US08058532B1
A novel maize variety designated 10991850 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10991850 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10991850 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10991850, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10991850. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10991850.
US08058531B1
A novel maize variety designated PH13GJ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH13GJ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH13GJ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH13GJ or a locus conversion of PH13GJ with another maize variety.
US08058529B1
A novel maize variety designated X7H201 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7H201 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7H201 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7H201, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7H201. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7H201.
US08058528B1
A novel maize variety designated X7K512 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7K512 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7K512 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7K512, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7K512. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7K512.
US08058527B1
A novel maize variety designated X7N785 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7N785 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7N785 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7N785, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7N785. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7N785.
US08058525B1
A novel maize variety designated PH13H3 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH13H3 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH13H3 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH13H3 or a locus conversion of PH13H3 with another maize variety.
US08058515B2
The present invention relates to a transgenic plant, comprising one or more plant cells transformed with exogenous nucleic acid which increases expression of vacuolar pyrophosphatase in the plant. Also encompassed by the present invention are transgenic progeny and seeds of the transgenic plants described herein. Progeny transgenic plants grown from seed are also described. Plant cells (e.g., root cells, stem cells, leaf cells) comprising exogenous nucleic acid which increases expression of vacuolar pyrophosphatase in the plant cells are also the subject of the present invention. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of making a transgenic plant described herein. The present invention also relates to a method of increasing the yield of a plant, a method of making a plant which is larger than its corresponding wild type plant, and a method of producing a transgenic plant with increased salt tolerance.
US08058514B2
A novel Agrobacterium-mediated method for producing a transformed monocotyledonous plant is provided. The transformation method involves (i) a coculture step for culturing an Agrobacterium-inoculated monocotyledonous plant tissue with a coculture medium containing 3,6-dichloro-o-anisic acid, 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid and/or 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and (ii) a regeneration step for culturing the tissue obtained in (i) with a regeneration medium containing a selective drug to thereby induce regeneration and to produce a transformed plant. The method does not include, between the coculture step and the regeneration step, any selection step for culturing the cocultured tissue with a medium containing an auxin and a selective drug to select a transformant.
US08058498B2
Process for removing oxygen-containing organic compounds from mixtures of hydrocarbon compounds, in which a liquid phase (1) containing hydrocarbons and oxygenates is charged to a first column (3), a light fraction is separated as top product (5) by distillation, and that a heavier C4+ fraction is removed from the bottom, the light fraction (5) and a gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates (2) is charged to a second column (7), and separated into a light and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction distillation, and an additional solvent (6) is supplied to the upper part of the second column (7), which dissolves the oxygenates and, the solvent and oxygenates being discharged as bottom product (9) and a hydrocarbon product (8), which is free from oxygenates leaves the top of the column (7). The solvent optionally is wholly or partly regenerated and recirculated to the extractive distillation column.
US08058493B2
Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts.
US08058489B2
A process is disclosed for making CF3CF═CHF or mixtures thereof with CF2═CFCHF2. The process involves (i) contacting CHCl2CF2CF3, and optionally CHClFCF2CClF2, in a reaction zone in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of dehydrofluorination catalyst to produce CCl2═CFCF3, and, if CHClFCF2CClF2 is present, CClF═CFCClF2; (ii) contacting CCl2═CFCF3 and CClF═CFCClF2, if any, formed in (i) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in a reaction zone, optionally in the presence of a fluorination catalyst, to produce CClF═CFCF3, and if CClF═CFCClF2 is present, CF2═CFCClF2; (iii) contacting CClF═CFCF3 and CF2═CFCClF2, if any, formed in (ii) in a reaction zone with H2 in the presence of a catalyst comprising a catalytically effective amount of palladium supported on a support of chromium oxide, fluorinated chromium oxide, chromium fluoride, aluminum oxide, aluminum fluoride, and/or fluorinated alumina to produce a product mixture comprising CF3CF═CHF, and if CF2═CFCClF2 is present, CF2═CFCHF2; and (iv) recovering CF3CF═CHF, or a mixture thereof with CF2═CFCHF2, from the product mixture formed in (iii); and optionally (v) separating at least a portion of any CF3CF═CHF in the product mixture formed in (iii) from the CF2═CFCHF2 in the product mixture formed in (iii).Also disclosed are azeotropic compositions involving CCl2═CFCF3 and HF; involving CCl2═CFCF3, CClF═CFCClF2 and HF; involving CClF═CFCF3 and HF; involving CClF═CFCF3, CF2═CFCClF2 and HF; or involving CF2═CFCHF2 and HF.
US08058486B2
A method for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene comprising (a) providing a starting composition comprising at least one compound having a structure selected from Formulae I, II and III: CX2═CCl—CH2X (Formula I) CX3—CCl═CH2 (Formula II) CX3—CHCl—CH2X (Formula III) wherein X is independently selected from F, Cl, Br, and I, provided that at least one X is not fluorine; (b) contacting said starting composition with a first fluorinating agent to produce a first intermediate composition comprising 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and a first chlorine-containing byproduct; (c) contacting said first intermediate composition with a second fluorinating agent to produce a second intermediate composition comprising 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and a second chlorine-containing byproduct; and (d) catalytically dehydrochlorinating at least a portion of said 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane to produce a reaction product comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene.
US08058483B2
The present invention provides a composition of matter having a harmonized form (Φ/φ) of a hydroxyl modified fullerene having a molecular formula of C60(OH)xHy∀z (where x is from 10 to 36, and y is from 0 to 24 and z is from 0 to 12) the composition of matter having substantially the same 13C NMR spectra shown in FIG. 8 having a dominant peak at 170.2 ppm. This peak shows that each carbon atom of C60 is equally covered by OH groups and that the system [C60(OH)xHy∀z](Φ/φ is one body entity.
US08058476B2
A crystalline salt of 3-[2-(dimethylamino)methyl(cyclohex-1-yl)]phenol and hydrogen chloride, preferably in a 1:1 composition, including various crystalline forms of this salt, processes for preparing the various crystalline forms of this salt, pharmaceutical compositions containing the various crystalline forms of this salt, and the use of this salt as a pharmacologically active agent in a pharmaceutical composition to treat or inhibit pain or other disorders or disease states.
US08058467B2
Prostaglandin nitroderivatives having improved pharmacological activity and enhanced tolerability are described. They can be employed for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
US08058461B2
This invention relates to transition metal compounds, catalyst systems comprising said compounds and polymerization processes using such catalyst systems, where the transition metal compound is represented by the formula: This invention also relates to process to produce such compounds.
US08058460B2
The present invention relates to anthraquinone derivatives which act as a fluorophore, to a process for producing said anthraquinone derivatives and their use as fluorophores for staining membranes in live or fixed cells.
US08058437B2
A novel co-crystal of N′-(7-fluoropyrrolo[1,2a]quinoxalin-4-yl)pyrazine-2-carbohydrazide with oxalic acid is disclosed. The disclosed oxalic acid co-crystal demonstrates cancer cell growth inhibition and is more bioavailable than the corresponding free base when administered as a suspension.
US08058434B2
Compositions containing neurogenic agents for inhibition of neuron death and inducing proliferation of neural cells are disclosed.
US08058431B2
Disclosed is a fluorescent dye comprising a benzothiazolium moiety and a pyrimidinium moiety connected by a mono-methine bridge, characterized in that (i) the 2-position of the pyrimidine carries a substituent which starts with a C-atom and (ii) the 5- and 6- positions of the pyrimidine ring are an integral part of a further aromatic ring structure as exemplified by the following:
US08058427B2
Coumarin compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and X are defined herein. Also disclosed is a method for treating cancer with coumarin compounds.
US08058421B2
The present invention is directed to promoters isolated from maize and functional equivalents thereto. The promoters of the present invention have particular utility in driving root-specific expression of heterologous genes that impart increased agronomic, horticultural and/or pesticidal characteristics to a given transgenic plant. The present invention is also drawn to DNA molecules comprising the promoters of the invention and transformed plant tissues containing DNA molecules comprising a promoter of the invention operably linked to a heterologous gene or genes, and seeds thereof.
US08058419B2
The present invention is directed to promoters isolated from maize and functional equivalents thereto. The promoters of the present invention have particular utility in driving root-specific expression of heterologous genes that impart increased agronomic, horticultural and/or pesticidal characteristics to a given transgenic plant. The present invention is also drawn to DNA molecules comprising the promoters of the invention and transformed plant tissues containing DNA molecules comprising a promoter of the invention operably linked to a heterologous gene or genes, and seeds thereof.
US08058412B2
There is provided a novel, useful dehydroxyfluorination agent containing sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) and an organic base that is free from a free hydroxyl group in the molecule. According to the present dehydroxyfluorination agent, it is not necessary to use perfluoroalkanesulfonyl fluoride, which is not preferable in large-scale use, and it is possible to advantageously produce optically-active fluoro derivatives, which are important intermediates of medicines, agricultural chemicals and optical materials, for example, 4-fluoroproline derivatives, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorouridine derivatives, optically-active α-fluorocarboxylate derivatives, and monofluoromethyl derivatives, even in large scale.
US08058410B2
Disclosed is an affinity matrix comprising a solid phase and an affinity ligand comprising peptide bonds coupled to this solid phase, wherein the affinity ligand comprising peptide bond is selected from the following group of ligands: a) peptides comprising the formula X1X2X3X4, wherein X1 to X4 are amino acid residues and at least two of X1 to X4 is W, Y or F; b) peptides comprising the formula X5X6X7X8, wherein X5 to X8 are amino acid residues, at least one of X5 to X8 is W, and at least one of X5 to X8 is E or D; and c) poly-amino acids consisting of an amino acid monomer of the group consisting of R, K, E and D and an amino acid monomer of the group consisting of Y, F and W, preferably poly-KY, poly-KF, poly-KW, poly-RY, poly-RF, poly-RW, poly-EY, poly-DY, poly-EF, poly-EW, poly-DF and poly-DW, with the proviso that the peptides according to a) and b) have a maximum length of 35 amino acid residues and that the poly-amino acids according to c) have a minimum length of 20 amino acid residues.
US08058409B2
A means for pre-treatment in glycomic analysis of a glycoprotein is provided by the present invention.A salt of the general formula (I): wherein Z, X, R1, R2, M, m and n are the same as described in DESCRIPTION, is useful as a protein solubilizer, and an oligosaccharide is efficiently released from a sample if reductive alkylation and/or digestion by a proteinase are carried out under the presence of the said solubilizer at the first step in the glycomic analysis of glycoprotein derived from a living body.
US08058394B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a peptide thioester compound. The process involves: (A) forming a peptide by a solid-phase synthesis method using a resin modified with a linker represented by the formula (1) as a solid phase: wherein R1 represents C1-4 alkyl group, R2 represents hydrogen atom or C1-4 alkoxy group, and n represents an integer of 1 to 4; (B) cleaving a bond between the solid phase and the peptide with at least one acid selected from dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sulfuric acid, formic acid, and acetic acid to produce a peptide having a carboxyl group at the C-terminus; and (C) reacting a thiol compound with the peptide at −100 to 0° C. in the presence of a condensing agent in a solvent.
US08058384B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a thermoplastic resin, comprising using a composition at least comprising a fluorene-containing dihydroxy compound represented by the following formula (1) and a fluorene-containing hydroxy compound represented by the following formula (2) in an amount of from 0.5 parts by weight to 1.5 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the fluorene-containing dihydroxy compound of formula (1).
US08058383B2
The preparation of aromatic sulfonimide polymers useful as membranes in electrochemical cells is described.
US08058377B1
Phosphate-containing polycarboxylate polymer dispersant compositions of the invention comprise a polymer made from polyoxyalkylene groups, acrylic acid groups, mono-ester groups, and optionally di-ester and tri-ester groups, all in specific molar ratios. The polymer dispersants of the invention achieve quick mix-in dispersibility, particularly within hydratable cementitious compositions such as concrete, in comparison with polycarboxylate polymer dispersants that do not contain phosphate groups, while having improved initial slump as well as slump retention compared to phosphate-containing polymers of the prior art.
US08058362B2
An active-hydrogen-containing (carboxyl or hydroxyl) phosphorus compound is provided. An epoxy resin semi-thermoset formed by bonding the phosphorus compound to an epoxy group is also provided. A flame-retardant epoxy resin thermoset is formed after reacting the epoxy resin semi-thermoset with a curing agent. The epoxy resin thermoset possesses excellent flame retardancy, heat stability, and high glass transition temperature (Tg), does not produce toxic and corrosive fumes during combustion, and thus is an environmentally friendly flame-retardant material.
US08058355B2
The present invention provides solvent- and water-based primer compositions that include at least one chlorinated carboxylated polyolefin that has been modified with one or more polyfunctional alcohols. The chlorinated carboxylated polyolefins are obtained by the reaction of polyolefins with at least one of unsaturated carboxylic esters, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, acrylic monomers, and mixtures thereof then chlorinated. The chlorinated carboxylated polyolefins are then further modified by reaction with one or more polyfunctional alcohols. These polyfunctional alcohol-modified chlorinated carboxylated polyolefins may also contain pendant carboxyl groups, which have the propensity to form hydrophilic salts with amines or inorganic bases, thereby rendering the polyfunctional alcohol-modified chlorinated carboxylated polyolefins water-dispersible. These primer compositions are useful for significantly improving the adhesion of paints, adhesives, and inks to various plastic and metal substrates.
US08058354B2
The present invention provides solvent- and water-based primer compositions that include at least one carboxylated polyolefin that has been modified with one or more polyfunctional alcohols. The carboxylated polyolefins are obtained by the reaction of polyolefins with at least one of unsaturated carboxylic esters, unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic anhydrides, acrylic monomers, and mixtures thereof. The carboxylated polyolefins are then further modified by reaction with one or more polyfunctional alcohols. These polyfunctional alcohol-modified polyolefins may also contain pendant carboxyl groups, which have the propensity to form hydrophilic salts with amines or inorganic bases, thereby rendering the polyfunctional alcohol-modified polyolefins water-dispersible. These primer compositions are useful for significantly improving the adhesion of paints, adhesives, and inks to various plastic and metal substrates.
US08058347B2
A composite including interpenetrating networks of an organic polymer, such as from an acrylate or olefin, having urethane groups; and an inorganic polymer, the composite having a low or no-shrinkage characteristic, and a method for making the composite, as defined herein.
US08058343B2
Novel aqueous polyurethane dispersions and adhesive films formed therefrom are provided. The aqueous polyurethane dispersions are provided in solvent-free systems of a prepolymer comprising at least one polyether or polyester polyol, a mixture of MDI isomers, and a diol. The adhesive films from such dispersions can be heat-activated for bonding, lamination, and adhesion of textile fabrics, including stretch fabrics.
US08058341B2
An aqueous dispersion type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains an acrylic or rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition of the aqueous dispersion type and at least one hydrophilic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly(vinyl alcohol)s, and poly((meth)acrylic acid), the amount of the hydrophilic polymer being from 0.5 to 15 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight, on a solid basis, of the acrylic or rubber-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition of the aqueous dispersion type, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive product has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed from the aqueous dispersion type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition.
US08058340B2
A propylene-based resin composition for a pipe member, and a pipe member and multi-layered pipe member formed using that the same, which is comprised of (a) 65 to 90 parts by mass of a propylene resin homopolymer, (b) 10 to 25 parts by mass of talc having an average particle size of 1 to 10 μm and (c) 1 to 10 parts by mass of at least one kind of a rubber component selected from an ethylene-propylene-based rubber, an ethylene-butene-based rubber, a styrene-butadiene-based rubber and a styrene-isoprene-based rubber as main components, wherein the MFR of a melt-kneaded mixture obtained by melt kneading these components (a) to (c) is from 0.01 to 2.00 g/10 minutes.
US08058338B2
Anticorrosive pigment composition and water-based anticorrosive coating material containing the same
An anticorrosive pigment composition containing neither any heavy metal harmful to the environment nor zinc, which may be harmful to the environment. The composition is a product of the reaction of (a) aluminum dihydrogen tripolyphosphate, (b) a calcium compound selected among oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates, and (c) a magnesium compound selected among oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates. The composition exerts no adverse influence on the storage stability of water-based anticorrosive coating materials.
US08058337B2
Methods for preparing low resistivity nanocomposite layers that simultaneously offer optical clarity, wear resistance and superior functional performance. Nanofillers and a substance having a polymer are mixed. Both low-loaded and highly-loaded nanocomposites are included. Nanoscale coated and un-coated fillers may be used. Nanocomposite films may be coated on substrates.
US08058334B2
To provide a polyester resin composition having a high crystallization rate and excellent moldability.A polyester resin composition comprising (a) a polyester resin, (b) one or more sulfonamide compound metal salt having a structure represented by a general formula selected from the group consisting of the following general formula (1): the following general formula (2): and the following general formula (3): and (c) an aliphatic carboxylic acid diester compound of polyalkylene glycol represented by the following general formula (4): (in the formula (4), G represents an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; R4 and R5 each independently represent an alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms; and m represents a integral number of 2 to 30).
US08058328B2
A cement admixture object of the present invention can make slump-retaining ability excellent to retain fluidity and, at the same time, can realize a viscosity of cement compositions so that work becomes easy at a field handling them, can make the state of a cement composition better. The present invention relates to a cement admixture which comprises a polycarboxylic acid copolymer having a polyalkylene glycol side chain, said polycarboxylic acid copolymer being constituted of two or more species of copolymers with different acid values, and at least one of said two or more species of copolymers with different acid values having an oxyalkylene group containing 3 or more carbon atoms.
US08058319B2
Described is a process to prepare fluoropolymer organic-liquid dispersions containing a homogeneous mixture of reacted and unreacted sulfonyl halide groups. The dispersions are useful in the preparation of crosslinked membranes.
US08058318B2
There is provided an acidic zirconia sol having compatibility of particle properties and binding properties, and a production method of the same. The acidic zirconia sol includes zirconia particles (a) having a particle diameter ranging from 20 to 300 nm in a content of 90 to 50% by mass, based on the mass of all zirconia particles, and zirconia particles (b) having a particle diameter of less than 20 nm in a content of 10 to 50% by mass, based on the mass of all zirconia particles.
US08058316B2
A composition may include a pharmaceutical carrier and an amount, therapeutically effective for the treatment of a retinal disease, of CLT-005 (1-acetyl-5-hydroxyanthracene-9,10 -dione), wherein the retinal disease is characterized by at least one of inflammation, angiogenesis, or neovascularization, and wherein the composition is prepared for administration intravitreally. The composition may be administered intravitreally to a subject's eye.
US08058314B2
This invention provides the methodology and agents for treating any disease or clinical condition which is at least partly the result of endoplasmic reticulum-associated retention of proteins. Thus, the methods and agents of the present invention provide for the release of normally retained proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum. The present invention is particularly useful for treating any disease or clinical condition which is at least partly the result of endoplasmic reticulum-associated retention or degradation of mis-assembled or mis-folded proteins.
US08058300B2
Described herein are compounds that are antagonists of lysophosphatidic receptor(s). Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such antagonists, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating LPA-dependent or LPA-mediated conditions or diseases.
US08058291B2
The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of CNS-related conditions. One of the CNS-related conditions treated by the methods and compositions of the invention is Alzheimer's disease.
US08058289B2
The present invention is related to pyridine methylene azolidinone derivatives of Formula (I) in particular for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of autoimmune disorders and/or inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, bacterial or viral infections, kidney diseases, platelet aggregation, cancer, transplantation, graft rejection or lung injuries.
US08058288B2
The present invention relates to inhibitors of 11-β hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase type 1, antagonists of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. The compounds of the invention can be useful in the treatment of various diseases associated with expression or activity of 11-β hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase type 1 and/or diseases associated with aldosterone excess.
US08058281B2
The present invention is directed to a method of treating systemic lupus erythematosus comprising administering a compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CF3, a C1-C5 alkyl, and (CH2)nR4, wherein n is between 0 and 4; R2 is selected from the group consisting of (CH2)mR4 and (CH2)mAr, wherein m is between 0 and 5; R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R4 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, OH, a C1-C3 alkoxy, a C1-C3 dialkylamino, piperidino, and N-methylpiperazino; Ar represents wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F, C1, a C1-C3 alkoxy, and CF3. The compounds can be used in combination with a second compound used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.
US08058275B2
The present invention relates to diazabenzo[de]anthracen-3-one compounds which inhibit poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (“PARP”), compositions containing these compounds and methods for using these PARP inhibitors to treat, prevent and/or ameliorate the effects of the conditions described herein.
US08058273B2
New inhibitors of histone deacetylases having antitumor activity, and the process of preparation thereof are herein described. These compounds belong to the structural formula (I) where R1 is a linear or branched chain containing at least two conjugated double bonds, A is an optionally substituted phenyl or pyridyl ring, Ar is an aryl or heteroaryl group, and R3 is hydrogen or alkoxyalkyl. The application also describes the use of said compounds in the treatment of diseases associated to the deregulation of histone deacetylases activity, such as tumors, as well as the relevant pharmaceutical compositions for administration to patients requiring said treatment.
US08058268B2
Disclosed herein are methods of treating neurodegenerative diseases comprising administering to the subject a compound having the structure: wherein α and R1-R8 are described herein, or a compound having the structure: wherein Y, Z, and R21, R24, R25, and R31-R33 are described herein.
US08058260B2
The present disclosure provides 2′-C-methyl-ribofuranosyl cytidine prodrugs, methods of making 2′-C-methyl-ribofuranosyl cytidine prodrugs, pharmaceutical compositions of 2′-C-methyl-ribofuranosyl cytidine prodrugs, and methods of using 2′-C-methyl-ribofuranosyl cytidine prodrugs and pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat viral diseases such as hepatitis C.
US08058259B2
The present invention provides substituted 4-{3-[6-amino-9-(3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid esters and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same that are selective agonists of A2A adenosine receptors (ARs). These compounds and compositions are useful as pharmaceutical agents.
US08058257B2
The invention relates to a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) for inhibiting the expression of a gene from the JC Virus (JC virus genome), comprising an antisense strand having a nucleotide sequence which is less that 30 nucleotides in length, generally 19-25 nucleotides in length, and which is substantially complementary to at least a part of a gene from the JC Virus. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the dsRNA together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; methods for treating diseases caused by JC virus expression and the expression of a gene from the JC Virus using the pharmaceutical composition; and methods for inhibiting the expression of a gene from the JC Virus in a cell.
US08058255B2
The present invention concerns an isolated siRNA of from about 5 to about 20 nucleotides that mediates RNA interference. Also disclosed are methods of reducing expression of a target gene in a cell comprising obtaining at least one siRNA of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 basepairs in length; and delivering the siRNA into the cell. The siRNAs can be chemically synthesized RNA or an analog of a naturally occurring RNA.
US08058244B2
Cyclic peptide compounds and derivatives thereof having antitumor activity as shown by treatment of human melanoma, pancreatic, breast, prostate cancer cells.
US08058241B2
A novel signal transducer TAB2 which acts as an adapter molecule of TRAF6 and TAK1 and mediates the activation of TAK1 in the signal transduction of IL-1 was isolated. TAB2 induced the activation of NF-κB and JNK by IL-1. The signal transduction by IL-1 was inhibited by inhibiting the signal transduction of TAB2 with the use of a dominant negative mutant of TAB2. A compound inhibiting the signal transduction in TAB2 is useful as an anti-inflammatory drug.
US08058239B2
The use of HMG box-binding molecules and molecules having sequence homology with HMG box for the preparation of therapeutic agents for the treatment of vascular diseases is described.
US08058238B2
The invention discloses highly purified daptomycin and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising this compound. The invention discloses a method of purifying daptomycin comprising the sequential steps of anion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography and anion exchange chromatography. The invention also discloses a method of purifying daptomycin by modified buffer enhanced anion exchange chromatography. The invention also discloses an improved method for producing daptomycin by fermentation of Streptomyces roseosporus. The invention also discloses high pressure liquid chromatography methods for analysis of daptomycin purity. The invention also discloses lipopeptide micelles and methods of making the micelles. The invention also discloses methods of using lipopeptide micelles for purifying lipopeptide antibiotics, such as daptomycin. The invention also discloses using lipopeptide micelles therapeutically.
US08058236B2
An aqueous inhalation pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide or protein is provided. The composition of the present invention can improve the bioavailability of the polypeptide and protein, and avoid inducing toxicity in the lung.
US08058227B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for the treatment of fibrosis. Also disclosed are methods of screening for agents that treat fibrosis.
US08058219B2
A liquid removal composition and process for removing photoresist and/or sacrificial anti-reflective coating (SARC) material from a microelectronic device having same thereon. The liquid removal composition includes at least one organic quaternary base and at least one surface interaction enhancing additive. The composition achieves at least partial removal of photoresist and/or SARC material in the manufacture of integrated circuitry with minimal etching of metal species on the microelectronic device, such as copper and cobalt, and without damage to low-k dielectric materials employed in the microelectronic device architecture.
US08058204B2
An electrocatalyst is described. The electrocatalyst includes a core of a non-noble metal or non-noble metal alloy; and a continuous shell of a noble metal or noble metal alloy on the core, the continuous shell being at least two monolayers of the noble metal or noble metal alloy. Methods for making the electrocatalyst are also described.
US08058190B2
A curable coating composition that exhibits improved cure and adhesion to various substrates, especially synthetic textiles used in the manufacture of air bags, comprises a composition curable by a hydrosilylation reaction, and includes a silicone resin, a hydrosilylation reaction inhibitor; and an adhesion promoting additive which comprises (i) an acryloxy functional alkoxysilane or a methacryloxy functional alkoxysilane, (ii) an alkenylsilanol, (iii) an organotitanium compound, (iv) a metal chelate compound, and (v) an epoxy functional alkoxysilane. A filler and a cyclic alkenyl group bearing polysiloxane can also be included in the curable coating composition. The curable coating composition is especially useful for application to synthetic textiles such as automotive air bags.
US08058189B1
A method and apparatus for resisting ballistic impact including an outer energy absorbing assembly having a plurality of interconnected fibers, and a barrier positioned behind the outer energy absorbing assembly. A movement restraint is positioned behind the barrier and a dampener is positioned intermediate the barrier and the restraint.
US08058186B2
A focus ring is shaped by cutting off a silicon carbide body formed by a sintering method or a CVD method. The shaped focus ring is exposed to a plasma generated from at least one of a carbon tetra fluoride gas and an oxygen gas for producing impurities, and the impurities are introduced to void-like defects existing in the vicinity of a surface of the focus ring. Subsequently, positrons are injected in the vicinity of the surface of the focus ring into which the impurities are introduced, and the defect density in the vicinity of the surface of the focus ring is detected by the positron annihilation method.
US08058177B2
Winged via structures to increase overlay margin are generally described. In one example, a method comprises depositing a sacrificial layer to an interlayer dielectric, the interlayer dielectric being coupled with a semiconductor substrate, forming at least one trench structure in the sacrificial layer wherein the trench structure comprises a first direction along a length of the trench structure and a second direction along a width of the trench structure wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction, depositing a light sensitive material to the trench structure and the sacrificial layer, and patterning at least one winged via structure in the light sensitive material to overlay the trench structure wherein the winged via structure extends in the second direction beyond the width of the trench structure onto the sacrificial layer.
US08058157B2
A semiconductor structure and its method of fabrication include a semiconductor fin located over a substrate. A gate electrode is located over the semiconductor fin. The gate electrode has a first stress in a first region located closer to the semiconductor fin and a second stress which is different than the first stress in a second region located further from the semiconductor fin. The semiconductor fin may also be aligned over a pedestal within the substrate. The semiconductor structure is annealed under desirable stress conditions to obtain an enhancement of semiconductor device performance.
US08058155B1
The present invention provides a method for the controlled synthesis of nanostructures on the edges of electrodes and an apparatus capable of optical and electrochemical sensing. In accordance with the present invention, a method of fabricating nanowires is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate, creating a dielectric thereon, depositing a metal catalyst on the dielectric, patterning the metal catalyst, selectively etching dielectric, creating an electric field originating in metal catalyst, and applying a heat treatment. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate, depositing a dielectric thereon, printing a metal catalyst on the dielectric and plastic substrate, printing silicide along the edges of metal catalyst, creating an electric field originating in metal catalyst; and applying chemical vapor deposition. The apparatus of the present invention comprise an electrode with nanowires grown thereon, wherein the nanowires' placement and direction of growth is controlled.
US08058152B2
A method for separating an integrated circuit formed by a thin film having a novel structure or a method for transferring the integrated circuit to another substrate, that is, so-called transposing method, has not been proposed. According to the present invention, in the case that an integrated circuit having a thin film having a novel structure formed over a substrate via a release layer is separated, the release layer is removed in the state that the thin film integrated circuit is fixated, the thin film integrated circuit is transposed to a supporting substrate having an adhesion surface, and the thin film integrated circuit is transposed to another substrate having an adhesion surface with higher strength of adhesion than that of the supporting substrate.
US08058137B1
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer, the method including: providing a base wafer including a semiconductor substrate, metal layers and first alignment marks; transferring a monocrystalline layer on top of the metal layers, wherein the monocrystalline layer includes second alignment marks; and performing a lithography using at least one of the first alignment marks in a first direction and at least one of the second alignment marks in a second direction.
US08058136B2
A self-alignment method for a recess channel dynamic random access memory includes providing a substrate with a target layer, a barrier layer and a lining layer, wherein the target layer has shallow trench isolation structures; patternizing the lining layer, barrier layer and target layer to form recess trench channels; depositing a dielectric layer onto the recess trench channel; forming an ion doped region in the target layer; removing a portion of the dielectric layer to expose a portion of the recess trench channel; forming a filler layer covered onto the recess trench channel; removing a portion of the filler layer to expose a portion of the recess trench channel; forming a passivation layer onto the recess trench channel; removing the passivation layer on the lining layer; and removing the lining layer to form a plurality of structural monomers disposed at the recess trench channel and protruded from the target layer.
US08058129B2
A lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device and a method of manufacturing the same. A LDMOS device may include a high voltage well formed over a substrate, a reduced surface field region formed thereover which may be adjacent a body region, and/or an isolation layer. An isolation layer may include a predetermined area formed over a reduced surface field region, may be partially overlapped with a top surface of a substrate and/or may include an area formed adjacent a high voltage well. A low voltage well may be formed over a substrate. A gate electrode may extend from a predetermined top surface of a body region to a predetermined top surface of an isolation layer. A drain region may be formed over a low voltage well. A source region may be formed over a body region and may have at least a portion formed under a gate electrode.
US08058127B2
Disclosed is a power semiconductor device, in particular, a trench type power semiconductor device for use in power electronic devices. A method of manufacturing the same is provided. The method of manufacturing the power semiconductor device adopts a trench MOSFET to decrease the size of the device, in place of a vertical type DMOSFET, under a situation in which the cost must be lowered owing to excessive cost competition. As the manufacturing process is simplified and the characteristics are improved, the cost is reduced, resulting in mass production and the creation of profit.
US08058122B2
Semiconductor devices and fabrication methods are provided, in which metal transistor gates are provided for MOS transistors. A rare earth-rare earth alloy incorporated metal nitride layer is formed above a gate dielectric. This process provides adjustment of the gate electrode work function, thereby tuning the threshold voltage of the resulting NMOS transistors.
US08058120B2
A method for forming a semiconductor integrated circuit device, e.g., CMOS, includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first well region and a second well region. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer overlying the semiconductor substrate, the first well region and the second well region, and forming a polysilicon gate layer (e.g., doped polysilicon) overlying the dielectric layer. The polysilicon gate layer is overlying a first channel region in the first well region and a second channel region in the second well region. The method includes forming a hard mask (e.g., silicon dioxide) overlying the polysilicon gate layer and patterning the polysilicon gate layer and the hard mask layer to form a first gate structure including first edges in the first well region and a second gate structure including second edges in the second well region. Next, the method separately forms strained regions in the first and second well regions.
US08058113B2
A method of depositing elongated nanostructures that allows accurate positioning and orientation is described. The method involves printing or otherwise depositing elongated nanostructures in a carrier solution. The deposited droplets are also elongated, usually by patterning the surface upon which the droplets are deposited. As the droplet evaporates, the fluid flow within the droplets is controlled such that the nanostructures are deposited either at the edge of the elongated droplet or the center of the elongated droplet. The described deposition technique has particular application in forming the active region of a transistor.
US08058109B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure, —including—the following steps of: forming a substrate having a package array; forming a thermosetting non-conductive layer covering the substrate; partially solidifying the thermosetting non-conductive layer to form a semi-solid non-conductive layer; connecting chips to the package array on the substrate; pressing and heating the chips and the substrate so that the semi-solid non-conductive layer adheres with the chips and the substrate; pre-heating an encapsulant preformed on a metal layer; covering the chips on the substrate with the encapsulant; and solidifying the encapsulant to completely cover the chips on the substrate. The present invention can reduce use of gold to lower the manufacturing cost and can also improve the heat conduction efficiency of the semiconductor structure to enhance operational stability of the chips.
US08058108B2
Various semiconductor chips and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a first opening in an insulating layer applied to a side of a semiconductor chip. The first opening does not extend through to the side. A second opening is formed in the insulating layer that exposes a portion of the side.
US08058098B2
A method includes the steps of providing a carrier comprising a plurality of cavities; placing at least one semiconductor element into each of the cavities; filling the plurality of cavities with a packaging material; and removing the carrier.
US08058097B2
Methods of forming a resistive memory device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor substrate including a conductive pattern, forming a contact hole in the insulation layer to expose the conductive pattern, forming a lower electrode in the contact hole, forming a variable resistive oxide layer in the contact hole on the lower electrode, forming a middle electrode in the contact hole on the variable resistive oxide layer, forming a buffer oxide layer on the middle electrode and the insulation layer, and forming an upper electrode on the buffer oxide layer. Related resistive memory devices are also disclosed.
US08058091B2
A photodetector includes a semiconductor substrate having first and second main surfaces opposite to each other. The photodetector includes at least one trench formed in the first main surface and a first anode/cathode region having a first conductivity formed proximate the first main surface and sidewalls of the at least one trench. The photodetector includes a second anode/cathode region proximate the second main surface. The second anode/cathode region has a second conductivity opposite the first conductivity. The at least one trench extends to the second main surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08058087B2
A method for fabricating a TFT array substrate includes following steps. A gate pattern and a first pad pattern are formed on a substrate. A gate insulation layer and a semiconductor layer covering the two patterns are sequentially formed. A patterned photoresist layer having different resist blocks is formed, and patterns and thicknesses of the resist blocks in different regions are adjusted. The semiconductor layer and the gate insulation layer above the first pad pattern are removed through performing an etching process and reducing a thickness of the patterned photoresist layer. After removing the patterned photoresist layer, a source pattern, a drain pattern, and a second pad pattern electrically connected to the first pad pattern are formed. A patterned passivation layer is formed on the gate insulation layer and has a second opening exposing the source pattern or the drain pattern and a third opening exposing the second pad pattern.
US08058078B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.
US08058071B2
Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for detecting hydrogen sulfide in a formation fluid downhole. A detection mixture is combined with the formation fluid downhole. The detection mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and charged nanoparticles sized so as to inhibit significant aggregation of the metal sulfide so as to enable spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide downhole. The combined mixture and formation fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated so as to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the formation fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
US08058070B2
Disclosed are a method of determining the components of a fluoroolefin composition, a method of recharging a fluid system in which the composition is used, and sensors used therefor. In particular, the composition may be a fluoroolefin refrigerant composition used within a vapor compression system, where the refrigerant composition is useful in cooling systems as replacements for existing refrigerants with higher global warming potential. Such fluoroolefin refrigerant compositions have double bond structures which make them particularly well suited with sensing technologies, including: infrared sensors, UV/vis sensors, NIR sensors, ion mobility or plasma chromatographs, gas chromatography, refractometry, mass spectroscopy, high temperature thick film sensors, thin film field effect sensors, pellistor sensors, Taguchi sensors and quartz microbalance sensors.
US08058068B2
The present invention provides compositions useful for transfecting eukaryotic cells comprising nucleic acid complexes with peptides, wherein the peptide is optionally covalently coupled to a nucleic acid-binding group, and cationic lipids or dendrimers as transfection agents. The invention also provides transfection compositions in which a peptide is covalently linked to the transfection agent (lipid, cationic lipid or dendrimer). Inclusion of peptides or modified-peptides in transfection compositions or covalent attachment of peptides to transfection agents results in enhanced transfection efficiency. Methods for the preparation of transfection compositions and methods of using these transfection compositions as intracellular delivery agents and extracellular targeting agents are also disclosed.
US08058055B2
The present invention generally relates to spatial and structural genomic analysis compositions, which can be used for the mapping of chromosomes and structural analyses of chromosomal rearrangements, including the entire chromosome, as well as specific portions or regions of interest of the chromosomes. In some embodiments, multiple portions of the genome can be distinguished, for instance, using a first detection entity and a second detection entity different from the first detection entity. The detection entities may be immobilized relative to oligonucleotides, which may be selected to bind to different locations within the chromosome. For instance, the oligonucleotides may be at least substantially complementary to the chromosome, e.g., substantially complementary to a specific location of the chromosome.
US08058049B2
The present invention relates to compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising poxviruses and more particularly extracellular enveloped viruses. The present invention also relates to a process for producing poxviruses and poxviruses obtained thereof. Moreover, the present invention also relates to the use of said poxvirus and said composition for the preparation of a medicament.
US08058048B2
The present invention relates to infectious DNA clones, infectious chimeric DNA clones of porcine circovirus (PCV), vaccines and means of protecting pigs against viral infection or postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) caused by PCV2. The new chimeric infectious DNA clone and its derived, avirulent chimeric virus are constructed from the nonpathogenic PCV1 in which the immunogenic ORF gene of the pathogenic PCV2 replaces a gene of the nonpathogenic PCV1, preferably in the same position. The chimeric virus advantageously retains the nonpathogenic phenotype of PCV1 but elicits specific immune responses against the pathogenic PCV2. The invention further embraces the immunogenic polypeptide expression products. In addition, the invention encompasses two mutations in the PCV2 immunogenic capsid gene and protein, and the introduction of the ORF2 mutations in the chimeric clones.
US08058047B2
The present invention concerns a new α-galactosidase with transgalactosylating activity isolated from Bifidobacterium bifidum. The α-galactosidase is capable of converting mellibiose to α-galactobiose disaccharides which may be incorporated into numerous food products or animal feeds for improving gut health by promoting the growth of bifidobacteria in the gut, and repressing the growth of the pathogenic microflora.
US08058038B2
4-(Indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of monatin, may be synthesized from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (and/or oxalacetic acid) by using a novel aldolase derived from the genus Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, or Xanthomonas.
US08058036B2
The present invention relates to a microorganism of Corynebacterium genus having enhanced L-lysine productivity and a method of producing L-lysine using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism of Corynebacterium genus having enhanced L-lysine productivity by inactivating endogenous NCgl2534 gene having the amino acid sequence containing repeated lysine residues and a method of producing L-lysine using the same.
US08058034B2
A D-aminotransferase can be modified so as to efficiently produce (2R,4R)-monatin having high sweetness intensity from 4-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid by substituting an amino acid at least at one of positions (positions 100, 180 to 183, 243 and 244) involved in efficiently producing the (2R,4R)-monatin in an amino acid sequence of a wild-type D-aminotransferase represented in SEQ ID NO:2.
US08058030B2
The present invention encompasses methods for producing a modified polynucleotide sequence that comprises a (e.g., one or more) phosphorothiolate linkage, methods for determining a polynucleotide sequence comprising a (e.g., one or more) phosphorothiolate linkage, and methods for separating forward and reverse extension products that comprise a (e.g., one or more) phosphorothiolate linkage. The invention also encompasses kits for producing and/or determining the sequence of a modified polynucleotide that comprises a (e.g., one or more) phosphorothiolate linkage.
US08058015B2
The present invention relates to a method for the determination or prediction of the progression of chronic kidney disease in a subject suspected to suffer from chronic kidney disease, said method comprising the step of determining the expression levels of at least one marker selected from (a) FGF23; and (b) adiponectin in a biological sample. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of a specific detection molecule for FGF23 or use of a specific detection molecule for adiponectin for the preparation of a diagnostic composition for the detection of chronic kidney disease or the progression of chronic kidney diseases in a subject suspected to suffer from said disease. In particular, the present invention also provides for use of FGF23 and/or of adiponectin as an in vitro marker for the presence, absence or progression of a chronic kidney disease and kits comprising a specific detection molecule for FGF23 or a specific detection molecule for adiponectin for use in the method of the present invention.
US08058004B2
There is disclosed a process for in vitro synthesis and assembly of long, gene-length polynucleotides based upon assembly of multiple shorter oligonucleotides synthesized in situ on a microarray platform. Specifically, there is disclosed a process for in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide fragments on a solid phase microarray platform and subsequent, “on device” assembly of larger polynucleotides composed of a plurality of shorter oligonucleotide fragments.
US08058003B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnosis, research and therapy, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention relates to ADRB2 markers for cancer.
US08058001B2
Methods of recombining nucleic acids, including homologous nucleic acids, are provided. Families of gene shuffling oligonucleotides and their use in recombination procedures, as well as polymerase and ligase mediated recombination methods are also provided.
US08057997B2
The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid binding compounds comprising 7-substituted 7-deaza-8aza-2,6-diamino-purine bases, compounds useful for the preparation of such compounds, various uses thereof and methods for the determination of nucleic acids using said compounds in the field of diagnostics.
US08057995B2
The present invention provides for a method of drying and spreading chromosomes from various biological samples to yield optimal chromosomal spreading. The method requires preparing a biological sample for treatment, providing a cytogenetic chamber capable of setting predetermined conditions, pre-testing a portion of the biological sample in the cytogenetic chamber, and finally treating the remaining biological sample. The method is useful to yield metaphase chromosomes that are small and rounded, with very few overlapping or scattered chromosomes. Furthermore, the method is uses restricted ranges of temperature and relative humidity to achieve consistent chromosomal spreading. The morphologies of the chromosomes are preserved in order to execute banding techniques at 550 bands and chromosomal analysis on high-resolution chromosomes.
US08057987B2
The invention relates to a patterning method of a semiconductor device. In an aspect of the invention, the method may include forming a target etch layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a photoresist film on the target etch layer, forming photoresist patterns using exposure and development processes employing an exposure mask wherein exposure patterns, each having inclined top corners, are formed, and patterning the target etch layer using an etch process employing the photoresist patterns.
US08057979B2
A photosensitive paste composition for forming a black layer on top of plasma display panel (PDP) barrier ribs includes black pigment nanoparticles for contrast enhancement and a cyclic acid anhydride for fundamentally preventing the gelation of the paste composition. The photosensitive paste composition prevents electrical or optical crosstalk between adjacent discharge cells to achieve better contrast. The fundamental prevention of the gelation of the paste composition permits the paste composition to have good storage stability.
US08057977B2
Provide is a toner including toner particles each containing at least a binder resin and a colorant, and an inorganic fine powder, in which the inorganic fine powder has a ratio (A/B) of a total pore volume A measured in a pore diameter range of from 1.9 nm or more and to 8.0 nm or less to a total pore volume B measured in a pore diameter range of from 1.9 nm or more and to 300.0 nm or less of from 0.20 or more and to 1.00 or less, and the total pore volume A is from 1.00×10−2 cm3/g or more and to 1.00 cm3/g or less.
US08057968B2
A method of making a mask is disclosed. The method includes providing a first and a second mask layers and disposing a first phase shift region on the first mask layer. A second phase shift region is disposed on the second mask layer, wherein the first and second phase shift regions are out of phase. A continuous unit cell is formed in the first phase shift region. The unit cell comprises a center section and distinct extension sections. The extension sections are contiguous to and extend outwards from the center section. The distinct extension sections have a same width as the center section. The second phase shift region is adjacent to the unit cell in the first phase shift region.
US08057965B2
The invention relates to a mask and a method of fabricating the same. When a mask pattern is formed using E-Beam, the size of the divisional region obtained by a fracturing process can not be formed equally. Therefore, the uniformity of the mask pattern is degraded. In order to form the divisional region to be of equal sizes, the method includes performing a fracturing process by adding a subsidiary pattern to divide a region except for mask pattern, thereby obtaining a mask pattern having excellent uniformity and reducing defects of semiconductor devices.
US08057962B2
The catalyst of this invention is a non-stoichiometric tungsten compound, H0.53WO3, which may be used as both the anode and cathode electrocatalyst for acid-style low-temperature fuel cells. A fuel cell using the tungsten-based electrocatalyst as both the anode and cathode has been constructed and operated with a hydrogen fuel and an air oxidant.
US08057957B2
Fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell including a housing having an outlet, a structure having a portion in the housing, the structure defining a cavity and having a surface defining an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and a fuel in the housing. The fuel is in fluid communication with the outlet through the opening and the cavity of the structure.
US08057956B2
A fuel cell includes electromotive portions, a first sheet, a second sheet, a replenishing portion and a fuel adjusting film. The electromotive portions cause fuel and oxygen to react chemically with each other to produce electrical energy. The first sheet is provided to supply the fuel to the electromotive portions. The second sheet is provided to supply the oxygen to the electromotive portions. The replenishing portion is provided at a predetermined portion of the first sheet to replenish the first sheet with the fuel. The fuel adjusting film is inserted in the first sheet to adjust the amounts of the fuel to be supplied from the first sheet to the electromotive portions.
US08057949B2
A fuel cell system has a compressor delivering compressed gas to a fuel cell stack and a control valve affecting the flow of compressed gas. A load dump condition is determined for the fuel cell stack. The flow through the compressor is increased and the additional flow diverted away from the fuel cell stack by the control valve to provide additional load for the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack may then be operated at a higher output power for the purpose of generating more waste heat to more rapidly warm itself.
US08057933B2
A safety mechanism for a laminate battery. An exterior case (5) consists of two molded sheets (5a) made of laminate sheets, superposed upon one another, and bonded together around the outer edges. The exterior case has a protrusion (10) that communicates with the interior of the exterior case and protrudes outwardly from one side. A safety vent (13) is made up of an exhaust hole (11) formed in at lease one of the two molded sheets (5a) in the protrusion (10), and a valve element (12) making elastic pressure contact with the edge of the exhaust hole (11) to seal it. The safety mechanism does not operate within the range of internal pressure variation during normal use, but operates reliably at a time point when a predetermined valve operating pressure is reached to release a necessary amount of gas to the outside, this valve operating pressure being within the safe range relative to the pressure resistance of the exterior case (5) made of laminate sheets. Also, the safety vent configuration enables a reduction in production cost.
US08057929B2
A variable capacity compressor that is operable in a normal mode and either an upward or downward rapid transient mode includes a compressor that compresses a fluid and a motor that drives the compressor. A controller powers the motor from a main power source when operating in the normal mode and powers the motor from a supplemental power source when operating in the upward rapid transient mode.
US08057920B2
Provided is a heterocyclic compound represented by Formula I: wherein Ar1 is a linking group and a C6-C16 arylene or heteroarylene group; Ar2 and Ar3 are each independently a C6-C20 aryl group, a C4-C20 heteroaryl group or a C6-C20 fused polycyclic group; Ar4 is a C6-C20 aryl group, a C6-C20 aryloxy group, a C4-C20 heteroaryl group or a C6-C20 fused polycyclic group; and Ar1 and Ar3, or Ar2 and Ar3 may be connected to each other to form a ring. The heterocyclic compound has high electrical stability and excellent charge transporting capability, and thus can be efficiently used as a material for forming at least one of a hole injecting layer, a hole transporting layer and an emitting layer suitable for fluorescent and phosphorescent devices realizing all colors including red, green, blue and white.
US08057915B2
The acoustical product of the present invention comprises an acoustical product including a matrix of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals and expanded perlite distributed throughout the matrix. The expanded perlite has a particle size distribution with at least 10% of the perlite having a particle diameter of 700 microns or more, and the amount of expanded perlite to calcium sulfate dihydrate is about 35% to about 75% by weight, based upon the dry weight of the calcium sulfate dihydrate. A dispersing agent and glass fibers having a particle length of about ¼ inch to about 1 inch are dispersed throughout the gypsum matrix.
US08057912B2
The invention relates to a blank for producing dental shaped parts, comprising a blank body (1) made of tooth restoration material, from which the shaped part can be machined using a tool (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for removing material. The aim of the invention is to enable a reliable verification or recognition of the tool fitting or of the type and state of wear of the used tool of a machine tool for the blank. To this end, the blank has at least one gauge (4, 5), whose dimensions are such that the tool present for the machining can be identified by the gauge on the basis of its outer contour. The invention also relates to a method for producing dental shaped parts with a blank body made of tooth restoration material, from which the entire shaped part can be machined in a machining device by a tool for removing material. In order to enable a reliable verification or recognition of the tool fitting or of the type and state of wear of the used tool of a machine tool for the blank, the tool selected for the machining is, before its use, verified with regard to the outer contour thereof by using at least one gauge that is placed upon the blank.
US08057901B2
The invention relates to a carbon nanotube composite material, to methods of its production and to uses of such composite material.
US08057896B2
A seal and method of manufacture is provided for sealing containers such as bottles, jars and the like. The seal (i.e., closure) is formed with a lower sheet-like structure having a non-foam, heat-distributing layer thereon. The lower structure includes a foil support layer and has a polymer layer, such as a PET layer disposed on its bottom surface. A heat-activated sealant layer is provided under the bottom surface of the PET layer to bond the seal to a container opening. The non-foam, heat-distributing layer is preferably a polyolefin film. Seals in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention also include a top portion, which is only partially bonded (directly or indirectly) to the bottom portion, so as to leave a tab portion extending from the seal. The top portion is advantageously bonded from periphery to periphery of the bottom portion and at or slightly offset from the diameter (middle) of the bottom portion. The top portion is advantageously formed with polymer material, such as an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) layer, having a layer of PET bonded on the top thereof. A release strip, which can have a release layer coated on the bottom thereof, is adhered to the top or bottom structures and used to prevent the tab from adhering to the lower structure.
US08057894B2
An adhesive tape for attaching and fixing electronic components has an adhesive layer on at least one surface of a heat-resistant film. The surface hardness of the adhesive layer is about more than 25 MPa, and the surface hardness of the adhesive layer is about more than 80 MPa after thermosetting at 200° C. for about one hour.
US08057890B2
The surface of an aluminum alloy shaped product is covered with ultrafine recesses by being dipped in an eroding aqueous solution, or has formed thereon a metal oxide layer covered with the openings of ultrafine pores by anodizing. On the resin side, there is prepared a polyamide resin compounded with an impact resistance modifier, a mixture of an aliphatic polyamide and an aromatic polyamide, or a mixture of aromatic polyamides. The aluminum alloy shaped product is inserted into an injection mold, and a polyamide-type resin composition is injected onto the surface of the aluminum alloy shaped product, to manufacture an integrated composite.
US08057886B2
A system for altering a functionality of an optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state, comprising an optical article comprising an optical data layer for storing data, an external radiation source for generating an external stimulus adapted to interact with the optical article, such interaction causing a change in optical accessibility of optically stored data, a directing material, wherein said directing material is for directing the external stimulus to selective portions of the optical article, thereby altering the functionality of the optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state; a convertible element capable of responding to the external stimulus to irreversibly alter the optical article from the pre-activated state of functionality to the activated state of functionality, wherein said convertible element comprises a color-shift dye, a magnetic material, a thermo-chromic material, a magneto-optical material, a light scattering material, a phase-change material, dye aggregates, or combinations thereof.
US08057885B2
The invention relates to a multilayer washable material which comprises at least one layer of a textile material, the layers being joined to one another using an adhesive composition, which is characterized in that in the interfacial region between each pair of layers bearing against one another there is an adhesive composition in the form of a pattern, and no finishing of the multilayer material, as such and/or of a smaller part obtained therefrom, is carried out. One example of a multilayer washable material of this type is a washable underpad comprising a moisture-permeable top layer material (2); a moisture-impermeable bottom layer material (3) and a moisture-absorption element (1) positioned between them, the top layer material (2), the bottom layer material (3) and the moisture-absorption element (1) being joined to one another. The adhesive composition used is preferably a moisture-curing reactive polyurethane hotmelt material.
US08057878B2
A waterproof, insulated multi-layer fabric structure is described, including a first and second layer to bound an interior volume. A baffle layer is located in the bounded volume and undulates between the first layer and second layer. The baffle layer is directly attached to the first layer. Adhesive tape portions are attached to the second layer to eliminate the need of stitching through the second layer, improving the structure's waterproof qualities. The baffle layer is attached to the adhesive tape portions which extend from the second layer. A method for manufacturing the multi-layer structure is also described.
US08057865B1
Polysilanes, inks containing the same, and methods for their preparation are disclosed. The polysilane generally has the formula H—[(AHR)n(c—AmHpm−2)q]—H, where each instance of A is independently Si or Ge; R is H, —AaHa+1Ra, Halogen, aryl or substituted aryl; (n+a)≧10 if q=0, q≧3 if n=0, and (n+q)≧6 if both n and q≠0; p is 1 or 2; and m is from 3 to 12. In one aspect, the method generally includes the steps of combining a silane compound of the formula AHaR14−a, the formula AkHgR1′h and/or the formula c—AmHpmR1rm with a catalyst of the formula R4xR5yMXz (or an immobilized derivative thereof) to form a poly(aryl)silane; then washing the poly(aryl)silane with an aqueous washing composition and contacting the poly(aryl)silane with an adsorbent to remove the metal M. In another aspect, the method includes the steps of halogenating a polyarylsilane to form a halopolysilane; and reducing the halopolysilane with a metal hydride to form the polysilane. The synthesis of semiconductor inks via dehydrocoupling of silanes and/or germanes allows for tuning of the ink properties (e.g., viscosity, boiling point, and surface tension) and for deposition of silicon films or islands by spincoating, inkjetting, dropcasting, etc., with or without the use of UV irradiation.
US08057855B1
A process for densifying porous structures inside a furnace using non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD includes disposing a number of porous structures in a stack within a furnace. The stack has a center opening region extending through the porous structures and an outer region extending along the outside of the porous structures. Channels provide fluid communication between the center opening region and the outer region. A first portion of a gas composition is introduced to the center opening region. A second portion of the gas composition is introduced to the outer region. The porous structures are densified from an average density of less than 0.60 g/cm3 to an average density of greater than 1.70 g/cm3 in a single cycle of non-pressure gradient CVI/CVD.
US08057854B2
A surface treatment method can perform coated surface treatment on a cutting edge R and a rake surface, while maintaining a radius of curvature of the cutting edge R and uniformly surface-treating the rake surface. The surface treatment method includes providing an opening chamfered at corners adjacent to an upper surface of the fixture to the fixture for fixing a coated cutting insert; fixing the coated cutting insert inside the opening in such a manner that a rake surface of the coated cutting insert is disposed lower than upper surfaces of the fixture but higher than a lower edge created on the opening of the fixture by the chamfering; and conducting the surface treatment on a cutting edge R and the rake surface of the coated cutting insert.
US08057852B2
Glass as a substrate for fluorescence-based assays is expensive. Disclosed is a poly(cyclic olefin) alternative to glass that is of comparable sensitivity. More specifically, disclosed is a method of making a microdevice for the immobilization of biomolecules for the purpose of carrying out a fluorescence-based assay, said method comprising providing a substrate comprising a poly(cyclic olefin); protecting the substrate from ultraviolet (UV) light; and subjecting a surface of said UV-protected substrate to ozone oxidation to activate said surface; wherein a content of intrinsic fluorophores on the surface of the substrate remains substantially unchanged after the ozone oxidation. Also disclosed is a microdevice for the immobilization of biomolecules for the purpose of carrying out a fluorescence-based assay, said microdevice comprising a body comprising a poly(cyclic olefin), said body having an ozone-activated surface substantially free of intrinsic fluorophores; wherein said activated surface is substantially free of intrinsic fluorescence during a fluorescence-based assay of said biomolecules bound to said activated surface.
US08057851B2
The present invention relates to a method for coating substrates, comprising the steps of: a) preparing a substrate, b) applying a composition onto at least one side of the substrate, the composition containing an inorganic compound, the inorganic compound containing at least one metal and/or semimetal selected from the group Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, Nb, V, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Co, B, Al, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Zn, Pb, Sb, Bi or mixtures thereof and at least one element selected from the group Te, Se, S, O, Sb, As, P, N, C, Ga or mixtures thereof, and an electrically conductive substance selected from metals, particulate metals, metal alloys, particulate metal alloys, conductive compounds containing carbon or mixtures thereof, c) drying the composition applied in step b), d) applying at least one coating onto the at least one side of the substrate onto which the composition was applied in step b), the coating containing a silane of the general formula (Z1)Si(OR)3, where Z1 is R, OR or Gly (Gly=3-glycidyloxypropyl) and R is an alkyl radical having from 1 to 18 carbon atoms and all R may be identical or different, oxide particles selected from the oxides of Ti, Si, Zr, Al, Y, Sn, Zn, Ce or mixtures thereof, and an initiator, the coating preferably containing 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and/or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and/or N-2-aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and e) drying the coating applied in step d), as well as to the coated substrate.
US08057844B2
Methods for coating an implantable medical device, such as a stent, are provided.
US08057842B2
A method of coating a microneedle array by applying a coating fluid using a flexible film in a brush-like manner. A method of coating a microneedle array comprising: providing a microneedle array having a substrate and a plurality of microneedles; providing a flexible film; providing a coating solution comprising a carrier fluid and a coating material; applying the coating solution onto a first major surface of the flexible film; performing a transfer step of bringing the first major surface of the flexible film into contact with the microneedles and removing the flexible film from contact with the microneedles; and allowing the carrier fluid to evaporate. Also, a method of coating a microneedle array by applying a coating solution onto a first major surface of a coating substrate to form a layer of applied coating solution having a thickness equal to or less than the height of at least one of the microneedles and performing a transfer step of bringing the first major surface of the coating substrate into contact with the microneedles and removing the coating substrate from contact with the microneedles, thereby transferring at least a portion of the coating solution to the microneedle array.
US08057830B2
Cleansing compositions are described that comprise at least one surfactant, at least one extract of a Lamiaceae family plant, and at least one extract of a Liliaceae family plant. The at least one extract of the Lamiaceae family plant and the at least one extract of the Liliaceae family plant are present in effective amounts to at least partially counteract skin irritation induced by the at least one surfactant. Methods of reducing skin irritation induced by a surfactant comprise contacting skin with a detergent comprising at least one surfactant, at least one extract of a Lamiaceae family plant, and at least one extract of a Liliaceae family plant, wherein the at least one extract of the Lamiaceae family plant, and the at least one extract of the Liliaceae family plant at least partially counteract irritation induced by the at least one surfactant.
US08057829B2
Methods for repelling flying or biting insects from an area, a human, or an animal subject are provided. The methods include treating the area, or applying to a subject or to a device worn by the subject seychellene, α-guaiene, and α-bulnesene, or a mixture thereof. Additional compounds including β-caryophyllene, isocaryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide, β-caryophyllene ketone, α-humulene, β-patchoulene, α-patchoulene, β-elemene, (+)-longipinene, (−)-isolongifolene, (+)-longifolene, and linalool, clove oil, and/or patchouli oil may also be used.
US08057818B2
Liquid, injectable, aqueous solutions are transformed in situ to an expandable foam-like, space filling, and adherent biomaterial. Preferably, the foam-like biomaterial is the reaction product of a two-part liquid system to achieve the in situ formation thereof. The liquid system is generally comprised of a protein solution and a cross linker solution which may either be premixed and then applied to a site in need of the biomaterial, or simultaneously mixed and delivered through an in-line mixing/dispensing tip directly to the site. In especially preferred embodiments, an expandable foam-like biomaterial includes the reaction product of human or animal-derived protein material and a di- or polyaldehyde in the presence of a bicarbonate and an acidic titrant amounts sufficient to impart a cellular foam structure to the material.
US08057817B2
This invention generally covers a ringed-mesh intravaginal device and applicator therefore wherein the ringed-mesh comprises a composite ring comprising a flexible matrix containing one or more bioactive agent or agents and needed excipients or modulators, and the said matrix is reinforced with a fibrous construct to provided needed initial and in-use biomechanical stability. Of special application of the medicated, ringed-mesh is its use for securing contraception relying on biomechanical, pharmacological, and biochemical means.
US08057801B2
A novel galectin, a polynucleotide encoding the same, a vector and a transformant comprising the polynucleotide, an antibody against the galectin, and a screening method for screening a substance capable of modifying the galectin, are disclosed. According to the galectin, polynucleotide, or vector, it is possible, for example, to exterminate ticks, or to treat or prevent tick-borne infections such as rickettsiosis, filariasis, Q fever, African recurrent fever, or viral encephalitis.
US08057797B2
The disclosed technology provides an enriched antibody population, highly specific for an antigen of a surface polysaccharide, from a mycobacterium. In a related embodiment, the antibody is enriched by having been raised in an environment that maintains antigenically active antigen. These antibodies may be used in an immunoreactive environment for detecting the presence of a mycobacterial infection in a sample from a subject.
US08057780B2
Disclosed herein is a method for synthesizing a nanoparticle using a carbene derivative. More specifically, provided is a method for synthesizing a nanoparticle by adding one or more precursors to an organic solvent to grow a crystal, wherein a specific carbene derivative is used as the precursor.
US08057778B2
The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a carbon nanotube array. In the method a tubular substrate is provided. The tubular substrate includes an outer sidewall with a catalyst layer located on the outer sidewall. The heating member, and the tubular substrate with the catalyst layer is received in a reacting chamber. The tubular substrate is heated by the heating member. A carbon source gas is supplied into the reacting chamber to grow the carbon nanotube array on the tubular substrate.
US08057777B2
A system is provided that can be utilized to generate nanotubes with substantially similar chirality. The system provides a resonant frequency, keyed to a desired radial breathing mode linked to the desired chirality, that causes a template of catalysts particles or nanotubes to oscillate at the provided resonant frequency, so as to stimulate growing nanotubes to oscillate at a corresponding resonant frequency. This resonant frequency can be a result of a high frequency field or the natural heat radiation generated by the system.
US08057775B2
Embodiments relate to methods of fabricating PCD materials by subjecting a mixture that exhibits a broad diamond particle size distribution to a HPHT process, PCD materials so-formed, and PDCs including a polycrystalline diamond table comprising such PCD materials. In an embodiment, a method includes subjecting a mixture to heat and pressure sufficient to form a PCD material. The mixture comprises a plurality of diamond particles exhibiting a diamond particle size distribution characterized, in part, by a parameter θ that is less than about 1.0, where θ = x 6 · σ , x is the average particle size of the diamond particle size distribution, and σ is the standard deviation of the diamond particle size distribution. In an embodiment, the diamond particle size distribution can be generally modeled by the following equation: C P F T 100 = D n - D S n D L n - D S n , wherein CPFT is the cumulative percent finer than, D is diamond grain size, DL is the largest-sized diamond grain, DS is the smallest-sized diamond grain, and n is a distribution modulus.
US08057773B2
The invention described herein relates to a novel process that eliminates the need for post combustion CO2 capture from fired heaters (at atmospheric pressure and in dilute phase) in a petroleum refinery to achieve environmental targets by capturing CO2 in a centralized facility and providing fuel gas low in carbon to the fired heaters. It combines the pre-combustion capture of carbon dioxide with production of a hydrogen fuel source within a refinery to drastically reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the plant. The hydrogen fuel is utilized for the process fired heaters and the fuel quality (carbon content) can be set to meet the refinery's emissions objectives. Moreover, the carbon dioxide captured can be sequestered and/or utilized for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
US08057765B2
Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.
US08057764B2
Methods and apparatus for the production of low sodium lithium carbonate and lithium chloride from a brine concentrated to about 6.0 wt % lithium are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for direct recovery of technical grade lithium chloride from the concentrated brine are also disclosed.
US08057760B2
The invention relates to a reaction vessel, a reaction vessel liquid introducing device, a liquid introducing and reaction measuring device, and a liquid introducing device, and is directed to being able to perform temperature control of a liquid stored within the reaction vessel with a high accuracy and faithful responsiveness. The reaction vessel comprises: a storage chamber in which a liquid is storable, that has an opening part; a reaction chamber that is formed thinner or narrower than the storage chamber; and at least one flow passage that communicates between the storage chamber or the exterior and the reaction chamber. The reaction vessel is formed such that it is connectable to a liquid introducing section provided externally, and the liquid can be introduced into the reaction chamber by connecting to the liquid introducing section.
US08057753B2
A test strip ejection mechanism, for use with a test strip receiving port and a test strip, includes a framework, an elongated shape memory alloy (SMA) strip (e.g., a SMA wire), a slider, and a heating module. The SMA strip has first and second ends that are attached to the framework and exhibits a solid state transition temperature. The slider is configured to travel along the framework. The heating module is configured to heat the SMA strip from a temperature below the solid state transition temperature to a temperature above the solid state transition temperature. Moreover, the SMA strip and slider are configured such that the slider travels along the framework under an applied force exerted on the slider by the SMA strip as the shape memory strip is heated from a temperature below the solid state transition temperature to a temperature above the solid state temperature by the heating module. In addition, the slider has a proximal end configured to engage a test strip received within a test strip receiving port and eject the test strip from the test strip receiving port as the slider travels along the framework. A test meter for use with a test strip includes a test strip receiving port and a test strip ejection mechanism.
US08057752B2
A method for analyzing formation fluid in earth formation surrounding a borehole includes storing analytical reagent in a reagent container in a fluids analyzer in a formation tester and moving the formation tester, including the reagent, downhole. Reagent from the reagent container is injected into formation fluid in the flow-line to make a mixture of formation fluid and reagent. The mixture is moved through a spectral analyzer cell in the fluids analyzer to produce a time-series of optical density measurements at a plurality of wavelengths. A characteristic of formation fluid is determined by spectral analysis of the time-series of optical density measurements.
US08057751B2
A sterilizing apparatus is inserted into a cold or warm water passage of a water dispenser, a purified water passage of a water purifier, a discharge pipe of a beverage bending machine, an air suction unit of an air conditioner and so on to inject a high pressure steam for sterilization. The sterilizing apparatus using a high pressure steam includes an injection member for controlling a high pressure steam to be selectively injected; a rotating unit having a hollow perforated in a length direction of the rotating unit so that the steam injected from the injection member passes through the hollow, a rotating means being installed in the hollow to be rotated by the passing steam; and a nozzle unit coupled to the rotating means to rotate together with the rotating means, and having a rod-shaped nozzle for injecting the steam.
US08057750B2
A process of producing magnetite with a high purity of greater than 90% magnetite, more typically greater than 98% magnetite, by reducing powdered hematite into magnetite under maximum temperatures of about 700 to 1300° C. against a counter-current of or concurrent with methane or natural gas in a heating device. The amount of methane used to reduce the hematite may be about 0.18 and 1.8 standard cubic feet of methane per pound of hematite. A product of high purity methane produced from the process is also provided, where the magnetite is below 1 μM in diameter and has a magnetic saturation greater than 90.0 emu/g. Corresponding apparatus using an improved feeder system for powdered hematite is provided.
US08057749B2
A device for carrying out exothermal chemical reactions wherein a gas phase is guided across a fixed bed and allowed to react, comprising a housing and an exchangeable unit wherein the reaction takes place.
US08057748B2
In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe, method and system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. An exemplary syringe can have a gas chamber and one or more electrodes. A portion of at least one electrode can be within the gas chamber. Alternatively, singularly or in conjunction, one or both electrodes can be attached to the outside of an exemplary syringe. One or more electrical contact points can be outside the gas chamber. Each electrical contact point can be connected to an electrode. Oxygen gas can provided within the gas chamber of the exemplary syringe. A medical ozone generator can be connected to the syringe via the electrical contact points. Corona discharge can be effectuated via the electrodes, which can result in an amount of ozone gas can being produced from the oxygen gas.
US08057747B2
The invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating the heat transfer zones of plate fin and tube and finned tube exchangers and a catalytic mass transfer zone. The invention also provides a method for in situ regeneration of existing coated surface and augmentation of existing coated surface, or catalyst performance.
US08057736B2
The present invention discovers a new structural design technique which provides clearances between refractories 13 and fills the clearances with various types of refractories or refractory materials like in the past and, furthermore, uses another method to secure the heat expansion absorption function and provides a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 able to prevent contact between the hearth structure and furnace side walls 3 and 4 caused by heat expansion of the refractories 13 and realize safe and smooth operation, that is, a hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth laying two or more layers of refractories between side blocks 9 and 10 built at the inner circumferential end and outer circumferential end of a hearth refractory bed 7 of a rotary furnace hearth 1 and laying a powder or pellet hearth material 16 on its top surface, the hearth structure of a rotary furnace hearth 1 characterized by using refractories having a compressive strength of 0.1 to 5 MPa at 800 to 1500° C. for the refractories 14 laid at least at the topmost layer.
US08057734B2
Offgas containing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide that is produced in the reduction of ores and other metal oxides in a reactor is treated to reduce its carbon dioxide content and is then contacted with metal oxide to reduce the oxidation state of the metal and oxidize carbon monoxide therein to carbon dioxide, following which the reduced metal is oxidized with steam to produce hydrogen that can be fed to the reactor.
US08057732B2
Method for making a hollow body comprising, as sole layer(s), at least one layer L1 consisting of a polyamide composition comprising an aromatic polyamide and an impact modifier, said method comprising extruding the polyamide composition through a die.
US08057730B2
The objective of the present invention is to enable a microfilament that is a nanofilament to be manufactured continuously and consistently from all thermoplastic polymers without requiring a specialized high precision•high performance apparatus and also to present the nanofilament manufactured as described. The present invention comprises a microfilament in a nanofilament region and the manufacturing means thereof wherein a original filament transferred using a filament transfer means is supplied to an orifice under pressure P1 and is heated and drawn using an infrared light beam directly under the orifice under pressure P2 (P1>P2).
US08057727B2
The present invention is directed to skin-integrated laminates and their use as vehicle interior articles, in which the laminates feel comfortable to the touch and have a high quality of external appearances. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing these non-foaming polyurethane resins for use as design skins in vehicle interior articles and to a method for manufacturing a skin-integrated laminate from these non-foaming polyurethane resins, with both methods having increased productivity and lower cost, and without any adverse influence on the work environment. The non-foaming polyurethane resin forms a design skin surface by a reaction injection molding process, in which (I) a polyol mixture of (1) a polyol, (2) a chain extender which is 1-methyl-3,5-diethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene and/or 1-methyl-3,5-diethyl-2,6-diaminobenzene, (3) a catalyst, and (4) optionally, an auxiliary agent, and (II) a polyisocyanate compound, are reacted. The surface hardness of the non-foaming polyurethane resin, as measured by an Asker A hardness meter, is from 30 to 70.
US08057726B2
Disclosed is a process for a melt processing a polyethylene terephthalate resin characterized by one or more of the following. The polyester particles may have at least two melting peaks wherein one of the at least two melting peaks is a low peak melting point with a range from 140° C. to 220° C., or from 140° C. to 230° C., and having a melting endothermic area of at least the absolute value of 1 J/g. The polyester particles may have one or more melting peaks at least one of which when measured on a DSC first heating scan has a heating curve departing from a baseline in the endothermic direction at a temperature of less than or equal to 200° C. The polyester particles may have an It.V. at their surface which is less than 0.25 dL/g higher than the It.V. at their center. The polyester particles may have not been solid stated. The melt processing device comprises a screw with a total length, L, a feed zone length in the range from 0.16L and 0.45L, a taper angle, φ, in the range from 0.5 degrees and 5.0 degrees and a compression ratio, CR, in the range from 2.0 and 5.0.
US08057717B2
Methods and tools for assembling an article are provided. The method includes providing a mold having a cavity configured as a desired shape, positioning a base within the mold so that a surface of the base material is exposed, applying a coating material, e.g., urethane or polyurethane, to substantially cover both the exposed surface of the base and an inner surface of the cavity, depositing a cushion material into the cavity and sealing the cavity with the exposed surface of the base so that the coating material forms a skin around the cushion material and adheres the cushion material to the base.
US08057711B2
A composite lithium compound having a mixed crystalline structure is provided. Such compound can be formed by heating a lithium, iron, phosphorous and carbon mixed compound with another metal compound together. The resulting mixed metal crystal can exhibit superior electrical property and is a better cathode material for lithium secondary batteries.
US08057704B2
Disclosed are violet, blue, and green phosphors having excellent durability and high luminance. Specifically disclosed is a phosphor which contains a metal element M (M is at least one element selected from among Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Tm and Yb) for constituting a metal ion, which is solid-solubilized in an AlON crystal, an AlON solid solution crystal or an inorganic crystal having the same crystal structure as AlON. The phosphor is capable of emitting fluorescence having a peak in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 700 nm. Also disclosed is a method for producing such a phosphor. Further disclosed are an illuminating device and an image display each containing such a phosphor.
US08057698B2
The invention relates to mixtures of methacrylamide and aqueous N-methylolmethacrylamide solution.
US08057694B2
The present invention provides deicing compositions which are environmentally benign, a process for producing the composition from certain waste process streams, and methods of deicing and/or anti-icing.
US08057693B1
Described herein are compositions and methods for imparting liquid repellency and dry soil resistance to fibers. The compositions are composed of (a) a silsesquioxane, (b) a wax, (c) a surfactant, and (b) water. Also disclosed are kits comprising (a) a first aqueous composition comprising a silsesquioxane and a first surfactant and (b) a second aqueous composition comprising a wax and a second surfactant. Finally, fibers and articles treated with the compositions and methods described herein are provided.
US08057692B2
In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a feature layer is provided on a substrate and a mask layer is provided on the feature layer. A portion of the mask layer is removed in a first region of the semiconductor device where fine features of the feature layer are to be located, the mask layer remaining in a second region of the semiconductor device where broad features of the feature layer are to be located. A mold mask pattern is provided on the feature layer in the first region and on the mask layer in the second region. A spacer layer is provided on the mold mask pattern in the first region and in the second region. An etching process is performed to etch the spacer layer so that spacers remain at sidewalls of pattern features of the mold mask pattern, and to etch the mask layer in the second region to provide mask layer patterns in the second region. The feature layer is etched using the mask layer patterns as an etch mask in the second region and using the spacers as an etch mask in the first region to provide a feature layer pattern having fine features in the first region and broad features in the second region.
US08057691B2
A method of manufacturing a precise printing plate, and a method of manufacturing an LCD device using the same are disclosed, the method of manufacturing the precise printing plate comprising forming a mask layer of a predetermined pattern on a substrate; etching the substrate with an etchant including an anionic surfactant by using the mask layer of the predetermined pattern, to thereby form a trench; and removing the mask layer.
US08057690B2
Methods for creating at least one micro-electromechanical (MEMS) structure in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The SOI wafer with an extra layer of oxide is etched according to a predefined pattern. A layer of oxide is deposited over exposed surfaces. An etchant selectively removes the oxide to expose the SOI wafer substrate. A portion of the SOI substrate under at least one MEMS structure is removed, thereby releasing the MEMS structure to be used in the formation of an accelerometer.
US08057686B2
A nanotube separation method includes depositing a tag on a nanotube in a nanotube mixture. The nanotube has a defect and the tag deposits at the defect where a deposition rate is greater than on another nanotube in the mixture lacking the defect. The method includes removing the tagged nanotube from the mixture by using the tag. As one option, the tag may contain a ferromagnetic material and the removing may include applying a magnetic field. As another option, the tag may contain an ionic material and the removing may include applying an electric field. As a further option, the tag may contain an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon and the removing may include applying a centrifugal force to the nanotube mixture. Any two or more of the indicated removal techniques may be combined.
US08057685B2
A solid separator that uses a rotating screen, having spiral guides at its outer portion, over which a plurality of spiral-shaped scrapers are suspended. An inlet distributor including a plurality of apertures distributes a contaminated liquid flow over the screen, when rotated, permits the scrapers and guides to drive the deposited debris towards an outer edge of the screen and up a slight conical ramp and into a debris discharge sump. A level sensor may be included above the screen to activate the screen rotation based on the level of the contaminated liquid flow above the screen. An alternative embodiment uses individual scraper supports having respective jack mechanisms that permit the operator to independently lift and even rotate each scraper for additional cleaning or service. The alternative embodiment uses an assembly of two screens having an outer portion that also includes a slight conical ramp having spiral guides thereon.
US08057678B2
A method for the regeneration of an electrolyte bath used for an electroless metallization process. A partial flow of electrolyte is removed from the process vessel and regenerated by dialysis or electrodialysis. Metallization components are replenished. The partial flow is returned to the process vessel.
US08057669B2
A fluid filtering apparatus and method may include keyed components to ensure that a correct filter element is being installed into a filter base. Keyed arrangements may occur between a filter element and a filter housing, a filter and a filter base, and a filter base and a filter housing. A locking arrangement may be provided to prevent undesired loosening of a filter relative to a filter base. The filter base may include a torsion lock insert that engages lock detents of a filter to prevent the undesired loosening. An adaptor may be provided to provide the lock detents that interact with a torsion lock insert.
US08057667B2
A vacuum system for wastewater removal and filtration, comprising: (1) at least one velocity reducing gravity separator, comprising: (a) a water input line; (b) a water velocity reduction mechanism at an end of the water input line; (c) a settling tank; and (d) a water output line; and (2) at least one negative pressure filter pump, comprising: (a) a water input line; (b) a water velocity reduction mechanism at an end of the water input line; (c) a filtration tank; (d) a filter cloth in the filtration tank; (e) a sump pump disposed on an opposite side of the filter cloth from the water input line; (f) a water output line connected to the sump pump; and (g) an air vacuum exit line.
US08057666B2
A supercritical fluid polymer depolymerization machine is disclosed herein, which machine is capable of converting a wide range of biomass and/or waste plastic materials into a plurality of reaction products (liquid and gaseous) including fermentable sugars, hydrocarbons, and various aromatic substances that, in turn, are readily convertible into liquid transportation fuel known as “neodiesel.” In one embodiment, a supercritical fluid reaction apparatus for transforming a selected polymeric material flowstream into a plurality of reaction products is disclosed and comprises, in fluidic series: an extruder; a supercritical fluid reaction zone fluidicly connected to the extruder, the supercritical fluid reaction zone being proximate to a circumferentially positioned heater, with the heater being configured to transfer heat to the selected polymeric material flowstream admixed together with water to supercritical conditions to thereby facilitate chemical reaction; and a reaction products separation chamber fluidicly connected to the supercritical fluid reaction zone.
US08057661B2
A process is disclosed for removing highly deleterious non-basic nitrogen compounds upstream from an acid catalyzed thiophene alkylation process using adsorbents capable of adsorbing the non-basic nitrogen compounds.
US08057657B2
A method for the biomimetic treatment of an osteointegrative interface on a substrate of biocompatible metal of titanium, tantalum, or their alloys, includes performing a first anodic spark deposition (ASD) treatment of the osteointegrative interface in a calcium glycerophosphate solution, performing a second ASD anodic deposition treatment of the osteointegrative interface in a calcium hydroxide solution and performing an immersion of the osteointegrative interface in a potassium or sodium hydroxide solution.
US08057655B1
Sub-micron objects are manipulated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, Brownian motion effects are mitigated to facilitate the analysis and/or manipulation of sub-micron objects. In some applications, an electric field is applied to facilitate the manipulation of sub-micron objects in solution, facilitating the analysis of the manipulated objects. In other applications, fluid flow is used to effect the manipulation of sub-micron objects in solution.
US08057654B2
A method includes: immersing a semiconductive substrate in an electrodeposition composition, wherein at least 20 percent by weight of resin solids in the composition is a highly cross-linked microgel component, and applying a voltage between the substrate and the composition to form a dielectric coating on the substrate. A composition for use in electrodeposition includes a resin blend, a coalescing solvent, a catalyst, water, and a highly cross-linked migrogel, wherein at least 20 percent by weight of resin solids in the composition is the highly cross-linked microgel. Another composition for use in electrodeposition includes a surfactant blend, a low ion polyol, phenoxypropanol, a catalyst, water, a flexibilizer, and a highly cross-linked migrogel, wherein at least 20 percent by weight of resin solids in the composition is the highly cross-linked microgel.
US08057645B2
A system and method for electrochemically machining a work-piece contains a fixture capable of receiving a work-piece and securing the work-piece to the fixture. An electrolyte source is also provided. In addition, the system contains a rotary drive subassembly capable of receiving a portion of the work-piece therein, motion of the rotary drive assembly being determined by a received control signal, wherein frequency and amplitude of the control signal increases and decreases motion of the rotary drive subassembly, and wherein the control signal is a trapezoidal waveform.
US08057643B2
A process recovers of pyridine and/or its derivatives from their aqueous mass and/or manufacturing reaction mass by liquid-liquid extraction employing an alkyl acetate. The process further involves effective recovering and recycling of solvents from the aqueous phase and other waste obtained during the process.
US08057640B2
Tar is contacted with stripping agent, such as steam or tail gas, in a stripping tower. A product comprising deasphalted tar is recovered as overheads and a product comprising heavy tar is recovered as bottoms from the stripping tower.
US08057639B2
A system has been developed for pretreating cellulosic biomass feed stock including: a first pressurized reactor receiving the feed stock, wherein the feed stock undergoes hydrolysis in the first pressurized reactor; a sealing device having a first pressurized coupling to a feedstock discharge port of the first pressurized reactor, and a second pressurized coupling to a second pressurized reactor; a drain for a liquid including dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the feed stock in at least one of the first pressurized reactor and the sealing and extraction device; the second pressurized reactor assembly receiving the pressurized feed stock from the sealing device at a pressure substantially greater than the pressure in the first pressurized reactor, wherein cells of the feed stock are infused with water in the second pressurized reactor, and an expansion device downstream of the second pressurized reactor assembly, wherein the expansion device rapidly releases the pressure of the feed stock discharged from the second pressurized reactor such that the feed stock undergoes a steam explosion reaction.
US08057634B2
The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus capable of minimizing the non-uniformity of potential distribution around wafer circumference, and providing a uniform process across the wafer surface. The apparatus is equipped with a focus ring formed of a dielectric, a conductor or a semiconductor and having RF applied thereto, the design of which is optimized for processing based on a design technique clarifying physical conditions for flattening a sheath-plasma interface above a wafer and the sheath-plasma interface above the focus ring. A surface voltage of the focus ring is determined to be not less than a minimum voltage for preventing reaction products caused by wafer processing from depositing thereon. The surface height, surface voltage, material and structure of the focus ring are optimized so that the height of an ion sheath formed on the focus ring surface is either equal or has a height difference within an appropriate tolerance range to the height of the ion sheath formed on the wafer surface. Optimization of the structure is realized by setting up an appropriate tolerance range taking into consideration the variation caused by consumption of the focus ring.
US08057621B2
A method and apparatus are useful to produce a corrugated product. They can be used to produce a corrugated product at low temperature, such as room temperature. A zero-contact roll is used to support a web of medium material on a cushion of air at a location prior to the web entering the corrugating labyrinth. The web is free to move toward or away from the surface of the zero-contact roll, on the cushion of air, in response to small oscillatory changes in downstream tension demand based on the fluting frequency in the corrugating labyrinth. A mechanism is also provided to precisely control the mean tension in the web prior to entering the corrugating labyrinth at a low value. Thus, mean web tension is precisely controlled and is low, tension oscillations can be damped, and low temperature corrugating can be achieved without significant fracturing in the corrugated web. A single-facer useful to apply a high-solids content adhesive, also desirable for low-temperature corrugating, is also provided.
US08057612B2
A multi-composition pyrotechnic material is provided for an inflatable restraint device (for example, an airbag system or pretensioner for a vehicle). The multi-composition pyrotechnic material can be a gas generant, a micro gas generant, or an igniter, for example. The multi-composition pyrotechnic material comprises a first pyrotechnic material that defines one or more void regions. A second pyrotechnic material, compositionally distinct from the first pyrotechnic material, is introduced into at least one of the void regions and forms a second region of the pyrotechnic materials. The second composition can be introduced to the void regions in the form of a slurry. Methods of forming such multi-composition pyrotechnic materials are also provided.
US08057609B2
A fuel cell device comprising: (a) a catalytic oxidizer; (b) means for delivering gaseous fuel and oxidizer to the catalytic oxidizer; and (c) a fuel cell assembly located in the vicinity of the catalytic oxidizer such that the fuel cell assembly is able to be heated by heat generated from the reaction of fuel and oxidizer at the catalytic oxidizer; wherein the fuel cell assembly causes the generation of hot gases and an electrical output when it is heated and supplied with fuel and oxidizer, and wherein the device is provided with (d) a heat outlet which allows hot gases generated by the device to be directed out of the device and to applications requiring heat. Also provided is the use of such a device to generate heat and/or electrical power, and an appliance comprising such a device.
US08057605B2
A system and method for cleaning tapered towers such wind turbine towers. A semicircular member hugs the tower surface. A plurality of nozzles affixed to the semicircular member sprays high pressure cleaning fluid on the tower surface as the semicircular member is raised and lowered. The spray nozzles are kept at a constant distance from the tower surface by a plurality of wheels affixed to the semicircular member. At least one constricting structure is used to force the plurality of wheels to be in constant contact with the tower surface. The constricting structure can be a spring loaded scissor apparatus and/or a bungee cord with rolling beads. A brush can be optionally added to the semicircular member to aid in cleaning.
US08057602B2
Embodiments of the invention contemplate a method, apparatus and system that are used to support, position, and rotate a substrate during processing. Embodiments of the invention may also include a method of controlling the transfer of heat between a substrate and substrate support positioned in a processing chamber. The apparatus and methods described herein remove the need for complex, costly and often unreliable components that would be required to accurately position and rotate a substrate during one or more processing steps, such as an rapid thermal processing (RTP) process, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, dry etching process, wet clean, and/or laser annealing process.
US08057588B2
The present invention relates to a Solvent-free coating material and treating agents used as wood coating material as a protective agent. The wood coating material is used to provide a short period of time ultra-violet (UV) radiation curing. Furthermore the coating material relates to an anticorrosion formulation and a method for forming a coated panel. This invention also provides a low volatility and high scratch resistance of coating for wooden surfaces.
US08057587B2
A method of coloring solder is provided. The method includes providing an aqueous coloring agent solution essentially containing 31-32% wt of copper sulfate, 64-65% wt of water and 3-4% wt of salt and an anti-caking agent, drying a solder seam with a dry cloth to remove excess flux, applying the aqueous coloring agent solution directly onto the solder seam; and wiping away excess amounts of the aqueous coloring agent solution with a second dry cloth.
US08057580B2
A method of processing a multiphase well effluent mixture comprises: transferring the multiphase well effluent mixture (G+L) via a multiphase well effluent flowline (3, 23) to a gas liquid separator (5, 24) in which the multiphase well effluent mixture is separated into substantially gaseous and liquid fractions; transferring the substantially liquid fraction L into a liquid flowline (7, 25) in which a liquid pump (8, 29) is arranged; transferring the substantially gaseous fraction into a gas flowline (6, 26) in which a gas compressor (10, 30) is arranged; protecting the gas compressor (10, 30) against pressure and/or liquid surges by recirculating a recycled gas stream (Ghot) via a gas recycling conduit (14, 44) through the gas compressor in response to detection of a pressure and/or liquid surge in the multiphase well effluent mixture; cooling the recycled gas stream by injecting cooled recycled liquid (Lcold) from the liquid flowline (7, 25) into the recycled gas stream (Ghot) which recycled liquid is cooled in a heat exchanger (9, 49), which may be a compact liquid-liquid heat exchanger that is about ten times smaller than a bulky gas-liquid heat exchanger that could be arranged in the gas recycling conduit (14, 44).
US08057576B1
A flue gas adsorbent and method for making an adsorbent for mercury capture are disclosed. The adsorbent comprises an admixture of an adsorptive material and an additive that have been physically combined thereby eliminating the need for traditional impregnation. A method for removing mercury from a flue gas stream is also disclosed.
US08057573B2
An ultrasonic treatment system having a treatment chamber for treating a formulation to increase the shelf life thereof. In one embodiment, the shelf life is produced by degassing the formulation using the treatment chamber. Specifically, the treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which a formulation flows longitudinally from an inlet port to a first outlet port and a second outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulation within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other. The horn and agitating members are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating members relative to the horn at the predetermined frequency and to operate in an ultrasonic cavitation mode of the agitating members corresponding to the predetermined frequency and the formulation being treated in the chamber.
US08057556B2
A method for producing a combustion product that involves dewatering raw paint sludge from spray paint booth operations. The resulting material can provide significant and economical fuel value to combustion processes such as for power plants while also obviating the need to dispose of waste paint sludge in landfills. Additionally the process is inexpensive, safe and free of most problems associated with paint sludge drying.
US08057550B2
Certain embodiments of the invention relate to increasing the functionality of a transfemoral prosthetic device. In one embodiment, the transfemoral prosthetic device is configured such that the prosthetic knee maintains a load consistent with a healthy knee walking on level ground, while the prosthetic ankle adjusts for the incline or decline. In certain embodiments, adjustments, such as a toe lift function, are automatically performed after about three strides of the transfemoral prosthetic device user and/or when each of the strides has a stride speed of at least about 0.55 meters/second.
US08057549B2
An embodiment of an intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation in a spine includes a rigid fixation member and a compressible member. The fixation member is configured to be placed in a cavity of a first vertebral body and against bone of the first vertebral body. The compressible member is configured to be placed in a cavity in an intervertebral disc and to be secured to the first fixation member. Another embodiment includes two compressible members and one fixation member. In this embodiment, the first and second compressible members are sized to substantially replace the nucleus pulposus of first and a second intervertebral discs, respectively, on either side of a vertebral body. The fixation member is sized to fit within a cavity in the vertebral body between the first and second compressible members.
US08057547B2
An artificial intervertebral disc for implantation between two adjacent vertebrae includes superior and inferior shells connected in a ball and socket arrangement. The inferior shell preferably incorporating a convex portion that cooperates with a concave portion on the superior shell. A resilient nucleus is provided within an enclosure defined by the opposing inner surfaces of the shells and biases the shells against each other. The ball portion can be provided in either fixed or slidable arrangement. The superior and inferior shells are also provided with cooperating male and female portions whereby the shells positively engage each other, thereby preventing separation, but allowing any desired articulation there-between. The artificial disc of the invention includes various resistance means for restricting and limiting the range of rotational and translational motion between the shells.
US08057542B2
An ossicular prosthesis includes a proximal end provided with an open conically helical coil for engaging a first ossicular structure, and a distal bell head, piston, or shoe for engaging a second ossicular structure. A connecting element extends therebetween the two to hold the helical coil structure which engages the second ossicular engagement structure in a preferably fixed relationship. The helical coil defines a plurality of spaced apart adjacent windings, with open spaces between the windings. Each adjacent winding decreases in diameter from the proximal to distal end. The windings of the coil may be adjusted relative to each other in length or angle to fit the anatomy. Embodiments of the prosthesis are provided for use as a PORP and a TORP. In accord with a one method of use, the helical coil and optionally other portions of the prosthesis function as an armature or endoskeleton. A cement is provided over the prosthesis to reconstruct the eroded or missing ossicles.
US08057540B2
A method of implanting a prosthetic valve in a stenosed aortic valve via a catheterization technique. A balloon catheter is advanced into a patient's vasculature and a balloon is expanded within the stenosed aortic valve to push aside the calcified leaflets. The prosthetic valve is then introduced into a patient's vasculature through an 18 French arterial introducer. After advancement through the femoral artery and aorta, the prosthetic valve is radially expanded for implantation in the dilated aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a compressible and expandable frame and a valvular structure made with pericardial tissue. The prosthetic valve further includes an internal cover fastened to an internal surface of the frame between an inlet end of the frame and the valvular structure.
US08057538B2
The present invention is an improved apparatus for holding and maneuvering a valve during preparation and attachment to patient. The present invention is particularly useful for increased visibility of the prosthetic valve and the sewing ring to prevent suture entanglement. The present invention is used most effectively with mitral valves having commissure posts on the outflow side of the valve structure but may be used with other valve configurations. The present invention spaces the handle attachment from the valve for improved visibility of the sewing ring and the outlet end of the valve during attachment. The present invention is adapted to safely bend the commissure posts inward at the tips while preventing crashing the commissure posts into each other causing damage.
US08057537B2
A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
US08057529B2
A stent delivery system for implantation of a stent in a vessel includes an outer tubular member having a restraining sheath and an inner tubular member having a distal end which has a compressed stent mounted thereto. The proximal end of the inner tubular member is connected to a housing assembly which prevents the inner tubular member from moving when the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent. The proximal end of the outer tubular member is attached to a pull-back handle which is slidably mounted on the base of the housing assembly. When the pull-back handle is retracted, the restraining sheath is retracted to deploy the sheath, while the inner tubular member remains stationary.
US08057528B2
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating a vascular condition formed within a vessel by providing a balloon having proximal and distal regions and a stent configured to be disposed within the balloon. When the balloon is partially or fully inflated, the stent may be advanced within the confines of the balloon and then expanded to engage an inner surface of the balloon. The stent urges the balloon against the vessel wall, and the proximal and distal regions of the balloon then are cut to leave the balloon and stent within the vessel. The balloon may comprise a collagenous extracellular matrix material to facilitate fusion of the balloon with the vessel wall.
US08057505B2
An embolic protection device (2000) comprises a collapsible filter body (102), a filter support (103) for supporting the filter body (102), and a tubular member (108) to which the filter support (103) is mounted. The filter support (103) comprises two round wires (116). Each wire (116) has a “M”-shaped curve (120) in the wire (116) which acts as a strain distributing linking element. In an extended configuration, the concave portion of each curve (120) faces longitudinally in the distal direction. In a collapsed configuration, the concave portion faces radially inwardly towards the tubular member (108) and wraps around part of the tubular member (108) to define a compact, low-profile filter support (103). Tethers (500, 501) extend between the curves (120) and a sleeve (201) slidably mounted to the tubular member (108). The distal end of each tether (500, 501) is fixedly attached to the sleeve (201) and to the filter body (102). The sleeve (201) is slidable over the tubular member (108) between a pair of stops.
US08057496B2
A medical device for removing a thrombus from a blood vessel and a process thereof is presented. The device includes an outer sheath with a plurality of lumens. A wire guide inserted through one of the lumens is used to place the device proximate to a thrombus. A chemical lysing agent is used to at least partially lyse the thrombus. A wire basket extended through the first lumen proximate to the thrombus is translated back and forth to generate a force that may be transmitted to the partially lysed thrombus assisting in the formation of smaller fragments. A vacuum coupled to the distal end of the second lumen is used to remove the lysed thrombus fragments.
US08057492B2
Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient, and the implantable port is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient. The implantable pump is a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump.
US08057470B2
An electrosurgical pencil includes an adjustable-length suction tube which surrounds a stationary electrode to evacuate smoke and electrosurgical byproducts from a surgical site. An electrode anchor unit is located within the interior of the suction tube to allow relative movement of the suction tube relative to a stationarily-retained electrode, and to receive and connect to different lengths of the electrodes. Adjusting the length of the suction tube relative to the different lengths of the electrode achieves effective evacuation, among other things.
US08057465B2
An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
US08057461B2
A stent is designed to be placed in a lumen of a patient and extend therethrough. The stent includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a distal retention structure and the proximal end includes a plurality of radially extending flexible segments to prevent migration of the stent through the lumen. At least one radially extending flexible segment at the proximal end is able to assume an outwardly everted configuration. The stent of the invention, due to its dimensions, shape, and rigidity, minimizes the force of contact and abrasion to sensitive areas of the patient's body, such as the trigone region of the bladder and the ureteral-vesical junction.
US08057450B2
An absorbent article having a waist region and a crotch region. The article including a backsheet, an absorbent core, and a sensation member. The absorbent core is disposed between the backsheet and the sensation member. The sensation member forms a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. The sensation member has a wicking factor of greater than about 20 mm at about one minute, an absorptive capacity of greater than about 0.01 g/cm2, and a capillary pressure of greater than about 50 mm of water.
US08057442B2
A pressure actuated flow control valve for an infusion catheter permits gravity flow of a liquid through the catheter and into a patient while resisting back flow of blood from the patient and into the catheter. The valve has a hemispherical body with an outstanding circumferential flange and a normally closed, diametric slit. The slit is longer on the convex outer surface than on the concave inner surface. Dome thickness diminishes in the area adjacent the slit, reducing total apical deflection upon collapse of the slit toward the concave surface. An inner orthogonal rib biases the slit closed. Upon application of a predetermined pressure, the slit opens toward the concave surface to permit forward fluid flow. At lower pressures, the slit closes to check fluid flow. Greater reverse pressure is required to collapse the slit toward the concave surface to permit reverse fluid flow.
US08057438B2
A surgical portal apparatus for receiving medical instrumentation includes a portal member adapted for passage through tissue for providing access to an underlying tissue site, and having a longitudinal opening extending therethrough. The portal member has a magnetic material for creating a magnetic field adapted to urge magnetically responsive instrumentation at least toward the longitudinal opening to permit passage therethrough and use of the instrumentation in performing a medical procedure adjacent the tissue site.
US08057437B2
A radially sealing valve for preventing free flow from an IV set has an elastomeric cup portion that covers an outlet opening and is normally closed by its resiliency. The valve can be incorporated into a cassette for an IV pump that automatically opens the valve when the cassette is loaded. Axial force on the bottom of the cupped valve provides radial contraction or expansion of the sidewall of the valve to open a fluid path.
US08057432B2
A selectively lockable introducer assembly is disclosed that comprises an introducer cannula and a needle guide. The introducer cannula is defined by a proximal end and a distal end and includes a lumen extending therebetween. The needle guide is defined by a body portion that includes at least one channel extending therethrough. The introducer cannula is configured to be selectively receivable within the at least one channel and the introducer cannula may be selectively lockable with respect to the needle guide such that the introducer cannula is selectively prevented from moving laterally with respect to the needle guide.
US08057430B2
An elongate shaft of a medical catheter including a thermoset polymeric tubular member including a skived distal portion. The skived distal portion includes a distally extending trough having a convex surface and a concave surface. A thermoplastic tubular sleeve may be positioned over at least a portion of the skived distal portion of the thermoset polymeric tubular member. In some instances, the thermoplastic tubular sleeve includes a crescent-shaped tubular portion defining a crescent-shaped lumen. The trough of the skived distal portion may extend through the crescent-shaped lumen. The thermoplastic tubular sleeve is thermally bonded to the inner and outer tubular members of a distal section of the elongate shaft at a guidewire port joint.
US08057412B2
An apparatus includes a frame having a substantially planar first portion and a substantially planar second portion. The first and second portions are spaced rigidly apart from each other in a substantially parallel orientation to define a passage that extends through the frame between the first portion and the second portion. The passage is dimensioned and configured to receive a hand. A central axis extends longitudinally through the passage. The apparatus further comprises a first pad and a second pad located on an exterior of the first portion of the frame and spaced apart from each other to provide a channel that extends longitudinally between the first pad and the second pad substantially orthogonal to the central axis. The channel may be configured to align with the spine where the first pad and the second pad are positioned to lie on opposing sides of the spine.
US08057391B2
An apparatus for delivering HIFU energy may include a probe with a plurality of leaves that provide a bowl-shaped HIFU therapy transducer. In once case, pins may slide within grooves in the leaves to deploy the leaves. In another case, spines may be configured to slide in a channel defined in each leaf. In other cases, a spring or a shape memory alloy may be used to deploy the leaves. In another implementation, a probe may be fitted with a flexible material that couples the HIFU therapy transducer to the probe and allows the transducer to be drawn to the side of the probe for insertion. In another implementation, a probe may have one or more inflatable bladders that form the HIFU therapy transducer. In yet another implementation, a probe may have an imaging component and a HIFU therapy transducer disposed thereon that rotate, as a unit, about a hinge.
US08057389B2
A method and system for ultrasound treatment utilizing a multi-directional transducer to facilitate treatment, such as therapy and/or imaging or other tissue parameter monitoring, in two or more directions. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a multi-directional transducer comprises at least two transduction elements configured to provide for ultrasound energy, such as radiation, acoustical energy, heat energy, imaging, positional information and/or tissue parameter monitoring signals in two or more directions. The transduction elements can comprise various materials for providing ultrasound energy or radiation, such as piezoelectric materials, with and without matching layers. In addition, the transduction elements can be configured for substantially uniform, focused and/or defocused radiation patterns, as well as for single, multiple-element and/or multiple-element array configurations. In addition, an exemplary multi-directional transducer can comprise multiple elements, either side by side, stacked or in an array.
US08057386B2
An integrated endoscope and accessory treatment device is provided. The device employs a medical treatment device at its distal end that is combined with the endoscope as a complete system. The treatment device is controlled by integrated elements at the proximal end of the endoscope. The treatment devices may include tissue apposition devices, tissue cutting devices, forceps and others.
US08057384B2
Methods and devices for providing a minimally-invasive placement of a mechanical structure for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ. Intragastric bands may be secured within the hollow body organ and then reduced in diameter to form a stricture within the hollow body organ. The strictures may be placed anywhere within the hollow body organ, and more than one stricture may be formed within the hollow body organ.
US08057380B2
A process is provided for operating a thermotherapy device with a bed surface (10) and with discharge channels for conditioned air in the longitudinal direction of the bed surface (10) and on the foot side (3) thereof as well as with an exhaust unit (11) above the bed surface (10). The air being discharged from the discharge channels is directed towards the exhaust unit (11) such that the discharge angle α changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, the elevation angle β changes continuously as a function of the distance between the exhaust unit (11) and the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels, and the value of the velocity of the discharge flow changes continuously as a function of the site of the discharge flow from the discharge channels.
US08057371B2
A portable workout apparatus comprising a bar, a frame, and a padded structured secured to the frame. The bar is held at an adjustable bar height. The frame supports the bar at the adjustable bar height. The padded structure is secured to the frame, and has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions have a deployed position forming a substantially horizontal surface that forms an opening with the bar and the frame that is adapted to accommodate a user. The first portion is further capable of pivoting, relative to the second portion, to a substantially vertical position for storage.
US08057369B1
Floatable chair devices, apparatus, systems and methods of using the chair having buoyant material in the headrest as well as the arm rests to provide for a stable floatation platform that would suspend the user to “lounge” or relax or engage in various exercises. The chair can be adjusted by moveable and extendable outrigger floats and/or a head rest, Parallel sideway extending gripping handles can provide the ability to maintain control of the chair and prevent the user from drifting out of the chair during various rigorous exercises. The seat can incorporate unique features to hold the user in place to facilitate the various exercise and prevent “drift” out of the chair yet not secure the individual to the seat in a way that would prevent rapid separation from the device in case of capsize or a compromised position that could increase the risk of drowning. The chair can be easily maneuvered around a swimming pool by kicking with the legs or propelled forward or backward by arm movements. The chair can include a molded back and torso section to the seat to optimize range of motion of the upper extremities and in the lower seat portion of the chair range of motion of the lower extremities. Additional resistance elements, such as but not limited to weighted bands and elongated resistance bands can be used. Methods of doing exercises in one's legs, arms, stomach, and the like, can be used.
US08057367B2
Exercise apparatus and method with selectively variable stabilization enabling a user to progressively increase his/her core body muscular strength. In various embodiments, the exercise apparatus includes a resistance cabling system providing a user defined line of motion, and a partial stabilizer pad being adjustably positionable offset from the line of motion, wherein the user's core body is positionable against the pad and required to resist the torque created by the offset. The user can progressively increase the distance between the line of motion and partial stabilizer pad, in order to progressively increase the force which the user's core body must resist to maintain an upright stature. In this way, the user can progressively, over time, increase his or her core body strength. A vertically and rotatably adjustable handle/arm assembly, resistance cabling and pulley assembly, and an overall exercise apparatus having a relatively small footprint but allowing multiple variable exercise routines, are also provided.
US08057362B2
An exercise device provides a revolving range of motion around an axis designed to provide an exercise of the whole torso muscles in one block. Multiple embodiments include a base frame, an arm portion connected to and extending from the base frame and a rotatable platform mounted on the arm portion. In some embodiments, the arm portion is adjustable and is configured to form a plurality of angles with the base frame, and the platform is configured to be mounted on the arm portion at a plurality of distances from a center of the base frame. Other embodiments include a base frame, a substantially enclosed track mounted on the base frame, a rolling mechanism that rides on the substantially enclosed track and a rotatable platform that rides on the rolling mechanism.
US08057360B2
An example system includes a processor and communication circuitry under the control of the processor. The communication circuitry is configured to communicate exercise programs to exercise apparatuses, the communicated exercise programs including a first exercise program for use in controlling an exercise apparatus of a first exercise type and a second exercise program for use in controlling an exercise apparatus of a second exercise type different than the first exercise type.
US08057347B2
A power transmitting apparatus can be configured to switch between 2-wheel drive mode and 4-wheel drive mode and to lock and unlock a differential device. The power transmitting apparatus can comprise an input shaft connected to a driving power source i.e. an engine of vehicle and rotated around one rotational axis, a pair of output shafts of left and right sides for driving front wheels or rear wheels of vehicle when driving force is transmitted from the input shaft, a differential device arranged between the input shaft and the output shafts for absorbing the difference of rotation between the output shafts by differential action thereof, an operational shaft for performing connection and disconnection between the input shaft and output shafts by connecting and disconnecting the input shaft and the output shafts and also performing locking and unlocking of the differential means, a driving means for arbitrarily driving the operational shaft, and a case mounted on a vehicle and containing the differential means and the operational shaft characterized in that the input shaft extends from a rear side of the case facing toward the engine substantially in parallel with the operational shaft; and that the driving means is arranged on the rear side of the case.
US08057344B2
A power transmission belt with an embedded load carrier cord having a plurality of yarns and possessing a first twist corresponding to a first twist multiplier and a first twist direction, and possessing a second twist corresponding to a second twist multiplier in the opposite direction, such that the ratio of the first twist multiplier to the second twist multiplier is greater than about 1.5, and at least one yarn includes fibers of polyketone or polyvinylalcohol.
US08057330B2
Adaptors for mounting arrowheads to arrow shafts are disclosed. Example embodiments include an outer attachment portion that engages the outer surface of a hollow arrow shaft, and an inner attachment portion that engages the inner surface of the hollow arrow shaft. Other embodiments may include single-piece adaptors configured to receive the end of a hollow arrow shaft, and adaptors with arrowhead receiving portions. Still other embodiments may include an inner attachment portion that is inserted into the hollow of a hollow arrow shaft and an outer attachment portion that surrounds and receives the outer surface of the hollow arrow shaft.
US08057329B2
An improved retractable court standard is described. The retractable court standard typically comprises a plurality of elongated tubular sections and an elongated top section. Each of the elongated tubular sections has a top end and a bottom end, and different dimension. Additionally, the elongated top section typically has a top end and a bottom end, and a net securing assembly coupled proximal the top end. At least one elongated tubular section is slidably and rotatably disposed within another circumferentially adjacent elongated tubular section. Importantly, the at least one elongated tubular section has one of at least one rotational locking channel and at least one securing pin. The circumferentially adjacent elongated tubular section has the other of the at least one rotational locking channel and the at least one securing pin. Methods of extending, retracting, and storing the improved retractable court standard are also described.
US08057328B2
A method for deciding whether a movable object has been brought through a goal having a goal area defined by the goal, an internal magnetic field being measurable, within the goal area or in parallel with the goal area, which is larger than an external magnetic field present outside the goal area, the method including a step of generating the internal magnetic field within the goal, a step of providing information about a magnetic field experienced by the movable object, and a step of evaluating the information about the magnetic field to provide a goal statement by means of a detection that the movable object has passed through the internal magnetic field.
US08057327B2
A method of custom fitting a golf club or like implements having a shaft and a club head at a lower end thereof. The method utilizes the centerline of the shaft to determine the proper lie angle and true playing length for the shaft. A pointing device is attached to the shaft such that a projected point thereof is aligned with the centerline of the shaft to extend the centerline to the sole of the club head. The club head is placed on a universal setup mat with the club face aligned with the baseline thereof and the projected point on a target line where the sweet spot of the club head should hit a ball. A lie angle protractor on the mat is folded upward so the lie angle can be read from the protractor. The method also determines the proper grip size for the handle of the shaft.
US08057318B2
An infant swing includes a support frame, a holding frame, a driving device, and a power supply device. The support frame includes a first connecting port, a second connecting port, and a leg assembly. Two ends of the leg assembly are connected to the first connecting port and the second connecting port. The holding frame is pivoted to the first connecting port and the second connecting port. The driving device is disposed on the first connecting port for driving the holding frame to swing relative to the support frame. The power supply device is disposed on the leg assembly and is electrically connected to the driving device. The power supply device is used for providing the driving device with power for driving the holding frame.
US08057316B2
An amusement device that is added to a new or existing bumper boat attraction, consisting of a singular or plurality of targets, lights, water effect devices, and a control system or module. The target may be comprised of a mechanical switch, pressure switch, sensor, optical beam, or any other device for detecting a participant signal. When a participant operating a bumper boat, bumps (or sprays if equipped with onboard squirt guns), or enters into the sensor area of pool, a signal is sent to a control module or control system. The control module or system will in turn send a signal to a water effect device, actuating a singular or plurality of valves. The water effect device will be directed over the pool or arena area such that there is a possibility of other participants getting wet. A water effect device may consist of a water cannon, water blast, mist, air assisted mist, dumping of water or water spray.
US08057315B2
A shaft assembly, comprising: a generally hollow shaft having first and second ends and at least one internal tube positioned within the shaft so as to be adapted to be placed under tension to control the natural frequency of the shaft. The shaft assembly has a predetermined length and the series of internal tubes has a cumulative length that is greater than the predetermined length of the shaft.
US08057311B2
A torsional vibration damper includes at least one spring element and a sliding block. The sliding block includes a first surface section that operatively faces an adjacent spring element, is harder than another surface section of the sliding block, has first and/or second supporting surfaces for radial support of the spring element, and has first and/or second supporting surfaces for axial support of the spring element. A second surface section has a sliding surface for sliding support of the sliding block, and a basic body includes plastic. The first and/or second surface section(s) is/are formed by at least one first insert that is harder than the plastic. The first surface section is formed by at least two elongate second inserts that are spaced apart from one another and projected and on which the spring element can be supported in a centering manner in a radial direction.
US08057304B2
To provide a game machine capable of recording a play score for a team constituted of self and partners in a portable recording medium separately for each team, and executing team-specific game processing by using recorded data regarding the team.Comprising a means for reading data from a first recording medium mounted on a mounting unit of the game machine by a first player, reading data from a second recording medium mounted by a second player, and determining them both to be a team when a recording medium-specific ID other than self's is recorded in at least one of the first and second recording media and the means for ascribing information about a competition score during a game progress or a competition result from cooperative competition of the team to the recording medium-specific ID of a cooperator, to record it in at least one recording medium of the first and second recording media as team score recording data of the team.
US08057298B2
Various gaming-related services are provided, including but not limited to security services, harm minimization services, player identification services, bonusing/progressive services, accounting services, financial/banking services, network tunneling services, cheating detection services, etc. Such services may be provided, at least in part, by software agents that can be configured for different platforms and/or operating systems. Some software-based player tracking methods of the invention can aggregate data from multiple devices used by a player for gaming.
US08057297B2
Gaming systems, machines and methods are disclosed that provide various player-centric rewards to the casino patrons. The rewards may be provided across multiple games including slots, tables, keno, and any other casino game. The sweepstakes rewards may be used to promote increased play for chosen time periods, locations, and/or individual players. In addition, patrons can earn sweepstakes rewards based upon the amount of coins played at the slot machine, on the slot floor or throughout the entire casino. Furthermore, the patrons can receive a birthday reward, which may be credited to the eligible patrons on or about the patron's birth date. The rewards may be directly credited to the gaming machines using either cashable or non-cashable credits. The system facilitates patrons continuing to accrue rights toward a reward even when playing different gaming machines, or when playing machines having different denominations.
US08057296B2
A gaming device having a card management system which is operable to manage a plurality of circulating data cards. The gaming device includes a card read-write device for reading data cards, a plurality of vertically-stacked card holders for holding a plurality of data cards and one or more card transporters for moving data cards to and from the card holders. The gaming device is operable with a portable card changeover machine. The present invention increases the convenience and efficiency for playing and managing gaming devices.
US08057291B2
Methods, systems, and interfaces are provided for enabling a user to adjust confidence rankings of predictions of outcomes of fantasy sports games. The methods include causing display in a graphical user interface of an ordered list of at least two confidence score indicators, receiving selection of a first confidence score indicator and a second confidence score indicator selected from a first position and a second position, respectively, in the ordered list, moving the first confidence score indicator to the second position, moving the second confidence score indicator by at least one rank in the direction toward the first position to a third position, wherein the third position is adjacent to the second position, and moving one or more confidence score indicators located between the first position and the second position toward the first position, wherein the one or more confidence score indicators include a third confidence score indicator that moves from a position adjacent the first position to the first position.
US08057290B2
A video game application provided on storage media such as optical disks readable by computers, video game consoles, or other electronic devices to provide a ring dance game including sensing movement and position of two handheld controllers. The game method includes displaying a heads up display (HUD) on a screen that includes a dance ring defined by six or more target elements or ring segments that are positioned in different zones of the HUD ring such as on the periphery of the dance ring. Cue elements associated with a right hand controller and a left hand controller emanate in a pattern from the ring center and travel outward in the differing zones to strike the target elements. Play involves a player dancing by moving the handheld controllers in response to the cues striking the target elements, which allows a game designer to create a dance game with multi-directional, two-hand cues.
US08057288B2
A contact-free air vent flow direction control device includes an air vent, a positioning mechanism, a touch-less motion sensor and a control unit. The air vent has at least one flow control blade configured to move between a plurality of predetermined orientations each corresponding to a direction of air flow from the air vent. The positioning mechanism is operably coupled to the flow control blade. The touch-less motion sensor is configured to detect relative movement of objects proximate the touch-less motion sensor. The control unit is operably connected to the touch-less motion sensor and the positioning mechanism to control operation of the positioning mechanism in order to position the flow control blade in a selected one of the predetermined orientations in response to a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined movements detected by the touch-less motion sensor.
US08057284B2
A tool for polishing and fine-grinding optically active surfaces in precision optics has a main body which can be attached in a rotationally fixed manner to a tool spindle of a machining machine. A guide element is arranged concentrically in the main body and is mounted such that it can be displaced axially therein. A machining disk is replaceably attached to the outer end of the guide element. The main body is rigidly connected in a rotationally fixed manner, over the full displacement travel, to the guide element mounted such that it can be displaced axially therein, and in that the machining disk is rigidly fixed in a non-tiltable manner on the guide element.
US08057272B1
An infant flotation device for use in a marine environment comprises a body, having an outer surface defining a recessed area configured to receive an infant, and a hollow chamber opposed with the outer surface of the body and surrounded by the body. The body also defines a pivot mount that can extend into the cavity in juxtaposition with the outer surface. The infant flotation device further includes a swingable weight comprising a first end having an attachment mount pivotally received by the pivot mount for pivotal movement with respect to the body, and a second end having a weight thereon. The swingable weight can provide the infant flotation device with self-righting movement and stability.
US08057262B2
An electrical coupler for coupling a load to a plurality of power sources including positive and negative load connection points. These connection points include first and second positive power connection points and first and second negative power connection points. A first electrical path is provided between the positive load connection point and the first positive power connection point. A second electrical path is provided between the positive load connection point and the second positive power connection point. The second electrical path is the same length as the first electrical path. A third electrical path is provided between the negative load connection point and the first negative power connection point. A fourth electrical path is provided between the negative load connection point and the second negative power connection point. The fourth electrical path is the same length as the third electrical path.
US08057256B2
A wind turbine generator includes: a nacelle provided with a plurality of modules; a controller provided in a first module out of the plurality of modules; a first device provided in a second module out of the plurality of modules. The controller and the first device are connected with a device-side connection mechanism and a controller-side connection mechanism to allow electrical communications between the controller and the first device. The device-side connection mechanism includes: a first connection element; and a first multicore cable including a plurality of signal lines with one end connected to the controller and the other end connected to the first connection element. The device-side connection mechanism provides an electrical connection between the first connection element and the first device.
US08057255B1
A connector for a battery powered electric apparatus comprising a housing including a base and side walls. A first contact is disposed on the housing base. A printed circuit board opposes the base and sandwiches a button battery therebetween. The first contact is in electrical communication with the printed circuit board. A second contact is between the button battery and the printed circuit board and is in electrical communication with each. The second contact is configured such that depression of a switch associated with the printed circuit board translates a rotational force on the button battery communicated through the second contact.
US08057248B1
A connector for mounting to a circuit board for comprising a connector device with a body, a plurality of alignment members, and one or more contact elements, wherein the alignment members extend through a plurality of alignment holes of the printed circuit board from the first surface and past the second surface of the circuit board and wherein the contact elements engage one more contact pads on the first surface of the circuit board, and a separate retention device having a supporting element and a plurality of fixed sockets is positioned along the second surface of the printed circuit board to receive the alignment members of the connector device therein so that the circuit board is positioned between the body of the connector device and the retention device to temporarily or permanently retain the contact elements of the connector device in contact with the contact pads of the circuit board.
US08057244B2
A device for preventing electrical shock from a device with electrical interfaces. A shutter or other barrier associated with the device that physically prevents access or contact to one of the electrical interfaces while another electrical interface is in use.
US08057228B2
An intraoral device includes a one-piece, flexible, injection molded body made of a single homogeneous material. The body includes upper front and rear flaps, and lower front and rear flaps. Upper edges of the front flaps and lower edges of the lower flaps are sealed by respective upper and lower parts of a patient's mouth to form upper and lower evacuation channels when the body is disposed within the patient's mouth. Evacuation holes in the flaps are in communication with the evacuation channels. A connection section is in communication with the evacuation channels and is configured to extend outside of the patient's mouth to connect with a vacuum source for evacuating fluid from the patient's mouth through the evacuation holes and the evacuation channels.
US08057224B2
A premix burner has a mixing section (3) for a heat generator, sectional conical shells (5) which complement one another to form a swirl body, enclose a conically widening swirl space (6), and mutually define tangential air-inlet slots (7), along which feeds (8) for gaseous fuel are provided in a distributed manner, having at least one fuel feed (11) for liquid fuel, this fuel feed (11) being arranged along a burner axis (A) passing centrally through the swirl space (6), and having a mixing tube (4) adjoining the swirl body downstream via a transition piece (2). At least one additional fuel feed (13) for liquid fuel is provided in the region of the swirl body, the transition piece (2), and/or the mixing tube (4).
US08057221B2
A method and a burner for combustion in a heating furnace of a fuel with an oxidant in the form of oxygen gas, wherein fuel and oxidant are supplied to a burner head. Fuel and oxidant, respectively, are injected via the burner head through at least two pairs of nozzles, wherein one nozzle pair is defined by a separate fuel nozzle and a separate oxidant nozzle. The nozzles of the nozzle pairs are uniformly distributed over the furnace-interior-facing surface of the burner and within the circumference of the burner head. An oxidant nozzle is provided on each side of a fuel nozzle.
US08057220B2
Disclosed is an air-assisted simplex spray nozzle assembly for a fuel burner that includes, inter alia, a nozzle body that has opposed upstream and downstream ends, wherein the downstream end of the nozzle body defines a fuel outlet, an adapter member that is engaged with the upstream end of the nozzle body and defines concentrically positioned air and fuel inlets for the nozzle assembly and an air cap that is positioned over the downstream end of the nozzle body. The nozzle assembly further includes a fuel circuit and a first air circuit. The fuel circuit directs fuel from a fuel pump toward the fuel outlet of the nozzle body. The fuel circuit extends from the fuel inlet of the adapter member through the nozzle body to the fuel outlet. The first air circuit directs assist air towards the fuel exiting from the fuel outlet. The first air circuit extends from the air inlet of the adapter member, through a gap defined between the air cap and the nozzle body and merges with the fuel emitted from the fuel outlet of the nozzle body. In certain embodiments, the assist air is provided to the first air circuit by an auxiliary pump.
US08057219B1
A dual fuel vent free gas heater having at least one gas burner with a plurality of gas outlet ports. The gas outlet ports are in flow communication with at least one pilot flame burner. At least one fuel injector feeds fuel to the burner providing for introduction of more than one fuel to the burner. Optionally, an oxygen detection system, manual control valve, linkage, and/or shut off control system may be incorporated into the dual fuel vent free heater.
US08057217B2
Apparatus and methods for injection molding intraocular lenses includes an embodiment having first and second runners extending into first and second optic cavities of a mold configured to make a dual optic lens device.
US08057215B2
A device for the preparation of pipe ends, prior to jointing them together using an inserted close-fitting spool and an external close-fitting sleeve, consists of a plain cylindrical mandrel (10) adapted to be firmly fixed centrally inboard of an end zone of the bore of a pipe (12) so as to project from the end of the pipe, a hydraulic cylinder (46) adapted to be removeably mounted co-axially on the projecting end of the mandrel, and a piston (48) in the cylinder slideable along the mandrel and adapted to carry an interchangeable annular tool, whereby the tool can be force fed axially along the mandrel into the pipe to modify the bore thereof.
US08057211B2
A stamping mold includes a base, a mold holder and a stripper. The base defines a first through hole and includes a protruding block. The mold holder defines a second through hole and a plurality of receiving holes, and each receiving hole receives a mold insert and selectively corresponds to the protruding block. The mold holder is located on a top of the base and touches the protruding block. The stripper includes a cover defining a plurality of holes and a positioning shaft. The stripper is located on the mold holder via the positioning shaft passing through the second and the first through hole, and a free end of the positioning shaft is blocked under the base. The mold holder can rotate about the positioning shaft. When the stripper moves to a lowest location, the mold insert on the protruding block protrudes from the corresponding hole of the cover.
US08057208B2
An installation (100) for the manufacture of ceramic products comprises a mold (1) divided into at least two parts (2, 3) forming an internal cavity (C) where the ceramic product is formed, and mobile towards and away from each other, under the action of respective drive means (4) acting in both directions along a predetermined clamping line (S), in such a way as to join or detach the parts (2, 3) to/from each other; each part (2, 3) of the mold (1) comprises at least one rear outside surface (2p, 3p) and one lateral outside surface (2s, 3s); at least one of the parts (2, 3) is equipped with means (6) for containing and controlling a fluid and encompassing the rear (2p, 3p) and lateral (2s, 3s) outside surfaces of the mold (1) part (2, 3); the containment means (6) are associated with the part (2, 3) of the mold (1) in such a way that during the product casting cycle the forces (SF) acting on the part (2, 3) of the mold (1) are constantly compensated by correlated forces (FR).
US08057199B2
A pump assembly constructed to allow unloaded starting of the pump. The assembly includes a pump body, a permanent magnet rotor, a rotor shaft, a pump cover, a shaft sleeve and an impeller. The impeller includes a holding chamber for holding the shaft sleeve which is arranged proximate a center of the impeller. A stopping rib extends inwardly from an internal wall of the holding chamber of the impeller. The shaft sleeve includes a tubular body with a starting rib extending laterally from the body. During operation of the pump, the starting rib interferes with the stopping rib. A number of shock absorbing pads are disposed between the starting rib and the stopping rib and maintained thereat by a notch and ridge association that extends along each rib and pad. The pump includes a space that allows rotation of the starting rib relative to the stopping rib which provides unloaded starting of the pump.
US08057198B2
A variable displacement piezo-electric pump which includes a pump housing having a side housing wall defining a pump chamber, an inlet line and an outlet line communicating with the pump chamber, a flexible pump diaphragm spanning the side housing wall in the pump chamber, a diaphragm-stroking mechanism such as a piezo-electric stack engaging the pump diaphragm and a diaphragm support provided between the diaphragm-stroking mechanism and the side housing wall of the pump housing.
US08057197B2
A dense phase powder pump includes a valve body that houses one or more pinch valve elements. The valve body comprises a sufficiently transparent material to allow an operator to visually observe operation of the pinch valves.
US08057195B2
An outer rotor type fan-motor includes: a rotational shaft; a bearing assembly that rotatably supports the rotational shaft; a stator installed at an outer side of the bearing assembly; a permanent magnet assembly that covers an outer side of the stator at a certain distance and is installed at the rotational shaft; and a fan that includes a shaft fixing part for fixing the rotational shaft, a hub for covering an outer side of the permanent magnet assembly at a certain distance and blades formed around the hub. An insulation space is formed between the permanent magnet assembly and the fan to prevent transfer of vibration and noise of the permanent magnet assembly to the fan, and vibration or noise of high frequency can be reduced.
US08057189B2
A wind turbine blade has a leading edge and a trailing edge and includes an upper shell member and a lower shell member. The shell members include transversely spaced attachment edge that are spaced rearward of the leading edge. A preformed bond cap having opposite legs with rearward edges is mounted to the attachment edges of the upper and lower shell members. The bond cap is preformed into an aerodynamic parabolic shape and size so as to define the leading edge of said blade and lie essentially flush with the upper and lower shell members. The bond cap defines a primary external bonding bridge between the upper and lower shell members and defines at least a portion of the leading edge of the blade.
US08057183B1
A turbine rotor blade formed from a main support spar and having a thin thermal skin bonded or formed to the support spar to form the outer airfoil surface of the blade. The main support spar is formed from a plurality of ribs arranged to form a cooling air supply cavity near the leading edge region, a plurality of impingement chambers and a plurality of spent air collector chambers arranged along the pressure side and suction side of the airfoil to form a series of impingement chambers and collector chambers to provide near wall cooling for the thermal skin. A row of exit cooling holes located along the trailing edge discharges the cooling air from the last collector chamber. In another embodiment, some of the collector chambers are connected to rows of film cooling air to discharge film cooling onto the outer airfoil surface. The thermal skin includes micro pin fins on the inner wall to enhance the cooling effect of the impinging cooling air. The entire blade comprises a spar support structure, a thin thermal skin, external coating formed using a metal molecular depositing process to build up the blade as a single piece but with multiple material.
US08057174B2
A control device is provided which is adapted for controlling at least one operational parameter of a wind turbine including a machine nacelle and a rotor having at least one rotor blade. The control device includes an input adapted for inputting a signal which is indicative of environmental data of the wind turbine, an evaluation unit adapted for generating at least one control signal on the basis of currently acquired environmental data and on the basis of previously acquired environmental data, and an output adapted to output the control signal adapted for adjusting the at least one operational parameter of the wind turbine.
US08057172B2
A cooling fan with oil-impregnated bearing includes a base portion, a bearing, a fan hub, and a coil assembly. The base portion has a forward extended bearing housing, into which the bearing is tightly fitted with a colloidal material applied between them. The fan hub is mounted on and around the bearing housing, and has a rearward extended rotary shaft extended through a centered shaft hole of the bearing. An oil receiving space is formed on a wall of the shaft hole at a predetermined position. The coil assembly is externally tightly fitted around the bearing housing with a colloidal material applied between them. With the colloidal material, the bearing and the coil assembly can be associated with the bearing housing without detriment to the effective porosity of the bearing and the dimensional precision of the bearing housing. The oil receiving space also prevents the lubricating oil from leaking out.
US08057169B2
An article of manufacture includes an object having an airfoil core shape. The airfoil core shape has a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y, and Z set forth in TABLE 1 where X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil core shape.
US08057164B2
A continuous-flow machine (1), in particular a turbine or a compressor, includes at least one stator blade section (2) which has a plurality of stator blades (3) which project into a gas path (10) of a working gas, and at least one adjacent section (6), which has a plurality of adjacent elements (7), which bound the working gas path (10) at the side. A gap (11), through which a cooling gas can be introduced into the working gas path (10), is formed between the stator blades (3) of the stator blade section (2) and the adjacent elements (7) of the adjacent section (6). In order to improve the efficiency of the continuous-flow machine (1), lateral seals (14) are formed in the gap (11) and prevent or at least impede pressure equalization and/or a gas flow in the gap (11) in the lateral direction (5).
US08057161B2
A fan structure, suitable for rack-mounting adjacent to heat-generating electrical equipment, features an improved noise-damping outflow baffle containing a plurality of non-return flaps, serving to prevent reverse flow of air when fan activity is interrupted. In a preferred embodiment, four generally sickle-shaped flaps are used, each connected, along a straight edge thereof, by a pair of elastomeric hinge connections to a surrounding frame. The hinge connections urge the flaps closed whenever they are not forced by airflow into an open orientation. The axes of rotation of the flaps are chosen to keep them from jamming against one another. Since the flaps act as vanes, tending to straighten out an originally helical flow of air induced by the fan, they minimize the pressure drop which has therefore been associated with outflow baffles. The use or elastomers at critical points in the structure reduce noise and clatter.
US08057160B2
A device (40) for limiting overspeed in a turbomachine in the event of breakage of the turbine shaft (24), comprising means (38, 44) of propelling a pin (42) into the path of the blades (22), these propelling means being controlled by means (36) that detect overspeed or that the turbine shaft has broken.
US08057154B2
A device (1) for moving a book (2) with a clamping device (3) moved by a first drive (22, 23) and having two clamping jaws (3a, b) that can be displaced in a parallel to open and close the clamping device, with a gear mechanism (8) on the moving clamping device (3) that converts a rotative movement into a linear adjusting movement for the clamping jaw (3a, b) which can be displaced in parallel, with a controllable second drive (21) that is arranged stationarily, and with a permanent driving connection (13, 14, 15) between the second drive (21) and the gear mechanism (8). The second drive (21) is not arranged on the moving system, such that the clamping device (3) can be realized in a lightweight construction. Pneumatic and electric connecting lines and signalling lines (35a, b) for the second drive (21) can be permanently installed.
US08057152B1
A wheelchair lifting apparatus attachable beneath an undercarriage of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame positionable directly beneath and attachable to the undercarriage, a carriage slidably carried for horizontal movement on the frame lateral to the vehicle, and a lifting platform slidably carried on the frame in end-to-end proximity to the carriage for horizontal movement dependent upon movement of the carriage. An actuator is connected between the frame and the carriage and being operably arranged to effect movement of the carriage and the platform between the retracted and extended position of the platform. The frame and the actuator are cooperatively configured with the platform to lower and raise the platform while in the extended position with the wheelchair and user thereatop.
US08057149B2
A bookbinding apparatus which forms a sheet bundle by aligning a plurality of sheets fed from an image forming apparatus and prepares a booklet by applying adhesive on a spine of the sheet bundle, the bookbinding apparatus includes: a storage member for storing the adhesive; a rotating member for rotating in contact with the adhesive in the storage member; a heater for melting the adhesive in the storage member and for heating the adhesive so as to reach a preset temperature; and a control device for controlling the preset temperature, at a termination of the bookbinding job, to switch from a first preset temperature for a time of bookbinding to a second preset temperature which is below the first preset temperature and equal to or above a melting point of the adhesive.
US08057147B2
A self-drilling anchor for use in a friable material or a semi-rigid material comprises a body having an axis, an axial bore adapted to receive a fastener, a proximal end, a drilling end, a proximal portion adjacent the proximal end having high threading having a crest diameter for engaging the friable or semi-rigid material, and a drilling portion adjacent the drilling end, an additional thread proximate the proximal end, the additional thread continuing between turns of the high threading, and a head at the proximal end having an outer diameter that is smaller than the crest diameter. The anchor additional thread is configured to engage either the friable material or, additionally, to firmly engage the semi-rigid material.
US08057140B2
Transportation of articles such as gas turbine engines can be problematic in view of their size. Traditionally, articles such as gas turbine engines are transported on cradles associated with platforms and bases. It would be desirable to enable manipulation of height and width to allow the assembly of the article, such as a gas turbine engine upon the base to enter apertures such as doors in aircraft fuselages or for minimizing width for road or rail or sea transportation. By providing a cradle, having respective cradle sides projecting from a junction in association with a drive mechanism and each side of the cradle coupled to a pivot arm, control of rotation paths can be achieved. Thus, an article such as a gas turbine engine secured to a cradle arrangement can be manipulated between extremes and alternate configurations, defined by rotation paths, through elective association of one or the other of the pivot arms to the cradle and the base.
US08057127B2
A method of assembling an offshore support system for use with a wind turbine. The method includes coupling a damper to a wind turbine tower. A counter-balance system is coupled to the damper for suspending at least a portion of the wind turbine above a water surface. The damper is positioned at least partially below a water surface to facilitate reducing movement of the wind turbine in at least one direction. The counter-balance system is positioned at least partially below the water surface to stabilize the wind turbine when subjected to wind and tidal forces.
US08057110B2
In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides improved card guide and heatsink assemblies for pluggable electro-optic modules utilized in optical communications networks and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides a solderable surface-mounted card guide assembly and a staggered heatsink assembly. These assemblies are utilized with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules and the like, and the concepts presented herein can be extended to XFP, XENPAK, XPAK, and X2 electro-optic modules, for example. The solderable surface-mounted card guide assembly of the present invention finds particular applicability with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules not utilizing any type of module cage, while the staggered heatsink assembly of the present invention finds particular applicability with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules both not utilizing and utilizing any type of module cage.
US08057108B2
Embodiments of an optical detection apparatus are disclosed which may include one or more of a waveguide, a trench formed in the waveguide, a reflective surface, and a photodetector. The waveguide may be formed in a semiconductor substrate to propagate an optical signal received at a first end of the waveguide. The trench may also be formed in the waveguide having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first and second sidewalls forming first and second angles with the waveguide's propagation direction. The second sidewall may include a reflective surface formed thereon. The photodetector may be configured to receive an optical signal propagated in the waveguide, through the first sidewall and reflected from the reflective surface on the second sidewall.
US08057102B2
The present invention provides a bearing housing (10) for accommodating a rotor shaft (33) of a wind turbine. The bearing housing includes a flange (12) for connecting the bearing housing to a main frame (30) of the wind turbine. The flange having a connecting surface (51, 52) to be attached to the main frame. Thereby, at least parts of the connecting surface, when seen from the top of the bearing housing, would be located below the rotor shaft.
US08057098B2
A helical scanning operation is performed while a bed is moved, so that data by one-time rotation is collected while positional relationships between a detecting system and a phantom relatively are changed. Further, data obtained by scanning an air region and data obtained by scanning a water region are discriminated on the basis of positional information obtained by positioning scanning or the difference between the air and the water in X-ray absorptance, and correction data is created on the basis of the discrimination.
US08057092B2
The present invention relates generally to a cell culture stirring vessel and associated impeller. More particularly, it relates to a fully integrated, disposable spinner flask vessel having a suspended impeller assembly permanently integrated therein. The invention is particularly suitable for use in applications where cells are suspended within a liquid medium with minimal shear forces.
US08057088B2
A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display panel includes a lamp, a plurality of optical sheets, a light guide that guides light from the lamp toward the optical sheets, and a reflector facing a rear surface of the light guide. The light guide includes a first plurality of geometric shapes at the rear surface thereof that substantially directs the light incident on the light guide toward the optical sheets, and a second plurality of geometric shapes at a peripheral portion of the rear surface thereof to prevent the reflector from sticking to the light guide, a density of the second plurality of geometric shapes is less than the density of the first plurality of geometric shapes.
US08057082B2
A lighting assembly includes a thermally conductive mounting having a mounting surface is provided. The lighting assembly further includes a thermally conductive carriage having a front and a rear surface. The rear surface of the carriage is moveably mounted to the front surface of the mounting. A heat sink seat having a front and a rear surface is moveably mounted to the front surface of the carriage. A light emitting device may be attached to the front surface of the heat sink seat. In use, the carriage is moveable along a first axis and the heat sink seat is moveable along a second axis, the first axis and second axis being substantially transverse.
US08057081B2
A light guide and various vehicular lamp assemblies using the same are presented herein. In one embodiment, the lamp assembly includes a light source, such as an LED module. A light coupler is operable to receive light from the light source, and distribute the light in a first direction. The light guide includes an elongated, curvilinear body with first and second longitudinal end faces, and opposing light-emitting and light-guiding surfaces extending between the two end faces on a respective side of the body. The first end face communicates with the light coupler to receive light therefrom. The light guide body transmits light generated by the light source along the longitudinal expanse thereof. The light-guiding surface includes an array of longitudinally-spaced optical grooves configured to refract light generated by the light source in a second direction. The depth of preselected optical grooves is varied along the length of the light guide.
US08057076B2
An LED lamp fixed to an end of a fixing rod, includes a casing, a heat dissipating member fixed to a bottom of the casing and a plurality of LED modules attached to a bottom of the heat dissipating member. The casing has a sleeve part and a mounting part integrally extending from an end of the sleeve part. A plurality of connecting plates extend inwardly along radial directions from an inner wall of the sleeve part. The fixing rod is inserted into the sleeve part of the casing and secured within free, inner ends of the connecting plates.
US08057071B2
The present invention provides an end-side heat extraction light emitting diode or LED lamp. The LED lamp includes a lamp housing, a cooling module, and an LED lighting set. The cooling module is configured inside the housing space of the lamp housing, having a cooling fan and a cooling base. The LED lighting set is configured on the LED joint surface of the cooling base. The end-side heat extraction LED lamp also includes a circular frame and an end-side heat extraction airflow guidance passage. The circular frame forms a space extending and expanding to the end side. The end-side heat extraction airflow guidance passage forms an airflow guidance space extending and expanding to the end side, forming a heat radiating path where the heat extraction airflow generated by the running cooling fan of the LED lamp can be exhausted from the light projection end of the lamp housing.
US08057066B2
A backlight assembly and a display apparatus having the backlight assembly are disclosed. A diffusion plate is provided above a plurality of lamps. Diffusion patterns that cause contrast inversion and diffusion patterns that do not cause contrast inversion are arranged on a surface of a diffusion plate, in an alternating manner along a longitudinal direction of the lamps. Thus, a brightness difference between a first area in which the lamps are positioned and a second area between two adjacent lamps is reduced, thereby improving a brightness uniformity of light from the backlight assembly.
US08057065B2
A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal panel; a plurality of lamps supplying light to the liquid crystal panel; external electrodes provided at both ends of the lamps; common electrodes including a plurality of electrode holders for fixing the external electrodes of the lamps in a surrounding manner and supplying power to the lamps; a first support side disposed on the external electrodes provided at the plurality of lamps and the common electrodes; and a common electrode support extending from the first support side to support the common electrodes and having a heat circulation passage.
US08057064B2
A lighting fixture for improving the luminance of a lamp tube includes a curved reflecting plate and a lampshade. The lampshade has partition plates with arc surfaces, side plates with inclined planes and end plates with curved surfaces. The lamp tube is disposed at a longitudinal axis of the curved reflecting plate. The reflecting plate reflects the light emitted from the lamp tube and the light reflected from the partition plates to the environment. The side plates are inclined with a certain angle for guiding light, and the end plates with curved surfaces are used to enhance the reflecting light. Thus, light output efficiency is improved and glare is reduced.
US08057061B2
An object is to provide a showcase capable of improving the appearance of an illumination apparatus itself and improving the illumination effect produced by the illumination apparatus. In the showcase in which the inside of a display chamber disposed in a main body is illuminated by an illumination apparatus, the illumination apparatus includes an LED illumination member having an LED element, and a holding member attached to the main body to hold the LED illumination member, and the holding member includes a lead wire receiving portion for receiving a lead wire of the LED illumination member.
US08057060B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide an aquarium light fixture comprising a light fixture and a bracket to support the light fixture, the bracket comprising a vertical portion configured to attach to an aquarium, a horizontal portion configured to support the light fixture above the aquarium, a hinge joint attaching the vertical portion to the horizontal portion, and a latch mechanism attached to the vertical portion and configured to secure the horizontal portion at a predetermined angle.
US08057059B2
A lighting device having a reduced size. The lighting device has a support member (9) installed on an installation section (4c) of a backlight chassis (4), a power source substrate (6) placed behind the backlight chassis (4), and an insulation sheet (7) bonded to a bottom section (4a) of the backlight chassis (4). The installation section (4c) does not project rearward from the bottom section (4a) but projects forward. The support member (9) is installed so as not to project rearward from the bonding surface between the bottom section (4a) and the insulation sheet (7).
US08057052B2
Disclosed in a laser projector to display an image by projecting a laser beam from a laser light source to a projection screen including an electromagnetic driven scan mirror to scan the laser beam from the laser light source, a detection unit to detect a back EMF which is generated by a drive of the electromagnetic driven scan mirror at a time of start-up of the laser projector, a first determination unit to determine whether a value of the back EMF which is detected by the detection unit exceeded a predetermined threshold or not and a light source control unit to start a lighting of the laser light source when the value of the back EMF is determined as exceeding the predetermined threshold by the determination unit.
US08057049B2
Provided is a display method used for a display device that displays a design image and a pickup image in a superimposing manner, including: a distortion correction process of correcting distortion of the pickup image; an alignment process of aligning a position of the design image and a position of the pickup image; and a display process of displaying the design image and the pickup image in the superimposing manner. In the distortion correction process, the distortion of the pickup image is corrected so that a quadrangle formed by connecting four points on the pickup image becomes a rectangle in parallel with a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the four points specified on the pickup image corresponding to four points on the design image which are connected to form a rectangle in parallel with the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. In the alignment process, the position of the design image is aligned with the position of the pickup image by carrying out at least one of right-left reversal, top-bottom reversal, shift, rotation, enlargement, and reduction, with respect to at least one of the design image and the pickup image.
US08057044B2
In a projection display device, a polarization converting element is provided between an imager and a refracting optical system for converting a polarization direction of light after modulation into a direction radially extending from the center of the optical axis of the refracting optical system. Light transmitted through the polarization converting element is incident onto the refracting optical system in a state of P-polarized light or a state close to the state of P-polarized light. Thereby, the transmittance of light through the refracting optical system is made substantially uniform and increased.
US08057037B2
The present invention provides methods, systems and software for scaling optical aberration measurements of optical systems. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye. The method comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. Aberration data from the transmitted image is measured across the optical tissues of the eye at a first plane. A conversion algorithm is applied to the data, converting it to corrective optical power data that can be used as a basis for constructing a treatment for the eye at a second plane.
US08057033B2
The invention relates to an ophthalmic lens for constituting an ophthalmic display, associated with an optical imager for shaping light beams and directing them towards the eye of the wearer so as to enable information content to be viewed, said optical imager being secured to said lens. According to the invention, the lens is associated with marking including referencing for the position of said imager relative to said lens as a function of the correction parameters of said lens.
US08057030B2
An ink supplying system has a first pipe having one end that connects to a main ink tank storing ink containing no air and another end that removably connects to a primary auxiliary ink tank that receives ink from the main ink tank. A second pipe has one end that removably connects to the primary auxiliary ink tank. An ink jet head is connected to another end of the second pipe for performing printing by ejecting ink on a printing medium. A secondary auxiliary ink tank has a capacity smaller than that of the primary auxiliary ink tank and is selectively exchangeable with the primary auxiliary ink tank for removing air in the ink supplying system prior to printing by the ink jet head. The secondary auxiliary ink tank has a connection pipe that removably connects to the another end of the first pipe and to the one end of the second pipe in fluid communication therewith. The connection pipe has the same sectional area as that of the first and second pipes.
US08057028B2
Embodiments of a printing device fluid reservoir with gripping features are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid reservoir includes a first surface and a fluid-containing body located beneath the first surface. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first surface includes a protruding grip, and the fluid-containing body has a lever extending therefrom. According to an embodiment of the present invention, both the protruding grip and the lever are configured to receive a pinching force that compresses the lever towards the fluid-containing body, facilitates carrying of the fluid reservoir, and facilitates installing and/or releasing the fluid reservoir into/from a chassis of the printing device.
US08057019B2
A liquid ejection apparatus including an ejection head having a nozzle in which liquid is ejected through the nozzle, a plurality of cartridges that retain the liquid and supplies the liquid to the ejection head, and a switching mechanism that switches liquid to be supplied to the ejection head from a plurality of types of liquid supplied from the cartridges. The switching mechanism includes a body having a communication passage in communication with the ejection head, a first diaphragm chamber and a second diaphragm chamber that communicate with each other through the communication passage and located to facing each other, a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm arranged in the first diaphragm chamber and the second diaphragm chamber, respectively, and capable of opening and closing the communication passage, and an operation mechanism provided in the communication passage. The operation mechanism includes a first operation end and a second operation end that operate the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, respectively, when the communication passage is opened to allow communication between at least one of the first and second diaphragm chambers and the ejection head, and an urging member that urges the first and second operation ends in a direction in which the communication passage is opened by the first and second diaphragms.
US08057012B2
A pagewidth inkjet printer includes a chassis. A pagewidth inkjet printhead is mounted on the chassis to carry out a printing operation on sheets of media fed through the printer. A cover assembly is mounted on the chassis to accommodate operative location of a printing cartridge in which the sheets of media are stored and in which an ink supply for the printhead is carried. A printed circuit board is mounted on the chassis and is connected to the printhead to control operation of the printhead. An ink supply manifold is connected to the printhead to supply the printhead with ink. Ink conduits are connected to the ink supply manifold for connection to the ink supply in the cartridge. A print media feed arrangement is mounted on the chassis to feed print media from the cartridge and through the printer operatively with respect to the inkjet printhead.
US08057005B2
A method of compensating for changes in drop mass of drop emitted by at least one ink jet of an ink jet imaging device is provided. The method comprises identifying a drop placement position on an image receiving member of an ink jet imaging device for at least one ink jet of a print head. The identified drop placement position for the at least one ink jet is compared to a default drop placement position for the at least one ink jet to determine a difference in drop placement position. A drive signal for the at least one ink jet is then adjusted in accordance with the difference in drop placement position.
US08057002B2
Provided is an ink-jet head and an ink-jet type recording apparatus for improving an impact position accuracy of ink droplets by eliminating a discharge speed difference of ink droplets when an ink volume is changed gradually in a plurality of steps to perform gradation expression. Among discharge pulse signals to be applied a plurality of times for gradually changing and discharging the ink droplet volume, a signal waveform of a final drive pulse and a signal waveform of an initial drive pulse to be operated at least once before the final drive pulse, are varied from each other so as to establish a predetermined relation therebetween.
US08056994B2
A positioning device for a drawer includes a base, a handle and a pair of connecting members. The base comprises a fixing plate, an engaging arm and a resilient member. The engaging arm comprises a tenon, a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a first end connected to the fixing plate, and a second end connected to the resilient member. The tenon is disposed on the first side of the engaging arm adjacent to the second end. The second end of the engaging arm is formed with a first through hole. The handle is formed with a second through hole corresponding in position to the second end of the engagement arm. The handle is provided with a recess to accommodate the resilient member. The connecting members insert through the second through hole and the first through hole. By assembling the above parts with the drawer, the tenon engages with an engaging hole of the drawer slide.
US08056990B2
A computer enclosure includes a front panel having a ventilation area. The disclosure provides a fan mounting apparatus. The fan mounting apparatus is mounted on an inner wall of the front panel. The fan mounting apparatus includes four mounting frames respectively mounted on four cover of the ventilation area of the front panel. A number of screw holes are defined in the four mounting frames for mounting a plurality of types of fans. The fan mounting apparatus further includes four first blocking beams each interference fitted into the two top ends of two corresponding mounting frames and four second blocking beams each embed in a corresponding first blocking beam, and capable of being slid in the corresponding first blocking beam.
US08056979B2
An assembly for supporting a user in multiple positions relative to a surface, the assembly including a frame positioned on the surface, a support being movably coupled to the frame, a first connector extending from beneath the support and being movable with the support as the support moves relative to the frame, and a second connector positioned beneath the support. The first connector is movable relative to the second connector as the support moves relative to the frame, and the first connector is selectively secured to the second connector in different positions, each of the different positions corresponding to a different position of the support relative to the frame.
US08056968B2
A device is provided for guiding a movement of a bar-type wind deflector in relation to a roof frame in a region between a position of use and a position of non-use, especially on a cabriolet. At least one pair of rotary levers is provided on the wind deflector. The rotary levers are mounted on the wind deflector at a first rotary lever end such that they can rotate about a first rotational axis, and on the roof frame at a second rotary lever end such that they can rotate about a second rotational axis, the rotational axes being parallel to each other. The rotary levers of each pair are staggered in relation to each other at least in the direction of a normal of one of the rotational axes. The rotational axes of each pair form the vertexes of a parallelogram.
US08056962B2
An energy absorber in which an energy-absorbing property in a collision can be set to a predetermined property is provided. An energy absorber (1) which is installed between an auto body panel and an interior member of an automobile, so as to absorb impact energy of a collision includes a base (2) which is fastened between the auto body panel and the interior member; and a plurality of projections (3) which projects from the base and is formed into a hollow conical shape or a hollow circular truncated cone shape, wherein the plurality of projections has different heights and different number of liner convex ribs (4), the rib projecting from an outer circumferential face of the projection and extending from a leading end of the projection to the base, the projections next to each other are not coupled via the rib, and the rib is not provided on a line connecting the centers of the projections next to each other.
US08056961B2
A system for and method of mitigating pedestrian impact utilizing an energy absorption member, such as an expandable honeycomb celled matrix, and at least one tether disposed within a recessed formation defined by the vehicle and interconnected to the member and a drive mechanism, wherein the member is selectively caused to extend and be spaced from an exterior surface.
US08056957B2
A convertible top includes a linkage assembly that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, with a mid position defined therebetween. A spring system assists movement of the linkage assembly from the extended position to the mid position and also from the retracted position to the mid position.
US08056956B2
A convertible roof includes an outer cover with a recess defined therein. The roof has a front roof edge which joins the windshield frame when the convertible roof is in a closed position. The front region of the roof includes a rigid assembly disposed under the cover. The rigid assembly includes a frame part. A sun roof part is received in the recess defined by the cover and is openable to a position raised out of a plane defined by the roof cover. The recess defined by the cover is open to the front.
US08056953B2
A thermal barrier system includes a plurality of panels including at least two panels separated from each other so as to define a space between the panels, where each panel of the at least two panels is separated from another panel via at least one spacer structure. Each panel is further formed of an insulation material having a thermal conductivity in the range of about 0.023 W/(m*K) to about 0.099 W/(m*K). In an example embodiment, the insulation material forming the panels has a density of no greater than about 30 lb/ft3. In another example embodiment, the insulation material includes a silicone syntactic foam material.
US08056950B2
An ambulance cot is disclosed and the ambulance cot having a base frame configured for support on a surface, a litter frame configured for supporting thereon a patient and an elevating mechanism interconnecting the base frame and the litter frame and configured to interconnect the litter frame and the base frame in order to facilitate movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward and away from each other. A control mechanism is provided on the cot which is configured to facilitate the movement of the base frame and the litter frame toward each other and at differing speeds predicated on at least one of whether the base frame is supported on the surface and the litter frame is supported by an external support separate from the elevating mechanism.
US08056948B2
The present invention is comprised of an elongate piece of first material having flexible qualities with a flexible strip of second, more rigid, and bendable material enclosed within the first material. The apparatus may be twist-tied around equipment, and the elongate piece of first material may have characteristics including soft, lightweight, and flexible.
US08056946B2
A front part of a motor vehicle body includes, but is not limited to a bumper, a bumper bracket, and a fresh air channel. At least one movable closure element is situated in the fresh air channel to modulate its throughput. The bumper bracket forms a wall of the fresh air channel.
US08056934B2
In the marine hose of the present invention, protruded parts are provided at each axial direction end of the axial direction ends of the hose bodies, each axial direction end is located at both sides in the axial direction of the connection portion which is provided with limit mechanism. By this, when the marine hose is wound up to the reel, the protruded parts of the hose bodies contact the outer surface of the reel, the outer surface of the limit mechanism does not contact the outer surface of the reel. Thus, large amount of the bending force is not added to the limit mechanism.
US08056923B2
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a side airbag apparatus for a vehicle having a seat with a back rest part and a hinge mechanism. The side airbag includes a separation means defining a front airbag chamber and a rear airbag chamber within the side airbag. A connecting passage connects the front and rear airbag chambers adjacent a lower extremity of the separation means. An attaching portion provided on the rear portion of the rear airbag chamber attaches the side airbag to the backrest part. An inflator proximate said attaching portion injects gas into the rear airbag chamber which flows through the connecting passage into the front airbag chamber.
US08056910B2
A mobile safety compliance apparatus comprising a shell with a plurality of open compartments closed by doors, a self-contained water supply system and a waste water collection system. The water supply system provides drinking water, tepid hand washing water, and water for a stowable eyewash hingedly attached to the shell. The waste water collection system collects water from the eyewash and a sink mounted in a recessed area of the shell. Doors are removable and have features to facilitate alternative uses such as a stretcher or a freestanding table. A stowable seat and table are hingedly attached to the shell. The apparatus includes an electrical system with battery backup for powering lights, water heating and refrigeration devices, and electronic communication equipment that may be mounted on the shell. The apparatus includes wheels to facilitate its movement and anchor points to secure it to the ground.
US08056904B2
A hydrodynamically lubricating geometry for the generally circular dynamic sealing lip of rotary seals that are employed to partition a lubricant from an environment. The dynamic sealing lip is provided for establishing compressed sealing engagement with a relatively rotatable surface, and for wedging a film of lubricating fluid into the interface between the dynamic sealing lip and the relatively rotatable surface in response to relative rotation that may occur in the clockwise or the counter-clockwise direction. A wave form incorporating an elongated dimple provides the gradual convergence, efficient impingement angle, and gradual interfacial contact pressure rise that are conducive to efficient hydrodynamic wedging. Skewed elevated contact pressure zones produced by compression edge effects provide for controlled lubricant movement within the dynamic sealing interface between the seal and the relatively rotatable surface, producing enhanced lubrication and low running torque.
US08056899B2
Disclosed is a print-medium post-treatment apparatus, in which a converting guide to guide a print medium to any one of a first delivery path and a second delivery path is operated upon receiving rotational force from a delivery motor for delivery of the print medium. This enables omission of a drive device to operate the converting guide.
US08056897B2
A method and apparatus for determining the lateral position of a moving sheet in a sheet registration system. A side edge sensor is moved from a known location until the side edge of the moving sheet is detected. A signal is generated indicative of the position of the side edge when it is detected. The position of the side edge as indicated by the signal is used along with skew of the sheet to determine the lateral position of the sheet.
US08056895B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus separating a media combination from a stack of interleaved slip-sheets and printing plates and relates to image recording systems such as, for example, computer-to-plate (CTP) systems. Image recording systems include imaging systems that image an image recordable material in response to imaging information. Image recordable materials can include, for example, printing plates. Image recording systems can include integrated systems that additionally process the image forming materials. Additional processing can include, but is not limited to materials punching, materials bending, exposure to non-imaging radiation, chemical development and materials drying. The present invention relates to a materials handling system that separates a media combination from a media stack that includes image recordable materials. A slip-sheet separates each of the image recordable materials from one another in the media stack. The image recordable materials removed from the stack are subsequently imaged and optionally additionally processed. The slip-sheets removed from the stack are stored in a slip-sheet holder.
US08056894B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a feeder unit, and a frame unit. The frame unit includes a pair of plate-like metal frames, each plate-like metal frame having an inner surface extending in a parallel direction to a sheet feeding path and in a perpendicular direction of a surface of a recording sheet, and a plurality of connecting frames connecting and holding the metal frames to be apart from each other. The image forming unit is arranged in space defined by the connecting frames and held by the metal frames to be substantially fitted in between the metal frames. The feeder unit is attached to an end of each of the metal frames by an attachment system provided on each widthwise side of the feeder unit. The attachment system fixes the feeder unit along a direction in parallel with the inner surfaces of the metal frames.
US08056893B2
A system and method for transporting a sheet of media through a print zone including a media entrance station, a media exit station and a first media transport translatable in a reciprocal manner between the entrance and exit stations. A second media transport transports a sheet onto and off of the first media transport. The second media transport transports the sheet in a first direction as the first media transport is moving in a second opposite direction.
US08056887B2
A surface aerator for mixing gas and liquid is disclosed. The surface aerator has an upwardly pumping impeller located within a draft tube. A flow diverter redirects pumped liquid from the impeller traveling in an upward direction to a radially outward direction where it impacts and aerates the remaining liquid in a vessel. A baffle extends radially at a shallow depth to a point beyond the impact area of the liquid to provide separation of the impact area from the rest of the liquid and promote aeration.
US08056878B2
A document holder has compact construction for in-line placement and viewing between a keyboard and display monitor. The holder can be set-up in a minimum profile configuration to accommodate small source documents, and can be quickly expanded to accommodate relatively large source documents. Easel size conversion is provided by a compound easel that is mounted for pivotal movement on a base platform. The easel viewing angle can be tilted to suit operator viewing preferences. The document support position can be adjusted vertically up and down to provide a reading level that satisfies operator needs and preferences. The compound easel includes a “drop-down” reading rack that can be extended below the front edge of a workstation support surface in the over-hang zone adjacent the edge of the work surface and above the keyboard to allow in-line placement and use of the document holder in workstations where the available work surface area is not large enough to support a conventional document holder.
US08056874B2
Positioning apparatuses mountable to a wheelchair or other such device are disclosed. An illustrative positioning apparatus can include a base unit, a number of armatures each defining an extension of the apparatus, a number of rotatable joints adapted to permit movement of the armatures, and a platform adapted to support one or more objects. A number of actuation levers connected to the rotatable joints can be used to simultaneously unlock each of the joints in a single step, allowing the apparatus to be easily repositioned. A locking mechanism within each joint may permit one or more user-defined locking positions to be set on the joint. A temporary lock-out mechanism within each joint results in the unlocking of each joint until the armatures are rotated away from the locked position, allowing operation of the device with one hand.
US08056870B2
A display including a base, a panel and a regulating device is disclosed. The regulating device disposed between the base and the panel comprises a first element and a second element. The first element comprises a first positioning region. The second element connected to the panel and disposed on the first element to be movably switched between a first position and a second position, comprises a second positioning region detachably disposed in the first positioning region of the first element. When the second element is positioned in the first position, the second positioning region of the second element is positioned in the first positioning region of the first element; when the second element is moved to the second position from the first position, the second positioning region of the second element is positioned in the first positioning region of the first element, wherein a distance is formed between the first and second positions.
US08056868B2
A conduit section for holding routing components constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. The conduit section includes a double-walled structure having an attachment portion and a clip portion. A hinge is integrally formed within the double-walled structure for hingedly connecting the clip portion to the attachment portion. The clip portion is adapted to be reciprocated about the hinge between an open and closed position, and the hinge is adapted to bias the clip portion into one of the open and closed positions.
US08056863B2
A method of controlling attitude of a spacecraft during a transfer orbit operation is provided. The method includes providing a slow spin rate, determining the attitude of the spacecraft using a unified sensor set, and controlling the attitude of the spacecraft using a unified control law. The use of a unified set of sensors and a unified control law reduces spacecraft complexity, cost, and weight.
US08056861B2
A method performed by an aircraft, the aircraft including a wing, aircraft fuel, and a whole-aircraft parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The method comprises: deploying the whole-aircraft parachute while the aircraft is in flight; and after deploying the parachute, but before the aircraft contacts the earth or any object coupled to the earth, discharging at least a portion of the aircraft fuel from the wing of the aircraft.
US08056859B2
A rib of an airplane wing is prevented from deforming due to a machining load when machining a rivet hole in parts where the rib and a skin are joined. With regard to a rib that provides a connection between first and second spars of the airplane wing, the rib is formed with mounting flanges secured to a skin via a rivet, a stringer through hole for a stringer to be positioned through, and first and second cutouts facing parts where the first and second spars and the skin are connected. Since reinforcing beads are formed along the mounting flanges and reinforcing flanges are formed so as to extend in the span direction from the edges of the stringer through hole and the first and second cutouts and be connected integrally to the mounting flanges, the stiffness of the rib toward a load in the vertical direction when drilling a rivet hole can be enhanced.
US08056856B2
Methods of securing a support beam to a structure such as a cargo roller tray or a passenger cabin is achieved using a shear fitting. The shear fitting has a back plate which fastens to the support beam. The shear fitting additionally has parallel lugs which extend from the back plate and fasten to the structure. Web extenders which extend from the shear fitting perpendicular to the lugs may additionally be used to further fasten the support beam to the structure.
US08056849B2
The invention relates to a braking mechanism and tape cartridge for a tape measure. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tape measure includes a housing, a fixed cylindrical surface located in the housing, a reel supported in the housing for rotation, and at least one braking mechanism located on the reel. The braking mechanism includes a flyweight, a spring, and a rail. The spring and rail allow the flyweight to move between a first position, in which the flyweight is not in contact with the fixed cylindrical surface, and a second position, in which the flyweight is in contact with the fixed cylindrical surface. In another aspect, a tape cartridge is provided that includes two sidewalls and a cylindrical wall, which define a container. The tape cartridge is adapted to support a tape assembly therein, and may be mounted in the tape measure housing.
US08056839B2
An electrostatic atomizer includes an atomizing electrode, a water supply unit for supplying water to the atomizing electrode, a high voltage power circuit and a control unit. The high voltage power circuit applies a high voltage to the atomizing electrode to electrostatically atomizing water supplied to the atomizing electrode and to generate electrically charged water particles. The control unit controls the high voltage power circuit such that the voltage applied to the atomizing electrode is gradually increased at the time of starting the electrostatic atomizer. Further, the control unit may control the high voltage power circuit such that the voltage is increased to a target voltage in steps at the time of starting the electrostatic atomizer, and an increment of the voltage at each step is decreased as the voltage approaches the target voltage.
US08056829B2
A sprinkler pressure regulator module has a compact arrangement with a shiftable member having an upper cavity for receiving water flow debris, and a portion of a bypass valve may reciprocate therein. The module includes a stator plate directing water into a drive mechanism, such as a turbine drive mechanism. The shiftable member receives fluid flow from a radially outboard direction and is sealed with a cup portion receiving the shiftable member to define a cup cavity. A module exterior surface is separated from a sprinkler housing to define a vent cavity. A pressure release vent communicates with the cup cavity, a vent channel between the cup portion and the exterior surface, the vent cavity, and the exterior environment. The vent cavity and cup portion provide receptacles for debris deposit. Ribs around an opening of the vent channel with the vent cavity generally prevent debris from entering the vent channel.
US08056825B2
An object is to provide a heating tank capable of highly efficiently heating a target to be heated and having high safety and reliability, and a hot water storage tank. The heating tank in which the target to be heated is stored and which heats the target to be heated by a circulated refrigerant of a heat pump, for example, the hot water storage tank which is heated by the circulated refrigerant of the heat pump to produce hot water in the tank includes a heat exchanger in which a wall surface of a tank main body is partially secured to peripheral edge portions and inner portions of two metal plates and in which non-secured portions swell to constitute a refrigerant passage closed except an inlet and an outlet. A thickness dimension of one metal plate is set to be larger than that of the other metal plate, and the one metal plate is arranged on the inner side of the other metal plate.
US08056824B2
A successive type constant temperature valve core with single handle comprises a valve cover, a temperature adjusting assembly, a thermo sensitive element and a control assembly for hot and cold inlet water, combining in the chamber of the valve cover from top to bottom, wherein, the control assembly for hot and cold water inlet comprises a holder of the thermo sensitive element, an adjuster, a put-off spring, a buffer spring and a holding piece. The upper part of the holder of the thermo sensitive element props the thermo sensitive element, and the lower part extends from the lower end of the valve cover; the buffer spring is arranged outside the holder of the thermo sensitive element, and the two ends respectively prop the holder of the thermo sensitive element and the adjuster; the adjuster is axial adjustably restricted to the periphery of the lower part of the holder of the thermo sensitive element by matching the buffer spring with the holding piece; the put-off spring is arranged outside the buffer spring, and the two ends are respectively prop the holder of the thermo sensitive element and the valve cover; the top and foot of the adjuster respectively forms cold water inlet and hot water inlet; water outlet is arranged on the wall of the valve cover; the holder of the thermo sensitive element is provided with a mixed water passage that communicates with the cold water inlet, the hot water inlet and the water outlet.
US08056817B2
A container having a compactor and bin for waste is disclosed permitting on-premises and remote monitoring of the system and collection is disclosed. The system can also detect non-complaint materials placed therein and act thereon. Methods are further disclosed for inventorying identification tags for tracking packages, merchandise and tags disposed of.
US08056807B2
A light projecting apparatus of a scanner module, including: a substrate, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), positioned on the substrate and adapted to generate a plurality of incident beams; a diffusion plate, corresponding to the plurality of LEDs, adapted to receive the plurality of incident beams and diffuse the plurality of incident beams uniformly over a scanned object and including: a first plane, receiving the plurality of incident beams; two end faces; connected to the two ends of the first plane in a transverse direction; and a second plane, the two ends thereof being respectively connected to the two end faces, adapted to diffuse the plurality of incident beams uniformly over the scanned object and including: a plurality of second transverse concave portions, adapted to diffuse the plurality of incident beams; and a plurality of second transverse convex portions, adapted to gather the plurality of incident beams, where the plurality of second transverse convex portions and the plurality of second transverse concave portions are interlaced in a transverse direction, allowing the plurality of incident beams to be diffused uniformly over the scanned object.
US08056804B2
A reader/writer device performs noncontact communication with a noncontact IC card section (400) to which power is supplied from a power storage section (310) of a portable terminal (300) whereupon the card section is mounted. In the reader/writer device (100), a noncontact communication section (110) transmits and receives information to and from the IC card section (400) by noncontact communication, and a noncontact charging section (120) supplies power to the power storage section (310) in noncontact manner. When noncontact communication with the IC card section (400) cannot be performed by controlling the noncontact communication section (110), a contactless communication/charging control section (130) controls the noncontact charging section (120) to charge the power storage section (310) of the portable terminal (300) in noncontact manner, then, controls the noncontact communication section (110) again to perform noncontact communication.
US08056799B2
A container for packaging a product is provided. The container includes a blank of sheet material including a first panel, and at least one tab identifier defined within the first panel and moveable with respect to the first panel. The at least one tab identifier is configured to cooperate with a flex member assembly defined at least partially within the first panel. The blank forms the container including a tray portion and a lid portion coupled along a fold line to the tray portion. The lid portion is moveable about the fold line with respect to the tray portion between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the tray portion and the lid portion define a volume for storing the product.
US08056798B2
A reinforced fiberboard bulk materials container is provided that has low-fiber content and is humidity resistant. According to one embodiment, a fiberboard bulk materials container includes a plurality of fiberboard sidewalls forming a storage cavity and having a compression strength of 4 to 5 times the combined weight of cartons expected to be stacked above the bulk materials container, and a moisture-resistant polymer film wrapped around the outside of the sidewalls. The polymer film may substantially cover the sidewalls and extend from the top of the container to the bottom of the container along the sidewalls.
US08056795B2
A fluxometer system and method is provided. The fluxometer comprises a frame, a simulated circuit board disposed in the frame and having a plurality of holes formed therein extending generally transverse to a plane of the board and a cover. The cover is received on the frame over the simulated circuit board and includes several protrusions simulating leads that extend into the holes of the simulated circuit board. The fluxometer further includes an indicator sheet disposed between the simulated circuit board and the cover, the protrusions extending through the indicator sheet.
US08056789B1
One exemplary surgical apparatus may include at least one carrier, staples fixed to a corresponding carrier, and a feeder belt to which at least one carrier is frangibly connected. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a staple holder, an anvil movably connected to the staple holder, a feeder belt, where at least part of the feeder belt extends into the staple holder, and staples fixed to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; where the staples are organized into at least two groups spaced apart from one another; and where at least one staple is deployable to a different closed shape than at least one other staple. Another exemplary surgical apparatus may include a feeder belt, a first plurality of staples fixed directly to and frangibly separable from the feeder belt; a plurality of extension arms extending at least partially in the lateral direction away from the feeder belt; and a second plurality of staples each fixed to an extension arm at a location spaced laterally apart from the feeder belt.
US08056769B2
The invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a foam, comprising a manually compressible container (2) for storing a liquid and air, which container comprises an opening (3), a rigid housing (4, 5) to be fitted in or on the opening, the housing comprising an air passage (11, 12) and a liquid passage (9), which are in communication with a dispensing passage (14) which ends in a dispensing opening (8), and a valve body (6) which, in a rest position, covers a mouth of the liquid passage and a mouth of the air passage (10) in a sealing manner in order to prevent a flow from the liquid passage and the air passage to the dispensing passage, and which, during dispensing, opens the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in order to allow mixing of air and liquid to take place in the dispensing passage. The invention is characterized by the fact that the mouth of the air passage and the mouth of the liquid passage are—substantially annular and are arranged substantially concentrically with respect to one another.
US08056766B2
This assembly is of the type including: a container (4) for containing the liquid; a liquid dispensing device (6), including: a spout (20) through which liquid can pass out and air can come in; and elements (28) for filtering liquid and air passing through the spout (20); and a cap (14) for closing the container (4). One feature of the invention is that the assembly includes elements (38, 41, 39) for encouraging the entrance of air and/or the return of a residual quantity of liquid trapped in the spout (20) after dispensing some liquid, through the filtering elements (28), into the container (4).
US08056750B2
A container with a base (12) and lid (14), clearly indicates if the lid has been opened after a clerk loaded food into the base and closed the lid. The base and lid each has a respective lid tab and a base tab, with one tab forming a slot (26) and the tab other projecting through the slot, and with the base tab forming a barrier wall (80) that lies over the lid tab. One of the tabs has a weakened severable line (90, 92) that can be torn to allow the lid tab to be lifted to open the container.
US08056747B2
Systems and methods for providing removable storage tanks in an appliance having a pedestal are disclosed. The systems include a storage container located in the pedestal and configured to house an additive. In addition, a cover may be positioned within the pedestal to secure the container within the pedestal. The methods include manufacturing the pedestal such that when a storage container is placed in the pedestal, the storage container will fit in a predetermined orientation. The storage container may be manufactured such that when the storage container is placed in the pedestal the storage container can be secured in the pedestal with a cover.
US08056745B2
A stopper for an opening of a container such as a thermos. The stopper includes a pushbutton, a fluid flow channel extending between an inlet and an outlet, and a movable plug portion positioned adjacent the inlet. A biasing member biases the plug portion into sealing engagement with the inlet thereby preventing the contents of the container from flowing into the channel. A cam follower is disposed upon a cam surface opposing the biasing member. The cam follower is rotatable by the pushbutton relative to the cam surface from a closed position to an open position and when so rotated, exerts a biasing force on the cam surface sufficient to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing member on the plug portion and space the plug portion from the inlet allowing the contents of the container to flow into the channel and out the outlet.
US08056743B2
A crown closure that includes a shell having a top, a skirt, a curved portion and a plurality of serrations and a liner. The curved portion is disposed between said top and said skirt and is adapted to be the same shape as the mouth contour of a bottle.
US08056741B2
A railcar coupler includes a coupler head portion extending from a shank portion. The coupler head portion is configured to couple to a first coupler knuckle for coupling the railcar coupler to a second railcar coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler head portion comprises a nose portion and a gathering face extending from the nose portion for engaging a second coupler knuckle coupled to the second railcar coupler. The coupler head portion comprises a guard arm portion extending from the nose portion towards the shank portion. The guard arm portion comprises a minimum height less than a height of the shank portion where the guard arm portion meets the shank portion.
US08056740B2
A product display assembly having a tester security apparatus for at least one tester of a product, includes a base having a top surface, and at least one tester holder disposed on the top surface of the base, wherein each of the at least one tester holder is adapted for receiving and reversibly retaining a tester. The product display assembly includes at least one retractor each corresponding to the at least one tester holder disposed on the top surface of the base, wherein the retractor each has a retractable line located therein with a free end extending therefrom. The product display assembly further includes a fastening element adapted for attachment to the exterior of the tester, and a coupling member, wherein the coupling member further includes retaining means for receiving and retaining the free end of the retractable line of a corresponding retractor.
US08056738B2
A display unit for displaying articles comprising a display portion for displaying a plurality of articles, sensing means for sensing the presence of each article and generating a response signal in response to removal of one of said articles by a consumer, and integral output means. The response signal is dependent on the article removed. The output means is configured for providing information directly to a consumer. The information is dependent on the article removed, the response signal being configured to initiate output of the information to said consumer.
US08056734B2
Disclosed herein is a merchandising system and method that permits access from the front of a column of shelves and along a side of the column of shelves, the shelves in each column extending from the front of the merchandizing system to a back area of the merchandising system. Each shelf can be of any suitable design for supporting products or items. The merchandising system can have at least one flippable column comprising at least one shelf suitable for supporting a single row of items. Various front item stops are also disclosed.
US08056724B2
A pharmacy bottle for prescription medication is shown that conveys information thereon to the patient that is clear and understandable. Colored rings are attachable to the cap of the pharmacy bottle to convey general information. Increased surface area of the pharmacy bottle is provided for more specific information to be conveyed to the patient via the label adhered thereto. Further, more detailed information about the prescription is conveyed to the patient by ancillary information sheet(s) inserted through slot(s) into space formed in walls of the pharmacy bottle. One end of the ancillary information sheet(s) forms a tab extending from the slot(s) that may be pulled by the patient to remove the ancillary information sheet from the space via the slot(s) for review by the patient.
US08056714B2
A quick release device holder for portable electronics devices that protects soft and impressionable housing materials from damage during insertion and removal. The quick release device holder includes a backing plane formed with a substantially rigid spine portion and a receiver pocket adjacent to a first end thereof. One or more latching arms extend from the backing plane spaced away from the receiver pocket, each of the one or more latching arms further including a resiliently flexible stem portion coupled to the backing plane and having a head portion spaced away from the backing plane. The head portion further includes one or more rollers coupled thereto in a position spaced away from an interior surface of the backing plane, and a retention tongue between the one or more rollers and the interior surface of the backing plane and being set back from a circumference of the one or more rollers.
US08056713B2
Apparatuses and methods for protecting an optical device generally comprise: a sleeve portion to circumscribe and substantially conform to the shape of at least a portion of a housing of the optical device, and a body portion detachably coupled to the sleeve portion, wherein the body portion comprises an elongated piece comprising at least a first flap at a first end to encase a first lens. The sleeve portion and the body portion comprise of an elastic material.
US08056707B2
Provided are a heat resistant laminated conveyor belt and manufacturing method thereof by which a belt surface pressure when a liner and corrugated core paper are pressed and bonded together can be increased to thereby enhance a bonding performance. The heat resistant laminated conveyor belt comprises a belt core layer 11 made by a heat resistant non-metallic fiber substrate being impregnated with a fluororesin dispersion and then dried and sintered and a surface layer 13 (plain weave wire, etc., for example) formed on the belt core layer 11 via an adhesive layer 12 made by a fluororesin film, the surface layer having a fabric structure using an element wire or wires made of a ferrous metal or having a structure in which the element wire or wires are arranged together.As the surface layer 13, a fabric structure using an element wire or wires made of a non-ferrous metal, inorganic compound, organic compound or carbon is used or a structure in which the element wire or wires are arranged together (plain weave wire, parallel wire, etc., for example) is used. As the element wires, stranded wires, parallel wires or the like are used.
US08056700B2
Manufacturing lines include inspection systems for monitoring the quality of parts produced. Manufacturing lines for making semiconductor devices generally inspect each fabricated part. The information obtained is used to fix manufacturing problems in the semiconductor fab plant. A machine-vision system for inspecting devices includes a flipper mechanism. After being inspected at a first station, a tray-transfer device moves the tray from the first inspection station to a flipper mechanism. The flipper mechanism includes two jaws, a mover, and a rotator. The flipper mechanism turns the devices over and places the devices in a second tray so that another surface of the device can be inspected. A second tray-transfer device moves the second tray from the flipper to a second inspection station. The mover of the flipper mechanism removes the tray from the first inspection surface and places a tray at the second inspection surface.
US08056688B2
A wrap spring device includes a first hub and a second hub located axially to the first hub. A wrap spring is located externally and concentrically about the first and second hubs and glycol-based solution surrounds the spring. The spring is engaged and disengaged thereby causing the first and second hubs to engage and disengage each other.
US08056684B2
A vehicle drum-in-hat disc brake assembly comprises: a shield adapted to be secured to an axle flange; a drum brake portion carried by the shield; an abutment tower operatively disposed with the drum brake portion; and a caliper bracket assembly formed separate from the abutment tower and adapted to be secured to the axle flange; wherein at least one first fastener is provided for securing the abutment tower to the caliper bracket assembly and a plurality of second fasteners are provided for securing the caliper bracket assembly and the shield to the axle flange.
US08056679B2
A retractable ladder includes telescoping rail sections each having left and right side rail members. Each side rail member has two aligned locking holes. A control device includes a shaft disposed rotatably between the side rail members of one of the rail sections, and two locking units each having a controlled piece fixed to and rotatable along with the shaft, two abutment plates, two locking pins, and two spring members biasing the abutment plates to abut respectively against two opposite sides of the controlled piece. The controlled piece is rotatable between a pushing position to push the locking pins to project outwardly from the locking holes in said one of the rail sections and engage respectively the locking holes in the adjacent rail section, and a non-pushing position, where the locking pins are permitted to extend inwardly so as to disengage from the locking holes in the adjacent rail section.
US08056676B2
This fall-prevention device comprises a body on which, mounted so as to rotate about a shaft, there is a wheel designed to press and roll on a belay support, and means for locking the body of the fall-prevention device on the belay support, the wheel comprising at least one centrifugal engagement device that can be moved between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The locking means comprise at least one locking member mounted so as to rotate on the body about the rotation shaft of the wheel, the locking member comprising a chock arranged to be inserted between the belay support and the wheel when the engagement device is in its engaged position, so as to immobilize the fall-prevention device on the belay support.
US08056673B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for reducing noise and wear in a flapper configured exhaust tip for a marine exhaust system. A metallic flapper is located at an end portion of an exhaust tip of the exhaust pipe. An elastomeric flapper assembly is provided covering the exhaust tip and includes a lip portion configured to provide noise reduction by functioning as a stop for a tip portion of the metallic flapper. The metallic flapper is positioned such that a tip thereof contacts the elastomeric flapper assembly rather than the metallic exhaust pipe. Such contact with an elastomeric flapper assembly reduces noise previously produced by flapper contact with the hot exhaust pipe.
US08056667B2
A method controls a parallel parking of a vehicle. A distance between the first object and the second object is remotely sensed. The distance is compared to a first predetermined distance and a second predetermined distance. An autonomous first steering strategy maneuver is performed for parking the vehicle between the first object and second object if the distance is greater than the first predetermined distance. The first steering strategy maneuver consists of a first predetermined number of steering cycles for parking the vehicle. An autonomous second steering strategy maneuver is performed for parking the vehicle between the first and second object if the distance is between the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance. The second steering strategy maneuver consists of a second predetermined number of steering cycles for parking the vehicle where the second is greater than the first predetermined number of steering cycles.
US08056655B2
A drive system has a drive-system frame operatively connectable to a vehicle. The drive-system frame is capable of pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to steer the vehicle. The drive-system frame is incapable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and normal to the ground when the vehicle is on flat level terrain and steered straight. A rail is pivotally mounted to the drive-system frame. A ground-engaging endless belt is in sliding engagement with the rail. The belt is operatively connectable to an engine to propel the vehicle. The drive system is operatively connectable to the steering device of the vehicle. A steering angle stopper is disposed on the vehicle such that a steering linkage of the vehicle does not bear a force created when the stopper is engaged. A vehicle is also described.
US08056654B2
An exhaust system is provided for a snowmobile having a front portion in which an engine is mounted, a rearward portion, and a track belt for propelling the snowmobile. The track belt is in a track belt tunnel that extends from behind the engine to a rear portion of the snowmobile. The exhaust system includes an exhaust pipe that extends from an exhaust outlet of the engine to the track belt tunnel. At least one exhaust outlet is located within the track belt tunnel at a position within the inner circumference of the track belt.
US08056649B2
An apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one aspect includes: a drilling assembly configured to carry a first drill bit at an end thereof, a second drill bit disposed uphole of the first drill bit, and a connection device that is configured to selectively connect the second drill bit to the drilling assembly and disconnect the second drill bit from the drilling assembly.
US08056648B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a rock drilling process, in which an impulse-generating device comprising an impact element transmits a shock wave to a tool connected to the impulse-generating device, whereby a portion of the energy of the shock wave is transmitted to the rock by means of the tool and a portion of the energy of the shock wave is reflected and brought back to the impulse-generating device as reflected energy. The method comprises steps of generating at least one parameter value representing the reflected energy, and regulating the interaction of said impact element with said tool at least partially based on said value or values to control the rise time and/or length of said shock wave. The invention also relates to a regulation device, an impulse-generating device and a drilling rig.
US08056647B2
The object of the invention is to provide a telescopic feeder which is easier to handle. A first beam is intended to be used in sliding cooperation with a second beam in a telescopic feeder for a rock drilling machine. The first beam comprises at least one guiding stud intended to be guided into a recess in the second beam as the second beam and the first beam are retracted to an end position. The guiding stud is used for locking the first beam in relation to the second beam in a fixed position as the telescopic feeder is fully retracted to an end position.
US08056645B2
In a self-propelled soil aeration device comprising a machine frame, a plurality of movable piercing tools arranged next to each other transversely to the direction of travel and define a width of a working path, at least two rear wheels running laterally alongside the path, and at least one front wheel arranged in front of the piercing tools providing a supporting device extending transversely to the direction of travel and arranged in front of the piercing tools and is vertically adjustable with respect to the soil such that in a working position, the rear wheels are raised and the machine frame is supported on the supporting device and the at least one front wheel so that neither the front or rear wheels, nor the supporting device travel over the already worked soil and the supporting device is supported by one or more wheels.
US08056640B2
A hydraulic head clamp assembly is integral with a drill head mounted on a mobile drill rig. A side-shift carriage is provided for shifting the drill head from side-to-side relative to a centerline of a drill rod string. The clamp assembly includes a rigid jaw mounted on the side of the drill head, and a movable jaw mounted adjacent to said rigid jaw with a space between the jaws for receiving the drill rod string. The movable jaw is connected to a pair of hydraulic cylinder actuators that are actuated via a hydraulic circuit to control the clamp action between the rigid jaw and the movable jaw. The clamp assembly can be used to retract a drill rod string from the ground without limiting access to the inner diameter of the drill rod, and can also be used to advance the drill rod into the ground via a static push.
US08056632B2
A perforating gun that is usable with a well includes at least one perforating charge and a initiator. The initiator includes an explosive ballistic train to the perforating charge(s). The initiator is adapted to physically misalign components of the ballistic train to prevent inadvertent firing of the perforating charge(s) and physically realign the components to arm the ballistic train.
US08056630B2
Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) based fluid systems are effective to pre-saturate high permeability subterranean formations prior to a treatment operation that would undesirably suffer from high fluid leakoff. The fluid systems may include brine, a viscosity enhancer, as well as the VES, and a high temperature stabilizer. The stabilizer may be an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, Al2O3, and mixtures thereof. The viscosity enhancer may include pyroelectric particles, piezoelectric particles, and mixtures thereof. The fluid system is easy to pump into the formation, and after initial pumping, the fluid system will soak into and occupy or “pre-saturate” the pores of the formation prior to pumping of a second treating fluid for fracturing, gravel packing, frac-packing, and the like. The methods are practiced in the absence of acids typically used in acidizing operations, such as hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid.
US08056627B2
A borehole system having a permeability controlled flow profile including a tubular string; one or more permeability control devices disposed in the string; and the plurality of permeability control devices being selected to produce particular pressure drops for fluid entering or exiting various discrete locations along the string and method.
US08056622B2
A wellbore cleanup tool is run on slickline. It has an onboard power supply and circulation pump. Inlet flow is at the lower end into an inlet pipe that keeps up fluid velocity. The inlet pipe opens to a surrounding annular volume for sand containment and the fluid continues through a screen and into the pump for eventual exhaust back into the water in the wellbore. A modular structure is envisioned to add debris carrying capacity. Various ways to energize the device are possible. Other tools run on slickline are described such as a cutter, a scraper and a shifting tool. A motor driven by an onboard power supply operates the circulation pump as well as a vibration device to agitate the debris and prevent coring into the debris if compacted. A shroud presents an alternate flow path if the housing lower end is embedded in debris.
US08056618B2
An equalizing valve for a flapper in a subsurface safety valve has a valve member disposed in a passage in the flapper that is made of a material that changes shape when subjected to a stimulus such as heat, for example. In one configuration, the valve member closes off the passage and in another flow past or through the valve member defines the open position allowing pressure to equalize across the closed flapper. Other valve applications are envisioned for downhole use. The stimulus can come from applied electrical current that causes sufficient heating to have the valve member alter its shape. Mechanical assists to the shape altering can be provided which can also optionally be made of shape changing materials. Biasing into a sealed position is envisioned.
US08056600B1
A tabbed honeycomb structure or pleated panel is made from a stack of collapsed multi-cellular material. The stack is split at bond lines thereby forming the panels of pleated or honeycomb material having a joint tab on one face.
US08056590B2
An adjustment unit is installed to a woodworking machine including a base member and an auxiliary platform and is provided between the base member and the auxiliary platform. The adjustment unit includes an adjustment element including an operated portion formed on an end thereof and an adjustment portion formed on another end thereof. A first connective element includes a longitudinal first connective portion coupled to the adjustment portion of the adjustment element and a second connective element coupled to the first connective element and driving the operated portion of the adjustment element to adjust a horizontal position of the auxiliary platform.
US08056587B2
The fabric for textile structures and/or coverings, consisting of warp threads and weft threads of PTFE-yarn, in which the number of warp threads is at least approximately twice the number of weft threads. A method for producing a fabric, in which during the weaving through the warp threads at least two parallel extending individual threads are led simultaneously through a shed of the warp threads.
US08056584B2
A flexible hose construction with kink, crush, and burst resistance. The hose is constructed of a tubular member and a reinforcement strip at least partially embedded in the tubular member. The reinforcement strip is wound in a helical pattern encircling a central lumen of the tubular body. The material forming the reinforcement strip has a greater initial modulus than the material forming the tubular member.
US08056582B2
A series of compressible members disposed with a vessel lumen designed to produce a flow rate that increases with respect to an increasing flow material pressure with the rate of increase having a stepped behavior. The first compressible member is designed so as to partially restrict flow so as to allow for only moderate increases in flow rate with respect to flow material pressure. Subsequent compressible members are designed to allow for increases in flow rate greater than the moderate rate of increase when the flow material pressure is above a given flow material pressure.
US08056581B2
Improved latching connectors that can be used to connect a fluid system, such as manufacturing, test, or processing equipment, to an external system, for example charging, evacuation and/or testing equipment. In one embodiment, the connector includes elements by which to protect connector seals from being exposed to fluid being transferred, thereby lengthening the lifetime and reliability of the connector. In another embodiment, the male connector portion and the female connector portion are both valved in a normally closed position. The connector is designed to achieve connection of the male portion to the female portion, and sealing between the male portion and the female portion, prior to the valves in each connector portion being opened and fluid flowing through the connector. The latching connector includes a pressure locking sleeve that, once the connector is under pressure, locks the connector to prevent accidental disconnection.
US08056575B2
A check valve for use in a pump of a hydraulic cylinder includes a tubular member having a sheath member received therein. The pump includes a chamber provided in an output pipe thereof for receiving the check valve. The tubular member is constructed in the form of a hollow cylinder and includes a sealing sleeve fitted therearound. The tubular member includes an oil seal mounted on the front end thereof for the engagement with a hollow screw element in the chamber. The sheath member includes a hollow cap member, a first spring element, a ball, a hollow disc element, and a second spring element which are placed into the tubular member in turn. By using the hollow disc element and the second spring element, the tubular member may be fixed in the chamber, and by way of the screw element, the tubular member is enclosed in the chamber.
US08056573B2
A freestanding, collapsible shelter is disclosed. The shelter includes a roof structure having a roof hub, a ridge poles pivotable from a deployed position to a stowed position, gable poles pivotable from a deployed position to a stowed position. The shelter further includes a freestanding leg section that supports the roof structure over a supporting surface when the shelter is disposed in its deployed position. The shelter may also include a canopy.
US08056566B2
A smoking article includes a tobacco column, a binder surrounding the tobacco column, a first wrapper surrounding the binder, and at least one additional removable wrapper which surrounds the first wrapper and is removably secured to a wrapper beneath the additional removable wrapper. Packaging for a smoking article involves a supportive tube surrounding the smoking article and sealed in a package, where the package is made from a front and a rear sheet sealed together to form a sealed envelope.
US08056560B2
A face/dust mask constructed from differently-shaped filter media parts, each part having a different function, and each part interconnected so as to form a fitted air filter. Dual filters assist in eliminating from the intake air a substantial amount of the dust and debris encountered by riders of dirt bikes, manual bicycles, All-Terrain Vehicles, and other machines operated over unimproved, dusty terrain. By the nature of the materials and contours of the component parts, the mask fits comfortably and effectively for both adult and child users. The invention is highly resilient so as to adapt itself to the interior shape of a protective helmet or the mouthpiece section of a motorcycle helmet or similar safety helmet which is placed into position over the mask. The mask is of versatile design so as to enable a variety of embodiments with different filtering capabilities.
US08056553B2
A condensate pan for a condensing furnace includes a main chamber to receive exhaust gases, a condensate trap separate from the main chamber and internal the condensate pan and a main drain.
US08056546B2
An engine system comprises an air cleaner, a combustion chamber coupled to an intake port, and an intake manifold. The intake manifold is configured to receive air from the air cleaner, and, under some conditions to receive exhaust from the combustion chamber. The engine system further comprises a multifunction, barrel-type throttle valve coupled to the intake port via an outlet, the throttle valve having a first inlet coupled to the intake manifold and a second inlet coupled to the air cleaner.
US08056538B2
A method and control module for enabling or disabling control of an engine includes a check module receiving signals through a wiring harness and comparing the check signals to a threshold. The control module also includes an engine control module disabling the engine when the check signals correspond to an unauthorized use.
US08056526B2
A magnesium oil pan prevents noise and vibration by attaching reinforcement members to portions that are weak in strength and are vulnerable to vibration. The magnesium oil pan includes a flange formed on an upper surface of the oil pan so as to be coupled with the cylinder block, a lower oil pan coupler formed on a lower surface of the oil pan so as to protrude downwards, and a bracket formed on a lateral surface of the oil pan so as to be coupled with a chain cover of the engine. The lower oil pan coupler includes a main reinforcement rib on an inner side of the oil pan which continuously runs between opposite inner walls of the lower oil pan coupler and protrudes downwards. Thus, the magnesium oil pan is made lightweight, improves noise-proof performance, and is hardly damaged by external impacts.
US08056519B2
A vane-type camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine, in which an intermediate locking pin and seat are provided for locking the camshaft phaser at a position intermediate of its full advanced and retard positions, one of the locking pin and seat having a non-circular cross section, and the cross-sectional shapes of the locking pin and seat being substantially dissimilar to each other.
US08056513B2
A device (15) for the application of pesticides to animals as they feed and that accommodates wildlife of all sizes, poses no threat of harm to the animals, and maximizes the per capita application of pesticide. Whole kernel corn (or other feed) placed in a feed bin (30) is dispensed into a trough/receptacle (20) through an opening at the bottom of the bin. The trough/receptacle (20) is surrounded by pesticide applicators (40) such that as an animal feeds, some part of its head, neck and/or ears will contact one or more of the applicators. The applicators (40) are flexible and rotatable, so that animals attracted to the apparatus to feed are subjected to the application of a pesticide upon their head, neck, ears, and/or, where applicable, antlers or horns, the flexible and rotatable applicators (40) maximizing pesticide application with minimal stress to both the animal and device. The device employs a modular molded polyethylene design that is durable, economical, mass-producible, lightweight, and can be shipped for user-assembly, thereby reducing shipping and manufacturing costs.
US08056511B1
An animal carrier device used in conjunction with a vehicle occupant restraint and a vehicle seat. The device includes a base member having a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom. The wall includes a projection which extends further out than other portions of the wall from the base. The base also forms an open chamber. An enclosure fits into the open chamber and connects to the same through one or more latches, a flange is linked to the projection of the wall of the base member and interacts with the vehicle occupant restraint to confine the base member and the latch enclosure to the vehicle seat.
US08056508B1
A hand feeding system for small animals, such as kittens, uses a syringe that has a nursing nipple removably attached to the hub end of the syringe. Either a scratch pad is interposed directly between a shoulder of the syringe and the nipple or a plate is so interposed such that the plate is removably attached to a freestanding stand that has a scratch pad located thereon.
US08056491B2
A separation and guidance structure comprises an arm having an inner end with a crosspiece secured in use to a pontoon or the like, and an outer end provided with fenders extending above and beyond the end of the arm. Flotation is provided to support the outer end of the arm, and may be in the form of a flotation member or be provided by the fenders. In use a number of such structures are secured in parallel to a pontoon or dock to form a berthing system.
US08056488B2
A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack. As a result, in the case of sufficient heat source on the pallets, the pallets will eventually collapse without interference from the reinforcement members and at least partially smother the heat source.
US08056482B2
A bogie includes two pairs of wheels (2), the wheels (2) of one pair being connected to one another by a shaft to form an axle (4), the axles (4) being connected to one another by two half-chasses (8) each having two side members (10) connected to one another by a cross-member (12). The side members (10) rest on one of said axles (4), the cross-members (10) of the half-chassis (8) being articulated by an articulation device (18) so as to permit rotation of one half-chassis (8) relative to the other about a substantially longitudinal axis (A). Each side member (10) of a half-chassis (8) is connected to a side member (10) of the other half-chassis (8) by a connector (20) mounted in an articulated manner about substantially transverse axes on the side members (10), the connector (20) extending at least partially in a horizontal plane offset in terms of height relative to the horizontal plane passing through the articulation device (18).
US08056479B2
Disclosed is a separation device of an ejector motor for a portable missile, capable of being separated from a missile without any additional separation devices after ejecting the missile. An ejection rocket motor and a separation device are integrally formed. Ejection is performed by a thrust generated while the ejection rocket motor is combusted, and separation is performed by cutting off shearing bolts with using a force generated from a separation cylinder when the combustion of the ejection rocket motor has been completed. This operation and configuration may minimize a weight and a space occupied by a general ejection and separation device in a missile system.
US08056474B2
An electric circuit is applied to an object having a curved surface. The curved surface of the object is divided into sections, and the circuit is applied one section at a time. The circuit is formed between layers of dielectric material. The dielectric is applied by a computer-controlled device, which controls the position of a spray head and the rotation of the object, such that the spray head is held substantially perpendicular to the surface of the object at all times, and such that a controlled thickness of dielectric material can be deposited. The fine-featured circuits formed by the invention are rugged, and can be used on objects intended to be exposed to harsh environments.
US08056466B2
The invention concerns pneumatic actuators for valves comprising a body closed by head flanges, two pistons moving in said body in opposite directions, an output shaft that turns actuated by the pistons, and a stop device on each head flange to limit the stroke of the pistons when they move away from each other towards the head flanges. On at least one side of the actuator body an adjusting device (22) is provided which includes stop means (26, 27) at varying distances from each other in a direction parallel to the movement of the pistons and arranged in a position to intercept and limit the stroke of the pistons when the latter move towards each other.
US08056462B1
Gas guns and methods for accelerating projectiles through such gas guns are described. More particularly, gas guns having a first injection port located proximate a breech end of a barrel and a second injection port located longitudinally between the first injection port and a muzzle end of the barrel are described. Additionally, modular gas guns that include a plurality of modules are described, wherein each module may include a barrel segment having one or more longitudinally spaced injection ports. Also, methods of accelerating a projectile through a gas gun, such as injecting a first pressurized gas into a barrel through a first injection port to accelerate the projectile and propel the projectile down the barrel past a second injection port and injecting a second pressurized gas into the barrel through the second injection port after passage of the projectile and to further accelerate the projectile are described.
US08056461B2
Methods and apparatus for marine deployment according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle. The floatable housing may be adapted to be launched from a marine vehicle and rise to the surface. Assets, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may be deployed from the surfaced floatable housing.
US08056456B2
An apparatus for producing flat thin sections of a specimen (3) comprises a blade edge (7), a specimen carrier (4), a drive device (14) for producing a relative motion between the blade edge (7) and the specimen carrier (4) in a sectioning plane (5), and a light light-ribbon micrometer (8) arranged between the blade edge (7) and the specimen (3), wherein the light-ribbon micrometer (8) is arranged at a fixed distance (d) relative to the blade edge (7) and generates a light-ribbon in a plane perpendicular to the sectioning plane. A coding device (13) may be associated with the drive device (14) for controlling an alternating drive as a function of the distance (d) and of signals generated by the light-ribbon micrometer (8).
US08056448B2
A multi-size wrench is defined with an engaging hole in a head thereof, and an inner surface of the engaging hole of the head is formed by six arc-shaped engaging concaves and six arc-shaped connecting convexes which are alternatively connected to each other in such a manner that between each two neighboring engaging concaves is connected a connecting convexes. An angle between the connecting lines from two ends of the respective arc-shaped engaging concaves to the center of the engaging hole is 50 degrees, and an angle between the connecting lines from the center of the engaging hole to a middle connecting point of each arc-shaped connecting convexes and to a connecting end of the connecting convex is 5 degrees. By such arrangements, the multi-size wrench is applicable to a Metric hexagonal fastener, an English hexagonal fastener and a torx fastener which are correspondingly sized.
US08056445B2
The Multi-Task-Tool provides more positive control of clamp-action-mounted power distribution devices while placing, tightening, loosening and removing the devices from their intended receivers, including but not limited to power lines and taps, and it may be attached to common extension sticks for long reach. Many electrical power distribution devices are secured in position directly or indirectly by a threaded fastener which is most often an eye bolt. The tool body receives and contains the eye bolt and a portion of the shank giving leverage to control the device. Once the distribution device is in place the tool is then rotated to position internal rails on each side of the eye and then pulled down to seat the eye against its aperture cap. Internal rails provide stops to transmit rotational force to the eye bolt in either direction. The tool may be modified to work with other fastener heads.
US08056431B2
The present invention pertains generally to a self-locking gear that includes an input shaft, a collar, a locking mechanism, and an output member. The collar is positioned eccentrically about the input shaft, and the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating. As a result, rotation of the input shaft causes the collar to gyrate about the input shaft, and the gyrating collar engages with the output member to turn the output member in the same direction as the input shaft. Torque applied to the output member with cause the output member to attempt to rotate the collar. However, the locking mechanism prevents the collar from rotating, thus locking the output member from rotation.
US08056427B2
An adjustable head tool (AHT) is configured for positioning a free motion headform (FMH) having a regulated FMH backoff requirement prior to an impact between the FMH and a target surface having a target point. The AHT has a built-in or a variable backoff angle relative to the position of the target point, and includes a cranial portion and an adjustable facial template. The cranial portion encloses a linkage assembly, and the facial template has one or more facial features. A rotary dial translates the facial template with respect to the cranial portion to maintain the regulated FMH backoff requirement. The cranial portion includes a forehead impact zone having a first set of demarcations, and the rotary dial has a second set of demarcations corresponding to the first set of demarcations. The dial is set so the second set of demarcations matches the first set during positioning of the AHT.
US08056424B2
A fluid flow device having a vortex generator in two or more channels, each channel having a section to scale the flow velocity to a desirable range of Reynolds number, and vortex shedding and/or vortex passing frequency. Said flow device may be used as a flow meter by measuring the vortex shedding/passing frequency from each vortex generator. Further improvement is had by selecting the highest usable frequency, with its corresponding scaling factor, as the most-precise and fastest-response measurement output of the flow-measuring device. Still further improvement is obtained by cross-checking all usable frequencies against each other to detect failure of one or more vortex shedding/passing sensors.
US08056423B2
A technique that determines the tension in a tendon using a conduit reaction force applied to an end of a conduit through which the tendon is threaded. Any suitable tendon tension sensor can be employed that uses the conduit reaction force for this purpose. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tendon tension sensor includes a cylindrical strain gauge element and a force member mounted to an end of the conduit. The force member includes a cylindrical portion having a bore and a plate portion, where the cylindrical portion is inserted into a bore in the strain gauge element. The tendon is threaded through the strain gauge element and the force member. A strain gauge is mounted to the strain gauge element and measures the reaction force when tension on the tendon causes the strain gauge element to be pushed against the force member.
US08056422B2
When visualizing the stress distribution of natural bone, synthetic bone, or a member attached to either thereof without omitted points, in order to measure accurately in a variety of modes using an inexpensive system, a mechanoluminescence material thin film 6 is formed in advance on a bone material peripheral surface 5 in an appropriate area thereof including the portion where an insertion support portion 4 of an artificial hip prosthesis 2 is inserted into a hollow inside 3 of a damaged femur 1 or a synthetic bone simulating the damaged femur. The mechanoluminescence material thin film 6 portion is photographed over its entire circumference with an IICCD camera 7 from the external peripheral side thereof as or after the artificial hip prosthesis 2 is inserted. The obtained image is fed to a computer 11 to obtain a luminescence image 8. The computer 11 outputs the intensities of the received light in the form of an image as is, so that the luminescence image 8 can be obtained easily. Particularly, the data about the intensities of the received light can be used as stress/strain data virtually as is. Such method is also suitable for dynamic analysis.
US08056409B2
A new flowmeter which comprises a DP flowmeter and a volume meter in series or in hybrid integrated form. The combination of the readings from the two gives increased metering capabilities.
US08056403B2
A method of analysis of secondary-air circuits in gas-turbine plants includes defining an equivalent fluid-dynamic network of a secondary-air circuit of a gas-turbine plant. The equivalent fluid-dynamic network includes a plurality of elements, organized in branches and connected to nodes. For at least one element of the secondary-air circuit a principal component of flow and at least one auxiliary component of flow are calculated.
US08056402B2
By forming an appropriate material layer, such as a metal-containing material, on a appropriate substrate and patterning the material layer to obtain a cantilever portion and a tip portion, a specifically designed nano-probe may be provided. In some illustrative aspects, additionally, a three-dimensional template structure may be provided prior to the deposition of the probe material, thereby enabling the definition of sophisticated tip portions on the basis of lithography, wherein, alternatively or additionally, other material removal processes with high spatial resolution, such as FIB techniques, may be used for defining nano-probes, which may be used for electric interaction, highly resolved temperature measurements and the like. Thus, sophisticated measurement techniques may be established for advanced thermal scanning, strain measurement techniques and the like, in which a thermal and/or electrical interaction with the surface under consideration is required. These techniques may be advantageously used for failure localization and local analysis during the fabrication of advanced integrated circuits.
US08056396B2
An output of a knock sensor is A/D converted in a specified knock determination range. In a time-frequency analysis part, data of frequency, time, and vibration intensity are extracted at the same time from the knock sensor output signal and the time-varying patterns of vibration intensities in multiple frequency ranges are extracted. An edge direction and an edge intensity are computed by an edge extraction processing. A correlation value expressing a correlation between time-varying patterns of vibration intensities in multiple frequency ranges and a reference model expressing the feature of knock is computed in a mutual correlation/knock determination part. The correlation value is compared with a determination threshold. When the correlation value is larger than the determination threshold, it is determined that knock is caused. When the correlation value is not larger than the determination threshold, it is determined that knock is not caused.
US08056395B2
The present invention provides a method for detecting easily and efficiently a chemical substance contained in a gas sample at an ultralow amount.The present invention is directed to detecting method of a chemical substance contained in a gas sample, using an analyzing device with electrostatic atomizer. The analyzing device comprises a vessel, a inlet, a cooling part, an atomizing electrode, a counter electrode, an intermediate electrode, a liquid detecting part, and a detecting electrode. According to a detecting method of the present invention, the gas sample is condensed as a first condensate liquid at the surface of the atomizing electrode. The first condensate liquid is configured to be electric-charged fine particles to obtain a second condensate liquid at the surface of the counter electrode. The resulted second condensate liquid is brought in contact with the detecting electrode and a current voltage is applied between the counter electrode and the detecting electrode. The chemical substance is detected on the basis of the generated current value.
US08056391B2
Methods and devices for a miniature, ultra-low power impact recorder for detecting, quantifying and recording the energy of an explosive blast or ballistic projectile impact. In one embodiment, the impact recorder can included a sensor comprised of an array of electromechanical resonators that is sensitive to the vibrations produced in selected, discrete frequency ranges that approximate the spectral signature characteristics of the shockwave resulting from the ballistic impact event, even after traveling through impacted material or body tissues.
US08056374B2
Systems and methods for delivering a first additive to an appliance are disclosed. The systems include a first storage container located in a pedestal, a first pump operatively connected to the first storage container and the appliance. A controller is configured to activate the first pump upon receiving an input. The first pump configured to deliver the first additive from the first storage container to the appliance. The methods include receiving a first input. The first input specifying an amount of the first additive to be delivered to the appliance. The first additive is delivered by activating a first pump in response to receiving the first input. Activating the first pump causes the first additive to be delivered to the appliance.
US08056371B2
This invention involves apparatus and methods for making fibers by passing a molten material like glass, polymer, etc. through orifices or tips in a fiberizing bushing and then cooling the molten material coming from the tips and newly formed fibers using cooling tubes. The cooling tubes are made from precious metals and various alloys comprising precious metals, nickel and one or more of titanium, chromium, molybdenum, etc. The one or more fins attached to the top surface of a hollow tube to make the cooling tubes contain spaced apart gaps, notches and/or slots extending from the top edge of the fin to prevent warping of the fins and to make the cooling tube more bendable, adjustable during the operation of making fibers from molten material.
US08056364B2
A preform production apparatus for precision press molding, which is downsized but can produce preforms at a lower cost, and a production method thereof using the apparatus are provided. The production method of a preform for precision press molding includes forming a molten glass body C by way of receiving and cutting molten glass A, being flowed continuously from a discharge nozzle 2, by a support member 1 or by way of allowing molten glass to fall in drops from a discharge nozzle 2 and receiving thereof by a support member 1, and transferring the molten glass body C from the support member 1 to a mold 5 by way of displacing the support member to near the mold 5, disposed not to be beneath the discharge nozzle 2, while increasing the viscosity of the molten glass body C on the support member 1.
US08056363B1
A method for providing a protective coating and enhanced optical qualities to a gemstone. The method includes coating a first portion and a second portion of a gemstone with TiO2 doped with calcium oxide (TiO2+). The TiO2+ coated gemstone is next coated with a diamond like carbon (DLC) coating. The gemstone may be synthetic or natural. The composite gemstone, having been coated with both TiO2 and DLC, exhibits high refractivity and enhanced wear resistance and color.
US08056361B2
A multi-stage rotary-type fluid machine may be configured as what is called a two-stage rotary expander, in which a refrigerant expands in an expansion chamber having a first discharge side space (115b) of a first cylinder (105), a second suction side space (116a) of a second cylinder (106), and a communication hole (104a) for allowing communication between the two spaces (115b, 116a). The first cylinder (105) and the second cylinder (106) are partitioned by an intermediate plate (104). The communication hole (104a) is formed so as to penetrate through the intermediate plate (104). The opening shape and location of the communication hole (104a) are set so that direct blow-through of the refrigerant from a suction port (105b) to a discharge port (106b) cannot occur at any rotation angle of a shaft (103).
US08056353B2
To provide a protective coat on a refrigerated sample collector for a corrosive environment a unitary frame includes a support unit with condenser and evaporator coils mounted to the support unit and an orifice connecting the condenser and evaporator coils. The evaporator coils, condenser coils and a restrictor are powder coated after being connected, whereby an effective seal is provided for the restrictor, condenser coils and evaporator coils after they are assembled.
US08056352B2
An indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. The indoor unit includes a cabinet, a heat exchanger, and at least one ventilation unit. The cabinet includes a plurality of discharge ports formed on different surfaces thereof. The heat exchanger is installed in one side of the cabinet. The ventilation unit is installed inside the cabinet and includes a discharge port selectively communicating with one of the plurality of discharge ports of the cabinet.
US08056350B2
An apparatus for cooling, comprising: a liquid pump for transport of fluid through a heating cycle, an external heat source for heating the fluid in the heating cycle, for example a solar heater directly connected to the heating cycle or connected through a heat exchanger, an expander with an expander inlet and an expander outlet, the expander inlet having a fluid connection to the external heat source for receiving fluid in the gas phase to drive the expander by expanding the fluid, a compressor with a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, the compressor being driven by the expander for compressing working fluid from a low pressure compressor inlet gas to a high pressure compressor outlet gas, a first heat exchanger with a fluid connection to the compressor outlet and connected to the expander inlet for transfer of heat from the high pressure compressor outlet gas to the fluid in the heating cycle, a second heat exchanger with a condenser for condensing the working fluid from the expander by energy transfer to a second fluid of lower temperature, for example ambient air, a third heat exchanger with evaporator for evaporating the working fluid from the second heat exchanger by energy transfer from a third fluid and for creating a desired cooling effect in the third fluid. Particularly, according to the invention, the first heat exchanger is connected to the heating cycle between the external heat source and the expander inlet.
US08056329B2
The present invention relates to a tractor trailer power system for powering a hydraulic liftgate and other components in the trailer so the tractor engine does not have to run to maintain the battery charge of the trailer batteries.
US08056328B2
An apparatus for diluting and diffusing engine exhaust, includes a diffuser pipe horizontally oriented and having an inlet connection to receive exhaust gases from an engine and having an outlet defined as an elongated opening on an upper surface thereof, the inlet being disposed at about a longitudinal midpoint of the diffuser pipe, a deflector mounted in the diffuser pipe opposite the inlet to divide an entering exhaust gas flow toward opposite ends of the diffuser pipe, a baffle formed as an elongated plate having a multiplicity of holes mounted in the pipe between the inlet connection and the outlet and extending a length of the diffuser pipe, and, a dispersing grate formed as an elongated plate having a multiplicity of holes and being mounted above the outlet and spaced therefrom, the dispersing grate having a curvature about a longitudinal axis, and being mounted with a convex surface facing the outlet.
US08056327B2
An exhaust gas-cooling device for use on an exhaust gas conveyance system of a vehicle having an exhaust gas passageway to emit exhaust gases from an engine to an outlet includes an exhaust passageway pipe in fluid communication with the engine, and a micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe in fluid communication with and located downstream of the exhaust passageway pipe. The micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe defines the outlet of the exhaust gas-cooling device and has at least one aperture disposed on a pipe body of the micro-venturi mixing chamber for introducing ambient air into the micro-venturi mixing chamber pipe.
US08056326B2
A regeneration device for use in an exhaust treatment system is disclosed. The regeneration device has a first housing with a plurality of passages configured to receive coolant and injection fluid. A second housing is secured to the first housing and configured to receive coolant and injection fluid. The second housing has at least one cooling recess annularly disposed within the second housing to receive and circulate coolant in proximity to a tip end of the second housing.
US08056319B2
An insensitive combined cycle missile propulsion system includes a solid fuel contained within a first section of the missile, a liquid oxidizer contained within a second section of the missile and a solid oxidizer contained within a third section of said missile. A first conduit has a first valve communicating the fuel and the oxidizer and a second conduit, spatially removed from the first conduit, has a second valve communicating the fuel and the oxidizer. An inlet system for delivering atmospheric oxygen for combustion with the fuel rich gases generated within the missile and a nozzle exhausts combustion products that result from combustion of the fuel, the liquid and solid oxidizers, and air.
US08056295B2
Floor covering, consisting of floor panels (2), which, at least at two opposite sides (3-4), comprise coupling parts (5-6), which, in the coupled condition of two of such floor panels (2), provide for a vertical as well as for a horizontal locking, characterized in that in coupled condition, at least at the location of the aforementioned two sides (3-4) of at least two mutually coupled floor panels (2), a strip (11), more particularly a prefabricated strip (11), is present in the floor covering (1), said strip extending up to the visible side of the floor covering (1).
US08056291B1
A series of spaced-apart light gauge cold formed steel studs underlie an elongated light gauge cold formed steel channel or box. A series of joist supports are connected to the channel and a series of joists, formed of a light gauge cold formed steel, are connected to the joist supports and extend outwardly from the box. Decking is supported on the joist. Concrete is poured into the channel to form a reinforced header or beam, and concrete is also poured onto the decking to form a concrete floor. Together, the concrete floor and header form a monolithic concrete structure that enables the joist to be misaligned with studs.
US08056289B1
A transparent or translucent modular upstanding seam flange panel unit comprising opposed seam flange panels mounted in metal male and female locking engagement members designed to interlock and provide an internal gutter for collecting infiltrating water and for accommodating lateral expansion and contraction of the panels as well as a method for erecting an architectural structure for passing sunlight into an interior region of a building using such panel units.
US08056284B2
An auto-irrigation apparatus is provided. A control panel and a water-level indicator light are inserted in a side of an irrigating case. A water pump, a cell box, and a control circuit are inserted in the irrigating case. The control panel, water-level indicator light, cell box, and water pump are coupled to the control circuit. A solar panel is embedded in each of two cover panels. Each of the two cover panels are mounted on opposite sides of the irrigating case. The embedded solar panels are coupled to the cell box. A water conduit adapter is connected to an outlet of the water pump. A planter box is placed in the irrigating case above a built-in water reservoir so that the water conduit adapter passes through an aperture in the planter box. Then, the water conduit adapter is connected to a spray pipe positioned above the planter box.
US08056282B2
An insect trap (100, 200) having an entrapment chamber (110, 210) comprising one or more compartments, a tapered guide (130, 260) extending into each compartment, and an entry structure (120, 240) providing insect access to each compartment. The tapered guides optionally include a plurality of projections defining a crown structure for discouraging insect egress from the trap. The entry structures each define a plurality of entry apertures or entryways that are physically separated such that interactions between insects at different entryways is reduced or eliminated.
US08056281B2
A device includes structure that can support the device on a weapon. One version of the device includes a first sight that facilitates weapon orientation in preparation to fire a first munition, and a second sight that facilitates weapon orientation in preparation to fire a second munition different from the first munition. A different version includes first and second sights that each facilitate weapon orientation, and an electronic control portion that is operatively coupled to and simultaneously exerts control with respect to each of the first and second sights, the first and second sights each displaying targeting information generated electronically by the electronic control portion.
US08056279B2
An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface.
US08056273B2
A container for beverages has a hollow container body having a recess, and an electronic device attached to the hollow container body and provided with a display for displaying electronic images, and the electronic device is configured so that when inserted into the recess of the container body it is held in the recess.
US08056268B2
The invention is directed to intelligent systems for articles of footwear that adjust automatically in response to a measured performance characteristic. The intelligent systems include one or more adjustable elements coupled to a mechanism that actuates the adjustable elements in response to a signal from a sensor to modify the performance characteristic of the article of footwear. The intelligent system adjusts the performance characteristics of the article of footwear without human intervention.
US08056255B2
A manure removal and drying system is used in an agricultural setting. The system includes a static pressure control system for regulating an amount of static pressure in a high pressure area of the agricultural setting, a variable speed loading system for varying a speed of operation of the system based on an amount of manure being removed and dried in the agricultural setting, a moisture sensing control system for detecting moisture from the manure in order to activate or deactivate the system, a selective capacity control system for selectively scaling a distance the manure in the agricultural setting is moved, and a friction reduction system for reducing the buildup of friction within the system caused by the movement of belts.
US08056251B1
A top plate alignment template device for subterranean drilling or boring. The template device includes a frame receivable on a ground site. A plurality of tubular guide bores are provided on the frame, with each of the guide bores arranged at an angle extending downwardly and outwardly from the frame. In one embodiment, each of the guide bores has an axis so that the axes of the guide bores extend from a common center point above the frame.
US08056245B2
An optical bench configured to hold two or more sources of collimated light utilizes prisms that when rotated generate rings of possible angular directions of light that overlap at one or more locations at which the two or more beams are coaligned.
US08056241B2
A utility cutter includes a housing, a blade and blade shuttle, a blade trigger, and a trigger lock. The blade and blade shuttle are enclosed within the housing in a retracted position. The blade is extended from the housing in an extended position. The blade trigger includes a cavity and is coupled to the housing. The blade shuttle is conveyed from the retracted position to the extended position when the blade trigger pivots from a rest position to an engaged position. The trigger lock includes a projection and is accessible at the exterior of the housing through the blade trigger. The trigger lock is coupled to the blade trigger and the projection is in contact with the stop pin when the blade shuttle is in the retracted position. The blade trigger is pivotable from the rest position to the engaged position when the projection is released from the stop pin.
US08056238B2
The invention relates to a shaving head (5) comprising at least two bladeshaped cutting members (7, 7′, 7″) each having a straight cutting edge (9, 9′, 9″) extending parallel to a longitudinal direction (Y) of the shaving head. Each cutting member is supported in a cartridge (11) of the shaving head by means of a supporting member (17) which supports the respective cutting member in a supported area (23) on the respective cutting member. Said supported area extends over a predetermined distance (D) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each supporting member has a first portion (25) in contact with the supported area at a location remote from the cutting edge of the respective cutting member and a second portion (27) in contact with the supported area at a location near the cutting edge of the respective cutting member. The first portion has a basic cross-sectional area, seen perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and the second portion has a reduced cross-sectional area. According to the invention, the second portion (27) of the supporting member (17) of at least one of the cutting members (7, 7′, 7″) extends over at least half of said predetermined distance (D). In this manner, the free space between two adjacent cutting members is considerably increased. As a result, the rinsability of the shaving head is improved, so that the risk of shaving debris accumulation between two adjacent cutting members is reduced.
US08056222B2
A laser direct write method used to transfer entire single components such as semiconductor bare dies or surface mount passive and active components on a substrate or inside recess in a substrate for making embedded microelectronics is disclosed. This method laser-machine the pockets, laser-transfer the individual components inside those pockets, and then laser-print the interconnects required to “wire” the components, thus resulting in a fully assembled embedded circuit required to make a fully functional microelectronic system.
US08056216B2
A method of manufacturing non-backlighted illuminating keypad includes preparing a transparent plastic thin plate; forming a plurality of keycaps on a surface the plastic thin plate; forming a light gathering layer on another surface of the plastic thin plate opposite to the keycaps; attaching the plastic thin plate onto an electronic ink layer; and attaching an first elastic layer on the electronic ink layer.
US08056208B2
A method for joining flanges or other couplings to pipes, wherein a plurality of radially expanding segments (10) with circular ridges (11) on a tool inserted into the pipe (1), press beads (5, 6) in the pipe wall into corresponding grooves (3, 4) in the surrounding coupling element (2), where the pipe end, by means of a projection on the segments, is given an overbending outwards that prevents the pipe end from tapering inwards during the pressing of the beads. The invention comprises the interior configuration of the coupling element as well as a tool for pressing the beads.
US08056205B2
A method of adapting an axial flow reaction vessel having opposed ports to an opposed axial flow reaction vessel includes installing a process fluid collection system centrally within the body of the vessel in fluid communication with one or more outlet ports of the ports; wherein said process fluid collection system includes a perforate member defining a chamber and a conduit in fluid communication with the chamber, the conduit being adapted for attachment to the one or more outlet ports, providing the vessel with a bed of particulate catalyst or sorbent around said process fluid collection system; and adapting a feed to the vessel through one or more inlet ports of the ports such that a process fluid fed to the vessel is passed axially and in an opposite direction through the fixed bed of catalyst or sorbent and is collected by the process fluid collection system.
US08056204B2
An extraction apparatus (40) for the removal of a riveted fastener (12) from a structure (10) includes a shaft (42) and a cutting element (62). The cutting element (62) is mechanically coupled to the shaft (42) and is configured to cut a portion of the riveted fastener (12). The shaft (42) and the cutting element (62) are configured for insertion through an inner channel (24) of the riveted fastener (12). A method of replacing the riveted fastener (12) from the structure (10) includes inserting the extraction apparatus (40) through the inner channel (24). The extraction apparatus (40) is rotated. A portion of the riveted fastener (12) that extends through the structure (10) is removed. A head (20) of the riveted fastener (12) is also removed from the structure.
US08056203B2
A fixation system for fixing wind turbine elements of a wind turbine to a vehicle is provided. The fixation system includes a first fixation device for fixing a first portion of a wind turbine element pivotably around a first axis of the first fixation device and around a second axis of the first fixation device to the vehicle. A second fixation device fixes a second portion of the wind turbine element pivotably around a first axis of the second fixation device and around a second axis of the second fixation device. One of the first fixation device and of the second fixation device is adapted for providing a translation movement of the wind turbine element with respect to the vehicle along a third axis. The first axis, the second axis and the third axis are different.
US08056198B2
A master substrate 15 having a plurality of substrate areas A arranged in a matrix shape is prepared, and a piezoelectric oscillation element 5 is carried in each of the substrate areas A. A main cover 16 made of a metal having a plurality of cover areas B having a one-to-one correspondence with the substrate areas A is placed and joined on the master substrate 15. The main cover 16 is together cut along the outer periphery B′ of each of the cover areas B, to simultaneously obtain a plurality of electronic devices. The productivity can be improved by simplifying the assembling steps.
US08056196B2
A quick release fitting including a housing assembly having a main portion and a housing arm extending from the main portion, a locking arm and a locking mechanism. The locking arm has a first locking arm end and a second locking arm end, the first locking arm is rotatably attached to the housing arm. The locking mechanism is disposed within the housing assembly, and communicates with the second locking arm end such the locking arm can be locked or unlocked to the housing assembly. When locked the locking arm is secured to the housing assembly and the housing arm, the locking arm and the housing assembly form a slot, when unlocked the locking arm is not secured to the housing assembly.
US08056194B2
The present invention provides a slider wherein a Y-shaped guide groove which allows a fastener chain to pass therethrough is provided in a body of a slider, the intermediate partition which is raised inward on both sides of a guide post and extends from an inside end of the guide post toward a rear mouth is provided on an inner surface of one of upper and lower blades, and a top surface of the intermediate partition is formed into an entirely inclined slope such that a shoulder mouth side is higher than a rear mouth side, thereby enabling to catch and introduce coupling heads of fastener elements exposed from the side edges of the fastener tapes, so that the coupling heads of the right and left fastener elements are engaged with each other between the guide post and the rear mouth.
US08056193B2
A fastener includes a fastener body having a pair of legs. A shoulder portion causes the legs to be elastically engaged with inner edges of a mounting aperture when the fastener is inserted into the mounting aperture. A gripper portion includes a pair of gripper arms that interpose an insertion rib between a pair of opposite gripper surfaces of the pair of gripper arms when the fastener is fitted to the insertion rib. An engagement projection is formed on any one of the pair of gripper surfaces and extends from one of the pair of gripper surfaces to a height exceeding half of the distance between the pair of gripper surfaces so as to engage with an engagement slot formed on the insertion rib.
US08056187B2
An exemplary hinge assembly includes a shaft, a cam, a cam follower, a first elastic member, a second elastic member, a first sleeve, a second sleeve. The cam and the cam follower are sleeved on the shaft. The first elastic member is sleeved on the shaft, and configured for producing an elastic force along the shaft. The first sleeve is sleeved on the shaft, and non-rotatably connected to the cam follower. The second sleeve is sleeved on the shaft, and non-rotatably connected to the cam. The second elastic member is sleeved on the shaft, and configured for producing an elastic force for driving the first sleeve to rotate relative to the second sleeve. The controlling member resists one of the cam and cam follower, and capable of driving the cam away from the cam follower.
US08056166B2
A pillow support for a user featuring an engageable pillow body to a base and at least one storage cavity formed therebetween. An aperture in the pillow body dimensioned to accommodate the face of a user positioned on the pillow communicates with a cavity in the base which communicates with air and light adjacent to the base to provide the user fresh air and light when face down. The storage cavity is adapted to hold a personal music player or phone and the pillow engages to the base with a strap or ridge surrounding the perimeter of the pillow.
US08056163B2
A patient support apparatus, such as a bed, stretcher, or cot, includes a patient support deck that is directly coupled to elevation adjustment mechanisms without the need for an intervening frame. The elevation adjustment mechanisms may be placed outside the perimeter of the support deck to allow the support deck to be lowered to a greater extent and provide room for attaching side rails to the support deck. The width of the patient support deck may be adjusted by way of extenders, and the sleep surface may also be adjusted by way of foldable strips. A jack type of actuator may be used to pivot the different sections of the support deck with respect to each other. The elevation adjustment mechanisms may include vertical threaded shafts that rotatingly engage threaded collars and raise or lower the collars when the shaft and the collar rotate with respect to each other.
US08056162B2
A patient support apparatus, such as a hospital bed, comprises a lower frame, an upper frame supported above the lower frame and configured to support a patient, and a support structure coupled to the lower frame. The support structure includes a lift having a movable portion that is movable generally vertically relative to the lower frame and relative to the upper frame. The movable portion of the lift is configured to carry a patient care equipment support.
US08060943B1
The proposed device is based on a carbon nanotube oscillator consisting of a finite length outer stationary nanotube and a finite length inner oscillating nanotube. Its main function is to measure changes in the characteristics of the motion of the carbon nanotube oscillating near a sample surface, and profile the roughness of this surface. The device operates in a non-contact mode, thus it can be virtually non-wear and non-fatigued system. It is an alternative to the existing atomic force microscope (AFM) tips used to scan surfaces to determine their roughness.
US08060939B2
A wireless network security system including a system data store capable of storing network default and configuration data, a wireless transmitter and a system processor. The system processor performs a network security method. An active defense request signal is received, typically from an intrusion detection system. The received request signal includes an indicator of an access point within the wireless computer network that is potentially compromised. In response to the received an active defense of the wireless network is triggered. The triggered active defense may be on or more of transmitting a jamming signal, transmitting a signal to introduce CRC errors, transmitting a signal to increase the difficulty associated with breaking the network encryption (typically by including in the signal packet appearing legitimate but containing randomized payloads, or transmitting a channel change request to the potentially compromised access point.
US08060929B2
There are various methods of securing programs and data on a processor. The external address enable pin of the processor is sampled upon a power-on or reset to the processor, to determine whether or not accesses to external memory are allowed. Other changes to the external address enable pin are thereafter ignored. In addition, if it is determined that an internal memory access is occurring, the contents of such an access can be masked to prevent unauthorized viewing of the memory contents via an external memory bus. In addition, a programmable security bit may be set to disable the dumping of flash memory contents, allowing only the erasing of the flash memory.
US08060924B2
A system and method for controlling the execution of executable files. The executables are identified by either a cryptographic digest or a digital certificate. The crytographic digest is computed from the binary image of the executable. An executable that is attempting to execute is intercepted by a protection module that consults a database of stored rules over a secure channel to determine whether or not the executable can be identified as a permitted executable and whether or not it has permission to execute on a particular computer system under certain specified conditions. If a stored permission is available, it is used to control the execution. Otherwise, the user is consulted for permission.
US08060921B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems, methods and devices for eliminating multiple submission of user credential data in a system with multiple distinct restricted sub-systems wherein a unique credential is required for each sub-system.
US08060920B2
Technologies are described herein for generating and changing credentials of a service account. In one method, a credential schedule is retrieved. The credential schedule specifies when a plurality of credentials are scheduled to be changed. A determination is made whether a current credential associated with the service account is scheduled to be changed according to the credential schedule. Upon determining that the current credential is scheduled to be changed, at least part of a new credential is generated. The current credential is replaced with the new credential for the service account.
US08060917B2
An authentication system and method for allowing an administrator to host a plurality of service principal names (SPNs) over a common network port of a backend server. The authentication system includes a client computer, a backend server, and a service principal name (SPN) apparatus. The client computer sends an authentication request to the backend server. The backend server performs an authentication procedure in response to a reception of the authentication request from the client computer. The SPN apparatus configures a plurality of service SPNs for the web service application over the common network port.
US08060915B2
A method for providing electronic message authentication employs an article, such as a card, sticker, or any other suitable article, that includes sender authentication information and location information such as row and column headings. In one example, each recipient of interest is issued an article that embodies unique sender authentication information that is identifiable by corresponding location information such as column and row identifiers. In both an apparatus and method, when the sender of an electronic message wants to send a message to a recipient of interest, the sender sends the electronic message and both location information and corresponding desired sender authentication information located at the coordinate identified by the location coordinate information. If the sent desired sender authentication information matches authentication information found on the article, the sender of the message is trusted.
US08060914B2
The present invention provides an anonymous selectable credential system and method therefor. In the system, a credential authority issues root credentials to a user for certain user rights. The user generates an anonymous selectable credential from the root credentials that correspond to a selected set of user rights, and presents the anonymous selectable credential to a service. Using the anonymous selectable credential, the user can prove to the service through a knowledge proof that the selected set of user rights was granted by the credential authority. Then the service may provide service to the user according to the verified user rights. By generating and presenting different anonymous selectable credentials, the user could remain anonymous no matter how many times he/she accessed one or more services. The user can selectively prove any portion of his/her full set of rights, and no matter how many rights is to be proved, the computational cost is basically the same as that for proving only one right.
US08060907B2
An apparatus and method capable of selecting and providing content while reducing the load on a user are provided. A controlled device is determined based on content identification information. Control information corresponding to the determined controlled device is generated and output to, for example, a remote controller, and device control is performed based on a control signal from the remote controller. The user can output and view content without performing processing necessary to output the content, such as processing on a control device, a channel operation to the control device, and searching for the content storage location. Further, content cards recording content information are displayed as a card group and content information of a card at a position of a cursor is displayed.
US08060905B1
A television delivery system is disclosed having an operations center that packages programs, generates program control information, and sends the programs and control information to a subscriber. The system also includes a set top terminal associated with the subscriber that receives the television signal and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a user's television associated with the terminal. The terminal receives a selection of a program or interactive feature from an interactive electronic program guide displayed on the television. An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed. The interactive features of the guide include a logo displayed during a program indicating that interactive features are available for the program. Upon user selection, a menu of the interactive features is displayed during the program as an overlay window. Interactive features include, for example, additional information related to the program, quizzes, facts, etc. Upon selection of an interactive feature, the feature is displayed in a menu during the program.
US08060902B2
The system for receiving broadcast digital data (in particular pay television services) comprises a master digital terminal (1), and at least one slave digital terminal (2) connected to the master terminal by a link (3) and able to receive protected digital data. The slave digital terminal can access the protected data only if information necessary for accessing the data and received by the master digital terminal is sent by way of link (3) to the slave digital terminal within a predetermined deadline. This information is in particular access entitlements to television services or keys for descrambling the service.
US08060897B2
The invention is to provide a restraining device of an optical disk drive in which a traverse is disposed. A transmission unit rotates a roller to, load/unload a disc, and drives a slider to move the roller. The transmission unit includes the restraining device moving with the roller. When the optical disk drive carries a disc, the slider moves to release the traverse and push down the roller to move the restraining device away from the vibration range of the traverse. When the optical disk drive does not carry a disc, the slider moves to restrain the traverse and release the roller to move the restraining device close to the front end of the traverse. The vibration range of the traverse is restrained to protect the gear teeth from damage.
US08060896B2
A method and device for protecting slot-in optical disc drive are provided. A first sensing switch is for detecting the action of an unloading unit, a second sensing switch is for detecting the action of a receiving unit, and a third sensing switch is for detecting the action of a positioning bar. A disc is inserted as the optical disc drive is at the initial state, and the states of the first, second and third sensing switches are detected. The transmission unit is activated to automatically load the disc as all sensing switches are turned on, and whether the state of the third sensing switch changes is checked. When the state of the third sensing switch changes, the extraction of the disc is detected, so the transmission unit is immediately reversed to execute the unloading of the disc, so as to protect the optical disc drive.
US08060894B2
A disk device includes a disk tray, a spindle motor, a chucking section, a loading motor, a tray-in switch, a tray-out switch and a loading motor drive voltage generating section. The loading motor drive voltage generating section generates a drive voltage for the loading motor so that a torque of the loading motor is gradually increased after the tray-out switch detects that the disk tray is not located at a predetermined range between an eject position and a retract position until the tray-in switch detects that the disk tray is located at the retract position.
US08060892B2
Technologies are described herein for executing business logic extensions on a client computing system. A server platform exposes server-hosted application services to client applications. Calls to the server-hosted application services may be executed along with custom business logic extensions. A client platform is also provided that exposes client-hosted application services to a client application. The same business logic extensions that execute on the server platform can be utilized by the client platform. When a client application is online and connected to the server platform, the client application utilizes the server-hosted application services in the manner described above. When the client application is offline, the client application utilizes the client-hosted application services. The server platform synchronizes the business logic extensions to the client platform.
US08060886B2
A computer-implemented method processes a simple object access protocol (SOAP) command. The method includes interpreting an XML script to perform a function contained in the XML script, the XML script containing the SOAP command, parsing the SOAP command from the XML script, and passing the SOAP command to a SOAP interpreter for execution.
US08060885B2
A solution is proposed for facilitating the selection of execution servers to be used in a scheduler for submitting the execution of jobs. Each job is defined by a corresponding descriptor. The descriptor specifies the execution servers to be used by the jobs in a formal way (through their properties); in addition, the descriptor may also include the definition of formal relationships to be satisfied by the execution server with other resources of the system (in turn defined in a formal way through their properties). A query is created according to the descriptor for selecting (concrete) execution servers having the desired properties and satisfying the desired relationships with the resources of the system. This query is then run on a central database, wherein all the concrete execution servers, resources and relationships are defined. In this way, it is possible to obtain a list of concrete execution servers eligible to execute the job in a single transaction.
US08060876B2
A data processing system isolates a virtual trusted platform module (vTPM) manager in the processing system from other management software in the processing system. In one example process, the processing system launches a virtual machine monitor (VMM) that includes a memory-mapped input/output (MMIO) trap. The processing system also launches a vTPM manager in a first virtual machine (VM). In addition, the processing system launches a second VM to contain virtual machine management programs other than the vTPM manager and the MMIO trap. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08060871B2
Software typically changes over its useful lifetime. New versions of software are created to change or improve functionality, to add functionality, to correct coding errors, improve performance, to adapt to new hardware and for many other well-known reasons. The process of delivering new versions of software to users is called servicing the software. The operating system decides which version(s) of a piece of software satisfy dependencies of other software by creation of a context. The context may be used to organize and manage versions of software, to declare activation policies concerning the use of different versions of software and to service the versioned software. The context may include an activation service that maintains and manages resolution polices, resolves dependencies, constructs the environment in which an application runs and initiates the running of the software.
US08060865B2
A computer software construct has a plurality of components and is built based on an architecture designed for the construct. The architecture includes a number of partitions and dependency rules, where each partition is for having at least one component associated therewith. Each dependency rule specifies whether a component of one partition may refer to any component of another partition. The method enforces the dependency rules of the architecture on each component of the construct as built. A command is received to build a particular component of the software construct based on corresponding build instructions, and the dependency rules are also received. Thereafter, it is determined whether the particular component of a particular partition violates any dependency rule by improperly referring to another component of another partition. The particular component of the software construct is built only if the particular component violates none of the dependency rules.
US08060864B1
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can provide object interaction tools and techniques that allow a user to interact with a software object using familiar user interface elements. Information about the target object is provided so that an instance can be constructed. The object is introspect so available data and methods information can be used to populate a corresponding object interaction description and present an object interaction session.
US08060855B2
An identification of a multi-component development artifact to be shared is obtained in a development environment. A remote receiver with whom to share components of the artifact is designated. Components of the artifact are shared with the remote receiver by automatically locating the components and sending the located components in a package with associated type descriptions. After the package is received, a check for conflicts is made, and acceptable components are merged into the local development environment.
US08060848B2
A computer-readable recording medium stores therein a verification support program that causes a computer to execute receiving a hardware description of a sequential circuit to be verified and a timing specification that indicates a timing constraint in the hardware description; converting the hardware description into a control flow graph that expresses a flow of control in the sequential circuit; indentifying, from the control flow graph and as a combination of conditional branch descriptions having a hierarchical relation, conditional branch descriptions that are connected in parallel; extracting, from among identified combinations of conditional branch descriptions, a combination having a potential to satisfy specified conditions; creating a simulation program that, at a timing satisfying the timing specification, causes the conditional branch descriptions included in the extracted combination to satisfy the specified conditions; and outputting, as assertion information of the sequential circuit, the simulation program created at the creating.
US08060842B2
A method of decomposing a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate so as to allow said features to be imaged in a multi-exposure process. The method includes the steps of: (a) segmenting a plurality of the features into a plurality of polygons; (b) determining the image log slope (ILS) value for each of the plurality of polygons; (c) determining the polygon having the minimum ILS value, and defining a mask containing the polygon; (d) convolving the mask defined in step (c) with an eigen function of a transmission cross coefficient so as to generate an interference map, where the transmission cross coefficient defines the illumination system to be utilized to image the target pattern; and (e) assigning a phase to the polygon based on the value of the interference map at a location corresponding to the polygon, where the phase defines which exposure in said multiexposure process the polygon is assigned.
US08060839B2
A character input method and a mobile communication terminal using the method. The character input method includes: finding, in response to input of a key in a character input mode, at least one mapping of the key; creating, if the key has at least two mappings, a string selection list containing characters mapped by the mappings; displaying the string selection list; and displaying, if one of the strings in the string selection list is selected, the selected string in an input window. As a result, the user can conveniently input various pieces of information mapped to keys, including letters and numbers, to a mobile communication terminal without switching of input modes.
US08060838B2
The present invention is a portable terminal and a display data editing method for the same capable of easily changing preliminarily stored display data to any expression preferable to the user. A display processor 3e1 controls the writing and read-out data in and out of a memory unit 5, and provides various displays on a display part 4 according to registered display data. An editing processor 3c edits the display data on a display and also collectively edits duplicated display data in response to key operation in a key entry unit 3c. A retrieving processor 3e3 retrieves any duplicated display data in the editing subject display data before change and after change.
US08060837B2
An information processing device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction input by a user; a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display a plurality of windows in a display area of the display unit; and a window control unit configured to control a size or position of a window displayed on the display unit in response to the instruction received, the window control unit being configured to control, if the receiving unit receives an instruction to expand a first window and the expanded first window overlaps a second window, a size or position of the second window in response to a positional relationship between the first window and the second window.
US08060836B2
Methods and systems are provided for displaying scrollable information with an improved indicator of relative position. Certain embodiments may be use a focus element that indicates, by its relative position within the display, the relative position of the scrollable information displayed.
US08060835B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for a three dimensional presentation of defects in a system. In response to a request to present a set of defects using a three dimensional presentation, information is retrieved for the set of defects from a database, wherein the information includes an identification of a defect and a location of the defect in the system. A three dimensional model of the system is retrieved in which the defects are located. The defects are placed in the three dimensional model of the system to generate a modified three dimensional model. The modified three dimensional model is presented on a graphical user interface.
US08060831B2
A property value associated with a property of a graphical object is retrieved. A visual cue associated with the property value is displayed, wherein the visual cue indicates whether the property value is a literal value or a non-literal value.
US08060813B2
An apparatus for generating error detection codes can include an error detection code generation unit configured to generate virtual error detection codes using virtual DBI information and data, and an error detection code regeneration unit configured to generate error detection codes using even and odd number information which define whether the number of data associated with the generation of the error detection codes is even or odd, DBI information associated with the even and odd number information, and the virtual error detection codes.
US08060812B2
A system for class verification includes a data storage device holding verification caches; and a host system in communication with the data storage device, the host system executing a virtual machine (VM), including a class verifier. The VM is configured to perform: initiating loading of a class; searching for the class in the verification caches, wherein a record from the verification caches, including a checksum, is returned upon locating the class; comparing the checksum in the record to a checksum of the class being loaded; completing the loading of the class when the checksums match; performing bytecode verification of the class upon one of: a checksum comparison mismatch, and a failure to locate the class in the verification caches; calculating new checksum of the class upon a successful bytecode verification; and storing the new checksum in the verification caches.
US08060807B2
A method and system for wireless data communication. A request is accepted for communication of a data collection including a plurality of data objects. For each of the plurality of data objects, content importance and error resilience properties are evaluated. A transmission order of the data objects is determined based upon evaluated content importance, error resilience properties, past channel conditions and predicted channel conditions, and one or more data objects are selected based on the determined order. An error control level is selected for transmission of data packets for communicating the selected data objects based upon error resilience properties and current channel conditions to achieve communication of the data collection.
US08060802B2
Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ) apparatus and method of a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO system are provided. The ARQ method includes decoding, when one or more packets are received, the received packets and trying to detect the decoded packets; and storing, when error is detected from the packets, the corresponding error packet, requesting a transmitter to retransmit N-ary packets from which the error is detected and to transmit (M-N)-ary new packets when the number of the error packets N is smaller than the total number of the transmitted packets M. Accordingly, the error rate of the retransmitted data can be minimized, the number of retransmissions can be decreased, and the overall data transmission rate can be raised.
US08060799B2
A hub, a memory module, a memory system, and methods for reading and writing to the same. In a test mode, memory module, memory device or memory unit identifying information may be ignored, so that all memory modules, memory devices or memory units may be test written or test read. Ignoring the memory identifying information may permit all the memory modules, memory devices or memory units to be written or read simultaneously, thereby decreasing test time.
US08060794B2
A NAND flash memory and method for managing data reads a header from each storage area, and identifies each storage area. Data of the primary storage area is updated if the primary storage area exists, and an operating system in the NAND flash memory is initiated according to the updated data in the primary storage area, or in the secondary storage area if the primary storage area does not exist but a secondary storage area does.
US08060789B2
An error in a web page displayed on a device is detected. The error is assigned to a bucket to indicate a type of the error, and a record describing the current state of the device is generated. Both an indication of the bucket and the record describing the current state of the device are then sent to a server. At the server, error information including error records and bucket identifiers are received from multiple devices. Each error record describes a current state of one of the multiple devices at a time when an error in a web page displayed on the one device was detected. Each bucket identifier corresponds to one of the error records and describes a type of the error associated with that error record. The error records are grouped into multiple baskets based at least in part on the current state information in the error records.
US08060781B2
A data processing apparatus which saves data in a volatile memory into a nonvolatile memory when power is off, the data processing apparatus including: a detecting circuit for outputting a momentary interruption detecting signal when a power source voltage is below a first threshold voltage, and a power failure detecting signal when the power source voltage is below a second threshold voltage that is lower than the first threshold voltage; and a control section adapted to start saving of the data in the volatile memory into the nonvolatile memory when the detecting circuit has output the momentary interruption detecting signal, continue save of the data, and carry out a predetermined shutdown processing when the detecting circuit has output the power failure detecting signal after the detecting circuit has output the momentary interruption detecting signal.
US08060779B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for using virtual copies in a failover and failback environment. Updates are copied from a primary first storage at the primary site to a secondary first storage at the secondary site during system operations. A second storage is maintained at at least one of the primary and secondary sites. A failover is performed from the primary site to the secondary site after a failure at the primary site. The at least one second storage is used after recovery of the primary site to synchronize the secondary site to the primary site. Only updates made to the secondary site during the failover are copied to or from the at least one second storage in response to the recovery at the primary site.
US08060776B1
A data storage system has two computers. Each computer is assigned to a set of data. Two copies of each set of data are maintained. A first copy is stored on a first set of disks and a second copy is stored on a second set of disks. Each time that a data is written by a computer, a label is written to each set of disks, the label having fields for a status of each computer, a first ordinal which is increased each time that a new data is written, and a time stamp giving a time at which the last write was performed. After failure of a computer, a processor determines, in response to reading the labels of the first set of disks and the second set of disks, the most up to date copy of the data assigned to the failed computer.
