US08048585B2
A plate for a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell system is disclosed, wherein the plate includes a top layer formed from a diffusion medium and a bottom layer formed from a diffusion medium with an array of substantially planar elongate ribbons disposed therebetween.
US08048579B2
Processes to shut down a fuel cell system are described. In one implementation (400), fuel (H2) and oxidizer (air) flow is halted and the system's anode region (305) is sealed. A load (215) is then engaged across the system's fuel cell stack (205) so as to deplete much of the fuel in the stack's sealed anode region (305). The stack (205) is monitored to determine when the load should be disengaged. (215). Once the load is disengaged, fluid communication between the system's anode and cathode regions is established. The vacuum created in the anode region (305) as a consequence of consuming H2 therein, pulls nitrogen enriched gas from the cathode region (310) into the anode region (305). When substantially all of the H2 has been depleted from the anode region (305), no pressure difference exists between the anode and cathode regions and fluid communication between the two is severed.
US08048573B2
Organic electrolytic solutions and lithium batteries using the organic electrolytic solutions are provided. One organic electrolytic solution includes a lithium salt, a mixed organic solvent consisting of a high-dielectric constant solvent and a low-boiling point solvent, and a compound represented by Formula 1 or 2 as an additive. The organic electrolytic solution and the lithium battery using the organic electrolytic solution may inhibit the reductive cleavage reaction of a polar solvent, thereby increasing capacity retention of the battery, and improving charge-discharge efficiency and battery lifetime.
US08048564B2
A positive electrode active material is formed of a lithium containing layered oxide. The lithium containing layered oxide contains either or both of LiANaBMnxCoyO2±α that belongs to a space group P63mc or LiANaBMnxCoyO2±α that belongs to a space group Cmca. The lithium containing layered oxide contains the LiANaBMnxCoyO2±α as a solid solution, a mixture or both of them. In the LiANaBMnxCoyO2±α, 0.5≦A≦1.2, 0
US08048557B2
The present invention relates to an improved electrochemical device, such as a primary cell battery, that is capable of being manufactured on the miniature-level (e.g., a size amenable to being used in an injectable medical apparatus). An exemplary electrochemical device comprises a header comprising a pin extending into an electrode space defined by the header and a device case. The pin also extends into a first electrode and is configured to be the current collector of the device. An electrode pressure plate is disposed adjacent a second electrode, and a pressure maintaining spring interfaces with the pressure plate and a device base. The pressure maintaining spring is configured to expand as the electrochemical device discharges, thereby maintaining a contact pressure within the device.
US08048556B2
A battery includes a separator with a trapping layer that traps dissolved metal ions.
US08048550B2
A gasket elastomer precursor of admixed fluoroelastomer particulate, curing agent, and metallic oxide reduction-agent optionally admixed with any of microspheres, inert particulate, PTFE particles. In one embodiment, the composition is applied to a substrate and cured to provide a fuel cell gasket. The admixtures provide a basis for designed cured admixtures having internally differentiated regions interbonded by cured elastomer.
US08048546B2
A continuous-media perpendicular magnetic recording disk with an oxide-containing granular Co alloy recording layer (RL) having minimal grain size dispersion has an ordered nucleation layer (ONL) formed below RL. The ONL has ordered nucleation sites arranged in a generally repetitive pattern. The nucleation sites are generally surrounded by non-nucleation regions of a different material than the nucleation sites. The Co-alloy grains of the subsequently deposited RL grow on the nucleation sites and the oxide of the RL become generally segregated on the non-nucleation regions. The ordered nucleation sites may be formed of a Ru-containing material and the non-nucleation regions may be formed of an oxide. The ONL is formed by nanoimprint lithography, preferably by a master mold fabricated with a method using self-assembling block copolymers for creating periodic nanometer scale features.
US08048545B2
Perpendicular magnetic recording media with magnetic anisotropy gradient and local exchange coupling
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.
US08048543B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional layer for protecting a light emitting element from being deteriorated by a physical or chemical influence when the light emitting element is manufactured or driven, and to attain extension of lifetime of an element and improvement of element characteristics without increasing a drive voltage and degrading transmittance and color purity by providing such a functional layer. One feature of the present invention is to provide a buffer layer made of a composite material for a light emitting element including aromatic hydrocarbon containing at least one vinyl skeleton and metal oxide in part of a light emitting substance containing layer, in the light emitting element formed by interposing the light emitting substance containing layer between a pair of electrodes. The composite material for a light emitting element for forming the buffer layer of the present invention has high conductivity and is superior in transparency.
US08048540B2
An organometallic complex with high emission efficiency and an organic light-emitting element having the organometallic complex are described. The organometallic complex has a structure represented by the following general formula (G1′).
US08048514B2
The invention relates to a film, in particular for an adhesive tape, characterized in that the film contains at least one homopolymer, copolymer, or terpolymer of the propylene and fibers and is monoaxially stretched in the longitudinal direction, wherein the elongation ratio is preferably at least 1:8 and particularly preferably at least 1:9.5.
US08048501B2
The present invention concerns a sealed package formed from a polymer film comprising a block copolymeric substrate and a heat sealable coating and/or skin layer on the substrate, the package being formed by wrapping the film around an article to be packaged in a manner to obtain at least one region of film overlap, and heat sealing the resulting overlapped film sections to each other to provide at least one sealed region of the package, the sealed region being subsequently openable by manually separating the overlapped film sections, effective without substantial tearing of the film at or around the sealed region.
US08048497B2
The present invention is drawn to a composition for cast-coating on ink-jet media. The composition includes a liquid vehicle, silica particulates, and an internal release agent. The composition is substantially free of polymeric binder and can improve the glossiness of a porous particulate-coated ink-receiving media by at least 2 gloss units at 20 degrees. The silica particulates can be suspended in the liquid vehicle at about 1-35 wt %, and can have a particle size of less than about 150 nm. The internal release agent can be present at about 0.5-10 wt %.
US08048487B2
Organometallic coatings or films, substrates coated with such films and methods for applying the films to the substrates are disclosed. The organometallic film or coating is derived from a transition metal compound containing both halide ligands and alkoxide ligands. Coated articles comprising polymer substrates and adhered to the substrate surface an organometallic film in which the metal comprises halide and alkoxide ligands are also disclosed.
US08048463B2
The present invention provides a method for processing defatted oil seeds, comprising the steps of: (a) solubilizing at least a portion of the protein contained in the oil seeds to produce suspended residual solids and a first solution comprising protein, phenolic-protein complexes, and free phenolic compounds; (b) treating at least a portion of the phenolic-protein complexes in the first solution to liberate at least some phenolic compounds from the phenolic-protein complexes thereby producing a second solution; (c) separating at least a portion of the free phenolic compounds from the second solution and recovering a free phenolic reduced solution; and (d) treating the free phenolic reduced solution to precipitate at least a portion of the protein as a precipitated protein isolate and recovering a treated solution containing a soluble protein isolate. Novel protein products are also disclosed. Food and drink products containing the novel protein products are also disclosed.
US08048462B2
From palm oil, valuable compounds like the tocochromanols, carotenoids, phytosterols and other can be derived in the new process. Fractions derived from crude palm oil, already enriched to some extent in tocochromanols, carotenoids, phytosterols, and others, are treated by supercritical fluid technology in a unique combination of counter current separation with selective adsorption and desorption using supercritical fluids.
US08048457B2
The invention is related to methods and compositions for improving feeding and/or production characteristics in animals. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for improving feeding characteristics of an animal including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for improving production characteristics of an animal including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal.
US08048454B2
This invention relates generally to a method of treating inflammation and associated diseases and disorders by administering an agent that inhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity.
US08048451B2
The invention provides microparticles for use in a pharmaceutical composition for pulmonary administration, each microparticle comprising a particle of an active substance having, on its surface, particles of a hydrophobic material suitable for delaying the dissolution of the active substance. The invention also provides a method for making the microparticles.
US08048447B2
New topical medicaments are provided. The medicaments comprise menthol and camphor, preferably provided as part of a base gel, supplemented with potassium and a source of oxygen. The most preferred base gel is sold under the name SOMBRA, while the most preferred source of oxygen is a chlorite (e.g., sodium chlorite) and/or spirulina. The medicaments provide high metabolic activities and sustain those activities over prolonged periods of time, thus being useful for treating a large variety of ailments, including diabetic neuropathy, post hepatic neuralgia, scleroderma, psoriasis, strain, spasticity, headaches, neuropathy secondary to drugs, peripheral neuropathy, leg pain, muscle cramps, muscle aches and pains, bruise, sinusitis, sprain, arthritis, joint pain (arthralgia), and edema.
US08048443B2
A firm but pliable medical device for use as a bone graft substitute or bone graft extender retains its shape without the requirement of a containment device, such as a syringe. Because the device is solid, it is easy to locate or position in-vivo and, in the moist environment of the body, it will hold its shape well, for an extended time. Because the lyophilized pliable medical device is porous, it adsorbs blood and other beneficial cells containing body fluids, such as bone marrow, contributing to its superior bone repair efficacy in comparison to an analogous putty that has not been lyophilized. In addition these lyophilized pliable medical devices are easier to terminally steam sterilize than the analogous putty because there is no moisture present to boil and “blow-out” of the containment device (syringe). The glycerin that is present in the formulation lends pliability but has a low vapor pressure.
US08048442B1
Systems comprising modified heparin-based coatings to form coatings on medical devices are provided. The systems improve the suitability of the heparin-based coatings.
US08048439B2
A therapeutic foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins comprises a sclerosing solution foamed with a physiological gas such as carbon dioxide, oxygen or a mixture thereof. The foam has a nitrogen content of less than 0.8%. It may be generated using a pressurized canister system incorporating a fine mesh of micron dimensions through which the gas and sclerosing liquid are passed to make the foam. Alternatively, the foam may be generated by passing gas and solution between two syringes through a fine mesh. Techniques are described for minimizing the amount of nitrogen in a canister or syringe based product. A technique for generating and delivering foam simultaneously using a syringe based device is also disclosed.
US08048436B1
A biodegradable tag having a leaf-shaped body portion and an inwardly spiraling attachment appendage. The tag including at least one seed that is disposed within a seed compartment formed in the body portion. The body portion is formed from a liquid-absorbing material that absorbs a scented animal attractant liquid.
US08048426B2
An invention relates to an extract of Chlorella sorokiniana, which contains myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and stearic acid. Also related is use of this extract to treat diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidaemia.
US08048423B2
Methods for treating skin disorders by local administration of a Clostridial toxin, such as a botulinum toxin, to a patient with a skin disorder.
US08048415B2
Compounds, compositions and methods for promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis, and screening methods for identifying compounds are disclosed. The compounds bind to F1 ATP synthase, particularly to the alpha and/or beta subunits of F1 ATP synthase. When bound to these subunits, they can function as angiostatin agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, or allosteric modulators. When the compounds mimic or enhance the activity of angiostatin, they inhibit angiogenesis. When the compounds inhibit the ability of angiostatin to bind F1 ATP synthase and are either inactive at inhibiting angiogenesis or directly promote angiogenesis, or if they inhibit the activity of angiostatin, they promote angiogenesis. The compounds can be, for example, antibodies, antibody fragments, enzymes, peptides, nucleic acids such as oligonucleotides, or small molecules. The antibodies can be monoclonal, humanized, or polyclonal antibodies. The compounds can be conjugated to or combined with various cytotoxic agents and/or labeled compounds. Methods for promoting angiogenesis can be used to introduce vasculature to areas in a patient that can benefit from such increased vasculature. Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis can be used to treat disorders mediated by angiogenesis, for example, tumors, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and the like.
US08048408B2
The present invention relates to conjugates of biologically active compounds, preferably therapeutically active compounds, with polymeric moieties having low polydispersity, as well as controlled polymerisation processes for producing the conjugates. An initiation for a controlled radical polymerisation process comprises a biologically active, usually therapeutically active, moiety and the monomer includes zwitterionic monomer for instance 2-methacryloyloxyethyl -2′-trimethylammonium ethyl phosphate inner salt. The process allows close control of the molecular weight and polydispersity of the polymeric moiety and the possibility of optimizing the delivery characteristics of the active agent.
US08048405B2
A radioactive mixture and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The radioactive mixture (188Re-MN/Lipiodol mixture) is formed by chelating reaction of MN series compounds that are amine-amide-disulfide amine quadric-dentate chelate ligands with TcO4−/or ReO4−, and then dissolved in Lipiodol. Moreover, the 99mTc/or 188Re of the TcO4−/or ReO4− avoids bone marrow injuries caused by free 90Y. By the feature of the Lipiodol that stays in liver tumors for a long period, the radioactive mixture is applied to treat liver cancers by injection so that injuries caused by surgical operations can be prevented. 188Re-MN/Lipiodol is used for liver cancer, breast cancer or other solid tumors treatment. Re-188 MN or Re-188 MN/Lipiodol can be mixed with anticancer drugs, hydrogel, liposome, micelle or other nano-particles to form the multifunctional therapeutic modality.
US08048401B2
A solid composition containing: (a) at least one metal hydride compound; (b) at least one borohydride compound; and (c) at least one of: (i) a transition metal halide, or (ii) a transition metal boride. A “metal hydride” is a compound containing only one metal and hydrogen, including, e.g., alkali and alkaline earth metal hydrides. A “borohydride compound” is a compound containing the borohydride anion, BH4−.
US08048399B2
It is provided ultrafine particles of a rutile titanium oxide obtained by maintaining the pH of an aqueous solution of a titanium compound having a Ti concentration of from 0.07 to 5 mol/L in the range of −1 to 3 in the presence of a chelating agent. Such ultrafine particles of a rutile titanium oxide are useful for photocatalysts, high refractive index materials, ultraviolet absorbing materials and the like.
US08048397B2
A method for making a field emission cathode includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface opposite to the first substrate surface; (b) forming a conductive film on the first substrate surface; (c) forming a catalyst film on the conductive film, the catalyst film including carbonaceous material; (d) flowing a mixture of a carrier gas and a carbon source gas over the catalyst film; (e) focusing a laser beam on the catalyst film and/or on the second substrate surface to locally heat the catalyst to a predetermined reaction temperature; and (f) growing an array of the carbon nanotubes via the catalyst film to form a field emission cathode.
US08048393B2
A zeolite catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides is provided, in which 5 to 30 wt % of manganese (Mn) and 2 to 20 wt % of iron (Fe) on the basis of the total weight of the catalyst are supported on zeolite, and a method for preparing the same, and a method for removing nitrogen oxides using the same are provided.
US08048378B2
An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
US08048369B2
A cobalt-nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy useful in surgical implant applications includes, in weight percent based on total alloy weight, at least 20 cobalt, 33.0 to 37.0 nickel, 19.0 to 21.0 chromium, 9.0 to 10.5 molybdenum, and less than 30 ppm nitrogen. Embodiments of the alloy lack significant levels of titanium nitride and mixed carbonitride inclusions. The alloy may be cold drawn to thin-gauge wire without damage to the die as may be caused by hard particle inclusions in certain conventional alloy formulations.
US08048367B2
The present invention provides high strength thick-gauge steel plate superior in weldability and having a tensile strength of 780 MPa or more and provides a method of production of the high strength thick-gauge steel plate by omitting tempering heat treatment in the production. The high strength thick-gauge steel plate of the present invention is high strength thick-gauge steel plate containing, by mass %, C: 0.030 to 0.055%, Mn: 2.4 to 3.5%, P: 0.01% or less, S: 0.0010% or less, Al: 0.06 to 0.10%, B: 0.0005 to 0.0020%, and N: 0.0015 to 0.0060%, having a weld cracking susceptibility parameter Pcm of 0.18% to 0.24%, and comprised mainly of martensite. The method of production of high strength thick-gauge steel plate of the present invention comprises heating a steel slab or cast slab having a predetermined composition of ingredients to 950 to 1100° C., rolling it at 820° C. or more, then starting accelerated cooling from 700° C. or more by a cooling rate of 8 to 80° C./sec and stopping the accelerated cooling at room temperature to 350° C.
US08048364B2
An apparatus for manufacturing aluminum alloy strip for a lithographic printing plate supports includes a filter, a launder connected to the filter, a liquid level controller connected to the launder, and a melt feed nozzle connected to the liquid level controller. The liquid level controller includes a step to trap settled particles within an aluminum melt which forms the alloy strip. The launder has a length L (m) which satisfies the condition 4≧L≧V×270×1.2×D, where V is the flow velocity in meters per second of the aluminum melt in the launder and D is the depth in meters of the aluminum melt in the launder.
US08048361B2
The present invention discloses a method for forming a porous bio-mimicking scaffold. At first, at least two types of solutions are provided where at least one of the solutions is a bio-mimicking scaffold solution comprising a bio-mimicking scaffold and at least one of the solutions is a pore forming solution comprising a pore forming material having at least one corresponding specific solvent. Then, a filling process is performed to fill the solutions into different needles of a blending injection device. Following that, an electrospinning process is performed to form a composite material. Each material type for forming the composite material is selected from the group consisting of the following: fiber, particle, and combination of fiber and particle. Finally, a removing process using the solvent to dissolve the pore forming material is performed to thereby form a porous bio-mimicking scaffold.
US08048353B2
A multilayer polymeric product is described, which consists of a co-extruded internal central layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) copolymer, in a quantity ranging from 80 to 90% by weight with respect to the total weight of the internal layer, mixed with polycarbonate (PC), in a quantity ranging from 10 to 20% by weight with respect to the total weight of the layer, and outer, side layers, of a blend of PET, in a quantity ranging from 15 to 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the outer layers, and PC, in a quantity ranging from 75 to 85% by weight with respect to the total weight of said outer layers, in particular for use as a building material.
US08048345B2
A dental implant for a patient includes an anchoring part to anchor the dental implant in the bone and an abutment that is designed for fixation of a crown or similar supraconstruction and is or can be connected to the anchoring part. The anchoring part and the abutment are manufactured on a zirconium-oxide basis. The anchoring part and the abutment have special sections corresponding to the individual dimensions of the patient's bone and/or gums, said sections comprising a roughened surface designed to promote bone fusion. The special sections are produced on the green compact before the latter is finally sintered.
US08048336B2
A polymerizable cholesteric liquid crystal composition in the invention includes at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a polymerizable ester compound (1) having a residue of a hydrolysate of γ-oryzanol (A) and having a ring structure, a polymerizable ester compound (2) having a residue of a hydrolysate of γ-oryzanol (A) and having no ring structures, and a polymerizable ester compound (3) having a residue of a hydrogenated product of γ-oryzanol.
US08048335B2
A cholesteric liquid crystal composition containing at least one esterified product selected from the group consisting of (1) an esterified product of a hydrolysate of (A) a γ-oryzanol and (B1) a carboxylic acid compound, (2) an esterified product of a hydrogenated product of a hydrolysate of (A) a γ-oryzanol and (B2) a carboxylic acid compound, and (3) an esterified product of a hydrogenated product of (A) a γ-oryzanol and (B3) a carboxylic acid compound. The γ-oryzanol (A) is a mixture containing at least one ferulate ester of a vegetable sterol and at least one ferulate ester of a triterpene alcohol, and the hydrolysate of the γ-oryzanol (A) is a mixture containing at least one vegetable sterol and at least one triterpene alcohol.
US08048334B2
A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a switching element connected to a gate line and a data line crossing each other, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the switching element. The pixel electrode includes a first domain-dividing portion extending in a direction. The second substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate to have a cell gap of about 3.1 μm to about 3.3 μm. The second substrate includes a common electrode including a second domain dividing portion formed in a region between the first domain-dividing portions adjacent to each other. The liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal composition having a refractive anisotropy (Δn) of about 0.1010 to about 0.1030.
US08048330B2
By providing an interlayer dielectric material with different removal rates, a desired minimum material height above gate electrode structures of sophisticated transistor devices of the 65 nm technology or 45 nm technology may be obtained. The reduced removal rate above the gate electrode may thus provide enhanced process robustness during the planarization of the interlayer dielectric layer stack prior to the formation of contact elements.
US08048329B2
A method for minimizing microwave leakage into processing chamber of a microwave plasma system is provided. The method includes securing plasma traps to a plasma tube assembly, which is a cylindrical structure positioned upstream from the processing chamber and has a plasma-sustaining region. The plasma traps are electrically conductive disks surrounding the cylindrical structure and are positioned upstream from the processing chamber. The plasma traps include at least two electrically conductive disks. Each electrically conductive disk includes corrugated outer surfaces with plurality of corrugated peaks. The corrugated outer surface of the first electrically conductive disk is facing a corrugated outer surface of the second electrically conductive disk in a space-apart relationship to form an interstitial region between the electrically conductive disks. Both electrically conductive disk and the interstitial region form one of a set of upstream plasma traps and a set of downstream plasma traps relative to the plasma-sustaining region.
US08048319B2
A filter medium for strainers used in the emergency sump of a nuclear power plant ECCS. The filter medium is employed with double wall, concentric tube type strainer modules. The filter medium is preferably constructed of a woven or knitted stainless steel wire material and is shaped in a cylinder so that it can be inserted between two concentric strainer walls, concentric tube type strainer in such a manner that water that passes through the strainer must pass through and be filtered by the filter medium before the water can be pumped to the reactor core. The filter medium is inserted through the bottom of the strainer module and is held in place by an x-shaped retainer. The filter creates varied approach velocity of the fluid and results in non-uniform fibrous debris accumulation on the strainer, insuring acceptable strainer debris hydraulic head loss.
US08048313B2
A method and apparatus of fluid treatment for a plurality of fluids with a first and a second non-magnetically conductive fluid flow conduit sleeved within at least one segment of magnetically conductive conduit providing a plurality of distinct areas of concentrated magnetic energy. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.
US08048311B2
Methods and systems for a zero discharge waste water treatment system are provided. The system includes a filtration train including filter media having successively smaller diameter filtration elements, a reverse osmosis apparatus including a pump and a membrane coupled in flow communication with said filtration train, a vapor compressor coupled in flow communication with said reverse osmosis apparatus, and a spray dryer coupled in flow communication with said vapor compressor, said spray dryer configured to separate moisture in a brine solution from particulate suspended in the brine solution.
US08048309B2
A method for disposing of carbon dioxide is provided. According to the invention, CO2 is dissolved in seawater and the salinity of the seawater is increased to produce CO2-containing brine. The CO2-containing brine is denser than the seawater from which it is made. Therefore, when it is released into the ocean, the CO2-containing brine sinks to depth and sequesters the carbon dioxide. The brine may be produced by forming CO2 hydrate, which extracts fresh water from the seawater. Alternatively, the brine may be produced by forming water ice from the seawater and injecting CO2 into the seawater either before or, more preferably, after the water ice has been formed.
US08048308B2
The invention relates to a process for separating, in an aqueous medium, at least one actinide element from one or more lanthanide elements by using at least one molecule which sequesters the said actinide element to be separated and membrane filtration, the said process successively comprising: a) a step of bringing at least one molecule which sequesters the said actinide element in contact with the aqueous medium, the said molecule not being retained in the non-complexed state by the said membrane and being capable of forming a complex with the actinide element to be separated, comprising the said element and at least two of the said sequestering molecules, which complex is capable of being retained by the membrane; b) a step of passing the aqueous medium over the membrane in order to form a permeate on one side, comprising an aqueous effluent depleted of the said actinide element, and a retentate comprising the said complex.
US08048303B2
A bioretention system and method are provided for removing phosphorus, nitrogen and other materials from effluent such as wastewater and stormwater. The system and method can include a filtration media comprising water treatment residuals and other fill such as soil. Plants can be growing in the soil. The system can also include a drainage system to regulate outflow, to function during both low and high throughputs of water.
US08048297B2
A method and apparatus can separate and concentrate a selected component from a multi-component material. The multi-component material may include a whole sample such as adipose tissue, whole blood, or the like. The apparatus generally includes a moveable piston positioned within a separation container and a withdrawal tube that is operable to interact with a distal end of the collection container past the piston. Material can be withdrawn through the withdrawal tube.
US08048294B2
A process for reducing the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock, the process comprising the step of contacting the hydrocarbon feedstock with a catalyst at conversion conditions, wherein the catalyst includes at least one molecular sieve and at least one clay, and wherein said catalyst is sufficient to reduce more than 50% of the Bromine Index of a hydrocarbon feedstock.
US08048288B2
Techniques are generally described herein for protecting food or beverage containers (e.g., cans) using impressed current protection. In various embodiments, containers may be received into at least one conductive bed, each bed having a complementary anode. The containers may then be electrically coupled to a first terminal (e.g., negative) of a power supply, and the anode may be electrically coupled to a second terminal (e.g., positive) of the power supply. Resultantly, protective current may be provided to the containers by the anode. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed.
US08048263B2
A process for applying chemicals, such as an alkaline peroxide pretreatment (1) to lignocellulosic material before chemical refining and at the primary refiner (3). The preferred embodiment comprises (i) preconditioning at temperatures below 95° C., especially below 80° C., (ii) limiting the time and/or temperature in the refiner, (iii) reaction quench to maintain temperatures below 80° C., and (iv) subsequent high consistency bleaching (4).
US08048261B2
Apparatus are provided for attaching to a composite tape lamination machine in order to remove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper. When a moveable member is in one position composite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper is directed along a path to avoid a removing member and keep composite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper. When the moveable member is in another position composite scrap tape material on a backing paper is directed along a different path to contact the removing member and remove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper. Composite scrap tape material may be disposed in a scrap disposal member. Backing paper having attached composite non-scrap tape material and not having attached composite scrap tape material may be spooled using a spool roller.
US08048260B2
The present invention provides a magnetic neutral line discharge plasma processing system that can apply a plurality of linear magnetic neutral line discharge plasmas simultaneously so as to uniformly process all the surface area of a large rectangular substrate for homogeneousness. The management field generating means of the magnetic neutral line discharge plasma processing system has at least two linear current rods arranged outside the vacuum chamber in parallel with the surface to be processed of the object of processing in the vacuum chamber so as to form at least a linear magnetic neutral line in the vacuum chamber between adjacently located linear current rods.
US08048257B2
The invention relates to a method of producing a wood based product, comprising applying an adhesive system onto one or more pieces of a wood-based material, and joining the one or more pieces with one or more further pieces of a material, the adhesive system comprises one component comprising starch and another component comprising one or more polymers (P) containing an amine group or an amide group. The present invention also relates to an adhesive system comprising one component comprising starch and another component comprising one or more polymers (P) containing an amine group or an amide group, the two components being present as unmixed separate components. The invention further relates to a wood based product.
US08048256B2
A carbon nanotube film structure includes at least two overlapped carbon nanotube films, with adjoining films being aligned in different directions. Each carbon nanotube film includes a plurality of successive carbon nanotube bundles aligned in the same direction. The carbon nanotube structure further includes a plurality of micropores formed by/between the adjoining carbon nanotube bundles. A method for fabricating the carbon nanotube film structure includes the steps of: (a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes; (b) pulling out, using a tool, one carbon nanotube film from the array of carbon nanotubes; (c) providing a frame and adhering the carbon nanotube film to the frame; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c), depositing each successive film on a preceding film, thereby achieving at least a two-layer carbon nanotube film; and (e) peeling the carbon nanotube film off the frame to achieve the carbon nanotube structure.
US08048254B2
A mounting method is provided for mounting electric components on both faces of a substrate. Because the electric components on a front face and a rear face of the substrate are simultaneously pressed with first and second pressing rubbers, the electric components can be connected to the front face and the rear face of the substrate at a time. Because the peripheries of the first and second pressing rubbers are surrounded by a dam member when the first and second pressing rubbers deform, the first and second pressing rubbers are dammed by the dam member and not spread. Thus, positional slip of the electric components does not occur. Because the electric components are connected to the substrate at the same positions as at the time of temporary compression bonding, an electric component having high connection reliability is obtained.
US08048247B2
In a method for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels, a green tyre, once formed, is transferred into a vulcanisation mould and pressed against the holding walls of a moulding cavity. Concurrently with the pressing step, a fluid present between the green tyre and the holding walls is evacuated through vent valves. The tyre is brought into contact with the closing head of each valve so as to push it toward a closed position of the valve itself. The closing head has a distal portion facing the moulding cavity and includes at least one grip element for the tyre blend, so that the closure member is pulled toward the open position while the moulded and cured tyre is moved away from the inner surface of said moulding cavity.
US08048232B1
A cleaning method uses a cleaning agent in which microcapsules are dispersed therein. Each of the microcapsules encapsulates a gas precursor, which is capable of undergoing a phase transition to a gas phase by application of ultrasonic wave energy. In the cleaning method, clothing to be cleaned is wetted with the cleaning agent, and then an ultrasonic wave is applied to the clothing to cause the microcapsules to expand and explode, releasing gas. Explosion energy of the microcapsules contribute to remove dirt stains from the clothing. In order to facilitate absorption of the cleaning agent, a smaller ultrasonic wave may be applied to the article before applying the ultrasonic wave for explosion.
US08048230B2
Apparatus for metering and vaporizing a particulate material, includes: a metering device for metering particulate material having: a reservoir for receiving particulate material; a housing having first and second openings; a rotatable shaft disposed in the internal volume, the shaft having a smooth surface and a circumferential groove; a rotating agitator with a plurality of tines disposed in the reservoir and cooperating with the rotating shaft for fluidizing particulate material and transporting it from the reservoir into the groove; cooperating such that particulate material is transported by the groove; a scraper cooperates with the groove to dislodge particulate material retained therein, and deliver metered amounts of particulate material through the second opening; a structure fluidizes the particulate material at the second opening; and a flash evaporator that receives and flash vaporizes the metered particulate material.
US08048229B2
An apparatus for depositing an organic layer and a method for controlling the heating unit thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a crucible positioned in a deposition chamber and containing materials for evaporation. The apparatus also includes a heating unit having first and second heat sources for heating the crucible. A housing isolates the heat emitted from the heating unit and an outer wall anchors the crucible. A nozzle sprays the materials evaporated from the crucible. The first and second heat sources are positioned on first and second sides of the crucible, respectively, and are independently controlled to minimize the time required to stabilize the deposition rate.
US08048228B2
A masking apparatus includes a mask base body and a mask plate. The mask base body includes at least one spacer plate, and a cavity in which an electronic component can be housed. The mask plate is disposed on an upper surface and/or a lower surface of the mask base body. The mask plate includes a film-forming opening with a shape corresponding to the shape of an external structural body to be formed on an outer surface of the component. The mask plate thus allows a film-forming operation to be selectively performed on the outer surface of the component through the film-forming opening. The cavity includes, in an inner surface thereof, a film-forming groove communicating with the film-forming opening so that the external structural body can be formed at once on an upper surface and/or a lower surface of, and also on a peripheral surface of the component.
US08048225B2
The present invention includes a high-quality, large-area bulk GaN seed crystal for ammonothermal GaN growth and method for fabricating. The seed crystal is of ultra-low defect density, has flat surfaces free of bowing, and is free of foreign substrate material. The seed crystal is useful for producing large-volume, high-quality bulk GaN crystals by ammonothermal growth methods for eventual wafering into large-area GaN substrates for device fabrication.
US08048224B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a process for producing a III-N bulk crystal, wherein III denotes at least one element selected from group III of the periodic system, selected from Al, Ga and In, wherein the III-N bulk crystal is grown by vapor phase epitaxy on a substrate, and wherein the growth rate is measured in real-time. By actively measuring and controlling the growth rate in situ, i.e. during the epitaxial growth, the actual growth rate can be maintained essentially constant. In this manner, III-N bulk crystals and individualized III-N single crystal substrates separated therefrom, which respectively have excellent crystal quality both in the growth direction and in the growth plane perpendicular thereto, can be obtained.
US08048214B2
A conductive ink containing a conductive polymer, wherein the conductive polymer contains at least one polymer and a modified graphite oxide material, which is a thermally exfoliated graphite oxide with a surface area of from about 300 m2/g to 2600 m2/g, and it use in a method for making a conductive circuit.
US08048211B2
A tank arrangement includes a tank for storing a liquid such as fuel or oxidizer for operation of a spacecraft and a pressurized driving gas for conveying the liquid out of the tank, and a gas supply and extraction device. The device includes a housing shell and plural outwardly expanding passage bodies providing openings that communicate the interior space of the tank to the inner reservoir space of the device. A baffle plate shields the outer opening of each passage body. Deflector plates are arranged in each passage body. Capillary plates extend longitudinally along the inner wall of the housing shell. By a capillary effect, the plates separate liquid from gas entering the device, so that the gas can be extracted while the liquid is stored in a reservoir of the device until it is drained back into the tank during an accelerated operation phase of the spacecraft.
US08048210B2
The assemblies of the invention can comprise a fine fiber layer having dispersed within the fine fiber layer an active particulate material. Fluid that flows through the assemblies of the invention can have any material dispersed or dissolved in the fluid react with, be absorbed by, or adsorbed onto, the active particulate within the nanofiber layer. The structures of the invention can act simply as reactive, absorptive, or adsorptive layers with no filtration properties, or the structures of the invention can be assembled into filters that can filter particulate from a mobile fluid while simultaneously reacting, absorbing, or adsorbing materials from the mobile fluid.
US08048209B2
A degassing device (203) comprises a first chamber (21) having an inlet for a liquid, and a second chamber (22) having an opening (23) closed by a hydrophobic membrane (24) and an outlet (25) for discharging the liquid. The first chamber (21) has a downstream portion that partially extends within the second chamber (22) and communicates therewith by a passageway (28). The second chamber (22) has a downstream portion that extends below the passageway (28) and asymmetrically surrounds the downstream portion of the first chamber (21).
US08048205B2
A lint filter device for an airflow in a tumble dryer, comprising an endlessly circulating element, arranged around at least two deflector elements and positioned such as to be crossed by the airflow. The circulating element has an upper edge and a lower edge and first engaging elements are arranged on at least one of the two edges which, on opening a loading door of the tumble dryer may come to cooperate with at least one second engaging element, arranged inside the tumble dryer such that, on the opening process of the loading door, the circulating element may be automatically moved in a circulating direction and may be passed across at least one device for the removal of lint from the circulating element. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning such a lint filter device.
US08048203B2
It is intended to provide methods of producing a chlorine gas having a small bromine content, an aqueous sodium hypochlorite solution having a small bromic acid content, and liquid chlorine having a small bromine content. More specifically, a chlorine gas is produced by a method comprising the steps of: (A) washing a chlorine gas that contains bromine, in a gas washing unit composed of a packed column or a tray tower, wherein the chlorine gas introduced via a lower part of the gas washing unit is brought into counterflow gas/liquid contact with a liquid chlorine introduced via an upper part of the gas washing unit; and (B) taking out a purified chlorine gas thus washed, via the upper part of the gas washing unit, wherein a weight ratio of the chlorine gas and the liquid chlorine introduced in the step (A) is 1/1.0 to 1/0.3.
US08048200B2
Clean corona gas ionization by separating contaminant byproducts from corona generated ions includes establishing a non-ionized gas stream having a pressure and flowing in a downstream direction, establishing a plasma region of ions and contaminant byproducts in which the pressure is sufficiently lower than the pressure of the non-ionized gas stream to prevent at least a substantial portion of the byproducts from migrating into the non-ionized gas stream, and applying an electric field to the plasma region sufficient to induce at least a substantial portion of the ions to migrate into the non-ionized gas stream.
US08048198B2
The present invention discloses a new type of high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and methods for making and using the same. The MMMs comprise a continuous polymer matrix and at least two types of molecular sieves dispersed therein. The continuous polymer matrix in the MMM contains at least one type of polymer. The MMM in the form of a dense film, asymmetric flat sheet membrane or otherwise prepared exhibits simultaneously improved selectivity and permeability for gas separations compared to polymer membranes made from a continuous polymer matrix without any molecular sieves or with only one type of molecular sieve. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.
US08048189B2
Reduced volatility of urea fertilizers are prepared in accordance with the present invention by first preparing an N-(n-butyl)-thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) solution by dissolving NBPT in a mixture of an amino alcohol having the formula 1—(H)x—N—((CH2)m—OH)n where m is 1-3, x is 0 or 1, and n is 2 when x is 1 and 3 when x is 0: or the formula 2—(H)y—N—((CH2)—CHOH—CH3)z such that the length of the carbon chain where the secondary hydroxyl group is located is 3, y is 0 or 1, and z is 2 when y is 1 and 3 when y is 0, and a carboxylic acid having 6 or fewer carbon atoms. The solution is then combining with a urea fertilizer in granular or liquid form.
US08048184B1
A baffle tool operative to manually install and remove commercial grill baffles and filters has a longitudinally extensive handle. First and second filter plates pivotally attach to the handle and are operative to couple through a set of prongs with a commercial grill filter. An actuating handle is moveable relative to the longitudinally extensive handle. First and second linking rods extend between the filter plates and actuating handle, and transmit motion of the actuating handle to the first and second filter plates. Movement of the actuating handle thereby causes the filter plates to move relative to the longitudinally extensive handle. A lock is also provided for selectively locking the actuating handle to the longitudinally extensive handle and preventing motion therebetween, which facilitates the securement of a baffle to the tool.
US08048181B2
A filter apparatus deposits impurities from a fluid stream by use of a filter element (10) accommodated in a filter casing (12). The filter casing (12) has a swirl space (14) such that the fluid stream to be filtered is conducted at least partly in a swirling flow around the filter element (10). The properties of a cyclone are utilized for the actual filtration operation to the extent that the swirl space of the filter casing brings about multiple deflection of the direction of motion of the fluid to be filtered.
US08048174B2
A theft prevention system capable of preventing theft of a target object by disabling the authorized key of the target object in the case where the authorized key has been stolen. When the authorized key is lost, a mobile telephone instructs a vehicle control device to set a warning mode. On receipt of this warning mode instruction, the vehicle control device sets warning mode, generates an electronic key, and transmits the generated electronic key to the mobile telephone, which receives and stores the electronic key. Once the warning mode is set in the vehicle, locking and unlocking are only possible using the electronic key. If the authorized key is found, the mobile telephone instructs the vehicle control device to set the normal mode. Upon receipt of this normal mode instruction, the vehicle control device sets the normal mode in the vehicle.
US08048167B2
A kit for use in performing revision surgery on a cavity in a canal of extending from a resected plane a long bone is provided. The kit includes a canal component fitted to the cavity. The canal component includes a canal portion having first and second ends. The canal component further includes a sleeve portion having an external periphery and an internal periphery defining an internal cavity. The kit also includes a first joint component having a body portion and a connection portion. The connection portion is fitted into the sleeve portion. A connection portion of a second joint component also may be fitted into the sleeve portion so that the external periphery of the connection portion of the first joint component is spaced inwardly from the external periphery of the sleeve portion of the canal component when the first joint component is fixedly connected to the canal.
US08048165B2
A method for removing a bearing that is coupled to a prosthetic implant by a ring includes advancing a distal end of a removal tool in a first direction and into a slit formed in the ring. The ring can be caused to expand radially from engagement with the bearing. The distal end of the removal tool can be advanced in a second direction such that the removal tool engages the bearing. The distal end of the removal tool can be further advanced in the second direction such that the removal tool urges the bearing away from the prosthetic implant.
US08048162B2
A proximal radioulnar joint (lateral elbow) prosthesis includes an ulnar brace member to be secured to the outer surface of the ulna bone. The ulnar brace member defines a bearing surface for supporting the radius. The prosthesis may also include a radial brace member which cooperates with the ulnar brace member.
US08048148B2
Self-expandable bifurcation stent and systems for delivery and implantation of the self-expandable bifurcation stent, comprising a self-expandable bifurcation stent made of a material possessing shape memory, capable of shaping a mesh with cylindrical surface and marked by radioactive labels, and the delivery system for its implantation, comprising a polymeric tubular catheter with a cap at the distal end, a guiding wire and a pushing wire, where the tubular catheter is executed double-barreled, one lumen accommodating the guiding wire, and the second lumen accommodating the pushing wire with a cap at its distal end, which cap is executed in the shape of a polymeric elastic cap put over the tubular catheter accommodating, between the polymeric elastic cap and the tubular catheter, the stent in the first position with the reduced diameter, the cap is executed with the capability of distal 5 moving along the guiding wire and along the tubular catheter accommodating the stent, by means of the pushing wire, and with capability of unrolling the stent at the proximal end into the second position with greater diameter, and the capability of backwards proximal moving thus returning the stent to its first position in the tubular catheter.
US08048145B2
Aneurysms are treated by filling at least one double-walled filling structure with a curable medium within the aneurysm. The filling structures may be delivered over balloon deployment mechanisms in order to shape and open tubular lumens therethrough. Scaffolds are placed into the tubular lumens in order to help maintain the shape, anchor the filling structures in place, and provide improved blood flow transition into and out of the tubular lumens.
US08048141B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to medical devices that provide signals to diagnostic equipment such that functionality of an implantable member can be determined. In particular, various designs and structures are utilized to signal tissue growth on an implantable member such as a stent. The tissue growth can limit flow through the stented lumen. If the growth has a thickness above a certain limit, a signal can be detected by diagnostic equipment such that a proper diagnosis can be made.
US08048139B2
A reversible applicator for an intraluminal endoprosthesis with a pusher, an outer sheath sliding longitudinally relative to this pusher, and an endoprosthesis arranged at it's distal part. A retention element formed by an expandable braid that widens in a bulb shape in the expanded state, integrally joined to the pusher, is arranged longitudinally inside the endoprosthesis that is to be fitted in place. This bulb compresses the proximal part of the endoprosthesis against an inner wall of the sheath in such a way as to allow the endoprosthesis to be retracted inside the sheath.
US08048138B2
An endoluminal prosthetic delivery system provides a delivery sheath possessing a yield strength capable of allowing implantation of the prosthesis with increased efficiency. An endoluminal prosthesis is inserted in a body in a radially compressed condition, and expanded at an implantation site, whereby a delivery sheath or the prosthesis itself possesses a yield strength sufficient to allow radial expansion of the prosthesis. A method of implanting an endoluminal prosthesis is also herein provided.
US08048132B2
A spine fixation device is provided. The spine fixation device includes a bone screw, a fixation carrier, and a first locking member. The fixation carrier is rotatably coupled to a fixation unit of the bone screw. The first locking member conjugates the fixation carrier and the bone screw together. A screw unit of the bone screw is implanted into a vertebra. As the fixation carrier is rotatably coupled to the bone screw, the bone screw remains fastened to the vertebra while the fixation carrier is rotated. Through rotational adjustment of the fixation carrier, U-shaped openings of the fixation carrier are adjustable in direction. Thus, the disposition angle of a rod disposed in the U-shaped openings is easily adjustable by rotating the fixation carrier. As a result, the rod can fit an angle of the spine while surgical complexity is reduced.
US08048123B2
A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes a deflection rod system implant. The system is modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08048120B1
A modular implant for stabilizing the relative motion of spinal vertebrae comprises at least two pairs of plates which connect to two adjacent spinous processes, a spacer configured to be positioned between the spinous processes, and a fastener which pivotably connects to the plates and the spacer. The spacer is interchangeable and may comprise a variety of materials, each providing a different level of elasticity to the spinous processes. Relative motion between vertebrae can also be controlled by varying the surface configuration of the plates and by varying threading of the fastener. Several implants may be linked to provide stabilization across multiple vertebral levels, and the relative motion provided at each vertebral level may differ. A method for revising the implant is provided which comprises accessing the implant and replacing the spacer.
US08048119B2
A surgical procedure and apparatus according to which force is applied to a member to compress the member, and the member is retained in its compressed state while it is inserted between two anatomical structures. The member is then allowed to move from its compressed state towards its original state and into engagement with the structures.
US08048105B2
An adaptive surgical tourniquet comprises: an inflatable cuff for encircling a limb of a patient; pressurizing means for pressurizing the cuff; pressure relief means for depressurizing the cuff; cuff pressure sensing means for sensing cuff pressure; limb occlusion pressure sensing means for sensing the patient's initial limb occlusion pressure at a selected time; physiologic characteristic sensing means for sensing a physiologic characteristic of the patient; and pressure regulator means for establishing an adapted limb occlusion pressure that is a predetermined function of the initial limb occlusion pressure and the physiologic characteristic, wherein the pressure regulator means is operable after the initial limb occlusion pressure is sensed for selectably activating the pressurizing means and the pressure relief means to maintain the cuff pressure above the adapted limb occlusion pressure for a time period suitably long for the performance of a surgical procedure.
US08048102B2
An internal nasal dilator and compound delivery apparatus preferably includes a U-shaped clip having septum engaging pads, and first and second nostril expanders, wherein the pads engage the septum along planar surfaces, each of the expanders include a conforming outer-nostril wall engaging element and a flexible arm interconnecting the engaging element and clip, and at least a portion of the dilator is formed of a porous material, such as an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, configured to retain and discharge over a period a quantity of compound.
US08048091B2
A surgical device that includes an outer hollow body and an inner hollow body. The inner hollow body is slidably disposed within said outer hollow body and the inner hollow body includes at least two hollow arms located at the distal end of the inner hollow body. An inflatable member is rotatably attached to each hollow arm of the inner hollow body. At least a pair of suture rings are rotatably coupled to the outer hollow body wherein the suture rings are in parallel to each other and are coupled to each other by a plurality of suture clips.
US08048087B2
An apparatus for use in fascial cleft surgery adapted to perform blunt dissection between two layers of anatomically named fascia. The dissection performed by the apparatus extends to the limits of anatomic space defined by fusion of said two layers of fascia in a minimally invasive manner. The apparatus is formed of a hollow tube body member including a malleable introducing flange having a spoonbill-like shape. Further, the apparatus includes an elastic dissection balloon movably positioned within the applicator. The dissection balloon is reversibly expandable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition and is movable from a first storage position within the hollow tube body of the applicator to a position exterior thereof. The dissection balloon is formed of a chosen elastic material having a tensile strength less than the tensile strength of the points of fusion between two layers of fascia such that the dissection balloon fails prior to achieving pressures that would destroy the anatomic boundaries of the fascial cleft such that a working space is demonstrated not created. The apparatus also includes a gripping handle and introducing rod slideably positioned within said applicator for positioning said dissection balloon exterior said applicator to within an anatomic space for subsequent inflation and deflation. Finally, a fill tube extends through the hollow introducing rod to the dissection balloon and operably associated therewith for inflating and deflating the dissection balloon.
US08048078B2
A tool (1) is constructed for single use for making drill-holes in bones or removing cylindrical drill-hole cores from bones of the human body with a tubular tool body (2) which can be inserted into a receiving bore (8) of a tool holder (4). At least one cutout (5) in the tool body (2) and at least one protrusion (10) of the tool holder are coupled to rotationally affix the tool (1) to the tool holder (4). In the process, a flexible tongue (15) on the tool body (2) latches into an opening (16) of the tool holder (4) to axially fix the tool body. After the tool (1) has been used, the tongue (15) can be pushed out of the opening from outside, with plastic deformation, so that the tool can no longer be connected to the tool holder (4).
US08048073B2
An endoscopic instrument includes: a knife; a wire having a distal end connected to the knife; a sheath around the wire; a main body having the freely rotative sheath fixed thereto; a slider fixed to the wire, slidable in an axial direction of the main body; a stopper projecting radially from the wire; a first-distal-regulation section in the sheath for regulating distal sliding movement of the wire by making contact with the stopper; and a second-distal-regulation section, provided distal to the first-distal-regulation section, for regulating sliding movement of the wire by making contact with the stopper, wherein the stopper is capable of moving between the first-distal-regulation section and the second-distal-regulation section by rotating the main body relative to the sheath around an axial line by predetermined angle, and at least two different projection lengths can be maintained by contacting the main body to the first-distal-regulation section or the second-distal-regulation section.
US08048065B2
The invention refers to A system (10) for registering and tracking the position of a person's eye, in particular for refractive ophthalmic surgery. According to the invention, the system is designed such that eye images containing at least the iris and the pupil of the eye are made at a first wavelength of light and that eye images containing scleral blood vessels are made at a different second wavelength of light. The invention furthermore refers to a corresponding method for registering and tracking the position of a person's eye.
US08048059B2
A catheter (100) having a first lumen (110) having a first distal tip (112) and a second lumen (130) having a second distal tip (132). The first and second distal tips (112,132) include openable portions that are normally closed when undeflected by lumen fluid pressure imbalance relative to the blood pressure of the patient. The first lumen (110) has an openable portion, flap (114) that opens proximally into the first lumen when the first lumen is under negative pressure to withdraw blood from the vessel through the first lumen to be dialysed (but that can open distally into the vessel under positive lumen pressure to permit blood flow into the vessel). The second lumen (130) extends distally beyond the first distal tip (112) to its second distal tip (132), and its openable portion is several lip sections (135) that are normally closed against each other when undeflected but that open outwardly when the second lumen is positively pressurized during hemodialysis, permitting blood to return to the patient's vessel.
US08048056B2
A gastrostomy device includes a tubular portion and an internal bolster having a radial wing secured to the tubular portion. The internal bolster is flexible and permits elastic deformation between a first orientation with the wing wrapped into a generally cylindrical configuration and a second orientation with the wing unfurled. A constraining member encases the internal bolster to retain the internal bolster in the first orientation and to cover at least a major portion of the wrapped wing. Removal of the casing permits the internal bolster to move from the first orientation to the second orientation. The internal bolster may be deployed by a ripcord, freeing the internal bolster into the patient' stomach and deploying the internal bolster to the second orientation. Alternatively, the internal bolster may be deployed by the constraining member being dissolved by the patient's bodily fluids located inside the patient's stomach.
US08048033B2
A hemostasis seal configured for use in a splittable hemostasis valve, hub, or introducer sheath to permit passage of a medical device therethrough. The seal provides a substantially fluid-tight seal around the medical device without causing excessive frictional resistance that would otherwise unduly restrict movement of the medical device through the seal. In one embodiment, the seal includes first and second resilient seal portions each having a contoured mating surface to provide a first fluid seal with respect to the medical device. The seal also may include one or more projecting portions and one or more mating receiving portions which interact to provide a second fluid seal with respect to the medical device.
US08048027B2
A safety trocar assembly incorporating an airbag is provided to prevent overpenetration of the safety trocar assembly through an abdominal wall and into a body cavity. The safety trocar assembly includes an airbag cannula having an expandable airbag proximal of the distal end of the cannula. A sensing device is located at a distal end of the cannula for detecting changes in conditions at the distal end of the cannula. A trigger mechanism is provided on the cannula and operates to inflate the airbag in response to a change in condition detected by the sensing device.
US08048023B2
Systems and methods for nasal irrigation are provided in which a nasal irrigation device includes a source of saline solution, an effluent receptacle, a nasal interface, a vacuum source, a fluid passageway to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the nasal interface and a nasal cavity of the user, and a switch and valve assembly for selectively controlling the vacuum source and flow of the saline solution through the fluid passageway. The saline solution source is disposed relative to the device to provide gravitational inducement of saline solution to the nasal interface in engagement to the device user's nostrils. A combination of the gravitational inducement and the relative vacuum from the effluent receptacle generates a fluid flow for irrigating, cleansing and massaging the nasal cavity and ostia of a user. The entire device is assembled as a hand-held device for convenient lifting and disposal against the user's nostrils.
US08048022B2
A disposable assembly for use with a sensor assembly, the disposable comprising a body, a flow restricting element, and a fluid pressure membrane. The body has a lid portion and a base portion. The body defines a fluid flow passage that forms an inlet and an outlet. The flow restricting element is positioned in the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is disposed along the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is located between the lid portion and the base portion of the body.
US08048020B2
A surgical system that is able to sense the onset of an occlusion or other surgical event as well as the instant an occlusion breaks. To help avoid overheating of the tip, the system determines a temperature of an eye using irrigation flow rate and reduces the power to the handpiece automatically if an overheating situation is predicted. Alternatively or in addition, the system monitors the power drawn by the handpiece, which is indicative of the cutting load on the tip, and automatically adjusts the power or stroke of the tip to compensate for increased loads on the tip.
US08048018B2
A method for driving moisturizing substances and/or cosmetic active ingredients into the skin of the human body has skin brought into contact with the substances and/or active ingredients and a compression element applied thereto. Then, the tissue is subsequently set into oscillation. The compression element may be formed by compression bandages or compression wraps. The tissue may be set into oscillation in that the person locates himself on a vibrating support, or that the muscles of the person are stimulated by way of electro-stimulation.
US08048014B2
The garment proprioceptively treats a patient and comprises a sleeve having an anchor strap and a viscoelastic pad. The sleeve defines inner and outer sleeve surfaces and is configured to envelop a portion of the patient's body. The anchor strap is circumferentially wrappable about the outer sleeve surface and defines an inner strap surface. The anchor strap has an intermediate anchor portion disposed on the inner strap surface between opposing end anchor portions that are releasably securable to the outer sleeve surface such that tension in the anchor strap may be selectively adjusted. The garment includes an elastic band extending along the inner strap surface. The viscoelastic pad is securable on the inner sleeve surface generally opposite to the elastic band when the anchor strap is extended over the outer sleeve surface.
US08048013B2
An orthopedic device includes a rigid frame assembly having rigid frame supports connected by joints. The device also includes a strap which extends between sides of the frame assembly. An orthopedic component in the form of a resilient subshell is connected to and extending flexibly outwardly from the frame assembly. The subshell has a main body and a perimeter edge portion secured along the periphery of the main body wherein the perimeter edge portion is formed from a material having less hardness than a material used to form the main body. The strap is connected to at least one end portion of the subshell.
US08048011B2
An ultrasonic handpiece for use in operations comprises an oscillation source and a casing unit. The oscillation source has an ultrasonic transducer formed by plural piezoelectric layers layered one on another to form a substantially rod shape having both ends in an axial direction. A radially expanded flange is attached one end of the ultrasonic transducer. The casing unit has a cylindrical casing formed to contain the oscillation source therein, formed to have a blocking layer formed to have a predetermined length in, the axial direction, and positioned to cover both the flange and at least a first piezoelectric layer of the ultrasonic transducer in the axial direction. The casing unit also has a holder holding the oscillation source within the casing using the flange. The blocking layer is in charge of blocking (reducing or preventing) vibration and heat from being transmitted to the outer surface of the casing.
US08048005B2
The present invention provides a hospital bed including a force sensor or scale apparatus configured to detect the weight of a patient.
US08047995B2
A ultrasonic transducer of the invention comprises: a transducer cell including a first electrode and a second electrode disposed separated from the first electrode by an air gap portion; and an electret for applying a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electret is disposed in a region where at least a part thereof does not overlap with the transducer cell when viewed from a transmitting direction of ultrasonic waves.
US08047991B2
Orientation is automatically identified in medical diagnostic ultrasound image. An area or volume based process, such as region shrinking or using locations associated with flow or tissue structure, determines a direction or orientation. Real-time imaging in B-mode and/or flow mode may be enhanced based on the direction or orientation.
US08047988B2
The present invention relates to a refrigerator for providing a user with a variety of information using an avatar. The present invention comprises a storage device for storing avatar data including a figure and/or a motion of the avatar, a display device provided on an outer surface of the refrigerator to display the avatar, a control device for selecting the avatar to be displayed on the display device among the avatar data stored in the storage device and causing the display device to display the avatar, and an input device for receiving a command or information input from the outside. According to the present invention so configured, there is an advantage in that the display device can display a variety of avatars stored in the storage device in conformance with a condition.
US08047987B2
A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semi-transparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.
US08047973B2
A weightlifting apparatus is operative to continuously provide and adjust a force resistant to a torque produced by an exerciser that performs supination of biceps simultaneously with other exercise motions or pronation of triceps simultaneously with other exercise motions.
US08047972B1
An adjustable exercise bar comprises a bar (145) and one or more rails (100, 105) upon which one or more bar retainers are constrained to move. The rails are secured to a vertical surface such as a wall or post (110). A plunger assembly (400) contained within the bar retainers is coupled to the bar by a stiff metal band that is attached to the bar. A plunger in each plunger assembly is normally inserted in a hole (115) in the rail or rails, preventing the bar retainer from moving. The plunger assembly is actuated by rotating the front of the bar upward (from the user's perspective). This actuation causes the plunger (405) to be removed from the hole, enabling movement of the bar upward or downward. When the rotational force on the bar is removed, a spring (435) within the plunger assembly returns the bar to its original rotational position and returns the plunger to a hole in the rail. An optional weight (155) secured to the bar retainers by cords (160, 161) acts as a counterbalance to bar movement. An additional static bar (170) is provided to permit the performance of additional exercises.
US08047969B1
Motion or velocity stilts are provided a strapping system for attachment of the leg and foot of a user. An upper knee cuff uses dual straps that enwrap the leg and are secured by a front buckle and perimeter lengths of hook and loop fasteners. The hook and loop fasteners enable fore and aft leg positioning adjustments. The upper cuff is attached to the spring support utilizing a pair of knee braces that permit pivoting of the knee cuff as well as width adjustment for variation in user knee and leg diameters. The lower strapping system utilizes separate heel, instep, and toe straps to secure the foot to a foot plate.
US08047959B2
A method is provided for starting a piston engine of a hybrid drive in an electric travel state. The hybrid drive includes at least the piston engine, an electric motor, a transmission, and a clutch situated between the piston engine and the electric motor. A converter lockup clutch, which is switchable into a slip state, is also provided. A slip is set at the converter lockup clutch, and a speed of the electric motor is then increased. The speed and the torque either do not change or only change in a predefined range at the output side of the converter lockup clutch. The clutch is closed to transmit a torque pulse, so that a first top dead center of the piston of the piston engine may be overcome. A predefined slip is then set at the clutch.
US08047954B2
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08047947B2
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either clutches or brakes.
US08047944B2
A transmission unit, especially a multirange transmission, includes two superposition gears that are embodied as triple-shaft planetary gears, a continuously variable transmission in the form of a traction gear, and a way for controlling the transmission ratio on the traction gear. The individual superposition gears and the continuously variable transmission are coupled to each other via one respective connecting gear. The second shaft of the first superposition gear and a shaft of the second superposition gear can be alternatively joined to the gear output via a shiftable clutch. The second shaft of the first superposition gear can be connected in a torsion-proof manner to the third shaft of the second superposition gear. The first shaft of the second superposition gear is joined to a shaft of the first superposition gear via another shifting clutch.
US08047941B2
A drive unit (1) for continuously, variably controlling rotational speed and reversing the rotational direction of at least one output shaft. The drive unit (1) having two identical transmission modules (2, 3) with a common input (4) and a way for power splitting a continuously variable rotational speed and reversing the rotational direction.
US08047938B2
A transmission device (1) of a walking type self-traveling lawn mower (4) in which the reliable transmission of a rotating power is achieved as in the case of a shaft drive system by solving the problem of the durability of the transmission belt of conventional transmission devices while basically adopting the transmission device of a belt drive system. The transmission device (1) comprises a chain drive mechanism (2) and a rotating direction changing mechanism (3). The chain drive mechanism (2) is constituted by winding a transmission chain (23) around a drive sprocket (21) fitted to an output shaft (411) and rotating horizontally and a driven sprocket (22) connected to the rotating direction changing mechanism (3) and rotating horizontally. The rotating direction changing mechanism (3) comprises a drive bevel gear (31) coaxial with the driven sprocket (22) rotating horizontally, a driven bevel gear (32) meshed with the drive bevel gear (31) rotating vertically, and an auxiliary output shaft (33) coaxial with the driven bevel gear (32) rotating vertically.
US08047937B2
A football having a generally prolate spheroidal shape and opposing first and second ends. The football includes a bladder, a cover and a lacing coupled to the cover. The cover is disposed over the bladder and defines, at least in part, a first set of channels extending generally longitudinally from at or near the first end of the football to at or near the second end of the football. The cover has an outer surface defining a plurality of grooves configured to facilitate grasping and throwing of the football. The depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm. The width and depth of the grooves is sufficiently sized to receive a portion of one or more fingertips of a user. At least one of the grooves is positioned near the first or second end of the football.
US08047935B2
A rectangular sporting pipe includes a shaft and at least two bulging portions formed on a surface portion of the shaft, the bulging portions extending in a longitudinal direction of the shaft and bulging outwardly.
US08047920B2
A decoupler having an output member, a one-way clutch, a spring and a spring limiter. The spring is disposed between an output portion of the one-way clutch and the output member to bias the output portion in a predetermined rotational direction relative to the output member. The spring limiter can be configured to lock an output of the one-way clutch to the output member to transmit rotary power between the one-way clutch and the output member without stressing the spring beyond a predetermined point and/or to limit rotational movement of the output portion and an associated end of the spring relative to the output member in the predetermined rotational direction. A method for operating a decoupler is also provided.
US08047915B2
A video game character or avatar is generated using images of the player so that the on-screen avatar being controlled by the player appears like the player. Answers to a questionnaire or a psychological profile are provided by the player to determine characteristics that the player views as desirable, which are used to generate a final version of the avatar. Iterations of the avatar appearance are generated from the initial appearance to the final, more desirable appearance. Using the avatar, as play of the game proceeds the player's avatar begins as a character appearing like themselves and gradually becomes a character that is more as they would like to appear. The avatar increases the emotional impact of games by providing strong visual and psychological connections with the player. The avatar may instead begin from an initial character that does not appear similar to the player. The iterations may make the avatar gradually less appealing or with other changes in appearance, in some embodiments.
US08047914B2
A method and system for verifying the continued presence of the same player at a gaming machine is provided. The system comprises a device for continuously obtaining verification data samples, wherein each verification data sample relates to one or more physical features of a first player. A subsequently obtained verification data sample is analyzed to determine whether it is substantially similar to a previously obtained verification data sample. If the subsequent verification data sample is substantially similar to the previously obtained verification data sample, then the system determines that the first player continues to be the same player present at the gaming machine.
US08047912B2
A gaming machine a controller programmed to execute the processing of accepting from an input device an input indicating placement of a normal BET, accepting from the input device an input indicating placement of a side BET, rolling and stopping a plurality of dice in a gaming portion, offering a normal payout based upon the outcomes of the stopped plurality of dice and the normal BET, and offering, in a case where a total value of the outcomes of the stopped plurality of dice stopped is a specific number, an additional payout based upon the specific number on condition that the input indicating placement of the side BET has been made.
US08047903B1
An emergency pressurization system for an aircraft having an air pump that is powered by bleed air from an engine of the aircraft. Although the air pump is powered by engine bleed air, the air pump draws ambient fresh air from outside the aircraft, compresses the fresh air to a predetermined pressure and pumps compressed fresh air into the pressurized cabin of the aircraft without ever exposing the compressed fresh air to the engine air. The speed of the air pump is selectively controlled as a function of cabin pressure and/or bleed air pressure. In this manner, the cabin is maintained at a constant safe pressure.
US08047901B2
A dehider includes a pneumatic motor driving a pair of disk blades in opposed cutting oscillations and a governor that controls the speed of the motor. Governor balls, acting as centrifugal weights, spin with the motor and push against an inclined flange on a valve head to move the valve head towards a valve seat. The motion of the valve head compresses a biasing spring and restricts the flow of pressurized air as the desired speed is exceeded. As speed decreases, centrifugal force decreases and the biasing spring opens the valve to provide additional power to the motor. The disk blades are provided with a cylindrical central lip that substantially increases the area of the central bearing that the blades turn on and produces significantly longer blade life.
US08047899B2
A method for chemical-mechanical polishing two adjacent structures of a semiconductor device is provided. The method for mechanical polishing comprising: (a) providing a semiconductor device comprising a recess formed in a surface thereof, a first layer formed over the surface, and a second layer filled with the recess and formed on the first layer; and (b) substantially polishing the first and second layer with a pad and a substantially inhibitor-free slurry, wherein the pad comprising a corrosion inhibitor of the second layer.
US08047895B2
The invention relates to a machining device (5) comprising a workpiece (8) and at least one machining tool (23, 40, 41) and a measuring device (1, 22) and a seat (20) for the workpiece (8) to be machined. The workpiece (8) has a reference surface (26, 32, 33) that is disposed on the workpiece (8) and interacts with the machining device (5) in such a manner that a contour can be produced on this reference surface (26, 32, 33) using the machining tool (23, 40, 41) and that the contour (34, 35, 50) can be detected by the measuring device (1, 22) after machining. The method for controlling a machining device (5) comprises the following steps: introducing a contour (34, 35, 50) into the workpiece (8) to be machined in the longitudinal direction of advance of the machining tool (23, 40, 41); measuring the contour (34, 35, 50) in the workpiece (8) produced by machining; adjusting the machining plan while taking into consideration the determined tool geometry.
US08047892B1
An undergarment for wearing about the torso of a woman. The undergarment includes a central spacer of elongate form which is sized to reside between the breasts and keep them spaced from each other, particularly when the woman is lying down. A lower band girds the torso of the woman and supports a lower end of the central spacer. Shoulder straps extend from the upper end of the central spacer which are of adjustable length to help keep the central spacer firmly in position against the skin of the woman between the breasts. A central pad can also be provided, such as by being removably attachable, over a cleavage area between and above the breasts to press directly against the skin to prevent wrinkle formation and to eliminate wrinkles from the chest of the woman.
US08047891B1
A brassiere for women who need or desire breast enhancement manufactured with internal air bags or the like which can provide apparent enhancement without the need for surgery, or for use after surgical loss of breast tissue. The brassiere can be used either by women who have had surgical removal of a breast or by women who desire breast enlargement.
US08047888B1
An apparatus that mimics the physical effects of riding in a motor vehicle comprising a base structure on which a child automobile seat may be mounted to sooth an occupying child is herein disclosed. A top platform is laterally and longitudinally motioned by bottom mounted motion generating motor assemblies by means of supporting springs. A standard child's automobile seat can be fastened with the use of an integral seat belt. The apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system, which activates the motors to reproduce a gentle rocking, bumping, swerving or other motion commonly experienced in a motor vehicle. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a sound system capable of producing soothing music and a plurality of sounds designed to mimic those heard in a motor vehicle.
US08047887B2
A production method for an organic EL display comprises sticking an anti-static sheet 2 onto the first main surface of a glass substrate 11 on which a metal hat 13 is formed and etching the second main surface 11c of the glass substrate 11 stuck with the anti-static sheet 2.
US08047886B1
A round boat has a one-piece, open-topped hull having a substantially flat bottom and outwardly concave but substantially vertical sides surmounted by flared gunnels. The concave sides mate with the inner walls of a toroidal-shaped flotation device, such as an inflated bladder, or tube, which fills the concavity and supports the hull. The tube and the hull are substantially coplanar such that cargo and passengers are supported within the toroidal opening of the tube. The tube and hull may be provided with a covering, or sheath, to help protect the tube from unnecessary wear or damage, and to provide means for replaceable decoration or identification. At least one seat is mounted to and projects radially inward from the gunnels to center the weight of a passenger above the hull, thereby increasing stability of the boat with the added weight of each additional passenger. The seat may include a swivel for convenience of movement. Also mounted to the gunnels and projecting radially outward over the tube, motor mount means supports a lateral transom for mounting an outboard motor to serve as both propulsion and steering. A tray projecting inward from the motor mount means includes cavities for small articles such as fishing lures, drinks or navigation equipment. A battery compartment mounted on the hull floor provides propulsion energy. A two-person boat as described is light weight and can be lifted by one person and rolled on its side for loading and unloading. The tube may be deflated for storage.
US08047884B2
A propulsion system may include a cylindrical support member and a tubular rotatable member rotatably mounted within the support member that may be adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough. The tubular rotatable member may extend past a down stream end of the support member. An exemplary embodiment of a propulsion system may also disclose a vane attached on an interior surface of the tubular member and may include a blade which extends in a direction toward a rotational axis of the rotatable member such that rotation of the tubular member and the vane attached thereon draws fluid into the tubular member to accelerate the fluid flow through the tubular member. Additionally, a nozzle may be attached to the down stream end of the support member and include a primary nozzle and a secondary nozzle within the primary nozzle. The secondary nozzle may be engaged with the primary nozzle by a stator.
US08047883B2
The present disclosure relates to wiring terminations. Wiring terminations can be used in any suitable device such as a wiring device. The wiring termination is configured to selectively receive a distal end of a wire therein. The wire termination mechanism includes at least a first position for receiving the distal end of the wire, and a second position for terminating the distal end of the wire against the respective electrical contact upon an actuation thereof from the first position to the second position.
US08047882B2
A contact assembly includes a bifurcated contact and a mating contact. The bifurcated contact is elongated along a longitudinal axis with contact tips protruding from a common end of the bifurcated contact. The mating contact has an outer end and a body elongated along a major axis. The body includes a mating surface along a front face of the body. The outer end includes angled lead-in ramps that form transitions from the outer end to the mating surface. The lead-in ramps extend away from one another toward opposite sides of the mating contact. The bifurcated contact and the mating contact engage one another such that the contact tips of the bifurcated contact are directed along corresponding different lead-in ramps of the mating contact.
US08047881B2
A connector base includes an assembly plate and a plug plate. The assembly plate defines a plurality of assembly holes. The plug plate includes a plurality of plug units, a plurality of plug portions, and a plurality of elastic members. The plug portions are formed on the plug units respectively. The plug portions engage in the assembly holes of the assembly plate. The elastic members connect the two plug units.
US08047878B2
A hybrid connector jack assembly for use in association with an electronic device comprising an audio jack component and a coaxial connector jack component. The audio jack component is coupled to an electronic circuit and has a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated opening extends from the proximal end to the distal end. It is structurally configured to receive a male audio connector. The coaxial connector jack component positioned at the distal end of the audio jack component and accessible through the elongated opening of the audio jack component. This allows for the insertion of a coaxial cable through the audio jack component and into operative engagement with the coaxial connector jack component.
US08047876B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating body which has base boards aligned at intervals along a transverse direction, propping portions each connected between adjacent two base boards to divide an interval between the adjacent two base boards into two parts designated as a receiving cavity and a receiving passage, and a connecting body traversed on rear ends of top edges of the base boards, and terminals each having a connecting strip, a soldering slice and an elastic arm oppositely extending from two ends of the connecting strip. The connecting strip and the soldering slice are disposed in the receiving passage with the soldering slice abutting against a bottom of the connecting body, the connecting strip propped up by the propping portion, and two opposite side edges of the connecting strip and the soldering slice abutting against insides of the receiving passage. The elastic arm stretches into the receiving cavity.
US08047873B1
A waterproof electric plug with transformer includes a housing comprising an internal space, two forward prongs, a rear waterproof element, and a rear fastening assembly; a transformer unit disposed in the space and electrically connected to the prongs; a rear cap comprising a connector electrically connected to the transformer unit, and a corresponding fastening assembly; and a waterproof member disposed in the waterproof element. The housing is adapted to repel water when the cap is secured thereto by matingly fastening the corresponding fastening assembly and the fastening assembly together with the waterproof member being clamped in the waterproof element.
US08047870B2
A coaxial cable connector includes an internal corrugated area, an internal clamping member, and a back nut. Axial advancement of the back nut causes at least a portion of the internal clamping member to compress radially inwardly.
US08047862B2
The mounting arrangement is applied to a refrigeration compressor having a shell (1) externally carrying energizing pins (2) and comprises: a connector (10) to be mounted to the shell (1) and having a non-electric conducting base body (11) which houses and retains electric terminals (4) attached to an electric supply cable (3) and which are designed to fit said energizing pins (2), one of the parts of shell (1) and base body (11) of the connector (10) carrying locking means (20) to be engaged to respective locking receiving means (30) provided in the other part, when the connector (11) is mounted to the shell (1); and an elastic sealing means (40) carried by one of the parts of shell (1) and connector (11) and to be pressed between said parts, around the energizing pins (2), when the connector (11) is mounted to the shell (1).
US08047861B2
The invention relates to electrical connector systems including a first connector provided with a plug-portion and a retainer adapted to act together with the plug-portion. The retainer further includes a sleeve portion which is adapted to be arranged in a mating connector socket and which is in turn adapted to receive at least a part of the plug-portion of the first connector therein. The connector system includes a first sealing member adapted to provide a sealing between the sleeve portion and inner walls of the mating connector socket; and a second sealing member, which is adapted to be arranged between the retainer and the first connector to provide a sealing between retainer and first connector.
US08047858B2
An electrical connector comprises a dielectric spacing element having elongate through holes and a forward end surface; a plurality of parallel, elongate conductive contacts arranged in respective through holes of the spacing element, the conductive contacts providing electrical connections; an outer body arranged about the spacing element and the conductive contacts, the outer body having a longitudinal position fixed relative to the dielectric spacing element and having a forward end for engagement with a mating connector; and a collar slidably mounted about the outer body. The collar has an engagement position in which a forward surface of the collar is positioned in front of the forward end of the outer body for mechanically coupling the connector with the mating connector and a retracted position in which the forward surface of the collar is positioned behind the forward end surface of the spacing element for cleaning access to the conductive contacts. The connector further comprises means, such as a resilient member, for maintaining the collar in the retracted position.
US08047848B2
A method carried out by identifying acts related to enterprise performance; generating a competitive training environment, the environment including situations that model work situations requiring the acts; presenting the environment to a participant; and receiving interaction of the participant with the environment by the participant perceiving the situations and making inputs to the environment that model the acts in order to assess or improve participant skills related to enterprise performance. A system including a data component that stores data indicative of a work environment and data indicative of acts related to enterprise performance; a competitive environment generation component assimilates the data into a competitive environment that models work situations and; an interface component that presents the competitive environment to a participant and permits a participant to respond to the model work situations. A method carried out by generating a computer game where the situations presented in the game model job situations; engaging a worker as a game participant requiring the worker to advance in the game by providing appropriate inputs, the inputs to the game modeling acts that contribute to enterprise performance.
US08047847B2
A method is provided for automatically separating tooth crowns and gingival tissue in a virtual three-dimensional model of teeth and associated anatomical structures. The method orients the model with reference to a plane and automatically determines local maxima of the model and areas bounded by the local maxima. The method automatically determines saddle points between the local maxima in the model, the saddle points corresponding to boundaries between teeth. The method further positions the saddle points along a dental arch form. For each tooth, the method automatically identifies a line or path along the surface of the model linking the saddle points to each other, the path marking a transition between teeth and gingival tissue and between adjacent teeth in the model. The areas bounded by the lines correspond to the tooth crowns; the remainder of the model constitutes the gingival tissue.
US08047842B2
A single use, reciprocal reverse rotation, endodontic file includes a plurality of spaced apart helical flutes with spiraled lands therebetween. The lands have an edge with a positive cutting angle when the file is rotated in one direction and a scraping angle when rotated in the opposite direction. The file provides for sequential rotation of a selected angle in a forward direction followed by rotation of a slightly less angle in a reverse direction. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the flutes is concave polygonal-shaped at a proximal end of the file and square-shaped at the distal end. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the flutes is convex arcuate-shaped, the lands lying normal to the central longitudinal axis of the file. The handle portion of the file may be configured for use in a rotary handpiece or for manual rotation.
US08047839B2
The present invention provides a method of identifying an orthodontic adhesive on a tooth structure, the method including selectively staining a surface including the orthodontic adhesive or the tooth structure. Methods of bonding and debonding an orthodontic appliance to and from a tooth structure are also provided.
US08047836B2
A nozzle valve gate for injecting hot plastics into an injection mold includes a body having a passage for flow of the plastics to an outlet and forming an actuator chamber. A nozzle part is connected to the body and extends longitudinally to a nozzle tip having an injection aperture. The nozzle part has a flow passageway connected to the plastics outlet for conducting the plastics melt to the injection aperture and a machined bore forming a guide passageway. A valve pin is movable in the guide passageway between open and closed positions. A piston is connected to the pin and is slidable in the actuator chamber. An elastomeric wiper seal extends around the valve pin adjacent the machined bore, is wear resistant, and can withstand high temperatures of at least 200° C. A micro gap is formed between the pin and the machined bore.
US08047828B2
An imprint apparatus for imprinting a pattern provided to a mold onto a substrate or a member on the substrate includes a light source for irradiating a surface of the mold disposed opposite to the substrate and a surface of the substrate with light; an optical system for guiding the light from the light source to the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate and guiding reflected lights from these surfaces to a spectroscope; a spectroscope for dispersing the reflected lights guided by the optical system into a spectrum; and an analyzer for analyzing a distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate. The analyzer calculates the distance between the surface of the mold and the surface of the substrate by measuring a distance between the surface of the mold and a surface formed at a position away from the surface of the mold.
US08047826B2
Each of a plurality of injection molding machines is provided with clamp plates fixed on platens and a plurality of magnet units to generate magnetic force for fixing a mold to the clamp plate fitted on the clamp plates; and the plurality of injection molding machines are provided with a plurality of common connectors having the same structure, each of which is electrically connected to the magnetic unit, a molding machine control unit and a power source device; and the mold fixing system comprises a set of operation control units to be shared by the plurality of injection molding machines, and when a mold is to be exchanged in any of the injection molding machines, the plurality of magnet units are switched to the non-adsorbing state or the adsorbing state via the operation control unit in the state where the operation control unit is connected to the common connector of the injection molding machine.
US08047824B2
A vane-machine with cylinder stationary and rotating parts is intended for use as a driving or a working machine, utilizing compressible or non-compressible media as the working fluid. The vane-machine basic embodiment comprises: a cylinder stationary part (A), cylinder rotating parts (B), a rotor (C), covers (D), and vanes with grooves (F). The cylinder stationary part has a shroud (1) within which the rotor with the vanes rotates. In the shroud there are radial rectangular openings (5 and 6) letting the media in and out. The openings may be of other shapes as well. The inner ring (8) of roller or sliding bearings are rotationally driven by the vanes. The rotor is positioned eccentrically-relative to the shroud axes. At the rotor there are firmly fitted lateral plates (14) that rotate jointly with the rotor. The vane-machine working chamber is delimited with the shroud, the inner rings, the vanes and the plates.
US08047822B2
A vane pump (20) is provided which has an output pressure hat can be selected from a continuous range of pressures, independent of the operating speed of the pump. The pump has first (68) and second (72) control chambers which create opposed forces on the pump control ring (40) to selectively move the pump control ring (40) between maximum displacement and minimum displacement positions. In one embodiment, the control chamber (68) which urges the ump control ring to the minimum displacement position is continually supplied with pressurized working fluid during operation of the ump while the control chamber (72) which urges the pump control ring to the maximum displacement position can selectively be supplied with pressurized working fluid, isolated, or can be relieved of pressurized working fluid to alter the displacement of the pump.
US08047821B2
The Ring Rack Oil Pumping Machine is comprised of: a base, a frame mounted on the base, a roller mounted at the frame top, a sprocket case connects to the middle of the frame; a input shaft having a lower sprocket and a drive shaft having an upper sprocket are installed at the bottom and top of the sprocket case respectively, the upper sprocket and lower sprocket are connected by a chain; a guide wheel, track gear and centralizer wheel are mounted in sequence on the end of the drive shaft extended out of the sprocket case; the track gear meshes with a rack, a slide rail is mounted with the frame, and a sliding base (21) connected with the slide rail (20) moveably. Comparing to currently using pumping units, this invention features simple structure, high safety and reliability, upgraded efficiency, easy maintenance, smooth running and high durability.
US08047802B2
The course of the leading edges of turbomachine components, such as rotor blades and stator vanes is defined mathematically exactly and repeatedly as well as aerodynamically advantageously by the respective axial coordinate in the direction of the machine axis in relation to the blade height in percent, extending from the blade tip as per equation (1): axial coordinate [ % blade height ] = 1 5 extension [ % blade height ] tan sweep tip ( 1 - ⅇ - 5 ( 100 % - blade height [ % ] ) extention [ % blade height ] ) and extending from the blade hub as per equation (2): axial coordinate [ % blade height ] = 1 5 extension [ % blade height ] tan sweep hub ( 1 - ⅇ - 5 blade height [ % ] extention [ % blade height ] ) where sweeptip or sweephub, respectively, represents the sweep angle at the tip or at the hub, determined in accordance with the operating conditions, and the extension represents the height of the blade in percent, by which the sweep angle departs from 0° relative to the coordinate extending normal to the axial coordinate.
US08047798B2
A method for preparing a wind turbine blade shell member including a plurality of elements of cured fiber-reinforced sheet material is provided. A plurality of elements of cured fiber-reinforced sheet material is provided in a mould, a resin is introduced between the elements of cured fiber-reinforced sheet material and the elements are bonded to adjacent elements by curing the resin. The method is particularly suitable for preparing wind turbine blade shell members due to the complex three-dimensional shape of the airfoils, which may be resembled by the relatively flexible cured fiber-reinforced sheet material.
US08047797B2
A blade is mountable to a disc. The blade comprises a blade platform and a blade root extending from the blade platform. The blade root comprises a first hook and a second hook, a first neck between the first hook and the blade platform, and a second neck between the first hook and the second hook. Each hook comprises a contact surface and a non-contact surface. An angle between each contact surface and each non-contact surface is optimized to reduce local stresses.
US08047795B2
A ceiling fan is disclosed having an electric motor (81) with a bottom plate (80) having two internally threaded screw mounting holes (82) associated with each blade iron (83). Each blade iron has two, elongated, arcuate mounting holes (84) therethrough which are alignable with motor bottom plate mounting holes (82). A mounting screw (85) passes through the blade iron mounting hole (84) and is threaded into the motor mounting hole (82). Screws (85) allow limited pivotal movement of the blade irons (83) relative to the motor bottom plate. Each blade iron is coupled to a blade (86) by three mounting screws (87). Each blade includes a first round mounting hole (88) adjacent the motor and two, elongated, arcuate mounting holes (89) distal the motor. Again, the screws allow for limited pivotal movement between the blade and its associated blade iron.
US08047789B1
A turbine airfoil for use in a gas turbine engine, the airfoil formed from a support spar with a leading edge rib having a row of impingement cooling holes, the support spar having an array of modules formed on the pressure side and the suction side of the spar, and a number of cavities separated by ribs extending across the walls of the support spar. Each module is rectangular in shape and includes an impingement compartment and a diffusion compartment separated by a rib with crossover holes to connect the two compartments. Impingement holes connect the impingement compartment to a first cavity, and spent air cooling holes connect the diffusion compartment to a second cavity located downstream from the first cavity.
US08047785B2
A counterbalanced orthogonal hydropower system for generating electricity comprises -an upper and lower turbines made as ring-shaped platforms, each incorporating a rotor, the turbines include hydro-dynamical blades positioned to rotate the turbines in opposite directions, -variously disposed inductors, -a tower mounted on a water reservoir's bottom, -a frame, supported by the tower and peripherally surrounded by a rigid polygon-shaped structure having vertexes, -units for rotatable support of the turbines associated with the frame, and -units for support of the inductors, wherein the latters are attached to the vertexes through spring-loaded hinges. It may also comprise units for support of the circular shape of platforms, for braking rotation of the turbines, for unloading the turbines from lateral forces, and for unloading the turbines from vertical forces. The top turbine may have negative buoyancy, while the bottom turbine and frame may have positive buoyancy. The frame can be made of hollow rods.
US08047757B1
A grain cart has a wheel supported frame on which is mounted an open top container having inclined bottom walls and including a single discharge auger conveyor having a lower section extending from a sump for the container adjacent a front left inclined corner portion of the container. The auger conveyor has an extended upper section supported by a hinge assembly having a pivot axis offset and askewed at an acute angle from the auger axis. The hinge assembly provides for pivoting the upper conveyor section between an inclined grain discharge position projecting upwardly, laterally outwardly and forwardly from the container and a stored position inclined downwardly at a substantial angle from the hinge assembly in front of the container. In the stored position, the grain discharge outlet is located lower than the top surfaces of the wheels and does not project laterally beyond the right side wall of the container.
US08047754B2
An improved convenience closure that is adapted for sealing an end of a can includes an end panel having a peripheral score, a rivet formation, a mustache score and a flex line score defined therein. The mustache score may include a central portion that is positioned radially inwardly on the end panel relative to the rivet formation. The central portion is preferably curved, with a concave side of the curvature facing the rivet formation. The mustache score also may include first and second preferably symmetrical end portions, each of which is continuous with the central portion. Most of the total length of each of the end portions may be curved away from a nearest portion of the peripheral score, with a convex side of curvature facing the nearest portion of the peripheral score. Tooling for making the convenience closure and a method of making such a convenience disclosure are also disclosed.
US08047750B2
A bearing unit capable of withstanding a large axial force based on a simple structure including: a bearing 10 having an internal ring 13 fitted to an inside member 2, an outer ring 14 fitted to an outside member 6, lots of rolling elements 15 disposed between the outer ring 14 and the inner ring 13; and a transmitting direction shifting means A transmitting an axial force F from the inner ring 13 to the outside member 6 when the axial force F transmitted from the inside member 2 to the internal ring 13 exceeds a predetermined value or above, and a main spindle device of a machine tool, which is provided with the bearing unit, are provided.
US08047746B2
A chip holder and a mounting device for the installation of a chip holder in cutting-tool bodies. The chip holder includes a male thread and one or more through, suitably peripheral recesses for accommodating torque-transferring fingers included in the mounting device, as well as for allowing passage of cooling liquid through a bore formed in the tool body in which bore the holder is placed. The mounting device includes one or more torque-transferring fingers, which have looking hooks in order to provisionally clamp the chip holder upon installation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cutting-tool unit having an installed chip holder.
US08047733B2
A blade drive device includes: a board having a shutter opening; a blade for adjusting an amount of light entering the shutter opening; and a transmitting member for transmitting a drive force to the blade. The transmitting member includes a drive pin swinging about a given support point. The blade has a first cam slot engaged with the drive pin and swinging about a given support point in conjunction with a swinging of the drive pin. The first cam slot includes a first permitting area and a first restricting area. The blade is permitted to swing when the drive pin is located in the first permitting area. The blade is restricted from swinging when the drive pin is located in the first restricting area.
US08047726B2
An optical connector in which the housing property into a cabinet or the like can be enhanced because of the compactification, and which can solve problems of the increase of the bending loss of an optical fiber, the breakage, and the like is obtained. In an optical connector which houses and holds a fusion spliced portion where a short optical fiber previously fitted to an optical connector ferrule is fusion-spliced with a coated optical fiber, one end of a protection sleeve which armors the fusion spliced portion is coupled to the optical connector ferrule. As a result, the length of the protection sleeve which covers the fusion spliced portion so that the fusion spliced portion is positioned at the middle can be set with reference to an end portion of the optical connector ferrule. Therefore, the protection sleeve can be shortened, and compactification of the optical connector can be realized.
US08047721B2
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements freely rollably contained between outer and inner raceway surfaces of the outer and inner members, and seals mounted within annular openings formed between the outer and the inner members. A backup seal is arranged radially outward of an outer side seal of the seals. The backup seal has a sealing lip inclined radially outward toward the outer side. The sealing lip slidingly contacts an annular metal member that is pressed from a steel sheet having preservation properties. The annular metal member is bolted on a side face of the wheel mounting flange of the inner side.
US08047720B2
Oil is supplied to bearing 1 and returned to oil storage chamber 6a via chamber 2a and pipe 2b. First oil return chamber 8 and second oil return chamber 7 communicate via a hole, and second oil return chamber 7 communicates with oil supply chamber 6 via oil return hole 9. The opening of the extension pipe 10 of oil return hole 9 has a small gap, to result in negative pressure in extension pipe 10. The negative pressure sucks the oil leaking from between bearing cover 3 and rotor shaft 20. The oil leaking is suppressed, keeping the supply of the lubricating oil to the bearing excellent.
US08047717B2
A bearing positioning structure for a motor includes an axial tube and a positioning member. The positioning member includes a pressing portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion of the positioning member is engaged with a coupling section of the axial tube for securely mounting the positioning member to the axial tube, with the pressing portion of the positioning member pressing against a bearing to position the bearing in the axial tube. In another example, the coupling portion of the positioning member engages with a coupling section on a stator.
US08047716B2
A branch type standing pouch which includes a pouch front side member including a pouring-out nozzle backside portion which constitutes a backside of a pouring-out nozzle by being folded back and a pouch body front side portion continuous therewith; a pouch backside member constituting a backside of the pouch body; a pouring-out nozzle front side member; and a bottom member. The pouch front side member, the pouch backside member, the pouring-out nozzle front side member, and the bottom member are respectively formed of plastic film and heat-sealed to each other so that a pouring-out nozzle is formed in a branched manner from a top of a pouch body. In this pouch, two symmetrical nozzle reinforcing areas are formed on both sides of a first protrusion as a result of a provision of the first to fourth protrusions. As a result, the branch type standing pouch in which the pouring-out nozzle can be fixed upright at a time of opening is obtained.
US08047712B1
The disclosure generally relates to method and apparatus for predicting the steady state temperature of solid state devices, preferably under transient conditions. An apparatus according to one embodiment of the disclosure includes a thermocouple for detecting temperature of the solid state system; a processor in communication with the thermocouple and programmed with instructions to: construct an initial curve for the solid state system, the initial curve having a shape; obtain a plurality of theoretical temperature curves for the solid state system; select one of the plurality of theoretical temperature curves having a shape closest to the shape of the initial curve; and superimposing the selected theoretical temperature curve on the initial curve to predict the steady state temperature.
US08047705B2
The collet, which can be made in a single piece and at the same time as the balance-spring, is formed by a plate (1) which includes an aperture (3) for attachment to a balance staff (5) and has an asymmetrical contour (9) which follows at a substantially constant distance d the contour of the first coil (11) of the inner terminal curve. The plate can further include recesses (13) for repositioning the centre of gravity g on the balance staff (5).
US08047700B2
The present invention is a lamp system for use in a light string system comprising a light assembly and a socket assembly. The light assembly comprises a light source, a base in communication with the light source, and a bypass activating system. The socket assembly comprises a socket adapted to receive the light assembly and a bypass mechanism having a first position and a second position. The bypass activating system is adapted to move the bypass mechanism between the first and second positions.
US08047697B2
The light from a light source (4) using an LED enters a light entrance surface (2c) of a light guide plate (2) which is integrated with an microprism array sheet (3). A diffusion film (7) for diffusing light is bonded to a top surface (2b) of the light guide plate (2) in a region near the light source (4).
US08047691B2
A cargo lamp assembly includes a lamp housing with first and second ends having first and second adjacent cavities. A first incandescent light source is disposed in the first cavity and a second incandescent light source is disposed in the second cavity. A first outboard light-emitting diode is disposed proximate the first end of the lamp housing and a second outboard light-emitting diode is disposed proximate the second end of the lamp housing. An intermediate identification light source is disposed between the first and second cavities of the lamp housing.
US08047686B2
The present invention provides an optical device comprising one or more heat pipes with a desired level of thermal coupling with the light-emitting elements which are positioned along a periphery of the evaporator surface portion of the heat pipe in such a way that they are thermally coupled to the heat pipe. In one embodiment, the heat pipe of the present invention can be readily integrated with optical elements such as reflectors or collimators.
US08047684B2
An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example.
US08047676B2
An exemplary illuminating device comprises a light source module, a light reflective module, a lens array and a light transmissive module. The lens array is for expanding a light field of the illuminating device along a first direction and compressing the light field of the illuminating device along a second direction. The light transmissive module comprises a first surface facing towards the lens array and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface has a plurality of microstructures formed thereon thereby expanding the light field of the illuminating device along the first direction.
US08047673B2
A light control device implemented as a luminaire exhibits an ultra-wide batwing luminous intensity distribution in an upper hemisphere that provides substantially uniform illumination of a ceiling surface, even when the luminaire is mounted very close to the ceiling. Luminous side panel diffusers facilitate blending the luminaire with the ceiling surface as they create a batwing luminous intensity distribution in a lower hemisphere to evenly illuminate a work plane.
US08047671B2
A clamp with lamp, particularly useful for attaching to an automobile battery, or similar rechargeable battery, when charging or otherwise working with the battery, is disclosed. The clamp with lamp is configured to provide a convenient source of light during nighttime or other low-light conditions and to provide an automated means for turning the light on and off during use. The clamp with lamp includes an LED lamp disposed on the upper jaw of the clamp, a battery disposed in a battery case inside the handle and a switching mechanism. A switching mechanism is actuated when the jaws of the clamp open, thereby providing power to the LED lamp. When the clamp is engaged with the automobile battery, and when the jaws are closed, the switching mechanism turns off the LED lamp to save electricity. The clamp is small, handy, elegant, and durable.
US08047670B2
A booklight for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein the protective cover includes a pocket for supporting the booklight, the booklight including a base, a light housing assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base tab rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the base tab includes a first end rotatably coupled to the base tab, and a second end extending from the first end, wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end is configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover.
US08047662B2
An antiglare film includes a transparent support; and an antiglare layer containing a binder and a fine particle, wherein the antiglare layer has an average thickness smaller than an average particle diameter of the fine particle, and the antiglare layer has a surface roughness skewness (Rsk) of from 0.5 to 1.5.
US08047654B2
A projector includes a light source module, a diffuser for diffusing the light beam emitting from the light source module, and a fluorescent plate. The light source module includes a light source capable of emitting a first light beam, a dichroic device for diverging the first light beam into a second light beam and a third light beam, and a reflector with a moving frequency exceeding 20 Hz configured for reflecting the third light beam. The fluorescent plate is configured for converting the light beam passing through the diffuser into at least three kinds colored light beams.
US08047648B2
A printing device has an image receptor adapted to have an image formed thereon. The printing device also includes a transfer roller and a motor. A transfer roller load mechanism moves the transfer roller into contact with the image receptor in response to the motor output. A controller manipulates the motor in conjunction with a feedback signal from a load detector and regulates the load of the transfer roller.
US08047646B2
A printing apparatus including a conveyer system configured to convey a pallet having a print substrate thereon, anteroposterior moving mechanisms, fitting members disposed on the moving mechanisms, a guide bar member that extends in a lateral direction mounted on the fitting members, and a head device that is movably disposed along the guide bar member and has a plurality of inkjet nozzles. The printing apparatus is adapted to conduct printing by ejecting ink droplets from the inkjet nozzles to the print substrate on the pallet which is secured above an upper conveying passage and which is conveyed by the conveyer system while moving the head device.
US08047628B2
A printing apparatus to form an image on a recording medium is provided. The printing apparatus includes a recording head, an ink cartridge, which contains the ink therein, an ink cartridge storage to store the ink cartridge, an ink conveyer tube, which connects the recording head and the ink cartridge to convey the ink, and a maintenance system having an aspirator to aspirate the ink to be drawn in the recording head and the ink conveyer tube and a cap to cover a nozzle surface of the recording head, and a releasing system, which is arranged in the ink conveyer tube to switch an open state and a closed state. The releasing system is arranged in a position higher than a position of the ink cartridge so that the releasing system and the ink cartridge have a predetermined water head difference therebetween.
US08047627B2
An inkjet printing correction method is used with an inkjet printing apparatus. The inkjet printing correction method includes the following steps. Firstly, a first test image file is printed out as a print test pattern by the inkjet printing apparatus. Then, the print test pattern is scanned to obtain a second test image file. Then, all second block intervals are compared with respective first block intervals, thereby obtaining correction interval difference data. According to the comparing results, a procedure of ejecting ink droplets from the ink nozzles is determined to be advanced or delayed.
US08047625B2
A liquid ejection control device controlling a liquid ejecting mechanism having a plurality of liquid ejection heads, includes a dividing unit to which image data consisting of a plurality of pixels is inputted and which divides the image data into a plurality of pieces of divided image data, each corresponding to pixels which undergo a liquid ejection, of each of the liquid ejection heads, a correction data acquiring unit which acquires correction data eliminating a deviation of liquid ejection locations of the plurality of liquid ejection heads, a correcting unit which corrects the divided image data on the basis of the correction data, and a liquid ejection controlling unit which performs liquid ejection control by which each of the liquid ejection heads is driven on the basis of the divided image data which is corrected.
US08047624B2
A discharge amount calculating device for calculating the discharge amount of a fluid from a fluid ejecting apparatus is disclosed, in which the fluid ejecting apparatus is capable of ejecting at least one fluid onto a target at a discharge amount of multiple stages. The discharge amount calculating device includes a plurality of calculating sections that calculate the discharge amount of the fluid at the respective multiple stages based on a bit number of input data, a desired number of calculating sections not exceeding 2n being provided, in which n is a positive integer, and a converting section that converts the inputted discharge amount data of n bits into bit number data corresponding to any one of the plurality of calculating sections, and outputs the converted data to the plurality of calculating sections.
US08047620B2
A mounting mechanism is provided for retaining a slide rail to a chassis with an anchor member extending from a side thereof. The rail includes a mounting slot defined therein for receiving the anchor member of the slide rail. The mounting mechanism includes a resilient retaining member secured to the slide rail and a releasing member pivotably engaged with the retaining member. The retaining member includes a protrusion formed thereon capable of retaining the anchor member in the mounting slot of the slide rail. The releasing member is capable of being pivoted to urge the retaining member to disengage the protrusion thereof from the anchor member.
US08047616B2
This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment, the vehicle wheel cover retention system is for a non-full face fabricated vehicle wheel and comprises: a full outer wheel rim formed from a suitable material and including a first rim flange, a first tire bead seat, a well, a second tire bead seat, and a second rim flange, the full outer wheel rim defining a first surface extending between the first an second rim flanges; an inner wheel disc defining a wheel axis and formed from a suitable material and joined to the full outer wheel rim, the inner wheel disc including a centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion, the inner wheel disc having a first surface and a second surface; and a wheel cover formed from a suitable material and secured to at least one of the first surface of the inner wheel disc, the second surface of the inner wheel disc, and the first surface of said full outer wheel rim.
US08047614B2
The present invention provides a seat apparatus having: a seat back; a forward tilt device that allows at least a portion of the seat back to tilt forward; a securing device that secures the seat back at a vehicle body side; and a release strap that is used for releasing a securing condition of the securing device and has a grip portion. The release strap has a first condition in which the grip portion is positioned at a rear side of the seat back and a second condition in which the grip portion is positioned at a portion so as to be accessible from a front side of the seat back, and one of the first condition and the second condition of the release strap can be selected.
US08047610B2
A vehicle seat that includes a support base, a seat back tiltably supported on the support base, a seat cushion, a first link and a second link. Each of the first and second links is pivotally coupled to the support base and the seat cushion, so that a multi-link mechanism is formed by the support base, the seat cushion, the first link and the second link. A coupling device couples the seat back to the first link, so that the first link can pivot relative to the support base and the seat cushion in response to the tilting movement of the seat back. The tilting movement of the seat back causes the seat cushion to shift toward the support base, while a coupling point between the first link and the seat cushion and a coupling point between the second link and the seat cushion move substantially in the same direction relative to the support base.
US08047609B2
A driving device is adapted for an infant rocking chair. The rocking chair includes a seat body and a bottom seat. The driving device includes a base, a supporting element, first and second motion mechanisms, and a power mechanism. The first motion mechanism includes a horizontal first guide path unit disposed at the bottom seat, and a first movable member disposed on the base and movable along the first guide path unit. The second motion mechanism includes a vertically varying second guide path unit disposed at the bottom seat, and a second movable member movable along the second guide path unit and vertically relative to the base. The supporting element interconnects fixedly the seat body and the second movable member. The power mechanism drives reciprocal movement of the first and second movable members.
US08047601B2
A rear bumper protective device containing (i) a base layer of hanging flexible material having a top portion, side portions, and a bottom portion, and having a construction and thickness capable of reducing or preventing damage to a rear portion of a vehicle, and being of sufficient dimensions to at least partially cover a rear portion of a vehicle; and (ii) one or more stabilizing blocks protruding from the top portion of the base layer and positioned colinearly with or along a contour edge of the top portion and being of sufficient rigidity, thickness, width, and length to reduce curling of the rear bumper protective cover. The bumper protective device can include one or more securing features capable of attaching to a rear portion of a vehicle.
US08047600B2
A retractable tarpaulin cover system includes a tarp cover, plural spaced substantially U-shaped bows supporting and connected to the tarp cover, movable carriages operably connected to lower ends of each bow, and a tensioning mechanism which moves an end one of said bows toward an endmost position thereof to tension the tarp cover in an expanded position of the cover. The tensioning mechanism includes an elongate brace arm having an upper end which operatively engages an upper or intermediate portion of a vertically extending leg of the end bow, a transmission device which operatively supports a lower end of the brace arm and rotates the arm in a longitudinal direction of the cover system to thereby also move the end bow in the longitudinal direction of the cover system, and a coupling which detachably connects the lower end of the brace arm to the transmission device.
US08047599B2
A sun visor includes a main body, a television module, a display and a solar panel. The television module is located in the main body to receive television signals and reproduce audio and video. The display is positioned on a first side of the main body to display video based on the video signals. The solar panel is positioned on a second side of the sun visor boy to receive and convert sun light into electric energy to supply power to the television module and the display.
US08047597B2
A leg shield for covering a rider's leg from front includes a shielding body positioned forwardly of a foot rest and having a ventilation opening defined therein, and a vent door pivotable about an axis of pivot for selectively opening and closing the ventilation opening. The vent door has first and second ends spaced from each other in a direction conforming to the axis of pivot and is rotatably supported at the first and second ends by first and second door support members, respectively. The axis of pivot is positioned spaced from the ventilation opening in a direction towards an inner surface of the shielding body, and the first and second door support members of the shielding body are positioned spaced away from the ventilation opening when viewed from front.
US08047592B2
An armrest hinge unit for a vehicle includes a lower bracket fixed to one side of an armrest container near an opening thereof and including a pivoting-allowable space in the lower bracket, a frictional member disposed in the pivoting-allowable space of the lower bracket and fixed to the lower bracket, and an upper bracket having a hinge portion hingedly coupled to the lower bracket and a receiving groove to elastically receive the frictional member therein, the upper bracket being connected to an armrest cover, wherein at least an inner surface of the receiving groove of the upper bracket is in elastic contact with the frictional member so that a position of the arm rest cover is maintained by frictional force therebetween.
US08047590B1
An underwater load release device for a deployed underwater load comprising a fixed support member having a hinge end and a fixed end, a rotating member connected to the first hinge end, the rotating member initially held in a closed position by a rotatable bail to hold the underwater load, the bail initially held in the closed position by a galvanic timed release link, the galvanic link applying a predetermined bail tension to the bail during load deployment, a spring mechanism for applying a predetermined back tension to the bail during the load deployment, the galvanic release link corroding over a predetermined timed release when immersed underwater whereby the back tension overrides the bail tension of the galvanic link so that the galvanic link releases, the bail rotates into an open bail position and the rotating member then rotates into an open load position, thereby releasing the load.
US08047588B2
The invention relates to an energy absorption device which can be arranged to absorb energy by deformation between a support structure of a vehicle and a damper, the energy absorption device carrying a deformable main profile which has a hollow body-type cross-section. The aim of the invention is to improve an energy absorption device of the aforementioned type in such a manner that the energy can be well carried off even if the forces produced by an accident impact the energy absorption device at an angle. For this purpose, a deformable supplementary profile is provided on the cross-section of the main profile.
US08047587B2
A bumper reinforcement 11 that extends in a vehicle width direction and is removably attached to a vehicle body frame 4 is provided. A vibration damping portion integrally provided with the bumper reinforcement 11 is provided. The vibration damping portion is formed by a hydraulic damper 3 formed into an elongated shape extending in the vehicle width direction and generates damping force with respect to elastic deformation of the bumper reinforcement 11 in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, both ends of the hydraulic damper 3 in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the bumper reinforcement 11.
US08047584B2
A striker assembly includes a plate configured for attachment to a vehicle and a striker attached to the plate. The striker is configured for securing a latch assembly of the vehicle in a first position. The striker assembly also includes a first resilient member configured for contacting the latch assembly in the first position and a second resilient member configured for cooperating with the first resilient member to move the latch assembly to a second position.
US08047582B1
An electro-mechanical lock for gates and similar applications having a latch assembly and a strike assembly. The strike assembly has a strike which is self-adjusting to accommodate misalignment to guide the strike roller into proper engagement in the latch assembly. The latch assembly has a latch which is operably connected to a solenoid by a trigger and transfer mechanism which provides pre-load capability.
US08047578B2
A pipe joint arrangement, which is intended for enabling one or more angular deflections successive in a longitudinal direction along an elongated pipeline in one or more planes. A joining piece is connectible with pipeline sections to be coupled with each other successively in the longitudinal direction and includes of frame elements locked to each other in a longitudinal direction and provided therebetween a swivel member with a substantially cylindrical or spherical swiveling face for enabling movement of the frame elements by rotating the same relative to each other with respect to one or more axes of rotation.
US08047569B2
A multi-stage inflator including a housing at least in part defining first and second combustion chambers each containing a quantity of gas generant reactable to form respective product gases. The inflator includes first and second initiators each operatively associated with a respective one of the combustion chambers in reaction initiating communication with at least a portion of the quantity of the gas generant therein contained such that upon actuation the gas generant ignites to form product gas. The second combustion chamber has an exit opening to allow product gas to exit from the second combustion chamber and into the first combustion chamber. The housing includes at least one discharge opening to permit gas to exit the housing and an end wall and wherein both the first and the second initiators are connected.
US08047568B2
An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes a gas sack that can be inflated with gas to protect an occupant, a gas generator for generating the gas provided for inflating the gas sack, and an additional cooling device comprising an openable reservoir for storing a coolant. The reservoir is opened when the gas sack is inflated, so that the coolant for cooling the gas used to inflate the gas sack can come into contact with the gas. The cooling device comprises a movement generating device that opens the reservoir to release the coolant.
US08047567B2
A gas generator, particularly for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has at least one igniter (12), a pyrotechnic solid propellant bed (22), a combustion chamber (20) containing the propellant bed (22) and at least one wall part (24), the wall part (24) being arranged in the combustion chamber (20), which is moved by a gas stream generated on activation of the gas generator into the region of the propellant bed (22) which is not yet ignited, and in its interior (25) defines a gas-directing channel reaching into the propellant bed (22).
US08047565B2
A side airbag apparatus 1 is provided between tops 8 of seat backs 2b, 3b. When supplied with inflation gas from an inflator 1c, an airbag 20 is projected from a storage portion 1b. At this time, the airbag 20 is first inflated and deployed upward and forward at the height of an occupant, so as to be capable of restricting the movement of the occupant's head toward the inside of the vehicle at an early stage of a side collision.
US08047559B2
A self-locking universal trailer hitch comprising a hitch receiver, a bar and a second receiver, wherein the hitch receiver is secured to a towing vehicle, and wherein the bar is removably secured to the hitch receiver, and wherein the second receiver comprises a locking mechanism to removably secure the second receiver to the bar. The self-locking universal trailer hitch is utilized by securing a trailer to a towing vehicle by obtaining a towing vehicle with a first hitch receiver and a universal trailer hitch with a second hitch receiver, a bar and a second receiver having a locking mechanism, inserting the bar into the pivoting second hitch receiver, locking the bar to the second hitch receiver, inserting the bar into the second receiver and locking the bar to the second receiver via the locking mechanism.
US08047557B2
Vehicle body frame structure, for each of left and right side sections of the vehicle, a straight vertical frame to which are mounted the respective one ends of an upper arm, lower arm and cushion unit, and respective mounting sections for the upper arm, lower arm and cushion unit provided in linear alignment with one another in the straight vertical frame along the length thereof.
US08047553B2
A collapsible folding stand for use with a horizontally oriented object such as a portable table saw that is attached to the stand is capable of being manipulated between open and closed positions. In the open position, the top frame is horizontally oriented. In the closed position, the stand is generally vertically oriented. To move the rolling stand from its open position to its closed position, the user needs only to lift the handle and the top frame will then move to its generally vertical closed position where the latching mechanism can then be engaged. The stand has an integrated support leg that can be selectively positioned and locked to provide increased stability for the stand. The support leg has a locking mechanism, which is operated by a single locking lever and can be adjusted to compensate for wear or degree of force needed to lock the mechanism.
US08047550B2
A seal assembly is configured to seal a tile gap between a pair of tiles. Each of the tiles may include a tile side surface. At least one of the tiles may include a groove which may be formed along a length of the tile side surface. The seal assembly may comprise a gasket assembly including first and second bulb portions which may be interconnected by a web. A spacer rope may be positionable along the web. The gasket assembly may define a folded configuration for mounting within the tile gap when the web is wrapped around the spacer rope such that the second bulb portion is positioned between the spacer rope and the first bulb portion. The second bulb portion may be receivable within the groove.
US08047546B1
A target holder assembly for interchangeably supporting a two-dimensional target and a three-dimensional target includes an enclosure and a target holder frame connected to the enclosure, the target holder frame including a cross arm member connected between two target arms. The cross arm has a base length with clamping members extending from both ends of the base length to engage three dimensional targets. The cross arm also has receiving grooves proximate the junction of the clamping members and the base length positioned to engage the two-dimensional targets. A front protrusion is positioned along the base length to engage either the two-dimensional target or the three-dimensional target. The holder assembly further includes a clamping apparatus connected to the base length to engage either the two-dimensional target or the three-dimensional target.
US08047545B2
Disclosed is a lottery-type game which involves providing a plurality of playing cards, each of which having one or more game symbols displayed thereon, and a master game card. The game further involves distributing at least a portion of the playing cards to a plurality of individual players and selecting one or more of the individual players having playing cards displaying predetermined selected ones of the game symbols. The game further includes determining whether one or more of the selected individual players are winners of primary prizes associated with an initial and a subsequent level of play. If none of the selected individual players are determined to be winners of the primary prize value associated with the initial level of play, at least a portion of the primary prize value associated with the initial level of play is rolled over into a primary prize value associated with the subsequent level of play.
US08047543B2
A method for controlling a printing system includes stacking a sheet printed by executing a job on a stacking unit provided inside a stacker, the stacker including a door that can be opened and closed, opening the door in a case where a predetermined instruction is input by a user, and in a case where the predetermined instruction is input while a job for stacking the sheet on the stacking unit, control to output the sheet discharged by executing the currently executed job on an output destination different from the stacking unit.
US08047528B2
To provide an image forming apparatus that can highly accurately position and convey, even if an inter-sheet distance of sheets to be conveyed is reduced, the sheets from registration rollers to a transfer position when a toner image on an image bearing member moving at process speed is transferred onto the sheet in the transfer position. A sheet fed from a paper feeding cassette by a pulse-motor driven paper feeding roller is conveyed to pulse-motor driven registration rollers by pulse-motor driven conveying rollers. When the sheet is conveyed to the transfer position according to restart of the registration rollers, the sheet is conveyed by the registration rollers at sheet conveying speed different from the process speed before the leading end of the sheet reaches the transfer position and is conveyed at the process speed after that.
US08047519B2
The invention relates to a device (2), in a plant for coating pistons, for holding a piston (1) of an internal combustion engine, comprising an aligning piece (7), which is arranged on a surface (3) of the device (2) in the direction of the axis (17) of the piston (1) in an elastically flexible manner and which comprises two opposing surfaces resting on the inner surface of the gudgeon pin boss (18) of the piston (1) conically tapering in the direction of the piston crown. A simple construction of the piston holder which permits a fault-free and even coating of the piston which can be rapidly and simply fixed to the piston is achieved.
US08047516B2
A solid surface clamp is provided. The solid surface clamp has a top jaw and a bottom jaw. A connecting rod is attached to one of the jaws, and slideably extends through the other jaw. Alignment surfaces may be incorporated into the jaws to assist in accurately positioning the material to be laminated. A compression device is connected to the portion of the connecting rod that extends through the jaw. A shroud shields the compression device, thereby protecting the compression device from contamination by the laminating adhesive. An elongated stiffening member may be used to apply the clamping force over a longer surface, allowing for greater spacing between clamps and extended regions of even clamping pressure.
US08047510B2
An evaporation supply apparatus for raw material used in semiconductor manufacturing includes a source tank in which a raw material is pooled; a flow rate control device that supplies carrier gas at a regulated flow rate into the source tank; a primary piping path for feeding mixed gas G0, made up of raw material vapor G4 and carrier gas G1, an automatic pressure regulating device that regulates a control valve based on the detected values of the pressure and temperature of mixed gas G0 to regulate the cross-sectional area of the passage through which the mixed gas G0 is distributed so as to hold the pressure of the mixed gas G0 inside the source tank constant; and a constant-temperature heating unit for heating the source tank to a set temperature, in which mixed gas G0 is supplied to a process chamber while controlling the pressure inside the source tank.
US08047509B2
Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses, for example reactors and distillation columns (as well as reactive distillation apparatuses), comprising a vessel with one or more vortex contacting stages, are described. The one or more stages provide high interfacial area for the effective contacting of the different phases, in addition to the effective disengagement of these phases after contacting.
US08047505B2
A regulating device for the linear regulation of an actuating element is connected for movement to a ball spindle drive for the conversion of a rotational movement into a linear movement. The rotational movement can be transferred to the spindle drive from at least one motor via a gear unit. The gear unit exhibits a self-locking, helically toothed spur-wheel gear, which is formed as a double helical gear with at least one first and second spiral-toothed gearwheel. In each case at least one motor is arranged at both ends of the ball spindle drive and each motor is connected for movement with a second spiral-toothed gearwheel.
US08047503B2
A bushing for positioning between a first component and a second component is disclosed. The bushing comprises a conical body that includes a first edge, a second edge, and at least one slot extending from the first edge toward the second edge. The slot or slots facilitate the flexing of the conical body. Methods for making a conical bushing are also disclosed.
US08047502B2
To overcome problems concerning the sticking of the check plate in a combined check and control valve, a stop is provided on the valve rod or a guide element in the vicinity of the valve rod, whose distance to the limiting element is smaller than the maximum stroke and larger than the nominal stroke of the limiting element. Thus, it is achieved that the check plate is released from the valve seat by means of the stop, when the valve rod is displaced to the maximum.
US08047490B2
An elevation rotating mechanism is for elevating and rotating a monitor. The elevation rotating mechanism includes two supporting structures, two guiding structures, two connecting stands and two rotating shafts. The supporting structures are respectively disposed at two sides of the monitor for supporting the monitor. The guiding structures are respectively received in the supporting structures. Each of the guiding structures includes at least one rail, a guiding stand and an elastic fixing element. The rail is disposed at an inner wall of the guiding structure. The guiding stand is coupled to the rail. One end of the elastic fixing element is coupled to the guiding stand. The other end of the elastic fixing element is connected to the connecting stand. The connecting stands are movably connected to the rails, respectively. The rotating shafts are inserted into the connecting stands and fixedly connected to the monitor, respectively.
US08047488B2
A support stand includes a supporting leg and a hinge subassembly. The supporting leg includes a connecting portion. The hinge subassembly includes a shaft and a leaf rotatably sleeved on the shaft. The shaft has a connecting portion engaging with the connecting portion of the supporting leg. One of the connecting portions of the supporting leg and the shaft is a connecting slot, and the other one of the connecting portions of the supporting leg and the shaft is a protrusion engaged in the connecting slot, thus fixing the shaft to the supporting leg. A friction is created between the shaft and the leaf.
US08047482B2
A device for securing an object on a holder includes a platen attached to the object, a tightening element that pivots relative to the platen so that it can be folded back against the platen or raised perpendicularly to the platen. A lock is provided for locking the tightening element in the position perpendicular to the platen. The lock includes a tab that moves between a stowed position in which, when the tightening element is in the raised position, the tab bears against the tightening element and blocks it in this position, and a drawn out position in which the tab allows the tightening element to pivot towards the platen so that, in the folded position of the tightening element, the tab bears against a face of the tightening means different from the inner face.
US08047469B2
An airframe attachment fitting includes a fitting base having a base attachment surface and a flange attachment surface, at least one attachment post extending from the base attachment surface of the fitting base and at least one attachment flange carried by the flange attachment surface of the fitting base. An aircraft fuselage and a method of attaching a system or subsystem component to an airframe are also disclosed.
US08047466B2
A yoke for a rotary wing aircraft rotor system has a plurality of arms, each arm having a root. Each root has a notched portion configured to allow passage of a portion of a blade-pitch control system through the notched portion.
US08047460B2
A gyratory crusher has an outer shell, which is attachable in a frame having a frustoconical supporting surface, which is facing obliquely downwards and inwards. The outer shell has on the outer surface a collar, which has outer lugs, which are movable, from below, past the supporting surface and between inner lugs of a ring. The inner and outer lugs have mutually corresponding contact surfaces, which are adapted, by relative rotation of the ring and the outer shell, to be positioned opposite each other and, upon lifting of the ring, to lift also the outer shell so that a lower portion of the outer shell abuts the supporting surface of the frame. The contact surfaces of the inner and outer lugs are arranged such that lifting of the ring causes the outer lugs to be lifted by means of the inner lugs and brings the inner and outer lugs into radial abutment against each other.
US08047454B2
The present invention relates to a structure for fixing a reducer for a sprinkler in a side wall, and more particularly, to a structure for fixing a reducer for a sprinkler for side wall construction, in which since the reducer can easily adjust a distance from the side wall in the horizontal direction, a connection work between the reducer and the sprinkler head for the side wall construction connected to the reducer can be conveniently performed.
US08047448B1
The invention is a modular heating, cooling and humidifying unit designed to fit within, or be interposed between segments of existing air ducting systems. The invention includes a plenum through which air is received from a central system within a structure, and which discharges heated, cooled and/or humidified air to a particular compartment within the structure, such as a room. The invention includes within the plenum a heating coil, a cooling coil and a humidifier, one or more dampeners and one or more air filters. Each of these elements is provided with controls which may be both manually and automatically operated to regulate the temperature and humidity of air being discharged into the desired room or compartment.
US08047443B2
Data storage devices include storage circuitry configured to store data; a first substantially planar card portion comprising the storage circuitry; an electrical interface electrically connected to the storage circuitry and located on one side of the first card portion; and one or more additional substantially planar card portions positioned below the other side of the first card portion and positioned parallel to one another and parallel to the first card portion. The combined thickness of the first card portion and the one or more additional card portions is sufficient to make contact with both an electrical interface of an electrical communications receptacle and a shell portion of the receptacle when the first card portion and the one or more additional card portions are inserted into the communications receptacle.
US08047441B2
A barcode scanner capable of switching the reading resolution of scanning can be used for scanning a barcode with high resolution or low resolution, including a shell body, a scan module and a switchable magnifying module. The shell body has an opening. The scan module arranged in the shell body has a lighting unit emitting an illuminating light onto the barcode through the opening and a sensing unit sensing a barcode image formed from a reflection of the barcode illuminated by the illuminating light passing through the opening. The switchable magnifying module has a magnifier for magnifying the barcode image and a switch unit for switching the position of the magnifier relative to the sensing unit. The switch unit can move the magnifier between an off-axial position, which is not between the sensing unit and the barcode, and an on-axial position, which is between the sensing unit and the barcode.
US08047428B2
Provided is a cash transaction machine including a temporary stack portion. The cash transaction machine includes: a carriage receiving a paper medium stacked in the temporary stack portion; a driving belt transferring the carriage to a medium outlet; a pressing belt pressing the paper medium being transferred by the carriage in interoperation with the driving belt; a plurality of guide rollers being provided along a travel path of the carriage to define a travel path of the driving belt and a travel path of the pressing belt; and a one-way clutch adjusting an interoperating state between the driving belt and the pressing belt to prevent a friction from occurring between the pressing belt and the paper medium while the paper medium is being loaded to the carriage.
US08047427B2
A currency handling system, for example, a currency recycler or depository machine, may be configured to process currency transactions, including receiving one or more currency deposits. The currency recycler may attempt to accept and validate the currency received in the deposits, organizing and storing some validated currency while designating one or more other units of currency as temporarily unreconcilable. The currency recycler may also generate and transmit reconcilement reports summarizing a set of currency transactions, including data corresponding to the validated currency and temporarily unreconcilable currency. Reconcilement reports may be output to users or transmitted to corporate offices for business purposes, or may be transmitted to financial institutions for crediting bank accounts, and currency that could not be validated may be stored securely to allow a business to receive provisional credit.
US08047426B2
A system and method for independently verifying a bank note processor's handling of circulating bank notes. Independent detectors are provided along the transport path of a bank note processing device. Also provided is at least one independent memory storage device for logging data from the independent detectors. As the note passes along the transport path, the independent detectors evaluate the note's fitness. The independent detector data is subsequently provided to the central bank or commercial organization for auditing of the bank note processor and for generating bank note statistics. Independent detectors may also be used on the transport path output bins to corroborate the other detectors and to verify the integrity of the sorting logic. Mirrored independent detectors allow for corroborating independent data. The invention is operable on any bank note processing device that performs at least a subset of a fitness determination on each note.
US08047425B2
A stored-value card includes an aromatic item, a housing, and an activation area. The housing substantially encloses the aromatic item, and the housing is configured to be selectively closed and opened to provide access to the aromatic item. The activation area links the housing to at least one of a stored-value account and a stored-value record such that value can be added to or deducted from the at least one of the stored-value account and the stored-value record using the activation area. Financial transaction cards, methods of encouraging purchase, and other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08047412B2
A load carrier for coupling to a vehicle. The load carrier includes a loading frame and a supporting arch that extends substantially upwardly from and transversely to the loading frame. The supporting arch is divisible into first and second arch parts, each of which arch parts is pivotally coupled to the loading frame such that, when divided, each of the first and second arch parts is configured to be pivoted down to a storage position lying substantially level with the loading frame. The arch parts are configured to be interlocked to each other into an in-use position, in which the first and said second arch parts substantially alone form the supporting arch.
US08047411B2
A user-borne athletic pack having an easy to access water/liquid bladder through a rear entry back-flap is presented. A construction of the athletic pack allows for a separate rear compartment containing the bladder to be accessed by unfastening of a back-flap. The rear compartment is separated from the front compartment via material integrally connected on the inside of the athletic pack. The rear access back-flap and rear compartment allows for unhindered access, storage and control of the water bladder in either its full or empty state.
US08047410B2
A hanging clothing assembly includes a hanger, a clothing item, and a hanging strap. The hanger has a body portion and an upper support portion. The clothing item has a free-hanging length and defines an upper portion configured to be worn over an upper body of a wearer and a lower portion configured to be worn over a lower body of the wearer. The upper portion of the clothing item is supported on the body portion of the hanger. The hanging strap is secured to the lower portion of the clothing item and is also releasably secured in a closed loop that extends about the lower portion of the clothing item. The closed loop is releasably secured to the hanger such that the lower portion is supported from the hanger and the clothing item defines a display-hanging length that is less than the free-hanging length of the clothing item.
US08047404B2
A bifurcated stem foam pump for use in foam dispensers. An air compressor portion of the bifurcated pump is attached to and maintained as a portion of the dispenser housing. A portion of the pump for transferring liquid and including a portion for generating foam is sealingly attached to and provided as a portion of a replaceable liquid-containing cartridge in the foam dispenser. The two portions mate and form a completed pump assembly operative for generating foam from the liquid of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed within the dispenser housing and the two pump portions are mated. The air compressor portion includes a collar having an air piston reciprocatingly received therein. The collar is attached to the dispenser housing. A collar receiving a hollow stem pump is attached to the liquid cartridge. Actuation of the air piston correspondingly actuates the stem pump such that air and liquid are forced together in the stem pump and through a foam generating member.
US08047403B2
A bifurcated stem foam pump for use in foam dispensers. An air compressor portion of the bifurcated pump is attached to and maintained as a portion of the dispenser housing. A portion of the pump for transferring liquid and including a portion for generating foam is attached to and provided as a portion of a replaceable liquid-containing cartridge in the foam dispenser. The two portions mate and form a completed pump assembly operative for generating foam from the liquid of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed within the dispenser housing and the two pump portions are mated. The air compressor portion includes a collar having an air piston reciprocatingly received therein. The collar is attached to the dispenser housing. A collar receiving a hollow stem pump is attached to the liquid cartridge. Actuation of the air piston correspondingly actuates the stem pump such that air and liquid are forced together in the stem pump and through a foam generating member.
US08047402B2
A dispensing nozzle assembly for dispensing a number of micro-ingredients into a fluid stream. The dispensing nozzle assembly may include a micro-ingredient mixing chamber, a number of micro-ingredient lines in communication with the micro-ingredient mixing chamber such that the micro-ingredients mix therein, and a mixed micro-ingredient exit such the mixed micro-ingredients are dispensed into the fluid stream.
US08047395B2
The main opposite surfaces (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) of the inner (1) and outer (2) coverings are directly linked to each other by rigid coaxial linking elements (9;10), flexible linking elements (15) joining a main surface (5a) of the outer covering to an opposite surface (4b) of the inner covering (1) and vice-versa. The invention can be used for the storage of cryogenic fuel used as a power source for motor vehicles.
US08047390B2
A plastic container includes an upper portion having a mouth defining an opening into the container. A shoulder region extends from the upper portion. A sidewall portion extends between the shoulder region and a base portion. The base portion closes off an end of the container. A vacuum panel region defined in part by at least two vacuum panels. Each of the vacuum panels are movable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents. The vacuum panel region occupies an area outboard of the sidewall portion.
US08047385B2
A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base, a locking assembly, and an electronic control unit the triggers the locking assembly, locking the door from opening and stopping the pusher from moving product forward to the door.
US08047382B2
A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. Each of the unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the interconnected pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; and disposing a second layer on the first layer. Disposing a second layer includes depositing a conducting layer on the first layer; and anodizing the conducting layer to convert the conducting layer into a porous layer.
US08047362B2
A hinge lid pack has a lower pack outerframe and an upper lid hingedly attached to the lower pack outerframe for movement between opened and closed positions. The lid includes front, top, back and opposite sidewall portions. An innerframe is within and upwardly extends from the outerframe, and the innerframe has front and opposite sidewall portions. Microencapsulated aroma surfaces on the pack move across roughened perforations on the pack upon opening of the pack to thereby release flavor by rupturing the microcapsules.
US08047360B2
A single-lobe filter bag for infusion products comprises: a length (2) of filter material forming a chamber (3) containing a charge of the infusion product; the length (2) comprises a first closed top end (5) formed by a first join (S1) between two first end edges of the length (2); a second bottom end (7) closed by a second join (S2) designed to form a bottom surface (11) of the filter bag (1) and formed by two second end edges (7a, 7b) placed over each other to form a central extension of the second end (7); the second end edges (7a, 7b) are positioned face to face with each other and joined in such a way as to form a tab (12) that protrudes from the bottom surface (11); two sides (8, 9) which connect the first end edge (5) and the second end edge (7) and which are at least partly folded onto each other to form a fold towards the inside of the chamber (3); a string (13) joined, at one end, by a knot (A1) to the length (2) and, at the other end, by a knot (A2) to a tag (14), the string (13) being looped around the length (2).
US08047357B2
A conveying device having a drive motor with motor shaft, a motor housing, and a load-receiving support stand, where to improve the conveying device in terms of simplified assembly and ease of maintenance, the motor housing is configured as part of the load-receiving support stand.
US08047356B2
A belt module having an intermediate section including a cross rib having a corrugated portion. The intermediate section also has a web extending along the length of the intermediate section and disposed adjacent to the cross rib. The module has a first and a second plurality of link ends extending outward from the intermediate section and having a transverse opening defined therein. The link ends are formed by a pair of spaced apart link members that are connected by a end portion. The link ends have a slot or opening defined therein from the top to the bottom of the module. The slot is bordered by the inside walls of the link members. The corrugated portion of the cross rib has a reach bar portion extending between first and second link ends and has a border portion disposed adjacent to the slot formed in the link ends.
US08047352B2
A vial supply device 11 having a receiving section with a large capacity and capable of reliably discharging the vials includes: a receiving section 101 for receiving many empty vials 4; a conveyance unit 105 having a horizontal endless member 104 located at a bottom wall of the receiving section 101 and being configured to be driven in a horizontal direction, the conveyance unit being further configured to convey the vials 4 in a horizontal direction by using the horizontal endless member 104; and a discharge unit 111 having a vertical endless member 109 located at a wall of the receiving section 101 and being configured to be driven in a vertical direction, the discharge unit being further configured to lift the vials 4 upward and discharge the same while allowing the vials 4 to be horizontally supported at support members 110 located at the vertical endless member 109 at predetermined intervals.
US08047350B2
A friction lining, particularly a clutch friction lining for transmitting torque from an engine to a transmission.
US08047336B2
A co-axial wear adjuster and wear sensor for a brake caliper includes a sleeve having an external tooth form engageable with a toothed adjustment wheel of a brake tappet. The sleeve rotates with the tappet and is threaded to engage a relatively non-rotatable, but axially movable, bolt. A wear sensor is partly within the sleeve and has a plunger operably engaged with the bolt. The bolt may be tubular to carry a screw-threaded head whereby a position of the plunger may be set.
US08047328B1
A muffler adapted for connection with an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine which has an outer housing constructed of a plastic material. The housing has an inlet and at least one inwardly protruding rib extends around the interior of the housing inlet. The rib is constructed of a plastic material and forms an opening complementary in shape, but smaller in cross-sectional area, than the outer periphery of the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is inserted into the inlet and the exhaust pipe and housing are vibrated relative to each other for a time period sufficient to at least partially melt the rib and cause the rib to seal around the exhaust pipe upon cooling.
US08047315B2
In setting of an oil temperature increasing process mode, the drive control technique of the invention starts an engine to actuate a mechanical oil pump that pressure feeds a flow of lubricating oil for lubricating the mechanical parts of a transmission and other relevant parts, actuates an electric oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of lubricating oil, and makes a brake B1 included in the transmission in a semi-engagement state. A motor arranged adjacent to the transmission is then driven with lowered output efficiency. This arrangement effectively accelerates heat generation by the motor and ensures a quick temperature rise of the lubricating oil.
US08047309B2
Earth-boring tools include at least one up-drill feature disposed on a transition surface so as to be passive during down drilling and active during up drilling and/or back reaming operations. Systems for down drilling and up drilling with drill bits comprising one or more up-drill features are also disclosed. Furthermore, methods for forming a borehole with an earth-boring tool including such up-drill features and for forming an earth-boring tool comprising such up-drill features are also disclosed.
US08047307B2
A hybrid drill bit may have a bit body, at least one blade extending longitudinally and radially outward from the face, at least one rolling cutter assembly mounted on the bit body, at least one primary cutter, and at least one cutter set including a first cutter and a second cutter. The cutter set may be positioned to substantially follow the at least one primary cutter along the cutting path upon rotation of the bit body. At least one cutter of the cutter set may have a high side rake angle.
US08047306B2
A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.
US08047303B2
Methods and systems for installing a drawworks on a drilling rig, the method, in certain aspects, including moving a drawworks on movement apparatus on the ground adjacent a drill floor of a rig, connecting the drawworks to the drill floor, moving the movement apparatus away from the rig, and raising the drill floor with the drawworks thereon using raising apparatus of a rig substructure supporting the drill floor. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US08047299B2
An agricultural tillage implement constructed to condition crop residue and cultivate the conditioned crop residue. The tillage implement includes a first residue conditioner and a second residue conditioner pivotably attached to a frame of the tillage implement. The first and second conditioners are movable independent of each other and of the frame such that an operator may raise and lower the first and second conditioners relative to the frame to change the depths of the conditioners.
US08047290B1
A double swivel for use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through double sleeves which are sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeves and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeves have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system, clamp, and novel packing configuration. In an alternative embodiment the unit can include a plug or ball insertion tool.
US08047281B2
A tubular sleeve overlaps the threaded connection between a pair of adjacent tubular members that are to receive an expansion device for radial expansion and plastic deformation of the threaded tubular connection.
US08047278B2
A method to connect a lifting assembly to a bore of a downhole tubular includes providing a communication tool to a distal end of the lifting assembly, the communication tool comprising a body assembly, an engagement assembly, a valve assembly and a seal assembly, sealingly engaging a first portion of the seal assembly in the bore of the downhole tubular, selectively permitting fluid to flow between the lifting assembly and the downhole tubular with the valve assembly, and disengaging the first portion of the seal assembly from the bore of the downhole tubular.
US08047274B2
An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a main heater for heating air in a vehicle compartment using coolant of an engine of the vehicle as a heat source, and an auxiliary heater for heating air in the vehicle compartment using a heat source other than exhaust heat of the engine. In the air conditioner, a requirement signal for requiring startup of the engine is output when a temperature of the coolant of the engine is determined to be lower than a threshold, and the threshold is adjusted based on an operating state of the auxiliary heater such that as an amount of heat generated by the auxiliary heater increases, the threshold decreases. Accordingly, as the heating capacity of the auxiliary heater is increased, the startup of the engine becomes more difficult.
US08047249B2
A strip pack apparatus is an apparatus for manufacturing a strip pack with a plurality of items attached on a backing sheet. The strip pack apparatus includes a conveying unit configured and arranged to convey the item generally in the horizontal direction, a moving unit configured and arranged to move the item from the conveying unit to a position obliquely downward on the front side in the conveying direction, and an attaching unit configured and arranged to attach the item moved by the moving unit to the backing sheet.
US08047241B2
A method for filling a battery cell with electrolyte, comprising: a) connecting the battery cell and a lower portion of a fill head chamber connected through respective first, second, third and fourth valves to a source of high pressure, the free atmosphere, a source of high vacuum and optionally a source of low vacuum, wherein only one of said valves can be open at any time, while said second valve is open; b) opening said third valve for a predetermined first period to discharge air from the interior of said battery cell through said chamber; c) separating the major upper portion of said chamber from the lower portion thereof by a sliding shut-off plunger and opening said second valve; d) dispensing a prescribed amount of electrolyte into said upper portion of said chamber above said plunger, while keeping said second valve open; e) raising said plunger to let a major portion of said dispensed liquid be sucked into said battery cell under the effect of the vacuum established therein in step b) and allowing any gas bubble in said battery cell to get removed through the electrolyte; f) opening said first valve for a second predetermined period to push said electrolyte into said battery cell; g) opening said second valve for a third predetermined period; h) repeating steps f) and g) at least once for the more complete removal of gases from the battery cell and filling the prescribed volume of electrolyte; and, i) disconnecting said battery cell from said fill head.
US08047230B2
System for the chemical/physical treatment of a fluid in which a distributor valve has been installed for the feed/discharge of fluid to/from various reactors. The distributor valve consists of a plate valve with stationary plate and rotary plate. A cylindrical body provided with a number of axial bores that change into radial bores and emerge in the wall of a stationary housing adjoins the rotary plate and rotates therewith. A number of inlets/outlets located one after the other viewed in the axial direction are provided on the stationary housing. According to the invention the various radial bores in the cylindrical body are provided with a fluid via axial bores, based on a single valve plate.
US08047222B2
An air operated double diaphragm includes an air valve, air chambers, a center section between the air chambers, pump chambers and diaphragms between the air and pump chambers harnessed together with a piston rod. The air valve includes a statically dissipative body having a bore therein with a statically insulative liner in the bore. The statically insulative liner is fully enclosed within the statically dissipative body. A valve element is slidably positioned in the liner. The liner includes annular tenons to mate with annular mortises in the statically dissipative body and an end cap is used to close the valve cylinder.
US08047215B1
A laparoscopic lens cleaner which is suitable for maintaining the lens of a laparoscope in a clean, dry condition during a laparoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the laparoscopic lens cleaner includes an elongated cleaner sheath having a sheath interior, a fluid conduit provided in the cleaner sheath, a fluid discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the fluid conduit, a gas conduit provided in the cleaner sheath and a gas discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the gas conduit.
US08047194B2
A protection device for a rope saw assembly (5) includes at least two, telescopically displaceable relative to each other, cover members (12, 13) having each a circular cross-section, an extending along a longitudinal axis receiving space (14) for the saw rope (8), and a longitudinally extending opened slot (15, 16), and provided each with a securing device (18, 20) located on one end (17, 19) of each of the cover members (12, 13) for securing a respective cover member (12, 13) to a respective deflection roller (6, 7) of the rope saw assembly (5).
US08047192B2
An improved frame saw system has multiple blades for cutting slabs of masonry materials. The improved systems and methods allow for cutting masonry materials into slabs having surface small deviations. A frame saw system may include a support structure of unifying material bonded to at least one of the blades for keeping the blades in fixed relative positions. The support structure may be removable from the frame saw system as the blades are engaged in a swinging motion cutting into the block. In addition, a process for cutting masonry blocks of granite, marble, rock, and the like, includes pretreating the surface of the block with a skim coat to fill surface irregularities prior to cutting operations. A frame saw system may contain one or more spacers between the saw blades wherein a compressive force is applied across the blades connected to a frame to reduce deflection of the blades while cutting.
US08047189B2
An apparatus and method for reducing stress in a bow limb of an archery bow connected to a handle/riser of the bow by allowing a butt end of the bow limb connected to a forward end of the handle/riser by a limb bolt to flex forwardly when the bow is drawn and/or allowing the bow to flex rearwardly at the rearward end of the handle/riser when the bow is drawn.
US08047185B2
Systems and methods for an engine are described. In one example, a system may include a variable venturi coupled in an intake of the engine; an exhaust gas recirculation system having an exhaust gas recirculation flow path, the exhaust gas recirculation flow path coupled to the variable venturi; and a vacuum-utilizing device or system coupled to the variable venturi. In another example, a method may include coordinating adjustment of an exhaust gas recirculation valve coupled to the exhaust gas recirculation system, a fuel vapor purging valve coupled to the fuel vapor purging system, and the variable venturi in response to operating conditions.
US08047183B2
A fuel injector, a method of mounting a fuel injector, a combination injector and clamping, and a clamp are all provided for ensuring the fuel injector is mounted in a proper rotative position in an injector mounting bore of any one of multiple internal combustion engine platforms requiring different injector mounting positions. The injector includes a first alignment feature having a first geometry corresponding to a first engagement feature of the first engine platform and adapted to be engaged by the first engagement feature to secure the injector to the first engine platform. The fuel injector further includes a second alignment feature having a second geometry different from, and incompatible with, the first geometry and corresponding to a second engagement feature of the second engine platform thereby ensuring the fuel injector is circumferentially oriented in a correct rotative position required by a given engine platform.
US08047180B2
An intake air control system of a V-type internal combustion engine having cylinder axes formed in a V-shape with a crankshaft provided therebetween is provided. An operation input shaft driven by an operator's input and an operation input shaft turning angle sensor that detects a turning angle of the operation input shaft are also provided. A throttle body having a throttle valve is formed with an intake passage for each of the cylinders. The operation input shaft is located between valve shafts of an opposing pair of throttle valves that are located on opposing bank portions of the V-type internal combustion engine, when viewed from the direction of the crankshaft. The operation input shaft is disposed separately from the throttle valve shafts and the operation input shaft turning angle sensor is provided at a shaft end of the operation input shaft.
US08047179B2
An engine unit that has a throttle valve driving actuator securely fixed thereto, and in which the vibration caused on the actuator is small. The engine unit includes a V-type engine and a throttle body assembly. The throttle body assembly has first and second front and rear throttle bodies, an actuator, a transmission gear mechanism, and a casing that houses the actuator and the transmission gear mechanism. The casing has a first casing portion that is fixed to the first front and rear throttle bodies, and a second casing portion that faces the first casing portion in a width direction and is fixed to at least one of the second front and rear throttle bodies.
US08047176B2
In a balancer apparatus of an engine having an oil pump, a space on a chain side and a space on an oil strainer side are partitioned by a projecting portion projecting in a direction which perpendicularly crosses balancer shafts in a balancer housing formed on an oil pump housing. An oil strainer is attached to a side wall on the anti-chain side of the projecting portion, and a chain tensioner for applying tension to a chain is arranged in the space on the chain side formed by enlarging the attaching surface of the oil pan outwardly so as to enclose the projecting portion. Thus oil which has been stirred by the chain and in which air has been mixed is prevented from being sucked into the oil strainer.
US08047168B2
A continuously variable valve lift system for an engine may include a driving cam fixed to a camshaft, a control shaft disposed in parallel to the camshaft with a predetermined distance, an upper rocker arm, one end of which is rotatably coupled to the control shaft and the other end of which is slidably contacted to and rotated by the driving cam, lower rocker arm that is selectively pushed by the upper rocker arm and selectively pushes a valve, rocker arm follower slidably coupled to the lower rocker arm and contacting the upper rocker arm, wherein the rocker arm follower transmits an operational force of the upper rocker arm to the lower rocker arm, and a variable mechanism that changes contact point of the rocker arm follower and the upper rocker arm according to rotation of the control shaft.
US08047167B2
In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, a hydraulic valve rest mechanism is mounted on a valve operating device, which performs open-close driving of an engine valve which is arranged in a cylinder head of an engine body having a plurality of cylinders in an openable-and-closable manner. The hydraulic valve rest mechanism is operated with an oil pressure that is controlled by a hydraulic control device so as to close and rest engine valves of a plurality of cylinders for bringing the cylinders into a rest state Therefore, the miniaturization of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine along an axis of a crankshaft and can shorten a length of an oil passage which connects a hydraulic valve rest mechanism and a hydraulic control device. A hydraulic control device is arranged on an engine body directly above a portion thereof corresponding to a cylinder that is expected to assume a cylinder rest state.
US08047164B2
A water heater. The water heater includes a water tank having a tank wall defining an interior space and adapted to contain water to be heated, a tank extension having an extension wall detachably mounted to the tank wall, the extension wall defining extension space communicating with the interior space, and defining an extension axis, an air inlet at least partially in the extension space extending through the extension wall at a radial angle to extension axis of tank extension, a combustor at least partially in the extension space and in fluid communication with the air inlet, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes configured to receive products of combustion from combustor and extending into interior space of the water tank. The extension space is configured to be flooded with water from the water tank.
US08047147B2
A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.
US08047146B2
A method for the subsurface application of fertilizers, biologicals, fumigants, non-fumigant pesticides or other chemicals to soil with reduced application rates. Discrete amounts of the materials are injected into the soil at numerous sites along a path during a pass through the soil. At the injection sites, the materials form diffusion patterns which may touch or overlapping with diffusion patterns of adjacent soil injections. The application of materials to soil in this manner maintains optimum efficacy with the use of the least amount of materials necessary per acre of soil.
US08047144B2
A multi-step process is provided in which waste material is processed in two or more steps. Specifically, an earlier step of the process heats the waste material at a first temperature. This results in a release of vapors for materials having a boiling point that is lower than the first temperature. A subsequent step of the process heats some or all of the remaining waste material at a second temperature, which is preferably higher than the first temperature. The subsequent heating results in a release of additional vapors for those materials having a boiling point that is lower than the second temperature. A system configured to carry out the process is also disclosed.
US08047141B2
A step drive for a movable step, the step drive being arranged below a swinging-sliding door. The step drive includes an opening-out mechanism located in a lower region of a secondary closing edge of the swinging-sliding door. The opening-out mechanism is connected to and actuated by a door drive and the opening-out mechanism interacts with the movable step.
US08047139B2
A railway bogie includes at least two spring units per one wheel, a bogie frame and an essentially single piece adapter which bridges the spring units and is arranged between the spring units on the one side and the bogie frame on the other side.
US08047138B2
A self-regulating magneto-dynamic system, utilizing steel core rails and permanent magnets as sources of magnetic field, provided for magnetic levitation, stabilization and propulsion in a high speed ground transportation vehicle moving with high speed without friction along a track having a predetermined trajectory, comprising of a self-regulating magneto-dynamic levitation and stabilizing system (MDLSS) provided for magnetic levitation and stabilization of the vehicle, and a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) provided for stable propulsion of the vehicle. Both systems are situated on the same vehicle, interacting with each other only through electro-magnetic process, working synchronously, supporting each other's stability and self-regulation, where the stability of the MDLSS affects the functionality of the PMLSM, and the precise work of the PMLSM allows for more optimum design of the MDLSS.
US08047137B2
A safety system for a chair of a mechanical lift installation comprises a magnetic device able to occupy a retaining position of a passenger embarked on said chair when the chair is outside the unloading areas, and a released position when passing in an unloading area.
US08047136B2
A projectile is provided for simulating multiple sequential ballistic impacts. The projectile has a plurality of relatively dense loading layers spaced along the firing direction of the projectile. Each pair of nearest-neighbor loading layers is separated by a less dense support element which maintains the spacing of the loading layers. The projectile may be suitable for simulating bird slurry impacts on stator vanes of an aero gas turbine engine.
US08047126B2
A method and a group are described for the preparation of a beverage from soluble products contained in a disposable cartridge, based on the regulation of the dispensing of the beverage in such way that the soluble product is delivered in suspension for at least 75% of the total dispensing time.
US08047125B2
The inventive coffee machine is provided with a housing (2) including a coffee output (9, 10), a steam generator and a steam output nozzle (20) which is movable with respect to the housing and is provided with a free end (22) immersible into a cup. The free end is introducible into a space under the coffee output (9, 10) and is translationally displaceable between an elevated position in which the free end (22) is placed at least substantially at the level of the coffee output (9, 10) and a lower position in which the free end (22) is immersible into a cup which is positioned in such a way that it receives espresso coffee.
US08047122B1
A tensioner assembly with a hydraulic fluid and gas is described herein. The tensioner assembly can accurately and reliably detect the position of a cylinder rod in each cylinder of the assembly by using a laser. The data obtained from the laser can be reliable and dependable regardless of any powders, oil, particulate, or scratched lenses of the camera.
US08047119B2
An automatic firearm capable of automatic or semiautomatic fire. The firearm has a receiver having a moveable hammer. A selector is rotatably mounted in the receiver. A first sear is rotatably mounted in the receiver to engage the hammer where the first sear contacts a first camming surface of the selector. A second sear is rotatably mounted in the receiver to engage the hammer where the second sear contacts a second camming surface of the selector. A disconnect is rotatably mounted in the receiver where the disconnect contacts a third camming surface of the selector. The selector has a number of selectable positions disposed so that rotation of the selector between a first and last selectable position of the number of selectable positions is less than 180 degrees.
US08047117B1
A blast wave attenuator comprising: a deflector and a foam or foamed composite inside of the deflector. The foamed composite may be a combination of fabrics, fibers, and small reinforcements embedded in a polymeric foam matrix. The foamed composites can be fabricated using a one-step process. The deflector can be manufactured from metal sheets including but not limited to titanium, stainless steel, carbon steel, and superalloys. The blast wave attenuator of the present invention greatly improves the impact resistance and protection of blast protective footwear and combat boots or the like without sacrificing traction or mobility.
US08047114B2
A band saw blade guide includes a cylindrical chisel shaped member mounted at an oblique angle to a band saw blade. The blade guide adjusts the angle of the band saw blade by rotation of the guide about its axis. By rotating the guide about its axis, the angle of the chisel point guiding surface is changed thereby changing the angle of the blade. Further the blade may be guided by a single guide forced against one surface of the blade thereby eliminating the need for guides on both sides of the blade.
US08047112B2
The pivoting shaft of a handle member has an axial center position in a support platform that is substantially fixed, and the position with respect to the handle member is to be displaceable. Furthermore, as for a support shaft, the position in the handle member is fixed, and the axial center of the pivoting shaft is positioned near a perpendicular bisector of a segment connecting both ends of a support shaft-guiding hole.
US08047106B2
A wood working lathe includes a granite lathe bed including a guiding rail extending thereon longitudinally and an opening vertically formed through an end thereof, with the opening in communication with the guiding rail. A driving unit is installed to the lathe bed. A granite fixed stock is disposed on the end of the lathe bed relative to the opening of the lathe bed and includes a driven unit inserted therethrough axially and a compartment formed therein and in communication with the driven unit. The driving unit drives the driven unit to turn through the compartment. A granite foot stock is slidably installed on another end of the lathe bed and includes a positioned member for selectively fixing the foot stock to the lathe bed and a feeding device. An axis of the feeding device is coaxial with an axis of the driven unit, with cooperation of the driven unit and the feeding device adapted for clamping works to be turned.
US08047101B2
A wrench comprises a handle connected to a housing. A socket is rotatably supported in the housing for ratcheting movement relative to the housing. A retaining member releasably secures a device in the socket. A retainer is supported on the housing and is movable between a first position and a second position. The retainer, when in the first position, at least partially overlays the socket. A plurality of guides orient a member relative to the socket. The guides are mounted in a rotatable body. A first handle is permanently connected to the housing and a second handle is removably connected to the housing.
US08047096B2
An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outer jacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the inner jacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator.
US08047094B2
Mechanical joints are provided in which the angle between a first coupled member and a second coupled member may be varied by mechanical actuators. In some embodiments the angle may be varied around a pivot axis in one plane and in some embodiments the angle may be varied around two pivot axes in two orthogonal planes. The joints typically utilize a cam assembly having two lobes with an involute surface. Actuators are configured to push against the lobes to vary the rotation angle between the first and second coupled member.
US08047091B2
A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having clutches controlled by an electronic control unit. A transmission rotational speed in an initial transmission stage is determined. If a first transmission shifting rotational speed is reached, the transmission is shifted from the initial transmission stage to a target transmission stage. A target transmission rotational speed of the target transmission stage is then ascertained. A difference is next ascertained between the target transmission rotational speed and a second shifting transmission rotational speed. An initial counter value, of a counter, is determined, which depends on the transmission rotational speed difference. The counter is next caused to carry out counting, from the initial counter value, as time progresses. If and when the counter value reaches zero, the transmission is shifted from the target transmission stage toward the initial transmission stage.
US08047075B2
A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides for a low cost, bulk micromachined accelerometer integrated with electronics. The accelerometer can also be integrated with rate sensors that operate in a vacuum environment. The quality factor of the resonances is suppressed by adding dampers. Acceleration sensing in each axis is achieved by separate structures where the motion of the proof mass affects the value of sense capacitors differentially. Two structures are used per axis to enable full bridge measurements to further reduce the mechanical noise, immunity to power supply changes and cross axis coupling. To reduce the sensitivity to packaging and temperature changes, each mechanical structure is anchored to a single anchor pillar bonded to the top cover.
US08047069B2
An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for measuring the cut resistance of polymeric and elastomeric materials having specimen holding and tensioning devices arranged on a common axis; a blade cutting device located orthogonally to the axis of the first and second specimen tensioning devices and a cutting block assembly located on the same axis as the cutting device and on the opposite side of the specimen tensioning device.
US08047062B2
A testing device (10) for high-pressure injectors (50) of a common rail injection system of an engine unit, with the high-pressure injectors (50) each having a fuel return connection (52) for a fuel return line (54) is characterized by a throughflow quantity measuring/display unit (12) which can be detachably connected between the fuel return connection (52) and fuel return line (54).
US08047056B2
One embodiment of the invention comprises a moisture vapor probe comprising a hollow sleeve and a removable electronics module. The probe has a generally cylindrical hollow sleeve having a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface. The sleeve comprises a sensor plate having a moisture vapor sensor and forming a water impermeable barrier with the sidewall. The sleeve has an opening such that a volume is defined by the opening, the sidewall and the sensor plate. The probe further comprises an electronics module removably disposable within the sleeve. The electronics module includes an information transfer unit. The information transfer unit in communication with the moisture vapor sensor and adapted to receive relative humidity information from the moisture vapor sensor.
US08047053B2
Various screening systems are disclosed, including a system including a radiation detection component, a toxic chemical detection component, a toxic chemical agent sampling component, a bio-threat detection component, a puffer-based bio-threat sampling component, an explosive detection component, and an X-ray based imager, such that it automatically screens mail for the presence of multiple threat agents, such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats. An automated sample arm collects a sample when a sampling substrate contacts a portion of the item of mail while there is relative motion between the automated sample arm and the item of mail. The sample is conveyed to a detector and the sampling substrate is regenerated by heating it.
US08047046B2
A sensor diagnostic system comprises first, second, and third dosing agent sensors and a control module. The first, second, and third dosing agent sensors indicate whether a dosing agent is present at first, second, and third volumetric levels of a dosing agent tank, respectively. The second volumetric level is greater than the first volumetric level and the third volumetric level is greater than the second volumetric level. The control module selectively diagnoses a sensor fault in at least one of the first, second, and third dosing agent sensors based on the indications of the first, second, and third dosing agent sensors.
US08047035B2
A method of supplying lubricating oil in cold-rolling by emulsion lubrication, characterized by comprising: using a constant (supply efficiency) obtained under conditions of a specific rolling rate, emulsion supply, emulsion concentration, emulsion temperature, plateout length, rolled material width or roll barrel length, rolling load, grade of the rolled material, and type of lubricating oil and oil film thickness at the time of neat lubrication realized under the specific rolling lubrication conditions to estimate the oil film thickness realized by emulsion lubrication under the specific rolling lubrication conditions and controlling at least one of the emulsion supply, emulsion concentration, emulsion temperature, and plateout length so that the estimated oil film thickness matches with the target oil film thickness.
US08047024B2
A control for an automatic washer to operate the washer through a wash cycle determined based upon various soils and stains in the substrate load to be washed with a wash liquor in a wash zone of the washer. The control has a plurality of stain/soil type entrées, which can be at least one of selected and detected, and cleaned with a particular wash cycle. The control has dispensing control over at least one wash liquor additive. The control has operational control over activators and deactivators for members of the additives group. The control has operational control over the particular wash cycles using the dispensing control to dispense additives to the wash liquor at selected times during the wash cycle and operating the activators and deactivators at selected times during the wash cycle.
US08047013B2
To improve operation efficiency and safety at the time of trial run after installation and inspection, an outdoor unit includes a casing, a box provided within the casing, a main control board which is disposed along a perpendicular direction within the casing and at least on a forward side and a deep side such that they overlap each other, a fan motor driving board and a noise filter board, wherein the main control board is provided to be rotatable to the forward side with its bottom side as a fulcrum point.
US08047008B2
A combustor assembly having a transition piece and at least one orifice assembly in the transition piece, the orifice assembly comprising: a boss having an outside periphery and an inside periphery, the inside periphery including an annular seat and an upstanding flange formed with an annular, inwardly facing retaining ring groove, the boss fixed within an opening in the transition piece; an orifice plate having a bottom surface that is adapted to be received on the annular seat; and a retaining ring located in the retaining ring groove and at least partially engaged with the orifice plate.
US08047000B2
The invention relates to a gas turbine combustion chamber with a combustion chamber wall 1, with at least part of the combustion chamber wall 1 being provided with a liquid-cooling system.
US08046996B2
A master cylinder assembly for a hydraulic actuation system for a handlebar-steered vehicle including a fluid cavity having an adjustable length. The master cylinder assembly generally includes a housing, a piston assembly, an actuator and an adjuster. The housing is mountable to a frame member and includes a chamber having a fluid cavity with first and second regions. The first region is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuation system. The piston assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within the fluid cavity. The actuator is operatively connected to the housing and operatively connected to the piston to slidably displace the piston between an open fluid circuit position permitting fluid flow between the first and second regions and a closed fluid circuit position blocking fluid flow between the first and second regions. The adjuster is operatively connected to the housing to adjust a length of the fluid cavity.
US08046994B2
The invention discloses a method and apparatus to control the shaping change of Shape-Memory-Alloy (SMA). The piece-wised current drain control device is designed to independently deliver current to stimulate sectional SMA but not the entire one. The invention is also successfully implemented on an automatic light sensitive aperture control device to simulate the light response of a pupil. The control technique can extend the application potential of SMA toward precise actuation, aeronautical applications, surgical tools, or biomedical applications such as artificial organ or muscles.
US08046993B2
The present invention relates to a micro generator system which uses temperature difference (about 5˜10° C.) between skin and outside environment to allow an engine to drive microfluid flow as well as pass nanomagnetic particles within microfluid through coli to produce an inducing electricity.
US08046984B1
A gas-turbine engine receives no air from outside atmosphere. Instead, combustion gas expelled from the engine is cooled and recycled back into the engine. That gas contains no nitrogen and consists mostly of carbon dioxide and water vapor. Oxygen and fuel are added to the recycled gas, and the resulting mixture is used to perform an internal-combustion process. A small amount of the expelled combustion gas is discharged into outside environment, and the rest is recycled. Since no nitrogen is present, no nitrogen oxides are produced. The amount of other harmful exhaust emissions, including particulate matter, is greatly reduced too, since most of them are recycled back into the engine. The engine is inherently supercharged with controllable combustion-gas pressure and, in some cases, can operate without a compressor. Since the combustion gas is heavier than air, the engine can be substantially smaller than a conventional engine of equal power. Complete elimination of nitrogen oxide emissions and a significant reduction in particulate matter can substantially increase appeal of gas-turbine engines based on the above concept.
US08046983B2
An ecology valve (EV) fuel return system is provided. In one embodiment, the EV fuel return system includes a housing assembly having a fuel return outlet and a first manifold inlet. The fuel return outlet is fluidly coupled to a fuel supply system, and the first manifold inlet is fluidly coupled to a first manifold of a gas turbine engine (GTE). An ecology valve is disposed in the housing assembly and fluidly coupled to the fuel return outlet and to the first manifold inlet. A fuel routing assembly is fluidly coupled between the first manifold inlet, the fuel return outlet, and the ecology valve. The fuel routing assembly routes fuel: (i) from the first manifold inlet to the ecology valve when the GTE is in a shut-down mode, and (ii) from the ecology valve to the fuel return outlet when the GTE is in an engine start mode.
US08046981B2
A rotary tool for spreading mulch outwardly from a mound of the same. The tool has an elongated shaft with a rotatable body mounted proximate a first end thereof. The body has a peripheral edge with a plurality of flexible fingers radiating outwardly and downwardly therefrom. The fingers may be individually securable to the body. In a second embodiment, a ring is detachably mounted to the body and the fingers are on the ring. When the tool is activated, the fingers engage the mulch mound and cause pieces of mulch to be flicked outwardly away from the body. The tool may also be used as a shovel-type device when the motor is not activated and the mulch can then be carried on the upper surface of the body.
US08046978B2
A machine for sleeving one or more packages of smoking articles is provided. The machine can provide a blank from a roll of continuous material and fold the blank around packages. The machine includes a sleeve folding station that can orient the blank to be folded around the packages. The sleeve folding station is also configured to permit at least one fold in the blank when the package is moved against the blank and into a pocket. The machine may include a bundling unit adapted to arrange packages into a bundle. The machine can include an adhesive applicator to apply adhesive to the blank so that when folded the blank can be attached to itself to form a sleeved package. Preferably, the machine includes a transfer wheel having a pocket for receiving the blank and bundle together, where upon rotation of the wheel the blank is folded around the bundle.
US08046973B2
The machine (100) comprises a supply station (S1) destined to receive a mattress (M) to be conveyed to a rolling station (S2) comprising a plurality of rolling rollers (1), partly arranged in a fixed section (21) of the station (S2) and partly arranged in an openable section (22), arranged in respective curved lines to define internally thereof a practically-cylindrical rolling chamber (10) with horizontal axes. Sliding organs (3) are interposed between the fixed section (21) and the openable section (22), for regulating a mutual distance between the fixed section (21) and the openable section (22) in order to vary, within a predetermined range, a base area of the rolling chamber (10) and in order to determine corresponding rolling diameters of the mattress (M) comprised between a minimum value (D1) and a maximum value (D2).
US08046966B2
A suspended ceiling assembly preferably formed of wood or wood-like material for aesthetic purposes. A ceiling panel grid is formed of ceiling panel support members that include runners and cross members arranged in intersecting relationship forming cells that support ceiling tiles. A plurality of parallel runners are installed between opposed room walls. Cross members are installed in perpendicular relationship to the runners and are intersected by the runners. The runners extend from wall to wall. The cross members extend between one runner and the next. The support members have a cross-sectional shape of an inverted “T” to provide a seat for a ceiling tile. A unique unibody connector at the intersection of the cross members and runners secures the cross members to the runners.
US08046960B1
A window includes first and second panes and a frame coupled to the first and second panes to form an air gap there between. The window further includes an electrical generator disposed in the air gap configured to convert electromagnetic radiation to electricity. The window further includes a venting system configured to vent heat from the air gap away from the first pane or the second pane. The window further includes first and second reflective coatings respectively disposed on first surfaces of the panes. The first surfaces face the air gap, and the reflective coatings are configured to reflect infrared radiation into the air gap. The window further includes first and second antireflective coatings respectively disposed on second surfaces of the panes. The second surfaces face away from the air gap, and the antireflective coatings are configured to transmit visible light and infrared radiation into the air gap.
US08046958B2
According to the invention, a method of making an eave for a roof on a building is disclosed. The method may include providing a structure with at least two sides and a roof frame. The method may further include coupling at least two of a plurality of eave blocks with a first trim piece. The method may also include coupling at least two of the plurality of eave blocks with a second trim piece. The method may further include coupling a roof piece with a top of the roof frame and a top of at least two of the plurality of eave blocks. In some embodiments, the eave blocks may include lumber having a grain direction and the method may include coupling the eave blocks with the first trim piece such that the grain direction is substantially parallel to a length of the first trim piece.
US08046942B1
An electronic sign with multiple direction positionable rear access doors, wherein sliding rear access doors are utilized to provide for access to the inner regions of the electronic sign while maintaining a thin profile. One or more of a plurality of sliding rear access doors can be disengaged from a back panel and urged rearwardly a minimal distance and then positioned laterally and unobtrusively along the length of a top track opposing a bottom track allowing the electronic sign to maintain a thin and unobtrusive profile.
US08046929B2
A level 11 is provided comprising a base 1 having a top reference edge 2 and recession 3 wherein a slidable member 8 fits within the recession 3 of the base 1 and is slidable to extend the top reference edge 2 of the base for multiple lengths. Further embodiments of the present invention provide a level 11 having attachment means to level at various angles and additional lengths.
US08046922B2
An improved cutting device including a mechanism for selectively guarding the edge of a cutting blade. According to various embodiments, a sliding mechanism is operatively connected to a blade guard, wherein the translational movement of the sliding mechanism causes a corresponding rotational movement of the blade guard. When the blade guard is in an extended position, the edge of the cutting blade is not exposed, thereby preventing a user from accidentally cut by the blade. Various embodiments also provide for an improved blade replacement system. According to various embodiments, a locking member is capable of lifting the cutting blade without the user having to touch the blade itself.
US08046921B2
A food cutting apparatus includes a body defining a first opening and supporting a first blade extending within the first opening. The first blade is configured to cut the food item. The apparatus also includes a dial rotatably coupled to the body about an axis and defining a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening. The dial supports a second blade extending within the second opening. The second blade is configured to cut the food item.
US08046912B2
A packaged microelectronic element includes connection component incorporating a dielectric layer (22) carrying traces (58) remote from an outer surface (26), posts (48) extending from the traces and projecting beyond the outer surface of the dielectric, and pads (30) exposed at the outer surface of the dielectric layer, the pads being connected to the posts by the traces. The dielectric element overlies the front surface of a microelectronic element, and contacts (74) exposed on the front surface of the microelectronic element are connected to the pads by elongated leads (76) such as wire bonds. Methods of making the connection component are also disclosed.
US08046911B2
A method for mounting an electronic component on a substrate includes: forming an Au bump (24) on a surface of an electrode (20) of a substrate (10); placing an Sn-based solder sheet (26) on the Au bump; subjecting the Sn-based solder sheet and the Au bump to reflow soldering, to thus form an Au—Sn eutectic alloy (28); smoothing the eutectic alloy; and bonding an electronic component (30) on a surface of the smoothed eutectic alloy.
US08046910B2
A method of manufacturing a surface mounted (crystal) device comprising: the steps of providing an aggregated sheet material having a plurality of container main bodies lengthwise and crosswise, accommodating at least a crystal piece inside the concavities of the plurality of container main bodies formed in the aggregated sheet material, and then parting the aggregated sheet material into individual container main bodies. The method further includes: the steps of providing annular grooves on outer perimeters between the container main bodies of the aggregated sheet material; positioning an outer peripheral edge of an electrode roller having an inclined face of a seam welder inside the annular groove; abutting the inclined face against a metal cover tacked to the container main body; bonding the metal cover to an aperture end face of the container main body, by seam welding; and then parting the aggregated sheet material into individual container main bodies.
US08046901B2
Compact plant for making steel bars and profiles with which, starting from the scrap, it is possible to obtain the finished product, for example bars with commercial length from 6 to 18 meters, pre-packed, packaged and ready for sale, with all the stations placed in line and operating continuously. All the stations are arranged in reduced spaces, thereby reducing both investment costs and plant management costs, and decreasing production times. Advantageously, the plant of the invention incorporates an extremely compact bar packaging apparatus which, through an innovative arrangement and innovative operating method of the components thereof, allows a further reduction in length.
US08046898B2
Fastener clearing systems and methods for a fastener delivery system are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an extractor tool having one or more vacuum generators in fluid communication with a catcher for retaining fasteners during transport. The vacuum generators are selectively activated to draw fasteners into the catcher. A backflow port is formed in the extractor tool and introduces pressurized air into the catcher to dislodge fasteners that adhere to the catcher after the vacuum generators have been deactivated. The backflow port may be formed in a fitting positioned between vacuum generators and securing the vacuum generators to one another. The vacuum generators and fitting may define a common fluid channel opening into a fastener seat adapted to receive a portion of a fastener.
US08046890B2
Roping method and apparatus for replacing, installing and/or re-roping the hoisting rope of a traction sheave elevator, said elevator having an elevator car, which is at least partially suspended on a set of hoisting ropes, said set of ropes comprising one or more parallel ropes. The elevator car is moved by means of the ropes. In the method, a rope feed apparatus (1) acting on the hoisting rope is used to feed a new rope to the elevator and/or to pull out a possible old hoisting rope to make place for the new rope. The rope feed apparatus 1 (1) comprises at least a base (2) with at least one feed disc (30, 31) mounted on it, which feed disc (30, 31) engages the hoisting rope and to which feed disc (30, 31) the hoisting rope can be fitted, at least one guide roller (25) for keeping the hoisting rope in position on the feed disc (30, 31), a tightening element (19) for moving the feed disc (30, 31) relative to the guide roller (25) and tightening it in position on the base (2), and in addition at least one electric motor (27) fitted in the apparatus to rotate the feed disc (30, 31).
US08046887B2
In a method of operating a gearwheel machining tool having a machining wheel situated on a drive axis, for reworking a gearwheel, a fixed axial distance between both wheels is set. In this manner, the engagement of the gearwheel in the teeth of the machining wheel may be performed without damage in a technically simple way, which is achieved in that the gearwheel to be machined is placed on the arbor in an arbitrary rotational angle position, tooth areas of its lateral external faces facing toward the machining wheel coming to rest on lateral tooth areas of the machining wheel, upon which the machining wheel is set into rotation and the gearwheel to be machined slides axially on the arbor into its machining position. After which the tooth gaps of the two overlapping areas of the wheels are rotated one over the other and the wheels are mutually engaged.
US08046886B2
A fixture and method for assembling axial entry buckets with complex geometry to a rotor wheel is provided. The fixture features an inner and an outer split ring shaft clamp, which is bolted together around the rotor wheel packing diameter and provides a mounting base. The transfer ring mounts around and abutting the rotor wheel. The transfer ring includes a circumferential slot to accept bucket-holders. The bucket holders loaded with turbine buckets, inserted onto the transfer ring and moved circumferentially around the transfer ring to align the turbine buckets to slots on the rotor wheel. Pressure is applied to spiral the buckets from the bucket-holders into final position in slots on the rotor wheel.
US08046883B2
Burial containers to be power installed in non-horizontal positions without the need to dig large holes and subsequently replace the dug out material, and which greatly save land area, plus can be interred in high water table areas and even under shallow water.
US08046879B2
A fastener with a shank and, arranged at one end of the shank, a head intended for welding to a workpiece, has multiple detent pawls formed on the shank that extend radially outward from the shank toward the head and that are elastically resilient in the radially inward direction. On the outside, each detent pawl has an engagement recess with support surfaces. The shank has a longitudinal hole, in which is located a stud, wherein one end of the stud projects out of the longitudinal hole and forms the head for welding. Also formed on the shank is a flange that is elastically resilient in the axial direction, whose outermost edge region is located opposite the engagement recess of the detent pawls.
US08046861B2
The toothbrush includes a handle portion and a brushhead assembly which comprises a head portion and a stem portion. The head portion includes a bellows-like acoustic action member for creating acoustic wave action as it moves in and out in response to an acoustic driving force. A drive system is located in the handle and includes an audio speaker-type assembly to create acoustic waves which are transmitted through a transmission line to the acoustic action member. The acoustic action member is driven toward and away from the teeth when the toothbrush is operatively positioned within the mouth. The action of the acoustic member is directly or indirectly coupled to the fluid in the mouth, producing a foam which couples shear forces between the acoustic action member and the teeth/gums to produce a desired cleaning/therapeutic effect.
US08046846B2
A helmet restraint system for restraining the forward and downward movement of a helmet having an unfavorable center of gravity. A buckle strap having a first end and a second end is configured to be movably disposed in a wearer's garment. The buckle strap is preloaded between its first end, which is attached to the adjustment mechanism, and its second end, which is attached to an emergency release, and is extended in a loop coming out from first and second openings respectively in the collar of the garment for connection with a snap hook on the helmet.
US08051489B1
A method for secure configuration of a sensor system involves identifying a new sensor not activated within the sensor system, the new sensor including a new sensor identifier, establishing a first transmission link between the new sensor and a sensor controller, transmitting the new sensor identifier between the sensor and the sensor controller, generating a key pair for the sensor controller, the key pair including a controller public key and a controller private key, generating a key pair for the new sensor, the key pair including a sensor public key and a sensor private key, transmitting the controller public key to the new sensor and the sensor public key to the sensor controller, and generating a pairwise key within the sensor controller and the new sensor.
US08051485B1
A system and method for optimizing a process of synchronization of a database of files checked by an anti-virus (AV) application implemented as a special AV driver. The database is updated by a special interface application using a log file and the AV driver cache. The AV driver monitors modifications of the files and records modification-related information in the context of the modified files. The AV driver creates and maintains a log of modified files. The AV driver supports a circular cache containing minimal required information about the modified files. This information is used for identification of the modified files by an application providing an interface between the AV driver and the database of checked files.
US08051483B2
A method of updating a content detection module includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. A method of sending content detection data includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the content detection data to the selected update station. A method of building a content detection system includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module.
US08051479B1
The invention is a method and apparatus for detecting shellcode such that a set of computer instructions is scanned for the presence of a null operation instruction. The computer instructions are also examined for the presence of a system call instruction, and reviewed for the presence of a decoder instruction set. A null operation weight value is then determined corresponding to the null operation instruction. Also assessed is a system call weight value corresponding to the system call instruction. In addition, a decoder weight value is calculated corresponding to the decoder instruction set. The null operation weight value, the system call weight value, and the decoder weight value are then analyzed to identify a shellcode.
US08051469B2
A cryptographic session key is utilized to maintain security of a digital identity. The session key is valid only for a limited period of time. Additional security is provided via a bimodal credential allowing different levels of access to the digital identify. An identity token contains pertinent information associated with the digital identity. The identity token is encrypted utilizing public-key cryptography. An identifier utilized to verify the validity of the digital identity is encrypted with the cryptographic session key. The encrypted identity token and the encrypted identifier are provided to a service for example. The service decrypts the encrypted identity token utilizing public key cryptography, and decrypts, with the cryptographic session key obtained from the identity token, the encrypted identifier. If the identifier is determined to be valid, the transaction proceeds normally. If the identifier is determined to be invalid, the transaction is halted.
US08051467B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive from a requesting device, at a memory device, a request to access a memory domain associated with the memory device, and to deny, by the memory device, the request if the memory domain comprises any part of a secure domain, and the requesting device has not asserted a secure transfer indication. Additional operations may include granting the request if the memory domain comprises some part of the secure domain and the requesting device has asserted the secure transfer signal, or if the memory domain comprises only a non-secure domain. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08051464B2
A method for provisioning client devices securely and automatically by means of a network provisioning system is disclosed. Provisioning occurs before the client is granted access to the network. The provisioning is determined dynamically at the time a client connects to the network and may depend on a multitude of factors specified by data dictionaries of the provisioning system.
US08051459B2
A Security Enhanced Linux (SELinux) system implementing extended policy models and method for their enforcement, is provided. Extended attributes are defined to specify extended policies. The SELinux policy model is extended to include the extended policies. The extended policies are enforced in addition to SELinux Type Enforcement. In one implementation, defining extended attributes involves defining TC-related attributes to specify TC-related policies. Further, extending the SELinux policy model includes extending the SELinux policy model to include the TC-related policies, in addition to SELinux Type Enforcement. Furthermore, enforcing the extended policies includes enforcing the TC-related policies in addition to SELinux Type Enforcement.
US08051458B2
A method and system for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability. The method includes determining a last channel a television was tuned to prior to being turned off. Then it is determined whether the last channel is a radio frequency remodulated (RF-remodulated) channel. If the last channel is a RF-remodulated channel, then sending a signal to indicate that the television is on line with the RF-remodulated channel. If a tuner is not available for the television, then receiving an indication of a cable channel that was last RF-remodulated to the RF-remodulated channel for the television. Finally, changing the television to the cable channel.
US08051451B2
A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes a reception unit for receiving a broadcast signal which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, an extractor for extracting transmission parameter channel signaling information and fast information channel signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, an acquirer for acquiring a program table describing virtual channel information and a service of an ensemble by using the extracted fast information channel signaling information, the ensemble being a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, a detector for detecting a descriptor defining Internet access information corresponding to the mobile service data by using the acquired program table, and a controller for controlling such that the Internet access information of the detected descriptor and the mobile service data are displayed.
US08051449B2
The present invention relates to a portable information terminal apparatus for additionally displaying information about other programs broadcast in the same time slot as a user-selected program. A TV program recording preset program under control of an I/O control program receives input of a user-selected start time of a given TV program. In turn, the TV program recording preset program extracts from a program list memory not the user-selected time but the start and end times of the TV program relative to the selected time, and retrieves information about all TV programs to be broadcast between the extracted start and end times so as to create a table of TV programs available in the designated time slot. The table is output to a display unit for display under control of the I/O control program.
US08051447B2
An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide including a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances, and a condensed program guide including a condensed matrix of a subset of the cells and at least one interstitial symbol representing at least one of the cells excluded from the condensed matrix. In certain embodiments, the media content processing subsystem is configured to provide a graphical user interface to a display for presentation to a user, the graphical user interface including at least a portion of the condensed program guide. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interface includes a visual indicator of the interstitial symbol indicating a matrix position of a cell excluded from the condensed matrix. In certain embodiments, the interstitial symbol is spatially insubstantial in the condensed matrix.
US08051442B2
Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting advertisements in association with broadcast video content on a presentation device in a non-residential location. The advertisements are identified based on characteristics of the non-residential location, such as goods or services offered at the non-residential location. The advertisements may be presented simultaneously with the broadcast video content, or may be used as substitute content to replace interstitials within the broadcast video content.
US08051441B2
An optical article for playback in a player includes a plurality of optically detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; and wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically detectable marks and their associated first control logic. A method of making the optical article, a method of customizing the optical article, a method and a system for the playback of the optical article are also included.
US08051439B2
A disk drive includes: a pair of guide walls, which is arranged in the vicinity of the holder opening of a cartridge holder to define a direction in which a disk cartridge is supposed to be inserted; a first opening/closing lever, which has a first engaging portion that engages with a portion of the disk cartridge and which rotates while the disk cartridge is being inserted or ejected; and a second opening/closing lever, which has a second engaging portion that engages with another portion of the disk cartridge and which rotates while the disk cartridge is being inserted or ejected. The pivots of the first and second opening/closing levers are arranged opposite to the holder opening. The first and second opening/closing levers rotate so as to leave a broader gap between the first and second engaging portions than between the guide walls when the drive gets loaded with the disk cartridge, thereby opening a window in the disk cartridge.
US08051437B2
There is provided a tray including a tray main body that can be nipped by a driving roller rotatably driven and a plurality of driven rollers driven to rotate by making contact with the driving roller, the tray main body having a plate shape, a concave portion in which a thin plate shaped body can be set, the concave portion being formed in the tray main body, a fitting convex portion that is fitted in a fitting hole formed in the thin plate shaped body, the fitting convex portion being provided in the concave portion, and a plurality of elastic pieces for holding the thin plate shaped body by elastically making contact with an inner edge of the fitting hole, the elastic pieces being provided along an outer edge of the fitting convex portion.
US08051433B1
A system and method provides efficient message processing of assets. The system and method places all messages in a queue as they are received from an information feed and groups the messages according to the entities with which they are associated. The messages within each group are sorted according to the time the message was generated by the information feed, and then are processed in the order in which they were generated.
US08051432B2
Techniques for establishing virtual devices are presented. A legacy control system is encapsulated as a virtual device. The virtual device is isolated within a host hardware associate with a host OS and access to and from the virtual device is authenticated and controlled by the host OS. Legacy hardware used by the legacy control system is connected to the host hardware, thereby permitting the legacy control system to continue to access the legacy hardware when the virtual device processes.
US08051423B2
The present invention is directed to a parallel processing infrastructure, which enables the robust design of task scheduler(s) and communication primitive(s). This is achieved, in one embodiment of the present invention, by decomposing the general problem of exploiting parallelism into three parts. First, an infrastructure is provided to track resources. Second, a method is offered by which to expose the tracking of the aforementioned resources to task scheduler(s) and communication primitive(s). Third, a method is established by which task scheduler(s) in turn may enable and/or disable communication primitive(s). In this manner, an improved parallel processing infrastructure is provided.
US08051421B2
A method and system are described for estimating resource provisioning. An example method may include obtaining a workflow path including an external invocation node and respective groups of service nodes, node connectors, and hardware nodes, and including a directed ordered path indicating ordering of a flow of execution of services associated with the service nodes, from the external invocation node, to a hardware node, determining an indicator of a service node workload based on attribute values associated with a service node and an indicator of a propagated workload based on combining attribute values associated with the external invocation node and other service nodes or node connectors preceding the service node in the workflow path based on the ordering, and provisioning the service node onto a hardware node based on combining the indicator of the service node workload and an indicator of a current resource demand associated with the hardware node.
US08051401B2
A technique for generating a layout of an integrated circuit places standard cells in position and provides power rail conductors formed in a second metal layer overlying power connection conductors formed in a first metal layer via which the power is supplied to the standard cells. Routing connection conductors are added in the first metal layer and are permitted to pass through gaps between the power connection conductors of the first metal layer and underneath the power rail conductors of the second metal layer. Once routing has been performed, gaps between the power connection conductors of the first metal layer underlying the power rail conductors and not being used by routing connection conductors are closed so as form interrupted power rail conductors within the first meal layer.
US08051388B2
There is provided a device having a function of browsing contents obtained through a network. The device includes a display unit, an operation unit, a storing unit configured to store a thumbnail corresponding to a part of a captured image of contents as a bookmark, and a thumbnail rearrangement control unit configured to form a screen displaying stored thumbnails on the display unit while arranging the thumbnails in a ring shape, to accept user designation of a target thumbnail to be moved through the operation unit, to rotate the thumbnails arranged in the ring shape on the screen in response to a user operation through the operation unit while keeping a potion of the target thumbnail at a predetermined position in the screen, and to accept user designation of a target position to which the target thumbnail is to be moved through the operation unit.
US08051387B2
Methods, computer program products and apparatus provide an improved spatial user interface for content providers. In one non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, a method includes: displaying a plurality of first user interface (UI) objects each corresponding to an individual category of a plurality of categories, wherein a distance between two displayed first UI objects is indicative of a degree of similarity between the corresponding categories; and in response to a user selection of one of the displayed first UI objects, displaying at least one second UI object identifying at least one content provider associated with the category of the selected first UI object. The exemplary method may be utilized, for example, to assist a user in locating radio stations similar to a preferred radio station.
US08051386B2
Systems, processors and methods display image views of stacks or volume image data and allow a user to navigate the data and/or views using CAD findings. The systems, methods or processors can generate vicinity CAD marks that have an appearance that varies depending (a) the proximity to the suspected abnormality and/or (b) the navigation direction required to move to the suspected abnormality. The visual appearance of a respective vicinity CAD mark in a view can correspond to proximity of the related suspected abnormality to a current view, whereby the vicinity CAD marks have higher intensity, color saturation, size, or other more dominant visual characteristic in views close to the suspected abnormality and lower intensity, color saturation, smaller size or other less dominant visual characteristic in views further away from the suspected abnormality.
US08051385B1
An electronic device includes a content display for presenting content. The electronic device also includes a control display for enabling selection of a portion of the content. The content includes a plurality of items. The control display also enables a plurality of respective batch operations to be performed on the items.
US08051381B2
An appliance configured to perform a physical cycle of operation on an article includes a controller that controls the cycle of operation, an interface in network communication with the controller and adapted to connect to an accessory configurable to affect the cycle of operation, and a graphical user interface in network communication with the controller and the interface so that an accessory connected to the interface is configurable using the graphical user interface to affect the cycle of operation of the appliance.
US08051376B2
A method for creating a customized music visualization display for a music input involves presenting a user with a plurality of effects icons and a visualizer canvas as a portion of the user interface display. A user places one or more of the visual effects icons on the visualizer canvas. A sweep arm travels in a continuous sweeping motion through an arc and at a speed determined by a musical input and where each effect icon is detected and the effect is displayed when the sweep arm impacts the location of the video effect icon within the visualizer canvas.
US08051374B1
A computer-implemented method for determining whether a target text-string is correctly spelled is provided. The target text-string is compared to a corpus to determine a set of contexts which each include an occurrence of the target text-string. Using heuristics, each context of the set is characterized based on occurrences in the corpus of the target text-string and a reference text-string. Contexts are characterized as including a correct spelling of the target text-string, an incorrect spelling of the reference text-string, or including an indeterminate usage of the target text-string. A likelihood that the target text-string is a misspelling of the reference text-string is computed as a function of the quantity of contexts including a correct spelling of the target text-string and the quantity of contexts including an incorrect spelling of a reference text-string. In one application, the target text-string is received in a search query, the search executed following a spell-check.
US08051364B2
A parallel-to-serial conversion method for IBMA in a Reed Solomon decoder is used for obtaining discrepancies in IBMA iterations, thereby acquiring an error location polynomial and an error value polynomial. Syndrome sequences for the calculation of discrepancies in IBMA iterations have a fixed length. The number of syndromes is t+1, where t is the largest number of symbols that can be corrected of the error location polynomial. The feature that syndrome sequences have the same length is based on the fact that the discrepancies are not affected if the coefficients of polynomial orders of the error location polynomial are zero.
US08051360B2
A method and apparatus for receiving a wireless signal of a control channel wherein the wireless signal includes control information and an N bit field. The N bit field includes an N bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC) and an N bit user equipment (UE) identity wherein the value of N is a positive integer. The UE identity may be any one of a plurality of UE identities associated with the UE.
US08051356B2
Provided are an apparatus and method for receiving a signal in a communication system, in which a signal is received and decoded by setting an offset indicating a start position of a node operation for each block column of a parity check matrix of a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code and scheduling an order of performing the node operation on a Partial Parallel Scheduling (PPS) group basis. Here, the parity check matrix includes p×L rows and q×L columns, the p×L rows are grouped into p block rows, the q×L columns are grouped into q block columns, and each PPS group includes one column from each of the q block columns.
US08051341B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a test address generating circuit configured on the device. The test address generating circuit generates a plurality of test addresses for a test of the semiconductor memory device in response to at least one externally applied test address generation signal. As a result, the number of DUTs can increase, based on a reduction of required address pins, and manufacturing productivity and test efficiency of semiconductor memory devices can increase.
US08051331B2
In the initial setting of a memory card 1, the flash check data FD stored in a flash memory 2 is read out, this data FD is compared with the operation check data FD11 stored previously in the ROM, the write check data FD12 stored in the ROM 4a is written, if a fault is not detected, to the flash memory 2, and this data is read again and is compared with the write check data. FD12 of the ROM 4a. When any fault is not detected in comparison of these data, the CPU determines that the flash memory 2 is normal. Moreover, if a fault is detected in the comparison of data, the CPU sets the reset process fault data to a register 5a to set a controller 3 to the sleep mode. When the command CMD is received during this period, data comparison is executed again.
US08051328B1
On or more techniques and/or systems are provided for rapidly resuming processing of client requests after a system failure event. Accordingly, during a boot-up process, a storage system, upon detecting a system failure event of the storage system, conditions its system memory to reflect a state of the system memory at a time of the failure by processing client requests or commands stored in a non-volatile operations log. The storage system can resume processing client requests after processing the operations in the nonvolatile operations log and prior to flushing data to storage devices.
US08051327B2
Machines may be connected to power distribution units (PDU/STSs) in such a way that if one PDU/STS fails or is taken out of service, the machines' loads are shifted more-or-less evenly to the other PDU/STSs. Several PDU/STSs may be provided for a group of dual-corded machines. The two cords of each machine are connected to a pair of PDU/STSs. Different pairs of PDU/STSs may be used for different machines. In normal operation, each machine may draw part of its power through each of the two cords. If one PDU/STS to which a machine is connected fails or is taken out of service, the entire load on that machine may be shifted to its remaining cord. Since redistribution may be approximately even across PDU/STSs, tolerance for one PDU/STS failure can be implemented with relatively little over-sizing of the PDU/STSs.
US08051326B2
System and method for completeness of transmission control protocol (TCP) high availability (HA) are disclosed. The system includes an active processor, having an application and a TCP, and a standby processor, having another application and another TCP; wherein communications among the active application, the active TCP, the standby application and the standby TCP quickly and efficiently enable the system seamlessly switching over from the active processor to the standby processor for transmission of incoming TCP data streams and outgoing TCP data streams if the active processor fails.
US08051324B1
Described are techniques for executing an application on two or more processors. A first portion of one or more modules of the application is determined. A second portion of one or more modules of the application is determined. The first portion of modules is executed on each of the two or more processor. A first of said two or more processor is selected as an active processor. The second portion of modules is executed on the active processor and not on the other ones of said two or more processors.
US08051321B2
When a first server node fails in a cluster system, a client node device transmits failure detection information to a second server node device. Upon receipt of the failure detection information, the second server node device transmits a survival confirmation request to the first server node device. When receiving no survival confirmation response from the first server node device, the second server node device determines that the first server node device has failed and starts the switching control of a server node device which performs a service process. Upon receipt of failure detection information, the second server node device starts switching control when further receiving failure detection information from another client node device.
US08051314B2
A host device and a storage device with a Serial ATA (SATA) architecture to independently transition to a deeper low power state after first entering an initial low power state without first transitioning to the Active state. The transition from the Partial state to the Slumber state is direct and the transition may be enabled, but not negotiated through a handshaking process.
US08051312B2
An integrated circuit includes an energy controller that generates a power supply voltage level for the integrated circuit based on a desired target frequency value for the integrated circuit. The energy controller configures a programmable hardware process sensor based on the power supply voltage level such that the programmable hardware process sensor is capable of mimicking the electrical characteristics of a predetermined critical path associated with the integrated circuit when operating at the power supply voltage level. By monitoring the frequency of the programmable hardware process sensor over a period of time, the energy controller can compare the monitored frequency to an expected value and determine whether the power supply voltage level can be adjusted or whether it should be maintained.
US08051309B2
A mobile computing device is described that includes multiple device components, a power supply and a power line connected to each device component. The power supply is operative to provide power signals to the device components over the power lines. The mobile computing device also includes a processor operative to generate a control signal for one or more device components. A power line communications control module is connected to the power supply and the processor, the power line communications control module is operative to receive a power signal and a control signal for a device component, combine the power signal and control data from the control signal to form a power data signal, and send the power data signal to the device component over a corresponding power line. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08051308B2
A method to power an electronic device through an electrical connection port of a display device, includes electrically connecting a display device to a first power source of a host capable of controlling the display device by control signals therefrom, and a second power source independent from the host, the control signals indicating statuses of the host, each of the status comprising a normal mode, a power-saving mode, or a power off mode, and powering the electronic device electrically connected to the display device through the electrical connection port thereof by means of using one of the first and second power sources based on the control signals transmittable from the host to the display device.
US08051304B2
In a power supply apparatus for supplying a target power supply voltage to a microprocessor, a system controller sets the target power supply voltage to be supplied to the microprocessor based on a voltage configuration signal outputted from the microprocessor and outputs a voltage setting signal corresponding to the target power supply voltage. The regulator circuit generates the target power supply voltage set by the system controller based on the voltage setting signal outputted from the system controller and supplies the voltage to the microprocessor 10. The system controller acquires the conditions of the microprocessor, such as the operating time and temperature of the microprocessor and the amount of computation in the microprocessor, and reflects the acquired conditions on the setting of the power supply voltage.
US08051302B1
Encrypted music data and additional information necessary for accessing a server (30) are copied from a CD-ROM (200) onto a memory card (110). The memory card (110) receives via a digital portable phone network the distribution of a contents decoding key (Kc) necessary for decoding encrypted music data and control information data (AC1) for limiting the number of accesses to the memory card from the server (30).
US08051299B2
A method for secure loading, integrity checking of the runtime image and control over the runtime execution of applications which ensures that a software application loads only code it was authorized to load, and that the software application is monitored for unauthorized modifications of the runtime image. The method proposed can be used as a basis for further enforcing of authorization rules during the execution of an application, e.g. for Digital Rights Management.
US08051298B1
A system and computer implemented method for identifying active applications in an enterprise computing system is provided. The method includes defining a plurality of fingerprints for an application. A first fingerprint is related to a directory structure associated with the application. A second fingerprint is related to checking memory of at least some of the enterprise computing systems for data related to the application. The method includes searching the enterprise computing system for at least one fingerprint. The method includes when a fingerprint is found, identifying the application associated with the fingerprint as active.
US08051293B2
Various improvements to data processing systems involve enhancements to BIOS functionality, use of identifiers associated with specific instances of hardware, and data hiding techniques—sometimes alone, sometimes in combination. Many of these improvements can be applied to increase the security of computer systems, and networks of which they form part.
US08051288B2
Architecture that facilitates validation of a data mapping of data from a data source to a data target. There is included a signature generation component that generates a source signature of all or a portion of the data source and a target signature of all or a corresponding portion of the data target, and a sampling component that obtains a sample of the source data a corresponding sample of the target data. The data signatures and data samples are compared respectively and processed with a processing component to determine the status of the validation process.
US08051282B2
A method of identifying a reset condition includes the steps of determining if a stored value is equal to a specified value, executing a first mode if the stored value is not equal to the specified value, and executing a second mode if the stored value is equal to the specified value. The second mode also includes the step of setting the stored value to a value different than the specified value.
US08051278B2
Provided is a microcomputer having the improved flexibility in changing correspondences between exception causes and exception vectors. The microcomputer includes: a vector candidate output section capable of outputting a plurality of vector candidates; an address selecting section selecting, as an exception vector, one of the vector candidates according to an exception cause; an instruction execution section starting an exception processing routine by accessing a memory area specified by the exception vector; and a correspondence changing section changing the number of exception causes associated with at least one of address candidates included in the vector candidates.
US08051262B2
A storage system stores golden image of a server or any physical/virtual machine execution environment and associate the golden image and the storage port. The storage system also creates the copy of the golden image to the logical volume, and allocates the internal path between the storage port and the logical volume. Upon receiving an access request from the host computer via the storage port, the storage system transfers the access request between the storage port and the logical volume which stores the copy of golden image associated with the host computer.
US08051258B2
A storage system includes a storage medium configured to store data and a buffer memory configured to buffer data to be written to the storage medium. The storage system further includes a controller configured to selectively transfer the buffered data to the storage medium responsive to an invalidity indicator received from an external source. For example, the invalidity indicator may comprise unwrite information received from an external source, e.g., information that indicates that selected buffered data corresponds to deleted file data.
US08051257B2
In a nonvolatile memory with block management system, critical data such as control data for the block management system is maintained in duplicates. Various methods are described for robustly writing and reading two copies of critical data in multi-state memory. In another aspect of the invention, a preemptive garbage collection on memory block containing control data avoids an undesirable situation where a large number of such memory blocks need be garbage collected at the same time.
US08051254B2
A storage device including a logical volume being a migration source of an application copies data stored in the logical volume being a migration source into a logical volume being a migration destination of the application. After such a copy process is started, the storage device stores the data written into the logical volume being a migration source as differential data without storing the data into the logical volume being a migration source. When the copy process is completed for the data stored in the logical volume being a migration source, a management computer starts copying of the differential data, and in a time interval after the copying of the data stored in the logical volume being a migration source is completed but before the copying of the differential data is completed, a computer being a migration destination of the application is turned ON. With such a logically-partitioned computer system, power consumption at the time of application migration can be reduced.
US08051252B2
Method and apparatus for rapidly determining whether a particular subblock of data is present in a reduced-redundancy storage system. An aspect of the invention achieves this by hashing each subblock in the storage system into a bitfilter that contains a ‘1’ bit for each position to which at least one subblock hashes. This bitfilter provides an extremely fast way to determine whether a subblock is in the storage system. In a further aspect of the invention, index entries for new subblocks may be buffered in a subblock index write buffer so as to convert a large number of random access read and write operations into a single sequential read and a single sequential write operation. The combination of the bitfilter and the write buffer yields a reduced-redundancy storage system that uses significantly less high speed random access memory than is used by systems that store the entire subblock index in memory.
US08051250B2
A system for pushing data, the system includes a source node that stores a coherent copy of a block of data. The system also includes a push engine configured to determine a next consumer of the block of data. The determination being made in the absence of the push engine detecting a request for the block of data from the next consumer. The push engine causes the source node to push the block of data to a memory associated with the next consumer to reduce latency of the next consumer accessing the block of data.
US08051249B2
The present invention discloses methods for improving data-retrieval times from a non-volatile storage device. A method for preloading data to improve data-retrieval times from a non-volatile storage device, the method including the steps of: providing a cache memory for preloading the data upon a host-system request to read the data; determining that a plurality of data segments that constitute a non-contiguous data object, stored in the storage device such that at least one data segment is non-contiguous to a preceding data segment in the data object, are in a predictable sequence; and preloading a non-contiguous next data segment in the predictable sequence into the cache memory after loading a current data segment into a host system from the cache memory, wherein the next data segment is preloaded prior to the host-system request to read the next data segment.
US08051246B1
A method and apparatus for utilizing a semiconductor memory of a node as disk cache is described. In one embodiment, a method of utilizing a semiconductor memory of a second server for a first server, comprising generating a storage access request at a first server, routing the storage access request through a communication link to a second server and performing the storage access request using a semiconductor memory of the second server.
US08051240B2
Optimized verify and read pass voltages are obtained to improve read accuracy in a non-volatile storage device. The optimized voltages account for changes in unselected storage element resistance when the storage elements become programmed. This change in resistance is referred to as a front pattern effect. In one approach, the verify pass voltage is higher than the read pass voltage, and a common verify voltage is applied on the source and drain sides of a selected word line. In other approaches, different verify pass voltages are applied on the source and drain sides of the selected word line. An optimization process can include determining a metric for different sets of verify and read pass voltages. The metric can indicate threshold voltage width, read errors or a decoding time or number of iterations of an ECC decoding engine.
US08051239B2
A memory bank contains a plurality of memories, a first Butterfly network is configured to apply memory addresses to the memory bank, and a second Butterfly network is configured to pass data to or from the memory bank. A control signal is generated for the first and second Butterfly networks in accordance with a multiple access rule to enable parallel access to the memory bank, without memory access conflict, for one of a linear order and an interleaved order. The method and apparatus is particularly advantageous for use in turbo decoding.
US08051234B2
The present invention provides a technique capable of processing a plurality of interrupt causes sharing one interrupt request in different processors. An interrupt controller outputs an interrupt request when the interrupt request shared by a plurality of interrupt causes is notified. The interrupt request output by the interrupt controller is accepted by one of the processors. The processor accepting the interrupt request determines whether the interrupt cause that the processor must process has occurred, executes an interrupt processing when such interrupt cause has occurred, and notifies the generation of the interrupt request to another processor that processes another interrupt cause of the plurality of interrupt causes sharing the interrupt request when the relevant interrupt cause has not occurred.
US08051232B2
Methods and apparatuses for identifying types of data streams and communicating stream information to improve performance of data storage devices are disclosed. Method embodiments generally comprise identifying one or more isochronous requests among a plurality of requests which may be issued to a data storage device, assigning a completion deadline an isochronous request, and communicating the isochronous request and completion deadline information to the data storage device. Apparatus embodiments generally comprise a request identifier to identify an isochronous request, a logic module to assign a completion deadline to the isochronous request, and a communication module to communicate the isochronous request and the completion deadline to a data storage device. Alternative apparatus embodiments may include a monitor module to monitor a system process operating in the system and determine if the system process issues isochronous requests. Various embodiments may process asynchronous requests, including prioritized asynchronous requests, with the isochronous requests.
US08051223B1
In an embodiment, buffer constructs may be generated to be associated with any one of multiple mutually exclusive states, including an open state and a closed state. When the buffer construct is in the closed state, the region of memory represented by the buffer construct is made accessible to one or more direct memory access (DMA) operations. Upon completion of the one or more DMA operations, the buffer construct transitions from the closed state to the open state. The region of memory represented by the buffer construct is made accessible for use with one or more cache operations when the buffer construct is in the open state, so that the one or more cache operations are not in conflict with the one or more DMA operations.
US08051222B2
An apparatus and a process for transferring packet data includes receiving packets from a first interface such as a network interface and transferring data to a second interface such as an SD Bus interface such as SDIO using a protocol such as one described in SDCard.org. The SD Bus second interface operates as a slave device to a master device, and the packet transfer from first interface to second interface includes concatenating length fields and packet data fields from packets received on the first interface to form a superframe which is provided to the second interface at time of data transfer. The formation of each superframe includes starting a timer such that the superframe is transmitted to the second interface by asserting an interrupt on that interface when either the timer expires, the number of packet from the first interface exceeds a threshold, or the amount of data from the first interface exceeds a threshold.
US08051216B2
A method and integrated circuit for providing enclosure management services compatible with a multitude of physical interfaces and protocols for exchanging enclosure management data between an HBA and an enclosure management backplane is provided. According to one method, two or more interfaces utilized for exchanging enclosure management data may be monitored to determine whether one of the interfaces is actively being utilized by an HBA to transmit enclosure management data. If one of the interfaces is identified as being active, a determination is then made as to which of a plurality of protocols for transferring enclosure management data is being utilized on the active interface. In particular, a determination may be made as to whether a protocol defined by one HBA manufacturer is being utilized or whether another protocol defined by another HBA manufacturer is being utilized. Alternatively, a determination may be made as to whether one of a multitude of different protocols defined by the same manufacturer is being utilized. Once the interface and protocol have been identified, enclosure management data received on the active interface is decoded utilizing the identified protocol.
US08051214B1
A system and method are provided for accelerating data transfer between networked databases. First provided are a plurality of databases coupled by a network. At least one laser unit is coupled to each database. In operation, such laser units are capable of communicating data between the databases via free space by way of a laser beam. This allows data communication at a rate faster than that which the network is capable.
US08051213B2
A network controller improves load-balancing within a network system without requiring an intelligent switch having TCP splicing capability. The network controller forwards connections in response to directives from the connected server, permitting connection splicing within the network controller, but in response to a determination within the server that a connection to an alternative node is more desirable. The server detects that a packet buffer for an original destination node exceeds a threshold and sends a command to the network controlled to forward connections to an alternate destination node. The alternative node connection can be determined based on data availability, server load or other criteria. The packet forwarding mechanism and can be implemented very compactly within the firmware of the network controller and the server forwarding control can be communicated via the network controller device driver.
US08051211B2
A method and system for multi-bridge LAN aggregation is disclosed. The method includes aggregating a plurality of LANs coupling a host to a first and a second intermediate network device. The system includes an intermediate network device. The intermediate network device includes a multi-bridge engine. The multi-bridge engine includes a tunnel engine coupled to a bridge interconnect port and a first physical port.
US08051210B2
A server includes a processor, a memory, and a plurality of interfaces for outputting server status information. A LAN switch includes a first port configured to be coupled to a first LAN, a second port configured to be coupled to a second LAN, and a plurality of interface connection ports. Each interface connection port is configured to be coupled to one of the plurality of interfaces. The LAN switch is configured to selectively connect ports of the switch based on a combination of a first set of connection information received from the first LAN through the first port and a second set of connection information received from the second LAN through the second port.
US08051207B2
Server state objects are identified by an intermediate server among packets transmitted between an application server and a client device on a network based upon a stateless communication protocol, by monitoring and analyzing the packets transmitted between the application server and the client device. The packets are parsed into a plurality of name-value pairs. The entropy of the name-value pairs having a same name field is computed, and candidate data objects that are likely to be server state objects are selected based upon the computed entropy. Candidate data objects that were transmitted bi-directionally between the application sever and the client device are identified as server state objects.
US08051203B2
Techniques are disclosed for abstracting write acceleration techniques and tape acceleration techniques away from transport providers (e.g., away from an FC or FCIP interlink between two storage area networks) and allowing acceleration to be provided as a service by nodes within the storage area network (SAN). Doing so allows the acceleration service to be provided anywhere in the SAN. Further, doing so allows users to scale the acceleration service as needed, without having to create awkward topologies of multiple VSANS. Further still, as the acceleration service is offered independently from the transport, compression, encryption, and other services may be offered as part of the transport between the FC/FCIP connection along with the acceleration service.
US08051195B1
A method and system for providing content in a virtual environment. A host computer hosting a region in a virtual environment provides an event stream including a plurality of event data segments identifying activity occurring in the virtual environment to a client computer participating in the virtual environment. The host computer receives a request to provide virtual environment content including imagery data associated with the virtual environment to the client computer, and provides a content stream including a plurality of content data segments containing virtual environment content at a content stream bandwidth based on an event stream bandwidth associated with the event stream to the client computer.
US08051190B2
System and method for processing received packets. A QuickNak (QN) packet may be received. The QN packet may include a segmentation and reassembly (SAR) packet. The SAR packet may be delivered to a SAR receiver and it may be determined if there are missing packets, e.g., after delivery of the SAR packet. If there are missing packets, a QN indication may be generated and provided to the SAR receiver. Alternatively, the SAR receiver may receive the SAR packet with the QN indication. Accordingly, the SAR packet may be stored in a reception buffer or delivered to an upper layer, e.g., depending on current state variables. The SAR receiver may update the state variables and determine if there are missing packets. If there are missing packets, the SAR receiver may deliver an indication of the missing packets.
US08051186B2
Method for device capability negotiation, and method, system and device for synchronization. The synchronization system includes a synchronization server and a synchronization client. The synchronization server or the synchronization client is adapted to skip the device capability negotiation and directly perform a synchronization with the synchronization server and the synchronization client when the negotiated device capability or status ID, or the status ID indicating that the device capability has not been changed and has been stored. The method for device capability negotiation includes receiving an operation request carrying a parameter requesting a device capability negotiation; determining that the session is a device capability negotiation session according to the parameter requesting the device capability negotiation, carried by the request; returning a response and performing the device capability negotiation; storing results of the device capability negotiation. Embodiments of the present invention can improve the synchronization efficiency.
US08051183B1
Non-disruptive server replacement for session-based clients. An embodiment of a method includes establishing a first session between a first storage server and a client, the first storage server comprising a data component coupled to a data storage, a network component, and a session data structure in the network component for the first session. Transferring an operation of the first storage server to a second storage server during the first session with the client, wherein the second storage server is a replacement storage server for the first storage server.
US08051182B2
The present invention is a network layer protocol used for free-space optical transmission utilizing an LED or LD as a light source. In order to connect to a device, the network layer issues a connection request command (LAP_con_req2) to a lower layer when the network layer has received a connection request command (LM_con_req1) from an upper layer. Furthermore, when the network layer has received a connection confirmation command reception notification (LAP_con_conf1) from the lower layer, the network layer issues a connection confirmation command reception notification (LM_con_conf2) to the upper layer without issuing a data transfer request command to the lower layer. Accordingly, the invention provides a network layer protocol with which time for a connection or disconnection is reduced.
US08051181B2
A technique is disclosed for establishing a secure communication link between a first computer and a second computer over a computer network. Initially, a secure communication mode of communication is enabled at a first computer without a user entering any cryptographic information for establishing the secure communication mode of communication. Then, a secure communication link is established between the first computer and a second computer over a computer network based on the enabled secure communication mode of communication. The secure communication link is a virtual private network communication link over the computer network in which one or more data values that vary according to a pseudo-random sequence are inserted into each data packet.
US08051175B2
A method and system for providing enhanced intelligent agents that are moveable by a user from a browser application to a desktop. In specific embodiments, agents provide advanced interactive graphics and communications back to a server.
US08051173B2
A monitoring device and a method for monitoring at least two resources at a node in a cluster system are provided. A priority is allocated to each of the at least two resources. In the monitoring device and in the method, one of the at least two resources to be monitored is selected on the basis of the associated priority, and a monitoring detector which is required for the monitoring is selected for the resource. Furthermore, the monitoring detector is run, and the monitoring of the resource is performed once by the monitoring detector. The result of the monitoring performed by the monitoring detector is signaled. Selection via the associated priority and the single monitoring save computation time at the node. The monitoring detector can be a dynamic library.
US08051172B2
A communication system issues tokens in order to control communication received by the system. The tokens are arbitrary symbols which are stored in one or more Token Logs (TLs) for future reference. Those to whom the tokens are issued use specific tokens by including them in messages sent to the token issuer. The communication systems belonging to the potential token users record tokens which they have been issued, so that those tokens may be included in subsequent communication to the token issuers. Incoming messages without tokens are given a tokenless status and possibly rejected. Token-request tokens are automatically issued to allow other individuals to request tokens which can be used in subsequent communication. Multiple Token Logs are synchronized across multiple devices. Functional and informational message address headers are employed when sending messages so that tokens issued to a given user are not divulged to other message recipients who are different from the given user and different from the token issuer.
US08051155B2
A method of persisting SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) variable values associated with SNMP object IDs for an SNMP managed network element across network element reloads comprises implementing a generic persist operation at the network element; and defining, in conjunction with the generic persist operation, at least one object ID for which a value is to be persisted.
US08051149B2
An apparatus for provisioning a data communications client on a host communications device, the host communications device adapted to operate on a communications network, the apparatus comprising: a first data store adapted to store variant configuration information; a second data store adapted to store provisioning information; a provisioning module adapted to select the provisioning information stored in said second data store as a function of the variant configuration information stored in said first data store and apply the selected provisioning information to provision the data communications client; and a user interface interacting with said provisioning module to enable a user of the host communications device to provision the data communications client.
US08051145B2
A method of providing data to two client devices on a first network having a shared cache from a server device on a second network. An instance of substantially simultaneous requests for data being made to a server from two client devices on a same network is identified. In response to a first request for the data being received at a first point in time a first one of the two client devices is served with the requested data from the server such that the data is stored in the shared cache. The second one of the two client devices is directed to make a second request for the data at a second point in time, later than the first point in time, so that the requested data is available in the stored cache.
US08051143B2
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for sharing sessions between web-based applications. These mechanisms and methods can enable embodiments to provide sharing sessions between web-based applications. A method embodiment includes receiving a request to access a second web application from a user currently accessing a first web application. Session information from a first session between the user and the first web application is provided to a second session established between the user and the second web application. Access to the second web application is provided responsive to the user's request, using session information from the first session.
US08051127B2
Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.
US08051124B2
A matrix multiplication module and matrix multiplication method are provided that use a variable number of multiplier-accumulator units based on the amount of data elements of the matrices are available or needed for processing at a particular point or stage in the computation process. As more data elements become available or are needed, more multiplier-accumulator units are used to perform the necessary multiplication and addition operations. To multiply an N×M matrix by an M×N matrix, the total (maximum) number of used MAC units is “2*N−1”. The number of MAC units used starts with one (1) and increases by two at each computation stage, that is, at the beginning of reading of data elements for each new row of the first matrix. The sequence of the number of MAC units is {1, 3, 5, . . . , 2*N−1} for computation stages each of which corresponds to reading of data elements for each new row of the left hand matrix, also called the first matrix. For the multiplication of two 8×8 matrices, the performance is 16 floating point operations per clock cycle. For an FPGA running at 100 MHz, the performance is 1.6 Giga floating point operations per second. The performance increases with the increase of the clock frequency and the use of larger matrices when FPGA resources permit. Very large matrices are partitioned into smaller blocks to fit in the FPGA resources. Results from the multiplication of sub-matrices are combined to form the final result of the large matrices.
US08051121B2
According to some embodiments, a dual multiply-accumulate operation optimized for even and odd multisample calculations is disclosed.
US08051113B1
Method and system for managing a storage environment having a cluster based storage system and a non-cluster based storage system is provided. A management application collects information regarding components of both the cluster based storage system and the non-cluster based storage system. A layout having a plurality of data structures is generated and maintained by the management application. The data structures include information regarding the components and their relationships with each other, if any. The layout is used for responding to user requests and presenting an integrated view of the storage environment on a display device with selectable options for selecting the cluster based storage system components and the non-cluster based storage system components.
US08051106B2
An object oriented design for an automated modeling system for mapping and monitoring the business roles and impact of elements within an IT Infrastructure that make up specific applications or business processes, spanning not only network elements, hosts, servers and programs but also users, company structure and processes. The design including: a series of collector modules for collecting relationship, modeling and status information from IT specific sources used to build a model of the application or process in the database and to gather data about activities occurring on the computer network from a business impact perspective; a series of visualizer modules for reporting monitoring activities; a modeling database for storing information collected by the collector modules; a series of correlator modules for automatically determining relationships between data objects stored in the database to build application models of individual applications.
US08051104B2
Systems and methods that create and edit a network of interconnected concepts are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semantic engine implements a method comprising receiving a primary term representing a first concept to be added to a network of interrelated concepts, receiving at least one related term related to the primary term, receiving at least one relationship between the first concept and a second concept, receiving a strength value associated with the relationship, and adding the first concept to the network.
US08051096B1
Methods and systems for augmenting a token lexicon are presented. In one embodiment, a method comprising identifying a first token from a search request, storing the first token in a lexicon data storage, receiving a character string comprising a second token, wherein the second token is substantially similar to the first token, and parsing the character string using the lexicon data storage to resolve the second token is set forth. According to another embodiment, a method comprising identifying a first token from an interne article, storing the first token in a lexicon data storage, receiving a character string comprising a second token, wherein the second token is substantially similar to the first token, and parsing the character string using the lexicon data storage to resolve the second token is set forth.
US08051095B2
Systems and methods for data classification to facilitate and improve data management within an enterprise are described. The disclosed systems and methods evaluate and define data management operations based on data characteristics rather than data location, among other things. Also provided are methods for generating a data structure of metadata that describes system data and storage operations. This data structure may be consulted to determine changes in system data rather than scanning the data files themselves.
US08051092B2
Systems, methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for saving a plurality of objects to persistent storage as part of a finalize sequence. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method may include, receiving a request to instantiate a plurality of objects; sorting the plurality of objects based on a priority assigned to each of the plurality of objects before the request to instantiate the objects is received; and saving in sequence the sorted plurality of objects to the persistent storage.
US08051090B2
A file management method of a ring buffer includes translating actual positions of an actual file stored in the ring buffer into virtual positions of a virtual file according to a specific mapping manner, searching the actual positions in the actual file according to the virtual positions, and accessing data at the actual positions of the actual file stored in the ring buffer.
US08051088B1
A particular computer-implemented method includes generating a plurality of intent maps based on a plurality of documents. The plurality of intent maps includes a first intent map based on a first document and a second intent map based on a second document. Each intent map of the plurality of intent maps corresponds to a document of the plurality of documents and includes a set of event structures. Each event structure includes data descriptive of an actor and an action described in the document that corresponds to the intent map. The method also includes performing a comparison of event structures of the first intent map and event structures of the second intent map. The method further includes determining, based on the comparison, whether at least a portion of the first document is duplicative of at least a portion of the second document.
US08051075B2
A method includes processing a performance query to a dimensional data model by processing dimension coordinates that exist within the dimensional data model, wherein the dimension coordinates have a first particular grain (“finer grain”) that is finer than a second particular grain (“coarser grain”), the method to determine an evaluative score for a particular finer grain value based on performance facts for dimension coordinates associated with the particular finer grain value. Performance parameters are determined relative to a particular coarser grain value, against which to measure the performance facts associated with the finer grain value, including processing the temporal relationships of finer grain values to coarser grain values for the dimension coordinates. The evaluative score is determined for the particular finer grain value based on performance facts of dimension coordinates having the particular finer grain value, in view of the determined performance parameters.
US08051067B2
A system receives a request to search an electronic catalog of a vendor which specifies a query term. The query term is used to search an electronic catalog of a third party. The results obtained by searching the electronic catalog of the third party are parsed to uncover a keyword recognized by a search engine associated with the electronic catalog of the vendor. The uncovered keyword is then used in the search engine associated with the electronic catalog of the vendor to locate one or more items in the electronic catalog of the vendor. Items located in this manner are the search results responsive to the query term.
US08051057B2
A system for supplying network content to a device. The system includes a first interface for communicating with a network content source for retrieving the network content. The system also includes a second interface for communicating with the device for delivering processed network content to the device. The system includes an agent framework operatively connected to the first interface and the second interface and which operates a plurality of autonomous agents including a content retrieval agent, a content personalization agent, and a content delivery agent. The content retrieval agent is for retrieving the network content from the network content source via the first interface. The content personalization agent is for processing the network content thereby producing the processed network content. The content delivery agent is for delivering the processed network content to the device via the second interface.
US08051056B2
Methods are disclosed for acquiring ontological knowledge using query logs. In one embodiment, query logs are first utilized as a basis for identifying important contexts associated with terms belonging to a semantic category. Then, those contexts are as a basis for identifying new terms belonging to the same category or, in another embodiment, as a basis for removing extraneous or obsolete terms identified as being in the same category.
US08051052B2
The mobile storage device may be provided with a system agent that is able to create at least one hierarchical tree comprising nodes at different levels for controlling access to data stored in the memory by corresponding entities. Each node of the tree specifies permission or permissions of a corresponding entity or entities for accessing memory data. The permission or permissions at the node of each of the trees has a predetermined relationship to permission or permissions at nodes at a higher or lower or the same level in the same tree. Thus, the mobile storage devices may be issued without any trees already created so that the purchaser of the devices has a free hand in creating hierarchical trees adapted to the applications the purchaser has in mind. Alternatively, the mobile storage devices may also be issued with the trees already created so that a purchaser does not have to go through the trouble of creating the trees. In both situations, preferably certain functionalities of the trees can become fixed after the devices are made so that they cannot be further changed or altered. This provides greater control over access to the content in the device by the content owner. Thus, in one embodiment, the system agent can preferably be disabled so that no additional trees can be created.
US08051044B1
Continuous data protection is performed as two parallel processes: copying a data block from the storage device into the backup storage device (creating initial backup) and copying the data block to be written to the data storage into the incremental backup. When a write command is directed to a data storage block, it's intercepted and redirected to the backup storage, and data, which is to be written in accord to the write request, is written to the incremental backup on the backup storage. If write command is also directed to a data storage block identified for backup that has not yet been backed up, the identified data storage block is copied from the storage device to the intermediate storage device, the write command is executed on the identified data storage block from the storage device, and the data storage block is copied from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device. In case of an error accessing a block on the storage device, the block is marked as invalid. The system suspends a write command to the storage device during the initial data backup process if the intermediate storage device has reached a selected data capacity; and copies a selected amount of data from the intermediate storage device to the backup storage device.
US08051043B2
The present invention is capable of determining the rights to a file based on providing a descriptor. The descriptor can be calculated using an algorithm, which may be cryptographic and/or non-cryptographic. The descriptor may further be based on the file contents, metadata of the file, other file data, or any combination thereof to uniquely identify the file in a shared file repository. Since the descriptor is generated based on file data it will be the same regardless of which user generates it. Accordingly, only one copy of the file needs to be maintained in the shared file repository, thereby reducing the amount of network bandwidth required to assure the file is backed up and further reducing the amount of storage required to backup the files. This results in a vastly more efficient method of backup in terms of processing time, network bandwidth, and storage requirements.
US08051040B2
A system and method for modifying publication data in a publication system are described. An example embodiment includes receiving proposed publication data and accessing a success measurement associated with past publications within a publication system. The success measurement may indicate a measurement of success associated with the past publications. An example system and method may generate modification data to be used to modify the proposed publication data. The modification data may be based on the success measurement and proposed publication data.
US08051039B2
A system for storing time series data in a database using round robin includes a user input interface and a round robin database file manager. The interface receives inputs specifying a time period and a sample rate for collection of delta samples. Each sample represents a difference between two subsequent values of the time series data. The manager accumulates the samples over the time period in accordance with the sample rate, calculates a field size for storing the samples for the time period based on a maximum one of the samples, and writes the delta values to the database using the calculated field size. The database is relatable to a plurality of records. Each record corresponds to a respective time period for delta sample collection and has an adjustable field size for delta sample storage based on a maximum delta sample value for the respective time period.
US08051037B2
A system and method for pseudorandom permutation for interleaving in wireless communication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first ordered sequence of communication symbols having a first order, permuting the first ordered sequence of communication symbols to generate a second ordered sequence of communication symbols having a second order, and outputting the second ordered sequence of communication symbols, wherein the second order is based, at least in part, on a third order having a greater size than the second order, the third order being a pseudorandom permutation defined by the input-output relationship Y = mod ( m * S * ( S + 1 ) 2 , P ) , wherein P is the smallest power of two not less than the number of elements in the first ordered sequence, S is an input order represented by a sequence of consecutive integers from zero to P−1 in increasing order, Y is an output order represented as a sequence of integers, and m is an integer.
US08051029B2
A method provides a knowledgebase having a set of existing print product classes into which print product descriptions are classified. The method receives the new print product class from a user and maps the representation of new print product class conditions to be semantically consistent with the representation of existing class conditions. The method evaluates the new print product class to produce user feedback. The user feedback is output to the user. The new print product class is added to the knowledgebase only if the new print product class is valid and free of errors and semantically consistent with the definitions of already existing print product classes.
US08051026B2
A rules collector system and method. The system and method enables a process of capturing an expertise of an individual in a formalized manner, and which may update rules and knowledge databases with information based on the interaction with the individual. The system includes a rules retrieval coordinator responsive to an input from an individual and adapted to provide relevant information to the individual based on the input and to enable a bidirectional information exchange with the individual. A rules input processor is used for monitoring responses from the individual and generating one of a plurality of different outputs depending on the responses. A rules generator is responsive to the rules input processor and is used to form one or more new rules based on the responses from the individual. A rule integrity check subsystem automatically checks integrity of the new rule based on pre-existing rules.
US08051022B2
Memory architecture provides capabilities for high performance content search. The architecture creates an innovative memory that can be programmed with content search rules which are used by the memory to evaluate presented content for matching with the programmed rules. When the content being searched matches any of the rules programmed in the Programmable Intelligent Search Memory (PRISM) action(s) associated with the matched rule(s) are taken. The PRISM content search memory is embedded in a single core or multi-core processors or in multi-processor systems to perform content search. PRISM accelerates content search by offloading the content search tasks from the processors. Content search rules comprise of regular expressions which are converted to finite state automata and then programmed in PRISM for evaluating content with the search rules.
US08051016B2
A method of billing for printing service costs is presented. The method entails examining the content of a page and applying a cost function to approximate the cost of printing the page. Examining the content of the page may include detecting at least one object in the page and determining an approximate area of coverage of the detected object within the at least one object in the page. The cost function can approximate the cost of printing the page using the detected object and the determined approximate area of coverage of the detected object.
US08051014B2
A method and system are provided for a user to determine the status of a shipment being transported by a carrier. The user performs a transaction at a web site, and chooses a type of shipment. A file in markup language includes at least one link to shipment tracking information, and this file is provided to the user and saved locally at a user device. The user activates the file to check the shipping status, which is then displayed. In this way, the user is able to access aggregated shipping information from a plurality of carriers. Also, the user is able to obtain pinpoint shipping status, if the user needs more details than merely finding out a checkpoint through which a shipment has passed.
US08051000B2
Described are methods and systems, including computer program products, for trade strategy monitoring. A back-end server can receive a first input from a first client device indicative of a first trade strategy and a first test parameter. The back-end server can obtain historical data associated with the first trade strategy, execute the first trade strategy on the historical data in accordance with the first test parameter, and transmit the results in a normalized format to the first client device. The back-end server can receive a second input from a second client device indicative of a second trade strategy and a second test parameter. The back-end server can obtain historical data associated with the second trade strategy, execute the second trade strategy on the historical data in accordance with the second test parameter, and transmits the results in a normalized format to the second client device.
US08050996B2
Methods and apparatus which deal with the management of risk relating to specified, yet unknown, future events. ‘Sponsor’ stakeholders specify a particular product relating to an event or phenomenon for which there is a range of possible future outcomes. ‘Ordering’ stakeholders then offer contracts relating to the predetermined phenomenon and corresponding range of outcomes. The offered contracts specify an entitlement or (pay-off) at the future time of maturity for each outcome, and a consideration (or premium) payable, in exchange, to a ‘counter-party’ stakeholder. Independently of the offered contracts, the ‘counter-party’ stakeholders input data as to their view of the likelihood of occurrence of each outcome in the predetermined range into the future, or specifically at the predetermined date of maturity. Each offered contract is priced by the processing units by calculating counter-party premiums from the registered data, and a match attempted by a comparison of the offered premium with the calculated premiums. Matched contracts can be further traded until maturity, and at-maturity processing handles the exchange of entitlement as between the matched parties to the contract.
US08050987B2
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for processing on-line donations associated with media content is disclosed. An example embodiment includes elements to integrate a payment button with an associated item of media content on a web page; link the payment button with an account on a payment site; receive a donation from a donor via the payment button; and credit the donation to the account linked to the payment button.
US08050985B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for planning replenishment of products in a distribution system. A first key figure associated to a first product and a second key figure associated to a second product are collected, the first product and the second product being distributed by the distribution system. The first key figure and the second key figure are aggregated into an aggregate. The aggregate is used to replenish the first product and the second product.
US08050982B2
A business process is described for conducting business transactions over the Internet, allowing buyers an opportunity to reduce the price of a product/service based on the buyer's performance during a Price-Determining-Activity (PDA). Sellers offer the product/service within a specified price range, and buyers agree to a binding agreement, in exchange for the opportunity to close the transaction at the lowest price by achieving a high score or performance during the PDA. The price may change during the PDA, and the available price at any given time may be displayed or otherwise made available to the buyer. The price change may be continuous, at intervals, in response to certain events. The PDA may be a video game, electronic board game, sports bet, card game, or any other activity, or against the seller, a software opponent, or a computer opponent. The PDA may involve another buyer competing for the same product/service.
US08050972B2
A method for using a workflow server to provide targeted advertisements recommended by users of workflow software includes: receiving, at a server from a user completing a workflow, information corresponding to a step in the workflow and an advertiser, the advertiser recommended by the user in connection with the step in the workflow; identifying, by the server, an advertisement corresponding to the recommended advertiser; and transmitting, from the server to a second client, a markup language page corresponding to the step in the workflow, the markup language page including the identified advertisement. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08050971B2
A method and system for providing product information, which can retrieve an advertising shopping mall that has suggested a bidding price for an upper display area, and can sort product information of the retrieved advertising shopping mall according to a predetermined standard, and display the sorted product information in the upper display area and also can sort product information according to various types of standards, such as a popularity, a sales volume, and the like, and display the sorted product information in a remaining area excluding the upper display area, when sorting and displaying product information on a product search result page.
US08050969B2
A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection. Certificate issuers also have online access to the data processing system and can create or revise offers, and provide various instructions pertaining to the certificates, including limitations as to the number of certificates to be issued in total and to each individual consumer.
US08050966B2
Integrated advertising management method and system with respect to plurality of advertising domains
An integrated advertising management method and system with respect to an advertising campaign including a plurality of advertising domains is provided. The integrated advertising management method includes the steps of: generating an advertiser identification associated with an advertiser; in response to a request from the advertiser, setting up an advertisement management component associated with the advertiser identification; and allowing the advertiser to manage the plurality of advertisements included in the advertising campaign by using the advertisement management component such that the advertiser can set up and update at least one of a plurality of conditions for the plurality of advertisements included in the advertising campaign.
US08050944B2
A patient health record system uses knowledge bases to dynamically build visit templates and suggest content based on the user's profile and current patient information. The visit template is available to the health care provider using the system, and is presented within an easy-to-use graphical interface comprising a navigation pane for moving from one section of the template to another, and a visit information window that displays current visit information and allows the user to add and edit that information.
US08050918B2
A method and system for evaluating the quality of voice input recognition by a voice portal is provided. An analysis interface extracts a set of current grammars from the voice portal. A test pattern generator generates a test input for each current grammar. The test input includes a test pattern and a set of active grammars corresponding to each current grammar. The system further includes a text-to-speech engine for entering each test pattern into the voice server. A results collector analyzes each test pattern entered into the voice server with the speech recognition engine against the set of active grammars corresponding to the current grammar for said test pattern. A results analyzer derives a set of statistics of a quality of recognition of each current grammar.
US08050917B2
A system including a conferencing telephone coupled to or in communication with an identification service. The identification service is configured to poll user devices of conference participants to determine or confirm identities. In response, the user devices transmit audio electronic business cards, which can include user voice samples and/or preprocessed voice recognition data. The identification service stores the resulting audio electronic business card data. When the corresponding participant speaks during the conference, the identification service identifies the speaker.
US08050914B2
A system enhances speech by detecting a speaker's utterance through a first microphone positioned a first distance from a source of interference. A second microphone may detect the speaker's utterance at a different position. A monitoring device may estimate the power level of a first microphone signal. A synthesizer may synthesize part of the first microphone signal by processing the second microphone signal. The synthesis may occur when power level is below a predetermined level.
US08050912B1
A method of mitigating errors in a distributed speech recognition process. The method comprises the steps of identifying a group comprising one or more vectors which have undergone a transmission error, and replacing one or more speech recognition parameters in the identified group of vectors. In one embodiment all the speech recognition parameters of each vector of the group are replaced by replacing the whole vectors, and each respective replaced whole vector is replaced by a copy of whichever of the preceding or following vector without error is closest in receipt order to the vector being replaced. In another embodiment determination of which speech recognition parameter or parameters are to be replaced is performed by predicting, from vectors received without error, a predicted value for each speech recognition parameter within said identified group of vectors, and replacing those speech recognition parameters within the identified group of vectors which are outside of a predetermined threshold relative to their respective predicted value. Also described is an apparatus for mitigating errors in a distributed speech recognition process.
US08050904B2
A method, data processing system, and computer program product are provided for performing time-based symbolic simulation. A delay-aware representation of a circuit is created that includes a plurality of circuit nodes. The data-aware representation is simulated. In particular, the simulator simulates transitions from a first set of circuit nodes to a second set of circuit nodes selected from the plurality of circuit nodes, the simulating based on executing a first set of simulation events. A second set of simulation events is then generated in response to executing the first set of simulation events. During the simulation, a time is computed for each of the transitions. An an event scheduling diagram is constructed during simulation. The event scheduling diagram depicts the transitions and the times of the transitions.
US08050898B2
A method of generating a model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system. The method includes the steps of defining the optical imaging system and a process to be utilized by the optical imaging system; defining a first model representing the imaging performance of the optical imaging system and the process, and calibrating the model, where the first model generates values corresponding to a latent image slope. The method further includes the step of defining a second model for estimating a line width roughness of a feature to be imaged, where the second model utilizes the latent image slope values to estimate the line width roughness.
US08050897B2
System and method of simulating large deformation and rotation of a structure in a finite element analysis used for improving structural design is disclosed. A solid finite element is configured for simulating large deformations and/or rotations of a structure. The solid finite element comprises only corner nodes with each node having six degrees-of-freedom (DOF), three translational and three rotational. In other words, each node is configured to include translational deformation and rotation deformation, each of the translational and rotational deformation has three components corresponding to one of the six DOFs. The solid finite element has a plurality of external edges. Each external edge has two ends, each end is located at one of the adjacent corner nodes. Additionally, translational deformation at mid-edge point of each external edge is implicitly embedded in the translational and rotational deformations of two adjacent corner nodes.
US08050871B2
The present invention provides a method of predicting outbreaks in influenza virus comprising monitoring concentrations of small peptides having defined structure in influenza viruses, and in particular viral pathogens of shrimp.
US08050870B2
Statistical models for identifying associations are described herein. By way of example, a system for identifying associations between variables can include a model builder and an association identifier. The model builder can receive observations about the variables and generate a null model and a non-null model. The association identifier can assess the strength of the association between the variables by determining how much the non-null model better explains the observed data than the null model. Additionally or alternatively, the structure of the observed data can be inferred simultaneously with the statistical model.
US08050866B2
A method and related system of determining formation density by compensating actual inelastic gamma rays detected from a pulsed-neutron tool for the effects of neutron transport. The method and systems may model response of the tool and use the modeled response as an indication of an amount to compensate detected inelastic gamma rays.
US08050865B2
Disclosed herein is a method of measuring a resistivity parameter of an earth formation. The method includes: applying a first electric measurement current including a first series of pulses to a first electrode and inducing a first formation current in the earth formation; applying a second electric measurement current including a second series of pulses to a second electrode and inducing a second formation current in the earth formation, the first series of pulses and the second series of pulses occupying distinct portions of a time domain in a selected time window; measuring the first measurement current, the first formation current, the second measurement current and the second formation current by coherent in-phase demodulation; and calculating at least one resistivity parameter by i) comparing the first measurement current to the first formation current and ii) comparing the second measurement current to the second formation current. A system for measuring a resistivity parameter of an earth formation is also provided.
US08050861B2
A road map is provided which allows a determination to be intuitively rendered whether a course contains an increased number of upward slopes or downward slopes as viewed in the direction of the course. The direction of the course is set up across roads indicated on the map, and the upward slopes and the downward slopes located along the course are indicated in different colors. For example, the direction of the course is set up on the map by a starting point and destinations. A gentle upward slope is indicated by a red color of a low thickness, a medium upward slope is indicated by a red color of a medium thickness and a sharp upward slope is indicated by a red color of a high thickness. On the other hand, a gentle downward slope is indicated by a blue color of a low thickness, a medium downward slope is indicated by a blue color of a medium thickness and a sharp downward slope is indicated by a blue color of a high thickness. Accordingly, a determination as to whether the course contains an increased number of upward slopes or downward slopes can be intuitively made.
US08050841B2
An air-per-cylinder (APC) security system for a vehicle comprises an APC determination module, an APC threshold determination module, and an APC diagnostic module. The APC determination module determines first and second APC values for first and second cylinders of an engine, respectively, based on mass airflow (MAF) into the engine. The APC threshold determination module determines an APC threshold based on the first APC value and a spark timing for the first cylinder. The APC diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in the APC determination module when the second APC value is greater than a sum of the first APC value and the APC threshold.
US08050840B2
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the calculation of aircraft braking friction and other relating landing parameters, including but not limited to aircraft braking action, aircraft takeoff distance, aircraft landing distance, runway surface conditions and runway surface friction based on the data collected by and available in the aircraft Flight Data Recorder (FDR) or other flight data management system, for example, the Quick Access Recorder (QAR), to provide all involved personnel in the ground operations of an airport and airline operations, including but not limited to aircraft pilots, airline operation officers and airline managers as well as airport operators, managers and maintenance crews, with the most accurate and most recent information on the true aircraft landing performance parameters to help better and more accurate safety and economical decision making.
US08050831B2
A vehicle and a method for controlling a vehicle transmission is provided. The vehicle has at least one wheel and a positionable acceleration device. The vehicle includes an engine being responsive to the position of the acceleration device, wherein the engine provides torque to the wheel. In one embodiment, a transmission is coupled to the engine and the wheel, wherein the transmission provides multiple speed ratios and is configured to operate in a continuously variable mode. The vehicle also includes a controller that communicates with the engine and the transmission. The controller senses the position of the acceleration device, determine a shift schedule based on the position of the acceleration device, and set an engine speed limit for the engine. The controller also generates signals for the transmission to provide the speed ratio based on the engine speed limit while the transmission operates in the continuously variable mode.
US08050829B2
An electronic locking mechanism for a vehicle differential assembly includes a lock element movable in response to an actuation signal between an open position and a locked position. The lock element generally forces side gears of the differential assembly to turn generally at a same rate when the lock element is in the locked position. The electronic locking mechanism further includes a processor configured to determine a status of the differential assembly from a current profile that includes the actuation signal and an induced current. The determined differential assembly status is generally one of an “activated and locked” status, an “activated but unlocked” status, a “deactivated but locked” status, and a “deactivated and unlocked” status.
US08050828B2
A system includes a pressure sensor that measures a transmission fluid pressure at a first fluid cavity of a transmission. A transmission control module receives the transmission fluid pressure, determines a transmission fluid temperature in the first fluid cavity based on the transmission fluid pressure, and controls the transmission fluid pressure based on the transmission fluid temperature.
US08050827B2
A vehicle has an engine, an accelerator for controlling the rotary speed of the engine, an axle and a multi-speed transmission for transmitting power from the engine to the axle. The multi-speed transmission includes an odd-numbered speed drive train for an odd-numbered speed level, a first clutch for the odd-numbered speed drive train, an even-numbered speed drive train for an even-numbered speed level, and a second clutch for the even-numbered speed drive train. In correspondence to operation of the accelerator and an actual speed of the axle, either the odd-numbered speed drive train or the even-numbered speed drive train is selected so as to transmit power from the engine to the axle. A shift-up or shift-down timing between the odd-numbered speed level and the even-numbered speed level relative to variation of the actual speed of the axle is changed according to detection of a tilt angle of the vehicle or a weight of the vehicle.
US08050811B2
A method for controlling the wireless distribution of vehicle-related data that is collected from a vehicle and is distributed to one or more authorized recipients in a confidential manner. This method uses predetermined business rules, which can be maintained and/or applied at the vehicle, at the telematics service provider, or elsewhere, to control the distribution of vehicle-related data. These business rules can determine which pieces of vehicle-related data, if any, are to be sent to which authorized recipients and can do so in a confidential manner that prevents even the telematics service provider from having access to the vehicle-related data.
US08050791B2
This invention discloses a method of fabricating color jacquard fabric, comprising the processes of design and fabrication of pattern card, loom preparation, looming and weaving. The steps of design and fabrication of pattern card are: reading target image for jacquard into a computer; adjusting the image and setting parameters; selecting pixel value according to image dimensions; modifying the image; dividing the modified target image into motif image and auxiliary pattern around the motif image, designing and making the pattern card of motif image and auxiliary pattern of different design characteristics by jacquard design software; and finally combining said two pattern cards into a pattern card that represents the image and pattern of different characteristics in one fabric with corresponding warp and filling yarns. The invention can provide vivid lifelike picture of fabric, integrating rich color representation and artful pattern.
US08050790B2
A manufacturing method for the inductor/transformer is disclosed. A simulator is used to simulate the inductance, the quality factor, and the self-resonance frequency of said inductor/transformer to generate at least one group of the area size, the number of the conductive layer, the line width, the number of turns, and/or the line space of the conductive layers and the first conductive layer; the inductor/transformer is manufactured according to the factors. Thereafter, the Monte-Carlo simulation is used to initiate the process variability analysis of the factors of the conductive layer and the first conductive layer, and the geometric size of the inductor/transformer can be modulated according to the results of the process variability analysis during the manufacturing process, such that the inductor/transformer can be manufactured by the process of the generic logic circuit.
US08050782B2
A method to retrieve and display technical data for an industrial device supervised by a computer program for control, configuration or condition monitoring in an industrial or commercial plant. The method can use a substantially static and easily visible large sized display member to provide a graphical user interface for retrieving data about, and/or controlling, one or more industrial devices. A computing device or mobile computing device send a copy of its graphical user interface to the large display for ease of information retrieval and access.
US08050778B2
The invention relates to a sensor-machine interface for the coupling of at least one sensor to at least one machine with at least one sensor input for receiving sensor status signals, at least one machine output, for transmission of machine control signals, a programme memory and a controller for programme-controlled operation of the machine output dependent on the signals received by means of the sensor input and a method for operating such an interface.
US08050770B2
Neural stimulation device with improved power consumption and/or effectiveness. The device is configured to recognize proposed stimuli which will be masked by earlier or simultaneous stimuli. Such masked stimuli are either deleted, or replaced by another stimuli.
US08050767B2
Methods for treating and/or collecting information regarding neurological disorders, including language disorders, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment directing a patient to perform a language-based task, directing information to be collected, with the information corresponding to a level of neural activity in the patient's brain while the patient performs the language-based task, and, based at least in part on the information, selecting a stimulation site within the patient's skull for receiving an electrode coupleable to an electrical current. In further embodiments, at least one electrode can be placed at the stimulation site, and the patient's language disorder can be reduced by applying electrical stimulation directly to the stimulation site via the at least one electrode.
US08050764B2
A first chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a first transthoracic impedance signal received from a first chamber of a heart and a second chamber minute ventilation rate is determined based on a second transthoracic impedance signal received from a second chamber of the heart. A processor compares the minute ventilation rates to determine a rate. In one embodiment, an accelerometer sensor provides data for evaluating propriety of a rate. Before implementing a rate change, signals from multiple sensors are cross-checked.
US08050759B2
A cardiac rhythm sensor positioned on or close to the heart senses electrical or mechanical activity and transmits a cardiac rhythm signal wirelessly to a subcutaneous ICD. Arrhythmia detection and delivery of therapy are performed by the SubQ ICD based upon the cardiac rhythm signal received from the sensor.
US08050758B2
An implantable medical device delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing (ATP). When a tachyarrhythmia episode is detected, the implantable medical device analyzes cardiac cycle length stability to determine whether and/or when to deliver an ATP. In one embodiment, the cardiac cycle length stability is measured by existence of stable ventricular tachyarrhythmia clusters (SVTCs) during the tachyarrhythmia episode. Each SVTC includes at least a specified minimum number of heart beats over which the cardiac cycle lengths meet a stability criterion.
US08050756B2
Tools and methods are particularly suited for certain cardiac conditions involving use of a catheter for pacing of the right and left ventricles from a lead in the right ventricle, e.g., to facilitate mechanically and/or electrically synchronous contractions for resynchronization. Certain aspects involve pacing and/or mapping by generating pulses for delivery to a cardiac site useful for improving heart function as measured, e.g., by QRS width, fractionation, late LV activation timing, mechanical synchronicity of free wall and septal wall, effective throughput/pressure, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator includes circuitry for generating pacing profiles, with signals of opposite polarities, specifically selected for delivery on electrodes at a site near the septal wall of a right ventricle of the heart.
US08050751B2
Techniques for determining whether artifacts are present in a cardiac electrogram are described. According to one example, a medical device senses a cardiac electrogram via electrodes. The medical device determines a derivative, e.g., a second order derivative, the electrogram. The medical device detects beats within the derivative, e.g., by comparing a rectified version of the derivative to one or more thresholds determined based on a maximum of the rectified derivative. The medical device determines whether the beats are periodic, and determines whether artifacts are present in the cardiac electrogram based on the determination of whether the beats are periodic. The medical device may further determine whether tachyarrhythmia is present and/or whether the cardiac rhythm of the patient is treatable based on the determination of whether the beats are periodic. For example, the medical device may determine that an electrogram is not treatable when the beats are periodic.
US08050745B2
The present invention employs image intensification for medical procedures within the human body. Methods and systems of the invention utilize infrared radiation (e.g. greater than about 750 nm) illumination and visualization of a surgical treatment area. Preferred methods and systems of the invention incorporate use of an infrared radiation visualization system which may be known as “night vision” systems.
US08050740B2
Microwave examination of individuals is carried out by transmitting microwave signals from multiple antenna locations into an individual and receiving the backscattered microwave signals at multiple antenna locations to provide received signals from the antennas. The received signals are processed to remove the skin interface reflection component of the signal and the corrected signal data are provided to a hypothesis testing process. In hypothesis testing for detecting tumors, image data are formed from the test statistic used to perform a binary hypothesis test at each voxel. The null hypothesis asserts that no tumor is present at a candidate voxel location. The voxel threshold is determined by specifying a false discovery rate to control the expected proportion of false positives in the image. When the test statistic value associated with a voxel is greater than the threshold, the null hypothesis is rejected and the test statistic is assigned to the voxel. For voxels where the test statistic falls below the threshold, the null hypothesis is accepted and the voxel value is set to zero. The resulting image indicates the locations or other characteristics of detected tumors.
US08050737B2
In a method and apparatus for examination and evaluation of a blood flow in a pulmonary artery of a patient, measurement data are recorded, from which at least a part of the blood flow in the pulmonary artery is able to be re-constructed at least two-dimensionally in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the pulmonary artery and by an anterior-posterior direction, including at least at several diastolic points in time in the course of a heart cycle, after a closure of the pulmonary valve. The number of diastolic points for which an asymmetry in relation to the longitudinal axis of the pulmonary artery in the anterior-posterior direction exists is determined. A measure is then determined that characterizes how long, after the closure of the pulmonary valve, the aforementioned asymmetry exists.
US08050723B2
A portable electronic device includes a main body and a solar cell module. The main body has electric components. The solar cell module is mounted in the main body. The solar cell module is configured for supplying electric energy to the electric components of the main body. The solar cell module includes a solar cell, a cell cover and a light diverging lens. The solar cell has a light-absorbing surface. The cell cover faces the light-absorbing surface. The cell cover defines a through hole therein. The light diverging lens is engaged in the through hole. The light diverging lens faces toward the light-absorbing surface and is configured for diverging light transmitted therethrough.
