5-diyl; Z1, Z2 and Z3 are each independently a single bond, —(CH2)2—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —CH2O, —OCH2—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCF2—, —CF2O—, —CH2CH2OCF2— or —CF2OCH2CH2—; l, m and n are each independently 0, 1 or 2, provided that l+m+n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; one of X1 and X2 is fluorine, and the other is chlorine; Q is and atoms comprising the compound each may be an isotope thereof.
US07695772B2
The invention relates to a method for digitally printing a polymer-coated paper or board (1), to a paper or board suitable for the method and to the production of a product package equipped with digital prints. During digital printing, printing ink particles are applied in an electric field to the printing surface formed of a polymer coating at locations corresponding to the print, and the printing ink is adhered to the printing surface by fusion with the aid of infrared radiation. In accordance with the invention, the paper or board (2) to be printed is equipped with an inner coating layer (3) containing electrically chargeable ethene acrylate copolymer, such as ethene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), and with a polyolefin-based outer shield layer (4) on top of this, which contains e.g. low-density polyethene (LDPE) and provides mechanical strength, forming the printing surface receiving the printing ink.
US07695767B2
A method for providing a superhydrophobic surface on a structure, for example aircraft wings, propellers and/or rotors, is set forth. The method includes applying a coating of hydrofluoric acid over a titanium substrate. A voltage is then applied across the titanium substrate so that current flows through the titanium substrate. The current flowing through the titanium substrate causes the hydrofluoric acid to react with the titanium substrate to anodize the titanium substrate. The anodization causes a nanoporous titanium oxide layer to grow across the titanium substrate. The titanium oxide layer includes a plurality of nano-tube structures that, once the remaining hydrofluoric acid is washed away, provide a microscopically rough surface on the titanium substrate. A conformal coating of a hydrophobic compound is then desposited on the microscopically rough surface to create a superhydrophobic surface. Thus, a substantially self-cleaning superhydrophobic surface is created on the titanium substrate, whereby, when exposed to ultraviolet light, the titanium oxide layer has a photocatalytic reaction with oxygen to oxidize any organic contaminants that may gather on the superhydrophobic surface.
US07695762B2
A thermal transfer image receiving sheet containing a substrate having thereon a thermal insulation layer, an intermediate layer and an image receiving layer in that order, wherein the thermal insulation layer, the image receiving layer and the intermediate layer each is formed by an aqueous coating method.
US07695759B2
A bank for defining the regions in which pixels are formed has a stacked structure including: a base layer on the low level which also serves as an interlayer insulating film between the pixel forming regions; a middle bank layer on the middle level which serves to improve the fixation of an organic compound material (i.e., improve the uniformity of the film thickness of a positive hole transporting layer and an electron-transporting light emitting layer) in forming an organic EL layer; and a bank metal layer on the upper level which is made of a conductive material and serves also as a common voltage line (cathode line).
US07695754B2
Described is a method for manufacturing a display including a substrate on which a structure, such as, for instance, a matrix structure in relief, is provided, which structure bounds a number of areas, wherein, with the aid of an inkjet printhead, substantially in each area an amount of liquid is deposited, wherein with the aid of at least one sensor a measurement is performed on the substrate to determine the position of a respective area, and on the basis of the thus determined position the printhead is controlled to deliver an amount of liquid at the correct place. Also described is an apparatus for carrying out the method, a substrate for use in the method and a display obtained with the method.
US07695753B2
A method of making catheters is disclosed in which the wall of the catheter has a porous structure for carrying additional agents, such as therapeutic or diagnostic agents. The method includes providing a core, applying a base polymer material and an inert material over the outer surface of the core, and consolidating the base polymer material to form a catheter having a porous polymer layer with the inert material contained within the pores thereof. The inert material can be applied with the base polymer material, or it can be applied in a separate step after the base polymer material has been partially consolidated to form the porous polymer layer. Additional agents can be mixed with the inert material before it is applied to the catheter, or such agents can be applied to the porous polymer layer of the catheter in a separate step after the inert material is removed therefrom.
US07695751B2
The present invention relates to a detoxifizyme with the activity of transforming aflatoxin and the gene encodes thereof. Firstly a novel protein is isolated and purified, named aflatoxin-detoxifizyme (ADTZ), which has the activity of transforming aflatoxin. The ADTZ gene is obtained through specific primers, and the gene is purified and sequenced. The gene encoding of ADTZ is cloned from the total RNA of Armillariella tabescens. The recombinant protein is expressed and purified through various expression systems using genetic engineering methods. The said detoxifizyme has bioactivity of transforming AFB1, reducing mutagenic effects of AFB1. It has great potential for the manufacturing of feed or food and development of anti-tumor medicament.
US07695749B2
A method of controlling a food processor includes retaining in a container cooked rice and sushi dressing in a predetermined ratio, mixing the cooked rice and the sushi dressing in the container to perform a mixing process, and cooling the cooked rice and the sushi dressing with air to perform a cooling process. The mixing process and cooling process are performed intermittently according to a cooling-mixing process, which comprises a plurality of cycles carried out repeatedly. One cycle includes one-cooling operation, having a standstill duration, for merely sending air while keeping the cooked rice without mixing, and another-cooling operation for sending air while mixing the cooked rice. The standstill duration of the one-cooling operation is gradually prolonged in every predetermined number of the cycles.
US07695748B2
A process of reducing the cholesterol content in cholesterol-containing organic oils or fats, particularly animal oils or fats. The process comprises the steps of: adding at least one of demineralized water and distilled water having a set pH-value to the oil cholesterol containing oils or fats, thereby forming a mixture; and separating the mixture into a cholesterol-containing aqueous phase and a cholesterol-reduced oil or fat phase.
US07695746B2
The present invention is directed towards a method for making a healthy snack food having an appearance and taste similar to conventional fried snack products without the use of an oil-frying process. The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing food slices from a starch-based food or dough. The food slices can be blanched and a small amount of oil can be added to enhance final organoleptical properties. The food slices are then rapidly dehydrated to a much lower moisture content in a primary drying step. The dehydrated food slices can then be heated to impart fried flavor notes. A food snack, such as a corn or potato-based snack, produced by this method is a low-fat, ready-to-eat snack having the conventional texture and taste associated with fried snack products.
US07695745B2
The invention provides a novel process of making cheese comprising the production of a coagulum which is caused to disaggregate into small curd particles in an in-line continuous flow process, separation of the curd particles from the whey and subsequent heating and mechanical working of the curd particles into a cheese mass.
US07695742B2
A composition comprising extract of one or more plants of one or more of the following plant families: Cissus, Vernonia and Brillantasia. Such compositions have beneficial activity principally in controlling weight gain and obesity, especially in conjunction with chitosan or a chitosan derivative and an antioxidant such as vitamin C.
US07695726B2
A cosmetic composition is provided which includes a crosslinked silicone elastomer, a zinc oxide or zirconium oxide of average particle size less than 300 nm and a light reflecting inorganic material of platelet shaped particles having an average particle size of about 10,000 to about 30,000 nm, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier system. The composition achieves soft focus and radiance properties which improve the appearance of skin. Good coverage over imperfections such as pores and uneven skin tone is achieved while retaining a natural skin appearance.
US07695725B2
Free-living microbes are provided in which the nucleic acid has been modified so that the microbe is attenuated for proliferation and/or which comprise genetic mutations that attenuate the ability of the microbe to repair its nucleic acid. Methods of using the modified microbes for the loading, activation, and/or maturation of antigen-presenting cells are also provided. Vaccine compositions comprising the modified microbes and/or the antigen-presenting cells and methods of using the vaccines are also provided. The microbes may be further modified to include heterologous antigens, such as tumor antigens or infectious disease antigens, for use as a vaccine against cancer or infectious diseases.
US07695723B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating a neurological condition in a mammal by administering at least one hematopoietic growth factor.
US07695711B2
The invention relates to Δ4,5 glycuronidase, related compositions, and methods of use thereof.
US07695710B2
Interferon-alpha (IFNα) analog proteins modified by chemical attachment of at least one hydrophilic polymer moiety, such as polyethylene glycol chain, are described for use in combination therapies with antiviral and/or antitumor agents. In one embodiment, the IFNα analog protein has an amino acid sequence that differs from a native human IFNα interferon-alpha by one or more amino acid residues in the N-terminal region, comprised of between about residues 1-27, inclusive, by one or more substitutions selected based on the amino acid residue at the corresponding position of a mature interferon-tau (IFNτ) protein. Methods of combination therapy are also described.
US07695703B2
A process for producing a stable high-temperature catalyst for reduction of nitrogen oxides in combustion exhaust gases at operating temperatures from 300° C. to over 700° C. without the need for exhaust dilution. A zeolite material is steam-treated at a temperature and duration sufficient to partially de-aluminize the zeolite to approximately a steady state, but not sufficient to fully collapse its chemical structure. Iron is added to the zeolite material. The zeolite material is calcined at a temperature, humidity, and duration sufficient to stabilize the zeolite material. Examples and specifications for ranges, order, and durations of steaming, calcining, and other steps are provided.
US07695698B2
A method of producing an iron-arsenic compound by adding an oxidizing agent to an aqueous solution containing arsenic ions and bivalent iron ions and allowing an iron-arsenic compound precipitation reaction to proceed under stirring of the solution, wherein the precipitation reaction is terminated at a solution pH in the range of 0 to 1. When the arsenic concentration of the pre-reaction solution is 25 g/L or greater, the reaction can be terminated at a solution pH in the range of −0.45 to 1.2. The pH of the pre-reaction solution is preferably greater than 0 and not greater than 2.0. A ferrous sulfate is can be used as the source of the bivalent iron ions. Even when some amount of impurity elements is present in the arsenic-containing solution, the method is nevertheless capable of forming a scorodite compound excellent in crystallinity in the form of a compact compound barely swollen by moisture and the like, i.e., a niron-arsenic compound excellent in filterability.
US07695689B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a micro reactor device that includes a tubular reactor (1) as a flow path, for allowing reaction species to react in the reactor (1). The micro reactor device is manufactured by forming a particle layer (2) on an inner wall of the reactor (1). The particle layer (2) can be formed by causing a dispersion liquid of particles to flow through the reactor (1) and drying. In this way, it is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a micro reactor device having an inner wall modified so that the reaction species can react more efficiently, and to provide the micro reactor device.
US07695687B2
A capillary system for performing surface assays comprising a capillary pump containing at least two zones having different capillary pressures for obtaining controlled flow rate of liquids. The different pressure zones may be created by various means such as by creating posts in the walls of the capillary pump, by having different sized capillary of the different zones, by changing the wetting properties, by defining friction at the walls of the pump or by combinations of any of the above. The capillary system finds use in various surface assays and can be programmed for defining the volume and rate of liquid flowing through the test sites. A microfluidic chip containing assembly of programmed capillary systems for performing need based specific assays and modifications thereof.
US07695683B2
A biological substrate, e.g., microfluidic chip. The substrate includes a rigid substrate material, which has a surface region capable of acting as a handle substrate. The substrate also has a deformable fluid layer coupled to the surface region. One or more well regions are formed in a first portion of the deformable fluid layer and are capable of holding a fluid therein. The one or more channel regions are formed in a second portion of the deformable fluid layer and are coupled to one or more of the well regions. An active region is formed in the deformable fluid layer. At least three fiducial markings are formed within the non-active region and disposed in a spatial manner associated with at least one of the well regions. A control layer is coupled to the fluid layer.
US07695674B2
A sterilization process that preserves the mechanical properties of dilatation balloons and balloon catheters manufactured from polymers susceptible to the degradation reactions induced by ionizing radiation. The advantages of the sterilization process contemplated by this invention results from a reduced oxygen environment during sterilization, thereby preventing the degeneration process initiated in polymers during irradiation. Additionally, a balloon or balloon dilatation catheter sterilized by the process of the invention is provided.
US07695671B2
A method for manufacturing a honeycomb structured body including molding ceramic raw material to form a pillar-shaped honeycomb molded body having a multiplicity of cells disposed in parallel with one another in the longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween, and filling in either one of the end portions of each of the cells with a plug material paste, and firing the honeycomb molded body to manufacture a honeycomb structured body comprising a honeycomb fired body, wherein after having filled in either one of the end portions of each of the cells of the honeycomb molded body with the plug material paste, a plug material paste drying process to dry the plug material paste is conducted by blowing hot air to an end face of the honeycomb molded body using a hot air drying apparatus.
US07695662B2
A macrocell structure 20 having a honeycomb form is preheated to cure to a cure depth falling within a range where a flexibility of prepregs in the macrocell structure remains. Subsequently, prepregs 31, 32 are arranged along a side wall of the preheated macrocell structure 20, so as to make a preliminary structure 40. Then, the preliminary structure 40 is heated while the inside of the prepregs 31, 32 in the preliminary structure 40 is vacuumed. Thereafter, the preliminary structure 40 is heated while imparting an internal pressure thereto within a mold 5, so as to be cured, whereby a resin structure 1 is produced.
US07695660B2
Nonwoven fibrous webs comprise fibers of uniform diameter that vary in morphology along their length. The variation provides longitudinal segments that exhibit distinctive softening characteristics during a bonding operation. Some segments soften under the conditions of the bonding operation and bond to other fibers of the web, and other segments are passive during the bonding operation. Webs as described can be formed by a method that comprises a) extruding filaments of fiber-forming material; b) directing the filaments through a processing chamber in which the filaments are subjected to longitudinal stress; c) subjecting the filaments to turbulent flow conditions after they exit the processing chamber; and d) collecting the processed filaments; the temperature of the filaments being controlled so that at least some of the filaments solidify while in the turbulent field.
US07695654B2
Disclosed is a molding-system method, including a temperature-changing operation, including changing temperature of a feedstock being positioned in a barrel assembly from an out-of-barrel temperature to substantially within a processing-temperature range, in response to supplying a calculated amount of thermal energy to the barrel assembly based on a melt throughput being associated with molding articles.
US07695650B2
A fire-retardant formulation for styrene-containing polymers comprising tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-s-triazine (FR-245), antimony trioxide and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), wherein the bromine concentration in said fire-retardant formulation is from about 9.0 to about 10.5 wt. %, said antimony trioxide concentration being lower than about 3.2 wt. %.
US07695649B2
Disclosed are primary materials, precursor materials and final materials as well as methods to prepare these materials. The final materials are mixed lithium transition metal oxides, useful as performance optimized cathode materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. The transition metal is a solid solution mixture of manganese, nickel and cobalt, M=(Mn1-uNiu)1-u-yCoy, with 0.2.
US07695645B2
The present invention relates to a new process of synthesizing conductive polymers from monomers substituted with amine group. The process provides simple synthesizing steps for the conductive polymers without using other additives such as stabilizers or emulsifiers. The conductive polymers synthesized according to the present invention have highly enhanced solubility in common organic solvents and electrical conductivity compared to conventional conductive polymers. Therefore, the conductive polymers synthesized according to the present process can be utilized in applications that require high electrical conductivity, for example an electro-magnetic interference shield or a transparent electrode of thin film, as well as in specific applications such as various conductive films, fibers, polymer blends, battery electrodes or conductive etch mask layers.
US07695640B2
The present invention provides novel polymer compositions comprising a polymeric component and a novel organic iridium compound comprising at least one cyclometallated ligand and at least one ketopyrrole ligand. The organic iridium compounds used in the polymer compositions are referred to as Type (1) organic iridium compositions and are constituted such that no ligand of the novel organic iridium compound has a number average molecular weight of 2,000 grams per mole or greater (as measured by gel permeation chromatography). Type (1) organic iridium compositions are referred to herein as comprising “organic iridium complexes”. In one aspect, the polymeric component may be an electroactive polymer. The novel polymer compositions of the invention are useful in optoelectronic electronic devices such as OLED devices and photovoltaic devices. In one aspect, the invention provides novel polymer compositions useful in the preparation of OLED devices exhibiting enhanced color properties and light output efficiencies.
US07695629B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.
US07695627B2
The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogeneous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes. One embodiment includes a remover unit (1) having a crossflow chamber (3) separated by a microporous filter (5) from a filtrate chamber (4), the remover unit (1) also having a tangential flow inlet (6), a fluid outlet (7) for a fluid enriched in leukocytes and a filtrate outlet (8).
US07695625B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which an organic solution that is slightly soluble in water is scrubbed of aqueous entrainment and impurities. In particular, the organic solution may be the organic extraction solution of liquid-liquid extraction used in connection with the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals. The purpose is to perform the physical separation of water droplets and the chemical removal of impurities from the organic solution simultaneously. This occurs by routing the solution to be purified in the settling tank through at least one flow plate cassette of reduced cross-section.
US07695622B2
A system and method for the treatment and reduction of sludge via ozonation in a wastewater treatment process is disclosed. The sludge treatment system comprises: a sludge ozonation reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin and adapted to receive a liquid stream of sludge containing biosolids from the activated sludge treatment basin. The sludge treatment system also includes an ozone-enriched gas injection system operatively coupled to the reactor and adapted to inject ozone-enriched gas into the liquid stream at or upstream of the sludge ozonation reactor. The sludge ozonation reactor is configured to allow effective gas-liquid contacting between the ozone-enriched gas and the liquid stream so as to oxidize the biosolids in the liquid stream and initiate bacterial cell lysis thereby reducing the biosolids. Upon reduction of the biosolids, the liquid stream is returned via a return line to the activated sludge basin or other discharge point.
US07695617B2
The invention relates to an interface injector device for the direct coupling of liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, comprising an outer body (1) with an inner cavity with two inner chambers (2a, 2b) separated by a dividing element (9, 11a); a first passage (3) of the first chamber (2a) to a waste duct (8); an inner tube (5) arranged in the inner cavity and traversing the dividing element (9, 11a), and having a first section (5a) in the first inner chamber (2a), a second section (5b) in the second inner chamber (2b), and an inner channel (5f) which can house an adsorbent material (6), and at least one inorganic wool material (7) retained in the first section (5a) of the inner tube by retaining means (7), a first opening (10) communicated with the waste duct (8) exclusively through the first inner chamber (2a).
US07695607B2
The invention relates to methods and devices for the decontamination of fluid, particularly the removal of heavy metals and/or arsenic and/or their compounds from water, by means of electrolysis, wherein the water to be purified subjected to electrodes of different polarities. The invention can include means for control of the pH of the fluid. The invention can also include control systems that allow self-cleaning of electrodes, self-cleaning of filters, and automatic monitoring of maintenance conditions.
US07695597B1
A conductive planarization assembly for use in electrochemical mechanical planarization is provided. A conductive planarization assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a first insulating member and a second insulating member overlying the first insulating member and having a plurality of first holes. A conductive member is interposed between the first insulating member and the second insulating member and is electrically coupled to an external circuit. The conductive member comprises a plurality of cathode regions that are exposed by the plurality of first holes of the second insulating member.
US07695591B2
A washing arrangement for washing and dewatering of cellulose pulp is disclosed, comprising a rotatable drum having a plurality of outer compartments defined by axial compartment walls distributed along the circumference of the drum, a stationary cylindrical casing that encloses the drum, whereby an annular space is defined between the casing and the drum and longitudinal seals extending in the axial direction of the drum divide the annular space into zones for forming, washing and discharge of the pulp. The function of the longitudinal seals is optimized by units for seal adjustment having force sensors for measuring a force acting on one of the longitudinal seals in the direction from the drum, and positioners for automatically moving the longitudinal seal substantially in the radial direction of the drum according to a predetermined pattern based on the measured force.
US07695589B2
The present invention provides a system (100) for conditioning multi-component slurries utilized in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of semiconductor wafers (140). The system provides a first slurry component (108), and a second slurry component (120). A conditioning component (102) has first and second inlets, and an outlet operatively coupled to a dispensing system (138). First and second flow control components (116, 126) are operably intercoupled between the first and second inlets and the first and second slurry components, respectively. The system further provides a megasonic energy source (106), adapted to generate an energy field (118) across the conditioning component. A conveyance component (114) conducts the slurry components from the inlets through the energy field, and delivers a final mixture (136) of multi-component slurry to the outlet.
US07695588B2
Provided are a matrix resin composition for fiber reinforced plastic, which comprises a bifunctional or trifunctional liquid diisocyanate, a bifunctional polyol and a bifunctional chain extender containing an active hydrogen group, with a molar ratio of the functional groups of the diisocyanate, polyol and chain extender of 5.0 to 1.0:1.0:4.0 to 0, respectively; and a process for producing fiber reinforced plastic, which comprises impregnating a fibrous material with the resin composition and then curing. The present invention makes it possible to produce a molding containing fibers densely, having excellent strength and inflatability, in the production of an FRP molding by using a thermosetting resin having an extended pot life.
US07695573B2
A surface processing method and power transmission component includes transforming a surface region of a metal alloy into a hardened surface region at a temperature that is less than a heat treating temperature of the metal alloy. The metal alloy includes about 11.1 wt % Ni, about 13.4 wt % Co, about 3.0 wt % Cr, about 0.2 wt % C, and about 1.2 wt % Mo which reacts with the C to form a metal carbide precipitate of the form M2C. The surface processing temperature, vacuum pressure, precursor gas flow and ratio, and time of processing are controlled to provide a desirable hardened surface region having a gradual transition in nitrogen concentration.
US07695569B2
The invention relates to a detergent for hard surfaces, which contains (a) a polymer compound having a cationic group, such as a cation-modified polyvinyl alcohol containing specified structural units, (b) a surfactant and (c) water.
US07695563B2
In one embodiment, a method for depositing a tungsten material on a substrate within a process chamber is provided which includes exposing the substrate to a gaseous mixture containing a tungsten precursor and a reducing gas to deposit a tungsten nucleation layer on the substrate during a tungsten deposition process. The process further includes removing reaction by-products generated during the tungsten deposition process from the process chamber, exposing the substrate to the reducing gas to react with residual tungsten precursor within the process chamber during a soak process, removing reaction by-products generated during the soak process from the process chamber, and repeating the tungsten deposition process and the soak process during a cyclic deposition process. In the examples, the reducing gas may contain diborane or silane.
US07695556B2
A system, method, and ink for printing a data carrying mark on a green ceramic honeycomb structure is provided. The system includes a printer having an ink jet print head that prints a mark, preferably in the form of a two-dimensional data matrix barcode, on a side wall of the green ceramic honeycomb structure. The ink may be a heat resistant ink that comprises a mixture of a glass or glass ceramic frit and a metal oxide colorant. An optical reader is provided for determining if the data is accurately reproduced in the printed mark, as well as any noise factor which may be present due to defective printing. The system includes a turntable that positions the green body for the printing operation, and then rotates the green body to position the printed mark first in front of a dryer, and then in front of the optical reader to determine the quality of the mark. Marked green and ceramic honeycombs are also provided as well as a method for repairing a defective applied bar code on a honeycomb structure.
US07695554B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet ink capable of suppressing bleeding and excellent in color developability, a method of producing the ink with an aid of a unit preferable in terms of economy and environmental protection, and an ink jet recording method providing an image which can suppress the occurrence of bleeding and which is excellent in color developability. The ink jet ink comprises water, coloring materials, and a water-soluble organic solvent, in which the coloring materials comprise at least one dye selected from the group consisting of C.I. Direct Yellow 86, C.I. Acid Yellow 23, C.I. Direct Yellow 173, C.I. Direct Yellow 132, and C.I. Direct Yellow 59, and C.I. Pigment Yellow 74; the water-soluble organic solvent comprises a poor medium for C.I. Pigment Yellow 74; and a surface tension of the ink is 34.0 mN/m or more.
US07695549B2
A dual use fluid filtration tool to separate both solids and gas from a fluid. The fluid filtration tool is suspended from and connected to downhole equipment, such as a downhole submersible pump having a motor, which rotates a shaft. The tool includes a housing having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of perforations therethrough and an interior chamber therein. A removable cylindrical filter surrounds the interior chamber of the housing in order to filter solid particles. At least one centralizer bearing within the interior chamber of the housing centralizes the shaft which passes therethrough. The fluid in the interior chamber is radially induced in order to separate gas from fluid. The gas separated from the fluid is directed out of the chamber while the fluid remaining in the interior chamber is directed to the intake of the downhole pump.
US07695548B1
A dual use fluid filtration tool to separate both solids and gas from a fluid. The fluid filtration tool is suspended from and connected to a downhole submersible pump having a motor which rotates a shaft. The tool includes a housing having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of perforations therethrough and an interior chamber therein. A removable cylindrical filter surrounds the interior chamber of the housing in order to filter solid particles. At least one centralizer bearing within the interior chamber of the housing centralizes the shaft which passes therethrough. The fluid in the interior chamber is radially induced in order to separate gas from fluid. The gas separated from the fluid is directed out of the chamber while the fluid remaining in the interior chamber is directed to the intake of the downhole pump.
US07695543B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of continuous silver wires having micrometric or sub-micrometric diameter comprising a step of thermal decomposition of silver dodecyl-mercaptide in the presence of metallic aluminum.
US07695540B2
There is disclosed a plugged honeycomb structure capable of suppressing a rise of a pressure loss. A plugged honeycomb structure 1 of the present invention comprises a columnar honeycomb structure 2 having porous partition walls 4 and a plurality of cells 5 which are defined by the partition walls 4 and which extend through the structure from one end surface 7a to the other end surface 7b thereof; a plurality of first plugging members 3a which plug openings of predetermined cells 5a on a side of the one end surface 7a; and a plurality of second plugging members 3b which plug openings of the remaining cells 5b on a side of the other end surface 7b. In the plugged honeycomb structure 1, the first plugging member 3a includes a convex portion 6 having a shape convex toward the center of the cell 5 in an axial direction on an end portion of the member on a side opposite to the end surface 7a in which the cell 5a to be plugged is opened.
US07695536B2
A home fuel gas refining system has a modifier for modifying a hydrogen-containing fuel to produce a modified gas. The modifier includes a hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism for supplying the hydrogen-containing fuel and a modifying air supply mechanism for supplying modifying air. The hydrogen-containing fuel delivered from the hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism and the modifying air delivered from the modifying air supply mechanism are mixed with each other by a modification fuel ejector, and then delivered to a reactor.
US07695533B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing Diesel grade fuel of plant origin by transesterifying a refined vegetable oil in a homogenous phase with a C1-C4 alkanol in the presence of an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent with a boiling point of 40-200° C. and a catalyst to form a first polar phase comprising glycerol by-product and a first apolar phase comprising transesterified fuel, non-transesterified vegetable oil, and aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent, separating the first polar phase and the first apolar phase, and refining the fuel from the first apolar phase, wherein the C1-C4 alcohol is used in an amount selected from the group consisting of: a stoichiometric amount; and an excess not exceeding 30% of an stoichiometric amount, and the aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent is used in an amount of at least 0.2 parts by volume relative to the unit volume of the refined vegetable oil.
US07695528B2
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.
US07695523B2
This invention relates to a method of softening water and/or in which the deposition of hard water scale is inhibited. The invention relates in particular to such a method carried out in a domestic environment, in particular in ware-washing machines. In particular the method relates to the softening of water after the main wash of a ware-washing machine, in particular in the rinse cycle of a ware-washing machine. The invention also relates to water-softening compositions for such methods.
US07695518B2
An intervertebral nucleus prosthesis is proposed, which is characterized in that it consists of at least one, in particular, spherical body movable in two directions of a plane and made of a rigid, non-oxidizing, biocompatible material with a diameter adapted to the biological nucleus, the spherical body being mounted non-displaceably but freely rotatably about its center in a cage and protruding at both opposite sides in the form of a spherical cap from the cage. Also proposed is a method for implanting such a prosthesis.
US07695505B2
Method, system and apparatus for monitoring target tissue temperatures wherein temperature sensors are configured as passive resonant circuits each with a unique resonating signature at monitoring temperatures extending below a select temperature setpoint. The resonant circuits are configured with an inductor component formed of windings about a ferrite core having a Curie temperature characteristic corresponding with a desired temperature setpoint. By selecting inductor winding turns and capacitance values, unique resonant center frequencies are detectable. Temperature monitoring can be carried out with implants at lower threshold and upper limit temperature responses. Additionally, the lower threshold sensors may be combined with auto-regulated heater implants having Curie transitions at upper temperature limits.
US07695498B2
A low-profile surgical implant assembly is provided that includes a connector device that is an integral part of a rod, the connector device allowing the rod to be attached directly to a bone screw, such as a pedicle screw. Another aspect of the invention is a clamp device that allows the length of a rod spanning to attachment devices to be adjusted at the time of implantation, and further allows the clamp device to be secured by tightening a securing end of the clamp at the attachment device. The assemblies are useful for insertion into bone and connecting a foreign object to bone via a polyaxial coupling mechanism. A method for implanting the assembly is also provided.
US07695490B2
An inflatable nasal packing device, and method of use, for insertion in a patient's nasal cavity to control bleeding or epistaxis. The device includes a flexible insertion tube, a first inflatable bag attached to and surrounding an anterior section of the tube, and a second inflatable bag attached to and surrounding a posterior section of the tube. The tube has three lumens for providing separate fill passageways to the two bags to allow independent filling and pressurization and for providing an air passageway through the device even when the bags are inflated. Both bags have walls of non-elastic, flexible material with fixed surface areas defining interior volumes when inflated that are larger than the anterior nasal cavity and the posterior nasal cavity and nasopharynx.
US07695487B2
Apparatus for creating an anatomic space in tissue in a body including an introducer device having a tubular member with a bore extending therethrough. A tunneling shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the bore of the introducer device. The tunneling shaft assembly includes a tunneling shaft having proximal and distal extremities. A blunt tip is secured to the distal extremity of the tunneling shaft. A balloon assembly is provided. The balloon assembly is removably secured to the tunneling shaft. The balloon assembly includes a deflated collapsed balloon. A sheath encloses the balloon and is carried by the tunneling shaft. The sheath has a weakened region extending longitudinally thereof permitting the sheath to be removed to release the balloon.
US07695473B2
The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first members and second members. The first members and second members are releaseably secured to each other by attachment means and locking means, and two or more set of first members and second members are connected by bridging means. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the bone plates may be adjustable.
US07695455B2
A catheter system includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therein. An administering portion is disposed at the distal end of the catheter and is configured to administer a bolus of liquid in response to positive pressure in a distal portion of the lumen. The catheter system of the present invention has a dead space of less 0.32 cc and preferably less than 0.15 cc in which residual therapeutic agents remain after delivery. The present invention also includes a method of administering a liquid to a treatment site. The distal end of the catheter is transluminally positioned proximate the treatment site. The catheter is charged by placing a bolus of the liquid in the lumen. A positive pressure is created to drive the bolus to the administering tip to express the bolus from the distal end of the catheter.
US07695454B2
A guide and follower cooperate to promote a user moving the driver relative to the housing along a travel path that operates the apparatus. The cooperating elements of the nut and the driver are disengaged when the driver is disposed in a reset segment of the travel path, and the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver become engaged when the driver is shifted through a nut engaging segment of the travel path from the reset segment to a nut rotating segment of the travel path. The engagement of the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver cause the nut to screw proximally along the threaded shaft of the drive member when the driver is shifted through the nut rotating segment from the nut engaging segment to an injecting section of the travel path. When the driver is shifted through the injecting section from the nut rotating segment to the reset segment, the nut and the drive member are shifted in the distal direction to axially advance a fluid container piston to dispense medicine, and the cooperating elements of the nut and the driver become disengaged.
US07695441B2
Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing with minimal or no assistance from an audiologist or other hearing health professionals. The test prompts and instructs the patient for inputs and responses as needed. The patient can select one or several tests to be performed, including air and bone conduction testing with masking, speech reception threshold, speech discrimination, tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and otoacoustic emissions testing. Multiple languages are supported. Data obtained from one test may be used for another test or another iteration of the same test to calculate masking levels. The automatic hearing test also detects ambient noise and can compensate for it in the test results. If a contingency occurs, the automated hearing test is configured to page the operator for assistance.
US07695439B2
Automated analysis of ultrasound data is provided to extract event times, such as valve opening and closing times. Different types of ultrasound data, such as B-mode, M-mode, tissue velocity or flow velocity, are processed by a processor to identify automatically the event times. The event times are used for the processing of ultrasound data or to assist diagnosis. The event times may be used to estimate other event times in different heart cycles, such as with interpolation or extrapolation.
US07695434B2
A medical device for predicting a user's future glycemic state includes a memory module, a processor module and a user alert module. The memory module is configured to receive and store a plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time that were generated by a user's use of a continuous glucose monitor. The processor module is configured to derive first and second glucose prediction equations that are fits to the plurality of glucose concentrations stored in the memory module with the fits being based on first and second mathematical models, respectively. The processor module is also configured to calculate first and second predicted glucose concentrations at a future time using the first and second glucose prediction equations, respectively, and to also calculate an average predicted glucose concentration and a merit index based on the first and second predicted glucose calculations. The processor module is further configured to input the plurality of glucose concentrations as a function of time, the average predicted glucose concentration and the merit index into a trained model (e.g., a Hidden Markov Model) that outputs a set of glucose concentration probabilities for the future time and to then predict the user's future glycemic state based on the set of glucose concentration probabilities. The user alert module is configured to alert the user in a manner dependent on the predicted user's future glycemic state.
US07695431B2
An objective optical system is configured to be suitable to be implemented at a tip of an endoscope. The objective optical system is provided with a first lens unit having a first lens barrel and a first optical system including plurality of lens elements assembled in the first lens barrel, and a second lens unit having a second lens barrel and a second optical system including a plurality of lens elements. The first lens unit or the second lens unit includes an alignment lens which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof. The alignment lens is a lens most sensitive with respect to an alignment error among the plurality of lenses included in the first optical system.
US07695430B2
A medical electrode includes a moderately conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side with a connector and contact with a flexible member top side for establishing electrical contact with an external apparatus. An oversize non-conductive flexible sheet covers the conductive flexible member top and the connector and a highly conductive ink pattern is disposed on a conductive flexible member bottom side. A moderately high conductive hydrogel adhesive disposed on the conductive flexible member bottom side and covering the conductive ink pattern is provided for adhering the electrode to a patient's skin.
US07695425B2
An apparatus for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the wall tension therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tension member for drawing at least two walls of a heart chamber toward each other. Methods for placing the apparatus on the heart are also provided.
US07695413B1
An elastic resistance band that is fabricated by placing two end couplers on each end of a section of elastic resistance material. A pre-tensioned force is applied by incorporating a rigid tensioning member between the two end couplers of the resistance band. The resistance material is stretched during the assembly process, placing the material in a pre-tensioned state. By pre-tensioning the material, the resistance band then provides a more linear force to the end user.
US07695404B2
When an n speed prohibition command is being output from the AI shift controlling component, the AI shift control is performed even in the S mode if the vehicle speed V is lower than the reference vehicle speed Vn, whereby busy shifting can be effectively prevented when the vehicle is running on an uphill road or cornering. When the vehicle speed V is equal to or higher than the reference vehicle speed Vn, the AI shift control is cancelled, thus minimizing the possibility of a large engine brake force being applied to the vehicle despite the intention of the driver.
US07695403B2
A split serial-parallel hybrid dual-power drive system, comprised of two or more than two separation drive systems allowing independent operation to respectively drive the load, or all loads driven individually are incorporated in a common frame to drive land, surface, underwater transportation means or aircraft, industrial machines and equipment or any other load drive by rotational kinetic energy.
US07695398B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, and three fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07695395B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and on reverse ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, three fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of two to establish eight forward speed ratios and on reverse speed ratio.
US07695388B2
An activation control device for clutch packs of a hydraulic double clutch is described and illustrated, and in some embodiments comprises a first pressure line having a filling valve and leading from an oil pressure source to the first clutch pack; a second pressure line having a filling valve and leading from the oil pressure source to the second clutch pack; and first and second draining valves coupled to the first and second pressure lines, respectively, the first draining valve located between the filling valve of the first pressure line and the first clutch pack, and the second draining valve located between the filling valve of the second pressure line and the second clutch pack.
US07695383B2
An ergonomically-designed racquet stringing machine. In certain embodiments, the stringing machine includes a stand extending from a base at an angle between about 70 and about 89 degrees from horizontal. In certain embodiments, the stringing machine includes a releasable resistance assembly configured to provide resistance to rotation of the turntable about an axis.
US07695382B2
A reinforced lacrosse head having improved strength includes a pair of opposing sidewall portions each having a top end and a bottom end, a scoop portion extending between the sidewall portions, a base portion extending between the bottom ends of the sidewall portions, and a throat portion extending from the base portion for attachment to a lacrosse handle. This reinforced lacrosse head has one or more reinforcement members that are coupled to one or more portions of the lacrosse head.
US07695372B2
A yoke for universal joint includes a cylindrical base, and a pair of arms extending from an end of the base in parallel to a center axis of the base. Each of the arms is formed with a support hole for supporting a corresponding trunnion of a cross shaft via a bearing. The support hole of each arm has a center axis extending in a direction orthogonal to the center axis of the base. A relief portion including a concave curved surface is formed at the end of the base. The concave curved surface of the relief portion has a center of curvature located at place offset from a center of a joint 1 toward a distal end of the arm.
US07695366B1
A system and method for operating one or more games for a plurality of players including identifying at least two players participating in a selected one of the games at the expiration of a predetermined time period, and establishing a wager pool corresponding to a total of wager amounts from each of the identified players. The wager pool is reduced by a takeout amount. One or more random numbers are generated, and one or more winners of the selected game are determined based on the one or more random numbers. Funds are distributed from the wager pool to the determined one or more winners of the selected game.
US07695364B2
During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Furthermore, a reel glass base 39b and a bezel metal frame 39c are interposed between a transparent acryl plate 39a and the liquid crystal panel 39d. As a result, the display unit of the liquid crystal panel 39d is disposed in a position recessed from the transparent acryl plate 39a. Therefore, the display unit of the liquid crystal panel 39d is provided with depth feeling, and can be clearly viewed up to the edge of the display unit.
US07695358B2
A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes.
US07695350B2
An apparatus for supplying a constant amount of abrasives that can accurately control the amount of the abrasives to be supplied to a blasting machine is provided. A horizontally rotating disc 20 is provided in an abrasive tank 10 so as to be embedded in the abrasives. An opening at one end 11a of an abrasive transport path 11 is formed so as to be close to or in contact with one surface of the disc 20, an opening at one end 12a of a supply channel 12 for transport air flow is formed so as to be close to or in contact with the other surface of the disc 20, and an abrasive retrieve section 5 is formed between the both openings. Furthermore, measuring holes 21 penetrating the disc 20 in the thickness direction are formed at regular intervals along a rotation orbit of the disc 20 passing through the retrieve section 5, and an introduction path 17 for compressed gas which is ejected to the abrasives disposed above the measuring holes 21 and outside the retrieve section 5 is provided.
US07695344B2
A brassiere has a pair of breast receiving cups and a first back panel connected to one of the pair of breast receiving cups and a second back panel connected to the other of the pair of breast receiving cups. The first back panel and the second back panel each have a band affixed thereto that is capable of modifying a property of the panel. The bands limit the elongation of each of the pair of back panels during wear.
US07695335B2
A marine locator device including: a light section including a visible light emitter and an infrared light emitter; a communication device operable to broadcast an information signal; a controller operable to communicate with and control the light section and the communication device; a power supply electrically connected with the light section, the communication device, positioning system, and a controller; and a positioning system configured to determine geographic coordinates of the device, wherein the controller is operable to communicate with and control the positioning system and to incorporate the geographic coordinates into the information signal.
US07695332B2
An intermediate portion of an insulating sheath of a coaxial cable is removed, and a first insulating sheath portion is drawn toward a second insulating sheath portion, so that a braid is projected into an annular shape outwardly from an interval between opposed ends of the first and second insulating sheath portions to form an annular projecting braid portion, and this annular projecting braid portion is fixed so as to be connected to a portion (that is, a braid fixing portion) of a coaxial cable shielding terminal for connection to an end portion of the coaxial cable. This connecting and fixing operation is effected by press-contacting or press-clamping.
US07695329B2
A method of attaching a solder element to a contact and the contact assembly formed thereby. The contact assembly is used in a connector. The solder element is either staked or stapled to the contact. The solder element can take a variety of shapes and disclosed herein is a tear-drop shape, a “wolf's head” shape and a circular shape. An over-stress feature is also provided for when the contact assembly is mounted to a printed wiring board.
US07695326B1
A battery terminal connector for a generally cube-shaped automotive battery. The battery has a flat, horizontally disposed top. The battery terminal connector has a body portion with a top, a bottom, and an intermediate aperture for engaging a battery post. This intermediate aperture has a size that is variable to accommodate placement of the connector onto, and the removal of the connector from, the battery post. The battery terminal connector has a lever with two opposite ends, the first end being connected to the terminal connector, and the second end being positioned above the flat horizontally disposed top of the battery. The second end is easily accessible so as to permit a user to actuate that lever, and move that lever from a first position to a second position. Movement from the first to the second position facilitates the removal of overcaps.
US07695322B2
A subminiature coaxial connector including a matched impedance plug and jack for coupling printed circuit boards, RF modules, coaxial cables, and the like, and minimizing RF or microwave signal losses and/or degradations. The plug and jack each comprises a coaxial structure including an outer tubular conductor and a center contact held in place by a dielectric sleeve within the outer tubular conductor. The geometries of these elements are such that when the plug and jack are fully joined, the elements are coextensive and butt-mated, without steps, gaps, or other discontinuities. By combining structural functions into the electrical conductors, the present invention allows for fewer parts and shorter mating distances than is available in the prior art. Despite the small Size 20 connectors that are achievable with the present invention, low voltage standing wave ratios (VSWR's) can still be observed through 67 GHz, with theoretical cutoff frequencies in excess of 100 GHz.
US07695314B2
A connector module that is mounted on a motherboard and is configured to realize connection between a cable side connector and the motherboard is disclosed. The connector module includes a printed circuit board, plural substrate side connectors that are mounted on the front surface of the printed circuit board and arranged into plural rows with differing heights, and a mounting connector that is mounted on the rear surface of the printed circuit board. At least one of the substrate side connectors is connected to the cable side connector. The mounting connector is engaged with and connected to a motherboard side connector that is mounted on the motherboard. The printed circuit board includes a pattern that is configured to realize electrical connection between the substrate side connectors and the mounting connector.
US07695312B2
A temporary mobility kit to minimize or prevent the inadvertent outflow of tire sealant is provided. The temporary mobility kit includes a switch-inflator assembly and a removable sealant assembly. The switch-inflator assembly includes a pump motor and an electrical plug assembly having a cord portion and a plug. The plug is adapted for use in the vehicle's power unit. The housing includes a peripheral channel about which the cord portion of the electrical plug assembly is wrapped when the electrical plug assembly is not in use. A plug-receiving aperture is provided to receive and retain the plug when not in use.
US07695310B1
A method and apparatus for modifying a conventional electrical outlet to provide safety and security for emission of electric current from the outlet. The modified outlet include one or more localized elements for authenticating receipt of two or more valid connectors, and for limiting delivery of power to the connectors in response to the authentication.
US07695296B1
An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a housing assembly, having a mating face where at least one camming slide slides relative to the housing assembly, and has a camming slot therein is cooperable with a camming lug on a mating housing. The slide comprises gear rack teeth thereon. A rotary gear is rotatable relative to the housing assembly and includes gear teeth which cooperate with the gear rack teeth. A lever is rotatable relative to the housing assembly and is profiled to rotate the rotary gear, and in turn translate the slide. The housings are drawn together and apart upon movement of the slide.
US07695289B1
A connector includes a housing and a contact. The contact includes a first part including a first terminal part and a first connection part; a second part including a second terminal part and a second connection part, and a third part including an elastic part having a first end and a second end connected to the first part and the second part, respectively. The first connection part and the second connection part face each other across a gap. The second terminal part is configured to come into press contact with an electrode in response to fixation of the housing to a board. The third part is configured to elastically deform in response to attachment of a plug to the housing and/or the fixation of the housing to the board, so as to cause the first connection part and the second connection part to come into contact and be electrically connected.
US07695288B2
An LGA socket assembly comprising individual sockets cells, the methods of fabricating and assembling the socket cells into a socket assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, each socket cell comprises an insulative body and a wire. The insulative body is formed around the wire. A first portion of the wire extends from the top surface of the insulative body to form contact tip. A second portion of the wire extends from the bottom surface of the insulative body to form contact paddle. Socket cells are aligned to form a socket assembly.
US07695275B2
A valve assembly including a block forming a bore. An air inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of air into the bore. The bore provides communication between the air inlet opening and at least one air outlet passage. A fuel inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of fuel into the bore. The bore provides communication between the fuel inlet opening and at least one fuel outlet passage. A pintle is slidably positionable within the bore to control the volume of air directed out of the bore through the air outlet passage and the volume of fuel directed out of the bore through the fuel outlet passage.
US07695263B2
A film die for the production of tubular film made of thermoplastic synthetics has at least one feed channel for the synthetic fused material which ends in a ring-shaped discharge nozzle with an interior and/or exterior cooling ring that is adjusted to the diameter of the extruded synthetic tube, in which physical parameters of the air blown onto the extruded film tube can be variably changed sector by sector. The film die is divided into sections, in which the temperature is individually variable, and/or additional bores are arranged across the circumference of the film die, which are essentially aligned vertical to the exterior cooling ring, whereby air of variable temperatures can be blown from them, the physical parameters of which are variable. The film die has at least one control unit that controls or operates the various measures for influencing the film thickness.
US07695262B2
A pump, in particular a sliding-vane pump, a roller cell pump, or a gear pump includes a rotating assembly, with, amongst other things, a rotor with radially-sliding vanes, rollers or gears and a drive shaft is provided. The rotor or a gearwheel is connected to the drive shaft by a toothing on the drive shaft and on the rotor or gearwheel for rotational drive.
US07695260B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, an engine system comprises a housing, an outer gerotor, an inner gerotor, a tip inlet port, a face inlet port, and a tip outlet port. The housing has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first endwall, and a second endwall. The outer gerotor is at least partially disposed in the housing and at least partially defines an outer gerotor chamber. The inner gerotor is at least partially disposed within the outer gerotor chamber. The tip inlet port is formed in the first sidewall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The face inlet port is formed in the first endwall and allows fluid to enter the outer gerotor chamber. The tip outlet port is formed in the second sidewall and allows fluid to exit the outer gerotor chamber.
US07695257B2
An apparatus for preventing vacuum of a scroll compressor is provided. The apparatus includes a fixed scroll having a bypass hole, through which a suction chamber of a casing is connected to a discharge chamber of the casing; a valve block having an inner channel, through which the bypass hole of the fixed scroll is connected to the discharge chamber of the casing, and fixedly installed at the fixed scroll; and a valve member disposed between the bypass hole of the fixed scroll and the inner channel of the valve block. Since the apparatus is assembled at an outer periphery of the fixed scroll, a processing error of the fixed scroll is prevented, thereby reducing production costs. Also, since foreign materials generated when a refrigerant channel is processed do not remain in a valve hole, the valve member is prevented from being mal-operated, productivity is enhanced, and fabrication costs reduced.
US07695253B2
A device for pumping and compressing fluids, particularly in micro-liter quantities. First and second polarized cylindrical magnets are mounted in a cylinder with an inlet and an outlet port. The first magnet is adapted to rotate on the axis of the cylinder and has a fixed longitudinal position on that axis. The second magnet is free to move longitudinally but kept from any rotational movement, as a piston in the cylinder. The inlet port is open when the piston magnet is repelled by the rotor magnet's polarity and the outlet is open when the piston magnet is attracted by the rotor magnet's polarity as it rotates.
US07695251B2
The invention relates to an electronic driving device (20) for turning on and off a synchronous pump, that is a pump (15) comprising a synchronous electric motor (1) with a permanent-magnet rotor (8), comprising:—at least a static power switch (17) inserted in series between the motor (1) and an AC electric power supply source (Vp); and—a processing unit (16) having at least an input receiving a synchronism signal (V) and a control output connected to said switch (17); characterized in that it is enabled by a signal emitted by a float level sensor (40) and includes an input receiving a signal (a) by a position sensor (21) detecting the rotor (8) polarity and position; the pump turn-on and off being regulated according to the signal emitted by said level sensor (40) and to a measured difference between a critical load angle (8) and a current load angle computed during different working conditions of the pump.
US07695242B2
A turbine includes a stack of substantially parallel disks, the rotation of which causes rotation of a shaft. The disks are separated by peripheral spacers, each peripheral spacer having the shape of an airfoil. Each peripheral spacer defines a chord which is angled radially inward, towards the axis of rotation of the disk. The peripheral spacers are located only in the vicinity of the periphery of the disk. Air, or other fluid, entering the turbine engages the airfoil shaped peripheral spacers, and the flow of air generates lift, and associated drag, causing the energy of the fluid to be more efficiently converted into mechanical, and ultimately, electrical power. The turbine is especially useful in harnessing wind energy for the generation of electric power.
US07695240B2
A system for bundling long ferrous products comprises a roller table for delivering the products longitudinally to a receiving station. A cradle is spaced laterally from the receiving station and is constructed and arranged to receive and accumulate the products in bundle form. A stacker is positioned between the receiving station and the cradle, and a pre-stacker is positioned between the stacker and the receiving station. A transport system laterally advances products from the receiving station to the pre-stacker, and the pre-stacker operates in concert with the transport system to pre-stack multiple layers of the products into sub-bundles and to transfer the sub-bundles to the stacker, which then operates to deposit the sub-bundles in the cradle.
US07695238B2
A lift mechanism includes a balance structure configured to hold an object, wherein the balance structure is rotateably connected to an arm structure at a pivot point. The pivot point is configured, and the object is positioned, such that the pivot point is substantially coincident with the center-of-mass of the object being moved. Weights may be selectively attached to the balance structure to adjust the center-of-mass. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism includes a base and an arm configured to rotate with respect to the base, wherein the arm is attached to the balance structure at the pivot point. In this way, heavy objects may be lifted, translated, and rotated into place safely in an efficient manner.
US07695229B2
A method for adhesive binding and assembly of text bodies having plural sheets to a cover to form a bound document. Exemplary embodiments include applying an adhesive to a contacting surface of a plurality of sheets of the text body on an individual sheet-wide basis and adhering the plurality of sheets to the cover on an individual sheet-wide base by making line contact between the contacting surface and the cover and by curing the adhesive. Alternatively, the plurality of sheets can be positioned in a stand-off position from the cover and the adhesive can be applied into the gap. A system for binding a text body to a cover to form a bound document is also disclosed.
US07695227B2
A fastener is provided for attachment to a workpiece by a friction stir process. The fastener includes a base having an underside adapted to seat upon the workpiece and a fastener portion attached to the top side of the base. An anchor portion projects from the underside of the base and is adapted to be rotated and advanced at high speed and inserted into the workpiece by friction stirring of the workpiece. The anchor portion is embedded in the workpiece upon cooling of the workpiece. The anchor portion has an indent in the surface thereof enabling the softened stirred material to flow into the indent and thereby mechanically capture the anchor portion within the solidified workpiece.
US07695226B2
A fastener adapted to pass through aligned holes through workpieces is disclosed. The fastener includes a pin member having a transition portion wherein the diameter of the transition portion decreases radially as it extends from the smooth cylindrical shank portion to the threaded portion. The fastener may also comprise a sleeve member and a clamping means. The clamping means includes a collar, a nut, or any other possible clamping means. In exemplary embodiments, the workpieces can be formed with a plurality of materials, the materials including composite, metallic, or composite/metallic structures, any combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the fastener has interference capability of 0.0005 to 0.0100 inches in composite structures without risk of composite delamination or damage. As a result of the fastener interference, gaps between the fastener and the structure are eliminated thereby providing good electrical conductivity between components. As a result, the potential for electrical sparks is reduced, providing a safer fastener for use with aerospace applications.
US07695224B2
Methods of producing a pipe include curling a skelp into a cylindrical shape by bringing laterally opposed edges of the skelp together to form a seam, butt welding the seam to define the pipe downstream of the skelp, thereby leaving a radially inwardly extending weld bead. The weld bead is deburred off the pipe according to a depth of cut of a cutting tool. The depth of cut may be adjusted during deburring, and/or rotation of the cutting tool may be adjusted during deburring. The methods may be carried out using one or both of an adjustment device carried by a housing to pivot an adjustment member for adjustment of an upstream guide to adjust a depth of cut of the cutting tool into the weld bead, or an adjustment device carried by the housing and coupled to the cutting tool to rotate the cutting tool during deburring.
US07695217B2
An arrangement for installing building elements, such as piles and tunnel sections, into a ground formation, where a building element is provided. Two or more impact drivers for delivering blows to the element are mounted on or operatively connected to the element. Accordingly, large elements, such as monopiles for wind turbines, which may comprise a steel tube having a diameter in excess of 5 meters, or even tunnel sections, can be installed by utilizing a number of relatively small impact drivers.
US07695210B1
A seam sealing applicator for dispensing chemical sealant into seams between adjacent sheets of flooring is comprised of a sealant reservoir mounted atop an improved seam sealer applicator tip. The applicator tip of the invention has an elongated, hollow, rigid plastic body with a pair of laterally projecting wings or flanges between its proximal end which receives the sealant reservoir and its opposite, distal sealant dispensing end. The distal end of the plastic body terminates in a flat face, preferably oriented at an angle of about seventy degrees relative to the alignment of the linear sealant delivery duct formed within the body. A thin, hollow, narrow metal insert is set into the distal end of the body. A keel or fin portion of the metal insert protrudes beyond the flat face and projects into a seam between adjacent sheets of flooring. The fin portion of the metal insert defines a thin, narrow, dispensing slit through which sealant may be dispensed deep into the seam between sheets of adjacent flooring. A tracking sight ridge is preferably formed on the front of the applicator tip at the distal end thereof, directly above the flat sealant application flow face. The applicator tip body is at least three inches in length so that it can be gripped by the hand of the installer in a variety of different ways.
US07695207B1
A shaving gel applicator includes many different embodiments that include an annular brush, a disc-shaped brush, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart disc-shaped brushes, a pair of straight brushes, a single straight brush, and more. Some of the brushes are mounted for rotary motion and some for reciprocation in a linear motion. Heat is applied to the brushes to heat shaving gel deposited on the brushes. The shaving gel is dispensed from a cartridge that is releasably engaged to the applicator. A detector detects the type of cartridge in use and adjusts the amount of heat to be applied and the brush rotation or reciprocation speed that optimizes the performance of the shaving gel in that cartridge. In alternative embodiments, the gel is heated in a gel pack before it is dispensed onto the brushes.
US07695204B2
A wide format printer having an alternative print zone arrangement is provided. The printer comprises a printhead having a corresponding print zone, the print zone being defined by a plane adjacent the printhead, and a feed mechanism for continuously feeding a web of print media through the print zone. The printer is characterized in that the web is unsupported in the print zone, which obviates the need for a platen and advantageously maintains a constant distance between the printhead and the web.
US07695202B1
A housing for mounting a laser diode and a method of aligning the laser diode to the housing and to an optical connector and to a focusing lens. The housing may have a retaining device and a surface, with the retaining device operating to maintain the optical connector against the surface of the housing. An alignment method is disclosed for use with the housing and the retaining device where an image is projected onto a viewing area through an alignment port mounted in the housing. The image relates to the position and tilt of the laser diode in the housing.
US07695200B2
A connecting member which is formed by filling a mold with a resin composition and then solidifying the resin composition, the connecting member having one end face in which a plurality of fine holes of a φ or less are arrayed in a row with a pitch P therebetween, and guide pin insertion holes are formed on either side of the fine holes, wherein the resin composition is comprised of a resin and a filler mixed therein, and wherein the space (P−a) between the fine holes meets the following formula; Dm<(P−a)
US07695197B2
A bend limiter for use with electrical and fiber optic cables that can handle a relatively wide range of side loading without excessive bending is disclosed. The bend limiter is configured to bend at radii which are less than the critical curvature of the cable over a range of loads. The bend limiter includes a flexible member having two portions. One portion has a non-linear profile and is designed to absorb high loads to control bending. The other portion has a tapered linear profile and is designed to bend under light loads so that a conductor at the tip of the bend limiter does not kink.
US07695196B2
An optical plug connector comprises a socket part, adapter part or coupling part with a socket housing for releasable connection to a plug part. An inside of the socket housing defines an inner space, into which a plug portion of the plug part may be introduced. Moreover, a switch device is present, by way of which a radiation power led to the plug part and/or the socket part, adapter part or coupling part (1) may be reduced or switched off when the plug connection is released. The switch device comprises a first element which is present or fastenable on the socket part, adapter part or coupling part, and a second element which is present or may be fastened on the plug part, wherein the switch device is actuated in that the first and the second element cooperate.
US07695193B2
An x-ray system is disclosed including a selector for finding an optimum combination between the contrast medium and the energy spectrum of an x-radiation for a scan to optimize the noise-to-contrast ratio. A method for creating X-ray images is also provided. The x-ray images are created with the aid of contrast media by taking into account an optimal combination between the contrast medium and the energy spectrum of an X-radiation used for a scan. A method for the use of a lanthanide-containing complex to produce a contrast medium for optimizing the combination between the contrast medium and the radiation to obtain a maximum contrast-to-noise ratio in an X-ray image is also provided.
US07695179B2
An illuminating device has a light pipe that is elongate in shape and has a light-emitting face running in the direction of a longitudinal axis. A light-reflecting face is disposed opposite the light-emitting face, and the light-reflecting face has a plurality of prismatic cuts. Each prismatic cut includes a front face oriented at an angle B from a normal axis, the normal axis being 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the light pipe. The angle B is in the range of about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees and is such that it allows light to refract through at least one prismatic cut and then be internally reflected.
US07695174B2
Visibility of indications in a rear-view mirror incorporating a light-emitting display device is improved. A mirror element is formed by forming a semi-transmissive reflective film on one surface of a transparent substrate. On a back surface of the mirror element, a dark color mask member is arranged. An opening is formed in the mask member. Behind the mirror element, a light-emitting display device is arranged facing the opening. Where the mirror element is formed of a plane mirror, the light-emitting display device is arranged in such a manner that it is inclined toward a driver relative to the mirror surface. A wedge-shaped gap occurring between the mirror element and the light-emitting display device due to the inclination is occluded by a wall member. Where the mirror element is formed of a convex mirror, the opening is formed at a corner of the surface of the mirror element close to the driver, and the light-emitting display device is arranged facing an opening, with a display surface arranged in parallel to the surface of the mirror element 44.
US07695169B2
A gasket for a vandal resistant luminaire, the gasket is constructed to be disposed between an electrical component housing and a lens wherein the lens is held to the electrical component housing with a front trim ring surrounding an outer portion thereof. The gasket is designed to form a seal between the lens and electrical component housing and absorb physical shock placed on the lens and/or the electrical component housing.
US07695164B2
An illumination system for imaging illumination having at least one compact light source. The illumination system comprises a reflector having a reflector contour, the light source being accommodated in the vicinity of the reflector contour. A compact diffusing medium is accommodated at the focal point of the reflector, the light from the light sources being directed substantially onto the diffusing medium and, from there, being diffused onto the reflector contour, with the result that the light leaving the reflector is emitted homogeneously.
US07695161B2
A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink and an LED module attached to the heat sink. The heat sink includes a base and a plurality of fins mounted on the base. A plurality of channels is defined between the fins of the heat sink and slits are defined in two opposite side edges of the base. The slits extend through the base and corresponding fins and cross with corresponding channels. A plurality of grooves is defined in the fins opposite to the LED module. Each of the grooves interconnects corresponding two aligned slits.
US07695160B2
A projector light source which facilitates molding of a reflector for obtaining a complicated reflecting surface and provides an improved cooling efficiency, which is characterized by molding the reflector of the light source using heat resistant plastic mixed with a high heat conductive material, whereby a molding accuracy is drastically improved compared to a heat resistant glass reflector, and a highly efficient light source is implemented by increasing a degree of design freedom using a high-order non-spherical reflecting surface. Furthermore, heat conductivity is increased by the use of a high heat conductive material for the reflector and heat dissipation to an outside is facilitated.
US07695151B2
The illuminating device of the invention comprises at least one lighting component, red lighting component, current limiting component and fluorescent body, wherein said red lighting component is first series connected with said current limiting component, and further parallel connected with said lighting component, so that input current to red lighting component is controlled by said current limiting component to be smaller than input current to lighting component, thereby said fluorescent body receiving and triggering the light emitted by said lighting component is mixed with the light emitted by said red lighting device to emit a white light with high lighting efficient and high color rendering white light.
US07695140B2
The present invention is directed to an ophthalmologic measurement method which can depict three-dimensional structures of the interfaces of an eye by short-coherence interferometry based on reference points. For this purpose, the pupil is illuminated at a plurality of points by a short-coherence illumination source. The measurement beam reflected at these points by the interfaces and surfaces of the eye is superimposed with a reference beam. The measurement data which are generated in this way are spectrally split by a diffraction grating, imaged on a two-dimensional detector array and conveyed to a control unit which determines a three-dimensional structure of all intraocular interfaces and surfaces of the eye. In the suggested Fourier domain OCT method, the depiction of three-dimensional structures is preferably carried out by spline surfaces or polygon surfaces. In doing so, it is possible to determine the depth positions of the measurement beams in many points of the pupil with a single recording of the array camera in that the pupils are illuminated by a diaphragm grid and the reference mirror contains a periodic phase grid.
US07695139B2
An alignment device for an ophthalmic measurement apparatus including an index projection optical system that forms a plurality of indices on a cornea of an eye to be examined by projecting a plurality of index lights onto the cornea; an imaging optical system that forms the images of the plurality of indices on an imaging device as index images; a three-dimensional driving device for driving the imaging optical system in a three-dimensional direction; and a controlling device for controlling to drive the three-dimensional driving device.
US07695132B2
The present invention aims to provide an eyeglass set that is easy to manufacture and that can be used as a prescription sunglass having excellent designability. The present invention provides an eyeglass set 1 where a front sunglass lens member 3 includes projections 33 projecting towards the back side and each being formed with a cutout 331; the prescription eyeglass 2 includes left and right elastic arms 214 respectively attached with a nose pad 215; and the left and right arms 214 are biased in opposite directions to each other and the left and right arms 214 are elastically deformed in left and right opposite directions to elastically engage the cutouts 331 of the projections 33 so that the front sunglass lens member 3 attaches to the front surface side of the front frame 21 of the prescription eyeglass 2.
US07695130B2
An ink jet recording apparatus provided with a supporting member to support and convey a recording medium in a prescribed direction, a recording head to emit ink onto the recording medium, an activation energy ray irradiation unit which irradiates an activation energy ray on the ink emitted on the recording medium, and an activation energy ray absorption section formed by coating or mixing an activation energy ray absorption material, including an inorganic material, at a portion where the activation energy ray is irradiated.
US07695123B2
An ink supply system for an inkjet printhead is provided. The system comprises: (a) an ink reservoir for storing ink, the ink reservoir being contained in a pressurizable chamber; (b) an ink conduit providing fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the printhead; (c) an air compressor in fluid communication with the chamber; and (d) a valve switchable between a positively-pressurizing configuration and a negatively-pressurizing configuration, thereby providing active control of pressure in the ink reservoir.
US07695119B2
An ink-jet head, as a liquid discharging head, includes a cavity unit, a flexible flat cable, a plurality of actuators, and a thermal conductive member. The thermal conductive member is in contact with the actuators so that heat is transmitted to the actuators. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a liquid discharging head which performs a recording of high quality while suppressing an excessive local heating of the ink-jet head and heating up, to a high temperature, of the ink-jet head due to heat generated from the actuators, thereby suppressing occurrence of a temperature gradient between the actuators so as to prevent the decline in recording quality due to the temperature difference.
US07695117B2
There is provided a piezoelectric actuator which includes a piezoelectric material layer in which, a portion sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode is an active portion, and a vibration plate which is arranged on a surface of the piezoelectric material layer. The piezoelectric material layer is polarized in a direction parallel to a direction of thickness thereof, and a direction of polarization of a central portion in the active portion and a direction of polarization of an edge portion excluding the central portion, in the active portion are mutually opposite. Accordingly, even when a drive voltage is low, it is possible to increase sufficiently an amount of deformation of the piezoelectric actuator.
US07695103B2
The image forming apparatus comprises: a plurality of nozzles; a plurality of liquid supply channels each of which is communicated with a corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles and supplies a liquid to the corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles; a plurality of drive elements each of which applies pressure in the liquid in a corresponding one of the liquid supply channels so as to eject the liquid as a droplet from the corresponding one of the plurality of nozzles; a pressure determination device which is arranged through the plurality of liquid supply channels and determines a pressure of the liquid in each of the liquid supply channels applied by a corresponding one of the plurality of drive elements, the pressure determination device being separated from the plurality of drive elements; and a failed ejection detection device which detects failed ejection of the droplet from each of the plurality of liquid supply channels according to the pressure determined by the pressure determination device.
US07695100B2
An image device includes a movable member, a guide shaft, and a shaft bearing. The movable member moves back and forth inside the device along a guide shaft when reading or recording image information. The guide shaft includes an arc portion in at least part of a cross-section. The shaft bearing is penetrated by the guide shaft at two locations in the movement direction that differ from the center of gravity in the movable member. The shaft bearing includes two inclined faces contacted by the arc portion of the guide shaft in the cross-section. The respective two inclined faces of the shaft bearing are at an angle θf (rad) and an angle θr (rad) with the perpendicular direction. The angle θf (rad) and the angle θr (rad) satisfy the following inequality: cos {π/2−(θf+θr)}>0.
US07695093B2
A method of removing flooded ink from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises transferring the ink onto a disposable sheet moving past the face, wherein the sheet does not contact the face.
US07695089B2
The present invention provides a method to detect ink short in a print head and an apparatus that performs the method. The method provides the steps of obtaining a density profile and a current consumption profile of an image to be printed and using the profiles to detect a low-resistance ink short or a non-low resistance ink short in a print head.
US07695086B2
An ink jet printer is provided with a passage unit, an actuator, and a pulse applying device. The passage unit comprises a nozzle, a pressure chamber, and an ink passage located between the nozzle and the pressure chamber. The actuator faces the pressure chamber and comprises a first electrode, a second electrode to which a reference potential can be applied, and a piezoelectric element located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The pulse applying device is capable of applying a first voltage pulse to the first electrode such that the nozzle discharges an ink droplet, and a second voltage pulse to the first electrode such that the nozzle does not discharge the ink droplet. A voltage change on a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the second voltage pulse is greater than a voltage change on a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the first voltage pulse.
US07695085B2
A variable gain amplifier and offset cancellation loop circuit and methods for tracking and correcting DC offset errors that may vary in accordance with the gain of the variable gain amplifier. The circuit is designed to provide tracking of rapid changes in the offset error while maintaining a desired overall frequency response of the combined variable gain amplifier and offset loop. The offset loop cancellation circuit has a wide enough bandwidth to allow the offset cancellation loop to track rapid changes in offset errors that result from rapid changes to the amplifier's gain setting. A control circuit is provided to prevent the large offset cancellation loop bandwidth from having a detrimental effect on the amplifier's overall bandwidth when the amplifier is set to high levels of forward gain by adjusting the offset cancellation loop gain as the forward gain of the amplifier is altered.
US07695082B2
A Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) printing device includes a support structure. A PCMCIA connector is located at one end of the support structure. A printhead assembly is located at the other end of the support structure and is electrically coupled to the PCMCIA connector. The printhead assembly includes a printhead configured to print ink and a feed arrangement arranged to feed print media operatively with respect to the printhead. A print media cartridge can be fastened in a releasable manner to the support structure in a location between the PCMCIA connector and the printhead assembly so that the feed arrangement can feed the print media from the print media cartridge during printing.
US07695081B2
An image input/output apparatus, and the image input/output apparatus includes an ink-jet head including at least one nozzle unit having a length that is greater than or equal to a width of a recording medium and being movable in a sub scanning direction, and a scanning unit installed on the ink-jet head movable in the sub scanning direction relative to the ink-jet head.
US07695076B2
Based on whether a requisite braking torque is less than a drive torque of the driving wheel, braking force is generated for only driving wheels, or braking force is generated for driven wheels, in addition to that for the driving wheels. Thus, it is possible to maintain the creep speed to the target speed and achieve a suitable front and rear braking force distribution on downward slope roads where a gravity impellent is acting on the vehicle, as well as on flat roads and upward slope roads. The ability to achieve such a suitable front and rear braking force distribution ensures that the driven wheels will not easily lock up on a low μ road surface or the like.
US07695071B2
The present invention is directed to an excavator that is operable in manual and automatic modes and uses state machines to effect unit operations, rotationally offset swing actuators to rotate boom and cutter head, a fail safe hydraulic system to maintain gripper pressure in the event of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, differing position and pressure control functions in the hydraulic actuators, a kinematic module to effect pitch and roll adjustments, a cutting face profile generator to generate a profile of the excavation face, and an optimization module to realize a high degree of optimization of excavator operation.
US07695069B2
A seat cushion having a flexible and semi-rigid body is provided. The body has a seating surface, having a first area, and a support surface, having a second area, spaced apart from the seating surface forming a body thickness. The body has a body composition with a first percentage by volume of EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate), substantially evenly mixed with additional materials, such as polyethylene, color pigment, polycarbonate, and/or dicumyl peroxide, in various percentages of the body composition. The seat cushion also has a plurality of spacing members spaced apart and substantially evenly distributed across the second area. The plurality of spacing members each have a spacing member composition with a second percentage by volume of EVA and with a third percentage by volume of rubber. The seat cushion further has a plurality of ventilation holes extending through the body from the seating surface to the support surface.
US07695067B2
A chair mechanism for an ergonomically adjustable, reclinable chair includes a frame and profile bands mounted to the frame. The profile bands are flexible and are configured to define a forwardly projecting lumbar region, the degree of forward projection of the lumbar region being variable in response to the position and movement of the chair seat. A flexible back support surface is carried by and spans the region between the profile bands. The shape and contour of the back surface is controlled by the shape of the profile bands. The chair mechanism enables the user to shift easily between upright and reclining positions without requiring the use of heavy springs or complex linkages.
US07695063B2
A portable fan assembly adapted for seatmant on a vehicular surface in a spaced apart relationship to a child car seat, comprising a front portion, a back portion, two side portions, a top portion, and a bottom portion. An interior void is positioned centrally within the assembly, extending from the front portion to the back portion. A fan unit having a housing that is positioned within the interior void. The housing includes a central hub and at least a pair of fan blades that are mounted to the hub. The hub is rotationally connected by an elongated shaft to a fan motor configured to be operative for rotating the fan blades for directing air through the interior void. The front portion, back portion, two side portions, the top portion, and the bottom portion are substantially padded for providing a cushioning effect that prevents injury to an child situated in close proximity to the assembly, and at least one attachment strap configured to securely position the assembly to a vehicular seat.
US07695059B1
An adjustable leg rest assembly for use with a chair (such as a reclining chair) is described. The adjustable leg assembly supports a foot rest pad and is capable of alternating between a first position (where the foot rest pad is closer to the front of the reclining chair) and a second position (where the foot rest pad is farther away from the front of the chair) to adjust to the physical characteristics of a user of the chair. A pair of retractable scissor linkages supports the adjustable leg rest assembly. The scissor linkages are pivotally secured to the adjustable foot rest on one end thereof and are moveably secured to the chair on the other end thereof as is known in the art.
US07695058B2
A seat apparatus includes a seat cushion on which an operator is seated, a seatback for supporting the operator seated on the seat cushion, a seat drive device changing a position of the seat cushion and the seatback between a seating position and a storage position by operating the seat cushion and the seatback, and a control unit for controlling the seat drive device, the control unit controlling the seat drive device in a way that an operation starting time of the seat cushion does not coincide with an operation starting time of the seatback and an operating time of the seat cushion overlaps temporally an operating time of the seatback when the seat cushion and the seatback are moved between the seating position and the storage position such that an interference of the seat cushion and the seatback is restricted.
US07695029B2
The description relates to a tolerance compensating device for rotating bolts and swiveling bolts, in particular a tolerance compensating device for non-engaging tongues, that is, for example, for pull-turn bolts or swiveling bolts of closures for mounting in thin walls such as sheet-metal cabinets with a frame and door. The closure has a housing which holds a pull-turn bolt so as to be axially displaceable and rotatable or a housing which supports a swiveling bolt, which bolt is provided near its free end with a bore hole in which a back-engaging device is held to as to be displaceable perpendicular to the back-engagement plane. According to the invention, the back-engaging device has a spring which forces the back-engaging device in direction of the back-engagement surface in the closed position of the closure.
US07695027B2
A fitting for a tube or pipe capable of functioning a high pressures having a first fitting component adapted to receive the conduit end; a conduit gripping device such as a ferrule or ferrules and a second fitting component that can be joined to the first fitting component to cause the conduit gripping device to grip the conduit and seal when assembled. In one aspect of the invention, the first fitting component is constructed from a material that is softer than the material used to construct the second fitting component. An additional aspect of the invention include a retaining portion on the second fitting component that constrains the tube gripping device against pressure. The retaining portion can also be configured to retain the tube gripping device to the second fitting component prior to installation and in a finger-tight condition. A further aspect of the invention includes a first fitting component in which an exterior portion of the component is work hardened radially outward from the tube gripping device. The fitting may optionally be provided with a structure to effect the pull-up by torque functionality.
US07695023B2
A rotating table provided with a determined gap Db and serving as a rotating body is rotatably mounted on a fixed base. Seal-member accommodating spaces serving as annular grooves are partitioned and formed in a fixed surface. Annular seal members are disposed in the seal-member accommodating spaces. When a vacuum is supplied to a communication passage, the absorbed seal members contact with the fixed surface and a rotated surface to seal gaps therebetween. When a positive pressure is supplied to the communication passage, the seal members are relocated in the seal-member accommodating spaces. The seal-member accommodating space has a taper portion, thereby preventing the seal members from biting. While the rotating table is being rotatably driven, no vacuum is supplied to the communication passage.
US07695021B1
A coupler apparatus for use with concrete segments has a first duct, a first coupler member connected to the first duct, a second duct, a second coupler member connected to the second duct, and a gasket member received in a channel of the connector of the first coupler member and extending outwardly therefrom. The gasket member is in compressive contact with an abutment surface of the second coupler member. The gasket member has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a curved end extending outwardly of an opening of the channel of the first coupler member. The abutment surface is a planar flanged surface extending radially transversely outwardly of the end of the second coupler member.
US07695020B2
A coupling apparatus having coupling body with a mechanical latch assembly. The mechanical latch assembly includes a modified latch plate. The latch plate defines a main portion having a top end and a bottom end and includes an annular aperture disposed between the top and bottom ends. A lever portion is disposed proximate the top end. The lever portion enables the latch plate to move within a coupling body, so as to operate the mechanical latch assembly in a released position and a latched position. A raised edge is disposed about a portion of the annular aperture. The raised edge is disposed proximate the bottom end and extends radially inward of the inner edge defined by the annular aperture. A pin opening is disposed proximate the bottom end opposite of the lever portion. The pin opening is positioned radially outward from the annular aperture, and defines a separate enclosed edge.
US07695017B2
A steering column assembly having an outer jacket mounted to a support structure of a vehicle. A steering shaft is movably supported within the jacket for rotation relative to the jacket. A retainer is mounted to the outer jacket and is disposed about the shaft. A dampener is non-rotatably mounted to the retainer and defines a passageway with the shaft extending through the passageway and rotatable within the passageway. The dampener has a portion abutting the shaft and applying a frictional force between the dampener and the shaft against rotation of the shaft within the passageway relative to the dampener.
US07695014B2
A tether release mechanism for a restraining element of a restraint protection system includes a base, a retention device and an actuator. The retention device is coupled to the base for movement between a locked position and a release position. The restraining element is secured relative to the base in the locked position and is movable relative to the base in the release position. The retention device includes a portion for releasably engaging the restraining element. The actuator is operatively associated with the retention device and is operative for at least initiating movement of the retention device from the locked position to the release position.
US07695005B2
A method and apparatus for providing a side airbag device for use in a vehicle, comprising: an inflatable cushion for deployment from an unexpanded state to an expanded state. The inflatable cushion is positioned behind a headliner of the vehicle in an un-inflated state and the inflatable cushion is configured to traverse a side of the vehicle when it is inflated. The inflatable cushion also comprising a deploying edge that defines a portion of a periphery of the inflated cushion, wherein the inflatable cushion is folded in a manner that causes the deploying edge to deploy as a first leading edge as said inflatable cushion is inflated to an expanded state by an inflator wherein the deploying edge is the first portion of the inflatable cushion to expand around the headliner.
US07695001B2
A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (18) and a member (20) that defines a deployment opening (22) through which the inflatable occupant protection device (18) is inflatable. The vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) also includes a cover (30) having an attachment portion (34) and a deployment door portion (36). The attachment portion (34) is securable to the member (20) for positioning the deployment door portion (36) for closing the deployment opening (22). The cover (30) also includes a rupturable portion (134, 136, and 156) that ruptures for enabling inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device (18) through the deployment opening (22). At least a part of the rupturable portion (134, 136, and 156) is formed at a union of the attachment portion (34) and the deployment door portion (36).
US07694996B2
A stroller is provided having a stroller frame supporting a stroller seat. The stroller frame includes a linkage that facilitates collapsing or folding of the stroller frame from an in-use configuration to a folded or collapsed configuration, and unfolding of the stroller frame from the folded or collapsed configuration to the in-use configuration. The linkage also facilitates adjustment of the stroller seat height between at least two vertically offset positions.
US07694990B2
A manually-powered wheelchair that includes one or more features that enhance the overall maneuverability and stability of the wheelchair, such as centrally mounted drive-wheels and an anti-tip system. Other embodiments may include at least one of an adjustable anti-tip system that may be selectively located to several locations on the frame; a positive stop device attached to either the mounting bracket, frame, or the anti-tip system for limiting movement of the anti-tip system and the frame relative to each other; a resistance device attached to the frame and the anti-tip system for increasing resistance between the frame and the anti-tip system when the user leans backwards in the wheelchair; a wheel lock system engaging at least one of the drive wheels below the wheel's axis of rotation; and a tilt prevention device for selectively preventing any rotation of the wheelchair frame and anti-tip system relative to each other.
US07694985B2
A lightweight motorcycle frame is made with sufficient rigidity to minimize or avoid the occurrence of frame cracks, due to impacts on the frame caused by a harsh landing after a vehicle jump or the like. The motorcycle frame includes a head pipe, a pair of main frames extending rearwardly from the head pipe, and a down tube extending downwardly from a lower portion of the head pipe. The frame may include a forged reinforcing body for connecting the head pipe and the down tube, and the other frame components may be formed by casting. In this case, the other frame components include a portion of the head pipe, the main frames, the down tube, and the reinforcing frame, which may be integrally molded by aluminum casting. Where used, the reinforcing body may be secured to a front portion of an integrally cast frame body.
US07694980B2
A stroller handle assembly has a handle with a grip part. The handle is movable from an in-use position extending from the stroller frame to a collapsed position lying adjacent and parallel along the stroller frame. The assembly has a bracket for attaching the handle to the stroller frame. The bracket has one part configured to allow rotation of the handle sideways away from the in-use position to a partly collapsed position. The bracket has a different part configured to allow the handle to rotate to the completely collapsed position adjacent the stroller frame.
US07694975B1
The invention, an apparatus and foam blocks for toys and an adjunct for games, consists of a spring-loaded platform acting as the launcher used in conjunction with foam blocks. The spring-loaded platform consists of two plastic parts butted together using the force from a cord to form a stable platform when unloaded. Light weight foam blocks are placed in specified locations on the platform by the players one at a time until the weight of the blocks (or the slight impulse of a foam block being placed by a nervous player) causes the platform to collapse very rapidly. The light weight foam blocks are thrown around for several feet in random directions from the platform. The event amounts to a harmless explosion introducing a high level of suspense, surprise and a wow-factor when used solely as a toy or when used as an adjunct to a card or board game.
US07694974B1
A question-and-answer game in which teams of two players are divided into two sets of teammates, and one set of teammates is isolated while the other set of teammates is asked one or more questions about their isolated teammates or about themselves and are designed to elicit how well they know each other. The isolated teammates return, are asked the same questions, and their answers/guesses are compared to their teammates' guesses/answers. In a first round, the questions are asked and answered in open forums where discussion is permitted. In a second round, the questions are asked in a closed forum where discussion is limited or not permitted, and the responses of the isolated teammates are presented one at a time, and if not a match to their teammates' responses, the other teams have an opportunity to correctly match.
US07694973B1
An apparatus for rapidly displacing an object comprises a lever with an object end and a power end. The lever is mounted to a fulcrum between the ends. A driven cam has a trunnion attached proximal to an outer edge thereof, and a tie rod member has an end pivotally attached to the power end of the lever and a second end pivotally attached to the trunnion such that about 180° of rotation of the cam causes about 90° displacement of the power end of said lever. Also, a tension member is coupled to the power end such that restorative force of the tension member contributes to displacement of the power end in one direction. A motor drives rotation of the cam.
US07694971B2
A method for arranging indicia on a game surface and on an associated roulette wheel. Indicia indicating numbers from 1 through 60 are arranged on the game surface in ascending order with half of the numbers associated with a first color and half associated with a second color. The numbers are arranged in three groups of twenty, each group having five even numbers and five odd numbers associated with each of the two colors. Indicia indicating each of the numbers are arranged on a roulette wheel such that no two adjacent numbers on the roulette wheel are associated with a same color, are disposed in a same group, are disposed in a same column, are disposed in a same row, or are disposed adjacent one another on the game surface.
US07694966B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a first processing unit, a second processing unit, a roller, a guide member, and a conveying unit. The first processing unit applies first processing to a recording medium. The second processing unit applies second processing to the recording medium. The roller has a conveying path to convey the recording medium from the first processing unit to the second processing unit along the outer circumference. The guide member guides the recording medium to the conveying path to lead the recording medium to the second processing unit. The conveying unit applies a conveying force to a stack of recording media at an upstream of the guide member in a recording-medium conveying direction.
US07694965B2
A first position of a media is determined with respect to a surface. The surface is advanced and a second position of the media is determined with respect to the surface. The relative speed between the surface and a linear speed feed of the media is altered based on the first and second positions.
US07694963B2
In a document feeder, a driving control unit feeds a document by a switch-back feeding unit, guides again the document from a document feed path to a bidirectional feed path, and then discharges the document from the document feed path to a document discharging section, when the feeding of the document is in a double-sided scanning feeding mode and in a status during first side feeding. The driving control unit feeds the document by the switch-back feeding unit and then discharges the document from the document feed path, when the feeding of the document is in the double-sided scanning feeding mode and in the status during second side feeding. The driving control unit discharges the document from the document feed path without feeding the document in the switch-back manner, when the feeding of the document is in the double-sided scanning feeding mode and after the second side feeding.
US07694962B2
When a comparative determination portion determines that passage of a sheet through a reference position is lagged based on a detecting signal from a passing timing detection unit, a sheet conveying speed of a skew feeding correction roller on the same side as that of a sensor which detects the lagged sheet in two sensors is increased to correct sheet skew feeding. When the comparative determination portion determines that passage of a sheet through a reference position is leaded, the sheet conveying speed of the skew feeding correction roller on the same side as that of a sensor which detects the leaded sheet in the two sensors is reduced to correct sheet skew feeding.
US07694958B2
A sheet feeding cassette, including a main body of the sheet feeding cassette accommodating sheets having a trench; a fence movably attached to the main body configured to define a setting position of the sheets; a fixing portion included in the fence that includes a tooth portion engaging with the trench and turns to substantially perpendicular direction of the moving direction of the fence; a lever portion included in the fence that is possible to move corresponding to the moving direction of the fence and the lever portion configured to rotate the fixing portion by moving of the lever portion.
US07694952B2
A print media bin operatively coupled to a media handling system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the print media bin includes a first tray positioned adjacent to a second tray and a media tray drive subsystem coupled to the first tray for allowing the print media bin to rotate in order to provide access to the second tray. The media tray drive subsystem includes a drive cluster gear and a tray lock, including an anti-rotation rib and a lock latch, operatively coupled to the drive cluster gear.
US07694951B2
A sheet feeder includes a first sheet-feeding cassette capable of accommodating a stack of recording medium and a second sheet-feeding cassette capable of accommodating a stack of recording medium smaller than the recording medium accommodated in the first sheet-feeding cassette. The second sheet-feeding cassette is disposed on the first sheet-feeding cassette so as to be movable with respect to the first sheet-feeding cassette. The second sheet-feeding cassette includes a first accommodating section and a second accommodating section. The second accommodating section is displaceable relative to the first accommodating section between a closed position and an open position. The second accommodating section exposes an accommodating section of the first sheet-feeding cassette wider in the open position than in the closed position.
US07694945B2
A hydraulically damping elastomer bearing has at least one housing (1, 2), a connection element (3), an elastomer body (4), which couples the housing (1, 2) and the connection element (3) with one another in a vibration-damping manner. Two chambers (5, 6) filled with a fluid are provided as well as at least one flow channel (8), which connects the chambers (5, 6) to one another. A recess (9) in the housing (1, 2) is associated with the flow channel (8). A valve (10) is present in the recess (9) for opening and closing the flow channel (8). An actuator (11) is provided for actuating the valve (10) on the outside of the housing (1, 2). The valve (10) includes an elastic diaphragm (12), in which an insert (13) is embedded.
US07694941B2
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, an end treatment of a guardrail safety system includes a terminal portion of a guardrail beam that has a downstream end and an upstream end. The terminal portion of the guardrail beam slopes from a first vertical height appropriate for redirecting an errant vehicle to a second vertical height proximate the surface of the ground at an upstream end of the terminal portion of the guardrail beam. A flattening portion forms a channel through which the terminal portion of the guardrail beam is disposed. A vertical dimension of the channel is greater at a downstream end of the flattening portion than at an upstream end of the flattening portion. An impact plate is connected to the flattening portion for engaging an impacting vehicle at an end of said guardrail beam. During an end-on impact, the impact plate and the flattening portion are advanced longitudinally along the guardrail in a downstream direction by the vehicle. The advancement of the impact plate and flattening portion dissipate energy to decelerate the impacting vehicle. As downstream portions of the guardrail beam are forced into the flattening portion, the guardrail is flattened vertically.
US07694935B2
A water faucet includes a receptacle engaged into a housing and having a passage communicating with a water outlet of the housing, a valve stem slidably engaged through the passage of the receptacle and having a valve member for controlling the water to flow from the water inlet to the water outlet of the housing, and a piston attached to the valve stem and slidably engaged in a compartment of the receptacle, the valve stem includes one or more orifices and one or more apertures for controlling a fluid to flow between the compartment of the receptacle and a cavity of the valve stem, and a valve element may adjust the flowing of the fluid into and out of the cavity of the valve stem.
US07694931B2
An improved artist assistive device provides easy adjustment and support of a mahl. The mahl can be repositioned with one hand, eliminating the need for the artist to lay down a work tool to reposition the mahl as required by the prior art. Embodiments include a second, vertical mahl supported from the top rail. Preferably, the top rail has front and rear members with a gap therebetween in which a slide supporting the second mahl is inserted. With the slide in the gap, the position of the vertical mahl can be adjusted by sliding the support along the top rail.
US07694923B2
A universal mounting assembly for quick mounting of an object to a stand device. The mounting assembly includes a body having a support surface, a front face and an opposed mounting surface configured to mount to the support stand. The front face intersects the support surface and defines an opening into a receiving socket of the body. An elongated slot extends along and into the receiving socket from the support surface, and includes a transverse width dimension smaller than that of the receiving socket. The receiving socket receives the transverse width dimension of the head portion therein as the neck portion simultaneously slides along the elongated slot to a dock position. A resilient retaining arm includes a contact portion movable between a released position and a locked position. A manually operable locking wedge prevents movement of the retaining arm from the locked position toward the released position.
US07694920B2
An exemplary a display apparatus (2) includes a display panel (21) and a height adjusting device (25). The height adjusting device includes a base (26), a supporting member (27), a locking unit (30), and an elastic member (28). The display panel is fixed to the locking unit. The supporting member is fixed on the base. The supporting member includes two generally vertical friction grooves (2723, 2725). A depth of one of the friction grooves decreases with increasing height above the base, and a depth of the other friction groove increases with increasing height above the base. The locking unit is accommodated in the supporting member. The locking unit includes two sliders (33, 35) corresponding to the two friction grooves of the supporting member respectively. One of the sliders abuts a corresponding one of the friction grooves. The elastic member spans between the locking unit and the base.
US07694907B2
A large arbor anti-reverse fly fishing reel provides by its handle a convenient variable drug control up to a present drag force. The drag knob is preferably designed as a four-vane propeller knob being arranged within a handle depression extending inside the spool. By means of a bayonet coupling, which also serves as a variable drag control device, the handle can be securely attached to the reel thereby locking the spool. The spool can be provided with omega-like perforations for a maximum stability, lightness and ventilation, said ventilation being optionally enhanced by an air turbine formed by said perforation and a portion of the frame and/or a portion of the handle extending inside the spool.
US07694904B2
An apparatus includes a shell connection mechanism configured to be actuated between a connected state in which a mechanism is connected to a shell and a disconnected state and an actuator configured to move the first mechanism while the first mechanism is in the connected state to move the shell.
US07694901B2
A method of densifying a bulk particulate material includes at least partially confining the bulk particulate material, and mechanically agitating the confined bulk particulate material with at least two elongate rotatable members (14), (15) of which at least one is submerged in the confined bulk particulate material. The rotatable members each have an axis of rotation and include a plurality of axially spaced agitating formations (40) which project outwardly away from their axes of rotation. The rotatable members are transversely spaced.
US07694895B2
The invention concerns a pump sprayer equipped with a projecting side nozzle. The nozzle is defined at the end of a rectilinear element attached to the pushbutton and said element is force-mounted in a cavity of the push-button, which is of sufficient depth to enable a depression of selected length, determining the length of the projecting part of said element.
US07694881B2
An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that identifies an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item, obtains a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source; and aggregates the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance.
US07694876B2
A system and method for using RFID technology to track resource performance and task completion is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a fob and an RFID reader may engage in mutual authentication. Where the RFID reader and the fob successfully mutually authenticate, the fob may transmit to the RFID reader information identifying the resource's performance tracking account to which the fob is associated. The RFID reader may receive and forward the information to facilitate performance tracking. In one exemplary embodiment, the RFID reader may forward the information to a point of interaction terminal for transaction completion. In another exemplary embodiment, the fob completes tasks via a computer interface. In still another exemplary embodiment, the fob resource and/or a manager may access a resource engine, wherein the resource engine may be used to automatically grade, track, score, and assign resources based on resource skills and skill sets.
US07694875B2
An image forming apparatus includes a document-image forming section, a code-image forming section and an acquisition section. The document-image forming section forms a document image on a medium. The code-image forming section forms on the medium a code image containing position information, which is used to specify a position on a surface of the medium. The acquisition section acquires a position shift amount between the document image and the code image, which are formed on the medium.
US07694864B2
A position information transmitting member for transmitting position information to a staple receiving portion is provided in a tissue stapler having a staple receiving portion which comprises the anvil of the stapler. Thereby, an operator can easily locate the position of and grasp the staple receiving portion located within a tissue to swiftly execute stapling. The tissue stapler includes a stapling portion provided with an endoscope inserting tube path, a stapling portion provided with a staple injecting portion arranged on a distal end side of the inserting portion, and a staple receiving member (anvil) arranged separately from the inserting portion, to be grasped by a treatment tool introduced via the inserting portion in a state when it is opposed to the stapling portion via a tissue, to bend a distal end portion of a staple pressed out from the staple injecting portion of the stapling portion which has penetrated through the tissue.
US07694855B2
A dispenser includes an actuating section having a first moveable member and a hydraulic section coupled with the actuating section and having a second moveable member. The hydraulic section is adapted to dispense a liquid from an outlet therein and the actuating section is adapted to control dispensing of the liquid. An actuator assembly operatively couples the first moveable member with the second moveable such that the first moveable member is operative to move the second moveable member between open and closed positions for respectively starting and stopping flow of liquid from the outlet. The actuator assembly may include a pivoting lever arm having a first end operatively coupled with the first moveable member, a second end operatively coupled with the second moveable member and defining a fixed pivot point therebetween.
US07694850B2
A method and device for hygienically delivering a liquid food to or from a food or beverage dispenser by delivering a flow of liquid food through an outlet positioned at a distance of all surfaces of the dispenser and by frequently cleaning the outlet with a flow of cleaning liquid directed onto the external surfaces demarcating the outlet to eliminate the liquid and solid food residue. The device may include a connection fitment with an elongated food delivery member which is configured to connect to a cleaning chamber of the dispenser. The device can be easier and more conveniently cleaned and/or sanitized enabling the dispensing of microbial sensitive food products such as milk concentrate and the like.
US07694835B1
The present invention comprises a neck extending upwardly from a container and having an upper rim defining a neck opening. The neck has a substantially vertical sidewall of a constant thickness and at least one container neck thread extending from the sidewall. The at least one neck thread has an outer thread face drafted from a radially inward upper position to a radially outward lower position. The device further comprises a closure having a top wall and a skirt depending from the top wall, wherein the skirt is tapered. The closure comprises a closure thread extending helically along an inner surface of the skirt. The container thread has increasing radial length moving downwardly along the container neck.
US07694829B2
Process and apparatus for the continuous separation of crude oil from tar sands include using a hydrocarbon diluent and an aqueous solution in one or more settling vessels. The light components from the oil are collected and recycled to be used as the hydrocarbon diluent, and the aqueous solution is collected and recycled. A second aqueous solution is introduced in the second and subsequent vessels to prevent the formation of an oil film on the equipment.
US07694826B2
An industrial sieving or screening machine has a resonator rod on the separator screen. The rod extends between two spaced ends and has a transducer located at one end to excite the rod over its length to assist with deblinding the screen. The rod may be spiral in shape or shaped with other smoothly blended complex curves such as an S-shape. A spiral rod resonator fixed to the top of the sieve screen may be used as a guide for material to be screened.
US07694820B2
In a multi-sectional air enclosure, an air filling passageway is formed between two outer films folded together and in the meantime, a plurality of air cylinders are formed by adhering the two outer films to each other by means of hot sealing, each air cylinder is adhered to form into a plurality of air chambers in series by means of hot sealing. Furthermore, air inlets are formed between the inner film and the outer film to communicate the air filling passageway with the air cylinders, and a plurality of air passageways are formed to connect to the air inlets. Besides, each air passageway is connected to a plurality of branch air passageways, and an opening is disposed at the end of each branch air passageway.
US07694815B2
Package components for the radiochemical sterilization of medical devices contain paraformaldehyde as the precursor of the radiolytically generated, sterilizing dose of formaldehyde, premixed with a particulate solid dispersant of, preferably, polyethylene or silica gel, which facilitates the free passage of the formaldehyde to the package gaseous environment or additionally, absorbs trace amounts of moisture in the package, thus, facilitating the device manufacturing process and increasing shelf-stability.
US07694814B1
Systems and methods providing an enclosure for protecting portions of a medical device are shown. Embodiments individually protect multiple portions of a medical device during sterilization. Protective enclosures of embodiments provide a minimized size adapted to provide protection to portions of a medical device susceptible to damage by a sterilization process. Enclosures of embodiments provide protection by preventing unauthorized use of the medical device being protected.
US07694812B2
The present invention refers to an external container (1) for an implant carrier (20), comprising a cylindrical body portion (10) and a lid (50) closing the cylindrical body portion (10), the lid (50) being provided with a truncated cone-like element (74) which protrudes into the cylindrical body portion (10) and has on its surface at least one annular means (73) for fixing an implant carrier (20) into place which is adapted such as to fix the implant carrier (20) releasably into place in a stable position in the center of the interior of the cylindrical body portion (10).
US07694808B1
A golf club transport case includes a first tubular body having a closed end and open end. A second elongated tubular body includes a closed end and an open end adapted to mate with and overlap the open end of the first tubular body to define an enclosed tubular body. A keyway extends diametrically through the overlapped open ends of the first and second bodies of the enclosed tubular body. A pin extends through the keyway to secure the first body to the second body. The pin has a first end and a second end. The first end thereof is attached to the first body and the second end thereof is adapted to be removably secured to a lock to thereby prevent removal of the pin from the keyway.
US07694804B2
There is described a revolving device for a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt, wherein at least one magnet exerts an attracting or a repelling force on the conveyor chain and/or the conveyor belt in order, in particular, to reduce wear and tear during high speeds and to cushion vibrations. The magnetic flux is thereby concentrated in such a way by a first flux guide piece that the magnetic flux acts vertically upon an effective surface of a component of the conveyor chain and/or the conveyor belt. In interaction with a second flux guide piece, the return of the magnetic reflux is achieved by of an additional component of the conveyor chain and/or conveyor belt. Thus the magnetic reflux does not occur by way of the first named component, and consequently an optimized exertion of force on the conveyor chain and/or conveyor belt results.
US07694803B1
An assembly and method for controlling movement of a chain section during removal, including a mounting body providing a connector adapted for connection to a chain, a pair of rollers secured to the mounting body, the rollers being adapted for rotational movement along the channeled track, and an engaging member positioned between each roller and said mounting body, wherein the engaging member is configured to extend the roller between a disengaged and engaged positions, so that movement of the chain is retarded as the roller extends towards the engaged position.
US07694798B2
Grouping assembly of coin validation and return/payment mechanisms, in such a way that said compact assembly is useful to be included in automatic vending machines and especially recreative prize machines. In this way the assembly (1) comprises a coin selector (2) with a top duct (3) for conveying the coins from the coin slot of the machine to the selector (2), some deposit tubes (4) of the coins for payment, a remover (5) of the coins from the deposit tubes (4), a coin separator (9) for separating the coins towards two money boxes (10) and (11) and a lifting mechanism (7) for conveying the coins to be returned/paid to the receiving box of the machine connected to a small top duct (8) arranged close to the top duct (3) for conveying the coins to the coin slot of the machine to the selector (2).
US07694787B2
An impact absorber for a vehicle, which has a tubular shape and which is to be disposed between a side member and a bumper beam of the vehicle, so as to be crushed like an accordion in an axial direction thereof upon application of a compressive load thereto, for absorbing an impact energy. (a) The impact absorber has a tubular main body and a pair of attachment plates that are welded to be fixed to respective axially opposite end portions of the tubular main body. (b) The main body has a thin plate portion having a plate thickness smaller than 1.4 mm and constituting an axially intermediate portion of the main body, and a pair of thick plate portions having a plate thickness not smaller than 1.4 mm and provided integrally on axially opposite sides of the thin plate portion, the thick plate portions being arc-welded to be fixed to the respective attachment plates while being held in contact with the respective attachment plates.
US07694785B2
A controllable damping force hydraulic shock absorber including a pilot type damping valve having a back-pressure chamber for each of an extension stroke and a compression stroke. A piston connected to a piston rod is fitted into a sealed cylinder in which a hydraulic fluid is contained. During an extension stroke of the piston rod, the hydraulic fluid in an upper cylinder chamber flows to a lower cylinder chamber through an extension-side hydraulic fluid passage, an extension-side orifice hydraulic fluid passage, an extension-side back-pressure chamber, an axial hydraulic fluid passage, a radial hydraulic fluid passage, a compression-side back-pressure chamber, an extension-side check valve and a compression-side hydraulic fluid passage. During a compression stroke, the hydraulic fluid in the lower cylinder chamber flows to the upper cylinder chamber through the compression-side hydraulic fluid passage, the compression-side orifice passage, the compression-side back-pressure chamber, the radial hydraulic fluid passage, the axial hydraulic fluid passage, the extension-side back-pressure chamber, the compression-side check valve and the extension-side hydraulic passage. The hydraulic fluid passage for an extension stroke and the hydraulic fluid passage for a compression stroke have some elements in common, thus simplifying the structure of the controllable damping force hydraulic shock absorber.
US07694781B2
A method for allocating destination calls in an elevator system, the system including at least one multi-deck elevator, where the passenger gives his/her destination floor by means of a destination call device at the beginning of the journey route, thereby defining the staffing point and final point of the passenger's journey route in the elevator system. The method includes the steps of generating possible route alternatives from the staffing point to the final point of the journey route, determining a cost function containing at least one travel time term, determining the value of the travel time term corresponding to each route alternative in the cost function, calculating the total cost of each route alternative by using the cost function, allocating for the passenger the route alternative that gives the minimum total cost, and guiding the passenger to a waiting lobby and/or elevator consistent with the route alternative allocated.
US07694779B2
A sound-absorbing material, wherein a non-woven fabric with a mass per unit area of 150 to 800 g/m2 and a bulk density of 0.01 to 0.2 g/cm3 and a surface material with an air permeability of not more than 50 cc/cm2/sec measured according to JIS L-1096 are layered.
US07694774B2
A reduced wind resistance haulage vehicle apparatus includes an undercarriage portion which supports a motor/transmission. Driven wheel assemblies are connected to the undercarriage portion and are powered by the motor/transmission. A cab portion is supported by the an undercarriage portion for controlling the motor/transmission. Steering wheel assemblies are supported by the undercarriage portion for steering by a driver seated in the cab portion. A haulage portion is supported by the undercarriage portion. More specifically, the haulage portion includes haulage compartment side walls. Haulage compartment front doors and rear doors are connected to the haulage compartment side walls. When the haulage portion is empty, the front doors and the rear doors are opened, and air flow can flow through the haulage portion when the vehicle is driven along a road surface. As a result, the air resistance of the vehicle is significantly reduced, and the vehicle saves in energy demand and in fuel consumption.
US07694754B2
An earth boring bit has a bit body having a depending bearing pin. A cone has a cavity rotatably mounted on the bearing pin. A seal groove is formed in the cavity of the cone. An elastomeric seal ring is located within the groove and forms a seal between a base of the groove and the bearing pin. The seal ring has two side surfaces, each spaced from one of the side walls of the groove by a clearance. Elastomeric protuberances protrude from each of the side surfaces of the seal ring for non-sealing contact with one of the side walls of the groove.
US07694750B2
A hammer drill includes a motor; a spindle rotatingly driven by the motor and holding an output bit; a motion conversion member for converting rotational movement of the motor to reciprocating movement; a striker reciprocatingly driven by the motion conversion member for applying an axial striking force to the output bit; a striking-motion-releasing mechanism for releasing the striking force applying action exercised by the striker; and a tightening-torque adjusting clutch for interrupting the transfer of the rotational force to the output bit by increasing a load torque.
US07694747B1
A drop hammer for driving piles. The drop hammer of the present invention comprises a housing member and a ram member. The housing member defines a housing chamber. The ram member is supported within the housing chamber for movement relative to the housing member between an upper position and a lower position. When the ram member moves into the lower position, the impact of the ram member drives the pile. When the ram member falls below a preload position between the lower and upper positions, fluid within a preload chamber portion of the housing chamber compresses as the ram member moves into the lower position.
US07694745B2
A well tool is adapted to couple to at least one of a wireline service tool and a tubing string and has an adapter component engaging portion adapted to couple to an adapter component. At least a first and a second interchangeable adapter components are operable to couple to the adapter component engaging portion. The first adapter component is adapted to perform a first function and the second adapter component is adapted to perform a second function.
US07694744B2
Embodiments of the present invention include methods and apparatus for circulating fluid through casing and filling the casing with fluid using a combination fill-up and circulating tool while maintaining the fill-up/circulating tool in substantially the same position relative to the casing. In one embodiment, the fill-up/circulating tool includes a mandrel insertable into casing and having a sealing element therearound, the sealing element capable of sealingly engaging with an outer diameter of the mandrel to permit circulating fluid through the casing. The fill-up/circulating tool is also capable of allowing air flow around the outer diameter of the mandrel for the operation of filling the casing with fluid without the need to move the mandrel within the casing.
US07694729B2
An air passage opening/closing device for a vehicle air conditioner has a casing and a slide door. The slide door is movably disposed in the casing. Both sides of the slide door are guided by guide channels provided in the casing. The guide channels are formed by the casing and a separate guide member. The slide door can be assembled by mounting the slide door on a door-sliding surface of the casing, and mounting the separate guide member on the slide door.
US07694725B2
A heat dissipation system and a making method thereof are disclosed in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The heat dissipation system mainly includes a body, a cover, and a working fluid. The body includes an evaporation chamber having a first side entryway and a first side outlet, a condensation chamber having a second side entryway and a second side outlet, an elongated evaporation passage configured for intercommunicating the first side outlet with the second side entryway, and an elongated condensation passage configured for intercommunicating the second side outlet with the first side entryway. The cover is hermetically secured to the body. The working fluid is contained in the body.
US07694721B2
A miniature liquid cooling device includes a casing (10) having a base (16) attached on a heat-generating electronic component for absorbing heat generated by the electronic component. The casing includes an outer wall (12) mounted on the base and a top cover (15) mounted on the outer wall. A receiving space is enclosed by the casing. A heat-absorbing member (40) is attached on the base and received in the receiving space for exchanging heat with liquid in the casing. An impeller (21) is rotatably mounted in the receiving space and above the heat-absorbing member. When the impeller rotates the liquid is driven to flow into the liquid cooling device via a liquid inlet (122) and then flow through the heat-absorbing member and finally flow out of the liquid cooling device via a liquid outlet (124).
US07694717B2
A cover assembly (10) is provided and includes a flexible fabric cover (21) within which a plurality of elongate, hollow thermal transfer fluid profiles (12) is positioned. Each of the profiles includes an arcuate outer surface (13) adapted to conform with an exterior of a fluid conduit (20). The cover assembly may be fastened circumferentially about a fluid conduit to position and maintain the profiles in thermal contact therewith.
US07694702B2
A filling machine assembly having supports for supporting any suitable fixture. At least one of the supports includes a plurality of modules with each of the modules including at least one coupling member for interlocking adjoining modules to form a continuous uninterrupted support. The modules can include sides with at least one coupling member mounted to each side. The coupling members are preferably complementary in configuration with each other for interlocking the first and second modules.
US07694698B2
A container for sealing liquid for repairing inflatable articles, in particular, tyres, has a vessel having an opening; and a valve device fitted to the opening and having an inlet connectable to a compressed-air feed line, and an outlet for dispensing the sealing liquid; the valve device has a slide movable, in response to pressurization of the feed line, from a closed position closing the valve device and wherein the inlet and outlet are isolated from the inside of the container, to an open position wherein the inlet and outlet communicate with the inside of the container.
US07694694B2
A valve apparatus includes a substrate, a main flow channel formed in the substrate, a control channel formed in the substrate such that the main flow channel and the control channel meet at a junction, a bi-phase material within the control channel, a heating element adjacent the control channel and the junction, the heating element being controllable to generate sufficient energy to cause the bi-phase material to transition from a solid phase to a liquid phase, and a pumping mechanism for forcing the bi-phase material either into or out of the junction when the bi-phase material is in the liquid phase.
US07694687B2
A horse and/or livestock brush releases a liquid gel solution directly onto the coat of an animal during brushing. Delivery of the liquid gel solution is activated by manually depressing the brushes cover. The liquid gel solution includes perfumes, fragrances and other active compositions including insect repellant, hair conditioners, dyes, moisturizers, or antibacterial compounds. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane with a plurality of apertures that are, optionally, aligned with apertures in brush bristles for delivery of the liquid gel active composition, and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. A porous sponge saturated with the liquid gel active ingredient is inserted over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening and rests upon the porous sponge. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and squeezes the sponge, releasing the active ingredient during brushing or when the cover is depressed manually.
US07694683B2
Devices, systems and methods for occluding the lumens of anatomical passageways and/or for delivering drugs or other substances to the bodies of human or animal subjects.
US07694682B2
The invention relates to a laryngeal mask (1) comprising at least one airway tube (2) and a mask portion (3), which mask portion (3) comprises a top face (4) and a bottom face (5), said bottom face (5) comprising a lumen (6) that communicates with the tube (2) interior (7), and said top face (4) comprising a closed transition face (8), and said mask portion (3) being at least on the bottom face in the periphery delimited by an inflatable cuff (9), and said mask portion (3) comprising a joint throughout the entire internal circumference of the cuff (9), facing towards the lumen (6) and for providing a closed cuff. Hereby a product is provided which is formed integrally with regard to mask portion and airway tube portion thereby eliminating the risk that the two parts are separated in use.
US07694668B2
The invention relates to a system for controlling the operation of a diesel engine of a motor vehicle, associated with means for supplying the cylinders with fuel and with means for recirculating waste gases at the admission. The control system comprises means for controlling the supply means according to the rotation speed of the engine and an effective torque control point and means for controlling the recirculating means according to the at least one effective torque control point. The system comprises means for determining a torque control point which is reconstructed from information provided by means for acquisition of the richness of the waste gas of the engine and air supply at the admission thereof and means for adjusting the means for controlling the recirculating means according to the effective torque control point and the reconstructed torque control point in order to minimize the emission of pollutants by the engine.
US07694667B2
An apparatus for a vehicle comprising a compressor and manifold for connection to air inlets of an engine, wherein the manifold has an entry end chamber and the compressor device is located at least partially within the chamber.
US07694657B2
In an engine for a motorcycle, a main shaft is supported rotatably by first and second support walls of a lower case which constitutes a part of a crank case. The center distance between the crank shaft and the main shaft is to be shortened while attaining a reduction in the number of parts and the number of assembling steps. A first bearing hole is formed in a first support wall for fitting therein and holding a first bearing which is mounted on one end of the main shaft. A second bearing hole is formed in a second support wall which permits the main shaft to be inserted therein from an opposite end side of the main shaft until one end of the main shaft is fitted in the first bearing. A second bearing is fitted and held in the second bearing hole so as to be fitted on the main shaft from the opposite end side of the main shaft after fitting of one end of the main shaft into the first bearing.
US07694647B2
Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to improve the coater chamber, the developer chamber, the post exposure bake chamber, the chill chamber, and the bake chamber process results. Embodiments also provide for a method and apparatus that are used to increase the reliability of the substrate transfer process to reduce system down time.
US07694646B2
A coating apparatus, has a nozzle unit (1) with at least one feeding chamber (12) extending in the longitudinal direction (W) of the coating apparatus. Coating color is conveyed into the chamber by feeding means (4), and a nozzle slot (30) in flow communication with the said feeding chamber, the slot also extending in the longitudinal direction (W) of the coating apparatus. The flow communication between the at least one feeding chamber (12) and the nozzle slot (30) is formed by feed holes (14; 18) made in one wall of the feeding chamber, through which the coating color can be conveyed to the nozzle slot. The nozzle unit has means (15, 16; 19) by which the effective area of the feed holes (14; 18) can be adjusted in order to accomplish transverse profiling of the amount of coating color.
US07694638B1
A liquid metering system for an agricultural implement is modular, having individual metering pumps for each crop row. The pumps are individually controlled for precise application of the liquid input and are preferable electrically driven. A common pump is used, making the system modular in that varying sizes of implements can be produced by varying the number of pumps. A common supply line is used to supply a liquid input from a reservoir to the pumps. Each pump is connected to the common supply line. By connecting each pump to the common supply line, the difficulty of routing individual hoses from a central pump to each row unit are overcome.
US07694637B2
This invention improves gas mixing and combustion, gaseous fluid flow and control of the char bed in recovery boilers burning black liquor or soda liquor, requires fewer primary air ports than conventional methods and can reduce capital and operating costs. Some primary air is introduced as powerful principal jets, from two opposing so-called active furnace walls. All or most of the remainder of the primary air is introduced as smaller jets, called scavenging jets, which prevent char from accumulating in the furnace corners and, in some cases, between the principal jets and are in the same plane as the principal jets. The momentum flux of each of the principal jets is approximately double or more than double that of each scavenging jet. Some of the primary air may be introduced as central jets, from the remaining two furnace walls and located in the same plane as the other ports, or on a second, somewhat higher plane. The momentum flux of the central jets is less than that of the principal jets.
US07694627B2
A marker for use in a blasting system which includes a harness, the marker including a control unit, a memory in which information is stored and a connector for connection to a selected location on the harness whereby, upon receipt of an enabling signal via the harness, the information is made available by the control unit.
US07694623B2
The invention relates to a tandem pneumatic brake booster (1) for a vehicle. The objective is to prevent a blocking of a booster thrust rod (4) in the maximum travel position. The blocking appears following a sealed adhesion of a first plate skirt (12) on a seal (22) of the tandem booster. This seal blocks a vacuum in a first front chamber (5). To prevent this blocking, provision is made to crenelate a first lip (23) pressed against the pneumatic piston (3) of a seal. Merlons prevent a sealed adhesion of the plate skirt (12) over the whole seal (22). This absence of adhesion creates a leakage of air to the first front chamber (5) and allows a return to a rest position.
US07694615B2
A food slicer having a blade is disclosed having a runway for supporting food prior to cutting by the blade and a landing for supporting the blade and the food after being cut. The runway and landing are adjustable for selecting a thickness of a food slice. The runway and landing are simultaneously adjusted, by a single mechanism, so that the blade and runway are maintained generally parallel with respect to each other. The adjusting mechanism includes a plurality of rotatable cam portions that engage with respective portions on the runway and landing so that each of the runway and landing may be oppositely pivoted around an end to maintain the parallel relationship. The food slicer also includes on-board storage for inserts, such as julienning or cubing inserts. The storage is located on a bottom of the runway, which is pivoted upward for storage.
US07694611B2
A workpiece ejector and a method for ejecting workpieces from a turning machine such as a lathe. The turning machine has at least one spindle for receiving workpieces therethrough and at least one chuck associated with the spindle for holding a workpiece during machining operations. In one embodiment, the ejector includes a piston mounted at a location outside the spindle and proximate the chuck, the piston having a first end adapted to engage the workpiece and being movable between a first position where the first end is located outside the spindle and a second position where the first end and at least a portion of the piston are within the spindle. An actuator is operative to move the piston from the first position toward the second position. The actuator may include a mechanical spring.
US07694608B2
A method of manufacturing an earth-boring bit having a fluid plenum and a plurality of fluid pathways includes modeling flow characteristics of the fluid plenum and the plurality of fluid pathways, optimizing the flow characteristics to minimize fluid separation through each fluid pathway, constructing a plenum blank from the optimized model, and sintering matrix power between the plenum blank and a bit head mold to create the fluid plenum and plurality of fluid pathways.
US07694601B2
A housing of a gear device houses a plurality of gears and a lubricant. On at least one side surface of at least one gear selected from the plurality of gears, an extended projection is provided. On a side surface of the housing facing the side surface of the selected gear, an extended projection is provided. The extended projection of the selected gear and the extended projection of the housing extend in a direction crossing the circumferential direction of the selected gear. When viewed along an axial direction of the selected gear, according to rotation of the selected gear, the extended projection of the selected gear and the extended projection of the housing partially face each other in the axial direction of the selected gear and form facing portions. A lubricant holding portion capable of holding the lubricant is formed between the facing portion of the extended projection of the selected gear and the facing portion of the extended projection of the housing.
US07694598B2
A transfer case includes a two-speed range unit, a friction clutch, a power-operated actuation mechanism and a control system. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor, a geartrain driven by the motor for controlling rotation of an actuator shaft, a range actuator assembly and a mode actuator assembly. The range actuator assembly functions to move a shift collar associated with the range unit in response to rotation of the actuator shaft. The mode actuator assembly includes a mode cam and a ballramp unit. The mode cam is rotatively driven by the actuator shaft for controlling the clutch engagement force exerted on the friction clutch by the ballramp unit.
US07694597B2
A power unit of a vehicle, which includes an internal combustion engine and a transmission, is provided which is configured to quickly return lubricating oil fed to the transmission to an oil storage portion of the power unit case. The transmission includes a gear train housed in a gear chamber, the gear train executing power transmission among an input shaft, an intermediate shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft and the output shaft are arranged such that a line connecting their respective shaft centers extends almost horizontally above a communicating port which permits return oil flow between segregated portions of the power unit case. In addition, the intermediate shaft is disposed above and between the input shaft and the output shaft.
US07694595B2
The resonator comprises a shell 1 a having a pole 2 held by a support rod 3, the shell having an annular edge 4 defined by an inside surface 5 and an outside surface 6 that are geometrically similar and that extend around a common axis of revolution R, the inside surface and the outside surface being offset relative to each other along the axis of revolution in such a manner that the shell presents a thickness E along the annular edge 4 that is greater than the thickness e that it presents in the vicinity of the pole 2.
US07694588B2
An adjustment and stabilization unit (1), such as for a weapon, includes a movable platform (3), a rotational mass (2) mounted on the platform and stabilized in inertial space, and an adjustment drive (6) for adjusting the rotational mass. The adjustment drive includes a driving device (7) connecting the adjustment drive with the rotational mass, a force-sensing device (16) for measuring torque, and at least one stabilization control circuit for controlling the rotary adjustment drive by means of the measured torque. The force-sensing device (16) has an annular design and is arranged between the platform (3) and the adjustment drive (6). The driving device has a shaft (10) that extends through force-sensing device (16). The force-sensing device measures the torque transmitted between the adjustment drive and the platform, and being transmitted to the adjustment drive as a result of an acceleration of the rotational mass.
US07694585B2
A straight tube type Coriolis flowmeter is equipped with a straight-tube-type flow tube, a drive device for driving by a tertiary mode vibration, a pair of detection unit for detecting a phase difference proportional to a Coriolis force, a pedestal having rigidity, and elastic connection members having elasticity. Assuming that an axial direction of the flow tube is a Z-axis, that a driving direction of the drive device is an X-axis, and that a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis and the X-axis is a Y-axis, the elastic connection members are of a structure exhibiting lower rigidity in the Z-axis direction than in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and exhibiting lower rigidity in a direction of rotation around the Y-axis than in a direction of rotation around the Z-axis and a direction of rotation around the X-axis.
US07694584B2
A Coriolis flow meter includes first and second pickoff sensors, cabling coupled to the first and second pickoff sensors, and a signal injection device coupled to the cabling. The signal injection device is configured to generate one or more reference signals, with the one or more reference signals being substantially identical in phase, and communicate the one or more reference signals into the cabling and the first and second pickoff sensors. The Coriolis flow meter further includes a signal conditioning circuit coupled to the cabling. The signal conditioning circuit is configured to receive first and second response signals from the cabling and the first and second pickoff sensors in response to the one or more reference signals and determine a signal difference between first and second response signals.
US07694582B2
A first deformation sensor is arranged in a shock transmission member which is built in a vehicle and which constitutes a transmission path of a shock applied from the outside. A second deformation sensor is arranged in an exterior member which is exposed to the outside of a vehicle. Each of the first and second deformation sensors comprises a main body of sensor which has an elastomer and spherical conductive fillers blended in the elastomer in an approximately single particle state and with a high filling rate, and in which an electric resistance increases as an elastic deformation increases, and an electrode which is connected with the main body of sensor and is able to output the electric resistance.
US07694579B2
A sensor adapted to be embedded in a layer of cement material of a pavement to detect pressure thrusts acting on said pavement. The sensor includes: a plate-like transducer; a base structure including a container fitted with a chamber such as to house said transducer and a layer of protective material defined between a surface in contact with said transducer and an opposite free surface; a pressure plate including a force transferring portion and a force receiving portion which projects compared to said force transferring portion, the force transferring portion including one end portion facing the force receiving portion and one opposite end portion. The force transferring portion is such as to distance the force receiving portion from the free surface so as to define between the force receiving portion and the free surface a region which can be filled at least in part with the cement material of the layer of cement material.
US07694571B2
The invention relates to a pressure sensor, the measuring cell of which is provided with at least one membrane for the protection of the pressure-sensitive element and a measuring chamber, filled with pressure medium, in which the pressure-sensitive element is housed. According to the invention, the membrane is monitored for damage, whereby at least one surface wave sensor is arranged in the chamber filled with pressure medium. On damage to the membrane occurring, process medium is mixed with the pressure medium. A substance change in the sensitive region of the surface wave sensor is thus brought about which results in a differing signal run time. Any change in run time is an indictor of damage to the pressure sensor and may be signaled as such.
US07694568B2
Noncontaminating and nondestructive testing of a shaped polysilicon body for a material defect is accomplished by exposing the shaped polysilicon body to ultrasound waves, and the ultrasound waves are registered by an ultrasound receiver after they have passed through the shaped polysilicon body or reflected therein, so that material defects in the polysilicon are detected.
US07694553B2
A calibration flow position of a variable nozzle (6) of a turbocharger is set by a method for calibrating the turbocharger, which comprises a turbine (2) and a compressor (1). In this method, the turbocharger is driven by a predetermined fluid supply. Further, the flow position of the variable nozzle (6) is changed while the rotational speed (N) of the turbocharger or an outlet pressure (P2C) of the compressor (1) is monitored. The calibration flow position is fixed based on the monitored quantities.
US07694550B2
An apparatus is disclosed for measuring the permeability of an anode of a solid oxide fuel cell. The apparatus includes a specimen container, an air reservoir and a recorder. The specimen container includes a can and a cover. The can includes a tunnel defined therein and a cavity in communication with the tunnel. The anode can be disposed in the cavity. The cover includes a tunnel defined therein and a bulger inserted in the cavity and pressed against the anode so that air can penetrate the anode and travel into the tunnel of the can from the tunnel of the cover. The air reservoir is in communication with the cover. The recorder measures and records the pressure and temperature of air in the air reservoir before and after the air is introduced into the specimen container from the air reservoir.
US07694545B2
An adjustment stroke connection for a mechanical press includes an eccentric bushing disposed within a press connection member and an eccentric crankshaft member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the eccentric member. A mechanism is provided for connecting the eccentric bushing with the press connection member in a manner that prevents rotation therebetween and concurrently permits rotation of the eccentric member relative to the eccentric bushing. When the mechanism is activated, driving rotation of the crankshaft produces a press stroke adjustment. A torque actuator delivers equal driving torque to plural eccentric crankshaft members to enable minimization of relative bushing angle slip. Suitable control of the bushing angle and slide position crank angle during bushing expansion and contraction also minimizes relative bushing angle slip.
US07694533B2
A method for the refining of glass by means of high temperatures in a skull crucible is provided. The method includes introducing a glass melt in the skull crucible through an inlet disposed at an upper region of the skull crucible, heating the skull crucible by irradiation of high-frequency energy, and discharging the glass melt from the skull crucible through an outlet disposed at the upper region, the outlet being disposed at a place essentially lying opposite the inlet.
US07694526B2
A shielding member includes a shielding plate for covering a part of a heat exchanger, heat transfer tube engagement sections for engaging with heat transfer tubes of the heat exchanger, fin engagement portions for engaging with fins of the heat exchanger, a bypass preventing rib for preventing air from being directed to the part of the heat exchanger, and a mismounting preventing portion for preventing the shielding member from being mounted on a heat exchanger that does not require blocking of air flow. The heat exchanger in which the part covered with the shielding member has no heat exchanging function is manufactured with the same components as those of a heat exchanger on which the shielding member is not mounted and the whole of which has a heat exchanging function.
US07694523B2
This invention discloses systems and methods for control of a gas turbine or a gas turbine generator, where the gas turbine is connected to a dryer vessel in which gas turbine exhaust gases are used to heat treat a material in the dryer vessel. The control system comprises one or more sensors for temperature, moisture and/or flow rate in the dryer vessel and/or of the material inside, entering and/or exiting the dryer vessel and a controller responsive to the sensor for controlling the fuel and/or air flow into the gas turbine. This control system and method enables providing the appropriate heat output from the gas turbine to meet the process heat required for the desired material treatment. Optionally, the gas turbine can be a liquid fuel turbine engine, or a reciprocating engine can be substituted for the turbine engine.
US07694513B2
A wave power apparatus includes a plurality of rotationally supported arms, each of which carries a float (124) at its free end, so that a translational movement of the float caused by a wave results in rotation of the arm. The apparatus comprises power conversion means for converting power transmitted from the wave to the arms into electric power, e.g. a hydraulic system, in which a hydraulic fluid is displaced by the movement of the arms to drive one or more hydraulic motors. The plurality of are arranged in a row such that a wave passing the row of arms causes the arms to successively pivot with a mutual phase shift. Thereby, an even power output may be achieved, and the need for frequency converters may be reduced or eliminated. Preferably, each arm is connected to a hydraulic cylinder of the hydraulic system, whereby a plurality of arms feed hydraulic medium into the hydraulic motor or motors through common hydraulic conduits.
US07694512B2
A NOx occlusion and reduction catalyst 7 is arranged in an exhaust path 2 of an engine 1 to purify NOx in the exhaust gas. An electronic control unit (ECU) 30 of the engine operates the engine in an operating mode in which the exhaust gas increases in temperature with the air-fuel ratio thereof kept rich each time a predetermined amount of SOx is occluded in the catalyst 7, and executes the SOx poisoning restoration process for releasing SOx from the catalyst 7. The ECU controls the engine air-fuel ratio in such a manner that the H2 concentration in the exhaust gas detected by the H2 sensor arranged in the exhaust path upstream of the catalyst 7 is in a predetermined range. As a result, an appropriate amount of hydrogen is supplied to the catalyst 7 during the SOx poisoning restoration process. Thus, an appropriate amount of hydrogen is supplied to the catalyst 7 during the SOx poisoning restoration process, so that the H2S generation is suppressed while at the same time executing the SOx poisoning restoration process efficiently.
US07694503B2
A scissor-type vibrator for shaking trees wherein one of the arms thereof extends backwards to achieve a better working lever so that, on gripping the tree, the hydraulic piston that connects the two scissor arms expands, thus increasing the tightening torque whilst reducing the hydraulic pressure, and furthermore, to bring about the vibration, the scissor-type vibrator has a cam to which a synchronized single or double rotation may be applied and the vibration time may be regulated.
US07694502B2
Machines and methods designed for use in harvesting vine-borne crops that is particularly suited for use in wet fields with narrow rows. The machines are relatively compact, and provide for vine borne crops to be severed, separated, cleaned and sorted along a straight path of a single vertical plane. The machines and methods incorporate a blower and adjustable conveyor system for efficient removal of unwanted dirt, trash, vegetation and debris from the crop without re-depositing such removed refuse on the cleaned crop. The machines and methods also provide an upward airstream that blows through the mesh/openings of the conveyors to provide agitation for recovery of additional crop from previously-shaken vines.
US07694498B2
The present invention provides a gas filling apparatus and gas filling port thereof. The gas filling apparatus is connected with the air feed apparatus which is introduced the gas into the first inlet port of the semiconductor device or reticle storage apparatus. The gas filling apparatus includes a supporting base which is provided to hold the storage apparatus thereon, and at least one second inlet port which is disposed on the first inlet port of the storage apparatus so as to the gas is flowed into the storage apparatus through the second inlet port. The second inlet port includes a first base, a second base, a first elastic element, a fixing element, and a switch device. Both of the first base and second base have through holes, and opposite to each other. The first elastic element is used to maintain the airtight and is disposed on the second base and opposite to the first inlet port of the storage apparatus used to maintain the airtight. The fixing element is used to fix the elastic element on the second base. The switch device is disposed on the gap in the middle of the first base and the second base, and is provided to control the input or output for the gas of the second inlet port.
US07694497B2
A machine (1000) for filling capsules (CS) or similar. The machine (1000) has a number of seat assemblies (10), each of which incorporates a capacitive transducer (14) and possibly other devices, such as an energy storage device (17) and a microprocessor (15), in addition to devices for external connection for power supply and/or communication.
US07694492B2
The invention relates to a gripping device (2) for placing boxes (1), in particular egg boxes, in an outer packaging, wherein the gripping device comprises a amobile frame (3); grippers (4) placed on both sides of the frame in such a way that in use the grippers are situated on both sides of the box, whereby the grippers can be moved between a box supporting position and an unloading position, wherein each gripper is formed by a mainly pen-shaped body with a hook-shaped end (6), whereby at least the hook-shaped end (6) can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the gripper, and wherein the grippers on the one side of the box are attached staggeringly in relation to the grippers on the other side of the box.
US07694490B2
A closing tool assembly for a clip machine, in particular for a sausage clipping machine, containing: at least one first and at least one second tool holder, which can be moved to positions opposite each other and reversibly towards each other, and each of which supports at least one first and at least one second closing tool, wherein the first and second closing tool are each replaceably held on the first and the second tool holder by means of a fixing device. A linear guide contour is further provided on at least one of the two tool holders, and a linear guide counter-contour complementary thereto is further provided on the associated closing tool.
US07694484B2
A panel edge joint formed on opposing edges of a first panel (12) and second panel (22) for use in refrigeration units. The panel edge joint comprises a male part (10) extending along at least one edge of the first panel (12) and a corresponding female part (20) extending along at least one edge of second panel (22) wherein male part (10) comprises a deformable sleeve (30) forming an outer covering of male part (10). Engagement of male part (10) with female part (20) forms a seal between the first panel (12) and second panel (22).
US07694482B2
A blast resistant window blind system includes a blind system comprising a plurality of parallel blind slats, a plurality of spaced pane engaging members, and first and second mounting bodies coupled to the pane engaging members and anchor members disposed at first and second opposite ends of said opening, wherein the pane engaging members are secured to the mounting bodies and coupled thereby to the structure. At least one energy dampening device is coupled to the pane engaging members, allowing the pane engaging members to extend a selected amount toward the inside of the structure upon impact of the window pane, wherein the blind system and pane engaging members cooperate to restrain the window pane from being blown into the inside of the structure and conform to the inside surface of the window pane during impact therewith to distribute the restraining force across the window pane.
US07694475B2
A fire rated glass flooring system comprising a first layer of glass which is a structural glass and a second layer of glass which is a fire rated glass, together with a structural frame supporting the flooring system, wherein the two layers of glass are positioned one above the other and are separated by at least one load transferring means. The flooring system is more aesthetic than conventional frames as the user of a load transferring means allows the first and second layers of glass to be brought closer together and hence the structural frame supporting the system is less visible through the system.
US07694470B2
A muntin clip has a bar support adapted to be connected to a muntin bar end and a base member adapted to be connected to a spacer frame. The bar support has a plurality of flexible support members attached thereto, which are adapted to contact the opposed interior walls of the muntin bar end and deform in response to such contact. The base member has two flexible members forming a flexible latching structure which is adapted to deform when inserted into the spacer frame. The muntin clip to be used with muntin bars and spacer frames having a range of different dimensions and configurations.
US07694464B2
The present invention is an apparatus and method that enables a single installer to attach panels, such as drywall sheets, to overhead surfaces without the help of a second person to support the sheet against a ceiling while the installer performs the fastening. Two components are included, a fixed shelf and a movable shelf. Each component is elongated to support approximately half of the edge of the panels, so that the installer need not manipulate multiple brackets before securing the panels to the ceiling.
US07694460B2
A window pane having a window sash attached thereto to reduce noise transmitted through the window pane. The window sash comprising a bracket and tuned mass damper attached to the bracket at one or more spaced intervals. The one or more spaced intervals are adjusted to tune the window sash to a targeted frequency to reduce the noise transmitted through the window pane. The targeted frequency may be the coincidence frequency of the window pane. The stiffness and/or mass of the bracket and tuned mass damper can also be chosen to reduce the noise transmitted through the window pane.
US07694457B2
A process of mechanical separation of embryos from seeds for genetic transplantation employs counter-rotating cylinders together with one or more culling, hydration, separation, and viability testing steps to provide high-throughput of viable, transplantable tissue.
US07694455B1
A mosquito control trap taking advantage of the normal stages of development for a mosquito. The trap including stagnant water trapped within a container by a weeping platform floating on top of the water. A series of holes in the weeping platform provide exposure of the water to form brood cups in which female mosquitoes lay eggs. In order to develop through the larva and pupa stage the developing insects must enter the larger reservoir of stagnant water, since there is insufficient room in the brood cups. However, the holes are too small to permit escape of the adult mosquito, thus preventing any of the eggs from developing. This device provides a means for controlling mosquitoes without the use of pesticides and is especially suitable for use in lesser developing countries.
US07694452B2
A device is disclosed that pneumatically propels a fishing lure or bait/weight combination a great distance. Pneumatic pressure is provided in combination with a conventional ice chest. A pneumatic tube is releasably provided from the ice chest. The pneumatic tube also operates as a handle to pull the ice chest on wheels when the pneumatic tube is in storage position. A power piston located within the pneumatic tube propels the fishing lure or bait/weight combination with pneumatic pressure is released with a valve mechanism.
US07694450B2
A removable optical sight mount adapted for use with a military-style rifle such as an M1A provides a centrally aligned support projecting well to the rear for use with sights having very limited eye relief. The removable sight advantageously uses a three point lock up or attachment to the rifle, the three points being (1) an elongated longitudinal tenon engaging a groove on the left side of the rifle secured with a fastener and cammed into tight engagement with the groove, (2) a transverse rear guide block, and (3) an adjustable front set screw that, when tightened, bears on the rifle receiver's crown.
US07694444B2
An electronic sign having a formed metal cabinet where precise and close tolerance formed planar panels and formed channels are fastened together only by rivets, nut inserts or the combination thereof for rapid assembly thereof.
US07694438B1
An article of footwear has an upper and a sole. The sole has an upper sole member, a lower sole member, and at least one inflatable bladder disposed between the upper sole member and the lower sole member. The at least one inflatable bladder has an inflated state and a deflated state. A distance between the upper sole member and the lower sole member is greater in the inflated state than the deflated state. Varying the inflation of the inflatable bladder varies the amount of cushioning in the sole and the thickness of the sole so that the shoe can serve as a multipurpose shoe for activities requiring different amounts of cushioning, such as a training shoe and a racing flat.
US07694429B2
A method and system for installing shakes on a building comprising a ledger board and a shake jig for assisting with installation of shakes. The shake jig comprising a base member supporting an adjustable member with a releasably fastener facilitating releaseable retention of the adjustable member in a desired relative position with respect to the base member. The base member has a shake shelf for abutting against a surface of a shake to prevent further insertion of the base member, between an installed topmost shake and an at least partially overlapped shake, and facilitate desired alignment of the shake jig with respect to the installed topmost shake. The adjustable member has a ledger shelf for engaging with the ledger board and retaining the ledger board in a desired horizontal orientation with respect to the shake shelf and assisting with installation of shakes.
US07694425B2
An exemplary measuring device includes a standard element, a first contour measuring probe, and a controller. The standard element has a first standard plane opposite to a measured object. The first contour measuring probe has a tip extension. The controller is electrically connected to the first contour measuring probe. The tip extension contacts the first standard plane during a measuring process. In addition, a method for using the measuring device is also provided.
US07694424B2
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for advertising on a first-down measurement device in an American-style football game are disclosed. An apparatus may include an information display and a sleeve for engaging the information display with a portion of the first-down measurement device. A method may include fixing an advertisement to a material and engaging the material with a portion of a first-down measuring device. A system may include a sideline marker for marking a position of a playing field, a measuring device connected to the sideline marker, an information display, and a sleeve for engaging the information display with the sideline marker or the measuring device. First-down measurement devices containing the information display of the present invention may also be used in simulated American-style football games in which first-down measurements are displayed, such as video game(s).
US07694422B2
A knife which has a body with a blade head at one end and roller at the other end. The blade head also has a planar first guide cheek and planar second guide cheek. positioned at an angle, alpha relative to the blade which is received between the first and second guide cheeks. The knife also has a device for urging the blade between a retracted position and an extended position. The roller is made of a right wheel half and a left wheel half such that the roller made of two halves in intimate contact with each other.
US07694421B2
A flick knife with a lever frame has a hilt, a blade, a lever frame and a spring. The blade has a proximal end pivotally mounted in the hilt. The lever frame is mounted through the hilt and has a front connector that abuts the proximal end of the blade to rotate the blade, and a rear connector. The spring is mounted inside the hilt and connects the hilt to the rear connector of the lever frame and eases opening of the blade and prevents the blade from opening. Because the spring is mounted in the hilt, the knife is thinner than prior art and therefore more convenient.
US07694415B2
The printed wiring board (PWB) includes (a) a fluid-resin embedding section formed at a location corresponding to electronic components such that the embedding section covers the electronic components, (b) a resin flow-speed accelerator placed in parallel with a top face of a circuit board and surrounding the embedding section, and (c) bonding resin placed at least between the accelerator and the circuit board. The fluid resin embedding section is filled up with the same resin as the bonding resin. This structure allows the accelerator to compress the resin with pressure applied to the PWB, so that the resin tends to flow along the circuit board. As a result, the fluid-resin embedding section is thoroughly filled up with the resin without leaving any air, and the reliable PWB is thus obtainable.
US07694411B2
An apparatus and associated method is provided for precisely positioning a datum surface of a component. The apparatus has a housing defining a tooling datum surface. A collet is supported by the housing that is selectively operable between a retracted mode and an expanded mode. In the retracted mode a clearing disengagement is defined with the component. In the expanded mode a contacting engagement with the component is defined. The contacting engagement and a simultaneous longitudinal force transferred by the contacting engagement to the component pressingly engage the datum surfaces together. The apparatus further has a bias member exerting the longitudinal force and urging the collet to the retracted mode.
US07694407B2
A miniature surface-mount electronic component which can ensure sufficient impact resistance and vibration resistance especially in an application to a severe use environment such as a vehicle-mounted coil, by putting some contrivance into a method for fixing a coil in a molding process and a method for holding a core and terminals. A miniature surface-mount electronic component including a bar-shaped core 2 on which a winding wire 3 is wound, and metal plates 5, with an outer casing 7 made of an insulating resin molded, includes flanges 2b substantially quadrangular in section at both ends of the bar-shaped core 2, and vertical grooves a and b are provided on side surfaces of the flanges 2b of the bar-shaped core 2 as fixing portions for preventing positional displacement occurring when the outer casing 7 is molded.
