US07787066B2

A display panel including a first capacitor and a second capacitor is disclosed. The first and second capacitors boost a second driving voltage from a driving chip and apply the boosted second driving voltage to the driving chip. The driving chip receives the boosted second driving voltage and outputs a first driving voltage to drive the display panel. Thus, the display panel does not require any additional capacitor for boosting the second driving voltage, thereby reducing a thickness and a manufacturing cost of the display panel.
US07787065B2

A liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal panel including first and second substrates bonded to each other with a liquid crystal layer positioned therebetween, and the photosensor, formed on the second substrate, for sensing an external light from the surroundings, wherein the photosensor includes a semiconductor layer formed on the second substrate and provided with n+-type ion implantation region, ion non-implantation region and lightly doped region; an insulation film, formed on the second substrate, for covering the semiconductor layer; a passivation film, formed on the second substrate, for covering the insulation film; a first contact hole passing through the insulation film and the passivation film, to expose source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer; source and drain electrodes connected with the source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer through the first contact hole; an ion implanting prevention film formed on the insulation film and overlapped with the ion non-implantation region; and a second contact hole passing through the passivation film and the ion implanting prevention film above the ion non-implantation region, so as to provide the external light to the ion non-implantation region.
US07787064B2

Provided is an automatic holographic display device including: a first liquid crystal panel, a second liquid crystal panel disposed below the first liquid crystal panel, and a backlight that is disposed below the second liquid crystal panel and emits light, wherein the second liquid crystal panel comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal panel in which a barrier region and a slit region are alternately arranged according to an applied electric field, a first phase difference plate disposed above the cholesteric liquid crystal panel, and a second phase difference plate disposed below the cholesteric liquid crystal panel, wherein the backlight comprises a reflection plate that reflects light. The automatic holographic display device includes a modulated cholesteric liquid crystal panel and a phase difference plate, and thus mutual conversion between 2D flat images and 3D holographic images can be easy, the process of manufacturing the device can be simplified, and the manufacturing costs can be decreased. In addition, an automatic holographic display device in which optical transmittance can be improved by the modulated cholesteric liquid crystal panel and the phase difference plates, and luminance reduction that commonly occurs using a parallax barrier method can be prevented is provided.
US07787062B2

A circuit for adjusting image is adapted for rear projection display. The circuit for adjusting image includes a parameter input unit, a data buffer unit, and a geometry transfer unit. The parameter input unit is used to provide a vertical and a horizontal axis amendment parameters. The data buffer unit couples the parameter input unit to buffer the vertical axis amendment parameter and the horizontal axis amendment parameter. The geometry transfer unit is used to receive input frame data with a plurality of pixels, and then every pixel's vertical axis coordinates multiply the vertical axis amendment parameter to transfer every pixel to a new vertical axis coordinate, and every pixel's horizontal axis coordinates multiply the horizontal axis amendment parameter to transfer every pixel to a new horizontal axis coordinate. Finally, the transferred new vertical and horizontal axis coordinates are transmitted to a display for displaying images for users to watch.
US07787053B2

A VSB reception system includes a sequence generator for decoding a symbol corresponding to the supplemental data and generating a predefined sequence included in the supplemental data at VSB transmission system. The reception system also includes a modified legacy VSB receiver for processing the data received from the VSB transmission system in a reverse order of the VSB transmission system by using the sequence, and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the data from the modified legacy VSB receiver into the MPEG data and the supplemental data. The VSB reception system also includes a supplemental data processor for processing the supplemental data segment from the demultiplexer in a reverse order of the transmission system, to obtain the supplemental data, thereby carrying out the slicer prediction, decoding, and symbol decision more accurately by using the predefined sequence, to improve a performance.
US07787047B2

According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a resolution increasing module and a moving-image improving module. The resolution increasing module performs, on receipt of a first video signal with first resolution, super resolution conversion on the first video signal to obtain a second video signal with second resolution that is higher than the first resolution by estimating an original pixel value from the first video signal and increasing pixels. The resolution increasing module also performs first correction on the second video signal obtained by the super resolution conversion. The moving-image improving module configured to perform, on the second video signal subjected to the first correction, second correction except for a correction process included in the first correction.
US07787040B2

An image-taking apparatus according to the present invention is constituted to have a wiring structure of transfer electrodes matching with a color filter arrangement and exert vertical transfer control over signal charges so as to transfer the signal charges read from pixels in the same color to the same horizontal transfer route. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the pixel of an image-taking device includes an odd-numbered electrode readout gate and an even-numbered electrode readout gate so that it allows control to read the charges to either of vertical transfer routes adjacent to the right and left of the pixel. It can be constituted so that one of the right and left vertical transfer routes transfers the charges to the first horizontal transfer route and the other transfers them to the second horizontal transfer route.
US07787031B2

An optical filter which can remove dust stuck to the incidence surface of incidence of light and reduce the mounting space. A filter body is adapted to have predetermined transmittivity as well as a piezoelectric characteristic. At least two electrodes are formed on the filter body. A drive voltage is applied between the at least two electrodes to vibrate the filter body.
US07787028B2

A composite image output/delivery apparatus for (10) adding to a picked-up scene image a corresponding animation image and outputting/delivering a resulting composite image without adding a fixed animation image simply to the picked-up scene image. When an object image is extracted from the picked-up scene image received via an image input unit (17), any specified type of character image corresponding to the scene image is selected from an appropriate one of a character 1 “memory (12)e, a character 3 “cat” pose image memory (12f). The selected type of character image replaces the object image in the picked-up scene image or adds to the scene image to thereby provide and display a resulting composite image. That is, by replacing the object image with an animation image similar in pose to the object image or by adding the animation image to the scene image, a very delightful picked-up image with an animation is easily created without adding a fixed animation image simply to an image pickup framerabbit” pose image memory (12d), a character 2 “bear” pose image.
US07787027B2

An electronic camera is capable of recording image, voice, text, line-drawn information and the like. A release switch in the electronic camera is operated to photograph a subject image. When recording voice with the electronic camera, shutter sound effects are not output with the recorded voice. Further, the photographic operation can be indicated to the user by lighting a light-emitting diode in a finder when the release switch is operated.
US07787023B2

By setting an area for displaying OSD data, a high-intensity part of this area is highlighted and an area which is not to be highlighted is set. Also, by performing translucent display of the OSD data and natural-image data, an area which is not to be highlighted can be set.
US07787021B2

This invention is a programmable image pipe processing architecture that offers full software flexibility to implement latest and greatest algorithms at fully hardwired performance levels. This invention achieves hardwired image pipe processing performance but offers full flexibility and programmability of software achieving the best of both hardwired and software image pipes processing.
US07787020B2

There is disclosed a digital camera in which an aperture value is regulated between the open aperture value and a predetermined aperture value during acquisition of a movie image. The predetermined aperture value can be determined based on a range of a luminous flux for use in focal detection. The predetermined aperture value can be set, for example, such that the range between the open aperture value and the predetermined aperture value is suitable for a focal detecting operation.
US07786989B2

The present invention provides an electronic circuit, a method of driving the electronic circuit, an electro-optical device, a method of driving the electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus capable of improving yield or aperture ratio by reducing the number of transistors to be used. A pixel circuit can include a driving transistor, a transistor, a switching transistor, and a holding capacitor. Furthermore, a driving-voltage supplying transistor is connected between a first power source line, which supplies a driving voltage to drive the driving transistor, and a voltage supply line extending in a row in the direction of the pixel circuits provided at the right end side of an active matrix part.
US07786977B2

A position input device is provided which includes a sensor portion having a detection face, an operation element movable along the detection face of the sensor portion, and a position detection unit which detects the position of the operation element on the detection face. According to additional embodiments, the position input device includes a lid covering the detection face. The lid is movable between opened and closed states, and integrally supports the operation element so as to move integrally with the lid when the lid is opened and closed. A remote control device including the position input device and a wireless transmission unit are also provided. Also provided are computer systems and electronic devices.
US07786974B2

In a first display mode, only the information in a first sub-area (W1) of the display screen of a bi-stable matrix display (100) has to be updated. In a second display mode, the information in a second sub-area (W2) of the display screen has to be updated. The information in the first sub-area (W1) is displayed using optical states which require first drive voltage waveforms (DV1) having a maximum duration equal to a first image update period (IUP1). The information in the second area (W2) is displayed using optical states which require second drive voltage waveforms (DV2) having a maximum duration equal to a second image update period (IUP2). The optical states allowed to be used during the first mode are selected to obtain a first image update period (IUP1) which is shorter than the second image update period (IUP2). In this manner, the refresh rate of the information in the first area (W1) is higher than the refresh rate in the second area (W2).
US07786973B2

A region-based image display device includes a backlight module, a separating unit, a signal-processing unit, and a modulation unit. The backlight module includes several backlight regions. Each backlight region includes an adjustable luminance unit. Each luminance unit has a basis luminance value. The separating unit separates an input image signal into several image region signals corresponding to the backlight regions. The signal-processing unit transforms the image region signals into several output image signals. The modulation unit adjusts the basis luminance values to output luminance values according to the image region signals. Each basis luminance value and the corresponding image region signal on the one hand, and the corresponding output luminance value and output image signal, on the other hand, cooperatively define substantially the same chromaticity and brightness.
US07786969B2

In an OCB liquid crystal display device, a gradation voltage of a video signal is set to be lower than a black display optimum voltage, and a reverse transition prevention voltage is set to be higher than the black display optimum voltage and to be lower than a maximum applied voltage, and as the gradation voltage of the video signal becomes low, the reverse transition prevention voltage is set to be high.
US07786965B2

One picture element of a liquid crystal panel is divided into a region I where a cell gap is set to 4 μm and a region II where a transparent insulating film is formed and a cell gap is set to 2 μm. In the region I, there occurs a phenomenon (overshoot) that, when a voltage is applied, luminance becomes high immediately before an alignment of liquid crystal molecules becomes stable, and in the region II, no overshoot occurs. Response characteristics of an entire picture element are those obtained by synthesizing the response characteristics in these regions. Parameters such as an area ratio of the regions I and II, and cell gaps are set so that a maximum luminance value is not greater than 110% of the luminance at a stable time.
US07786963B2

A method and an apparatus for driving a display device including a histogram calculator to calculate a histogram of pixel data for an input image and a data stretching curve generator, which divides the histogram into n (n being a positive integer above 2) gray level areas to generate a data stretching curve for each gray level area of which a gradient is determined in proportion to a total number of pixel data accumulated for each of the gray level areas, and modulates the pixel data of the input image with the generated data stretching curve.
US07786962B2

A three-dimensional image/two-dimensional image display device includes a plurality of display pixels, and a lenticular lens for three-dimensional display. Each display pixel is consisted of M×N number of sub-pixels to be viewed from N view points. A pitch a of sub-pixels arranged in the longitudinal direction of ridge projection of the lenticular lens and a pitch b of the sub-pixels arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens satisfy the following expression. The M×N number of sub-pixels included in each of said display pixels are formed within a square area. a:b=N:1
US07786952B2

A host computer is provided with a main display unit and an auxiliary display unit. The host computer can free up screen space on the main display screen by routing certain types of display information to the auxiliary display unit for display. Display information can range from notification of events such as receipt of email, appointments, system messages, and information from separate applications. The auxiliary display panel may function as a user interface for audio, video, “push information”, MP3 player or become the hardware equivalent of a multimedia player. The auxiliary display panel may be integrated together with the host computer in the same physical structure or may be part of a standalone display unit that is wired or wirelessly coupled to the host computer.
US07786948B2

An array antenna with an embedded subaperture includes an array of radiator elements. The array includes a subaperture of one or a group of the radiator elements. A main receive channel is coupled to at least some of the radiator elements by a feed network. An RF power dividing network is connected in a signal path between the subaperture and the special use receive channel, and is adapted to allow at least most of the RF energy from the subaperture to pass to the special use receiver channel while diverting a small amount of energy to the main receive channel. The array includes circuitry for introducing an amplitude taper to signals received from the array of radiator elements, so that some of the signals from the radiator elements are attenuated to achieve the amplitude taper. The circuitry in an exemplary embodiment includes the RF power dividing network, wherein the small amount of energy diverted to the main receive channel from the subaperture is substantially equal to an attenuated signal level for the subaperture to achieve an amplitude taper attenuation.
US07786944B2

A communication device (110, 210) has an antenna (150, 152, 250, 252) positioned on a multilayer substrate/printed circuit board (154, 254, 254′). A first high frequency material (116, 216) is disposed over a first side of the substrate (154, 254) characterized for low frequency devices. A conductive layer (118, 218) is patterned over the first high frequency material (116, 216), defining first and second circuit traces (122, 124, 222, 224) and first and second antenna traces (132, 134, 232, 234). The first and second antenna traces (132, 134, 232, 234) define a first slot (116, 216) in the first conductive layer (122, 222), which is aligned with a cutout (162, 262) defined by the substrate (154, 254). One of a transmitter (112, 212) and a receiver (114, 214) are disposed over the high frequency material (116, 216) and coupled to the edge emitting antenna (150, 250) by the first and second circuit traces (122, 124, 222, 224). The other of the transmitter (112) and receiver (114) may be positioned on the same or opposed side (aligned or staggered) of the substrate (254) in a similar manner. One or more layers (262), which may be patterned to provide resonant features, are formed between the substrate (254, 254′) for isolation.
US07786940B2

A capacitive-power-feeding-type radiating electrode is provided on a dielectric substrate, and the dielectric substrate is provided in a non-ground region of a circuit board. In the non-ground region of the circuit board, a ground line electrically connecting the radiating electrode with a ground electrode of the circuit board is provided. The ground line is shaped so as to have at least one turnback portion. On the ground line, a resonant-frequency adjusting element is arranged so as to shortcut a portion of the ground line. The resonant-frequency adjusting element has a capacitance or inductance so as to adjust a resonant frequency of an antenna structure to a predetermined resonant frequency.
US07786937B1

An aircraft antenna includes an aerodynamic housing structured for attachment to an outer surface of an aircraft, and the housing contains an electromagnetic radiator and tuned over a first band of frequencies to produce a first function, and a second electromagnetic radiator to produce a second function, said radiators being arranged to decouple the first radiator and the second radiator from each other.
US07786934B2

An apparatus and method for removing interference in a transmitting end of a multi-antenna system are provided. The method includes receiving channel information for all Receive (Rx) antennas; calculating a beam-forming matrix that maximizes a Signal-to-Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) for each Rx antenna by using the received channel information; calculating an integer value which is in proportion to an interference signal for each Rx antenna by using the received channel information and the calculated beam-forming matrix, and performing Dirty Paper Coding (DPC) on a Transmit (Tx) signal by using the calculated integer value; and performing beam-forming by multiplying the Tx signal that has undergone the DPC by the calculated beam-forming matrix. Accordingly, a highest data rate for each user and a highest diversity can be obtained.
US07786931B2

A mobile terminal (UE) comprises means (CR) for acquiring pseudo-random codes modulating signals received from positioning satellites (SN) in view belonging to a constellation (CS) and related to a reference time, and computation means (MC1-MC3) for determining its position received from the acquired codes and from navigation data contained in the signals. The acquisition means (CR), on receiving assistance data representing an approximate reference time and the approximate position of the terminal (UE), determine estimated positions of the satellites, estimated distances between the terminal and each of the satellites in view and associated Doppler effects as a function of pairs of hypotheses relating to the approximate reference time and the approximate position, and then determine a signal replica for each pair of hypotheses corresponding to the estimated positions and distances and to the associated Doppler effects over a selected time interval, and select the pair of hypotheses corresponding to the signal replica having the maximum correlation with the signal received during the time interval in order to determine the pseudo-random codes modulating the received signals.
US07786930B2

A global positioning system (GPS) log with low power consumption has an antenna, a GPS module, a power control module, a main control module, a power adjusting unit and a memory. The main control module is connected to the GPS module and the power control module to retrieve the computing results of the GPS module and controls the power control module to periodically provide power to the GPS module according to a predetermined and variable power providing period. The power adjusting unit is connected to the main control module, analyzes the computing results of the GPS module and assists the main control module to adjust the power providing period. Since the main control module automatically adjusts the power providing period, the GPS log does not deplete unnecessary power on the GPS module. Therefore, the power consumption of the GPS log is reduced and the GPS operates longer.
US07786923B2

An interrogator that is to be incorporated in a communication system in which each of at least one transponder is operable, upon reception of a main carrier wave transmitted from the interrogator, to respond to the interrogator with a reflected wave that is generated by modulating the main carrier wave. The interrogator includes: (a) a transmitting portion operable to transmit the main carrier wave; (b) a receiving portion operable to receive the reflected wave as a received signal; (c) at least one first frequency-converter each operable to generate an intermediate frequency signal, by multiplying the received signal with a first local signal that is generated by a first local oscillator; (d) at least one second frequency-converter each operable to generate a demodulated signal, by multiplying the intermediate frequency signal or a converted signal converted from the intermediate frequency signal, with a second local signal that is generated by a second local oscillator; and (d) a phase controller operable to control phase of the second local signal.
US07786920B2

A method for controlling a successive approximation register analog to digital converter comprising connecting a first side of a capacitor to a first comparator input, during a sampling phase connecting the first side of a capacitor to an input and connecting a second side of the capacitor to a mid-voltage, following the sampling phase disconnecting the first side of the capacitor from the input and disconnecting the second side of the capacitor from the mid-voltage and autozeroing the comparator.
US07786919B2

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise transmitting a recovered analog input signal to a programmable logic controller. The recovered analog input signal can be converted, on a downstream side of an isolation device, from a converted signal. The recovered analog input signal can have a voltage value that varies according to a frequency value of the converted signal.
US07786914B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to a time-interleaved delta-sigma modulator are described. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07786905B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for partitioning a stream of binary input data into two binary output streams for supply to respective modulation encoders in a modulation coding system. A 4-ary enumerative encoding algorithm is applied to each of a succession of input words in the input bit-stream to produce a succession of 4-ary output symbols from the input word. The 4-ary algorithm simultaneously encodes respective j=∞ Fibonacci codes in the odd and even interleaves of the input word such that the two bit-sequences formed by respective corresponding bits of the succession of output symbols are range-limited codewords. The two binary output streams are then produced by separating the two range-limited codewords generated from each successive input word. The binary output streams can then be independently encoded by respective modulation encoders, and the encoder outputs interleaved to produce a modulation-constrained output stream. Corresponding decoding systems are also provided.
US07786880B2

A smoke detector having a closed internal optical path can detect airborne particulate matter, such as smoke from a fire, via a light scattering sensor and/or a light absorption sensor. The path can be implemented with a plurality of reflectors, such as piezoelectric minors. Input light can be coupled to the path, on a pulsed basis, for example via one of the minors, in a resonant condition.
US07786875B2

The soothing device is a portable waterproof device that can be worn by a baby or a dog as well as positioned on the baby's cradle or the dog house. Audio sounds can be dynamically recorded and stored in the soothing device which is powered by a built-in replaceable battery. The recorded audio sounds are automatically played by the soothing device through a built-in speaker when the soothing device detects through a built-in audio sensor a sudden large noise from some external source or by the baby's crying or by the dog's barking so as to calm the baby or the dog down quickly and automatically.
US07786874B2

Methods, systems and computer program products are used in monitoring patients, staff, assets and visitors at a facility, initiating a response to prevent or mitigate harm, and assess and ensure overall quality and performance, and refine individual patient, staff and visitor profiles. A plurality of sensors throughout the facility provide multiple data streams relating to the locations of patients relative to at least one of caregivers, assets, other patients, visitors or one or more fixed locations. A computer system analyses the data stream and determines the location and/or movements of the patients relative to the caregivers, assets, other patients, visitors and/or fixed locations. A profile containing individual data for the patient is used to accurately detect events, including actionable events, ensure completion of prescribed care, assess patient wellness, and, in some cases, provide tailored patient specific responses to detected events. Patient profiles are periodically refined by means of an information feedback loop in order to more accurately predict (actionable) events, provide adequate care and ensure a desired level of patient wellness. Staff and visitor profiles can be used to measure staff and visitor performance at a facility.
US07786873B2

A RFID tag, which decreases a bending stress and simultaneously prevents an antenna break, is provided. The RFID tag includes a base, an antenna for communication which extends on the base, a circuit chip which performs radio communication through the antenna. The RFID tag further includes a chip reinforcement member which covers a periphery of the circuit chip and a portion of the antenna and a covering member which cover the base, the antenna, the circuit chip and the chip reinforcement member. The covering member is more flexible than the chip reinforcement member.
US07786870B2

A transponder with an antenna and an antenna voltage limiting unit for limiting an antenna voltage to a first voltage limit when the transponder is receiving data and to a second voltage limit when the transponder is sending data. Dynamic voltage limitation may be implemented by using a computer program or implemented in hardware. Additionally, it is possible to introduce a third voltage limit when the transponder is in a third mode of operation such as standby or sleeping mode.
US07786867B2

An electronic system includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a reader and a remotely powered and remotely interrogated sensor transponder. The sensor transponder includes a sensor and a radiation receiving device. Data from the sensor is conditioned to provide sensor data ratiometric with magnitude of excitation voltage provided by the radiation receiving device.
US07786862B1

A method and system for remote notification of arrival of postal mail in a mailbox through a wireless transmitter and receiver, is herein disclosed. The system consists of a battery-powered motion sensor placed within an upper back portion of a standard, approved mailbox thereby a fastening means. When the mailbox door opens, the motion sensor is activated and automatically generates and transmits a wireless signal to a receiver located within a pre-determined proximity. The receiver is capable of providing both an audible and visual signal.
US07786852B2

A method is provided that includes determining whether a fastener of a child seat is fastened, determining whether a person is seated in a vehicle seat, and if it is determined that the fastener is fastened and the person is not seated in the vehicle seat: enabling a first notification signal of the alarm system, enabling a delay of the alarm system for a period of time, enabling a second notification signal of the alarm system if a door of the vehicle is locked within the period of time, and enabling the second notification signal after expiration of the period of time. If it is determined that the fastener is not fastened or the person is seated in the vehicle seat, the method includes resetting the alarm system.
US07786842B2

The chip resistor (1) includes an insulating substrate (2) and a main upper electrode (4) formed on a main surface of the insulating substrate (2). On the main surface of the insulating substrate (2), a resistor film (5) including an end (5a) overlapping the upper surface of main upper electrode (4) is formed. The resistor film (5) is covered by a protective coat (7, 8). An auxiliary upper electrode (6) is formed on the upper surface of the main upper electrode (4). The auxiliary upper electrode (6) includes an inner end (6a) overlapping the upper surface of the end (5a) of the resistor film (5). The protective coat (7, 8) overlaps the inner end (6a) of the auxiliary upper electrode (6).
US07786833B2

An edgewise coil which includes a non-circular cross-sectional shaped conductor having a cross-sectional shape defined by a pair of first and second long sides and a pair of first and second short sides, the shaped conductor wire being laminated while being bended with using the first short side as a bending fulcrum so as to form a plurality of laminated wire layers having a rectangular shape in a plan view, wherein the pair of long sides include, in a longitudinal cross section in a pre-bending-process state before the shaped conductor wire is bended, a pair of straight-line regions extending from both ends of the second sides so as to be parallel to each other and a pair of tapered regions extending between the straight-line regions and the first short side, and the pair of tapered regions, in a longitudinal cross section in the pre-bending-process state, come closer to each other as they approach the first short side.
US07786830B2

A switch includes a movable portion, a first electrode and a second electrode. The movable portion is provided on a substrate and moves with respect to the substrate. The first electrode is provided on the movable portion. The second electrode is able to contact with the first electrode and is fixed to the substrate. f×Ro×C≦1.6×10−4 when an operation frequency is represented as “f” (Hz), a transmission impedance is represented as “Ro” (Ω), and a capacitance in “OFF” state between the first electrode and the second electrode is represented as “C” (F).
US07786826B2

An apparatus includes a first bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device including a first impedance and a second BAW device including a second impedance, wherein the first and second impedances are different and the first and second BAW devices are acoustically coupled.
US07786816B2

An oscillating signal in an oscillator is caused to phase shift toward the phase of an input signal coupled to the oscillating signal. The resonant frequency of the oscillator is about equal to an integer multiple of the frequency of the input signal. The input signal may be generated in a pulse generator to have an input pulse duration less than or equal to that of the oscillating signal. The oscillator circuit may be used as a filter to filter pulse width variations or to filter jitter from a reference clock. The oscillator circuit may also serve as a buffer by amplifying the input signal. Phase interpolation can be obtained by coupling at least one input signal with at least one oscillating signal.
US07786802B2

The present invention relates to an output stage circuit and an operational amplifier thereof. In the output stage circuit, one of a gate of a transistor is coupled to a gate of a bias transistor and a level shifter in response to a small signal outputted from an amplifying circuit in the operational amplifier. In addition, a gate voltage of the bias transistor is controlled by a voltage generating circuit to control a DC bias of the transistor of the output stage circuit. Therefore, there is no need extra frequency compensating component for compensating the transistor of the output stage circuit, and to save circuit layout area and cost can be achieved by the present invention.
US07786797B2

The amplifying apparatus includes an amplifier having a circuit constant determined so as to satisfy a condition for E-class operation; power detecting unit which detects an output electricity from the amplifier; and controlling unit which controls the circuit constant in accordance with the output power detected by the power detecting unit.
US07786796B2

An audio amplifier including a differential mode integrator, a first comparator, a second comparator, a logic circuit and a driving unit is provided. The differential mode integrator receives a differential input signal and a differential output signal and outputs a differential mode intermediate signal. The first comparator has a positive input terminal receiving a first terminal signal of the differential mode intermediate signal, a negative input terminal receiving a ramp signal, and generates a first signal. The second comparator has a positive input terminal receiving a ramp signal, a negative input terminal receiving a second terminal signal of the differential mode intermediate signal, and generates a second signal. The logic circuit performs a logic operation on the first and second signals to generate a third signal and a fourth signal. The driving unit generates a differential output signal to drive a load according to the third and fourth signals.
US07786795B2

A class-D amplifier circuit of one aspect includes a gain controller, a pulse-width modulator, an output driver, and a drive controller. The gain controller selectively amplifies an analog input signal according to a level control signal, and outputs a corresponding gain-adjusted analog input signal. The pulse-width modulator converts the gain-adjusted analog input signal into a pulse signal. The output driver includes a plurality of output driver circuits which generate an amplified pulse signal corresponding to the pulse signal output by the pulse-width modulator. The drive controller selectively disables a subset of the plurality of output driver circuits according to the level control signal.
US07786785B2

There are provided a peaking detection part detecting a peaking amount in an output part of an inductor peaking circuit and a control signal generation part varying a circuit parameter of the inductor peaking circuit based on the peaking amount detected by the peaking detection part. Particularly, the inductor peaking circuit has inductors and resistors inserted in series between the output part and a power supply, and capacitances coupled in parallel between the output part and an earth (GND), and depending on respective values of these inductors, resistors and capacitances, it is possible to suppress a peaking generated in the output part.
US07786784B2

Herein disclosed is a variable delay circuit, including a first delay portion that delays an input signal; an output portion; and a variable impedance portion provided coupled between the first delay portion and an the output portion.
US07786780B2

Apparatus for producing a signal, comprising a capacitor; a first current source for one of charging and discharging the capacitor over a first time period; a second current source for one of discharging and charging the capacitor over a first portion of a second time period; a detector for detecting when the voltage across the capacitor is substantially a first voltage and controlling the second current source for a second portion of the second time period to substantially maintain the voltage across the capacitor; and an apparatus output for indicating when the voltage across the capacitor is one of above and below the first voltage.
US07786778B1

A driver circuit includes a first transistor having a first node coupled to a high supply voltage and a second node coupled to an output node, wherein the first transistor passes the high supply voltage to the output node based on a first gate voltage on a gate of the first transistor. The driver circuit also includes a second transistor having a first node coupled to a low supply voltage and a second node coupled to the output node of the driver circuit, wherein the second transistor passes the low voltage to the output node based on a second gate voltage on a gate of the second transistor. The driver circuit further includes a logic block configured to control a slew rate of an output signal Vout at the output node by controlling a slew rate of the first gate voltage and controlling a slew rate of the second gate voltage.
US07786773B2

A phase-locked loop circuit for generating an output signal includes a phase frequency detector (PFD), a processing module, and a clock generator. The PFD is implemented for generating a plurality of indicating signals according to a first reference signal and a feedback signal, where the feedback signal is generated according to the output signal. The processing module is coupled to the PFD, and is implemented for generating a control signal according to the indicating signals and a plurality of clock signals, where the clock signals have an identical frequency but different phases. The clock generator is coupled to the processing module, and is implemented for generating the clock signals according to the control signal. The output signal is generated according to a specific clock signal selected from the clock signals.
US07786763B1

A clock circuit includes a phase-lock loop for generating an output clock signal based on a data signal and a harmonic frequency detector for detecting whether the frequency of the output clock signal is a harmonic frequency of a frequency of a reference clock signal. The harmonic frequency detector includes a counter for generating a first divided clock signal by dividing the frequency of the output clock signal by a first divisor. Additionally, the harmonic frequency detector includes a counter for generating a second divided clock signal by dividing the frequency of the reference clock signal by a second divisor. The harmonic frequency detector also includes a frequency comparator for generating an output indicating whether the frequency of the output clock signal is a harmonic frequency of the frequency of the reference clock signal based on the first divided clock signal and the second divided clock signal.
US07786755B2

Methods, systems, computer readable media and means for reducing errors in data caused by noise are provided. In some embodiments of the present invention, circuitry of the device receives timing data from one or more other circuitries and identifies noiseless periods from the timing data. The circuitry then actively adjusts the trigger point threshold of data being transmitted to and/or from the circuitry only during the noiseless periods. The circuitry subsequently monitors the timing data to identify noise periods. In response to identifying a noise period, the device ceases to adjust the trigger point threshold until the noise period is over.
US07786752B2

According to one aspect, an on-die termination (ODT) circuit is controlled during transition from a first power mode to a second power mode of a memory device. The transition from an asynchronous ODT circuit path to a synchronous ODT circuit path is delayed to compensate for an operational latency of a delay locked loop (DLL) circuit.
US07786749B1

A programmable integrated circuit has a plurality of logic elements with each logic element having a plurality of input leads and at least one output lead. The programmable integrated circuit further comprises a group of interconnect lines, and a first set of programmable circuits for electrically connecting the input and output leads of the plurality of logic elements to each other through the group of interconnect lines. The programmable integrated circuit further comprises a test circuit having at least one input and one output. Further the programmable integrated circuit comprises a second set of programmable circuits for electrically connecting the one output of the test circuit to the plurality of input leads of each of the plurality of logic elements and for electrically connecting the at least one output lead of each of the plurality of logic elements to the one input of the test circuit, through the group of interconnect lines.
US07786744B2

Discloses are a probe card assembly and test probes used therein. The probe card assembly includes a main body, a probe base disposed in a central portion of the main body and a plurality of test probes connected between the probe base and the main body. Each of the test probes has a tip extending from the probe base for contacting a wafer under test. The test probes include at least one power probe, at least one signal probe and a plurality of ground probes. Each of the test probes has a middle section interposed between the main body and the probe base. Each of the test probes except the ground probes has a naked middle section coated with an insulating film but not sheltered by an insulating sleeve.
US07786742B2

An apparatus and method for testing large area substrates is described. The large area substrates include patterns of displays and contact points electrically coupled to the displays on the large area substrate. The apparatus includes a prober assembly that is movable relative to the large area substrate and/or the contact points, and may be configured to test various patterns of displays and contact points on various large area substrates. The prober assembly is also configured to test fractional sections of the large area substrate positioned on a testing table, and the prober assembly may be configured for different display and contact point patterns without removing the prober assembly from the testing table.
US07786730B2

The nuclear magnetic resonance machine comprises a device (101) for creating an intense main magnetic field B0 in a usable interior space (109) in the form of a tunnel with axis Z, a radio-frequency excitation device that also processes radio-frequency signals emitted in response by a body (150) placed in the usable interior space (109), and a set (110) of solenoidal gradient coils for superimposing on the intense magnetic field B0 components of a additional magnetic field, the gradient coils (111-122) being incorporated into tubes disposed in an annular cylindrical space (130). Between an exterior cryogenic enclosure (102) and the annular cylindrical space (130) a cylindrical screen (104) is disposed along the axis Z comprising a conductive material of low resistance and low magnetoresistance such that negligible induced currents are generated in the exterior cryogenic enclosure (102) while the eddy currents induced in the cylindrical screen (104) contribute to reinforcing the gradients produced by the solenoidal gradient coils (111-122).
US07786726B2

A magnetic sensor that is inexpensive and suppresses changes in offset voltage caused by wear. The magnetic sensor includes magnetoresistance elements having electrical resistances that change in accordance with magnetism changes. The magnetic sensor detects magnetism based on changes in the electrical resistances. The magnetoresistance elements are covered by a protective film. Part of the protective film is etched and eliminated to form a recess.
US07786724B1

Collecting process characterization data local to a failed integrated circuit (IC), includes providing a wafer having ICs, each IC having contact terminals, the wafer having process characterization test sites distributed across it such that at least one process characterization test site is adjacent each IC; selecting two or more ICs for simultaneous testing; for each of those ICs, coupling two or more contact terminals of the selected IC, and a corresponding two or more contact terminals of an associated test site to corresponding input terminals of a multiplexer, each multiplexer having an output terminal and a select control input terminal, the multiplexer operable to selectively provide an electrical pathway between either an IC contact terminal or a test site contact terminal and the multiplexer output terminal; coupling the output terminal of each multiplexer to a tester channel; operating the multiplexer so that its output terminal is coupled to the IC contact terminal; simultaneously testing two or more ICs; detecting a failure of at least one of the selected ICs prior to completion of testing the remaining ICs simultaneously being tested; subsequent to detecting the failure, operating the multiplexer so that its output terminal is coupled to the test site contact terminal; and collecting process characterization data prior to completion of testing the remaining ICs.
US07786717B2

A transforming apparatus automatically adjusting the voltage of three-phase power supply comprising three input terminals, three output terminals, a Y-connection three-phase transformer, a switch group, and a switch switching circuit. The three input terminals are respectively connected to three main lines of the three-phase power supply, and the three output terminals are connected to a load installation. The Y-connection three-phase transformer comprises a core, an R-phase winding circuit, an S-phase winding circuit, and a T-phase winding circuit. In the R-phase winding circuit, an R-phase main winding, an R-phase first auxiliary winding, an R-phase first switch, an R-phase second auxiliary winding, and an R-phase third auxiliary winding are serially connected in that order between the input terminal Rin and a neutral point O, the output terminal Rout being connected to the other end of the R-phase main winding. An R-phase second switch is connected in parallel with a series circuit of the R-phase first auxiliary winding and the R-phase first switch. An R-phase third switch is connected in parallel with a series circuit of the R-phase first auxiliary winding, the R-phase first switch, and the R-phase second auxiliary winding. An R-phase fourth switch is connected in parallel with a series circuit of the R-phase second auxiliary winding and the R-phase third auxiliary winding. The switch switching circuit controls the switches based on the voltage levels of the output terminals to switch between first to fourth modes in an alternative manner.
US07786708B2

A control circuit for a generator has a control function that monitors the voltage across a bus capacitor. The circuit delivers excess voltage back to associated stator windings if an unduly high voltage is detected across the bus capacitor.
US07786701B2

A system for balancing charge between a plurality of storage battery cells within a storage battery. The battery balancing system may sense changes, possibly caused by environmental influences, in the overall resonant frequency of charge balancing circuits contained within the battery balancing system and compensate for the change in resonant frequency. Further, the system may correct battery cell voltages monitored by a controller that may include errors due to intrinsic circuit problems, such as parasitic voltage, to reflect an actual voltage of a battery cell.
US07786694B2

A converter system and method, including: at least one supply module, which provides a unipolar, intermediate circuit voltage; one or more drive modules, which may be powered from the intermediate circuit voltage and each include at least one inverter for powering at least one electric motor; and at least one buffer module for storing energy.
US07786683B2

The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating at least one electric lamp and at least one LED including: an inverter having a bridge circuit having at least one first bridge transistor and one second bridge transistor arranged in series with one another, a center point of the bridge circuit being defined between the first and second bridge transistors; a lamp supply unit for supplying the electric lamp with energy from the bridge circuit, which includes a supply line with an inductance, via which the center point (M) of the bridge circuit is coupled to a first connection for the electric lamp; the lamp supply unit including an LED supply unit, which is designed to supply the at least one LED with energy. Moreover, it relates to an operating method for at least one electric lamp and at least one LED using such a circuit arrangement.
US07786679B2

The invention relates to an electronic ballast for a discharge lamp LA1 having an EOL monitoring circuit R1, R2, U1, R9, U2-A, U2-B, U3-A, AE, which has a current differential amplifier U1 having a current mirror input.
US07786673B2

A lamp is provided having an arctube having a light-transmitting envelope. The arctube is surrounded by a gaseous medium confined by a containment envelope such as a hermetic shroud. The gaseous medium is preferably He or H2 or Ne or another gas whose thermal conductivity is greater than that of N2 at 800° C., or a mixture thereof, to help cool the arctube. The inside and/or outside of the shroud may be coated with a diffusion barrier. To help cool the hot spot of the arctube the gap between the shroud and the envelope can be made small, the portion of the shroud wall near the arc can be thickened, the arctube can be offset above the longitudinal axis of the shroud, and the return lead of the arctube can be located between the shroud and the arctube.
US07786669B2

An organic electro-luminance display device includes a first substrate including a plurality of sub-pixels, a first electrode on the first substrate, a buffer layer on the first electrode of a region that partitions each of the sub-pixels, a spacer on the buffer layer, the buffer layer and the spacer being integrally formed, an organic light-emitting layer on the first electrode that corresponds to each of the sub-pixels and the spacer, and a second electrode on the organic light-emitting layer.
US07786665B2

An organic electroluminescent device is provided, which includes an emission portion comprising a first electrode and a second electrode and an organic layer sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, and a diffraction grating disposed neighboring on the emission portion, the diffraction grating having first regions and a second region, the first regions comprising a plurality of pair of recessed and projected portions, the plurality of pair of recessed and projected portions being periodically arranged and provided with a primitive translation vector of a direction, the second region comprising an aggregate of the first regions and located parallel with an emission surface of the organic electroluminescent device.
US07786661B2

Electron emissive compositions comprising a barium neodymium oxide are described. These compositions may be applied to electrodes such that electron emission is facilitated. Methods of manufacturing emissive electrodes comprising a barium neodymium oxide are also described. Various discharge lamps employing such electrodes are described as well.
US07786647B2

A micromotion mechanism includes: a fixing base; a movable element supported by the fixing base and movable thereon; an ultrasonic actuator for relatively moving the movable element and the fixing base; and a control device for outputting a drive signal of the ultrasonic actuator. The drive signals of the ultrasonic actuator during the micromotion drive are two types of burst signals equal in frequency and different in phase, and amplitude of the start and end of each of the two burst signals changes, and the maximum amplitude of at least one of the two burst signals is lower than in the normal driving operation.
US07786644B2

An electric rotary machine, an armature for use in the electric machine, a method of forming an electric rotary machine and a forming machine for an armature of an electric rotary machine are disclosed wherein insulator-coated coils are wound in slots of an armature core from which lower and upper layer coil extensions extend and are connected to a commutator. The upper layer coil extension has a contour deformation part at an intersecting region where the lower and upper layer coil extensions intersect with each other to have an insulating distance between the lower and upper layer coil extensions. The forming machine includes a work holder holding the armature, and a forming jig forming a curvature portion on the upper layer coil extension.
US07786639B2

A motor includes a bearing having first and second end faces spaced along a longitudinal axis thereof. A longitudinal hole extends from the first end face through the second end face and includes a recessed portion having first and second peripheral edges respectively contiguous to the first end face and an inner periphery of the longitudinal hole. A retaining member is mounted to the first end face. A radial spacing between an inner periphery of a through-hole of the retaining member and the inner periphery of the longitudinal hole of the bearing in a radial direction is not greater than an axial spacing from the first end face to the second peripheral edge. The retaining member further includes a plurality retaining plates. The recessed portion provides a space sufficient to allow deformation of the retaining plates when inserting a shaft through the through-hole into the longitudinal hole of the bearing.
US07786637B2

A calcium zinc phosphate-type coating is formed on at least one of those surfaces of an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements (balls) and further a cage (if the cage is used) (which form a touchdown bearing) contacting other members, and further a molybdenum disulfide coating is formed thereon. By doing so, the adhesion of the molybdenum disulfide coating is enhanced by microscopic pits and projections due to crystal grains on the surface of the calcium zinc phosphate-type coating, and also even when the molybdenum disulfide coating is worn out, the wearing-out of a substrate can be suppressed by the lubricating ability of the calcium zinc phosphate-type coating underlying it.
US07786631B2

A position-data converter and a motor-drive control device are connected. The position-data converter receives two-phase, sine-wave analog signals da and db from two first magnetic detectors, respectively, and converts these signals da and db to position data. On receiving a positioning instruction, the motor-drive control device calculates the value of current, from the current position signal generated by the position-data converter. The permanent magnets incorporated in a linear motor are used as components of a linear scale, as well.
US07786628B2

A rotor assembly for an electronic machine such as a motor includes a rotor on a shaft having a bearing at each end portion, the bearings being arranged to rotatably support the rotor and shaft. The assembly further includes a balancing member, from which material may be removed for balancing the rotor assembly. The balancing member is located in a predetermined position and orientation with respect to the rotor. The balancing member includes an encoder disk, arranged to permit positioning of the rotor with respect to a stator. The provision of a balancing member having an integral encoder disk facilitates the manufacture of the rotor assembly. As the balancing member is located in a predetermined position, the encoder automatically assumes a predetermined position and hence the position of the rotor can be determined with certainty.
US07786617B2

A system and method for adaptive control of power among a plurality of loads based on a categorization of the loads as either delayable or non-delayable, wherein the non-delayable loads are preferably supplied power over the delayable loads. In one aspect, the system may be used to allocate limited power from a backup power source.
US07786614B2

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a reference line; a first line provided with a first voltage with respect to the reference line; a second line provided with a second voltage not less than the first voltage with respect to the reference line; a capacitor having a first capacitance arranged between the reference line and second line; a current limiting element arranged between the capacitor and the second line, for charging up the capacitor, the current limiting element limiting current flowing into the capacitor from the second line during charging up; a first switch connected between the first line and the capacitor; and a controller for controlling the first switch to discharge the capacitor.
US07786611B1

A ducting structure for generating wind power from a vertical structure. The ducting structure includes a main housing sized and shaped to be coupled to a wind turbine and located on the vertical structure. The main housing includes a vertically oriented aperture having a first duct leading to the coupled wind turbine and a horizontally oriented aperture having a second duct leading to the coupled wind turbine. The vertically oriented aperture captures a prevailing wind and the horizontally oriented aperture captures an updraft flowing upwardly along the vertical structure. The captured updraft and the prevailing wind are guided through the first and second ducts past the coupled wind turbine.
US07786597B2

A multilayer wiring board includes: a substrate; connection pads arranged in a square grid fashion; and wiring patterns. Relationship between the connection pads and the wiring patterns satisfies: {(Ndl+1)P−d−s}/(w+s)>2Ndr+Ndl(a+1)+2a, wherein P is a pitch of the connection pads, d is a diameter of the connection pads, s is a minimum interval between the wiring patterns and is a minimum interval between the wiring pattern and the connection pad that are adjacent to each other, w is a minimum width of the wiring patterns, Ndl is the number of non-pad rows in each of the non-pad regions, Ndr is the number of non-pad columns in each of non-pad region, and a is an integer of (P−d−s)/(w+s).
US07786596B2

A sealed microelectronic structure which provides mechanical stress endurance and includes at least two chips being electrically connected to a semiconductor structure at a plurality of locations. Each chip includes a continuous bonding material along it's perimeter and at least one support column connected to each of the chips positioned within the perimeter of each chip. Each support column extends outwardly such that when the at least two chips are positioned over one another the support columns are in mating relation to each other. A seal between the at least two chips results from the overlapping relation of the chip to one another such that the bonding material and support columns are in mating relation to each other. Thus, the seal is formed when the at least two chips are mated together, and results in a bonded chip structure.
US07786592B2

A method of creating a semiconductor chip having a substrate, a doped semiconductor material abutting the substrate and a device pad at an outer side of the doped semiconductor material involves creating a via through at least a portion of the substrate, the via having a periphery and a bottom at a location and depth sufficient to bring the via into proximity with the device pad but be physically spaced apart from the device pad, introducing an electrically conductive material into the via, and connecting the electrically conductive material to a signal source so the signal will deliberately be propagated from the electrically conductive material to the device pad without any direct electrical connection existing between the electrically conductive material and the device pad.
US07786587B2

A semiconductor device 100 includes a semiconductor substrate 14, a connection electrode 12 disposed on an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 14 and connected to an integrated circuit thereon, a through electrode 20 which penetrates the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 20, and an insulation portion 30 interposed between the semiconductor substrate 14 and the through electrode 20. The through electrode 20 is integrally formed to protrude outward from upper surfaces of the semiconductor substrate 14 and the connection electrode 12, and connected to the connection electrode 12 in a region where the through electrode 20 penetrates the connection electrode 12.
US07786585B2

In a semiconductor integrated circuit device having plural layers of buried wirings, it is intended to prevent the occurrence of a discontinuity caused by stress migration at an interface between a plug connected at a bottom thereof to a buried wiring and the buried wiring. For example, in the case where the width of a first Cu wiring is not smaller than about 0.9 μm and is smaller than about 1.44 μm, and the width of a second Cu wiring and the diameter of a plug are about 0.18 μm, there are arranged two or more plugs which connect the first wirings and the second Cu wirings electrically with each other.
US07786580B2

A semiconductor chip is characterized by a structure including a semiconductor chip on which electrode pads are formed, bumps which are formed on the respective electrode pads and which have projection sections, an insulating layer formed on the semiconductor chip, and a conductive pattern to be connected to the bumps, wherein extremities of the projection sections are inserted into the conductive pattern and the inserted extremities are flattened.
US07786575B2

A stacked die semiconductor package includes a first integrated circuit chip, a first circuit tape coupled to the first integrated circuit chip, a second integrated circuit chip coupled to the first circuit tape, and at least one component coupled to the first circuit tape. The at least one component may include one or more passive components, one or more active components, or a combination of passive and active components. The stacked die semiconductor package can also include a second circuit tape coupled to the second integrated circuit chip and a third integrated circuit chip coupled to the second circuit tape. The stacked die semiconductor package can also include an encapsulant.
US07786566B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a macro cell having a plurality of circuit elements; a first macro cell power supply line for supplying a first potential to the macro cell; and a second macro cell power supply line formed in a same wiring layer as a wiring layer of the first macro cell power supply line, for supplying a second potential to the macro cell. The first and second macro cell power supply lines are provided on the macro cell. The second macro cell power supply line extends in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the first macro cell power supply line.
US07786561B2

The invention relates to an encapsulated microcomponent having a cover (3) delimiting a sealed cavity (4) equipped with at least one orifice (5) provided with a plug (6). The plug (6) comprises a getter material portion (6.1) exposed inside the cavity (4).Application in particular in MEMS.
US07786556B2

A semiconductor device has an element encapsulated in a resin mold. Metal leads protruding from the resin mold are solder plated except at the lead-tip end surfaces, and the exposed lead-tip end surfaces have an area less than half the cross-sectional area of the protruding metal leads. The semiconductor device is manufactured using a lead frame in which the metal leads are connected to a frame by plating bars having a thickness smaller than half the thickness of the metal leads. In another embodiment, the metal leads are connected to the frame by plating bars that extend sideways from the metal leads, and the end tips of the metal leads are entirely covered with plating to improve soldering wettability.
US07786553B1

Method of fabricating thin-film transistors in which contact with connecting electrodes becomes reliable. When contact holes are formed, the bottom insulating layer is subjected to a wet etching process, thus producing undercuttings inside the contact holes. In order to remove the undercuttings, a light etching process is carried out to widen the contact holes. Thus, tapering section are obtained, and the covering of connection wiring is improved.
US07786551B2

An integrated circuit system includes an integrated circuit wafer, forming a trimmed edge on the integrated circuit wafer, and applying a thinning process on the integrated circuit wafer with the trimmed edge.
US07786548B2

An electric element includes a first electrode (1), a second electrode (3), and a variable-resistance film (2) connected between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (3). The variable-resistance film (2) contains Fe (iron) and O (oxygen) as constituent elements. The content of oxygen in the variable-resistance film (2) is modulated along the film thickness direction.
US07786538B2

A semiconductor device includes: a first MOSFET including: first source and drain regions formed at a distance from each other in a first semiconductor region; a first insulating film formed on the first semiconductor region between the first source region and the first drain region; a first gate electrode formed on the first insulating film; a first sidewall insulating film formed at side portions of the first gate electrode; a first single-crystal silicon layer formed on each of the first source and drain regions, and having at least an upper-face made of a {111} plane; a first NiSi layer formed at least on the first single-crystal silicon layer, and having a portion whose interface with the first single-crystal silicon is on the {111} plane of the first single-crystal silicon layer and a part of the portion of the first NiSi layer being in contact with the first sidewall insulating film; and a first TiN film being in contact with the portion of the first NiSi layer on the {111} plane of the first single-crystal silicon.
US07786537B2

A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; a P channel type field effect transistor including a first gate insulating film on the substrate, a first gate electrode on the first gate insulating film and a first source/drain region; and an N channel type field effect transistor including a second gate insulating film on the substrate, a second gate electrode on the second gate insulating film and a second source/drain region. The entire first gate electrode is made of a metal silicide, and at least in an upper portion including the upper surface of the second gate electrode, a silicide region of the same kind as the metal (M) is provided. The metal concentration in the silicide region is lower than that in the silicide of the first gate electrode. In an upper portion including the upper surface of the second gate electrode, there is a barrier layer region containing a metal diffusion suppressing element at a concentration higher than that in the lower portion.
US07786536B2

In a semiconductor device, a first p-type MIS transistor includes: a first gate insulating film formed on a first active region; a first gate electrode formed on the first gate insulating film; a first side-wall insulating film; a first p-type source/drain region; a first contact liner film formed over the first active region; a first interlayer insulating film formed on the first contact liner film; and a first contact plug formed to reach the top surface of the first source/drain region. The first contact liner film has a slit extending, around a corner at which the side surface of the first side-wall insulating film intersects the top surface of the first active region, from the top surface of the first contact liner film toward the corner.
US07786529B2

A semiconductor device includes a transistor having a recessed gate, contact plugs formed in a region of a plurality of trenches, which are formed by recessing a semiconductor substrate. Further, a metal line and a source/drain region can be connected through the contact plug, so that on-current can be increased as much as an increased channel area.
US07786526B2

It is an object of the present invention to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device which has superior writing characteristics and electric charge retention characteristics. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in which a writing voltage can be reduced. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor region with a channel formation region formed between a pair of impurity regions which are formed to be apart from each other; and a first insulating layer, a charge accumulation layer, a second insulating layer, and a control gate are formed in a location which is a top layer portion of the semiconductor region and which roughly overlaps with the channel formation region. The charge accumulation layer is insulative and is formed as a layer in which electric charge can be trapped.
US07786520B2

An embedded semiconductor device which a logic region and the memory region are planarized with planarization resistance patterns and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The embedded semiconductor device includes a substrate, gates formed on the substrate, source/drain regions formed on both sides of the gates in the substrate, a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer which covers the gates and the source/drain regions, first via plugs which vertically penetrate the first ILD layer and are selectively connected to the source/drain regions, capacitors and second via plugs selectively connected to the first via plugs, a second ILD layer that fills the space between the capacitors and the second via plugs, planarization resistance patterns formed on the second ILD layer, a third ILD layer formed on the second ILD layer and the planarization resistant patterns, and third via plugs which vertically penetrate the third ILD layer, and are selectively connected to a top electrode of the capacitors and the second via plugs.
US07786517B2

A semiconductor device and method of forming the same are provided. The example semiconductor device may include a gate pattern including a gate electrode and a capping layer pattern on a semiconductor substrate, a spacer covering first and second sidewalls of the gate pattern, an impurity injection region formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate pattern and an etch stopping layer covering a surface of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the spacer, the etch stopping layer substantially not covering the first and second sidewalls of the spacer and an upper surface of the capping layer pattern. An example method of forming a semiconductor device may include selectively forming an etch stopping layer in a semiconductor substrate by injecting ions into the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate having a composition which reacts with the injected ions to form the etch stopping layer, the injected ions also injected into structural elements mounted on the semiconductor substrate, the structural elements having a composition which does not react with the injected ions to form the etch stopping layer.
US07786509B2

A field-effect transistor is composed of a substrate, an electron transport layer and an electron supply layer formed sequentially on the substrate, wherein the electron transport layer and the electron supply layer are formed of a nitride semiconductor, a gate electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the electron supply layer; and two high impurity concentration regions located in a depth direction directly below the source electrode and the drain electrode, respectively, the two high impurity concentration regions being formed to sandwich a two-dimensional electron gas layer formed between the electron transport layer and the electron supply layer. The two high impurity concentration regions each have a higher impurity concentration than the electron transport layer and the electron supply layer located directly below the gate electrode.
US07786503B2

A crystal comprising gallium nitride is disclosed. The crystal has at least one grain having at least one dimension greater than 2.75 mm, a dislocation density less than about 104 cm−2, and is substantially free of tilt boundaries.
US07786502B2

A nitride semiconductor light-emitting device includes, a support substrate 170; a nitride semiconductor layer 100 which includes a p-type nitride semiconductor layer 140 formed on the support substrate 170, an MQW active layer 130 formed on the p-type nitride semiconductor layer 140, and an n-type nitride semiconductor layer 120 formed on the MQW active layer 130; a contact electrode 161 formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer 120; a second transparent electrode 165 having an optical transparency and formed on the contact electrode 161; and a second pad electrode 166 formed on the support substrate 170 and electrically connected to the second transparent electrode 165, wherein, on a projection plane S parallel to a main surface of the MQW active layer 130, a region on which the MQW active layer 130 is projected and a region on which the second pad electrode 166 is projected are not overlapped.
US07786500B2

The present invention is an LED lamp lens, on which orderly arranged surface plural protuberances. And with the differences of light perviousness, a particular luminous pattern of the LED lamp is displayed when the LED lamp is turned on.
US07786499B2

The present invention is a through-hole LED light source with capability of emitting a beam angle of less than 75 degrees. The light source presents a three-dimensional lead frame with a well, into which at least one LED is mounted, and an optical housing which serves as a directional lens. Through adjustment of the housing and lead well properties, beam angle is adjusted to any angle. The frame is three-dimensional, preferably cylindrical, with both inner and outer portions, electrically isolated. The inner portion serves as the mounting area for the LEDs (and contains the well) and the LED serves as the electrical conduit between the portions, completing a circuit an illuminating the LED.
US07786497B2

In this pixel structure, a metal layer/a dielectric layer/a heavily doped silicon layer constitutes a bottom electrode/a capacitor dielectric layer/a top electrode of a storage capacitor. At the same time, a metal shielding layer is formed under the thin film transistor to decrease photo-leakage-current.
US07786487B2

Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a SiC substrate and a heat conductor formed in a hole in the SiC substrate and made of a linear structure of carbon elements.
US07786481B2

An organic light emitting diode display device includes a switch TFT and a drive TFT formed on a substrate; an overcoat layer formed on the TFTs; a drain contact hole exposing portions of a drain electrode of the drive TFT by removing portions of the overcoat layer; a first electrode contacting to the drain electrode of the drive TFT; a bank pattern exposing an aperture area of a pixel; an organic layer formed on the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on the organic layer, wherein the bank pattern blocks regions where the drain contact hole is formed.
US07786474B2

An organic light-emitting device, comprising: a substrate; a first conductive layer formed over the substrate; at least one layer of a light-emissive organic material formed over the first conductive layer; a barrier layer formed over the at least one organic layer which acts to protect the at least one layer of organic material; and a second conductive layer, preferably a patterned sputtered layer, formed over the barrier layer.
US07786472B2

A molecular-based switching device and method for controlling charge transport across a molecule. The molecular-based switching device includes a molecule having first and second nodes in between which destructive quantum interference restricts electrical conduction from the first node to the second node in an off-state, a first electrode connected to the first node and configured to supply charge carriers to the first node, a second electrode connected to the second node and configured to remove the charge carriers from the second node, and a control element configured to reduce coherence in or alter charge transport paths between the first and second nodes so as to reduce existing destructive quantum interference and permit flow of the charge carriers from the first node to the second node. The method applies an electric potential between the first and second electrodes, controls coherence in charge transport paths between the first and second nodes so as to maintain or reduce destructive interference between the first and second nodes of the molecule, and injects charge carriers from the first electrode into the first node and collects the charge carriers from the second node at the second electrode when the coherence is controlled to reduce destructive interference.
US07786470B2

The present invention provides a switching element that has a stable bistable characteristic and a high transition voltage and demonstrates excellent cyclic performance. The switching element has two stable resistance values with respect to the voltage applied between electrodes, wherein a first electrode layer, an organic bistable material layer, and a second electrode layer are successively formed as thin films on a substrate and the organic bistable material constituting the organic bistable material layer is a quinomethane-based compound or a monoquinomethane-based compound. A metal constituting the second electrode layer is diffused into the organic bistable material layer. It is preferred that the second electrode layer be formed by vapor deposition and the temperature of the substrate during the vapor deposition be 30-150° C.
US07786463B2

Non-volatile multi-bit memory with programmable capacitance is disclosed. Illustrative data memory units include a substrate including a source region and a drain region. A first insulating layer is over the substrate. A first solid electrolyte cell is over the insulating layer and has a capacitance that is controllable between at least two states and is proximate the source region. A second solid electrolyte cell is over the insulating layer and has a capacitance or resistance that is controllable between at least two states and is proximate the drain region. An insulating element isolates the first solid electrolyte cell from the second solid electrolyte cell. A first anode is electrically coupled to the first solid electrolyte cell. The first solid electrolyte cell is between the anode and the insulating layer. A second anode is electrically coupled to the second solid electrolyte cell. The second solid electrolyte cell is between the anode and the insulating layer. A gate contact layer is over the substrate and between the source region and drain region and in electrical connection with the first anode and the second anode. The gate contact layer is electrically coupled to a voltage source.
US07786458B2

An image reading method and apparatus for reading an image signal by exposure to reading light L2 from a radiation solid-state detector, where radiation image information is recorded by exposure to recording light L1, suppresses degradation of image quality such as the S/N ratio of a reproduced image, the degradation being caused by an effect of charges which are produced by exposure to excessive radiation or the like and remains in the radiation solid-state detector. In the image reading method and apparatus, a past image signal read regarding past image information recorded in the radiation solid-state detector in the past, and an elapsed time from a time of recording the past image information in the radiation solid-state detector to a time of recording the current radiation image information are stored. The current image signal is then corrected based on the recorded past image information and the elapsed time.
US07786457B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for detecting the level of a fluid in a surgical cassette by projecting light from a linear light source into a wall of a cassette. Depending on the amount a light reflected or refracted in the cassette (i.e., due to the cassette material/fluid interface or cassette material/air interface (or other interface)) various portions of a linear sensor array will be more or less illuminated. By examining the illumination of the linear sensor array, the level of fluid in the chamber can be determined.
US07786455B2

An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber and an ignition source that ionizes a gas within the chamber. The apparatus also includes at least one laser that provides energy to the ionized gas within the chamber to produce a high brightness light. The laser can provide a substantially continuous amount of energy to the ionized gas to generate a substantially continuous high brightness light.
US07786454B2

A direct-write electron beam lithography system employing a patterned beam-defining aperture to enable the generation of high current-density shaped beams without the need for multiple beam-shaping apertures, lenses and deflectors is disclosed. Beam blanking is accomplished without the need for an intermediate crossover between the electron source and the wafer being patterned by means of a double-deflection blanker, which also facilitates proximity effect correction. A simple type of “moving lens” is utilized to eliminate off-axis aberrations in the shaped beam. A method for designing the patterned beam-defining aperture is also disclosed.
US07786448B2

For reducing extremely conspicuous line noise appearing in a picked up image with a simple configuration without complicating the configuration of an apparatus, an imaging apparatus a first sampling and holding circuit for sampling and holding an electric signal from pixels in one column of the detection unit and a second sampling and holding circuit for sampling and holding and electric signal from pixels in the other column of the detection unit, and a control unit for controlling such that the first and second sampling and holding circuits perform the sampling and holding in mutually different timings.
US07786446B2

An extended electrode is electrically connected to a conductor in a portion outside of an inner wall of a protection member disposed on a photoconductive layer side, the pressure applied to the photoconductive layer is reduced and the deterioration of the photoconductive layer may be suppressed. Further, since the extended electrode is electrically connected to a high-voltage wire in a portion outside of the inner wall of the protection member, the extended electrode may be connected to the high-voltage wire in the state that the photoconductive layer is surrounded by the protection member. As a result, deterioration of the photoconductive layer may be suppressed even while a connection work is performed.
US07786445B2

A side tube includes a tube head, a funnel-shaped connection neck, and a tube main body, which are arranged along a tube axis and which are integrated together into the side tube. The size of a cross section of the tube head perpendicular to the tube axis is larger than the size of a cross section of the tube main body perpendicular to the tube axis. The radius of curvature of rounded corners of the tube head is smaller than the radius of curvature of rounded corners of the tube main body. The length of the tube head along the tube axis is shorter than the length of the tube main body along the tube axis. One surface of a faceplate is connected to the tube head. A photocathode is formed on the surface of the faceplate in its area located inside the tube head.
US07786441B2

A tensiographic drophead comprises a quartz body 10 having a terminal surface 18 with a peripheral drop suspension edge 20. A liquid feed bore 14 extends through the body for supplying a liquid to the terminal surface to form a drop 32 whose outer edges are suspended from the suspension edge 20. At least two light guides 26, 28 extend through the body for respectively transmitting light into and collecting light reflected internally from the drop. The light guides terminate above the plane containing the suspension edge such that the intensity of the reflected light has a significant second order reflection peak.
US07786440B2

A multispectral imaging array system and method of forming the same. A substrate and a group of antennas can be located with respect to one another on the substrate, such that respective gaps are formed between each antenna group and wherein different antenna sizes may be used for different spectral ranges. Additionally, one or more nanowires can be located within one or more gaps among the respective gaps, such that the nanowires in communication with the antennas and the substrate comprise a multispectral imaging system in which the use of the nanowire(s) decreases the thermal time constant and therefore the read out rate from the antennas while decreasing the ambient gas cooling speed relative to the read out rate to increase the manufacturability of the multispectral imaging array system.
US07786437B2

A pattern data examination method and system capable of accurately and speedily examining a circuit pattern without failing to extract pattern contour data are provided. While pattern comparison is ordinarily made by using a secondary electron image, a contour of a pattern element is extracted by using a backscattered electron image said to be suitable for observation and examination of a three dimensional configuration of a pattern element, and pattern inspection is executed by using the extracted contour of the pattern element. More specifically, pattern inspection is executed by comparing a contour of a pattern element with design data such as CAD data to measure a difference between the contour and the data, and by computing, for example, the size of the circuit pattern element from the contour of a pattern. From two or more backscattered electron images formed by detecting backscattered electrons at two or more different spatial positions, pattern contour data contained in the backscattered electron images may be obtained.
US07786433B2

A phantom for quality monitoring of a medical system, in particular a medical therapy system, or particle therapy system, is described. The phantom has a fixation device for coupling the phantom to a positioning device. In an aspect, a method for quality monitoring in a medical system, in particular a medical therapy system or particle therapy system is described, in which such a phantom is coupled via a fixation device to a positioning device and, with the aid of the positioning device, is brought to a predefined position. In another aspect, a particle therapy system has a treatment chamber, with a positioning device to which a phantom can be coupled so that the phantom can be brought to a predefined spatial position using the positioning device.
US07786429B2

An image sensor package includes a molding having a locking feature. The package further includes a snap lid having a tab, where the tab is attached to the locking feature of the molding. To form the image sensor package, a window is placed in a pocket of the molding. The snap lid is secured in place. Once secured, the snap lid presses against a peripheral region of an exterior surface of the window. The window is sandwiched between the molding and the snap lid and held in place.
US07786425B2

An optical sensor for a touch-sensitive push button of a control mechanism for an electronic household appliance has a transmitter, which emits electromagnetic radiation, and a receiver, which receives reflected electromagnetic radiation. A cover is at least partly transparent to the electromagnetic radiation and the transmitter and the receiver are arranged behind the cover. A radiation guide mechanism, for example a diaphragm frame, is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, on the one hand, and the cover, on the other hand, for guiding the radiation emitted from the transmitter towards the cover and to guide the reflected radiation penetrating the cover to the receiver. The diaphragm frame broadens the emission characteristic of the transmitter outward from the cover and/or the reception characteristic of the receiver inward into the cover. Additionally or alternatively, the emission characteristic outward from the cover is inclined in the direction of the reception characteristic of the receiver into the cover and/or the reception characteristic of the receiver into the cover is inclined in the direction of the emission characteristic of the transmitter out from the cover. This moves the range of intersection between emission and reception characteristic closer to the cover, so that the signal-to-noise ratio of the optical sensor is reduced.
US07786417B2

An article for neutralizing an enemy weapon comprising an interceptor and a deployable net attached to the interceptor, said deployable net remaining attached to the interceptor upon deployment, is disclosed. A method of neutralizing an airborne enemy weapon comprising launching an interceptor, with a capture sock, towards the enemy weapon and deploying the capture sock just prior to the interceptor encountering the enemy weapon is also disclosed. The capture sock remains attached to the interceptor upon deployment.
US07786415B2

A system and method for inductively heating a work piece. The induction heating system is coupleable to a plurality of temperature feedback devices operable to provide a signal representative of work piece temperature. The induction heating system is operable to control the output of the induction heating system based on the plurality of signals representative of work piece temperature received from the plurality of temperature feedback devices.
US07786414B2

An induction heating device for a glass ceramic hob or cooktop is embodied as an autonomous component. Said induction heating device comprises a bearing device which, in addition to the induction coil, supports a component support comprising power electronics and control electronics. Only the control connections for the control signals in relation to the power of a line and a direct connection to the household power are provided on said induction heating device. The control electronics ensure the power of a line to the power electronics. Advantageously, said induction heating devices have external dimensions which are the same as traditional radiant heating bodies and thus can easily be used in lieu of said traditional radiant heating bodies when constructing said hob.
US07786410B2

A method of controlling an electric kettle for “dry” burn prevention during heating process, including the steps of: providing a temperature sensor, a microprocessor, and a control circuit; detecting the water temperature; determining the temperature rate change and comparing the temperature rate change with the rate change threshold; and when the temperature rate change is larger than the preset rate change threshold, sending a control signal to the control circuit. The microprocessor determines the temperature rate change and the acceleration rate change that when the temperature rate change and acceleration rate change are larger than the corresponding thresholds respectively, the microprocessor sends the control signal to the control circuit to stop the heating process. Therefore, the present invention accurately determines the increasing temperature of the water and simultaneously cuts off the heating power to prevent the electric kettle from being burnt.
US07786406B2

A stent may be manufactured by providing a tube having a longitudinal axis therethrough, providing a stationary source of laser radiation, generating a beam of laser radiation using the source of laser radiation, and cutting a desired pattern into the tube by scanning the beam over a desired region of the tube.
US07786405B2

A method of connecting a fixture to a case component at an opening on the case component, the case component having a base and a wall disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the base, and the case component having an interior surface and an exterior surface, includes positioning a first end of the fixture within the opening in the case component such that the first end of the fixture is substantially flush with the interior surface of the wall of the case component. Then welding the fixture to the case component along the interior surface of the case component. Further disclosed is a welded apparatus that includes a first component, an opening, a fixture, and a weld between the first component and the fixture that is located along an inner surface of the first component.
US07786398B2

A command switch or and emergency stop switch is disclosed, which includes an actuator and a contact sensor which is separated therefrom. The actuator includes housing and a tappet, which is guided therein and which has a rest position and an actuation position. The contact sensor includes an open switch element which can be placed in the actuation position by way of the tappet in a tensed position. In at least one embodiment, the command switch also includes an additional switch element which is provided with a first switch piece and a second switch piece, which are applied to the actuator in a separated manner and in/on the contact sensor. The additional switch element only closes when the contact sensor is secured to the actuator. The switch pieces of the additional switch element are separated from each other in a compulsory and advantageous manner by the separated embodiment of the command switch enabling them to be secured to different components of the command switch. An axial or radial misalignment, tilting or rotation between the actuator and the contact sensor leads to the non-conductive connection of the contact piece.
US07786397B2

Method and device are provided where a barrier is formed at or around the trigger of a device with a rest area for the index finger so that the finger can remain (extended) off the trigger when the device is not in use. Position and/or size of the rest area is adjustable to, for example, accommodate index fingers of various sizes. Adjustment of the position of the rest area can be achieved by means of a screw which slides a resting piece to a selected correct location, or by means of inserts that may be indexed to a selected length. Device can be a nailer, and the barrier is configured to accommodate a depth gage of the nailer.
US07786384B2

A high ampacity busbar includes a pair of oppositely facing bowl-shaped conductors, each of whose cross sections resembles half of a hexagon or an open isosceles trapezoid, separated by an air gap in both horizontal and vertical configurations. The air gap increases cooling efficiency by natural convection by exposing more surface area of the conductors directly to the air flow within the electrical distribution equipment cabinet. As a result, the overall temperature of the bus system is reduced. The shaped conductors have smoother transitions presented to the electrical current between the bends of the conductors. These smooth transitions improve current distribution throughout the conductor, reducing skin effects. As a result of improved thermal dissipation and reduced skin effects, the amount of copper needed to maintain the same ampacity is significantly reduced. Magnetic shields can be placed between adjacent busbars, reducing proximity effects.
US07786376B2

A Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell comprises a flexible substrate and a first array of a plurality of closely-spaced microscale pillars connected to a first electrical cell contact. The pillars and the contact are formed of (or having a top) layer of a first Schottky metal material with a work function selected for efficiently collecting photogenerated electrons. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell further comprises a second array of a plurality of closely-spaced microscale pillars connected to a second electrical cell contact. The pillars and the contact are formed of (or having a top) layer of a second Schottky metal material with a work function selected for efficiently collecting photogenerated holes. The Schottky contact photovoltaic energy conversion cell further comprises a semiconductor absorber thin-film layer covering the first and second contacts and filling spaces among all the pillars, for creating photogenerated electrons and holes.
US07786375B2

In one embodiment, harmful solar cell polarization is prevented or minimized by providing a conductive path that bleeds charge from a front side of a solar cell to the bulk of a wafer. The conductive path may include patterned holes in a dielectric passivation layer, a conductive anti-reflective coating, or layers of conductive material formed on the top or bottom surface of an anti-reflective coating, for example. Harmful solar cell polarization may also be prevented by biasing a region of a solar cell module on the front side of the solar cell.
US07786374B2

Disclosed is a pianoforte instrument comprising a musical mechanism with keys. Also provided are strings which are struck via a mechanism when the keys are actuated and are made to vibrate. The vibrations of the strings are transmitted to a sound board. A device is provided for delivering additional oscillating energy into the sound board. Also provided are sensors which directly or indirectly detect actuation of the keys of the musical mechanism. The measured values of the sensors are fed to a sound-amplifying device. The sound-amplifying device is equipped with units which compile data corresponding to a desired characteristic sound in accordance with the measured values of the sensors. The sound amplifying device supplies the sound board with additional oscillation energy via the delivering device according to the determined data.
US07786369B2

A system for playing music is provided. The system includes: a mood categorizer categorizing a mood of a music file; a similar music search module searching for similar music having a mood similar to music which a user desires by referring to the categorized mood; a highlight detector detecting a highlight section of the music file; and a theme categorizer categorizing a theme of the music file.
US07786361B1

A wood on graphite layup instrument includes a soundboard, reinforced bridge, and neck made of reinforced plies of graphite fibers. The outer surface of the instrument is adorned with a wood veneer for a finished look that resembles a traditional instrument, such as a guitar.
US07786359B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV602114. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV602114, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV602114 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV602114 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV602114.
US07786358B2

The present invention relates to a new and distinct inbred tomato lines and hybrids. This invention also relates to plants and seeds of such inbred tomato lines and hybrids, and to parts thereof. The invention also relates to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such inbred tomato lines and hybrids with themselves or other tomato plants.
US07786349B2

Methods and means are provided to increase the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress or adverse growing conditions, including drought, high light intensities, high temperatures, nutrient limitations and the like by reducing the activity of endogenous PARG proteins in plants.
US07786347B2

The invention provides polypeptides comprising inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members, such as BmIAP initially derived from Bombyx mori BmN cells, and nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using these compositions, including their use for inhibiting apoptosis.
US07786345B2

The present invention relates to transgenic plants for producing cellulose by a mechanism of autohydrolysis and a method producing soluble sugars using them, more particularly to transgenic plants transformed with recombinant cDNA coding cellulase, cellulose binding domain and chloroplast targeting peptide and a method producing soluble sugars using them. Transgenic plants and a method producing soluble sugars using them would be a highly cost-effective system for the production of soluble sugars on a large scale.
US07786337B2

In a process for oligomerizing an olefinic hydrocarbon feedstock, the feedstock is contacted under oligomerization conditions with (a) a first crystalline molecular sieve catalyst and (b) a second catalyst comprising a solid phosphoric acid. The first and second catalysts may be contained in separate reactors or as separate beds in a single reactor.
US07786334B2

A process is described for the preparation of 2-chloro-1,1,1-difluoroethane by the reaction of 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane with hydrogen fluoride. in the presence of a fluorination catalyst. The process utilizes a rate enhancing reagent that is trichloroethylene, is 1-fluoro-1,2,3-trichloroethane or an aromatic rate enhancing reagent having the formula where R is C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group, halo or nitro and R′ is C1 to C6 linear or branched alkyl substituted with at least one halo group.
US07786322B2

The present invention provides a salt of the formula (I): wherein ring X represents monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 30 carbon atoms, and one or more hydrogen atom in the monocyclic or polycyclic hydrocarbon group is optionally substituted with alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atom, alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atom, perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or cyano group; Q1 and Q2 each independently represent fluorine atom or perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and A+ represents organic counter ion. The present invention also provides a chemically amplified resist composition comprising the salt of the formula (I).
US07786315B2

A process is described for selectively extracting cocoa procyanidins from an aqueous mixture of cocoa polyphenols by using a particular sequence of solvents to extract selected procyanidin monomers and/or oligomers. The solvents are n-butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, diethyl ether, or mixtures of methyl acetate and diethyl ether. Preferably, the aqueous mixture of cocoa polyphenols is first extracted with n-butyl acetate. The mixtures of methyl acetate and diethyl ether are between 25:75 and 75:25 (v/v).
US07786313B2

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a mixture comprising at least two structurally different diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments of formula wherein A1 and A2 are each independently of the other an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical, by reacting a succinic acid ester with at least one unsubstituted or substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic nitrile, which process comprises carrying out the reaction in the presence of at least one compound of formula wherein A is an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical, R3 is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, methoxy, —CF3 or —CN, R4 is a linear or, from C3 upwards, optionally branched C1-C30alkyl, C6-C10aryl or C6-C24aralkyl radical, X is —S—, —O—, —CR5R5′—, —COO—, —CONR5—, —SO—, SO2—, —SO2NR5— or —NR5— and R5 and R5′ are each independently of the other hydrogen or a linear or, from C3 upwards, optionally branched C1-C30alkyl, C6-C10aryl or C6-C24aralkyl radical, to the use of such a mixture in the coloring of organic material and in cosmetics, and also to novel diketopyrrolopyrrole pigment mixtures.
US07786304B2

The invention relates to a process for making 6-(5-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-6,7-dihydro-7-oxo-5H-pyrrolo-[3,4-b]pyrazin-5-yl-4-methyl piperazine-1-carboxylate, also known as zopiclone. The invention further describes an effective method for resolving zopiclone into its enantiomers (eszopiclone and (R)-zopiclone) and also provides a method of recycling of (R)-zopiclone. The process for making (S)-6(S)-6-(5-chloro-2-pyridinyl)-6,7-dihydro-7-oxo-5H-pyrrolo-[3,4-b]pyrazin-5-yl-4-methyl piperazine-1-carboxylate (eszopiclone), comprises reacting 2-amino 5-chloropyridine with pyrazine 2,3,dicarboxylic acid anhydride at room temperature to obtain 3-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)carbamoyl-2-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid; cyclizing the 3-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)carbamoyl-2-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid in a second inert organic solvent to obtain 6-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)5,7-dioxo-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]-pyrazine; reducing the 6-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)5,7-dioxo-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]-pyrazine to obtain 6-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)-5-hydroxy-7-oxo-5,6-dihydropyrrolo-[3,4-b]pyrazine; pyrazine with 1-chlorocarbonyl-4-methylpiperazine hydrochloride in a third organic solvent in presence of triethyl amine along with a catalytic amount of an acylation catalyst to obtain racemic zopiclone; e) recrystallizing the zopiclone from an alkyl ester solvent followed by purifying in suitable alcohols or mixtures thereof; and resolving the racemic zopiclone by treating with (+)-O—O′ dibenzoyl tartaric acid to obtain eszopiclone.
US07786295B2

An improved method for isolating DNA from biological samples is provided.
US07786287B2

The present invention features assays employing a beta-lactamase reporter system, an HCV replicon enhanced cell, and/or a chimeric HCV replicon containing a 3′ UTR based on the HCV-1a 3′ UTR. These features can be employed alone or together, and are preferably combined together to measure HCV replicon activity and the affect of compounds on such activity.
US07786286B2

The identification of a highly conserved, immunologically accessible antigen at the surface of Neisseria facilitates treatment, prophylaxis, and diagnosis of Neisseria diseases. This antigen is highly resistant to Proteinase K and has an apparent molecular weight of 22 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Specific polynucleotides encoding proteins of this class have been isolated from three Neisseria meningitidis strains and from one Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain. These polynucleotides have been sequenced, and the corresponding full-length amino acid sequences of the encoded polypeptides have been deduced. Recombinant DNA methods for the production of the Neisseria surface protein, and antibodies that bind to this protein are also disclosed.
US07786285B2

This invention is directed to preparation and expression of synthetic genes encoding polypeptides containing protective epitopes of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). The invention is also directed to production of immunogenic peptides encoded by the synthetic genes, as well as recovery and purification of the immunogenic peptides from recombinant organisms. The invention is also directed to methods of vaccination against botulism using the expressed peptides.
US07786278B2

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. The invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer. One such foreign DNA sequence is modified CEA nucleic acid.
US07786277B2

Methods to introduce highly phosphorylated mannopyranosyl oligosaccharide derivatives containing mannose 6-phosphate (M6P), or other oligosaccharides bearing other terminal hexoses, to carbonyl groups on oxidized glycans of glycoproteins while retaining their biological activity are described. The methods are useful for modifying glycoproteins, including those produced by recombinant protein expression systems, to increase uptake by cell surface receptor-mediated mechanisms, thus improving their therapeutic efficacy in a variety of applications.
US07786273B2

The present invention provides macromolecules comprising at least one thioether cross-link. A thioether cross-link comprising a single thioether bond between two residues of a macromolecule. The macromolecules of the invention can display enhanced stability, pharmaceutical properties and functional properties. In particular, the invention provides an isolated antibodies comprising at least one thioether cross-link that specifically bind to particular antigens. The present invention also provides a composition comprising a macromolecule substantially free of a denaturing reagent, wherein the macromolecule comprises at least one thioether cross-link. In addition, the present invention provides a method for producing the macromolecules and compositions of the invention.
US07786268B2

The invention relates to fully human antibodies, and fragments thereof, that bind to interferon-inducible-protein-10 (IP-10, CXCL10), thereby modulating the interaction between IP-10 and its receptor, CXCR3, and/or modulating the biological activities of IP-10. The invention also relates to the use of such anti-IP-10 antibodies in the prevention or treatment of immune-related disorders and in the amelioration of one or more symptoms associated with an immune-related disorder.
US07786267B2

The present invention includes compositions and methods for designing, making and using modular recombinant antibodies or fragments thereof with one half of a cohesin-dockerin pair that permits the rapid assembly of multivariant antigen conjugates.
US07786266B2

The present invention is based on the discovery that the cytoxicity of anti-desmocollin 2 (DSC2) antibodies can be used for treating various cancers including lung, colon, pancreatic, prostate, breast, gastric or liver cancers. Specifically, the present invention provides antibodies against DSC2 that have effector function. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise anti-DSC2 antibody as an active ingredient for damaging DSC2-expressing cells via the effector function of the antibody.
US07786262B2

Polypeptides comprising monomer domains that bind to IL-6, or portions thereof, are provided.
US07786260B1

An isolated polypeptide and immunogenic fragments thereof are described together with their variants and derivatives as novel immunogenic agents for treating or preventing Helicobacter infection in a mammalian host. The polypeptide comprises a C-terminal portion of a Helicobacter catalase, which portion lacks significant amino acid sequence identity with human catalase, wherein the polypeptide is other than full-length Helicobacter catalase.
US07786254B2

A process to perform the finishing of polyolefins produced by gas-phase catalytic polymerization of one or more α-olefins in the presence of a polymerization diluent selected from a C3-C5 alkane, wherein the polyolefin granules discharged from the gas-phase reactor are subjected to: (1) a first degassing step in which said polyolefin is counter-currently contacted with a gaseous stream containing at least 85% by mol of a stripping agent selected from a C3-C5 alkane, said gaseous stream being continuously derived from the monomer recovery section of the polymerization plant; (2) a second degassing step in which said polyolefin is counter-currently contacted with steam, the amount of steam being from 10 to 200 Kg per 1000 kg of polyolefin.
US07786246B2

Disclosed herein is an isosorbide-based polycarbonate polymer comprising: an isosorbide unit, an aliphatic unit derived from a C14-44 aliphatic diacid, C14-44 aliphatic diol, or combination of these; and a polysiloxane block.
US07786235B2

The invention provides a block polymer capable of being used as a molecular wire facilitating injection of carriers between itself and an electrode, and a device in which electrodes are bridged by one molecule. The block polymer has a main chain composed of polyacetylene having a spiral structure, and includes a coating insulating block and a conductive block. The coating insulating block has a polyacetylene unit structure having alkyl chains at its side chains through functional groups, the alkyl chains being arranged in a direction parallel to the major axis of the main chain. The conductive block has a polyacetylene unit structure having hydrogen atoms at its side chains through functional groups, the hydrogen atoms being arranged in a direction parallel to the major axis of the main chain. The device has the above-mentioned block polymer, and two or more electrodes.
US07786227B2

A method for the control of a polymerization process, which method employs the combination of a densitometer measurement of the polymerization reaction mixture and a quadratic computer model.
US07786219B2

The present invention provides a bifunctional phenylene ether oligomer compound having a thermosetting functional group at each terminal, an epoxy resin containing the above oligomer compound and a use thereof. That is, it provides a sealing epoxy resin composition for sealing an electric part, an epoxy resin composition for laminates, a laminate, a printed wiring board, a curable resin composition and a photosensitive resin composition. The resins and resin compositions of the present invention are used in electronics fields in which a low dielectric constant, a low dielectric loss tangent and high toughness are required and also used for various uses such as coating, bonding and molding.
US07786213B2

Chemical polymerization procedures initiated by, and proceeding from, a biomolecule, particularly a protein, for the formation of biomolecule-polymer conjugates, particularly protein-polymer conjugates, which have therapeutic uses, are intermediates for forming other materials or are usable in diagnostic sensors are disclosed. Polymerization can be initiated by a protein in the absence of additional initiation agents to form the protein-polymer conjugate. Alternatively, polymerization is initiated in the presence of an additional initiation agent that does not interact with the protein. Amino acids existing in the protein can serve as the sites for initiation of the polymerization or the protein can be modified to contain site(s) for initiation or protein with active sites can be prepared by recombinant methods, chemical ligation, solid-phase synthesis, or other techniques to generate site(s) for initiation.
US07786211B2

The invention relates to a process for producing a water-absorbing resin by polymerization of a reaction mixture comprising at least one hydrophilic monomer and, if appropriate, at least one crosslinker in a reactor, which comprises admixing the reaction mixture with at least one first portion of a particulate additive before the reaction mixture has reached a residence time of 40% of the overall residence time in the reactor and with at least one second portion of a particulate additive when the reaction mixture has reached a residence time of 45% or more of the overall residence time in the reactor, the additive being selected from water-absorbing resin powders, fillers and mixtures thereof, the total solids content of monomer and additive being in the range from 30% to 60% by weight, the amount of additive being in the range from 5% to 50% by weight, based on the monomers, and the weight ratio of the first portion to the second portion of the additive being in the range from 10:1 to 1:5. The resin powder is recycled fine-sized material for example. Not only the residual monomer content, specifically the residual crosslinker content, but also the level of extractables in the water-absorbing resin are reduced by the method of addition described. A high fraction of additives can be incorporated without the properties of the water-absorbing resin obtained being adversely affected. The additives enter a sufficiently firm bond with the resin, so that no excessive dusting occurs on exposure to mechanical stress.
US07786210B2

Disclosed is a composition comprising poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid), plasticizer, and optionally a nucleator, an impact modifier, or both. Also disclosed is a process for producing a thermoformed two-dimensional article having a surface area to thickness ratio greater than about 200:1 inch.
US07786209B2

A hydrophobically- or hydrophilically-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane has the following formula: where each R, which can be the same or different, independently represents a linear, branched or cyclic organic group selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic alkyl groups, hydrophobic aryl groups, hydrophobic arylalkyl groups, hydrophobic cycloaliphatic groups, and hydrophilic organic moieties, provided that at least one of the R groups is a wax-like aliphatic group.
US07786207B2

An aqueous dispersion of a block copolymer comprising a polyadduct or polycondensate (polymer I for short) on one hand and a polymer obtainable by free-radical addition polymerization (polymer II for short) on the other, wherein polymer I is obtainable by reaction of its starting compounds in miniemulsion, one of the starting compounds of polymer I is an initiator of free-radical addition polymerization, and polymer II is prepared in the presence of said initiator.
US07786201B2

The present invention relates to a mixture of diisononyl esters of 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, wherein the isononyl radicals of the diisononyl esters present in the mixture have a degree of branching of from 1.2 to 2.0, to a process for its preparation and to the use of such mixtures.
US07786199B2

Organic polymer compositions can be made flame-retardant by addition of selected organic phosphate and other components, such as known flame-retardants or conventional additives for further improvements, e.g. in flame retardancy or light stability.
US07786198B2

The present invention relates to substances, crosslinkable by attachment of an Si-bonded hydrogen atom to an aliphatic multiple bond, which comprise at least one compound of the formula R3P(O) (OH)2  (III) and/or the derivatives thereof, R3 being an optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical which can be interrupted by heteroatoms.
US07786174B2

Methods and compositions which are useful in the treatment of amyloidosis. In particular, methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting, preventing and treating amyloid deposition, e.g., in pancreatic islets, wherein the amyloidotic deposits are islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)-associated amyloid deposition or deposits. The methods of the invention involve administering to a subject a therapeutic compound which inhibits IAPP-associated amyloid deposits. Accordingly, the compositions and methods of the invention are useful for inhibiting IAPP-associated amyloidosis in disorders in which such amyloid deposition occurs, such as diabetes.
US07786170B2

Due to the poor long-term clinical outcome in the adult patients with several forms of acute leukemia novel treatment strategies are needed to overcome resistance and sensitize the leukemia blasts to the extrinsic and intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Treatment with LAQ824 and Apo-2L/TRAIL alone has been recognized to induce apoptosis of leukemia blasts but intrinsic mechanisms of resistance limit the antileukemia activity of either agent when administered alone. The inventive method overcomes the resistance to current apoptosis inducing treatments demonstrated by AML and CML-BC cells by concomitantly administering Apo-2L/TRAIL with the histone deacetylase inhibitor LAQ824.
US07786161B2

A carboxylic acid derivative of formula (I): wherein R1 is —COOH, —COOR6, etc.; A is a single bond, alkylene, etc.; R2 is alkyl, alkoxy, etc.; B is a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring; Q is alkylnene-Cyc2, etc.; D is a linking chain; and R3 is alkyl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, or a non-toxic salt thereof. The compound of formula (I) binds to PGE2 receptor, especially subtypes EP3 and/or EP4 and show the antagonizing activity, are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases induced pain, itch, urticaria, allergy, urinary frequency, urinary disturbance, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, etc.
US07786155B2

The invention relates to compound of the formula I wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification; in free base form or in acid addition salt form; to its preparation, to its use as medicament and to medicaments comprising it.
US07786153B2

Novel compounds of formula 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof inhibit cytochrome P450 monooxygenase.
US07786149B2

Disclosed are novel compounds of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof. Examples of groups comprising Substituent A include heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkynyl, alkenyl, aminoalkyl, alkyl or amino. Examples of groups comprising Substituent B include aryl and heteroaryl. Also disclosed is a method of treating a chemokine mediated diseases, such as, cancer, angiogenisis, angiogenic ocular diseases, pulmonary diseases, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, stroke and ischemia reperfusion injury, pain (e.g., acute pain, acute and chronic inflammatory pain, and neuropathic pain) using a compound of formula IA.
US07786142B2

The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds of the general formula (I), as IL-6 inhibitors, their derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their hydrates, their solvates, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and compositions, their metabolites and prodrugs thereof. The present invention more particularly provides novel heterocyclic compounds of the general formula (I). Also included is a method for treatment of cancer, cancer cachexia and inflammatory diseases including immunological diseases, particularly those mediated by cytokines such as IL-6, through pSTAT3 inhibition, in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as described above
US07786138B2

A compound of the following formula wherein R′ is a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl group is useful in processes associated with the synthesis of montelukast and its salts.
US07786124B2

The present application discloses a compound, or enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, racemates or prodrug of said compound, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or esters of said compound, or of said prodrug, said compound having the general structure shown in Formula 1: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof. Also disclosed is a method of treating chemokine mediated diseases, such as, palliative therapy, curative therapy, prophylactic therapy of certain diseases and conditions such as inflammatory diseases (non-limiting example(s) include, psoriasis), autoimmune diseases (non-limiting example(s) include, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), graft rejection (non-limiting example(s) include, allograft rejection, zenograft rejection), infectious diseases (e.g, tuberculoid leprosy), fixed drug eruptions, cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, ophthalmic inflammation, type I diabetes, viral meningitis and tumors using a compound of Formula 1.
US07786111B2

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula 1 wherein: n is 1 or 2; R1 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, halogen, OH, or —O—C1-C4-alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, halogen, OH, or —O—C1-C4-alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, OH, halogen, —O—C1-C4-alkyl, —O—C1-C4-alkylene-COOH, or —O—C1-C4-alkylene-CO—O—C1-C4-alkyl, or an acid addition salt thereof with a pharmacologically acceptable acid, or a solvate or hydrate thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier, and methods for using the pharmaceutical formulation in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
US07786109B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein A, G, r and R1 to R5 are as defined in the description and claims, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases which are associated with the modulation of H3 receptors such as, for example, diabetes mellitus.
US07786104B2

The invention concerns compounds of general formula (I): Wherein n, X1, X2, X3, X4, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are as defined herein. The invention also concerns a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) and their therapeutic use.
US07786100B2

A composition for treating hearing loss includes components that function through different biological mechanisms to provide an additive effect that is greater than the effect of the individual components alone. The composition includes a biologically effective amount of vitamin E for inhibiting propagation of lipid peroxidation that contributes to hearing loss. The composition also includes a biologically effective amount of a salicylate for reducing hydroxyl radicals that contribute to hearing loss. A method of treating hearing loss includes the step of internally administering the composition, as described above, to a mammal within three days of trauma to a middle or inner ear of the mammal. In other words, the composition is effective even when administered as late as three days after trauma to a middle or inner ear of a mammal.
US07786097B2

The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: or salt thereof, which are modulators of the glucocorticoid receptor. The compounds and salts of the invention are useful in the treatment of conditions mediated by glucocorticoid receptor activity.
US07786095B2

Soluble amphiphilic macrocycle analogues having lipophilic groups attached to one side of the units making up the macrocycle and hydrophilic groups attached to the other side. These amphiphilic macrocyclic derivatives have the ability to self-assemble in aqueous solvent forming micelles or vesicles and can be used as hosts for the solubilization and/or stabilization of various compounds. Embodiments of the present invention utilize macrocyclic oligosaccharides and preferably cyclodextrin as the macrocyclic derivatives to be modified.
US07786081B2

Provided is use of a peptide, or a derivative of a peptide, in the manufacture of a medicament effective in stimulating fibroblasts to produce fibrillin, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence present in an α-S2 casein precursor, said sequence comprising 3 or more amino acids, and not comprising at its N-terminal amino acid of the full α-S2 casein precursor. Further provided is use of a peptide, or a derivative of a peptide, in the manufacture of a medicament effective in stimulating fibroblasts to produce fibrillin, wherein the peptide has an α-S2 casein fragment activity.
US07786079B2

The invention relates to nonadepsipeptides and methods for their preparation and their use for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular bacterial infectious diseases.
US07786077B2

A pharmaceutical association or combination comprising a therapeutic effective amount of insulin or insulin analogue, and a therapeutic effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable betaine, in which the insulin and the betaine possibly form a chemical entity or complex, and in which the amount of betaine is adapted for controlling the degradation and/or for increasing the duration of action and/or for enhancing the therapeutically effect of the insulin or insulin analogue.
US07786074B2

Provided herein are compositions and methods for use in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration following tissue injury in a subject.
US07786066B2

The stability of aqueous, liquid detergents containing hypochlorite and brighteners is achieved by the use of a specific complexing agent.
US07786059B2

An anti-wear additive composition comprising at least one acid phosphite compound and at least one neutral phosphite compound, wherein the ratio of the acid phosphite to the neutral phosphite is from about 1.0:10.7 to about 2.0:1.0, and lubricating oil compositions containing the same.
US07786057B2

Linked aromatic compounds found to act as potent soot dispersants in lubricating oil compositions; lubricating, oil compositions containing such soot dispersants and precursor compounds from which the soot dispersants are derived.
US07786052B2

A wellbore fluid that includes an oleagninous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous phase; and a polymeric additive formed by reaction of at least one lipophilic epoxy modifier and at least one epoxide-reactive agent, wherein the at least one epoxide-reactive agent comprises at least one selected from lignins, tannins, biopolymers, starches, carboxy methyl cellulose, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, and synthetic polymers is disclosed.
US07786046B2

The present invention relates to benzoyl-substituted serinamides of the formula I in which the variables R1 to R11 are as defined in the description, and to their agriculturally useful salts, to processes and intermediates for their preparation, and to the use of these compounds or of compositions comprising these compounds for controlling unwanted plants.
US07786044B2

6-Amino-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acids having alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl substituents in the 5-position and 4-aminopicolinic acids having alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl substituents in the 3-position, and their amine and acid derivatives, are potent herbicides demonstrating a broad spectrum of weed control.
US07786032B2

The present invention is generally directed to adhesive compositions comprising selected ratios of crystalline and amorphous polymers. In some versions of the invention, polymers capable of existing in different configurations (e.g., a polymer such as polypropylene which can exist in an atactic, syndiotactic. or isotactic configuration) is used to prepare adhesives of the present invention. As an example, a selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of a conventional hot-melt adhesive.
US07786030B2

The present invention provides an indoor cleaning tool having a dry fibrous base material. An antigenicity-reducing composition that includes an antigenicity-reducing component, a lubricant, and a surfactant is applied to the fibrous base material. It would be preferable for the antigenicity-reducing component to be tannic acid.
US07786026B2

The present invention provides thickened fabrics and reinforcements for use as a spacer or reinforcement for a matrix system. The fabric includes in a first embodiment a woven fabric comprising weft and warp yarns containing glass fibers. A portion of the weft yarns are undulated, resulting in an increased thickness for the fabric. The fabric is coated with a polymeric resin or bonding agent, for substantially binding the weft yarns in the undulated condition. This invention also includes methods for making such fabric by increasing the thickness of a woven or non-woven material by such methods as applying tension during weaving operations, or using unbalanced yarns.
US07786022B2

In the invention, a silica sol prepared by hydrolyzing and condensing a silane compound represented by the following formula: Si(OR1)4 or R2nSi(OR3)4-n wherein R1s, R2(s) and R3(s) may be the same or different when a plurality of them are contained in the molecule and each independently represents a linear or branched C1-4 alkyl group in the presence of a hydrophilic basic catalyst and a hydrophobic basic catalyst is used for a conventional porous-film forming composition.
US07786019B2

Methods for etching quartz are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method of etching quartz includes providing a film stack on a substrate support disposed in a processing chamber, the film stack having a quartz layer partially exposed through a patterned layer; and etching the quartz layer of the film stack in a multi-step process including a first step of etching the quartz layer utilizing a first process gas comprising at least one fluorocarbon process gas and a chlorine-containing process gas; and a second step of etching the quartz layer utilizing a second process gas comprising at least one fluorocarbon process gas.
US07786016B2

A method of substantially uniformly removing silicon oxide is disclosed. The silicon oxide to be removed includes at least one cavity therein or more than one density or strain therein. The silicon oxide having at least one cavity or more than one density or strain is exposed to a gaseous mixture of NH3 and HF and heated, to substantially uniformly remove the silicon oxide. A method of removing an exposed sacrificial layer without substantially removing exposed isolation regions using the gaseous mixture of NH3 and HF and heat is also disclosed, as is an intermediate semiconductor device structure that includes a semiconductor substrate, a sacrificial layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, a diffusion barrier overlying the sacrificial layer, and exposed isolation regions.
US07786012B2

A semiconductor wafer edge exposure process as described herein employs a photoresist exposure step that exposes photoresist material to radiation having a gradient intensity profile near the outer edge of the wafer. The gradient intensity profile creates a tapered outer edge in the developed photoresist material, which in turn creates a tapered outer edge in the underlying target material after etching. Different gradient intensity profiles can also be used for subsequent layers of material. The resulting tapered edge profile of the wafer is resistant to edge peeling and flaking.
US07786011B2

Compositions and methods for forming metal films on semiconductor substrates are disclosed. One of the disclosed methods comprises: heating the semiconductor substrate to obtain a heated semiconductor substrate; exposing the heated semiconductor substrate to a composition containing at least one metal precursor comprising at least one ligand, an excess amount of neutral labile ligands, a supercritical solvent, and optionally at least one source of B, C, N, Si, P, and mixtures thereof; exposing the composition to a reducing agent and/or thermal energy at or near the heated semiconductor substrate; disassociating the at least one ligand from the metal precursor; and forming the metal film while minimizing formation of metal oxides.
US07786010B2

An apparatus and a method form a thin layer on each of multiple semiconductor substrates. A processing chamber of the apparatus includes a boat in which the semiconductor substrates are arranged in a vertical direction. A vaporizer vaporizes a liquid metal precursor into a metal precursor gas. A buffer receives a source gas from the vaporizer and increases a pressure of the source gas to higher than atmospheric pressure, the source gas including the metal precursor gas. A first supply pipe connects the buffer and the processing chamber, the first supply pipe including a first valve for controlling a mass flow rate of the source gas. A second supply pipe connects the vaporizer and a pump for creating a vacuum inside the processing chamber, the second supply pipe including a second valve for exhausting a dummy gas during an idling operation of the vaporizer.
US07785998B2

Some embodiments include methods of forming dispersions of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are incorporated into first coordination complexes in which the nanoparticles are coordinated to hydrophobic ligands, and the first coordination complexes are dispersed within a non-polar solvent. While the first coordination complexes are within the non-polar solvent, the ligands are reacted with one or more reactants to convert the first coordination complexes into second coordination complexes that contain hydrophilic ligands. The second coordination complexes are then extracted from the non-polar solvent into water, to form a mixture of the second coordination complexes and the water. In some embodiments, the mixture may be dispersed across a semiconductor substrate to form a uniform distribution of the nanoparticles across the substrate. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may then be incorporated into flash memory devices as charge-trapping centers.
US07785995B2

Pile ups of threading dislocations in thick graded buffer layer are reduced by enhancing dislocation gliding. During formation of a graded SiGe buffer layer, deposition of SiGe from a silicon precursor and a germanium precursor is interrupted one or more times with periods in which the flow of the silicon precursor to the substrate is stopped while the flow of the germanium precursor to the substrate is maintained.
US07785987B2

An apparatus has two slabs of substrate material joined to each other, the two slabs including a pair of contacts joined to each other having a shape separating a first area from a second area.
US07785984B2

A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device includes generating on a substrate liquid-phase silanol having fluidity by causing a source gas made of a material containing silicon to react with a source gas made of a material containing oxygen, introducing the silanol into a first recess having an aspect ratio of a predetermined value wholly, and introducing the silanol into a space from a bottom to an intermediate portion in a second recess having an aspect ratio lower than the predetermined value, the first and second recesses are provided in the substrate, burying a silicon oxide film in the first recess and providing the silicon oxide film in the second recess by converting the silanol into the silicon oxide film by dehydrating condensation, and providing a dielectric film having film density higher than that of the silicon oxide film on the silicon oxide film.
US07785983B2

A method for forming a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region. The first region has one or more first elements and the second region has one or more second elements. The first elements are different from the second elements. A tile location and a first tile surface area for a tile feature on the semiconductor device is defined. An active semiconductor layer is formed over both the first region and the second region of the semiconductor substrate. A first trench is formed in the active semiconductor layer at the tile location using a negative tone mask. The first trench has a first depth and forms at least a portion of the tile feature. A second trench is formed in the active semiconductor layer using a positive tone mask. The second trench has a second depth different than the first depth.
US07785981B2

A solid state imaging device having a back-illuminated type structure in which a lens is formed on the back side of a silicon layer with a light-receiving sensor portion being formed thereon. Insulating layers are buried into the silicon layer around an image pickup region, with the insulating layer being buried around a contact layer that connects an electrode layer of a pad portion and an interconnection layer of the surface side. A method of manufacturing such a solid-state imaging device is also provided.
US07785974B2

A method for forming a bipolar transistor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate. An oxide layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The oxide layer is patterned to form an opening that exposes a portion of the semiconductor substrate. A dopant, such as antimony, is implanted into the semiconductor substrate through the opening to form a buried layer. An upper portion of the mask layer is removed to define a thin mask layer. A buried layer diffusion process is performed to drive in the implanted dopants while mitigating recess formation.
US07785973B2

An electronic device can include a gate electrode having different portions with different conductivity types. In an embodiment, a process of forming the electronic device can include forming a semiconductor layer over a substrate, wherein the semiconductor layer has a particular conductivity type. The process can also include selectively doping a region of the semiconductor layer to form a first doped region having an opposite conductivity type. The process can further include patterning the semiconductor layer to form a gate electrode that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes a portion of the first doped region, and the second region includes a portion of the semiconductor layer outside of the first doped region. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device can have a gate electrode having edge portions of one conductivity type and a central portion having an opposite conductivity type.
US07785967B2

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including an active region and a gate region, and a gate channel formed in a portion of the active region that overlaps the gate region. The gate channel includes a recessed multi-bulb structure.
US07785966B2

An improved method for fabricating floating gate structures of flash memory cells having reduced and more uniform forward tunneling voltages. The method may include the steps of: forming at least two floating gates over a substrate; forming a mask over each of the floating gates, each of the masks having a portion, adjacent to a tip of a respective one of the floating gates, of a given thickness, wherein the given thicknesses of the mask portions are different from one another; and etching the masks to reduce the different given thicknesses of the mask portions to a reduced thickness wherein the reduced thickness portions of the mask are of a uniform thickness.
US07785960B2

A method of fabricating a vertical channel transistor for a semiconductor device includes forming, on a substrate, a plurality of active pillars each having a gate electrode formed on and surrounding a lower portion thereof; forming a first insulation layer over the active pillars to fill a gap region between the active pillars; partially removing the first insulation layer to exposes a circumferential surface of the gate electrode in all directions, without exposing the substrate in the gap region between the active pillars; forming a conductive layer on the remaining first insulation layer to fill the gap region between the active pillars; and patterning the conductive layer to form a word line that surrounds and contacts the circumferential surface of the gate electrode in all directions.
US07785959B2

A method is provided for fabricating a multi-port memory in which a plurality of parallel connected capacitors are in a cell. A plurality of trench capacitors are formed which have capacitor dielectric layers extending along walls of the plurality of trenches, the plurality of trench capacitors having first capacitor plates and second capacitor plates opposite the capacitor dielectric layers from the first capacitor plates. The first capacitor plates are conductively tied together and the second capacitor plates are conductively tied together. In this way, the first capacitor plates are adapted to receive a same variable voltage and the second capacitor plates are adapted to receive a same fixed voltage.
US07785956B2

By selectively providing a buffer layer having an appropriate thickness, height differences occurring during the deposition of an SACVD silicon dioxide may be reduced during the formation of an interlayer dielectric stack of advanced semiconductor devices. The buffer material may be selectively provided after the deposition of contact etch stop layers of both types of internal stress or may be provided after the deposition of one type of dielectric material and may be used during the subsequent patterning of the other type of dielectric stop material as an efficient etch stop layer.
US07785951B2

Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming first, second and third gate electrodes on a semiconductor substrate. A first stress film is provided that covers the first gate electrode and at least a first portion of the third gate electrode. The first stress film has a sufficiently high internal stress characteristic to impart a net compressive stress in a first portion of the semiconductor substrate extending opposite the first gate electrode. A second stress film is also provided. The second stress film covers the second gate electrode and at least a second portion of the third gate electrode. The second stress film has a sufficiently high internal stress characteristic to impart a net tensile stress in a second portion of the semiconductor substrate extending opposite the second gate electrode. The second stress film has an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the first stress film at a location adjacent the third gate electrode.
US07785945B2

A method for fabricating a PMOS transistor is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method can include forming a gate insulation layer and a polysilicon layer over a semiconductor substrate; asymmetrically etching the polysilicon layer; doping the asymmetrically etched polysilicon layer with a P-type dopant; diffusing the dopant in the asymmetrically etched polysilicon layer towards the semiconductor substrate; planarizing the asymmetrically etched polysilicon layer; forming a gate metal layer over the planarized polysilicon layer; forming a hard mask, which delimits a region to be formed with a gate of the PMOS transistor, over the gate metal layer; forming a gate stack by patterning the gate metal layer, the planarized polysilicon layer, and the gate insulation layer; and forming a source/drain in the semiconductor substrate at both sides of the gate stack.
US07785942B2

An active matrix organic EL display device includes pixels each having an organic EL element (7a) and a pixel circuit (3) including a polysilicon TFT for controlling the organic EL element (7a) arranged adjacently in each of the regions partitioned into a matrix shape by data line (12) and gate line (11) that intersect each other. The organic EL element (7a) has a cathode (7) arranged in at least a region that excludes a space above the polysilicon TFT. The cathode (7) is arranged continuously over two or more adjacent pixels in the direction of gate line (11).
US07785941B2

A method for fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT) is provided. A substrate having a gate, a dielectric layer, a channel layer and an ohmic contact layer formed thereon is provided. Next, a metal layer is formed over the substrate covering the ohmic contact layer. Next, the metal layer and the ohmic contact layer are simultaneously etched by a wet etching process to form a source/drain and expose the channel layer. Because the wet etching process can be used to selectively etch the ohmic contact layer, damage to the underlying channel layer may be negligible. Thus, the reliability of the device may be promoted. Furthermore, the process may be simplified, the production yield and the throughput of TFT may be increased.
US07785940B2

A four-mask process thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a method for fabricating the same is disclosed, which prevents a semiconductor tail from being formed. An open area is thus obtained and wavy noise is prevented from occurring. The method of fabricating a TFT array substrate comprises: forming a gate line, a gate electrode and a pad electrode on a substrate; sequentially depositing a gate insulation layer, a silicon layer and a metal layer on an entire surface of the substrate including the gate line; forming an open area in the pad electrode; forming a semiconductor layer, data line and source/drain electrodes by patterning the silicon layer and the metal layer; and forming a pixel electrode connected with the drain electrode and a transparent conductive layer connected with the pad electrode by depositing and patterning a transparent conductive material on the entire surface of the substrate including the data line, and simultaneously defining a channel region by separating the source and drain electrodes from each other.
US07785922B2

The present invention is directed to systems and methods for nanowire growth and harvesting. In an embodiment, methods for nanowire growth and doping are provided, including methods for epitaxial oriented nanowire growth using a combination of silicon precursors, as well as us of patterned substrates to grow oriented nanowires. In a further aspect of the invention, methods to improve nanowire quality through the use of sacrificial growth layers are provided. In another aspect of the invention, methods for transferring nanowires from one substrate to another substrate are provided.
US07785920B2

A pillar-type phase change memory element comprises first and second electrode elements and a phase change element therebetween. A second electrode material and a chlorine-sensitive phase change material are selected. A first electrode element is formed. The phase change material is deposited on the first electrode element and the second electrode material is deposited on the phase change material. The second electrode material and the phase change material are etched without the use of chlorine to form a second electrode element and a phase change element. The second electrode material selecting step, the phase change material selecting step and the etching procedure selecting step are carried out so that the phase change element is not undercut relative to the second electrode element during etching.
US07785907B2

A method for manufacturing a cathode assembly of a field emission display, includes the steps of: providing a substrate (110) with a cathode (113) formed thereon; forming an electrically insulating layer (120), a gate electrode layer (130) and a photoresist layer (140) on a cathode in series; defining at least one opening (141) in the photoresist layer using a photolithographic process; etching the gate electrode layer through the at least one opening so as to form at least one gate electrode opening (131) in the gate electrode layer; etching the electrically insulating layer to define at least one cavity (121) in the electrically insulating layer; pressing the photoresist layer in a manner such that a size of the at least one opening is reduced; depositing a catalyst layer (170) in the at least one cavity through the at least one opening; and growing carbon nanotubes (180) on the catalyst layer.
US07785897B2

A method and apparatus for producing a discrete particle for subsequent analysis (such as mass spectrometry) or manipulation is disclosed. A discrete particle is generated by a particle generator. A net charge is induced onto the particle by an induction electrode. The particle is delivered to a levitation device where it is then electrodynamically levitated. If the particle is a droplet, desolvation will occur, leading to Coloumbic fissioning of the droplet into smaller droplets. The movement of the levitated droplet(s) can be manipulated by an electrode assembly. The droplet(s), and the charge thereon, can be delivered to a mass spectrometer in one aspect of the invention, providing an ion source for mass spectrometry without the detrimental space charge effects of electrospray ionization techniques. In another aspect of the invention, the levitated particle(s) may be controllably and precisely deposited onto a plate for subsequent analysis by matrix assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry.
US07785894B2

An indicator that reacts with at least one gaseous compound in such a way that the color of the indicator is changed. The indicator is a layer formed on a substrate and including metallic silver and/or metallic copper.
US07785892B2

The present invention discloses a method of measuring iron concentration in a sample. The method includes bringing iron contained in the sample into contact with a metallochromic indicator for iron in the presence of lithium ion and determining the iron concentration based on the degree of resultant coloring. The present disclosure further includes a reagent and a kit using therefor.
US07785891B2

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying and treating subjects in need of antithrombotic therapies but who are not responsive to aspirin.
US07785889B2

The food astringency evaluating method of the invention comprises a step in which an astringent component of a food is reacted with a peptide to form a complex, a step in which a prescribed measured value is obtained corresponding to the amount of formation of the complex, and a step in which the strength of astringency is determined from the obtained measured value based on a previously obtained correlation between strength of astringency and the prescribed measured value.
US07785885B2

The subject invention relates to recovery of cryopreserved plant cell cultures after cryopreservation. The use of canine IL-4 and human gamma interferon is exemplified in some preferred embodiments.
US07785884B2

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos from pre-cotyledonary embryos. The methods of this aspect of the invention include the step of (a) dispensing a plurality of pre-cotyledonary embryos onto a porous material horizontally disposed over a non-porous surface in a volume of sterile dilution medium sufficient to submerge at least the surface of the porous material, thereby uniformly dispersing the pre-cotyledonary embryos; (b) removing the sterile dilution medium from the non-absorbent porous material, thereby trapping the uniformly dispersed pre-cotyledonary embryos on the porous material; and (c) contacting the pre-cotyledonary embryos trapped on the porous material with development medium for a period of time sufficient to produce conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos.
US07785883B2

The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interactions with the immune system.
US07785872B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing a protein, novel nucleic acid fragment, an expression vector, and a method for enhancing the protein production in Pichia. The present invention provides that the combination of the modified signal peptide, increased copy number of the gene, and/or overexpressed Sec4p resulted in high level secretion of proteins.
US07785870B2

The present invention provides a cell-specific expression/replication vector, and a method of treatment comprising introducing a cell-specific expression/replication vector into specific cells such as malignant tumors in order to selectively disrupt the specific cells. A vector according to the invention is constructed by: obtaining a transcriptional initiation regulatory region of human calponin gene that is specifically expressed in smooth muscle cell; linking the above region upstream to a replication-related gene of a virus such as ICP4 and the like; linking DNA that encodes a protein such as suppressive factor for tumor angiogenesis or apoptosis-related factors and the like via IRES to the replication-related gene of the virus; and integrating a thymidine kinase gene in an intact state into the viral DNA.
US07785862B2

The invention relates to a thin film coated array and the process of fabricating and using the array including methods of etching, depositing a thin film coating, preparing and using the thin film coated array.
US07785854B2

A modified Family 6 cellulase enzyme comprising a proline residue at position 413 is provided. Genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes comprising DNA sequences encoding the modified Family 6 cellulase are also provided. Family 6 cellulases of the invention display improved thermostability, thermophilicity, alkalophilicity, or a combination thereof, relative to the parent Family 6 cellulases. Such cellulases find use in a variety of applications in industry that require cellulase stability and activities at temperatures, pH values, or both, above that of the native enzyme.
US07785852B2

The present invention relates to means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. Enzymes, including 5′ nucleases and 3′ exonucleases, are used to detect and identify nucleic acids derived from microorganisms. Methods are provided which allow for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral pathogens in a sample.
US07785851B2

A mutant protein having diaphorase activity is provided. A mutant protein includes an amino acid sequence obtained by deletion, replacement, addition, or insertion of at least one amino acid residue of a native-form amino acid sequence of SEQ. ID. No. 1, wherein the mutant protein has diaphorase activity with an enzyme activity of 245 or more.
US07785846B2

The present invention relates to a process for producing methionine by fermentation, a process for isolating the methionine formed, the methionine-containing biomass produced in isolation, use thereof for producing a feedstuff or feed supplement, and also to the use of the isolated methionine for producing foodstuffs or feedstuffs or food supplements or feed supplements.
US07785842B2

The invention provides methods, reagents and kits for enabling comparative analysis of extracellular RNA species in bodily fluids including plasma and serum to detect, infer, or monitor cancer and other neoplasia.
US07785836B2

Antigenic and immunogenic determinants of Merozoite surface protein 3 (MSP3). Antigenicity and functional assays identified a 68-amino acid conserved domain of MSP3 as a target of biologically active antibodies. A peptide comprising amino acid residues 184-251 of SEQ ID NO: 2, may also be employed as may peptides consisting of different combinations of the MSP3 a, b, c, d, e and f peptides. Particular non-overlapping or overlapping segments of MSP3 a, b, c, d, e and f peptides may also be used. The various overlapping segments and nonoverlapping segments among the different MSP3 peptides are shown in FIG. 6. MSP3 determinants include targets of antibody-dependent cellular inhibition (ADCI) which is a protective mechanism against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Six overlapping peptides were derived from the C-terminal end of the MSP3 polypeptide. Each of these peptides defined at least 1 non-crossreactive B cell epitope and contained T helper epitopes. Distinct patterns of antibody responses, by level and IgG subclass distribution, were observed to MSP3 peptides in inhabitants of a malaria-endemic area. Antibodies affinity purified toward each peptide differed in their functional capacity to mediate parasite killing in ADCI assays: 3 of 6 overlapping peptides had a major inhibitory effect on parasite growth. Passive transfer of anti-MSP3 antibodies in vivo in a P. falciparum mouse model confirmed the functional properties of antibodies to these MSP3 determinants.
US07785834B2

The present invention relates to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists and corresponding nucleic acids derived from tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. These proteins are soluble secreted decoy receptors that bind to TNF and prevent TNF from signaling to cells. In particular, the proteins are mammalian TNFRs that lack exon 7 and which can bind TNF and can act as a TNF antagonist.
US07785825B2

Lantibiotics are synthesized on ribosomes as prepeptides and post-translationally modified to a mature form. These modifications include dehydrations and cyclizations. Compounds and related methods of generating compounds, modified by dehydration, cyclization, or dehydration and cyclization, are disclosed. The disclosure includes in vitro approaches to effecting dehydration and cyclization leading to production of biologically active compounds such as lantibiotics and variants thereof. Synthetic variants and methods including combinatorial approaches for generating diverse lantibiotics and other compounds are disclosed. The invention has broad potential for applications including food, agricultural, and medical industries.
US07785824B2

Process for the preparation of a hydrolysed casein product comprising tripeptides VPP, IPP and/or LPP, wherein a substrate comprising casein or casein fragments is subjected to enzyme treatment wherein the enzyme is derived from Aspergillus, wherein the enzyme concentration is 2-10 wt. % based on casein and that the enzyme has a high proteolytic activity.
US07785818B2

A method for the differentiation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from irritable bowel disease (IBS) followed by distinguishing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease from other gastrointestinal illnesses. This highly differential method first uses the presence of elevated lactoferrin as a marker of intestinal inflammation to differentiate IBD from IBS. Patients suspected of IBD are then analyzed for fecal anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) as an indicator of Crohn's disease and fecal anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) as an indicator of ulcerative colitis. IBD patients are further monitored for intestinal inflammation using fecal lactoferrin to evaluate the effectiveness of medical therapy and to predict relapse. The apparatus comprises either a qualitative enzyme-linked immunoassay or other immunoassay that utilizes antibodies specific to human immunoglobins for the measurement of total endogenous lactoferrin, ASCA and ANCA in human feces. The method and apparatus can be used by healthcare providers to identify IBD and distinguish ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease.
US07785817B2

Screening and diagnostic reagents, kits and methods for metastatic colorectal cancer or primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed. Vaccines compositions and methods of for treating and preventing metastatic colorectal cancer or primary and/or metastatic stomach or esophageal cancer are disclosed.
US07785815B2

The invention provides diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic uses for detecting COP1 overexpression in a variety of cancers. The methods and uses can further include detecting p53 expression. The invention also provides reagents and kits for use in screening for test compounds that interfere with COP1 and p53 binding.
US07785811B2

Described is a novel gene and its encoded secreted tumor antigen, termed BPC-1, and to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions useful in the management of various cancers which express BPC-1, particularly including prostate cancer and bladder cancer. In human normal tissues, BPC-1 is only expressed in certain tissues of the brain. However, BPC-1 is expressed at high levels in prostate cancer cells and is also expressed in bladder cancer cells. The structure of BPC-1 includes a signal sequence and a CUB domain. BPC-1 protein is secreted. Preliminary experimental evidence suggests that BPC-1 is directly involved in oncogenesis or maintenance of the transformed phenotype of cancer cells expressing BPC-1. BPC-1 also appears to bind specifically to a cellular protein expressed in prostate cancer cells and other cells.
US07785802B2

The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R71 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.
US07785801B2

The invention relates to the identification of gene products that are the result of tumor-associated expression and the nucleic acids encoding the same. The invention also relates to the therapy and diagnosis of diseases wherein these gene products are the result of an aberrant tumor-associated expression. The invention also relates to the proteins, polypeptides and peptides that are the result of tumor-associated expression and to the nucleic acids encoding the same.
US07785793B2

This invention is related to a method and assay kit for rapidly quantifying global DNA methylation through immobilizing DNA by simple dry-capture on the plastic carrier followed by immunodetection of 5-methylcytosine structure that is the marker of DNA methylation.
US07785777B2

The SBDS gene has been identified as the site of mutations associated with SDS. Methods are provided for determining whether a subject is suffering from SDS.
US07785772B2

This document includes methods and materials for enriching and detecting cancer markers. For example, this document includes methods and materials for enriching methylated mammalian nucleic acid from stool samples.
US07785766B2

A photo-curable resin composition comprising a silphenylene-bearing polymer having a Mw of 3,000-500,000 can be processed to form patterned films having a widely varying thickness from submicron to more than 20 μm. The cured films have good adhesion to substrates, heat resistance, electrical insulation and chemical resistance.
US07785763B2

A process for preparing a toner, includes solvent flashing wax and resin together to emulsify the resin and wax to a sub-micro size; mixing the wax and resin emulsion with a colorant, and optionally a coagulant to form a mixture; heating the mixture at a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the resin to aggregate the resin, colorant, and wax, to form aggregated particles; heating the aggregated particles and coalescent agent at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of said resin, to coalesce the aggregated particles to form toner particles, optionally cooling the mixture; and isolating the toner particles.
US07785756B2

A photoconductor containing an optional supporting substrate, a containing photogenerating layer, at least one thiophosphate containing charge transport layer, and a top overcoating crosslinked polymer layer in contact with and contiguous to the charge transport layer.
US07785753B2

Disclosed is a method for processing a two layer mask for use in fabrication of semiconductor devices whereby the critical dimension (CD) of a semiconductor device being fabricated with the mask can be controlled. After forming a carbon mask layer and a silicon containing photoresist layer on the carbon mask, a two-step process forms openings in the carbon mask layer, as required for subsequent device fabrication. The structure is placed in a plasma processing chamber, and an oxygen plasma is employed to partially etch the carbon layer. The oxygen plasma reacts with silicon in the photoresist to form a hard silicon oxide layer on the surface of the photoresist. A hydrogen plasma is then employed to complete the etch through the carbon layer with a reduced critical dimension. Damage to the silicon containing photoresist layer is kept to a minimum during the plasma etch process by limiting the low frequency RF power.
US07785746B2

A fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and an ion exchange membrane is supplied by hydrogen fuel through an anode fuel delivery conduit. A recirculation loop is provided to recycle gases in the fuel delivery conduit to a mixing point where a controlled flow rate of fuel is supplied and mixed therewith. Any oxidant species remaining in the fuel delivery conduit are thereby combusted in a controlled manner to avoid damage to the fuel cell membrane-electrode assembly. Small quantities of oxidant may be deliberately introduced into the fuel delivery conduit to generate water vapor and heat to pre-condition the fuel delivered to the anode. Such preconditioning assists in hydration control of the membrane, and temperature control of the membrane-electrode assembly for optimum fuel cell performance.
US07785737B2

A sequence or array of electrochemical cells storing both digital and analog data. Both binary code and codes having a higher base may be stored in the memory device to increase information density. Such battery arrays could also provide power for the micro or nanodevice. Devices are microscale and nanoscale in size and utilize an electrical crossbar system to record and read data stored in the device.
US07785730B2

Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer (e.g., a lithiated metal layer), and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode, i.e., between one portion and another portion of an electrode, to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery. Advantageously, electrochemical cells comprising combinations of structures described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.
US07785728B2

A direct organic fuel cell includes a fluid fuel comprising formic acid, an anode having an electrocatalyst comprising palladium nanoparticles, a fluid oxidant, a cathode electrically connected to the anode, and an electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode.
US07785727B2

A valve mechanism is disclosed, the valve mechanism including a rotor and stator adapted for selectively providing a flow of hydrogen to and selectively bleeding the hydrogen from a plurality fuel cell stacks.
US07785725B2

In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of components having electrically-conductive mating surfaces therebetween, the surfaces are sealed by an electrically insulating gasket that include a mineral composition comprising about 66 mol % MgO and about 33 mol % SiO2, the mineral composition being known mineralogically as forsterite. A brazing alloy may be applied to enhance bonding of the gasket into place. The gasket composition may include additions of Al2O3 to enhance electrical resistivity while having little to no impact of matching expansion coefficients of the gasket and metal mating surfaces. Also, additions such as titania or zirconia to inhibit glassy phase grain boundaries and the formation of impurities and pores in the ceramic grain boundaries may be used. A recommended particle size distribution of precursor powders is disclosed that leads to an optimum microstructure of the sintered gasket.
US07785719B2

The present invention provides a fluorene compound having a novel substituent, and the fluorene compound is represented by the following formula [1]:
US07785698B2

The present invention relates to three-dimensional products comprising a structure having a first surface and a z-direction perpendicular to the first surface, the structure further comprising a base, a plurality of raised protrusion areas raised at least about 300 μm above the base of the structure, and a plurality of connecting elements, each connecting element ending at a raised protrusion and each connecting element raised above the base of the structure in the z-direction and at least partially recessed from the raised protrusions in the z-direction, wherein the connecting elements connect two of the raised protrusions areas; the plurality of raised protrusion areas and plurality of connecting elements together forming a pattern comprising at least a first sub-pattern region and second sub-pattern region; wherein the first sub-pattern region comprises a first set of parallel rows of raised protrusion areas and connecting elements and a second set of parallel rows of raised protrusions and connecting elements which are not parallel to the first set of parallel rows and the first sub-pattern region is structurally distinguishable from the second sub-pattern region.
US07785696B2

A web product including one or more plies, the web product having a first side and a second side, the web product including a plurality of discrete embossments extending from the first side to the second side; and at least one linear embossment extending from the second side to the first side, wherein the web product has an average embossment height of greater than about 650 μm.
US07785690B2

A sanitary napkin comprising a topsheet comprising a plurality of discrete tufts of fibrous material, wherein the topsheet has a density of less than 0.027 g/cc under a load of 0.004 psi, and a density of less than 0.068 at a load of 0.23 psi.
US07785677B2

The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds which comprises at least one compound of the formula (I) in which R11, R12 and Z1 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display based on the ECB, FFS or IPS effect.
US07785667B2

A method of controlling edge definition of viscous material applied to an application area on a substrate comprises dispensing a row of droplets of the viscous material onto the application area with a dispensing apparatus. While moving relative to the substrate along a path proximate the row of droplets, the dispensing apparatus dispenses a fan spray pattern of the viscous material. At least some of the viscous material dispensed in the fan spray pattern impinges and mixes with the row of droplets to define an edge of the fan spray pattern.
US07785658B2

A method for forming a metal wiring structure includes: (i) providing a multi-layer structure including an exposed wiring layer and an exposed insulating layer in a reaction space; (ii) introducing an —NH2 or >NH terminal at least on an exposed surface of the insulating layer in a reducing atmosphere; (iii) introducing a reducing compound to the reaction space and then purging a reaction space; (iv) introducing a metal halide compound to the reaction space and then purging the reaction space; (v) introducing a gas containing N and H and then purging the reaction space; (vi) repeating steps (iii) to (v) in sequence to produce a metal-containing barrier layer; and (vii) forming a metal film on the metal-containing barrier layer.
US07785656B2

The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.
US07785652B2

System and method for coating a medical appliance is provided. In accord with one embodiment, a system for applying a coating to a medical appliance having accessible patterned surfaces is provided. The system may include: a processor, an appliance support, and a solenoid type fluid dispensing head having an electromagnetically controlled valve. In the system, the appliance support may be adapted to hold the medical appliance and to provide direct access for a coating to contact the exposed external patterned surfaces of the medical appliance. The solenoid type fluid dispensing head in this system may move with respect to the medical appliance and may be in communication with a source of coating and with the processor. The processor in this system may contain commands that instruct the solenoid type fluid dispensing head to force coating onto the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance in a pattern that correlates with the accessible patterned surfaces of the medical appliance.
US07785649B2

Disclosed herein are a protein chip substrate and a method for manufacturing the protein chip substrate. The method includes deposition of plasma polymerized ethylenediamine (PPEDA) having an amine group on plasma polymerized cyclohexnane (PPCHex) by inductively coupled plasma-chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD), thereby preventing non-specific adsorption of proteins on a slide surface.
US07785638B2

Disclosed herein an herbal acne control compositions comprising extracts of Swietenia mahagoni, Salix tetrasperma, Aloe vera and Curcuma longa and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Also disclosed are the methods of making the composition, formulating the same into different delivery systems and use thereof for the prevention of acne related skin disorders in human beings.
US07785627B2

A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a controlled release component comprising an antihyperglycemic drug in combination with a second component comprising a thiazolidinedione derivative is herein disclosed and described.
US07785616B2

A C-nitroso moiety derived from a carbon acid with a pKa less than about 25 is bound in a biocompatible polymer as an ester or ether to a pendant hydroxyl group, as an ester to a pendant carboxylic acid or as an amine or amide to a pendant amine moiety. The polymer with c-nitroso moiety bound thereto can be coated on a medical device and/or used for prophylaxis of a patient at risk for restenosis. A c-nitroso moiety bound as amide to polyisobutylene amine substituted styrene copolymer is described in detail.
US07785608B2

The present invention relates to Neisseria ORF2086 proteins, crossreactive immunogenic proteins which can be isolated from nesserial strains or prepared recombinantly, including immunogenic portions thereof, biological equivalents thereof, antibodies that immunospecifically bind to the foregoing and nucleic acid sequences encoding each of the foregoing, as well as the use of same in immunogenic compositions that are effective against infection by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.
US07785606B2

The present invention relates to an isolated Clostridial neurotoxin propeptide having a light chain region, a heavy chain region, where the light and heavy chain regions are linked by a disulfide bond, and an intermediate region connecting the light and heavy chain regions. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Clostridial neurotoxin propeptide is also disclosed. Also disclosed is an isolated, physiologically active Clostridial neurotoxin produced by cleaving a Clostridial neurotoxin propeptide, a vaccine or antidote thereof, and methods of immunizing against or treating for toxic effects of Clostridial neurotoxins. Methods of expressing recombinant physiologically active Clostridial neurotoxins are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a chimeric protein having a heavy chain region of a Clostridial neurotoxin and a protein with therapeutic functionality. A treatment method is also disclosed.
US07785601B2

The present invention relates to a method of treating neurological conditions in a mammal by administering a hematopoietic growth factor such as granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (GCSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF). The invention also provides methods of screening for compounds that bind to a GCSF or GMCSF receptor found on the surface of a neuronal cell; and which provides a neuroprotective, neuroproliferative and/or a STAT gene activation activity.
US07785594B2

The present invention discloses inhibitory antibodies against Factor VIII with modified glycosylation, either by enzymatic deglycosylation or by site directed mutagenesis. Said antibodies with modified glycosylation have equal affinity for FVIII but show different inhibiting properties. The use of one or a mixture of said antibodies allow modulation of the inhibition of factor VII to levels between 40 and 95%. The present invention further disclosed pharmaceutical compositions comprising inhibitory antibodies against Factor VIII with modified glycosylation, combinations of these antibodies and methods for treating haemostasis disorders using said antibodies and antibody mixtures.
US07785582B2

A method for treating a patient to repair or regenerate damaged tissues or organs in which synovium from a joint or omentum from the abdomen are harvested to provide explants, optionally separating cells from the synovium or omentum explants for culture or tissue specification, and introducting the explants or separated cells from the synovium or omentum into damaged tissues or organs to repair the damaged tissues or organs.
US07785581B2

This invention relates to a method of lowering feces toxin levels and treating digestive disorders (e.g., Irritable Bowel Syndrome or diarrhea) with a composition containing a live beneficial bacterium, a prebiotic, or both. This method includes first identifying a subject in need thereof and then administering to the subject an effective amount of the composition. Also within the scope of this invention is a composition including both a live beneficial bacterium and a prebiotic.
US07785579B2

Modifying TNF with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) having an approximate weight average molecular weight in the range of about 10,000 to about 40,000, preferably in the range of about 20,000 to 30,000, significantly increases the circulating half-life of the TNF while not increasing its toxicity. As a result, lower doses of the TNF may be administered to effectively treat tumors with fewer, accompanying adverse side effects to the patient.
US07785556B2

A method of recovering ammonia by the distillation of an aqueous solution containing ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide. The distillation is conducted using a distillation apparatus having at least its portion which comes into contact with the aqueous solution made of an alloy 1 or alloy 2. The alloy 1 contains 3% by weight or more of molybdenum, 15% by weight or more of nickel and 15% by weight or more of chromium. The alloy 2 contains 1% by weight or more of molybdenum, 9% by weight or less of nickel and 20% by weight or more of chromium. The use of the alloy 1 or alloy 2 prevents the corrosion of the distillation apparatus and enables the stable recovery of ammonia for a long period of time.
US07785551B2

A catalyst and a method for selectively reducing nitrogen oxides with ammonia are provided. The catalyst includes a first component of copper, chromium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, iron, niobium, or mixtures thereof, a second component of cerium, a lanthanide, a mixture of lanthanides, or mixtures thereof, and a zeolite. The catalyst may also include strontium as an additional second component. The catalyst selectively reduces nitrogen oxides to nitrogen with ammonia at low temperatures. The catalyst has high hydrothermal stability. The catalyst has high activity for conversion of nitrogen oxides in exhaust streams, and are not significantly influenced by the NO/NO2 ratio. The catalyst and the method may have special application to selective reduction of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas from diesel vehicles, although the catalyst and the method have broad application to a wide range of gas streams that contain nitrogen oxides.
US07785540B2

For an exhaust emission control device of an internal combustion engine with a support which has a catalytically active coating for absorbing oxygen (O2) in the reduction of the exhaust gas and for releasing oxygen in the oxidation of the exhaust gas, it is proposed that the catalytically active coating comprises different materials (A, B, C) which can store oxygen and which each form a component storage unit (MA, MB, MC) for the oxygen (O2), the first material (A) at lambda λ<1 changing its oxidation stage and constituting a first component storage unit (MA) for oxygen (O2), the second material (B) at lambda λ=1 changing its oxidation stage and constituting a second component storage unit (MB) for oxygen (O2), and the third material (C) at lambda λ>1 changing its oxidation stage and constituting a third component storage unit (MC) for oxygen (O2).
US07785535B2

A sample processing cartridge may include a plurality of segments arranged in an array at least two rows long and two columns wide. Each segment may be defined by at least one wall of the sample cartridge, fluidly isolated from adjacent segments at least in part by at least one breakable seal or by at least one permanent seal, so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from another segment, and so compressible as to contain substantially no fluid when so compressed. At least two adjacent segments of at least one row of the array may be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the row and have substantially the same height along a latitudinal axis of the row. At least two adjacent segments in at least one row may be separated by a permanent seal to form at least two tracks. At least one segment, or at least two adjacent segments separated by a breakable seal, may be in fluid communication with the at least two tracks. At least one segment may contain at least one reagent.
US07785532B2

A nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy, capable of withstanding both strong oxidizing and strong reducing 2.5% hydrochloric acid solutions at 121° C., contains 20.0 to 23.5 wt. % molybdenum and 13.0 to 16.5 wt. % chromium with the balance being nickel plus impurities and residuals of elements used for control of oxygen and sulfur.
US07785526B2

An improved lithographic alignment method, system, and template. The method includes creating, within a lithographic subfield, subsequent-layer features which are intentionally offset from their respective previous-layer features, where the intentional offset may vary in magnitude and direction from one subfield to the next. The system includes an imprint lithographic machine and first and second lithography templates where the templates are adapted to enable the machine to form first and second features, respectively, and where a second feature is configured to be deliberately offset from a corresponding first feature. The template set includes at least two templates, one having features which are deliberately offset from corresponding features of another template. Also, a method of manufacturing such a template set.
US07785517B2

The present disclosure provides novel methods of producing a composition, such as, but not limited to, a polyimide composition. The methods in their most general form comprise providing a workpiece, suspending the workpiece and subjecting the suspended workpiece to processing such that the workpiece undergoes a transformation from a first state to a second state. By maintaining the workpiece in a suspended state during processing, processing-related defects are reduced or eliminated. Using such methods, the present disclosure provides compositions that are have no or reduced processing-related defects. In addition, the compositions are more consistent in chemical and physical properties and are cheaper and more economical to produce (since less product is rejected as unsuitable).
US07785516B2

A filtration device and a method of manufacturing the same, the filter device including a tubular body having a body wall defining a rigid support structure with a plurality of inlet openings, the body wall further having an inside wall structure and an outside wall structure, a central bore extending through the tubular body and being coextensive with the body wall, and an end portion on each opposing end of the body wall. The filtration device further includes a filtering medium disposed between the inside wall structure and the outside wall structure of the body wall, thereby filling the plurality of inlet openings.
US07785507B2

A novel process is provided for making spin-drawn yarn from poly(trimethylene terephthalate). The yarn, when packaged on a cheese-shaped spindle, can be produced in large sizes without crushing.
US07785506B2

A foam layer is formed by rotomoulding including heating a foaming polymer, and wherein the heating is interrupted before the foaming temperature is reached. A thermal inertia of the system also composed of the mold and previously placed layers assures completion of heating, but not sufficient to cause disorderly foaming. The foam layer is uniform and bonding. Dense layers surrounding the foam layer may be different.
US07785500B2

The present invention provides an electrically conductive adhesive which prevents migration and sulfuration of a metal component in electronic component mounting. The electrically conductive adhesive includes a thermosetting resin and metal filler particles dispersed in the thermosetting resin. It is possible to use, as the metal filler particles, metal filler particles having a composition including an alloy of Ag with at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Sn, Cu, In, Bi and Ni, a mixture of such metal filler particles and Ag filler particles, and metal filler particles including Ag filler particles and a coating layer formed on the surface of the Ag filler particles using a metal such as Sn.
US07785499B2

The invention provides a nickel-rhenium alloy powder that contains nickel as a main component, 0.1 to 10% by weight of rhenium and 50 to 10,000 ppm of silicon in terms of silicon atoms, and that is suitable, in particular, for the formation of an internal electrode layer for a multilayer ceramic electronic component. The obtained powder is homogeneously mixed and dispersed in an organic vehicle, together with other additives as needed, to prepare a conductor paste. When used in particular for forming an internal electrode of a multilayer ceramic electronic component, the nickel-rhenium alloy powder of the invention delays sintering initiation and slows down the progress of sintering during firing, even for extremely fine powders, while bringing the sintering shrinkage behaviors of electrode layers and ceramic layers closer to each other. Moreover, there occurs no electrode spheroidizing caused by oversintering. A thinner, dense internal electrode having excellent continuity can be formed as a result.
US07785488B2

The invention relates to compounds represented by Formula (1): wherein Ra is alkyl or the like; Rb is hydrogen, alkyl or the like; A is 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,4-phenylene or the like; Z is a single bond, alkylene or the like; Y is a single bond, alkylene or the like; and m and n are each an integer of approximately 0 to approximately 5.
US07785485B2

A method for manufacturing blades for surgical and other uses from either a crystalline or polycrystalline material, preferably in the form of a wafer, comprises preparing the crystalline or polycrystalline wafers by mounting them and machining trenches into the wafers. The methods for machining the trenches, which form the bevel blade surfaces, include a diamond blade saw, laser system, ultrasonic machine, a hot forge press and a router. When a router is used, through-holes are drilled in the wafer to define the starting locations of the trenches. After the trenches are formed, the wafers are placed in an etchant solution which isotropically etches the wafers in a uniform manner, such that layers of crystalline or polycrystalline material are removed uniformly, producing single or double bevel blades, with each bevel having one or more facets. Nearly any bevel angle can be machined into the wafer which remains after etching. The resulting radii of the blade edges is 5-500 nm, which is the same caliber as a diamond edged blade, but manufactured at a fraction of the cost.
US07785479B1

The present invention advances tank-based aquaculture by providing a low cost, high efficiency solid waste separator. The invention combines the simplicity of centrifugal-gravitational separation with the practicality of automatic separator cleaning. Low-pressure air from a blower or air pump induces water flow through the separator. The compressed air source is also used to purge accumulated sludge from the separator and to scour internal separator surfaces. Installation of a captive floating granular media bed within the separator further stabilizes the centrifugal flow pattern, enhances the scouring action during sludge flushing events, and provides substrate for nitrifying bacteria colonization. Separator purging and scouring processes are simply and easily automated with small, low-voltage electric valves and timers. Operational cost-savings are magnified in multiple tank systems where multiple separators are operated by a centralized compressed air system and controller.
US07785477B2

The invention relates to a filtration system and method for carrying out a process for the filtration of fluids, comprising at least one filtration device with at least one filtration element comprising readable data and a check and/or test apparatus to which the filtration device may be connected, by means of data and testing means lines. The check and/or testing device is connected to a process controller, by data exchange means, for regulation and control of the filtration process and the process controller is connected to a filtration databank, by means of data exchange means, which comprises data sets for at least one filter element and/or for each filtration device and/or for the filtration process. The invention further relates to a computer program product for carrying out a filtration process on fluids whereby program components may be called up from a program memory which support the carrying out of the filtration process.
US07785476B2

A protein skimmer having a water column chamber and a fixed deflector. The fixed deflector including a plurality of blades that impart a swirling action on water flowing through the deflector. The deflector further providing an even distribution of bubbles within the water column chamber during protein filtering operation. The deflector including a central hub that aids in maintaining the velocity of water flowing through the deflector.
US07785475B2

A magnetic separation purifying apparatus includes a cylindrical-shaped sludge recovery rotating body rotating to place sludge and a magnetic substance on a surface thereof to convey the same; a magnetic rotating body, which has an axis in the sludge recovery rotating body and includes a rotating body and a plurality of magnets mounted on its circumference, at least a side of which is arranged close to an inner peripheral surface of the sludge recovery rotating body, by which a magnetic substance is magnetically attracted to a surface of the sludge recovery rotating body whereby sludge is transported onto the surface of the sludge recovery rotating body; and a scraping device that scrapes sludge and a magnetic substance being transported on the surface of the sludge recovery rotating body.
US07785464B2

A flocculate dosing tray apparatus for placement in a storm water drain inlet under the inlet grate captures water entering the storm water drain inlet and dispenses a flocculate into the water for treatment of the interior storm water as the storm water enters the storm water drain system.
US07785462B2

Compositions and methods are provided for separating bitumen from oil sands in an efficient and environmentally acceptable manner, and for recovering residual bitumen from existing tailings ponds.
US07785456B2

The invention relates to a magnetic latch for securing substrates on a planetary rotating platform suspended above a coating source in a vacuum chamber of a vapor deposition system, e.g. a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) system. The magnetic latch includes a permanent magnetic, which is moveable between a latching position, in which the permanent magnet magnetizes the latch for attracting a substrate holder, and an unlatching position, in which the permanent magnet is connected in a bypass circuit, thereby demagnetizing the latch for releasing the substrate holder.
US07785449B2

A magnetron unit includes a plurality of first magnet elements each including first magnets which have the same polarity and are provided on two end portions of a yoke plate made of a magnetic material and a second magnet which has a polarity different from that of the first magnets and is provided on a middle portion of the yoke plate, a base plate on which a moving unit is placed to make each of the plurality of first magnet elements move in one direction, and a second magnet element which includes yoke plates made of a magnetic material and fixed to two end portions respectively, of the base plate, a magnet which has the same polarity as that of the second magnet and is placed on the yoke plate and a magnet which has the same polarity as that of the first magnet and is placed on the magnet.
US07785435B2

A process comprising: depositing a liquid bonding layer comprising an ionomer and a solvent over a carrier film; placing a decal substrate over the liquid bonding layer and drying the liquid bonding layer to provide a solid bonding layer comprising the ionomer, and the solid bonding layer bonding the decal substrate and carrier film together.
US07785432B2

The invention describes a method and a device for positioning insulating glass panes (24, 25) that are arranged in pairs one opposite the other in a vertical assembly and pressing device for insulating glass panes which is part of a production line for insulating glass panes, in which a first glass sheet (24) and a second glass sheet (25) carrying a spacer (27), intended for one insulating glass pane, are fed into the assembly and pressing device in upright position, standing on a horizontal conveyor and leaning against a first supporting device (1, 31), the assembly and pressing device comprising an arrangement consisting of two pressure plates (la, 2a) that can be transferred from a first position, in which they are inclined in opposite directions, to a second position in which they are positioned one in parallel to the other.
US07785423B1

A method and apparatus for removing debris from the propulsion system of a vehicle such as a battle tank, including a tank in which the vehicle is positioned, means for lifting the vehicle in the tank, and means to wash the vehicle's propulsion system while the vehicle is in raised position.
US07785420B2

A cleaning unit for cleaning a spray gun positioned in or within a direct vicinity to a spray booth includes a cleaning nozzle and a media delivering system. A valve communicates with the media delivering system and controls an outflow of cleaning media from the cleaning nozzle.
US07785416B2

Provided are a crucible which prevents polycrystal formation to easily allow growth of optical part material single crystals, and a single crystal growth method employing the crucible. The crucible has a smooth surface of about Rmax 3.2 s as the surface roughness of the wall surface 1H, concave curved plane 1J, cone surface 1F and convex curved plane 1L of the starting material carrying section 1D and the wall surface 1K of the seed carrying section 1E, which constitute the inner surface of the crucible of a crucible body 1A.
US07785407B2

The present invention provides an evaporated fuel gas adsorbent, an evaporated fuel gas trapping apparatus that uses the adsorbent, an activated carbon, and a process for producing the activated carbon. The evaporated fuel gas adsorbent is capable of improving adsorptivity and desorptivity by reliably preventing a temperature rise and a temperature fall caused by heat generated in response to the adsorption and desorption of evaporated fuel gas, is capable of achieving a size reduction of the device, and is capable of being easily produced. The activated carbon has high mechanical strength and high abrasive resistance, has many pores suitable to adsorb an organic solvent, especially, evaporated fuel gas, and has a high packing density. The activated-carbon producing process is industrially advantageous.
US07785403B2

An air purifier includes a main frame, a discharging device, a dust collection device and a voltage generator. The discharging device has a discharging portion and is installed in the main frame. The dust collection device has a dust collection portion and is installed in one side of the discharging device. The air purifier can produce ozone, negative ions and static electricity by moving the discharging portion and the dust collection portion and receiving suitable voltage. The voltage generator, the discharging portion, and the dust collection portion accomplish conduction. Production of ozone, negative ions and static electricity occurs according to separation between the discharging portion and dust collection portion, as well as the particular environment of operation, thereby improving air quality.
US07785402B2

A support framework for containing a media that is used to remediate corrosive vaporous pollutants in an air stream. The support framework is situated within a plenum and comprises two concentric open-lattice weave frameworks made from corrosion resistant fiberglass reinforced plastic “FRP”. The frameworks are of differing diameters and the media is placed into and contained within the open space formed between the inside wall of the outer framework and the outside wall of the inner framework. The open-lattice weave design allows a greater radial flow through the media per unit of time, doing so with less pressure drop and using less energy than the prior art. The use of FRP to form the framework walls allows creation of large units that are suitable for use in municipal and industrial settings, which was not possible previously.
US07785383B2

A compact multi-cyclone dust separating is disclosed. The multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus includes a first cyclone chamber that separates dust-laden air drawn from outside, a second cyclone chamber that is disposed in the first cyclone chamber, and that separates dust-laden air drawn from the first cyclone chamber, and a third cyclone chamber that is disposed around a periphery of the first cyclone chamber, and that separates dust-laden air drawn from the second cyclone chamber.
US07785381B2

A dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner is provided. The dust collecting apparatus includes a dust collecting unit detachably mounted in a main body of the vacuum cleaner, to separate and collect dust from drawn-in air flowing therein; a filter unit disposed above the dust collecting unit, the filter unit comprising a filter to filter fine dust particles contained in air from which the dust has been separated by the dust collecting unit; a top cover to cover the filter unit and to discharge the air filtered through the filter; a rotating unit, which is disposed inside the filter unit, to strike a portion of the filter and to remove the fine dust particles attached to the filter; and a dust compression plate to compress the collected dust while being moved up and down inside the dust collecting unit by power transferred from the rotating unit.
US07785379B2

A method of preparing fuel pellets includes the steps of providing a feedstock in the form of agricultural hull fibres. The agricultural hull fibres may be derived from all whole grains and seeds. For example, are comprised of at least one of corn bran, rye bran; oat bran, rice bran, soy bran, canola bran and wheat bran. The method may include the step of mixing the feedstock with a sequestering agent before being formed into pellets for sequestering alkali metal vapors and raising the fusion point of the inorganic elements during combustion of the pellets. The sequestering agent may be calcium carbonate added in amounts up to about 0.5% by weight. The pellets contain additives comprised of ammonium nitrate, calcium, manganese, magnesium, aluminum, barium, iron, potassium and amorphous silicate, which sequester potassium and chlorides.
US07785375B2

Disclosed is a method of dyeing keratin-containing fibers comprising treating the fiber with at least one compound of formula (1), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 independently from each other are hydrogen; hydroxy; —S—H; —S—C1-C12alkyl; halogen; C1-C12alkyl or C1-C12alkoxy, which may be substituted by one or more C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5-alkoxy, hydroxy, —(CO)—H or —(CO)—C1-C5alkyl; —NR5R6; —NO2; —(CO)H or (CO)—C1-C5alkyl; C6-C12aryl, C6-C12aryl-C1-C4alkyl or C6-C12aryl-C1-C4alkoxy, wherein the aryl moiety may be substituted by one or more C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5alkoxy, —(CO)—H or —(CO)—C1-C5alkyl; R5 and R6 independently from each other are hydrogen; hydroxy; C1-C12alkyl; hydroxy-C1-C12alkyl; —(CO)—H; —(CO)—C1-C5alkyl; phenyl or phenyl-C1-C5alkyl, wherein the phenyl moiety may be substituted by one or more C1-C5alkyl, C1-C5alkoxy, halogen, —NH2, mono-C1-C5alkylamino, di-C1-C5alkylamino, —NO2, carboxy or hydroxy; and An is an anion. Furthermore, the present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, compositions thereof, especially comprising other dyes, and to processes for their preparation and application to hair dying.
US07785365B2

Percutaneous treatment of aortic aneurysms and like vascular anomalies by an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus is delivered via catheter and comprises a sleeve with at least one peripheral conduit which is caused to assume an expanded, rigid configuration by the introduction of a chemical or mechanical hardening means, whereby the sleeve is caused to assume an open cylindrical configuration for fluid flow therethrough.
US07785364B2

A kit includes a tubular endoprosthesis having an inner surface which delimits a channel with a longitudinal axis. The kit includes a prosthetic valve to be implanted in the channel. The valve includes a supporting framework having an outer surface to be applied against the inner surface, and a flexible obturator which is connected to the framework. The endoprosthesis includes a stop for locking the supporting framework in order to block the axial displacement of the outer surface along the inner surface in at least a first direction. The stop includes at least one flexible connection extending transversely in the channel between two connection points, which are located on the inner surface and are angularly spaced about the axis.
US07785355B2

System, including methods, apparatus, and kits, for fixing ribs with bone plates.
US07785353B2

A pedicle screw is pre-connected to a longitudinal member by an articulation joint. The articulation range is through an angle extending at least from a 90° angle between the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw and the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member to an angle sufficiently near a coaxial orientation between those longitudinal axes to permit the first pedicle screw to be screwed into a pedicle of a first vertebra with the longitudinal member attached to the first pedicle screw. A lock fixes the longitudinal member to the first pedicle screw in a selected orientation. A second pedicle screw has an anchor joint with a lock for receiving and being fixed to the longitudinal member after the longitudinal member is rotated into engagement with the anchor joint. The pre-connection with sufficient articulation eliminates the need to connect the longitudinal member to one of the pedicle screws through an incision and assures proper alignment of any bend placed in the longitudinal member.
US07785341B2

Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.
US07785336B2

A method and apparatus for precisely controlling particle movement relative to a phacoemulsification needle tip is provided. The design monitors actual vacuum present and calculates a pulse shape amplitude waveform proportional to the amount of measured vacuum. An increase in vacuum indicates that the handpiece/needle is becoming occluded by a large particle. The present design determines whether additional power is required to bump or move a large particle away from the needle tip. The present design may employ a control loop that senses and continuously monitors vacuum. The design may dynamically vary the amount of ultrasonic energy delivered to the surgical area in response to the observed actual vacuum, and can actively vary the amount of power delivered to the surgical area based on the size of the particle and the resultant vacuum realized.
US07785327B1

A locking screw assembly is provided which allows installation into a plate-like member using relatively little force, but which requires relatively great force for removal. The fastener has an annular locking ring provided within a groove in the head of the screw to allow the screw to sit within or flush with the anterior surface of the plate. The through-hole in the plate which receives the locking screw comprises an entrance, a collar section, an undercut, and an exit. The locking ring resides within the undercut. The locking ring has a leading surface that is chamfered or radiused and a trailing surface that is flat. The chamfer allows the locking ring to easily be inserted into the through-hole by interacting with a lead chamfer in the entrance. After installation, the flat trailing surface abuts a lip adjoining the collar section and the undercut and prevents the screw from being easily removed from the through-hole.
US07785326B2

A system and method for securing an intramedullary rod in a medullary canal of a long bone is provided. The system includes an intramedullary rod and a screw assembly for receiving the rod. The screw assembly has a transverse receiving bore for receiving the intramedullary rod and a securing member movable toward the bore for securing the rod to the screw assembly. An alignment jig may also be provided for aligning the rod with the receiving bore during installation.
US07785320B2

A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The controller controls and limits movement of robotic arms relative to the patient.
US07785318B2

The invention includes a catheter having an elongate main body having a proximal section and a distal section. The elongate main body further includes a plurality of stiffening members disposed along the length of the elongate main body. The plurality of stiffening members includes a first stiffening member and a second stiffening member. The first and second stiffening members can be disposed in an overlapping and spaced relationship. Alternatively, the second stiffening member can be disposed distal to the first stiffening member such that a gap is defined between the stiffening members.
US07785301B2

Microneedle arrays are provided for use on a contoured or flexible tissue surface. In one embodiment, the microneedle array includes a plurality of microneedles, each having a base portion, a tip end portion distal to the base portion, and body portion therebetween; and a flexible substrate which comprises a plurality of apertures, each of which are defined by (i) a plurality of substrate elements which are integral with the base portions of the microneedles, and (ii) at least one spring element connecting at least two of the substrate elements. The spring element may include a curved element, such as a C-shaped, U-shaped, or S-shaped element. Apertures may be defined, for example, by two substrate elements, which connected to three or four spring elements. A skin patch is provided for therapeutic or diagnostic applications, which includes the microneedle array and an adhesive material.
US07785296B2

A needle tip spring protector for a needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft extending therebetween. The needle tip spring protector includes a spring that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the needle shaft and is restrained in a state wherein its inner diameter is large enough to allow the shaft to move freely within the spring. When the needle is moved to a position in which its distal end is at least partly within the spring, at least one of the ends of the spring releases from restraint such that the spring automatically returns to a state in which its inner diameter is sized so as to grippingly engage the shaft of the needle. Thus, after activation, the spring securely surrounds the distal end of the needle to protect healthcare workers and others from accidental contact with the needle's distal end. When used in conjunction with a catheter assembly, the needle tip spring protector may passively release from the catheter hub after the spring is automatically activated.
US07785295B2

A medical line securement device holds a medical article such as a connector fitting for a catheter or a catheter adaptor in position upon the body of a patient and inhibits axial motion of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer with a base and a cover. The cover is hinged to the base such that it may be moved between an open and closed position. The base and cover each have a groove which cooperate when the cover is in the closed position to form a channel through the retainer. The medical article includes an elongated body which is received within the groove of the retainer, the elongated body lying between at least a pair of regions of larger radius of the medical article. By receiving the portion of the elongated body of the medical article between the regions of larger radius, axial motion of the medical article through the groove is inhibited. The retainer may also include one or more slots to receive any radial projections of the medical article within the retainer.
US07785294B2

A seal assembly for use in conjunction with a trocar assembly includes a seal body adapted for sealing about an instrument inserted through the trocar assembly. The seal assembly also includes a protector adjacent the seal body for protecting the seal body from instruments passing through the seal body. The protector comprises a plurality of protector segments woven together in a non-planar arrangement.
US07785283B1

A functional ankle brace is custom tailored to optimize the magnitude and direction of the stiffness and fit of the ankle brace, so as to slow down the inverting motion of the ankle joint enough to allow the muscles enough time to act on their own.
US07785272B2

A bodily fluid sampling device includes a piercing device and a sensor enclosed in a housing. A cassette, which contains test media, is positioned proximal to the sensor so that the sensor is able to analyze a bodily fluid sample collected on the test media. The cassette includes a supply portion from which unused test media is supplied and a storage portion in which contaminated test media is stored after exposure to the bodily fluid. The cassette is adapted to collect a series of bodily fluid samples without requiring disposal of the test media.
US07785269B2

A first medical instrument includes a flexible catheter and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The catheter is adapted to slidably receive a rail-coupling portion of an adjunct medical device. The medical guidewire has first and second segments, wherein the bending moment of inertia of the first segment is less than the bending moment of inertia of the second segment. A second medical instrument includes a flexible catheter, a mechanized guidewire assembly, and a medical guidewire extendable beyond a distal end of the catheter. The catheter is adapted to slidably receive a rail-coupling portion of an adjunct medical device. The medical guidewire has an exterior surface including a repetitive series of spaced-apart surface elevation features. One example of surface elevation features is external threads. The spaced-apart surface elevation features are adapted for operable engagement with the mechanized guidewire drive assembly.
US07785265B2

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for providing information relating to disturbances and/or disease pattern based on a patient's breathing parameters. Preferably, the apparatus has multiple functionalities and provides information relating to different disturbances and/or disease patterns. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying different indications of a patient, the apparatus comprising a sensor, for sensing signals indicative of a patient's breathing, a processing unit, for processing and/or analyzing the signals, and display means for displaying the outcome of the processing and/or analysis. The corresponding method for identifying different indications of a patient comprises the steps of sensing signals indicative of a patient's breathing, processing and/or analyzing the signals, and displaying the outcome of the processing and/or analysis.
US07785260B2

An ultrasonograph capable of generating a transmission beam comprising a main beam having a uniform width over a wide range in an ultrasonic wave propagation direction by one-time transmission of an ultrasonic pulse. A weighted mean value of a plurality of transmission delay time values corresponding to focal lengths of transmission pulse waves having a plurality of focal points which are set in the ultrasonic wave propagation direction is calculated for each of elements constituting a transmission aperture and used as the delay time. The curvature of a transmitted wave front is close to a short focal length in the center portion of the transmit aperture and is close to a long focal length in the peripheral portion. Thus, a transmission beam including a relatively narrow main beam with a uniform width over a wide range in the ultrasonic wave propagation direction can be generated.
US07785256B1

Methods and systems are presented for displaying patient activity data from implantable cardiac device (ICD). The method includes: sensing an activity level, storing the sensed activity level as a first coordinate of an activity data point, generating an average activity level from a predetermined number of sensed activity levels, storing the average activity level as a second coordinate of the activity data point, accumulating a number of times the activity data point having the first and second coordinates occurs, and storing the accumulated number of times. These steps are repeated for a predetermined period of time, and a plurality of activity data points each having an associated accumulated number of times is stored. The method further includes graphically displaying each of the plurality of activity data points with the associated accumulated number of times.
US07785253B1

A retractor-based access system for performing minimally invasive spine surgery via an anterior approach. The anterior access system and related methods of the present invention involve a plurality of retractor blades under the control of a single retractor handle apparatus.
US07785252B2

A sheath useful for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of a flexible instrument, including e.g. an endoscope, received through the sheath.
US07785245B2

A portable applicator (20) for pulsed signal therapy comprises: an elastic supporting body (25), which can expand in a planar manner; at least two signal generating units (11, 12), which are arranged in or on the elastic supporting body (25) whereby being symmetric with regard to an axis of symmetry of the supporting body (25), and; a device for supplying a control signal (17, 18) to the signal generating units (11, 12).
US07785244B2

An exercise device having many advantageous features is described, including the ability to provide a combination of grips to the user, and the ability to easily mount the device to a wall. One exercise device described is an inelastic resistance device having a combination grip that includes hand grips and a loop. The hand grip and loop may be used as a foot grip, or alternatively, just the hand grip can be used by the hand. The selection of a specific accessory grip allows the user to exercise by specific body parts and provides for a greater number of possible exercises.
US07785236B1

The present invention discloses an exerciser having magnets adjusting device, which comprises a frame assembly, a flywheel, a driving assembly, a power transmission mechanism and a magnets adjusting device. The magnets adjusting device includes a guiding rail, a sliding unit with magnetic units, and a control mechanism. The guiding rail is fixed on the frame assembly. The sliding unit is mounted on the guiding rail so that the sliding unit and the magnetic units can be linearly moved along the guiding rail. The control mechanism controls the reciprocated movement of the sliding unit and the magnetic units linearly close to or away from the axis of the flywheel. Whereby, to improve the stability of the adjusted variable damping and accurately calculate the corresponding resistance after the adjustment, and to enhance the durability of the machine can be achieved.
US07785235B2

The present invention provides for a variable stride exercise device having a variable size close curved striding path during use. The exercise device described and depicted herein utilizes various configurations of linkage assemblies, cam members, and other components, connected with a frame to allow a user to dynamically vary his stride path during exercise. An exercise device conforming to aspects of the present invention provides a foot path that adapts to the change in stride length rather than forcing the user into a fixed size path. A user's exertion level may have several components impacting the stride length provided by the machine, such as leg power, torso power, and (in embodiments with arm supports or exercise components) arm power. Other embodiments of the exercise device include a lockout device that selectively eliminates the variable stride features of the exercise device and allows the user to exercise in a stepping motion.
US07785233B1

A hurdle has a crossbar and a pair of vertical legs. The hurdle is designed to give way or collapse when the crossbar is struck by a user to minimize the risk of injury and thereby decrease the user's fear of injury. This is done either by splitting the crossbar into separate left and right sections, or by splitting each of the legs into separate top and bottom sections. This permits the separate sections to break apart from an aligned, end-to-end orientation which they possess in an operative position of the hurdle into a nonaligned orientation after the hurdle has given way or collapsed. An elastic member connects the separate sections and urges the sections back into their aligned, end-to-end orientation when a user picks the sections of the hurdle up and resets the hurdle.
US07785218B2

A process for the custom design and automated, custom manufacture of golf clubs. According to a first embodiment, a computer user interface, preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), guides a user's selection of preferred golf club design parameters. According to a second embodiment, input data about a golfer's style of play and golf club performance needs are captured from data collection systems, and analyzed by black box algorithms, preferably fuzzy logic algorithms, to infer golf club design parameters. After preferences for, or inferences about, golf club design parameters are developed in accordance with the two embodiments, a computer aided (CA) system is used to design and manufacture the desired golf clubs.
US07785217B2

A multilayer golf ball with at least one layer made from an expandable polymeric composition is disclosed. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the expandable polymeric composition comprises a film-forming binder polymer latex, a dispersing agent, a plurality of polyspheres encapsulating expandable volatile substance, and at least one additive. The additive can be a defoaming agent, a solvent, a thickener, a plasticizer, or any combination thereof. The at least one layer may also comprise a thermally expandable microsphere encapsulating foaming agent. Another expandable polymeric composition comprises a curable silicone composition comprising a liquid diorganopolysiloxane, a liquid organosilicon compound, a condensation catalyst and a blowing agent. Another the expandable polymeric composition comprises an aqueous acrylic based latex emulsion and an unencapsulated blowing agent.
US07785216B2

Golf balls having at least one layer that is formed from a mechanically hybridizing two or more materials. In particular, the mechanically hybridized layers of the invention improve performance and increase durability of the finished golf ball, as well increase adhesion between layers.
US07785208B2

A rotary game table includes a combination game table, two side support members, and at least one cross member. The combination game table includes one type of game on one side and another type of game on the other side. The at least one cross member is terminated on each end by a single side support member. The combination game table is pivotall retained by one side support member on each end thereof. A locking device is used to pivotally constrain rotation of the combination game table. At least one table cross member is used to internally brace the combination game table with at least one air passage formed therethrough. In another embodiment, a substantially U-shaped side member is attached to one cross member and one end of the two side support members. In another embodiment, a collapsible support is used to increase rigidity of the side support members.
US07785202B2

A damage resistant manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is made of impact resistant material such as dense foam rubber to resist damage resulting from accidental or intentional impact caused by throwing, dropping, or other insult. Damage resistance entails maintaining the operational integrity of the electronics and the structural integrity of the manual controller.
US07785200B2

An object is provided with a plurality of vectors each having a direction and an end position assigned to the object in a fixed manner. The game device moves the object in a three-dimensional game space, and determines whether a part of the object has contacted a predetermined surface or not. When it is determined that a part of the object has contacted the predetermined surface, a vector among the plurality of vectors, the vector having an end located at a position closest to a predetermined direction is specified. Also, when it is determined that a part of the object has contacted the predetermined surface, the game device lands the object on the predetermined surface in a position such that the specified vector faces toward the predetermined surface, and is perpendicular to the predetermined surface.
US07785193B2

A cashless technology involves issuance of bonus awards to players. The bonus awards themselves are cash, service, merchandise, etc. But the game issues these awards in the form of a cashless instrument representing the award. The cashless instrument may be issued under various circumstances and in various forms such as pre-printed tickets, peelable tickets, updated information on a player card, updated information in a database, etc.
US07785192B2

A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a processor for executing gameplay on the gaming machine. The processor has a plurality of power consumption levels. A power regulator is operative to alter the power consumption level of the processor amongst the plurality of power consumption levels. In an embodiment, the power regulator comprises application software stored on a memory device in communication with the processor.
US07785191B2

A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.
US07785179B2

A mechanical and electronic combinatory game and puzzle includes a plurality of cubic game items (2) bearing patterns on the faces, arranged in crossing rows in an overall parallelepiped game structure (1). Pre-designed or new face pattern combinations are to be obtained through sequences of group spinning. Variants of the game may include spinning partial or entire rows (4), as well as translations of game items if the game structure (1) contains empty places. The mechanical embodiment provides an overall parallelepiped game structure (1), an expandable enclosure (7) and handling devices (15). The electronic embodiment provides computer representation (40), control and management of the play.
US07785178B2

A target speed profile for a specified racer is computed at various points along a track. The calculation is based on the real world physics of the racing environment and incorporates physical characteristics of the track, including curvature, undulation, and/or camber. A lateral acceleration component is developed to limit the realistic maximum speed a racer may obtain at any given point along the track. Furthermore, differences in realistic maximum speeds at different points along the track can overwhelm a racer's braking capability. As such, braking capacity adjustments can be applied to decrease the maximum speed in the target speed profile, so that the overall target speed profile is more realistic and attainable.
US07785177B2

The subject matter of the invention is a device and a method for the automated monitoring of packaging machines for the production of sausages, the packaging machines having a filling machine (F), a filling pipe (1), a skin brake (2) and a sealing machine (V). The device according to the invention is characterized in that it has a camera (6, 6′, 6″) which supplies an electric image signal, an evaluation unit (7) for the image signal and a switching-off unit (8), which is activated by the evaluation unit, for the filling machine (F). The invention permits automated monitoring of malfunctions of packaging machines for the production of sausages.
US07785175B2

A polishing device is hermetically accommodated in a chamber containing an atmosphere having a composition different from the ambient air, so that the atmosphere around the polishing device is altered into the composition different from the ambient air, and voltage is applied between a wafer and a polishing pad to polish the wafer with an electrolytic effect. The polishing device has the atmosphere containing extremely less oxygen, preventing a surface of the wafer from oxidation and thereby providing a constant polishing rate.
US07785174B2

A blank for use in producing an endodontic instrument using a grinding technique includes a cylindrical portion, and a generally conical portion which is to be machined by the grinding technique to form the active part of the endodontic instrument. The generally conical portion of the blank approximates, and is slightly larger than the envelope of the final shape given to the active part of the endodontic instrument after machining. A method is also provided for producing an endodontic instrument having at least one helical cutting edge using the blank.
US07785166B1

A game call for controlling sound quality (volume and pitch) of an internal bellows call. A hand-manipulable external bellows or other device provides air through an aperture to the internal bellows.
US07785160B2

A terminal fitting (T) is formed by bending a metal plate material (Ta) punched out into a specified shape, and a facing surface (15S) of a resilient contact piece (15) facing a male tab (M) and a facing surface (20S) of a receiving plate (20) facing the male tab (M) are partially recessed within the range of the thickness of the metal plate material (Ta). Thus, thick portions (28A, 29A, 28B) and (29B) and thin portions (27A, 27B) are arranged alternately in a width direction orthogonal to an inserting direction of the male tab (M). Parts of the male tab (M) are held in contact with the thick portions (28A, 29A, 28B) and (29B) in the width direction.
US07785159B2

A female terminal, includes: a tubular portion which is formed by bending a metal sheet into a tubular shape; a peripheral wall which has a trapezoidal cross section having a pair of opposed shorter and longer sides to form a space extending in an axial direction of the female terminal inside the tubular portion; and a spring portion for pressing a male terminal inserted in the space, in a direction toward the shorter side of the peripheral wall. A maximum width of the male terminal is longer than the shorter side and is shorter than the longer side.
US07785155B2

An electronic device having one or more contact posts is disclosed having a sleeve slidably mounted around the contact post and lockable by a push-push latching system in a retracted position in which the sleeve is below an upper end of the contact post and an extended position in which the sleeve extends around and covers the upper end of the contact post. The sleeve and contact post may have respective apertures extending transversely therethrough, which are aligned when the sleeve is slightly retracted to receive a probe. Alternatively, an ECG electrode clip may engage an end of the contact post when it is exposed by the sleeve being in the retracted position.
US07785151B2

A connection system for the preferably contactless transmission of data and power supply signals between a sensor means and a base unit in a measuring and transmission system comprises a sensor-side and a base-side connection element. There is provided in at least one of the connection elements an optical diagnosis display unit for displaying state parameters within the measuring and transmission system.
US07785129B2

An RF connector (1) for mating with a plug connector (3) has an outer housing (1) defining an axial bore (101) for receiving the plug connector, a locking member (14) received in the axial bore, an insulative body (12) retained in the axial bore of the outer housing and defining an axial hole (121), a terminal (13) assembled to the axial hole of the insulative body, a first sealing ring (15) and a second sealing ring (16). The first sealing ring is assembled between an interior surface of the outer housing and an outer surface of the locking member. The second sealing ring is disposed around an inner surface of locking member for resisting against an outer surface of the plug connector when the plug connector is inserted in the RF connector.
US07785123B2

A weather-resistant electrical connector having an environmental seal and including an insulating post supporting the male contact. The mating connector has a sleeve that is correspondingly shaped and dimensioned to receive the post. The post is of sufficient length to seal and contain any arcs from live connections.
US07785121B2

An electrical connector is provided for terminating a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes a dielectric housing having an opening at a front portion thereof for receiving an end of the flat circuit, along with a rear terminating portion. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing in a side-by-side array spaced along the opening. An actuator is movably mounted relative to the housing for movement between an open position allowing the end of the flat circuit to be inserted into the opening and a closed position to relatively bias the flat circuit against the terminals. The actuator has a dust cover portion for covering the rear terminating portion of the housing when the actuator is in its closed position.
US07785112B2

A contact includes a substantially rectangular base plate. A linking member extends from the base plate such that the linking member is perpendicular thereto. A first elastic contact arm extends obliquely upward from a tip end of the linking member. The first elastic contact arm has a contact member for electrically connecting the first elastic contact arm to an integrated circuit socket. A second elastic contact arm extends obliquely downward from a tip end of the linking member. The second elastic contact arm has a contact member for electrically connecting the second elastic contact arm to a circuit board.
US07785108B2

A denture attachment system includes an implant member adapted to be secured in a mandible such that a head of the implant member projects out of the mandible. A locking mechanism is adapted to be received in a denture so as to cooperate with the implant member to releasably secure the denture to the implant member. The locking mechanism has a receptacle for receiving the head of the implant member. A locking member is movable between a locking position in which the locking member blocks an access out of the receptacle by opposing a surface complementary to the shape of the head of the implant member to hold the implant member captive in the receptacle with points of contact between the head of the implant member and the locking member being diametrically opposed with respect to the head, and a release position in which the head of the implant member may enter/exit the receptacle).
US07785106B2

A dental prophy chip with a hollow core of different shapes such as canopy, cylinder, cup and inverted cone, is covered by hydrophilic grindstone sponge containing a polishing agent and its edge is either pressed fixed or folded into the interior of the core with a latch plate. A shaft is fixed to the latch plate to avoid resonance at bottom surface, during rotation. The device maintains polishing efficiency by avoiding transverse oscillation in polishing barrel-shaped tooth clearance and reducing frictional heat.
US07785101B2

A self-ligating bracket for use in orthodontics includes a bracket also closeable by a slide which is undetachably held in both a closed position and in an open position. The slide is easy to open and to close, which gives the bracket an acceptably attractive appearance and which provides little risk of food residues getting trapped that are difficult to remove.
US07785094B1

High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular section (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety. In another aspect of the invention, an extruder (210) is provided having diverging and converging sections (212, 214) along the length thereof and defining corresponding flow paths (230, 246).
US07785087B2

The present disclosure relates to a vane cell pump (12) which includes an internal rotor (16) and a plurality of vanes (20) which are displacably mounted in a radial manner in the internal rotor, essentially, in radial slots (18) and are directly or indirectly guided on the internal circumferential surface (26) of a stator (28). The axis of the stator and the axis of the internal rotor are offset in relation to each other and the stator (28) can be adjusted in relation to the internal rotor (16) in the radial direction and the offset can be altered. The stator (28) comprises a pivotable bearing (36) which is arranged in the housing of the vane cell pump. At least one piston section (42) protrudes from the stator, whereby the piston axis thereof (44) extends in the direction of the periphery to the pivotable bearing (36).
US07785086B2

The invention relates to a supply device for the supply of pressure fluid into at least one vehicle brake or into a pressure fluid accumulator, wherein a piston is movably arranged in an accommodating member, a carrier bears a non-return valve arranged coaxially to the piston for the purpose of ventilating a working chamber into which the piston plunges , and wherein a resetting spring is arranged between the carrier and the piston.It is the essence of the invention that a multi-piece cage allows inserting the resetting Spring into the cage parts, the cage parts comprise fastening means that lock the cage due to relative displacement of the cage parts, and the resetting spring is caged and simultaneously elastically preloaded under the relative displacement of the cage parts.
US07785066B2

The bypass turbomachine comprises, between a primary flowpath (2) and a secondary flowpath (3), a structural intermediate casing (14). A bleed passage (29) allows the diversion of a portion of the gas stream toward the secondary flowpath (3), downstream of support arms (18) situated at the periphery of the intermediate casing. A bleed opening (28) emerges upstream of the support arms (18). A slide valve (22) slides between three positions, namely a closed position in which the slide valve (22) completely blocks off the bleed passage and opening, an intermediate position in which the bleed opening (28) emerging upstream of the support arms (18) is blocked off, while the bleed passage (29) for diverting a portion of the gas stream downstream of the support arms (18) is open, and an open position in which the bleed opening (28) emerging upstream of the support arms (18) and the bleed passage (29) emerging downstream of the support arms are both open.
US07785065B2

A low-profile apparatus for converting water current into electricity. Fabric scoops are spaced along a continuous belt and, when submerged in a current of moving water, are pushed by the current thereby causing the continuous belt to move. The current pushes the fabric scoops downstream and then fold closed as the fabric scoops are rotated out of the water and travel back upstream. The moving continuous belt is used to turn an electric generator, which causes the apparatus to produce electrical energy. The apparatus includes one or more floats to support the continuous belt, electric generator, and other components of the apparatus. The apparatus can be moored or anchored in a variety of locations where there is moving water or currents. The apparatus maintains a low profile by using fabric scoops that collapse and fold flat when not submerged thereby reducing wind resistance and visible surface area above the waterline.
US07785064B2

A blower system comprising a housing and a fan assembly. The housing defines a housing chamber, at least one inlet opening, a primary outlet opening, and a secondary outlet opening. The fan assembly is mounted within the housing chamber. Operation of the fan assembly draws air into the housing chamber through the at least one inlet opening and forces air out of the housing chamber through at least one of the primary outlet opening and the secondary outlet opening.
US07785062B2

The invention relates to a separating device (1) with a manipulating device (5) and with at least one carrier support (2) with at least one stacking shaft (3) for workpieces (4) disposed on it, in particular metal plates made ready for a bending operation on a bending press, and with a gripping mechanism (14) for removing the workpiece (4) from the stacking shaft (3) and transporting the workpiece (4) from a pick-up position into a transfer position. The manipulating device (5) and the carrier support (2) are positioned relative to one another by means of positioning means (65), and at least one fixed positioning space (27) for the carrier support (2) is provided in a reference position of the stacking shaft (3) with respect to the manipulating device (5).
US07785060B2

A scanning arm assembly for multi-directional mechanical scanning of a semiconductor wafer or other substrate to be implanted includes a pair of drive arms connected by two linkage arms to form a quadrilateral. Rotary joints are provided to join adjacent arms together, and a substrate holder is provided on one linkage arm where it joins the other linkage arm. Thus, rotating the drive arms causes the substrate holder to move. Suitable control of the drive arms allows the substrate holder to be moved through an ion beam to follow many different paths and hence implant patterns.
US07785059B2

A blower unit is configured to have a forward containment portion for housing mechanical equipment for receiving and dispensing material particles as ground cover. A rear containment portion is provided for containing such material particles. A material mover preferably operable in forward and rearward direction will feed material to the mechanical equipment for breakdown and pneumatic disbursement. A rear door design enables convenient unloading of the material with the live floor directionally reversed. Benefits include a more convenient means for servicing of the blower mechanism including e.g. an engine providing a motor source, dispensing hose, rotary air lock feeder and mixing chamber e.g. T injector or dropout (term as used in the industry).
US07785052B2

A method and device for restraining a cargo pallet disposed on the floor of a truck or other container comprising positioning adjacent the cargo pallet a plastic brace, engaging the plastic brace and the cargo pallet, and securing the plastic brace to the floor with a fastener. The plastic brace may have a monolithic construction and may be formed by injection molding. The plastic brace may comprise a first wall having a first side for engaging the floor defining a hole, and a second side; a second wall having a first side for engaging the cargo pallet, and a second side, the second wall extending at an angle of about 90 degrees relative to the first wall; and a gusset interconnecting the second side of the first wall with the second side of the second wall. The plastic brace may further include a raised reinforcement extending from the second side of the first wall and disposed about the hole. The raised reinforcement may have a truncated conical configuration.
US07785051B2

A device securable to a corrugated surface of a shipping container by an elongated support for supporting cargo within the shipping container. The device comprising a receptacle defining a cavity for receiving an end of the elongated support, the receptacle having a bottom surface forming a plane for engaging the corrugated surface of the shipping container; and a pair of lateral flaps associated with and disposed about the receptacle for engaging the corrugated surface, each lateral flap having a bottom surface, the bottom surface of each lateral flap extending at an acute angle relative to the plane for engaging the corrugated surface of the shipping container. The device may further define a slot for receiving an end of an other elongated support. A method of making with the device a deck for supporting cargo in a shipping container having a pair of opposed corrugated surface and a base.
US07785050B2

An apparatus and method for loading, securing, and unloading a vehicle, from a carrier bed. An aft axle restraint and ramp assembly is lowered to the ground, providing an inclined ramp for the vehicle to be driven onto the bed. The ramp is then raised into a vertical position and locked. The axle restraint, pivotally attached to the ramp, is raised and dropped over the rear axle of the vehicle. A fore vehicle hold down assembly comprises a pair of hooks pivotally connected to a lever arm. The hold down assembly is raised into a disengaged position, and the hooks are placed either over an accessory rack or the front bumper of the vehicle. Lowering the lever arm into an engaged position, pulls the frame forwardly and downwardly, securing the vehicle against fore and aft movement, and maintaining the forward components of the vehicle suspension in a compressed state.
US07785047B2

The invention relates to a cutting element for a hollow drill comprising a cutting area and an essentially cylindrical area. The essentially cylindrical area has recesses, which are arranged on the inside at regular intervals and open toward the cutting area. In one embodiment of the invention, the recesses extend in an axial direction while being arranged in an interspaced manner preferably in the peripheral direction. The recesses arranged at regular intervals in the peripheral direction produce a geometric shape that is generally described as a polygon. The invention also relates to a cutter support and to a hollow drill. The cutting element is connected to the cutter support via a clamping connection preferably in a manner that enables the cutting element to be detached.
US07785042B2

A double-wall protection levee floodwall has a pair of piles placed into soil at the bank at the edge of a water body or formed by a levee. The piles of the pair are oriented parallel to each other, are spaced apart transversely, and are rigidly connected together by a connector so that when the force of rising water or a water-borne object is applied to a face of one of the piles, a force couple develops that places one of the piles in tension and the other pile of the pair in compression. The distance between the force-coupled piles and the depth of the piles in the soil provide the ability to withstand predetermined transverse forces while conserving materials and space. Fill material, riprap, earthen support, and erosion control matting can improve the function of the double-wall floodwall. Multiple pairs of piles can be longitudinally placed to form a continuous floodwall.
US07785032B2

A barrier (B) for arresting motion of a vehicle driven in an incoming direction (V) and having wheels (18) with tires that couple to fasteners (20) retained in a substrate (10). The substrate has a thickness (T) and is disposed on the ground (G). The fasteners are single-piece fasteners configured for self-retention into the substrate thickness and into a wheel driven over a fastener. A fastener may be configured for engagement via the top surface (14) of the substrate or via the bottom surface (16) of the substrate which has a base (31) with at least one prong (30) or a base (31) with at least one prong and at least one hook (35). The substrate is either a three-dimensional woven web of loops, or a full, or a foamed substrate. The fasteners are introduced into and may be retrieved out of the substrate either manually or mechanically.
US07785027B1

An electronic pen includes a first and a second nib structure. A twist mechanism is coupled to the first and second nib structures to selectively extend the first or the second nib structure away from the twist mechanism in response to a rotational force. An inner cylinder is coupled to the twist mechanism, the inner cylinder having a first center axis and configured to rotate around the center axis to transfer the rotational force to the twist mechanism. An outer cylinder surrounds the inner cylinder and is coupled to the inner cylinder to move the inner cylinder in a rotational direction when the outer cylinder is rotated. The outer cylinder has a second center axis that is offset with respect to the first center axis of the inner cylinder.
US07785018B2

The present disclosure is generally directed to a fiber optic adapter assembly for mating fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic adapter includes a body, an alignment cap, and a shutter door. The alignment cap and the body together define a space with the shutter door pivotally disposed in the space for inhibiting debris from entering through the opening and into the body. The shutter door is configured to pivot inwardly when contacted by a fiber optic connector being inserted through the at least one opening and into the body. Additionally, the shutter door includes at least one standoff and at least one latch, wherein the latch is configured to engage and assist in retaining a fiber optic connector that is inserted into the fiber optic adapter assembly.
US07785017B2

A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place. The crimp sleeve is then crimped, which fixes the strand ends in place and also fixes the intermediate sleeve in place on the ferrule back section.
US07785014B2

A sealed, self-aligning bearing includes an inner bearing ring with race tracks for rolling bodies, and an outer bearing ring with a race track for the rolling bodies, positioned radially outside the inner bearing ring. At least at one side of the bearing, a bearing seal is arranged axially outside the race tracks and bridges the space between the inner and outer bearing rings. The bearing seal has an outer annular rim fitted in an annular groove in the inner surface of the outer bearing ring and an inner annular rim arranged to slidingly contact the outer surface of the inner bearing ring. The outer rim and the inner rim of the bearing seal are interconnected by an intermediate member formed as a bellows-like thin membrane able to alternatively be stretched and compressed for permitting the bearing rings of the self-aligning bearing to make displacements and/or angular misalignments.
US07785012B2

A bearing arrangement comprises a first component 10 and a second component 12, bearings 14, 16 being provided to support one of the first and second components 10, 12 for rotation relative to the other of the first and second components 10, 12, a radial clearance 24 being provided between cylindrical surfaces of the first and second components 10, 12, fluid being supplied through the radial clearance 24 to lubricate the bearings 14, 16, wherein the cylindrical surface of at least one of the first and second components 10, 12 is shaped to define at least one pocket 30.
US07785008B2

A BigFoot™ Bag material containment system which provides a material container (2) having a flexible layer (26) which can be established in a substantially planar configuration (3) on a support surface (4) for loading material (5) and which operably conforms by closure (15) to provide an enclosed space (20) to contain the loaded material (5).
US07785005B2

A cassette accommodating device accommodates cassettes with various sizes. Each cassette houses a rechargeable battery and a radiation detection unit that generates a radiographic image according to an amount of received radiation and each cassette is provided with a power receiving unit for recharging the rechargeable battery on at least one of two connected side faces of each cassette. The device includes a groove portion formed with a sloping face that faces one of the two connected side faces of an accommodated cassette and a bottom face that faces another of the two connected side faces of the accommodated cassette. The bottom face is inclined such that the cassette moves toward the sloping face when the cassette is loaded. A power supply unit is formed to the sloping face and/or the bottom face so as to supply power to the power receiving unit when the cassette has been accommodated.
US07785004B2

A temperature sensing device is mounted to a structure of a building and senses temperature within a building space of the building. The temperature sensing device includes a housing. The housing includes a front surface that faces the building space when the temperature sensing device is mounted to the structure. The housing further includes a protrusion that protrudes from the front surface into the building space. The temperature sensing device further includes a mounting device within the housing and a temperature sensor mounted to the mounting device, the mounting device holding the temperature sensor within the protrusion.
US07785000B2

In one aspect of the invention a drywell includes a heated receiver for receiving a temperature probe. The receiver has upper and lower ends and an inner shield positioned around the receiver to define a first air channel extending between the upper and lower ends. A flow plate is positioned above the upper end of the receiver and extends outwardly from the receiver. The flow plate defines a plate opening positioned over the receiver opening and has a lower surface sloping away from the receiver with distance above the receiver. A blower positioned below the lower end of the receiver induces air flow through the air channel. The lower surface of the flow plate directs the air flow away from the temperature probe.
US07784995B2

A method of manufacture of a vehicle mounted rotary concrete mixing drum of the type having an opening at one end for receiving and/or discharge of concrete therefrom and at the other end, means for engaging a drive assembly so as to rotate the drum for mixing or discharging concrete. The drum is manufactured from at least one mold using at least one plastics material and further includes integrally attached vanes which outstand from the internal surface of the drum forming an archimedian spiral disposed such that when the drum is rotated in a first direction the concrete contents are mixed and when the drum is rotated in a second direction the contents are discharged from the drum; wherein, the method comprises the steps of; a) preparing a first generally helical inner mold part containing a surface extending between first and second helical edges; b) mounting the first helical inner mold part on a support c) enclosing the inner helical mold assembly within an outer mold formed by at least one outer mold part; d) fitting a second mating inner helical mold part to the first inner mold part to form an inner mold assembly; e) injecting a polyurethane elastomer into a cavity defined by said inner mold assembly and the outer mold assembly to form an inner wall element comprising one half of an interior wall of the mixer and one helical blade; f) allowing said polyurethane to cure; g) removing said at least one outer mold parts to expose said inner wall element; h) removing said inner wall element one of said inner molds.
US07784992B2

An apparatus for a solar window nightlight includes at least one battery contained within a circuit housing. Solar panels are disposed on an outside surface of the circuit housing for charging the battery. Control circuitry connects the battery, the solar panels and LED lights to control operations of the LED lights and charging of the at least one battery. A photocell is connected to the control circuitry where when ambient light falls below a predetermined level, the control circuitry activates the LED lights. Translucent lenses include a bore hole in a base for receiving one of the LED lights and reflective material on outside edges. Suction cups retain the apparatus on a window surface where, during day light hours, there is sufficient ambient light to charge the battery and, during night hours, the translucent lenses illuminate a desired area.
US07784989B2

An LED backlight unit has a substrate, a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on the substrate, and a light guide plate is placed adjacent to the light source. A chassis fixes the light source and the light guide plate therein. Fixing means engagingly fit a side of the light guide plate into the light source plate and chassis with the substrate of the light source is fixed in surface contact with the chassis. The light guide plate is assemblable without a thermosetting adhesive.
US07784979B2

The reflector assembly maintains the integrity and shape of a multi-member reflector for a recessed luminaire. The reflector assembly includes a reflector having multiple members. The members are arranged in a geometric form, such as a rectangle. A frame is disposed around the reflector. The frame includes at least one integral member manipulated around a joint formed between adjacent members of the reflector. For example, the integral member can include a clamp or tab. The frame and the integral member secure the positions of the members of the reflector relative to one another and prevent light from leaking through joints between the members. One or more connectors are coupled to the frame for connecting the reflector assembly to a lighting fixture. For example, each connector can include a torsion spring coupled to a lever configured to engage a corresponding catch of a collar on the lighting fixture.
US07784974B2

The present invention generally relates to light sources that have variable and adjustable luminous intensities. According to certain preferred embodiments of the invention, devices are provided that generally comprise (1) a conductive elastomeric material that is located between a first and second conductive surface; (2) a power source operably connected to the first conductive surface; and (3) a light source operably connected to the second conductive surface. In such embodiments, the conductive elastomeric material comprises an electrical resistance that decreases when the material is compressed or contacts a greater surface area of the first or second conductive surface. By modulating the compression state of the elastomeric material (and, therefore, the ohmic resistance thereof), the amount of electrical power transmitted from the power source to the light source is controlled, which in turn affects the luminous intensity of the light emitted therefrom.
US07784967B2

A Light-Emitting Diode (“LED”) light includes a ring-shaped housing wish a cross section, a transparent section and a non-transparent section. The ring-shaped housing defines a horizontal plane relative to a midpoint of the cross section, and a board is fitted within the ring-shaped housing at an angle between about ten to sixty degrees relative to the horizontal plane with LEDs mounted thereon the board to emit light through the transparent section. In one aspect, the board is a printed circuit board. In one aspect, the LEDs are mounted approximately perpendicularly onto the board.
US07784960B2

A LED illuminator or an equivalent illuminator with a semiconductor light source for a headgear or equivalent, said illuminator comprising one or more light emitting semiconductor light sources (4), especially LEDs (Light Emitting Diode), a frame (1, 2, 11, 12), an electronics control part (5) for controlling the semiconductor light sources, and fastening parts for fastening the illuminator, wherein the semiconductor light sources are directed in at least one given direction, such as towards a working object and/or area, said illuminator being a unitary illuminator module, wherein the semiconductor light sources are fitted in a common, preferably rectangular connection part (3), side by side and directed towards the working object and/or area, and the frame consists of two frame parts (1, 2, 11, 12) folded one over the other, which can be attached to the headgear by means of releasable quick coupling parts, preferably snap-on bayonet catches.
US07784958B2

The invention provides a novel lens sheet that can control a visual field range with high brightness while reducing side lobe generated in a conventional prism sheet, a low-profile, high-strength, high-display-quality optical sheet in which the lens sheet and a diffuser plate are optically integrated, and a backlight unit and display apparatus, in which the optical sheet is used.
US07784954B1

The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive light homogenizer and a backlight and display using the same. The homogenizer improves the spatial luminance and color uniformity, increases the luminance in a direction normal to the homogenizer and provides increased luminance through polarized light recycling within the light homogenizer and backlight. In one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering (PDALS) region, a non-polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering region, and a substantially non-scattering region. In a further embodiment, the non-scattering region is birefringent. The spatially non-uniform incident light flux from a backlight including one or more non-extended light emitting sources is scattered efficiently by the NPDASL region and is incident on the PDALS region which backscatters light orthogonal to the polarization state desired for efficient illumination of a liquid crystal display panel. The NPDASL and the PDALS form a multiple reflection cavity that will increase the spatial luminance while improving the light recycling of the appropriate polarization state. In a further embodiment the light homogenizer includes at least one of a light collimating region and a light re-directing region.
US07784951B2

An electronic instrument includes: an apparatus body which processes information received from a USB device connected thereto; and a housing which houses the apparatus body in an interior, wherein a step sinking in toward an interior of the housing is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the housing, and the step is provided with a USB connecting terminal to which the USB device is connected along the surface of the housing in which the step is formed.
US07784949B2

An illuminator includes a laser light source that irradiates laser light, a switch element that switches over between exiting optical paths of the laser light entered, and a plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements that allow the laser light entering through the exiting optical path to exit with diffusion. The plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements are to be superimposed together at least in a part of respective ones of exiting light thereby illuminating an illumination area.
US07784945B2

A display apparatus includes: a light outputting unit which outputs a visible beam to be projected onto an eyeball and an infrared beam to be projected onto eyelids; a deflection unit which deflects, toward the user's eyes, the visible beam and infrared beam outputted by the light outputting unit; a light sensing unit which senses the reflected light of the visible beam reflected off the user's eyeball; an eyelid opening and closing judgment unit which judges the open or closed state of the user's eyelids based on the result of the reflected light sensing by the light sensing unit; and an infrared-irradiation range control unit which changes the irradiation range of the infrared beam so that the eyelids are selectively irradiated with the infrared beam, by controlling the light outputting unit according to the open or closed state of the eyelids judged by is the eyelid opening and closing judgment unit.
US07784943B2

An eyelid detecting apparatus includes an image capturing portion for capturing a face image, a red-eye effect detecting portion for detecting a red-eye effect in which a light appears red at the pupil in the face image, the light entering through the pupil, reflecting on a choroidea of the eye, and exiting from the pupil, an eyelid detecting portion for detecting an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid in the face image on the basis of an edge appearing on a boundary between a bright portion and a dark portion and the eyelid detecting portion ignoring the edge of a red-eye effect occurring pupil so as not to be considered as the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid when the red-eye effect detecting portion detects the red-eye effect.
US07784938B2

Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses and spectrally complementary filters disposed on the curved surface lenses configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. The spectrally complementary filters include guard bands to prevent crosstalk between spectrally complementary portions of a 3D image viewed through the shaped glasses. In one embodiment, the spectrally complementary filters are disposed on the curved lenses with increasing layer thickness towards edges of the lenses. The projected complementary images may also be pre-shifted to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts occurring while viewing the images.
US07784937B2

A system and method of forming surfaces on eyeglass lenses is described. In some examples, the surface is a spherical, cylindrical or spherocylindrical surface at a center of the lens and an aspherical surface at a periphery of the lens. In some examples, forming the surface on the lens reduces the thickness of the lens at the periphery of the lens.
US07784928B2

The unjamming process is conducted through an opening formed on a lateral side of a housing of the printer. A recording medium conveying unit of the printer does not get exposed to outside. The printer also inhibits inaccurate ejection of ink from recording heads because of the unjamming process. For the unjamming process, the recording medium conveying unit is moved away from head surfaces. This constitution prevents vibration or shock on the recording heads when a recording paper is removed, prevents breakage of menisci formed on respective nozzles of the recording heads, and furthermore prevents ink from being pushed outside of the nozzles, or inhaled toward an ink tank because positional relation between the recording heads and the ink tank does not change. Therefore, inaccurate control over ejection of ink can be inhibited.
US07784921B2

A liquid ejection head which forms an image, has: a nozzle from which liquid is ejected in a combination ejection direction and which includes a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region demarcated by a partition; a pressure chamber unit which includes a first pressure chamber connected to the first nozzle region and a second pressure chamber connected to the second nozzle region, the first pressure chamber and the second chamber being demarcated by the partition; and a single piezoelectric element which vibrates the first pressure chamber at a first resonance frequency and the second pressure chamber at a second resonance frequency in accordance with an electric field applied to the single piezoelectric element, the first resonance frequency being different from the second resonance frequency.
US07784920B2

An ink-jet head includes a channel unit in which two sets of a manifold and five pressure chambers adjacent to the manifold are formed, a vibration plate which is provided on an upper surface of the channel unit, a piezoelectric layer which is provided on an upper surface of the vibration plate, and a piezoelectric actuator which includes individual electrodes provided on an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer, corresponding to the pressure chambers. The vibration plate is arranged such that the vibration plate covers 10 pressure chambers and two manifolds, and on a lower surface of the vibration plate, in an area overlapping with the two manifolds, a recess having a cross-sectional shape of a taper is formed. Due to the recess, a pressure wave which is propagated to the manifold can be attenuated assuredly.
US07784909B2

An ink jetting structure includes a substrate that has a first surface and a second surface. A heater chip is mounted to the second surface of the substrate, and includes a first set of electrical contacts. A printhead circuit member has a third surface, a fourth surface, and an opening configured to receive the heater chip with the first set of electrical contacts of the heater chip being exposed through the opening. The third surface is mounted to the second surface of the substrate. The fourth surface has a second set of electrical contacts attached by wire bonds to the first set of electrical contacts. The third surface has a third set of electrical contacts electrically coupled to the second set of electrical contacts, and electrically connected to a flexible cable for coupling to corresponding contacts on a printer.
US07784908B2

In a flexible wiring board for use in, for example, a liquid discharge head, wires disposed on a substrate in parallel are covered with a film material. The flexible wiring board is bendable towards one of a front surface side and a back surface side of the substrate and includes a bending line. The bending line is formed by bending the flexible wiring board along a bending direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the wires. The bending line contains the wires. Both ends of the flexible wiring board in the bending direction are located on the bending line. A distance between one of the wires located closest to one end of the flexible wiring board and the one end is larger on the bending line than in another part of the flexible wiring board. Accordingly, even if the flexible wiring board is bent at a small bend radius, peeling does not easily occur between a base film and a cover film.
US07784905B2

A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The velocity of the ink droplet is less than 8 m/s.
US07784898B2

An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink supplied from an ink tank and a plurality of heating elements. The ink jet recording apparatus further includes a detection unit configured to detect a remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, and a preliminary discharge unit configured to discharge ink from the discharge ports, unrelated to recording, by applying energy to the heating elements for recovering the recording head. The ink jet recording apparatus performs control so that when the remaining amount of ink detected is less than a predesignated remaining amount of ink, energy applied to the heating elements per unit time by the preliminary discharge unit is smaller as compared with energy applied to the heating elements per unit time when the remaining amount of ink is more than or equal to the predesignated remaining amount of ink.
US07784891B2

In an image recording apparatus, there are oppositely arranged an image recording section capable of recording an image all over the recording width of a recording medium, and a platen section which holds the recording medium and which conveys the recording medium perpendicularly to a width direction of the recording medium. A platen driving unit can vary a space between the image recording section and the platen section. Positioning pins of a carriage are engaged with slide hooks to set a space between the platen driving unit and the image recording section.
US07784884B2

This invention relates to an endless elastomeric traction band that is used to propel tracked vehicles. The traction band generally comprises a main body defining an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface. The outer surface is generally provided with ground-engaging traction lugs. The inner surface of the traction band is preferably provided with one or more row of longitudinally aligned guide lugs and one or more rows of longitudinally aligned drive lugs. Additionally, guide lug reinforcements are inserted into said guide lugs and said band body to laterally reinforce the guide lugs and minimize de-tracking occurrences.
US07784869B2

A motion support apparatus comprising an elongated member composed of an elastomeric material and having a pinch-free exterior surface, the elongated member including a first end attached to a support surface and a second end secured to an underside of a user supporting member to provide a range of motion to the user supporting member through the flexing and bending of the elongated member while preventing the presence of potential pinch points thereon.
US07784859B2

A sunroof system for a motor vehicle includes two guide rails at least approximately parallel to one another and a slide in each guide rail. The slide is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A front opening mechanism and a rear opening mechanism are assigned to a front edge and a rear edge, respectively, of a cover of the sunroof system. The front opening mechanism has a transmission lever and the rear opening mechanism has an opening lever. The slide, when displaced rearwards along the guide rail, is first coupled to the rear opening mechanism and then to the front opening mechanism.
US07784856B2

A composite floor pan may be joined with other structural members of an automotive vehicle. External loads imparted to the structural members may be transferred to the floor pan. The floor pan may be configured to absorb and/or transfer these external loads without separating.
US07784853B2

In order to design a protection device for motor vehicles, comprising a protection element protecting again draft and/or radiation, wherein for the mounting on a motor vehicle body the protection device has two fixing devices which are arranged on oppositely located sides and in which at least one locking element movable back and forth between an operative position and an inoperative position is mounted, so that it is easier to mount it is suggested that the fixing devices be coupled by means of a coupling device in such a manner that the at least one locking element of the one fixing device and the at least one locking element of the other, oppositely located fixing device can be transferred together from the operative into the inoperative position.
US07784850B2

A convertible with a roof, which can be displaced longitudinally in an approximately horizontal position towards the rear of the vehicle, between a closed position, in which the roof is held directly or indirectly against the windshield frame and an intermediate position, in which the fixture between the roof and the windshield frame is released, is provided. The roof, for at least part of the lowering motion, is held in a receiving space of the car body in the rear intermediate position and in the lowered condition it can be displaced longitudinally towards the front of the vehicle. At least one displaceable locking element for the roof can be actuated during the longitudinal displacement of the stowed-away roof.
US07784847B2

It is an object of the invention to provide a technique which contributes to stabilized movement of a sliding structure in a slide-type sun visor for vehicles. Representative sun visor for vehicles includes a sun visor body, a support shaft, a sliding member, a clip member and a clamping device. The clamping device accommodates a clearance in a circumferential direction between the support shaft and the sliding member and prevents relative rotation of the support shaft and the sliding member. The clamping device is mounted to the sliding member and rotates together with the sliding member.
US07784842B1

A hole digging device comprising a shaft having a crossbar perpendicularly attached; a push rod parallel to the shaft; a circular base on the second end of the push rod and a handle on the first end of the push rod, wherein the handle, push rod, and base can altogether move between an up position and a down position; two braces attached to the shaft on opposing sides; two digging blades pivotally attached to the braces, wherein the digging blades can pivot between an engaged position or a disengaged position; two blade shafts parallel to the central shaft, wherein the digging blades are pivotally attached to the blade shafts; two grasping loops pivotally attached to the crossbar opposite each other and moveable between an up position and a down position; wherein the grasping loops are biased in the down position caused by springs.
US07784840B2

A system for increasing the efficiency of the movement of a railroad car over a length of rail, including a fluid reservoir for containing a quantity of efficiency enhancing fluid, a fluid dispensing member, a fluid pump connected in fluidic communication between the reservoir and the fluid dispensing member for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid through the fluid dispensing member, a microprocessor operationally connected to the fluid pump, and a first sensor for generating a first sensor signal in response to a railroad car crossing a predetermined section of track and operationally connected to the microprocessor. The fluid dispensing member is positioned along a railroad portion substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel to provide a substantially continuous flow of efficiency enhancing fluid substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel onto the rail portion when the predetermined quantity of fluid is dispensed.
US07784826B2

A gas bag module (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a housing with a gas generator support (17) and a covering (26). The housing consists at least partly of a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer is foamed using a physical or chemical foaming agent.
US07784824B2

In a mounting structure for an airbag apparatus (5) mounted in a vehicle door (3), a holding member 59 provided with an opening end 58 to hold an airbag 78 in a folded state, and a lining member 82 provided at the vehicle interior side of the door 3 are provided, in which the lining member 82 is made in contact with and integrated with the holding member 59 so as to cover the opening end 58 to form an airbag module 128 and is mounted to door panels 13, 14. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide the mounting structure for the airbag apparatus which enables mounting operations and controlling in mounting accuracy of the lining member to be easy and which enables the prevention of deformations from occurring when mounting the lining member.
US07784822B2

An inflatable side curtain airbag for a passenger vehicle is provided. The airbag incorporates a new diode design that restricts gas flow, creating a plurality of substantially isolated cells. A delivery tube delivers gas to the cells through a plurality of outlet orifices that open to the cells. Upon inflation of the cells with a gas, flow of gas between each of the plurality of substantially isolated cells is restricted during occupant loading.
US07784816B2

A flat platform cart with collapsible casters which is stable in positioning and convenient in collapsing and use. It comprises a supporting section, a push-pull section and a caster section connected thereto by a linkage means, and an extension positioning means which enables the push-pull section and the caster section to be maintained in an extending state; the extension positioning means comprises a vertical positioning means which simultaneously locks the push-pull section and the caster section in position and a horizontal positioning means disposed between the load supporting platform and the supporting bases which horizontally locks the push-pull section in position. When the flat platform cart is extended, horizontal and vertical positioning are simultaneously being carried out, therefore the positioning is very stable and it is convenient for use.
US07784807B2

The invention relates to a suspension for the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle, especially for the steered front wheels. Said wheel suspension comprises wheel carriers that rotatably bear the wheels and are arranged so as to create straight-line steering via several individual links which are pivotally connected to the motor vehicle body and one respective track rod. Resilient means which directly or indirectly impress a certain prestress that acts around the spread axle of the wheels and in the opposite direction are provided in the wheel suspension in order to improve steering return and steering precision.
US07784799B2

The apparatus and method for sealing at least two surfaces includes a sealing member with an attachment portion fixed to one of the surfaces, and a seal portion connected to the attachment portion. The seal portion of the sealing member includes a deformable segment that may be received and retained by a receiving aperture that is defined by at least one of the surfaces. The receiving aperture may further be defined by at least one engagement member extending from at least one of the surfaces. At least one coating, such as paint, may also be located on a side of the sealing member opposite the surfaces. The seal may be engaged and disengaged without requiring reapplication of the coating. Thus, the present invention provides an effective technique for sealing parts of an object, such as sealing a door, panel, cover or the like to a surrounding structure.
US07784797B2

A sealing and gripping element for an expandable downhole tool features a ring supporting a sealing material with radially extending rings into the sealing material during run in. Expansion of the underlying ring brings the sealing material into contact with the surrounding tubular. It also forces the radially extending rings through the sealing material and into contact with the surrounding tubular. As a result the tips of the extending rings are blunted to create metal to metal seals on the surrounding tubular. Hardened inserts are also located within the sealing material for run in. Upon expansion of the underlying base ring, the inserts break through the sealing material and penetrate the surrounding tubular to enhance grip when high differential pressures are encountered.
US07784796B2

A sealing assembly is provided for sealing an interface between two shafts, including a primary and secondary seal and a rotatable shaft sleeve having inner and outer sleeves forming a sealing cavity therebetween, and enclosing one of the seals. The secondary seal contacts the outer sleeve, and the primary seal contacts the inner sleeve, with the secondary seal circumscribing part of the primary seal. The seals each have a pair of sealing lips forming a sealing cavity therebetween, with one pair of sealing lips being sufficiently shaped to contact the inner sleeve, and the other pair of sealing lips being sufficiently shaped to contact the outer sleeve. A fluid fills the sealing cavities to provide a barrier to debris. The seals are bonded to a seal arm positioned adjacent the housing in contact therewith. The secondary seal is positioned between the sleeve and housing, and circumscribing the interface.
US07784780B2

An adjusting member is positioned in a sheet feeding opening. The adjusting member is adjusted according to the size of the paper sheet. The adjusting member does not jut out of an exterior surface of an apparatus body.
US07784769B2

The invention relates to an agitating device, in which a hyperboloid agitating body (6) is connected to a drive mechanism (2, 3) by means of a shaft (4). Several ribs (7) running from the circumferential boundary (Ur) in the direction of the shaft (4) are provided on the upper side (O) of the agitating body (6). According to the invention, the efficiency of the agitating device may be improved, whereby a height (h1) of the ribs (7) at least incrementally increases from the circumferential boundary (Ur) of the agitating body (6) in the direction of the shaft (4).
US07784762B2

A wall hanging mounting device for use with at least one wall support and a wall hanging having a mounting portion includes a coupling unit configured to couple the at least one wall support to a wall while the wall support is in at least close proximity to the mounting portion of the wall hanging. The coupling unit includes a drive surface that moves in a plane or about an axis between the wall hanging and the wall.
US07784761B2

A base assembly is provided that includes a base and a coupler. The coupler includes a sleeve for receiving an umbrella pole, a lower portion comprising a side surface, and a locking member coupled with the side surface. The locking member is configured to move toward or away from a longitudinal axis of the sleeve such that the locking member engages the base to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the base.
US07784756B1

A vehicle wash system having a plurality of vehicle treatment components includes with at least one support member. The support member is constructed of a base material and has an outer surface. An elongated cover includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the elongated cover has a first color and a size and shape that substantially matches the outer surface of the support member. The elongated cover is readably engageable with the support member to protect it from contact with fluid and debris. The elongated cover is formed of a readably cleanable material such that fluid and debris can be easily wiped off of its exterior surface.
US07784753B2

A base (110) for a support foot (100) for supporting heavy bodies on a support surface, comprising a cap (115) intended in the use to be mechanically coupled to coupling means (105) of the base to a body to be supported. The cap is made of a first material of mechanical properties such as to guarantee that the cap is able to support, remaining substantially within the limit of elastic deformability, a first significative fraction of a load received by said coupling means to the body to be supported, and has said concavity on the side that, in the use, faces the support surface. A synthetic material mass (210) is arranged in adhesion to the cap and it is adapted to substantially fill the concavity of the cap, forming a contact surface (215) with a support surface. A support frame (240), buried within the synthetic material mass, is made of a second material having mechanical properties comparable to that of the cap, such as to guarantee that the support frame can support, remaining substantially within the limit of the elastic deformability, a second significative fraction of said load, wherein the first and second fractions of the load form altogether substantially the total load.
US07784750B2

A hair dryer stand for setting an operating blow-dryer on a countertop without burning the countertop or material on the countertop. The hair dryer stand is attractive and improves safety. The stand comprises at least one base, at least one sidewall having a top and a bottom where the bottom is attached to the base, at least one vent, and an opening wherein the opening profile is defined by the top of the sidewall and can receive the intake side of a blow-dryer that is turned on. In use, the blow-dryer is supported in the opening and suspended above the countertop. Air is allowed to flow into the intake side of the blow-dryer, over the heating coils inside blow-dryer and prevents the blow-dryer from overheating. Also, the exhaust side of the blow-dryer is directed upward, away from the countertop so the countertop or material on countertop will not burn.
US07784749B2

A supporting framework has at least one roller which is carried by a carrying frame. The roller has an axis positioned generally along the horizontal direction in the use position. An axial extension projects out of each opposite end of the roller. The carrying frame has a pair of opposite, generally vertically extending bearing limbs, each bearing limb having a bearing opening. Each axial extension of the roller extends into one of the bearing openings of the bearing limbs. Lateral guide elements are provided at the two opposite ends of the roller. Each lateral guide element has a radially projecting lug which can be moved between an active position and an inactive position. The lugs can prevent a workpiece from moving past the ends of the roller when the lugs are in the active positions.
US07784747B2

An exemplary stand includes a housing (51), a sliding member (52), four connecting subassemblies (58, 59), and a spring (56). The housing (51) has two opposite guiding slots (516). The sliding member is slidably disposed in the housing. Part of each connecting subassembly extends in one corresponding guiding slot of the housing and the sliding member, such as to slidably connect the sliding member to the housing. Each connecting subassembly includes two wheels (584) rotatably received in the guiding slots. One end of the spring is connected to the housing, and the other end of the spring is sleeved on the sliding member or the connecting subassemblies.
US07784745B2

A tube clip is mounted to a channel-section track and is used to secure a pipe. The channel-section track includes a pair of upper engagement surfaces having inwardly turned flanges spaced apart by a slot. The tube clip includes an integrally molded, one-piece elongated cylindrical body that extends along a first axis and defines a center bore for receiving the pipe therethrough. A base is fixedly secured to the cylindrical body and includes a pair of support surfaces spaced apart along the first axis. Each support surface includes a fin for engaging one of the upper engagement surfaces of the channel-section track to bias the tube clip therefrom. A pair of flexible legs extends from the base portion. The legs are spaced apart along the first axis and each leg is adapted to selectively lockingly engage one of the flanges when the tube clip is mounted to the channel-section track.
US07784738B1

A security cover is disclosed for protecting installed avionics instruments and other electronic instruments. The cover includes multiple independent automatic locks that activate when the cover is abutted near the installed instruments. An automatic lock mechanism, adapted to electronic instrument covers, is also disclosed. The activated locks are not directly accessible to users and thieves. A lock release mechanism is disclosed for simultaneously unlocking each lock. A method of manufacturing using extruded aluminum panels is disclosed.
US07784737B2

A vehicle including a body having an exterior surface and a protrusion extending outward from the surface. The vehicle further includes a fairing mounted on the surface directly adjacent and behind the protrusion. The fairing has a forward end, an aft end opposite the forward end, and opposing sides extending between the forward end and the aft end. The opposing sides become progressively closer together from the forward end to the aft end so that the bracket has a tapered shape.
US07784734B2

A rigging for moving an aircraft panel relative to an aircraft substructure includes a retaining base attached to a panel interior, and a slider rod held in contact with the substructure and adjustably engaged with the retaining base. The slider rod is manipulable from the panel exterior to adjustably engage the panel in a rigging position along a fair axis. The slider rod may include a tool appurtenance captively positioned within the riser bore that is exteriorly manipulable through a panel access port. Tool appurtenance manipulation may actuate the slider rod to adjustably engage the support hub and to move the panel into the fair position. A fit plate may be attached to the aircraft panel disposed intermediate to the retaining base, and may be adjustably attached to the aircraft panel for moving the aircraft panel into a fit position in a rigging plane.
US07784729B1

A cart for supporting and transporting spools of wire in a stable manner comprises a base having a wire spool supporting frame and wheels thereon, the base having a first section and a second section with the first section being located forward of the second section when the base is in use; a plurality of wire spool supporting arms on the frame; and a second plurality of wire spool supporting arms mounted on the frame at a location that is between the first plurality of wire supporting arms and the base and which is located closer to the second section of the base than to the first section of the base.
US07784728B2

A rotation control device for pet leash includes a casing, a cover, and a wheel disposed in the casing. The casing includes a locking button, an unlocking button, and a self lock slider connected with a locking spring, an unlocking spring, and a self lock spring respectively. The unlocking button has an unlocking retaining hole having a position corresponding to an unlocking column on the casing. The unlocking button includes an unlocking retaining pole is inserted into an unlocking sliding groove of the casing. The locking button has a locking retaining rectangular hole having a position corresponding to a locking column on the casing. The self lock slider includes a self lock retaining pole is inserted into a self lock sliding groove in the casing, wherein the self lock retaining pole is against an unlocking retaining pole.
US07784722B2

A stirring or dispersing device (1), has a hermetically sealed mixing chamber (5), a tool (2), and a drive mechanism (4) located outside of the mixing chamber (5). The tool (2) can be driven around a central shaft in the mixing chamber (5) which has a rod-shaped element (3) for force transmission from the drive mechanism (4) to the tool (2). The rod-shaped element (3) is connected at the entry to the mixing chamber (5) with a diaphragm (6), which is a part of the wall (7) of the mixing chamber (5), and the rod-shaped element (3) can be put into a wobbling movement by the drive mechanism (4), so that its end located in the interior of the mixing chamber (5) performs a rotating movement. The tool is constituted by a number of grinding elements (22) or balls to be introduced into the mixing chamber (5).
US07784718B2

An electrostatic paint sprayer 10 includes a body member 12 defining a paint passage 12a for flowing liquid paint supplied from a paint source 44, a nozzle assembly 16 adapted to be mounted to the end of the body member 12 so as to fluidly communicate with the paint passage 12a and a plurality of electrode pins 22 disposed about the axis and electrically connected to a electric power source 40. The nozzle assembly includes a paint orifice for discharging the supplied paint along an axis, a plurality of atomizing air orifices for discharging atomizing air to atomize the paint dispensed through the paint orifice and a plurality of shaping orifices for discharging shaping air to form the paint dispensed through the paint orifice into a predetermined pattern.
US07784712B2

A micro-droplet generator comprises a main body, having a chamber accommodating liquid to be sprayed and a lateral opening, a spraying plate, placed in the opening and having a plurality of spraying holes as well as an inner side, a vibrating element, glued on the spraying plate and driving vibrations thereof, and a projection, placed inside the chamber and having an outer side touch with the inner side of the spraying plate, wherein a narrow space is left between the inner side of the spraying plate and the outer side of the projection, which upon the vibrations of the spraying plate has a varying width, upon becoming wider sucking in liquid from the chamber, and upon becoming narrower pressing out liquid through the spraying holes.
US07784711B2

A fuel injector and servovalve for an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, the fuel injector comprises a casing; a balanced metering servovalve in the casing that controls movement of an injection control rod along an axial cavity; said servovalve having; a valve body comprising a control chamber; an axial stem comprising a discharge channel having at least one radial segment that runs to a lateral surface of said axial stem; a calibrated inlet passage in communication with said control chamber; and an outlet passage in communication with said control chamber and the discharge channel; a sleeve having a shutter, said axial stem extending into said sleeve in a fluid tight manner and so that said sleeve that can axially slide along said axial stem between a closed position and an open position of said at least one radial segment, thereby controlling said movement of said injection control rod along said axial cavity; an electro-actuator having an armature that controls said axial sliding of said sleeve along said axial stem; an elastic member that exerts a force upon said armature that maintains said sleeve in said closed position, said electro-actuator being able to control said armature to overcome said force of said elastic member; and said armature being separate from said sleeve.
US07784708B2

A fuel injecting device and method of controlling the fuel injection device. The fuel injection device includes a cylindrical body, a needle whose end includes with a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the end of the cylindrical body, an actuator made of an electroactive material, including a rod and that displaces the head such that the valve is opened, and a prestressing device holding the needle and a counterweight such that they are pressed against the rod opposite end. The needle extends coaxially to the cylindrical body in a form of a rigid bar and axially resonates when exposed to axial pulses at a determined excitation frequency by the actuator.
US07784705B2

An electronic device such as an HVAC controller that accounts for internal heating in determining an environmental condition such as temperature or humidity in the space surrounding the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may calculate a transient heat rise value that is based upon a powered time period and a first order time lag, especially during a time period before which the HVAC controller reaches a steady state temperature condition.
US07784704B2

A hybrid manual/programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns a user's manual temperature setting habits and eventually programs itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.
US07784697B2

The present invention provides methods and systems for scanning an illumination spot over a target area. The present invention removes stored energy from a scanning element to stop the scanning element from vibrating and to substantially return the scanning element to its starting position so as to enable high frame rates.
US07784685B1

Systems and methods for monetary cards are described. The cards are free from personally identifiable data, e.g., no name or embossment. In an example, the card includes a first number that activates the card and a second number written to the card at activation away from the card manufacturer. This helps prevent theft at the manufacturer. This second account is a bearer account where anyone who knows the account number can withdraw the funds from the account. The account may be funded with either the account number or the authentication number.
US07784676B2

A carton is provided that may be used for multiple packages of various products, such as food snack items, and includes a tear-away feature that allows ready access to and display of the products. The carton in its open/display configuration still has sufficient strength to allow other cartons to be stacked on top of each other. The carton may be formed from a blank of paperboard or corrugated board.
US07784674B2

A bulk materials container having a first wall-forming blank of corrugated paperboard sheets made of at least a flute member and a liner sheet, and scored to provide a series of main panels foldably joined together at opposing edges with each main panel having opposing top and bottom flaps foldably joined to respective edge portions and laminated to a second wall-forming blank having at least a flute member attached to a liner sheet scored to provide a series of main panels each having opposing top and bottom flaps foldably joined to respective edge portions, and a liner sheet and one of the first or second blanks extending beyond a distal edge of the respective top and bottom flaps, and folded over the distal edge and attached adhesively to the opposing surface so that the open channels of the flutes at the distal edge are covered.
US07784672B2

An apparatus for brazing a heat exchanger, in particular a flat-tube heat exchanger, comprising a block of flat tubes and corrugated fins. The apparatus comprises a brazing frame that accommodates a tube-fin block within itself and which has two brazing bars arranged parallel to each other which are connected by tie rods. The brazing bars have a plurality of openings that are open toward one side, e.g., notches.
US07784671B2

An apparatus for arranging magnetic solder balls includes: a stage for placing and fixing the substrate thereon; a magnet which is incorporated in the stage and is movable in parallel with a lower surface of the placed and fixed substrate so as to cause a magnetic force to act in an upward direction of the stage; and a mask frame capable of being positioned above the stage. An arranging method using this arranging apparatus is also provided. An apparatus for arranging magnetic solder balls includes: a stage for placing and fixing the substrate thereon; a mask frame capable of being positioned above the stage; and a magnetic generator which is movable above the mask frame and causes a magnetic force to act on the stage. An arranging method using this arranging apparatus is also provided.
US07784668B2

A repair method of propagating epitaxial crystalline structures is provided. The repair method broadly comprises the steps of providing a substrate to be repaired, placing an additive material as a preformed shape onto an area of the substrate to be repaired, utilizing a heat source to heat an entire volume of the additive material and an area adjacent to the additive material to within 0-100° F. of their solidus temperatures, holding at the fusion temperature for a time sufficient to allow grain growth and orientation to occur, and ramping down the heat source at a predetermined controlled rate until solidification is complete.
US07784663B2

A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted into a surgical site for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue includes load sensing pressure transducers strategically placed for closed loop control and monitoring. Load sensing within a staple applying assembly (end effector) may provide feedback for preventing firing with insufficient or too much tissue, or to sense appropriate presence buttress material, to deploy buttress material after firing is sensed.
US07784661B2

An electric stapler includes a stapler main body and a driver assembly which is attachable and detachable with respect to the stapler main body. The driver assembly includes a forming portion having a forming plate for forming a staple into a U shape, a driver portion having a driver plate for striking the U-shaped staple into papers, a slide block portion which slidably guides the driver portion, and a slide guide case portion. The slide block portion, the driver portion and the forming portion are integrally incorporated in the slide guide case portion.
US07784657B2

A trailer hitch mounted recreational equipment carrier for transporting various recreational equipment. The trailer hitch mounted recreational equipment carrier includes a support frame having at least a horizontal member and a vertical member, a first link arm pivotally coupled to the horizontal member, and a second link arm pivotally coupled to the vertical member. The second link arm may be a different length than the first link arm. The recreational equipment carrier also includes a crossbar support frame pivotally coupled to the first and second link arms to provide a pivotal motion geometry that facilitates the crossbar support being pivotally moved from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position.
US07784651B2

A tap for removing liquid from a container has a sleeve (10) made of plastic, in which a piston (12) is guided, and which sleeve has a passage opening (28) for the liquid. A hood that can be set onto the sleeve (10) in front of the passage opening (28), so that it covers the passage opening (28), serves as a foam throttle. The hood encloses a labyrinth channel (36), together with the sleeve, which channel is open at one end, towards the interior of the container, and ends in the passage opening (28) at the other end.
US07784650B2

A sprayer actuator, a sprayer, and a method of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprayer includes an ergonomic sprayer actuator with a housing having an upper portion, a lower portion for fitting over a can, and a narrowed waist portion between the upper portion and the lower portion.
US07784648B2

A press-out tool for squeezing material out of containers (7) containing single-component or multi-component substances, has a receiving space (12) for the container (7), a piston rod (16) having a first end (17) which can dip into the receiving space (12), a first guide portion (18) and a second guide portion (20) that extends from an end area of the first end (17) of the piston rod (16) to the first guide portion (18) and has a cross-section with a reduced height in comparison with the height of the cross-section of the first guide portion (18), and a displacement mechanism (26) having a driving device (28) and a clamping lever (27) through which the piston rod (16) extends and which is pivotable relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the piston rod (16).
US07784644B2

A vending machine includes first and second integrated dispensing systems mounted at front portions of adjacent product shelf dividers establishing at least first, second and third product queues. Each of the first and second dispensing systems includes first and second release mechanisms having a plurality of hinged plates supported by a frame. The plurality of hinged plates are selectively shifted into and out of corresponding ones of the first, second and third product queues, such that each product queue has associated therewith two opposing release mechanisms. Preferably, at least one of the first and second release mechanisms for each dispensing system includes a queue spacing member which is mounted to one of the hinged plates and projects into the product queue to establish a desired spacing between the release mechanisms.
US07784642B2

The invention is a container lid product that combines a solid-molded hinge with a hollow-molded cover into a unitarily molded product, and a method for manufacturing the container lid product in a single molding operation and in a single mold.
US07784638B2

A glass dish suitable for use in cooking applications is provided. The glass dish comprises a substantially homogenous glass body, a channel formed in a bottom surface of the glass body and a silicone support. The channel has an open end and an inner surface comprised of a substantially planar bottom wall, an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The channel has a predetermined depth Do, and an open end of the channel has a predetermined width Wo. The silicone support is comprised of a protruding extent and an interior extent. The interior extent is disposed within the channel and directly contacts a portion of the inner surface and is adhered to the inner surface of the channel by chemical adhesion. The protruding extent protrudes beyond the open end of the channel.
US07784636B2

A communications box for use beneath the surface of artificial turf includes a container having a peripherally-extending upper edge. A first resilient flexible seal extends vertically from and along the peripherally-extending top edge of the container. A cover includes a peripherally-extending edge, and at least one hand hole extending through the cover. A second resilient flexible seal extends vertically from and along the peripherally-extending edge of the cover. The cover and the second flexible seal are sized to be received within the first flexible seal extending from the peripherally-extending top edge of the container, and the first and the second resilient flexible seals prevent material from falling into the communications box when the cover is removed from the container. Seals may be provided around the hand hole and a lid receivable in the hand hole.
US07784634B2

This invention provides a fuel filler cap that can release an outer cap from an inner cap without influences of direction of the external force when it applied. The fuel filler cap 1 comprises the outer cap 11 constructed by an upper face portion 112, a skirt portion 113 extending from the outer circumference of the upper face portion 112 and a plurality of wedge-shaped projection 111 formed on the inner face of the skirt portion 113; the pressing plate 15; and the inner cap 13 constructed by a supporting plate 14 having an annular slant 142, a seal ring 12 and annular groove 146 defined by the lower face of the pressing plate 15 laid over the supporting plate 14 and by the annular slant 142.
US07784632B2

An organizer for holding and organizing cargo comprises a case and a collapsible wall. A case comprises a pair of hinged case halves. The case is adapted to contain a collapsible wall that comprises two end walls and two side walls. Each side wall can include two side wall panels that can be pivotally joined together. The collapsible wall is configurable into a generally square-in-plan-view open configuration, or a generally flat, collapsed configuration. The case and the collapsible wall form an open-ended bin for holding the cargo. One or more extensible poles can be used to assist in restraining the cargo. The collapsible wall can be set to the collapsed configuration and stored in the case along with the extensible pole(s). The case can then be placed in the closed position, whereupon the organizer is completely contained within the closed case, facilitating storage and transport thereof.
US07784621B2

An inorganic membrane suitable for ultrafiltration or nanofiltration, and methods for making and using the membrane. The membrane has a organic polymer deposited on the feed surface, but is not able to perform separations by solution-diffusion.
US07784619B2

A filter membrane, methods of making such filter membrane and apparatus employing such filter membrane are disclosed, in which the filter membrane is a monolithic polymeric membrane that includes a polymeric filter layer including a micron-scale precision-shaped pores and a polymeric support layer that has a precision-shaped porous support structure for the filter layer. Several methods are disclosed for making such a membrane using micromachining techniques, including lithographic, laser ablation and x-ray treatment techniques. Several filter apparatus employing such a membrane are also disclosed.
US07784618B2

A method and device for individually transporting articles of different type, size, weight, material or shape to one delivery location of a plurality of delivery locations that is designated for the respective article. The articles are placed one by one in respective transport containers, and the respective article is caused at a desired respective delivery location to be transferred from its transport container to a collecting or storage bin, disintegrator or further conveyor dedicated to the article, the transport container at the designated delivery location being made to discharge the article under the effect of gravity or with the aid of a separate, controlled actuating means. The respective article is identified prior to it being placed in a transport container. Identification may, for example, be related to the material of which the article is made.
US07784607B1

A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.
US07784605B2

A supporting device includes a support body for supporting a substrate and an auxiliary wing for supporting the corner of the substrate, so that the substrate is substantially horizontally disposed on the supporting device. Also disclosed is a substrate transportation equipment including the supporting device and a movable protruding member. The substrate transportation equipment can prevent the movable protruding member from hitting the edge of the substrate when the movable protruding member moves.
US07784601B2

A conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate on oblique axes to urge articles toward a side guide. The conveyor includes an oblique-roller belt supported on a carryway for running in a direction of belt travel. Rollers extend above an outer conveying surface of the belt without contact with the carryway. Each roller rotates on an axis oblique to the direction of belt travel and intersects the side guide downstream of the roller's position. A retractable stop is movable to and from a blocking position along the carryway. In the blocking position, the stop blocks the conveyed articles from advancing in the direction of belt travel. The rollers underlying the blocked articles rotate as the belt runs by contact with the articles. The rotating rollers provide a component of force to the blocked articles directed toward the side guide to push the articles against the side guide or other articles as they accumulate under low pressure upstream of the stop. The conveyor may be used to register articles single file against the side guide or to group the articles for palletizing. For palletizing applications, an infeed conveyor feeds articles onto the belt at the side opposite the side guide.
US07784597B2

An extendable conveyor apparatus is disclosed and comprises a stationary conveyor section, a movable conveyor section extendable with respect to the stationary conveyor section, and a movement assembly configured to move the movable conveyor section with respect to the stationary conveyor section. The movement assembly comprises a plurality of teeth mounted on a first conveyor section, and a teeth engaging apparatus mounted on a second conveyor section and configured to engage and move the teeth on the first conveyor section with respect to the second conveyor section. A system for moving a first elongate structure with respect a second elongate structure comprises a plurality of teeth in a substantially linear arrangement for mounting on the first elongate structure, and a teeth engaging apparatus configured for mounting on the second elongate structure, the teeth engaging structure comprising a chain loop engaging the teeth such that rotation of the loop moves the first elongate structure relative to the second elongate structure.
US07784591B2

A brake pad assembly includes a brake pad including a base portion, a first ear portion, and an opposed second ear portion. The first ear portion and the second ear portion extend outwardly from the base section. The first ear portion includes a first upper section, a first central section, and a first lower section. The second ear portion includes a second upper section, a second central section, and a second lower section. A first clip receives the first ear portion and a second clip receives the second ear portion. The first ear portion includes a first defined contact location and a second defined contact location in relation to the first clip. The second ear portion includes a third defined contact location in relation to the second clip.
US07784589B2

Load measuring equipment has a small-area load sensor arranged between a support and a first damping body for vibration damping of parts relative to the support. The support may be a bracket and the parts may be a lift drive engine. The force on the sensor, which may be the force emanating from an engine foot of the drive engine made up of cage weight, cage load, weight of the counterweight, weight of the support cables and weight of the drive unit, is a small portion of the force on the support, such as the bracket. The ratio of the area of the first damping body to the load sensor determines the ratio of the force acting on the damping body to the force acting on L, and sensed by Z the load sensor.
US07784584B2

A device (10) for reducing noise and heat emissions from a laboratory instrument in a laboratory, comprising a casing (20) with sound-absorbing walls (240), wherein the casing (20) forms an interior space (210, 220) for accommodating the laboratory instrument. At least one of the sound-absorbing walls (240) has an air inlet (30). The device (10) further has a flue (40) arranged on one of the sound-absorbing walls (240), so that the interior space (210, 220) of the casing (20) can be vented via the air inlet (30) and the flue (40). During operation of the laboratory instrument situated in the interior space (210, 220) of the device (10), the sound generated by the laboratory instrument is absorbed by the walls, so that essentially no noise, or only significantly reduced levels of noise, generated by the laboratory instrument can escape the device (10). The walls (240) and their connections are also designed in such a way that essentially no heat generated by the laboratory instrument can escape the device (10). The air that flows into the interior space through the one air inlet (30), or preferably through several air inlets (30), being again evacuated through the flue (40) makes it possible to remove waste heat produced by the laboratory instrument from the device. Such a device (10) makes it possible to operate a laboratory instrument in a laboratory without people located in the laboratory being significantly impaired by waste heat and/or noise from the laboratory instrument.
US07784563B2

Machine for ground drilling, with a circulating fluid, by the utilization of electric discharge generated by high-voltage pulses between electrodes. It may comprise: —A drill-bit 1 with electrodes movable relative to each other, so that bottom-hole physical contact be secured for all the electrodes 4 on all bottom-hole topographies. —Pointed hydraulic nozzles for jetting the fluid, to remove primary cuttings and with pressure expansion across the nozzles 7 at no less than 4 MPa. —A high-voltage pulse generator deployed down-hole at a minimum distance from the drill-bit 1. —A rotating or oscillating bit causing the borehole cross-sectional excavation to occur, and electric discharge between a plurality of electrodes situated on the bit face along one or a few radii and tangents. —A bottom hole assembly for annular hole-making with core storage, transportation, down-hole closed loop discharge fluid circulation. A discharge fluid storage may be incorporated. A drilling method is also described.
US07784558B2

A three point hitch for a work vehicle is provided with one draft link of fixed length and another draft link of variable length. The variable length draft link includes a linear double action hydraulic cylinder assembly, a first attachment plate fixedly connected with one of the arm and the cylinder of the assembly and having a pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with the vehicle, and a second attachment plate fixedly connected with a remaining one of the arm and the cylinder and having a first pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with a tilt link and a second pivot connector configured for pivotal attachment with the implement to be supported from the vehicle. The variable length draft link permits lateral adjustment of the angle of the implement with respect to the vehicle center line.
US07784556B2

A method and apparatus for suppressing in a space includes structure and/or function for generating a first oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture having at least a first gas. The first gas comprises nitrogen. At least the first gas is delivered into the space, thereby delivering a clean agent fire suppressant into the space that reduces the concentration of oxygen in the space to below a level necessary to sustain combustion. Preferably, the method and apparatus are used in inhabited spaces.
US07784548B2

A system for extracting a gas and a liquid from a well broadly includes tubing strings that collect well liquid and a gas lift system that removes the collected liquid. A standing valve connects the strings and permits liquid to enter the strings from the subsurface formation. The gas lift system includes a compressor that uses pressurized gas to remove the collected liquid and discharge the liquid into a separator. The system permits liquid to be collected and removed while simultaneously producing gas from the well casing. The system includes an accumulator that stores compressed gas for removing the collected liquid.
US07784542B2

Methods and compositions are provided that may comprise cement, a nano-particle, latex, and water. An embodiment of the present invention includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. The method may include introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, a nano-particle, latex, and water. The method further may include allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention include a cement composition. The cement composition may comprise cement, a nano-particle, latex, and water.
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