US07767631B2

A process is disclosed for manufacturing a lubricant composition comprising combining a superabsorbent polymer with a material for decreasing friction between moving surfaces. The superabsorbent polymer absorbs from about 25 to greater than 100 times its weight in water and may comprise a polymer of acrylic acid, an acrylic ester, acrylonitrile or acrylamide, including co-polymers thereof or starch graft co-polymers thereof or mixtures thereof. A product produced by the process includes the material for decreasing friction comprising a petroleum lubricant containing an additive, water containing an additive, synthetic lubricant, grease, solid lubricant or metal working lubricant, wherein the synthetic lubricant, grease, solid lubricant or metal working lubricant optionally contain an additive. A process comprising controlling the delivery of a lubricant to at least one of two moving surfaces in order to decrease friction between said moving surfaces, is also disclosed. This process includes applying the lubricant composition to at least one of the surfaces. The lubricant composition in this instance comprises a superabsorbent polymer combined with a material for decreasing friction between moving surfaces, wherein the material for decreasing friction comprises a petroleum lubricant, water, synthetic lubricant, grease, solid lubricant or metal working lubricant, and optionally an additive.
US07767625B2

Compounds of the formula (I) in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1 are suitable for use as microbiocides.
US07767623B2

A fungicidal compound of formula (1): where Het is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one to three heteroatoms, each independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, the ring being substituted by groups R7, R8 and R9; R1 is hydrogen, optionally substituted (C1-4)alkylC(═O), optionally substituted (C1-4)alkylC(═O)O, optionally substituted (C1-4)alkoxy(C1-4)alkyl, optionally substituted allyl, optionally substituted propargyl or optionally substituted allenyl; R2, R3, R4and R5 are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, optionally substituted (C1-4)alkoxy(C1-4)alkoxy or optionally substituted (C1-4)alkoxy(C1-4)alkyl; R6 is an organic group containing three to thirteen carbon atoms and at least one silicon atom and, optionally, one to three heteroatoms, each independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, and is optionally substituted by one to four independently selected halogen atoms; R7, R8 and R9are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, C1-3alkyl, C1-3haloalkyl, C1-3alkoxy(C1-3)alkyl or cyano, where at least one of R7, R8and R9 is not hydrogen; and X is O or S; or an N-oxide thereof; and when present, each optional substituent on alkyl moieties, allyl, propargyl and allenyl is, independently, selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, diflouromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and trifluorothiomethoxy.
US07767619B2

A promoted calcium-alumina supported reforming catalyst that is particularly useful for reforming reactions where low H2/CO ratio synthesis gas, such as less than 2.3 is generated directly is disclosed. The catalyst comprises from about 25 wt % to about 98 wt % alumina, from about 0.5 wt % to about 35 wt % calcium oxide, from about 0.01 wt % to about 35 wt % of a promoter, and from about 0.05 wt % to about 30 wt % of an active metal. The promoter is selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, yttrium, niobium, elements of the lanthanum-series, such as, without limitation, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, ytterbium, and combinations thereof. The active metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, platinum, iridium and combinations thereof as active metal, wherein the calcium oxide is combined with the alumina to form aluminum-rich calcium aluminates.
US07767615B2

A method for producing aligned carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibres comprises providing finely divided substrate particle having substantially smooth faces with radii of curvature of more than 1 μm and of length and breadth between 1 μm and 5 mm and having catalyst material on their surface and a carbon-containing gas at a temperature and pressure at which the carbon-containing gas will react to form carbon when in the presence of the supported catalyst, and forming aligned nanotubes and/or nanofibres by the carbon-forming reaction.
US07767608B2

A dielectric ceramic-forming composition capable of being sintered at a temperature lower than that in the known art and to be formed into a dielectric ceramic material having a high dielectric constant; and a dielectric ceramic material obtained from the dielectric ceramic-forming composition are provided.The dielectric ceramic-forming composition includes a perovskite (ABO3) ceramic material powder having an average particle size of 0.01 to 0.5 μm and a glass powder having an average particle size of 0.1 to 5 μm, wherein the content of the glass powder is 3 to 12 percent by weight. The perovskite (ABO3) ceramic material powder is preferably a perovskite (ABO3) ceramic material powder prepared by a wet reaction.
US07767606B2

A low viscosity E-glass composition including SiO2 in an amount ranging from 52-54 weight percent, Al2O3 in an amount ranging from 12-14 weight percent, F2 in an amount ranging from 0-1.0 weight percent, Fe2O3 in an amount ranging from 0 to 0.8 weight percent, Na2O in an amount ranging from 0-2.0 weight percent, K2O in an amount ranging from 0-2.0 weight percent, CaO in an amount ranging from 16-23 weight percent, MgO in an amount ranging from 0-3.0 weight percent, Li2O in an amount ranging from 0-3.0, TiO2 in an amount ranging from 0-1.5 weight percent, ZnO in an amount ranging from 0-4.0 weight percent, and B2O3 in an amount ranging from 8.0-10 weight percent is provided. The glass composition has a log 3 viscosity temperature between 1750 and 2150° F. and a ΔT temperature greater than 50° F.
US07767599B2

This invention relates to cut resistant fabrics and articles including gloves, and processes for making cut resistant articles, the fabrics and articles comprising a yarn comprising an intimate blend of staple fibers, the blend comprising 20 to 50 parts by weight of a lubricating fiber; 20 to 40 parts by weight of a first aramid fiber having a linear density of from 3.3 to 6 denier per filament (3.7 to 6.7 dtex per filament); and 20 to 40 parts by weight of a second aramid fiber having a linear density of from 0.50 to 4.5 denier per filament (0.56 to 5.0 dtex per filament); based on the total weight of the lubricating and first and second aramid fibers. The difference in filament linear density of the first aramid fiber to the second aramid fiber is 1 denier per filament (1.1 dtex per filament) or greater.
US07767596B2

A wafer support pin has a front end contacted with a wafer such that the front end is flat or rounded. Thus, gravitational stress is minimized during annealing the wafer, thereby minimizing slip dislocation. This wafer support pin is suitably used for annealing of a wafer, particularly high temperature rapid thermal annealing of a large-diameter wafer.
US07767594B2

Disclosed is a producing method of a semiconductor device, including: loading at least one substrate formed on a surface thereof with a tungsten film into a processing chamber; and forming a silicon oxide film on the surface of the substrate which includes the tungsten film by alternately repeating following steps a plurality of times: supplying the processing chamber with a first reaction material including a silicon atom while heating the substrate at 400° C.; and supplying the processing chamber with hydrogen and water which is a second reaction material while heating the substrate at 400° C. at a ratio of the water with respect to the hydrogen of 2×10−1 or lower.
US07767583B2

Embodiments of this method improve the results of a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process. A surface is implanted with a species, such as, for example, Si, Ge, As, B, P, H, He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and C. The implant of this species will at least affect dishing, erosion, and polishing rates of the CMP process. The species may be selected in one embodiment to either accelerate or decelerate the CMP process. The dose of the species may be varied over the surface in one particular embodiment.
US07767577B2

A processing layer, such as silicon, is formed on a metal silicide contact followed by a metal layer. The silicon and metal layers are annealed to increase the thickness of the metal silicide contact. By selectively increasing the thickness of silicide contacts, Rs of transistors in iso and nested regions can be matched.
US07767563B2

A semiconducting structure includes a thinned silicon substrate (110), a silicide layer (120) over the thinned silicon substrate, a metal layer (130) over the silicide layer, a solder interface layer (140) over the metal layer, and a cap layer (150) over the solder interface layer. The thinned silicon substrate is no thicker than approximately 500 micrometers. The silicide layer is formed using a rapid thermal processing procedure that locally heats the interface between the metal layer and the silicon substrate but causes no more than negligible thermal impact to other areas of the silicon wafer.
US07767562B2

A semiconductor body has a first portion, a second portion, and an active area located between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion and the second portion are a shallow trench isolation region having an exposed surface extending above the surface of the active area. A first ion implantation is performed at a first angle such that a first shaded area defined by the exposed surface of the first portion and the first angle is exposed to fewer ions than a first unshaded area. A second ion implantation is performed at a second angle such that a second shaded area defined by the exposed surface of the second portion and the second angle is exposed to fewer ions than a second unshaded area.
US07767560B2

The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus for implementing a 3D (three dimensional) strained high mobility quantum well structure, and a 3D strained surface channel structure through a Ge confinement method. One exemplary apparatus may include a first graded SiGe fin on a Si substrate. The first graded SiGe fin may have a maximum Ge concentration greater than about 60%. A Ge quantum well may be on the first graded SiGe fin and a SiGe quantum well upper barrier layer may be on the Ge quantum well. The exemplary apparatus may further include a second graded SiGe fin on the Si substrate. The second graded SiGe fin may have a maximum Ge concentration less than about 40%. A Si active channel layer may be on the second graded SiGe fin. Other high mobility materials such as III-V semiconductors may be used as the active channel materials. Of course, many alternatives, variations and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US07767557B2

A method for dicing a wafer is disclosed. One illustrative method includes forming a layer of frozen material above a plurality of integrated circuit dies on a substrate and performing a cutting process to cut through the layer of frozen material and the substrate to singulate the plurality of dies. Another method includes performing a cutting process to singulate a plurality of integrated circuit dies having a layer of frozen material formed above the plurality of dies.
US07767544B2

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate that includes a via or interconnect. In this embodiment, the method also includes forming a sealed array, in which forming such an array includes attaching a carrier to a first surface of the substrate to form a sealed cavity between the carrier and the substrate. Further, the method of this embodiment also includes forming a redistribution layer on the sealed array over a second surface of the substrate. Devices and systems having a carrier attached to a substrate are also disclosed.
US07767541B2

A semiconductor structure that includes a monocrystalline germanium-containing layer, preferably substantially pure germanium, a substrate, and a buried insulator layer separating the germanium-containing layer from the substrate. A porous layer, which may be porous silicon, is formed on a substrate and a germanium-containing layer is formed on the porous silicon layer. The porous layer may be converted to a layer of oxide, which provides the buried insulator layer. Alternatively, the germanium-containing layer may be transferred from the porous layer to an insulating layer on another substrate. After the transfer, the insulating layer is buried between the latter substrate and the germanium-containing layer.
US07767538B2

It is made possible to form a silicon nitride film, an aluminum oxide film and a transition metal high-k insulation film of high quality. A manufacturing method includes: forming an insulation film having at least one kind of bonds selected out of silicon-nitrogen bonds, aluminum-oxygen bonds, transition metal-oxygen-silicon bonds, transition metal-oxygen-aluminum bonds, and transition metal-oxygen bonds on either a film having a semiconductor as a main component or a semiconductor substrate, and irradiating the insulation film with pulse infrared light having a wavelength corresponding to a maximum intensity in a wavelength region depending upon the insulation film and having a wavelength absorbed by the insulation film.
US07767533B2

An approach is provided for semiconductor devices and methods for providing a contact structure. Methods may include forming a gate pattern on a substrate including a device isolation pattern provided to define an active region, the gate pattern crossing over the active region and being disposed on the device isolation pattern, and forming a first doped region and a second doped region in the active region adjacent to opposite sides of the gate pattern, respectively. The methods may include sequentially forming a gate spacer and a sacrificial spacer on both sidewalls of the gate pattern, forming an interlayer dielectric on the entire surface of the substrate, planarizing the interlayer dielectric to expose the gate spacer and the sacrificial spacer, removing a portion of the sacrificial spacer to form a groove to expose the first doped region, and forming a contact structure in the groove.
US07767522B2

Provided is a semiconductor device having, over a semiconductor substrate, a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode which are adjacent to each other and constitute a nonvolatile memory. The height of the memory gate electrode is lower than the height of the control gate electrode. A metal silicide film is formed over the upper surface of the control gate electrode, but not formed over the upper surface of the memory gate electrode. The memory gate electrode has, over the upper surface thereof, a sidewall insulating film made of silicon oxide. This sidewall insulating film is formed in the same step as that for the formation of respective sidewall insulating films over the sidewalls of the memory gate electrode and the control gate electrode. The present invention makes it possible to improve the production yield and performance of the semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory.
US07767521B2

A cell region layout of a semiconductor device formed by adding active regions in the outermost portion of a cell region, and a method of forming a contact pad using the same are provided. The layout and the method include a first active region formed at the outermost portion of the cell region, and having the same shape as that of an inner active region located inwardly from the outermost portion of the cell region, and a third active region formed by adding at least two second active regions having shapes different from that of an inner active region. Further, an insulating layer fills a portion below a bit line passing the third active region. A lifting phenomenon occurring where an active region is not formed can be prevented by adding the active regions at the outermost portion of the cell region, and a bridge phenomenon occurring when bit lines or a bit line contact and a gate line electrically contact can be suppressed by filling a portion below a bit line with an insulating layer.
US07767511B2

In one aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. This method includes forming gate structures over a substrate, wherein the gate structures include gate electrodes located adjacent source/drain regions. A protective layer is formed over the gate structures and a CMP layer is formed over the protective layer. A portion of the CMP layer and the protective layer is removed to expose a portion of the gate electrodes with remaining portions of the CMP layer and the protective layer remaining over the source/drain regions. The exposed portions of the gate electrodes are doped with an n-type dopant or a p-type dopant, and the remaining portions of the CMP layer and the protective layer located over the source/drain regions are removed subsequent to the doping.
US07767508B2

Methods are provided for the fabrication of abrupt and tunable offset spacers for improved transistor short channel control. The methods include the formation of a gate electrode within a dielectric layer, with only a top portion of the gate electrode exposed. Silicon is added on the top portion of the gate electrode, by selective epitaxial growth, for example. Etching of the dielectric layer is performed with added silicon at the top portion of the gate electrode serving as a silicon mask to prevent etching of the dielectric layer directly underneath the silicon mask, which includes overhangs over the gate electrode sidewalls. The etching creates offset spacers in a production-worthy manner, and can be used to form offset spacers that are asymmetrical in width. By running the methodology in a microloading regime, wider offset spacers may be created on narrower polysilicon gate features, thereby improving Vt roll-off.
US07767507B2

A polycrystalline silicon thin film to be used in display devices, the thin film having adjacent primary grain boundaries that are not parallel to each other, wherein an area surrounded by the primary grain boundaries is larger than 1 μm2, a fabrication method of the polycrystalline silicon thin film, and a thin film transistor fabricated using the method.
US07767501B2

The abrupt metal-insulator transition device includes: an abrupt metal insulator transition material layer including an energy gap of less than or equal to 2 eV and holes within a hole level; and two electrodes contacting the abrupt metal-insulator transition material layer. Here, each of the two electrodes is formed by thermally treating a stack layer of a first layer formed on the abrupt metal-insulator transition material layer and comprising Ni or Cr, a second layer formed on the first layer and comprising In, a third layer formed on the second layer and comprising Mo or W, and a fourth layer formed on the third layer and comprising Au.
US07767497B2

Microelectronic package elements and packages having dielectric layers and methods of fabricating such elements packages are disclosed. The elements and packages may advantageously be used in microelectronic assemblies having high routing density.
US07767492B1

A multi-core/multi-package bus termination apparatus includes a first node, a location array, and a plurality of drivers. The first node receives a signal indicating whether a package upon which the processor core is disposed is internal to the bus or at a far end of the bus. The location array generates location signals indicating locations on the bus of nodes, where the locations are either an internal location or a bus end location. The drivers control how the nodes are driven. Each drivers has location-based multi-core/multi-package logic. The location-based multi-core/multi-package logic enables pull-up logic and first pull-down logic responsive to states of the first node ad the location signals.
US07767488B2

A method for making an organic field effect transistor of a bottom gate/bottom contact type or a bottom gate/top contact type is provided. The method comprises (a) forming a gate electrode 12 on a support and forming a gate insulating layer 13 on the support 10 and the gate electrode 12, and (b) forming, on the gate insulating layer 13, source/drain electrodes 14 and an organic semiconductor region 15 made of an organic semiconductor material and constituting a channel forming region 16. The gate insulating layer 12 is formed by applying a solution of a mixture of an insulating polymer material and a surface treating agent onto the support 10 and the gate electrode 12 and drying. The organic field effect transistors are also provided.
US07767487B2

Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a method of manufacturing a radiation detector having one or more conductive contacts on a semiconductor substrate, and comprise the steps of: applying a first conductive layer to a first surface of the semiconductor substrate; applying a second conductive layer to form a plurality of contiguous layers of conductive materials, said plurality of contiguous layers including said first conductive layer; and selectively removing parts of said plurality of contiguous layers so as to form said conductive contacts, the conductive contacts defining one or more radiation detector cells in the semiconductor substrate.
US07767485B2

An interconnect layer is formed on a lower face of a silicon wafer, a support substrate is adhered over a lower face of the interconnect layer, and a thickness reduction of the silicon wafer is performed from an upper face side. Next, a photodiode is formed in an upper face of the silicon wafer, and a microlens is formed at a position corresponding to the photodiode. An adhesive layer is formed on the silicon wafer in a region not covering the microlens, a low refractive index layer having a lower refractive index than the microlens is formed in a region covering the microlens, and a glass substrate is adhered to the silicon wafer by the adhesive layer. The support substrate is removed from the interconnect layer, and a solder ball is bonded to a lower face of the interconnect layer. Thereafter, a CMOS image sensor is manufactured by dicing the silicon wafer.
US07767484B2

Disclosed are methods for fabricating encapsulated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. A MEMS device fabricated on a CMOS wafer is encapsulated using an etch resistant thin film layer prior to the release of the MEMS device. Once CMOS processing is completed, the wafer is etched to release the MEMS device. If the MEMS is fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer, the buried oxide of the SOI wafer acts as an etch stop for the etching. A sacrificial layer(s) is accessed and removed from the back side of the wafer, while the front side of the wafer is protected by a masking layer. The MEMS device is released without having any detrimental effects on CMOS components. If desired, the wafer can be mounted on another substrate to provide hermetic or semi-hermetic sealing of the device.
US07767477B2

A method for manufacturing a flexible display, includes forming a gate line including a plurality of gate electrodes with a first interval on a substrate having a coefficient of thermal expansion, sequentially depositing both a gate insulating layer covering the gate line and a semiconductor layer, etching the semiconductor layer by using a mask having a plurality of semiconductor patterns with a second interval different from the first interval to form a semiconductor, forming both a data line including a source electrode and a drain electrode on the semiconductor and the gate insulating layer, and forming a pixel electrode coupled with the drain electrode.
US07767472B2

A substrate processing method is used to polish a substrate. The substrate processing method includes rotating a substrate 13 by a motor 12, polishing a first surface of a peripheral portion of the substrate 13 by pressing a polishing surface of a polishing mechanism 20 against the first surface, determining a polishing end point of the first surface by monitoring a polished state of the first surface, stopping the polishing according to the determining the polishing end point, determining a polishing time spent for the polishing, determining a polishing time for a second surface of the peripheral portion based on the polishing time of the first surface, and polishing the second surface for the determined polishing time.
US07767470B2

A semiconductor wafer has a front side, a rear side and an edge which runs along the circumference of the semiconductor wafer and which connects the front side and the rear side of the edge having a defined edge profile, the edge profile being substantially constant over the entire circumference of the semiconductor wafer. A method for producing such a wafer allows for production of a multiplicity of semiconductor wafers, the edge profile being substantially constant from semiconductor wafer to semiconductor wafer.
US07767465B2

The present invention relates to compositions for improving assay accuracy for plasma samples by decreasing or eliminating false results due to platelet interference. The compositions of the present invention comprise compositions that include a platelet interference reducing agent in an amount effective to decrease the platelet interference activity in the plasma sample, particularly platelet-rich plasma sample, to be analyzed. The most preferred platelet interference reducing agent of the present invention is 1-(1,3-Bis(hydroxymethyl-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-iyl)-1,3-bis(hydroxymethyl) urea, also called “Diazolidinyl urea” or “DZU”.
US07767461B2

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for determination of ion concentrations, particularly in downhole water from hydrocarbon wells, aquifers etc. It is useful in a wide range of applications, including predicting the formation of scale and fingerprinting waters from different sources. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of ligands whose electronic configuration is altered by the binding of the scaling ions within a water sample. These alterations are detected, for example by electrochemical means, and are indicative of the concentration of scaling ions in the sample.
US07767460B2

Improvements in blood collection and testing. In one aspect, an improved method of manufacturing a blood collection tube, particularly illustrated for use in sedimentation rate testing, including providing an elongated glass tube with an open first end for receiving a venipuncture blood sample of at least 1 ml, formed with a closed end opposite the first end; and applying to a substantial portion of the receptacle a containment barrier. The improvements also pertain to resulting blood collection tubes, additives for blood collection tubes that permit reliable sedimentation test data after 8 hours from the blood draw, and methods of administering health care using the aforenoted tubes, additives or both.
US07767450B2

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of Slo2 and Slo4, members of the Slo family of potassium channel proteins, also known as “maxi” or BK potassium channel proteins. Also provided herein are antibodies to Slo2 and Slo 4, methods of detecting Slo2 and Slo 4, methods of screening for potassium channel activators and inhibitors using biologically active Slo2 and Slo 4, and kits for screening for activators and inhibitors of voltage-gated potassium channels comprising Slo2 and Slo 4.
US07767447B2

A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle.
US07767436B2

Methods for reducing time to result in blood bank diagnostic testing with an agitation device and a low ionic strength solution are disclosed. Specifically provided are methods for reducing incubation time for antigen-antibody reactions in an immunohematologic assay by subjecting the assay reactants to incubation with agitation and optionally additionally a low ionic strength diluent.
US07767435B2

A method and system for performing biochemical detection or analysis on micro- and nano-scale subcellular component within a single biological cell is provided. An integrated platform device and method to perform the biochemical analysis is also provided.
US07767430B2

The present invention pertains to novel microorganisms of the genus Bifidobacterium, that are useful in preventing diarrhea brought about by pathogenic bacteria. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of said microorganisms for the preparation of an ingestable support and to a composition containing the same.
US07767425B2

A process is described for the enzymatic synthesis of sugar acrylates, and a process is described for preparing polymeric sugar acrylates, the polymers obtainable by this process and their use for preparing, for example, cosmetics, drugs, laundry detergents, thickeners, protecting colloids, superabsorbents and textile sizes.
US07767407B2

Methods for the detection and measurement of tagged (labeled) biologically active materials in a sample are described. The tagged biologically active materials are detected using an atomic mass or optical spectrometer having a source of atoms or atomic ions. Element-labeled biologically active materials, comprising antibodies, antibody Fab′ fragments, antigens, aptamers, protein complexes, growth factors, hormones, receptors and other biologically active materials attached to a stable elemental tag, can be used in specific binding assays and measured by elemental spectroscopic detection. Also described are methods for the determination of metals in samples of interest using specific antibodies to isolate the target metals and elemental spectroscopy for detection and quantitation. Kits are provided comprising reagents to detect and measure labeled biologically active materials or labeled competition analytes.
US07767404B2

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for minimizing or eliminating steps in immunosorbent assays by eliminating both the need to attach target molecules to the test well and the need to remove unbound antibodies through rinsing. The single-step immunosorbent assay (SISA) includes the step of mixing the immunologic molecules with the sample and detection. SISA is utilized for a single analyte or target. The present invention further discloses a single-step immunosorbent assay for multiple analytes (SISAMA) for testing a plurality of analytes or targets in a single well using a modified SISA test wherein different fluorescent tags are attached to different antibody pairs. The present invention further includes various types of cassettes having test wells for the rapid and simultaneous testing of fluids for a plurality of components. Embodiments of this invention uniquely utilize colorimetric reagent reactions for ease of testing.
US07767387B2

The present invention relates to novel sequences for use in detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, especially lymphomas. The invention provides cancer-associated (CA) polynucleotide sequences whose expression is associated with cancer. The present invention provides CA polypeptides associated with cancer that are present on the cell surface and present novel therapeutic targets against cancer. The present invention further provides diagnostic compositions and methods for the detection of cancer. The present invention provides monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific for the CA polypeptides. The present invention also provides diagnostic tools and therapeutic compositions and methods for screening, prevention and treatment of cancer.
US07767382B2

A method of making a lithographic printing plate comprising the steps of: a) providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising (i) a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, (ii) a photopolymerizable coating on said support, b) image-wise exposing said coating in a plate setter, c) developing the precursor, thereby removing the non-exposed areas of the coating from the support, whereby the developing step is carried out off-press in a gumming unit by treating the coating of the precursor with a gum solution.
US07767374B2

An method for producing an electrophotographic proreceptor includes a first coating step of applying a coating liquid containing a sublimable antioxidant and a photoconductive substance, onto a conductive substrate to form a first coating film thereon, a first drying step of drying the formed first coating film by heating to form a first photosensitive layer, a second coating step of applying the coating liquid used in the first coating step, onto the first photosensitive layer to form a second coating film, and a second drying step of drying the formed second coating film by heating to form a second photosensitive layer. In the second drying step, the drying condition is made to differ from the drying condition in the first drying step so that a degree of sublimation of the antioxidant in the second drying step is lower than that of sublimation of the antioxidant in the first drying step.
US07767367B2

A photomask blank comprises a transparent substrate, a light-shielding film deposited on the substrate and comprising a metal or metal compound susceptible to fluorine dry etching, and an etching mask film deposited on the light-shielding film and comprising another metal or metal compound resistant to fluorine dry etching. When the light-shielding film is dry etched to form a pattern, pattern size variation arising from pattern density dependency is reduced, so that a photomask is produced at a high accuracy.
US07767364B2

A method is provided for correcting a mask pattern to be formed on a photomask used in a lithographic step of a semiconductor device fabrication process. The method includes the steps of extracting an isolated pattern having an optically isolated portion from the mask pattern and providing, in an adjacent pattern extending parallel to the isolated portion of the isolated pattern and having a terminal end, an extended portion extending from the terminal end next to the isolated portion of the isolated pattern along a direction in which the isolated portion of the isolated pattern extends.
US07767361B2

The present invention provides a hologram recording material which attains high refractive index change, high sensitivity, low scattering, environment resistance, durability, low dimensional change and high multiplicity, and is suitable for volume hologram recording; a process for producing the hologram recording material; and a hologram recording medium. A hologram recording material comprising a metal oxide matrix and a photopolymerizable compound, said metal oxide matrix having a halogen-containing organic group. The metal oxide matrix is formed by hydrolysis and polymerization reaction of a metal alkoxide compound, and said metal alkoxide compound includes a metal alkoxide compound represented by the following general formula (1): (RH)mM(OR)n  (1) wherein RH represents the halogen-containing organic group, R represents an alkyl group, M represents a metal atom, m represents 1 or 2, and m+n represents the valence of the metal atom M.
US07767358B2

A dense ceramic electrolyte membrane supported by symmetrical porous ceramic electrolyte layers. The thin (t<100 microns) electrolyte layer is sandwiched between two fugitive-containing electrolyte support layers that become highly porous after firing. The heat treated fugitive-containing support layers form a skeletal structure of strongly adhered electrolyte with an interpenetrating network of pores that extends well always from the electrolyte surface. The porous layers can be infiltrated with a range of electrode materials or precursors to form a solid oxide fuel cell or other electrochemical cell as well as electrochemical cell stacks. The supported ceramic membrane provides electrochemical performance advantages and reduces warpage during sintering compared to conventional structures.
US07767355B2

A fuel cell stack 10 includes a stacked structure 14 composed of a plurality of electricity-generating cells stacked successively, and dummy cells arranged at both ends in a stacking direction of the stacked structure 14. Each dummy cell 16 each includes a conductive plate 52 and first and second metallic separators 54, 56 which sandwich the conductive plate 52. The conductive plate 52 is formed of a metallic plate having substantially the same shape as that of the electrolytic membrane electrode assembly 22. The first and second metallic separators 54, 56 are structured in the same manner as the first and second metallic separators 24, 26 of the electricity-generating cell 12.
US07767351B2

A cartridge includes a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, and a colorant. The first housing has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the second housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The colorant is supported by at least a portion of the interior surface of the first housing.
US07767350B2

A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes: a cathode using a composite compound of lithium and transition metals as a positive active material; an anode using a negative active material capable of being doped with and doped from lithium; and a nonaqueous electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode. The nonaqueous electrolyte is obtained by dissolving LiMFm (M is an element selected from As, B, P and Sb, and m is an integer located within a range of 4 to 6.) and LiCnF2n+1 SO3 or LiN(CnF2n+1SO2)2 in a nonaqueous solvent including cyclic carbonate or non cyclic carbonate and having unsaturated carbonate added within a range of 0.1 volume % or more and 5 volume % or less, and the concentration of LiCnF2n+1SO3 or LiN(CnF2n+1SO2)2 is located within a range of 1 wt % or more and lower than 10 wt %. Thus, a self-discharge is suppressed and a storage property is improved.
US07767349B2

Alloy compositions are described for use in anodes of lithium ion batteries. The alloy compositions contain (a) tin, (b) a second element that includes silicon, aluminum, or a combination thereof, (c) a third element that includes yttrium, a lanthanide element, an actinide element, or a combination thereof and an optional alkaline earth element, and (d) an optional transition metal. The alloy compositions are amorphous and remain amorphous even after multiple cycles of lithiation and delithiation.
US07767346B2

An anode active material comprises metal core particles, metal nano wires formed on the metal core particles, pores between the metal core particles and the metal nano wires, and a carbon-based coating layer formed on a surface of the metal core particles and metal nano wires. In the anode active material according to the present invention, the metal core particles and metal nano wires are combined to form a single body, and a carbon-based coating layer is formed on the surface of the metal nano wires and metal core particles. Thus, volume changes in the pulverized metal core particles can be effectively buffered during charging and discharging, and the metal core particles are electrically connected through the metal nano wires. As a result, volume changes in the anode active material and degradation of the electrode can be prevented, thereby providing excellent initial charge/discharge efficiency and enhanced charge/discharge capacity.
US07767345B2

A lithium-air battery includes a lithium negative electrode, a positive electrode including a catalyst containing gold, and a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between the positive electrode and the lithium negative electrode. The catalyst includes gold supported on a cerium-containing oxide, such as a cerium-zirconium compound oxide or a cerium-aluminum compound oxide. The amount of catalyst of the positive electrode is in the range of 0.01 to 50 weight percent relative to the total weight of the positive electrode.
US07767341B2

A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery including a current collector and an active material layer carried on the current collector, wherein the active material layer includes an active material and no binder, the active material contains silicon and nitrogen, and the active material layer has a larger nitrogen ratio on a side of a first face which is in contact with the current collector than on a side of a second face which is not in contact with the current collector.
US07767338B2

The present invention relates to a bipolar battery having at least two battery cells comprising: a sealed housing, a negative end terminal, a positive end terminal, at least one biplate assembly arranged in a sandwich structure between said negative and positive end terminals, and a separator, including an electrolyte, arranged between each negative and positive electrode forming a battery cell. The biplate assembly is provided with an inner barrier of a hydrophobic material around the negative and the positive electrode, respectively, and an outer seal around the edge of each biplate. Each end terminal is provided with a terminal seal. The edge of each biplate is positioned close to the sealed housing to provide means to conduct heat from each biplate assembly to the ambient environment. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bipolar battery and a biplate assembly.
US07767332B2

Electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, a transition metal, and a phosphate or similar moiety, of the formula: Aa+xMbP1-xSixO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0
US07767322B2

A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed that includes a recording layer having a columnar granular structure possessing an appropriate diameter distribution and uniform arrangement of magnetic particles. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, and a soft-magnetic underlayer, a seed layer, an underlayer, a recording layer, a protection film, and a lubrication layer stacked on the substrate in order. The underlayer includes granular crystals formed from Ru or a Ru alloy and interstices separating the granular crystals from each other so as to isolate individual granular crystals. A continuing film formed from Ru or Ru alloys may be provided below the underlayer.
US07767318B2

A metal article and a method for welding the metal parts to form the metal article, where the method comprises feeding filler material to an intersection of the metal parts, and melting the filler material with a laser beam to form a weld between the metal parts at the intersection.
US07767314B2

Disclosed are a weld joint and a stainless steel-based weld metal composition for the weld joint. The composition and weld joint made therefrom are suitable for welding a zinc-based alloy coated steel sheet. The weld is excellent in corrosion resistance and liquid-metal embrittlement crack resistance. This is accomplished by inhibiting liquid-metal embrittlement cracks of the stainless-steel-based weld metal when the zinc-based alloy coating steel sheet is welded using the stainless-steel-based weld metal. The weld joint comprises a welded portion of weld metal made of stainless-steel-based components, the weld metal containing in mass percent (%): C: 0.01-0.1; Si: 0.1-1; Mn: 0.5-2.5; Ni: 5-11; and Cr: 17-25, and the balance being iron and residual impurities, wherein the following expression are met: −0.81×Cr equivalent+23.2≦Ni equivalent≦0.95×Cr equivalent−8.1 . . . (1); Ni equivalent=Ni+30×C+0.5×Mn+30×N . . . (2); Cr equivalent=Cr+Mo+1.5×Si . . . (3).
US07767309B2

To provide an imprinting mold, of which a coating layer formed on its surface is hardly susceptible to peeling, and a process for its production.An imprinting mold comprising a mold body and a coating layer made of a release agent, formed on the surface of the mold body, wherein the release agent contains a compound of the following formula (1), and a process for its production: wherein R is Rf—X—, both R are the same group, Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group, X is at least one member selected from —(OC3F6)—, —(OC2F4)— and —(OCF2)—, provided that the sum of such units is at least 1, Y is an organic group, is an average of n is from 2 to 10, Z is —Si(R1)m(R2)3-m, R1 is a hydroxyl group or a hydrolysable group, R2 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group, and m is from 1 to 3.
US07767291B2

Hydrocolloid-containing pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions for medical use are disclosed which contain networks of fibrillated polymeric fibers that have surface areas of at least 4 square meters per gram and which have superior properties of low cold flow and high cohesive strength.
US07767280B2

Disclosed are a liquid-crystalline medium of negative dielectric anisotropy based on a mixture of polar compounds, which contains at least one compound of formula IA and at least one compound of formulae IB, IC and/or ID and the use thereof for an active-matrix display, in particular based on the ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect.
US07767278B2

A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase that includes two components, wherein the first component is a specific compound having negatively large dielectric anisotropy, and the second component is a specific two-ring compound having especially small viscosity, and a liquid crystal display device including the composition.
US07767277B2

Disclosed are compounds of formula I processes for the preparation thereof, and liquid-crystalline media and electro-optical displays containing said compounds.
US07767275B2

The present invention provides a method for depositing self-aligned carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanoflake, carbon nanotube, carbon nanorod and carbon nanosphere), by inducing a gas chemistry for the carbon nanomaterials, on a substrate having a large area of several inches in diameter, under the conventional CVD diamond deposition conditions. The well-aligned carbon nanomaterials on the large area are applicable for sensitive base materials in the fields including biochemistry and electrochemistry.
US07767273B2

An apparatus for casting a patterned surface on both sides of an opaque web. The apparatus includes a first patterned roll, a second pattered roll, and a means for rotating the first and second patterned rolls such that their patterns are transferred to opposite sides of the opaque web while it is in continuous motion. During this process, their patterns are maintained in continuous registration to within at least 100 micrometers.
US07767272B2

A method of producing compound nanorods and thin films under a controlled growth mode is described. The method involves ablating compound targets using an ultrafast pulsed laser and depositing the ablated materials onto a substrate. When producing compound nanorods, external catalysts such as pre-deposited metal nanoparticles are not involved. Instead, at the beginning of deposition, simply by varying the fluence at the focal spot on the target, a self-formed seed layer can be introduced for nanorods growth. This provides a simple method of producing high purity nanorods and controlling the growth mode. Three growth modes are covered by the present invention, including nanorod growth, thin film growth, and nano-porous film growth.
US07767264B2

A method for producing a resin substrate coated with a titanic acid film, characterized in that it comprises providing a suspension of a scaly titanic acid by treating a layered titanate with an acid or warm water and allowing a basic compound having a force swelling the interstice of the layer to act thereon, to swell or separate the layer, applying the suspension on a resin substrate, and subjecting the resultant substrate to a heat treatment at a temperature less than the softening temperature of said resin substrate, preferably at a temperature less than 100° C., to thereby form a titanic acid film on the resin substrate. The above method can be suitably used for forming an inorganic coating film excellent in transparency, surface hardness, gas-barrier property and the like on any type of resin substrate with good adhesion property.
US07767259B2

Methods of manufacturing hot mix on site utilizing a composition of discrete substances that are capable of being mixed together to form a composite material are disclosed. The composition includes a plurality of pellets of a tacky, deformable material at an ambient temperature dispersed within a flowable fine material. Stone aggregate is placed in a mixing chamber that has been moved within proximity of the location where the hot mix is to be used. At least a portion of the stone aggregate is heated in the mixing chamber to a temperature sufficient to soften the pellets of the tacky, deformable material. The composition of discrete substances is added into the mixing chamber. The mixture of the composition of discrete substances and the stone aggregate is agitated until the pellets of a tacky, deformable material soften and uniformly coat the stone aggregate.
US07767254B2

In a paste for a solar cell light-receiving surface electrode including silver particles, glass frit, resin binder, and thinner, silver particles with a specific surface of 0.20-0.60 m2/g are used as the silver particles. The silver particles are preferably included at 80 mass % or more to the total amount of silver particles being included in the paste.
US07767249B2

Nanoparticles of a deposited bioactive agent can be obtained by selecting a solvent composition, selecting a deposition substrate, preparing a solution of the bioactive agent in the solvent composition, and applying the solution to a substrate as a plurality of droplets, such that evaporation of the applied solution produces nanoparticles of the bioactive agent.
US07767247B2

A process and apparatus for a method for reducing the amount of acrylamide in thermally processed foods. This invention permits the production of foods having significantly reduced levels of acrylamide. The method relies on the manipulation of various unit operations used in the production of food products, particularly the washing and cooking unit operations. For example, the washing unit operation can be modified to provide a contacting step at an increased time and temperature, and adding components such as calcium chloride and L-cysteine to an aqueous solution used for the contacting. The cooking unit operation can be modified by dividing it into at least a higher-temperature first heating step and a lower-temperature second heating step in order to avoid the high-temperature/low-moisture conditions most favorable for acrylamide formation.
US07767243B2

A method of preparing a liquid flavoring composition includes combining menthol and at least one physiological cooling agent selected from the group consisting of N-substituted p-menthane carboxamides, acyclic carboxamides, menthyl succinate and combinations thereof. The menthol and the at least one physiological cooling agent are heated to form a liquid composition. The composition of the menthol and the at least one physiological cooling agent is cooled to about 25° C. while maintaining the composition in a liquid state to create the liquid flavoring composition.
US07767240B2

In the processing of poultry, equipment, instruments, apparatus and/or water used in such processing, and/or carcasses and/or parts of poultry resulting from the processing of poultry, are disinfected with aqueous solutions of certain halogen-based microbiocides, especially certain bromine-based microbiocides. Described are the particular microbiocides used and the substantial advantages of using such materials, in some cases as concentrated solutions and in other cases as dilute solutions.
US07767238B2

A vitamin fortified composition comprising vitamin stabilizers which are C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds to prevent the degradation of the vitamins is provided. In addition, a method of preventing the degradation of vitamins in a vitamin fortified composition is provided.
US07767233B2

Disclosed is a natural hair care composition comprising extract of flowers of plant Butea frondosa and/or stem bark of plant Butea parviflora, and/or the exudates of stem and root of plant Butea superba, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining the plant extract and use thereof in regulation of hair growth and prevention of hair loss in all kinds of hair disorders.
US07767232B2

Perfluorocarbons are used to control nitric oxide metabolism, either to inhibit nitric oxide activity or to potentiate the effects of nitric oxide. Perfluorocarbons can be used, for example, to treat hypotension and vasoplegia in septic shock, to protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, to treat hypertension, and to provide antiplatelet effects.
US07767227B2

The present invention relates to a novel sustained-release oral galenical form of molsidomine for the treatment of all forms of angina attack (angina of effort, spastic angina, mixed angina). According to the invention, this novel galenical form contains a therapeutically effective amount of molsidomine or one of its active metabolites and has an in vitro dissolution rate [measured spectrophotometrically at 286 or 311 nm by the method described in the European Pharmacopoeia, 3rd edition (or USP XXIV), at 50 rpm, in 500 ml of a 0.1 N HCl medium, at 37° C.] of: 15 to 25% of molsidomine released after 1 hour, 20 to 35% of molsidomine released after 2 hours, 50 to 65% of molsidomine released after 6 hours, 75 to 95% of molsidomine released after 12 hours, >85% of molsidomine released after 18 hours and >90% of molsidomine released after 24 hours, the plasma peak of molsidomine obtained in vivo occurring 2.5 to 5 hours, preferably 3 to 4 hours, following the administration of said form, and having a value of between 25 and 40 ng/ml of plasma. Application: therapeutics industry.
US07767224B2

A process for the solvent-free and mastication-free production of a self-adhesive composition which is based on SBC and comprises a pharmaceutically active substance, in a continuously operating apparatus which comprises a feeding section and a compounding section. The SBC is added to the feeding section and the pharmaceutically active substance is added to the feed section and/or the compounding section, and the composition is homogenized in the compounding section.
US07767218B2

An emplantable pellet comprising one or more pain relief agents. A method to relief pain at the injection site of one or more implanted pharmaceutical pellets comprising the step of implanting one or more of Applicant's implantable pellets. A method to adjust the in vivo rate of release of one or more pain relief agents from Applicants' implantable pellets. A method to adjust the rate of systemic delivery of one or more pharmaceutical agents implanted adjacent one or more of Applicants' implantable pellets.
US07767208B2

The present invention is drawn to methods and compounds for transcutaneous photodynamic therapy (“PDT”) of a target tissue or compositions in a mammalian subject, which includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a photosensitizing agent or a photosensitizing agent delivery system or prodrug, where the photosensitizing agent or photosensitizing agent delivery system or prodrug selectively binds to the target tissue; and irradiating at least a portion of the subject with light at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing agent or if prodrug, by a prodrug product thereof, where the light is provided by a light source, and where the irradiation is at low fluence rate that results in the activation of the photosensitizing agent or prodrug product. These methods of transcutaneous PDT are useful in the treatment of specifically selected target tissues, such as: vascular endothelial tissue; abnormal vascular wall of tumors; tumors of the head and neck; tumors of the gastrointestinal tract; tumors of the liver; tumors of the esophopharyngeal; tumors of the lung; lymphoid tissue; lesions in the vascular system; bone marrow and tissue related to autoimmune disease.
US07767204B2

A method of reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent capable of reducing blood glutamate levels thereby reducing extracellular brain glutamate levels.
US07767203B2

The invention relates generally to digestive disorders, and in particular to methods for treating irritable bowel syndrome by increasing carbohydrate absorption by administering a composition containing a Bacillus coagulans bacterium.
US07767201B2

This invention relates to a method for producing angiogenesis in a tissue of a patient by administering vascular cells genetically altered to over-express an angiogenic proliferation factor and an angiogenic maturation factor to the affected tissue.
US07767191B2

A method for producing hydrogen gas is provided and comprises reducing a metal oxide in a reduction reaction between a carbon-based fuel and a metal oxide to provide a reduced metal or metal oxide having a lower oxidation state, and oxidizing the reduced metal or metal oxide to produce hydrogen and a metal oxide having a higher oxidation state. The metal or metal oxide is provided in the form of a porous composite of a ceramic material containing the metal or metal oxide. The porous composite may comprise either a monolith, pellets, or particles.
US07767188B2

A calcium-sodium polysulfide chemical reagent and methods for producing the reagent. The reagent is a blend of calcium polysulfide and sodium polysulfide that can be prepared using various types, sources and ratios of lime, elemental sulfur and sulfide ion using either virgin or waste materials. The reagent is amenable to inexpensive and high rate production methods at ambient or warmer temperatures. The reagent can be used to precipitate metals from wastewater, stabilize hexavalent chrome in hazardous waste residues, remove mercury from coal fired power plants, and as an electrolyte in large-scale bromide/polysulfide electrical storage batteries.
US07767185B2

An amorphous carbon rod (13) is formed in contact with a catalyst fine particle (11). The fine particle (11) is liquefied by heat treatment, and moved along the amorphous carbon rod (13). The trail of the movement is converted to a carbon nanotube.
US07767181B2

A method of ammonia production for a selective catalytic reduction system includes producing a first exhaust flow and a second exhaust flow. The first exhaust flow has a higher NOx concentration than the second exhaust flow. The method also includes directing a portion of the second exhaust flow to a reformer. The method further includes combining the portion of the second exhaust flow directed to the reformer with the first exhaust flow upstream of an ammonia-producing catalyst.
US07767170B2

A process is provided for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, optionally further heating the mixture, flashing the mixture within a flash/separation vessel to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, partially condensing the vapor phase by contacting with a condenser within the vessel, to condense at least some coke precursors within the vapor while providing condensates which add to the liquid phase, removing the vapor phase of reduced coke precursors content as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms, heating the vapor phase, cracking the vapor phase in a radiant section of a pyrolysis furnace to produce an effluent comprising olefins, and quenching the effluent and recovering cracked product therefrom. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
US07767167B2

A Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Generation Cell includes a plurality of hot electrodes interspersed with a plurality of ground electrodes whereby a power supply connected between the hot and ground electrodes creates a non-thermal plasma between the electrodes. The hot electrodes are hermetically sealed by a rubber material such as a siloxane material surrounding portions of the hot electrodes. The cells are useful in odor removal systems to neutralize odors and VOC emissions in commercial and/or industrial air streams and in gas purification and sterilizing systems which utilizes Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) to create a range of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to cause the oxidation and/or reduction of odor causing molecules, VOC's, and other contaminants. Where a plurality of cells are electrically connected in parallel, shorts in a cell can be detected by sensing the difference in currents feed to each of the plurality of cells.
US07767159B2

A centrifugal pump adapted to excite a high-intensity sound wave in a fluid feedstock is disclosed. The impeller and stator of the pump are provided with multiple apertures sized and spaced to produce a sound wave of an intensity greater than one megawatt per square meter in the fluid. The sound wave forms cavitation bubbles in the fluid, and the static pressure in the pump combines with the compression cycle of the sound wave to collapse the bubbles at a rate sufficient to cause exothermic reactions in the fluid. The sonic reactor can be configured for use to produce thermal energy, oil refining, catalyst production, water desalination and other uses.
US07767156B2

A system for the control of the contents of a reactor which employs a control element of variable area containing flowing heat transfer fluid. The area available for the for the control of the contents of the reactor is controlled is changed by opening and closing a bank of conduits in a cascade and the conduits are opened and closed according to a temperature measurement device in the medium whose temperature is to be controlled.
US07767148B2

The present invention provides a staining/covering system comprising a staining apparatus and a covering apparatus arranged in close proximity to each other, in which slide glass attached with a specimen sample stained in the staining apparatus can be transferred to the covering apparatus without using an apparatus for conveying the slide glass in the staining apparatus. The staining/covering system comprises the staining apparatus (10) for staining the specimen sample sliced and pasted to the slide glass, and the covering apparatus (12) being arranged in close proximity to the staining apparatus and covering a cover film or a cover glass onto the specimen sample of the slide glass subjected to desired staining in the staining apparatus (10), and the system is characterized in that means for transferring the slide glass having a specimen sample stained in the staining apparatus (10) from the inside of the staining apparatus to the inside of the covering apparatus is provided in the covering apparatus (12).
US07767139B2

An AlRu sputtering target that is a sintered body composed of an AlRu intermetallic compound of 95 vol. % or more is provided. It is manufactured by a stable and low-cost method that provides it with an even texture, significantly reduces oxygen, prevents or suppresses the generation of particles, and improves the yield ratio of deposition goods.
US07767137B2

A sealing apparatus for a slag door of a metallurgical furnace, having a mounting assembly for mounting the apparatus to the furnace, and at least one closure element, moveable from an open position that is exterior of the slag door opening, to a closed position that effectively seals against the slag door and extends into the slag door opening with the rear panel of the closure element(s) being proximally aligned with the interior wall of the furnace. The apparatus may also have at least one wiping component moveable so as to sweep across the lower surface of the slag door to remove obstructions.
US07767117B2

A flexible optical disk, includes a disk substrate, wherein a rigidity of the disk is equal to or more than 5 Pa and equal to or less than 5000 Pa where the rigidity is defined as Young's modulus of the disk×(thickness of the disk/radius of the disk)3.
US07767116B2

12CaO.7Al2O3 polycrystal having high conductivity is provided. The conductivity of the 12CaO.7Al2O3 polycrystal becomes 100 S/cm or more by controlling the nitrogen content in the 12CaO.7Al2O3 polycrystal within a range of 0.3 to 1.1 wt %, and that the conductivity becomes 150 S/cm or more by controlling the nitrogen content within a range of 0.5 to 0.9 wt %.
US07767113B2

A method of manufacturing a metal-graphite brush material for a motor, which allows high-density formation of copper particles on the surfaces of graphite particles. The method: attaches copper complex to graphite particles; heat-treats the graphite particles attached with the copper particles, thereby to pyrolyze the copper complex to form copper particles on the surfaces of the graphite particles; forms the graphite particles having the copper particles formed thereon, together with a resin, into a formed product; and reduction-sinters the formed product under a reducing atmosphere to pyrolyze the resin, thereby to form a sintered body and also to reduce copper oxide formed in surface layers of the copper particles during the heat-treating.
US07767112B2

This invention relates to electrophoretic displays having improved performance. The invention also relates to a method for inducing or enhancing the threshold voltage of an electrophoretic display, which method comprises adding a threshold promoter into an electrophoretic fluid which comprises charged pigment particles or pigment-containing microparticles dispersed in a dielectric solvent or solvent mixture.
US07767110B2

A liquid crystal composition is provided that has a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy and a large specific resistance, and preferably a liquid crystal composition is provided that has a larger optical anisotropy and a lower minimum temperature of a nematic phase while satisfying the aforementioned characteristics. A liquid crystal display device containing the liquid crystal composition is also provided. The liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal compound having terphenyl, in which one or two hydrogens are replaced by fluorines, as the first component, and a liquid crystal compound having phenylene, in which two hydrogens are replaced by fluorine, as the second component, and the liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.
US07767109B2

A liquid crystal (LC) medium for polymerization alignment process includes at least a set of LC molecules, at least a set of reactive monomers, and at least one inhibitor at a concentration in a range of 0.01-1% wt of the reactive monomer. The inhibitor quenches polymerization of radicals of the reactive monomers, which is triggered by light or heat before the polymerization alignment process. Therefore influence on the reactive monomers before the polymerization alignment process is reduced and stability of the LC medium is improved.
US07767105B2

A method of fixing a stator core in a cylindrical housing includes the following steps. The first step is a step of blanking a plurality of stator core sheets from an electromagnetic steel sheet by using a die. The die has a circular outside contour for blanking the stator core sheets from the electromagnetic steel sheet and each of the blanked stator core sheets has an outside contour. The second step is a step of forming the stator core by laminating the blanked stator core sheets one on another. The third step is a step of setting a non-fixing position of the stator core to the housing in such an angular position where difference in diametral dimension of the outside contour between the die and the stator core is relatively large.
US07767100B2

A patterning method with a filling material with a T-shaped cross section is used as a mask during patterning to produce structures having sublithographic dimensions, such as a double-fin field effect transistor.
US07767087B2

A system and method are disclosed for filtering liquid using a filter platform that is not rigidly affixed to a container containing the liquid to be filtered. The platform may be buoyant so that as liquid flows from one side of the platform, through a filter, and then to the other side of the platform, the platform may move, thus reducing the volume of a container or portion of a container that holds the unfiltered liquid. Alternatively, the platform may be heavier than the liquid to be filtered, may be either set in place on a support structure or else set on top of unfiltered liquid and allowed to sink downward as liquid is filtered. The system may further comprise a flexible membrane that allows two sections of liquid to be separated, even while the platform is moveable.
US07767084B2

An oil strainer in which pressure loss by a turbulent flow in a case (10) is reduced as much as possible. The oil strainer has the case (10) having an inflow opening (112) and an outflow opening (122) that are at positions separated from each other, and also has a filter member (20) provided so as to partition the inner space of the case (10) into a space (SI) on the inflow opening (112) side and a space (SO) on the outflow opening (122) side. A guiding surface (13) is provided in the case (10), and the guiding surface (13) has dam-like ribs (113, 123), extends via a position behind the outflow opening (122) when viewed from the inflow opening (112) side, and converges the flow of oil toward the outflow opening (122).
US07767074B2

Etching of copper on a card is achieved by applying an electrical voltage between a cathode (102) and the card (42), the card (42) thereby forming an anode. The cathode (102) and the card (42) are immersed in an electrolyte comprising a first component, which may be reduced from a first state in the form of an ion having a metal atom with a first positive oxidation number to a second state in the form of an ion having said metal atom with a second positive oxidation number, which is less than said first positive oxidation number. A first redox potential in the electrolyte for reduction from the first to the second state is larger than a second redox potential in the electrolyte for reduction of divalent copper ions to metallic copper. During the etching metallic copper on the card is oxidized and transferred into positively charged copper ions while the first component is reduced from its first state to its second state. The quality of the etched structures on the card is improved since no metallic copper is precipitated on the cathode.
US07767070B2

Processes are disclosed for the coating of objects with a coating composition. The processes include positioning the objects on a continuous belt comprising a supporting member positioned to retain the object thereon, conveying the continuous belt with a drive member such that the continuous belt passes through both a coating unit and a drying unit, coating the objects on the continuous belt with the coating composition, and drying the objects on the continuous belt.
US07767067B2

A system automatically maintains at least one of a pH level and a sanitizing agent level of water in a water feature. The system includes a sensor assembly responsive to at least one of a pH level of the water and a sanitizing agent level of the water. The system further includes a controller which generates control signals in response to signals from the sensor assembly. The system further includes at least one of a first source containing a sanitizing agent material and a second source containing a pH-modifying material. The system further includes a third source comprising a valve assembly and a third container containing a liquid calibrant material. The valve assembly is responsive to at least a portion of the control signals from the controller by selectively allowing the calibrant material to flow from the third container through the sensor assembly to the water feature.
US07767065B2

A problem during electrolytic treatment of printed circuit boards having a very thin basic metallization is that the treatment yields irregular results in various regions on the surface of the printed circuit board. In overcoming this problem the invention provides a device for electrolytically treating an at least superficially electrically conducting work piece having at least two substantially opposing side edges. The device comprises current supply devices for the work piece, said current supply devices each comprising contact strips located on the opposing side edges which are capable of electrically contacting the work piece at the substantially opposing side edges.
US07767053B2

To effectively prevent a micro arc causing damage to an apparatus and a substrate, by detecting a generation of the micro arc. A substrate processing apparatus is constituted so as to generate a plasma P, by applying a high frequency power to an electrode 210 provided in a processing chamber 200 from a high frequency power supply part 100 through a matching unit 300. A directional coupler 121 is provided between a high frequency power source 111 and the matching unit 300, so that a reflected wave reflected from the electrode 210 and a traveling wave advancing toward the electrode 210 are coupled to a detector 122. The detector 122 outputs a detection signal, when a level of a reflected wave Pr and a differential level thereof exceed each set value. In order to place an initial period of discharge out of a detection period, a delay traveling wave, which is a delayed traveling wave, is also outputted. A controller 130 determines the generation of a harmful micro arc, when coincidence of three detection signals outputted from the detector 122 is obtained, supplies an RF cut signal to a CPU 116, and temporarily stops or temporarily decreases a high frequency power from the high frequency power source 111.
US07767040B2

An oxidation resistant, high strength titanium alloy, particularly adapted for use in the manufacture of automotive exhaust system components and other applications requiring oxidation resistance and strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy comprises, in weight percent, iron less than 0.5, or 0.2 to less than 0.5%, oxygen 0.02 to less than 0.15%, silicon 0.15 to 0.6%, and balance titanium. Optional alloying elements are Al, Nb, V, Mo, Sn, Zr, Ni, Cr and Ta, with a total content of less than 1.5.
US07767036B2

A high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet exhibiting an excellent strength-workability balance, including in percent by mass: 0.10-0.25% of C; 1.0-2.0% of Si; 1.5-3.0% of Mn; 0.01% or less (not including 0%) of P; 0.005% or less (not including 0%) of S; 0.01-3.0% of Al; and remaining part consisting of iron and inevitable impurities, wherein the space factor of bainitic ferrite to the entire structure is 70% or more, the space factor of residual austenite to the entire structure is 5-20%, the hardness (HV) is 270 or greater, and the half-value width of an X-ray diffraction peak on a (200)-surface of α-iron is 0.220 degrees or smaller.
US07767035B2

A metallic magnetic material for magnetic element for magnetic element of a choke coil and an SMD choke power coil for accommodating low voltage and high current in a personal computer, graphic card, high frequency power supply, etc, is prepared by baking a powder of Fe—Si—Al alloy sendust, obtained by an atomization process and having an average particle diameter of 10 to 70 μm, at 600° C. to 1000° C. in air or in an oxidizing atmosphere and mixing the baked sendust with 3 to 45 wt % of a carbonyl iron powder with an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 μm. The metallic magnetic material for magnetic element according to the present invention is used in a coil-embedded SMD power choke coil having a square or rectangular shape with a height of 1 mm to 7 mm and with a length of one side being 3 mm to 13 mm.
US07767033B2

A method for surface treatment capable of easily improving a mechanical strength of an internal combustion piston at a reasonable cost is provided. A modified surface layer is formed by injecting injection powders containing a reinforcing element to be collided with an Al—Si alloy-based piston obtained by casting and forging by injecting under predetermined conditions, the reinforcing element being diffused and penetrated in the piston to improve the strength thereof. When a function, such as fuel modification, is imparted to the modified surface layer, an element exhibiting a photocatalytic function by oxidation, such as Ti, Sn, Zn, Zr, or W, is selected as the reinforcing element. By locally heating and cooling performed on the piston surface by the collision with the injection powders, alloy elements are fine-grained by recrystallization, the reinforcing element in the injection powders is diffused and penetrated in the piston surface by activated adsorption, and a modified layer having a uniformly fine-grained microstructure containing the alloy elements and the reinforcing element is formed. As a result, besides improvement in strength of the piston, by the selection of the above element, such as Ti, the photocatalytic function, such as fuel modification, can also be obtained.
US07767032B2

A no-clean low residue solder paste is described for die-attach dispensing or fine pitch printing of semiconductor devices. The solder paste has a homogeneous consistency with no tendency to paste separation. The ultimately remaining residue is clear and crystal like and is compatible with further processing steps without prior cleaning with a solvent to remove flux residue. The solder paste comprises a relatively low amount of rosin in combination with a viscous solvent system, thixotropic agents, activators, additives and optionally plasticizers.
US07767028B2

Apparatus to clean silicon electrode assembly surfaces which controls or eliminates possible chemical attack of electrode assembly bonding materials, and eliminates direct handling contact with the parts to be cleaned during acid treatment, spray rinse, blow dry, bake and bagging. Aspects of the apparatus include a kit including an electrode carrier to hold an electrode assembly, a treatment stand to allow access to the electrode assembly, a spider plate to clamp the electrode assembly in the electrode carrier, a nitrogen purge plate to supply nitrogen gas to the backside of the electrode assembly during acid cleaning of the electrode, a water rinse plate to supply water to the electrode face, a blow dry plate to supply nitrogen to dry the electrode assembly and a bake stand to support the electrode assembly during a bake before placing the clean electrode assembly in a bag.
US07767024B2

In one embodiment, a method for removing native oxides from a substrate surface is provided which includes supporting a substrate containing silicon oxide within a processing chamber, generating a plasma of reactive species from a gas mixture within the processing chamber, cooling the substrate to a first temperature of less than about 65° C. within the processing chamber, and directing the reactive species to the cooled substrate to react with the silicon oxide thereon while forming a film on the substrate. The film usually contains ammonium hexafluorosilicate. The method further provides positioning the substrate in close proximity to a gas distribution plate, and heating the substrate to a second temperature of about 100° C. or greater within the processing chamber to sublimate or remove the film. The gas mixture may contain ammonia, nitrogen trifluoride, and a carrier gas.
US07767022B1

A crystal is sublimation grown in a crucible by way of a temperature gradient in the presence of between 1 and 200 Torr of inert gas. The pressure of the inert gas is then increased to between 300 and 600 Torr, while the temperature gradient is maintained substantially constant. The temperature gradient is then reduced and the temperature in the crucible is increased sufficiently to anneal the crystal. Following cooling and removal from the crucible, the crystal is heated in the presence of oxygen in an enclosure to a temperature sufficient to remove unwanted material from the crystal. Following cooling and removal from the enclosure, the crystal surrounded by another instance of the source material is heated in a crucible in the presence 200 and 600 Torr of inert gas to a temperature sufficient to anneal the crystal.
US07767019B2

A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.
US07767018B2

Disclosed is a metal pigment composition which can be used in an aqueous coating and shows excellent storage stability of a coating agent, and which is reduced in the deterioration of glossiness, hiding power, flip-flop property and the like when formed into a coating film. Specifically disclosed is a metal pigment composition which is treated with at least one amine salt of a heteropoly acid. The heteroatom constituting the heteropoly acid is at least one element selected from the elements belonging to Groups III, IV and V. The polyatom constituting the heteropoly acid is a transition metal. The amount of the amine salt of the heteropoly acid is preferably 0.01 to 10 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of a metal pigment. The metal pigment is preferably an aluminum flake.
US07767016B2

There is provided a coating solution composition of a photo-alignment material. The coating solution composition of the photo-alignment material, adaptive for a photo-alignment process, employs a imidazolidinone-based solvent instead of a typical NMP-based solvent. In a coating method, the photo-alignment material is coated on a substrate in a state that its structure is stabilized in the coating solution through optimization of the coating solution composition. Accordingly, the photoreaction yield increases and a reaction product is stabilized so that a twist angle and a pretilt angle can be improved.
US07767015B2

The invention concerns a bitumen emulsion-based surfacing composition or bituminous mix consisting of an amphoteric surfactant and its use in road highway engineering for making materials for new roads, for reinforcing or maintaining old roads or for punctually repairing same.
US07767002B2

A sorbent composition comprising a vanadium compound and a ZrO2 support material is disclosed. Methods of making and using the composition to remove heavy metals or heavy metal containing compounds from a fluid stream are also provided. Such methods are particularly useful in the removal of mercury and mercury compounds from flue gas streams produced from the combustion of hydrocarbon-containing materials such as coal and petroleum fuels.
US07766999B2

An improved process for the separation of carbon dioxide from the flue gas of an oxy-combustion power plant is provided. At least a first product stream and a second product stream are separated from a flue gas stream, wherein the pressure of the first product stream and the pressure of the second product stream are different. The first product stream is warmed and vaporized. The second product stream is then warmed and vaporized.
US07766995B2

The present invention provides for an improved process for producing ozone which can be used to remove contaminants from gas streams in industrial processes. The improved process uses a separation device after the ozone generating system to separate the ozone from the oxygen gas and directs the ozone to the industrial process and the oxygen back to the feedstream entering the ozone generating system. The improved process further provides for the use of ozone so generated to removed contaminants from industrial process flue gas streams.
US07766993B2

Dumbbell-shaped or flower-shaped nanoparticles and a process of forming the same, wherein the process comprises forming a mixture of a nanoparticle with a precursor in a first solvent, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a hydrophobic outer coating; heating the mixture; cooling the mixture to room temperature; modifying the hydrophobic outer coating into a hydrophilic outer coating; precipitating a solid product from the mixture, and dispersing the product in a second solvent. The nanoparticles comprise any of a semiconducting, magnetic, and noble metallic material, wherein the nanoparticles comprise a first portion comprising any of PbSe, PbS, CdSe, CdS, ZnS, Au, Ag, Pd, and Pt, and wherein the precursor comprises any of a cationic, neutral or particulate Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, or transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni) precursors of Fe(CO)5, Co(CO)8, Ni(CO)4 or their analogues. The first and second solvents comprise any of alkanes, arenes, ethers, nitrites, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
US07766990B2

The apparatus serves for the separation of liquid from a fluid flow loaded with liquid droplets, which can be directed through separator structures in counterflow to separated liquid. The separated liquid flows away on surfaces of the separator structures into a collector located at the inlet are of a separator structure. The collectors are, in turn, connected to a collection line via a collection passage.
US07766985B2

In drying coal to be used as fuel for a coal-fired boiler, the coal is dried at a temperature of 80 to 150° C. by using combustion exhaust gas having passed through an air heater for the coal-fired boiler. Moreover, after medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. at a heating rate of not less than 100° C. per minute and then cooled to a temperature of 250° C. or below at a cooling rate of not less than 50° C. per minute, the resulting reformed coal is cooled to a temperature of 70° C. or below and stored for 1 month or more in a state of isolation from the atmosphere. In producing the aforesaid reformed coal, the medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated by using combustion exhaust gas obtained at the outlet of an economizer included in the coal-fired boiler equipment or at the outlet of a denitrator included therein.
US07766984B2

A method for increasing the yield of carbon foam is described. The method includes placing a foaming sheet over the top surface of the material to be foamed. In certain embodiments, the foaming sheet is placed over the top surface of particulate coal prior to and during the foaming process. In some embodiments the foaming sheet is a smooth, continuous sheet, such as aluminum foil or the like. The resulting carbon product includes an increased amount of usable carbon foam.
US07766982B2

A fuel composition and methods for using it for controlling deposit formation in a spark-ignition internal combustion engine, such as a direct injection engine, comprising a spark-ignition fuel, a detergent, and a deposit inhibitor compound.
US07766981B2

Capacitive devices are described having electrical interconnects of electrodes which possess efficient electrical contact between current collectors, electrical isolation of electrodes, and/or electrochemical stability, while minimizing the mechanical stress and strain applied to the electrodes. The capacitive devices are adaptable to a wide range of electrode dimensions and electrode stack heights.
US07766976B2

The present invention relates to hair coloring and hair bleaching compositions comprising a source of carbonate ions, at least one oxidizing agent and a specified polymer thickener wherein the composition is free of a source of radical scavengers. The compositions surprisingly provide improved hair colorant and bleaching compositions which deliver improved lift, lightening and color delivery whilst minimizing damage which are easy to manufacture and have long shelf life stability.
US07766975B2

The present invention provides water repellant curable compositions comprising (i) one or more polyacid comprising at least two carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof, (ii) one or more polyol comprising at least two hydroxyl groups, (iii) one or more reactive waterproofing agent chosen from a C5 to C30 alk(en)yl 2-hydroxyethyl (alk(en))amide, C5 to C30 alk(en)yl bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amide, C11 to C30 alk(en)yl 2-hydroxyethyl (alk(en))amine, C11 to C30 alk(en)yl bis(2-hydroxy-ethyl)amine, C11 to C30 alk(en)yl tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, C5 to C30 alk(en)yl monoglyceride, C5 to C30 alk(en)yl monocarboxylate of a trihydric polyol, and mixtures thereof, and, (iv), optionally, one or more phosphorous-containing accelerator, wherein the ratio of the number of equivalents of said carboxylic acid groups, anhydride groups, or salts thereof to the total number of equivalents of said hydroxyl groups is from 1/0.01 to 1/3. The compositions provide concentrates dilutable with water to make thermosetting aqueous binder compositions for use in methods to treat or contact substrates chosen from a non-woven, woven and a composite, e.g. glass fiber substrates, followed by drying and curing.
US07766973B2

The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.
US07766971B2

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a prosthesis, comprising: an acetabular cup, wherein the cup has an open end and a closed end, wherein the open end of the cup is defined by a rim and wherein the rim has an outer facing surface; at least one cavity disposed in the rim, wherein the cavity extends from a first end of the cavity at the outer facing surface to a second end of the cavity that is towards the closed end of the cup, and wherein the cavity comprises an undercut at the second end of the cavity; a locking ring; and at least one tab extending from the locking ring, wherein the tab comprises a first leg and a second leg having a separation therebetween, wherein each leg has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each leg is at the locking ring, wherein the second end of the first leg comprises a tab protrusion, and wherein at least the second leg is resilient such that the separation between the first leg and the second leg is reduced when the second leg is deflected towards the first leg; wherein the locking ring is removably locked to the cup by placement of the locking ring adjacent the rim and insertion of the tab into the cavity such that the second leg presses against a sidewall of the cavity to initially deflect the second leg towards the first leg as the tab enters the cavity and the tab protrusion of the first leg is urged into the undercut by the second leg subsequently deflecting back away from the first leg.
US07766963B2

An external breast prosthesis includes an elastomeric skin in the form of a human breast surrounding an inner material such as a silicone gel or hydrogel. The inner material may be of a defined shape or may be amorphous and conform to the shape of the elastomeric skin. The elastomeric skin can be formed from a front skin and a rear skin, and the skins can be made of a soft styrenic elastomer having attributes similar to a gel. The elastomeric skin can be substantially soft to the touch and have an elastic memory that tends to maintain the skin in a pliable yet pre-defined shape.
US07766953B2

A deployment system and method for an expandable stent are described. The deployment system includes an expandable stent in an unexpanded state and a first tubular sheath having one or more first flaps extending from a distal end thereof. The one or more first flaps overlie one or more first longitudinal portions of the stent. A second tubular sheath may overlie the first tubular sheath. The deployment method includes advancing a deployment system including an expandable stent in an unexpanded state to a treatment site in a body vessel. At the treatment site, one or more second longitudinal portions of the stent are radially expanded to partially deploy the stent, and then one or more first longitudinal portions of the stent are radially expanded to fully deploy the stent. Each of the first and second longitudinal portions preferably extends from a proximal end to a distal end of the stent.
US07766949B2

A device and method for providing body cooling for treating fever. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vein or artery, e.g., the vena cavae, that is then distributed throughout the body.
US07766946B2

The present invention is directed to a device for securing a spinal rod to a fixation device such as a pedicle screw or a lamina hook. The device disclosed herein includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion and the locking cap relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion extending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The fastener portion of the device can be in the form of a screw, hook or clamp, or any other configuration known in the art.
US07766944B2

An anchoring element for fastening a rod of a device for adjusting a human vertebral column on a vertebra and having a retainer for receiving the rod, a securing element attachable on the retainer and acting against the rod, a fastening element for attachment to the vertebral body and a clamping device between the retainer and the fastening element including a ring-shaped mount, a partially spherical bearing and an intermediate element embedded in the mount and surrounding the bearing. The bearing comprises level guiding surfaces on opposite sides. The intermediate element has mating counter surfaces which enable the retainer to move in one axial direction only relative to the fastening element and the level counter surfaces are formed on an inner side of one of two generally circumferentially extending elongate segments of the intermediate element.
US07766941B2

Spinal support assemblies, and methods of use, provide stabilization of the treated portion of the spine while accommodating limited, controlled angular movement of the treated portion of the spine, also while limiting transverse movement of the spine. Adapters, such as lamellar hooks and/or bone screws attach the spinal support assembly to support vertebrae. Reinforcing rods in the spinal support assemblies embody any of a variety of structures and configurations, all of which provide for support and force transfer while providing for limited and controlled levels of dynamic, ongoing bending of the rod. The reinforcing rod can bend to accommodate limited bending of the treated portion of the spine, as the subject bends the spine in normal activities. The reinforcing rod stabilizes the vertebrae against vertical and/or transverse lateral movement of the reinforcing rod, members of the reinforcing rod, and/or vertebrae.
US07766937B2

A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter of approximately 2 mm or smaller, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient.
US07766925B2

A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, and a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue. The drive assembly includes a friction camming member that moves along the suture housing under the control of the drive mechanism, wherein actuation of the drive mechanism causes the friction camming member to selectively engage and disengage the needle causing the needle to move about the arcuate path.
US07766923B2

Integrated system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
US07766920B2

A cannulated fastener system is provided for orthopedic applications that include attaching bone plates to bone. The bone fastener has a cannulation with an inner shape. One or more screwdrivers is provided with a shaft having a shape that matches the cannulation of the fastener to rotationally fix the fastener to the screwdriver. In addition, the screwdrivers have a cutting blade that begins the drilling of a hole for the bone fastener. The screwdrivers may either be for use with a single fastener or have multiple fasteners loaded within a retaining sleeve for automatic or controlled dispensing.
US07766902B2

A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual.
US07766892B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.
US07766887B2

A method for making absorbent articles such as diapers and training pants having a pocket for receiving a removable core component is provided. Absorbent articles having removable absorbent core components are further provided. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article comprises providing a wearer facing portion and a garment facing portion, and providing a first absorbent core component with either the wearer facing portion or the garment facing portion. The wearer facing portion and the garment facing portion are associated such that an openable chassis pocket is formed there between, the wearer facing portion and the garment facing portion being separable to create an access opening to the openable chassis pocket for receiving a replaceable absorbent core component.
US07766878B2

An embodiment of the invention includes an entry needle. The entry needle may include a cannula, a needle extending within a lumen of the cannula, and a hub operatively associated with a proximal portion of the cannula. The hub may include a branch in communication with the lumen of the cannula. The needle may be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the needle may prevent communication between an opening in an outer wall of the cannula and the branch. In the second position, the needle may allow communication between the opening in the outer wall of the cannula and the branch.
US07766872B2

The present invention relates to a single dose, one time use, self-destruction, auto-disabling safety syringe with an injection molded barrel. The invention successfully addresses and solves the problems of the prior art by combining the use of COC injection molding with the advantages presented by the ampoule cartridge and the traditional safety syringe all integrated into a single device. A pre-filled ampoule or barrel is molded with minimal draft enabling the syringe's piston plunger to be partially self-lubricated by the syringe's contents. The addition of an internal auto disabling coupler to the piston plunger allows the device to be used only a single time. In addition, the present invention's structure is such that its safety sleeve necessarily moves forward to cover the syringe's needle after use. The present invention's elements, as combined, solve the biocompatibility and safety problems of the prior art and provide an exact dose, prefilled, single time use, cartridge safety syringe.
US07766869B2

A catheter is disclosed providing a balloon catheter having a distal tip that is flexible while additionally incorporating high column strength. The present invention additionally provides a distal tip region that accommodates for various sized guidewires. In preferred embodiments, the distal tip region is initially configured for accommodating the passage of 0.12-inch guidewires only. Through specific manufacturing processes, however, the distal tip is modified so that it also may be expanded to accommodate the passage of 0.14-inch guidewires. In additional preferred embodiments, an elastomeric sleeve is disposed over the modified distal tip to allow the tip to return to the initial 0.12-inch accommodating profile when the larger 0.14-inch guidewire is withdrawn from the catheter.
US07766863B2

An infusion pump which includes a fingerprint reader to verify that a patient or a user is authorized to activate a patient-controlled analgesic button. The fingerprint reader can be integrated into the patient-controlled analgesic button. The infusion pump delivers a dose of medication to the patient if the fingerprint of the patient or user matches a pre-loaded fingerprint.
US07766860B2

Catheter systems including one or more flow restrictors are disclosed. The catheter systems may include two or more delivery branches. The delivery branches may be connected to a supply catheter section using a branching catheter connector that may include one or more flow restrictors. The flow restrictors may include a restrictor body located within a lumen with a channel located between the restrictor body and interior surface of the lumen, the channel restricting flow through the lumen past the flow restrictor. The channel may be defined by a groove formed in the restrictor body and/or the interior surface of the lumen. Methods of providing pressure relief by flowing fluid past a flow restrictor are also disclosed.
US07766859B2

A self-occluding catheter includes a body portion for connection to extracorporeal equipment. An elongated tubular extension is provided for insertion into a body cavity. The body portion includes a resiliently biased spool supported therein which is slidable between an open and a closed position for alternately permitting and stopping the flow of blood through the catheter during a given medical procedure. The biasing device for resilient biasing the spool preferably comprises one or more magnets fixed within the body portion which generate a magnetic force for urging the magnetically polarized spool to its closed position.
US07766854B2

A biological fluid collection system including a collecting device, a collecting container, a first channel connecting the two, a sampling bag, a second channel connecting the sampling bag and the first tube and at least one substantially irreversible closure device in an open position on at least the first or second channel. The biological fluid may be blood. A method of collecting biological fluid such as blood using the system so that fluid in the sampling bag is substantially irreversibly prevented from entering the collecting container.
US07766847B2

A puncturing device for generating a puncture wound to sample a body fluid is provided and comprises a press-on part or contact element to be pressed against a body part to generate a puncture, a test sensor for measuring a test parameter value, and an analytical unit for determining whether the value of the measured test parameter satisfies a predefined minimum requirement for successful sampling. In one embodiment, the value of the test parameter is monitored during a waiting period by the test sensor once the value satisfies the predefined minimum requirement. After the waiting period has elapsed, so long as the values of the test parameter monitored during the waiting period are in a range of values that predicts sampling to be successful, the analytical unit initiates a puncture.
US07766817B2

An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps.
US07766810B2

The present invention enables the desired area on a luminal organ to be held correctly during laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery, even without carrying out dot inking which requires a high degree of skill. In the present invention, a magnetic body is pre-anchored at a specific position inside a luminal organ. During surgery, a magnet is brought close to the outside of the luminal organ, such that the magnetic body is adsorbed to the magnet, along with the body tissue of the luminal organ, enabling traction.
US07766809B2

A method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising centrifuging at least two separation bags containing two discrete volumes of a composite liquid respectively, so as to separate therein the first and second components; transferring at least one fraction of a first separated component from the separation bags into satellite bags connected thereto respectively; detecting a characteristic of a component at determined location in each separation bag; and stopping transferring the at least one fraction of the first component from each separation bag into the first satellite bag connected thereto, upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the determined location.
US07766808B2

A carton flap gripping system including an adjustable pin holder is provided.
US07766807B2

A core is provided with a coating formed by an agglomerate obtained by hardening of a mixture comprising a granulated stone material, preferably of the type having a high hardness factor and light color, and a hardening resin, preferably an epoxy resin, for manufacturing a roller or cylinder of a non-porous external surface, the roller being used for the processing of materials and products. For the manufacture of the roller, a formwork having a cavity for housing a core is prepared so as to provide an interspace which is filled with the mixture, following which compacting of the mixture present in the interspace and then the resin hardening step are performed to obtain a non-porous agglomerate.
US07766805B1

The triceps exercise apparatus is self-contained and needs no anchor or attachment, whether to a user or to an external object. The pouch of the apparatus is pliable and filled with a conforming, pliable weight mass that allows the pouch to rest comfortably over a user's shoulder. The apparatus requires only one hand for use. There is no requirement for grasping with a second hand or anchoring via any other body part. The advantages afforded by this feature are important. For example, an amputee having only one hand or arm can still use the apparatus as effectively as another. A person who cannot, for whatever reason, use a second hand or arm can also use the apparatus. A person undergoing rehabilitation with a focus on only one arm can effectively use the apparatus. Full triceps concentric and eccentric contraction is provided.
US07766798B2

The invention is a bicycle trainer to which a standard bicycle temporarily attaches for exercise and simulated rides. A lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire, and in preferred embodiments, a frame engages the rear tire to hold the rear tire in an elevated position against a resistance cylinder. The resistance cylinder provides a force against rear tire revolution and varies the resistance to pedaling. The resistance cylinder can vary resistance against back tire revolution by pumping a resistance fluid into and out of the cylinder, by changing the position of the resistance cylinder in relation to the back tire, or by translation of the bicycle back and forth. In other embodiments, the trainer is electronically controlled to simulate real-world geographical courses programmed into a readable format for electronically maneuvering front tire and back tire positions as necessary to provide resistance to pedaling.
US07766786B2

The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, one grounded member 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 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 one reverse speed ratio.
US07766783B2

The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting mechanisms, three fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07766780B2

A continuously variable transmission comprises a drive shaft which has first and second drive shafts and is provided with rotational power, a planetary gear unit which is meshed with the first drive gear of the drive shaft and has a sun gear secured to an output shaft, and a transmission which receives a portion of driving force to provide additional output. Interruption of power transmission when shifting is prevented. Also, since the construction of the continuously variable transmission is simplified to minimize the load generated due to a shifting operation, power loss resulting from shifting is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is decreased. In particular, since vibration and noise generated upon shifting are decreased, the continuously variable transmission can be widely applied, from a small power device such as a bicycle or a motorcycle to a large power transmission apparatus such as an industrial machine.
US07766778B2

A vehicular drive system which includes a first electric motor, a power distributing mechanism (first gear device), a second electric motor, and a step-variable automatic transmission (second gear device), and in which the first electric motor and the power distributing mechanism constitute a first unit, while the second electric motor and the automatic transmission constitute a second unit, and wherein the power distributing mechanism has an output shaft, and the automatic transmission has an input shaft which is connected to the output shaft, whereby a drive force can be transmitted between the first unit and the second unit. The individually prepared first unit and the second unit are assembled together into the vehicular drive system such that the output shaft of the power distributing mechanism and the input shaft of the automatic transmission are connected to each other. Accordingly, the drive system has an improved efficiency of assembling.
US07766777B2

Disclosed is a device for superimposing rotational speeds in a vehicle steering system. Said device comprises an input shaft (1) and an output shaft (2) that are arranged in a longitudinal direction relative to each other, a support system (IIa, IIb) which is fixed to the vehicle body and in which the input shaft (1) and the output shaft (2) are rotatably positioned so as to be mounted at least in part, a servodrive (6, 7) encompassing a stator (7) that is located on the support system (IIa, IIb) and a rotor (6) that is mounted so as to be rotatable parallel to the axis of the input shaft. The input shaft (1) is connected to a first toothed disk (3) while the output shaft (2) is joined to a second toothed disk (4). At least one additional toothed wheel (5) is mounted on the rotor (6) at a distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor (6) so as to be rotatable about its own axis around the input shaft (1). The toothing of said additional toothed wheel (5) engages into both toothings of the first and second toothed disk (3, 4).
US07766769B2

An improved multi-functional golf tool having a handle portion formed at its proximal end, and a pair of prongs formed at its distal end and disposed in angular relation with the handle to facilitate the pivotal movement of the golf tool in repairing ball marks or other irregularities on the playing turf, and further providing pivotal leverage when the tool is reversed to aid in removing tees embedded in the ground is disclosed. The handle portion includes a top adapted to removably receive a ball mark. The handle includes a top side that defines a longitudinally aligned, generally U-shaped structure disposed at the handle distal end thereof approximately mid-length on the device that serves multiple functions, such as a thumb-rest, cigar holder, and club grip holder. In a corresponding position on the bottom side of the device a contoured surface runs in a transverse direction thereby providing a comfortable support for the user's index finger. The proximal end of the handle includes a projecting tab that functions as a club face scraper for removing dirt and debris, as well functioning as an opening tool for use with ring-pull tab opening mechanisms commonly found on aluminum drinking cans. The projecting tab further includes opposing left and right thin edge projections that function as clubface groove cleaning structures. Alternate embodiments including a belt clip holder and hat visor clip holder are also disclosed.
US07766768B2

The present invention is directed to golf balls having a layer formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and a layer formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Golf balls of the present invention have at least three layers, including an inner core layer, an outer core layer, a cover, and optionally an intermediate core layer. The present invention is not limited by which golf ball layers are formed from an HNP composition, so long as at least one layer is formed from a relatively soft HNP composition and at least one layer is formed from a relatively hard HNP composition. Relatively soft HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. Relatively hard HNP compositions of the present invention comprise a highly neutralized acid copolymer preferably having a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi.
US07766764B2

An efficient, low cost and versatile golf practice device, which stimulates the angular stances frequently found during play on a course. The practicing golfer stands on top of a turf practice platform. This platform sits flat on top a region comprising a plane. The plane cuts off a slice of the area of a sphere. The plane faces north towards the sky while the opposite side is comprised of a curved arc portion that faces south, towards the earth. The spherical slice, (containing the flat platform), fits as a male portion into and on top of a female inverted dome region. The female spherical slice itself encompasses a space less than a full hemisphere. The female spherical slice is set inside the top surface of a rectangular box of length and width proportions roughly similar to an average driving range mat. The golfer stands on the platform and is capable of simulating a plurality of hitting conditions using the simple process of manual adjustment.
US07766763B2

A golf stroke training device includes a base that has a first section and a second section, and a vertical guide coupled to the base. The vertical guide is substantially perpendicular to the base. The first section has an arc extending from an approximate midpoint of the device to a first end of the device, and the second section comprises a substantially straight edge extending from the approximate midpoint of the device to a second end of the device. In another embodiment, the second section comprises a substantially straight edge extending from the approximate midpoint towards the target and an inside along an arc.
US07766760B2

The invention is directed to a muscle trainer for exercising opposing muscles of a person moving an implement, such as a golf club, wherein, if the opposing muscles were of appropriate strength, the opposing muscles would desirably apply forces in opposite directions to the implement to assist in maintaining an ideal movement of the implement. The contemplated muscle trainer of this invention includes a body and a force generator positioned at a prescribed location on the body for urging the body in a direction away from a force direction which a weaker set of the opposing muscles would normally apply to the implement in the movement of the implement by the person.
US07766759B2

A putting training device comprising a putter module which is selectively attachable and detachable to a putter and a target module. The putter module includes at least one indicia viewable when a users head is substantially vertically above the module. The putter module further includes a signaling element and the target module including a receiving element, and an indicating element. In use, the putter is directed towards the target module. A golf ball is struck in the direction of the target module and the indicating element alerts the user of impact condition.
US07766750B2

A slip clutch acts between a shaft and a housing. The slip clutch includes an oil reservoir within the housing and one or more slipping surfaces disposed in the oil reservoir that are keyed to the shaft and possibly alternately to the housing. The slipping surfaces may include stacked plates or washers. Each of the washers includes an oil groove or other structure on one surface thereof that maintains a consistent film of oil on the washer surfaces. The stacked washers slip relative to one another such that the shaft rotates relative to the housing upon an application of torque that exceeds a predetermined torque.
US07766749B2

A centralized gaming system comprises a central server system and a plurality of display terminals remote from and linked to the central server system. The central server system includes a master game server, a game execution server, and a database server. The master game server stores a plurality of games of chance. Each game includes respective game play software and respective audiovisual software. In response to one of the games being selected for play at one of the display terminals, the game play software for the selected game is loaded from the master game server into the game execution server and is executed by the game execution server to randomly select an outcome. The audiovisual software for the selected game is selectively executed at the display terminal to visually represent the outcome on a display of the display terminal. The database server collects game activity data based on the outcome and maintains such data for report generation and player tracking purposes. The master game server may evaluate the collected game activity data and, in turn, modify one or more of the display terminals for maximizing earnings and target marketing.
US07766744B2

A method and apparatus for tracking play of a game is disclosed. A first set of game outcomes from play of a game associated with a first enterprise is received and stored in a database. A second set of game outcomes from play of a second game associated with a second enterprise independent from the first enterprise is received and stored in the database.
US07766735B2

Ridge vents and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a rollable ridge vent for covering an opening of a roof ridge includes: an elongated flexible member having a central panel portion, a pair of lateral edges and a pair of transverse ends; a pair of vents disposed proximate to and inward of the lateral edges; a plurality of support ribs for supporting the central panel portion above the roof; and a pair of baffles disposed laterally from the vent openings, each pair of baffles comprising a plurality of baffle sections depending from the bottom surface of the central panel portion and oriented at an oblique angle to a respective proximate lateral edge.
US07766718B2

In one embodiment of the invention, a spinning or rotatable flexible disk toy is disclosed. The spinning or rotatable flexible disk toy includes a hand-held housing, an electric motor, a switch, and a flexible disk. The electric motor is mounted in the hand-held housing and has a rotatable shaft. The switch is mounted in the hand-held housing and electrically coupled to the electric motor to selectively provide power to the electric motor. The flexible disk is coupled to the rotatable shaft of the electric motor.
US07766716B2

The invention relates to the technical field of toys, and more specifically, to a doll capable of being assembled in multiple directions, comprising: a head member, a middle body member, and a foot member, wherein projection members or recessed areas are set on all sides of the head member, except the bottom side, which serves to connect with the middle body member of the doll, with said projection members or recessed areas at the top, left, and right sides of the head member being in the shape of a column or cavity. Through the engagement of the columns with the groove cavities and the engagement of the recessed areas with the projection members at the front and back sides of the head member, the doll is capable of being assembled with other dolls in multiple directions. Therefore, the doll of the invention can provide more fun and entertainment value, providing more opportunities for children to exercise their imaginations. Optionally, a set of key rings can be installed on the head member of the doll of the invention.
US07766709B2

An amphibious vehicle has retractable wheels (2, 3) attached to hubs (2), and a planing hull (10, 11, 3). Front wheels are arranged to be steered by a power assisted transversely mounted element (16), which may be a rack and pinion unit. The element may be linked to the wheels by links (14, 14′), which fold up to position (14″) when the wheels are retracted. Actuating rod (28) is mounted to said element, and arranged for transverse movement. A flexible coupling means, such as cable (34) and sleeve (36), connects rod (28) to a steerable part (42, 4) of a marine propulsion unit, to effect marine steering. Road and marine steering may be operable simultaneously. More than one front steered axle, and/or marine propulsion unit, may be fitted. The steering system is readily adapted to all kinds of power assisted steering, and also to “steer by wire”.
US07766706B2

A female terminal assembly includes a core terminal part and a generally U-shaped clip part. The core terminal part is fabricated from an electrically-conductive material and includes a generally U-shaped channel member. The generally-U-shaped channel member defines a generally U-shaped channel extending therethough and an opening into the generally U-shaped channel by a pair of side members interconnected together by a base member. The generally U-shaped clip part is fabricated from a stiff yet resilient material and includes a generally U-shaped clip part channel member defining a generally U-shaped clip part channel. The generally U-shaped clip part is sized to substantially cover the generally U-shaped channel member and is operative to apply opposing compression forces to generally the pair of side members of the U-shaped channel member urging the pair of side members towards each other and into the generally U-shaped channel.
US07766699B1

An audio adapter includes a base body, a plug module and a receptacle disposed in the base body. The base body defines a receiving cavity at an upper portion thereof and a holding chamber at a lower portion thereof. A portion of the receiving cavity extends upward to penetrate through the base body to form a guiding channel. The plug module includes a plug body received in the receiving cavity and an audio plug. The audio plug has a connecting portion embedded in the plug body and an inserting portion projected out of the plug body. The plug body is provided with a guiding portion thereon. The guiding portion is slidably disposed in the guiding channel. The guiding portion can be pushed along the guiding channel to drive the plug body to slide in the receiving cavity and further drive the inserting portion to be stowed into the receiving cavity.
US07766697B2

Retaining projections are formed on and project outwardly in a right-left direction respectively from right and left side walls of a spacer. The retaining projections are used for achieving a provisionally-retained condition and a completely-retained condition of the spacer. When the side walls are elastically deformed, the retaining projections slide over respective retaining portions of a connector housing to thereby achieve the retained condition. The side walls which can be elastically deformed inwardly in the forward-rearward direction form portions of right and left outermost terminal passage holes, and therefore must hold respective metal terminals, respectively. Therefore, holding projections are formed on and project inwardly in the right-left direction respectively from the side walls. These terminal holding projections serve to hold the respective metal terminals in predetermined positions.
US07766694B2

An electrical connector including a housing, conductive contacts arranged in the housing, each of which has a fixed beam fixed to the housing, a movable beam having a contacting projection and an engaging portion and a connecting strut for connecting the movable beam with the fixed beam, and an actuator rotatable for taking up first and second stations selectively and for engaging with the engaging portion of the conductive contact to cause the contacting projection of the conductive contact to come into press-contact with one of connecting terminals arranged on a circuit board having been inserted into the housing when rotated to shift from the first station to the second station, wherein a first side edge portion of the connecting strut on the side of the contacting projection of the movable beam is substantially perpendicular to the fixed beam and a second side edge portion of the connecting strut on the side of the engaging portion of the movable beam slants from the movable beam to the fixed beam so that a first end portion of the connecting strut connected with the fixed beam is wider in a direction along which the fixed beam elongates than a second end portion of the connecting strut connected with the movable beam, and the movable beam swings with a fulcrum at the second end portion of the connecting strut.
US07766693B2

A connector system for coupling electrosurgical instruments to electrosurgical generators is provided. The connector system includes a plug portion connectable to an electrosurgical instrument, the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument having a shape specific to a particular manufacturer; and a plug receptacle portion supported on the electrosurgical generator; the plug receptacle portion being shaped to receive the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument of the particular manufacturer and the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument of any other manufacturer.
US07766692B2

In order to monitor connectivity status associated with an interconnect cable from the end-points to which either end of the cable is attached, a storage device storing a field replaceable unit identifier is provided to uniquely identify a cable end-point, which identifier can then be accessed to determine the connectivity status.
US07766691B2

Techniques for a land grid array (LGA) socket loading mechanism for mobile platforms are described. An apparatus includes a LGA socket mounted to a printed circuit board, and an LGA package seated in the LGA socket. The LGA package includes an LGA package substrate and a semiconductor die mounted on the LGA package substrate, and a heat pipe attached to the semiconductor die, wherein the heat pipe is to apply a compressive load to the semiconductor die. The heat pipe includes at least two leaf springs to apply a compressive load to the LGA package substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07766687B2

A connector connects first electrodes of circuits to pair of cables having different sizes, such as different sized conductors or different sized insulators around same sized conductors. The connector has two parts connected by a hinge. The two parts include recesses that form two different sized openings in a closed position of the connector, for receiving the different sized cables in a non-interchangeable way. Forks or pins of different sizes stick out from the recesses for contacting the conductors of the cables.
US07766686B2

Briefly, various embodiments of a pluggable form factor release mechanism are described. For example, but without intending to limit the scope of claimed subject matter, a transceiver module may include the following: a module housing; a bail lever; an actuator; and a spring adjacent to the actuator. The bail lever and the actuator may be movably connected to the module housing in such a manner so that pivoting the bail lever away from the housing engages an end of the actuator to move towards the module housing. The actuator may rotate about a fulcrum with an opposing end of the actuator moving away from the module housing.
US07766685B2

The present invention relates to a plug connector arrangement with a plug, having first catch arms arranged parallel to the plug-in direction and a secondary locking, as well as a mating plug with shoulders, behind which catch lugs engage in a final plugged-in position on the first catch arms. The secondary locking is released from a pre-catch position by the mating plug during the plug-in process and, on reaching its final catch position, is held back by the first catch arms until the catch lugs thereof are locked behind the shoulders of the mating plug.
US07766681B1

Waterproof electric plug or receptacle for LED light string is provided. In one embodiment, the plug includes a housing comprising two prongs, two fuses, an internal space, rear passages, compartments between the space and the passages, a wall for separating the space and the compartments; an electrical assembly comprising a PCB electrically to the prongs via the fuses, and rear conductive posts in the compartments; a power cord passing the passages and having two sleeves secured to the posts, and a shell mounted around the housing. Waterproof adhesive is applied on the wall, the compartments, and front and rear ends of the PCB.
US07766679B2

There is provided a pluggable module having grooves, on lateral faces, for latching with a cage and engaging portions for detachment, wherein the module body is detached from the cage by using a module detaching unit which is inserted along the grooves and which locks the engaging portions of the module body in the length direction. Further, there is provided a detaching jig including: latch release portions which are inserted between the pluggable module and the cage; lock portions which allow the pluggable module to be locked in the detaching direction; and a handle portion for detaching the pluggable module from the cage.
US07766676B2

An electronic device includes an enclosure, a protecting member, and a power plug. The enclosure includes a top wall, a bottom wall, sidewalls, a socket, and a slot to receive an electronic card. The socket and the slot are defined in one of the sidewalls. The protecting member includes a receiving portion bounding the socket and the slot and a sliding plate capable of sliding to an open position and a closed position in the receiving portion. Movement of the sliding plate in the open position does not allow insertion of the power plug into the socket and allows the electronic card to be inserted into or removed from the slot, and movement of the sliding plate in the closed position allows insertion of the power plug into the socket and does not allow the electronic card to be inserted into or removed from the slot.
US07766670B1

An electrical connection device is used for electrically connecting an electronic element having solder balls, and includes an insulating body and a plurality of pins. The insulating body has a plurality of receiving slots formed by a plurality of first rib boards and second rib boards respectively and crossly disposed along the X and Y-coordinate direction. Each pin has a base portion extending upwardly to form a first and a second flexible arm. The end of the first and the second flexible arm respectively form a first contact portion and a second contact portion. At least one of the receiving slots receives the first flexible arm of the pin and the second flexible arm of another pin. The first and the second contact portion located in the same receiving slot are disposed staggered in an upper and a lower location along the X-coordinate direction and not connected to each other.
US07766666B1

A board-to-board connector assembly includes a receptacle connector having a plurality of first terminals, and a plug connector having a plurality of second terminals. Each of the first terminals has a first contact portion and a second contact portion and each of the second terminals has a first contact arm and a second contact arm. When the plug connector is mated with the receptacle connector, the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the first terminal electrically contact the first contact arm and the second contact arm of the corresponding second terminal respectively to make the first terminal and the corresponding second terminal electrically interconnected steadily.
US07766663B2

A coaxially connected structure for opposed wiring substrates of the present invention includes a first substrate equipped with a tab type bracket and a second substrate equipped with a socket type bracket, and further includes first and second ground cases respectively mounted on the first and second substrates to cover them. The first and second ground cases are respectively provided with first and second penetration openings to pass the tab type bracket and the socket type bracket therethrough. Exposed parts of the tab type bracket and the socket type bracket from the openings are mutually engaged and being fully surrounded with at least one conductive tubular member which has a function to determine a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US07766662B2

A disclosed coaxial connector can be surface-mounted on a circuit board without degradation in signal transmission characteristics. The coaxial connector includes a center conductor, a surrounding conductor by which the center conductor is surrounded, and an insulating housing. The center conductor has a leg portion at its base end. The surrounding conductor has six lugs at its base end that extend radially. The leg portion and the lugs are exposed on a bottom surface of the housing. The coaxial connector is mounted on the circuit board with the leg portion pressed against a signal pad on the circuit board for electrical connection and the lugs pressed against a ground pad for electrical connection.
US07766661B2

A heat transfer member which is capable of enhancing efficiency of heat dissipation, and a connector including the heat transfer member. On the surface of an elastic body arranged between an LED and a heat sink, a heat conduction metal thin film that transfers heat generated in the LED to the heat sink is formed. The member may also include an electrical conduction metal film, whereby the member may serve as both a heat transfer member and as an electrical connector.
US07766660B1

The present invention is an electrical connector housing comprising a central segment and two connector holders. The central segment has two sides and two wings. The wings are formed respectively on and protrude respectively from the sides of the central segment, and each wing has parallel grooves. The connector holders are mounted pivotally respectively on the wings, and each connector holder has a notch. Each notch has two edges and two tracks. The tracks are formed respectively near the edges, are mounted pivotally respectively in the grooves and enable the connector holder to pivot up to 180 degrees relative to the central segment.
US07766659B2

A series unit comprises an input terminal and an output terminal each composed of a tubular receptacle having a center conductor and an external conductor provided concentrically with the center conductor, a television terminal, and a unit case for supporting the input terminal, the output terminal, and the television terminal. The external conductors of the terminals are electrically interconnected through the unit case. The center conductors are electrically interconnected in the space defined inside the unit case. The orientation of the connection end portion of the unit case is perpendicular to the connection/disconnection end portion to/from which the terminal of the cable is connected/disconnected. The input terminal and the output terminal are constituted as movable terminals rotatable at the connection end portions of the unit case. The planes defined by the center axes of the connection/disconnection end portions by the rotation of the movable terminals are perpendicular to each other.
US07766649B2

A direct flame impingement method and apparatus employing at least one multi-ported, internally recuperated burner. The burner includes an innermost coaxial conduit having a first fluid inlet end and a first fluid outlet end, an outermost coaxial conduit disposed around the innermost coaxial conduit and having a combustion products outlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a combustion products inlet end proximate the first fluid outlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit, and a coaxial intermediate conduit disposed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit, whereby a second fluid annular region is formed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the intermediate coaxial conduit and a combustion products annular region is formed between the intermediate coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit. The intermediate coaxial conduit has a second fluid inlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a second fluid outlet end proximate the combustion products inlet end of the outermost coaxial conduit.
US07766647B2

An injection molding system is disclosed having a self-regulating valve for balancing melt flow. The self-regulating valve includes a control rod configured to balance the melt flow rate through a hot runner system. The self-regulating valve reacts to an injection or melt pressure within the hot runner system and a pre-set force provided by an external force device. The self-regulating valve is an open-loop system as it requires neither a measurement of pressure by a sensor nor feedback from a processor in order to regulate the melt flow. The self-regulating valve mechanically reacts to changes in melt pressure on control surfaces thereof by “bobbing” upwards/downwards to decrease/increase the melt flow accordingly. The self-regulating valve compensates for conditions that affect melt pressure, such as an increase/decrease in melt viscosity, changes in melt temperature, and/or mold cavity size without the use of a processing device.
US07766645B2

A molding device for manufacturing thermoplastic containers by blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding heated parisons. The molding device having a blow-molding mold of the hinged mold type with at least two mold halves which can be separated from one another by rotation about a common axle of articulation under the action of an actuating device. The actuating device is designed in such a way that the two mold halves have respective angles of opening on each side of the parting plane of the mold which are not equal.
US07766643B2

An apparatus comprises a forming arrangement closable in a direction to form an object, said forming arrangement comprising at least two reciprocal movable elements along respective arched trajectories to disengage from said object, said arched trajectories having respective components parallel to said direction.
US07766634B2

A novel crescent gear pump and pump rotor set for a crescent gear pump. The rotor set includes an outer rotor with teeth having a composite profile formed over the portion adjacent their root to conform to a circular arc and formed over the portion adjacent their tip to conform to a hypocycloid arc. The unique shape allows for increased volumetric capacity of the rotor set, when compared to trochoidal rotor sets of the same size. Further, operating noise is reduced, as are pulsations in the output of the pump when compared to the same pump with a trochoidal rotor set.
US07766627B2

A fan motor device includes a fan base, an impeller set and a motor set. The fan base extends a central barrel with ball bearings fitting with the barrel. The impeller set further includes an impeller, a shaft, a spring, a motor case and a magnet. The motor set further includes an insulation frame, a silicone sheet set, a coil and a circuit board. The barrel has an annular deep groove between the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side thereof for a stop ring being attached to an inner wall surface of the groove to reinforce the outer circumferential side so as to prevent the barrel from bending deformation and the motor set from displacing eccentrically or loosening off.
US07766625B2

A method facilitates reducing stress in a turbine bucket including a metallic base metal. The method comprises providing a turbine bucket including at least one pocket formed therein, and filling at least one pocket defined in the bucket with a polymer composite having continuous fibers oriented in a resin matrix, such that the fibers have an orientation determined in accordance with a pre-selected frequency tuning of the bucket.
US07766619B2

A gas turbine has a cooling air passage which extends along the leading edge of the blade airfoil, which cooling air passage has an outlet opening which is arranged in the region of the blade tip. The contour of the outlet opening is geometrically similar to the cross section of the cooling air passage. As a result, flow inhomogeneities of the cooling air flow, which locally negatively influence heat transfer, and consequently cooling efficiency, are avoided.
US07766611B2

The invention relates a method for improving the hot-starting behavior of a turbomachine. By virtue of the setting of a radial gap formed between a brushing edge of a blade profile and a guide face lying opposite this, in which setting a guide ring forming the guide face can be acted upon with a coolant, the hot-starting behavior can be improved, in that the guide ring is cooled before the start of the machine.
US07766610B2

Annular or ring-segment-shaped cavities (2, 7) which are formed in particular in multi-shell (11; 12, 13) casings of turbomachines are preferably provided with suitable means for compensating for forming temperature stratifications. According to the invention, an overflow passage (14) connects two points of the cavity to one another which are situated in different circumferential positions. Arranged in the overflow passage (14) is an ejector (17) which can be operated with a motive fluid and which serves to drive a flow through the overflow passage from an upstream end (15) to a downstream end (16).
US07766606B2

A cooling system for a turbine airfoil of a turbine engine having suction side platform cooling channels and pressure side platform cooling channels for cooling hot spots in a platform attached to a turbine blade. The cooling system may include one or more pressure side platform cooling chambers having a diffusion slot for cooling downstream platforms on the suction side of the turbine blade. The diffusion slots reduce the velocity of the cooling fluids released from the platform to increase the capacity of the film cooling of downstream platforms.
US07766600B1

A Savonius vertical axis wind turbine rotor has first and second curved vanes having remote substantially vertical edges widely spaced form each other, and proximate substantially vertical edges more closely horizontally spaced from each other and horizontally overlapping are associated with a substantially vertical central shaft construction. The shaft construction is operatively connected to the vanes and mounts the vanes and adjacent the proximate edges. The central shaft construction may comprise a perforated shaft (e.g. a single perforated shaft), or multiple shafts. In any event, the shaft construction, and mounting of the rotor vanes, allow, during use, spillover of wind from the proximate edge of one vane to another vane during powered rotation of the vanes in response to wind. The rotor is preferably omni-directional. The rotor may have a third set of vanes, and different vertically spaced sets of vanes circumferentially offset with respect to each other. The rotor may be in combination with a mount to provide a wind turbine, and may be in combination with a driven device such as a generator, propeller, or pump.
US07766596B2

An attachment for a telescopic material handler supplies five degrees of freedom (DOF) for the task of picking, manipulating and aiding in the installation of vertical and horizontal wall cladding and other construction materials. The cladding can be of a size up to 1.3×8.0 m and a mass of 350 kg. The control and positioning of the load is accomplished through standard operation of the telehandler in conjunction with wireless control of the five DOF of the device. Hydraulic power for the device functions may be supplied through the telehandler auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary flow also powers a hydraulic generator, which supplies the device with electrical power for both system logic and control and vacuum generation. The cladding panels are handled by the vacuum system.
US07766595B2

Described is a device and a procedure to twist a coil into perforations that are provided in the margin sections of flat components, sheets of paper in particular, with a drive that causes the rotation and axial in-feed of the coil, corresponding to the inclination of its helix shape. With a stopping device the coil is inhibited from moving further and a release brings the coil out of contact with the stopping device and into contact with the drive.
US07766586B2

An improved quick change power tool chuck is provided which is principally used on a wood working router but could also be used in many other power tool applications. Key features of the quick change chuck include the unique way that it secures the cutting bit from unwanted slippage, the large mechanical advantage thereof and the speed in which a cutting bit can be removed and replaced. The chuck can be aligned and attached to the power tool in the same manner that a standard collet is aligned and attached to the router spindle or to a router or other drive shaft in a number of different ways.
US07766583B2

One embodiment relates to a workpiece removal device for a plug cutter. This combination comprises a housing having a longitudinally extending surface, a first closed end and a second open end opposite the first closed end. A boss is coupled (removably coupled for example) to the first closed end and extends toward the second open end, and a biasing member (a spring for example) is attached to a distal end of the boss. The combination further comprises means for contacting a predetermined portion of the biasing member with a workpiece, whereby a preselected portion of the workpiece is ultimately severed from the workpiece. The biasing member ejects the preselected portion from the plug cutter, forming a plug.
US07766582B2

A handling device for depositing a trench box into an open excavation includes at least one reciprocal trench box wall contact member movable along a first axis; motor means for selective movement of the wall contact member; and a coupling for attaching the contact member and the motor means to a prime mover for selectively moving the handling device along an axis generally perpendicular to the first axis. A system for depositing a trench box in an open excavation includes the handling device and a trench box having a plurality of apertures engageable with the at least one wall contact member. A method for depositing a trench box in an open excavation includes operating the handling device with the trench box having the apertures.
US07766572B2

A bottle comprising: a container containing a cosmetic; and an applicator including a tube that carries a first applicator head for applying cosmetic to a region of the body, the first applicator head being placed in front of the tube and being suitable for being dipped into the container, and the first applicator head being removable from the tube. The applicator also includes a second applicator head that is stored in the tube until the first applicator head is removed. The second applicator head is displaceable relative to the tube to take the place of the first applicator head.
US07766569B2

The method comprises the steps of feeding media from a media roll, arranged about an axis, through an input driving device and an output driving device of the media advance mechanism, wherein the output driving device engages the media with lower friction than said input driving device; releasing said input driving device such that it does not engage the media; and causing the media to move in the media advance mechanism such that the media is pulled taut between the roll and the output driving device and later the media slips with respect to said output driving device, whereby the media is aligned at right angles to the roll axis by effect of the friction between the media and the output driving device.
US07766565B2

A substrate processing system includes a substrate processing apparatus and a cleaning/drying apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus includes an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block and a first interface block. The cleaning/drying apparatus includes a cleaning/drying processing block and a second interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the second interface block. In the cleaning/drying processing block, cleaning processing is applied to a substrate before exposure processing and drying processing is applied to the substrate after the exposure processing.
US07766561B1

The invention relates to high-strength, abrasion-resistant optical fiber cable having a supplemental layer consisting essentially of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) to enhance the cable's tensile strength and hermetically seal it, and an outermost encasing layer to protect the LCP supplemental layer from damage that could otherwise diminish the tensile strength or destroy the moisture barrier properties of the cable gained by adding the supplemental liquid crystal polymer layer. The encasing layer is preferably a thin layer of a smooth, non-crystalline thermoplastic that can be easily removed with chemicals that do not affect the properties of the supplemental layer so that the supplemental layer can be made accessible for promoting the formation of hermetically sealed interfaces between the cable and other structures. Cross-head extrusion methods for coating optical fibers with LCP and encasing layers are described along with laser and ultrasonic bonding techniques for fabricating hermetic packages.
US07766554B2

Crowning is applied to a side surface of an inner ring which abuts against a side surface of a drive shaft in a radial direction. With this construction, when the two side surfaces abut against each other by a pressing operation of a threadedly-engaged nut at the time of connecting the drive shaft and an inner shaft, a contact pressure distribution of abutting surfaces is made generally uniform, thereby suppressing the occurrence of an edge load. By thus preventing a contact pressure from increasing at part of the abutting surfaces, energy released by a stick-slip phenomenon is reduced, and a sound pressure level of an abnormal sound generated at this time is reduced.
US07766552B2

A bearing lubricating device, reducing the manufacturing cost and facilitating the dimensional control and the assembly process, comprises a casing provided around an outer ring rotating relatively to a support shaft; and a lubricating member provided in the casing, which is, after the casing has been fitted over the outer periphery of the outer ring, in contact with the outer ring to apply a lubricant contained in the lubricating member to the outer periphery of the outer ring. When the casing is fitted around the outer ring, the lubricating member is in contact with the outer ring in a position either on a line, that extends in parallel to a tangent passing through a contact point between the outer ring and a supported item borne on the outer ring and passes through the center of the outer ring, or on the opposite side of the line to the contact point.
US07766551B2

The invention relates to a rotor block (1) comprising a housing (2) with at least one connection surface (3A) that absorbs the load and pivot bearing seats (4) for plain and/or anti-friction bearings (5) that are designed to support a rotor (6). To dismount the rotor (6) from the housing (2), the plain and/or anti-friction bearings (5) can be dismantled from the exterior and the rotor (6) from a side (8) lying transversally to the bearings. The pivot bearing seats (4) take the form of recesses (9) that are directly configured in the housing wall, without the use of annular bodies. To facilitate the mounting and dismounting processes and to improve the precision of the rotor alignment, the pivot bearing seats (4) are configured in such a way that they form a segment greater than a semi-circle around the plain and/or anti-friction bearings (5), leaving a section open on one side (8) in relation to said bearings (5), thus forming a narrowing (13).
US07766548B2

A travel stand for a mobile X-ray diagnostic machine with a laser detection system containing measurement devices to determine the position of the travel stand in a spatially fixed system of coordinates is provided. The measuring devices can operate by non-contact measurement techniques and that the position of the travel stand can be determined by techniques such as triangulation. An X-ray diagnostic machine with such a position detection system offers advantages in the 3D reconstruction from 2D X-ray projection images and in navigationally guided operations under X-ray monitoring.
US07766544B2

A temperature sensor mounting structure for a battery module that is formed by connecting single cells together in series including: a temperature-measuring device that detects the temperature of the battery module; a covering device that covers the temperature-measuring device; and movement-restricting devices that are removably engaged with the battery module and restrict the movement of the covering device.
US07766542B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining a catalyst bed temperature. The method may include receiving a current fluid mass flow within an exhaust pipe and a total amount of unburned fuel available for catalytic combustion. The method may further include determining a plurality of fluid enthalpy values corresponding to various locations within the exhaust pipe. The method may continue with calculating an amount of fuel burned on an upstream catalyst based on the plurality of fluid enthalpy values, and determining an amount of fuel remaining that is available for combustion on a downstream catalyst. The method may determine a combustion efficiency of the downstream catalyst based on the temperature rise across the downstream catalyst, and an amount of heat generated within the downstream catalyst based on the combustion efficiency and the amount of fuel remaining that is available for combustion on the downstream catalyst. The method may conclude with determining a downstream catalyst bed temperature based on the net heat generation, the fluid mass flow through the downstream catalyst, and the thermal response of the downstream catalyst.
US07766541B2

The invention relates to a method for detecting an abnormality of a temperature sensor. A plurality of temperature sensors are preliminarily grouped for each of predetermined attachment areas of a machine tool, and after a temperature of each part is measured in S1, the detected temperatures are classified in S2 for each of the grouped attachment areas, and then sorted in descending order in S3. Subsequently, a difference ΔT between any closest two of the detected temperatures is obtained in S4, and then compared with a preset limit value γ in S5, when ΔT exceeds the limit value γ, temperature sensors in a corresponding attachment area are determined abnormal in S6, and an alarm is displayed.
US07766539B2

A liner material supply apparatus by which the weight ratio between a first feedstock liquid and a second feedstock liquid to be fed to static mixers (40, 42) is maintained sufficiently precisely. A heater for bring the temperature of the first feedstock liquid, which is fed from a first accommodation tank (26) to the static mixers through a first feeding pump (22), and the temperature of the second feedstock liquid, which is fed from a second accommodation tank (28) to the static mixers through a second feeding pump (24), to predetermined temperatures are annexed, at least, to the first feeding pump and the second feeding pump. Liner material acceptance unit (10) is disposed which is selectively located at an operating position where the liner material acceptance unit accepts a liner material discharged from discharge unit (18), and a non-operating position where the liner material acceptance unit does not interfere with the liner material discharged from the discharge unit.
US07766534B2

The planar lighting device includes a pair of light sources, a light guide plate and a housing. The light guide plate is disposed between the light sources and includes a light exit plane and a pair of opposite light entrance planes respectively provided opposite to the light sources. The planar lighting device thus configured features a heat dissipation structure whereby a heat sink is connected to each of the light sources and heat pipes are attached to the heat sink so as to extend toward the center of the housing. Disclosed is a thin and lightweight planar lighting device suitably used for a large display television or the like, capable of emitting illumination light free from brightness unevenness or with a reduced level of brightness unevenness, allowing increase of dimensions of the display area, and capable of optimally releasing heat generated by the light sources.
US07766527B2

A light engine assembly that includes a LED having a standard preselected output. The light engine assembly accepts a light guide into the assembly. The assembly includes a two-sided PCB, one side of which is a heat sink to reduce heat build-up on the board and the other side of which is a circuit that provides power to a LED positioned on the board. The circuit includes a connector for connection to a power supply and circuitry that regulates the current supplied to the LED, which is housed on the PCB. The assembly further includes a housing for the PCB that carries the PCB while protecting it from damage. The housing permits ventilation for cooling the board. The housing also includes a light guide holder barrel, which has a substantially square cross-section and is open at one end. The light guide holder barrel accepts a light guide having a substantially circular cross-section, the light guide contacting the light guide holder barrel in four positions, the light guide transmitting light from the LED when the LED is energized. The light guide can be rotated in any position and inserted into the light guide holder barrel to allow light to be transmitted in any preselected direction by the user.
US07766525B2

A household appliance includes a front door having an upper edge, a front cover disposed in front of the front door; and an optical status display device mounted on the household appliance. The one optical status display device is hidden in a built-in state of the household appliance or is hidden when the front door is closed. The optical status display device is located at a spacing from the upper edge of the front door. The household appliance also includes a light guide for transmitting a signal light emitted by the optical status display device.
US07766519B2

Methods for cooling an illumination device are disclosed. The illumination device comprises a cathode, an anode and a cooling fan. A variation of a lamp voltage of the illumination device is first detected. The lamp voltage is the voltage difference between the cathode and the anode, and the variation of the lamp voltage is derived from comparing the lamp voltage which is detected with the lamp voltage at the first time the illumination device is used. A rotational rate of the cooling fan is then adjusted according to the variation of the lamp voltage.
US07766516B2

A diffusion plate of a backlight structure and a display device using the same are provided. The diffusion plate is used in the backlight structure having several light emitting diodes. The diffusion plate includes a main body with many depression structures positioned on a surface of the main body. The surface faces the light emitting diodes. Each depression structure is positioned above the corresponding light emitting diode and includes an inclined surface. An inclined angle is formed between each inclined surface and a central axis of the corresponding light emitting diode for refracting the light emitted by the corresponding light emitting diode.
US07766514B2

This invention relates to a light emitting diode lamp with high heat-dissipation capacity wherein the lamp has at least one heat-dissipating unit, a plurality of air-flow channels being provided within each heat sink unit, an electrical insulation layer with high heat-conductivity being provided on the surface of the light emitting diode mounted with heat-dissipating unit, a metal circuit being formed on the electrical insulation layer with high heat-conductivity according to demand, at least one light emitting diode being packaged on the metal circuit such that provision of circuit board or coating of heat sink paste become unnecessary for the lamp.
US07766511B2

A light fixture using LEDs includes a lower skin layer possessing heat transfer properties. A circuit board is affixed to the lower skin layer, and a single LED, or a plurality of LEDs, is electrically connected to the circuit board. The single LED, or plurality of LEDs, when electrically activated, emits light through substantially around a vertical axis. The light fixture also includes a core possessing heat transfer properties that is in thermal contact with the LED and has an interior cavity for the LED. The core is affixed to the lower skin layer, and an upper skin layer, containing a window or windows over the LED or LEDs, is affixed to the core. The LEDs may be white, infrared, ultraviolet, and/or colored and may be mounted on a printed circuit board or individually.
US07766504B1

A solar powered illuminator for lighting an outdoor environment has a housing joined to a platform supporting a solar panel wired to a circuit board and a rechargeable battery located within the housing. An elongated translucent tubular member joined to the housing has a passage accommodating LED lamps wired in series with electrical conductors connected to the circuit board. When solar panel is exposed to sunlight a charging current is supplied to the battery and electric power to the LED lamps is turned off. When solar panel is not exposed to sunlight the battery is disconnected from the solar panel and connected to the LED lamps to light the outdoor environment.
US07766500B2

A backlight unit is capable of preventing optical sheets from experiencing deformation due to thermal expansion and the like. The backlight unit includes a backlight chassis arranged to house a lamp via a diffusion plate and optical sheets, where a thickness of the optical sheets is less than a thickness of the diffusion plate, the backlight chassis including a support surface arranged to support the diffusion plate and the optical sheets, and a frame arranged to hold the diffusion plate and the optical sheets with the support surface, the diffusion plate and the optical sheets being interposed between the frame and the support surface, and the backlight chassis has a positioning piece arranged to position and support the diffusion plate at a predetermined position with respect to the support surface and not to position and support the optical sheets.
US07766481B2

The invention relates to a device for illuminating organic objects, particular organic objects of the eye. Preferably, the device can be used in an opthalmological diagnosis or therapy device. According to the invention, an array of miniaturized light sources is arranged in a spatially defined manner on a plane or a curved surface such that the light sources achieve a packing density that is as high as possible and can be electronically controlled individually in a very quick manner. The light source array is imaged onto the biological object by means of an optical system.
US07766478B2

A method of slowing the progression of myopia in a person, comprises applying to the eye of the person contact lens or lenses each including a vision correction area for correcting in use the myopic vision of a wearer, and a myopic defocus area having a less negative focal power, to simultaneously present a controlled myopic defocus to the retina both when viewing in the distance and also when viewing at near. Contact lenses and their use are also claimed.
US07766477B2

An extendable and retractable eyewear telescoping retaining strap assembly consisting of an outer tubular strap member and an inner strap member slidably disposed within the tubular member. Means are provided to secure the inner strap within the outer strap in the retracted position and to prevent the separation of the two straps when the inner strap is in the extended position. The assembly is attachable to the temple of an eyewear frame either by attaching the outer tubular strap to the temple or by attaching the inner strap to an additional retaining strap disposed within the temple. Each strap of the assembly is flexible and either longitudinally stretchable or inelastic to provide for different modes of use.
US07766472B2

The inkjet drawing device and method form an image on a sheet-like image recording medium relatively transported in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to a main scanning direction by using photocurable ink with an inkjet head moving in the main scanning direction. The device and method cause the inkjet head to eject the photocurable ink as an ink droplet imagewise to perform direct drawing, irradiate the image recording medium with active light by moving a point or substantially point active light source in the main scanning direction and by causing the active light to scan in the main scanning direction at a backward position distant from a position subjected to the drawing by the inkjet head by a predetermined distance toward a sub-scanning transport downstream side of the image recording medium, and curing the photocurable ink ejected onto the image recording medium.
US07766466B2

The present invention relates to an ink supply method and a printing apparatus by which, when an ink supply operation is repeated by using a gas-liquid separation member, damage to the gas-liquid separation member can be reduced to improve the reliability. In order to realize this, an ink supply method for aspirating air in a sub tank via the gas-liquid separation member to supply ink from a supply opening into the sub tank sets a plurality of different amounts as an suction amount of air in the sub tank per a unit time.
US07766464B2

A piezoelectric element is provided that is equipped with a seed layer formed on a base substrate and a piezoelectric film formed on the seed layer. The seed layer is formed of a perovskite type piezoelectric material preferentially oriented to pseudo cubic (100). The piezoelectric film is formed of a relaxor material that has a perovskite type rhombohedral structure, and is preferentially oriented to pseudo cubic (100).
US07766461B2

The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejecting head including: a pressure chamber connected to a nozzle ejecting liquid-droplets; a vibrating-plate forming one portion of the pressure chamber; a lower-electrode formed on a surface of the vibrating-plate, and exhibiting one polarity; a piezoelectric body of flexurally-deformable, formed on a surface of the lower electrode, and disposed at a position facing the pressure chamber with the vibrating-plate therebetween; and an upper-electrode formed at a surface of the piezoelectric body opposite the surface at which the lower-electrode is formed, the upper-electrode exhibiting another polarity, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the lower-electrode, the piezoelectric body being provided further toward an inner side than a peripheral wall of the pressure chamber, and the lower-electrode being of a size such that one portion thereof overlaps with the peripheral wall of the pressure chamber, and being individuated per each piezoelectric body.
US07766459B2

A printhead nozzle array includes groups of nozzle assemblies configured to eject respective colored inks. Each group has its nozzle assemblies arranged in rows. Each nozzle assembly includes a common substrate assembly. A nozzle is configured to contain ink and defines a nozzle opening through which the ink can be ejected. The nozzle includes a static wall portion extending from the substrate assembly and a movable crown portion defining the nozzle opening. An actuator extends from the substrate assembly. A lever arm extends from the actuator and is fast with the crown portion so that, upon actuation of the actuator, the lever arm moves the crown portion relative to the static wall portion to eject the ink out through the nozzle opening.
US07766456B2

To allow formation of an insulation film to be applied even to a glass substrate without depending on a substrate material so as to improve pressure generated by an electrostatic actuator, as well as to achieve improvement in driving stability and driving durability of the electrostatic actuator at a low cost. [Solving Means] An electrostatic actuator including an individual electrode 5 formed on a substrate, a vibration plate 6 arranged opposite to the individual electrode 5 via a predetermined gap and a driving means for causing a displacement of the vibration plate 6 by generating an electrostatic force between the individual electrode 5 and the vibration plate 6 includes an insulation film 7 provided on one or both of opposing surfaces of the fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a surface protection film 8 provided on the insulation film 7. The surface protection film 8 is made of a hard ceramic film or a hard carbon film.
US07766447B2

A banding adjustment method for an ink jet imaging device having a plurality of printheads comprises printing a plurality of test bands, each test band being printed by a plurality of printheads such that each printhead of the plurality prints a section of each test band. The drop mass generated by each printhead of the plurality is selectively adjusted between a default drop mass and an adjusted drop mass to print each test band of the plurality such that the plurality of printed test bands have various combinations of sections having the default drop mass and the adjusted drop mass. The user is then prompted to select a test band from the plurality of printed test bands.
US07766445B2

An inkjet recording apparatus of a serial recording type which comprises a recording head, a carriage and a conveying device. The recording head is capable of selectively ejecting ink toward a recording medium. The carriage with the recording head mounted thereon reciprocatingly moves in specified directions. The conveying device intermittently conveys the recording medium in a direction perpendicular to the specified directions when the recording head does not eject ink. An image is recorded on the recording medium by repeatedly performing, in turn, movement of the carriage and ejection of ink by the recording head, and intermittent conveyance of the recording medium by the conveying device. The inkjet recording apparatus also includes a vibration applying device that vibrates at least one of the recording medium and the recording head when the recording head ejects ink toward the recording medium while the carriage is being moved.
US07766437B2

A refrigerator including a cooling chamber in a main body, includes: a rack assembly installed inside the cooling chamber; and a rack assembly drawing unit for drawing/putting the rack assembly out of/into the cooling chamber. Accordingly, food containers put on a rack of a rack assembly can be easily and conveniently taken out or checked regardless their locations by constructing the rack assembly to be selectively drawn out of a cooling chamber. Also, by attaching a vibration preventing rubber material to an end of the rack assembly, the food container put on the rack is prevented from being dropped, and the vibration noise can be effectively prevented.
US07766432B2

A hydraulic motorcycle brake system includes an accommodating member for the hydraulic connection of two master brake cylinders to the front-wheel brake and rear-wheel brake having several pressure channels for the front-wheel circuit and rear-wheel brake circuit, and allowing manufacture in a simplest possible manner, and a pair of wheel brake connections connectable to the rear-wheel brake and front-wheel brake open into a lateral surface of the accommodating member, the wheel brake connections being arranged between a pair of pressure connections that are connectable to the two master brake cylinders.
US07766423B2

A head restraint assembly is provided that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The head restraint assembly includes a support member and a deployable member. A link is rotatably mounted with respect to the support member and the deployable member. A shaft is mounted to the link for rotation therewith. The active material is actuatable to rotate the shaft and thereby cause the deployable member to move from its retracted position to its deployed position.
US07766420B2

The present invention aims at providing a vehicle body front-part structure which can efficiently disperse an impact load acting on the front part of a vehicle. In the vehicle body front-part structure in accordance with the present invention, a portion 6a of a radiator support supporting an upper part of a radiator arranged in the front part of a vehicle 2 is connected to a skeleton 9 of the vehicle body by a pair of first radiator support supporting members 4 which support it from both sides in the vehicle width direction, and second radiator support supporting members 11, 12 which are arranged on the inner side of the pair of first radiator support supporting members 4 in the vehicle width direction and support it from the backside. Therefore, at the time when vehicles collide, the impact load on the portion 6a of the radiator support supporting the upper part of the radiator can be transmitted to the skeleton 9 of the vehicle body through the first radiator support supporting members 4 and the second radiator support supporting members 11, 12 which are arranged on the inner side of the first radiator support supporting members 4 in the vehicle width direction, so as to be dispersed efficiently.
US07766413B2

A folding top for a convertible is proposed, comprising a folding-top cloth (16) and a folding-top linkage (14) which is provided on both sides with a main link (28) which is mounted on a main bearing (26) and to which a frame part (38), which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the closed position of the top, and an intermediate link (44) are coupled. A front, rigid folding-top element (22) is connected via a first folding-top element link (58) to the intermediate link (44) and via a second folding-top element link (60) to the frame part (38). According to the invention, means are provided on the folding-top linkage (14), said means bringing about a continuous slowing-down of the front, rigid folding-top element (22) during the sequence of movement of the top from a storage position to the closed position.
US07766412B2

A movable vehicle roof has a plurality of segments which are movable relative to one another, in particular are displaceable and/or pivotable, and of which at least one has a core containing a filling structure forming cavities. The filling structure core is provided with a retaining part which engages around it in some regions at least on one side and, together with lateral elements disposed on it as a single piece, forms at least one intersecting point with the top framework.
US07766404B2

The Easy Release Corn Cob Holder comprises: an exterior shell having a hollow core, said hollow core extending the full length of said exterior shell, an interior Plunger, and a plurality of Tines. The exterior shell may be fitted with a rim to aid the user in exerting a force on the exterior shell.
US07766398B2

A door lock system for vehicle doors includes a lock mechanism including a switching lever. The switching lever can be moved freely between a neutral position and a locking position and between the neutral position and an unlocking position. The door can not be opened when the switching lever is moved from the neutral position to the locking position and can be opened when the switching lever is moved from the neutral position to the unlocking position. A link unit that receives a lever operation force from outside of the door and conveys the lever operation force to the switching lever. A holding unit holds the switching lever at the neutral position when the link unit does not receive the lever operation force.
US07766395B2

A device (30) for feeding working fluid to an assembly (14) requiring working fluid includes at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) extending from a surface (16a) and at least one screw element (22, 24) capable of being screwed from the surface (16a) into the at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) for feeding working fluid into the fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) or for closing the fluid channel (20, 20a-20d), the at least one fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) having a first section (32) directly adjacent to the surface (16a) with a larger width, a second section (36) with a smaller width and, between the first section (32) and the second section (36), having a first transition region (34) with an annular surface (34a), and the screw element (22, 24) having at least one sealing surface (22c, 24c) capable of being brought into sealing engagement with the annular surface (34a). The fluid channel (20, 20a-20d) is deformable in the second section (36) by a pressure applied by the screw element (22, 24) to the annular surface (34a) in the sense of reducing the volume of the fluid channel in the second section (36).
US07766394B2

A breakaway connector for use with a medical (e.g., catheter) or other fluid system. The connector may include two couplers that engage one another via a substantially frictionless retention device. In one embodiment, the retention device includes a biased cylindrical roller attached to one coupler that contacts an outer surface of the other coupler. The outer surface may include a grooved surface to receive the roller when the couplers are fully attached.
US07766392B2

A connection piece for the articulate connection of a first and a second tube, in particular a first and a second tube of a hot air supply system fed from the power unit of an aircraft, with the possibility of compensating for tolerances, wherein an interval between a tube end of the first tube and a tube end of the second tube is enclosed by a sealing mechanism. The tube ends each have a support ring, wherein the support rings are connected to each other by at least two connection elements arranged outside the sealing mechanism. At least two metal bellows are preferably used as the sealing mechanism, which enable almost maintenance-free operation. Steel ropes are preferably used as connection elements. In particular, tubes with a diameter of up to 160 mm, which are intended, depending on the material used, to conduct media with temperatures of up to 8500 C and pressures of up to 20 bars, can be connected in an articulate manner to each other by means of the connection piece.
US07766389B2

A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a inhibiting section for inhibiting a belt-reel driving motor from being driven when it determines, on the basis of an output signal from a rotational position detecting unit associated with a belt reel, that variation in the rotational position of the belt reel, which is less than or equal to a predetermined value, has occurred, on condition that a door opened/closed state detecting units detects that a vehicle door has shifted from a closed state to an opened state.
US07766387B1

An anti-skid device for a vehicle for positioning a traction member beneath a vehicle wheel includes a support member that is attached to the vehicle, a pivoting swing arm with a traction wheel with traction members thereon, and a drive assembly attached to the support member and to the swing arm so as to extend and retract the swing arm. The drive assembly includes a gear-reduced electric motor that is coupled to a worm that meshes with a worm gear that is attached to the swing arm shaft. As the motor moves in a first direction, the gear mesh causes the arm to deploy and, in a reverse direction, the swing arm retracts. Spring-biasing is provided so as to maintain pressure of the traction wheel against the vehicle wheel and limit switches are provided so as to turn the drive motor on and off.
US07766384B2

Airbag module to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision comprising an expandable bag (11) with gas provided by a generator with, at least, one ventilation orifice (13) sealed with a patch that comprises an elastic membrane (25) destined to be broken as a result of pressure inside the bag (11) to allow gas discharge through the ventilation orifice (13), which is covered with a cover (21) secured to the bag (11) with, at least, one tearable seam (31); hence the opening of the ventilation orifice (13) occurs when the pressure inside the bag (11) is greater than the pressure required to break the membrane (25) plus the additional pressure necessary to tear the seam (31). The invention also comprises a procedure to manufacture the bag.
US07766381B2

A steering wheel with an air bag device includes: a steering wheel body having: an annular rim portion; a boss portion; a plurality of spoke portions; an upper space; and a plurality of lower spaces. The air bag device is mounted to the steering wheel body, the air bag device includes: an air bag; an inflator; a cover member covering the air bag; and an emblem disposed at a substantially central portion of a front surface of the cover member confronting a driver's seat. The cover member includes a tear line arranged to break to form a plurality of door portions each arranged to pivot toward one of the upper and lower spaces. The tear line is formed to pivot the emblem to one of the lower spaces of the steering wheel body when the cover member is broken at the inflation of the air bag.
US07766380B2

An airbag is expanded upward on the side of a passenger from a door part. A cover body which covers the airbag is formed by overlaying an outer part made of a hard resin to an inner part made of a soft resin. A supporting piece part is protruded from the cabin external side of the inner part. A to-be-ripped part is formed on the supporting piece part. On expansion of the airbag, the to-be-ripped part is ripped, thereby allowing the door part to move rotationally on the cabin internal side. Therefore, the airbag equipped at the door part can be smoothly expanded along the side face part of the cabin. Thus, an airbag apparatus is improved in appearance.
US07766377B2

At least one guide member extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim structure covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.
US07766376B2

An air bag, includes 1) a roll part configured to be wound in a form of a roll when the air bag is in a folded state to be installed in a vehicle. The roll part includes a pushed part formed by pushing a part of an outer face of the air bag inward to the roll part in a certain pushing direction, such that the roll part has a decreased cross section by the pushing.
US07766366B2

A foldable baby stroller frame comprises a collapsible wheeled frame, a foldable upper frame, and at least a release mechanism. The collapsible wheeled frame comprises at least a front strut, a pair of rear struts, a pair of lockable articulated arms, and a swivel base. The swivel base is pivotally connected with the front strut and the rear strut, and further has a vertical shaft hole for pivotally connecting and supporting the foldable upper frame. The pair of lockable articulated arms is pivotally connected between the front strut and the rear strut, and has a locked position for keeping the collapsible wheeled frame in an un-foldable state and a foldable position for folding the collapsible wheeled frame. The release mechanism is operatively mounted on the foldable upper frame and associates with the pair of lockable articulated arms via a connecting member for actuating the folding of the collapsible wheeled frame and the foldable upper frame.
US07766363B2

An assembly for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The assembly includes a base, a disk having at least two elongated holes parallel to one another, and at least two screws each extending through an elongated hole. The assembly further includes a plate that is parallel to the disk, the plate sliding along the length of the elongated holes, at least two holes extending through the plate in its thickness, each screw extending through a hole of the plate, and retaining elements retaining the screws on the plate.
US07766359B2

A combination stroller/jogger configured to be converted from a stroller or jogger to a bicycle trailer and then reconfigured for use as a stroller or jogger. The product can be interchanged between a bike trailer and a stroller/jogger and vice versa without the need for a conversion kit, as all of the necessary components are built into the unit.
US07766353B2

A wheel suspension system for a vehicle having a body supported on a set of wheels each provided with a rim and an axle generally consisting of a lower control arm pivotally connectable to a first portion of such body; an upper control arm pivotally connectable to a second portion of such body; a roller bearing having inner and outer races, disposed within such rim, coaxially relative to the rotational axis of the rim; a steering knuckle mounted on the outer race of the bearing, having a first portion pivotally connected to the lower control arm and a second portion pivotally connected to the upper control arm, defining a steering axis intersecting the rotational axis of the rim; and a hub member mounted on the inner race and connectable to an axle receivable through an opening provided in the steering knuckle.
US07766348B2

A combination mobile display and shipping device that allows product to be loaded onto the mobile display such that the display can be shipped in a loaded condition. The mobile display includes a product display and a support platform having a plurality of wheels mounted to the bottom surface of the support platform. When the mobile display is received at a retail location, the mobile display can be moved to a desired position through the rolling movement of the plurality of wheels. During shipment, the support platform is securely attached to a shipping pallet designed such that the plurality of wheels are suspended above the ground surface to prevent the rolling movement of the mobile display during shipment. After shipment, the support platform and shipping pallet are separated such that the mobile display can be rolled into a desired location with the product loaded on the display rack.
US07766346B2

A stabilizing training device suitable for use on an ice-skate is disclosed. The device provides a foot retaining portion and a stabilizing portion directly under the foot retaining portion. The unit is designed to provide at least partial resiliency to permit limited lateral movement in use. The device is positioned about the foot or footwear by positioning the former into the foot retaining area. A base extends between foot retaining members of the foot retaining area. The base contacts the sole of the foot or footwear and has, extending downwardly and outwardly therefrom, arms which provide for the stabilizing aspect when the device is in use.
US07766344B2

An adjuster device includes (a) a shaft held by a vehicle body; (b) an arm extending from the shaft in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the shaft; (c) an actuator causing one of rotation of the shaft and axial movement of the shaft in the axial direction; and (d) a motion converter converting the one of the rotation of the shaft and the axial movement of the shaft, into the other of the rotation of the shaft and the axial movement of the shaft. The arm is connected at a distal end portion thereof to one of at least one suspension arm, so as to enable the rotation of the shaft to cause change in a vertical distance between a wheel and the vehicle body. The shaft is connected to one of the at least one suspension arm or to an axle carrier, so as to enable the axial movement of the shaft to cause change in an alignment of the wheel. Also disclosed is an adjusting system including the adjuster device.
US07766332B2

A card handling device includes a sensing system for identifying cards handled thereby. A control system may be configured to selectively control an infeed system, a storage system, and/or an output system of the device in response to a signal received from the sensing system, and to enable a user to selectively perform one or more of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the device. A card handling device may be configured to dispense randomly arranged hands, prearranged hands, randomly arranged decks, or prearranged decks.
US07766330B2

A device for relaxing a participant while participating in an activity is provided. The device may comprise an amusement machine and a relaxasizer. The amusement machine may be interactive with the participant. Also, the amusement machine may have a receptacle having a starter circuit for permitting the participant to interact with the amusement machine. The relaxasizer may be positioned adjacent to the amusement machine for massaging the participant's lower body while the participant interacts with the machine. Also, the relaxasizer may be activated by the starter circuit of the amusement machine.
US07766324B2

A sheet stacking apparatus having: a sheet discharge tray to move upward and downward; an alignment section including first and second regulating members to align a side edge of a sheet on the tray; a first drive section for moving the tray upward or downward; a second drive section for moving the regulating members in a conveyance width direction; and a control section for controlling the first and the second drive sections so as to: align the side edge of the sheet discharged on the tray on the basis of the position of the first regulating member; when a predetermined amount of the sheets are discharged on the tray, separate the sheets from the first regulating member and the second regulating member by moving the tray or the alignment section and, after that, move the regulating members in the conveyance width direction; and align the side edge of the sheets.
US07766318B2

A pickoff system for removal of mail pieces one at a time from the end of a stack includes a pickoff belt mechanism positioned to frictionally engage an outer surface of a mail piece at the end of the stack and transport it transversely, which mechanism includes one or more belts mounted on a drive roller at one end driven by a drive motor and a follower roller at a trailing end. A pivot mechanism permits the trailing end to swing towards and away from the stack. A drive is connected to the pivot mechanism to move the trailing end towards and away from the stack, and a controller is connected to the drive to cause the drive to swing the trailing end towards the stack and swing the trailing end away from the stack in a manner effective to improve operation of the pickoff system.
US07766314B2

A sheet post-processing apparatus discharges and conveys a sheet from a process tray to a storage tray, and decelerates a bundle hook and a paper discharge roller when the bundle hook reaches a discharge start position of a bundle of sheets. At this time, a tangential speed of the paper discharge roller is faster than a movement speed of the bundle hook. Subsequently, the sheet post-processing apparatus stops the paper discharge roller in accordance with a rotation position of the bundle hook, and then decelerates the movement speed of the bundle hook. After the sheets are stacked on the storage tray, the bundle hook accelerates to return to a home position. Additionally, the sheet post-processing apparatus includes a spool 17 having a sheet pressing guide member 16 with a bent portion 16A. When the sheets are conveyed to a process tray 13, the spool 17 is rotated forward to longitudinally align the sheets and then is backwardly rotated to press the sheets using elastic force of the sheet pressing guide member 16, thereby preventing a gap from occurring between the sheets or preventing the sheets from being misaligned.
US07766311B2

A device for providing rotational and axial locking capability using a wireform with at least one wrap. The device requires very low actuation forces. The wireform can be constructed with end features that provide a specific tension such that when the device is engaged a differential slip torque in a clockwise and counterclockwise rotational direction is developed.
US07766309B1

A carbon dioxide manifold contains an internal passage providing communication between a pump supply, a liquid container, a gas container, and a beverage dispenser. A valve is located inside the internal passage. The valve has an open position in which communication exists between the liquid container, the gas container, and the beverage dispenser, but not with the pump supply. The valve has a closed position in which communication exists between the pump supply and the liquid container, and between the gas container and beverage dispenser, but the only communication between the pump supply/liquid container and the gas container/beverage dispenser is through an orifice that allows a restricted flow of carbon dioxide through the valve.
US07766307B2

A cable handling device for use in the deployment and/or retrieval of a cable comprises a drum which provides mounting for a number of grooved rings, the rings receiving a cable thereabout. The drum forms an inner bearing race with each ring forming an outer bearing race such that the rings are independently and rotatably coupled to the drum. A second drum having one or more grooved ring is provided and the cable can be wound around the first and second drums. In use, one or both of the drums is rotated and the device is adapted to control the tension in the cable and/or to mitigate distortion in the cable caused by slippage between the cable and the device.
US07766304B2

A self-sealing male Luer connector for connection with a female Luer connector. The male Luer connector includes a housing having a distally-projecting tubular male body and a surrounding cuff interconnected by a proximal wall in which is formed at least one activation opening. A valve plug is slidably installed within the housing and formed with a distal end configured to sealingly engage the distal end of the male body's interior flow passage and with at least one activation arm at its proximal end configured to extend through the activation opening into the cavity formed between the male body and the cuff. An elastomeric device is sealingly configured within the activation opening about the activation arm to secure the valve plug in position and bias it distally. The proximal end of the male Luer connector may be configured as a conventional female connector, a blood collection device, or other such device.
US07766298B2

An apparatus for positioning an image measuring platform, the apparatus includes a horizontal base (11); a measuring platform (21) movable on the horizontal base; a support arm (12) extending in the Z-axis direction secured to the horizontal base; two parallel sliders (435) extending in the Z-axis direction fixed on the upper ends of the support arm; a first bar (411) for controlling the measuring platform to move in X-axis direction; a second bar (421) for controlling the measuring platform to move in Y-axis direction; a first cantilever (314) and a second cantilever (315) vertically attached on the two parallel sliders; a charge coupled device lens (31) fixed on the first cantilever and the second cantilever through a lens clamp (312) and a locking cap (313); a first screw handle (414) engaged with the holes of both sides of a first bracket (413) secured on the horizontal base, a first male screw thread (415) formed outside the first screw handle, and a first female screw thread (416) corresponding to the first male screw thread formed outside the first bar; and a second screw handle (424) engaged with the holes of both sides of a second bracket secured (423) on the horizontal base, a second male screw thread (425) formed outside the second screw handle, and a second female screw thread (426) corresponding to the second male screw thread formed outside the second bar.
US07766296B2

A wall mounting structure includes a display screen, a stand, and a base. The stand has an upper end connected to a rear surface of the display screen via a first hinge so as to enable the display screen to be rotated forward and backward. The base is fixed to a lower end of the stand and includes at least two rotatable mounting members formed on a lower part of the base. The rotatable mounting members enable the base to be detachably mounted on mounting brackets of a wall. The wall mounting structure enables a user to not only use a flat panel display on a table, but also to hang the flat panel display on mounting brackets fixed to a wall in an easy and simple manner without disassembling the display screen and the stand assembly from each other.
US07766291B2

A slide bar assembly is provided having slide bar supporting a bracket assembly that is suitable to retain a handheld showerhead. A brake assembly releasably couples the bracket assembly to the slide bar via a user-actuated trigger in order allow the user to adjust the height of the showerhead by pressing the trigger. The slide bar assembly further includes a wall mounting assembly that is configured to connect the slide bar to the shower wall.
US07766290B1

An improved method of storing and retrieving cookware and utensils utilizing an assembly attached to the underside of an accommodating surface. The assembly incorporates hanger assemblies whose positions are adjustable along the length of the assembly. The hanger assemblies utilize hooks that hang in a downward vertical position and are capable of rotating and pivoting around their vertical axis. The assembly can be mounted onto any accommodating horizontal surface inside of an enclosed area such as a cabinet or in open space. The assembly can hang any cookware, utensil, or item with an accommodating appendage from which it could be hung.
US07766289B2

A patient line management device to manage one or more patient care lines. The line management device includes a line manager coupled to a support. The support is adapted to be coupled to a patient support.
US07766288B2

A display apparatus which folds a link member in the same plane to minimize the volume thereof is provided. The display apparatus includes a display main body, a base, a first link member relatively movably coupled to the display main body at a first end part thereof, and a second link member including a link accommodating part which accommodates the first link member, coupled with a second end part of the first link member through a link hinge unit at a first side thereof to move with respect to the first link member, and coupled with the base at a second side thereof.
US07766286B2

The invention relates to a holder for fixing additional parts to a fin-tube block (19) of a heat exchanger and/or for supporting the heat exchanger, said fin-tube block (19) comprising parallel front surfaces (19a, 19b) and lateral surfaces or lateral parts (21). According to the invention, the holder is embodied as a clip connection consisting of two lockable plastic clip elements (1, 10) which receive the fin-tube block (19) thereinbetween.
US07766283B2

The invention relates to a device (1) which is used to lift and displace the tongue blade (2) of a rail (6), comprising at least two rollers (12, 14) whereby the axes thereof are arranged in an essentially parallel manner in relation to a running rail (4), in order to displace the tongue blade (2) in a transversal manner in relation to the running rail (4), at least two support carrier pins (22, 24) which respectively support a roller (12, 14), and a base body (8) which supports the carrier pins (22, 24). The rollers (12, 14) have a projection which projects in at least one first direction in relation to the base body (8). The inventive device is characterised in that a covering (10) is arranged between at least two adjacent rollers and is oriented towards the first direction and at least partially covers a passage between the at least two adjacent rollers (12, 14).
US07766281B2

A system for reducing aerodynamic noise of a supplementary wing of an aircraft is provided. The supplementary wing is hinged to a main wing and is extendable when a gap region between the main wing and the supplementary wing is opened. The system includes a separating surface which can be moved into the gap region when the supplementary wing is extended and which extends at least partially along a separation flow line between a vortex flow region and a gap flow for the air flowing in the gap region. The separating surface is an n-stable surface which through an actuator device can be moved between at least one of the stable states and at least one additional state.
US07766280B2

An inlet flow control system disposed within a nacelle includes a panel on an inner surface of that nacelle. The panel includes a noise attenuation layer that dissipates noise energy. A vacuum source generates a pressure differential across the noise attenuation layer for drawing airflow through the panel and away from an inner surface of the nacelle.
US07766256B2

An apparatus for performing grounds maintenance functions and dispensing a fluid includes a grounds maintenance device and a fluid spraying device. The spraying device includes a container mounted on the grounds maintenance device for holding the fluid, and a spraying member in communication with the container for spraying the fluid. The spraying member is moveable from a carrying position in which the spraying member is carried on the grounds maintenance device to a spraying position in which the spraying member is moveable independent of the grounds maintenance device.
US07766248B2

A model toy train track segment in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongate roadbed having a first and a second end and a first and a second side. The said first and second ends of the track segment are configured for attachment to adjacent track segments. A track segment in accordance with the present invention further includes a side member configured to be detachably coupled to at least one of the first and second sides of the roadbed. A track segment in accordance with the present invention still further includes a first and a second elongate rail segment connected to the roadbed. Each of the first and second rail segments having a first end proximate to the first roadbed end and a second end proximate to the second roadbed end.
US07766244B1

A system and method for processing transactions using a multi-account transaction device. The method comprises the steps of: receiving at least one transaction particular relating to a transaction conducted with a multi-account transaction device; determining at least one first desired account associated with the multi-account transaction device to which the transaction will be posted; posting the transaction to the at least one first desired account; receiving at least one second desired account to which at least a portion of the transaction should be posted; posting the at least a portion of the transaction to the at least one second desired account; and reconciling the at least one first desired account.
US07766241B2

Systems, methods and storage mediums are disclosed for processing images and two-dimensional barcodes for two-way verification of document data. In one exemplary embodiment, image data of a document is obtained, processed and rendered into a barcode for incorporation into a reproduction of the document image. The barcode may overlap the document image which allows it to be placed anywhere in the document. Moreover, the barcode may overlap certain portions such that it conceals confidential information while maintaining the integrity of the confidential information within encoded data of the barcode.
US07766235B2

An optical imager, a RFID reader, and a single host interface combined into a single module for use as a stand alone device or OEM product. The module includes a system microcontroller that interconnects an optical image microcontroller and a RFID microcontroller through the single interface to a host device, such as a computer. The system microprocessor is configurable via the host interface to selectively provide RFID reading, optical imaging, or a variety of combinations of both techniques. The module is programmable to allow the host computer trigger the RFID reader and optical imager. In addition, the system microcontroller is programmable via the host computer to provide image analysis, such as shape determination or recognition, prior to relaying data to the host computer through the single interface.
US07766234B2

An information receiving apparatus including: a reader receiving information stored in an information storage medium; and a body processing the information received by the reader, wherein the reader is assembled with the body in such a way that a insertion portion 212 in contact with the information storage medium is capable of being exposed to the outside and hidden in the inside of the body.
US07766233B2

A vote-by-mail return envelope includes a pouch for receiving a ballot. The pouch is formed from a front sheet and a rear sheet. A signature space is provided to be signed by the voter. The envelope also includes an adhesion region at which the front sheet is adhered to the rear sheet to define a boundary of the pouch. The adhesion region separates the signature space from the pouch. Further, the envelope includes a flap to be attached to at least one of the rear sheet and the front sheet to cover the signature space. The signature space may be on the flap, the rear sheet or front sheet.
US07766231B2

Devices and methods of commodity usage monitoring determine the amount of commodity used by individual elements of multi-element systems having a common source. An amount of commodity drawn from the source by all the users is determined. A user-state that indicates use of the commodity by each user is determined. Individual user consumption of the commodity for each of the users is determined using repeated determinations of the amount of the commodity and the user-state, for a number of repetitions greater than or equal to the number of users. Determining individual consumption can be performed using minimum least square estimation, singular value decomposition, discriminant function analysis, or other computational or analytical solution method. Duration and consumption information can be used to calculate the total amount of the commodity consumed by the particular user. Useful commodities include, but are not limited to, gas, electricity, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and water.
US07766217B2

The invention relates to a new method for managing the feeding of a new coil into a continuous inline processing plant of a band-type product, in particular for passing short coils through the production line. According to the invention, the global duration for performing the general connection process of a new coil (11′) is divided into at least two time periods (T1, T3) realized in at least two successive portions (3, 4) of the inlet section (1) of the plant and the junction cycle is broken down into two separate phases S1, S2 between which a variable band length is set aside in at least one intermediate accumulator (5) in order to provide a time interval (T2) of variable duration between said time periods of the connection process. The invention applies especially to continuous etching lines of steel bands.
US07766216B2

Braze and electrode wire assemblies, e.g., used with an implantable microstimulator, include a wire welded in the through-hole of an electrode, which electrode is brazed to a ceramic case that is brazed to a metal ring that is welded to a metal can. The braze joints are step or similar joints that self-center the case, provide lateral support during braze assembly, and provide increased surface area that prevents braze material from exuding from the joints. The end of the ceramic case that is brazed to the metal ring need not be specially machined. The shell has a reference electrode on one end and an active electrode on the other, and is externally coated on selected areas with conductive and non-conductive materials.
US07766210B2

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned in the end effector, a main drive shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The handle includes a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a main motor for actuating the gear drive train, and a firing trigger such that retraction of the firing trigger causes actuation of the motor. Also, the rotational position of the firing trigger is related to the position of the cutting instrument in the end effector.
US07766208B2

A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein. The elongate hollow shaft includes a pair of a pair of opposing actuation tips disposed at a distal end thereof defining a staple chamber there between. An anvil extends into the staple chamber from one of the actuation tips. The closure device includes a release mechanism for spreading apart the pair of opposing actuation tips to provide a gap associated with the anvil, the gap dimensioned such that the staple may pass there through. A method of using the closure device is also disclosed.
US07766206B2

A hand-held setting tool for driving fastening elements in a workpiece includes a drive-in ram (12) displaceable in the guide (15) in which a receptacle (16) for the fastening elements (23) is located and which has a feeding opening (17) for the fastening elements (23) and located in a region of the receptacle (16), and a displacement device (30) for displacing the fastening elements (23) into the receptacle (16) and controlled by the drive-in ram (12).
US07766203B2

An apparatus suitable for securing a tool holster to the thigh of a user which apparatus is particularly adapted for use in connection with diving tools and underwater use. The apparatus utilizes an arrangement of straps and fittings to securely position the diving tool holster on the user's thigh when the user is actively moving underwater.
US07766188B2

A dose-indicator device for using with a dispenser device for dispensing fluid or powder, in particular a pharmaceutical, so as to indicate the number of doses that have been emitted or that remain to be emitted from the dispenser device, the indicator device comprising a first rotary disk (10) and a second rotary disk (20) that is preferably opaque, said first disk (10) including indicator numbers and/or symbols (11) that are disposed in peripheral manner about the axis of rotation (X) of said first rotary disk (10) around at least two concentric circles, and said second disk (20) including at least one viewing window (21).
US07766181B2

A lid can be attached to a top of a microwaveable container. The lid can be made from paperboard, hard paper, and other materials, and can serve to cover an open top of the microwaveable container to prevent the contents of the container from splattering during heating. After heating, the lid also provides a surface by which a consumer can safely handle the heated container. The top panel of the lid can have smooth, continuous and uninterrupted surface, without creases or joints, that is suitable for advertising and product information and graphics.
US07766165B2

A tool caddy which provides a carrier having open sides and a recess element configured to receive a part of the body of person in an open recess area to locate such part of the body closer to the center of mass of the tool caddy.
US07766141B2

An outer retainer for a one-way clutch has a cylindrical portion and a flange portion extending radially outward from an axial end of the cylindrical portion. The flange portion has three or more arc-shaped major parts disposed circumferentially and arc-shaped minor parts, each adjacent two of the major parts being connected to one another through a minor part, the major and minor parts projecting radially outward to different extents, and the arc-shape of the major and minor parts constituting continuously the shape of the outer periphery of the flange portion.
US07766138B2

A device for telescopic fork legs, preferably for a motorcycle or bicycle. The device is a compact removable unit that comprises parallel medium flow passages that run between upper and lower sides of the piston. This unit that is simple to adapt to different front fork dimensions and to use as a kit for providing an existing front fork with parallel damping. Parallel damping achieves simple adaptation of the damping characteristics to different types of terrain.
US07766136B2

The invention relates to a suspension arrangement (1) for—loading-bearing and resilient wheel support in a motor vehicle, having at least one spring cylinder (2) with a piston (6) which is guided in a cylinder (4) such that it can be moved relative to the latter and which, on one side, has a piston rod (8) guided out of the cylinder (4) in the outward direction. The piston (6) separates, within the cylinder (4), a cylindrical working chamber (12) from an annular chamber (14), which encloses the piston rod (8). On the side of the working chamber (12), in order to generate a load-bearing spring force (F), the piston (6) acts counter to a working pressure (pA) of an elastically compressible, in particular pneumatic spring medium (FM). The piston rod (8) is telescopically variable in length via an additional spring cylinder (16), the additional spring cylinder (16) being subjected at least to a counterpressure (pG; pG1, pG2) of an elastically compressible, in particular pneumatic opposing spring medium (GM).
US07766134B2

A fluid jacket for a disc brake is provided that promotes a balanced flow of cooling fluid throughout the fluid jacket to most effectively remove heat from the disc brake. The fluid jacket includes an annular body configured for engagement with a friction surface. The annular body defines a plurality of concentric flow passages. The annular body further defines first and second axial flow passages in fluid communication with first and second flow passages, respectively of the plurality of concentric flow passages, with the first and second flow passage separated by a third concentric flow passage. The annular body further defines a radial flow passage extending between the first and second axial flow passages, and a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the radial flow passage.
US07766122B2

The sound generating and transmitting apparatus is based on a radiator including at least a first, and possibly two or more, shaped reflecting surface(s) having a forward radiant axis. Each of the shaped reflecting surfaces defines sets of equivalent acoustic input locations, with each set being a ring of non-zero circumference centered on the forward radiant axis. The sound source is a distributed, functionally continuous sound source adapted to exploit this feature. In its preferred form the sound source is a sort of closed line array of loudspeakers providing a toroidal shaped acoustic source to direct at the hyperbolic cone, the transducers being disposed in a circle with all of the loudspeakers oriented inwardly toward or outwardly from the forward radiant axis.
US07766120B2

The present invention relates to a cap (11) intended for use as hearing protection and adapted to enclosed the external ear of a user, characterized by at least one vibration-damping weight element (18, 38a-b) of the cap (11), which weight element is arranged so as to at least partly block an audio mode of vibration that would have existed in the cap in the absence of said weight element (18, 38a-b). The invention also relates to a method of producing such a cap, and use of the same.
US07766118B2

An engine bracket including: an attachment portion provided in a fixing location adapted to be fixed to at least one of the vehicle body and power unit; a bolt hole being formed in the attachment portion so that the attachment portion is fixed to the vehicle body or power unit by a fixing bolt inserted into the bolt hole; and at lease one breaking groove formed at an area located spaced away from the bolt hole so as to extend away from the bolt hole and toward an outer peripheral edge of the attachment portion on at least one of opposite surfaces of the attachment portion in a direction in which the fixing bolt is inserted.
US07766117B2

A motor-driven seatbelt apparatus which enables easy re-restraining of a webbing even when an occupant releases the webbing temporarily from a restrained state. A control device senses the vehicle velocity with a vehicle-velocity sensor. When the vehicle velocity is a predetermined value or lower, the control device drives a motor to rotate a winding shaft, so that the webbing is wound into a completely wound state. When the vehicle is traveling at a vehicle velocity exceeding the predetermined value, the storing and winding operation of the winding shaft by the control device or the motor is not performed. Therefore, the occupant who temporarily released the webbing and finished an action such as to take out a small article in the cabin can re-restrain the webbing immediately thereafter.
US07766116B1

A vehicle that includes front and rear wheels, an engine, an engine-driven rear angle drive for supplying torque to the rear wheels, and a power train for supplying torque from the engine to the front wheels. The power train includes driving and driven members and a coupler having an actuator switchable between on and off positions, the actuator, when off, permitting the driven member to turn freely and independently of the driving member and, when on, enabling the coupler to respond to predetermined minimum differences in rotational speed between the driving and driven members to lock these members together to rotationally couple the engine to at least one of the front wheels.
US07766107B2

An engine of a hybrid vehicle is lift started by reducing a rotational speed of a motor/generator of the hybrid vehicle by adjusting a gearshift ratio of a transmission coupled to the motor/generator, and engaging a clutch to couple the engine, while in a stopped state, to the rotating motor/generator for imparting the rotation to the engine.
US07766101B2

A casing drilling system includes a casing having a drill bit at one end. The drill bit is capable of drilling subsurface formations and formed from a material removable by drilling or chemical exposure. The chemical is substantially harmless to the casing. The system includes a centralizer affixed to an interior of the casing. The centralizer includes a receptacle therein for engaging a measurement while drilling tool. The centralizer is formed from a material removable by drilling or chemical exposure, wherein the chemical is substantially harmless to the casing. The system includes a measurement while drilling tool configured to move along the interior of the casing and to engage with the centralizer. The tool includes a device to measure a drilling parameter or a formation parameter. The tool including a latch at an upper end thereof for engagement with a retrieval tool moved through the interior of the casing.
US07766097B2

A portable electric power tool powered by a battery pack, which includes: a motor that operates the tool; the housing that houses the motor; at least one elastic member that is supported by the housing; and a battery pack holder supported by the elastic member. The battery pack holder is provided with an engaging portion that is detachably engaged with the case of the battery pack and connecting terminals that are electrically connected to the output terminals of the battery pack installed by the engaging portion. Thus, vibration of the battery pack is prevented even when the electric power tool vibrates.
US07766093B2

Rolling basket structure facilitating movement of the rolling device to and from a field-working position includes arm structure pivotally connected to the aft end of tine support members fixed to the rear of the implement frame. Hydraulic cylinders connected between the support members and the arm structure provides quick on-the-go disengagement of the rolling basket with the ground, for example, when wet or sticky ground conditions or the like are encountered. A cylinder lost motion connection facilitates movement of the baskets over ground irregularities and obstacles without operation of the cylinders.
US07766088B2

An actuator operatively coupled to a wellbore tool is activated upon receiving fluid that a predetermined applied pressure. When the fluid string reaches the predetermined applied pressure, the actuator undertakes a specified action such as longitudinal movement, rotation, expansion, etc. that actuates or operates the wellbore tool. Premature actuation of the wellbore tool is prevented by applying a resistive force to the actuator that, alone or in cooperation with another mechanism, arrests movement of the actuator. This resistive force is generated by applied pressure of the fluid in the work string.
US07766086B2

A downhole device used to divert fluid flow out of a work string into an annulus. The downhole device is activated by the movement of a plurality of pistons within the downhole device. Fluid flow through a restriction of the downhole device creates an increase in fluid pressure causing the movement of the pistons. The pistons move a flow tube between various locations within the device. In one location, the flow tube prevents fluid flow to the annulus while in another location the flow tube allows fluid flow to be diverted into the annulus. The downhole device may include a locating sleeve having a continuous j-track allowing the flow tube to be selectively retained at the various locations within the downhole device. Fluid flow through the downhole is used to cycle the device between diverting fluid flow to the annulus and forcing fluid flow down the work string.
US07766083B2

The present invention is directed to a method of isolating hydrajet stimulated zones from subsequent well operations. The method includes the step of drilling a wellbore into the subterranean formation of interest. Next, the wellbore may or may not be cased depending upon a number of factors including the nature and structure of the subterranean formation. Next, the casing, if one is installed, and wellbore are perforated using a high pressure fluid being ejected from a hydrajetting tool. A first zone of the subterranean formation is then fractured and stimulated. Next, the first zone is temporarily plugged or partially sealed by installing an isolation fluid into the wellbore adjacent to the one or more fractures and/or in the openings thereof, so that subsequent zones can be fractured and additional well operations can be performed.
US07766082B2

A liner for inserting into a drain hole, comprising a resilient tubular member with a central bore; wherein the tubular member is formed from a first continuous helically wound wire provided with a passageway to allow fluid communication across the member.
US07766081B2

A submersible well pump assembly has a gas separator that separates gas prior to entering into the pump. A shroud encloses a portion of the pump assembly, including the gas separator. The gas separator has gas discharge tubes that extend from it out through the shroud. The gas discharge tubes are tangentially aligned to create a vortex on the exterior of the shroud.
US07766075B2

A heat exchanger is provided for transferring heat to a working fluid. The heat exchanger comprises a housing having a plurality of grooves formed in a surface of the housing. The grooves have a first end and a second end, and define fluid flow channels. Each channel has a fluid flow inlet and a fluid flow outlet. The fluid flow inlets of an alternating first set of channels are adjacent to the first end of the grooves, and the fluid flow inlets of a second set of alternating channels are adjacent to the second end of the grooves. The first set of channels and the second set of channels are arranged such that fluid in immediately adjacent channels flows in opposite directions.
US07766074B2

A heat-dissipating device having an air-guiding structure includes a heat-conducting seat, a fin assembly, at least one heat pipe for serially connecting to the fin assembly and the heat-conducting seat, and a fan assembly unit. The fin assembly is positioned above the heat-conducting seat and formed by arranging a plurality of heat-dissipating fins at intervals. As a result, airflow paths are formed between each heat-dissipating fin. The fan assembly unit is laterally provided at one side of the fin assembly. A space for lateral flow is formed between the heat-conducting seat and the fin assembly. The other side of the fin assembly is provided with an air-guiding member. The air-guiding member has a guiding space for laterally communicating with the space. The air blown by the fan assembly unit can pass through the space and is received by the air-guiding member. Then, the air flow is guided to the portions to be heat-dissipated by the air-guiding member.
US07766070B2

A method for operating an automated reciprocator for applying lubricant in a die casting system. As a reciprocator is moved between two die halves and a fluid is applied to the dies with the reciprocator, a safety bar is moved ahead of the reciprocator. Any objects in the path of the reciprocator are detected by contact with the safety bar. If the safety bar contacts an object as the reciprocator is moving down, a sensor signals a control system and the reciprocator is stopped.
US07766068B2

Known bottom rails fulfill the requirements stiffness and adjustability at the time of installation, but a noted inequality in the load on the individual raising cord cannot be corrected without a complex dismantling of the bottom rail. According to the invention the bottom rail is suspended in clips (7) that on the one hand holds the lowermost slat (5) and the raising cords (4), on the other hand has means (10) so that the tightening of the raising cords may be adjusted individually.
US07766064B2

The present invention relates to a sheet laminating apparatus having a thickness-detecting function. Before the laminating operation is done, the thickness of the article to be laminated is detected by a thickness detecting mechanism of the sheet laminating apparatus. According to the detected thickness, the temperature or the rotating speed of the heating roller of the sheet laminating apparatus is dynamically adjusted.
US07766059B2

A kit for forming mortises in door edges and door frames for flush-mounting door hinges, strike plates and latch plates is provided. The kit generally includes a template holder and a plurality of templates mountable to the template holder. The templates provide guides for various size hinges, strike plates or latch plates. The template holder includes an adjustment mechanism for easily adapting the template holder from doors having a first thickness to doors having a second thickness. The adjustment mechanisms include a rotatable cam and knob. The kit may optionally include an alignment schedule providing distances for locating the templates relative to a door end or a frame. Further, the templates may include tab engagement slots for engaging a tape measure.
US07766058B2

A method and system for replacing used oil in a vat, the system including a nozzle having inner and outer concentric passageways, the outer passageway being connected to a supply of replacement oil, pumps associated with each of the inner and outer passageways, with a valve structure and a nozzle, the valve structure having biasing means. The system is suitable for pumping hot oil from a vat such as used in commercial kitchens to a storage receptacle and subsequently pumping replacement oil into the vat.
US07766057B2

A bottle assembly is provided and includes a body portion defining a cavity therein; a top lid assembly selectively connectable to an upper end of the body portion, the top lid assembly includes a selectively deployable and retractable spout, wherein when the spout is in a deployed condition a fluid path is opened into the cavity of the body portion and when the spout is in a retracted condition the fluid path into the cavity of the body portion is closed; a trigger assembly operatively associated with the top lid assembly for selectively moving the spout between a deployed and a retracted condition; and a bottom lid assembly selectively connectable to a bottom end of the body portion, the bottom lid assembly including a valve assembly configured and adapted to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion.
US07766052B2

A conduit pipe for conveying media, having a core pipe made of a copper alloy and a jacketing made of a plastic material from the group of the polyolefins having functional groups. The ratio between the thickness of the jacketing wall and the thickness of the core pipe wall ranges between 2:1 and 14:1, while the ratio between the thickness (D) of the core pipe wall and its inside diameter (ID) ranges between 0.01 and 0.05.
US07766050B2

A method of forming a double film layered continuous conduit is disclosed. The method includes applying at least one film of ribbon spirally around a former where at least half of each turn of ribbon overlaps the next turn of the ribbon, such that the leading and trailing edges overlap. A bead of molten plastic is then applied between the overlap.
US07766047B1

A plugging device for double blocking a section of pipeline or piping and method for its use includes a first and second sealing element and at least one cylinder that is extendable along an axial direction of the pipe between a retracted first position and an extended second position. A means for actuating the cylinder, such as a fluid power source, is provided. When the cylinder is in the extended second position, the sealing element sealably engages an opposing cut end of the pipe. The sealing element is an elastomeric sealing element and may be cup-shaped, convex-shaped, or cork-shaped.
US07766042B2

A cartridge valve assembly includes a body having a central bore, a first port, a second port, and a third port fluidly connected to the central bore. The cartridge valve assembly further includes a main spool positioned within the central bore and being movable between at least a first position and a second position. The main spool forms, within the central bore, a first chamber, and a second chamber, and a control chamber. The cartridge valve assembly also includes a first passage fluidly communicating the first chamber with the second chamber, and an actuator adapted to apply a force to a first end of the main spool. The cartridge valve assembly further includes a feedback spool having an end exposed to a feedback chamber formed within the body, and a second passage fluidly communicating the control chamber with the feedback chamber.
US07766041B2

A fluid flow control device for improving, for example, valve operation by reducing “error forces” occurring due to fluid communication between ports of a valve having two or more ports. Incremental pressure drop passages bleed incrementally the flow of fluid between first an second ports as the valve spool is moving between the first and second positions to decrease the pressure differential generated force exerted on the spool whereby the energy required to be applied to the spool for moving the spool between the first and second positions is decreased.
US07766037B2

A gas valve assembly includes a solenoid coil, a linearly actuated plunger, and a stop member. The plunger is disposed in the coil so that a gap exists between the plunger and the stop member at a deenergized condition of the solenoid. The assembly includes a valve having a port and a closing member. The closing member blocks the port in a closed position corresponding to the de-energized condition of the solenoid, and slidably unblocks the port in an open position corresponding to the energized condition of the solenoid. An adjustable length member is coupled to the closing member and the plunger and has a portion accessible external to the valve assembly. The externally-accessible portion of the adjustable length member is adjustable to vary the size of the gap between the plunger and the stop member when the closing member is in the closed position.
US07766032B2

A fuel container for a fuel cell, comprises a container body, the container body having a liquid fuel chamber for the storage of liquid fuel and a discharge means accommodating chamber for accommodating means for discharging the liquid fuel, a valve disposed in the container body to discharge or shut off the liquid fuel, and a partition wall member disposed slidably in the interior of the container body, wherein the partition wall member partitions the interior of the container body into the liquid fuel chamber and the discharge means accommodating chamber, the liquid fuel chamber and the discharge means accommodating chamber are in communication with each other through the partition wall member, and at least one of sliding surfaces of the container body and the partition wall member contains a material of a low frictional coefficient.
US07766031B2

A valve system for collection and removal of condensation from a gas-pressurized fluid system. In one embodiment a single valve is used, having inlet, outlet and condensate collection ports and a valve body capable of movement between a position which connects the inlet port to the condensate collection port and a position which connects the condensate collection port to the outlet port. The valve is formed such that the inlet port is not connected to the outlet port while the valve is moved between the two positions, so that the pressurized system is not depressurized. A second embodiment uses two coupled valves replacing the single valve.
US07766030B2

A high pressure transducer is disclosed. The transducer includes a supply inlet configured to provide a gas supply to the high pressure transducer at a supply pressure and a pressure divider section coupled to the supply inlet. The pressure divider section is configured to reduce the supply pressure to a reduced pressure as a function of a first predetermined ratio. The transducer also includes a low pressure control section coupled to the pressure divider section and configured to receiving the gas supply at the reduced pressure and an amplifying section coupled to the low pressure control section. The low pressure control section varies the reduced pressure to produce a variable control pressure to actuate the amplifying section in response thereto. The amplifying section is also configured to multiply the variable control pressure as a function of a second ratio to obtain an output pressure. Further, the transducer includes a main supply valve coupled to the amplifying section, wherein the amplifying section controls the main supply valve.
US07766029B2

A re-closable valve (1, 100, 700, 800) for use in sterile fluid transfer has a body (5) with open entry and exit sides (2, 3) and a passageway (4) for fluid therebetween. The entry side is connectable to an opening of a separate vessel and the exit side is connectable to downstream processing. The entry side includes a first rupturable seal (5b, 500) blocking the opening of the entry side. A piston (9) is connected to an actuator (7) via a cam mechanism (8, 85, 10) which moves the piston (9) axially in the passageway (4) and to the first seal (5b, 500). On movement of the piston (9) during a first actuation, the first seal (5b, 500) is torn free from the entry side to open the valve for fluid transfer. A sharp rim (15) surrounds the opening of the entry side and a curved surface area (193) encircles the piston exterior proximal the entry side. The valve (1, 100, 700, 800) can be re-closed by moving the piston (9) during a subsequent actuation thus engaging the sharp rim (15) with the curved surface area (193) which plastically deform to from a second seal. Arrangements are included to enable the valve (1, 100, 700, 800) to be multiply re-opened and re-closed, if desired.
US07766027B2

The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for providing a fire hydrant with a vented steamer port cap assembly to allow air and water to pass through an upper area of a fire hydrant. Various embodiments include hydrants with a vented steamer port cap assembly. In other embodiments, a secondary valve is included in the barrel of the fire hydrant to controllably allow liquid to flow through the hydrant.
US07766021B2

A substrate treatment apparatus, which treats a substrate with a treatment liquid that is ultrasonically vibrated, includes an oscillator body which is rectangular-parallelepiped and has a treatment liquid supply path having an opening on a lower surface thereof in a first end portion in a longitudinal direction thereof and inclining to a second end portion in the longitudinal direction thereof, a vibrator which is provided on an upper surface of the oscillator body and ultrasonically vibrates the oscillator, and a heat exchanger which cools the treatment liquid supplied to the treatment liquid supply path.
US07766018B2

A device which facilitates the absorption of nicotine in order to reduce the incidence of tobacco smoking is disclosed. The device includes a tube defining an interior space. The tube has a first end with an opening and a second end. An inhalable, flowable liquid or gel composition is disposed in the interior space of the tube. The composition may include water, at least one vitamin, a flavoring agent, and nicotine. The flavoring agent may include an intense sweetener such as sucralose, and a natural or artificial fruit flavor. A user inhales on the first end of the tube of the device as a substitute oral activity to tobacco smoking and thereby ingests a source of nicotine that reduces the withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is stopped.
US07766017B2

The device of the present invention is to prevent voluntarily or involuntarily arm movement that could be harmful to a medical patient during the patient's treatment using the patient's body weight to restrain the arms from movement.
US07766015B2

An air filtering soft face mask has a soft body formed of multiple layers of material, including at least one layer of air filtering material capable of filtering selected contaminants from air. The body has an arcuate or peaked nose engaging edge adapted to engage a nose of a wearer and terminating in remote ends that extend downwardly. The body has a chin underlying edge adapted to underlie a chin of a wearer and terminating in remote ends that extend upwardly. The remote ends of the chin underlying edge being secured to the remote ends of the nose engaging edge to form side edges. Jaw movement tensions the body, forcing the nose engaging edge into firmer engagement with the nose of the wearer, forcing the chin underlying edge into firmer engagement with the chin of the wearer and tensioning the side edges into firmer engagement with the cheeks of the wearer.
US07766011B2

In one embodiment, the invention provides a medical method for treating a person and comprises repeatedly compressing the person's chest. While repeatedly compressing the person's chest, the method further includes repeatedly delivering a positive pressure breath to the person and extracting respiratory gases from the person's airway using a vacuum following the positive pressure breath to create an intrathoracic vacuum to lower pressures in the thorax and to enhance blood flow back to the heart.
US07766005B2

A gas radiation burner includes a gas supply unit for spraying a mixed gas of a gas and air; a burner body having a burner pot accommodating the mixed gas supplied by the gas supply unit and a burner housing provided on the burner pot to configure a combustion chamber; a burner mat provided over the burner pot to emit a radiant heat generated by combustion of the mixed gas supplied by the burner pot; and an air supply unit supplying air to the burner housing.
US07765993B2

An inlet for a compressor having a housing defining a generally C-shaped inlet opening and a rotor cavity configured to contain first and second rotors is provided. The inlet includes an inlet duct defining an inlet opening and a generally C-shaped outlet opening. The inlet duct has an inner wall defining a cavity operable to communicate airflow between the inlet opening and the generally C-shaped outlet opening. The generally C-shaped outlet opening of the inlet duct is substantially similar to the shape of the generally C-shaped inlet opening of the housing. The inner wall includes a floor portion and a roof portion. At least a portion of the floor portion is contoured to impart a velocity component to the airflow complementary to the tangential velocity of each of the first and second rotors during rotation of the first and second rotors.
US07765991B2

A method of controlling an internal combustion engine having a fuel vapor purging system and a fuel delivery system including a fuel pump and a fuel pressure sensor for detecting the fuel pressure provided by the fuel pump is disclosed. In one example, the method includes, during a degraded condition of the fuel pressure sensor, adjusting the fuel pump output in response to an operating condition, adjusting at least one of a condition of the fuel vapor purging system and adaptive learning of a characteristic of the fuel delivery system; and further adjusting the fuel pump output in response to an output of an exhaust gas sensor while also adjusting an amount of fuel injected into a cylinder of the engine in response to said output of the exhaust gas sensor.
US07765979B2

System for controlling the operation of a motor vehicle diesel engine in which the supply of fuel to the cylinders is controlled as a function of the pressure of a reference cylinder acquired and a predetermined desired fuel supply value for each cylinder, the supply of fuel to the reference cylinder is slaved to its desired supply value as a function of the pressure acquired, the drive shaft rotation speed generated by the displacement of the piston of the reference cylinder and the drive shaft rotation speed generated by the displacement of the piston of at least one other cylinder are acquired, and the supply of fuel to this at least one other cylinder is actuated as a function of the speeds acquired by slaving the drive shaft rotation speed related to the at least one other cylinder to the drive shaft rotation speed related to the reference cylinder.
US07765976B2

A lid component part of an internal combustion engine with integrated elastic seal, such as, for example, is provided to a cylinder head gasket or oil pan and a process for its manufacture. The component part exhibits a circumferential flange area for the arranging of the integrated seal. The component part is based on a plastic-material, while the seal essentially comprises an organic elastomer material. The component part and the seal are chemically bonded with one another. The seal is applied by injection molding onto the component part.
US07765972B2

A variable mechanical valve train for actuating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes a two-part follower operatively coupled between a cam shaft and a valve, so that the follower: in a fully-activated mode, causes a maximum lift of the valve in response to a rotation of the cam shaft; in a partial load mode, collapses partially so as to cause a partial valve lift during the rotation of the cam shaft; and in a deactivated mode, collapses in response to the rotation of the cam resulting in no valve lift.
US07765965B2

A Fully variable mechanical VVA, or FVVA, achieves more than the Lost Motion VVAs and the Constant Duration VVAs can jointly offer, because the FVVA provides the infinite valve lift profiles a Lost Motion VVA can provide, and the infinite valve lift profiles a Constant Duration VVA can provide and infinite more infinities of different valve lift profiles.The FVVA provides an infinity of valve lifts, and each valve lift can be combined to any duration, from infinite available.
US07765958B2

An entrance gate for a livestock sorter which includes a pair of entrance gate members which are movable between open and closed positions. The amount of opening movement of the gate members is selectively adjustable without the need of a wrench or the like.
US07765953B2

A caring shell for hermit crab is provided. The caring shell comprises a main shell and a movable cover. The main shell has an opening, a through hole, and a receiving chamber. The receiving chamber is formed within the main shell for receiving the body of the hermit crab. The opening is formed on the front of the main shell for hermit crab moving into the receiving chamber. The through hole is formed on the main shell and communicates the receiving chamber and the outer space out of the main shell. Therefore, the body of the hermit crab within the movable cover can be obversed or touched via the through hole. The movable cover can assembled to the main shell for optionally opening and closing the through hole.
US07765952B1

The present invention may be used by pets. A bed frame may have a side wall with an open portion with a door frame positioned and attached in the open portion. A bottom cover assembly may have a bottom cover with a side wall cover attached at a peripheral edge. The side wall cover may be positioned on the side wall when the bottom cover may be positioned under a bottom edge of the side wall. A bottom pad may be attached to the peripheral edge at a side open portion of the side wall cover. The bottom pad may be insertable through the door frame to be positioned in interior to the side wall when the bottom cover assembly may be positioned on the bed frame. A top cover assembly may have a cover portion with a bottom wall portion that may be positioned on the side wall cover exterior to the side wall. The top cover assembly may have a door frame portion positionable at a door frame strip on the door frame.
US07765951B2

Device for pneumatically milking a cow, comprising a number of milk extractors, each comprising a teat cup as well as milk line connected to the lower end of the teat cup, which line leads from the teat cup to a collection chamber for the milk from the teat cup, each milk extractor being provided with a supply for a cleansing medium, such as a disinfectant, to the teat cup, in particular to a teat present in the teat cup, the supply comprising a line having an end portion with discharge end, and each milk extractor being provided with means for closing off the passage of the milk extraction at or downstream of the discharge end of the line for cleansing medium, preferably at that level, when discharging the cleansing medium, the closing means comprising a reciprocating closing body that can be moved between a position leaving the passage of the milk extractor free and a position closing it off, the closing body being provided with a squirt line forming the end portion with discharge end of the line for supply of cleansing medium, and being positioned to debouch into the milk extractor, particularly the milk line, when in the closing-off position.
US07765949B2

A device for extruding/dispensing materials on a substrate includes a housing with at least two channels formed to facilitate flow. The housing includes entrance ports for each of the channels for receiving different materials. The housing further includes an exit port for co-extruding the materials on the substrate to generate a relatively fine feature with a relatively high aspect ratio.
US07765945B2

This document is directed toward a stabilizing system that is engageable with a watercraft lift assembly. The system includes a piling bracket, at least one piling bracket keyhole in the piling bracket, a lift-block having at least one keyhole pin extending from a first side of said lift-block toward said at least one piling bracket keyhole, and a stabilizing beam, for supporting a watercraft lift assembly cradle. The stabilizing beam is attached to a second side of said lift-block.
US07765940B1

A kit for converting a standard sit-down desk to a stand-up desk. The kit includes a frame having a plurality of leg extensions secured with end rails and a plurality of side supports of selected length. Selected of the leg extensions are pivotally carried between retracted and extended positions. The kit also includes a foot rail, a shelf, a plurality of spacers and a plurality of collars. For shipping, the pivotable leg extensions, shelf and foot rail are placed parallel with the end rail. In use, the pivotable leg extensions are moved into an extended position and secured by the foot rail and shelf. The desk legs are interconnected with the leg extensions by the collars.
US07765932B2

Described in this specification is a shock tube initiator that is suitable for one, two, or more shock tubes. The initiator has a number of safety features to avoid inadvertent firing of the shocking primer. Features include a rotary safety and a firing plunger that selectively interfere with the firing pin. There may further be a safety pin for fixating the rotary safety onto the housing of the initiator, so users must deliberately remove the safety pin before the rotary safety can be disengaged.
US07765926B2

A printing press is provided including at least one print unit printing a first job on a web, a folder splitting the web into a plurality of ribbons, combining the ribbons, and cutting the ribbons into signatures, the folder having a folder delivery for delivery of the signatures, a marking device marking every ribbon, a sensor sensing the marks on every ribbon, and a controller connected to the marking device and the sensor and determining a shortest ribbon value and a longest ribbon value, the shortest ribbon value being a function of a shortest path length of a first ribbon through the folder and the longest ribbon value being a function of a longest path length of a further ribbon through the folder. A method is also provided.
US07765920B2

An air-lift dryer for processing a high-lactose aqueous fluid (HLAF), such as permeate from ultrafiltration of whey fluid, is provided. The air-lift dryer has an enclosed drying chamber with diverging interior sidewalls that define an intermediate interior space having a cross-sectional area that increases as the diverging interior sidewalls extend away from a lower portion toward an upper portion.
US07765919B2

A substantially flat, heat-resistant baking sheet has a baking surface, a rolled periphery and a baking area within that periphery. The baking area has numerous through-holes. A generally upright wall, integrally formed with the sheet, extends along the first part of the periphery, defining an upper edge. The height of the wall varies from a maximum to a minimum predetermined height, and the wall substantially encloses the baking area along the first part of the periphery. In the example shown, the baking sheet is rectangular: the wall extends along three sides and the fourth side has no wall. A baked product can be slid or pushed off this fourth side without being lifted, the side serving as a slide-off chute or ramp. Condensation between the baking sheet and the baked product evacuates through the holes to allow the surface against the sheet to bake to a crisper consistency.
US07765916B2

A lever with a shifting pivot or fulcrum point such that in pivoting of the lever between a first position and a second position for at least one angular segment of such pivoting about a first fulcrum point and for a second angular sector of such pivoting, pivots about a second fulcrum point.
US07765915B2

A vehicular hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump and first and second hydraulic applications arranged in series. A dual relief valve defines first and second flow channels, a passageway and a bypass port. The first flow channel is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the first hydraulic application and the second flow channel is disposed between the first hydraulic application and the second hydraulic application. A first valve member controls fluid flow through the passageway and allows fluid flow from the first to the second flow channel through the passageway when fluid pressure within the first flow channel exceeds a first threshold pressure. A second valve member controls fluid flow through the bypass port and allows fluid flow from the second flow channel to a return line through the bypass port when fluid pressure within the second flow channel exceeds a second threshold pressure.
US07765913B2

This invention relates to a brake booster (201) having an axis (X), comprising an enclosure divided into a front chamber (210) and a rear chamber (208) by a skirt (209) fastened to a piston (205) mounted so that it can slide in the axial direction (X), the booster comprising a nonreturn valve (225) to evacuate air from the front chamber when the pressure prevailing exceeds a certain reference value.According to this invention, this booster is characterized in that this nonreturn valve (225) is internal to the booster (201).
US07765892B2

A multi-degree-of-freedom motion mechanism comprises a first linkage unit, a second linkage unit, a driven unit, a connection block and a third linkage unit; the first linkage unit and the second linkage unit are respectively disposed with a first curved projecting section and a second curved projecting section; a driven rod of the driven unit is respectively movably coupled to the first curved projecting section and the second curved projecting section; the connection block is respectively pivotally coupled to a first pivot element of the driven unit and a second pivot element of a third linkage unit. Whereby, the driven unit can then be nimbly controlled to move up and down as well as left and right and rotate relatively to a geometric center point of the connection block through few drive mechanisms.
US07765891B2

A mechanism provides compliance between a tool and a robotic arm and includes a base with a first face. The mechanism includes a post assembly with a thrust washer and a mounting post attached to the thrust washer. The thrust washer engages the first face to form a compliance joint that permits a compliance range of sliding translational motion along the first face. The mechanism comprises springs that slideably engage an outer rim surface of the post assembly and providing a compliance force resisting the sliding translational motion. A retainer is mounted to the base and compresses the thrust washer against the first face and limits rotational motion of the assembly out of a plane of the first face.
US07765886B2

An automatic transmission that includes oil passages with a simple structure provided for twin clutches can allow the number of production steps to be reduced. The automatic transmission includes a number of gear trains equal to the number of speeds between a primary shaft and a countershaft. The automatic transmission performs connection and disconnection of a rotational driving force between a crankshaft and a gearbox by means of twin hydraulic clutches including first and second clutches, which are made of the same components and disposed on the axis of the primary shaft back to back. Oil passages can be formed into a more simple shape and can be configured to have the same total length. The first clutch performs connection and disconnection for first and third speeds, and the second clutch performs connection and disconnection for second and fourth speeds.
US07765882B2

An apparatus and method for presenting various surfaces of particles within a sample to a sensor device is provided. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a pair of concentric counter-rotating surfaces and a dividing member fixed radially therebetween so as to form a scanning chamber wherein sample particles are reoriented relative to the scanning field of an adjacent sensor device by the counter-rotation of the surfaces and the consequent recirculation of the sample particles through the scanning chamber.
US07765873B2

A system comprises a rotary machine, a sensor and a processor. The rotary machine has a component that operates on a fluid. The sensor senses pressure in the fluid. The processor generates a diagnostic indicative of wear on the component, based on process noise on the pressure.
US07765871B2

A system and method for analyzing a target analyte gas concentration using a photoacoustic spectroscopy cell comprising: i) a modulatable light source which provides optical radiation at an absorption wavelength of a target analyte; ii) a resonant acoustic chamber for containing said analyte; iii) a microphone positioned within said chamber whereby the acoustic reactance of the microphone is a substantial factor in determining the acoustic resonant frequency of the acoustic chamber and where the magnitude of the acoustic reactance of the microphone is at least two times the acoustic resistance of the microphone.
US07765869B2

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a combined accelerometer and gyroscope system. The combined accelerometer and gyroscope system includes a combined accelerometer and gyroscope for maintaining vibration of a mass body at a constant amplitude using an applied drive voltage, and detecting vibration signals in directions of an acceleration axis and an angular velocity axis. An acceleration axis vibration signal obtainment unit obtains the vibration signal in the direction of the acceleration axis. An amplitude maintenance control unit outputs an acceleration axis vibration maintenance control signal using the vibration signal. An acceleration axis driving input unit receives a voltage signal from the amplitude maintenance control unit and applies the voltage signal to the combined accelerometer and gyroscope. An angular velocity axis vibration signal obtainment unit obtains the vibration signal in the direction of the angular velocity axis. A force balance control unit outputs an angular velocity axis vibration maintenance control signal using the vibration signal received from the angular velocity axis vibration signal obtainment unit. An angular velocity axis driving input unit receives a voltage signal received from the force balance control unit and applies the voltage signal to the combined accelerometer and gyroscope.
US07765868B2

A climate chamber, which is in particular suitable for chemical and/or biological samples, comprises a climate compartment defined by a housing. Inside the climate compartment an analysis device, such as a microscope, is at least partially arranged. Further, the housing comprises an inlet opening for supplying a conditioning medium flow. For preventing condensation at condensate-sensitive components the medium flow is directed such that it at least partially flows against the analysis device and/or the sample carrier.
US07765865B2

A flow sensor may be formed of a sensor chip in which a flow rate detecting section is formed on an electric insulating film applied to cover at least a part of a concave portion formed on an upper surface of a substrate and may also include a flow path forming member which is provided on the sensor chip and has a flow path of a fluid flowing through the flow rate detecting section formed therein.
US07765864B2

A device for detecting lightning strikes (9) on an electrically insulating structure (11) likely to be subjected to a lightning strike, for example an aircraft radome, includes on an external surface (12) one or more lightning arrester strips (10), made of an electrically conductive material and electrically linked to an electrically conductive structure. At least one inductive sensor (3) is positioned near the internal surface (13) of the electrically insulating structure so that the inductive sensor delivers a signal when a lightning arrester strip is passed through by a lightning current I. The signals from the inductive sensor, for example a flat coil or two flat coils mounted in opposition, are received and processed by acquisition means.
US07765851B2

A device for straightening a vehicle panel comprising a base which is attachable to a pulling device and at least three fingers pivotally connected to the base and movable from a retracted position designed for insertion into a drilled hole in a damaged panel. The fingers are movable to an extended position wherein a gripping portion extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal pulling force. Another aspect comprises providing the gripping portion of at least one of the fingers with a substantially flat pulling surface in order to maximize the contact area between the finger and the damaged vehicle panel.
US07765846B2

A method of producing a hollow shaft having first and second profilings provided for torque transmission at respective ends thereof, wherein a shaft section between the ends has a smaller diameter than at least one of the profilings, and the hollow shaft is assembled from hollow shaft and sleeve components joined via a torque-transmitting slip joint, in which the shaft and sleeve components are each formed from cut blanks by cupping, perforating. cold extrusion and turning steps, and the respective components are assembled to each other.
US07765832B2

The invention provides a method of producing reflectors from glass or glass ceramics comprising the steps of: molding a reflector being open to the outside and having a closed bottom in a mold at a temperature above the transformation temperature; placing the reflector in a recess of a holder; heating up the reflector in the area of its bottom; lifting the bottom of the reflector from below using a die; punching out at least one opening from the bottom by moving at least one plunger into at least one matching opening in the die.
US07765830B2

The invention teaches an automatic discharge device for a lithium bromide absorption chiller unit, comprising an automatic pump apparatus, a pump chamber, a gas-liquid separation chamber, and a gas storage chamber. A valve F1 is disposed at the outlet line of the liquid pump. A valve F2 and a gas discharge and liquid feed line disposed between the liquid pump and the valve F1 are connected to the gas storage chamber. A valve F3 is set on the gas duct and liquid return line between the gas storage chamber and the gas-liquid separation chamber. A liquid choke self-closing discharge rubber ball valve, a one-way spring discharge valve, and additionally, an electromagnetic valve or a motorized valve are set on top of the gas storage chamber. The invention simplifies effectively the chiller construction and increases operational reliability.
US07765828B2

A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment provided with an automatic icemaker incorporating a mold configured to produce truncated, crescent-shaped ice cubes. With this arrangement, the icemaker produces cubes that are shorter than full, standard crescent-shaped cubes. The reduced mold size advantageously enables the icemaker to take less space in a freezer compartment, without a significant reduction in ice cube volume.
US07765827B2

A multi-stage hybrid evaporative cooling system is described as having a direct evaporative cooling subsystem and an indirect evaporative cooling subsystem having one of a horizontal and a vertical set of heat exchanger channels. The multi-stage hybrid evaporative cooling system with a horizontal set of heat exchanger channels has a portion of the horizontal heat exchanger channels partially extended into a next stage of the multi-stage system. The multi-stage hybrid evaporative cooling system with the vertical set of heat exchanger channels includes a first set of vertical set of heat exchanger channels spanning a substantial vertical height of the stage of the hybrid evaporative cooling system, and a second set spanning approximately half the height of the stage. The multi-stage hybrid evaporative cooling system further includes a refrigeration system for lowering the temperature of the indirect evaporative cooling subsystem air without affecting its pressure flow.
US07765822B2

The provided air conditioning system includes a self-sustained power supply apparatus, a motor coupled to the apparatus and receiving a first power supply, a first transmission system coupled to the motor and transmitting a first kinetic energy, a second transmission system coupled to the engine of a transportation tool and transmitting a second kinetic energy, a compressor coupled to one of the first transmission system and the second transmission system, receiving one of the first kinetic energy and the second kinetic energy and generating an air conditioning operation to an inner air of the transportation tool, and a switching apparatus coupled to a second power supply and employed to make one of the following results happen: the first transmission system is connected to the compressor, the second transmission system is connected to the compressor and the first and the second transmission systems are both separated from the compressor.
US07765818B2

A refrigeration unit and diagnostic method therefore are provided. The refrigeration unit includes: a housing with an insulated cavity for storing food and beverages; a vapor cycle system operative to cool the food and beverages in the insulated cavity; a plurality of sensors in communication with the vapor cycle system and outputting data relative to the vapor cycle system; and a controller that, according to the data from the plurality of sensors, determines an occurrence of an event. Wherein the controller logs the data from the plurality of sensors to a data structure according to a first data-logging mode, and logs the data to the data structure according to a second data-logging mode upon occurrence of the event. In one embodiment the refrigeration unit may be a refrigeration line replaceable unit (LRU) configured for an aircraft galley.
US07765816B2

In a refrigeration cycle apparatus having an expansion mechanism, a method to swiftly generate a pressure difference upstream and downstream of the expansion mechanism of, thereby enhancing the starting performance of the refrigeration cycle apparatus The apparatus has a compression mechanism, a utilizing-side heat exchange, an expansion mechanism for recovering power, and a heat source-side heat exchanger. The revolution number of the heat source fluid transfer means is made smaller than a target revolution number or the heat source fluid transfer means is stopped during a predetermined time after the compression mechanism is started. When the compression mechanism is started, the pressure difference can be generated upstream and downstream of the expansion mechanism for a short time, the operation of the expansion mechanism does not become unstable, vibration and noise can be prevented, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus can swiftly be started.
US07765800B2

Excessive generation NO2 by oxidation catalyst arrangement upstream of a selective reduction catalyst is suppressed to prevent falling of NOx reduction rate.A selective reduction catalyst 4 capable of selectively reacting NOx with ammonia even in the presence of oxygen is incorporated in an exhaust pipe 3 from an engine 1. A pair of oxidation catalysts 5A and 5B are arranged in parallel with each other and upstream of the selective reduction catalyst. In an operation condition with low exhaust temperature, amounts of the exhaust gas 2 distributed to the oxidation catalysts 5A and 5B are adjusted so as to make NO/NO2 ratio in the exhaust gas 2 to about 1-1.5. In an operation condition with higher exhaust temperature where the NOx reduction rate is less affected by the NO/NO2 ratio, as a countermeasure against increasing, leaking ammonia, passage changeover is conducted to pass the exhaust gas 2 in backflow through the selective reduction catalyst 4 and the oxidation catalysts 5A and 5B, so that ammonia passing through the selective reduction catalyst 4 without reacted is oxidized in the oxidation catalysts 5A and 5B.
US07765787B2

A casing for a gas turbine includes a construction providing improved structural efficiency. Improved load paths and means for transmitting loads in the engine case are disclosed.
US07765786B2

A fan for an aircraft engine, particularly a gas turbine aircraft engine, is disclosed. The fan has a fan rotor with fan blades, which extend radially outwardly from a hub to an outer flow path wall of a fan flow path. The fan has an auxiliary rotor that is positioned upstream of the fan rotor and has auxiliary blades that extend radially outwardly from a hub and end at a distance from the outer flow path wall of the fan flow path. The auxiliary rotor and the fan rotor are designed as separate rotors, such that the auxiliary rotor can be operated at a higher speed than the fan rotor.
US07765780B2

Robotic harvesting of agricultural crops. Robot moves through a field first to “map” the field to determine plant locations, number and size of fruit on plants and approximate positions of fruit on each plant. Once the map of the fruit is complete, the robot can plan and implement an efficient picking plan for itself or another robot. A scout robot or harvest robot determines a picking plan in advance of picking a tree. This may be done if the map is finished hours, days or weeks before a robot is scheduled to harvest, or if the picking plan algorithm selected requires significant computational time and cannot be implemented in “real time” by the harvesting robot as it is picking the field. The system harvests according to the selected picking plan. The picking plan may be generated in the scout robot, harvest robot or on a server.
US07765773B2

A system and a method for production of a packaging laminate that comprises a layer containing magnetizable particles. The method involves marking faults, such as single spot defects and splices, on the packaging laminate by the application of a magnetic field to make a magnetic mark on the packaging laminate. A packaging device is arranged to sense the presence of the magnetic mark related to a package made from the packaging laminate.
US07765760B2

A glazing panel system is provided with improved glazing panels, retention clips and/or U-shaped connectors. The retention clip may engage the glazing panels at locations lower than top ends of the upstanding seam flanges. In one embodiment, an internal U-shaped connector is positioned to engage the seam flanges while an external U-shaped connector covers the internal connector and the seam between adjacent glazing panels. The glazing panels may be formed with pockets adjacent the base of the upstanding seam flanges to receive a portion of the retention clip to apply retention forces at locations below the upper ends of the seam flanges. The retention clips may be formed with an upper transverse portion that is movable relative to the base portion of the clip to accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Also, a thicker plate or portion may be provided at a top flange for the retention clip to provide increased resistance to uplift loads trying to bend the flange.
US07765737B2

A gate assembly comprising an enclosure, the enclosure being accessible by a first gate and a second gate, and gate operating means, wherein unlatching of the first gate causes the second gate to remain latched, and the second gate cannot be unlatched until the first gate is latched.
US07765732B1

The fishing rod support is a versatile device providing support or bracing for the handle or butt of a fishing rod against a portion of the angler's body. The support includes an elongate pad joined to a crosspiece having three sockets. When the butt of the rod is placed in either of the two aligned sockets, the pad is generally parallel to the rod. This allows the pad to be placed under the arm to restrain upward movement of the rod butt as the angler lifts the rod. Alternatively, the butt of the rod may be placed in the third socket, with the pad aligned generally perpendicular to the rod. In this configuration, the pad is placed against the forward body of the angler (e.g., upper thigh, hip, waist, etc.) for bracing. The fishing rod support is particularly useful for anglers having back pain or limited upper body strength.
US07765724B2

An apparatus and method for resurfacing ice surfaces such as ice hockey playing surfaces wherein an ice shaving blade system and an ice scooping system operate over the entire width of (or the entire length of) the playing surface.
US07765713B2

A freeze-drying device for the monitoring and control of water vapor in a freeze-drying process, comprising an optical spectrometer, and methods of using same to monitor and control the amount of water vapor in said process under sterile conditions.
US07765706B2

A level has a level body made of a hollow profiled section having a bottom wall whose underside forms a measuring surface and further having a top wall and sidewalls, the sidewalls connecting the bottom wall and the top wall. The level body has a window opening for receiving a horizontal vial for horizontal measurement. A securing device for mounting the horizontal vial within the level body is provided. The securing device has a vial holder, in which the horizontal vial is secured, and at least one clamping part that is movable relative to the vial holder for clamping the securing device in the level body. In the mounted state of the securing device, the at least one clamping part is supported on an inner side of the top wall and the vial holder is pressed against an inner side of the bottom wall.
US07765705B2

A measuring device comprising a base, feet connected to the base, and an inclinometer mounted on the base is used to characterize a surface. The feet are placed in direct contact with the surface at a predetermined position. The inclinometer measures the angle of the surface relative to gravity at the predetermined position. In some embodiments, multiple measuring devices are connected to an arm, in order to measure different positions on the surface simultaneously. The arm may be moved by an actuator to the next predetermined position on the surface. In some embodiments, multiple measuring devices are connected to a frame that is substantially the same size as the surface to be characterized, such that the entire surface can be characterized without moving the frame.
US07765702B2

An angle sensor includes two measuring pinions which rotate in the same direction in response to a drive pinion rotating. The measuring pinions have different absolute angular positions after rotating. The absolute angular position of the drive pinion is determinable from the absolute angular positions of the measuring pinions. A delta wheel between the measuring pinions has two coaxially arranged rings. One ring engages the second measuring pinion and the other ring engages the first measuring pinion such that the rings rotate relative to one another in the same direction in response to the measuring pinions rotating in the opposite direction. A spring connecting the rings together biases the rings to move in opposite directions toward one another after the rings have been rotated relative to one another in the same direction such that the rings respectively press the measuring pinions against the drive pinion.
US07765695B2

A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable comprising the steps of providing a preformed substrate member comprising a podium member, at least one electrical connector and at least one insulated electrical wire attached to an electrical contact positioned within the at least one electrical connector; placing the preformed substrate member in a mold; and injecting a dielectric material into the mold containing the podium member to form an overmolded terminal block, wherein the dielectric material covers the at least one insulated electrical wire and a portion of the electrical contact positioned within the at least one electrical connector.
US07765694B2

A terminal pin includes a substantially elongate pin body having a longitudinal axis and a terminal head, the terminal head having an opening for receiving a wire, the opening extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis. This results in a substantial reduction in space required as compared to other connection structures.
US07765689B2

A self-locking wire terminal assembly and a shape memory wire termination system includes an electrical terminal constructed with spring legs which provide two opposing points of contact on a mating electrical conductive pin. The points of contact prevent the pin from being removed. The shape memory termination system is formed by electrically coupling a clip assembly to shape memory wire and to an electrical source. In one embodiment, the shape memory wire causes an actuator to activate when the shape memory wire dissipates electrical power. The terminal assemblies may be manufactured by assembling wire with conduction pads onto a continuous reel. The terminal assemblies may be formed from the reel by trimming wire and linkages between the conduction pads.
US07765684B2

A corrugated tube mounting jig 5 for mounting a corrugated tube C, having a slit S formed in a longitudinal direction, on a wire bundle W, has a higher flexibility at its distal end portion, and has a larger restoring force at the other portion. This corrugated tube mounting jig 5 includes a folded-back portion 51 of a generally U-shape for gripping the wire bundle W, side plate portions 52 which are continuous with the folded-back portion 51, and extend to be disposed respectively at opposite sides of the wire bundle W, and are arranged parallel to each other, and have respective end edges slanting relative to the wire bundle W, and a flange portion 53 which is formed at the slanting end edges of the side plate portions, and extends outwardly of the side plate portions 52. At least that portion of the folded-back portion 51 which defines its distal end portion with respect to a direction X of insertion of the corrugated tube C is made smaller in thickness than the other portion.
US07765683B2

A temporary interconnection element to be installed between the rotor and the stator of a bearingless electric machine, for example during its transport, storage or assembly is described herein. The interconnection element is so designed that the rotor may be secured to an external assembly, such as for example the shaft of an internal combustion engine, before the element is removed from its interconnection position.
US07765670B2

A medical device may be secured to a medical device delivery apparatus by providing a wrapped medical device, the wrapped medical device comprising a medical device with a polymeric sheet disposed thereabout, compressing the wrapped medical device and affixing at least one opposing edge of the polymeric sheet to a portion of the polymeric sheet adjacent thereto so as to form a sheathed medical device and securing the sheathed medical device to a medical device delivery apparatus.
US07765669B2

Disclosed is a method of forming a pattern on a mask sheet including an attaching portion to be attached to a mask frame, and a pattern area in which the pattern is formed. The method includes positioning the mask sheet on an auxiliary sheet with a thickness greater than the thickness of the mask sheet, fastening the auxiliary sheet to the mask frame, applying a stretching force to the mask sheet and the auxiliary sheet, and forming the pattern on the pattern area of the mask sheet. Thus, a predetermined pattern is formed on a mask sheet while a uniformly distributed external force is applied to the mask sheet, so that bending or deflecting out of plane by the mask sheet is prevented, thereby forming a precise mask pattern.
US07765666B2

Load-balancing and bearing removal devices useful in removing bearings, such as rolling element bearings, for rotating machine maintenance and replacement. Insulation assemblies useful with bearing assemblies that fit in openings in bearing brackets of rotating machines, such as large synchronous motors or generators.
US07765659B2

A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes a pressure chamber forming step of forming at least one of recess sections and through holes corresponding at least to the pressure chambers, in a plurality of calcined bodies obtained by calcining a plurality of ceramic green sheets; a piezoelectric body forming step of forming a plurality of films of piezoelectric bodies which constitute the piezoelectric elements by means of an aerosol deposition method, onto the calcined body corresponding to the diaphragm, of the plurality of calcined bodies; a laminating step of forming glass layers onto surfaces of the calcined bodies and arranging the calcined bodies to overlap each other; and a heating step of heating the arranged calcined bodies to a prescribed temperature, and simultaneously performing glass bonding of the calcined bodies and annealing of the piezoelectric bodies.
US07765647B2

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; and an elastomeric component, and wherein the non-woven fiber assembly further comprises an adhesive component. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a non-woven fiber assembly comprising one or more fibers wherein each fiber contains: a hydrophilic component; an elastomeric component; and an adhesive component, wherein the hydrophilic component, the elastomeric component and the adhesive component are all contained within each fiber. Also disclosed is a method of making the afore-mentioned non-woven fiber assemblies. Additionally, a medical dressing made from the non-woven fiber assemblies of the present invention is disclosed.
US07765645B2

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes an opening assist. The opening assist includes a connecting rod and a push rod. The opening assist is disposed in a door handle. The opening assist can be rotated by a user so as to push an end of the opening assist against a main body of the refrigerator for opening a door of the refrigerator. Therefore, the door of the refrigerator can be opened and closed more easily, and thus user can use the refrigerator more conveniently.
US07765640B2

A cord management system operable to reduce or eliminate various forces exerted on a vacuum cleaner power cord. The system includes a swiveling strain relief incorporated into the vacuum handle and collars, used to connect sections of a dirty air conduit, having exterior portions that enable the power cord to be retained in a secure manner.
US07765636B2

A vacuum cleaner includes a dust chamber, a dust bag provided in the dust chamber, and an electric blower for generating suction air flow for drawing and collecting dust and dirt in the dust bag. A deodorant is supplied into the dust bag by the suction air flow and directly attached to the dust and dirt. The deodorant has a granule or powder shape.
US07765631B2

A power tool (10) is provided having a plastic casing (12) and a scraper blade (14). The blade (14) is caused to reciprocate by an internal low power rotary motor (24) which drives a cylinder cam (28) having a sinusoidal cam track (34). A pair of studs (36) ride in the cam track (34), and drive the reciprocal movement of the blade (14). The tool (10) is substantially sealed against liquid ingress by means of an elastomeric membrane within the casing (12), and may be used as a marine growth remover, for defouling boats and the like.
US07765620B2

A belt support for supporting a belt in position along a waistband adjacent a wait band clasp includes a first belt support member and a second belt support member adjustably mounted upon the first belt support member for movement relative thereto.
US07765614B2

A disposable wearing diaper includes a front panel section and a rear panel section facing each other so as to define respective waist regions. The rear panel section overlaps the outer side of the front panel section and these front and rear panel sections are connected to each other along transversely opposite side edges of the respective panel sections. The disposable diaper has finger-grips provided at positions on an upper end of the rear panel section at which the rear panel section overlap the front panel section. The finger-grip comprises a proximal zone and a distal zone extending from the proximal zone which is contiguous to the rear panel section and the distal zone is placed aside with respect to the proximal zone toward a lower end of the rear panel section.
US07765608B2

A face guard for a sports helmet, comprising a plurality of wires arranged as a grid and wherein at least one of the wires has a cross-section with a periphery having a first maximal dimension in a first direction and a second maximal dimension in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the second maximal dimension being less than the first maximal dimension. Each of the at least one of the wires may have an elliptical cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis, wherein a ratio of the minor axis to the major axis may be between 0.2 and 0.9. Each of the at least one of the wires may have a portion to be at least partially located within a field of view of a wearer wearing the face guard.
US07770230B2

A data distribution system is provided which supplies customers with an executable for requested secured data files to provide the customer with fulfillment software, obviating the need for the customer to download fulfillment software prior to requesting secure data. The data distribution system is characterized by server technology which can dynamically encrypt secured data files just prior to a customer request to download the data file. A framework for building a universal data distribution infrastructure is provided which employs Requesters.
US07770218B2

A system for clearing a password on a computer, the system includes an unlocking apparatus corresponding to a keyboard interface of the computer. The unlocking apparatus includes contacts and are configured so that two of the contacts are connected within the apparatus and when the apparatus is received in the keyboard interface, the computer recognizes the connection as a command to clear an access code of the computer. A method for clearing a password on a computer is also disclosed.
US07770206B2

A resource of a first organization provides access thereto to a requestor of a second organization. A first administrator of the first organization issues a first credential to a second administrator of the second organization, including policy that the second administrator may issue a second credential to the requestor on behalf of the first administrator. The second administrator issues the second credential to the requester, including the issued first credential. The requestor requests access from the resource and includes the issued first and second credentials. The resource validates that the issued first credential ties the first administrator to the second administrator, and that the issued second credential ties the second administrator to the requester. The resource thus knows that the request is based on rights delegated from the first administrator to the requester by way of the second administrator.
US07770192B2

The present invention provides a DVD mechanism system that is for adjusting an inclined state and mounted on a carrying mechanism of the DVD player and comprises: a spindle motor for loading and rotating a DVD; an optical read-write head for reading and writing the information of the DVD; two guiding rods for loading the optical read-write head; and at least two two-way adjustable positioning elements; wherein the two two-way adjustable positioning elements are to fasten the DVD mechanism on at least two positioning structures of the carrying mechanism in order to adjust the inclined state of the DVD mechanism.
US07770189B2

The present invention relates to a tray used in an optical disc drive. At least two aligning means arranged in the tray for marking an aligning line at a front side and a back side of the tray, respectively. The aligning line is used for determining the dimensional accuracy of each component located on the front side and back side of the tray, respectively.
US07770188B2

To improve upon existing Winsock implementations, the claimed system and method adapts an existing Winsock system to use out-of-process NSP services. The claimed method and system provides asynchronous Winsock Next calls to provide client application processing flexibility. Further, the claimed method and system provides additional structures for passing additional NSP specific information for a result set to enable further client functionality. One embodiment of the claimed system provides additional client Winsock API functions to aggregate and manage asynchronous calls to multiple NSPs and/or multiple namespaces.
US07770182B2

An extensible editor allows integration of extensions that modify the editor's default behavior and provide customized feedback to users. The editor includes an event routing model that works to decrease the occurrence of conflicts between the editor and extensions and between extensions. Upon the occurrence of an event, the editor routes the event to each extension before the editor's default handling of the event occurs. When an extension responds to an event, the extension may “consume” the event by indicating to the editor not to allow further processing of the event. After an event has been pre-processed by each extension, the default editor acts on the event. The editor then routes the event to each extension again, to allow each extension to process the event after the default editor has acted.
US07770180B2

A mechanism is provided for embedding an object in a receiving or client document such that a client application may operate on the embedded object to include interrogation and modification of data contained in the embedded object. When a given document object is embedded into a receiving document, data representing the embedded object is saved to a data stream storage for the receiving document. When the embedded object in the receiving document is subsequently requested in response to an operation executed on the embedded object, the receiving application obtains the data representation of the embedded object from the data stream storage. Once the receiving application obtains the data representation of the embedded object, the receiving application may perform operations on the embedded object by accessing the embedded object via its data representation.
US07770179B1

Programmable architecture for implementing a message processing system using an integrated circuit is described. In an example, configurable logic of the integrated circuit is configured to have a plurality of thread circuits and an interconnection topology amongst the plurality of thread circuits. Messages are concurrently processed using the plurality of thread circuits. Operation of at least one thread circuit of the plurality of thread circuits is controlled in accordance with control data received via the interconnection topology from at least one other thread circuit of the plurality of thread circuits.
US07770176B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, the processor temperatures can be leveled among processors, thereby suppressing the occurrence of stop of processing due to overheating. For example, on the basis of the temperatures of the processors sensed by temperature sensors, the control IC assigns the processor whose temperature is the lowest to the task whose heat emission is the highest. This makes it possible to level the processor temperatures among processors and suppress occurrence of stop of processing due to overheating.
US07770159B2

A “virtual type” that, to the reflection system, looks and acts like a fully compiled type—in reality, the “virtual type” does not exist and has been fabricated based on another API such as CodeDOM. Essentially, the “virtual type” allows code to be implemented using a single code path and therefore can remain ignorant that it is dealing with uncompiled source code. A “virtual type” is an object that looks just like a compiled type, provided that it is viewed through a reflection application program interface (API).
US07770156B2

A tracing system includes a trace bus and compression selection circuitry. The compression selection circuitry is configured to receive a trace data input from a source of trace data and determines a compression method for a piece of trace data selected for transmission on the trace bus. The compression selection logic selects the compression method from a set of compression methods based on at least one compression criterion. The tracing system signals the compression method that was used to compress a piece of compressed trace data selected for transmission.
US07770154B2

A portable tracing utility provides trace configuration, trace instrumentation and trace management functionality for single or multithreaded programs. Through various application programming interfaces (“APIs”) of the tracing utility, a client may control tracing behavior to setup in-memory data structures for storing trace records that record the program's history of execution or to alter the granularity of execution history being traced. The trace behavior can be modified during the life of a program by using the APIs, either dynamically when the program assumes certain states, or through remote procedure calls issued by, for example, an external interface. Programs are instrumented with these APIs to record the history of execution, which during execution of the program is stored in circular in-memory buffers.
US07770151B2

Deployment descriptor files are generated for automation of installation and integration of computing system solution components by associating configurable behavioral models with a system solution design, configuring instantiations of the models to contain behavioral parameters, and, responsive to a user defining a connection between two model instances, displaying an intelligence form according to an expertise level of the user, receiving user inputs establishing configuration and option parameters for the connected model instances, saving the configuration and option parameters in a sub-template that defines the interface between the model instances in the system solution design, generating deployment descriptors by extracting the behavioral and configuration parameters from each sub-template, and packaging the configured behavioral model instances and deployment descriptor files into an application package for automatic deployment.
US07770150B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for scoped management of software objects. The apparatus includes a receive module, an establish module, and a control module. The receive module receives a request to access a scoped resource. The establish module establishes access to the scoped resource accessible by a plurality of independent objects based on a specified scoping scheme. The control module controls access to the scoped resource in accordance with the specified scoping scheme. Additionally, the apparatus may provide an API for a scoping service. The apparatus, system, and method reduce errors and unexpected results in modular software design in a J2EE software environment as well as other software environments in which modular software design is used.
US07770146B2

A method is provided for providing one or more services by a service provider to a service consumer. The method may include defining a meta-model describing at least one core service and at least one compound service; creating a model for the core service based on the meta-model; and implementing the core service on the service provider based on the model. The method may also include implementing the compound service on the service provider and implementing a generic access interface on the service consumer to dynamically access the core service and the compound service.
US07770144B2

Disclosed herein is an ASIC having a base array of function blocks. Each function block includes a plurality of primitive cells. Each primitive cell is defined by a component from a standard cell library. The base array is prefabricated for use later with a custom circuit design.
US07770137B2

Provided are methods, systems, and computer program products for enhancing presence services. Such methods may include associating, in a database, a custom icon associated with a third party and a region and communicating a user presence in the associated region by transmitting a custom icon to a subscriber. Such systems may include a presence server configured to determine and communicate, to a subscriber, presence information corresponding to a user mobile device and an icon server configured to associate and store presence information of a third party and a custom icon corresponding to the third party, to modify the custom icon responsive to received data indicative of opinion data corresponding to the third party, and to transmit the custom icon to the user mobile device and to the subscriber.
US07770134B2

Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between session in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, restart certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.
US07770132B2

A display device which displays a plurality of objects on a screen has a group configuration storage section for storing association information indicating the association between each of the plurality of objects and one of a plurality of groups, a group priority level storage section for storing group display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying each of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the objects associated with the other groups, an object priority level storage section for storing object display priority levels which are priority levels for displaying one of the objects associated with one of the groups at the front of the others, an object priority level changing section for changing the object display priority level while the association information is maintained, and a display section for displaying the plurality of objects according to the group display priority levels and the object display priority levels.
US07770128B2

A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for compensating for cognitive load in jumping back. In one embodiment, the method comprises serially displaying a sequence of page images; receiving a user input to stop sequencing through the page images; determining a location of a page image in the sequence of page images representing a point at which the user intended to stop in the sequence of page images but for display speed of the sequence of images and user reaction time in providing an indication of the point at which the user intended to stop, the location being selected based on the image display rate and the reaction time associated with the user; and automatically jumping back to the page image at the location in the sequence of page images.
US07770124B2

Functionality and corresponding procedures are described for building a management system. The management system provides description language content (such as markup language content) which describes different aspects of the management system in a declarative manner. The management system also includes generic resource content for performing various general purpose tasks that can be applied to different applications of the management system. The management system provides a specific management-related service by combining the description language content with the generic resource content. In other words, the description language content effectively tailors the generic code content to provide the management-related service. One aspect of the description language content governs a manner of populating management information to be presented by the management system. Another aspect of the description language content governs a manner of displaying the retrieved management information to a user. Another aspect of the description language content governs a manner whereby the user can interact with displayed management information.
US07770118B2

System and method that provides audible feedback through a speaker of a handheld electronic device having a full alphabetic keyboard upon actuation of a navigation tool. The audible feedback produced by the speaker is capable of being modified based upon the location, speed, and other characteristics of the movement of a cursor on the display of a handheld electronic device. The sound produced by the speaker can originate from an audio file stored or otherwise available on the handheld electronic device.
US07770117B1

A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium are provided that in an embodiment morph between two graphical views of related content that share a common frame of reference. In an embodiment, the two views depict the same data at different resolutions. The morphing permits the viewer to visualize the relationship between the two views along a common axis or within a common frame of reference. In another embodiment, the two views may be a clip view and a timeline view. In the clip view, icons representing clips are the same size. In the timeline view, icons representing clips have a size proportional to the time of the clip when played. A virtual playhead icon is maintained in the same relative position in both views, so that a user's focus is maintained.
US07770115B2

A system and method are disclosed for controlling presentations and videoconference using hand motions. A camera captures video of an area relative to content displayed on a display device from a content source. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the content source, the display device, and the camera. The control unit receives captured video from the camera. The control unit detects a hand motion by a presenter that occurs within the captured video and determines the location within the captured video of at least one control for controlling the presentation or videoconference. The control unit determines if the detected hand motion occurs within the determined location of the at least one control, and the control unit controls the content source based on the determined control.
US07770108B2

An apparatus and method for enabling composite style sheet application to multi-part electronic documents is provided. The apparatus and method identify content of a requested electronic document and determine subset style sheets that correspond to the identified content. Certain ones of these subset style sheets are selected based on, for example, requesting device characteristics, for use in generating a composite style sheet. The selected subset style sheets are then merged with a global style sheet to generate a composite style sheet that may be applied to the electronic document for proper presentation on a requesting device.
US07770104B2

A method for touch tone voice internet service includes the steps of remotely retrieving a document including HTML tags, converting selected text in the document to speech, and enumerating links in the text document. The method further includes the steps of accepting touch tone input to designate one of the links as a selected link, and retrieving a second document specified by the selected link. As an example, the document may be a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) document or an email message.
US07770103B2

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for capturing data of a predefined type from a user. The techniques include sending a markup language page to a browser on a client; interpreting the markup language page by the browser to receive data from the user in a transfer format; transferring the data in the transfer format to an object on a server; storing the data by the object in the transfer format; converting the data from the transfer format to a process format by the object; checking the compliance of the data with a predefined rule by the object; and if the data complies with the predefined rule, forwarding the data in the process format by the object to the application; else, resending the markup language page to the browser with the data in the transfer format.
US07770102B1

A method for recognizing strings and annotating, or labeling, the strings with a type label. After the strings are annotated with a type label, application program modules may use the type label to provide users with a choice of actions. If the user's computer does not have any actions associated with a type label, the user may be provided with the option to surf to a download Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and download action plug-ins for that type label. One or more recognizer plug-ins perform the recognition of particular strings in an electronic document. The recognizer plug-ins may be packaged with an application program module or they may be written by third parties to recognize particular strings that are of interest. One or more action plug-ins provide possible actions to be presented to the user based upon the type label associated with the string.
US07770099B2

A system and method for presenting document records to a user through a display interface, comprising means for processing data of the first type through a first applet and data of the second type through a second applet and separately extracting data of the two different types using the separate applets. The user interface provides means for selecting a data file from a plurality of data files, displaying the merged and formatted processed first and second data, and managing a plurality of data files with the host application. Each record on the list may be individually selected, comprising providing at least two distinct categorization inputs from the user, providing an indicia in the record list to indicate a respective record classification, and providing means for selectively processing the records according to a respective classification thereof. The data file employs a standard image format file with an embedded index pointer to segregate two data types. A first data type, preferably an image, is referenced by the index pointer and is located near the terminus of the file. A second data type, for example text, appears immediately after the file header which includes the index pointer, and preferably terminates with an end of file marker. Thus, the single file may be read by both a standard image file reader, and a standard text reader, without parsing or segregation. The two data types are preferably text and image data, and the data file is preferably a tagged image format file (TIFF) file with Group-4 image compression.
US07770098B2

Processing a coded signal formed so that multiple signal points, having individual signal values consonant with coded values, are arranged in accordance with a predetermined order. A signal restoration unit calculates an average value for signal values at signal points immediately preceding and following a predetermined signal point. The predetermined signal point comprises the coded signal. The signal restoration unit calculates, for selected preceding signal points, a signal value difference for the two selected signal points, and obtains first difference values. The signal restoration unit calculates, for selected following signal points, a signal value difference for the two selected signal points, and obtains second difference values. The signal restoration unit corrects the average value by employing either one or a plurality of either the first or the second, or both first and second difference values to obtain a restored value for a signal value at the predetermined signal point.
US07770097B2

The systems and methods described herein provide a redundant communication path. The systems and methods can provide a second source for the same data under many circumstances. These circumstances can include, for example, 1) when data incurs errors during transmission in the communication link network, 2) when a communication link in the communication link network experiences transient blockage, 3) when a communication link experiences prolonged or indefinite blockage, and 4) when an optical transceiver unit within the communication link network experiences a hardware failure and is unable to perform its tasks.
US07770079B2

Various embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems to scan at least a portion of a memory device for potential errors when a condition for scanning is met. The condition may be dependent on one or more of a number of read operations, a number of write operations, time, and others. Other embodiments including additional methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.
US07770075B2

A computer system for performing error monitoring of partitions. A partition status buffer (PSB) denotes a status (GOOD, BAD, NOCARE) of each partition of at least two partitions. The BAD status denotes that the partition has encountered at least one error that is currently unrepaired. A global supervisor mapping (GSM) associates each partition (designated as a supervised partition) with a supervisor partition in a one-to-one mapping. The supervisor partition determines its supervised partition from the GSM and ascertains the status of its supervised partition from the PSB. If the status of the supervised partition is BAD then the supervisor partition performs a recovery procedure. The recovery procedure: obtains a grant of access to physical and logical resources of the supervised partition which contains error data of the supervised partition; gathers the error data; sets the status of the supervised partition to the NOCARE status.
US07770071B2

One aspect can include determining that at least one mote device is operating outside normal operational parameters and should be serviced, and determining at least partially using the at least one mote device that is operationally located within a mote network is not meeting a goal of the at least one mote device with respect to the mote network and should be serviced. Another aspect can include determining that at least one mote device should undergo routine servicing and configuring the at least one mote device to indicate the at least one mote device should undergo the routine servicing.
US07770060B2

A method is described for writing an optical disc (2) having a multi-layered storage space (30) comprising at least a first storage layer (31) and a second storage layer (32) below the first layer (31). The method comprises the step of preventing a write operation to a portion of the second storage layer (32) located below a maiden portion of said first storage layer (31). In one embodiment, all blocks (40) which are physically located in the second storage layer (32) are incorporated in a defect list (DL) until a sufficiently large portion of the first storage layer (31) has been written at least once. In another embodiment, all blocks (40) which are physically located in the second storage layer (32) are covered by a system file with a predetermined name (“DUMMY”) until a sufficiently large portion of the first storage layer (31) has been written at least once.
US07770058B2

Systems and processes include a disaster recovery system for a production site. The disaster recovery site may include replications of at least a portion of information and/or applications from the production site. Requests for the production site may be redirected to the disaster recovery site according, as appropriate. The disaster recovery site may be tested while without substantially inhibiting operation of the production site
US07770049B1

Clock skew may be detected measured and compensated for using phase detectors and variable delay adjusters. Phase detectors may be distributed throughout a clock distribution network and may be configured to analyze two clock signals to determine how often one signal leads the other. The output of the phase detectors may be measured and counted over a large number of clock cycles. The difference between the number of times one signal leads or lags behind the other may be used to determine the amount of delay to apply to the leading clock signal in order to minimize (reduce) skew between the two clock signals. The same techniques for detecting and measuring clock skew may also be used to detect and measure jitter in the clock signals. By configuring variable delay adjusters on clock signals, the amount of jitter in the clock signals can be measured or characterized.
US07770043B2

A data processing device includes (a) a display unit, (b) a light-emitting unit which illuminates the display unit, (c) a communication unit which makes radio communication with other data processing devices, (d) a detector which detects whether the communication unit is in operation or not, and (e) a controller which limits a current to be supplied to the light-emitting unit in accordance with transmission power consumed in radio communication carried out by the communication unit, when the detector has detected that the communication unit is in operation.
US07770038B2

The present invention relates to a power control apparatus and method for preventing a system from being repeatedly booted and shut off by re-setting a cut-off voltage when the system is shut down by a cutoff mode. The power control apparatus of a terminal device according to the present invention comprises a power controller 30 for controlling power supplied from a battery 10 to the terminal device; and a memory 60 for storing a cutoff voltage value for shutting down a system if a voltage of the battery 10 is lower than a reference value, wherein the power controller 30 sets a flag when the system is shut down by a cutoff mode. When the system is rebooted, it is determined whether to drive the system based on an additional cutoff voltage, if the flag is set. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the system from being shut down by the cutoff mode after it has been driven. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the life span of the battery can be extended and the charging time of the battery can be saved.
US07770032B2

A method for protecting sensitive data in an entry of a log file for later audit, which includes encrypting the sensitive data in the log entry by using a random cryptographic key for each auditor authorized to access the log entry, encrypting the random cryptographic key by using an auditor's personal cryptographic key, and for each auditor not authorized to access the log entry, encrypting a fake cryptographic key having the same properties as the random cryptographic key by using an auditor's personal cryptographic key.
US07770029B2

Software protection using data structures is described. In one implementation, an engine between the processor and the memory of a computing device encrypts and stores data and program variables in blocks of memory that correspond to nodes of a tree-like data structure. When accessed, the nodes of this search tree are rearranged according to various schemata to obscure memory access patterns from being detected by cache attacks or side-channel attacks. In one implementation, the data structure is a splay tree that self-rearranges upon access and increases efficiency while providing security.
US07770028B2

Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.
US07770025B2

A device for presenting content to a user is utilized in combination with a general purpose computer. The computer has a processor, a computer communications interface, a computer memory and an operating system. The operating system has one or more file management tools. The device has a housing, a device communications interface and a device memory. The device memory comprises a boot partition which includes boot software. The boot software is copied from the device into the computer memory and is executed from the computer memory by the processor. The device memory also comprises a secure partition inaccessible by the file management tools and having content stored thereon. The device memory also comprises content delivery software, which is copied to the computer memory, and when executed by the processor from the computer memory can access the content from the secure partition and present it to the user as sensory data.
US07770006B2

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that authorizes a sensitive database operation. During operation, the system receives a request to perform a sensitive database operation. Note that, a sensitive database operation is an operation which, in the hands of a malicious user, poses a serious security threat. Next, the system determines a multiparty authorization requirement for the sensitive database operation, wherein the multiparty authorization requirement specifies a set of approvals required for authorizing the sensitive database operation. The system then sends approval requests to one or more approving parties based on the multiparty authorization requirement. Next, the system receives approvals for authorizing the sensitive database operation. The system then determines whether the approvals satisfy the multiparty authorization requirement. Next, if the approvals satisfy the multiparty authorization requirement, the system authorizes the sensitive database operation, thereby allowing the database to perform the sensitive database operation.
US07770002B2

Methods and devices are provided for two-way authentication. In one example, a method prompts a user for an account number and a PIN. Upon authentication of the account number and the PIN, an e-mail having a link to a new session is sent to the user. If the account number and the PIN were authenticated, a custom background preselected by the user is presented in the new session and a password is requested. Use of the custom background preselected by the user may help the user authenticate the computer system to which he is attempting to gain entry. Upon authentication of the password, entry to a computer system is permitted. To provide optional, enhanced anti-phishing capability, if the account number and the PIN were not authenticated, the an indication may be made that the e-mail message is being sent.
US07769998B2

A method, apparatus, and system are provided for authenticating and authorizing user access to a system. According to one embodiment, a request for authentication and authorization of a user is received from a secondary site on behalf of the user who is seeking to access a primary site via the secondary site via a computer network. The request includes information relating to the user. The user information is then verified for authenticity, including determining whether the user satisfies the criteria for obtaining authentication and authorization as defined by the primary site. If the criteria are satisfied, a token, associated with the user, is generated at the primary site. A portion of the token is transmitted from the primary site to the secondary site on behalf of the user to permit the user to access the primary site via the secondary site, via the computer network.
US07769963B1

A system has a read command signal that includes an Address field, Byte Data field, and Starting Address field. If the tag data read from the memory address identified by the Address field is the same as the Byte Data, the tag sends a response signal with Page Data read from the memory location identified by the Starting Address field and the tag ID. A write command signal includes an Address field, Byte Data field, Starting Address field, and Page Data field. If the tag data is the same as the Byte Data, the tag writes the data from the Page Data field to the memory location identified by the Starting Address field. Accordingly, data is read from and written to the tags in a single step, and the reader need not wait for the tag to respond with a tag ID before requesting that data be read from or written to that tag.
US07769947B2

Disclosed herein are methods that may be implemented in a mobile computer system. An exemplary method may include initiating a split of a storage volume of the mobile computer system. The storage volume may comply with a fault tolerant storage technology. Suitable technologies include, but are not limited to, those based on Redundant Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks (RAID). In one aspect, the initiation of the split of the storage volume may be based, at least in part, on power availability. Then, a reduction of a power consuming state of a first storage device of the volume may be initiated.
US07769944B2

A flash memory system includes a multi level cell (MLC) flash memory organized into blocks and having pages of information, which has data and spare. The MLC flash memory includes at least a temporary area to store at least a portion of a page of information during a partial write operation. The MLC flash memory stores a page of information into a block identified by a target physical address. The flash memory system further includes a flash card micro-controller causes communication between a host flash card controller and the MLC flash memory and includes a buffer memory configured to store a portion of a page of information, where the micro-controller writes the at least a portion of a page of information to the temporary area and later copies the written at least a portion of a page of information into the block identified by a target physical address.
US07769940B2

In some embodiments, a switching device is configured to couple a first computer to a first peripheral device and one or more second peripheral devices. The switching device is further configured to couple a second computer to a third peripheral device and the one or more second peripheral devices. The switching device includes: (a) a switch configured to couple to the one or more second peripheral devices; (b) a first hub including: (1) a first upstream port configured to couple to the first computer; (2) a first downstream port configured to couple to the first peripheral device; and (3) at least one second downstream port coupled to the switch; (c) a second hub including: (1) a first upstream port configured to couple to the second computer; (2) a first downstream port configured to couple to the third peripheral device; and (3) at least one second downstream port coupled to the switch. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.
US07769938B2

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes processor selection logic to receive logical destination identification numbers that are associated with interrupts each having a processor cluster identification number to identify a cluster of processors to which the interrupts are directed. The logical destination identification numbers are each to identify which processors within the identified cluster of processors are available to receive the corresponding one of interrupts. The processor selection logic is to select one of the available processors to receive the interrupt, and the selected one of the available processors is identified through a relative position of a corresponding bit in the logical destination identification numbers. Other embodiments are described.
US07769937B2

A data processing system includes a first interrupt controller with an interrupt source interface, an interrupt controller interface, a prioritizer, and an interrupt controller output. The data processing system further includes a processing unit providing an interrupt controller interface. Interrupt requests generated by a first plurality of interrupt sources, a second selected interrupt request, a second priority signal, and a second interrupt source index signal generated by a second interrupt controller are received by the first interrupt controller. From the plurality of interrupt requests and the second selected interrupt request, a first single interrupt request is selected and transmitted to the processing unit along with a first priority signal, and a first index signal. The processing unit initiates an appropriate interrupt service routine on the basis of said first index signal.
US07769936B2

A data processing apparatus and method are provided for arbitrating between messages routed over a communication channel. The data processing apparatus has a plurality of processing elements, each processing element executing a process requiring messages to be issued to recipient elements, and a communication channel shared amongst those processing elements over which the messages are routed. Arbitration circuitry performs an arbitration process to arbitrate between multiple messages routed over the communication channel. Each processing element issues progress data for the process executing on that processing element, the progress data indicating latency implications for the process. Arbitration control circuitry is then responsive to the progress data from each processing element to perform a priority ordering process taking into account the latency implications of each process as indicated by the progress data in order to generate priority ordering data. That priority ordering data is then output to the arbitration circuitry in order to control the arbitration process. This enables quality of service to be determined and allocated automatically between the various processes, without the need to know the requirements of the processes in advance, and the prioritization mechanism adapts dynamically to changes in communication between the processes.
US07769935B2

A master includes a unit configured to register, for each slave, an expected communication time needed to exchange control data; a unit configured to register a slave in which a communication error is detected during exchange of the control data in a communication period; and a unit configured to re-execute exchange of the control data with the registered slave in the same communication period as that in which the communication error is detected. The unit configured to re-execute exchange of control data calculates a remaining resending time that can be used to re-execute exchange of the control data and, when the remaining resending time is longer than the expected communication time of the registered slave, resends the control data.
US07769931B1

The capacity of a data storage management system may be increased with disclosed methods and systems. One method may increase the capacity of a data storage management system that polls a plurality of monitored elements in a data storage environment. The method includes creating a flag for a poll request and associating a first value for the flag with a first subset of the plurality of monitored elements. The method further includes interpreting a first poll request that includes the first value for the flag as directed to the first subset and interpreting a second poll request that does not include the first value for the flag as not directed to the first subset.
US07769926B2

A method for providing a buffer status report in a mobile communication network is implemented between a base station and a user equipment. When data arrives to buffers of the user equipment and the priority of a logical channel for the data is higher than those of other logical channels for existing data in the buffers, a short buffer status report associated with the buffer of a logical channel group corresponding to the arrival data is triggered. The user equipment is based on obtained resources allocated by the base station to fill all data of the buffer of the logical channel group in a Protocol Data Unit. If all data of the buffer of the logical channel group corresponding to the arrival data can be completely filled in the Protocol Data Unit, the short buffer status report is canceled. Otherwise, the user equipment transmits the short buffer status report.
US07769916B2

Disclosed herein is a semiconductor storage device operable in a plurality of operation modes each having a separate maximum current consumption. The device includes: a data communication section configured to be capable of performing data communication in a plurality of communication modes; an attribute information storage section configured to store attribute information indicating the operation and communication modes; and a mode setting section configured to set the device to one of the operation modes and one of the communication modes. The data communication section transmits, to an electronic apparatus to which the device is attached, the information and receives from the apparatus a mode setting command for directing that the device be set to a combination of an operation mode and a communication mode selected from among the information. In accordance therewith, the mode setting section sets the device to the selected combination of modes.
US07769906B2

A FlexRay communication module for coupling a FlexRay communication connection to a subscriber, associated with the FlexRay communication module, in a FlexRay network over which messages are transferred, the FlexRay communication module including a first assemblage for storing at least a portion of the transferred messages, and a second assemblage for connecting the first assemblage to the subscriber, and a third assemblage for connecting the FlexRay communication connection to the first assemblage.
US07769905B1

A method for receiving network communication at a host is provided. The host has a network interface card (NIC) for receiving the network communication from a network. Data is requested through an application. A set of buffers (e.g., A, B, C, . . . ) is posted to system memory. Information regarding the set of buffers is passed to an adaptation layer. The adaptation layer is interposed between a socket layer and a transport layer of the protocol stack. The set of buffers identified in the adaptation layer is assigned expected sequence numbers (e.g., SN1, SN2, SN3 . . . ) for a sequence of incoming data (e.g., S1, S2, S3, . . . ). The adaptation layer reshuffles data of the sequence of incoming data to the set of buffers according to the expected sequence numbers. The expected sequence numbers are consecutively ordered to ensure that the sequence of incoming data in the ordered sequence is placed to the set of buffers according to the expected sequence numbers.
US07769903B2

Improved techniques for interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player are disclosed. According to one aspect, interaction between a host computer and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host computer, can be restricted. According to another aspect, management of media items residing on a media player can be performed at and by a host computer for the media player. According to still another aspect, media content can be played by a media player in accordance with quality settings established for the media content at the host computer.
US07769902B2

A network comprises a plurality of interconnected switches that implement a topology database synchronization technique in which each switch determines whether its topology database has already been transmitted to a neighboring switch when a new link is formed to the neighboring switch. When a new electrical connection is detected, the local switch determines whether any of its other ports have already been connected to the same neighboring switch. If no other port on the local switch has been connected to the neighboring switch, the local switch transmits its topology database to the neighboring switch. If the local switch determines that it has already been connected to the neighboring switch via another one of its ports, the local switch does not yet again copy of the database to the neighboring switch. Also, link state record updates are propagated via only one inter-switch link to a neighboring switch, not all possible links.
US07769893B2

An integrated circuit is provided comprising a plurality of master and slave modules and a network arranged for transferring messages between the modules, wherein a message issued by a master module comprises first information indicative for a location of a slave (addressed) module within the network, and second information indicative for a location within the addressed module. The integrated circuit further comprises at least one address translation means for arranging the first and the second information as a single address. The address translation means is adapted to determine which slave module is being addressed based on the single address, and the selected location of the slave (addressed) module is determined based on the single address. Accordingly, use of an address translation means for address mapping allows the design of the master modules to be implemented independent of address mapping.
US07769888B2

A method and system for providing a network and routing protocol for utility services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises discovering a utility network, wherein a utility device (for example, a constant powered meter) sends network discovery messages to find the utility network. Neighboring meters are discovered and the device listens for advertised routes for one or more networks from the neighbors. The device is then registered with one or more utility networks, receiving a unique address for each network registration. Also illustrated in this invention disclosure is how each device of a class of devices (for example, battery powered meter) finds and associates itself with another device (for example, constant powered meter). The constant powered meter also registers its associate battery powered meter with the utility networks. The constant powered meter registers itself with the access points and the upstream nodes in the path out of each network. Each upstream node can independently make forwarding decisions on both upstream and downstream packets i.e. choose the next hop according to the best information available to it. The constant powered meter can sense transient link problems, outage problems, and traffic characteristics. It uses the information to find the best route out of and within each network. Each network device thus maintains multi-egress, multi-ingress network routing options both for itself and the device(s) associated with it.
US07769882B1

A method of operating a bandwidth projection system comprises receiving a historical dataset associated with a customer wherein the historical dataset indicates bandwidth usage during a historical time period, processing the historical dataset with a plurality of model applications to generate a plurality of bandwidth models based on the historical dataset, selecting a one model from the plurality of models based on a comparison to the historical dataset, generating a bandwidth projection using the one model wherein the bandwidth projection indicates a bandwidth usage during a future time period, and transferring the bandwidth projection to the customer.
US07769874B2

A file transport mechanism according to the invention is responsible for accepting, storing and distributing files, such as configuration or control files, to a large number of field machines. The mechanism is comprised of a set of servers that accept, store and maintain submitted files. The file transport mechanism implements a distributed agreement protocol based on “vector exchange.” A vector exchange is a knowledge-based algorithm that works by passing around to potential participants a commitment bit vector. A participant that observes a quorum of commit bits in a vector assumes agreement. Servers use vector exchange to achieve consensus on file submissions. Once a server learns of an agreement, it persistently marks (in a local data store) the request as “agreed.” Once the submission is agreed, the server can stage the new file for download.
US07769869B2

The present invention is related to a method for establishing via an appliance a transport layer protocol connection initiated by a server on a first network to a client connected from a second network to the first network via a secure socket layer virtual private network (SSL VPN) connection. The method includes the step of receiving, by an appliance, a transport layer connection request from a server on a first network to connect to a client connected to the first network via a SSL VPN connection from a second network. The transport layer connection request identifies a client destination internet protocol address and a client destination port on the first network. The method includes establishing, by the appliance, a first transport layer connection to the server on the first network, determining, by the appliance, the client on the second network associated with the client destination internet protocol address on the first network, and transmitting, by the appliance, connection information identifying the client destination port to an agent on the client. The agent establishes a second transport layer connection to the client destination port using a local internet protocol address of the client on the second network and establishes a third transport layer connection to the appliance, which it associates with the second transport layer connection.
US07769864B2

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for adapting processing in a distributed computing system based on automatically detected changes caused by virtualization. In one aspect, the computer-implemented method includes detecting whether one or more changes occur at a cluster of a distributed computing system. The one or more changes may be caused by a virtualization system. Moreover, the one or more changes may correspond to at least one of a quantity of processors at the cluster, a quantity of memory at the cluster, a quantity of bandwidth among nodes of the cluster, and a storage speed. The cluster may be adapted based on the detected changes. Related apparatus, systems, methods, and articles are also described.
US07769858B2

A method for increasing the capacity of a connection table in a firewall accelerator by means of mapping packets in one session with some common security actions into one table entry. For each of five Network Address Translation (NAT) configurations, a hash function is specified. The hash function takes into account which of four possible arrival types a packet at a firewall accelerator may have. When different arrival types of packets in the same session are processed, two or more arrival types may have the same hash value.
US07769856B2

A method or device may optimize applications on a parallel computing system. Environment variables data may be used as well as a test kernel of an application to optimize communication protocol performance according to a set of predefined tuning rules. The tuning rules may specify the output parameters to be optimized, and may include a ranking or hierarchy of such output parameters. Optimization may be achieved through use of a tuning unit, which may execute the test kernel on the parallel computing system, and may monitor the output parameters for a series of input parameters. The input parameters may be varied over a range of values and combinations. Input parameters corresponding to optimized output parameters may be stored for future use. This information may be used to adjust the application's communication protocol performance “on the fly” by changing the input parameters for a given usage scenario.
US07769855B2

A communication device (B) for a communication network with an IP control plane, comprises communication resources to transfer data in said network, a signaling controller capable of receiving an open connection message comprising a first traffic descriptor (11) for a down data flow to be transmitted by an initiator node (A) to a terminator node (C) and a second traffic descriptor (12) for an up data flow to be transmitted by the terminator node from the initiator node, and an admission controller capable of evaluating communication resources of the communication device available for said down flow and said up flow as a function of the first and second traffic descriptors, said signaling controller being capable of producing an updated open connection message as a function of said received open connection message and said available communication resources.
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