US07851873B2

The HVIC includes a dielectric layer and an SOI active layer stacked on a silicon substrate, a transistor formed in the surface of the SOI active layer, and a trench isolation region formed around the transistor. The dielectric layer includes a first buried oxide film formed in the surface of the silicon substrate, a shield layer formed below the first buried oxide film opposite the element area, a second buried oxide film formed around the shield layer, and a third buried oxide film formed below the shield layer and the second buried oxide film. Therefore, the potential distribution curves PC within the dielectric layer are low in density and a high withstand voltage is achieved.
US07851872B2

An integrated circuit comprises a first source, a first drain, a second source, a first gate arranged between the first source and the first drain, and a second gate arranged between the first drain and the second source. The first and second gates define alternating first and second regions in the drain. The first and second gates are arranged farther apart in the first regions than in the second regions.
US07851865B2

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a design structure of a multiple fin fin-type field effect transistor (i.e., a multiple fin dual-gate or tri-gate field effect transistor) in which the multiple fins are partially or completely merged by a highly conductive material (e.g., a metal silicide). Merging the fins in this manner allow series resistance to be minimized with little, if any, increase in the parasitic capacitance between the gate and source/drain regions. Merging the semiconductor fins in this manner also allows each of the source/drain regions to be contacted by a single contact via as well as more flexible placement of that contact via.
US07851864B2

A test structure includes a transistor, a dummy transistor and a pad unit. The transistor is formed on a first active region of a substrate. The dummy transistor is formed on a second active region of the substrate and electrically connected to the transistor. The pad unit is electrically connected to the transistor. Plasma damage to the transistor is reduced due to the presence of dummy transistor.
US07851861B2

A device includes an embedded MIM capacitor and a transistor formed in parallel with reduced processing steps and improved device performance in different regions of a substrate. The embedded MIM capacitor has a bottom electrode, an insulator layer, a dielectric film, and a top electrode. The substrate has an insulator region. The bottom electrode, having a first conductor, overlies the insulator region. The insulator layer overlies the substrate and the bottom electrode. The insulator layer has an opening connecting parts of the bottom electrode. The dielectric film lines the opening, and is disposed directly on the bottom electrode and sidewalls of the opening. The top electrode, having a second conductor, overlies the dielectric film in the opening. The dielectric film lines sidewalls and bottom of the top electrode.
US07851859B2

A single transistor floating-body dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device includes a floating body located on a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode located on the floating body, the floating body including an excess carrier storage region. The DRAM device further includes source and drain regions respectively located at both sides of the gate electrode, and leakage shielding patterns located between the floating body and the source and drain regions. Each of the source and drain regions contact the floating body, which may be positioned between the source and drain regions. The floating body may also laterally extend under the leakage shielding patterns, which may be arranged at outer sides of the gate electrode.
US07851857B2

A dual current path LDMOSFET transistor (40) is provided which includes a substrate (400), a graded buried layer (401), an epitaxial drift region (404) in which a drain region (416) is formed, a first well region (406) in which a source region (412) is formed, a gate electrode (420) formed adjacent to the source region (412) to define a first channel region (107), and a current routing structure that includes a buried RESURF layer (408) in ohmic contact with a second well region (414) formed in a predetermined upper region of the epitaxial layer (404) so as to be completely covered by the gate electrode (420), the current routing structure being spaced apart from the first well region (406) and from the drain region (416) on at least a side of the drain region to delineate separate current paths from the source region and through the epitaxial layer.
US07851838B2

A solid-state imaging device with a semiconductor substrate; a pixel formation region in the substrate and including a pixel made of a photoelectric conversion element; and an element isolation portion in the substrate and including an element isolation insulating layer and an impurity element isolation region. The element isolation insulating layer is positioned in a surface of the substrate. The impurity element isolation region is positioned under the element isolation insulating layer and within the substrate. The impurity element isolation region has at least a portion with a width that is narrower than that of the element isolation insulating layer. The photoelectric conversion element extends to a position under the element isolation insulating layer of the element isolation portion.
US07851833B2

A semiconductor device includes a first transistor unit including first field effect transistors with first gate electrodes electrically connected together, first sources electrically connected together, and first drains electrically connected together, the first gate electrodes being electrically connected to the first drains, a second transistor unit including second field effect transistors with second gate electrodes electrically connected together, second sources electrically connected together, and second drains electrically connected together, the second gate electrodes being electrically connected to the first gate electrodes, and dummy gate electrodes electrically isolated from the first gate electrodes and the second gate electrodes. The first gate electrodes, the second gate electrodes, and the dummy gate electrodes are arranged parallel to one another, and at least one dummy gate electrode is located between any one of the first gate electrodes and any one of the second gate electrodes.
US07851829B2

One aspect includes a sensor chip module including a sensor chip and a module housing accommodating the sensor chip. The module housing defines a mounting plane of the sensor chip module. In one case, an active surface of the sensor chip is inclined with respect to the mounting plane of the sensor chip module.
US07851825B2

Enhancement-mode III-nitride transistors are described that have a large source to drain barrier in the off state, low off state leakage, and low channel resistance in the access regions are described. The devices can include a charge depleting layer under the gate and/or a charge enhancing layer outside of the gate region, that is, in the access region.
US07851816B2

An optoelectronics chip-to-chip interconnects system is provided, including at least one packaged chip to be connected on the printed-circuit-board with at least one other packaged chip, optical-electrical (O-E) conversion mean, waveguide-board, and (PCB). Single to multiple chips interconnects can be interconnected provided using the technique disclosed in this invention. The packaged chip includes semiconductor die and its package based on the ball-grid array or chip-scale-package. The O-E board includes the optoelectronics components and multiple electrical contacts on both sides of the O-E substrate. The waveguide board includes the electrical conductor transferring the signal from O-E board to PCB and the flex optical waveguide easily stackable onto the PCB to guide optical signal from one chip-to-other chip. Alternatively, the electrode can be directly connected to the PCB instead of including in the waveguide board. The chip-to-chip interconnections system is pin-free and compatible with the PCB. The main advantages of this invention are to use the packaged chip for interconnection and the conventional PCB technology can be used for low speed electrical signal connection. Also, the part of the heat from the packaged chip can be transmitted to the PCB through the conductors, so that complex cooling system can be avoided.
US07851815B2

A light-emitting element, in particular a light-emitting diode, having at least one light-emitting chip crystal, in particular a semiconductor crystal, is described. At least free surfaces of the light-emitting chip crystal are covered with an inert material—liquid fluid—which is in direct contact with the light-emitting chip crystal.
US07851813B2

Provided are a semiconductor light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor light emitting layer comprises a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the active layer. The active layer comprises a quantum well layer, a quantum barrier layer, and a dual barrier layer.
US07851810B2

A semiconductor light emitting device includes a multi-layered semiconductor layer having at least a first conductive type cladding layer, an active layer, a second conductive type first cladding layer, an etching stop layer, and a second conductive type second cladding layer on a substrate. An upper section of a ridge groove is formed by an anisotropic etching process, as a first groove in such a way as to have a depth from a surface of the multi-layered semiconductor layer and as not to cross the etching stop layer at the depth. A bottom groove of the ridge groove is formed by an isotropic etching process, as a second groove by performing etching in such a way as to be stopped by the etching stop layer.
US07851808B2

A nitride semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) comprises an n-type nitride semiconductor layer; an electron emitting layer formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer, the electron emitting layer being composed of a nitride semiconductor layer including a transition element of group III; an active layer formed on the electron emitting layer; and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the active layer.
US07851801B2

A memory cell suitable for being disposed over a substrate is provided. The memory cell includes a poly-silicon island, a first dielectric layer, a trapping layer, a second dielectric layer and a control gate. The poly-silicon island is disposed on the substrate and includes a source region, a drain region and a channel region located between the source and drain regions. The channel region has a plurality of regularly arranged tips thereon. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the poly-silicon island. The trapping layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the trapping layer. The control gate is disposed on the second dielectric layer. The memory cell mentioned above can be integrated into the LTPS-LCD panel or OLED panel.
US07851790B2

The present invention describes a method of and an apparatus for providing a wafer, the wafer including Silicon; etching trenches in the wafer to form Silicon fins; filling Silicon Oxide in the trenches; planarizing the Silicon Oxide; recessing the Silicon Oxide to a first thickness to form exposed Silicon pedestals from the Silicon fins; depositing SiGe over the exposed Silicon pedestal; recessing the Silicon Oxide to a second thickness; undercutting the exposed Silicon pedestals to form necked-in Silicon pedestals; oxidizing thermally and annealing the SiGe; and forming Germanium nanowires.
US07851789B2

The present invention provides a photosensitive resin composition for a pad protective layer that includes (A) an alkali soluble resin, (B) a reactive unsaturated compound, (C) a photoinitiator, and (D) a solvent. The (A) alkali soluble resin includes a copolymer including about 5 to about 50 wt % of a unit having the Chemical Formula 1, about 1 to about 25 wt % of a unit having the Chemical Formula 2, and about 45 to about 90 wt % of a unit having the Chemical Formula 3, and a method of making an image sensor using the photosensitive resin composition.
US07851785B2

A magnetic tunnel transistor (MTT) for a disk drive read head includes a barrier of TiO disposed between a ferromagnetic collector and a ferromagnetic base for preferentially selecting only “hot” electrons for propagation to the collector.
US07851782B2

An example photodetector includes a waveguide structure having an active waveguide comprising an absorber for converting photons conveying an optical signal into charge carriers conveying a corresponding electrical signal; a carrier collection layer for transporting the charge carriers conveying the electrical signal; and a secondary waveguide immediately adjacent to the carrier collection layer, for receiving the photons to be detected, and which is evanescently coupled to the active waveguide.
US07851779B2

A medium for use in data storage, thermal energy storage and other applications, the medium comprising a functional layer made of different materials. One embodiment provides a data storage medium. The data storage medium comprises a substrate and a data storage layer supported by the substrate. The data storage layer comprises a plurality of regions each capable of representing a digital value. The data storage layer is at least partly made of a first material and a second material different from the first material. The data storage layer comprises a pattern of discrete portions made of the second material lying in a plane defined by the data storage layer. The pattern is configured such that each region representing a digital value contains a portion made of the first material and at least one of the discrete portions made of the second material. Other embodiments provide a thermal energy storage medium and a sensing medium.
US07851764B2

A method of high-energy particle imaging by individual particle counting with an active pixel direct bombardment detector. The method includes the step of providing an active pixel direct bombardment detector including an array of pixels. Each pixel is characterized by a reset time constant. The method further includes sampling the pixel voltage of each pixel at a first time. The method further includes applying a pixel reset voltage to each pixel for a reset time interval less than the reset time constant. The method further includes sampling the pixel voltage of each pixel at a second time. The method further includes computing a difference between the sampled pixel voltages at the first and second times. The sampling and the applying of the reset voltage may be periodic. A direct bombardment detector is also provided.
US07851758B1

In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, a portable inspection system is disclosed to capture inspection data, such as for example an infrared image, sound information, and/or electrical measurement information. The inspection data may be securely recorded (e.g., with an encryption algorithm) along with associated information, which may include for example date, time, system settings, operator identification, and location.
US07851749B2

A method for obtaining information on a mass of an object by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This method includes placing colloidal metal particles for promoting ionization of the object inside the object at a depth ranging from 0.1 nm to 100 nm in opposition to a primary beam for the ionization; irradiating the object with the primary beam selected from the group of ions, neutral particles, and electrons, which can be focused, pulsed, and are capable of scanning, and laser beams, which can be focused, pulsed, and are capable of scanning to ionize a constituent of the object and to allow the ionized constituent to fly out of the object; and obtaining information on the mass of the flying constituent of the object by time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
US07851746B2

The invention relates to determining the masses from the time-of-flight values of ions in time-of-flight mass spectrometers where the accelerating voltage for the ions is not applied permanently, but is switched on at a certain time, resulting in a temporally changing acceleration for a short time after the voltage has been switched on. An aspect of the invention includes formally describing the effect of the temporally changing acceleration on the calibration curve—an effect which cannot be subjected to a strict mathematical-analytical calculation—by introducing a “reduced mass” m−m0 instead of the mass m. The mass reduction factor m0 does not describe a real mass difference, but a mass-dependent shortfall in the final kinetic energy after the ions have passed through the acceleration, a shortfall which can be observed with the temporally changing acceleration. This surprisingly simple formalism makes it possible to calculate the mass of the ions over a wide mass range and with an accuracy of approximately one part per million of the mass, using a calibration curve containing only four to six calibrated coefficients.
US07851733B2

Methods and apparatus for delivering a missile may operate in conjunction with a missile comprising an outer skin. The missile may be configured in a closed position and an open position. In the open position, an aperture is opened in the outer skin, for example to supply air to an air-breathing engine. In the closed position, the aperture is closed.
US07851723B2

A spot welding head includes an electrical conductor guided into a tubular sheath whose ends are rigidly connected to rear ends of supporting bodies of several electrodes. The sheath defines a substantially stiff loop portion configured and arranged so as to be substantially parallel and to face an annular path defined by the electrodes and the supporting bodies, in such a way that two magnetic fields, one generated by electromagnetic induction caused by electric current flowing through the electric conductor placed into the loop-shaped sheath, and the other generated by electromagnetic induction caused by electric current flowing through the electrodes and the supporting bodies thereof, substantially cancel each other out or generate an overall magnetic field which is located forward of the rear end of the welding head or forward of the operator's body.
US07851718B2

Electronic equipment of the present invention includes a first housing 2 with an elastically deformable thin-wall portion 25 formed as a part of the front wall, an elastically deformable spacer member 4, and a sub board 5 on which switches 51 are mounted. The spacer member 4 includes a plurality of elastic members 41 and a second supporting member 46. Each of the elastic members 41 includes an operating strip 41a that is formed so that when the thin-wall portion 25 is deformed elastically, one surface of the operating strip 41a can be brought into contact with a back surface of the thin-wall portion 25 and the other surface can be pressed against the switch 51. The second supporting member 46 is formed so as to protrude between each of the elastic members 41, and can be brought into contact with the back surface of the thin-wall portion 25 at least when the thin-wall portion 25 is deformed elastically. The elastic members 41 and the second supporting member 46 are formed integrally. With this configuration, the electronic equipment does not cause an operation error in which a plurality of switches are pressed simultaneously.
US07851712B2

A measuring instrument for the gravimetric determination of moisture has a housing with a test compartment arranged in the housing, as well as a weighing device installed in the housing. The weighing device includes a sample receiver that is disposed inside the test compartment when in the measuring position. A radiation source arranged in the test compartment which during a test process serves to heat the sample placed on the sample receiver. A suction device, arranged adjacent to the test compartment, remove moisture and any other volatiles given off by the sample during the measurement process providing a more stable flow pattern in the test compartment.
US07851710B2

A waterproof and dustproof structure is applied to a predetermined hole of a circuit board. A connection end of a connector could penetrate the predetermined hole. Moreover, the circuit board has a first surface and a second surface. The waterproof and dustproof structure can cover up the predetermined hole to isolate the first surface and the second surface. The interferences on the first surface may not move to the second surface through the predetermined hole. Therefore, when the connection end of the connector passes through the predetermined hole, the predetermined hole on the circuit board can be sealed via the waterproof and dustproof structure so as to achieve the goal of waterproof and dust prevention.
US07851707B2

A circuit board for reducing a transmission loss and a method for manufacturing the circuit board. In the circuit board including a ground layer and power layer facing each other, a wiring layer disposed between the ground layer and the power layer, and an insulating section formed between the ground layer and the power layer so as to sandwich the wiring layer therebetween, a low dielectric loss layer having a dielectric tangent lower than that of the insulating section is formed at least on an upper or lower surface of the wiring layer. According to such a circuit board, the low dielectric loss layer is formed on an interface between the insulating section and the wiring layer, and therefore, a transmission loss in a high frequency region is reduced.
US07851706B2

A flexible printed circuit including an interior insulation layer, a first conductive layer formed on a surface of the interior insulation layer in a circuit pattern, a first exterior insulation layer deposited to cover the surface of the interior insulation layer and the first conductive layer, a second conductive layer formed on the other surface of the interior insulation layer in a circuit pattern, and a second exterior insulation layer deposited to cover the other surface of the interior insulation layer and the second conductive layer. The flexible printed circuit is manufactured by depositing an interior insulation layer on a base layer, forming a first conductive layer on a surface of the interior insulation layer in a circuit pattern, depositing a first exterior insulation layer to cover the surface of the interior insulation layer and the first conductive layer, removing the base layer, forming a second conductive layer on another surface of the interior insulation layer in a circuit pattern, and depositing a second exterior insulation layer to cover the another surface of the interior insulation layer and the second conductive layer.
US07851703B2

The present invention is directed to a sealing member for establishing a water resistant seal between two elements which includes a resilient gasket having opposed gasket surfaces for engagement between the two elements; and a water resistant coating applied to the gasket. The water resistant coating providing releasable adhesive sealing contact with at least one of the elements. The present invention is also directed to a method of making a gasket seal for an electrical box.
US07851696B2

The invention relates to a solar cell that comprises a planar semiconductor substrate with a front and a back; a multitude of holes that interconnect the front and the back; and current-collecting electrical contacts that are exclusively arranged on the back. The front comprises highly doped regions and lightly doped regions of a first type such that in each case the holes are situated in a highly doped region or adjoin such a region. According to a first aspect of the invention, the highly doped regions are arranged locally around the holes. According to a second aspect of the invention, the front comprises at least one region without holes, and the highly doped regions comprise one region or several regions that extends/extend to the at least one hole-free region. The invention furthermore relates to methods for manufacturing such solar cells.
US07851688B2

A portable sound processing device [1000] designed to retrofit a portable digital player (PDP) such as an iPod sold by Apple, Inc., includes a display [1201] for interacting with a user, a plurality of input devices [1103-1133] for receiving input from a user. The portable sound processing device [1000] has internal or external pre-recorded music which may be mixed with the live input from a musical instrument [3]. The processor [1000] may perform digital signal processing to change the pitch while keeping the tempo the same for pre-recorded music to match the key of the instrument being played. The tempo may be adjusted while not affecting the pitch allowing a musician to practice a song at a slower pace. It may also highlight or remove a specific instrument for practice purposes. The result is a portable signal processing device [1000] which aids music transcription, learning and study.
US07851687B2

An illuminated cymbal, including: a light transmitting cymbal body; top and bottom coverings on opposite sides of portions of the cymbal body; a light source mounted to emit light into the cymbal body, wherein the light source is positioned such that the light is reflected between the top and bottom coverings to reflect radially outwards through the cymbal body to illuminate the cymbal body; and a striking sensor pad mounted on top of the cymbal body.
US07851672B2

The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an HIO nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype.
US07851669B2

An absorbent article that has a thin, conformable absorbent core where the core has at least two layers, each including a different superabsorbent material, and each being typically substantially free of cellulosic fibers, is described. The absorbent article has a Circular Bend Flexibility of less than about 15 N. The core includes a storage layer and an acquisition/storage layer each a specific basis capacity of and absorption efficiency.
US07851667B2

An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed that provides an improved immobilization of absorbent polymer material when the article is fully or partially urine loaded. This absorbent core is useful for providing an absorbent article of increased wearing comfort. Specifically disclosed is an absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprising a substrate layer and absorbent material, the absorbent material comprising an absorbent polymer material, the absorbent material optionally comprising absorbent fibrous material, the absorbent fibrous material not representing more than 20% of the weight of absorbent polymer material, wherein the absorbent material is immobilized when wet such that the absorbent core achieves a wet immobilization of more than 50%, preferably of more than 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% according to the Wet Immobilization Test described herein.
US07851665B2

A catalyst is described comprising at least one zeolite with structure type EUO, at least one zeolite with structure type NES, at least one metal selected from metals from groups IIIA, VIIB, VIIB and VIII and at least one porous mineral matrix. The catalyst of the invention is used in a process for isomerizing a feed comprising aromatic compounds containing 8 carbon atoms per molecule.
US07851652B2

Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.
US07851648B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates by reacting organic amines with phosgene, wherein the reaction is carried out in at least three stages, with the first stage being carried out in a mixing apparatus, the second stage in at least one residence apparatus and the third stage in at least one separation apparatus and the pressure in each successive stage being lower than that in the previous stage.
US07851646B2

Novel processes for preparing arylsulfur pentafluorides are disclosed. Processes include reacting at least one aryl sulfur compound with a halogen and a fluoro salt to form an arylsulfur halotetrafluoride. The arylsulfur halotetrafluoride is reacted with a fluoride source to form a target arylsulfur pentafluoride.
US07851645B2

Processes for the alcoholysis, inclusive of transesterification and/or disproportionation, of reactants are disclosed. The alcoholysis process may include feeding reactants and a trace amount of soluble organometallic compound to a reactor comprising a solid alcoholysis catalyst, wherein the soluble organometallic compound and the solid alcoholysis catalyst each independently comprise a Group II to Group VI element, which may be the same element in various embodiments. As an example, diphenyl carbonate may be continuously produced by performing transesterification over a solid catalyst followed by disproportionation, where a trace amount of soluble organometallic compound is fed to the transesterification reactor. Also disclosed is a process for reactivating a spent solid alcoholysis catalyst, such as a catalyst useful for transesterifications and/or disproportionations, the process including removing polymeric materials deposited on the catalyst and re-depositing catalytically active metals on the solid catalyst.
US07851633B2

Cosmetic or dermatological compositions which comprise at least one piperidinium salt, preferably a 4-[(2-cyclopentyl-2-hydroxyphenylacetyl)oxy]-1,1-dimethyl-piperidinium salt, and the use thereof, particularly as antiperspirants. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07851626B2

There is provided a compound of formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof wherein X1, X2, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are herein described. The compounds exhibit activity as anticancer agents.
US07851619B2

A process for the preparation and purification of Eplerenone is described wherein hydroxylated impurities are removed using a novel derivatization procedure.
US07851617B2

Novel indole derivatives of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 is fluorine, or chlorine, and R2 is hydrogen, or fluorine, which are SGLT inhibitors and are useful for treatment or prevention of diabetes and related conditions.
US07851605B2

Disclosed is a recombinant vaccine for porcine atrophic rhinitis. A vaccine is provided which uses a Pasteurella multocida (D:4) outer membrane protein H. The vaccine uses a small size of peptides, so that it exhibits a remarkable activity. In addition, it is possible to provide a vaccine that can be applied in the body through a variety of routes.
US07851603B2

A method of preventing or inhibiting infection by a parasite or virus in vivo comprising administering to a human in need thereof a parasite or virus mitogen in a sub-mitogenic amount sufficient to induce a protective immune response against the parasite or virus in the human.
US07851599B2

The invention refers to the use of L19IL2 for treatment of pancreatic cancer. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a combination (i) of a fusion protein, comprising an Interleukin 2 part and an antibody part, specifically recognizing the extra domain B of fibronectin (ED-B-fibronectin), and (ii) gemcitabine.
US07851594B2

Cytokines and their receptors have proven usefulness in both basic research and as therapeutics. The present invention provides a new human cytokine receptor designated as “Zcytor16.”
US07851592B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting Chk1 and/or Chk2 kinases. Also provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting G2 cell arrest checkpoint, particularly in mammalian, e.g., human, cells. The compositions and methods of the invention are also used to treat disorders of cell growth, such as cancer. In particular, the invention provides methods for selectively sensitizing G1 checkpoint impaired cancer cells to DNA damaging agents and treatments. Also provided are methods for screening for compounds able to interact with, e.g., inhibit, enzymes involved in the G2 cell cycle arrest checkpoint, such as Chk1 and/or Chk2/Cds1 kinase.
US07851589B2

A polypeptide exhibiting the effect of inhibiting Ca2+ leakage in a target cell, the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 3 to 9 or an amino acid sequence obtained through deletion, insertion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the aforementioned amino acid sequence; a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide; and a pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, the polypeptide or an expression product of the polynucleotide.
US07851588B2

CRF peptide analogs that bind to CRFR1 with an affinity far greater than they bind to CRFR2. Some of these analogs exhibit CRF agonist activity. One exemplary analog that may be made by solid-phase synthesis is:(cyclo 31-34)[Ac-Pro4,D-Phe12,Nle18,21,Glu31,Lys34]-sucker urotensin(4-41).
US07851587B2

Peptides derived from the C2 regions of εPKC and methods of use, thereof, are described. These peptides modulate the activity of εPKC in an animal model of acute ischemic heart disease.
US07851576B2

The present invention provides a novel polymer, and a mixture and a cement admixture thereof. The cement admixture has higher dispersibility compared to the previous ones. The novel polymer of the present invention has a different structure from the conventional copolymers used for cement admixtures, using an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer and an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer as the monomer components.The novel polymer of the present invention basically contains a polyalkylene glycol chain and a polymer segment bonded to the chain. Another type of the novel polymer of the present invention contains two polyalkylene glycol chains and a polymer segment connecting the chains. In these polymers, at least one of unsaturated monomers constituting the polymer segment is an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer or an unsaturated polyalkylene glycol monomer. The cement admixture of the present invention comprises a polymer, made from these monomers, or a mixture thereof.
US07851574B2

Pressure-sensitive adhesives containing at least one functionalized polymer or block polymer having a weight average of the molar mass distribution of between 5,000 g/mol and 200,000 g/mol and a difference between Mp and Mmin which is lower than 25,000 g/mol, where Mp represents the peak molar mass of a monomodal polymer or the peak molar mass of the smallest mode in a bimodal or multimodal polymer and Mmin represents the lowest molar mass in the molar mass distribution, defined at each point where the cumulative frequency of the molar mass distribution has a value of 0.05, the functionalized polymer or block polymer carries at least one type of functionalization that can be used for a subsequent cross-linking and the at least one type of functionalization of the functionalized polymer results from the use of at least one type of functionalized monomer during the production of the functionalized polymer.
US07851571B2

Hybrid copolymers for use as anti-sealant and dispersant. The polymers are useful in compositions used in aqueous systems. The polymers include at least one synthetic monomeric constituent that is chain terminated by a naturally occurring hydroxyl containing moiety. A process for preparing these hybrid copolymers is also provided.
US07851569B2

A rare earth metal complex represented by the formula (1): in which A represents a Group 14 element of the periodic table, Cp represents a group having a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl anion moiety, Ln represents a Group 3 metal atom or a lanthanoid metal atom, R1 to R6 are the same or different, and represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, a silyl group substituted with a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R7 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, Xs represent a monoanionic ligand, Ys represent a neutral ligand, m represents an integer of 1 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 to 3. The rare earth metal complex is useful as, for example, a catalyst for polymerization reaction of olefins. A polar monomer such as a lactone can be polymerized using the rare earth metal complex as a catalyst.
US07851566B2

The present invention describes a reactor comprising two interconnected loops wherein the growing polymer flows continuously in circuit from the first loop to the second loop through a First pipe and back to the first loop through a second pipe. It also discloses process for polymerising olefins in two interconnected loop reactors.
US07851553B2

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least two incompatible thermoplastic polymers and at least one compatibilizer, to a method of preparing this composition, and to the use of said composition for the manufacture of thermoplastic articles or semi-finished products having, in particular, improved mechanical properties. A composition according to the invention is such that said polymeric compatibilizer includes at least two groups of polar and apolar units compatible with the respectively polymers, and it is characterized in that it comprises the product of a hot compounding reaction, in the presence of a crosslinking system, of said compatibilizer in the crosslinkable state with said thermoplastic polymers, in such a way that only said compatibilizer is crosslinked in said composition.
US07851550B2

A method for surface crosslinking water-absorbing resin of the present invention includes a step (1) of obtaining a wet mixture, a step (2) of obtaining a dried particulate composition, and a step (3) of carrying out a surface crosslinking reaction. With this, since a processing time of each step becomes short, it is possible to mass produce the water-absorbing resin having excellent physical properties. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the water-absorbing resin of the present invention includes a modifying step and a cooling step. The modifying step and/or the cooling step are/is carried out by using stirring means including a rotation axis having a plurality of stirring boards, and the stirring means includes the stirring board having a specific thickness and/or a scraping blade having a specific shape. With this, it is possible to suppress the generation of the fine powder in the modifying step and/or the cooling step.
US07851548B2

The present invention describes novel non-hydrolyzable, linear, random block copolymers comprising units of polysiloxanes and polyalkyleneoxides linked by bis-aminofunctional groups. These copolymers have been successfully applied as textile enhancers as well as conditioning agents for hair and skin care products.
US07851543B2

Polymer capsules from amphiphilic graft copolymers comprising reactive, hydrophobic polyolefin backbones, and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafts are produced by self-assembly of the polymers at the oil-water interface, and crosslinking the assembly with bis-cyclooctene PEG derivatives in conjunction with ring-open metathesis polymerization catalysts. The use of the graft copolymer architecture in capsule synthesis provides significant opportunities to tune both the surface properties, in terms of recognition, and the membrane properties, in terms of mechanical strength, encapsulation, and release.
US07851541B2

A composition containing an anti-microbial agent that comprises a polymeric biguanide, either alone or in combination with at least one other microbiologically active component. The composition also includes an amphoteric co-polymer of the Formula (1): (i) group consisting of quaternary ammonium compounds, [A]m-[B]n-[C]v-[D]yq.  Formula (1)
US07851532B2

Disclosed herein is a flame retardant thermoplastic polyester resin composition comprising: (A) about 100 parts by weight of a polyester resin; (B) about 1 to about 60 parts by weight of a cyclic oligomeric phosphazene compound; (C) about 1 to about 50 parts by weight of a melamine compound; (D) about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of a inorganic metal compound; and (E) about 0.1 to about 5 parts by weight of a fluorinated polyolefin resin. The thermoplastic polyester resin composition may further contain a filler (F).
US07851531B2

An aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive composition of the invention comprises a rubber-based latex and a tackifier resin emulsion, wherein the tackifier resin emulsion is that obtained by emulsifying a tackifier resin in the presence of an emulsifier containing an ammonium salt of rosins; and the aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains a water-soluble salt of casein as protective colloid. The aqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is excellent in mechanical stability and insulating characteristics and has good moisture-proof adhesive strength.
US07851530B2

The invention relates to the use as sagging controlling agent (SCA) in coating compositions of rheology control agents obtainable by reacting one or more polyisocyanates with one or more optically active amines or by reacting one or more polyamines with one or more optically active isocyanates. The invention also relates to rheology control agents obtainable as described above using specific polyisocyanates or polyamines. In addition the invention relates to the use of these rheology control agents in various applications.
US07851528B2

A flame retardant resin treated article that excels in flame retardancy and is free from bleedout. A resin composition comprising a flame retarder of metal phosphinate represented by the general formula: (I) (in the formula, each of R1 and R2 is a C1-C6 alkyl or an aryl group having 12 or less carbon atoms; M is calcium, aluminum or zinc; and when M=aluminum, m=3, and otherwise m=2), a reactive organophosphorus flame retarder having an unsaturated group at its terminal and a resin wherein the total content of metal phosphinate and reactive organophosphorus flame retarder is in the range of 5 to 30 mass % is provided in molded form or coating form.
US07851525B2

A high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber is disclosed and includes a high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber as a silicone base and melamine cyanurate as a filler and at least one inorganic filler which is different from melamine cyanurate, and optionally further additives. A total filler content can be within a range of 40 parts (by weight) to 230 parts (by weight) per 100 parts (by weight) of silicone base; wherein (i) the melamine cyanurate is present within a range of 2 parts (by weight) to 40 parts (by weight) per 100 parts (by weight) of silicone base; and (ii) the at least one inorganic filler is an electrical insulator.
US07851524B2

A quaternary onium aromatic sulfonate represented by the formula: wherein each R1 independently comprises substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic or aromatic, hydrocarbyl, carbocyclic or heterocyclic radicals, each X is selected from the group consisting of phosphorus and nitrogen; wherein “a” has a value of 0, 1 or 2, and “b” has a value of 0 or 1 with the proviso that (a+b) is equal to 1 or 2; G1 is an aromatic group; E comprises a bis(carbonyloxyalkyl)polydiorganosiloxane, a bis(carbonyloxyaryl)polydiorganosiloxane, and an ether linkage; each Y1 independently comprises hydrogen, a monovalent hydrocarbon group, alkenyl, allyl, halogen, bromine, chlorine; nitro; and OR, wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group.
US07851519B2

A polyester resin emulsion includes crosslinked polyester resin in an emulsion medium, the crosslinked polyester resin having a degree of crosslinking of from about 0.1 percent to about 100 percent. The emulsion can be formed by solvent flashing a mixture of a polyester resin, an initiator, a solvent, and an emulsion medium, wherein the crosslinked polyester resin has a degree of crosslinking of from about 0.1 percent to about 100 percent.
US07851517B2

A system, method and apparatus provices an antimicrobial card, badge holder or token made from an antimicrobial polymereric material. The antimicrobial polymereric material includes one or more polymers and one or more antimicrobial agents that affect the growth of bacteria, fungi, virus or a combination thereof.
US07851516B2

A matrix which is a polymer, plastic or polymer-wood composite includes a composition of a biocide and a processing additive therewith in the form of a free-flowing powder.
US07851511B2

The present invention relates to polyglycerol partial esters of polyhydroxystearic acid and polyfunctional carboxylic acids which are obtainable by esterification of a polyglycerol mixture with polyhydroxystearic acid where N=1 to 10, preferably 2 to 8, in particular 3 to 5 units and dimer fatty acids which have been obtained by catalytic dimerization of unsaturated fatty acids having 12 to 22 C atoms and have an average functionality of 2 to 3, and/or with aliphatic, linear or branched dicarboxylic acids having a chain length of 2 to 16 C atoms and additionally saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty acids having 6 to 22 C atoms, preferably 12 to 18 C atoms, the degree of esterification of the polyglycerol mixture being between 20 and 75%, preferably 40 to 70%.
US07851509B2

The present invention provides methods of selectively inducing terminal differentiation, cell growth arrest and/or apoptosis of neoplastic cells, and/or inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) by administration of pharmaceutical compositions comprising potent HDAC inhibitors. The oral bioavailability of the active compounds in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention is surprisingly high. Moreover, the pharmaceutical compositions unexpectedly give rise to high, therapeutically effective blood levels of the active compounds over an extended period of time. The present invention further provides a safe, daily dosing regimen of these pharmaceutical compositions, which is easy to follow, and which results in a therapeutically effective amount of the HDAC inhibitors in vivo. The present invention also provides a novel Form I polymorph of SAHA, characterized by a unique X-ray diffraction pattern and Differential Scanning Calorimetry profile, as well a unique crystalline structure.
US07851501B2

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of e.g. the formulas (Ie) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier which is useful in a medicine wherein the symbols and substituents have the following meaning —X— is e.g. and Y is e.g. or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters or amides and prodrugs of the above identified compounds can be applied to modulate the in-vitro and in-vivo binding processes mediated by E-, P- or L-selectin binding.
US07851485B2

Disclosed is a therapeutic agent for neuropathic pain having an excellent therapeutic effect on neuropathic pain which is a intractable disease. More specifically, disclosed are a therapeutic agent for neuropathic pain which comprises a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist (particularly PK 11195) as the active ingredient; a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of neuropathic pain which comprises a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist as the active ingredient; a method for the treatment of neuropathic pain using a peripheral benzodiazepine receptor antagonist; and others.
US07851478B2

For example, an agent for preventing and/or treating movement disorder comprising, as an active ingredient, a triazolopyrimidine derivative having an adenosine A2A receptor antagonistic action, which is represented by the following formula (I): (wherein R1 represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, or the like, R3 represents —WR4, or the like, and Q1 represents a hydrogen atom or 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and the like are provided.
US07851469B2

The present invention is concerned isoxazole-imidazole derivatives having affinity and selectivity for GABA A α5 receptor binding site, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for enhancing cognition or for the treatment of cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the present invention is concerned with aryl-isoxazol-4-yl-imidazole derivatives of formula I wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as described in the specification.
US07851467B2

The invention provides novel benzoimidazolone-carboxamide-derived carbamate 5-HT4 receptor agonist compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, a, and b are defined in the disclosure. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US07851462B2

The present invention relates to novel betulinic acid derivatives with increased activity for the treatment of carcinomas and HIV diseases, a method for preparing such novel betulinic acid derivatives as well as their use as pharmaceuticals.
US07851461B2

The present invention relates to a method for prevention of epithelial cancer such as lung, bladder, prostate or gynaecological cancer or the initiation and/or progression of epithelial cancer such as lung, bladder, prostate or gynaecological cancer in a human comprising administering to the human of a combination dosage of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, a vitamin D3 including analogues and metabolites thereof and/or calcium. In a further aspect the invention relates to a method for reducing the effective dosage of ASA in a chemopreventive treatment of epithelial cancer in a human by co-administration with a non toxic dosage of a vitamin D3 including analogues and metabolites thereof and/or Ca in the form of a combination dosage. In another embodiment the invention relates to the use of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, a vitamin D3 including analogues and metabolites thereof and/or calcium for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention of epithelial cancer such as lung, bladder, prostate or gynaecological cancer or the initiation and/or progression of epithelial cancer such as lung, bladder, prostate or gynaecological cancer.
US07851455B2

Identified herein is the location of the MN protein binding site, and MN proteins/polypeptides that compete for attachment to vertebrate cells with immobilized MN protein. Such MN proteins/polypeptides prevent cell-cell adhesion and the formation of intercellular contacts. The MN protein binding site is a therapeutic target that can be blocked by organic or inorganic molecules, preferably organic molecules, more preferably proteins/polypeptides that specifically bind to that site. Therapeutic methods for inhibiting the growth of preneoplastic/neoplastic vertebrate cells that abnormally express MN protein are disclosed. Vectors are provided that encode the variable domains of MN-specific antibodies and a flexible linker polypeptide separating those domains. Further vectors are disclosed that encode a cytotoxic protein/polypeptide operatively linked to the MN gene promoter or a MN gene promoter fragment comprising the HIF-1 consensus binding sequence, and which vectors preferably further encode a cytokine. The MN gene promoter is characterized, and the binding site for a repressor of MN transcription is disclosed. Further, the hypoxia inducibility of the MN gene and the uses of such inducibility are disclosed.
US07851453B2

The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. More particularly, the invention provides immunomers and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides for use in methods for generating an immune response or for treating a patient in need of immunostimulation. The immunomers and an immunostimulatory oligonucleotides of the invention preferably comprise novel purines. The immunomers according to the invention further comprise at least two oligonucleotides linked at their 3′ ends, internucleoside linkages or functionalized nucleobase or sugar to a non-nucleotidic linker, at least one of the oligonucleotides being an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide and having an accessible 5′ end.
US07851448B2

The invention relates to methods for modulating, treating and preventing conditions in seeds and plants. The methods include the use of a composition comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, optionally with one or two conservative substitutions or a nucleic acid of the above.
US07851445B2

Peptide amphiphiles and related compositions comprising sulfated polysaccharides, such as but not limited to sulfated glycosaminoglycans, and methods of use relating to the encapsulation and/or controlled release of angiogenic growth factor(s).
US07851442B2

Kits containing a dry lyophilized kallikrein inhibitor are described.
US07851437B2

Drug-Linker-Ligand Conjugates are disclosed in which a Drug is linked to a Ligand via a peptide-based Linker unit. In one embodiment, the Ligand is an Antibody. Drug-Linker compounds and Drug compounds are also disclosed. Methods for treating cancer, an autoimmune disease or an infectious disease using the compounds and compositions of the invention are also disclosed.
US07851436B2

The present invention provides combinations and methods for inducing cell death, inhibiting angiogenesis, and inhibiting cell migration. In particular, the present invention provides methods for inducing cell death in a cell expressing an αvβ3 and/or an αvβ5 integrin.
US07851430B2

Cleansing compositions for cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces such as hard surfaces are provided.
US07851429B2

A wash cycle is provided for a clothes washer, the clothes washer having a wash zone for receiving a substrate load to be cleaned. The wash cycle includes a step of providing a wash liquor for applying to the substrate load. Another step is loading the wash zone with the substrate load. Another step is mixing metal ions with an inactive bleaching agent as catalyst agents to catalyze an activation reaction to produce an active bleaching agent. Another step is combining the active bleaching agent with the wash liquor. Another step is applying the wash liquor with the active bleaching agent to the substrate load. Another step is capturing the metal ions prior to a disposal of the wash liquor.
US07851425B2

Articles for treating the skin having high plasticity and low ware rate are described. Articles herein described are proper for treating the skin by rubbing them onto the skin, for example, in the form of a soap bar presenting increased plasticity and low rate of wear. The preferred embodiment is an article that has one or multiple projections arising from at least one surface of a first body are described. The first body and the projections are a thermoplastic mass that includes a surfactant suitable for cleansing skin and a plasticizing agent. The articles are especially suited for projection bars used to be applied onto the skin for either cleansing or massaging or both at the same time. Robust and economical projection bars are described that can be efficiently manufactured by the careful selection of the plasticity, wear rate and rheological properties of the masses of the first body and projections.
US07851423B2

Post-foaming cosmetic cleansing preparation on an aqueous basis which is suitable for dispensing from an aerosol container, containing in a conventional aqueous base preparation a) detersive surfactants with saturated radicals, preferably anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants and/or amphoteric surfactants, b) 2.5 to 25% by volume, preferably 5 to 20% by volume, particularly preferably 7.5 to 15% by volume of pure oxygen.
US07851421B2

An oil-soluble hydrocarbyl phenol aldehyde condensate having the following structure: wherein n is 0 to 10, preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 2 to 6, and most preferably 3 to 5; Y is a divalent bridging group, and is preferably a hydrocarbyl group, preferably having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R is a hydrocarbyl group having from 4 to 30, preferably 8 to 18, and most preferably 9 to 15 carbon atoms. The oil-soluble hydrocarbyl phenol aldehyde condensate has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 1250 to 1680, as measured by MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight) mass spectrometry.
US07851418B2

The present invention is directed to ashless detergents comprising the products resulting from the reaction of a salicylic acid, organic group substituted salicylic acid, sulfonic acid or organic groups substituted sulfur acid with thiadiazole or organic group substituted thiadiazole or an alkyl primary or secondary amine, and to formulated lubricating oils containing said ashless detergents.
US07851409B1

A method of printing a time limited document is disclosed. The method includes the steps of selecting an ink having a fading time, and printing the time limited document using the selected ink. A printer and associated cartridge are also disclosed.
US07851407B2

A method for producing a titanium dioxide photocatalyst is provided. The method uses a sol-gel process wherein acid and base catalysts are added in two separate steps. According to the method, a titanium dioxide photocatalyst with increased mesoporosity can be produced without the use of any particular additive. Further, an anatase structure is formed upon drying and is maintained even after high-temperature calcination. Further provided is a titanium dioxide photocatalyst produced by the method. Further provided is a titanium dioxide photocatalyst doped with sulfur and zirconium, which is produced by using the method. The doped titanium dioxide photocatalyst exhibits catalytic activity even under visible light and excellent surface characteristics to achieve improved photocatalytic activity.
US07851405B2

An exhaust gas purifying catalyst that includes noble metal particles, first compounds which support the noble metal particles and suppress movement of the noble metal particles, and second compounds which encapsulate the noble metal particles and the first compounds. The second compounds suppress the movement of the noble metal particles and suppress coagulation of the first compounds following mutual contact of the first compounds.
US07851398B2

Catalytic titanium dioxide mixtures comprising: a first anatase titanium dioxide having a BET surface area greater than 15 m2/g and a hydrogen uptake for the reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ of from 5 to 20 μmol/m2; and a second anatase titanium dioxide having a BET surface area less than or equal to 15 m2/g and a hydrogen uptake for the reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ of from 0.6 to 7 μmol/m2, processes for preparing catalysts containing the same, catalysts containing active compositions including such titanium dioxide mixtures on support materials, and catalyst systems using the same.
US07851394B2

Glasses are disclosed which can be used to produce substrates for flat panel display devices, e.g., active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glasses have MgO concentrations in the range from 1.0 mole percent to 3.0 mole percent and Σ[RO]/[Al2O3] ratios greater than or equal to 1.00, where [Al2O3] is the mole percent of Al2O3 and Σ[RO] equals the sum of the mole percents of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO. These compositional characteristics have been found to improve the melting properties of batch materials used to produce the glass, which, in turn, allows the glasses to be fined (refined) with more environmentally friendly fining agents, e.g., tin as opposed to arsenic and/or antimony.
US07851390B2

A heat-shrinkable planar textile material with a plurality of yarn systems forming the planar textile material, wherein the planar textile material having at least one heat-shrinkable plastic yarn. The planar textile material is suitable for producing furniture elements, especially seating furniture elements, preferably backrests and/or seat elements, decorative elements, hollow channels, automotive accessories, and the like, wherein the heat-shrinkable planar textile material can be mounted on a carrier structure and then heat shrunk.
US07851389B2

A belt for a machine for the production of web material, especially paper or cardboard, including a carrier structure and at least one layer of foam material characterized in that the carrier structure is surrounded by the foam material.
US07851387B2

A composition comprises a copolymer comprising repeating units derived from at least one co-reactant comprising two or more acrylate groups and repeating units derived from a fluoroacrylate comprising the reaction product of: (a) at least one fluorochemical alcohol represented by the formula: C4F9—X—OH wherein: R=hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m=2 to 8, Rf═CnF2n+1, n=1 to 5, y=0 to 6, and q=1 to 8; (b) at least one unbranched symmetric diisocyanate; and (c) at least one hydroxy-terminated alkyl (meth)acrylate or 2-fluoroacrylate monomer having 2 to about 30 carbon atoms in its alkylene portion; wherein the composition is coatable.
US07851384B2

Methods are provided for processing a substrate comprising a bilayer barrier film thereon. In one aspect, a method comprises depositing a first barrier layer, depositing a second barrier layer on the first barrier layer, depositing a dielectric layer on the bilayer barrier film formed by the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, and ultraviolet curing the dielectric layer. In another aspect, a method comprises depositing a first barrier layer, depositing a second barrier layer on the first barrier layer, depositing a dielectric layer on the bilayer barrier film formed by the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, and curing the dielectric layer with an electron beam treatment.
US07851382B2

A method for manufacturing a SiC semiconductor device includes: forming an impurity layer in a SiC layer; and forming an oxide film on the SiC layer. The forming the impurity layer includes: implanting an impurity in the SiC layer; applying a cap layer on the SiC layer; annealing the cap layer to be transformed to a carbon layer; annealing the SiC layer to activate the impurity with covering the SiC layer with the carbon layer; removing the carbon layer; and performing a sacrifice oxidation process. The performing the sacrifice oxidation process includes: forming a sacrifice oxide film; and removing the sacrifice oxide film. The forming the oxide film is performed after the performing the sacrifice oxidation process.
US07851377B2

A chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method includes placing a semiconductor wafer into a reaction chamber; introducing a precursor into the reaction chamber; activating the precursor to a high-energy state using a non-direct plasma energy source; and reacting the precursor to form a film on the semiconductor wafer.
US07851372B2

In one aspect, a composition is provided which is capable of removing an insulation material which includes at least one of a low-k material and a passivation material. The composition of this aspect includes about 5 to about 40 percent by weight of a fluorine compound, about 0.01 to about 20 percent by weight of a first oxidizing agent, about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of a second oxidizing agent, and a remaining water.
US07851365B1

The invention provides novel methods for preparing semiconductor substrates for the growth of an ultra-thin epitaxial interfacial phase thereon. The invention additionally provides the ultra-thin epitaxial interfacial phase formed on a semiconductor substrate prepared by the methods of the invention. Epitaxiality of the interfacial phase is ensured by maintaining the cleaned semiconductor substrate in a static and inert atmosphere prior to oxidation to form the interfacial phase. Such interfacial phase are useful as capping layers and dielectric layers for semiconductor devices.
US07851354B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate in which a cell region and a core and peripheral region are defined. The device further comprises isolation layers formed in the semiconductor substrate to define active regions, a first gate electrode structure formed in the cell region and a second gate electrode structure formed in the core and peripheral region. Source and drain regions formed in the active regions on respective sides of each of the gate electrode structures and self-aligned contact pads are formed in the cell region in contact with the source and drain regions. An insulating interlayer is formed on the semiconductor substrate between the self-aligned contact pads, and etch stoppers are formed on the insulating interlayer between the self-aligned contact pads in the cell region.
US07851352B2

Silicide films with high quality are formed with treatment of laser light irradiation, so that miniaturization and higher performance is achieved in a field-effect transistor that is formed over an insulating substrate and has little variation in electric characteristics. An island-shaped semiconductor film including a pair of impurity regions and a channel formation region is formed over an insulating substrate, a first metal film is formed on the pair of impurity regions, and a second metal film that functions as a reflective film is formed over a gate electrode located over the channel formation region with a gate insulating film interposed therebetween. The first metal film is irradiated with laser light and a region where the second metal film is formed reflects the laser light, so that the island-shaped semiconductor film and the first metal film selectively react with each other in the pair of impurity regions.
US07851349B2

A method for producing a connection electrode for a first semiconductor zone and a second semiconductor zone includes producing a trench extending through the first semiconductor zone right into the second semiconductor zone in such a way that the first semiconductor zone is uncovered at sidewalls of the trench and the second semiconductor zone is uncovered at least at a bottom of the trench. The method also includes applying a protective layer to a first one of the first and second semiconductor zones in the trench, and producing a first connection zone in the second of the two semiconductor zones, which is not covered by the protective layer. The method further includes depositing an electrode layer at least onto the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench for the purpose of producing the connection electrode.
US07851344B2

The present invention relates to flexible substrates having on their surface a wetting contrast. The wetting contrast comprises adjacent areas of different hydrophilicity and/or oleophilicity. The present invention further relates to methods of production of such substrates and to methods of producing microelectronic components wherein electronically functional material is deposited onto said substrates.According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method of producing a flexible substrate having a wetting contrast is provided. The method includes the step of forming a first area comprising an inorganic material on a flexible substrate precursor to form a substrate wherein the inorganic material is at least partially exposed at the substrate surface and the first area constitutes a pattern on the precursor surface.
US07851341B2

A semiconductor device is provided including a transistor element on a substrate, a silicide on a gate and a source/drain of the transistor element; and an amorphous capping layer on the silicide.
US07851339B2

Performance of field effect transistors and other channel dependent devices formed on a monocrystalline substrate is improved by carrying out a high temperature anneal in a nitrogen releasing atmosphere while the substrate is coated by a sacrificial oxide coating containing easily diffusible atoms that can form negatively charged ions and can diffuse deep into the substrate. In one embodiment, the easily diffusible atoms comprise at least 5% by atomic concentration of chlorine atoms in the sacrificial oxide coating and the nitrogen releasing atmosphere includes NO. The high temperature anneal is carried out for less than 10 hours at a temperature less than 1100° C.
US07851333B2

An apparatus comprises a device layer structure, a device integrated into the device layer structure, an insulating carrier substrate and an insulating layer being continuously positioned between the device layer structure and the insulating carrier substrate, the insulating layer having a thickness which is less than 1/10 of a thickness of the insulating carrier substrate. An apparatus further comprises a device integrated into a device layer structure disposed on an insulating layer, a housing layer disposed on the device layer structure and housing the device, a contact providing an electrical connection between the device and a surface of the housing layer opposed to the device layer structure and a molding material surrounding the housing layer and the insulating layer, the molding material directly abutting on a surface of the insulating layer being opposed to the device layer structure.
US07851331B2

A semiconductor structure includes a first substrate and a second substrate bonded over the first substrate. The first substrate includes a passivation layer formed over the first substrate. The passivation layer includes at least one first opening exposing a first bonding pad formed over the first substrate. The second substrate includes at least one second opening aligned with and facing the first opening.
US07851329B2

A semiconductor device having an EDMOS transistor and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes source and drain regions formed separately in a semiconductor substrate, a first gate insulating layer filling a trench formed in the substrate between the source and drain regions, the first gate insulating layer being adjacent to the drain region and separated from the source region, a second gate insulating layer formed over the substrate between the first gate insulating layer and the source region, the second gate insulating layer being thinner than the first gate insulating layer, a gate electrode formed over the first and second gate insulating layers, and a doped drift region formed in the substrate under the first gate insulating layer, the doped drift region being in contact with the drain region. This reduces the planar area of the EDMOS transistor, thereby achieving highly integrated semiconductor devices.
US07851328B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure is provided. The method includes forming a hard mask pattern on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the hard mask pattern covers active regions; forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate within an opening defined by the hard mask pattern; filling the trench with a dielectric material, resulting in a trench isolation feature; performing an ion implantation to the trench isolation feature using the hard mask pattern to protect active regions of the semiconductor substrate; and removing the hard mask pattern after the performing of the ion implantation.
US07851326B2

A method for producing deep trench structures in an STI structure of a semiconductor substrate is provided, with the following successive process steps: subsequent to a full-area filling of STI recesses introduced into a semiconductor substrate with a first filler material, a first surface of a semiconductor structure is subjected to a CMP process to level the applied filler material and produce the STI structure; the leveled STI structure thus produced is structured; using the structured, leveled STI structure as a hard mask, at least one deep trench is etched in the area of this STI structure to create the deep trench structures.
US07851325B1

The present invention relates to creating an active layer of strained semiconductor using a combination of buried and sacrificial stressors. That is, a process can strain an active semiconductor layer by transferring strain from a stressor layer buried below the active semiconductor layer and by transferring strain from a sacrificial stressor layer formed above the active semiconductor layer. As an example, the substrate may be silicon, the buried stressor layer may be silicon germanium, the active semiconductor layer may be silicon and the sacrificial stressor layer may be silicon germanium. Elastic edge relaxation is preferably used to efficiently transfer strain to the active layer.
US07851323B2

The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a memory device that includes a phase change memory cell; a first electrode; and a layer of filamentary resistor material positioned between the phase change memory cell and the first electrode, wherein at least one bistable conductive filamentary pathway is present in at least a portion of the layer of filamentary resistor material that provides electrical communication between the phase change memory cell and the first electrode.
US07851319B1

The present invention refers to a method for preparing a non-self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistor comprising: preparing a patterned emitter metal on an emitter epi layer of a HBT epi structure on a substrate; preparing an emitter epitaxy below the emitter metal; applying a resist layer on the top surface covering the emitter metal and emitter epitaxy, and the base layer; applying lithography leaving the emitter epitaxy and the emitter metal covered by the resist vertically with a width pD and leaving a pattern according to the mask in the resist; depositing base metal on the entire surface; and removing the remaining resist and the base metal covering the resist defining a base metal, the base metal being spaced from the emitter epitaxy and the emitter metal by a distance xD from 0.05 μm to 0.7 μm. The present invention refers to a non-self-aligned heterojunction bipolar transistor as prepared by this method.
US07851316B2

A fabrication method of a semiconductor device includes: forming a gate insulating film and a gate electrode on an N type well; forming first source/drain regions by implanting a first element in regions of the N type well on both sides of the gate electrode, the first element being larger than silicon and exhibiting P type conductivity; forming second source/drain regions by implanting a second element in the regions of the N type well on the both sides of the gate electrode, the second element being smaller than silicon and exhibiting P type conductivity; and forming a metal silicide layer on the source/drain regions.
US07851305B2

A method of manufacturing a NAND nonvolatile semiconductor memory which involves forming a bit line contact between adjacent select transistors of the NAND nonvolatile semiconductor memory, the method has patterning memory cells and said select transistors of said NAND nonvolatile semiconductor memory; forming a first insulating film between adjacent two of said memory cells, between said memory cells and said select transistors, and between adjacent two of said select transistors; selectively etching the first insulating film between said select transistors to form a side wall spacer on each of said select transistors; forming a second insulating film on said memory cells, said first insulating film between said memory cells, said select transistors and said side wall spacers; forming a resist pattern on said second insulating film; and simultaneously forming an opening in an insulating film and a control gate on a floating gate of each of said select transistors using said resist pattern and an opening between said adjacent select transistors using said resist pattern.
US07851304B2

Provided is a nonvolatile memory device and a fabrication method. The nonvolatile memory device includes an active region defined in a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating layer formed on the active region and a plurality of gate patterns formed on the gate insulating layer, and crossing over the active region. The gate insulating layer includes a discharge region in a predetermined portion between the gate patterns, the discharge region having a lesser thickness than that of the gate insulating layer under the gate pattern, because a thickness portion of the gate insulating layer is removed to form the discharge region.
US07851299B2

The present invention provides a semiconducting device including a substrate including at least one semiconducting region and isolation regions; a gate structure atop the substrate having a gate dielectric layer positioned on the semiconducting region and a metal layer atop the gate dielectric layer, the gate structure having a width equal to or greater than the width of the at least one semiconducting region; and a contact structure including a base having a first width equal to the width of the gate structure and an upper surface having a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width. In one embodiment, the contact structure includes a polysilicon conductor and dielectric spacers, wherein each spacer of the dielectric spacer abuts a sidewall of the polysilicon conductor. In another embodiment, the contact structure includes a polysilicon conductor having a tapered sidewall.
US07851295B2

A flash memory device and a method of manufacturing a flash memory device are provided. The flash memory device includes a gate region on a semiconductor substrate, spacers on sidewalls of the gate region, and a passivation layer between the semiconductor substrate and a portion of each spacer.
US07851293B2

A method for forming a vertical channel transistor in a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate, forming pillar patterns extending perpendicular from the upper surface of the substrate, forming a spin on carbon (SOC) layer in a gap region between the pillar patterns, forming photoresist patterns above a resultant structure where the SOC layer is filled to expose a region for an isolation trench, etching the SOC layer between the photoresist pattern barriers to expose the region for the isolation trench, and etching the exposed structure to a certain depth forming the isolation trench.
US07851291B2

A method for selectively relieving channel stress for n-channel transistors with recessed, epitaxial SiGe source and drain regions is described. This increases the electron mobility for the n-channel transistors without affecting the strain in p-channel transistors. The SiGe provides lower resistance when a silicide is formed.
US07851290B2

A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, in which although a metal layer is included in a gate pattern, the gap-fill characteristic of contact plugs coupled to junctions can be improved and degradation in the data retention characteristic can also be prevented. According to the method, a semiconductor substrate in which lower gate patterns and gate hard mask patterns are sequentially stacked is first provided. Junctions are formed in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of each of the lower gate patterns. A first pre-metal dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate in which the hard mask patterns and the junctions are formed. Contact holes through which the junctions are exposed are formed in the first pre-metal dielectric layer. Gate trenches through which the lower gate patterns are exposed are formed by removing the hard mask patterns. Upper gate patterns, each including a metal layer, are formed in the gate trenches, and first contact plugs are formed in the contact holes.
US07851289B2

A method for forming a Field Effect Transistor (FET) within a strain effect semiconductor layer is disclosed, whereby the source and drain of the FET are formed only in the strain effect silicon layer. The FET may be formed as a gate electrode of a p-channel type field effect transistor, and a gate electrode of a n-channel type field effect transistor on the silicon layer which has the strain effect through a gate insulating film. The sources and drains of p- and n-type diffusion layers are then formed in the silicon layer having the strain effect, on both sides of the gate electrode.
US07851285B2

A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device includes forming a charge tunneling layer composed of a hafnium silicate (HfSixOyNz) layer on a semiconductor substrate. A charge trapping layer composed of a hafnium oxide nitride (HfOxNy) layer is formed on the charge tunneling layer. A charge blocking layer composed of a hafnium oxide layer is formed on the charge trapping layer. A gate layer is formed on the charge blocking layer. A non-volatile memory device fabricated by the method is also disclosed.
US07851284B2

A high electron mobility transistor including: a GaN material system based heterostructure; a passivating nitride layer over the heterostructure and defining a plurality of openings; and a plurality of electrical contacts for the heterostructure and formed through the openings.
US07851279B2

The invention provides a semiconductor device and its manufacturing method in which a memory transistor and a plurality of thin film transistors that have gate insulating films with different thicknesses are fabricated over a substrate. The invention is characterized by the structural difference between the memory transistor and the plurality of thin film transistors. Specifically, the memory transistor and some of the plurality of thin film transistors are provided to have a bottom gate structure while the other thin film transistors are provided to have a top gate structure, which enables the reduction of characteristic defects of the transistor and simplification of its manufacturing process.
US07851268B2

An integrated circuit package system includes providing a substrate having an integrated circuit die thereon. A support is provided on the substrate. A heat slug having a tie bar is positioned by the tie bar on the support. The substrate and the integrated circuit die are encapsulated with an encapsulant, the encapsulant in contact with the heat slug. The substrate, heat slug, and encapsulant are singulated to remove the support.
US07851264B2

The objective of the invention is to provide a semiconductor device manufacturing method with which the generation of burrs can be suppressed while increasing the singulation speed of the package. In a manufacturing method of a QFN package of the present invention, a molding prepared by sealing a lead frame with plural semiconductor chips carried on it en bloc with a resin; the operation comprises the following processing steps: a first singulation processing step S101 in which the molding is half-cut along the cutting plane; a de-flashing processing step S102 in which the burrs on the cut portion of the half-cut molding are removed; and a second singulation processing step S103 in which the de-flashed molding is completely cut along the cutting plane.
US07851257B2

An integrated circuit stacking system is provided including fabricating an integrated passive device including: providing a semiconductor substrate, forming an integrated inductor, a resistor block, or an integrated capacitor integrated on the semiconductor substrate, and forming contact pads, on the semiconductor substrate, coupled to the integrated inductor, the resistor block, or the integrated capacitor; positioning an integrated circuit die for maintaining an inductor spacing; mounting the integrated circuit die on the integrated passive device; and encapsulating the integrated circuit die and the integrated passive device.
US07851254B2

The present invention relates to b-stageable die attach adhesives, methods of preparing such adhesives, methods of applying such adhesives to the die and other substrate surfaces, and assemblies prepared therewith for connecting microelectronic circuitry.
US07851253B2

A phase change memory device is provided. The phase change memory device includes a substrate with a first electrode layer formed thereon. A first phase change memory structure is on the first electrode layer and electrically connected to the first electrode layer. A second phase change memory structure is on the first phase change memory structure and electrically connected to the first phase change memory structure, wherein the first or second phase change memory structure includes a cup-shaped heating electrode. A first insulating layer covers a portion of the cup-shaped heating electrode along a first direction. A first electrode structure covers a portion of the first insulating layer and the cup-shaped heating electrode along a second direction. The first electrode structure includes a pair of phase change material sidewalls on a pair of sidewalls of the first electrode structure and covering a portion of the cup-shaped heating electrode.
US07851251B2

A portable optical detection chip comprises a substrate, a plurality of avalanche-type photosensitive device modules and a plurality of plane mirrors. The plurality of avalanche-type photosensitive device modules are formed on the substrate, and each of them comprises a plurality of avalanche-type photosensitive devices and a plurality of lenses. Each of the lenses is stacked on one of the avalanche-type photosensitive devices. The plurality of plane mirrors are disposed between the avalanche-type photosensitive device modules. That is, the avalanche-type photosensitive device modules are separated from each other by the plane mirrors.
US07851243B1

In the nitride based semiconductor optical device LE1, the strained well layers 21 extend along a reference plane SR1 tilting at a tilt angle α from the plane that is orthogonal to a reference axis extending in the direction of the c-axis. The tilt angle α is in the range of greater than 59 degrees to less than 80 degrees or greater than 150 degrees to less than 180 degrees. A gallium nitride based semiconductor layer P is adjacent to a light-emitting layer SP− with a negative piezoelectric field and has a band gap larger than that of a barrier layer. The direction of the piezoelectric field in the well layer W3 is directed in a direction from the n-type layer to the p-type layer, and the piezoelectric field in the gallium nitride based semiconductor layer P is directed in a direction from the p-type layer to the n-type layer. Consequently, the valence band, not the conduction band, has a dip at the interface between the light-emitting layer SP− and the gallium nitride based semiconductor layer P.
US07851236B2

A film thickness prediction method of predicting a film thickness of a second processed layer after planarization includes the steps of: creating first to third actual measurement databases; obtaining a reference film thickness of a second processed layer formed on a region in which no circuit pattern exists; segmenting a first processed layer to be formed on a substrate into grid-like meshes, and obtaining a pattern area ratio occupied by a circuit pattern to be formed on a first processed layer in each mesh and further obtaining a circumferential length of the circuit pattern in each mesh; obtaining an initial thickness of the second processed layer in each mesh; and predicting the film thickness of the second processed layer after planarization from an initial film thickness predicted value and an amount of planarization Hij of the second processed layer in the mesh.
US07851235B2

A test element group for monitoring leakage current in a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The test element group for monitoring leakage current in a semiconductor device includes device isolation layers formed over a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate. A second conductivity type well may be formed over the first conductivity type semiconductor substrate. First conductivity type impurity regions may be formed in first active areas between the device isolation layers in the second conductivity type well. Monitoring contacts may be formed within the first active areas to monitor leakage current, using layout data such that a distance from each of the monitoring contacts to a border of each of the first active areas is set to have an allowable minimum value under a predetermined design rule. Accordingly, the test element group can monitor leakage current caused by PN junction diodes formed by junction of the impurity regions and the well in the active areas in a semiconductor device or misalignment of contacts, and can accurately monitor micro-leakage current in a semiconductor device during manufacturing.
US07851233B2

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor manufacturing method. The method includes performing a first process to a wafer; measuring the wafer for wafer data after the first process; securing the wafer on an E-chuck in a processing chamber; collecting sensor data from a sensor embedded in the E-chuck; adjusting clamping forces to the E-chuck based on the wafer data and the sensor data; and thereafter performing a second process to the wafer secured on the E-chuck in the processing chamber.
US07851220B2

The present invention relates to methods to use non-steroidal ligands in nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system to modulate exogenous gene expression in which an ecdysone receptor complex comprising: a DNA binding domain; a ligand binding domain; a transactivation domain; and a ligand is contacted with a DNA construct comprising: the exogenous gene and a response element; wherein the exogenous gene is under the control of the response element and binding of the DNA binding domain to the response element in the presence of the ligand results in activation or suppression of the gene.
US07851218B2

The present invention provides cell lines for the production of E1-deleted adenovirus (rAd) vectors that complement E1A and E1B functions. The present invention also provides cell lines for the production of E1- and E2-deleted adenovirus vectors that complement E1A, E1B and E2B polymerase functions. The invention provides particular cell lines that complement E1A function by insertion of an E1A sequence containing mutations in the 243R and 289R proteins and an E1B sequence comprising the E1B-55K gene. Production yields in the resulting producer cell lines, designated SL0003 and SL0006, were similar to those obtained from 293 cells without generation of detectable recombinant replication competent adenovirus (“RCA”).
US07851216B2

We describe a method of producing a modified nucleic acid binding polypeptide, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a nucleic acid binding polypeptide comprising a plurality of nucleic acid binding modules; (b) selecting a first binding domain consisting of one or two contiguous nucleic acid binding modules; (c) selecting a second binding domain consisting of one or two contiguous nucleic acid binding modules; and (d) introducing a flexible linker sequence to link the first and second binding domains, the flexible linker sequence comprising five or more amino acid residues. Use of structured linkers, alone or in combination with flexible linkers, is also disclosed.
US07851211B2

An alga microbe photosynthetic reaction system is used to circularly cultivate alga microbes and a culture medium infused in the system. The system comprises a photosynthetic reaction unit, a communicating unit, a pressure liquid infusion unit, an injection and oxygen discharging device, and a regulation area. The photosynthetic reaction unit is a light permeable pipeline. The injection and oxygen discharging device is assembled with an oxygen discharge can and a liquid collection can. By the connection and the functioning of the photosynthetic reaction unit, the communicating unit, the pressure liquid infusion unit, the injection and oxygen discharging device, and the regulation area, the alga microbe culture solution can circularly cultivate good quality algae in the system. The system further comprises a heating unit, a watering unit, and a light complement unit to control the ambient temperature and the light source to suit all kinds of algae.
US07851201B2

A method of analyzing cells disposed in media within a vessel includes the steps of providing a vessel having an original volume of media about the cells, reducing the original volume of media about at least a portion of the cells to define a reduced volume of media, and analyzing a constituent related to the cells within the reduced volume of media. An apparatus for analyzing cells includes a stage adapted to receive a vessel holding cells and a volume of media, a plunger adapted to receive a barrier to create a reduced volume of media within the vessel including at least a portion of the cells, the barrier adapted for insertion into the vessel by relative movement of the stage and the plunger, and a sensor in sensing communication with the reduced volume of media, wherein the sensor is configured to analyze a constituent disposed within the reduced volume.
US07851199B2

The present invention provides systems for producing engineered oleaginous yeast or fungi that express carotenoids.
US07851198B2

Disclosed is a novel L-lysine-inducible promoter nucleic acid molecule. Also disclosed are a vector containing the nucleic acid molecule, a host cell transformed with the vector, and a method of inducing expression of a target gene using the L-lysine-inducible promoter nucleic acid molecule.
US07851195B2

The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing high titer, wild-type-free preparations of recombinant AAV (“rAAV”) virions. The compositions of the present invention include novel nucleic acids encoding AAV helper functions and AAV helper function vectors. The present invention also includes host cells transfected by the claimed nucleic acids, methods of using the claimed vectors, and rAAV virions produced by such methods.
US07851193B2

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US07851188B2

Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.
US07851186B2

The present invention realized isothermal and rapid polynucleotide synthesis by using as templates polynucleotides having a structure capable of forming loops, and combining a plurality of primers capable of providing a starting point for complementary strand synthesis to such loops. If the LAMP method is applied, all reactions can be carried out isothermally and rapidly since the template polynucleotides themselves can also be synthesized by an isothermal reaction.
US07851183B2

The invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID No. 35; or (b) a nucleotide sequence which is the complement of SEQ ID No. 35; or (c) a nucleotide sequence which is degenerate with SEQ ID No. 35; or (d) a nucleotide sequence hybridising under conditions of high stringency to SEQ ID No. 35, to the complement of SEQ ID No. 35, or to a hybridisation probe derived from SEQ ID No. 35 or the complement thereof; or (e) a nucleotide sequence having at least 80% sequence identity with SEQ ID No. 35; or (f) a nucleotide sequence having at least 65% sequence identity with SEQ ID No. 35 wherein said sequence preferably encodes or is complementary to a sequence encoding a nystatin PKS enzyme or a part thereof. Also provided are part of such molecules and polypeptides (and parts thereof) encoded by such a nucleic acid molecule, and the use of such molecules and polypeptides in facilitating nystatin biosynthesis and in the synthesis of nystatin derivatives and novel polyketide as macrolide structures.
US07851177B2

A method of rapid analysis of the presence of active acidophilic microorganisms in a bioleaching solution includes the steps of: concentrating the solution, removing luminescence inhibitory agents from the solution and measuring the luminescence of the solution.
US07851172B2

A method for quantifying a neurodegenerative disorder in a patient that includes obtaining a fluid sample from the subject; measuring a protein biomarker complex in said fluid sample and correlating the measurement with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease status. The biomarkers include those that comprise at least one of a transthyretin protein and/or a prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase protein, and at least one second, different protein selected from a transthyretin, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase, beta-2-microglobulin, cystatin C, superoxide dismutase [Cu—Zn], plasma retinol-binding protein, phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein, carbonic anhydrase 2, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase, and/or serotransferrin protein.
US07851165B2

A method for screening a test compound for activity in modulating the activity of the chloride channel ClC-7 either directly or by modulating the subcellular localization of Ostm1 comprises determining whether test compound inhibits the binding of Ostm1 to ClC-7. Compounds active in the screen are candidates for use in treating bone resorption conditions such as Osteoporosis by modulating the activity of osteoclasts.
US07851161B2

The present invention discloses methods of using the methylation status of the COX-2 gene promoter region as a biomarker for a gastric cancer patient to determine a prognosis and a treatment regimen, and to monitor the progress of a treatment regimen.
US07851160B2

A method and kit for electrochemically simply determining with excellent precision the amount of double-stranded DNA does not require an expensive measurement electrode, such as an immobilized enzyme electrode or any high level electrode production technique which can retain uniform surface area accuracy. A method and kit are provided for electrochemically determining the amount of double-stranded DNA in a sample solution based on a residual amount of a substance capable of binding to the double-stranded DNA which is added to the solution in excess amount, in which a buffering substance is added to a sample solution, the buffering substance being capable of allowing an oxidation wave potential of the potential-current curve for the substance capable of binding to the double-stranded-DNA determined in a solution containing the buffering substance to change depending on the concentration of the free substance capable of binding to the double-stranded DNA in the solution.
US07851159B2

It is intended to provide a method for detecting a target nucleic acid with a specific base sequence existing in a sample mixture with high specificity and sensitivity by utilizing the formation of a hybrid with a complementary strand as a detection principle, and a nucleic acid for the detection. The invention relates to a set of nucleic acids for detecting a target nucleic acid with a specific base sequence comprising a photoligating nucleic acid composed of a nucleic acid (with the proviso that in the nucleic acid, a nucleic acid and a peptide nucleic acid are included) having a group represented by the formula I, II, III, IV or V described in claims at the 5′ end or 3′ end as a base moiety, and a photoligated nucleic acid having a base with a carbon-carbon double bond at the 3′ end or 5′ end as a base moiety capable of photoligating to the photoligating nucleic acid, wherein either of the photoligating nucleic acid and the photoligated nucleic acid has a labeling moiety and the other remaining nucleic acid is immobilized on a substrate, and the method for detecting a target nucleic acid with a specific base sequence by using the set of nucleic acids.
US07851158B2

The present invention relates to the enrichment of specific target sequences. Enrichment can be achieved through the formation of a heteroduplex that includes the specific target sequence and then the specific cleavage of the heteroduplex. A binding moiety is then added to the cleaved heteroduplex, allowing for the subsequent manipulation of the specific target sequence in the heteroduplex.
US07851146B2

The present invention provides for the selective covalent modification of nucleic acids with redox active moieties such as transition metal complexes. Electron donor and electron acceptor moieties are covalently bound to the ribose-phosphate backbone of a nucleic acid at predetermined positions. The resulting complexes represent a series of new derivatives that are bimolecular templates capable of transferring electrons over very large distances at extremely fast rates. These complexes possess unique structural features which enable the use of an entirely new class of bioconductors and photoactive probes.
US07851145B2

The present disclosure provides methods of diagnosing cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer by detecting Na+, K+-ATPase expression. For example, it is demonstrated herein that expression of the Na+, K+-ATPase β1-subunit increases in cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer, relative to normal cervical tissue. Also provided are methods of treating cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer by decreasing the biological activity of the Na+, K+-ATPase. For example, therapeutically effective amounts of one or more Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitors can be applied to the cervix to treat cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.
US07851144B2

The present invention provides methods and compositions involving detecting the presence of and/or assessing the risk of cancer in a subject. These methods include methods of detecting and diagnosing cancer in an individual; methods of identifying individuals at risk of developing a cancer; and methods of staging a cancer. The methods generally involve detecting a palladin gene nucleotide sequence alteration that has been found to be associated with cancer and/or detecting a level of a palladin mRNA and/or protein in a biological sample. The present invention further provides nucleic acid probes, nucleic acid primers, and antibodies, as well as kits comprising one or more of the same, for use in a subject method.
US07851135B2

The present invention relates to a method of forming an etching mask pattern from developed negative and positive photoresist layers. According to the present invention, a negative photoresist layer is formed over a substrate. Some regions of the negative photoresist layer are exposed, thereby generating hydrogen ions within the exposed negative photoresist regions. The negative photoresist layer is developed so that the exposed negative photoresist regions remain. A positive photoresist layer is formed over the substrate including the remaining negative photoresist regions. The substrate is baked so that hydrogen ions within the remaining negative photoresist regions are diffused into the positive photoresist layer at boundary portions adjacent to the remaining negative photoresist regions. The positive photoresist layer is developed to remove the positive photoresist portions into which the hydrogen ions are diffused.
US07851129B2

This resist composition is a resist composition containing a compound in which a portion or all of hydrogen atoms of phenolic hydroxyl groups in a polyhydric phenol compound (a) having two or more phenolic hydroxyl groups and having a molecular weight of 300 to 2,500 are substituted with at least one selected from the group consisting of acid dissociable dissolution inhibiting groups represented by the following general formulas (p1) and (p2) wherein R1 and R2 each independently represents a branched or cyclic alkyl group, and may contain a hetero atom in the structure; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; and n′ represents an integer of 1 to 3.
US07851125B2

Provided are a mask pattern including a silicon-containing self-assembled molecular layer, a method of forming the same, and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The mask pattern includes a resist pattern formed on a semiconductor substrate and the self-assembled molecular layer formed on the resist pattern. The self-assembled molecular layer has a silica network formed by a sol-gel reaction. To form the mask pattern, first, the resist pattern is formed with openings on an underlayer covering the substrate to expose the underlayer to a first width. Then, the self-assembled molecular layer is selectively formed only on a surface of the resist pattern to expose the underlayer to a second width smaller than the first width. The underlayer is etched by using the resist pattern and the self-assembled molecular layer as an etching mask to obtain a fine pattern.
US07851120B2

The dispersion liquid including toner material particles is introduced into a mechanical shearing device including a heating unit, a mechanical shearing unit, and a cooling unit, heated to a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the polyester resin under a condition that satisfies the following relationship (1), subjected to mechanical shearing, and thereafter cooled, whereby fine particles are obtained. −2
US07851111B2

An imaging belt comprises a substrate layer, an outer image layer and an inner anti-curl backing layer. The inner anti-curl backing layer, in turn, includes one or more carbon nanotubes disposed therein, together with an exposed backing layer surface. An image forming device includes the imaging belt. The image forming device is arranged to conductively couple the backing layer surface to an included ground source by means of one or more included conducting backer bars, one or more included grounding brushes, or any combination of included conducting backer bars and grounding brushes.
US07851096B2

A technique that is usable with a fuel cell includes generating a humidified reactant flow. The technique includes measuring a rate of condensate production from the reactant flow and controlling the generation of the humidified reactant flow in response to the measured rate of condensate production.
US07851081B2

Disclosed herein are a bus bar for connecting two or more devices to an external circuit, wherein the bus bar is capable of equalizing internal resistances between a connection point of the external circuit and connection points of the respective devices, and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including the same. The bus bar according to the present invention reduces the difference of internal resistances due to a circuit to allow a battery module having optimized performance and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including the same to be manufactured.
US07851080B2

One exemplary embodiment including a battery cooling plate has discrete channels. In one exemplary embodiment each of the channels has a width ranging from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate includes a first cooling channel having a flow path generally in a U shape, and a plurality of other channels each having a generally U-shaped flow path, and wherein the other flow channels are in a nested position with respect to the first flow channel. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate a battery cooling plate includes a serpentine shaped cooling flow path formed therein, the cooling flow path including a first cooling segment and an adjacent upstream second cooling segment, wherein the second cooling segment includes at least a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel and at least a first land interposed between the first cooling channel and second cooling channel, and wherein the second cooling segment has at least one more land and one more channel than the first cooling segment.
US07851078B2

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can receiving the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly coupled to the open upper part of the can. In addition, a vent including an opening, which is thinner than the can is formed on a wide side of the can, and a shock absorbing portion, which is thinner than the can and thicker than the opening, is formed near the vent. Accordingly, the vent can be protected from damage from external shocks, which are absorbed by the shock absorbing portion.
US07851076B2

In this invention, etching is not performed in the step of planarizing a polycrystalline Si wafer, but only mechanical grinding is performed for planarization. This is because, since the etching rate is crystal-face dependent, etching of the polycrystalline Si wafer unavoidably results in formation of steps due to different crystal face orientations of individual crystal grains exposed on a surface of the wafer, thus hindering precision surface planarization. Subsequently, the Si wafer surface is coated with an oxide film to form an Si wafer with oxide film prior to the final polishing stage and then a surface of the oxide film is planarized, to give a planar substrate (i.e., Si substrate with oxide film) having no step on the surface thereof.
US07851075B2

A work piece or structural component is coated with a system of film layers at least one of which is composed of (AlyCr1-y)X, where X═N, C, B, CN, BN, CBN, NO, CO, BO, CNO, BNO or CBNO and 0.2≦y<0.7, with the composition within said film being either essentially constant or varying over the thickness of the film continually or in steps, as well as a process for producing it.
US07851068B2

In an optical compensation film, when a direction that gives the maximum in-plane refractive index is X axis, an in-plane direction perpendicular to X axis is Y axis, a film thickness direction is Z axis, refractive indexes at the wavelength of 590 nm in each axis direction are nX, nY, and nZ respectively, and the film thickness is d, an in-plane retardation value defined as R=(nX−nY)·d and a thickness direction retardation value defined as Rth=|(nX+nY)/2−nZ|·d, both of which are measured under conditions at 23 degrees centigrade and a relative humidity of 50%, satisfy the inequalities of Rth/R≧5 and R≦9.5 (nm).
US07851060B2

A label assembly for application on a piece of process equipment is provided. The label assembly includes a label positioned on the piece of process equipment. A layer of generally transparent silicone coats the process equipment over the label. At least one layer of generally transparent tape covers the layer of silicone over the label. A method for providing a label assembly is also provided.
US07851057B2

An acoustical panel comprising a continuous phase of an interlocking set gypsum matrix and a method of preparing an acoustical panel are disclosed.
US07851050B2

An object of the invention is to provide a laminated film which hardly gives transmission loss based on reflection or scattering, is excellent in heat resistance and humidity resistance, and has an arbitrarily-controlled refractive index distribution. Accordingly, the invention is a laminated film comprising 5 or more laminated resin layers; the thickness of each of the resin layers being from 1 to 100 nm; and the film having a layer structure wherein the thicknesses of resin layers having the same composition A, out of the resin layers, increase or decrease from the side of a surface of the laminated film toward the side of the other surface opposite thereto.
US07851032B2

A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. An AM device is provided that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having especially negatively large dielectric anisotropy as the first component, a specific bicyclic compound having a small viscosity as the second component, a specific compound having a high maximum temperature as the third component, a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a low minimum temperature as the fourth component. The liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.
US07851028B2

Elongated molecules are stretched across a substrate by controlled fluid flow.
US07851027B2

It is disclosed a method of depositing a seal coating and a seal system comprising at least two layers on the surface of an article. The upper or surface layer has a higher chromium activity than a bottom layer, to reduce a diffusion of cobalt and the formation of cobalt oxide is reduced. The coating of invention may be heat-treated to reduce or optimize the formation of cobalt oxide to sustain the wear property.
US07851024B2

A method for manufacturing a porous membrane including a three-dimensional network structure and a spherical structure is provided. The method includes forming a porous membrane having a spherical structure, applying a resin solution onto at least one surface of the porous membrane having the spherical structure, followed by immersing the membrane in a solidification liquid, thereby forming the three-dimensional network structure on at least one surface of a porous membrane having the spherical structure.
US07851005B2

The present invention relates to oral compositions and beverage products, which include taste potentiators to enhance the perception of active substances contained therein. More specifically, some embodiments provide potentiator compositions, which include at least one active substance, such as a sweetener, and at least one potentiator, such as a sweetness potentiator, which enhances the sweetness of the composition upon consumption.
US07851004B2

The present invention provides a method for improving the taste of sweeteners, and a method for improving the taste of edible products containing sweeteners. The present invention can be worked by using sclareolide and 2-acetylpyrrole in combination with a sweetener. By using the method of the present invention, an astringent taste, bitter taste or aftertastes such as lingering taste originating especially in high-intensity sweeteners can be reduced, so that edible products with an improved taste can be provided.
US07850987B2

Individualized responsive dosing nutrient systems, compositions, methods of dosing, and processes of producing the same, which allow a consumer to generate individualistic biological responses/effects. More specifically, a nutrient system for generating individualized biological conditions/responses which utilizes ultra-low dosage amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, co-enzymes, organics substrates, inorganic or synthetic substrates, biological components, and/or other nutrients incorporated in a bio-active delivery system which preferably avoids first pass metabolism, such that an individual may take multiple doses of the same or different nutrients based on varying desired biological response within each dosing period.
US07850986B2

The present invention relates to a delivery system comprising a core and a membrane encasing said core, wherein said core and membrane consist essentially of an elastomer composition and said core comprises at least one therapeutically active agent. The delivery system is characterized in that the membrane comprises at least one regulating agent. The invention also relates to a method for controlling the release of at least one therapeutically active agent from a delivery system.
US07850964B2

Uses of BMP-1 isoforms for diagnosing and treating defects and disorders of bone and soft tissues are described. Also described is a newly isolated variant of the BMP-1 isoform BMP-1-3.
US07850950B2

The present invention relates to a composition for washing and conditioning keratin fibers, comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: at least one washing base comprising at least one anionic surfactant, and at least one anionic or nonionic amphiphilic diblock copolymer, comprising a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, other than a diblock copolymer of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide, a urethane block copolymer and a siloxane block copolymer, where the amphiphilic diblock copolymer has a ratio of the number of monomer units in the hydrophilic block to the number of monomer units in the hydrophobic block ranging from 7 to 24.The invention also relates to the method of using this composition for washing and conditioning keratin fibers, such as hair, and to a process for washing and conditioning keratin fibers using it.
US07850940B2

The present application provides a C1-xNx nanotube with pores having nano-sized diameter ranging from 5 to 10 Å, where x ranges from 0.001 to 0.2, and a method for controlling the size and quantity of pores in said nanotube by reacting hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen gas, and oxygen gas or hydrogen gas together in the presence of metal catalyst and by controlling the concentration of nitrogen gas.
US07850937B2

A catalytic system for CO removal includes a gold (Au) catalyst and a co-catalyst in contact with an aqueous phase, and a fuel cell system using the same. The catalytic system is relatively very simple compared to a common CO removal system, and can highly efficiently remove CO at low temperature without side reaction. In addition, water contacted in the catalytic system can act as a buffer for the rise and fall of temperature, and thus, can cope with an accidental temperature change. Further, the catalytic system shows a low operation temperature, and thus, can be operated over a broad operation range considering the activity and/or selectivity of the gold catalyst, etc.
US07850929B2

An internal static mixing system such as a disperser of mesh wire or expanded metal co-knit with a multi filament material selected from inert polymers, catalytic polymers, catalytic metals or mixtures in combination with a vertical reactor having a reaction zone and the disperser disposed in said reaction zone, particularly for carrying out paraffin alkylation using acid catalyst is disclosed. The wire mesh provides the structural integrity of the system as well as the open space required in reactors for the movement of vapors and liquids though the system. The disperser may be in sheets, bundles or bales or positioned within a frame.
US07850921B2

The present invention is to present a dispenser which is capable of heating a liquid to an approximately constant temperature in the same time regardless of an aspiration amount of the liquid. The dispenser comprises a liquid holder for holding a liquid; aspiration amount information obtaining means for obtaining aspiration amount information indicating an aspiration amount of the liquid; an aspiration-discharge part for aspirating the aspiration amount of the liquid indicated by the obtained aspiration amount information into the liquid holder and discharging the liquid from the liquid holder; a heater for heating the liquid held by the liquid holder; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the liquid held by the liquid holder; target temperature determining means for determining a target temperature of the liquid based on the aspiration amount of the liquid indicated by the obtained aspiration amount information; and controlling means for controlling the heater so as to conform the temperature detected by the temperature sensor to the target temperature.
US07850917B2

An apparatus and a related method for performing particle agglutination reactions in a single, disposable probe tip are disclosed. The probe tip includes a sample cavity for sample acquisition, at least one flanking cavity for the capture of particles by centrifugation or other means, a transition zone for the mixing of the sample with reagents for agglutination and a detection zone for the optical detection of particle agglutination. A mechanism may be attached to the probe tip for the controlled movement of fluids through the internal volume of the probe tip. The probe tip is particularly useful for the automation of high-throughput agglutination-type assays.
US07850915B2

The invention contemplates apparatuses for recognition of proteins and other biological molecules by imaging morphology, size and distribution of crystalline and amorphous dry residues in droplets (further referred to as “crystallization patterns”) containing predetermined amount of certain crystal-forming organic compounds (reporters) to which protein to be analyzed is added. Changes in the crystallization patterns of a number of amino-acids can be used as a “signature” of a protein added. Also, changes in the crystallization patterns, as well as the character of such changes, can be used as recognition elements in analysis of protein molecules.
US07850914B2

A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.
US07850910B2

A foldable instrument (10) adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor is disclosed. The instrument comprises a first portion (12) including a display (22) and a second portion (14) pivotally coupled to the first portion by a pivot mechanism (23). The second portion includes a user-interface mechanism (16a-c). One of the first portion (12) and second portion (14) includes at least one opening (18) formed therein. The opening is adapted to receive a test sensor. The instrument is adapted to be folded into a closed position and unfolded into an open position by rotating one of the first portion and second portion about the pivot mechanism (23).
US07850906B2

An apparatus for sterilizing a sealable enclosure includes a circuit for flow of a sterilizing gas or gasses. The circuit is connected to the enclosure to be sterilized to form a closed circuit and pumps to circulate gas through the circuit and enclosure. The circuit has parallel branches one of which contains apparatus to deactivate a sterilant to be added to the carrier gas flowing through the circuit and apparatus to dehumidify the gas. The other branch contains apparatus to heat the gas and apparatus to supply a sterilant vapor or vapors to the gas. Control apparatus determines which of the parallel branches the gas flows through. The control apparatus maintains flow through one branch passage until the relative humidity falls below a predetermined level. The flow through that branch is then terminated and flow through the other branch initiated.
US07850904B2

An object of the present invention is to continuously feed an object to be treated to a high-pressure reactor which treats the object to be treated containing 10 mass % or more of water under high pressure, while preventing backflow of a high-pressure atmosphere from the high-pressure reactor. This is embodied by making a configuration such that the object to be treated is fed to the high-pressure reactor connected to a discharge port of a screw feeder which is provided with a feed unit for the object to be treated and the discharge port on one end side and the other end side respectively and forms a high-pressure atmosphere pressurized to, for example, 2 MPa or higher, while air-tightness between the high-pressure atmosphere and the one end side of the screw feeder is maintained by a sealing action of an accumulation compressed on the other end side of the screw feeder.
US07850896B2

In a method of producing a folded honeycomb structure for a sandwich component a sheet-like material is provided. The sheet-like material comprises a softening temperature and is heated to at least the softening temperature in a region about predetermined folding lines. Then, the sheet-like material is folded along the heated region of the folding lines into the folded honeycomb structure.
US07850893B2

An RFID assembly includes an RFID inlay, with an RFID tag, encapsulated within a plastic housing. The housing has a peripheral array of flexible resilient fingers for mounting the housing within a pocket on a support structure, such as a pocket on a mold core. The pocket preferably is on an end of the mold core so that the RFID assembly preferably is disposed substantially beneath the end surface of the mold core. Plastic material, which preferably is the same plastic material as forms the plastic housing in which the inlay is contained, can be injected into a mold cavity surrounding the mold core and the assembly housing without eroding the material of the housing.
US07850892B2

A test blade and a method for fabricating the test blade are presented for use in calibrating a tomography system configured to inspect turbomachine blades for defects. The test blade may include a three-dimensional fiber blank and a polymerized resin. The blank may be created by weaving synthetic material fibers. The resin may be configured to be injected into a mold as a liquid where the resin may polymerize around the fiber blank. The test blade may be configured to be modified to include particular defects such as cut fibers and/or cavity defects which are perceived by the tomography system. The dimensions of the cavity defects may be substantially created by pulling two or more fibers apart at a specific distance with a spreading tool.
US07850886B2

A diffractive microstructure (11) is implemented as a security feature in the surface of tablet (4). For this purpose the punches (1a, 1b) comprise a microstructure (11), which during the compression process produce the diffractive microstructure on the surface of the tablet (4), by plastic and/or visco-elastic deformation of the powder particles. The method according to the invention is compatible to the existing tablet manufacturing methods with their high production speeds and compression forces. It is also compatible to the usual tabletting adjuvants.
US07850883B2

An apparatus for injection molding products from a mass including at least natural mono or polymers, provided with at least one mold cavity (2) and a deaeration channel (10) at least partly surrounding the mold cavity (2), wherein, between the deaeration channel and the mold cavity an overflow (8) space is provided which, on the one side, is in communication with the deaeration channel and, on the other side, with the mold cavity (2).
US07850881B2

The invention relates to inorganic hollow fibers, to a spinning mass and to a method for producing the same as well as to the use thereof for material transports, for the exchange of gases and in separation procedures. The hollow fibers according to the invention are obtainable by processing a spinning mass to a hollow fiber according to general methods, by curing said fiber thermally, via radiation induction or via chemical induction, and by removing the organic components via pyrolysis. The spinning mass is obtained by hydrolytic polycondensation of hydrolyzable compounds of silicon, aluminum, titanium and zirconium and optionally of co-condensable compounds of the elements Li, Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Sn or Pb. The hydrolytic polycondensation is performed by adding water or moisture. If desired, monomers or oligomers which may undergo co-polymerization or (poly)addition, curing catalysts, pore generating additives or compounds of the elements Li, Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, Sn and Pb which are soluble in the reaction medium are added to the spinning mass.
US07850880B2

An arrangement is made such that the magnitude of cure shrinkage obtained by multiplying the thickness of a resin layer 2 between a master mold 1 and a negative mold substrate 3 by the cure shrinkage ratio of the resin and the magnitude of cure shrinkage obtained by multiplying the thickness of a resin layer 4 between the negative mold 23 and the surface of the spherical or flat substrate 5 by the cure shrinkage ratio of the resin can be compensated for by each other. In accordance with this method, an aspherical optical element having a higher precision than ever can be formed at reduced cost by a replica method involving the addition of a resin layer to the surface of a spherical or flat substrate.
US07850873B2

A polymer electrolyte that may be used in a fuel cell includes sulfonated polyether ketone ketone and a cross-linking agent.
US07850871B2

A resistivity stable aqueous dispersion and a method for making an aqueous dispersion. The dispersion including polythienothiophene and at least one colloid-forming polymeric acid having a pH of from about 3 to about 10. The method includes preparing an aqueous dispersion containing polythienothiophene and adjusting the pH of the dispersion to a sufficiently high pH to provide resistivity stability. Devices utilizing layers formed of pH adjusted polythienothiophene are also disclosed.
US07850869B2

A phosphor can be excited by UV, purple or blue light LED, its production and the light emitting devices. The general formula of the phosphor is LnaMb(O,F)12:(R3+,M′2+)x, wherein, Ln is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho, Yb and Sm, 2.6≦a≦3.4; M is at least one element selected from a group consisting of B, Al and Ga, 4.5≦b≦5.5; R is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Ce and Tb; M′ is at least one metal element selected from a group consisting of Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn and Zn, 0.001≦x≦0.4. The phosphor possesses broad emitting range, high efficiency, better uniformity and stability. A light emitting device can be obtained by incorporating this phosphor into a UV, purple or blue light emitting device.
US07850866B2

An etchant includes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and a mixed solution including at least one of an organic acid, an inorganic acid, and a neutral salt.
US07850863B2

A process for fabricating a hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide film having through-pores includes the formation on a substrate of a film consisting of an amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide matrix in which silicon oxide nanowires are dispersed therethrough, and then the selective destruction by a chemical agent of the silicon oxide nanowires present in the film formed at step a). Applications include microelectronics and micro-technology, in all fabrication processes that involve the degradation of a sacrificial material by diffusion of a chemical agent through a film permeable to this agent for the production of air gaps, in particular the fabrication of air-gap interconnects for integrated circuits.
US07850861B1

A method of making a microfluidic device is provided. The method features patterning a permeable wall on a substrate, and surrounding the permeable wall with a solid, non-permeable boundary structure to establish a microfluidic channel having a cross-sectional dimension less than 5,000 microns and a cross-sectional area at least partially filled with the permeable wall so that fluid flowing through the microfluidic channel at least partially passes through the permeable wall.
US07850859B2

A method of treating low-pressure untreated drinking water includes providing a low-pressure water filter device, running low-pressure untreated drinking water from a source of low-pressure untreated drinking water through a low-pressure water filter of the low-pressure water filter device, removing bacteria and viruses from the low pressure untreated drinking water at a level of Filter Bacteria Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 1 log, and filling a storage housing with treated drinking water at greater than about 5 mL/min. The low-pressure water filter device may include a connector for connecting to an untreated drinking water source, a low-pressure water filter comprising mesoporous activated carbon particles and a storage housing. The average fluid contact time with the low-pressure water filter may be greater than about 2 seconds.
US07850858B2

This invention relates to a granulocyte adsorbent comprising a polymer compound having an unsubstituted hydroxyl group and a hydroxyl group in which H has been substituted with at least one substituent R, a method for producing such adsorbent, a device for adsorbing granulocytes and a system for removing granulocytes using such adsorbent, and body fluid or a cell suspension from which granulocytes have been removed using such adsorbent.
US07850848B2

A self-sustaining wastewater treatment facility abates greenhouse gas abatement, captures CO2 and produces biomass to address multiple critical environmental needs. The facility includes an array of rotating media wheels that create an optimum ordered mixing of algae for sustained growth. Biomass harvested from the rotating media wheels may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-fuels. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria are provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. The multi-functional facility may also be integrated into a regenerative facility in which the biomass obtained from the algal and bacterial colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the multi-functional facility to fuel further algal growth.
US07850847B2

A filtration system includes two end manifolds formed from blocks which are adapted to receive two or more reverse osmosis filtration tubes and to provide separate flow channels for the feed and filtered flows through the tubes. The end manifolds are machined from a block of nylon or similar resilient material and have cylindrical grooves formed to receive the outer and inner tubes of the filtration tubes and annular grooves formed within these cylindrical grooves to restrain O rings which seal the outer and inner tubes have channels formed between the cylindrical grooves which receive the outer and inner tubes of the filtration tubes which channels provide separate flow paths for the feed and filtered flows.
US07850842B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst support, in which zirconium dioxide powder is mixed with a binder, if desired a pore former, if desired an acid, water and, if desired, further additives to give a kneadable composition and the composition is homogenized, shaped to produce shaped bodies, dried and calcined, wherein the binder is a monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric organosilicon compound. Suitable binders are monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric silanes, alkoxysilanes, aryloxysilanes, acryloxysilanes, oximinosilanes, halosilanes, aminoxysilanes, aminosilanes, amidosilanes, silazanes or silicones. The invention also provides the catalyst support which has been prepared in this way, a catalyst comprising the support and its use as dehydrogenation catalyst.
US07850838B2

A system for providing hydrogen gas is provided. The system includes a hydrogen generator that produces gas from water. One or more heat generation devices are arranged to provide heating of the enclosure during different modes of operation to prevent freezing of components. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged and coupled to a controller to selectively activate a heat source if the temperature of the component is less than a predetermined temperature.
US07850834B2

In an electrophoresis method, a capillary plate having a capillary channel is maintained in a predetermined temperature to be processed, and a sample is filled into the capillary channel. A solution is prepared to have a temperature substantially the same as the predetermined temperature of the capillary plate, and the solution is injected into the capillary channel maintained in the predetermined temperature. Voltage is applied between two ends of the capillary channel to perform electrophoresis of the sample.
US07850833B2

An oxygen sensor generating an accurate output concerning low-concentration exhaust gas positioned downstream of a three-way catalyst. The oxygen sensor includes an exhaust gas side electrode exposed to an exhaust gas; a reference gas side electrode exposed to a reference gas serving as a reference for oxygen concentration; and an electrolyte positioned between the exhaust gas side electrode and the reference gas side electrode. Further, a reduction mechanism positioned toward a front surface of the exhaust gas side electrode ensures the ratio of the amount of exhaust gas introduced to the exhaust gas side electrode to the amount of an exhaust gas flow to the outside of the oxygen sensor is smaller than the ratio of the amount of exhaust gas introduced to an electrode for the air-fuel ratio sensor to the amount of an exhaust gas flow to the outside of the air-fuel ratio sensor.
US07850826B2

The present invention provides a multi stage flash long tube evaporator with flash stages arranged in a plurality of at least three tiers, wherein each tier is divided into a plurality of at least two flash stages and a plurality of at least three tube bundles are arranged in parallel and in a longitudinal direction in each tier. This configuration allows to minimize the evaporator shell volume, shell surface, foot print and weight, minimizing the cost of an evaporator and other related plant cost. This configuration is in particular suitable for large evaporator unit capacities.
US07850822B2

A wet oxidation process is used to control the concentration of reduced sulfur compounds from a viscose process. The wet oxidation process oxidizes the reduced sulfur compounds to convert such reduced sulfur compounds to an alkali sulfate and/or thiosulfate species. The alkali sulfate stream is recycled to the viscose process. Oxidation is performed under elevated temperature and pressure conditions such that the offgas has an oxygen concentration of between about 2% to 18% and the alkali sulfate stream has a pH of about 2 to 10.
US07850819B2

The invention relates to a plasma reactor with high productivity for surface coating or modification of objects and/or substrates by plasma processes in a processing chamber, preferably as vacuum processes at reduced pressure, having an entrance lock to the processing chamber and an exit lock. The invention is to create a plasma reactor of high productivity, which, with uniformly high productivity, will make possible a rapid simple and selective cleaning of the plasma sources and adjacent parts of the processing chamber. According to the invention, two plasma sources (1, 2) are provided, each alternately couplable to a reaction chamber (7) or a re-etching chamber (8). The plasma sources (1, 2) are fixed for this purpose to an alternating means (6) in such manner that the plasma sources (1, 2) are positionable by a rotatory motion of the alternating means (6) in the reaction chamber (7) or the re-etching chamber (8).
US07850814B2

The present invention relates to a donor laminate for transfer of a conductive layer comprising at least one electronically conductive polymer on to a receiver, wherein the receiver is a component of a device. The present invention also relates to methods pertinent to such transfers.
US07850808B2

In a pneumatic tire whose tire cross section height is less than 110 mm and which has an inner liner layer disposed inside of a carcass layer, the inner liner layer has a wide rubber ribbon region formed by spirally winding a wide rubber ribbon along a tire circumferential direction, a wide rubber ribbon of an innermost peripheral side forms a tire inner peripheral surface of a region extending at least from the vicinity of an end of a belt layer to a tire cross section maximum width position.
US07850806B2

A waterproof method for a wire end joint includes expanding a heat shrinkable tube radially outwardly. The method then includes inserting the wire end joint and a melted thermosetting waterproofing agent through an opening at an end of the waterproof protection tube. A solidification starting temperature of the waterproofing agent is set higher than a shrinkage starting temperature of the heat shrinkable tube. The method then applies heating so that the heat shrinkable tube shrinks to the original diameter and so that the waterproofing agent is not solidified. The heating is continued to the solidification starting temperature after the heat shrinkable tube is shrunk to a set inner diameter, thereby causing the thermosetting waterproofing agent to be solidified.
US07850804B2

An improved member for use in welding seamed flexible belts to produce smoother seams having reduced seam thickness. The improved member has a unique configuration, that includes a ridge defined at an end of the member and further includes a V-shape groove or cut defined in the ridge, which helps facilitate welding of the seam overlap region.
US07850802B2

A hybrid of vinyl flooring and soft cushioned carpet is provided. The hybrid flooring, which is suitable for production into tiles, utilizes woven PVC fabric that is bonded to a flexible backing. The fabric comprises woven solid color and/or multi-color yarns in order to produce different visual styles. These yarns comprise a ceramic fiber core, preferably fiberglass, onto which PVC is extruded in order to form a PVC jacket. The core provides the yarn with sufficient tensile strength so it can be woven while the PVC provides durability, resistance to wear and color. After the fabric is woven, it is sent through a tentering or curing oven which fuses the warp and fill yarns of the fabric, thereby stabilizing the fabric, preserving its integrity and preventing it from unraveling.
US07850801B2

A defect detection method of a layered film having a polarizing plate and an optical compensation layer includes steps of: applying light from a light source arranged at the polarizing plate layer side of the film surface of the layered film; a step of imaging a transmitting light image of the layered film by an imaging unit arranged at the optical compensation layer side of the film surface; and a defect detection step for detecting a defect existing on the layered film according to the transmitting light image captured by the imaging unit. The imaging unit performs imaging via an inspection polarizing filter arranged on the optical path between the light source and the imaging unit and adjacent to the imaging unit; and an inspection phase difference filter arranged on the optical path between the light source and the imaging unit and between the inspection polarizing filter and the layered film.
US07850797B2

The present invention relates to a method of making clips which can be used to engage body tissue for the purpose of closing wounds. Such clips are generally annular in shape and have radially inwardly extending tines. The present invention first forms a precursor which, in one embodiment, has the tines extending radially outwardly from the annular body and then forms the clip by inverting the precursor such that the tines extend radially inwardly. In an alternate embodiment, the precursor is formed with an over-sized lateral dimension and then compressed inwardly to bring the tines closer together and to reduce the lateral dimension of the precursor. It is preferred to manufacture such clips from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium, in which case the inverted or compressed precursor must be heated and quenched to heat set the clip in its final shape.
US07850792B2

The present invention provides a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet product having a superior corrosion resistance, annealing resistance, film tension, and the like in insulating treatment based on a phosphate not containing chromium and a treatment agent for the same, so provides grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having an insulating film not containing chromium characterized by the insulating film containing a phosphate and one or more compounds selected from inorganic compounds of Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Sr, and Mo in an amount, as metal elements, of 0.06 to 2.10 moles per mole of phosphate, and an insulating film agent of the same.
US07850789B2

Provided are a pasty composition for aluminum brazing which has excellent coating properties, is capable of attaining favorable dimensional accuracy of products obtained after brazing, causes less erosion, and allows favorable external appearances of brazed portions (fillets); an aluminum-containing member coated with the pasty composition for aluminum brazing; and a method, using the pasty composition for aluminum brazing, for brazing the aluminum-containing members. The pasty composition for aluminum brazing contains an aluminum-containing powder. In a case where on a cumulative grading curve of the aluminum-containing powder, a particle diameter D μm which corresponds to a Q volume % is indicated as D(Q) μm, D(50) μm is greater than or equal to 20 μm and less than or equal to 150 μm; and D(90) μm/D(10) μm is less than or equal to 5. A mass percentage of particles, in the aluminum-containing powder, which pass through a screen mesh having an opening of 45 μm is less than or equal to 50%. A flowability of the aluminum-containing powder is less than or equal to 80 seconds/50 g.
US07850787B2

A dishwashing machine is capable of carrying out a normal washing program with a powder detergent as well as programs using solid detergents with additives having rinse aid properties and/or water softening properties. The machine includes a detergent dispenser having three chambers. Each chamber is adapted for a specific kind of detergent. The chambers include a sensor for detecting the presence of loaded detergent and for adjusting the washing program accordingly.
US07850773B2

An ink set includes an oil-based ink composition containing a metallic pigment; and at least one oil-based ink composition selected from the group consisting of a chromatic color ink composition containing a chromatic color oil dye, a black ink composition containing a black oil dye, and a colorless and transparent ink composition that does not contain a colorant.
US07850772B2

The present invention provides a beverage surfactant composition that includes a surfactant, a phosphonium compound, and a carrier; wherein the beverage surfactant composition exhibits stability as a solution or as a dispersion at a temperature of about 0 EC to about 8 EC. The present invention also provides a container or a conveyor for a container having a surface that is at least partially coated with the composition. The present invention also provides a process for lubricating a container that includes contacting at least a portion of a surface of the container and the composition together. The present invention also provides a process for lubricating a conveyor that includes contacting at least a portion of a surface of the conveyor and the composition together.
US07850770B2

The present invention relates to the use of ternary nickel-containing metal alloys of the NiMR type (where M=Mo, W, Re or Cr, and R=B or P) deposited by an electroless process in semiconductor technology. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of these deposited ternary nickel-containing metal alloys as barrier material or as selective encapsulation material for preventing the diffusion and electromigration of copper in semiconductor components.
US07850768B2

An air filtering apparatus for electrolyzing water in an electrolytic bath by applying a voltage between electrodes in the electrolytic bath, supplying the generated electrolytic water to a gas-liquid contact member and blowing air to the gas-liquid contact member to filter the air, including a scale removing unit for inverting the polarities of the electrodes to remove scale deposited on the electrodes, and a judging unit for judging on the basis of a current value flowing between the electrodes whether the scale is removed from the surface of the electrode.
US07850762B2

The invention relates to a method for reducing emissions due to gaseous decomposition products of an electrolyte of electrochemical storage devices in a motor vehicle, preferably double-layer capacitors with organic solvents as the electrolyte. According to this invention, the gaseous decomposition products are sent to an activated carbon filter and/or a molecular sieve for deposition of at least a portion of the decomposition products and/or a chemically reactive material and/or a catalytically active material for conversion of at least a portion of the decomposition products. In addition, devices for implementing the inventive method are described.
US07850760B2

A chain metal powder, which is free from branches and has a small distribution of the chain length, can be produced by a process of reducing metal ions contained in an aqueous solution, while applying a magnetic field to the solution containing ferromagnetic ions, in the presence of a polymer compound comprising repeating units of the formula (1): and repeating unit of the formula (2): or repeating unit of the formula (4); or a process which comprises the steps of reducing metal ions contained in an aqueous solution, while applying a magnetic filed to the solution, in the presence of both a reducing agent capable of generating a gas during the reduction of metal ions and a foamable water soluble compound, through the generation of a gas, a bubble layer on the surface of the aqueous solution to form a chain metal powder, separating the bubble layer formed on the surface of the aqueous solution from the solution, and collecting the chain metal powder contained in the bubble layer.
US07850755B2

A fluid filter includes a base plate, a canister, and filtering media contained in the canister for filtering fluid from an inlet port to an outlet port. Notches are formed into an outer periphery of the base plate. An annular bead of the canister side wall is partially formed into the notches to provide a torque locking mechanism between the base plate and the canister. The terminating lip portion of the canister is wrapped around the outer face of the base plate and formed into an annular trough to directly secure the base plate to the canister. The annular trough includes a diverging outer wall that provides a narrow contact interface between the terminating lip portion and the retention corner of the base plate to thereby reduce moment loads induced therebetween as a result of high fluid pressures in the filter.
US07850753B2

A filter (8) for venting an enclosure (1) containing an electrical apparatus (4), such as a lens or lighting unit of a motor vehicle, and exposed to moisture or atmospheric agents, includes a tubular body (20) with a through cavity or conduit (11) opening at opposite ends (9, 10) of the body (20), which is coupled to a venting aperture (6) of the enclosure (1), the filter (8) including a hydrophobic filtering element; the body (20) of this filter (8) has at least two portions (20A, 20B) set at an angle to each other, the membrane filtering element (15) being in the interior of the body (20) and associated therewith so as to form one piece therewith, and being coupled to the body (20) in a manner transverse to an axis of at least one of the portions. The membrane is located within the mould before injection molding.
US07850750B2

There is provided a modularized hybrid dust collector for treating dust generated in various industrial processes. The box-shaped hybrid dust collector includes a first box-shaped dust collecting unit or a first cylindrical dust collecting unit, to which the inertial impaction and the principle of collecting dust using the centrifugal force are applied, and a second box-shaped dust collecting unit implemented by a dust collecting filter such that a problem of employing a cleaner and a limit of capacity, of a conventional cylindrical dust collector, can be overcome, and a high capacity modularized hybrid dust collector in which the box-shaped hybrid dust collector as a basic module and a plurality of dust collector modules are combined.
US07850744B2

The present invention relates to the use of at least one heterocyclic compound of the formula (I) in which R is H or C1-C3-alkyl as a frictional wear-reducing additive in fuel compositions; to corresponding additized fuel compositions and their preparation; and to additive concentrates which comprise such compounds.
US07850741B2

The present invention provides a cleansing polyester fabric, which comprises (i) a polyester multifilament consisting of ultra yarns (monofilament) of 0.001 to 0.1 deniers or its false twist yarn as warp and (ii) a false twisted mixing yarn consisting of said polyester multifilament and a high shrinkage polyester multifilament with 10-50% of shrinkage rate in boiling water as a weft, and said fabric satisfies the following properties; sum of warp density and weft density: 220-320 yarns/inch, thickness of the fabric: less than 0.3 mm, and weight of the fabric: 70-180 g/m2. The cleansing fabric of the present invention is useful as a makeup cleansing fabric or as wiping fabric for fine products and optical devices since it exhibits excellent cleansing performance, is soft to the touch and does not damage the surface of products to be cleaned.
US07850737B2

A prosthetic elbow replacement includes a humeral component having a stem dimensioned to fit within a medullary canal of the humerus and having a yoke connected to the stem wherein the yoke terminates in spaced apart arms. A pivot pin is mounted between the arms for rotational movement with respect to the humeral component. The pivot pin has a transverse throughhole. There is an ulnar component having an ulnar stem including a distal end dimensioned to fit within a medullary canal of the ulna and an opposite proximal end dimensioned to fit within a first end opening of the throughhole. The ulnar component has a mounting cap dimensioned to fit within a second end opening of the throughhole. A fastener connects the ulnar stem and the mounting cap such the proximal end of the ulnar stem is positioned within the first end opening of the throughhole and the mounting cap is positioned within the second end opening of the throughhole. The pivot pin rotates to allow for flexion of the prosthetic elbow replacement, and also allows for axial rotation of the ulna component in the humeral component.
US07850735B2

A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.
US07850728B2

An expandable medical device having a plurality of elongated struts, the plurality of elongated struts being joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter, and the plurality of struts each having a strut width in a circumferential direction. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially though a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent may be loaded into the opening within the strut. The expandable medical device may further include a plurality of ductile hinges formed between the elongated struts, the ductile hinges allowing the cylindrical device to be expanded or compressed from the first diameter to the second diameter by deformation of the ductile hinges.
US07850727B2

An expandable medical device has a plurality of elongated struts joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. At least one of the plurality of struts includes at least one opening extending at least partially through a thickness of the strut. A beneficial agent is loaded into the opening within the strut in layers to achieve desired temporal release kinetics of the agent. Alternatively, the beneficial agent is loaded in a shape which is configured to achieve the desired agent delivery profile. A wide variety of delivery profiles can be achieved including zero order, pulsatile, increasing, decreasing, sinusoidal, and other delivery profiles.
US07850721B2

A system and method for cooling and warming the central nervous system of a patient comprises a delivery tube with one of the ends couplable to a supply of fluid. A head structure is coupled to the other end of the delivery tube and cooling or warming fluid is directed through the tube to the head structure. The head structure is configured to be placed within the rectal cavity of a patient such that either a contact surface on the head structure or the fluid itself directly contacts a portion of the rectal mucosal membrane. A means for reversing the vertebral venous flow of blood through Batson's plexus supplies cooled or warmed blood directly to the vertebral structures. Unique methods of utilizing the system to selectively cool and warm the central nervous system structures of a patient are set forth herein.
US07850719B2

Orthopedic implants are disclosed that may be used in spinal applications. In one embodiment, a plate portion is provided with a threaded protrusion on which a connector for attachment to an orthopedic rod can be fitted. The protrusion may be multi-axially orientable with respect to said plate portion. The plate portion may include a dome having an inner surface that may be of conical shape, through which a portion of the protrusion may extend. A pin may be provided to retain the protrusion in place with respect to the dome. A second plate portion may be provided, which may be integral with or movable with respect to the first plate portion, that can be connected to a bone, e.g. iliac or sacral bone.
US07850714B2

The invention describes an apparatus and method of use for anchoring two or more body tissue layers to one another. The apparatus includes a plurality of individual anchor segments that are placeable within a body cavity. The segments may assume a first relaxed state wherein the segments are movable relative to each other and alignable along an initial longitudinal axis for initial placement of the apparatus through the body tissue layers. Once placed within the body cavity, the anchor segments are manipulated into a second rigid state with an actuator wherein the segments assume a rigid configuration at a transverse angle relative to the initial longitudinal axis.
US07850712B2

A self-shielding suture anchor is provided and includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end including a penetrating tip. The suture anchor also includes a shielding element movable relative to the distal end between a shielding position, wherein the shielding element is distal to the penetrating tip, and a retracted position, wherein the shielding element is proximal to the penetrating tip. The suture anchor also includes a spring element operatively connected to the shielding element to bias the shielding element to the shielding position.
US07850710B2

A puncture closure device is disclosed. Particularly, a puncture closure device may include an anchor support including a coupling feature and an anchor connected to the anchor support. Further, the puncture closure device may include a movable compression element configured to compress a sealing plug generally between the compression element and the anchor. Such a puncture closure device may be positioned at least partially within an insertion sheath to form a puncture closure assembly. A method of compressing a sealing plug and a method of sealing a puncture are disclosed. In addition, in one embodiment, a sealing plug may comprise a first, a second, and an intermediate end region, wherein the intermediate region has a density less than the first and second end regions. In another embodiment, a sealing plug may include a bore formed therethrough and a plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug.
US07850700B2

A surgical apparatus with an insertion tool and fixation device for lifting or remodeling soft tissue as described. A combination of a fixation device and insertion tool allows for incremental release and engagement of the fixation device, which is supplied with prongs to grasp the soft tissue and hold on the other end to allow suture lifting of the soft tissue. The careful deployment of the fixation device and the manipulation and tension on the insertion tool allows a gradual, adjustable, and uniform lifting of the soft tissue that are to be remodeled.
US07850699B2

A device for extraction of pins of fixation means for fixation of bone fragments at bone fractures is adapted to pull a pin (7) of the fixation means in a backwards direction relative to a sleeve (6) of the fixation means in order to withdraw a front part (11) of the pin (7) from bone material of one of the bone fragments (3, 4) and into the sleeve (6). The extraction device (1) includes members (12, 13, and 14) which are provided to draw or pull the pin (7) backwards relative to the sleeve (6) without thereby subjecting the pin (7) to torsional forces in relation thereto.
US07850695B2

A method of fixing first and second vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes inserting a first cannula into the body of the patient. A fusion device is moved through the cannula and inserted between the first and second vertebrae. A first fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the first vertebra. A second fastener is moved through the cannula and secured to the second vertebra. A first fixation element is moved through the cannula. The first fixation element is fixed to the first and second fasteners. The fusion device has first and second ends, upper and lower surfaces for engaging the first and second vertebrae, and first and second side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces. Each of the first and second side surfaces extend along an arc from the first end of the fusion device to the second end. The upper and lower surfaces have teeth that extend between the first and second side surfaces along secant lines of circles partially defined by the first and second side surfaces.
US07850693B2

An orthopaedic reamer assembly includes a reamer with a generally hemispherical shell having a concave side and at least one attachment feature associated with the concave side. A driver is attachable to the reamer. The driver includes a shaft with a reamer end. The reamer end removably attaches to at least one attachment feature.
US07850685B2

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
US07850675B2

A catheter for medical procedures comprises a shaft portion having a distal end insertable into a body lumen, the shaft portion having a wall defining a working lumen extending therewithin and a first strengthening element coupled to the wall to increase a burst pressure of the shaft portion, wherein the first strengthening element cooperates with a base material of the wall to define a flexible region of the shaft portion allowing the shaft portion to be atraumatically inserted into the body lumen.
US07850662B2

A drive mechanism suitable for use in drug delivery devices is disclosed. The drive mechanism may be used with injector-type drug delivery devices, such as those permitting a user to set the delivery dose. The drive mechanism may include a housing, a dose dial sleeve, and a drive sleeve. A clutch is configured to permit rotation of the drive sleeve and the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are coupled through the clutch. Conversely, when the dose dial sleeve and drive sleeve are in a de-coupled state, rotation of the dose dial sleeve with respect to the housing is permitted and rotation of the drive sleeve with respect to the housing is prevented. In the de-coupled state, axial movement of the drive sleeve transfers force in a longitudinal direction for actuation of a drug delivery device.
US07850656B2

Described are novel methods for delivering a medical agent to a plurality of locations within a patient tissue volume such as the interior space of a spinal disc, and also for removing material therefrom during medical agent delivery to enhance the delivery. Also described are medical delivery devices such as needle assemblies configured to facilitate the regional delivery of medical agents to patient tissue.
US07850641B2

A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.
US07850624B2

A muscle thickness sensor for measuring muscle thickness over a bone structure having a resilient frame placed over the muscle of interest and compressible material within the frame to sense muscle contractions. The compressible material is strain sensitive and generates a detectable signal when compressed due to muscle flexure. The sensor is able to differentiate between muscle contraction and muscle relaxation and is generally immune to signal noise caused by movement of bone structure and adjacent muscle groups.
US07850622B2

A moving coil tissue penetration device includes a magnetic source that produces a magnetic field in a magnetically active region. A cylindrical coil is secured to a translation substrate and disposed at least partially within the magnetically active region. A sharpened member is configured to penetrate tissue and mechanically coupled to the translation substrate.
US07850621B2

A method of controlling a penetrating member is provided. The method comprises providing a lancing device comprising a penetrating member driver having a position sensor and a processor that can determine the relative position and velocity of the penetrating member based on measuring relative position of the penetrating member with respect to time; providing a predetermined velocity control trajectory based on a model of the driver and a model of tissue to be contacted. In some embodiments, a feedforward control to maintain penetrating member velocity along said trajectory.
US07850619B2

A method is provided for analyzing respiration of a subject. Using a non-contact microphone, a raw signal indicative of air-flow sounds of the respiration is generated. The raw signal is analyzed to determine a first set of one or more parameters of the respiration. An algorithm is applied to the first set of parameters to derive a second set of one or more estimated parameters of the respiration that are not generally directly measurable in the raw signal. Other embodiments are also described.
US07850612B2

An ultrasonic enhanced-contrast imager and method includes an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to and from an organism, a transmitting section for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic probe, a receiving section for processing a response signal ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe, a filter for extracting a specific frequency component from the processed response signal, and a setting control section for setting a pass frequency band of the filter on the basis of a frequency band of the response signal from a contrast medium injected to the organism. A control section controls the operation of the filter in the set pass band, and the setting control section sets the center frequency of the pass band of the filter to be greater than f0 and less than 2f0, where f0 is the average frequency of the ultrasonic signal transmitted to the ultrasonic probe.
US07850607B2

A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the swivel is deployed, the tube is removed and the string which is attached to the center of the swivel is pulled to lift the pericardium. When the procedure is complete, the swivel is removed from the patient by pulling the string attached to the end of the swivel. According to one embodiment, the swivel is a cylinder with a blunt conical end. According to another embodiment, the swivel has a sharp end which is covered by a spring loaded collar.
US07850606B2

An endoscope device of the present invention has an insertion portion capable of attachment and detachment of a plurality of optical adapters. The endoscope device comprises a resistor for detecting attachment and detachment of the optical adapter as well as an attachment and detachment detection portion, a ROM for storing a setting table as a specific set value for each of the plurality of optical adapters, an LCD for displaying a list of the optical adapters on the basis of the setting table, and an operation switch for selecting one optical adapter from the list of the optical adapters.
US07850605B2

An inserting shape detecting probe has a long and slender core wire, a plurality of shape detecting devices, signal lines, and an outer sheath. The plurality of shape detecting devices extended from the signal lines are fixed to the core wire at a predetermined interval. The core wire is inserted in the outer sheath. The inserting shape detecting probe has a thermal radiating member which is arranged along the outer circumference of at least one of the shape detecting devices.
US07850604B2

A flexible shaft for an endoscope comprises a shaft body which, in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, has a first portion with a first degree of flexibility, and, proximally from the first portion, has at least a second portion with a second degree of flexibility which is less than the first degree of flexibility, the shaft body having, in the first portion, at least a first spring element, and, in the second portion, at least a second spring element. A spring hardness of the second spring element is increased by a permanent pretensioning of the second spring element, as a result of which the flexibility of the shaft body is reduced in the second portion.
US07850597B2

An interactive biological stabilization (IBS) device includes at least one communication path enabling operative coupling with at least one patient data monitoring device, and a processing device enabled for operative coupling with the at least one patient monitoring device through the at least one communication path. The processing device includes a hypnotherapeutic treatment decision block selecting at least one hypnotherapeutic treatment modality based on patient data received from the at least one patient data monitoring device through the at least one communication path. A system for interactively biologically stabilizing a patient includes the IBS device. A method for interactively biologically stabilizing a patient includes the steps of providing at least one apparatus monitoring vital patient data and providing at least one processor processing the vital patient data which selects a hypnotherapeutic treatment modality based on the processing of the vital patient data.
US07850588B2

A folder includes a first signature conveyor conveying first signatures along a first signature path; a second signature conveyor conveying second signatures along a second signature path; and a chopper located between the first and second signature paths imparting a fold on both the first and second signatures. A chopper and method are also provided.
US07850585B1

The exercise apparatus has a plurality of flat belt-shaped elastomeric resistance bands provided in like or differing elastomeric resistance and like or differing lengths. A specifically designed rectangular mounting bracket is provided for each band end. Each rectangular bracket is designed to be mounted to an existing truck seat base mount, with existing fasteners or otherwise available fasteners, so that a trucker can exercise privately and effectively when experiencing any downtime in travels. The brackets are not limited to seat base attachment only. The apparatus is especially effective for abdominal and lumbar muscle activity.
US07850583B2

An exercise apparatus including an elbow attachment device configured for attachment to an elbow of a user is provided. A tensioning device is configured for connection to the elbow attachment device and configured for connection to a torso of the user. The present invention also provides a method for exercising.
US07850565B2

A plate-link chain, in particular a toothed plate-link chain, made up of a plurality of plates that form sets of plates which are connected to neighboring sets of plates with a hinged connection. One rocker member of a hinged connection is connected to the plates of a set of plates through a connection opening, and two rocker members of neighboring sets of plates form the hinged connection. The rocker members can roll against each other at a roller profile, and the set of plates includes at least one guide plate. The rocker member includes a guide profile that is connected to a rocker profile through a first connecting profile and a second connecting profile. The guide plate has at least one connection opening which has an undercut or recess in the region of the first and/or second connecting profile.
US07850560B2

A tensioning device constructed, in particular, as a double eccentric tensioning device for a traction means drive is provided, which guarantees in the installed state a sufficient pretensioning of a traction means of the traction means drive. The invention provides advantages in the installation of the eccentric tensioning devices under assembly-specific aspects. This is provided by an eccentric tensioning device for a traction means drive, with a track roller device, which includes a running disk and a rolling bearing provided for supporting the disk. An operating eccentric for supporting the track roller device such that it can be displaced in a radial direction relative to the rotating axis of the rolling bearing according to a magnitude of the pivoting of the operating eccentric, and a torsion spring for pretensioning the operating eccentric in a pivoting direction are provided. The operating eccentric forces the track roller device carried by the eccentric against an allocated traction means. An adjustment eccentric for radial displacement of the operating eccentric is provided, and a fixing device for securing the operating eccentric in a mounting position, in which the torsion spring is held via a shearing structure. In this way, it is possible in an advantageous way to set the tensioning device as a pretensioned unit on the flange surface and to trigger activation of the tensioning device within the scope of the mounting measures caused with the attachment of the tensioning device.
US07850555B2

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for controlling a variable speed transmission including an actuator, a cam follower, and a speed adjustment cam. The actuator is rotatable through a first phase and a subsequent second phase, and includes an actuator cam surface and a variator. The cam follower is movable in response to contact with the actuator cam surface during rotation through the first phase, for actuating a coupler of the transmission between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The variator is movable along the speed adjustment cam during rotation through the second phase for enabling adjustment of a torque transfer mechanism associated with the transmission. By this configuration, control over the coupling of the transmission to a torque input such as a motor and control over the speed of the transmission are both enabled through rotation of a single actuator, and thus can be implemented in a self-propelled machine such as a lawnmower using a single operator-manipulated control.
US07850536B1

A putting training device for improving consistency of body position, putter path, putter face angle, and timing during a putting stroke. A body alignment target within a putter data module helps position the golfer's head directly over the ball for shoulder joint consistently relative to the ball. A magnet is securable to the C.G. of the putter head which is tracked by sensors within the module to help insure that the putter travels in a straight line on approach to ball strike. Optical sensors determine the putter face angle at ball impact. A metronome is also provided to practice swing timing. An end-of-swing delay indicator helps to hold the golfer's body in the correct position until the follow-through is complete. A series of lights and tones provides feedback indicating putter path to the ball and the putter face angle at ball impact.
US07850532B2

A stub shaft of a main rotor shaft of a generator has its flange or shoulder removed from its outer portion so in the event of a bending failure of the stub shaft the resulting axial load of the stub shaft is not transmitted to the main rotor shaft. Instead of a retention plug adjacent the distal end of the inside portion of the stub shaft, a knock out plug is lightly press-fit into the main rotor shaft. In the event of a failure, the outside portion of the stub shaft enters the main rotor shaft without applying an axial load onto the main rotor shaft, moves axially and displaces the knock-out plug without exiting the main rotor shaft.
US07850531B2

A constant velocity joint has an outer bell telescopically coupled for rotation with a rotatable hub of a hub bearing unit so as to provide torque transmission thereto. The joint bell is releasably axially coupled to a rotatable member of the hub bearing unit by an annular connector. The connector includes a radially inwardly extending annular flange axially clamped against a rigid annular part fixed to or integral with the hub, and a radially outer portion extending axially around a cylindrical surface of the joint bell. This outer portion has a resiliently radially expansible section with one or more radially inwardly extending protrusions providing a snap connection with a relief or recess formed on the cylindrical outer surface of the joint.
US07850527B2

A method of interactive game play is provided wherein a seemingly magical wand toy is provided for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys, a master system and/or to actuate various play effects within a play environment. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/received radio frequency communications protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magical interactive play experience.
US07850525B2

An aspect of the present invention includes processes for detecting an event input, inputted as an operation signal, and determining sound characteristic information and sound effects corresponding to the event input, obtaining a first sound source position coordinates information in which a location where an event occurred in a virtual space is taken, determining a propagation mode of a sound to be produced corresponding to the event input in the virtual space based on sound characteristics information and the first sound source position coordinates information, determining a second sound source position coordinates information indicating a position of a sound source on the radar image based on the first sound source position coordinates information, and displaying a sound wave image indicating a propagation mode of the sound effect on the radar image based on the propagation mode of the sound and the second sound source position coordinates information.
US07850524B2

A method of providing all players on a linked network to receive a bonus opportunity based on one player hitting the primary jackpot. All players in an active game, (i.e., the reel spinning mode has been activated by the player bet, and the reels have not yet stopped) receive a bonus opportunity when the primary jackpot is hit. Examples of bonuses are of “scratch tickets” to players that would distribute varying amounts, or a secondary jackpot bonus of a fixed amount or an amount in proportion to the main jackpot. An alternative bonus incorporates a specific time span after the primary jackpot is hit where all players have the chance for a bonus payoff or prize, without having to achieve the extremely high rank of the jackpot award.
US07850518B2

A keno game is tied to video content such that events in the video content determine the outcome of the keno game. The outcome determinative events are selected from a set of potential outcome determinative events and marked with cues when the video content is displayed to the keno players and other video content watchers. The cues may be audible or visual and accentuate the fact that an outcome determinative event has occurred. If the player's wager has enough of the outcome determinative events selected relative to the actual outcome determinative events, the player may receive a benefit.
US07850504B2

An example feeding device includes a container and a controller that determines an orientation of the container. The controller activates a first stimulus when the container is in a first orientation and a second stimulus when the container is in another orientation. The first stimulus may please a child, and the second stimulus may displease a child.
US07850488B2

The present invention is to provide each of pairs of transmission contact terminals in contact units are arranged between each of two adjacent ground contact terminals. A pair of shielding pieces of each of contact plate is formed to separate fixed terminal portions of the pair of transmission contact terminals of one of the contact unit from those of the adjacent one of the contact unit.
US07850483B2

A one-piece power meter socket to circuit breaker connection structure includes an elongated trunk section connecting a lower spade section with a forwardly offset connection plate at an upper end. The connection plate is joined to the trunk section by an angled extension section. The connection plate has an aperture to receive a fastener to connect it and a meter jaw to a meter jaw base. The spade section includes a pair of laterally spaced, forwardly projection breaker receiving spades for reception in a receptacle of a circuit beaker. The connection structures are used in pairs with an insulating circuit breaker base to connect load-side meter jaws of a power meter socket to spade receptacles of a plug-in type of circuit breaker. The one-piece connection structure is formed of a sheet of metal having a thickness equal to the thickness specified for the spades engaged by the circuit breaker.
US07850476B2

A low profile photovoltaic (PV) connector for placement in space restricted areas. The connector includes a plug and receptacle for interconnecting PV solar arrays. The receptacle is mechanically secured to a solar array. The mechanical connection between the receptacle and the solar array may be a staking process (e.g., ultrasonic, heat). The plug and receptacle may be locking, where only an extraction tool or other similar device may remove the plug from the receptacle. The plug and receptacle may also be non-locking.
US07850465B1

A plug connector has an insulative housing, a mounting bracket, multiple first terminals, multiple second terminals and a shell. The mounting bracket is mounted on the insulative housing. The first terminals are mounted through the insulative housing and have soldering sections arranged in a first transverse row. The second terminals are mounted through the mounting bracket and have soldering sections arranged in a second transverse row. The soldering sections arranged in the different rows reduce a density of a soldering section layout and facilitate soldering the plug connector to a PCB.
US07850460B2

An elongate electrical contact element (1) for physically contacting electrical components under test, having two electrical contacting end regions (2, 3) and an elongate intermediate region (4) situated between the end regions (2, 3). The intermediate region (4) has an essentially rectangular cross-section and is configured lamellar along its longitudinal extent. Also disclosed is a corresponding contacting apparatus (22) including such a contact element (1) and a contact element holder (23).
US07850457B2

The present invention relates to a device for demonstrating the antistatic properties of at least one first transparent glass substrate, at least part of one of the main surfaces of which is an antistatic surface, said device comprising a hollow box having an upper surface provided with at least one window to which said first transparent glass substrate is fitted, wherein said box contains elements capable of moving under the action of electrostatic attraction, said elements being chosen from cellular particles of synthetic or natural polymers, individualized fibers of synthetic or natural polymers and their blends.The present invention further relates to a method for demonstrating the antistatic properties of at least one first transparent glass substrate by means of the above device.
US07850448B2

A gas fired furnace capable of operating with a 16:1 turndown ratio or greater. The furnace includes a plurality of burners (10) grouped into at least (14a) first and second (14b) groups, each group connected to a source of combustible gas through a control valve (30a, 30b, 30c). The control valve (30c) controlling at least one group of burners is of a modulating type having an output proportional to a control signal applied to the valve. The burners fire into associated heat exchange tubes (20a), each tube having an inlet (24) and an outlet. The tube outlets are connected to a collector chamber (44) that includes a baffle plate (60) that divides the collector into two sections, one of the sections communicating with the outlets of the tubes associated with the first group of burners, the other section communicating with the outlets of the heat exchanger tubes associated with the other group of burners.
US07850440B2

A dough shaping device includes a base manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a predetermined amount of dough. A rolling pin support member is manufactured from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined size and first predetermined shape and is disposed at a first end of such base member. A dough template is manufactured from a third predetermined material and has a second predetermined shape and a third predetermined size and a predetermined thickness. At least one aperture having a third predetermined shape and a fourth predetermined size is formed through such dough template.
US07850436B2

A structure and method for fixing an upper cup muffler to an upper bearing portion. The upper bearing portion includes a step portion having an upper, lower and side surfaces. A peripheral edge portion between the upper and side surfaces of the upper bearing portion is declined outwardly to have a slant surface. The upper cup muffler includes a bottom surface and a peripheral side surface lower portion that extends downwardly from the edge portion of the bottom surface. The peripheral side surface lower portion gets across the slant surface of the upper bearing portion and is brought into linear or planar contact with at least one of the outer side surface and the lower surface of the step portion when the bottom surface of the upper cup muffler and the upper surface of the upper bearing portion are fixed to each other.
US07850430B2

A turbomachine rotor blade comprising a root (14) mounted in a channel of the periphery of a disk and held by an annular flange (18) which presses on the root (14) of the blade (12), this root comprising a stop (44) engaging in a matching cavity of the flange in order to stop it rotating about the axis of the disk, the central portion of the stop having a thickness less than that of the ends of the stop.
US07850420B2

The present invention broadly comprises a blade for a torque converter stator including a first blade segment connected to inner and outer circumferential sections of the stator and a second blade segment, separately formed from the first blade segment, and connected to the circumferential sections. In some aspects, the blade segments are: in contact along edges, overlapped, circumferentially misaligned, at least partially folded, stamped, or cast. Configurations of the blade segments can be selected to modify performance characteristics of the stator such as torque ratio, efficiency, and capacity. In some aspects, the blade segments are in a circumferential alignment, and the stator includes an alignment element operatively arranged to control the circumferential alignment, for example, in response to pressure from fluid in the stator upon the blade. In some aspects, the stator includes axial halves, separately formed and fixedly connected and the blade segments are connected to respective halves.
US07850411B2

A storage and retrieval system includes a continuous track and a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns or rows. Each storage unit includes wheels for engaging the continuous track for selective movement along the track. A conveyor apparatus is used to selectively move the storage units along the length of the continuous track between uppermost positions of adjacent columns, so as to support the storage unit as the storage unit passes gaps in the upper rail due to intermediate vertical rails extending downwardly intermediate ends thereof.
US07850405B2

The present invention relates to an improved hole saw boss (10) and in particular, to a boss including a threaded member (12) adapted to accommodate two hole saws of the same or different bore thread diameters. The present invention allows for a pre-existing aperture (22) in a work piece to be simply enlarged. This is useful if a new lock mechanism is being installed in a door with a pre-existing aperture where the lock mechanism requires a larger aperture than that which was in existence. Currently the aperture has to be enlarged by manual handwork since there is no centre-point to which a pilot drill may be enlarged. The threaded bore diameters of the present invention correspond with the commonly available hole saw threaded bore diameters. The present invention therefore provides the public with device for enlarging apertures which is simply, cost effective and can be used with currently available hole saws.
US07850401B1

A method of applying polyacrylamide (PAM) for stabilizing soil particles of a land area from movement about the land area. The slope of the surface of the soil is measured, and a tentative application rate is determined based upon the slope of the land area. The stability of the soil of the land area is determined by placing a sample of the soil in a tray and pouring a liquid over the sample and evaluating the erosion potential of the soil by measuring any movement of the soil in the liquid. The liquid may be water or a mixture of water and PAM. The application rate may be increased above the tentative application rate if the soil sample showed a relatively higher vulnerability to erosion. An application rate is calculated for applying a mixture of PAM and water to the land area. The mixture is misted onto the surface of the land area in one or more mixture applications. An application of the mixture is continued until the top surface of the soil of the land area becomes saturated. Further mixture applications occur after any puddles of the mixture on the surface of the soil have been absorbed into the soil, but the surface of the soil is not permitted to dry. A spray of the mixture is directed onto the surface of the soil of the land area from at least four directions, and at a substantially perpendicular angle downward onto the surface of the soil of the land area.
US07850400B2

The facing element for a stabilized soil structure comprises a body of cast material inside which a path is formed for a reinforcement strip between two points of emergence situated on a rear face of the element. This path includes two rectilinear portions which are respectively adjacent to the two points of emergence and are each arranged so as to position the strip in the same plane of emergence perpendicular to the rear face, two curved portions which respectively continue the two rectilinear portions and are arranged so as to deviate the strip from the plane of emergence, and a connection portion which joins the two curved portions to one another and has at least one loop situated outside the plane of emergence.
US07850393B2

A dry-cast concrete block for use in a structure comprising a plurality of concrete blocks. The dry-cast concrete block comprises three convex sides and three concave sides alternating with the three convex sides. The dry-cast concrete block also comprises a surface located between the three convex sides and the three concave sides and comprising at least one portion having a cast texture with a natural stone appearance. Each of the three convex sides is adapted to register with either one of three concave sides of an adjacent one of the concrete blocks to enable positioning of the dry-cast concrete block in different positions relative to the adjacent one of the concrete blocks.
US07850391B2

A fixed bollard system includes a plurality of spaced apart, elongated bollards each longitudinally disposed along a corresponding X-axis, each bollard being comprised of an I-beam having a front face and a opposing back face extending between a top end and an opposing bottom end. A plurality of horizontal support beams are each longitudinally disposed along a corresponding Y-axis, each horizontal support beam being comprised of an I-beam and having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of each horizontal support beam being connected to the back face of a corresponding bollard at the bottom end thereof. An elongated lateral front beam connects to the front face of each of the plurality of bollard at the bottom ends thereof. An elongated lateral rear beam connects to the second end of each of the plurality of horizontal support beams.
US07850383B2

A walk-behind floor finish applicator wherein a mop with a handle is connected to the applicator, yet is readily removable therefrom. This allows the mop to be used as a component of the walk-behind applicator for applying floor finish to easily accessible areas in one instance, yet allows the mop to be used independently for application of floor finish to not so easily accessible areas. The applicator is adaptable to receiving bag in the box floor finish, thus reducing cleaning time. The applicator employs a minimum number of disposable parts thus making it economical to produce.
US07850378B1

A keyboard assembly configured for converting keystroke activation into electrical signals. The keyboard assembly includes a plurality of key caps, each of the plurality of key caps being configured to transition between a rest position and a depressed position. The keyboard assembly also includes a web-like structure having a plurality of interconnected ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The plurality of key caps are disposed such that the plurality of key caps move within the plurality of apertures and traverse a plane formed by an upper surface of the web-like structure when the plurality of key caps transition between the rest position and the depressed position.
US07850376B2

An image pickup apparatus which is capable of effectively removing dust attached to an optical member due to mounting/removing of a photographic lens in a power-off state, to thereby prevent degradation of image quality. In the image pickup apparatus, when position information of a contact brush that moves in a manner interlocked with mounting/removing of the photographic lens differs immediately after execution of power-on operation from position information obtained immediately after execution of power-off operation, it is determined that photographic lens mounting/removing operation was carried out during power-off, and a camera microcomputer outputs a warning advising cleaning of the optical member.
US07850371B2

A cable interface housing cover is disclosed. The cable interface housing cover is connected to a cable interface portion of a cable interface housing. The cable interface housing cover includes a U-shaped portion and a hinged portion connected to a rotating axis. The hinged portion is configured to rotate about the rotating axis upon being handled by the end user to expose the cable interface housing to allow a cable to be inserted into the cable interface housing once the housing cover is lifted via a lifting operation.
US07850370B2

The present disclosure provides a method for securing a plurality of communications channels, said method comprising: providing a plurality of data outlets, providing a patch cord connector assembly, providing access to a permissible data channel of the plurality of data channels, and restricting access to a restricted data channel of the plurality of data channels. A plurality of pitches are used to space apart optical communications components, wherein a patch cord connector assembly is both capable of mating with a data outlet associated with a permissible data channel, and incapable of mating with a data outlet associated with a restricted data channel.
US07850369B2

A non-disconnect drop-in ball bearing slide assembly adapted to support an object, such as a computer server, includes a stationary slide and an intermediate slide slidably connected to the stationary slide with at least one ball bearing interposed between the intermediate slide and the stationary slide. A ball bearing retainer has a top member and a base member, the top and base members extending along a length, with a first plurality of ball bearings extending along the length of the base member, and a second plurality of ball bearings extending along at least a portion of the length of the top member. The non-disconnect drop-in ball bearing assembly also includes a moveable slide extending along a length and having a top rail and a bottom rail. The moveable slide has at least one slot formed on the top rail for receiving a mounting post of an object, such as a server or server mounting arm. The moveable slide is slidably supported within the intermediate slide by the ball bearing retainer, wherein the first plurality of ball bearings are interposed between the bottom rail and the base member and the second plurality of ball bearings are interposed between the top rail and the top member. Access to the at least one slot is unobstructed by the second plurality of ball bearings when the moveable slide is in an extended position outside the stationary slide, thus facilitating the mounting of an object, such as the computer server, to the drop-in ball bearing slide assembly.
US07850356B2

Provided are a reflection sheet for a backlight unit including: a base sheet; and a flexible coating layer, formed on at least a surface of the base sheet, containing at least one flexible elastomeric bead selected from the group consisting of an elastomeric acrylic bead, an elastomeric nylon bead, and a microcapsule resin bead having a core charged with an air or an organic material, and a backlight unit for a liquid crystal display employing the reflection sheet. The reflection sheet may further include a metal reflection layer. The reflection sheet including the flexible coating layer exhibits excellent resistance to friction and impact. The reflection sheet including both the flexible coating layer and the metal reflection layer is excellent in specular reflectivity and brightness as well as in resistance to friction and impact. Therefore, the reflection sheet can be usefully applied to a light guide panel of a backlight unit having a weak surface hardness or requiring a surface protection due to a surface prism pattern.
US07850350B2

The invention is related to an exterior rear-view mirror for vehicles, having a mirror head with a housing in which an adjustable mirror pane is positioned and in which at least one light source is arranged which is located in an area behind a light window of the housing. Light window is part of a turn light signal device which comprises a colour screen to influence colour appearance to turn light signal not activated.
US07850346B1

An artificial candle has a delicate glowing shroud or sock that can flutter like a candle flame, and the sock may surround a “wick” that can be seen through the sock to glow. Such a diaphanous sock can be actuated by a fan, air pump, solenoid or conductor, which can be provided adjacent to the sock or removed from the sock, for example in a central body of a chandelier. Light can emanate from the wick from a light emitting diode (LED), and the sock can include fluorescent material that absorbs and reradiates some of the light from the wick. The wick and the sock can be coupled to a shaft that simulates a wax candle body. A standard threaded fitting can be provided so that the artificial candle can thread into a socket to replace a light bulb.
US07850345B2

An LED lighting device comprises an LED light source; a thermal management element coupled to the LED light source to manage heat generated by the LED light source; a primary reflector with at least one reflective surface oriented to collect light from the LED light source and direct collected light into a first reflected beam; at least one central inclined reflector surface disposed to receive light from the LED light source; and at least one corresponding angled mirror surface disposed to collect light from the central inclined reflector surface and to direct the collected light into a second reflected beam (see FIG. 1).
US07850335B2

A light source module including a plurality of first point light sources, a plurality of second point light sources, and a plurality of third point light sources is provided. The dominant wavelengths of lights provided by the first point light sources are within a wavelength range of a first color light, and at least two of the first point light sources emit light with different dominant wavelengths. The dominant wavelengths of lights provided by the second point light sources are within a wavelength range of a second color light, and at least two of the second point light sources emit light with different dominant wavelengths. The dominant wavelengths of lights provided by the third point light sources are within a wavelength range of a third color light, and at least two of the third point light sources emit light with different dominant wavelengths.
US07850332B2

A battery cartridge has a casing adapted to releasably hold at least one battery, externally accessible contacts on the casing, and internal circuitry in the casing between the contacts and poles of the battery. A switch is mounted in the casing and connected to the circuitry between one of the poles and the respective contacts for controlling current flow therebetween.
US07850327B2

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises receiving a time-varying power waveform. The power waveform may be periodic and/or phase-controlled. Compressed within a power range associated with the time-varying power waveform, a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal is produced, which is supplied to a light source in order to produce a lighting effect emulating lighting from a candle flame.
US07850324B2

A backlight chassis that is capable of preventing an unusual noise caused by vibrations of a backlight unit or a tubular lamp houses tubular lamps arranged behind a display panel via optical sheets. The backlight chassis includes lamp holding members provided on a lamp housing surface of the backlight chassis, for holding the tubular lamps at an approximate midpoint thereof, wherein the lamp holding members and the backlight chassis are defined by a unitary molded resin member.
US07850316B2

An adjusting apparatus is provided for a projector having a base. The adjusting apparatus includes a supporting member and a rotating member. The supporting member is partially received in the base of the projector and movably coupled to the base. The supporting member forms a plurality of teeth thereon. The rotating member is rotatably coupled to the base of the projector and partially exposed out of the base. The rotating member forms a plurality of teeth mating with the teeth of the supporting member, when the rotating member is rotated in either of two directions, the base of the projector correspondingly moves up and down relative to the supporting member.
US07850315B2

A light integration rod having a light input end and a light output end opposite to each other is provided. The light integration rod includes a first reflective plate, a second reflective plate, a third reflective plate and a fourth reflective plate. The second reflective plate is opposite to the first reflective plate. The third reflective plate and the fourth reflective plate connect the first reflective plate and the second reflective plate, and are disposed opposite to each other. A long side of the first reflective plate is not equal to a long side of the second reflective plate. A short side at the light output end of at least one of the first reflective plate and the second reflective plate is separate from a short side of the third reflective plate and a short side of the fourth reflective plate at the light output end.
US07850309B2

Elements of an optical system (12) of a projection type image display apparatus are stored in an optical system storage (46) having an upper opening in such a way that the optical element to be arranged close to a light source is fitted in the frame provided in the high-temperature region of the optical system storage (46) close to the light source, while the rest of the optical elements are respectively fitted in the frames in the low-temperature region of the optical system storage (46) remote from the light source. The upper opening in the high-temperature region is covered, in the low-temperature region, with a resilient metal lid (471), and, in the low-temperature region, covered with a resilient resin lid (472). Portions of these lids are partially cut into spring-like narrow strips having tips configured to firmly and accurately hold the lenses fitted in the respective frames, whereby the dimensional tolerances of the optical elements and the frames can be absorbed solely by the lids without resorting to any other parts.
US07850308B2

The invention relates to a device for measuring the optical properties of an eye, comprising an optical signal generator and optical guide means leading from the optical signal generator in the direction of the eye to be examined, wherein the optical signal generator is adapted to project an image through an optical path comprising the optical guide means and onto a reflective structure in the eye to be examined, wherein the device is adapted to couple the optical guide means of the device to optical guide means of an optical medical instrument so that the optical path extends through the optical guide means of the optical medical instrument. Such an optical medical instrument can be formed by an operating microscope, a so-called split lamp or by a fundus camera.
US07850305B2

The object of the invention is to provide a favorable spectral characteristic that reduces variation depending on the frequency of received light intensity, and that is gentle on a subject eye. It also eliminates displacement between positions of respective spectral images of the same part even if a change in alignment occurs between the eye and apparatus with the lapse of time. An apparatus 1 for measuring spectral fundus image data of this invention comprises: an illumination optical system 10 having an illumination light source 11 that emits a light beam in a specified wavelength range; a light receiving optical system 20 for forming a fundus image on the light receiving surface of a photographing section 4; a liquid crystal wavelength tunable filter 32 capable of choosing a wavelength of a transmitted light beam in a specified wavelength range; a spectral characteristic correction filter 13 having wavelength characteristic for correcting the wavelength characteristic of the emitted light intensity of the illumination light source 11 and the transmission wavelength characteristic of the wavelength tunable filter 32 so that the received light intensity on the light receiving surface is kept within the specified range; and a data measuring section 7 for taking the spectral fundus image data from the light receiving surface while changing the wavelength of the light beam passing through the wavelength tunable filter 32.
US07850298B2

An image forming apparatus that includes a discharge tray on which a sheet discharged from a discharge port is stacked; a sheet retainer, which guides the sheet discharged from the discharge port onto the discharge tray and is displaced in abutment against an uppermost sheet stacked on the discharge tray, the sheet retainer removing electricity of the sheet; and a detection unit, which detects a stack of the sheet on the discharge tray on a basis of a position of the sheet retainer.
US07850291B2

A printhead assembly for an ink jet printer. The printhead assembly includes an ink supply assembly having an elongate extrusion defining a number of distribution channels for distributing ink to a printhead via an end cap operatively fitted to said extrusion. The end cap includes an upper plate and a lower plate hingedly linked by means of a spine, and a plurality of plugs defined on the spine to plug said distribution channels when the cap is fitted to the extrusion. The upper plate defines apertures for operatively arranging said distribution channels in fluid communication with ink delivery hoses.
US07850277B2

A printhead maintenance station comprises a base including a spitting zone, a maintenance sled movable relative to the base, a wiper assembly for cleaning a printhead orifice plate, a capping assembly for capping a printhead orifice plate, a pick motor operating a paper picking assembly and the maintenance sled and the capping assembly, and, wherein the maintenance station provides for spitting, wiping, and capping of a printhead orifice plate.
US07850274B1

Printers and methods to reduce vapor emissions in printers are disclosed. An example printer is described, including a fan to urge an airflow from a first printer portion, a duct to direct the airflow from the first printer portion and to substantially prevent adding air to the airflow, a condenser in communication with the duct, the condenser comprising a first condensing fin to condense oil in the airflow into a liquid, and an airflow reflection reducer associated with the condenser to reduce reflection of the airflow off of the first condenser fin.
US07850273B2

The sequence of the acquisition of a correction value of a conveying error depending on the eccentricity of the conveying roller (correction value for eccentricity) and the acquisition of a correction value of a conveying error depending on the outer diameter of the roller (correction value for outer diameter) is considered to acquire a precise correction value for outer diameter. A test pattern to acquire the correction values for eccentricity and for outer diameter is formed with an area exceeds the area corresponding to an integer multiple of the circumferential length of the roller. The correction value for eccentricity and that for outer diameter are acquired in this sequence. The fluctuation in the conveying error is reduced by the application of the correction value for eccentricity, and the influence of the excess area is made smaller before the correction value for outer diameter is acquired by averaging the conveying errors.
US07850270B2

A recording apparatus for discharging ink from a recording head arraying a plurality of nozzles to execute recording of an image includes a drive unit configured to form a group with a defined number of nozzles so as to include an adjacent nozzle in a different block and to execute time-division driving of the block according to a driving order corresponding to a recording mode, and a recording control unit configured to execute scan recording to a recording medium in a first recording mode or a second recording mode. Each pass of scan recording in the second recording mode is executed using nozzles smaller in number than a number of nozzles used to execute each pass of scan recording in the first recording mode. The recording apparatus further includes a driving control unit configured to control the drive unit wherein a drive interval of an adjacent nozzle in the same group corresponding to the first recording mode is larger than a drive interval of an adjacent nozzle in the same group corresponding to the second recording mode.
US07850269B2

A printer cartridge is provided having a cartridge body removably mountable to a printer cradle unit, a printing fluid storage supported by the cartridge body, a printhead mounted to the cartridge body and a power and data interface for communicating a capacity of the printing fluid storage to a print controller of the cradle unit and receiving print data from the print controller for printing at a rate determined by the print controller in accordance with the communicated capacity. The printhead has a plurality of printing fluid ejection nozzles in fluid communication with the printing fluid storage and is configured to eject printing fluid from the nozzles at the received rate.
US07850262B2

This invention is directed to: a printhead substrate which employs a constant current driving method and can suppress power consumption in a standby state, prevent an increase in printhead temperature, and stably discharge ink; a printhead using the printhead substrate; a head cartridge incorporating the printhead; and a printing apparatus using the printhead. The head substrate includes a plurality of printing elements; a plurality of driving elements which are provided in correspondence with the plurality of printing elements and drive the plurality of printing elements; a reference voltage generation circuit which generates a reference voltage; a reference current generation circuit which generates a first reference current on the basis of the generated reference voltage; a plurality of constant current sources, each of which generates a constant current to drive the plurality of printing elements on the basis of the generated first reference current; and a switch which controls supply of the first reference current in accordance with a printing operation.
US07850256B2

An endless track chairs for use with a track-type vehicle comprises a cartridge joined to the links of first and second link sets for relative rotation between the link sets.
US07850253B2

A hydraulic pump unit that includes a pump and an internal reservoir that is mountable as a unit to a towed vehicle. The hydraulic pump unit can be assembled in a plurality of configurations such that an inlet to the pump is located at a relatively low point within the internal reservoir depending on the orientation in which the unit is mounted to the towed vehicle. Thus, the power unit can be adapted for use in a plurality of applications thereby making the unit versatile.
US07850246B2

A shingled thin seat back for a vehicle having a generally centrally-located panel which is movable in the rearward direction when the seat is occupied and which is immovable in the forward direction when folded flat to accept a load. The seat back includes a support structure which provides support to the movable panel. The support structure includes at least one edge and the panel includes at least one edge. The panel is movable from a first position where the edge of the support structure and the edge of the panel are in overlapping contact (creating a shingled arrangement) to a second position where the edge of the support structure and the edge of the panel are not in contact with one another but instead are spaced apart from one another.
US07850245B2

Footrests and spa apparatuses are provided. In this regard, a representative footrest, among others, includes a first structure and a second structure. The first structure has a top wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The first sidewall has a pin attached on the outer surface of the first sidewall. The second sidewall has a protrusion on the inner surface of the second sidewall. The second structure is coupled to the first structure via a rod. The second structure has a bottom wall, a first sidewall, and second sidewall. The first sidewall has a pin attached on the outer surface of the first sidewall of the second structure. The second sidewall of the second structure having a protrusion on the inner surface of the second sidewall of the second structure. The pin of at least one of the first sidewalls of the first and second structures is configured to engage the protrusion of at least one of the second sidewalls of the first and second structures. The engagement between the pin and the protrusion forms at least one of a closed position and an intermediate opening position.
US07850242B2

A vehicle seat may include a seat main body, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body between a forwardly facing position and a laterally facing position, a sliding mechanism, and a rotation locking mechanism. The rotation locking mechanism is arranged and constructed to prevent the seat main body from rotating when the seat main body is in a laterally facing position. The rotation locking mechanism includes a first engagement portion, a second engagement portion, and a lock releasing portion. The second engagement portion is capable of moving between a condition in which it does not engage the first engagement portion and a position in which it engages the first engagement portion when the seat main body is in the laterally facing position. The lock releasing portion is arranged and constructed to be engaged with and disengaged from the second engagement portion depending upon the sliding motion of the sliding mechanism.
US07850241B1

A chair is provided comprising a seat assembly including a seat back and a seat bottom and a support frame including a left leg assembly and right leg assembly connected by a transverse support member. The seat back is pivotably connected to each of the leg assemblies such that an upper portion of the seat back pivots in relation to the leg assemblies between a first seat back position and a second seat back position. The seat bottom is rotatable in relation to the seat back between an upright position and a horizontal position. The seat bottom is slidingly engaged with the leg assemblies such that pivoting of the seat backward from the first seat back position to the second seat back position causes the seat bottom to slide forward from a first seat bottom position to a second seat bottom position.
US07850240B2

A system includes a lift chair having sensors embedded therein to determine various factors such as the amount of pressure exerted in various portions of the chair, the activity level of the chair user, whether the chair is occupied and which user is currently occupying the chair, and how much assistance the chair provides the user. The information detected by the sensors can be transmitted via the Internet, for example, to a third party device, such as a doctor's personal computer, which is also hooked up to the internet and is capable of receiving periodic updates to monitor use of the chair or modify the rules that govern the use of the chair. The user can override the pre-set rules for use of the chair by using an override button on a user control device.
US07850232B2

A reclining chair includes a seat, a backrest, and a pair of spaced apart recliner mechanisms cooperatively supporting the seat and backrest. Each of the mechanisms includes a ground engaging base link, a seat link operably coupled with and supporting the seat, a backrest linkage operably coupling the backrest to the seat link, a rear swing link operably coupled to the base link at a first pivot, and a front swing link operably coupled to the base link with a shiftable pivot mechanism defining a second pivot. The rear swing link and the front swing link are selectively pivotable about the first and second pivots respectively to enable the mechanism to be selectively shifted between an upright position and a reclined position. The shiftable pivot mechanism shifts a position of the second pivot relative to the base link as the mechanism shifts between the first position and the second position.
US07850231B2

A vehicular sunroof apparatus includes a sunroof panel having a front panel and a rear panel configured to open and close an opening formed in a vehicle roof. A first drive mechanism effects rising/lowering and opening/closing movements of the front panel relative to the opening of the vehicle roof. A second drive mechanism effects rising/lowering and opening/closing movements of the rear panel relative to the opening of the vehicle roof. The second drive mechanism comprises a rear panel support stay that supports the rear panel, a stay extension connected to the rear panel support stay and mounted to undergo sliding and vertical swinging movement relative to the vehicle roof, and a stopper member that is mounted on the vehicle roof and that provides an upper limit of vertical swing of the stay extension.
US07850226B2

A vehicle having a body structure for at least a portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle disposed adjacent to a front portion of the passenger compartment.
US07850217B2

An equidistance pick-and-place device for ICs is disclosed. It comprises a housing, a driving device, a guideway structure, a moving structure, a lazy tongs, a plurality of pick-and-place structures, and a transmission structure. The housing supports the equidistance pick-and-place device. The guideway structure is set on the housing. The moving structure slides on the guideway structure. The pick-and-place structures are set on the moving structure. The free end and the shafts of the lazy tongs are fixed in the moving structure. The transmission structure is connected with the driving device and the moving structure for driving the moving structure. The equidistance pick-and-place device utilizes the lazy tongs to drive the pick-and-place structures moving with equidistance to pick and place a plurality of ICs at a time. Therefore, the present invention can improve the efficiency and reduce cost.
US07850213B2

A coupling to connect two pipes, and to connect pipe fittings and valves with pipes, which includes arcuates provided with inner flanges in their end portions, where said arcuates are positioned around crossable inner means, which means can also be used by different types of cylindrical couplings which couplings require grooves around cylindrical rings mounted around the end portions of pipes; where crossable inner means is comprised of a centrally located partitioner ring located between two pipes, which ring separates two gaskets provided with backup rings which backup rings are provided with radial circumferential grooves for the attachment of said arcuates bridging across said inner means. Said backup rings are attachable to the shoulders constructed around the end portions of two opposite pipes.
US07850212B2

This locking ring is adapted to lock a joint between two tubular elements (4, 8). It extends around a central axis (X-X) and comprises segments (50) each having a main part (58) and two circumferential ends (60). Each segment (50) has a shape flaring out from a thin axial side towards a wide axial side. One of the segments (50) comprises a recess (62) for receiving a retaining member (16), which is axially open on the thin side. The receiving recess (62) extends solely through the main part, and it is circumferentially limited on both sides.
US07850200B2

An airbag for a motor vehicle capable of adjusting its internal pressure to the size of a vehicle occupant and to the accident situation. This adaptation is achieved by purely passive means. The airbag includes an airbag cover enclosing a gas chamber and also has at least one venting arrangement which connects the gas chamber with an external environment. Gas flow through the venting arrangement is throttled or blocked when a certain area of the airbag cover meets an obstacle. The venting arrangement includes at least one opening in the airbag cover and a tube which is connected with the airbag cover. The at least one opening ends in the tube, and the tube includes an exit opening to the external environment.
US07850195B2

A tandem suspension for connecting a vehicle chassis to front and rear steerable axles is provided. The tandem suspension includes, on each side of the vehicle, a front leaf spring linking the chassis and the front axle, a rear leaf spring linking the chassis and the rear axle, an equalizer assembly mounted to the chassis for equalizing the front and rear axles, a front air spring disposed between the chassis and the front axle, a rear air spring disposed between the chassis and the rear axle, and a pneumatic control system pneumatically linked to the front and rear air springs for supplying pressurised gas thereto and operable to unload one of the front and rear air springs. A method of installing a tandem suspension in a vehicle having a first steerable axle and a front leaf spring is also provided.
US07850188B2

Apparatus for connecting together two objects comprises: a body for attachment to a first object and having a concave surface and a corresponding convex surface; a clamp for attachment to a second object and having a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw, the first and second jaws being configured to engage respectively the concave and convex surfaces of the body when applying a clamping force thereto, wherein at least one jaw comprises at least one tooth configured to bite into the body as the clamping force is applied, thereby resisting movement between the body and the clamp. A chair, in particular a wheelchair for disabled persons, has one or more rests mounted on apparatus as detailed above.
US07850180B2

A suspension system for a vehicle is provided that allows for the vehicle body to be tilted wherein the tilt is controlled by the operator's legs in a manner that greatly enhances the stability of the vehicle while producing a fun vehicle to operate. Generally a hub is provided for use ad the vertical members in a four-bar suspension linkage that includes an inboard side and an outboard side such that the tilting pivots are positioned inboard and the steering pivots are positioned outboard. This arrangement allows for the optimum placement of the pivot axis for steering as close to the wheel as possible, even directly within the rim of the wheel, while the pivot point of the suspension linkage is optimally positioned a few inches inboard relative to the wheels thereby increasing the lever arm used to control the relative tilt of the wheel.
US07850179B2

A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a knuckle having an upper end and a lower end. A bracket is mounted to one of the upper end and the lower end of the knuckle by a plurality of fasteners. A ball joint is mounted to the bracket and configured for attaching the wheel assembly to the vehicle. One of the knuckle and the bracket defines a boss and the other defines a bore. The boss is slideably disposed within the bore in slip fit engagement. The boss transfers a load between the knuckle and the bracket in both a vertical direction along a king pin axis and a horizontal direction along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
US07850169B2

A feed roller and a separation roller each having convex portions are arranged so that the convex portions engage with each other. A lever is provided such that one end of the lever is fixed to a rotatable shaft and other end slides on a shaft around which the separation roller rotates. The other end has at least two portions with different radii of curvature. A knob is integrally connected to the lever. When a user operates the knob, the lever rotates and the shaft around which the separation roller rotates is pushed away depending on the radii of curvature of the portion of the lever so that amount of engagement between the feed roller and the separation roller changes.
US07850167B2

The invention relates to a device for depositing sheets in a machine that preferably processes sheets by graphic means, in particular for a printing machine, preferably for an electrophotographically operating machine, comprising at least one deposit tray for depositing and preferably also for stacking processed sheets. Furthermore, the invention relates to a deposit tray for a device of the aforementioned type. The object of the invention is to provide a device or a deposit tray of the aforementioned type, which permits a controlled depositing and stacking of sheets, in particular, at greater sheet-processing speeds, and, preferably, in a cost-effective manner. In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in that a deposit surface of the deposit tray is arranged, or can be arranged, at an angle that deviates from the horizontal.
US07850162B2

A sheet feeding device blows air on a sheet stack supported on a tray, raises several sheets, attracts an uppermost sheet to an attraction conveying belt, and conveys the attracted sheet. The sheet feeding device includes a next-sheet detection mechanism for detecting the height of a second sheet subsequent to the uppermost sheet.
US07850158B2

Folded printed products (6) are supplied with trailing fold-edges (6.3) from above towards a clamping gap (1) and are pushed out of the clamping gap (1), in order to be deposited on, for example, saddle-like supports (7). As soon as the leading edge of each printed product (6) exits from the clamping gap (1), the printed product (6) is opened by two printed product parts (6.1 and 6.2) being separated from each other, and the opened printed products are positioned above the support (7). Gripper elements (11) are provided for gripping the trailing fold-edge (6.3) of each printed product (6), before it exits the clamping gap (1), thus preventing a free fall of the printed products (6) onto the support (7) when the trailing fold-edge (6.3) exits the clamping gap (1). The gripper elements (11) grip and guide the printed products towards the support (7). If a plurality of supports (7) is provided, and these are conveyed continuously and in succession past, below the stationary clamping gap (1), the fold-edges (6.3) of the printed products (6) are moved by the gripper elements (11) to track the supports (7).
US07850157B2

Method for the movement by friction of a set of two bands of superimposed flexible material, using at least two feed rollers that turn in the direction of band movement so that they are all pulled in unison, occasionally involuntary offsetting can occur in the mutual correct position of the bands, the method includes the placing of antifriction devices between both adjacent bands that allow mutual movement between both bands when they are pressurised between the opposite rollers and are pulled by them, without slipping between the bands and rollers, and because on at least one operative cycle the method includes an adjustment stage wherein the two rollers have a tangentially different speed so that one of the bands is pulled to a greater distance than the other, in order to correct the aforesaid involuntary offsetting in the mutual position between both bands.
US07850154B2

An assembly for clamping a workpiece, the workpiece comprised of two pieces. The assembly includes a clamp having an L-shaped member. The L-shaped member has a leg and foot portion. The clamp also has an upright extending generally perpendicularly to the leg and the upright has a threaded portion. The clamp includes a threaded adjuster having a head, a threaded body, and a base. The base includes outer walls defining a polygon shape and handle. The handle has removed ends thereon. The handle has outer walls and inner walls, the inner walls are dimensioned to removably, slideably and snugly engage the outer walls of the base. The handle has more than one set of walls and so can be positioned to apply different torque to the base. A drill, a drill bit, and a socket may also be included in the assembly, to engage the handle and drive the threaded adjuster.
US07850139B2

The present invention provides a transportation frame for an oversize container or the like and a method of installing the frame onto the container or the like. The transportation frame includes a top frame body comprising two top corner fittings each provided with a top corner fitting hole, a bottom frame body comprising two bottom corner fittings each provided with a bottom corner fitting hole, and a plurality of posts each having two ends connected to the top frame body and the bottom frame body respectively. The orientations of the two top corner fitting holes and the distance therebetween, and the orientations of the two bottom corner fitting holes and the distance therebetween satisfy the requirements for coupling with corner fittings of neighboring stacked containers. With the invention, non-standard containers may be easily hoisted, stacked and transported. Moreover, the transportation frame can be easily operated and stored while being reusable.
US07850137B2

A latch system for a vehicle seat track includes locks. The locks are moveable between locked and unlocked positions. The locks lock with a web attached with the seat track.
US07850135B2

Device for adjusting and controlling the inclination of an object with respect to a given support, comprising at least one plate pivotally connected to a base through at least one arm which is pivoted at said base and coupled, at the end opposite that connected to said plate, to inclination adjusting means; said inclination adjusting means comprise a pin which is movable along a plane perpendicular to the oscillation plane of said arm and along a direction perpendicular to the direction of said pivot, said pin being provided with suitable guide means and drive means and being coupled to the free end of said arm through suitable means.
US07850126B2

Laminar flow surfaces with selected roughness distributions, and associated methods are disclosed. A representative method for designing an airfoil includes selecting a parameter that includes a flow behavior distribution and/or a surface shape for an airflow surface. Based at least in part on the selected parameter, the method can include (a) selecting a target roughness value and determining a chordwise location forward of which surface roughness is at or below the target roughness value and/or (b) selecting a target chordwise location and determining a roughness value for a region forward of the chordwise location, with the surface roughness at or below the roughness value. In particular embodiments, a percentage of a local chord length of the airfoil over which the roughness is below a target value decreases in a spanwise direction. In another embodiment, the roughness at a particular spanwise location can increase over at least three values, continuously, in a step manner, or otherwise.
US07850124B2

A rotary positioning device of a movable element for space equipment comprising a part attached to a fixed portion of the equipment and a handle actuating the movable portion of the equipment, said handle being rigidly connected to a first race of a ball or roller antifriction bearing and said fixed part being connected to the second race of said antifriction bearing, wherein a link between said fixed part and the second race is an elastic link in rotation about the axis of said antifriction bearing and wherein a stop is rigidly attached to one of the races in order to interact with an element rigidly attached to the other race, so that the relative rotation of the two races of said antifriction bearing is limited angularly.
US07850122B2

A method and apparatus for a mobile tail support vehicle moving a swing tail cargo door of a swing tail aircraft. A mobile tail support apparatus is engaged to the swing tail cargo door on the swing tail aircraft. The swing tail cargo door is moved from a first position to a second position using the mobile tail support apparatus. Vertical reaction occurs to vertical loads on the swing tail cargo door during movement of the swing tail aircraft by the mobile tail support apparatus. Loads on a hinge and/or swing tail cargo door are reduced during the movement of the swing tail cargo door using the mobile tail support apparatus.
US07850109B2

The present invention relates to a device for preventing backlash on a spool of a bait reel, including: the spool fit to a spool shaft in such a manner as to be rotated together with the spool shaft; a dial knob mounted at the outside of a body of the bait reel and having a cam mounted at the inside thereof; and magnetic braking means including: a ring-shaped face plate moved forwardly and backwardly in a coaxial direction to the spool shaft by the rotation of the cam of the dial knob rotatably mounted at the inside of a spool cover covering the side face of the body of the bait reel; and a pair of movers mounted on one end surface of the spool to face each other about the spool shaft in such a manner as to be slidingly moved in a radial direction, each of the pair of movers having a plurality of magnets mounted therein.
US07850108B2

A gyratory crusher includes an outer shell, which should be fastened in a frame included in the crusher, and an inner shell, which is intended to be fastened on a crushing head and to define together with the outer shell a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed. Upon fastening of the outer shell a first abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell is brought in a first step to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame. In a second step a spacer member is pressed in for clamping of the outer shell between a second surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell and the frame. A good abutment is provided both at the first abutment. Surface of the outer shell and at the second abutment surface thereof.
US07850106B2

A shredder is disclosed. The shredder has an external frame, and includes an internal waste container space that has an upper primary waste container, and a lower secondary waste container, all positioned beneath a shredder mechanism that includes a motor and cutter elements. The shredder mechanism is positioned so that shredded waste falls into the primary waste container. In the event that waste falls outside the primary waste container, due to the primary waste container being full or for other reasons, the waste can be caught in the lower secondary waste container. A sweep mounted to the bottom of the primary waste container in some variations can push or pull shredded waste into the secondary waste container as the primary waste container is removed from the external frame in a generally horizontal direction. The secondary waste container may also include a handle to facilitate removal in some variations. Other variations and improvements to shredders are also disclosed.
US07850105B2

A jet mill in which crushed material introduced into a crushing chamber 12 is comminuted by gas being sprayed from a plurality of gas-jet nozzles 20, 21, wherein high-efficiency pulverization is performed by optimizing various pulverization conditions according to the type of crushed material or other such properties. The direction in which gas is sprayed into the crushing chamber 12 is variably adjustable; the spraying direction of each nozzle is displaced simultaneously by the [*18] electromotive actuator; swirl flow is produced in three dimensions, including the flow of a directional component that is perpendicular to the horizontal swirl flow; and a fine-powder discharge port of a first pulverization chamber and a fine powder introduction port of a second pulverization chamber are communicatingly connected by a ventilation duct.
US07850093B2

An agitated and pressurized paint pot that is mounted directly to a paint spray dispenser uses a small volume pressurized pot with constant agitation. This design prevents the settling of material and ensures that the materials are applied through the system at a consistent feed rate to meet the specific needs of applying radar absorbing materials.
US07850083B2

A method and firmware for digitally controlling an electro-optical device include steps of receiving as input a first analog signal representative of a measured parameter from an electro-optical device generated by the electro-optical device in response to a second analog signal representative of a set parameter received by the electro-optical device, digitizing the first analog signal to generate a digital feedback value, subtracting the digital feedback value from a digital set point value to calculate a digital error value, calculating a digital cumulative error sum from the digital error value, calculating a digital control value as a function of the cumulative error sum, converting the digital control value to the second analog signal, and driving the electro-optical device toward the digital set point value with the second analog signal.
US07850078B2

A remote control system includes a portable control unit with a user interface. A radio frequency transceiver communicates with the remote control system to determine if the portable unit is within a secure space. Commands from the remote control system are ignored when the portable control unit is within the secure space until a predetermined code is entered on the user interface.
US07850075B1

A method for delivering a plurality of purchase cards includes obtaining the plurality of purchase cards from a retailer and loading the plurality of purchase cards into a plurality of purchase card feeders, activating and verifying each of the plurality of purchase cards associated with a user to obtain activated purchase cards, where activating and verifying occurs while each of the plurality of purchase cards are located on a conveyor leading from the plurality of purchase card feeders to a carrier sheet, placing the activated purchase cards on the carrier sheet, wherein the carrier sheet corresponds to the user receiving the activated purchase cards, and shipping the activated purchase cards to the user.
US07850070B2

A method for improving credit of a cardholder of a prepaid card. The method may include establishing an account associated with the prepaid card. A load may be applied to the account to create an available balance for the cardholder. A credit instrument associated with the cardholder and the prepaid card may be established. An initial credit balance to the credit instrument may also be established. Payment from the cardholder may be collected, and, in response to collecting the payment from the cardholder, at least a portion of the collected payment may be applied to the credit instrument associated with the cardholder and the prepaid card. A credit history of the cardholder may be updated and reported to at least one credit bureau.
US07850060B2

A method of creating an electrical connection involves providing a pair of contacts each on one of two different chips, the pair of contacts defining a volume therebetween, the volume containing at least two compositions each having melting points, the compositions having been selected such that heating to a first temperature will cause a change in at least one of the at least two compositions such that the change will result in a new composition having a new composition melting point of a second temperature, greater than the first temperature and the melting point of at least a first of the at least two compositions, and heating the pair of contacts and the at least two compositions to the first temperature.
US07850059B2

According to a metal joining method of the present invention, first and second dissimilar metals are joined together by interposing between the first and second metal materials a third metal material dissimilar to the first and second metal materials and causing eutectic melting at least either at an interface between the first and third metal materials or at an interface between the second and third metal materials.
US07850056B2

In a direction parallel to a direction 5 of ultrasonic vibrations imparted from an ultrasonic vibrator 1, the shape of a center portion 3a of a tool 3 and the shape of an end portion 3b of the tool 3 are changed such that the cross-sectional areas are different, whereby ultrasonic amplitudes 9 in a direction perpendicular to the direction 5 of ultrasonic vibrations are substantially equal. By this means, the difference in ultrasonic vibration between at the center portion 3a of the tool 3 and at the end portion 3b of the tool 3 can be eliminated or reduced.
US07850049B2

A foam pump includes a piston housing and a piston assembly received in the piston housing thereby defining a collapsible liquid chamber and a collapsible air chamber. The piston assembly includes a premix chamber separated from both the collapsible liquid chamber and the collapsible air chamber by a premix chamber wall and fluidly communicating with both the collapsible liquid chamber and the collapsible air chamber through a mix aperture in the premix chamber wall. A biasing member urges the piston assembly to a non-actuated position. The foam pump is actuated by urging the piston assembly against the biasing member to an actuated position in which the collapsible air chamber and the collapsible liquid chamber are reduced in volume such that air and foamable liquid are expelled from their respective collapsible air chamber and collapsible liquid chamber through the mix aperture. The simultaneous movement of the air and foamable liquid through the mix aperture causes a turbulent mixing thereof.
US07850044B2

The invention relates to a welded-in plastic spout part that is to be joined to a plastic receptacle part, especially a receptacle part made of film-type plastic material such as a pouch. The inventive spout part comprises parallel planar weld-on ribs which extend along the circumference of a neck area (spout) that defines a pouring passage. A rib-shaped welding burr that is less thick than the weld-on ribs is provided at the outer circumference of said weld-on ribs. The welding burr is molded onto an outer rounded peripheral edge of the weld-on ribs. A partition which protrudes radially on both sides of the neck area is arranged perpendicular to the weld-on ribs. Both ends of said partition extend beyond the ends of the rib base area so as to form lateral flaps. The welding burrs extend past both sides of the flaps while the lateral flaps are provided with one respective recess instead of a top and bottom outer corner.
US07850034B2

Reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides can be achieved if engines are fuelled with mixtures of gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas. Storing the gaseous fuels separately is desirable so that the fuel mixture ratio can be changed responsive to engine operating conditions. The present apparatus increases the storage density of gaseous fuels such as hydrogen by storing them in gaseous form at high pressures and at sub-ambient temperatures. A first thermally insulated space for holding a first gaseous fuel in a liquefied form is separated from a second thermally insulated space for holding a second gaseous fuel by a thermally conductive fluid barrier. The second gaseous fuel liquefies at a lower temperature than the first gaseous fuel such that the second gaseous fuel can be stored within the second thermally insulated space in a gaseous form at a sub-ambient temperature.
US07850030B2

An expansible bottle stopper includes a body, a resilient member, and a movable member that is longitudinally movable relative to the body. The resilient member is caused to expand radially by a first-stage longitudinal displacement of the movable member relative to the body or to shrink radially by a second-stage longitudinal displacement of the movable member relative to the body.
US07850020B2

Storage carts for the storage of pallets and other loads that may be moved between an open position into an aisle for access to the load and a closed position out of the aisle when desired.
US07850015B1

A display device for displaying and dispensing tubular items of merchandise includes a first side and a substantially parallel second side spaced apart by a distance. A base forming a bottom portion and a cover forming a top portion of the display device are disposed between the first and second side. A first ramp having a first width is disposed between the first and second side and slopes downwardly toward a rear portion of the display device. A second ramp having a second width is disposed between the first and second side. At least a portion of the second ramp is disposed under the first ramp and slopes downwardly toward a front portion of the display device. The first width and second width are less than the distance between the first side and second side for facilitating a movement of the tubular items of merchandise in the display device.
US07850006B2

A container case contains a capsule endoscope which incorporates a magnet. A magnetic body is disposed so as to guide, from one magnetic pole to the other magnetic pole, a magnetic field which is generated from the magnet of the capsule endoscope that is accommodated between and positioned by a first hold portion of an outer case and a second hold portion of an inner case which position the capsule endoscope. Thereby, there is provided a capsule medical apparatus containing device which can facilitate handling of a capsule medical apparatus and can enhance the efficiency in storage of the capsule medical apparatus.
US07850004B2

A disposable food and beverage container carrier is disclosed. The container has a lower carrier tray and an upper carrier tray that mate with each other. In another embodiment the two trays can be aligned in the same plane.
US07849997B2

A conveyor for conveying hot ash may include a frame, a trough supported on the frame to receive a quantity of hot ash, the trough including a trough wall with a plurality of semi-circular steel plates that define a surface of the trough wall and a plenum disposed beneath the semi-circular steel plates, and a vibratory generator operatively coupled to the trough. The conveyor may also include a first plurality of apertures in the trough wall in fluid communication with the plenum, and a plurality of baffles spaced above the first plurality of apertures in the trough wall, the baffles defining a second plurality of apertures through which air exiting the first plurality of apertures may pass in a direction along the surface of the trough wall.
US07849993B2

The invention relates to sheet material having an electrical circuit and to apparatuses and methods for processing said sheet material.The present invention describes sheet material having an electrical circuit as well as apparatuses and methods for processing same, which reduce the effort required for processing the sheet material and/or facilitate processing and/or improve it and/or make it more reliable. For this purpose, the sheet material has at least one electrical circuit, with energy and/or data being transmitted from the apparatus to the electrical circuit and/or from the electrical circuit to the apparatus and at least part of the transmitted data being used for processing.
US07849987B2

Centrifugal blade brake clutch apparatuses and methods are provided. In one aspect, a centrifugal blade brake clutch includes a rotatable clutch housing having an axis extending therethrough. The clutch housing can have a base and side walls. The clutch housing also can have a brake surface thereon and an integral clutch surface disposed on a side wall surface of the side walls. At least one centrifugally extendable clutch shoe device can be disposed within the clutch housing and configured for engaging the integral clutch surface of the clutch housing. A brake assembly can be positioned proximal to the clutch housing with the axis of the clutch housing passing therethrough. The brake assembly can include a brake member that has a braking surface and is configured to move in a direction parallel with the axis of the clutch housing to axially engage the brake surface of the clutch housing with the braking surface of the brake member.
US07849984B2

A collapsible bag includes a flexible bag with a first side panel having a bottom edge and a bottom panel connected to the bottom edge to define a juncture between the first side panel and the bottom panel. A bracket is connected to the flexible bag adjacent the juncture and includes a transport wheel assembly. Additionally, a telescoping handle is connected to the bracket and the first side panel and extends from the juncture. A support assembly is movably connected at a proximate end to the bracket and connected at a distal end to the bottom panel such that the bottom panel is selectively movable between an operable orientation defined when the bottom panel is disposed transverse to the telescoping handle and the first side panel and a storage orientation defined when the bottom panel is disposed parallel to the telescoping handle and the first side panel.
US07849980B2

A disk braking device for a motorcycle ensures radiation quality of a disk plate and reduces friction member abrasion of a friction member. A plurality of through-holes are formed in the disk plate and a plurality of notches are formed at peripheral edges of the disk plate. The through-holes are arranged so that one of the through-holes or less is disposed on a radial line extending from the center of the disk plate.
US07849978B2

A patient care equipment support system includes an arm supported in a hospital room for pivoting movement about a generally vertical axis, a patient care equipment column coupled to the arm for movement therewith, and a brake configured to impede the pivoting movement of the arm. The brake allowing the pivoting movement of the arm when the brake is deactivated in response to a user input. The column is configured to support patient care equipment.
US07849972B2

In an emergency brake device for an elevator, a pair of pivot levers are pivotably provided to a car. Each pivot member is provided with each of a plurality of wedges that can be brought into and out of contact with a car guide rail as the pivot member pivots. A connecting member is connected between the pivot levers. The car is mounted with an electromagnetic actuator for displacing the connecting member in a reciprocating manner so as to pivot the pivot levers in a direction for bringing each wedge into and out of contact with the car guide rail. The electrical actuator is actuated when inputted with an actuating signal from an output portion mounted in a control panel.
US07849968B1

An oil filter draining apparatus includes a bifurcated funnel with a first region defining an open top end and a second region defining a tapered spout. The apparatus further includes a plurality of channels formed within the support wall and extending downwardly to the spout and a rigid puncturing implement removably attached to the funnel and centrally aligned within the top end. Such a puncturing implement is anchored to the support wall and extends vertically up from the support wall and terminates at an axially opposed position from the spout. The puncturing implement is penetrable into one end of the existing filters and thereby causes oil to drain out therefrom while the existing filter is attached to the existing engine such that residual oil trapped within the existing filter is substantially drained before the existing filter is removed from the engine.
US07849962B2

A rail vehicle step mounts to the sill step of a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle step comprises a support sized to support a rail worker. A coupling is supported in relation to an end of the support. The coupling is sized and configured to hold the support in fixed relation to the sill step. The support is sized to extend outward beyond the rail vehicle and support a rail worker.
US07849961B1

A ladder has a pair of parallel stiles and a plurality of rungs extending between the stiles. Midway along the length of the ladder is a pair of moveable arms having a first end rotatably attached to one of the stiles and a pair of wheels rotatably attached to the second ends thereof. The arms are moveable between a first position in which the axis of the arms are generally parallel to the axis of the stiles and the axle for the wheels attached to the second end is adjacent to the stiles, and a second position in which the second end of the arms and the wheels attached thereto are spaced from the stile for rolling the ladder across the ground.
US07849957B2

An electric power steering apparatus including a steering angle detection part that detects a steering angle of a steering wheel and outputs a steering angle signal, a steering control unit that controls a motor to give an assist torque to the steering wheel, an abnormality detection part that determines an abnormality of the steering angle detection part, and a motor angle detection part that detects a rotational angle of the motor. The steering control unit calculates a steering angle information based on at least the steering angle signal, and includes a signal storage part that stores the steering angle information. The steering control unit runs the motor continuously when the abnormality detection part detects the abnormality of the steering angle detection part until a vehicle stops or until the abnormality detection part determines that the steering angle signal returns to a normal state from the occurrence of the abnormality.
US07849956B2

A method of steering a vehicle with a hydraulic steering system is disclosed. A first control signal is sent to a pilot valve. The pilot valve is operated to direct pilot fluid to a main valve in response to the first control signal. The main valve is opened to a first position in response to the pilot fluid. Fluid is directed through the main valve to a first actuator. Resistance to actuation of the first actuator is detected. The detected resistance is compared to a threshold resistance. A second control signal is sent to the pilot valve when the detected resistance exceeds the threshold resistance. The pilot valve is operated to direct pilot fluid to the main valve in response to the second control signal. The main valve is opened to a second position in response to the pilot fluid. Fluid is directed through the main valve to the first actuator and a second actuator.
US07849951B2

A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including structure for defining an operator compartment and structure for defining a battery compartment; first and second front wheels coupled to the frame; a rear steer wheel assembly coupled to the frame; an electric motor; and a controller coupled to a front wall of the frame to control the operation of the electric motor.
US07849933B2

An apparatus includes a tongue, a pivotable beam linked to the tongue, a cylinder configured to move the pivotable beam from an operating position to a transport position, which is narrower than the operating position, and a latchable member connected to the pivotable beam. A locking assembly includes first and second dogs which can receive the latchable member. The second dog can move relative to the first dog from an open position to a closed position in response to movement of the latchable member such that movement of the latchable member out of the second dog opening is blocked by the first dog while the second dog is in the closed position. The apparatus includes a locking member that moves in response to movement of the cylinder from an unlocked to a locked position to lock the dogs in the closed position.
US07849931B2

An integrated environmental control system for a cargo stowage compartment in a mobile platform, for example in a commercial passenger jet aircraft. A fire detection/suppression subsystem is integrated together with an airflow management system. The airflow management system operates to circulate, and optionally to heat or cool, air withdrawn from a cargo stowage compartment of the aircraft before the air is released back into the cargo stowage compartment. A fire suppression substance, for example, Halon gas, can be discharged directly into a recirculation duct of the airflow management system, thus reducing the duct work required to achieve fire suppression and ventilation operations for the cargo stowage compartment. The integration of the fire detection/suppression and airflow management system operations reduces the overall amount, complexity and weight of the ducting employed in a cargo stowage compartment of a commercial jet aircraft. This integration also eliminates or minimizes potential integration and control issues such as smoke penetration from the cargo stowage compartment to the passenger cabin.
US07849930B2

A swellable packer construction. A method of forming an annular barrier in a well includes the steps of: embedding a reinforcement material within a swellable seal material to form a seal assembly; and swelling the seal material by contacting the seal material with well fluid. A method of constructing a well packer includes the steps of: embedding a reinforcement material in a swellable seal material to form a seal assembly; and then installing the seal assembly on a base pipe. A swellable packer construction comprises a seal assembly including a swellable seal material having a reinforcement material embedded therein, the seal material being cylindrical shaped and disposed both external and internal relative to the reinforcement material, and the seal material being swellable in response to contact with well fluid.
US07849928B2

ESP power cable is inserted into a length of tubing disposed in a wellbore. The device comprises a support attachable to the cable that is in frictional sliding contact with the tubing inner surface. The frictional sliding contact between the support and the tubing reduces axial stress in the cable. Support devices are added at intervals on the cable length, thereby distributing the cable axial stress along the cable.
US07849925B2

A system for completing water injection wells includes an injector well completion system. In an embodiment, an injector well completion system for liquid injection in a formation includes a casing string disposed in a wellbore having a tubing bore. The casing string includes a casing and a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve has a pressure control valve having open and closed positions, an actuator mandrel having a flow control device, and an injection pressure communication port. The open position of the pressure control valve actuates the actuator mandrel to align the flow control device and the injection pressure communication port to inject liquid from the tubing bore to the formation and generate fractures in the formation.
US07849909B2

The present invention provides a method for producing a half Heuslar alloy including quench-solidifying a molten alloy at a cooling rate of 1×102 to 1×103° C./sec to produce a Heuslar alloy represented by the formula: ABC (wherein A and B each is at least one member selected from transition metals such as Fe, Co, Ni, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo, Ta and W, and C is at least one member selected from Group 13 or 14 element such as Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge and Sn), and a high-performance thermoelectric power generating device using the thermoelectric semiconductor alloy.
US07849892B1

A discharge box capable of transporting and then dispensing a high bulk density of solid product with substantially no human intervention. The discharge box includes separable/replaceable components allowing for a low cost, low maintenance, and long-term package and includes a tamper-evidence site window, and desiccant pockets, in a lid portion.
US07849891B2

A device for measuring a hard granular object. The device includes a measuring vessel, a holder, a shutter, and a pressing means for pressing the holder against the measuring vessel. The measuring vessel includes a first face, a second face parallel to the first face, and a space formed between the first and second faces for receiving hard granular object supplied from first face side. The holder is located on the side of the first face., includes a through hole communicable with the space, and is slidable along the first face. The shutter is located on the side of the second face, includes a through hole communicable with the space, and is movable parallel to the second face.
US07849887B2

A refrigerant transportation hose having excellent flexibility and high resistance to permeation of refrigerant. The refrigerant transportation hose includes an innermost layer formed by using polyamide resin, a low-permeation layer formed on an outer peripheral surface of the innermost layer and rubber layers (of an inner rubber layer and an outer rubber layer) formed on an outer peripheral surface of the low-permeation layer, wherein the low-permeation layer is a resin film in thickness of 5 to 100 μm made of polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification of not less than 90%.
US07849884B2

A functional pressure hose for a water-carrying system, particularly for connecting movable sanitary fittings or for connecting parts of the water-carrying system with one another, has an inner hose made of plastic and an outer jacket made of a braided material. At least one hose end is provided with a connector piece having a tubular connector, onto which the hose end is pressed. The inner hose is formed by a corrugated hose, and the tubular connector has circumferential ring beads that are adapted to the inner contour of the corrugated hose. At least some of the ring beads are provided with notches that run axially. The hose demonstrates great flexibility while maintaining the required pressure strength, but at the same time guarantees great bending protection.
US07849883B2

A liner assembly for pipeline repair and methods of installing same. The liner assembly generally comprises an outer tubular liner, an inner malleable inflatable bladder positioned longitudinally within said liner, and a generally non-stretchable strap positioned longitudinally within the malleable inflatable bladder. The generally non-stretchable strap restricts longitudinal over-expansion during positioning and inflation of the liner assembly within a pipeline.
US07849882B1

A double plug head for plugging a pipe. The double plug head includes a primary rubber packing, a roller support, a tube support and a rubber tube. The primary rubber packing is provided on a mounting plate of a plugging machine. The roller support is provided with a plurality of rollers. The tube support is provided between the primary rubber packing and the roller support. A tube seating depression is formed around the circumferential surface of the tube support. A fluid feed path is formed in the tube support. The rubber tube is seated into the tube seating depression and has a nipple connected to an outlet of the fluid feed path. Communication holes which communicate with the fluid feed path are respectively formed in the primary rubber packing and the mounting plate. A fluid hose is connected to the communication hole of the mounting plate.
US07849879B2

A powder paint recirculation block assembly for use in a powder paint transfer assembly, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The recirculation block assembly includes a powder paint recirculation block body having an intake flow passage directing flow to an applicator flow passage leading to an application flow control assembly and a return flow passage leading to a return flow control assembly. The angles (change in direction) through which powder paint flows may be minimized to minimize potential impact fusion. The pinch rubbers in pneumatic pinch valves of the application flow control assembly and return flow control assembly may be removable to allow for valve repair.
US07849870B2

A pressure control valve having a common plenum formed by two flow control valves that each utilize electrically controlled piezoelectric actuators to generate a number of possible operating states and thus control an output pressure from the common plenum formed by the two flow control valves. The flow control valves each have at least one pressure fitting and nozzle, and a nozzle orifice sealing mechanism coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator may be a piezo-ceramic actuator fixed along one side to a chamber of the flow control valve and having a free side opposite the fixed side. Upon receiving a voltage of a desired magnitude and polarity, the free side of the piezo-ceramic actuator and the nozzle orifice sealing mechanism moves to control a fluid flow into the common plenum. By controllably dithering the piezoelectric actuators, the output pressure from the common plenum may be accurately regulated.
US07849866B1

The present invention may be used for privacy of individuals when changing clothes, for toilet privacy or other user privacy needs. A privacy shelter may have a wall that may be of generally tubular shape and may have a lower portion that may be an opaque, flexible material and an upper portion that is partially transparent. A top may be generally circular and flat in shape and may be attached at a peripheral edge to a top edge of the wall. A first ring may be attached to the top edge; a second ring may be attached interior to the wall adjacent a bottom edge; and a third ring may be attached interior to the wall intermediate the top edge and the bottom edge. A toilet stool or toilet chair may be disposed in the privacy shelter.
US07849865B2

A wafer processing system has a moveable drain assembly having multiple drain rings. The drain rings may be spaced apart sufficiently to allow a process fluid applicator to move between them. Each drain ring provides a separate drain path, optionally in a separate recirculation loop carrying a single process fluid. The drain rings may be sequentially moved into position to collect process fluid moving off of the workpiece. As a result, process fluids may be more uniformly applied and used process fluids can be separately removed, collected, and either recycled or processed for disposal. Mixing of used process fluids is largely avoided. A lower process fluid outlet allows for processing the back side of the wafer as well, without flipping the wafer.
US07849856B2

A unidirectional valve, wherein the valve comprises a valve body including a frame, a valve opening through the frame, and a valve seat extending from the frame and at least partially surrounding the valve opening. The valve further includes a valve flap having a first portion attached to the frame and an adjacent second portion free to move from a first position where the second portion is in contact with at least a part of the valve seat to a second position where at least part of the second portion is spaced from the valve seat, wherein the valve flap has a contour profile. The contoured profile may be along the length of the valve flap, between the point of attachment of the flap to the frame and the flap end, or from one flap side edge to a second side edge.
US07849854B2

A ventilator device and system comprising a rotating compressor, preferably a drag compressor, which, at the beginning of each inspiratory ventilation phase, is accelerated to a sufficient speed to deliver the desired inspiratory gas flow, and is subsequently stopped or decelerated to a basal flow level to permit the expiratory ventilation phase to occur. The ventilator device is small and light weight enough to be utilized in portable applications. The ventilator device is power efficient enough to operate for extended periods of time on internal or external batteries. Also provided is an oxygen blending apparatus which utilizes solenoid valves having specific orifice sizes for blending desired amounts of oxygen into the inspiratory gas flow. Also provided is an exhalation valve having an exhalation flow transducer which incorporates a radio frequency data base to provide an attendant controller with specific calibration information for the exhalation flow transducer.
US07849845B2

A pre-charged pneumatic airgun includes a reservoir, a stopper, a barrel and a manually actuated degassing tool. The reservoir contains a volume of compressed fluid and includes a discharge port disposed therein through which the compressed fluid is selectively discharged from the reservoir. The stopper is disposed in the discharge port and is moveable between a normal position sealing the discharge port in an actuated position allowing passage of the compressed air through the discharge port. The stopper is biased to the normal position by a biasing force. The barrel is in fluid communication with the discharge port. When the stopper is disposed in the discharged position, the compressed fluid discharged through the discharge port is further exhausted through the barrel. The manually actuated degassing tool is disposed in the air gun for manually overcoming the biasing force to move the stopper from a normal position to the actuated position, and for maintaining the stopper in the actuated position to degas the reservoir.
US07849841B2

A crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine has an engine driven pump pumping scavenged separated oil from the oil outlet of an air-oil separator to the crankcase, preferably using engine generated pulsating oscillatory positive and negative relative pressure pulses.
US07849840B2

This apparatus and method introduces to the internal combustion engine, with a centrifugal compressor or positive displacement air supercharger, a high speed electric motor/generator which is drivingly coupled to a drive shaft system for the purpose of acceleration and generation of pressurized air at low engine speeds and incorporation of one-way and/or magnetic clutches to provide maximum power to the engine operation at all times. The motor/generator when not driving the supercharger is putting energy back into the engine battery.
US07849836B2

A thermal load control assembly for a fuel injector includes a rail inlet port, a cooling inlet port and a fuel drain port. A leakage path channels leaked fuel originating from the rail inlet port to the fuel drain port. A cooling path channels fuel originating from the cooling inlet port to the fuel drain port. A fuel system using a thermal load control assembly includes a single fuel tank that supplies fuel to the rail inlet port and the cooling inlet port of a plurality of fuel injectors and collect fuel from the fuel drain port of the plurality of fuel injectors.
US07849833B2

An injector, a spark plug and a pressure sensor are assembled integrally in a common housing. The common housing is fixed in a mounting hole provided in a cylinder head of an engine so that tip end portions of the injector, the spark plug and the pressure sensor face inside of the cylinder room. For example, a gasket having heat resistance can be provided between a lower end portion of an outer wall of the common housing and an inner wall of the mounting hole for the air-tight sealing. Furthermore, a concave portion may be provided at an outer portion of the common housing so as to form a coolant passage.
US07849831B2

The present invention relates to a start device for a small-sized engine, which is capable of starting the small-sized engine in an appropriate starting time and is ultimately reduced in size and weight by a rational design. A plurality of secondary batteries is used as a power source required to drive a small-sized electric motor and a small-sized engine, and has a considerably large capacity and an extremely small size. A speed reduction mechanism that has a reduction ratio of 1/30 to 1/90 is disposed between the electric motor and a buffer/power storage section. The start device starts the engine in an extremely short time of 0.4 to 1.3 seconds. Within this range of staring time of the engine, an operator has no uncomfortable feelings.
US07849818B2

To provide an animal litter box that is easy to clean and whose setup space is not large. An animal litter box equipped with an excreta container; a lower container; and a hood, the hood has a fixed hood at a backside; a movable hood disposed at a front side; and a pair of linking portions. The movable hood is formed with an opening. When the movable hood is changed from a closed state to an opened state, the protruding height T3 that is the difference of the height T1 of the highest portion in the track of movement of the movable hood and the height T2 of the highest portion of the animal litter box when the movable hood is in a closed state is lower than the height T4 of the movable hood.
US07849813B2

An apparatus for applying a liquid to a moving web has an applicator element having a surface extending transverse to the web-travel direction and positioned to contact the moving web. Liquid applied to the surface is transferred to the moving web where the moving web contacts the surface. A support spaced in the web-travel direction from the applicator element has a plurality of guides extending transverse to the web-travel direction, with at least some of the guides overlapping others of the guides. Respective shields slidable in the guides transverse to the direction extend between the web and the surface so that where the shields extend between the moving web and the surface there is generally no transfer of the liquid from the surface to the moving web. Respective adjusters connected to the shields shift same in the respective guides between positions spaced from one another to positions at least partially overlapping one another.
US07849811B2

A disconnetable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel with an outrigger supporting a riser assembly in a disconnectable manner, which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body which by means of disconnectable latching means is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting a mechanism. The braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger.
US07849810B2

A method of mating of a buoyant hull with a truss structure while at the installation site of the completed offshore structure. The buoyant hull is moored in place. The truss structure is placed in the water, self upends, and maneuvered near the buoyant hull. The buoyant hull and truss structure are rigged with lines to allow the truss structure to be pulled into engagement with the buoyant hull. The truss structure is lowered to a predetermined depth below the water surface but above the sea floor and the weight is transferred to the lines from the buoyant hull. The truss structure is aligned with the buoyant hull and lines from the buoyant hull are used to pull the truss structure into engagement with the buoyant hull. The truss structure and buoyant hull are rigidly attached together as is customary using grouting and welding.
US07849808B2

A personal watercraft is disclosed, having a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly with left and right gunnels. A deck is disposed above the sub-deck. The left and right lateral edges of the deck are disposed vertically at least as low as the upper end of the left and right gunnels. The left lateral edge and the left gunnel define a left gap therebetween. The right lateral edge and the right gunnel define a right gap therebetween. A left seal member extends laterally outwardly from the left lateral edge. The left seal member extends into the left gap generally toward the left gunnel. A right seal member extends laterally outwardly from the right lateral edge. The right seal member extends into the right gap generally toward the right gunnel.
US07849802B2

A railway tank car is provided having a manway formed in a body of the tank car. The tank car includes a manway cover plate coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed over at least a portion of the manway. A protective housing assembly is coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed around the manway cover plate. At least one structural support is coupled with an interior surface of the body of the tank car adjacent to the protective housing assembly.
US07849800B2

A hybrid spin/fin stabilized projectile. The novel projectile includes a body, a first mechanism for spin stabilizing the body during a first mode, and a second mechanism for fin stabilizing the body during a second mode. In an illustrative embodiment, the projectile includes a rifling band adapted to engage with rifling in a gun during gun launch to impart a spin rate compatible with spin stabilization to the projectile, and a plurality of folding fins attached to an aft end of the body. A fin locking mechanism locks the fins in an undeployed position during the first mode and unlocks to deploy the fins at a predetermined time to switch the projectile to fin stabilization during the second mode. The projectile also includes a mechanism for reducing the spin of the projectile to a rate compatible with guided flight during the second mode.
US07849794B2

A device for transporting sheets in recto or verso printing operation has tongs grippers each with upper and lower grippers. The upper gripper, or rigid gripper, that forms the gripper pad can be locked directly or indirectly in recto printing operation.
US07849790B2

The present invention generally pertains to a single ram baler for baling recycled material. More specifically, the single ram baler of the present invention comprises a ram operable to move between a retracted position for receiving the recycled material and a tying position for allowing the compacted material to slightly expand before wiring the same.
US07849776B2

A case cutter apparatus for cutting a container has a conveyor for moving the container in a single direction, a measuring device measuring a length, a width, and a height of the container, a controller for controlling the apparatus and for receiving information from the measuring device, and a first cutting assembly and a second cutting assembly positioned along the conveyor. The first cutting assembly includes an indexing assembly holding the container in a predetermined position during cutting, a carriage moveable in a cutting direction transverse to the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades attached to the carriage. The second cutting assembly includes two belts each having a cleat thereon for pushing the container through the second cutting assembly in the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades.
US07849774B2

Embodiments are directed to a power compound miter saw having miter angle as well as bevel angle adjustment capabilities, with sensing units that can measure the angular position of the miter table relative to the base as well as the bevel angle of the blade relative to the table. Such sensing units generate position signals that can be used to provide a digital display of the miter and bevel angles to a high degree of accuracy. Moreover, the embodiments utilize mechanisms which enable a user to tighten the pivot connections of the table and the base as well as the pivot connection between the table and the bevel pivot support housing without damaging the sensing units. The sensing units are configured and mounted in such a way as to not interfere with access to the nut which can be rotated to vary the amount of friction between the adjacent components.
US07849768B2

An apparatus and method for machining of components, namely for rotary machining of rotationally symmetrical components on radially interior machining surfaces of a component, is disclosed. The device has a drill rod extending essentially axially and has a tool mount extending essentially radially, carrying a lathe tool. The drill rod has a projection that extends essentially radially and can be coupled to the tool mount that extends essentially radially, where the radial dimensions of the projection of the drill rod and of the tool mount are adapted to the dimensions of a hub bore of the component to be machined, such that the drill rod and the tool mount in the uncoupled state can be inserted into the hub bore, and, in the coupled state, the lathe tool mounted in the tool mount can be brought into contact with the radially interior machining surfaces of the component.
US07849764B2

A bicycle shift operating device includes a mounting member, a shift operating member, a take-up member and a retaining mechanism. The mounting member includes a clamping portion and a cover. The shift operating member is rotatably coupled to the mounting member to move in opposite rotation directions. The take-up member is arranged to selectively pull and release a shift control cable in response to rotation of the shift operating member. The retaining mechanism is arranged to retain the take-up member in a plurality of positions. Preferably, a rotational angle limiting structure includes a first limiting portion formed on the clamping portion and a second limiting portion formed on the shift operating member that selectively engages the first limiting portion to limit rotational movement of the shift operating member. Preferably, the cover has a bush integrally formed with the cover as a one-piece, unitary member.
US07849763B2

The invention relates to a device for fixing an at least height-adjustable steering column. The device includes a clamping device provided with a clamping element having an open position in which the height adjustment is released. When the clamping element passes from the opening position thereof to the closed position thereof, toothings engage with each other. A blocking element has a blocking position in which it blocks the lifting of the counter-fixing part from the fixing part, maintaining the engagement of the toothings, and a release position in which the counter-fixing part can be lifted from the fixing part. A coupling is provided between the clamping element and the blocking element During the displacement of the clamping element from the closed position to the open position, the blocking element assumes the release position only if the clamping element has already authorised the lifting of the counter-fixing part from the fixing part by the force of at least one spring in so far as the toothings thereof are no longer engaged.
US07849761B2

A wrist unit to be arranged in an industrial robot including a control system and a manipulator. The manipulator includes a robot arm and a wrist unit arranged on the robot arm and including a wrist housing arranged for rotation about a fourth axis of rotation, a wrist part/tilt pivotally journalled in the wrist housing for rotation about a fifth axis of rotation. A second transmission is configured to transmit rotation form a second drive unit to the turn disc about the sixth axis of rotation where the control system controls the first and second drive units.
US07849753B2

A strength testing device for testing a connection strength between a first and a second articles includes a workbench, a supporting member adjustably attached to the workbench in a vertical direction to support the first article, a blocking member adjustably attached to the workbench in a latitudinal direction to abut one side of the first article, a pair of clamping members adjustably attached to the workbench in a longitudinal direction to abut the other side of the first article, and a tester. The tester includes a blade member with a blade seating on the second article, and a suspending member holding a critical weight to break the first and second articles along a connection interface therebetween. A gravity line of the weight crosses with the blade.
US07849752B2

A system and method of using a passive wireless gauge to detect the physical properties on an object.
US07849751B2

The present invention is directed to novel contact sensors. The contact sensors of the invention include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular embodiment, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. If desired, the sensors can be formed of the same polymeric material as the bearing that is being examined. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. In one particular embodiment, the sensors can be used to examine dynamic wear characteristics of artificial joint bearings such as artificial knee, hip, or shoulder bearings.
US07849741B2

A gyro module includes: two gyro element pieces outputting a signal, the signal being obtained by combining a signal of an angular velocity of a first detection axis and a signal of an angular velocity of a second detection axis; and an arithmetic circuit for performing an addition and a subtraction with respect to the signal outputted from the two gyro element pieces. The two gyro element pieces are a first gyro element piece and a second gyro element piece. The first and second gyro element pieces are arranged such that a detection sensitivity polarity of the first detection axis of the first gyro element piece is same as that of the second gyro element piece, and a detection sensitivity polarity of the second detection axis of the first gyro element piece and that of the second gyro element piece are inverted.
US07849737B2

A gas meter with a simple structure for detecting a range from a minute flow rate, such as a gas leak, to the large flow rate of the normal state of use of the gas, while protecting the flow rate sensor from dust and without producing the problem of pressure loss. First, second, and third flow paths for carrying partial flows of a gas to be measured, in accordance with the flow rate, are provided by partitioning, in parallel, the cross-sectional surface of a main flow path. A flow rate sensor for flow rate measurement is provided in the first flow path with a small flow path cross-sectional area, and a flow rate sensor for detecting a gas leak is provided in the second flow path with a small flow path cross-sectional area, where a flow baffling filter is provided on one end side or both ends of the first and second flow paths, and a contaminant (dust) removing filter is provided on one end side or both ends of the first flow path.
US07849733B2

When an operating state constituted of a rotation speed Ne and torque Te of an engine belongs in a resonance region in a post-stage including a damper connected to a crankshaft of the engine, a subtraction sine wave for removing an influence by resonance is calculated, and misfire is judged depending on whether or not a variation amount ΔF of a rotation speed F after processing, obtained by subtracting the calculated subtraction sine wave from a variation in 30-degree rotation speed N30 which is a rotation speed every time the crankshaft rotates by 30 degrees, is less than a threshold value Fref. Thereby, even when the operating state belongs in the resonance region, misfire can be judged more reliably and more accurately.
US07849732B2

The minimum fuel flow to a combustor of a gas turbine engine is limited in response to the engine inlet temperature T1 and x, an exponent dependent on engine configuration and engine entry pressure P1, in order to provide a fuel air ratio (FAR) limit which responds to both factors. This enables the fuel flow to be limited such that the FAR is set to avoid unintentionally extinguishing the combustor flame and the rate of deceleration is maximised, regardless of ambient temperature and engine altitude.
US07849723B2

The invention relates to a rolling mill for tubes, in which a series of roll-holder containers (10) is housed in an external structure (2) extended along a rolling axis (L); the containers can slide inside the structure to be extracted therefrom and each one houses at least three rolls (17, 18, 19) controlled by respective driving motors (41, 42, 43). In accordance with the intervention the rolls (17, 18, 19) can be moved inside the containers (10) in a guided way along directions radial in relation to the rolling axis, in order to regulate the distance therefrom.
US07849722B2

Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness operating requirements. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller.
US07849712B2

A phase change memory cell may be read by driving a current through the cell higher than its threshold current. A voltage derived from the selected column may be utilized to read a selected bit of a phase change memory. The read window or margin may be improved in some embodiments. A refresh cycle may be included at periodic intervals.
US07849688B2

A method and system for retarding an engine of a machine is provided. The machine has a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a motor driven by the hydraulic pump, and a fan driven by the motor. The method includes sensing the operating speed of the engine with an engine speed sensor. The method also includes operating the motor at a first pressure. The method also includes comparing the operating speed to a trigger speed. The method also includes operating the motor at a second pressure greater than the first pressure if the operating speed of engine exceeds the trigger speed by a predetermined value.
US07849680B2

A system for reducing the emissions produced by an engine affixed to a body during operation and reducing noise and vibration. The present invention is particularly related to a small form factor active/passive Diesel Particulate Filter system having an exhaust backpressure sensor, a heating element, a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, a power relay switch, a filter and an electronic control unit for controlling the heating element based on backpressure detected by the sensor.
US07849679B2

A fuel delivery system for a combustion engine is provided. The fuel delivery system includes an exhaust treatment device, a fuel injection unit, a fuel supply, and a fuel pump. The fuel pump includes at least one inlet configured to receive fuel from the fuel supply. A first fixed-output pumping element is configured to generate a first fuel flow at a first pressure and a first flow rate. A second fixed-output pumping element is configured to generate a second fuel flow at a second pressure and a second flow rate. At least one of the second pressure and the second flow rate is different from the first pressure and the first flow rate. A first outlet is configured to direct the first fuel flow to the fuel injection unit. A second outlet is configured to direct the second fuel flow to the exhaust treatment device.
US07849678B2

The inventors' concept relates to controlling a power generation system having an exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a fuel reformer and an LNT in series. Over the course of a desulfation, a fuel injection upstream of the fuel reformer is pulsed to create alternating lean and rich phases and control the LNT temperature. The LNT temperature is controlled by manipulating a minimum temperature for the fuel reformer at the end of the lean phase, a length of the lean phase, or a pulse frequency. Preferably, the rich phases end when the fuel reformer reaches a predetermined maximum temperature. The method is effective in regulating the fuel reformer temperature while accurately controlling the LNT temperature.
US07849671B2

An exhaust catalyst is charged with oxygen until saturated. A given first rich air/fuel ratio is set in a combustion chamber of a cylinder. A first oxygen storage capacity value is determined depending on the measured signals from first and second exhaust probes. The exhaust catalyst is charged with oxygen until saturated. A given second rich air/fuel ratio is set in the combustion chamber of the cylinder. A second oxygen storage capacity value is determined depending on the measured signal from the first and second exhaust probe. A corrected oxygen storage capacity value is determined depending on the first and second oxygen storage capacity values.
US07849666B2

The invention relates to a rope made of a textile fibre material and present in the form of a core-sheath structure in a manner known per se. The rope according to the invention is characterized in that the specific strength of the rope Fs (in [daN/g core/m rope]) complies with the following formula depending on the diameter of the rope DM (in [mm]): Fs>212−DM.
US07849653B2

An anchoring panel for a sport wall system with a front side facing an interior of the sport wall system, a back side, a flange extending from and rigidly fixed to the back side, a top side, a bottom side, and a first and second end wall is provided. Each of the first and second end walls include interlocking elements for interlocking with a first or second end of another panel in the sport wall system, the interlocking elements comprising at least a male knob extending towards the bottom side of the anchoring panel and configured to be insertable into a panel recess of the another panel in the sport wall system.
US07849652B2

A main tee member having a measurement indicia system for use with a suspended ceiling includes a support flange and a web extending upwardly from the support flange. The web has first and second sides and a plurality of receiving channels extending from the first side of the web to the second side of the web. The receiving channels are configured to receive a cross tee member. A plurality of first indicia are marked on the first side, and a plurality of second indicia are marked on the second side, and are disposed at the same incremental distances along the length of the main tee member for indicating the location of a selected receiving channel for receiving a first selected cross tee member, and for indicating the location of a selected receiving channel for receiving a second selected cross tee member to be introduced from the opposite side.
US07849647B2

A shear wall construction and method for assembling the same is disclosed. A plywood sheet includes close laterally-spaced pairs of vertical studs or posts proximate each lateral end. A channel-defining member is fitted and fixed between the spaced studs. A tie member extends from the channel-defining member into a concrete foundation or other underlying building element. A track is also provided for sheathing a lower edge of the shear wall. Protrusions from the metal track aid in anchoring the shear wall to the concrete foundation.
US07849644B2

A cover for closing an access opening that leads to an infrequently used space within a building, such as an attic, provides thermal and acoustic insulation at the access opening. The cover may be in one or two portions, including a closure alone or a closure and a frame having an aperture that can be closed by engagement between the closure and the frame. When the cover is used alone it engages a frame or a wall circumscribing the access opening. The cover is sized and shaped to close a stairwell, or the opening at one end of a stairway, or an opening in a generally vertical wall that is not necessarily associated with a stairway. The closure and frame are each made of one or more components.
US07849633B2

A plurality of sliding doors 3 arranged side by side to close an opening of a frame 1. The sliding doors 3 are flush with each other. A rotatable link 50 is disposed in an upper edge portion of an opening section 2x. The rotatable link 50 has a short rail portion 51 formed at a distal end thereof. A roller 15 is disposed in an upper edge portion of the sliding door 3. The roller 15 rides on the rail portion 51. When the sliding door 3 moves from a closed position to an opening preparation position in a front or rear direction, the rotatable link 50 rotates from a first rotation position to a second rotation position, thereby positioning the rail portion 51 coaxial with a fixed rail 39. The sliding door 3 is provided with a rail member 11. The rail member 11 of the sliding door 3 in the closed position is coaxial with the fixed rail 39. The roller 15 of the sliding door 3 moving to an open position runs on the rail member 11 of the sliding door 3 in the closed position and the fixed rail 39.
US07849627B2

A combat game weapon system includes a pneumatic launcher and an elastic projectile. The pneumatic launcher includes a barrel. The barrel includes a distal end and a bore with an inside diameter. The elastic projectile is configured for being expelled from the distal end of the barrel. The elastic projectile includes a cavity configured for expanding when the cavity receives a propellant from the pneumatic launcher and thereby for causing the elastic projectile to sealingly engage the inside diameter.
US07849615B2

An ad sign to be mounted on a seat back of a shopping cart child seat, the ad sign comprising one or more frame bodies configured to display information content, each frame body having a front side and a back side, one of the one or more frame bodies being configured to be connected to a first face of the seat back; and one or more safety strap anchors integral with the one frame body, the one or more safety strap anchors being configured and adapted for securing a child seat safety strap within the child seat; wherein at least one of the one or more safety strap anchors extends from a perimeter of the one frame body; wherein at least one of the one or more safety strap anchors forms a respective opening, the at least one safety strap anchor being configured such that the child seat safety strap can be passed through the opening and connected to the seat back, and being further configured so as to limit a movement of the child seat safety strap when the strap is passed through the opening and connected to the seat back.
US07849608B2

Apparatus for drying leaf products including a product supply or loading section, a product centrifugation and drying section and a dried product discharging section. The loading section comprises a conveyor belt for continuously supplying the entering product and then discharges the collected product on the drying section. The centrifugation and drying section, downward of the supply section comprises a continuous conveyor with two parallel chains on which a plurality of centrifugation baskets is mounted, each one rotating about its own axis. The discharge section, receiving the dried product from the centrifugation section, and transferring the same at the exit, comprises an elevator conveyor belt operated by a motor.
US07849606B2

A pool measuring tool comprises a template tool and instructions for use for ensuring compliance with depth and position standards for diving board safety in placement of pool diving boards. The template comprises web members to extend across the pool along the centerline of the diving board placement and across the pool perpendicular to the centerline. Markers are provided to indicate positions where measurements are to be taken of the pool parameters, including pool depth and noting existence of obstructions in the pool. Measurements at the maker locations can be recorded on a worksheet for record keeping and to confirm and document compliance with various standards for diving board/pool diving safety can thereby be accomplished.
US07849601B2

A method of manufacturing a vehicle. The method includes assembling a set of body panels to a vehicle body structure by interlocking a body panel mating feature with a body mating feature.
US07849596B2

The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a turbine blade. The method comprises selecting a pipe having a specific inner diameter, length and wall thickness, cutting the pipe along a spiral trajectory to produce a coil, securing the coil, and shaping the coil to create a uniform hydrofoil cross section along the length of the coil.
US07849595B2

The present invention provides a method of weld repairing an impeller by use of a weld restraining fixture. The fixture is used to sandwich the impeller between a base plate and a top ring such that a plurality of tangs located on the top ring rest on the plurality of valley faces of the impeller. The top ring and base plate are bolted together while the restrained impeller is welded and heat treated.
US07849592B2

The present invention relates to a method of providing end and center locating connectors in interconnects between surface mount technology (SMT) connectors and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The connectors are adapted to maintain their connection even when the printed circuit board and/or the SMT connector expands or contracts.
US07849590B2

An apparatus for confining in a fastening member articles resting on a surface including a housing with a cavity for holding an open fastening device and a control arm linked to first and second members, the control arm being movable between a start position and an end position to successively actuate the first and second members. The first member is adapted to contain and lift the article into position to await delivery of the open fastening device and the second member is adapted to deliver the open fastening device to the article and to close the fastening device to confine the article. In one important embodiment, the first member is also adapted to raise the apparatus away from the surface.
US07849588B2

An electronic component mounting apparatus includes a component feeding device that supplies an electronic component to a pickup position, a suction nozzle that picks up the electronic component supplied to the pickup position and mounts the picked up electronic component on a printed board, a height level detection device that measures height levels of the printed board positioned in a mounting position, a monitor graphically that displays a warping state of a sample printed board positioned in the mounting position based on height level measurements by the height level detection device on predetermined positions of the sample printed board, a setting device that sets measurement positions for actual mounting operations using the monitor, a converting device that converts the set measurement positions into coordinates on the printed board, and a memory that stores the converted coordinates of the set measurement position.
US07849583B2

A microphone manufacturing method that includes forming an etching protective film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, opening an etching window through the etching protective film, and forming a sacrifice layer in the etching window and also on an upper face of the etching protective film. The method includes forming a vibration film above said sacrifice layer and starting an etching process of said sacrifice layer through a preformed port at a location wherein said sacrifice layer is sandwiched by said vibration film and the etching protective film and located apart from the etching window. The etching process uses an etchant to which the etching protective film is resistant, to open the etching window. The method includes crystal anisotropically etching said semiconductor substrate through the port and the etching window by using an etchant to which the etching protective film is resistant so that a cavity is formed.
US07849579B2

Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a smooth, rapid and reliable delivery of fasteners of various sizes and types to the nose of a setting tool in any particular order and provides all the fastener types for any particular work cycle.
US07849577B2

Omnidirectional strength plywood includes at least one ply disposed so that its grain runs diagonal to the length and width of the plywood sheet, and as such its grain diagonally intersects the grain of at least one other ply of the sheet. In some instances, two diagonal plies are disposed so that their grains intersect at approximate right angles and both run diagonal to the length and the width of the sheet. Further disclosed is a method for the manufacture of the diagonal grain plies.
US07849566B2

A clasp has a first member and a second member that are disposed to two coupled members. The clasp is closed by the first member and the second member mutually engaging when the coupled members slide in relatively opposite directions. The first member has a first attachment member that has side walls, a spine that connects the side walls, and a button unit that has a push button which is urged to the outside from the inside of the coupled members in the direction intersecting the sliding direction of the coupled members. The second member has a second attachment member that has side walls attached at a prescribed position to the other coupled member on both sides. The first attachment member and the button unit are attached at a prescribed position to the one coupled member.
US07849556B1

A portable carpet cleaning apparatus comprises a module for movement along a surface, a cleaning fluid dispensing system for applying a cleaning fluid to the surface, optionally, a rotating brush assembly, a suction nozzle and a vacuum source fluidly connected to the suction nozzle and a heating element for heating the cleaning fluid immediately prior to the application of the cleaning fluid to the surface.
US07849554B2

An upper processing head includes a topside module defined to apply a cleaning material to a top surface of a substrate and then expose the substrate to a topside rinsing meniscus. The topside module is defined to flow a rinsing material through the topside rinsing meniscus in a substantially uni-directional manner towards the cleaning material and opposite a direction of movement of the substrate. A lower processing head includes a bottomside module defined to apply a bottomside rinsing meniscus to the substrate so as to balance a force applied to the substrate by the topside rinsing meniscus. The bottomside module is defined to provide a drain channel for collecting and draining the cleaning material dispensed from the upper processing head when the substrate is not present between the upper and lower processing heads. The upper and lower processing heads can include multiple instantiations of the topside and bottomside modules, respectively.
US07849551B2

An assembly type cleaning structure for an induction reader comprises a positioning member with an assembling portion and restricting portions. With the assembling portion, the positioning member can be detachably assembled on the induction reader. And the restricting portions enable the positioning member to be forced onto the induction reader. The user can assemble the cleaning structure onto the induction reader or remove it by himself according to the environment.
US07849545B2

A mattress system includes a mattress, a control unit spaced from the mattress, and a connector assembly that pneumatically and electrically interconnects the control unit with the mattress. The control unit has a main housing and a plurality of user interface modules that are selectively coupleable to the control unit and that are programmed differently to provide different modes of operation for the mattress system. A pressure sensor inside the mattress detects the presence or absence of a person on the mattress. The mattress system has a bed exit alarm system that, when armed, provides a bed exit alarm if the pressure sensor in the mattress detects that a patient has exited the mattress. The connector assembly includes a dual mode connector having both electrical and pneumatic couplers and a dual lumen hose assembly that extends from the dual mode connector to the mattress.
US07849540B2

A support system including a cushion or pad having a foam core and cover is disclosed. The support system is capable of taking a variety of different shapes and can be adjusted for firmness. The support system may be used during and after surgery and more generally, any time when it is desirable to utilize a sterilizable, adjustable cushion. Additionally, multiple cushions may be used in a variety of combinations at any one time.
US07849538B1

The present invention has a deck and a mid-frame, connected by first and second levers. An arm of the first lever has an interface. These levers are connected with a drag link. An actuator is pivotally and movably connected to the interface and pivotally connected to the drag link. The location of the actuator relative the interface is controlled with a control arm. The deck, mid-frame and first set of levers comprise a first parallelogram. Third and fourth levers are connected to the mid-frame. The fourth lever has an arm with an interface. These levers are connected with a drag link. An actuator can be pivotally and movably connected to the interface and pivotally connected to the drag link. The location of the actuator relative the interface is controlled with a control arm. The bases, mid-frame and second set of levers comprise a second parallelogram.
US07849530B2

The present invention relates to a household heat recovery device and more specifically to a wastewater heat recovery unit, which absorbs residual heat from the water flowing onto the floor and down the drain of an ordinary household shower or bathtub unit. In one embodiment, the heat recovery device adapts for ease-of-use and enables quick set-up in most existing and typical showers or bathtubs without any tools and without coupling to the existing plumbing. Internal passages direct the effluent shower water through a serpentine path to a discharge drain. Over time, the heat transferred from the water to the device then radiates into the environment—thus reducing the total energy cost for a household by reducing the thermal load on the main heating unit for the household.
US07849529B2

Apparatus and methods include an array of a plurality of individual air injector nozzles are integrally connected to a common air flow tube. The individual nozzles include an integral attaching plate and an integral air injector tube in addition to the common air flow tube with the individual nozzles spaced along the common air flow tube. A plurality of arrays can be joined together to form an entire arrangement of any desired configuration of individual air injector nozzles that can be applied as a complete unit to a tub or spa. One or more of the arrays can be cut across the common air flow tube to achieve the exact number of individual nozzles required in accordance with the desired arrangement of air injector nozzles. The arrays, including the cut arrays can be joined together at a location other than at the tub or spa and then transferred as a complete unit to be attached to the tub or spa. The plurality of arrays can be joined by a straight or angled connector fitting that can comprise a separate connector fitting or an individual air injector nozzle having air flow tubes arranged in the straight or angled configuration.
US07849526B2

A toilet is provided which transports malodorous air from the bowl to the sewer line. The tank of the toilet is equipped with a fan which draws air from the bowl through the flush holes, located in the rim of the bowl, into a sealed fan box. An intake tube is used to channel air from the water inlet to the fan box, which leaves the overflow tube unobstructed. Air is diverted out of the fan box through an exit tube which attaches to the siphon at a point behind the water trap. A damper door disposed between the exit tube and intake tube prevents stale air from the siphon or sewer from entering the bowl or tank and escaping.
US07849525B2

The present invention may comprise a helmet worn by a person, with additional elements to dampen, restrain or totally block rotational movement upon the sensing of severe rotational movement of the head. This device prevents serious brain and cervical spine injury by restraining or totally blocking rotational movement of the head in response to severe acceleration/deceleration.
US07849524B1

A helmet has an outer shell, an inner lining configured for thermal communication with a wearer's head, an intermediary layer disposed between the outer shell and the inner lining with a layer of insulating material with a plurality of passageways therein and a cavity defined by the outer shell and the outer surface of the intermediary layer, and a fluid contained between the outer shell and the inner lining. In another variation, the insulating material includes a shape memory polymer operable to change the size of one or more of the plurality of passageways when activated. In yet another variation, the helmet has one or more selectively closeable pores in its outer shell and may have a fixed or detachable fluid reservoir.
US07849517B2

Embodiments of a fixture secured, securable to, or integral with the outer shell of a helmet to facilitate convenient positional adjustment, attachment and removal of multiple accessories include a fixture, attachable to the helmet, for securely receiving an accessory, wherein the fixture comprises a rail for slidably and adjustably receiving a plural of accessories thereon.
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