US07982684B2
Method and structure for a microwave antenna module is provided. The method includes, creating a laminate structure by laminating a plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; creating a plurality of layers within the laminate structure to interconnect the plurality of conductive layers and dielectric layers; laminating a base plate to a bottom of the laminate structure; wherein the baseplate operates as a heat sink; and laminating a seal ring to a top periphery of the laminate structure.
US07982678B2
According to one embodiment, an antenna device includes a short circuit path, a first open-ended element, a feed side element, a second open-ended element, and a short circuit element. A length, from a ground point to a second end of the first open-ended element through the short circuit path and the first open-ended element, is substantially a quarter of a wavelength of a first resonant frequency. A length, from the ground point to a second end of the second open-ended element through the short circuit path, the short circuit element, and the second open-ended element, is substantially a quarter of a wavelength of a second resonant frequency.
US07982672B2
A reception device includes a receiver, a direction detector, a location information acquisition component and a location calculator. The receiver receives broadcast signals sent from transmission towers, respectively. The direction detector detects reception directions of the broadcast signals. The location information acquisition component acquires location information indicating locations where the transmission towers are installed, respectively. The location calculator selects at least three of the transmission towers, estimate at least two estimated areas in which the reception device is located with each of the at least two of the estimated areas being estimated based on the reception directions of the broadcast signals of two of the at least three of the transmission towers and the location information of the two of the at least three of the transmission towers, and calculate a location of the reception device based on the at least two of the estimated areas.
US07982659B2
A system for preventing light pollution includes one or more radar units that monitor for vehicles in a volume surrounding or containing one or more obstructions having one or more obstruction lights. A master radar detection processing unit receives sensed radar detection information from the one or more radar units with associated radar signal processing units and determines whether a vehicle is present within the monitored volume. A plurality of obstruction light controller units are interconnected in a network, such as a wireless network. Each obstruction light controller unit turns on an obstruction light when a vehicle enters the monitored volume or a failure condition exists, and turns off the obstruction light when the vehicle has vacated the monitored volume and no failure condition exists. The one or more radar units can transmit sensed radar detection information to a master radar detection processing unit via the network.
US07982655B2
Aircraft decoy arrangement and method for generating a decoy signal from an aircraft having an isolated decoy. An aircraft receiver detects a threat signal from a threat source targeting the aircraft. An aircraft signal processor produces a decoy relay signal based on the threat signal, where the decoy relay signal frequency is significantly lower than the threat signal frequency and is slowly attenuated through air, the signal processor calibrating the decoy relay signal in accordance with a received test signal to compensate for inaccuracies. An aircraft transmitter transmits the decoy relay signal and an optional reference signal to the decoy, where it is received by a decoy receiver, converted back to a decoy signal by a decoy frequency converter, and transmitted by a decoy transmitter, causing the threat source to detect the decoy signal and lock onto the decoy rather than the aircraft.
US07982654B2
A smart signal jammer is disclosed that receives a description of an unwanted signal or signals to be jammed, and transmits one or more jamming signals in one or more temporal transmission patterns of pulses that jam the unwanted signal or signals. A smart jammer according to the present invention can use available transmitters efficiently to transmit jamming pulses in a manner that maximizes jamming effectiveness. A smart jammer according to the present invention comprises a jamming signal calculator that calculates the parameters of the jamming signals to be transmitted. The calculations are based on inequalities that are satisfied by an efficient jamming signal.
US07982652B2
A method of analog-to-digital conversion over n bits of an analog signal, including the steps of: comparing the amplitude of the analog signal with a threshold representing the amplitude of the full-scale analog signal divided by 2k, where k is an integer smaller than n; performing an analog-to-digital conversion of the analog signal over n−k bits to obtain the n−k most significant bits of a binary word over n bits if the result of the comparison step indicates that the amplitude of the input signal is greater than the threshold, and the n−k least significant bits of this binary word otherwise. An analog-to-digital converter and its application to image sensors.
US07982650B2
The digital-to-analog converter in accordance with the present invention comprises an R-2R transistor-only ladder converter and a digital controller. The controller connects to the R-2R transistor-only ladder converter and comprises at least one regulating transistor and at least one shifting transistor. The at least one regulating transistor has an aspect ratio of kR(W/L). The at least one shifting transistor has an aspect ratio of kS(W/L). Setting the aspect ratios kR(W/L) and kS(W/L) of the shifting and regulating transistors adjusts a linear output current waveform to a non-linear waveform. The method to output a non-linear current comprises acts of determining an optimum non-linear output current, dividing a linear output current into multiple sections, determining slopes of the waveform of the output current, adding a controller corresponding to an R-2R transistor-only ladder converter, setting aspect ratios kR(W/L) of regulating transistors and setting an aspect ratios kS(W/L) of shifting transistors.
US07982649B2
The invention describes a device for the low-distortion conversion, especially amplification, of signals. In one embodiment, the device comprises a digital-to-analog converter having adjustable reference voltages to which an analog-to-digital converter having adjustable reference voltages may be connected upstream. In a further embodiment, the device has a unit, which predistorts a digitized signal, or a digital signal, corresponding to the characteristic transfer line of the amplifier. In a further embodiment, the device has a unit, which equalizes a distorted digitized signal corresponding to the characteristic transfer line of the amplifier stored in the unit. In yet a further embodiment, the device has a digital-to-analog converter operating on the basis of the summation of weighted currents.
US07982646B2
A second order superconductor delta-sigma analog-to-digital modulator having an input for receiving an analog signal, a first integrator coupled to the input, a second integrator cascaded with the first integrator, and a quantum comparator digitizing output from the second integrator reduces quantization noise by providing matched quantum accurate DACs in a feedback loop between output from the quantum comparator and input to the first integrator. The matched quantum accurate feedback DACs produce identically repeatable voltage pulses, may be configured for multi-bit output, may be time-interleaved to permit higher clocking rates, and may be employed in a balanced bipolar configuration to allow inductive input coupling. Bipolar feedback is balanced when gain of a first DAC exceeds gain of a matched, opposite polarity DAC by the amount of implicit feedback from the comparator into the second integrator.
US07982644B2
In a current steering D/A converter, a 1LSB current source 1 and a 2LSB current source 2 are binary code current sources for outputting currents with current values weighted by ½, and a 4LSB current source 3 is one of a large number of current sources designed as thermometer code current source with the same structure. In first circuits A1, A2 and A4 for respectively determining constant current values of the current sources 1 through 3, a plurality of MOS transistors with a channel length L3 and a channel width W3 are cascode-connected to one another with gate terminals thereof shared. In second circuits B1, B2 and B4 respectively used for setting high output impedance of the current sources 1 through 3, a plurality of MOS transistors with a channel length L4 and a channel width W4 are cascode-connected to one another with gate terminals thereof shared. Accordingly, the current characteristics of the current sources can be made more uniform while reducing their circuit areas, resulting in improving the linearity of the D/A conversion characteristic.
US07982642B1
A novel method applies the down-conversion sampling technology to test a high-speed digital-to-analog conversion. In the method, a digital-to-analog conversion output signal of a high-speed digital-to-analog converter and a low-frequency sinusoidal carrier wave signal input to a comparator to obtain a low-speed pulse signal. Therefore, the variation of the pulse width of the low-speed pulse signal can be measured by a common logic analyzer to assess the nonlinearity error of the high-speed digital-to-analog converter.
US07982635B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for displaying a driving location of a moving object which controls a Red, Green, Blue (RGB) ratio by corresponding to a property of a road where the moving object travels, differently renders a moving object symbol according to the controlled RGB ratio, and thereby may identify a driving status of the moving object more accurately.
US07982622B2
Visual and audio communication interface for a perishable integrity indicator system which includes a RFID transponder and perishable integrity sensor. A perishable integrity indicator system includes a RFID transponder and a perishable integrity sensor. The RFID transponder includes a RF integrated circuit coupled with an antenna. The sensor monitors the time and temperature of the perishable. A freshness determining module receives time- and temperature-dependent measurement data from the perishable integrity sensor and determines a current freshness status. A communications interface to the RFID transponder permits a RFID reader to retrieve current freshness status data corresponding to the freshness status determined by the freshness determining module. The system further includes a power management module. The visual and audio communication interface provides a communications means for sending sensor alerts, sensor setup and history as either a supplement to the RF communication or as an alternative to RF when RF is either not available or not able to communicate.
US07982620B2
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for reducing driver boredom for the driver of a vehicle particularly for vehicle environments such as straight roads and lack of traffic that are likely to induce boredom. An example system includes an electronic circuit such as a computer, a vehicle environment monitor, a driver interface, and a driver stimulation device such as a semitransparent display.
US07982614B2
A system includes an asset tag associated with an asset, the asset tag having a motion sensor to detect a movement of the asset. The system also includes a plurality of readers, each reader receiving one or more signals from the asset tag and measuring a distance between the asset tag and the reader based on the signals. The system further includes a controller receiving a measured distance from each of the plurality of readers and determining a location of the asset based on the measured distances.
US07982609B2
An “RFID-Based Inference Platform” provides various techniques for using RFID tags in combination with other enterprise sensors to track users and objects, infer their interactions, and provide these inferences for enabling further applications. Specifically, observations are collected from combinations of RFID tag reads and other enterprise sensors including electronic calendars, user presence identifiers, cardkey access logs, computer logins, etc. Given sufficient observations, the RFID-Based Inference Platform automatically differentiates between tags associated with or affixed to people and tags affixed to objects. The RFID-Based Inference Platform then infers additional information including identities of people, ownership of specific objects, the nature of different “zones” in a workspace (e.g., private office versus conference room). These inferences are then used to enable various applications including object tracking, automated object ownership determinations, automated object cataloging, automated misplaced object alerts, video annotations, automated conference room scheduling, semi-automated object image catalogs, object interaction query systems, etc.
US07982605B2
An automatic alerting apparatus and method, is herein disclosed, which audibly signals neighbors when a house or building door has not been opened in the previous twenty-four (24) hours. The system comprises a plurality of contacts aligned in a parallel connection on the exterior doors of a residence. The contacts are connected to a resettable twenty-four (24) hour timer. In use, if the timer is not rest in a twenty-four (24) hour period then power is supplied to an audible horn or beacon which alerts others to a potential emergency situation. It is envisioned that the device apparatus would have a back-up battery system for use during power failures and an override button for periods where no one will be in the residence for more than twenty-four (24) hours.
US07982604B2
A monetary package capable of detecting and communicating tampering is described. The monetary package may comprise a container having a volume configured to hold monetary items such as currency, checks, and negotiable instruments, a sensor configured to detect an opening of the container, a device coupled to the sensor and configured to store data responsive to the sensor detecting the opening of the container, and a transmitter configured to wirelessly send the stored data.
US07982599B2
A method for transmitting advertisements includes receiving information regarding location of a user, and user profile or user demographic information; and transmitting a targeted advertisement to the user, the targeted advertisement is selected from a set of advertisements as a function of the location of the user, and the user profile or user demographic information.
US07982597B2
A device and method for detecting current-impressed useful signals, added to a DC supply current, for a digital alarm line security system are described. To operate the alarm system using high DC supply currents on the alarm line without significantly affecting the reception of the useful signals, a current bypass branch containing a second current sensor element, a control amplifier, and an actuator for adjusting the resistance of the current bypass branch is provided in parallel to a first current sensor element designed for picking up the signals, the actuator being controlled by the control amplifier in such a way that a constant current adjusted to a setpoint value input at the control amplifier flows through the current bypass branch, the setpoint value being defined by a microprocessor as a function of time in such a way that the current flowing through the first current sensor element contains the useful signals having an essentially unreduced amplitude, and a reduced portion of the DC component of the supply current.
US07982591B2
A system and method applicable to a vehicle for detecting a surrounding environment are provided. The system and method include installing primary and secondary display units in a vehicle; installing a plurality of detectors of various types around the vehicle; detecting obstacles around the vehicle using the plurality of different detectors; generating and outputting first detector data to be received by a primary control module; generating second detector data by integrating data to generate and transmit a primary warning message including vehicle positional information relative to the obstacle and a secondary warning message comprising obstacle positional information to the primary and secondary display units respectively for display. The system and method enable accurate detection of an obstacle via the warning messages and improved driving safety, using detectors with functions different from and complementary to one another.
US07982586B2
A wireless communication system includes an interrogator including a housing including circuitry configured to generate a forward link communication signal; communication circuitry configured to communicate the forward link communication signal; and a communication station remotely located with respect to the housing and configured to receive the forward link communication signal from the communication circuitry and to radiate a forward link wireless signal corresponding to the forward link communication signal; and at least one remote communication device configured to receive the forward link wireless signal. A method of communicating within a wireless communication system includes providing an interrogator and at least one remote communication device; generating a forward link communication signal using circuitry within a housing of the interrogator; communicating the forward link communication signal from the housing using communication circuitry; receiving the forward link communication signal from the communication circuitry within a communication station of the interrogator remotely located from the housing; radiating a forward link wireless signal corresponding to the forward link communication signal using the communication station; and receiving the forward link wireless signal within the at least one remote communication device.
US07982577B2
A safety device for a switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a conductive plate connected between the two terminals. A first contact point is connected to an end of the second terminal. The conductive plate has a first end fixed to the first terminal and a second contact point connected to a second end of the conductive plate and corresponding to the first contact point. A push rod is located at a side of the conductive plate and a gap is defined between the distal end of the push rod and the conductive plate. The push rod pushes a mediate portion of the conductive plate when the mediate portion of the conductive plate is overheating to bend toward the push rod under a current overload condition. The push rod applies a force to further separate the first and second contact points so as to ensure the circuit is cut off.
US07982574B2
A transformer comprises a substrate comprising a semiconductor material, a first conductor over the substrate, a second conductor over the substrate, and a magnetic layer over the substrate. The first conductor defines a generally spiral-shaped signal path having at least one turn. The second conductor defines a generally spiral-shaped signal path having at least one turn.
US07982573B2
A coil device is provided which has a small loss in a high-frequency band even if it has an air core or a core material used is not of so high quality when it has a core, generates little magnetic extraneous radiation, has a stable frequency characteristic of an inductance, and can be manufactured at low cost. What is formed by winding a linear conductor around two axes which are parallel with each other to be in a substantially S-shape as a whole by one turn with winding directions made different is set as one layer of unit winding, the unit windings are stacked in a plurality of layers while aligning the axes, and the unit windings of all layers are electrically connected in series.
US07982568B2
A multilevel correlated magnetic system and method for using the same are described herein. A wide-range of devices including a momentary snap switch, a cushioning device, and an exploding toy are also described herein that may incorporate one or more of the multilevel correlated magnetic systems.
US07982565B2
A solenoid includes a solenoid housing defining a solenoid centerline; and an ignition magnetic switch including an ignition magnetic switch coil disposed at least partially within the housing, the ignition magnetic switch coil having a magnetic field that encompasses the solenoid centerline.
US07982557B2
A layered low-pass filter includes: a first inductor and a second inductor that are connected in series and are located between an input terminal and an output terminal; a first capacitor connected in parallel to the first inductor; a second capacitor connected in parallel to the second inductor; and third to fifth capacitors and third to fifth inductors. The output of the first inductor and the input of the second inductor are connected to the ground via the third capacitor and the third inductor connected in series. The input of the first inductor is connected to the ground via the fourth capacitor and the fourth inductor connected in series. The output of the second inductor is connected to the ground via the fifth capacitor and the fifth inductor 8 connected in series.
US07982552B2
An automatic frequency calibration apparatus and a method thereof for a phase-locked loop based frequency synthesizer are disclosed. The apparatus includes a frequency-to-digital converter configured to convert a frequency of a VCO output signal to a first digital value, a target value setting section configured to provide a second digital value corresponding to a target frequency, and a finite state machine configured to calibrate the frequency of the VCO output signal by using the difference of the first digital value and the second digital value. Accordingly, the calibration speed and a frequency resolution of the automatic frequency calibration apparatus in a frequency synthesizer may be enhanced.
US07982551B2
A VCO circuit includes a temperature detector circuit, a voltage generator circuit, a switch, a resonance circuit and an oscillator. The temperature detector detects a temperature, and the voltage generator circuit generates a voltage for coarse adjustment corresponding to the detected temperature and outputs the same voltage. The switch selects one of a DC voltage for fine adjustment and the voltage for coarse adjustment. The resonance circuit includes a varactor diode having a capacitance value adjusted based on the voltage selected by the switch, capacitors and an inductor, and has a predetermined resonance frequency. The oscillator generates an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency by using the resonance circuit and outputs the same signal.
US07982549B1
A system may include a first circuit configured to generate a first clock having a first period of oscillation, and a second circuit configured to generate a second clock having a second period of oscillation, where the difference (ΔT) between the first period of oscillation and the second period of oscillation remains within a specified limit even during variations in temperature and/or during variations in the supply voltage. The system may further include a control circuit, which may receive the first clock and the second clock, and adjust, according to ΔT, a first target parameter corresponding to a first number of cycles of the first clock, when a current cycle count of the second clock reaches a second target parameter corresponding to a second number of cycles of the second clock. The control circuit may also adjust, according to ΔT, the second target parameter when the current cycle count of the second clock reaches the second target parameter, and generate, based on counted cycles of the second clock, an output clock having an output period higher than the first period and the second period.
US07982547B2
Phase locked loop based frequency tuning of an adjustable filter is disclosed. A resonant circuit includes the adjustable filter, and an oscillator signal provides an input to the resonant circuit.
US07982541B2
A count control signal generating section for generating a count control signal on the basis of an output signal of a variable gain amplifier; an up/down counter for performing an up-count operation or a down-count operation on the basis of the count control signal; a gain control signal generating section for generating a gain control signal to be supplied to the variable gain amplifier on the basis of a count value of the up/down counter; and a state detector section for outputting a state detection signal indicating whether a state of a circuit operation is a steady state or another state are provided. When the state detection signal indicates that the state of the circuit operation is the steady state, the operation of at least one of the up/down counter and the gain control signal generating section is controlled so as to fix the gain control signal.
US07982532B2
A leakage manager system for adequately minimizing static leakage of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The leakage manager system includes a generator configured to generate a control signal to be applied to a sleep transistor. A monitor is configured to determine whether to adjust the control signal to adequately minimize the static leakage. In some embodiments, the monitor includes an emulated sleep transistor. A regulator is configured to adjust the control signal depending on the determination.
US07982531B2
A reference voltage generating circuit for generating a reference voltage includes MOSFETs connected to each other. At least one of the MOSFETs includes a control gate and a floating gate that is made hole-rich or discharged by ultraviolet irradiation, and the reference voltage generating circuit is configured to output the difference between threshold voltages of a pair of the MOSFETs as the reference voltage.
US07982525B2
In today's environment class-D amplifiers are used to provide an integrated solution for applications such as powered audio devices due to their advantages in power consumption and size over more traditional analog amplifiers. Due to power output requirements, the output stages of power drivers such as class-D amplifiers require a supply voltage in excess of the technologically allowed voltage for the switches in the output stage. A level shifter is used to ensure voltages supplied to the output switches do not exceed the technological limits. An ideal level shifter should provide the optimal voltage swing to output switches under all process, supply voltage and temperature (PVT) variations. The ideal level shifter should also provide fast transitions when the control signal changes from high to low and low to high.
US07982522B2
An N-channel transistor is provided as a switch between a high potential power line and a low potential power line. A high-pass filter is constituted by a capacitor and a resistor. When a voltage between the high potential power line and the low potential power line is started to oscillate by a switching operation, the high-pass filter causes a high-pass component thereof to pass, thereby turning ON the N-channel transistor to reduce a ringing.
US07982517B2
A delay line includes a delay amount adjusting unit configured to adjust a delay amount of an input signal in response to a first delay control code, and a delay unit configured to determine a number of first delay blocks having a delay amount with a first variation width and a number of second delay blocks having a delay amount with a second variation width in response to a second delay control code, wherein the delay amount with the first variation width and the delay amount with the second variation width are determined by the delay amount adjusting unit and the first and second variation widths correspond to a level change of a power supply.
US07982515B2
A latch circuit has: a data input unit to which an input data is input; and a data retention unit including a node connected to the data input unit. The data input unit transmits a data depending on the input data to the node, when both of a first clock signal and a second clock signal that are driven independently from each other are at a first level. The data retention unit holds a data at the node, when at least one of the first clock signal and the second clock signal is at a second level that is an inverted level of the first level.
US07982512B2
A communication system includes: a master; a plurality of slaves; and a bus for coupling among the master and the plurality of slaves in order to communicate asynchronously among the master and the plurality of slaves. The master supplies electricity to the bus in a power supply period. The master or the slave drives the bus for transmitting a one-bit data through the bus in a data transmission period. The power supply period and the data transmission period are successively performed so that data communication provided by a plurality of one-bit periods is performed among the master and the plurality of slaves. The master finely changes a communication frequency in the data communication. The master changes a drive level of the bus within a predetermined acceptable range in the data communication.
US07982511B2
A delayed lock loop (DLL) circuit includes: a phase conversion control unit configured to latch an initial value of a phase comparison signal, and output the latched signal as a phase conversion control signal. A phase converting unit configured to control the phase of a delay clock on the basis of the phase conversion control signal, and transmit the controlled delay clock to a delay compensating unit.
US07982510B2
The frequency synthesizer for implementing a self-calibration method includes (i) a first phase lock loop comprising: a reference oscillator, a phase comparator, a first charge pump, a first loop filter, a voltage controlled oscillator, and a multimode divider counter controlled by a modulator and connected to the phase comparator; (ii) a high frequency access comprising a digital-analogue converter connected to an input of the voltage-controlled oscillator; (iii) a second charge pump connected to the phase comparator; and (iv) a second loop filter in the high frequency access. The second charge pump forms, when switched on, a second phase lock loop with the second loop filter. To calibrate gains of the converter, a voltage comparator compares an output voltage of the converter with a voltage stored in the second loop filter, after disconnecting the second charge pump from the second phase lock loop, previously locked onto a determined output frequency.
US07982509B2
There is provided a reduced current input buffer circuit. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided an input buffer circuit comprising an input buffer that is adapted to draw an operating current, means for providing a first portion of the operating current to the input buffer, and means for providing a second portion of the operating current to the input buffer if the input buffer is expecting data.
US07982506B2
The voltage-current converter of the present invention includes a converter input terminal, a converter output terminal, a voltage-current conversion unit for converting voltage that is applied as input to the converter input terminal to current, and a current extraction unit for intermittently extracting current from the output terminal of the voltage-current conversion unit and supplying this current as output from the converter output terminal.
US07982502B2
A synchronous circuit design is converted to an asynchronous circuit by converting synchronous circuit logic to an asynchronous circuit logic, and converting one or more asynchronous inputs at a circuit boundary to an asynchronous input to the converted asynchronous circuit logic, such that the converted asynchronous input is operable to generate a token upon observing a change in state on the asynchronous input. One or more asynchronous outputs at a circuit boundary is converted to an asynchronous output from the converted asynchronous circuit logic, such that the converted asynchronous output is operable to output updated data as soon as changed data is received from the converted asynchronous circuit logic in the asynchronous output.
US07982500B2
An integrated circuit output driver is provided that exhibits improved performance and signal integrity. In one embodiment, circuitry for producing an oscillatory output signal having a peak voltage of V volts uses MOS transistor circuitry transistors of which are designed for a maximum port-to-port voltage of substantially less than V volts. A first inverter chain is coupled to an input signal to produce a predriver output signal. A second inverter chain of multiple of inverters including a first inverter produces a driver output signal. Circuitry is provided for AC-coupling the predriver output signal to the second inverter chain, it being configured to translate the predriver output signal to a higher voltage range to produce a translated predriver output signal. A driver transistor is controlled using the driver output signal to produce the oscillatory output signal, and circuitry coupled to the driver output transistor ensures that no port-to-port voltage of the driver output transistor exceeds the maximum port-to-port voltage.
US07982497B1
The logical functionality of a non-blocking multiplexer-based network is equivalent to a crossbar network with an ingress stage, a middle stage and an egress stage. Crossbar rows of the crossbar network include both outbound and inbound internal connections between other crossbar rows. The multiplexer-based network has corresponding rows and connections. The multiplexer-based network includes rows with an internal multiplexer for each respective outbound internal connection of a corresponding crossbar row. The internal multiplexer includes inputs for signals routable to the respective outbound internal connection. At least one global multiplexer provides a signal selected from a set of inputs that includes each input of the respective crossbar row.
US07982494B2
Embodiments of the present invention include systems for calibrating an output circuit. A comparator is coupled to a calibration terminal and configured to determine whether the calibration terminal is in a first state coupled to a calibration resistor or in a second state. A calibration circuit is coupled to the calibration terminal and configured to generate a calibration value based in part on the presence or absence of the calibration resistor. An impedance selector is coupled to the calibration circuit, the comparator, and a default calibration value. The impedance selector is configured to select the default calibration value when the comparator indicates the calibration terminal is in the second state and to select the calibration value coupled from the calibration circuit when the comparator indicates the calibration terminal is in the first state.
US07982487B2
A test apparatus for determining layer-to-layer misregistration of a multiple layer printed circuit board having an electrical test pattern formed on an inner layer and an electrical test reference formed on an outer layer with the reference electrically connected to the pattern. The apparatus includes a holder for the board, an electrical input device that moves into and out of connection with the reference when the board is in the holder, with the input device adapted to provide a signal to the reference, and an electrical output probe configured to move into and out of electrical connection with the pattern when the board is in the holder. The output probe is adapted to receive at least one signal from the pattern when a signal is provided to the reference, such that the signal received by the output probe conveys layer-to-layer misregistration between the inner layer and the outer layer.
US07982485B2
It is possible to provide a semiconductor test device capable improving the test efficiency. The semiconductor test device includes: a driver (14) which generates a driver signal outputted to a device under test; a variable delay circuit (12) provided at the preceding stage of the driver (14); a register (16) for setting an output level of a driver signal outputted from the driver (14); a correction value memory (26) which outputs correction data corresponding to a shift of the rise timing or the fall timing of the driver signal when the output level is modified from a predetermined value serving as a reference value of the output level; an amplitude correction value register (28) which sets a delay amount by a variable delay circuit (12) by considering correction data which is outputted from the correction value memory (26); an adder circuit (30).
US07982483B2
A circuit has a supply voltage terminal for receiving a supply voltage of the circuit, wherein a trigger impulse is superimposed on the supply voltage. Further, the circuit has a signal terminal for outputting an output signal voltage of the circuit, wherein a bit of a data signal is superimposed on the output signal voltage. Further, the circuit has a detector for detecting the trigger impulse and for providing a trigger signal in response to the trigger impulse. An adjustment device of the circuit is implemented to extract the bit from the output signal voltage in response to the trigger signal, to receive the bit or to superimpose the output signal voltage with the bit of the data signal to output the bit.
US07982481B2
The invention relates to a module for a parallel tester for the testing of circuit boards, and to a parallel tester comprising such modules.The modules have circuit boards standing at right-angles to the plane of the basic grid of the parallel tester, and on which contact pins are arranged along one side edge. The contact pins lie with their peripheral surfaces on flat sides of the circuit boards and protrude a short distance beyond the side edge of the circuit board. They are connected electrically and physically to contact fields formed on the circuit board.This arrangement of the contact pins is cost-effective to produce, mechanically stable, and permits the production of modules with a high density of contact pins.
US07982478B2
In some embodiments, a liquid TIM dispense and removal method and assembly is presented. In this regard, a method is introduced including loading an absorbent material of a thermal control unit with a liquid thermal interface material (TIM), pressing the absorbent material against an integrated circuit device causing the liquid TIM to be released, testing the integrated circuit device, and removing the absorbent material from against the integrated circuit device causing the liquid TIM to be reabsorbed. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US07982477B2
A universal test fixture for testing and characterization of high-power flange-packaged RF and microwave transistors and diodes includes a precision-machined heat sink having a built-in center cavity with a finger catch on either side of the cavity which uses a plurality of matching modules that are installed in the center cavity and designed as transistor or diode carrier modules to provide mounting for the high-power packaged RF and microwave devices in a wide variety of flange type packages, an adjustable clamping structure connected to a movable arm, and a plurality of non-conductive high temperature pressure clamps. Each carrier module is made of a gold-plated rectangular aluminum block having a center cavity that is machined to the package outline. A non-conductive black-anodized high-temperature resistant pressure clamp machined to the package outline holds the packaged device in the carrier module. When clamped down using the clamping structure, the pressure clamp holds the package leads on a printed circuit board ensuring excellent electrical contact between package leads and circuit traces and surrounding ground planes, obviating soldering and desoldering the leads to the circuit board. The pressure clamp also produces pressure along the device package to hold the packaged device to the carrier module which houses the device and which itself is bolted to the heat sink resulting in excellent thermal contact under the device.
US07982474B1
A system and method for online monitoring of corrosion of a pressure vessel is disclosed. First and second electrodes may be isolated from each other in a wall of the pressure vessel and exposed to a corrosive environment within the pressure vessel. Additionally, the first and second electrodes may be electrically coupled such that, when an electrical potential difference exists between the electrodes, an electrical current flows between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrical potential difference and/or the electrical current flowing between the electrodes may then be measured and analyzed to determine when to perform a corrective action on the pressure vessel.
US07982471B2
A capacitance measurement system precharges first terminals (21-0 . . . 21-k . . . 21-n) of a plurality of capacitors (25-0 . . . 25-k . . . 25), respectively, of a CDAC (capacitor digital-to-analog converter) (23) included in a SAR (successive approximation register) converter (17) to a first voltage (VDD) and pre-charges a first terminal (3-j) of a capacitor (CSENj) to a second voltage (GND). The first terminals are coupled to the first terminal of the capacitor to redistribute charges therebetween so as to generate a first voltage on the first terminals and the first terminal of the capacitor, the first voltage being representative of a capacitance of the first capacitor (CSENj). A SAR converter converts the first voltage to a digital representation (DATA) of the capacitor. The capacitance can be a touch screen capacitance.
US07982465B2
A method for analyzing acquired electromagnetic measurements (R) made at or in a sea (4) over a seafloor (1) with rock formations (3) having relatively low resistivity (ρ3) for detecting a possibly underlying petroleum bearing reservoir formation (2) having relatively high resistivity (ρ2), wherein a low frequency electromagnetic transmitter (5) arranged in the sea (4) emits an electromagnetic field (P) propagating in the sea (4), in the rocks (3, 2) and in the air (0) above the sea; wherein electromagnetic sensors (6) are arranged with desired offsets (x) in the sea (4) for measuring the electromagnetic field (P(x)) while the field propagates, characterized in that one or more component of the electromagnetic field (P) is measured at least one large offset (xL) from the transmitter (5) where the field (P) essentially only has its origin from the field propagating as a field (P0) through the air (0); that the one or more components of the electromagnetic field (P) measured at the large offset (xL) is calculated back to a recalculated field (F0(x)) to one or more offsets (x) being shorter than the large offset (xL); that the recalculated field (P0(X)) is subtracted from the field (P(x)) for possibly highlighting a field which arising due to the possibly petroleum bearing reservoir formation (2) having relatively high resistivity (ρ2).
US07982462B2
An exemplary embodiment of system, method, and computer accessible medium for magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging for improving signal-to-noise ratio per unit time and optimizing duty cycle in MRSI and/or for reducing chemical-shift artifacts can be provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an excitation pulse can be forwarded to the target and acquiring a signal from the target by multiplexing in time and space. The multiplexing procedure in time can involve (i) a segmentation of a field of view of the at least one portion of the target into a predetermined number of slabs that are acquired sequentially during each repetition time, and/or (ii) an acquisition of multiple voxels. Data can be generated based on the acquired signal. According to another exemplary embodiment, an excitation pulse can be provided to the target, and a signal can be acquired from the target. The excitation pulse can be a series of cascaded Hadamard pulse components. Data can be generated based on the acquired signal.
US07982455B2
The object is to produce a magnetic encoder having a large outer diameter at a low cost, provide a sensor case which is compact in size and can be easily mounted and dismounted with a sensor element received therein, and to provide a double row rolling bearing with a preload application device and a rotational speed sensor which comprises a small number of parts and thus can be assembled easily. A magnetic member 12 of the magnetic encoder 11 is made of a magnetic material bound by rubber. The magnetic member 12 is bonded to an annular presser member 8, which also serves as a metal core, by an adhesive 13, thus eliminating the need for a mold and other facilities for vulcanization bonding. This makes it possible to manufacture a magnetic encoder 11 with a large outer diameter at a low cost.
US07982452B2
Disclosed is a method for diagnosing a half-bridge having a first and a second switching element. The method includes providing a half-bridge that has a first and a second switching element connected in series with each other. The first and the second switching element are driven on and off cyclically, with the switching elements during one drive cycle being alternatingly driven on and off such that they are alternatingly subject to a load current flowing therethrough. A current measuring signal is provided, representing a current flow through one of the switching elements. A first reference signal is provided. A first diagnostic signal is generated that is dependent on an integral of the measuring signal over a first integration period, and on an integral of a first reference signal over a second integration period.
US07982450B2
A handheld device providing an internal view through an obscuring wall or other obscuring surfaces of hidden structural or facilities elements (such as wooden studs, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC), or the absence thereof. A continuous and homogeneous luminescent gas or other visual display material whose optical characteristics change as a result of the applied electric field is used both to simultaneously detect capacitance changes associated with hidden objects and to display those detected those objects. Different types of chambers are disclosed for the gas as well as means to prevent fringing effects. The gas is held just at its ionization level at which point it becomes optically visible. Circuitry is disclosed for controlling the energy source based on current draw or light output of the gas and feedback circuitry is disclosed to neutralize the effects of ambient light. Also disclosed is a device and method for the detection and mapping of electric fields.
US07982444B2
This disclosure relates to monitoring and controlling a voltage characteristic of a Drain Extended Metal Oxide Semiconductor (DeMOS) transistor.
US07982439B2
A device and method for harvesting, generating, storing, and delivering energy to a load, particularly for remote or inaccessible applications. The device preferably comprises one or more energy sources, at least one supercapacitor, at least one rechargeable battery, and a controller. The charging of the energy storage devices and the delivery of power to the load is preferably dynamically varied to maximize efficiency. A low power consumption charge pump circuit is preferably employed to collect power from low power energy sources while also enabling the delivery of higher voltage power to the load. The charging voltage is preferably programmable, enabling one device to be used for a wide range of specific applications.
US07982435B2
A battery charging-discharging control apparatus includes an estimation circuit, a detection circuit, and a control circuit. The estimation circuit estimates an internal resistance of a battery. The detection circuit detects a charging-discharging current of the battery. The control circuit predicts a behavior of a voltage of the battery based on behaviors of the internal resistance and the charging-discharging current of the battery. The control circuit limits the charging-discharging current or a charging-discharging power of the battery based on the predicted behavior of the battery voltage in such a manner that the battery voltage is within a predetermined voltage range.
US07982434B2
In an electrical power supply having a plurality of switching power converter circuits and configured to supply a voltage to an electrical load, a method of controlling a duty cycle of at least one switch of one of the plurality of switching power converter circuits includes determining a storage voltage produced by the one of the plurality of energy storage devices. The method further includes determining an average storage voltage corresponding to an average of storage voltages produced by each of the plurality of energy storage devices. The method further includes determining at least one control signal as a function of the storage voltage, the average storage voltage, and a reference voltage. The method further includes controlling the duty cycle of the at least one switch of the one of the plurality of switching power converter circuits based upon the at least one control signal.
US07982431B2
A detection circuit that reduces circuit scale. A plurality of current amplifiers respectively generate a plurality of detection signals corresponding to current flowing to a plurality of resistors. An error amplifier coupled to the plurality of current amplifiers compares the plurality of detection signals with a plurality of reference signals, respectively, to generate an error signal based on the comparison.
US07982429B1
The present invention relates to a charge equalization apparatus, which allows the primary and secondary windings of a transformer to be easily fabricated, can control the flow of charge to batteries depending on the charged states of series-connected batteries, and can prevent overcurrent from flowing into a battery currently being charged.
US07982428B2
An apparatus and a method of recharging a battery of a portable device using a USB are provided. In the method, a recharge unit of the portable device detects a voltage of the battery, and recharges the battery with a maximum recharge current of the USB. An amount of time for recharging a battery is shortened and power consumption for the recharging of the battery is reduced.
US07982427B2
A system for accurate voltage measurement of a high voltage battery for hybrid and electric vehicles includes a voltage measurement circuit including an analog sensing circuit, a wave generator circuit and a comparator. The analog sensing circuit senses the analog voltage of the high voltage battery. The wave generator circuit generates an analog periodic signal. The comparator receives the sensed analog voltage and the analog periodic signal from the wave generator circuit. The comparator produces an output signal based on the comparison of the inputs, and the output signal takes the form of a digital periodic signal indicative of the voltage of the high voltage battery.
US07982426B2
An electric power system comprises an AC motor, a first DC voltage unit, an inverter as a power converter, being connected between the AC motor and first DC voltage unit, for exchanging power between these two components; and a controlled DC power supply which is connected between an arbitrary spot of a coil of the AC motor and a positive or negative electrode of the first DC voltage unit and which connects at least one semiconductor switching element and a battery as a second DC voltage unit in series.
US07982425B2
A position control apparatus includes a reverse displacement calculation unit configured to calculate a reverse displacement that represents an amount of movement made from a preceding reverse point to a current reverse point by an axis that performs a reversing motion; a reversing-time segmenting number calculation unit configured to compare the reverse displacement to a predetermined value, and, when the reverse displacement is less than the predetermined value, increase a value of a reversing-time segmenting number, which is a coefficient indicating a number of segments per unit time during a reversing motion, and, when the reverse displacement is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, decrease the value of the reversing-time segmenting number; and a quadrant inversion compensation unit configured to automatically adjust a quadrant inversion compensation amount according to the reversing-time segmenting number and perform the quadrant inversion compensation based on the automatically adjusted compensation amount.
US07982415B2
A discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes a switch circuit for DC/AC converting, a discharge lamp connected to a secondary winding of a transformer, a current detector detecting an AC output current of the discharge lamp, an error amplifier outputting an error signal to a detected current, a control circuit generating control signals that turn on/off the switching elements in such a way as to control the AC output current at a predetermined value, and a time division signal generator generating a time division signal at the start of an ON/OFF operation of the switching elements, wherein the time division signal delays a change in a burst dimming signal or has a predetermined inclination on the burst dimming signal. The error amplifier changes the error signal according to the time division signal from the time division signal generator.
US07982414B2
An illumination system (1) comprises a plurality of light source assemblies (10) and a common controller (21). Each light source assembly (10) comprises a plurality of individually controllable light sources (11, 12, 13) for generating light of mutually different colors. The controller is designed to generate a plurality of switched frequency signals (SF1, SF2, SF3) for the respective light sources, with a frequency within a relatively small frequency band, the different frequency signals (SF1, SF2, SF3) having mutually different frequencies (f1, f2, f3). In each light source assembly, each light source is responsive to a respective one of said switched frequency signals (SF1, SF2, SF3), the light source being ON for as long as the respective switched frequency signal is zero and being OFF for as long as the respective switched frequency signal has the respective frequency.
US07982406B2
Ballasts with crest factor control are provided. During a transition to a given half cycle steady state, the current provided to reach the steady state is varied, such as turned off for a short period. This reduction during the transition may reduce or eliminate overshoot. The crest factor control is active, such as altering the timing or number of on/off/on switchings used to control crest factor. The active control may be based on any information, such as time, lamp voltage feedback, or other lamp dependent feedback.
US07982391B2
An organic electroluminescent device comprising two electrodes and at least one organic compound layer disposed between the electrodes,wherein a luminescent layer is included in the organic compound layers, the luminescent layer includes a fluorescent compound, at least one of the organic compound layers comprises an amplifying agent, the fluorescent compound emits fluorescent light upon application of voltage, the amplifying agent is capable of amplifying a number of singlet excitons and of amplifying luminescence intensity, and an amount of the amplifying agent is such an amount that at least 51% of light components emitted by the device upon the application of voltage is fluorescent light,wherein the fluorescent compound is selected from the group consisting of a distyryl arylene derivative, an oligoarylene derivative, an nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compound, a sulfur-containing heterocyclic compound, a metal complex, an oxo-substituted heterocyclic compound, an organosilicon compound and a triaryl amine derivative.
US07982387B2
An optoelectronic component comprises a first electrode (3), a radiation-emitting layer sequence (1) having an active region (10) on the first electrode (3), which region has a main extension plane (E) with a surface normal (N) and emits an electromagnetic primary radiation having a non-Lambertian emission characteristic, a second electrode (4) on the radiation-emitting layer sequence (1), said second electrode being transparent to the primary radiation, and a wavelength conversion layer (2) in the beam path of the primary radiation, which converts the primary radiation at least partly into an electromagnetic secondary radiation. In this case, the first electrode (3) is reflective to the primary radiation, the non-Lambertian emission characteristic is given by an intensity I(α) of the primary radiation of the radiation-emitting layer sequence (1) as a function of an emission angle α measured with respect to the surface normal (N), the intensity I(α) increases from a α≧0° with increasing angle α up to a maximum angle αmax, and the conversion probability of the electromagnetic primary radiation in the wavelength conversion layer (2) increases as the emission angle α increases.
US07982386B2
An organic light emitting display device is disclosed. One embodiment of the organic light emitting display device includes a substrate member in which a plurality of pixel regions are arranged, and a plurality of thin film transistors which are formed on the pixels regions, respectively. The device also includes a data line which is arranged along one side edge of each of the pixel region and a common power source line which is arranged along the other side edge of each of the plurality of pixel regions and is substantially parallel to the data line. The device further includes a first pixel electrode which is electrically connected to one of the plurality of thin film transistors and is formed in each region of the pixel regions. The device also includes an organic film which is formed on the first pixel electrode, and a second pixel electrode which is formed on the organic film. One side edge of the first pixel electrode which is close to the data line is overlapped with the data line.
US07982380B2
A front filter for a plasma display that is mainly used as a TV display. The front filter has an anti-glare function which is capable of effectively preventing reflection concurrently with achieving black color reproduction, and a functional layer for imparting a function required of an image display device such as a light absorbing function and/or an adhesion function. This front filter has an anti-glare layer having a concavo-convex shape on an outermost surface thereof, a polyester film and a functional layer. The anti-glare layer is disposed on the observer-side surface of the front filter; at least one functional layer is disposed on the display device side.
US07982379B2
The present invention relates to a flexible display device (10) comprising a flexible substrate (12) having at least one light source (14) mounted thereon. The flexible display device is characterized by a flexible thermo regulating layer (20) provided on the opposite side of the substrate compared to the side with the at least one light source for dissipating heat from the remaining display device. This allows for stable operation and increased endurance of the display device. The present invention also relates to a textile product comprising such a flexible display device, and a method for the manufacturing of such a flexible display device.
US07982378B2
The invention relates to a lighting device for stimulating plant growth. The lighting device has a solid state light source, suitable for emitting light of at least one wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range. Furthermore, the solid state light source is adapted for connection to an electrical network. The solid state light source is in contact with a cooling medium. In an embodiment, this cooling medium has a temperature in a temperature range between −50 and 0° C.
US07982375B2
An integrated sensory actuator (10) which uses an electroactive polymer is provided. The sensory actuator is comprised of an actuating member (12) made of an ionic polymer-metal composite; a sensing member (14) made of a piezoelectric material; and an insulating member (16) interposed between the actuating member and the sensing member. The sensory actuator may further include a compensation circuit adapted to receive a sensed signal from the sensing member and an actuation signal from the actuating member and compensate the sensed signal for feedthrough coupling between the actuating member and the sensing member.
US07982372B2
A piezoelectric transformer includes: a piezoelectric transducer on whose outer surface an electrode is formed; a case housing the piezoelectric transducer; a terminal disposed to face the electrode; an elastic member in contact with both the electrode and the terminal in the case and having conductivity to bring the electrode and the terminal into mutual continuity; and a folder formed in the case and fixedly holding the elastic member to press-fit the elastic member between the electrode and the terminal.
US07982367B2
Disclosed is a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element equipped with a piezoelectric/electrostrictive drive unit having a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body, and a film external terminal electrode containing substantially no glass component and being disposed on at least one surface of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body. The external terminal electrode is an electrode having a laminated structure equipped with a first electrode layer made of a first electrode material being disposed to contact the piezoelectric/electrostrictive body closely and containing a first metal component and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive material, and a second electrode layer made of a second electrode material containing a second metal component and substantially no piezoelectric/electrostrictive material, which the first and second metal components are in the same element system.
US07982361B2
An actuator comprises a connection section having one end rotatably connected to a connection point (C1) of a fixed section and the other end rotatably connected to a connection point (C2) of a moving section, a connection section having one end rotatably connected to a connection point (C3) of the fixed section and the other end rotatably connected to a connection point (C4) of the moving sections a comb-teeth electrode having the root section connected to a comb-teeth base point (B1) and the fore-end section extending along the turning path, and a comb-teeth electrode having the root section connected to the fixed section and the other section extending along the curve of the comb-teeth electrode and opposed to the comb-teeth electrode with a predetermined gap.
US07982358B2
A rotor assembly is disclosed for use with an alternator. The rotor assembly includes a bobbin assembly, a claw pole assembly having an integrated hub on which the bobbin assembly is positioned, a shaft that is received in the claw pole assembly, and a slipring assembly connected to the shaft. The bobbin assembly includes thin first and second end caps, a metal sleeve, a ring of inner tape, a field coil, and a ring of outer tape. The first and second end caps each have inner and outer flaps. The inner flaps are folded inwardly so that the end caps fit over the metal sleeve. The ring of inner tape is wrapped around the inner flaps of both end caps to adhere the first and second end caps to the metal sleeve. The field coil is wrapped around the inner ring of tape, inner end caps, and metal sleeve. The outer flaps on the end caps are inwardly folded around the field coil. The ring of outer tape is adhered to the folded outer flaps and the field coil. The claw pole assembly includes a front claw pole section and a rear claw pole section.
US07982354B2
A DC motor, has a stator housing accommodating a permanent magnet stator; a rotor, rotatably mounted confronting the stator, the rotor having a shaft, a rotor core fitted to the shaft and having laminations forming salient poles, a commutator fitted to the shaft adjacent one end of the rotor core, windings wound about poles of the rotor core and terminated on the commutator, the windings each being wound around a single pole of the rotor; and brush gear comprising brushes in sliding contact with the commutator for transferring electrical power to the windings.
US07982349B2
The invention relates to a spindle motor having a fluid dynamic bearing system comprising axial and radial bearings that contains a rotor component (14) which encloses a stationary shaft (12), which in turn is connected at both its ends to axially aligned bearing parts (16; 18) that are fashioned such that they form capillary sealing gaps (32; 34), a recirculation channel (28) filled with bearing fluid that connects the remote regions of the bearing to each other, and an electromagnetic drive system (42, 44) for driving the rotor component.
US07982344B2
A planar pulse motor includes a movable element and a stator, wherein the movable element contains a magnetic material, and has a plurality of convex portions on a surface thereof facing the stator. The stator includes a plurality of magnetic field generators to drive the movable element, and each magnetic field generator includes a yoke having a plurality of teeth and a coil which excites the yoke. The planar pulse motor includes a controller which controls rotation of the movable element by energizing magnetic field generators selected from magnetic field generators, whose regions do not include a center line of the movable element along a driving direction of the movable element and do not include portions outside a region facing the movable element, of the plurality of magnetic field generators.
US07982339B2
A controlling method of a battery mode of a UPS for an active PFC power supply has the following acts of monitoring the AC power source and determining whether the AC power source is terminated or not, wherein if a determining result is positive, the controlling method proceeds to next act, and switching to the battery mode and converting a DC power source of a battery to a square wave. The square wave has a period, and each half of the period is alternately constituted by at least two ON times and at least two OFF times, and each of the at least two OFF times is equal to or less than a hold-up time of the active PFC load having a hold-up time circuit. Therefore, the voltage of the bulk capacitor of the active PFC power supply under a discharge condition is not lower than the low threshold voltage, since the OFF time of the square wave signal will be kept equal to or less than the hold-up time.
US07982333B2
A voltage regulator having overvoltage protection which is situated in a vehicle electrical system between the generator that is situated in a first voltage level and a battery that is situated in a second voltage level. A generator is used as a generator whose control voltage is freely selectable within specifiable limits. The voltage regulator, which is embodied as an in-phase regulator, makes available a regulated voltage on the output side, which is used for supplying the usual vehicle electrical system users as well as for charging the battery. The in-phase regulator is furnished with an electronics system or an intelligence which includes a microprocessor and which evaluates supplied data with regard to voltages, currents or load breakings and which specifies response criteria, and, upon the reaching of certain response criteria, initiates the measures which then become necessary.
US07982331B2
A transfer switch assembly is disclosed that includes a power switch device with a number engagement landings and a printed circuit board defining an opening bordered by a number of tabs. The tabs engage the landings as the switch device extends through the openings, and can be fastened together.
US07982330B1
A wind turbine generator is provided with a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, a cable suspended downward from the nacelle through the tower, a length-variable mechanism having one end coupled to a specific position of the wind turbine generator, and a cable grip coupled to the other end of the length-variable mechanism. The distance between the specific position and the cable grip is adjustable by the length-variable mechanism. The cable grip includes a deformable tubular net and the cable is routed through the net.
US07982326B2
A system for controlling torque ripple in a permanent magnet synchronous machine includes a power converter configured to be coupled to the permanent magnet synchronous machine and to receive converter control signals and a system controller coupled to the power converter. The system controller includes a fundamental current controller configured for providing fundamental voltage commands, a harmonic current controller configured for using harmonic current commands, current feedback signals from the permanent magnet machine, and fundamental current commands in combination with positive and negative sequence regulators to obtain harmonic voltage commands, and summation elements configured for adding the fundamental voltage commands and the harmonic voltage commands to obtain the converter control signals.
US07982323B2
There is provided an apparatus 2 for generating electrical charge from a motive power source 3. The apparatus 2 comprises an alternator 3a and a worm drive assembly 4 connectable to the motive power source 3. The worm drive assembly 4 comprises a drive shaft 14 a worm gear 20; and, a worm wheel 32 configured so as to mesh with the worm gear 20 and as is further arranged so as to be operatively associated with the alternator 3a. During use, rotation of the drive shaft 14 by the motive power source 3 effects generation of electrical charge by the alternator 3a.
US07982319B2
A semiconductor device comprises a wiring substrate including a wiring pattern; a semiconductor chip installed on the wiring substrate, including a plurality of pads formed on a surface of the semiconductor chip, which opposes the wiring substrate; a first resin layer covering over a part of the wiring pattern within a region of overlapping the semiconductor chip; and a second resin layer installed between the semiconductor chip and the first resin layer. The pads are oppose to and coupled with a part of the wiring pattern exposed over the first resin layer; and the linear expansion coefficient of the wiring substrate is larger than that of the semiconductor chip, the elastic modulus of the wiring substrate is lower than that of the semiconductor chip and the linear expansion coefficient of the first resin layer is larger than that of the second resin layer. The elastic modulus of the first resin layer is lower than that of the second resin layer.
US07982312B2
The process of producing a dual damascene structure used for the interconnect architecture of semiconductor chips. More specifically the use of imprint lithography to fabricate dual damascene structures in a dielectric and the fabrication of dual damascene structured molds.
US07982310B2
A semiconductor device is provided comprising: a semiconductor element including a plurality of electrodes; first wirings coupled to the electrodes and directed toward a center of the semiconductor element from a portion coupled to the electrodes; second wirings coupled between the first wirings and external terminals, the second wirings being directed to an outer area of the semiconductor element relative to the center; and at least one resin layer formed between the first wirings and the second wirings.
US07982309B2
An integrated circuit includes a substrate including an active area and a gas phase deposited packaging material encapsulating the active area.
US07982304B2
A chip package structure including a substrate, at least one chip, a heat dissipation device, at least one first conductive bar, a molding compound, and at least one second conductive bar is provided. The chip and the heat dissipation device are respectively disposed on a first and a second surface of the substrate. The first conductive bar has two opposite end surfaces, wherein one end surface is disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the other end surface is extended away from the substrate, and a fastening slot is disposed between the two end surfaces and passes through the other end surface. The molding compound encapsulates the substrate, the chip, part of the heat dissipation device, and the first conductive bar. The second conductive bar is disposed on one surface of the molding compound and has a protrusion portion fastened to the fastening slot of the first conductive bar.
US07982298B1
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of a package-in-package semiconductor device including shortened electrical signal paths to optimize electrical performance. In each embodiment, the semiconductor device comprises a substrate having a conductive pattern formed thereon. In certain embodiments, a semiconductor package and one or more semiconductor dies are vertically stacked upon the substrate, and placed into electrical communication with the conductive pattern thereof. One or more of the semiconductor dies may include through-silicon vias formed therein for facilitating the electrical connection thereof to the conductive pattern of the substrate or to other electronic components within the vertical stack. Similarly, the semiconductor package may be provided with through-mold vias to facilitate the electrical connection thereof to other electronic components within the vertical stack. In other embodiments of the present invention, a semiconductor die which is electrically connected to the conductive pattern of the substrate is encapsulated with an inner package body which itself is formed to include through-mold vias used to facilitate the electrical connection thereof to another semiconductor die stacked thereon. In each embodiment of the semiconductor device, the vertically stacked electronic components thereof may be covered with a package body which also partially covers the substrate.
US07982295B2
An electronic device includes: a base; a conductor pattern formed on the base; a circuit chip electrically connected to the conductor pattern; and a reinforcing member which is disposed on the base to surround the circuit chip, whose outer shape is like a ring, and which includes concentric rings as an internal structure. The electronic device further includes a sealing member which fills an inside of the reinforcing member while covering the top of the circuit chip, thereby sealing the circuit chip on the base.
US07982293B2
A lead frame assembly includes at least one die paddle. The die paddle includes a first landing area for receiving a first semiconductor chip and a second landing area for receiving a second semiconductor chip. One or more steps are provided between the first landing area and the second landing area.
US07982290B2
A contact spring applicator is provided which includes an applicator substrate, a removable encapsulating layer and a plurality of contact springs embedded in the removable encapsulating layer. The contact springs are positioned such that a bond pad on each contact spring is adjacent to an upper surface of the removable encapsulating layer. The contact spring applicator may also include an applicator substrate, a release layer, a plurality of unreleased contact springs on the release layer and a bond pad at an anchor end of each contact spring. The contact spring applicators apply contact springs to an integrated circuit chip, die or package or to a probe card by aligning the bond pads with bond pad landings on the receiving device. The bond pads are adhered to the bond pad landings. The encapsulating or release layer is then removed to separate the contact springs from the contact spring applicator substrate.
US07982289B2
A wafer includes a wafer frontside and a region adjacent to the device surface, wherein the region includes vacancy-oxygen complexes and the wafer frontside includes a predetermined surface structure to form thereon a device with a desired property.
US07982285B2
The present invention provides antifuse structures having an integrated heating element and methods of programming the same, the antifuse structures comprising first and second conductors and a dielectric layer formed between the conductors, where one or both of the conductors functions as both a conventional antifuse conductor and as a heating element for directly heating the antifuse dielectric layer during programming.
US07982284B2
A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor body, in which are formed: a substrate of a first conduction type, a buried semiconductor layer of a second conduction type arranged on the substrate, and a functional unit semiconductor layer of a third conduction type arranged on the buried semiconductor layer, in which at least two semiconductor functional units arranged laterally alongside one another are provided. The buried semiconductor layer is part of at least one semiconductor functional unit, the semiconductor functional units being electrically insulated from one another by an isolation structure which permeates the functional unit semiconductor layer, the buried semiconductor layer, and the substrate. The isolation structure includes at least one trench and an electrically conductive contact to the substrate, the contact to the substrate being electrically insulated from the functional unit semiconductor layer and the buried layer by the at least one trench.
US07982280B2
An integrated circuit includes N plane-like metal layers. A first plane-like metal layer includes M contact portions that communicate with the N plane-like metal layers, respectively. The first source region is arranged between first sides of the first and second drain regions and the second and third source regions are arranged adjacent to second sides of the first and second drain regions. A fourth source region is arranged adjacent to third sides of the first and second drain regions and a fifth source region is arranged adjacent to fourth sides of the first and second drain regions. First and second drain contacts are arranged in the first and second drain regions, respectively. At least two of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth source regions and the first and second drain regions communicate with at least two of the N plane-like metal layers.
US07982279B2
A method of manufacturing a stacked-type semiconductor device, including the steps of: forming dividing grooves, having a depth corresponding to a finished thickness for a plurality of first chips formed on the face side of a wafer, on the face side of the wafer along planned dividing lines; stacking existing second chips on the first chips; covering the face-side surfaces of the second chips with a protective member; and grinding the back side of the wafer until the dividing grooves are exposed and the first chips are thinned to the finished thickness, to obtain semiconductor devices of a two-layer structure.
US07982277B2
A method for fabricating a back-illuminated semiconductor imaging device on an ultra-thin semiconductor-on-insulator wafer (UTSOI) is disclosed. The UTSOI wafer includes a mechanical substrate, an insulator layer, and a seed layer. At least one dopant is applied to the semiconductor substrate. A first portion of an epitaxial layer is grown on the seed layer. A predefined concentration of carbon impurities is introduced into the first portion of the epitaxial layer. A remaining portion of the epitaxial layer is grown. During the epitaxial growth process, the at least one dopant diffuses into the epitaxial layer such that, at completion of the growing of the epitaxial layer, there exists a net dopant concentration profile which has an initial maximum value at an interface between the seed layer and the insulator layer and which decreases monotonically with increasing distance from the interface within at least a portion of at least one of the semiconductor substrate and the epitaxial layer.
US07982267B2
To provide a liquid crystal display device having high quality display by obtaining a high aperture ratio while securing a sufficient storage capacitor (Cs), and at the same time, by dispersing a load (a pixel writing-in electric current) of a capacitor wiring in a timely manner to effectively reduce the load. A scanning line is formed on a different layer from a gate electrode and the capacitor wiring is arranged so as to be parallel with a signal line. Each pixel is connected to the individually independent capacitor wiring via a dielectric. Therefore, variations in the electric potential of the capacitor wiring caused by a writing-in electric current of a neighboring pixel can be avoided, whereby obtaining satisfactory display images.
US07982265B2
A semiconductor power device includes a drift region of a first conductivity type, a well region extending above the drift region and having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, an active trench extending through the well region and into the drift region. The active trench, which includes sidewalls and bottom lined with dielectric material, is substantially filled with a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The second conductive layer forms a gate electrode and is disposed above the first conductive layer and is separated from the first conductive layer by an inter-electrode dielectric material. The device also includes source regions having the first conductivity type formed inside the well region and adjacent the active trench and a charge control trench that extends deeper into the drift region than the active trench and is substantially filled with material to allow for vertical charge control in the drift region. The charge control trench can be lined with a layer of dielectric material and substantially filled with conductive material. The active trench can include a second shield electrode made of conductive material disposed below the first shield electrode. The first conductive layer inside the active trench can form a secondary gate electrode that is configured to be electrically biased to a desired potential. The semiconductor device can also include a Schottky structure formed between the charge control trench and a second adjacent charge control trench.
US07982263B2
In a high frequency amplifying MOSFET having a drain offset region, the size is reduced and the on-resistance is decreased by providing conductor plugs 13 (P1) for leading out electrodes on a source region 10, a drain region 9 and leach-through layers 3 (4), to which a first layer wirings 11a, 11d (M1) are connected and, further, backing second layer wirings 12a to 12d are connected on the conductor plugs 13 (P1) to the first layer wirings 11s, 11d (M1).
US07982255B2
A flash memory device wherein the floating gate of the flash memory is defined by a recessed access device. The use of a recessed access device results in a longer channel length with less loss of device density. The floating gate can also be elevated above the substrate a selected amount so as to achieve a desirable coupling between the substrate, the floating gate and the control gate comprising the flash cell.
US07982254B2
A protective film (56) having a water/hydrogen blocking function is formed so as to cover the periphery of a pad electrode (54a) while being electrically isolated from the pad electrode. A material selected in the embodiment for composing the protective film is a highly moisture-proof material having a water/hydrogen blocking function considerably superior to that of the insulating material, such as palladium (Pd) or palladium-containing material, and iridium (Ir) or iridium oxide (IrOx: typically x=2) or an iridium- or iridium oxide-containing material. An FeRAM capable of reliably preventing water/hydrogen from entering inside, and of maintaining high performance of the ferroelectric capacitor structure (30) may be realized only by a simple configuration.
US07982251B2
The invention concerns a device for detecting and storing electromagnetic beams, an imager incorporating same, a method for making said device and use thereof. The inventive device comprises a field-effect phototransistor including: two source and drain contact electrodes, an electrical conduction unit which is connected to the two contact electrodes and which is coated with a photosensitive polymeric coating capable of absorbing the beams, of detecting, of generating in response the loads detected by said unit and of storing said loads, and a gate electrode which is capable of controlling the electric current in the unit as well as spatially distributing the loads in said coating and which is separated from said unit by a gate dielectric. Said device is configured such that the conduction unit comprises at least one semiconductive nanotube or nanowire capable of supplying an electric signal representing a modification of the conductivity of the phototransistor having been exposed to a beam, and that the gate dielectric has a thickness and a permittivity ∈, which satisfy ∈r>0.2 nm*1, so that the conductivity after exposition may be electrically reset in a reduced time and that the device forms at least one imaging pixel.
US07982232B2
There is provided a semiconductor light-emitting device having excellent light extraction efficiency and low wavelength unevenness, a manufacturing method thereof, and a lamp. A semiconductor light-emitting device includes an n-type semiconductor layer 12, a light-emitting layer 13, a p-type semiconductor layer 14, and a titanium oxide-based conductive film layer 15 laminated in this order, wherein a random concavo-convex surface 15 is formed on at least a part of the surface of the titanium oxide-based conductive film layer.
US07982228B2
Methods and systems are provided that may be used to utilize and manufacture a light sources apparatus. A first light emitting diode emits light having a first wavelength, and a second light emitting diode for emitting light having a second wavelength. Each of the first and second light emitting diodes may comprise angled facets to reflect incident light in a direct toward a top end of the first light emitting diode. The second light emitting diode comprising angled facets may reflect incident light in a direction toward a top end of the second light emitting diode. A first distributed Bragg reflector is disposed between the top end of the first light emitting diode and a bottom end of the second light emitting diode to allow light from the first light emitting diode to pass through and to reflect light from the second light emitting diode.
US07982225B2
A heat dissipation device for removing heat from LED chips includes a heat sink and a plurality of substrates. The heat sink comprises a base plate. A plurality of fins extends upwardly from the base plate. The substrates each have a unidirectional heat transfer and are attached to a bottom face of the heat sink. Each of the substrates defines a first wall on which The LED chips are mounted and a second wall coupled to the heat sink. The substrates only transfer heat from the first wall to the second wall and restrict the heat transfer in a reverse direction. When the LED chips generate heat, the heat is transferred to the fins of the heat sink via the unidirectional substrates to lower temperature of the LED chips.
US07982220B2
In a case where a p-channel thin film transistor is used as a thin film transistor that is electrically connected to a light-emitting element and drives the light-emitting element, a value of cutoff current of the p-channel thin film transistor is made lower than that of a p-channel thin film transistor of a driver circuit. Specifically, channel doping is selectively performed on a semiconductor layer of a thin film transistor included in a pixel.
US07982207B2
A light emitting diode (LED) has an n-type semiconductor layer, an active layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and a transparent electrode layer. The LED includes a tunnel layer interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the transparent electrode layer, an opening arranged in the transparent electrode layer so that the tunnel layer is exposed, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) arranged in the opening, and an electrode pad arranged on the transparent electrode layer to cover the DBR in the opening.
US07982199B2
The invention concerns a medical imaging apparatus comprising a frame (2) whereon is mounted at least one medical imaging data processing unit (4) connected at least to imaging sensor forming means (5,7,8,9), and to image display forming means (6). The invention is characterized in that the frame (2) comprises at least one integrated chamber (11) for disinfecting the sensor forming means, including means for generating a disinfecting radiation and adapted to implement a sanitizing cycle thereof.
US07982196B2
A method of modifying a material layer on a substrate is described. The method comprises forming the material layer on the substrate. Thereafter, the method comprises establishing a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) having an energy per atom ratio ranging from about 0.25 eV per atom to about 100 eV per atom, and modifying the material layer by exposing the material layer to the GCIB.
US07982195B2
An ion implanter for creating a ribbon or ribbon-like beam by having a scanning device that produces a side to side scanning of ions emitting by a source to provide a thin beam of ions moving into an implantation chamber. A workpiece support positions a workpiece within the implantation chamber and a drive moves the workpiece support up and down through the thin ribbon beam of ions perpendicular to the plane of the ribbon to achieve controlled beam processing of the workpiece. A control includes a first control output coupled to said scanning device to limit an extent of side to side scanning of the ion beam to less than a maximum amount and thereby limit ion processing of the workpiece to a specified region of the workpiece and a second control output coupled to the drive simultaneously limits an extent of up and down movement of the workpiece to less than a maximum amount and to cause the ion beam to impact a controlled portion of the workpiece.
US07982194B2
A system that can maintain and track the position of a single nanoparticle in three dimensions for a prolonged period has been disclosed. The system allows for continuously imaging the particle to observe any interactions it may have. The system also enables the acquisition of real-time sequential spectroscopic information from the particle. The apparatus holds great promise in performing single molecule spectroscopy and imaging on a non-stationary target.
US07982187B2
Described are a method and apparatus for evaluating a least one characteristic of a plasma. The described method uses photons to raise the excitation state to or past the point of ionization of atoms which will traverse the plasma to be evaluated. The ionization of the atoms, followed by the measurement of the energy of any resulting secondary ions, facilitates the determining of one or more characteristics of the plasma. In one example, the photons are provided by a laser which directs a beam to intersect, and in some examples to be collinear with, a beam of atoms directed through the plasma.
US07982183B2
An ion transfer arrangement for transporting ions between higher and lower pressure regions of a mass spectrometer includes an electrode assembly (120) with a first plurality of ring electrodes (205) arranged in alternating relation with a second plurality of ring electrodes (210). The first plurality of ring electrodes (205) are narrower than the second plurality of ring electrodes (210) in a longitudinal direction, but the first plurality of ring electrodes have a relatively high magnitude voltage of a first polarity applied to them whereas the second plurality of ring electrodes (210) have a relatively lower magnitude voltage applied to them, of opposing polarity to that applied to the first set of ring electrodes (205). In this manner, ions passing through the ion transfer arrangement experience spatially alternating asymmetric electric fields that tend to focus ions away from the inner surface of the channel wall and towards the channel plane or axis of symmetry.
US07982181B1
A method of analyzing data from a mass spectrometer provides data-dependent acquisition. An extracted ion chromatogram (XIC) is created for each m/z data point of mass spectral scans and the XIC for each m/z data point are correlated to a model function to obtain a XIC correlation value. A weighting function is applied to the XIC correlation value to obtain a current weighted intensity for each m/z point, which is used to reconstruct a weighted mass spectrum. The value or range of intensities of interest of the weighted intensity data or raw data is transformed from the time domain into the frequency domain, and the transformed data is used to make a real-time decision for the data-dependent acquisition. The data-dependent acquisition can be the performance of tandem mass spectrometry. A sample processing apparatus receives the sample and a computer readable medium provides instructions to the apparatus.
US07982177B2
An array of pixels is formed using a substrate, where each pixel has a substrate having an incident side for receiving incident light, a photosensitive region formed in the substrate, and a reflector having a complex-shaped surface. The reflector is formed in a portion of the substrate that is opposed to the incident side such that light incident on the complex-shaped surface of the reflector is reflected towards the photosensitive region.
US07982164B2
A water heater with an ionized ignition system includes an electronic controller in operative communication with a burner electrovalve, temperature detector, flow detector, and first and second spark plugs. The electronic controller is configured to ignite the water heater burner when a temperature detected by the temperature detector is less than (by preset margin) a desired water temperature input to the electronic controller by a user, and a). upon a flow demand signal from said flow detector, b). according to a time schedule input to said electronic controller; or c). when a remote control is actuated by the user.
US07982163B2
A heat gun has a body with a support mechanism mounted on the handle. The support mechanism includes at least one arm moveably mounted on the handle and which is capable of moving between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The at least one arm, when it is in its extended position, is capable of co-operating with the body to form a platform upon which the heat gun can rest on a work surface while the nozzle is placed remotely from the work surface.
US07982161B2
An improved method and apparatus for drilling vias in electronic substrates with laser pulses is presented which uses one or more tailored pulses to reduce debris remaining in the via while maintaining system throughput and avoiding damage to the substrate. A tailored pulse is a laser pulse that features a power spike having a peak power 10% higher than the average power of the pulse and lasting less than 50% of the duration of the pulse. Methods and apparatuses for creating tailored pulses by slicing longer duration pulses are shown.
US07982157B2
A method for machining a workpiece which includes a conductor which carries a time-variable current along its longitudinal axis and is guided by an upper guide and a lower guide. A magnetic field is produced between the guides, the upper guide being located at a distance above the magnetic field and the lower guide at a distance below the magnetic field.
US07982153B2
A rotary combined switch structure with multistage switch function includes a casing unit, a switch unit and a rotary unit. The casing unit has a casing, a first opening formed on a top side of the casing and a second opening formed on a bottom side of the casing. The switch unit is disposed under the casing. The rotary unit has a rotary body. The rotary body has a top portion passing through the first opening and exposed above the casing, and the rotary body has a bottom portion passing through the second opening and exposed under the casing in order to selectably turn on or turn off the switch unit.
US07982147B2
A centrifugal switching device of a single-phase induction motor includes a centrifuge and pressure switches. The centrifuge includes a centrifugal sleeve, a centrifugal base, shaft coupling blocks, and a spring. The spring is directly fitted on the centrifugal base. Under a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the motor, shaft coupling blocks I and II slide axially against an axial force of the spring, thus forcing an axial end surface of the centrifugal sleeve to be separated from contacts of the pressure switches, such that a starting winding of a stator ferrite-core coil of the single-phase induction motor is disconnected and a heater is turned on. The shaft coupling blocks I and II adopt a design with round transition, central sliding contact, and smooth rotation, thereby achieving a simple structure, convenient mounting, and safety usage.
US07982143B2
An electric switch including a stationary contact that is annular. The switch comprises a gastight enclosure, a conductor bar of axis (D), a stationary contact presenting a contact zone of substantially annular shape, a switch element, e.g. on the conductor bar, that is movable in the axial direction of the axis (D) between a first position in which it penetrates in part into the stationary contact to establish electrical contact between the conductor bar and the stationary contact, and a second position in which it interrupts said contact. The stationary contact, which is in the form of a ring that is circular or elongate, such as elliptical, surrounds the conductor bar, at least in part.
US07982140B2
A weigh scale including a weighing mechanism; a recording system connected to the weighing mechanism for recording a weight; a comparator connected to the weighing mechanism and the recording mechanism for determining a difference between weights; and an indicator in communication with the comparator for indicating a difference in weights, wherein the weighing mechanism, recording system, comparator and indicator are configured to: measure an initial weight of a subject without indicating the weight and store the weight in the recording system; measure a subsequent weight of the subject without indicating the weight; determine a difference between the initial weight and the subsequent weight; and indicate the difference in weight between the initial weight and the subsequent weight only when the subsequent weight is one of greater or less than the initial weight.
US07982139B2
A multilayer printed wiring board 10 includes: a mounting portion 60 on the top surface of which is mounted a semiconductor element that is electrically connected to a wiring pattern 32, etc.; and a capacitor portion 40 having a high dielectric constant layer 43, formed of ceramic and first and second layer electrodes 41 and 42 that sandwich the high dielectric constant layer 43. One of either of the first and second layer electrodes 41 and 42 is connected to a power supply line of the semiconductor element and the other of either of the first and second layer electrodes 41 and 42 is connected to a ground line. In this multilayer printed wiring board 10, high dielectric constant layer 43 included in the layered capacitor portion 40, which is connected between the power supply line and the ground line, is formed of ceramic. With this structure, the static capacitance of the layered capacitor portion 40 can be high, and an adequate decoupling effect is exhibited even under circumstances in which instantaneous potential drops occur readily.
US07982136B2
A wired circuit board includes a metal supporting board, an insulating layer formed on the metal supporting board, and a conductive pattern formed on the insulating layer. The conductive pattern includes an underlying layer formed on the insulating layer and a conductive layer formed on the underlying layer. The underlying layer is formed with a corroded portion corroded from a side end portion of the conductive layer toward an inner portion thereof. A semiconductive layer is formed on a surface of the insulating layer and on a surface of the conductive pattern. The semiconductive layer is formed so as to come in contact with the metal supporting board and have a cut formed in the corroded portion to interrupt conduction between the semiconductive layer formed on the surface of the insulating layer and the semiconductive layer formed on a surface of the conductive layer.
US07982135B2
A flex-rigid wiring board includes a flexible board including a flexible substrate and a conductor pattern formed over the flexible substrate, a non-flexible substrate disposed adjacent to the flexible board, an insulating layer including an inorganic material and covering the flexible board and the non-flexible substrate, the insulating layer exposing at least one portion of the flexible board, a conductor pattern formed on the insulating layer, and a plating layer connecting the conductor pattern of the flexible board and the conductor pattern on the insulating layer.
US07982134B2
A wire binding device for binding a number of electrical wires of an electronic element, includes a binding member and a fixing member. The binding member includes a base and a binding portion. The base defines a through hole. A first end of the binding portion is connected to the base. A fastening hole is defined in the binding portion and adjacent to the base, and configured for fixing a second end opposite to the first end of the binding portion thereby to bind the number of electrical wires together. The fixing member is configured for fixing the binding member to the electronic element via the through hole.
US07982128B2
The present invention allows a crystalline photovoltaic module having a super straight type structure in which a light-receiving surface side-sealing EVA layer 2, a photovoltaic cell matrix 3, a back surface side-sealing EVA layer 4 and a back surface-sealing weatherproof film 5 are laminated sequentially in this order on a light-receiving glass 1 and these components are formed into an integral piece to be reused after it has been used in the market for a long time by extending the lifetime of the photovoltaic module. The regeneration method includes peeling the back surface-sealing weatherproof film 5, laminating a new back surface side-sealing EVA layer 8 and a new back surface-sealing weatherproof film 9 in a portion in which the film has been peeled, and then curing for crosslinking the new back surface side-sealing EVA layer 8 that is laminated.
US07982127B2
A thin film solar cell module of see-through type and method of fabricating the same is provided. The method includes forming scribe lines in two directions in a first electrode material layer disposed on an opaque substrate so as to avoid short circuit caused by a high-temperature laser scribing process and reduction of the process yield. Moreover, the thin film solar cell module of see-through type has holes through the opaque substrate so that the cell module increases the transmittance of the cells.
US07982115B2
A music notation system uses a grid with vertical columns representing musical notes and horizontal rows representing time intervals. Each note of a musical piece is indicated by a selected note symbol in the appropriate column, and extending across multiple rows if intended to be sounded for more than one time interval. Different note symbol shapes are used to indicate different tone qualities or playing styles. Note symbols are colored or graphically textured to indicate different sound intensities. Suggested fingerings may be indicated by numbers marked the note symbols, or by lines connecting notes to be played with the same finger. Other graphical design elements may be used to display rhythmic or harmonic context and, in computerized applications, to show or hide selected musical information, or to activate and listen to a sound recording of a piece of music or individually selected notes.
US07982108B1
A novel maize variety designated PHD1T and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHD1T with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHD1T through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHD1T or a locus conversion of PHD1T with another maize variety.
US07982102B1
The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 04KL022771 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 04KL022771 and its progeny, and methods of making 04KL022771.
US07982085B2
The present invention relates to an in-line method for generating comonomer from monomer, such as ethylene. The comonomer generated is directly transported, without isolation or storage, to a polyethylene polymerization reactor. The in-line method includes the steps of providing an in-line comonomer synthesis reactor and a downstream gas/liquid phase separator prior to the polymerization reactor; feeding ethylene monomer and a catalyst in a solvent and/or diluent to the comonomer synthesis reactor; reacting the ethylene monomer and the catalyst in solvent and/or diluent under reaction conditions to produce an effluent stream including ethylene monomer and comonomer; passing the effluent stream from the comonomer synthesis reactor to the downstream gas/liquid phase separator to separate a gas stream from a bottom stream, wherein the gas stream is a mixture of ethylene monomer and comonomer; and passing the gas stream to the polymerization reactor to provide the necessary comonomer input.
US07982079B2
An integrated process has been developed for producing diesel boiling range fuel from renewable feedstocks such as plant and animal fats and oils and using a byproduct naphtha as a denaturant for ethanol. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating i.e. decarboxylating, decarbonylating, and/or hydrodeoxygenating to provide a hydrocarbon fraction useful as a diesel fuel or diesel boiling range fuel blending component. If desired, the hydrocarbon fraction can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A byproduct naphtha stream from the diesel boiling range fuel production process is used as the denaturant in an alcohol denaturing process for the generation of denaturized ethanol.
US07982071B2
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, particularly ophthalmic diseases and disorders. Provided herein are alkoxyl derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The subject compositions are useful for treating and preventing ophthalmic diseases and disorders, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Stargardt's Disease.
US07982070B2
Relative quantification of metabolites by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) requiring a mechanism for simultaneous analysis of multiple analytes in two or more samples. Labeling reagents that are reactive to particular compound classes and differ only in their isotopic kit facilitating relative quantification and providing tangible evidence for the existence of specific functional groups. Heavy and light isotopic forms of methylacetimidate were synthesized and used as labeling reagents for quantification of amine-containing molecules, such as biological samples. Heavy and light isotopic forms of formaldehyde and cholamine were also synthesized and used independently as labeling reagents for quantification of amine-containing and carboxylic acid-containing molecules, such as found in biological samples. Advantageously, the labeled end-products are positively charged under normal acidic conditions involving conventional Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) applications. Labeled primary and secondary amine and carboxylic acid end-products also generated higher signals concerning mass-spectra than pre-cursor molecules and improved sensitivity. Improved accuracy concerning relative quantification was achieved by mixing heavy and light labeled Arabidopsis extracts in different ratios. Labeling strategy was further employed to ascertain differences in the amounts of amine-containing metabolites for two strains of Arabidopsis seeds.
US07982067B2
Compounds of the formula (II) and (IV) are provided, which may be employed as intermediates for making compounds useful in treating respiratory diseases.
US07982066B2
The present disclosure relates to high protein dietary supplements for treating various symptoms and diseases associated with protein deficiency including weight gain, obesity, catabolic diseases, fibromyalgia, anxiety reactions, posttraumatic stress and chronic fatigue syndrome. Embodiments of dietary supplements comprise combinations of proteins, essential and semi-essential amino acids including L-Lysine, L-Arginine, and/or L-Histidine.
US07982048B2
This invention provides a class of therapeutic compounds and methods for the treatment of mammals with physiological disorders, such as for example a frequently occurring type of essential hypertension, which are critically associated with the decreased binding of magnesium to the plasma membranes of their cells. These methods consist of administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a compound selected from a series of disubstituted trans, trans 1,3-butadienes, 1,3-disubstituted perhydrobutadienes, 1,2-disubstituted trans ethylenes and 1,2 disubstituted ethanes and disubstituted propanes, each of which embodies, in common, the unique structural feature essential for the biological activity of these compounds. This invention also provides for pharmaceutical formulations that employ these novel compounds.
US07982044B2
The present invention aims to provide an iminopyridine derivative compound having an α1D adrenergic receptor antagonistic action, which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of a lower urinary tract disease and the like. The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US07982042B2
The invention is directed to delta opioid receptor modulators. More specifically, the invention relates to tricyclic δ-opioid modulators. Pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions and methods of treating mild to severe pain and various diseases using compounds of the invention are also described.
US07982038B2
A radioactive compound having the formula: and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 and Ar are as defined in the specification, enantiomers, in vivo-hydrolysable precursors, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations containing them, methods of using them to treat diseases and conditions either alone or in combination with other therapeutically-active compounds or substances, processes and intermediates used to prepare them and uses of them for diagnostic and analytic purposes.
US07982028B2
The invention relates to therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides directed against genes encoding phosphodiesterases (PDE) and the use of these antisense oligonucleotides in combination. These antisense oligonucleotides may be used as analytical tools and/or as therapeutic agents in the treatment of disease associated with reduced cellular cAMP in a patient, such as inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract including, for example, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis, lung allograft rejection, allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis as well as other conditions in which an increase in cyclic AMP or a decrease in PDE levels is beneficial.
US07982027B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for silencing gene expression by delivering nucleic acid-lipid particles comprising a siRNA molecule to a cell.
US07982026B2
The present invention relates to a primer pair for the detection of a specific gene, and more particularly to a probe pair for the detection and analysis of an EPSPS (5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase) gene, in which primers complementary to the base sequences in the EPSPS gene are labeled with fluorophores acting as an energy donor and an energy acceptor, respectively. By introducing the inventive probe pair into cells, hybridizing the primers of the probe pair with the target gene and then analyzing the biological cells in a single cell unit using laser fluorescence measurement technique, cells containing the EPSPS gene of GMOs can be detected and the percentage of the GM cells in a cell mixture can also be quantified.
US07982021B2
Nucleic acid molecules encoding emission ratiometric indicators of phosphoinositides, which comprise a fusion protein comprising a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of Akt (also known as protein kinase B) and a “pseudoligand” containing acidic amino acid residues, which is sandwiched between resonance energy transfer (RET) pairs, such as cyan and yellow mutants of GFP (a FRET pair). The nucleic acid molecules can be used, for example, to produce the indicators which can be used, inter alia, to monitor spatiotemporal dynamics of phosphoinositides and in high throughput assays for inhibitors of PI3K, including drug screening assays.
US07982020B2
The invention relates to mutated variants of the proB gene from coryneform bacteria, which encode γ-glutamyl kinase, and to processes for fermentative production of L-proline using bacteria which contain this mutation.
US07982018B2
The present invention relates to compounds comprising modified corticotrophin releasing factor peptide and specifically urocortin and urocortin-related peptides, modified derivatives thereof, and conjugates of such modified peptides and derivatives to serum components, preferably serum proteins or peptides. The compounds and conjugates of the invention comprise a reactive group, which is covalently attached to a modified peptide or derivative, optionally through a linking group. The present invention also provides methods for the covalent attachment of a modified peptide or derivative to a serum protein or peptide to form a conjugate of the invention. The conjugates of the invention preferably exhibit a longer in vivo circulating half-life compared to the corresponding unconjugated peptides. The conjugates of the invention also retain at least some of the biological activity of the unconjugated peptides, and preferably exhibit increased biological activity compared to the unconjugated peptides. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment and prevention of a disease or disorder comprising the administration of one or more of the compounds or conjugates of the invention to a subject in need of such treatment or prevention.
US07982015B2
The present invention concerns compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of an LIV-1. More specifically, the compositions include DNA and amino acid sequences of an LIV-1, antibodies to an LIV-1, and methods for the treatment of a mammal susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer wherein an LIV-1 is overexpressed.
US07982007B2
Isolated polynucleotides encoding Cynomolgus monkey Toll-Like Receptor 3 (cynoTLR3), polypeptides obtainable from expression of these polynucleotides, recombinant cells, methods and uses of these are disclosed.
US07982002B2
Nucleic acid encoding proteins involved in protein degradation, products and methods related thereto
In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel Siah-Mediated-Degradation-Proteins (SMDPS) and/or SCF-Complex Proteins (SCPs). Nucleic acid sequences encoding such proteins and assays employing same are also disclosed. The invention SMDPs and/or SCPs can be employed in a variety of ways, for example, for the production of anti-SMDP and/or SCP antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions, and methods employing such proteins and/or antibodies for drug screening, functional genomics and other applications. Also provided are transgenic non-human mammals that express the invention protein. Also provided are compositions and methods for targeting the destruction of selected polypeptides in eukaryotic cells based on the ubiquitin-independent mechanism by which ornithine decarboxylase is degraded by the 26S proteasome.
US07981997B2
The present invention provides for isolated polypeptides capable of binding ErbB-4.
US07981996B2
The present invention provides a method for preparing relatively insoluble bisimides under conditions which afford high imidization reaction rates and which permit the monitoring and adjustment of reactant stoichiometry at any stage of the reaction. The bisimides provided by the present invention are prepared either by reaction of a diamine such as 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) with an anhydride, for example 3-chlorophthalic anhydride (3-ClPA) in the presence of a solvent at a pressure greater than one atmosphere and at a temperature above the normal boiling point of the solvent, or by reaction of a monoamine with a dianhydride under the same conditions. In one embodiment, the relatively insoluble product bisimides provided by the present invention have a solubility in ortho-dichlorobenzene of less than about 10 percent by weight at a temperature of about 180° C.
US07981989B2
Photopolymer-based dielectric materials are provided with methods for preparing the same. Composites and electronic devices including such dielectric materials also are provided.
US07981987B2
The invention relates to novel aromatic urethane (meth)acrylates having a high refractive index, a process for the preparation thereof and a process for the production of holographic media.
US07981985B2
The present invention provides a polymer containing a structural unit represented by the formula (Ia) or (Ib): wherein R1, R2, R3, n, Z1, R4, R5 and m are defined in the specification, a structural unit represented by the formula (II): wherein R6, R7, R8, R9, Z2, n′ and Z′ are defined in the specification, and a structural unit represented by the formula (III): wherein R10, R11, 1′ and Z3 are defined in the specification.
US07981978B2
The present invention provides one-component silicone compositions, particularly useful as sealants, having low modulus and high elongation, as well as good resistance to high temperatures and humidity, and methods for preparing these sealants. In particular, the present invention provides compositions including a chain-extended curable polyorganosiloxane, a high molecular weight silicone gum and a cure system. The compositions may be used, for example, in sealing the stitching of automotive airbags.
US07981969B2
The invention concerns a process for producing water-absorbing polymer, which comprises a base polymer A being mixed with a first aqueous solution B of at least one surface postcrosslinker and a second aqueous solution C of at least one polyvalent cation and thermally treated, wherein said base polymer A is based on at least 50% neutralized acid-functional monomer and said solutions B and C are metered wholly or partly concurrently through separate nozzles whereby a water-absorbing polymer having a high saline flow conductivity value is obtained.
US07981968B2
A crystal of carboxyl acid and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amine and ammonia are mixed in an absence of a liquid medium. The carboxyl acid is conjugated diene such as (Z,Z)-muconic acid, the conjugated diene including a carboxyl group. The at least one nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of amine and ammonia is primary amine represented by RCH2NH2, where R is an aryl group, or is a normal alkyl group that contains five or more carbon atoms. Moreover, such amine that is a bivalent group and that is represented by —Ar—N═N—Ar′—, where Ar and Ar′ are independently aromatic hydrocarbon bivalent groups, is intercalated in a layered crystal of a polymer such as polymuconic acid, the layered crystal including a carboxyl group. In this way, a novel photoresponsive polymer is obtained.
US07981963B2
In a semiconductor device, the topmost wiring layer of the package board is formed from an insulation material in which the elongation at break is 20% or higher and Young's modulus is 1 GPa or less when the temperature is 10 to 30° C. This insulation material contains a reactive elastomer that reacts with epoxy resin or an epoxy resin curing agent; an epoxy resin; an epoxy resin curing agent; and a crosslinked styrene-butadiene rubber having a double bond and a hydroxyl group, a carboxylic group, or another polar group. It is therefore possible to provide a semiconductor device that has a wiring board in which the connection reliability in relation to temperature cycles is high and the adhesiveness between the insulation layer and the electroless copper plating layer is also high.
US07981962B1
The present invention relates to a one-part polymer grout composition tintable to any desired color upon request, as well as to a method of tinting the grout composition. Advantageously, the present one-part polymer grout compositions may be tinted using any of the multiplicity of commercially available universal colorants, according to fandecks of color based upon the same, or by visual or computerized color matching. Similarly, since conventional universal colorants may be employed, the equipment utilized to tint and agitate paint in order to provide any desired color may be utilized to tint the present grout compositions. A kit is also provided, comprising the tintable grout composition and instructions for tinting the grout composition according to the method.
US07981957B2
A biodegradable gas barrier vessel comprising 100 parts of mass of a biodegradable polyester resin having a polylactic acid content of not less than 50% by mass and 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a phyllosilicate. The degree of crystallization as measured by X-ray diffractometry is not less than 15%, and the coefficient of oxygen permeation as measured under conditions of 20° C. and relative humidity 90% is not more than 50 ml·mm/m2·day·MPa. Since the biodegradable polyester resin reinforced with the phyllosilicate has excellent heat resistance, the molded product can be heat treated at an elevated temperature. Such enhanced heat treatment conditions can further enhance the degree of crystallization of the polyester resin and thus can contribute to significantly improved gas barrier properties.
US07981949B2
A curable composition is described, including a gel material derived from the curable composition, and medical articles including such material, wherein the transparent gel material includes a polymerized monofunctional poly(alkylene oxide) macromonomer component and a surface modified nanoparticle component.
US07981948B2
An article of artificial stone includes a first resin matrix and a plurality of artificial stone chips in the first resin matrix. The specific gravity of the artificial stone chips is the same as or similar to the specific gravity of the first resin matrix.
US07981945B2
An methacrylate bone cement is toughened and rendered radiopaque by reinforcing with electrospun microfibers including a radiopacifier and antimicrobial agents to provide a bone cement for use in repairing bone or other hard tissues.
US07981941B2
A method for reprocessing used PET bottles having the step of shredding the bottles to form plastic flakes, sorting the plastic flakes according to at least one criterion into at least two partial quantities, and performing an individual processing treatment including a decontamination treatment. The device permits performing the method whereby it is possible to separate the plastic flakes produced from the threaded part of a PET bottle, these flakes being more difficult to purify, from the lighter plastic flakes from the wall of the bottle, which have a thin wall and are easier to purify, and treating them further in separate reprocessing steps.
US07981933B2
A method for treating an inflammation or lesion caused by herpesvirus, comprising topically applying to said inflammation or lesion a composition consisting essentially of a C1 to C3 monohydroxy alcohol or a C2 to C4 diol and a sufficient amount of an acid to adjust the pH of the composition to below 4.6. Topical administration of the composition is preferred and is effective in treating lesions associated infections by viruses such as herpes simplex. Nasal deliverable forms are effective in treating symptoms due to viruses that cause the common cold. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the present method are provided.
US07981929B2
Resistance-repellent and multidrug resistant retroviral protease inhibitors are provided. Pharmaceutical composition comprising such compounds, and methods of using such compounds to treat HIV infections in mammals, are also provided.
US07981918B2
The present invention discloses novel compounds of Formula (I): having 11β-HSD type 1 antagonist activity, as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I), as well as methods of using the compounds and compositions to treat diabetes, hyperglycemia, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions associated with 11β-HSD type 1 activity.
US07981914B2
Compounds of the formula: wherein R1, R2, Ar1, Ar2, and n are as defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of using, and methods of preparing the subject compounds.
US07981912B2
The invention relates to indole acetic acid compounds which function as antagonists of the CRTH2 receptor. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds to inhibit the binding of prostaglandin D2 and its metabolites or certain thromboxane metabolites to the CRTH2 receptor and to treat disorders responsive to such inhibition.
US07981910B2
Triazole derivatives of structural formula I are selective inhibitors of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diabetes, such as noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM), hyperglycemia, obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome, and other symptoms associated with NIDDM.
US07981907B2
The present invention is related to chemical compositions, processes for the preparation thereof and uses of the composition. Particularly, the present invention relates to compositions that include substituted biaryl-methanesulfinyl acetamides of Formula (I): wherein Ar, Y, R1, R2, R4, R5, q and x are as defined herein; and their use in the treatment of diseases, including treatment of sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder; Parkinson's disease; Alzheimer's disease; attention deficit disorder; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; depression; or fatigue associated with a neurological disease; as well as the promotion of wakefulness.
US07981906B2
The present invention relates to (2S,3R)—N-(2-((3-pyridinyl)methyl)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide, novel salt forms thereof, methods for its preparation, novel intermediates, and methods for treating a wide variety of conditions and disorders, including those associated with dysfunction of the central and autonomic nervous systems.
US07981896B2
This invention relates to compounds of the formula: to compositions containing these compounds, and to methods of treatment employing the compounds and compositions.
US07981890B2
A compound of the formula (I): wherein RH represents one or more optional substituents on the fused cyclohexene ring; R1 is selected from H and halo; RN is selected from H and optionally substituted C1-10 alkyl; and RC1 and RC2 are independently selected from H, R, C(═O)OR, where R is optionally substituted C1-10 alkyl, optionally substituted C5-20 aryl or optionally substituted C3-20 heterocyclyl; RC1 and RC2 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached may form an optionally substituted spiro-fused C5-7 carbocylic or heterocyclic ring.
US07981889B2
Compounds of the formula (I): wherein A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring; X can be NRX or CRXRY; if X═NRX then n is 1 or 2 and if X═CRXRY then n is 1; RX is selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-20 alkyl, C5-20 aryl, C3-20 heterocyclyl, amido, thioamido, ester, acyl, and sulfonyl groups; RY is selected from H, hydroxy, amino; or RX and RY may together form a spiro-C3-7 cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl group; RC1 and RC2 are both hydrogen, or when X is CRXRY, RC1, RC2, RX and RY, together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, may form an optionally substituted fused aromatic ring; and R1 is selected from H and halo.
US07981886B2
The invention relates to antibiotic derivatives of formula I wherein: A represents —O—, S, —C(═O)—, —C(═NOR6)—; Z—B represents NCH2CH2, NCOCH2, NCH2CO, NCH2CH(OH), CHN(R8)CH2 or CHN(R8)CO; D represents binuclear heteroaryl; Y1 represents —CR1— or —N—, Y2 represents —CR2— or —N—, Y3 represents —CR3— or —N— and Y4 represents —CR4— or —N—; U represents —NH—, —O— or —S— and V represents —N— or —CH—; W represents —CH2—, —O— or —NR7—; R1 represents H, methyl, ethyl or halogen; R2, R3 and R4 each represent independently H, C1-C4 alkyl, halogen, or C1-C4 alkoxy; R5 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl or fluorine; R6 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl or aryl-C1-C4 alkyl; R7 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl, aryl-C1-C4 alkyl or —CH2—COOH; R8 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl or —CH2—COOH; with the provisos that if Z—B represents NCH2CH2, NCOCH2, NCH2CO or NCH2CH(OH), then W represents —CH2—; if A represents O or S, then W represents —CH2—; and only one or two of Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 can represent N at the same time.
US07981885B2
The present invention relates to inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in activated lymphocytes, including T cells and B cells. The invention also provides compositions and methods for inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in activated lymphocytes, as well methods for treating diseases associated with activated lymphocytes by administering 5-HT receptor antagonists.
US07981883B2
The present invention relates to substituted spiro compounds, to processes for preparing them, to medicaments comprising these compounds and to the use of these compounds for producing medicaments.
US07981879B2
Compounds of Formula I are inhibitors of FHV integrase and inhibitors of FHV replication (I), wherein m, n, X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7; R8, R9 and R10 are defined herein. The compounds are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of infection by HTV and the prophylaxis, treatment, or delay in the onset of AIDS. The compounds are employed against HTV infection and ADDS as compounds per se or in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds and their salts can be employed as ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions, optionally in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines.
US07981878B2
The present invention describes the use of Notch2 inhibitors for producing a medicament for the treatment of tumours, which tumours are characterized by ligand-independent Notch2 fragments.
US07981876B2
The invention relates to select squalamine salts, methods of their synthesis, their therapeutic use and their advantages relating to manufacturing, product stability and toxicity. More specifically, this application is directed to various forms of the dilactate salt of squalamine and their utility in inhibiting neovascularization and endothelial cell proliferation.
US07981873B1
The present invention is within the field of transplantation surgery. More closely, the present invention relates to use of a clotting preventing agent in the production of a drug for administration in association with transplantation of insulin producing cells in the form of isolated islets to patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, IDDM. The invention is expected to significantly improve the clinical outcome of transplantation of islets of Langerhans.
US07981872B2
A hemostatic powder comprises a chitosan salt together with at least one medical surfactant. At least one inert material may optionally be included. The hemostatic powder may be incorporated into wound dressings.
US07981867B2
The use of des-aspartate-angiotensin I, its derivatives and/or analogue thereof in medicine is described. In particular, a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of viral infections, for inducing hypoglycaemia and/or for reducing hyperglycaemia, and/or for treatment of hypoglycaemia-related conditions is described.
US07981864B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions for targeting therapeutic proteins to the brain. Methods and compositions of the invention involve associating an IGF moiety with a therapeutic protein in order to target the therapeutic protein to the brain. Soluble fusion proteins that include an IGF targeting moiety are transported to neural tissue in the brain from blood. Methods and compositions of the invention include therapeutic applications for treating lysosomal storage diseases. The invention also provides nucleic acids and cells for expressing IGF fusion proteins.
US07981861B2
The invention relates to methods for treating a patient suffering from acute coronary syndrome, but who is not suffering from a Q-wave myocardial infarction, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a GLP-1 molecule. The GLP-1 can be self-administered, and can be administered in one or more doses, as needed, on an intermittent or continuous basis, to optimize metabolism in cardiac tissue and to prevent cardiac damage associated with ischemia.
US07981854B2
The present invention relates to a wrinkle-removing composition containing a specific PO/EO-added compound represented by formula (1) and (b) a specific compound represented by formula (2): R1—Y—[(PO)m/(EO)n]—H (1) wherein R1is a hydrocarbon group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, PO represents C3H6O, EO represents C2H4O, m and n each represent the added mole number on the average, m is a number of 3 to 100, n is a number of 1 to 10, (PO) and (EO) may be added in a random or block form, and the order in which (PO) and (EO) are added is not limited; and Y is —O—, —COO—, —CONH— or —NHCO—, R2—Z—CH2CH(OH)CH2OH (2) wherein R2represents a hydrocarbon group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and Z is —O— or —COO—.
US07981852B2
The present invention relates to a method of enhanced perfume retention, e.g., bars providing enhanced retention. By selecting specific bar compositions (e.g., with low TFM and specific starch-polyol structuring system), it has been unexpectedly found that retention of perfume during dry bar storage is actually increased.
US07981851B2
A method is provided for formulating a personal cleansing composition. At least one primary surfactant, at least one secondary amphoteric and/or nonionic surfactant, at least one humectant, and at least one polymeric and/or quaternary conditioner are selected, each of these components having a natural and renewable resource origin. The primary and secondary surfactants are combined with the at least one humectant and the at least one conditioner in a final composition that includes the combined primary and secondary surfactants at less than about 14 wt. %, and includes the combined at least one humectant and at least one conditioner at less than 5.5 wt. %. After forming the final composition, an optimum performance index (OPI) is determined for the composition to ensure that the composition has an OPI of at least about 5.450. The OPI is calculated as: OPI=3÷((solids wt.%+Zein score)÷performance grade).
US07981849B2
A reversible thermal thickening grease for microelectronic packages, in which the grease contains filler particles; at least one polymer; and a binder; in which the filler particles are dispersed within the binder, in which one or more segments of the at least one polymer may be attached to the filler particles prior to dispersion in the binder, and in which the polymer collapses at temperatures below a Theta temperature and swells at temperatures above a Theta temperature. During the operation of a microelectronic package, grease pump-out and air proliferation are minimized with use of the reversible thermal thickening grease, while grease fluidity is retained under repetitive thermal stresses.
US07981841B2
The conductive path of the current-limiting device is made of a strip-shaped super conductor, whereby the structure thereof has a metallic strip, at least one oxidic buffer, a type AB2Cu3Ox super conductive layer and a metal cover layer which is arranged thereon. An intrinsically stable bifilar coil is embodied with said super conductor, and a distance is maintained between adjacent coil windings, wherein a distance maintainer is arranged which is transparent to the coolant.
US07981833B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an aqueous-liquid-absorbing agent which comprises water-absorbent resin particles as essential components and is suitable for uses in sanitary materials. As a means of achieving this object, an aqueous-liquid-absorbing agent according to the present invention is an aqueous-liquid-absorbing agent comprising water-absorbent resin particles as essential components, wherein the water-absorbent resin particles are obtained by a process including the step of polymerizing a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer and have a crosslinked structure in their inside; with the aqueous-liquid-absorbing agent exhibiting an absorption rate (FSR) of not less than 0.2 g/g/s, a water absorption capacity (CRC) of 5 to 25 g/g, a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of not less than 400×10−7 cm3·s/g, and a wet porosity of not less than 20%.
US07981830B2
Supports having a catalytic coating comprising at least one porous and cavity-containing catalyst layer are described, cavities being irregular spaces having dimensions greater than 5 μm in at least two dimensions or having cross-sectional areas of at least 10 μm2. The catalytic coatings are distinguished by a high adhesive strength and can preferably be used in microreactors.
US07981815B2
Disclosed is a producing method or a semiconductor device including: loading at least one substrate into a processing chamber; forming a metal oxide film or a silicon oxide film on a surface of the substrate by repeatedly supplying a metal compound or a silicon compound, each of which is a first material, an oxide material which is a second material including an oxygen atom, and a hydride material which is a third material, into the processing chamber predetermined times; and unloading the substrate from the processing chamber.
US07981810B1
The present invention addresses this need by providing a method for forming transparent PECVD deposited ashable hardmasks (AHMs) that have high plasma etch selectivity to underlying layers. Methods of the invention involve depositing the AHM using dilute hydrocarbon precursor gas flows and/or low process temperatures. The AHMs produced are transparent (having absorption coefficients of less than 0.1 in certain embodiments). The AHMs also have the property of high selectivity of the hard mask film to the underlying layers for successful integration of the film, and are suitable for use with 193 nm generation and below lithography schemes wherein high selectivity of the hard mask to the underlying layers is required. The lower temperature process also allows reduction of the overall thermal budget for a wafer.
US07981805B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a resistance change element that can reduce occurrence of corrosion without increasing a substrate temperature. A laminate film that includes a high melting-point metal film and a metal oxide film, is etched using a mask under a plasma atmosphere formed using any one of a mixture gas formed by adding at least one gas selected from the group consisting of Ar, He, Xe, Ne, Kr, O2, O3, N2, H2O, N2O, NO2, CO and CO2 to at least one kind of gasified compound selected from alcohol and hydrocarbon or the gas compound.
US07981804B2
A method of forming a metal interconnection that has a favorable cross-sectional shape is provided without the fear of side etching, even in a sparse arrangement of metal interconnections. The method, the following structure is employed. A region for placing a dummy metal interconnection is provided close to a region in which a metal interconnection is formed. A trench is formed in the dummy metal interconnection region and a resist pattern for the metal interconnection is then formed, giving the resist above the trench a large surface area per unit area. The metal interconnection is subsequently formed by dry etching in which an organic component from the resist above the trench forms a solid sidewall protection film, permitting anisotropic etching. The metal interconnection can thus have a favorable cross-sectional shape.
US07981794B2
A barrier layer including a titanium film is formed at a low temperature, and a TiSix film is self-conformably formed at the interface between the titanium film and the base. In forming the TiSix film 507, the following steps are repeated without introducing argon gas: a first step of introducing a titanium compound gas into the processing chamber to adsorb the titanium compound gas onto the silicon surface of a silicon substrate 502; a second step of stopping introduction of the titanium compound gas into the processing chamber and removing the titanium compound gas remaining in the processing chamber; and a third step of generating plasma in the processing chamber while introducing hydrogen gas into the processing chamber to reduce the titanium compound gas adsorbed on the silicon surface and react it with the silicon in the silicon surface to form the TiSix film 507.
US07981792B2
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate in which an integrated circuit is formed; an interconnect layer which includes a linear section and a land section connected with the linear section; and an underlayer disposed under the interconnect layer, and the land section includes a first section which is in contact with the underlayer, and a second section which is not in contact with the underlayer.
US07981791B2
Thin films are formed by formed by atomic layer deposition, whereby the composition of the film can be varied from monolayer to monolayer during cycles including alternating pulses of self-limiting chemistries. In the illustrated embodiments, varying amounts of impurity sources are introduced during the cyclical process. A graded gate dielectric is thereby provided, even for extremely thin layers. The gate dielectric as thin as 2 nm can be varied from pure silicon oxide to oxynitride to silicon nitride. Similarly, the gate dielectric can be varied from aluminum oxide to mixtures of aluminum oxide and a higher dielectric material (e.g., ZrO2) to pure high k material and back to aluminum oxide. In another embodiment, metal nitride (e.g., WN) is first formed as a barrier for lining dual damascene trenches and vias. During the alternating deposition process, copper can be introduced, e.g., in separate pulses, and the copper source pulses can gradually increase in frequency, forming a transition region, until pure copper is formed at the upper surface. Advantageously, graded compositions in these and a variety of other contexts help to avoid such problems as etch rate control, electromigration and non-ohmic electrical contact that can occur at sharp material interfaces. In some embodiments additional seed layers or additional transition layers are provided.
US07981784B2
Isolation regions are formed on a substrate to define an active region. A gate electrode is formed on the active region. A spacer structure is formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode. A gate silicide layer is formed on the gate electrode and a source/drain silicide layer is formed on the active region adjacent to the gate electrode. An upper portion of the gate silicide layer and a portion of the spacer structure are simultaneously removed to form a spacer structure pattern and a gate silicide layer pattern. A stress layer is formed to cover the gate electrode and spacer structure pattern.
US07981782B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a mask pattern for exposing a region of a semiconductor substrate. Dopant ions are implanted into the exposed region of the semiconductor substrate at a tilt angle of approximately 4.4° to 7°.
US07981777B1
The present invention provides PECVD methods for forming stable and hermetic ashable hard masks (AHMs). The methods involve depositing AHMs using dilute hydrocarbon precursor gas flows and/or high LFRF/HFRF ratios. In certain embodiments, the AHMs are transparent and have high etch selectivities. Single and dual layer hermetic AHM stacks are also provided. According to various embodiments, the dual layer stack includes an underlying AHM layer having tunable optical properties and a hermetic cap layer.
US07981775B2
Provided is a nitride semiconductor light emitting diode and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes sequentially forming a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer on a substrate, in-situ depositing a mask layer on a region of the surface of the second semiconductor layer, and selectively growing a third semiconductor layer formed in a textured structure on the second semiconductor layer by depositing a semiconductor material on the second semiconductor layer and the mask layer.
US07981758B2
A method may include depositing a dielectric layer onto a substrate, removing portions of the dielectric layer to create a plurality of separated non-removed portions of the dielectric layer, depositing one or more passive electronic components into each of the plurality of separated non-removed portions, and curing the separated non-removed portions of the dielectric layer.
US07981755B2
The present invention in one embodiment provides a method of manufacturing an electrode that includes providing at least one metal stud positioned in a via extending into a first dielectric layer, wherein an electrically conductive liner is positioned between at least a sidewall of the via and the at least one metal stud; recessing an upper surface of the at least one metal stud below an upper surface of the first dielectric layer to provide at least one recessed metal stud; and forming a second dielectric atop the at least one recessed metal stud, wherein an upper surface of the electrically conductive liner is exposed.
US07981754B2
To provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor substrate and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, which prevent reduction in breakdown voltage of a gate oxide film of a device formed in a semiconductor substrate to improve a reliability of the gate oxide film. A manufacturing method of a semiconductor substrate according to the present invention includes: exposing a silicon surface of an active layer substrate 1 made of single-crystal silicon, to which a semiconductor device is formed; forming an oxide film on a support substrate 2 made of single-crystal silicon; and bonding the silicon surface of the active layer substrate 1 to the oxide film formed on the support substrate 2. The silicon surface of the active layer substrate 1 is exposed by removing a spontaneous oxidation film 7 formed on the surface.
US07981753B1
A device for providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is provided. The device includes a semiconductor substrate having a drain, a source, and a gate formed therein. The drain contains a region having a resistance that is higher than the resistance of the remainder of the drain and the source. The gate region is in contact with this higher resistance region and the source. In one embodiment, the higher resistance is lacking silicide in order to provide the higher resistance. A method of forming a device for providing ESD protection is included.
US07981752B2
The present invention relates to a method of forming junctions of a semiconductor device. According to the method of forming junctions of a semiconductor device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor substrate in which a transistor including the junctions are formed. A first thermal treatment process for forming a passivation layer over the semiconductor substrate including the junctions is performed. Here, the passivation layer functions to prevent impurities within the junctions from being drained. A pre-metal dielectric layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate including the passivation layer.
US07981744B2
A field-effect transistor which comprises a buffer layer and a barrier layer each of which is made of a Group III nitride compound semiconductor and has a channel at the interface inside of the buffer layer to the barrier layer, wherein the barrier layer has multiple-layer structure comprising an abruct interface providing layer which composes the lowest semiconductor layer in said barrier layer and whose composition varies rapidly at the interface of said buffer layer, and an electrode connection plane providing layer which constructs the uppermost semiconductor layer and whose upper surface is formed flat.
US07981743B2
The memory cell of the present invention has two independent storage regions embedded into two opposite sidewalls of the control gate respectively. In this way, the data storage can be more reliable. Other features of the present invention are that the thickness of the dielectric layers is different, and the two independent storage regions are formed on opposite bottom sides of the opening by the etching process and form a shape like a spacer. The advantage of the aforementioned method is that the fabricating process is simplified and the difficulty of self-alignment is reduced.
US07981736B2
Disclosed are methods of forming transistors. In one embodiment, the transistors are formed by forming a plurality of elliptical bases in a substrate and forming fins form the elliptical bases. The transistors are formed within the fin such that they may be used as access devices in a memory array.
US07981734B2
A manufacturing method of a thin film transistor includes forming a pair of source/drain electrodes on a substrate, such that the source/drain electrodes define a gap therebetween; forming low resistance conductive thin films, which define a gap therebetween, on the source/drain electrodes; and forming an oxide semiconductor thin film layer on upper surface of the low resistance conductive thin films and in the gap defined between the low resistance conductive thin films so that the oxide semiconductor thin film layer functions as a channel. The low resistance conductive thin films and the oxide semiconductor thin film layer are etched so that side surfaces of the resistance conductive thin films and corresponding side surfaces of the oxide semiconductor thin film layer coincide with each other in a channel width direction of the channel. A gate electrode is mounted over the oxide semiconductor thin film layer.
US07981733B2
An object of the present invention is obtaining a semiconductor film with uniform characteristics by improving irradiation variations of the semiconductor film. The irradiation variations are generated due to scanning while irradiating with a linear laser beam of the pulse emission. At a laser crystallization step of irradiating a semiconductor film with a laser light, a continuous light emission excimer laser emission device is used as a laser light source. For example, in a method of fabricating an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, a continuous light emission excimer laser beam is irradiated to a semiconductor film, which is processed to be a linear shape, while scanning in a vertical direction to the linear direction. Therefore, more uniform crystallization can be performed because irradiation marks can be avoided by a conventional pulse laser.
US07981722B2
A semiconductor device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. A semiconductor device which is packaged as it includes a semiconductor in which an electronic circuit is disposed, the semiconductor device including: a substrate; a semiconductor chip which has a semiconductor main body having the electronic circuit formed thereon, a pad electrode formed on the semiconductor main body and a projected electrode that is connected to the pad electrode and projected from a surface of the semiconductor main body, wherein the semiconductor chip is mounted on the substrate from the back side of the surface to form the projected electrode thereon; and an insulating layer which is formed as the semiconductor chip buried therein and is polished from a top surface of the insulating layer to a height at which a top of the projected electrode is exposed.
US07981720B2
According to a method of fabricating an oxide thin-film transistor, when a thin-film transistor is fabricated by using an amorphous zinc oxide (ZnO)-based semiconductor as an active layer, it may be possible to reduce a tact time as well as attain an enhanced element characteristic by depositing an insulation layer having an oxide characteristic in-situ through controlling oxygen (O2) flow subsequent to depositing an oxide semiconductor using a sputter, and the method may include the steps of forming a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a gate insulation layer on the substrate; depositing an amorphous zinc oxide-based semiconductor layer made of an amorphous zinc oxide-based semiconductor and an amorphous zinc oxide-based insulation layer having an oxide characteristic in-situ on the gate insulation layer; forming an active layer made of the amorphous zinc oxide-based semiconductor over the gate electrode while at the same time forming a channel protection layer made of the amorphous zinc oxide-based insulation layer on a channel region of the active layer; and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to a source region and a drain region of the active layer over the active layer.
US07981717B2
An image sensor includes a pixel array including a photodiode, a peripheral region including a logic circuit, and an isolation region formed between the pixel array and the peripheral region and formed under the peripheral region to electrically isolate the pixel array from the peripheral region.
US07981709B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a SiC film, forming trenches at a surface of the SiC film, heat-treating the SiC film with silicon supplied to the surface of the SiC film, and obtaining a plurality of macrosteps to constitute channels, at the surface of the SiC film by the step of heat-treating. Taking the length of one cycle of the trenches as L and the height of the trenches as h, a relation L=h(cot α+cot β) (where α and β are variables that satisfy the relations 0.5≦α, β≦45) holds between the length L and the height h. Consequently, the semiconductor device can be improved in property.
US07981706B2
A photoresist composition includes an alkali-soluble resin, a dissolution inhibitor including a quinone diazide compound, a first additive including a benzenol compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, a second additive including an acrylic copolymer represented by the following Chemical Formula 2 and an organic solvent. Accordingly, heat resistance of a photoresist pattern may be improved, and the photoresist pattern may be readily stripped. As a result, crack formation in the photoresist pattern may be reduced and/or prevented.
US07981703B2
The present invention provides an electronic assembly 400 and a method for its manufacture 800, 900, 1000 1200, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700. The assembly 400 uses no solder. Components 406, or component packages 402, 802, 804, 806 with I/O leads 412 are placed 800 onto a planar substrate 808. The assembly is encapsulated 900 with electrically insulating material 908 with vias 420, 1002 formed or drilled 1000 through the substrate 808 to the components' leads 412. Then the assembly is plated 1200 and the encapsulation and drilling process 1500 repeated to build up desired layers 422, 1502, 1702. Assemblies may be mated 1800. Within the mated assemblies, items may be inserted including pins 2202a, 2202b, and 2202c, mezzanine interconnection devices 2204, heat spreaders 2402, and combination heat spreaders and heat sinks 2602. Edge card connectors 2802 may be attached to the mated assemblies.
US07981699B2
A method for providing a tuned repair for damage to a silicon based low-k dielectric layer with organic compounds, where damage replaces a methyl attached to silicon with a hydroxyl attached to silicon is provided. A precursor gas is provided, comprising a first repair agent represented as Si—(R)x(OR′)y, where y≧1 and x+y=4, and wherein R is an alkyl or aryl group and R′ is an alkyl or aryl group and a second repair agent represented as Si—(R)x(OR′)yR″, where y≧1 and x+y=3, and wherein R is an alkyl or aryl group and R′ is an alkyl or aryl group, and R″ is of a group that reduces interfacial surface tension between a wet clean chemical and the low-k dielectric. Some of the first repair agent and second repair agent are bonded to the low-k dielectric to form a monolayer of the first repair agent and the second repair agent.
US07981696B2
Arrays of spin-valve elements that can be selectively activated to trap, hold, manipulate and release magnetically tagged biological and chemical particles, including molecules and polymers. The spin-valve elements that can be selectively activated and deactivated by applying a momentary applied magnetic field thereto. The spin valve element array can be used for selectively sorting and transporting magnetic particles one particle at a time within the array. As the magnetically tagged particles are held by the spin-valve elements, application of an auxiliary magnetic field can be used to apply tension or torsion to the held particles or to move, e.g. rotate, the trapped particles. The arrays of spin-valve elements can be used in a variety of applications including drug screening, nucleic acid sequencing, structural control and analysis of RNA/DNA and protiens, medical diagnosis, and magnetic particle susceptibility and size homogenization for other medical applications.
US07981685B2
Engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing acyl amino acids are provided. Also provided are methods of making acyl amino acids using engineered polypeptides. In certain embodiments, an acyl amino acid produced using compositions and/or methods of the present invention comprises cocoyl glutamate.
US07981681B2
Method for the automatic analysis of a blood sample in which: an analysis solution containing the blood sample, a diluent, and at least one compound to lyze the erythrocytes; at least one compound to stabilize the haemoglobin in the form of a chromogenic complex, is formed in a single dilution and analysis tank, the haemoglobin level is measured in this analysis solution by spectrophotometry in the tank after the lysis of the erythrocytes; and an appropriate quantity of this analysis solution is taken from the tank on which a leucocytic differentiation is carried out by an optical elements characterized in that the analysis solution also contains at least one compound to protect the leucocytes, allowing the distinguishing of at least four main leucocyte sub-populations. A haematological analysis apparatus for the implementation of such a method is disclosed.
US07981680B2
A method for detecting contamination of a conventional petroleum-based fuel used in an internal combustion engine is provided. A sample of engine oil is separated into a polar component and a non-polar component by a polar solvent. The polar component is analyzed for one or more biodiesel chemical components selected from the group consisting of plant sterols, fatty acid methyl esters, cetane, and combinations thereof, which relate to a degree of engine oil contamination. The polar and non-polar component may be analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and optionally Flame Ionization Detection (FID) for the one or more biodiesel chemical components, which can provide a semi-quantitative level of such biodiesel chemical components. Fuel samples can also be analyzed for biodiesel contamination species via GC/MS.
US07981676B2
The invention relates to a method for the transfer of molecular substances, for example proteins or nucleic acids in cells, in the case of using DNA combined with a possible gene expression. A prokaryotic nucleic acid-binding protein is used for the transfer, which is preferably obtained from a thermostable organism. Where the substance to be transferred is a nucleic acid, the protein forms a reversible complex with the nucleic acid. The prokaryotic protein condenses and compacts the nucleic acids. Said nucleic acids can be taken up in the target cells after suitable incubation.
US07981674B2
The invention provides osteoactivin proteins and nucleic acid molecules that encode the same, as well as biologically functional expression vectors containing nucleic acid molecules encoding osteoactivin proteins, and antibodies specific for osteoactivin proteins. The invention also provides therapeutic and diagnostic compositions and methods for utilizing the proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and vectors of the invention, for example, to modulate bone formation.
US07981671B2
The invention concerns a recombinant vector characterized in that it comprises a polynucleotide comprising a central initiation cis-active region (cPPT) and a termination cis-active region (CTS) of retroviral or retroviral-like origin, further comprising a predetermined nucleotide sequence (transgene or nucleotide sequence of interest) and retrotranscription regulating, expressing and packaging signals of retroviral or retroviral-like origin.
US07981670B2
The present invention relates to a method and a kit for assessing mutability of a DNA sequence of interest. The method involves using a mutation hotspot sequence as a standard to determine whether the DNA sequence of interest is more or less mutable than the hotspot sequence. The mutation events are detected using a bacterial system in which the DNA sequence of interest and the mutation hotspot sequence are each linked in-frame to a reporter gene such as a killer gene or a color gene so that any nonsense or out-of-frame frame shift mutation in the DNA sequence of interest or the mutation hotspot sequence can be reflected by a loss of the function of the reporter gene product. The kit of present invention contains one or more of the various vectors that are useful for practicing the method disclosed herein.
US07981667B2
An alloyed semiconductor quantum dot comprising an alloy of at least two semiconductors, wherein the quantum dot has a homogeneous composition and is characterized by a band gap energy that is non-linearly related to the molar ratio of the at least two semiconductors; a series of alloyed semiconductor quantum dots related thereto; a concentration-gradient quantum dot comprising an alloy of a first semiconductor and a second semiconductor, wherein the concentration of the first semiconductor gradually increases from the core of the quantum dot to the surface of the quantum dot and the concentration of the second semiconductor gradually decreases from the core of the quantum dot to the surface of the quantum dot; a series of concentration-gradient quantum dots related thereto; in vitro and in vivo methods of use; and methods of producing the alloyed semiconductor and concentration-gradient quantum dots and the series of quantum dots related thereto.
US07981664B1
Each well of a multiwell plate adapted to accept a plurality of biological samples for testing for the presence of analytes in the sample is further adapted herein for immobilizing on the side walls of a well a 3D arrangement of ligand arrays. A well is formed with planar side walls and a stack of sample separators is placed within a well in positions so as to not come in contact with ligand spots in the array(s). The spacing between each pair of adjacent separators in a stack forms a sample chamber in a position corresponding to an array of the 3D arrangement of ligand arrays.
US07981663B2
The invention concerns a group of reagent carriers that is combined to form a composite, each one of said carriers having at least one test region located in a shallow trough-like depression, where the reagent carriers in the composite are held together exclusively by interconnected protective covers for the test regions.
US07981662B2
A sample analyzer for analyzing a biological sample is disclosed that comprising: a measurement specimen preparation section for preparing a measurement specimen by using a reagent and the biological sample; a irradiator for irradiating the measurement specimen with a light; a first light receiving section for receiving a light from the measurement specimen and converting the received light into an electrical signal; a analysis section for analyzing the measurement specimen based on the electrical signal output by the first light receiving section; and a selection section for selecting an intensity of light to be irradiated by the irradiator, wherein the irradiator is configured to irradiate with a light of an intensity corresponding to the light intensity selected by the selection section.
US07981655B2
The document provides modified cytosine deaminases with increased solubility and high levels of DNA cytosine deaminase activity.
US07981643B2
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US07981642B2
A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.
US07981639B2
A method for producing a monosaccharide-rich syrup from starch-containing produce. The method includes treating a starch-containing produce slurry with a first starch hydrolyzing enzyme that hydrolyzes starch to oligosaccharide and a second starch hydrolyzing enzyme that hydrolyzes starch or oligosaccharide to glucose. The starch-containing produce can be further treated with an enzyme that converts glucose to other monosaccharides, or treated with a microorganism that converts glucose to a fermentation product. Also within the scope of this invention is a method for producing a syrup rich in a disaccharide, such as trehalose.
US07981629B2
Methods and compositions for identifying and isolating dermal papilla cells are described. DP cells can be identified based on corin expression. Isolated DP cells can be used, e.g., to modulate hair growth.
US07981624B2
Compositions for the diagnosis and therapy of prostate and colon cancer, derived from or based on a novel prostate-specific, androgen-regulated, cell membrane associated and secreted serine protease termed 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 are described. A full length cDNA comprising the entire coding sequence of the 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 gene (also designated 20P1F12-GTC1 herein) is provided (FIG. 1). Among the compositions provided are antibodies that bind to 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 proteins and polypeptide fragments thereof, including antibodies labeled with a detectable marker or toxin or therapeutic composition. The invention also provides prognostic and diagnostic methods of examining a biological sample for evidence of disregulated cellular growth by comparing the status of 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 in the biological sample to the status of 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 in a corresponding normal sample, wherein alterations in the status of 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 in the biological sample are associated with disregulated cellular growth. The invention further provides various therapeutic compositions and strategies for treating prostate cancer, including particularly, 20P1F12/TMPRSS2 polypeptide and anti-20P1F12/TMPRSS2 antibody therapy methods and compositions, cancer vaccines, and small molecule therapy.
US07981620B2
A fibronectin type III (Fn3) polypeptide monobody, a nucleic acid molecule encoding said monobody, and a variegated nucleic acid library encoding said monobody, are provided by the invention. Also provided are methods of preparing a Fn3 polypeptide monobody, and kits to perform said methods. Further provided is a method of identifying the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide molecule capable of binding to a specific binding partner (SBP) so as to form a polypeptide:SSP complex, and a method of identifying the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide molecule capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction with a catalyzed rate constant, kcat, and an uncatalyzed rate constant, kuncat, such that the ratio of kcat/kuncat is greater than 10.
US07981618B2
Patients with ErbB2-overexpressing cancers can be given an ErbB2 targeting agent as a therapeutic regimen but not all patients are responsive. The present invention concerns the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic methods and compositions for evaluating potential efficacy of an ErbB2 targeting agent in an ErbB2-overexpressing cancers by evaluating PTEN expression, which is predictive of responsiveness or resistance to ErbB2 targeting agents such as trastuzumab. Low PTEN expression is predictive of a patient who will respond poorly to trastuzumab.
US07981616B2
Enhanced detection of RNA using a panel of truncated gene-specific primers for reverse transcription
The present invention provides truncated gene-specific primers in panels that can be used during the reverse transcription step of RT-PCR to increase signal detection of cancer gene markers in a tissue sample. Also provided are forward and reverse primers for RT-PCR. Methods of using the primers are also provided.
US07981611B2
Methods and devices are described for the regulation of Fibroblastic Growth Factor-2 mRNA and/or FGF-2 protein in bone cells and other tissues via capacitive coupling or inductive coupling of specific and selective electric and/or electromagnetic fields to the bone cells or other tissues, where the specific and selective fields are generated by application of specific and selective signals to electrodes or one or more coils or other field generating device disposed with respect to the bone cells or other tissues so as to facilitate the treatment of diseased or injured bone and other tissues. By gene expression is meant the up-regulation or down-regulation of the process whereby specific portions (genes) of the human genome (DNA) are transcribed into mRNA and subsequently translated into protein. Methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of injured or diseased bone and other tissue that include generating specific and selective signals that generate electric and/or electromagnetic fields in the target tissue optimized for increase of FGF-2 protein gene expression and exposing bone and other tissue to the fields generated by specific and selective signals so as to regulate FGF-2 protein gene expression in such tissue. The resulting methods and devices are useful for the targeted treatment of osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteonecrosis, fresh bone fractures, fractures at risk, nonunion, bone defects, spine fusion, and/or other conditions in which FGF-2 protein has been implicated.
US07981600B2
Methods and devices for removing small negatively charged molecules from a biological sample mixture that uses an anion exchange material that has associated therewith a polyoxyalkylene.
US07981596B2
The present invention provides for compositions and methods for the preservation of tissues and organs ex vivo and in situ. In addition, the present invention provides for kits that may be used in the preparation of the solutions of the present invention.
US07981595B2
A lithographic method to enhance image resolution in a lithographic cluster using multiple projections and a lithographic cluster used to project multiple patterns to form images that are combined to form an image having enhanced resolution.
US07981589B2
Fluorinated monomers of formula (1) are useful in producing polymers for the formulation of radiation-sensitive resist compositions. R1 is H or monovalent C1-C20 hydrocarbon group, R2 is H, F, methyl or trifluoromethyl, R3 and R4 are H or a monovalent C1-C8 hydrocarbon group, or R3 and R4 may form an aliphatic hydrocarbon ring, and A is a divalent C1-C6 hydrocarbon group
US07981587B2
A method for producing a developing agent including heating a dispersion of a toner particle material containing a binder resin fine particle, a coloring agent particle and a dispersion medium at a temperature of a glass transition point of the binder resin or higher and adding a coagulating agent in the heated dispersion of a toner particle material to coagulate a toner material containing the binder resin fine particle and the coloring agent particle, thereby forming a coagulated particle is disclosed.
US07981585B2
In an image forming apparatus comprising a charging section, an exposure section, a developing section, a transfer section, a peeling section, a cleaning section including a cleaning blade, and a fixing section, the cleaning blade is composed by dispersing 15 parts by weight through 33 parts by weight of fluorine resin particulate and secondary particles thereof into 100 parts by weight of a synthetic resin of a base material and, on a surface of the cleaning blade 16a, and a number of the secondary particles of the fluorine resin particulate having a particle diameter of 0.5 μm or more existing in unit area of 100 μm2 is made to be 50 or less.
US07981584B2
Toner particles are provided which may, in embodiments, include a core possessing an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin in combination with a colorant, optional wax, and optional other additives, and a shell over the core including a branched amorphous resin. The branched resin in the shell may prevent the crystalline resin from migrating to the toner surface.
US07981583B2
A binder resin for an electrostatic image developing toner is obtained by polycondensation reaction of at least two polycarboxylic acids and at least one polyol, wherein the at least two polycarboxylic acids include at least one of a first specific polycarboxylic acid and a second specific polycarboxylic acid in an amount of from about 3 mol % to less than about 50 mol % based on a total amount of the at least two polycarboxylic acids, the binder resin includes a catalyst-derived metal in an amount of from about 0 ppm to about 10 ppm, and the binder resin has a glass transition temperature Tg of from about 45° C. to about 80° C.
US07981576B2
A method of generating complementary masks for use in a dark field double dipole imaging process. The method includes the steps of identifying a target pattern having a plurality of features, including horizontal and vertical features; generating a horizontal mask based on the target pattern, where the horizontal mask includes low contrast vertical features. The generation of the horizontal mask includes the steps of optimizing the bias of the low contrast vertical features contained in the horizontal mask; and applying assist features to the horizontal mask. The method further includes generating a vertical mask based on the target pattern, where the vertical mask contains low contrast horizontal features. The generation of the vertical mask includes the steps of optimizing the bias of low contrast horizontal features contained in the vertical mask; and applying assist features to the vertical mask.
US07981571B2
A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly having an anode, a cathode arranged facing the anode, and a polyelectrolyte membrane arranged between the anode and the cathode, and a pair of separator plates that are arranged facing each other so as to sandwich the membrane electrode assembly, and have an anode side gas channel for supplying a fuel gas to the anode, and a cathode side gas channel for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode, formed thereon, wherein the catalyst layer of the anode contains at least one electrode catalyst selected from the group consisting of Pt particles and Pt alloy particles, having a particle diameter of from 6 to 10 nm, the catalyst layer of the anode has a thickness of from 1 to 5 μm, Pt volume density in the catalyst layer of the anode is from 1 to 5 g/cm3, the catalyst layer of the cathode has a thickness of 10 μm or more, and Pt volume density in the catalyst layer of the cathode is from 0.1 to 0.5 g/cm3.
US07981567B2
The present invention provides a novel polymer composed of polyarylene in the main chain and having oxocarbon groups which is particularly useful in battery and fuel cell applications.
US07981563B2
A direct carbon fuel cell having an anode electrode of carbon particles pre-wetted with carbonate, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and containing a molten carbonate. The fuel cell includes a wicking feature whereby excess carbonate produced during the operation of the fuel cell is removed. The use of carbonate pre-wetted carbon particles as the anode provides a network of empty voids, facilitating the removal of CO2 gas from the cell, thereby enhancing fuel cell performance.
US07981547B2
A positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery containing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide is produced by firing, as a cobalt source, a mixture of substantially spherical cobalt hydroxide or tricobalt tetraoxide having such a sharp particle size distribution that the average particle size D50 is from 7 to 20 μm, and cobalt oxyhydroxide having an average particle size of secondary particles formed by agglomeration of primary particles of from 7 to 20 μm, in a proportion of from 5:1 to 1:5 as the cobalt atomic ratio, at a temperature of from 700° C. to 1050° C. in an oxygen-comprising atmosphere.
US07981546B2
A lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula 1: LixNi1-y-z-v-wCoyAlzM1vM2wO2 is used as a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The element M1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ti, Y, Nb, Mo, and W. The element M2 includes at least two selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, and the element M2 includes at least Mg and Ca. The formula 1 satisfies 0.97≦x≦1.1, 0.05≦y≦0.35, 0.005≦z≦0.1, 0.0001≦v≦0.05, and 0.0001≦w≦0.05. The primary particles have a mean particle size of 0.1 μm or more and 3 μm or less, and the secondary particles have a mean particle size of 8 μm or more and 20 μm or less.
US07981535B2
A battery holder assembly (219) includes a cavity structure (CS), a screw plate (SP), a spring electrical contact (SEC), an insulator cup (IC), and a pin (402). CS (392) defines a cavity (210) in a chassis panel (CP) of an electronic device (ED). SP (320) snugly fits within an opening in CP (212). SP has a base (702) forming a cover for enclosing the cavity. SP forms a connection with CS and a first terminal of a battery (318), when battery is positioned in the cavity and SP is fitted within the opening. SEC (802) provides a connection between battery and SP. IC (322) snugly receives battery therein. IC fits within the cavity and electrically insulates a second terminal of battery from CS. A battery contact (BC) is disposed on IC. BC (716, 412) provides a connection to the second terminal. Pin forms a connection between BC and ED.
US07981526B2
A light-emitting device is provide, which includes a first substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode, which are disposed above the first substrate and insulated from each other, enabling a difference in electrical potential to be given between the first electrode and the second electrode, a second substrate disposed to face the first substrate and spaced apart from the first substrate, a light-emitting layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the light-emitting layer includes a light-emitting material which emits light through an electrochemical oxidation or reduction thereof and chloride ions, and a barrier electrode interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode to partition the light-emitting layer. This barrier electrode is used as a standard for the electrical potential.
US07981522B2
The invention relates to the improvement of phosphorescent organic electroluminescent devices, by the use of materials of formulas (1) to (4), as indicated in diagram 1, in the hole blocking layer.
US07981519B2
A method and system of repairing an engine part having a cracked metal skin bonded to a honeycomb core includes removing a portion of the honeycomb that corresponds to a cracked portion of the metal skin. A crack in the metal skin originates from an edge of the engine part. A portion of the honeycomb is removed to form a slot in the honeycomb beginning at the edge of the part. A doubler is inserted into the slot in the honeycomb and is attached to an underside of the metal skin to form a lap joint between the doubler and the metal skin. In one embodiment, the portion of the metal skin that includes the crack remains. In an alternative embodiment, the cracked portion of the metal skin is removed and a metal patch is attached to the doubler such that the patch replaces the removed metal skin.
US07981504B2
The present invention comprises methods and compositions of dielectric materials. The dielectric materials of the present invention comprise materials having a dielectric constant of more than 1.0 and less than 1.9 and/or a dissipation factor of less than 0.0009. Other characteristics include the ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures, from both high temperatures of approximately +260° C. to low temperatures of approximately −200° C., operate in wide range of atmospheric conditions and pressures (e.g., a high atmosphere, low vacuum condition such as that found in the outer-space as well as conditions similar to those found at sea level or below sea level). The dielectric materials of the present invention may be used in the manufacture of composite structures that can be used alone or in combination with other materials, and can be used in electronic components or devices such as RF interconnects.
US07981495B2
Fiber based z-directional reinforced composites having enhanced inter-laminar strength, impact toughness, transmission properties (electrical and thermal conduction) and coefficient of thermal expansion are provided. The composites include at least two substrates separated by a reinforcement zone that includes a plurality of fibers disposed in a binder resin. At least some, and in one embodiment, a majority, of the fibers are oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to the substrates. Multi-layered composites having more than two substrate layers can also be formed. Methods for forming such composites are also provided.
US07981486B2
A compound represented by the following formula (1), a liquid crystal composition containing the compound and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition: all the symbols in the formula (1) are defined in the specification.
US07981485B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out a PCVD process in which one or more doped or undoped glass layers are coated onto the interior of a glass substrate tube. The apparatus comprises an applicator having an inner wall and an outer wall and a microwave guide that opens into the applicator. The applicator extends around a cylindrical axis and which is provided with a passage adjacent to the inner wall, through which the microwaves supplied via the microwave guide can exit, over which cylindrical axis the substrate tube can be positioned, while the applicator is fully surrounded by a furnace that extends over the cylindrical axis.
US07981480B2
Hot dip coating apparatus for coating a steel strip in an Al—Zn alloy bath comprises components that are made from stainless steel containing an appreciable amount of nitrogen distributed substantially uniformly through its microstructure. The nitrogen is incorporated into the stainless steel as an alloy additive and improves the steel's corrosion resistance and minimizes pitting and thinning of the component when immersed in the metal bath for extended periods.
US07981470B1
A commercial method for the interior chemical treatment of inflatable balloons, the method including inflating a balloon with air, coating the interior surface of a balloon with a micro-atomized chemical mixture and allowing the chemical mixture to coat and permeate the inner surface of the balloon.
US07981468B2
An apparatus (10) for surface treating particulate material (M) with surface treatment particles (S) includes a substantially cylindrical body (12) having a top (18), bottom (16) and sidewall (14). A mixing chamber (42) is defined within the body (12). At least one injector inlet (36) and at least one process air inlet (32) are in communication with the mixing chamber (42). At least one outlet (34) is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (42).
US07981465B2
A method and apparatus for applying a solid particulate powder coating to a stator stack having a plurality of longitudinally extending stator slots. The apparatus includes a coating application station for applying powder particles to the stator stack, a coating removal station for displacing the powder particles from selected areas of the stator stack and a curing oven for curing the powder particles onto the stator stack. A collection hopper is provided for receiving recycled powder particles and includes a porous structural side wall for permitting air to exit the hopper while retaining the powder particles from passing into the environment around the system.
US07981462B2
The invention relates to a method for applying paints or varnishes with the aid of an application device in order to apply a color design on surfaces of buildings or public or civil engineering works in accordance with a previously executed implementation of a digital image model in a previously recorded digital surface object that represents the surface of the object. According to the invention, the application device moves on the surface of the object while contacting the surface thereof, the position of the application device is continuously measured or calculated using motion sensors and paint is applied in accordance with said implementation depending on the position thus determined. Application of paint by the application device is automatically stopped if the position of the application device with respect to a predefined position error acceptance threshold cannot be determined in a sufficiently accurate manner or if the corresponding paint or varnish has been fully applied in the position of the paint applying elements.
US07981454B2
The shelf life of fresh harvest produce is extended by coating the exterior surface of freshly harvested produce with a coating composition comprising an aqueous emulsion of polyvinylidene chloride copolymers containing from about 0.25 to 25% by weight of copolymer solids to water and between 0.001 and 20% plasticizer preferably a polyethylene oxide based additive such as Triton-X to weight of copolymer solids in the emulsion. The coating may also contain biocides as well to control bacteria and fungal growth on the post harvest produce during storage, shipping, distribution, and sale of the product. The coating composition is effective in extending the shelf life of produce.
US07981440B2
This invention relates to solutions for packaging ophthalmic devices comprising at least one antimicrobial metal salt which prevent the loss of said antimicrobial metal salt during autoclaving and storage.
US07981433B2
Botulinum toxin, among other presynaptic neurotoxins is used for the treatment and prevention of migraine and other headaches associated with vascular disorders. Presynaptic neurotoxins are delivered focally, targeting the sphenopalatine ganglion. Exemplary delivery is carried out by way of injection.
US07981431B2
A consensus peptide sequence designed for domain III of the envelope proteins of four serotypes of dengue virus and used in a vaccine against multiple serotypes of dengue virus is disclosed. The vaccine is able to elicit cross-neutralization antibody responses against multiple serotypes of dengue virus.
US07981425B2
The invention relates to the field of compounds, especially peptides or polypeptides, that have thrombopoietic activity. The peptides and polypeptides of the invention may be used to increase platelets or platelet precursors (e.g., megakaryocytes) in a mammal.
US07981422B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.
US07981413B2
The invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof that correspond to a novel human secreted CD84-like polypeptide. These polynucleotides comprise nucleic acid sequences isolated from cDNA library from human spleen (Hyseq clone identification numbers 2938352 (SEQ ID NO: 1)). Other aspects of the invention include vectors containing processes for producing novel human secreted CD84-like polypeptides, and antibodies specific for such polypeptides.
US07981409B2
The present invention relates to cosmetic and dermatological methods for treating cellulite, reducing signs of aging skin, and treating stretch marks, the methods comprising applying/administering to the skin of a subject in need thereof the compositions comprising interleukin-1 alpha.
US07981407B2
A leave-on hair cosmetic composition, which contains the following components (A), (B) and (C): (A) an organic C2-8 dicarboxylic acid or salt thereof selected from the group consisting of malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, or salts thereof, (B) at least one or more of an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic alcohols, wherein the organic solvent has a ClogP of from −2 to 3, and (C) an edetic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the cosmetic composition has a pH of from 2 to 5 at 25° C. when diluted to 20 times the weight with water. The present invention also relates to a hair quality improving method which includes treating the hair with the hair cosmetic composition. The hair cosmetic composition of the present invention can provide benefits such as luster, manageability, pliability and elasticity to the hair which is apt to be dry, having lost water therefrom owing to damage by coloring, permanent waving, or repetitive excessive blow drying.
US07981396B2
Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the large scale synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. Metal catalysts having small diameter and narrow distribution of particle sizes are prepared and continuously injected as aerosols into a reactor. The metal catalysts are supported on supports that are substantially free of carbon, and the reactor is configured to control the flow of the gases such that the reaction time and contact of the reactants with the reactor walls can be controlled. Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be synthesized at a large scale and with high yields.
US07981374B2
A method is disclosed for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis process unit to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating high pressure steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface maintained at a temperature such that part of the gaseous effluent condenses to form in situ a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum.
US07981363B2
A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
US07981354B2
The invention relates to a method for producing metal oxide fibers with diameters on the micro- and nanometric scale by using electrospinning. At least one polymer is dissolved in a solvent, a metal salt is dissolved in this polymer solution, and this mixture is subsequently electrospun into fibers. Breaking down the polymer renders metal oxide fibers accessible that can be optionally reduced into the corresponding metal fibers.
US07981351B2
A method for thermally crystallizing a neck of a primary molded product for forming a bottle-shaped container made of polyethylene terephthalate as principal ingredient, said neck having a functional part and a neck ring at a lower end thereof, said functional part being formed with screw threads at an upper portion thereof and a bead ring below the screw threads, said method comprising: heating the neck, and then squeezing the bead ring heated to the heat-deformable temperature, from outside so as to form an outer diameter of the bead ring within a dimensional tolerance for deformation with regard to sealing effect.
US07981350B2
An injection-moulding device is disclosed, comprising at least first and second mould parts, defining a mould cavity, wherein at least one of the mould parts comprises heating means, for heating the mould part in the vicinity of a mould cavity surface, said heating means comprising an inductive coil having a plurality of windings and being powered by an oscillator. The mould part comprises a top member, at the mould cavity surface, and, beneath the top member, a carrier member comprising grooves for taking up said coil windings, wherein the top member resistivity is lower than 1.5*10−6 Ωm, the top member relative magnetic permeability is lower than 10, the carrier member resistivity is higher than 20*10−6 Ωm, and the carrier member relative magnetic permeability is higher than 50.
US07981342B2
A method of manufacturing decorative plastic composites having a decorative layer, a backing layer and a clear outer layer which provides exceptional “depth of image” is disclosed. Decorative or protective appliqués' having a wide range of decorative patterns may be formed by injection molding a backing layer behind and a clear outer layer on the top surface of a thin foil, film, fabric or veneer. A method is also disclosed for coating the exposed surface of the decorative layer between injection of the backing and outer layers to impart a desired visual effect or repair the surface. Use of multiple layers of decorative film, clear plastic and colored/opaque plastic is also disclosed to provide distinguishing visual effects.
US07981336B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the production of a predetermined ratio of multicomponent fibers in combination with monocomponent fibers or other multicomponent fibers, preferably through a spunbonding process. After extrusion, these fibers can produce a fiber network that is subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric comprising multiple types of fibers. The multicomponent fibers within the network may be processed to remove one component by dissolution or to split the individual components into separate fibers. As a result, the fabric will be comprised of fibers with a range of diameters (micro- or nano-denier fibers as well as higher denier fibers) such that the fibers will not pack as tightly as in a homogeneous nonwoven fabric produced from one type of monocomponent or multicomponent fiber. The present invention additionally relates to methods for producing nonwoven fabrics with increased loft, breathability, strength, compressive properties, and filtration efficiency.
US07981335B2
A plant and method for the manufacture of cementitious products, viz. cast concrete roof tiles (T), the plant comprising a mixing station (2) where the constituents of a cementitious composition, less an air entraining agent, are admixed under atmospheric pressure and further mixed under a partial vacuum of 200 to 340 mBar after the addition of an air entraining agent, the plant also comprising a molding station (4) where the tiles (T) are cast in a gang-mold (6) before being cured in a conventional autoclave for up to 10 hours at 45 degrees C. The cured concrete roof tiles (T) are de-molded after curing and conveyed to a surface preparation zone (12) where a primer coat of a water based epoxy and a surface coating of a water based emulsion paint are applied to at least an upper surface in use of the cast concrete roof tiles (T). The admixed cementitious composition has a Ford Cup flow of between 40 and 60 seconds and a slump test of between 180 and 220 mm. In an alternative method, instead of applying a primer coat, the upper surfaces, in use, of the roof tiles T are subjected to abrasion by grit-blasting to remove a thin layer from the upper surfaces thereby facilitating the subsequent application thereto of a surface coating.
US07981327B2
Disclosed is a method for producing a metal particle dispersion wherein a metal compound is reduced by using carbodihydrazide represented by the formula (1) below or a polybasic acid polyhydrazide represented by the formula (2) below (wherein R represents an n-valent polybasic acid residue) in a liquid medium. By reducing the metal compound in the presence of a compound having a function preventing discoloration of the metal, there can be obtained a metal particle dispersion having excellent discoloration preventing properties. Metal particles produced by such methods have a uniform particle diameter and are excellent in dispersion stability. By using a conductive resin composition or conductive ink containing a metal particle dispersion obtained by such production methods, there can be formed a conductive coating film, such as a conductive circuit or an electromagnetic layer, having good characteristics.
US07981323B2
Monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric electrically conductive compounds and methods of making the compounds having a repeating unit having formula P1, as follows: where X is S or Se, Y is S or Se, wherein one or both of X and Y is Se, R is a substituent group capable of bonding to the ring structure. R may include hydrogen or isotopes thereof, hydroxyl, alkyl, including C1 to C20 primary, secondary or tertiary alkyl groups, arylalkyl, alkenyl, perfluoroalkyl, perfluororaryl, aryl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, aryloxy, alkylthioalkyl, alkynyl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, amido, alkylsulfinyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, arylamino, diarylamino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylarylamino, arylthio, heteroaryl, arylsulfinyl, alkoxycarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, carboxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, or alkyl or phenyl substituted with one or more sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, carboxylic acid, halo, amino, nitro, hydroxyl, cyano or epoxy moieties. Electrical devices utilizing the electrically conductive polymers is also disclosed.
US07981320B2
A polymerizable composition comprising a bifunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by the general formula (2): R1 and R2 each=a hydrogen atom, methyl group, or halogen atom; A1, A2, A3 each=a benzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexene, naphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, or phenanthrene ring; rings may be substituted with 1-8 carbon atom alkyl group, 1-8 carbon atom alkoxy group, a halogen atom, or a cyano group; at least one of A1, A2, and A3 comprises a substituent; —CH═ may be replaced by —N═, and —CH2— may be replaced by —S— or —O—: L1, L2, L3 each=a single bond, —COO—, —OCO—, —(CH2)p—, —CH═CH—, —(CH2)qO—, —CH═CHCH2O—, —CH≡C—, —(CH2)2COO—, or —CF═CF—; n=integer 0-3; and, when n≧2, L3 and A3 may be the same or different; p and q each=an integer 1-8:
US07981316B2
The polishing method uses a polishing solution for removing barrier materials in the presence of interconnect metals and dielectrics. The polishing solution comprises, by weight percent, 0.1 to 10 hydrogen peroxide, at least one pH adjusting agent selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid for adjusting a pH level of the polishing solution to less than 3, at least 0.0025 benzotriazole inhibitor for reducing removal rate of the interconnect metals, 0 to 10 surfactant, 0.01 to 10 colloidal silica having an average particle size of less than 50 nm and balance water and incidental impurities. The polishing solution has a tantalum nitride material to copper selectivity of at least 3 to 1 and a tantalum nitride to TEOS selectivity of at least 3 to 1.
US07981315B2
Polar molecules dominated electrorheological fluids mainly comprising a mixture of dispersed phase of solid particles and/or dispersing liquid medium. The dispersed phase solid particles, on the surface, or the liquid dispersing medium contain polar molecules or polar groups, the dipole moment of which is 0.5-10 deb and the size is between 0.1 nm and 0.8 nm. Dispersed phase solid particles are spherical or nearly spherical, of which the size is 10-300 nm and dielectric constant is higher than 50. The conductance rate of the liquid dispersing medium is lower than 10−8 S/m, and the dielectric constant is lower than 10. The PM-ER fluids possess the characteristics of high yield strength, high dynamic shear strength, low leakage current, the linear dependence of yield strength on electric field, and high yield strength at low electric field, etc. The yield strength improves to almost 100 times of that of ordinary ER fluids and reaches to more than 200 Kpa.
US07981314B2
Aqueous corrosion inhibitor compositions, preferably storage-stable, useful in acidic cleaning solutions for cleaning the surfaces of metal, comprising reaction products of at least one rosin amine component, at least one non-flammable liquid ketone component, at least one carboxylic acid component, at least one paraformaldehyde component and water; aqueous acidic cleaners prepared therefrom; and methods of their use. The inventive corrosion inhibitor compositions are made by a simple process which reduces the presence of toxic and/or flammable raw materials, co-products, residual reactants and chloride ion while providing acid inhibition in aqueous acidic cleaners.
US07981311B2
Halocarbons of the structure CF3CF2CH2X, wherein X is either F or Cl or mixtures thereof prepared by: contacting at least one 2-fluorochloropropane with hydrogen fluoride in a first fluorination step in the gas phase or liquid phase under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the absence of added catalyst to partially fluorinate said 2-fluorochloropropane; contacting said partially fluorinated 2-fluorochloropropane with at least the stoichiometric molar equivalent of hydrogen fluoride under substantially anhydrous conditions, in the presence of at least one fluorination catalyst in a second fluorination step; removing said reaction products from contact with said catalyst, and isolating a substantial yield of at least 1,1,1,2,2,3-hexafluoropropane or 1,1,1,2,2,penta-3-chloropropane, or mixtures thereof, respectively.
US07981303B2
A novel silicon micromirror structure for improving image fidelity in laser pattern generators is presented. In some embodiments, the micromirror is formed from monocrystalline silicon. Analytical- and finite element analysis of the structure as well as an outline of a fabrication scheme to realize the structure are given. The spring constant of the micromirror structure can be designed independently of the stiffness of the mirror-surface. This makes it possible to design a mirror with very good planarity, resistance to sagging during actuation, and it reduces influence from stress in reflectivity-increasing multilayer coatings.
US07981300B2
Systems and methods for treating water passing through a catch basin may include first and second filters. In some embodiments, one or both of the filters can have a plurality of regions with different nominal flow rates.
US07981295B2
Disclosed is an economical process for the purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica sequestering media, respectively. The purified water recovery is not adversely affected by design and/or operational deficiencies in the chemical precipitation softening system that may result in higher residual hardness and silica in the supernatant from the clarifier.
US07981292B2
A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.
US07981291B2
The invention relates to a method for the treatment of an aqueous waste stream, wherein: (a) an aqueous waste stream is separated into an effluent and waste sludge; and (b) the waste sludge is converted into predated waste sludge in a predation reactor, the predation reactor including a support comprising worms and the waste sludge being fed past the support comprising worms. The invention further relates to an plant in which the method may be carried out, in particular to an plant for the treatment of an aqueous waste stream that comprises a predation reactor having a support comprising worms, wherein the predation reactor has two compartments that are separated by the support comprising worms.
US07981272B2
A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream in a reforming unit can include passing a gas including a halogen-containing material from a product separation zone through an adsorption zone to remove at least some of the halogen-containing material before the gas enters a first reforming stage having at least one fixed bed reaction zone.
US07981266B2
An electrochemical gas sensor (9) has improved electrochemical measurement properties and housing tightness for an electrolyte at the sites at which the connection lines (11, 21, 31) pass through. The sensor (9) includes a housing (4), containing at least one measuring electrode (1) and a counterelectrode (2) and with electric connection lines (11, 21, 31) from the electrodes (1, 2, 3) to a measuring unit (8) arranged outside the housing (4). The electric connection lines (11, 21, 31) include carbon nanotubes (CNT, Carbon Nanotubes) at least in some sections in the housing (4) in the area of the electrolyte wetting.
US07981249B2
This invention relates to an improved smudge free sanitary sheet made of waste paper and a process of preparing the same through processing the surplus newsprint and more precisely processing used/recycled paper. The sanitary sheets are prepared by the process steps of collecting pre-consumer overprint or post consumer read newspapers; grading the collected waste newspaper; drying and sterilizing the graded newspaper by applying ultraviolet, infrared and/or gamma rays; trimming and cutting the dried sterilized sheets in appropriate sizes; applying on at least one of the sides of the waste newspaper an aqueous coating comprising of a mixture of resin such as bleached shellac, a dye, a germicide such as Benzaikonium Chloride (BC) and/or PCMX (Chloroxylenol), a safe colour, a known deodorant and optionally cosmetic chemicals such as emollient and a foaming agent such as a detergent.
US07981218B2
A substrate supporting mechanism includes a function for heating a substrate placed thereon in a process container of a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate supporting mechanism includes a worktable configured to place the substrate thereon and including a heating element made of silicon carbide and formed in a predetermined pattern; an electric feeder electrode configured to supply electricity to the heating element; and a partition member made of an electrically insulating material and interposed between portions adjacent to each other in the heating element formed in the predetermined pattern.
US07981207B2
A dye compound represented by the following formula has at least one anionic group: wherein R1 and R2 independently represent an amino or hydroxyl group, A1 represents nitrogen or CR4, R4 and R3 form a first aromatic ring, R3 represents a substituent with a negative Hammett's substituent constant when A1 represents nitrogen, and Cy represents a second aromatic ring.
US07981205B2
A dye compound has the following general formula (1). In the general formula (1), A1 denotes N or CR2. When A1 denotes N, R1 denotes an amino group. When A1 denotes CR2, R1 and R2 form an aromatic ring that has an anionic group. R3 denotes an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group. Cy denotes a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring.
US07981202B2
An electroless pure palladium plating solution capable of forming pure palladium plating films having less plating film variations is provided. The electroless pure palladium plating solution comprises an aqueous solution containing (a) 0.001 to 0.5 mol/liter of a water-soluble palladium compound, (b) 0.005 to 10 mol/liter of at least two members selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carboxylic acids and water-soluble salts thereof, (c) 0.005 to 10 mol/liter of phosphoric acid and/or a phosphate, and (d) 0.005 to 10 mol/liter of sulfuric acid and/or a sulfate.
US07981198B2
A system includes a particulate matter (PM) filter that includes an upstream end for receiving exhaust gas and a downstream end. A zoned heater is arranged spaced from the upstream end and comprises N zones, where N is an integer greater than one, wherein each of the N zones comprises M sub-zones, where M is an integer greater than or equal to one, and wherein the N zones and the M sub-zones are arranged in P layers, where P is an integer greater than one. A control module selectively activates at least a selected one of the N zones to initiate regeneration in downstream portions of the PM filter from the one of the N zones and deactivates non-selected ones of the N zones.
US07981193B2
A method of controlling an apparatus for separating product gas and non product gas from an air supply, the concentration of the product gas produced by the apparatus being variable depending on a control signal from a controller and the efficiency of the apparatus in producing product gas depending upon an environmental parameter, the method including sensing the oxygen concentration in the product gas produced by the apparatus, determining an instantaneous demand for oxygen concentration in the product gas, providing to the controller a process variable signal indicative of the sensed concentration of the oxygen in the product gas, and providing to the controller a demand input signal indicative of the demand, sensing the environmental parameter and providing an environmental parameter input signal to the controller, comparing the process variable signal and the demand signal to generate an error signal indicative of a change in oxygen concentration in the product gas required to match the instantaneous demand, conditioning the error signal to derive a control signal to control the apparatus to satisfy the demand, characterised in that the conditioning of the error signal is compensated to derive the control signal, depending upon the environmental parameter input signal.
US07981181B2
A cyclone dust-separating apparatus that may be conveniently maintained and repaired is disclosed. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone chamber that separates dust using a whirling air current about a horizontal rotating axis, and a first cover that is detachably attached to an end of the cyclone chamber to expose the cyclone chamber. The first cover can be detached, so the cyclone dust-separating apparatus may be conveniently maintained and repaired.
US07981177B2
A composite filter media for a vacuum cleaner comprising a first filtration layer comprising a slit film having a plurality of continuous electrostatically-charged polyolefin filaments disposed substantially parallel to each other along their lengths; and a second filtration layer comprising a high-efficiency filtration media selected from wet-laid filter paper, dry-laid filter paper, and nonwoven filter media; wherein said first filtration layer is disposed in series with said second filtration layer, with respect to an air flow direction through said vacuum cleaner, to form a composite.
US07981174B2
An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases are distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
US07981172B2
Systems and methods for producing hydrogen gas with a fuel processing system that includes a hydrogen-producing region that produces hydrogen gas from a feed stream and a heating assembly that consumes a fuel stream to produce a heated exhaust stream for heating the hydrogen-producing region. In some embodiments, the heating assembly heats the hydrogen-producing region to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. In some embodiments, the rate at which an air stream is delivered to the heating assembly is controlled to selectively increase or decrease the temperature of the heated exhaust stream. In some embodiments, the feed stream and the fuel stream both contain a carbon-containing feedstock and at least 25 wt % water. In some embodiments, the feed and fuel streams have the same composition.
US07981170B1
By controlling one or more properties of a gasoline-oxygenate blend, a gasoline-oxygenate blend may be blended to contain at least one alcohol that exhibits acceptable properties and characteristics. This blend and the preferred method of preparing this blend includes an alcohol, most preferably ethanol, to reduce or eliminate the introduction of MTBE while offering acceptable properties such as volatility and temperature while effectively reducing pollutant emissions.
US07981160B1
Cup has an articular surface upon which a ball of a joint can articulate, and a margin generally about a hemisphere and at least two hoods that are marginally extended continuations of superior one-half or so of cup containment, a joint ball; and a securing member for resistance against outward displacement of the hood(s) so that the ball can be securely contained. An inwardly biased engagement tab can be is provided for hood brace(s), and perforation(s) or hole(s) can be present about the hood brace(s) and/or cover(s).
US07981152B1
A method for placing a device into a target vasculature. The method comprises accessing the target vasculature with an access guide catheter to sub-select a proximal portion of the target vasculature. A rail catheter is tracked into the access guide catheter to place the rail catheter more distally and into a distal portion of the target vasculature. The access guide catheter is removed. A delivery catheter is tracked over the rail catheter. The rail catheter is then removed. A device catheter having the device is placed into the delivery catheter and positioned at a desired location within the distal portion of the target vasculature.
US07981150B2
An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a polymeric reservoir of drug and an over coating formed of ceramic or metal for controlling elution of drag from the reservoir.
US07981149B2
An expandable, implantable medical device, such as an intraluminal stent (10) fabricated from polymeric materials, includes a plurality of elongated struts (16) in consecutive series and alternating stress concentration junctions (18) interconnecting ends of adjacent struts (16). When the stent (10) is in an expanded condition, the adjacent struts (16) form expanded substantial V-shapes and stresses are concentrated within the junctions (18). The junctions (18) define pivot points (P) for the respective attached, adjacent struts (16). Each of the pivot points (P) is located substantially on a line bisecting the V-shapes formed by the struts (16), when the stent (10) is expanded.
US07981148B2
Stent delivery catheters comprising a hypotube, which may be a micromachined member, disposed on an outer portion of an inner member that may be an extruded multi-lumen member. The hypotube may be secured to the inner member. The devices may be adapted for delivering a self expanding stent by providing a restraining structure or device over the stent during delivery. One or more actuating members are provided through a lumen in the inner member to actuate the restraining structure and release the stent. Methods of use of such catheters are also described.
US07981146B2
A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. Temperatures at the meibomian glands reach desired levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid. Reaching such higher temperature levels may be instrumental in removing obstructions in the meibomian glands. Less time may also be required to reach desired temperature levels when applying heat to the inside of the eyelid. A force may also be applied to the outside of the patient's eyelid to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the eyelid that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions.
US07981142B2
Bone screws and bone plates are provided that offer the surgeon the ability to either assemble the screws to the plate, or the plate to the screws, depending on the surgeon's preference and the patient's circumstances. The bone screws and bone plates of the present invention include a combination of geometric configurations that allow the screws and plates to fit together from different assembly directions. Additionally, the bone screws and bone plates can include material resilience features to allow expansion/contraction during assembly to allow bi-directional attachment to one another.
US07981137B2
A linear surgical needle is provided having a body portion including a proximal end section; a central section; and a distal end section. The distal end section has a substantially parabolic configuration for producing a substantially uniform stress profile along a length thereof.
US07981134B2
Vascular embolic filtering systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. In general, the subject invention includes a system comprised of an embolic filter assembly and a multiple lumen delivery and retrieval sheath, where the embolic filter assembly includes a guide wire with an embolic filter operatively coupled to the distal end of the guide wire for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject invention provide for the rapid exchange and deployment of embolic filters in a patient's vasculature.
US07981131B2
A disposable single-swing-arm incision safety lancet is provided, which includes a casing (2) and a trigger. It is characterized in that the casing (2) is provided inside with an incision blood-taking mechanism composed of a cam (3), a swing arm (4), a blade (1) and a spring (8). In the incision blood-taking mechanism of the present invention, the cam, being driven to rotate under elastic force of the spring, pushes via the curved surface against the swing arm, which thus swings with the third radius R3 as the radius. The point of the blade 1 is swingingly stretched out of the casing 2 from the blood-taking opening 5 along the arc-shaped path A, thus producing the incising action. The present invention is novel in structure, clever in concept, and reliable in working. Since the movement of the incision blood-taking mechanism is controlled by the spring, the action strength can be controlled through the design of elastic force of the spring. Therefore, the mechanism possesses higher accuracy and controllability compared with the prior art, resolving the existing technical problems on this aspect.
US07981127B2
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a treatment sheath for endoscopic blood vessel harvesting, comprising a sheath main unit which can be inserted into a body through a cut skin portion in order to harvest a blood vessel in the body, a channel which is formed along a longitudinal direction in the sheath main unit and through which an endoscope is inserted so as to be insertable/detachable, a blood vessel holding member which is disposed at the sheath main unit and which holds the blood vessel to be harvested; and a blood vessel cutting device which is disposed at the sheath main unit and is positioned substantially symmetrically with the blood vessel holding member with respect to the channel and which cuts the blood vessel to be harvested.
US07981115B2
Instruments and methods for determining the spacing between locations in an animal subject are employed to size a connecting element to secure along a bony segment in the animal subject. The instruments and methods include a measuring instrument mountable to proximal ends of extensions extending from anchors engaged to the bony segment. The measuring instrument is configured to provide an indication of the spacing between the anchors even if the extensions are in non-parallel relation to one another.
US07981111B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method which employs an energy source, one or more switches, electronic control circuitry, and a surface that can be placed in contact with a region of a person's skin containing a benign pigmented lesion. Within the apparatus, electrical current is passed through a heating element that is thermally coupled to the surface so that this surface is heated rapidly and then is subsequently cooled rapidly. By judicious choice of the rate of heating, maximum temperatures achieved, and rate of cooling, thermal injury to the skin can be confined primarily to the epidermal region of the skin in contact with the surface.
US07981109B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for an interface for providing a user with feedback are presented. Specifically, embodiments of such an interface may include a head-up display unit which is mounted on a microscope utilized by a user when performing a surgical procedure. The heads-up display unit may include an eye-piece ring which is fitted onto or in one of the eye pieces of the microscope. The heads-up unit receives data regarding one or more parameters from a surgical console or other source and produces audio or visual feedback corresponding to a desired parameter. Any visual feedback produced may then be propagated to the eye piece ring allowing a user of the microscope to obtain the feedback when performing a surgical procedure utilizing the microscope and obviating the need to look at a screen of the surgical console to obtain such feedback. Thus, feedback is provided to a user in a non-intrusive manner such that the user can obtain this feedback without distracting from a surgical procedure.
US07981108B2
A cover that protects a tip of a surgical instrument. The tip can be placed within a housing of the cover. The housing has openings on each end that allow sterilization fluid to flow across the tip during an autoclave procedure. The tip can be placed on a handle of the cover. The handle can be rotated relative to the housing to allow for the easy insertion and removal of the tip from the cover.
US07981106B2
A device for drug release including a drug reservoir including a gate, wherein opening of the gate releases a drug stored in the drug reservoir, an electronic command and control (C & C) unit in communication with the gate that produces a gate bias voltage and time profile supplied to the gate for controlling opening of the gate, and a power source for supplying power to the electronic command and control unit.
US07981100B2
A disposable absorbent article includes a sheet member, an absorbent core, at least one front leg elastic member, and at least one rear leg elastic member. The leg elastic members intersect at left and right intersections located in a crotch region of the sheet member. The left and right intersections are placed at any position on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the vicinity of left and right side edges of the absorbent core in the crotch region. The front leg elastic member has left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections located on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the left and right intersections. The left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections are cut so as to have reduced contractile forces. The rear leg elastic member has left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections located on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the left and right intersections. The left and right rear leg contraction-reduced sections are cut so as to have reduced contractile forces.
US07981098B2
A system for treating a wound with suction is provided. The system comprises a wound cover, a pump having an input port and an output port, the input port providing suction to the wound via the wound cover, and a reservoir coupled to the output port of the pump. The reservoir is adapted to receive effluent from the wound and the pump is capable of maintaining a controlled level of suction at the wound.
US07981095B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction in a mammal wherein an occlusion blocks at least a portion of the flow of naturally occurring secretion out of a gland channel orifice. The invention comprises selecting a device capable of delivering a jet of heated medium. The device is positioned such that when the jet is it is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid, proximate to the gland channel orifice, a jet of heated medium is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid proximate to the gland channel orifice at a pressure of from about 2 psi to about 30 psi. Application of the jet of heated medium is maintained for sufficient time to loosen, break up, fracture, soften or liquefy at least a portion of the occlusion such that at least a portion of the occlusion is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medium is water heated to a temperature of between about 42° C. and about 46° C. Depending on the particular type and composition of the obstruction, the fluid jet operates to melt or soften the obstruction and to milkingly move the corpus of the softened obstruction up the gland channel from the end opposite the meibomian gland orifice and out of the gland orifice. Repeated application of the heated fluid jet may also be necessary to soften and/or express the obstruction.
US07981094B2
An implantable access device for intravenous delivery and/or withdrawal of fluids is described herein. The access device includes a septum which is movably supported within a housing of the access device from a retracted, low profile position to an extended, high profile position to facilitate easy identification of the location of the septum by medical personnel.
US07981090B2
A luer activated device for infusing and aspirating fluids to and from a variety of fluid systems. The luer activated device includes a housing and employs a variety of valves that permit and prevent the transfer of fluids through the housing into or out of various fluid systems.
US07981087B2
A winged securement device includes a flexible base having an adhesive side and an opposite non-adhesive side. A generally planar, integral elastomeric anchoring member is mounted on the base non-adhesive side. The anchoring member includes a pair of opposing gripping tabs formed therein the anchoring member and a slit disposed between the tabs. The gripping tabs may be pulled to open the slit for receiving wings of a catheter hub therein and for securing the wings between the anchoring member and the base.
US07981079B2
A medical device includes a syringe assembly and a shield system for delivering medicament to a patient. The syringe assembly includes a barrel defining a medicament reservoir, and a needle cannula coupled to the barrel and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The shield system has a hub coupled to the syringe barrel, a shield movably arranged on the hub, the shield being movable from a first position disposed from the needle cannula tip to a second position during insertion of the needle into a patient and movable from the second position to a third position covering the needle cannula tip after the needle cannula is removed from the patient. An urging member urges the shield to the third position upon removal of the needle cannula from the patient. A cover sleeve connected to the needle barrel surrounds the hub and the urging member.
US07981075B2
A needleless injection device used for intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections is disclosed. The device includes a pyrotechnic gas generator, at least one piston, a reserve of liquid active principle and an injection nozzle. The generator includes a pyrotechnic charge composed of a central energetic material that is surrounded by a second peripheral energetic material. The entire outer surface of the central energetic material contacts the inner surface of the peripheral energetic material. The two energetic materials have different rates of combustion.
US07981061B2
A power apparatus comprising includes: a moving section that moves in accordance with an action of a body part; a motor that outputs, during action of the body part in a first action direction, power to the moving section so as to cause the moving section to move in the first action direction and that recovers, during action of the body part in a second action direction, power generated by the movement of the moving section in the second action direction; and a capacitor that stores regenerative electric power generated by the recovery of the power and that supplies the stored regenerative electric power to the motor when the motor outputs the power to the moving section.
US07981059B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a driving force calculating device calculates a driving force so that a desired load is applied on a muscle while a power assisting device assists and/or resists a predetermined motion. A driving force calculating section of a driving force calculating device calculates a driving force of each driving section according to a joint torque table on joint torque necessary for a rotational motion and an assigned muscle force table on an assigned muscle force input to a muscle force input section. For the calculation is used a muscle/artificial muscle integrated model data integrally including musculoskeletal model data on a musculoskeletal model of a human and artificial muscle model data on an artificial muscle model of the power assisting device. The driving force is calculated through optimization using Crowninshield performance function under constraint conditions of the joint torque and the assigned muscle force.
US07981056B2
A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the lancet during the lancing cycle. The driver further includes a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.
US07981053B2
The present disclosure provides a novel, disposable urine collection vessel securing device that can be used in combination with any standard urine containment vessel and configured to provide an inexpensive, sanitary, convenient device for the collection of urine from a subject. Also provided is a method of use and can be included as one of the items in a sample collection kit.
US07981050B2
Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a single insertion procedure, without physical handling of the samples, as well as constructional features, such as a molded tissue cassette housing, variant vacuum port embodiments suited for different tissue environments, and a method for backflushing the instrument to remove biological debris, among others.
US07981046B2
A device for non-invasive measurement of the internal temperature of a physical body or thermal resistivity, the body comprising a thermally conductive medium between an internal region with a substantially constant internal temperature and an external surface with a surface temperature. The device comprises: a patch comprising one or more contact components for attachment to the external surface and an insulating cover for substantially thermally insulating the contact component from ambient thermal conditions; a reader for acquiring one or more thermal magnitudes on the patch; a processing unit for processing the thermal magnitudes to derive the internal temperature of the internal region or the thermal resistivity of the conductive medium.
US07981045B2
An apparatus for determining a respiratory condition includes a breath sound measuring unit 111 measuring a breath sound passing through a subject's airway by a breathing; a frequency converting unit 132 converting a frequency on the breath sound to obtain a frequency spectrum; a respiratory synchronous component extracting unit 134 extracting a respiratory synchronous component, which varies depending on the breathing, from the frequency spectrum; a frequency distribution detecting unit 136 detecting a frequency distribution of the respiratory synchronous component; and a respiratory condition determining unit 138 determining a subject's respiratory condition based on the frequency distribution. According to the apparatus, various symptoms, such as airway occlusion, respiratory obstruction and the like in relation to breathing during sleep can be determined.
US07981041B2
A needle biopsy guide system is disclosed for attachment to an endoluminal ultrasound probe or like sonographic instrument. The device includes a biopsy-guide attachment that allows for trocar catheter placement for abscess drainage or like procedures, using the transvaginal or transrectal route under sonographic control. The device has a base portion, which is attachable to an ultrasound probe. A removable retainer is provided that slides into the base unit to hold a biopsy needle in place. A physician may locate the target area in the body with the ultrasound probe, insert the biopsy needle into the target area, and then remove the insert (retainer) from the base unit and ultrasound probe, and leave the biopsy needle in place in the body.
US07981031B2
A surgical access device includes a proximal frame of fixed construction and a plurality of tissue engaging blades connected to the frame. The plurality of tissue engaging blades may include a first blade that is rotatable, independent of other blades, about an axis that is oriented approximately parallel to a plane defined by the proximal frame.
US07981027B2
An endoscope includes an observation window for observing an image of a photographic subject; an illumination window for emitting illumination light for illuminating the photographic subject; a suction port connected to a suction channel are provided on a distal end surface of an insertion portion; an observation window peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the observation window is vertical to an observation light axis; an illumination window peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the illumination window is vertical to an illumination light axis which tilts outward with respect to the observation light axis; and a suction port peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the suction port is flush with the observation window peripheral edge portion.
US07981025B2
A system includes an adjustable implant configured for implantation internally within a subject, the adjustable implant having a permanent magnet configured for rotation about an axis of rotation, the permanent magnet operatively coupled to a drive transmission configured to alter a dimension of the adjustable implant. The system further includes an external adjustment device configured for placement on or adjacent to the skin of the subject comprising at least one magnet configured for rotation, the external adjustment device further comprising a motor configured to rotate the at least one magnet, whereby rotation of the at least one magnet of the external adjustment device effectuates rotational movement of the permanent magnet of the adjustable implant and alters the dimension of the adjustable implant. The system includes drive control circuitry configured to drive the motor of the external adjustment device to achieve a target dimension of the adjustable implant.
US07981009B2
A training device, including a collapsible stand having a central support shaft and a plurality of legs. In a first position, the legs and central support member shaft collapse into each other. In a second position, the legs and central support shaft extend perpendicular relative to each other into a self-supporting stand having the central support shaft in a substantially vertical position. A plurality of striking pads is releasably coupled to the central support shaft by a quick release connector. A T-bar support attaches to the central support shaft. The plurality of striking pads approximate the positioning of the hands of a person in an offensive/defensive position, the head of the person and the torso of the person.
US07980999B2
A body motion discriminating apparatus includes an acceleration sensor for detecting a body motion of a user, a storing unit for storing a threshold, a threshold changing unit for changing the threshold based on physical data expressing a physical feature of the user and registering the changed threshold in the storing unit, and a discriminating unit for discriminating whether a detected body motion is walking or running by comparing a value of a parameter calculated from amplitude and cycle of an output signal of the acceleration sensor with the threshold.
US07980997B2
A system for encouraging a user to perform substantial physical activity. The system may include sensors that may be worn by the user while the user is performing a substantial physical activity, such as running or playing basketball. The sensors may detect the magnitude of the physical activity and may transmit data regarding the physical activity to a processing system. The processing system may display a reward to encourage the user for participating in physical activity and the reward provided may be based on the physical activity of the user.
US07980995B2
An electro-hydraulic control system is provided that utilizes a shift solenoid and shift valve to multiplex a single pressure control solenoid to control both modulation of a main pressure regulator valve and retarder operation (fill and pressure).
US07980986B2
A multi-speed automatic transmission of a planetary design for a motor vehicle, the transmission comprises an input shaft (AN) and an output shaft (AB); first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4); and at least third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotatable shafts (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and first, second, third, fourth and fifth shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) whose selective engagement defines different gear ratios between the input shaft (AN) and the output shaft (AB) such that eight forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be implemented. When shifting from one forward gear into one of a successive higher and a successive lower forward gear, only a single one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth shift elements is disengaged and only a single one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth shift elements is engaged.
US07980983B2
An improved hydraulically locking limited slip differential assembly for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having a fluid pump external to a differential carrier and arranged for preventing slip between the wheels by selectively pressurizing a differential clutch internal to the carrier, and a controller arranged for selectively activating the fluid pump.
US07980965B2
Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer.
US07980963B2
A hitting face of a golf club head having a location of longest characteristic time shifted away from the geometric center of the hitting face. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. In another embodiment, the hitting face as a central zone that is thicker than the surrounding material. In another embodiment, a dense insert is attached directly or indirectly to a plate-like face insert at or near the geometric center of the insert. In another embodiment, the central zone of the hitting face is reinforced with ribs. In another embodiment, the central zone is elliptical with varying thickness. In this embodiment, the central zone minor axis is thinner than the major axis. The central zone is positioned within the hitting face such that the minor axis is oriented from the low heel region to the high toe region.
US07980961B2
A grip for the handle of a golf club having at least one panel with a modified seam that is wrapped about an underlisting sleeve. The edges of the panels are coupled together with three attachment interfaces. The grip reduces impact shock and provides a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple color panels and inserts and easy installation onto a golf club shaft.
US07980951B2
First acceleration data representing an acceleration applied in a first direction of the input device and second acceleration data representing an acceleration applied in a second direction of the input device different from the first direction are obtained based on a value detected by an acceleration detection section. Next, it is determined whether or not the first acceleration data is smaller than a first threshold value. When the first acceleration data is determined to be smaller than the first threshold value, predetermined calculation processing at least based on the second acceleration data is executed to calculate a first parameter used in game processing. When the first acceleration data is determined to be larger than the first threshold value, the first parameter is set to a predetermined value. The game processing is executed based on the first parameter.
US07980949B2
A guard condition system for determining whether to block an attack against a character in a multi-character party within an entertainment game is disclosed. A multi-character party may be divided into multiple lines of battle, such that all characters in more forward lines of battle automatically attempt to block attacks by an enemy against any characters in a more rearward line of battle. Whether a block attempt is successful may depend on a variable referred to as a guard condition value, which may be based on the characters in the multi-character party, the characters in the forward line of battler performing the blocking, and/or other modifiers resulting from the battle itself or from temporary rewards and penalties. When an attack is successful, the attacking character may move to the location of the attacked character such that subsequent attacks are immune from blocking attempts.
US07980946B2
The present invention displays increasing values of two or more wildcard symbols in the symbol matrix. A preferred embodiment called “Up, Up & Way Wilds” displays increasing multiplier values for two or more wildcard symbols used in winning symbol combinations.
US07980926B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated processing of meat. Known devices comprise a transport element, a cutting element, a bearing layer for the cutting element, and at least one control and/or regulating device that is actively connected to the cutting element. According to known devices and methods, the meat is displaced onto or towards the bearing layer, before being cut and/or trimmed. Often, this leads to an accumulation of meat, interrupting the processing operation. The inventive threading element reliably ensures that the meat is lifted up before reaching the bearing layer and is guided onto the same.
US07980921B2
A tool and method for marking dimensions for cutting a tile include a platform with a front wall defining an x axis, a side wall defining a y axis, with the y axis being perpendicular to the x axis, and a front guideline defining an x′ axis parallel to the x axis. Also included are a plurality of telescopic fingers which are manually extendable, in parallel with the y axis, to releasably retained protracted positions. The platform is configured for superposed alignment with an installed tile adjacent to an area with an obstruction, and also for adjacent alignment with a loose tile to be cut. Distal ends of protracted fingers indicate points on the surface of the loose tile for marking guidemarks demarcating dimensions for cutting the loose tile.
US07980916B2
A motorized toy vehicle or Wall Racer that is capable of operating on vertical and inverted horizontal surfaces such as walls and ceilings, while being manufacturable at reasonable cost and operable on batteries having sufficient lifetime as to be enjoyable. One or more battery-powered fans draw air from around all or defined portions of the periphery of the chassis of the Wall Racer through a carefully-shaped duct, so that the air in the portion of the duct immediately adjacent the surface flows at high velocity and low pressure; the relatively greater pressure of the surrounding air urges the vehicle against the surface, allowing it to operate on vertical surfaces, such as walls, or inverted on horizontal surfaces, such as ceilings.
US07980914B1
Described are variations of a residential splash-pad system and kit for installation thereof. A system can comprise a residential water pump, a water filter, a water distribution valve, nozzles, a controller, and a drain. Some variations can include a heater, an ozonator, a ball valve, a three-way valve, an above-ground water feature, and/or a pool. The components can be compatible with and ready for installation in a system with each of the other components.
US07980909B2
A display device based on e.g. oil layer break up or oil layer displacement having at least two different states, having a wall (13) height which is insignificant compared to the pixel width and also to the typical curvature of the oil interface at the tip of the dosing needle (15), the pixels are dosed without inserting the needle into the pixels. As the dosing needle no longer has to enter the pixel, pixels can be dosed with oil (5) from a relatively large injection needle.
US07980906B2
A personal watercraft comprises an engine which is mounted in a body of the watercraft and is equipped with an open-loop water cooling system; a coolant passage in which water for cooling the engine flows; a water flow generator configured to operate in association with the engine to generate a water flow in the coolant passage; and a valve unit configured to restrict a flow of the water in the coolant passage.
US07980899B2
A telecommunications connector assembly including a cable having a first pair of twisted wires and a second pair of twisted wires; a first connector having a first substrate having a first termination area, the first pair of twisted wires provided for electrical termination on a first side of the first substrate, the second pair of twisted wires provided for electrical termination on a second side of the first substrate, the second side opposite the first side; a second connector having a second substrate having a second termination area, the second pair of twisted wires provided for electrical termination on the first side of the second substrate, the first pair of twisted provided for electrical termination on the second side of the second substrate, the second side opposite the first side.
US07980892B2
In one embodiment, an electronic accessory configured to couple with an electronic device can comprise a housing and a spacer. The housing can comprise a body comprising a width, a length, and a thickness; and a neck extending from the body, the neck comprising a length less than the length of the body. The spacer can comprise an opening configured to be removably coupled around the neck. When the electronic accessory is fully electrically coupled to the electronic device through a docking end of the electronic device, the neck can be located between the body and the electronic device and the electronic device remains uncradled by the electronic accessory. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US07980889B2
A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and reporting cable connectivity such as patch panel port-level connectivity on a real-time basis. For patch panel systems, the approach is based upon a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable and may reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a centralized signal processor and complex cabling between patch panels and the centralized signal processor. Each patch panel may determine port level connectivity independently. Polling delays and polling-related overhead processing may be reduced or eliminated by supporting real-time monitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach provides improved real-time reporting of patch panel connectivity with reduced cabling complexity, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs. In addition, the approach is compatible with (i.e., may communicate with and be controlled by) a multipurpose network management system (NMS). In addition, a compatible revision system is provided.
US07980888B1
A plug 100 includes a regulation pin 108 in addition to negative and positive terminals 106 and 110. A detection pin 208 of a plug receiver 200 is pushed down by the regulation pin 108 when the plug 100 is inserted into the plug receiver 200. The push-down amount of the detection pin 208 is detected by a plurality of depth sensors 216, whereby DC operating voltage to be supplied to the plug 100 is identified.
US07980884B2
A structure for connecting a flexible substrate and a terminal fitting is provided, the terminal fitting including: an upper plate; a lower plate; and a barrel which is formed in an upstanding manner on the lower plate, and is inserted into a hole formed in the flexible substrate; the flexible substrate being held between the upper plate and the lower plate by bending the barrel inserted to the hole, wherein a projection is formed in each of the upper plate and the lower plate, and the flexible substrate is held between the projections.
US07980879B2
A connection structure includes a first terminal housing with first connecting terminals, a second terminal housing with second connecting terminals, isolating plates in the first terminal housing, a connecting member to collectively fix the first connecting terminals and the second connecting terminals at the contacts therebetween for electrical connections between the first connecting terminals and the second connecting terminals. The connecting member further includes a metallic elastic member disposed between the head and the isolating plate adjacent to the head to sequentially press the isolating plates in a stacking direction. The isolating plate adjacent to the head includes a recessed portion formed in a surface to contact the elastic member for accommodating one end of the elastic member pressing the isolating plate adjacent to the head.
US07980877B2
An actuator system comprising a housing (2, 19) having at least one socket (6) for the insertion of an electrical plug (7). The housing (2, 19) is provided with an arrangement which is capable of retaining an electrical plug, preferably of the Jack, DIN or Minifit type, inserted into said socket, said arrangement comprising a union nut (8) which may be retained in a position above the opening of the socket (6), and which at the same time surrounds the plug (7), said union nut (8) being rotatable between an inoperative position in which the plug (7) may freely be inserted and removed, and another position which is a locked position, in which the plug (7) cannot be inserted and, if it is already inserted, cannot be removed.
US07980874B2
An apparatus includes a pair of connectors, two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors, and a shroud encompassing at least a portion of the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the pair of connectors. The shroud is located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically.
US07980866B2
A plug-in connector (1, 1′, 1″, 1′″) is provided that includes an insulator duct (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″) which forms one or more additional openings (3, 3′, 3″′) for conducting terminals (4, 4′, 4″, 4′″) and at least two contact areas (5.1, 5.1′, 5.1″, 5.1′″, 5.2, 5.2′). A conductor arrangement (6, 6′, 6″) which reduces the minimum non-conducting cross-sectional area of the insulator duct (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″) and is connected in a conducting manner to the housing (8, 8′, 8″) is formed in and/or on the insulator duct (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″).
US07980862B2
A socket assembly formed of hollow tubes for connecting an array of terminals off opposing electronic structures with both axial and lateral resilience, wherein the resilience is achieved through angular cuts in the tubes.
US07980859B2
A connector holder has a U-shaped frame and supports an internal connector-receiving part within the U-shaped frame. Guide pieces are provided that grip the ends of a connector and the cable to which the connector is attached. The connector-receiving part thereby floats inside of the U-shaped frame so as to be positioned accurately for mounting to an opposing connector.
US07980856B2
A new apparatus, system and method for fall prevention training is provided that delivers, studies and analyzes the biomechanics of a disturbance event, such as a slip or trip incident, so that an appropriate response can be executed by the person to reduce or eliminate the number of falls experienced. The apparatus includes a platform that delivers a disturbance event in less than about 500 ms and preferably in the range of about 100 ms to about 200 ms. The method includes a unique protocol for fall prevention training using the apparatus.
US07980852B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a dental mold on the basis of a thermoplastic film (4), and to an impression tray (1) for producing such a dental mold (2). The impression tray (1) is charged with a kneadable, malleable material (3) on which the thermoplastic film (4) that can be formed to a dental mold (2) is located. The softening temperature of the thermoplastic film (4) ranges between approximately 40 DEG C and approximately 80 DEG C.
US07980850B2
A method and apparatus for producing radiant heat in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a combustion chamber having a heat radiating wall, which mixture has less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, and igniting the mixture, forming heated partial combustion products. At least a portion of the heat in the heated partial combustion products is transferred to the heat radiating wall. The heated partial combustion products are passed from the combustion chamber into an exhaust gas plenum disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber. A secondary combustion oxidant is introduced into the exhaust gas plenum in an amount sufficient to complete combustion of the partial combustion products, forming exhaust gases. Heat in the exhaust gases is transferred to the primary combustion oxidant disposed in a combustion oxidant plenum disposed adjacent to said exhaust gas plenum.
US07980847B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for producing a consumable shell-shaped article from a fatty material, in particular from the material containing cacao or a chocolate-type material by cold moulding with the aid of a honeycomb cell (2) and a coolable upper plunger (4) which can be lowered into the cell (2). According to said invention, the edge (2a) of the cell and/or the edge (4a) of the upper plunger is provided with a deformable sealing element (8, 10) which closes a moulding cavity (6) in a tight manner with respect to the outside when said element is pressed against the edge (4a) of the upper plunger or against the edge (2a) of the cell when the upper plunger (4) is lowered therein. When the upper plunger (4) is introduced into the fluid fatty material at an appropriate temperature in the honeycomb cell (2), a pressure fluid cushion (6a) is produced on the edge of the cell and/or on the edge of the upper plunger.
US07980835B2
A retaining assembly comprising a base and a retainer comprising a wall and a notch in the wall. The notch in the wall has an arcuate first portion and an arcuate second portion that converge at a juncture. The first and second arcuate portions of the notch are oriented toward the base and the retainer is slidably translatable from a first open position to a second closed position with the base.
US07980830B2
A rotary shaft is rotatable relative to a motor rotor. A first end face of the motor rotor is exposed to the outside of a stator. A hammer portion is provided at the first end face. The hammer portion is configured to be movable as the motor rotor rotates. A collision portion rotating integrally with the rotary shaft is configured to collide with the hammer portion. The allowance space between the collision portion and the hammer portion allows the hammer portion to be move relative to the collision portion. Therefore, the electric pump is capable of detaching a rotor from a pump chamber without increasing the size of the pump.
US07980829B2
A reciprocating compressor or pump features a manifold arranged not only to define a hollow interior for receiving fluid discharged from a plurality of cylinders but also to define a base or frame on which the cylinders are carried. Unique valves formed in part by flexible material reduces the likelihood of fatigue and increases efficiency by retaining less heat relative to conventional reed valves. A compressor or pump mounted at an end of a handle extending parallel to a motor housing likewise extending from the compressor or pump provides an easy to carry portable assembly. A fan mounted between a motor and a compressor pulls air through the compressor inlet to both cool the motor and feed the compressor. A portable tool system powers both pneumatic and electric tools. Connecting rod structures for radial compressors or pumps provide improved strength and easier assembly.
US07980823B2
Provided is a wind power generating apparatus adopts a rotor blade including a frame body unit composed of a frame body having an opening and a plurality of support frames extending from the frame body, and a sail portion adhered to cover the frame body unit. The frame body unit is configured to be retractable using wires and a servo-motor to decrease the surface area of the rotor blade in high winds. As a result, the rotor blade can rotate easily with a low wind power and can rotate continuously with an inertial power, once it starts the rotations, so that it can run the power generating function at a set value of a rated speed of rotations of 700 to 2,000 rpm.
US07980819B2
An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.
US07980813B2
A method of repairing a turbine engine component that contains a series of lined apertures. The component is removed from the engine, and then at least one of the aperture liners is also removed. The area adjacent the aperture is machined to remove a portion of the parent material of the component. An insert which replaces the material removed by machining is secured adjacent the aperture. The liner about the aperture is then replaced.
US07980810B2
A lift-type wind turbine having a substantially vertical rotating shaft and a plurality of substantially vertical blades secured to the shaft. Each blade includes a front portion, a rear portion, and a pivot axis pivotally securing the rear and front portions. The rear portion pivots relative the front portion. The blades additionally include bottom and top edges positioned on each of the front portions. Each bottom edge is arranged substantially equidistant from the shaft proximate a first circumference extending substantially horizontally about the shaft, whereas each top edge is arranged substantially equidistant from the shaft proximate a second circumference extending substantially horizontally about the shaft. The blades are angled relative to the rotating shaft. The blades have an open, drag means position as well as a closed, lift means position, and passively switch between the positions based on wind speed for efficient rotation.
US07980801B2
A screw characterized by having a screw body having a male screw portion to be screw fastened into a corresponding screw hole and a top hat portion that is integrally formed to be conjoined to one end of the male screw portion and having a top end surface formed thereon; a torque transmission means that is used for transmitting to the top hat portion the running torque required for screw fastening the male screw portion into the screw hole and having a base end surface formed to correspond to the form of the top end surface of the top hat portion; and an adhesive solidification layer that bonds the top end surface of the top hat portion and the base end surface of the torque transmission means to mechanically couple the top hat portion and the torque transmission means.
US07980799B1
This patent discloses a freight dunnage bag to accommodate discrete units of freight that have been loaded on board a freight carrier for transportation. The freight dunnage bag may include a first layer dividing a freight dunnage bag interior from a freight dunnage bag exterior. An adaptor having a capsule attached between a cap and a valve body may be attached to the first layer so that the first layer may be positioned between the capsule and the cap. A gas cartridge containing compressed gas may be attached to valve body within the freight dunnage bag interior.
US07980796B1
The disclosure provides for a lock stop system and method. In one embodiment there is provided a mechanical lock stop system for locking and controlled movement of a load. The system comprises a modular extruded part having a plurality of spaced openings on at least one side of the modular extruded part. The system further comprises a lock stop apparatus comprising a linear bearing having at least two sides, wherein the modular extruded part moves through the linear bearing; a release element having an attached hinge; a locking element having a first end and a second end; and a compression spring mounted around at least a portion of the locking element. The release element locks and unlocks the first end of the locking element to the modular extruded part.
US07980792B2
The invention relates to a system for transporting a sheaf of notes from a storage location to a dispensing outlet. The system comprises a conveyor apparatus, a carrier within which the sheaf is transported through the conveyor apparatus, and an extractor for removing the sheaf from the carrier. The carrier comprises a resiliently biased gripper for gripping the sheaf with a first gripping force. The extractor comprises an extraction gripping device configured to grip the sheaf with a second gripping force, which is greater than the first gripping force.
US07980789B2
A combination wall (10) for supporting the ground comprises at least two tubular piles (12) adapted to be rammed at least part way into the ground and a wall element (14) inserted between two respective adjacent tubular piles (12). The wall element (14) is provided with interlocks (22) that are used to engage the wall element (14) with interlock profiles (18) that are provided on the tubular piles (12). The wall element (14), when hung between the tubular piles (12), is designed as a segment of a circle with an at least approximately circle-segment-shaped cross-section.
US07980787B1
A method for tensioning for oil and natural gas floating platforms and floating vessels using a plurality of self contained dual pressure cylinders for adjusting simultaneously low and high pressures in low pressure and high pressure channels. The method can be used on a floating structure to dampen the effects of sea waves and wind load between casing from a well and the floating structure.
US07980780B2
An adjuster for use with a sailboat which permits rapid movement of a movable end with respect to an opposite fixed end. A threaded shaft extends through the adjuster and a rotating barrel in fixed to a nut engaging the shaft. A lock is positioned about a lower body of the adjuster and releasably engages the barrel. Engagement of the lock and the barrel permits barrel to be turned to change the length between the fixed and movable ends. Releasing engagement of the lock and the barrel permits the barrel to rotate freely about the shaft and permit rapid movement of the movable end with respect to the fixed end.
US07980779B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to dividers with tabs adjustable along at least two edges of the binder. One embodiment is directed to a divider for use in a binder. The divider comprises a panel, the panel comprising a binding edge and a plurality of non-binding edges, and a tab. The panel comprises at least one binding feature adjacent the binding edge and at least one tab mating feature adjacent at least first and second edges of the plurality of non-binding edges. The tab is configured to mate with the at least one tab mating feature. The at least one tab mating feature is configured such that the tab is positionable in at least two longitudinal positions along the first non-binding edge and in at least two longitudinal positions along the second non-binding edge.
US07980772B2
Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus including: an image sensor; and a shutter device, wherein said shutter device includes a trailing curtain, a first driving member, a second driving member, first urging force applying means, and a charging member.
US07980767B2
An optical fiber connection system detects when proper connection is made between a fiber-optic cable and a bulkhead. A conductive strip on the fiber-optic cable contacts a first and second conductor on the bulkhead upon proper positioning of the bulkhead relative to the fiber-optic cable. The system includes indicators for displaying which of a plurality of termination points is properly terminated. In addition, the system includes alternative embodiments for turning off an energy source feeding the fiber-optic cable, in the event the fiber-optic cable becomes disconnected from the bulkhead.
US07980752B2
Ultrasound-assisted contactless stirring of liquids in a resonator cell by microparticles is achieved by repeated creating and destruction of nodal patterns associated with standing waves of various resonance frequencies causing continuous movements of microparticles inside the cell. Swept-frequency sonication technique includes using constant or variable rate of frequency change as well as a stepwise change of frequency of the transducer within a predefined range. Other useful provisions include initial detection of the set of resonance frequencies and periodic refreshing of that set. Control systems are described including means to automatically detect the resonance frequencies and maintain the operation of the transducer thereon. Advantageous designs of the apparatus are described for use in microstirring, mixing of liquids using magnetic microbeads, microbubbles, microtiter plates, microarray plates, etc.
US07980749B2
A backlight module, a base used therein, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The backlight module includes a base and a slice-shaped circuit. The base has a back plate including a plate portion and a mezzanine portion. The mezzanine portion is parallelly offset from the plate portion, and the initial position of the mezzanine portion becomes an opening on the plate portion. Because the mezzanine portion is parallelly offset from the plate portion, a containing space is formed between an inner side of the mezzanine portion and the plane of the plate portion. A side of the mezzanine portion and a side of the plate portion corresponding to the opening together form a first slit. The slice-shaped circuit is inserted into the containing space through the first slit and stays between the plate portion and the mezzanine portion.
US07980745B2
The present invention is an illumination device designed to provide efficient illumination in confined spaces and methods of using such a device. The devices of the present invention comprise a laser light source of a specifically selected wavelength or wavelengths, optical fiber(s) and one or more light converters to convert the input laser light to broad spectrum white light or a specific desired wavelength. The light converter may be integral/modular with the fiber optic assembly. The light converter may be constructed of phosphors, nanocrystals or other energy converters which are embedded within a transport material such as polymer or glass.
US07980742B2
A lighting module for a motor vehicle headlight for giving a cutoff beam, having an optical axis and comprising at least one light source (S), a reflector (R, Ra, Ra1, Ra2) of the complex surface type, and a cylindrical lens (L, La) with substantially vertical generatrices placed between the two foci (F1, F2) of the arc of an ellipse. The light source consists of at least one light emitting diode disposed so that its light beam has a mean direction (Δ, Δa) substantially orthogonal to the geometric axis of the reflector (R, Ra, Ra1, Ra2), which is situated relative to the plane of the rear face of the light emitting diode, on the emitted beam side, and in calculating its surface area account is taken of the protective lens of the light emitting diode.
US07980741B2
The invention relates to a light-conductor structure (13) for an automobile lighting device (11), with a coupling section (17) to couple light into the light-conductor structure, a curved reflecting surface (25) to reflect light beams (59) of the light coupled into the light-conductor structure via the coupling section, and at least one decoupling section (30, 45, 51) to decouple the light from the light-conductor structure (13). In order to achieve a light-conductor structure (13) in which fewer limitations to the determination of its geometric shape exist, or whose appearance may be more freely configured, it is proposed that the reflecting surface (25) of the light-conductor structure (13) is curved such that light reflected from the reflecting surface (25) strikes directly with no additional reflection either again onto the reflecting surface (25) or passes into the minimum of one decoupling section (30, 45, 51).
US07980731B2
A light-emitting element mounting substrate (20) in which a surface of a core metal (21) is coated with an enamel layer (22), and a reflective concave portion (23) for mounting a light-emitting element is provided, wherein a groove (24) is provided around the reflective concave portion.
US07980730B2
An improved metal mesh with lights and an arrangement of such a mesh on a building are proposed. A light carrier receptacle is integrated in a mesh and thereby allow a light carrier to be removed from the mesh and reinserted without disintegrating the light carrier receptacle. Alternatively, a light carrier receptacle is attached to a mesh or other hanging, to which the light carrier is then attached. Clips can be preferably used.
US07980723B2
The elongate luminaire for creating colored illumination has a plane of symmetry S in which lamp holders (6,7) are present to accommodate lamps of different colors. A first and a second opposite concave reflector (1,2) have elongate flat facets (11,12,13,14; 21,22,23,24). A third reflector (5) bridging the first and the second reflector (1,2) is present opposite a light-emission window (4). The luminaire is capable of providing evenly colored illumination without the need for a diffuser.
US07980715B2
Disclosed are a backlight unit capable of determining a deviated degree of a lamp grip by a guide line formed adjacent to the lamp grip a PCB that connects an electrode thereof with a lamp electrode, and a manufacturing method for the same. The manufacturing method includes preparing a case structure, a plurality of lamps equipped with an electrode at both ends, and fastening units corresponded to the electrodes of the lamps, preparing a PCB constituted by a base substrate and a signal line formed on the base substrate, and defined with positions thereon for forming the fastening units having electric connection parts with respect to the signal line, and positioning the PCB in the case structure, forming a solder layer at the electric connection parts on the PCB by applying a soldering material using a solder mask, and forming a guide pattern at both sides of the fastening unit, connecting the fastening units with the solder layers while using the guide patterns as marks, and connecting the lamps to the fastening units.
US07980711B2
Interference of light is prevented from occurring in a rear-view mirror incorporating a light-emitting display device where a dark color mask member is arranged behind a mirror element. A mirror element is formed by forming a semi-transmissive reflective film on one surface of a transparent substrate. On a back surface of the mirror element, a dark color mask member is arranged. An opening a is formed in the dark color mask member Behind the mirror element, a light-emitting display device is arranged facing the opening. A protrusion forming a spacer is formed on the entire peripheral edge of a front surface of the dark color mask member. The spacer provides a clearance gap between the semi-transmissive reflective film and the dark color mask member.
US07980706B2
A projector comprising a first light source, a second light source, a light combining element, a diffuser and an actuator is provided. The first light source provides a first light beam with high coherence. The second light source provides a second light beam with high coherence. The light combining element comprises a first surface, wherein the first and second light beams enter the light combining element, and are combined into a mixed light beam therein. The diffuser is disposed on the first surface of the light combining element, wherein the first and second light beams enter the diffuser. The actuator is connected to the light combining element, wherein the actuator actuates the light combining element to vary locations where the first and second light beams enter the diffuser.
US07980705B2
A projector includes a light source unit for emitting white light, a color wheel, a display device, a cooling fan, a light source side optical system for guiding light from the light source unit to the display device, a projection side optical system for projecting an image emitted from the display device onto a screen and a projector control unit for controlling the light source and the display device, wherein the color wheel has a plurality of segment areas, and on each segment area, a coating which transmits light of a wavelength band of a complementary color is applied to one side, while a coating which transmits light of a wavelength band of a primary color is applied to part of the other side.
US07980704B2
There is a need for being able to excellently audiovisually receive contents without disordering a room atmosphere. An audiovisual room 1 is provided with one wall including an inner wall 2 and an outer wall 3. Part or all of the inner wall 2 forms a rear-projection screen 6C or a diaphragm (speaker unit) 6A. Equipment such as a projector 10 and an amplifier is placed in a space between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The space is large enough for a person to enter. Accordingly, a serviceperson etc. can enter the space to easily do works such as maintaining the equipment. The equipment such as the projector is not placed in the audiovisual room 1, making it possible to audiovisually receive contents without disordering a room atmosphere.
US07980700B2
An electronic apparatus housing cover is adapted to be attached to a housing of an electronic apparatus having a connection terminal to be connected to an external apparatus via a connecting cable, and a speaker device adapted to output a sound, and cover the connection terminal and the speaker device. The housing cover includes a cover main body having a box like shape, having an opening on a face opposed to the housing, and having an insertion passage section through which the connecting cable is inserted, and an acoustic effect section provided to the cover main body, and adapted to execute an acoustic effect processing on a sound output from the speaker device.
US07980698B2
Aspects of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for automatically setting a power level of light emitted by a light source; illuminating a retina of a patient with the light emitted by the light source; receiving, at a sensor, light reflected from the retina of the patient; providing a signal based upon the received light; determining whether the signal meets one or more signal quality criteria; automatically setting a second power level of light emitted by the light source; and repeating the steps of illuminating the patient's eye, receiving reflected light, providing the signal, and determining whether the signal meets the signal quality criteria. In some embodiments, setting the second power level is performed in response to determining whether the signal meets the signal criteria. In still other embodiments, the method comprises selecting an operating power based upon the signal quality criteria.
US07980690B2
The invention relates to a combined lens comprising two lens elements lying behind one another along the optical axis of the lens and means for displacing at least one lens element relative to the other lens element in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens.The invention also relates to spectacles provided with at least one combined lens according to the invention.The object of the invention is therefore to provide a less complex combined eye glass according to the above preamble, with which it is possible to adjust the lens elements relative to one another with a mechanism that can be easily operated. According to the invention the displacement means comprise at least one cam element that can interact with at least one of the lens elements. This way a structure is realised that is not only simple and sound, but that also enables a simple adjustment by the wearer of the combined lens.
US07980688B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: (a) a first medium accommodator configured to accommodate a recording medium; (b) a medium supporter having a flat horizontal surface on which the recording medium is to be supported; (c) an inkjet head having a nozzle opening surface that is opposed to the flat horizontal surface of the medium supporter; (d) a first medium feeder configured to horizontally feed the recording medium accommodated in the first medium accommodator, in a medium loading direction, such that the recording medium is fed onto the flat horizontal surface of the medium supporter; (e) a second medium feeder configured to horizontally feed the recording medium supported on the flat horizontal surface of the medium supporter, in a medium unloading direction that intersects the medium loading direction in a plan view as seen in a direction perpendicular to the flat horizontal surface of the medium supporter; and (f) a second medium accommodator configured to accommodate the recording medium that is fed in the medium unloading direction by the second medium feeder.
US07980675B2
An ink jet head includes a substrate having an ink supply port, an ejection outlet for ejecting ink supplied through the supply port, and a flow path portion which provides fluid communication between the supply port and the ejection outlet. The flow path portion includes a near portion which is near to the substrate and a remote portion which is remote from the substrate, and a width of the near portion is different from a width of the remote portion in a sectional plane perpendicular to a direction of flow of the ink, and a stepped portion is provided between the near portion and the remote portion.
US07980672B2
To achieve high-quality printing by controlling an ink-traveling direction by an electrostatic force so that the ink can be accurately applied on a printing medium, the ink ejected to areas outside edges of the printing medium is prevented from being attracted to the end portions in margin-less printing. This configuration includes: a platen, made of a conductive material, positioned immediately below the printing medium; an absorber positioned at a side of the edge; and a mesh conductive member disposed on the absorber. A first voltage is applied to the platen, causing polarization in the printing medium, and a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the conductive member. Thereby, ink ejected outside the edges in the margin-less printing, travels straight-forwardly toward the conductive member without being attracted to the end portions, and is absorbed into the absorber via the conductive member.
US07980663B2
A print head can improve an ink refill speed to reduce the time from the end of one ejection of ink droplets until the beginning of a next ejection of ink droplets and maintain the high quality of images obtained by printing. An ink jet print head has an ejection port portion including a first ejection port portion communicating with atmosphere, and a second ejection port portion having a cross-section which extends in a direction orthogonal to an ejecting direction and which is larger than that of the first ejection port portion. The second ejection port portion is formed between a bubbling chamber and the first ejection port portion. In the ink jet print head, an ejection port portion first axis is located away from an ejection port portion second axis.
US07980660B2
An ink jet printer feeds a sheet of recording medium onto a platen, and record an image by ejecting droplets of ink from a print head attached to the platen. The ink jet printer has a media deforming section for deforming a part of the recording medium into a downward projection. The media deforming section includes a wedge above a recording media feeding path, and a wedge receiver below the feeding path to fit with the wedge. The wedge and the wedge receiver are joined together to press the recording medium from above and below, and form the downward projection. While the recording medium passes the platen, the downward projection wipes off ink stain on ribs of the platen.
US07980659B2
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes a liquid droplet ejecting head that includes nozzles that eject liquid droplets in accordance with image information, a nozzle surface thereof being inclined so as to correspond to a peripheral surface of a rotating member; and a wiping member that wipes and cleans the nozzle surface that has been moistened by liquid that has been exuded from the nozzles of the liquid droplet ejecting head, and whose wiping direction is a direction from a downstream side to an upstream side of a direction in which the liquid that has been exuded from the nozzles flows along the nozzle surface due to the force of gravity.
US07980657B2
A printhead assembly includes an elongate channel member of a metal alloy; a flexible elongate fluid carrier positioned on a floor of the channel member, the fluid carrier defining a plurality of passages longitudinally extending along a length of the fluid carrier, the fluid carrier further defining a repeated pattern of holes on an external surface thereof, the holes providing fluid communication from outside the fluid carrier to respective passages of the fluid carrier; and a series of printhead modules mounted to the external surface of the fluid carrier, each printhead module including an upper micro-molding and a lower micro-molding, the lower micro-molding having an air inlet slot in fluid communication with one of the plurality of passages via a hole of the repeated pattern of holes at one end and a series of alternating air inlets and outlets on the upper micro-molding at an opposite end. Each repeated pattern of holes diagonally spans a width of the fluid carrier, and the repeated pattern of holes together span a length of the fluid carrier. The alternating air inlets and outlets divert air from the air inlet slot to the printhead modules to facilitate cleaning of debris from the printhead modules.
US07980656B2
On a liquid ejection head substrate, an upper protective layer, as well as coming into contact with a resin layer of a path forming member having an ejection opening, comes into contact with ink in a heat generating portion inside the channel formed. The upper protective layer contains iridium and silicon. The upper protective layer is configured so that, at a surface in contact with the ink and resin layer, Ir100-XSiX attains a 15 at. %≦X≦30 at. % silicon content rate, and that X approaches zero as a position in the upper protective layer approaches an adhesion layer. As a result, at the interface where the upper protective layer comes into contact with the path forming member, by the silicon attaining the heretofore described content rate, it is possible to improve the adhesion with the path forming member made of resin compared with a case of using iridium alone.
US07980640B2
An auto-returning drawer rail is implemented in furniture having a drawer cavity and a drawer, and the auto-returning drawer rail has a drawer rail assembly, an auto-returning device and a buffering device. The drawer rail assembly is mounted in the drawer cavity and has a rail bracket, an outer track and an inner track. The auto-returning device is mounted in the drawer rail assembly and has a base, a sliding block, a connector and two springs. The base is mounted on the rail bracket. The sliding block is mounted slidably on the base. The connector is connected securely to the sliding block between the rail bracket and the base and has two clasping tabs engaging the base. The buffering device is mounted in the auto-returning device to prevent the drawer from returning too fast and has a damper and a drive shaft being connected to the connector.
US07980633B2
A seat for a vehicle and a seat for a watercraft include a polyurethane-made first cushion body covered with a seat skin. A thermoplastic elastomer-made second cushion body is disposed between the first cushion body and a bottom plate 43. The relationships of t1
US07980625B2
The Back Jack is an upper body support to be used when a person is working on their hands and knees. The Back Jack has a base with a chest pad on one side and a support rod pivotally mounted on the other side. The chest pad is made of a high quality or memory foam and covered with a vinyl material. The support rod pivot joint can be locked in a working position perpendicular to the base, a transport position parallel to the base, and one or more intermediate positions. The support rod is made of telescoping sections to accommodate workers of different heights. The telescoping sections are adjusted by a spring pin fixed to an inner shaft which fits through holes in an outer shaft. A pivoting rubber foot is mounted to the bottom of the inner shaft.
US07980623B2
A wind-stop device for a two-seater convertible comprises a panel provided with means for its removable anchorage behind the backrests of the seats of the automobile, between two roll-hoops anchored to the structure of the automobile, behind the seats. The anchorage means comprise at least one pair of lateral tabs projecting from the panel and designed to be received within guide slits made in the inner sides of the two roll-hoops and at least one blocking tongue projecting at the bottom from the panel and designed to co-operate with a receiving and blocking device in the form of a buckle for safety belts, rigidly connected to the structure of the motor vehicle and having a receiving seat open upwards, set at the top of a wall at the back of the two seats with a release button adjacent to the seat.
US07980614B2
A vehicle body structure includes an interior cargo area having an interior wall, a track and a cargo accessory. The track is fixedly attached to the interior wall. The track also includes a pair of parallel spaced apart wall portions defining a track slot therebetween. The cargo accessory includes a cargo supporting portion and an attachment portion connected to one another in a non-threaded manner. The cargo supporting portion is operable to attach the attachment portion to the spaced apart wall portions of the track retaining the cargo accessory in position in a tool-less manner.
US07980612B2
A clamping assembly for use in gripping an object. The clamping assembly includes a pair of opposed jaws, with each jaw having a pivot end pivotally attached to a frame structure, a clamp end opposite the pivot end, and a socket located between the clamp end and the pivot end. The clamping assembly further includes first and second balls rotatably mounted in the sockets of the opposed jaws, and a gear assembly connected to both of the first and second balls that includes a primary gear mechanically associated with a power source. Rotation of the primary gear by the power source results in actuation of the clamping assembly.
US07980604B2
A novel and improved puller that provides a safe and efficient manner and tooling to remove bearings, bushings, gears, etc. The invention is simple and highly efficient is its design and use due to incorporating multiple design elements into the main collets or bearing adapters. My present invention uses a simple split collet machined accurately to precisely fit the bearing being removed, in addition the same collet incorporates an upper threaded section to allow the removal sleeve to easily and precisely fit to the collet while at the same time the threaded removal sleeve securely keeps the collet together and properly aligned with the bearing and shaft axis to provide easy and accurate operation. Another design integrated into my puller is the ball thrust bearing on the end of the pressure or removal screw. This anti-friction thrust bearing eliminates undue friction and provides very free rotation of the pressure screw.
US07980599B2
A coupler and plug system for air line uses which identifies properly mating components by the colors of the components. The coupler of the system includes a sleeve which is made in a chosen color. The plug of the system is made in the same color as the sleeve of the coupler. The plug and coupler sleeve may be anodized aluminum dyed in the same color. By choosing a plug which is of a matching color to the sleeve of a coupler, the user will choose a plug which properly mates with the coupler.
US07980581B2
The device protects the forearm, hand and fingers of a wheelchair occupant from injury through collision with obstacles by providing a shield that curves over the occupant's forearm. The shield ends in a compound curve that extends over the occupant's hand and fingers, curving inwardly toward the armrest. To accommodate the manually manipulated controls for motorized wheelchairs that usually protrude upwardly from the forward end of the armrest, the shield is appreciably longer than the base for the device to form a gap between the base and the shield that accommodates these controls while nevertheless continuing to protect the occupant's hand and fingers. Several ways in which the device can be attached to different classes of wheelchairs and device dimensions suitable for these classes also are shown and described.
US07980579B2
This application relates to rear suspension system for bicycles, such as freeride, downhill and trail-style mountain bikes. The suspension system includes a rear suspension for coupling the rear wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle frame, a rear shock absorber disposed entirely in front of the seat tube of the frame and a linkage for operatively coupling the rear suspension to the rear shock absorber. The linkage intersects the longitudinal axis of the seat tube for transmitting rear suspension forces around the seat tube to the rear shock absorber. The seat tube is preferably continuous and is disposed so that the bicycle seat is adjustable over a full range of seat positions. The seat tube orientation ensures that the seat is movable between optimum biomechanical positions for both uphill pedaling and aggressive downhill freeriding. Additionally, the seat tube and rear suspension system are configured so that the rear wheel and rear suspension will not contact the seat tube, seat, or bicycle rider even when the rear suspension system is in a fully compressed, forward position. The shock absorber is preferably oriented in an orientation to maximize its stroke length. For example, the shock absorber may be oriented generally parallel to a top tube of the bicycle frame.
US07980567B2
The present invention provides a kind of skate, including a boot and a skating device connected to the boot, wherein the skating device is arranged along the width direction of the boot. The skate further includes a skating device mount for mounting the skating device to the boot, wherein the skating device can rotate 360 degree under the boot. The transverse skating device under the boot enables the sideward sliding direction, which bring more fun to the skaters. When the skating device is rotated to an angle and locked, the skate can slide inclinedly, which bring more challenges to the skaters. The skating device can rotate 360 degree freely or rotate different angle from two boots under the boot, which can cancel the shift of the knock-knee. The skating device can also be adjusted to be in line on the longitudinal direction as a traditional roller skate or ice skate.
US07980565B2
A diaphragm chuck (1) with clamping jaws (3) inserted in its chuck body (2) in a driven connection with a diaphragm (4) that can be deformed by an axially adjustable actuator (5) and is provided with clamping jaws (3) with contact pieces (22), in which counterweights (8) assigned to the clamping jaws (3) are inserted into recesses (7) of the chuck body (2) and the clamping jaws (3) can be clamped against the diaphragm (4) by means of quick-clamping devices (31) engaging in the contact pieces. The contact pieces (22) are each provided with an intermediate element (101) in the area between the clamping jaws (3) and the quick-clamping devices (31) by means of which the flexural moments and/or rotational torques created by the quick-clamping device (31) can be eliminated and it is possible to transmit exclusively axially vectored tensile forces onto the clamping jaws (3). The effect of this embodiment is that the clamping jaws (3) are not unfavorably influenced by the moments created by the quick-clamping devices (31).
US07980563B2
A flat gasket for sealing a seal gap between engine component sealing faces wherein the flat gasket comprises at least one first and second gasket layer adjacent to the first gasket layer,wherein at least one elastomeric sealing element is disposed at the first gasket layer and is formed from a sealing material which is applied to the first gasket layer and can be cured in situ, wherein at least one cut-out is provided at the second gasket layer, through which cut-out the elastomeric sealing element extends when the flat gasket is in the fitted pressed state, and wherein the flat gasket comprises at least one overflow space which receives excess, as yet uncured sealing material during assembly of the flat gasket and is disposed at least partly laterally next to the sealing element when the flat gasket is in the unfitted, unpressed state.
US07980562B2
Seal arrangements utilizing leaf seal elements are susceptible to excessive wear at their tips due to blow-down pressures. When the seal element is forced against a rear surface across the pressure differential between the sides A, B of an arrangement. These tips may be forced into engagement with the rotating shaft and therefore wear on the shaft as well as at the tip occurs. By providing channels which extend laterally across more than one seal element pressure relief is maintained and therefore a limit to blow-down force maintained. The channels also extend radially and normally on a low pressure side of the seal arrangement.
US07980551B2
Provided is a feed device including: a loading unit in which a plurality of recording mediums is loaded in a stacked state; a delivery mechanism which has a first outer circumferential surface set such that friction force with the recording mediums is greater than friction force generated among the plurality of recording mediums when a feed operation is performed in a state of being in contact with the recording mediums and a second outer circumferential surface having a hardness higher than that of the first outer circumferential surface, and which performs the feed operation in a state in which at least the first outer circumferential is in contact with an uppermost recording medium of the recording mediums loaded on the loading unit so as to deliver the recording medium in a feed direction; a gate member and a gate energizing member.
US07980548B2
A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking thereon a sheet, a sheet feeding portion for axially supporting a sheet feeding roller, and a spring portion actable on the sheet feeding portion. The spring portion acts on the sheet feeding portion so that the sheet feeding roller is pressed against the sheet with a pressing force when a sheet stacking amount is large and so that the pressing force is decreased by canceling moment created by a weight of the sheet feeding portion when the sheet stacking amount is small.
US07980542B2
A sheet processing apparatus configured to bind a sheet bundle includes a folding portion configured to fold the sheet bundle, a sheet processing portion provided upstream of the folding portion and configured to form a groove at a fold position of at least one sheet of the sheet bundle, and a controller configured to control an operation of the sheet processing portion. The controller controls an operation of the sheet processing portion such that a width of a groove formed on a sheet located on an outer side of the folded sheet bundle is larger than that of a groove formed on a sheet located on an inner side of the folded sheet bundle.
US07980540B2
Dynamic movement of a specimen in a pressing direction and in directions intersecting the pressing direction is effectively suppressed, while maintaining the viability of the specimen. A stabilizer for in vivo examination that is placed in contact with a biological specimen during examination of the specimen to suppress movement thereof includes a contact-area increasing portion that is provided on a contact surface with the biological specimen and that is configured to increase the contact area with the biological specimen by virtue of a pressure applied during the contact.
US07980539B2
An exemplary fixture includes a holder, a moving transfer unit, a clamping arm, and a driving unit. The moving transfer unit is located on the holder, and includes a pushing block. The pushing block has a urging element on an upper surface thereof. The clamping arm includes a pivot axis and a slanted surface. The urging element of the pushing block interacts with the slanted surface to rotate the clamping arm along the pivot axis. The driving unit is connected to the pushing block for moving the pushing block of the moving transfer unit.
US07980536B2
The invention is a mounting system for a vibrational element. The vibrational element has a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and an axial displacement node. The mounting system includes an isolation member which has an isolation surface, an isolating body, and an engaging portion. The engaging portion is immovably secured to the isolation member and extends radially inward from the isolation body at a point radially opposite the isolation surface. The engaging portion is disposed so as to engage the outer surface of the vibrational element. Radial displacements of the vibration element are substantially decoupled from the isolation surface through the engaging portion.
US07980531B2
A device in a valve (1) includes a valve housing (2) with at least a first (3) and a second (4) fluid port. A closure element (5) including a sealing portion (15) and diaphragm (30) is arranged in the valve housing (2). The sealing portion (15) is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure element (5) and valve housing (2) form a flow passage (11) which communicates with the fluid ports when the sealing portion (15) leaves the closed position. A second sealing portion (14) is arranged in contact with a support portion (25) of the valve housing (2). An abutment element (16) is arranged in contact with the second sealing portion (14). The abutment element (16) transmits a force via the second sealing portion (14) toward the support portion (25) to provide a seal. The force is at least partly exerted by a spring element.
US07980527B2
A fastening spider (1) and a method of fastening a wear-resistant lining element (2) to a support surface (3), over which wear-resistant lining element (2) material in the form of pieces or particles is intended to move. The fastening spider (1) comprises a mounting portion (5) for mounting positioning and clamping to the support surface (3) and at least one leg (8a-8b) projecting from the mounting portion (5) and having an underside for holding the wear-resistant lining element (2) to the support surface (3). The underside of the leg has an outer portion (10) and an inner portion (11), the inner portion (11) being positioned closer to the mounting portion (5) than the outer portion (10). The outer portion (10) is, at least in the mounting positioning of the mounting portion, positioned closer to the support surface (3) than the inner portion (11).
US07980493B2
An electrostatic atomizer equipped with an electrostatic atomization pole having superior resistance to migration. The atomizer includes an electrostatic atomization pole, a liquid supply mechanism that supplies the pole with liquid, and a power supply that supplies the pole with high voltage to electrostatically atomize the liquid held on the pole. A coating is formed on the surface of the pole, and the coating is formed of simple metal or alloy, which displays resistance to migration.
US07980486B2
Disclosed are dispensers for volatile materials. There is a container in the form of a well having an internal cavity, a volatile chemical positioned in the cavity, and a multi-layer covering enclosing the cavity. The covering has a lower section that is gas permeable, and an upper section removably bound to the lower section that is not. Embodiments include when (a) the lower section has a top layer that is a blend of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene; the upper section has a bottom layer that has a mixture of polypropylene and a propylene/ethylene copolymer; and/or the lower section has an upper layer that has low density polyethylene but the lower section does not contain ultra low density polyethylene. These features help prevent premature leakage at the bond between the upper section and lower section.
US07980479B2
A data storage card has an optical data storage region and a magnetic data storage region, and is adapted to cooperatively engage both a drive mechanism of a magnetic stripe reader and a rotatable drive mechanism of an optical data reader. An exemplary embodiment of the card includes a card body defining first and second opposed generally planar surfaces, with an aperture formed in the card body. An annular optical data region centered on the aperture is disposed on one of the first and second surfaces of the card body. At least one magnetic linear data region is disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces. The card includes an insert structure disposed in the aperture, and configured to engage with the rotatable drive mechanism of the optical data reader in an optical data reading mode, and to engage rollers of the magnetic stripe reader in a magnetic data reading mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the insert structure is a unitary structure fabricated of an elastic material.
US07980474B2
In a card processing apparatus a card tray and, a card-transporting device are provided. A device for sensing the position or detention of a card in the card tray and a holding device for a card that has stopped in an irregular manner in the card tray due to manipulation of the card-processing apparatus, are also included. The holding device is activated if a change in the position of the card is not detected even though a conveying signal has been issued to the card-conveying device.
US07980469B2
An information communication system includes an information storage medium provided with a data communication function, and an information communication device for accessing the information storage medium, wherein the information storage medium is capable of storing one or more application services, and stores service directory data describing attribute information for each of the stored application services, and the information communication device reads the service directory data from the detected information storage medium, acquires the attribute information regarding a desired one of the application services, and starts up a service program corresponding to the application service to perform access.
US07980462B1
An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.
US07980461B1
A card activated automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38) and deposit accepting opening (40). A stack of notes (84) input to the machine are separated one by one from the stack through the action of at least one picking member (158, 352) and at least one stripper member (64, 162, 354). Note holding cassettes include sensors operative to detect near full and near empty conditions. At least one processor in the machine is operative to control the addition and/or removal of notes from each cassette so as to avoid overfilling or depleting the cassettes which may result in machine malfunctions.
US07980459B2
A presence server stores a presence that is identified by presence IDs “a1” and “a2”, as the presence of a user “A”. User “A” can pass a card that they hold through a card reader at a timing of their choosing. The card reader reads in data from the card and transmits a renewal request to the presence server. The renewal request includes a renewer ID, an object ID, category information and the presence. When the presence server receives the renewal request, it specifies the presence ID “a1” of user “A” to be the presence that is to be renewed, based on the category information, and moreover, rewrites the presence of the presence ID “a1” to a presence “meeting room A” that is included in the renewal request. Thus, the card reader can renew the presence designated by the “category information”. As for the presence that is renewed, it is notified to a watcher of the presence “a1” from the presence server.
US07980457B2
An automated trading exchange having integrated quote risk monitoring and quote modification services. An apparatus is implemented using at least one computer, having memory, and a processor. The computer is configured to receive orders and quotes, wherein specified ones of the quotes are contained in a quote group, and have associated trading parameters such as a risk threshold. Not all received quotes are required to have trading parameters as described herein. Preferably, the quote group contains all the quotes, or a subset of quotes, belonging to an individual market-maker for a given class of options contracts, or possibly the quotes of two or more market-makers that have identified themselves as belonging to a group for the purposes of risk monitoring and quote modification. The computer typically generates a trade by matching the received orders and quotes to previously received orders and quotes, and otherwise stores each of the received orders and quotes if a trade is not generated. The computer then determines whether a quote within the quote group has been filled as a result of the generated trade, and if so, determines a risk level and an aggregate risk level associated with said trade. The computer then compares the aggregate risk level with the market-maker's risk threshold, and if the threshold is exceeded, automatically modifies at least one of the remaining quotes in the quote group. The computer may also automatically regenerate quotes that have been filled.
US07980454B2
The present invention provides a container configured to selectively enclose multiple food products, including: a tray including a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom, and an internal wall disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall, the back wall, the bottom, and the internal wall disposed between the first side wall and the second side wall collectively define a first compartment configured to hold a first food product and a second compartment configured to hold a second food product; and a unified cover including a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a back wall, and a top, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall, the back wall, and the top are substantially coextensive with the tray.
US07980446B2
A portion of compliant material includes four walls defining a slot. The slot has a relatively large cross-section end in fluid communication with a solder reservoir, and also has a relatively small cross-section end opposed to the relatively large cross-section end. The slot has a generally elongate rectangular shape when viewed in plan, with a length perpendicular to a scan direction, a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively large cross section end, and a width, parallel to the scan direction, associated with the relatively small cross section end. The slot is configured in the portion of compliant material such that the relatively small cross-section end of the slot normally remains substantially closed, but locally opens sufficiently to dispense solder from the reservoir when under fluid pressure and locally unsupported by a workpiece. Methods of operation and fabrication are also disclosed.
US07980445B2
A system, apparatus, and method, are provided to deposit conductive bonding material into cavities in a mold. A fill head is placed in substantial contact with a mold that includes cavities. The fill head includes a sealing member that substantially encompasses an entire area to be filled with conductive bonding material. The conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
US07980439B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nailing machine including: a housing; an ejection section in the housing; an activation lever provided in the ejection section to be movable inside a traveling course; a magazine holding nails; a feeder urging the nails to feed the nails; and an engagement member engaged with the feeder so that, when an amount of remaining nails becomes to a predetermined number, the engagement member is moved toward a first direction to protrude into the traveling course; wherein one of the activation lever and the engagement member includes a slope portion so that the engagement member is further moved toward the first direction through the sliding contact therebetween.
US07980437B2
The invention relates to a roof rack system (1) for a vehicle, specifically for a passenger car, having at least one roof rail (2), which is configured in one piece and can be located on the vehicle body with an attaching device (13), wherein the roof rail (2) has a contact surface (27) extending over the length of the roof rail (2) which can be placed substantially continuously over its full length on the vehicle body (13) and is conformed to the vehicle body contour, and the attaching device has a retaining element (58) which is located in a cavity (60) of the roof rail (2) in the manner of a slot nut.
US07980435B2
The belt or strap clip includes a main body and a clip arm. The main body is adapted to retain, via a button mount, a cellular telephone or other personal electronic device. A plastic leaf spring has a fore end mounted to the main body, a curvaceous mid-section and an elongated leg member. The leg has a proximal pivot member and the distal leg region is disposed in a capture channel in the clip arm. A complementary pivot member in the clip arm coacts with the proximal pivot member such that when the main body pivots with respect to the clip arm, the elongated leg member bows. The method includes capturing the distal end of the spring into the clip arm and permitting the elongated leg to bow inboard during the pivot between the clip body and the clip arm.
US07980432B2
A dispensing closure has a key-hole shaped flow conduit that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product when the container is initially opened. The dispensing closure includes a closure body with an upper and lower deck, inner and outer skirt, and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck. The outer skirt is configured to mount to a product container. The flow conduit includes including two or more vertically oriented walls and a bottom wall. The bottom wall configured and arranged to be positioned along a horizontal axis. The flow conduit includes one or more entrance orifices having one or more entrance axes and an exit orifice having an exit axis. The entrance axis is stepped or offset from the exit axis whereby the flow conduit provides a non-linear flow path of product from an interior of the closure to an exterior of the closure.
US07980419B2
A device for singulating open-ended caps includes: a housing configured to retain a plurality of open-ended caps, the housing having an open lower end; an outer ring positioned below the housing; a drum fixed to and positioned within the outer ring to form a drum assembly, the drum including a hub having a substantially circular wall and a platform that extends radially outwardly from the wall to contact the outer ring, the hub and outer ring forming a circular gap therebetween, the platform being positioned below much of the gap and including a discontinuity; a mounting structure with an exit aperture fixed relative to the housing; and a rotary drive unit mounted to the drum that rotates the drum assembly about an axis of rotation.
US07980416B2
A storage bin assembly is for use in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle includes a storage bin and a housing. The storage bin has a storage space extending between spaced apart sides, a guide pin extending outwardly from at least one of the sides of the storage bin, and a pair of retainer clips disposed on opposite sides of the storage bin. The housing has spaced apart side walls for receiving the storage bin therebetween, a pair of bosses each extending through one of the pair of retainer clips for pivotally interconnecting the bin to the housing for movement between open and closed positions relative to tile housing, and a track disposed on at least one of the side walls and in which the guide pin slides during the movement of the storage bin between the open and closed positions. Each of the retainer clips and the track has an open end facilitating removal of the storage bin from the housing and reinstallation of the bin to the housing.
US07980407B2
A synthetic resin container having an improved strength without requiring use of increased resin amount has a container body with a plurality of sectioned recesses (3). In the disclosed invention, a label (4) is arranged on the container body (1) for improving the rigidity of the container by surrounding the container body.
US07980405B2
The individually detachable drink pack includes a plurality of beverage containers aligned in a substantially linear fashion. A tab is disposed about the periphery of the cap and/or base of each container and extends to the next container, attaching to the next container's base or cap to another tab. In this manner, the containers are attached end to end, or may be branched to start a side chain of containers, also linked end to end. Each tab is relatively thin and flexible, having sufficient strength to normally keep the containers connected, yet being frangible such that the tab may be broken by being bent or torn, thus allowing consecutive beverage containers to be separated and the contents thereof consumed.
US07980400B2
A suspension display rack for hand tools has a rail and multiple sliding blocks. The rail has a back-strip and two hooks. The hooks are formed on the back strip and each hook has a longitudinal groove. Each sliding block has a base, two cylindrical slides and a seat. The cylindrical slides are respectively received in the grooves so that the hand tools can be hung on the sliding blocks to transversely slide along the rail.
US07980396B2
A central support for a liquid filter is described. The support has a truss element disposable centrally in the liquid filter to provide a crush-resistant structure supporting a filter media of the liquid filter, elongated straight members of the truss element, connected at joints to form a coplanar cross section, and longitudinal members of the truss element, connecting the coplanar cross section and additional coplanar cross sections in a column-like configuration. The contact surfaces of the truss element for interfacing with the filter media are adapted to spread forces on the filter media over a desired surface area.
US07980391B2
A bottle includes a container and a label. The container includes a front portion, a back portion, an opening and a spine portion. The back portion is spaced from the front portion and generally faces away and in an opposite direction from the front portion. The opening is positioned between the front portion and the back portion of the container to at least partially define a first end of the container. The spine portion extends between the front portion and the back portion of the container to define a second end of the container opposite the first end. The label extends over and is in contact with each of the front portion, the back portion and the spine portion of the container. Other bottle and container embodiments are also disclosed herein and provide additional advantages.
US07980389B1
A seat extension tray is described that serves to protect a vehicle seat assembly during shipment, such as for example to an automobile assembly operation. The seat extension tray has a unique configuration adapted to matingly engage a seating surface of the seat assembly. The seat extension tray has a length greater than the maximum width of the seat assembly so that upon securing the tray to the seat assembly, the ends of the tray extend laterally outward beyond the sides of the seat assembly.
US07980385B2
An easy-to-clean conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having lateral depressions forming channels across the width of the belt along which water can be sprayed to flush debris off the side edge of the belt. Lateral ridges between the depressions and hinge eyes at the ends of each module serve as levees that prevent debris being flushed through the channels from draining into hinge joints between consecutive belt rows.
US07980380B2
A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having bottle plate support tables therein. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US07980374B2
The present invention provides a flow accumulator and a clutch control system for an automatic transmission. The flow accumulator includes a dual area piston disposed in a complementary dual diameter cylinder. The small end of the piston is pressurized by fluid from a spool valve which supplies and exhausts fluid to the clutch. The large end of the piston displaces fluid into the clutch when the small end is pressurized. A flow restricting orifice is disposed in parallel with the flow accumulator between the spool valve and the clutch and a pair of check valves control fluid flow into and out of the larger diameter cylinder.
US07980366B2
A hydraulically actuated disc brake has at least two hydraulic brake pistons acting upon a brake lining, arranged in a brake housing. The hydraulic disc brake includes a hydraulic synchronization device for reducing oblique wear of the brake lining. The hydraulic synchronization device is interposed between an input pressure line for brake actuation and the brake piston.
US07980364B2
The invention is aimed at providing a battery forklift drive unit which makes a large space unnecessary for disposing brakes in the vicinities of drive units, thereby to achieve making the vicinities of drive units compact in a battery forklift. To this end, a second gear disposed in a drive case of the drive unit is formed inside with a space in which a wet type brake section is disposed and the wet type brake section comprises an inner disk whose entire inner periphery is attached to the second gear, an outer disk which lies opposite to the inner disk and whose entire outer periphery is attached to a side of the drive case, and a pressure plate for pressing together the inner and outer disks lying opposite to each other.
US07980360B2
A transmission system is equipped with rotating member(s) and a shaft member upon which the rotating member(s) is/are carried. A projecting support portion projecting inwardly and supporting the shaft member is formed in the casing of the transmission system with at least a part of the projecting support portion dipping into the lubricating oil in the casing, and the specific gravity of the projecting support portion being set to be lower than that of the lubricating oil.
US07980359B2
An isolation mechanism for electrically isolating a control input mechanism of an otherwise substantially conventional boomed apparatus (12), such as, for example, an aerial device, digger derrick, or crane, having a workstation (14) coupled with a movable boom (16), wherein the isolation mechanism allows a worker to control movement of the boom (16) and positioning of the work station (14) while protecting against electrical discharge along substantially any path which includes the control input mechanism. In a first embodiment, the isolation mechanism takes the form of an improved control input mechanism (10), portions of which are constructed of or covered with an electrically non-conducting material. In a second embodiment, the isolation mechanism takes the form of a boom extension (110) constructed of or covered with electrically non-conductive material. In a third embodiment, the improved control input mechanism (10) and the boom extension (110) are combined.
US07980341B2
Telematic method and apparatus adaptively uses fuel cell power source in vehicle with integrated power system, electrical system, telematic system, and body/powertrain system. Telematic communications systems including internet, digital video broadcast entertainment, digital audio broadcast, digital multimedia broadcast, global positioning system navigation, safety services, intelligent transportation systems, and/or universal mobile telecommunications system. Network-accessible software enables integrated modular function for automated control and provision of fuel cell resources for telematic appliance and/or other vehicle electro-mechanical devices.
US07980340B2
A hybrid vehicle includes two front wheels, two rear wheels, an internal combustion engine, a first motor/generator, and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator may be rotatably coupled to the internal combustion engine, and the second motor/generator may be rotatably coupled to at least one wheel of the hybrid vehicle. The first motor/generator, the second motor/generator and a gear transmission are housed within the engine compartment and are located between two front wheels and arranged in a substantially linear manner. The first motor/generator, the second motor/generator, and the gear transmission are located substantially above a centerline of the front wheels of the vehicle.
US07980336B2
Provided is an omni-directional drive device that does not complicate the arrangement for a power source for a drive source such as an electric motor, and achieves a high durability and an ease of maintenance. A drive force in a first direction is produced by a movement of a first moveable member (10) itself, and a drive force in a second direction is produced by the rotation of first free rollers (14) retained by the first moveable member, the rotation of the first free rollers (14) being caused by engagement with second free rollers (15) that are retained by a second moveable member (11) and rotative actuation of the second moveable member (11). Electric motors serving as drive sources may be mounted on base members (4 and 5).
US07980334B2
Diamond-bonded constructions include a diamond-bonded body having a thermally stable region extending a distance below a diamond-bonded body surface. The thermally stable region comprises a matrix phase of bonded-together diamond crystals, and interstitial regions comprising a reaction product. The reaction product is formed by reaction between the diamond crystals and a reactive material. The reactant is a carbide former and the reaction product is a carbide. The diamond-bonded body includes a further diamond region extending from the thermally stable region that comprises the matrix phase and a Group VIII metal disposed within interstitial regions of the matrix phase. The thermally stable region is substantially free of a catalyst material used to initially form the diamond-bonded body. The diamond-bonded body may include a material layer formed from the reaction product that is disposed on a surface of the diamond-bonded body thermally stable region.
US07980318B1
A method and apparatus for pre-fracturing soil before the soil is cut by coulter wheels to achieve an improved cultivation apparatus wherein a penetrator bar is rotatably mounted on the front of a tillage implement and supports a plurality of adjustable S-tines for penetration of the soil prior to cultivation and resulting interaction of the fractured soil with the coulter blades.
US07980313B2
An improved method and apparatus for catching and holding a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body that accepts a ball or a plug or a dart that flows downwardly into the tool body but disallows escape or discharge of the ball, plug or dart upwardly. The tool body has first and second flow channels or passages, one being generally axially aligned with the tool body. The other flow channel or passage is a second channel or passage that enables fluid flow around a cavity that contains one or more captive plugs (or ball or dart(s)).
US07980308B2
A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.
