US08068416B2

In an embodiment, a method of allocating media streams includes measuring real-time port usage data related to each of a plurality of physical ports associated with a link aggregation group. The method further includes selecting at least one, but not all, of the plurality of physical ports based on the real-time port usage data and sending a media stream to a network via the physical port.
US08068410B2

A decision about provider quality based on a quality metric observed says little about the quality of the provider. Further, the decision may be biased by a variation in customer contributions to the quality metric observed or by a variation in a number of completed calls received by a provider. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus are provided to evaluate quality and to correct bias by determining a standard that accounts for at least one source of bias, comparing an observed measure of a provider against the standard to produce an evaluation of the observed measure of the provider, and affecting a decision about the quality of the provider based on the evaluation. As a result, an unbiased decision, for example, to scrub a provider can be made and in some instances, a provider may be rescued from being scrubbed.
US08068399B2

A signal evaluation method according to the present invention is a method for evaluating a read signal, retrieved from an information recording medium, based on a binarized signal generated from the read signal by a PRML method. The method includes the steps of: detecting the patterns of multiple paths associated with the binarized signal and merging into the same state; getting the ideal value of a correct pattern associated with the binarized signal and that of an erroneous pattern that is similar to, but different from, the correct pattern; calculating the difference between a distance from the ideal value of the correct pattern to the read signal and a distance from that of the erroneous pattern to the read signal; calculating, based on the difference, an expected error rate for each predetermined group of patterns by the PRML method; and calculating a standard deviation that is associated with a total error rate, which is obtained by adding together the error rates of the predetermined groups of patterns, and that is used for evaluating the read signal.
US08068396B2

A method for adjusting a tilt of an optical pick-up head includes the steps of: moving the optical pick-up head to a first location and focusing on; obtaining a first focus control power and a first optimum tilt angle at the first location; moving the optical pick-up head to a second location and focusing on; obtaining a second focus control power and a second optimum tilt angle at the second location; calculating an optical sensitivity according to the first and second optimum tilt angles, and the first and second focus control powers; and when the head is moved to a specific location where the tilt of the head is to be adjusted, storing a focus control power corresponding to the specific location, and calculating a tilt angle corresponding to the specific location according to the focus control power and the optical sensitivity so that the tilt of the optical pick-up head can be appropriately adjusted.
US08068376B1

Systems design and methods are provided for maintaining the memory array stability while reducing power consumption in the form of leakage current in a memory array. One embodiment discloses a memory array system, which comprises a plurality of memory cells, a monitor cell array, a controller, and voltage regulator circuits. The controller receives information from the monitor cell array, determines the state of stability, and adjusts the voltage regulators accordingly to ensure the memory array stability and minimizes leakage.
US08068375B2

A semiconductor device according to the present invention has an address scrambling circuit for performing address scrambling operation of an address and a redundancy judging circuit for judging that redundancy judgment is performed about the address scrambled by the address scrambling circuit. This structure makes it possible to completely refresh operation concerned with normal word lines and redundancy word lines.
US08068372B2

A semiconductor memory device includes: a repair node; a fuse one side of which is coupled to the repair node; a pull-down unit configured to selectively transfer a ground voltage to the repair node; a pull-up unit configured to selectively transfer a driving voltage to another side of the fuse; and a voltage drop unit coupled between the pull-up unit and the fuse and configured to lower a voltage level of the driving voltage.
US08068369B2

A single-ended sense amplifier circuit amplifies a signal of a memory cell and transmitted through a bit line, and comprises first and second MOS transistors. The first MOS transistor supplies a predetermined voltage to the bit line and controls connection between the bit line and a sense node in response to a control voltage, and the second MOS transistor has a gate connected to the sense node and amplifies a signal transmitted from the bit line via the first MOS transistor. The predetermined voltage is supplied to the bit line before read operation and is set to a value such that a required voltage difference at the sense node between high and low level data of the memory cell can be obtained near a changing point between a charge transfer mode and a charge distributing mode within a range of a read voltage of the memory cell.
US08068368B2

A method of performing a read operation in a flash memory device is disclosed. The flash memory has a memory cell array including at least one block, the block having a plurality of pages. The method comprises receiving a read command to read data from a selected page in the block; determining whether or not the block has any page that has not been programmed; performing a dummy data program operation on at least one page that is determined not to have been programmed; and executing the read command to read the data of the selected page after the dummy data program operation is completed.
US08068360B2

A method for data storage includes storing data in a memory that includes multi-bit analog memory cells, each of which stores at least first and second data bits by assuming one of a predefined plurality of programming levels associated with respective storage values. The memory has at least a first built-in command for reading the first data bits of the memory cells by comparing the storage values of the memory cells to a first number of first thresholds, and a second built-in command for reading the second data bits of the memory cells by comparing the storage values of the memory cells to a second number of second thresholds, such that the first number is less than the second number. After storing the data, the first data bits are read from the memory cells by executing at least the second built-in command.
US08068355B1

A multiphase DC-to-DC power converter has two or more sets of input switches, each set of input switches driving primary windings of at least one associated transformer. Each transformer has one or two secondary windings, the secondary windings feeding power through output switches or rectifiers through an associated output inductor into a common filter. At least two of the output inductors are magnetically coupled.
US08068354B2

A current-level controlling device for a power supply includes a reception end for receiving a current sense signal, a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage, an adaptive reference voltage generator, coupled to the reference voltage generator and the reception end, for adjusting the reference voltage according to variation of peak values of the current sense signal, so as to generate an adaptive reference voltage, a comparator, coupled to the reception end and the adaptive reference voltage generator, for comparing the current sense signal and the adaptive reference voltage, to generate a comparison result, and a control unit, coupled to the comparator, for controlling a switch transistor of the power supply according to the comparison result.
US08068346B2

A circuit board is provided with a plurality of MOSFETs (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors) each of which include a field effect transistor and an associated control circuit. The control circuits are mounted in a control section of the board remote from a power section mounting the MOSFETs. The present invention reduces the assembly steps required in the prior art wherein the MOSFET and its control circuit were mounted as preassembled units to the board. Moreover, the number of MOSFETs per unit area of board is increased by the present invention.
US08068341B2

An electronic device includes a chassis, a motherboard, an airflow duct, and an expansion card. The chassis includes a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a sidewall. A motherboard is disposed on the bottom wall, and a riser card perpendicularly connected to the motherboard. An expansion card is parallel to the motherboard and inserted in the riser card. The expansion card has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to the rear wall of the chassis. An airflow duct is located on the bottom wall of the chassis. The airflow duct includes a mounting wall parallel to the chassis rear wall. The first end of the expansion card is secured to the rear wall, and the second end of the expansion card is mounted to the mounting wall of the airflow duct.
US08068335B2

A fixing device includes a loading assembly and a hook assembly. The loading assembly is for receiving a peripheral device having two projections protruding from opposite sidewalls of the peripheral device. The loading assembly includes two opposite loading members, and each of the loading members defines a sliding slot. The projections can slide along the sliding slots. The hook assembly cooperates with the projections to fix the peripheral device.
US08068334B2

An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, two hinge assemblies, two resilient members, and two latching members. The hinge assemblies hinge the first body on the second body. The resilient members are received in the second body and connect with the second body elastically. Opposite ends of the resilient member resist the second body and the hinge assembly, so that the hinge assembly and the first body move relative to the second body.
US08068333B2

A PCB assembly includes a PCB. The PCB includes a detecting pad, a detecting voltage terminal and the controller. The detecting pad includes an accessing layer and a grounding layer. The grounding layer is connected to the ground. The accessing layer is electrically insulated from the grounding layer. The detecting voltage terminal is connected to the accessing layer of the detecting pad. The controller is connected to the accessing layer of the detecting pad. When the accessing layer is not connected to the grounding layer, the controller receives a high level voltage signal from the detecting pad. When the accessing layer is connected to the grounding layer, the controller receives a low level voltage signal from the detecting pad, and therefore the PCB is capable of determining what computer system the PCB is coupled with.
US08068332B2

A portable electronic device includes a main body and a accessory strap fixing structure. The main body defines an assembling slot therein. The accessory strap fixing structure is rotatably assembled within the assembling slot and includes a hanging frame, a supporting frame, a hinged portion, and a latching portion. The hanging frame includes a hanging portion disposed thereon for hanging a accessory strap thereto. The two ends of the supporting frame are connected to two ends of the hanging frame respectively. The hinged portion is formed at one joint of the hanging frame and the supporting frame, for being rotatably hinged to the main body and accommodated within the assembling slot. The latching portion is formed adjacent to the other joint of the hanging frame and the supporting frame, and configured for detachably latching within the assembling slot.
US08068327B2

A holding device for encased capacitors used for electric drive engineering. The inventive holding device comprises integrateable and separable lower and top holding parts. Axially protruded retaining clamps are arranged on the top holding part around each encased capacitor. The lower holding part comprises an opening for the respective capacitor and each opening is surrounded with a sealing lip. The retaining clamps are pressed against the capacitors by the internal surface of the lower holding part. Sections protruded from the respective openings of the lower holding part are embodied in the form of the capacitor sections freely extending directly to a cold air flow of a device. The sealing lip is sealingly placed on the external wall of each encased capacitor in such a way that the penetration of solid or liquid materials inside the lower holding part is prohibited, thereby preventing a high IP protection degree.
US08068320B2

A network unit includes an enclosure having first and second compartments, plural input terminals, and a primary switch having an input and an output, the input being electrically connected to the input terminals. The output of the primary switch is electrically connected to the input of a network transformer. A network protector includes an input, an output and a circuit breaker electrically connected between the input and the output of the network protector. The network protector input is electrically connected to the network transformer output. Plural circuit protection devices are electrically connected between the network protector output and plural output terminals. The circuit breaker is substantially enclosed by the second compartment. The network transformer, the primary switch and part of the network protector are enclosed by the first compartment.
US08068306B2

Approaches for improving the write quality of a hard-disk drive (HDD) head experiencing temporary fly-height problem. When the hard-disk drive is idle and heads are parked on the ramp, fluid, such as a lubricant or the condensation of vapor, may collect between the surface of a platter and the head or a slider, thereby causing the head to temporarily fly higher than normal. An HDD may include electronic component(s) configured to (a) determine whether it is likely that fluid is interposed between the surface of a magnetic-recording disk and the slider or the head, and (b) temporarily adjust one or more of (i) a thermal fly height control setting of the head and (ii) a write parameter of the head to compensate for the head flying higher than normal as a result of the fluid being interposed between the surface of the disk and the slider or the head.
US08068302B2

Methods of formatting media using planar magnetic heads. A head may comprise a substrate having conductive thru-hole vias extending therethrough, a first magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the substrate, a first insulation layer deposited and patterned on the first magnetic layer, a conductive coil layer deposited and patterned on the first insulation layer and connected to the conductive thru-hole vias, a second insulation layer deposited and patterned on the conductive coil layer, vias patterned into the insulation layer extending to the first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer deposited in the vias, and a third magnetic layer deposited and patterned on the second insulation layer and second magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer may be connected to the first magnetic layer through the second magnetic layer deposited in the vias of the insulation layers.
US08068299B2

Embodiments of the present invention help to reduce the occurrence of read hard errors in a hard disk drive (HDD). According to one embodiment, a HDD rewrites data on all data tracks of a block M when the number of write operations to the block consisting of continuous plural data tracks. The HDD further rewrites data on continuous plural data tracks and adjacent to the block. Since the number of write operations is counted every block, a memory area to register the number of write operations can be reduced.
US08068298B2

Harmonic selection for track following is described for a hard disk drive comprising at least one magnetic disk capable of storing data and spinning, a controller capable of controlling a read/write head capable of reading and writing data while following a track on a surface of the at least one magnetic disk, and a memory device capable of storing data relating to the operation of the hard disk drive. A drive function test on the hard disk drive is performed, during which harmonic frequencies are identified which cause disturbances for the hard disk drive. Data regarding the harmonic frequencies which cause the greatest disturbances for the hard disk drive is stored in the memory device. The data regarding the harmonic frequencies which cause the greatest disturbances is forwarded to the controller upon the at least one magnetic disk spinning.
US08068296B2

There is provided a driving device with less wiring and of which driving circuit is simplified. A driving device comprising: a plurality of vibratory actuators 6, 7 respectively having a vibration generating portion which transform an electric power into a vibration and a driven portion which engages with the vibration generating portion; and a driving circuit to which the plurality of vibratory actuators are connected in parallel, wherein the vibration generating portion of at least one of the vibratory actuators has a different frequency characteristic from that of other vibratory actuators, and the driving circuit is capable of outputting a plurality of driving voltages each having a different waveform.
US08068294B2

A lens barrel includes a fourth lens, a prism, and a sixth lens. The fourth lens receives a light flux incident along a first optical axis. The prism includes a reflecting surface reflecting the light flux passing through the fourth lens to a direction along a second optical axis intersecting with the first optical axis. The sixth lens receives the light flux reflected by the prism. A second group frame includes an opening portion, a prism retaining frame that is arranged in a more inner position than the opening portion and in which the prism is contained, and a plurality of adhesive pockets arranged on an area around the prism retaining frame and being open to the side of the opening portion. Adhesive agent is filled in the adhesive pockets.
US08068292B2

Disclosed is an electronic device including a lens having a stepped edge and a viewing area and more particularly, an electronic device having a display in which the viewing area of the lens is stacked with the active area wiring of a display panel and the stepped edge of the lens is stacked with the connectors on the periphery of the display panel. A housing portion is stacked with the stepped edge of the lens and the connectors on the periphery of the display panel. In this way, a maker of electronic devices can make use of the space occupied by the connectors of the display panel so that the active area of the display panel may occupy more of the total area of the surface of the device.
US08068276B2

In some embodiments, a projection objective for lithography includes an optical arrangement of optical elements between an object plane and an image plane. The arrangement generally has at least one intermediate image plane, the arrangement further having at least two correction elements for correcting aberrations, of which a first correction element is arranged optically at least in the vicinity of a pupil plane and a second correction element is arranged in a region which is not optically near either a pupil plane or a field plane.
US08068275B2

In an optical amplifier, an input light is supplied to one end of an optical fiber connected to an output port, and the power of a light in an opposite direction which is input to the output port from the one end of the optical fiber, is measured, thereby obtaining a stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) occurrence threshold in the optical fiber based on the measurement result. Then, using the SBS occurrence threshold, a relation between the input light power and an occurrence amount of the self phase modulation (SPM) or the like in the optical fiber is obtained to be reflected on a control of the optical amplifier, so that an occurrence of the SPM or the like in the optical fiber is suppressed. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately measure, with a simple configuration, the nonlinear optical properties of the optical fiber actually connected to the output port of the optical amplifier, so that the optical S/N ratio degradation due to a nonlinear optical effect can be effectively suppressed.
US08068274B2

A wavelength conversion laser device includes a laser light source which emits a laser beam, two reflective surfaces which reflect therefrom a laser beam, a wavelength converter provided between the two reflective surfaces, which converts a laser beam into a wavelength-converted laser beam, and condensing optics which condense the laser beams to be injected between the two reflective surfaces, wherein at least one of the two reflective surfaces has a curvature for reflecting a laser beam to be re-injected into the wavelength converter between the two reflective surfaces repeatedly while forming multi paths of laser beams injected into the wavelength converter at different incident angles, and the condensing optics are arranged to disperse beam waists of the laser beams in the wavelength converter, which reciprocate between the two reflective surfaces.
US08068273B2

A demodulator and method are provided. The demodulator for demodulating an optical signal, includes a splitter that splits a differential phase modulation signal into a first split light component and a second split light component, couples the first split light component to a first optical path and the second split light component to a second optical path, a first medium disposed on the first optical path, a second medium disposed on the second optical path and having a refractive index different from that of the first medium, and a combiner that combines the first split light component that has passed through the first medium and the second split light component that has passed through the second medium, wherein one of the first split light component and the second split light component is delayed in relation to the other.
US08068272B2

A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
US08068271B2

A transmissive electro-optic display includes a substantially transparent front plane and back plane element. The back plane element includes a plurality of electrodes distributed in two dimensions on the backplane, each allowing independent control of a discrete region of the display. The front plane element includes at least one electrode disposed opposite the back plane, and is spaced apart from the back plane element by an interior wall defining a plurality of cells therebetween. A plurality of partially conductive and optically anisotropic elements is rotatably disposed in the plurality of cells, together with a dielectric fluid. When an appropriate electric field and/or a magnetic field is applied to the cells, the corresponding anisotropic elements are caused rotate between a “transmissive” state and an “opaque” state.
US08068269B2

An interferometric modulating device is provided with a spacing layer positioned between the fixed reflector and the electrode. The spacing layer prevents shorting between the movable reflector and the electrode and provides a filtering cavity to improve color saturation.
US08068266B2

A display substrate includes a base substrate, a reflection-polarization member, a first electrode, an insulation layer and a pixel wall. The reflection-polarization member is disposed on the base substrate to reflect and polarize incident light. The first electrode is disposed in a unit pixel area of the reflection-polarization member. The insulation layer is disposed on the first electrode. The pixel wall is disposed on the insulation layer and defines the unit pixel area. Therefore, the entire area of a unit pixel may be used as a reflective area or a transmissive area, and thus an aperture ratio may be improved in a reflection mode or a transmission mode.
US08068254B2

A mobile telephone comprises a support structure around which the mobile telephone is constructed; a camera device positioned on the support structure for electronically capturing and processing an image; a detachable printing mechanism; and a receptacle, defined in the support structure, for receiving therein the detachable printing mechanism. The detachable printing mechanism defines therethrough a print media feed path along which print media is fed for printing. The print media feed path extends from a first longitudinal side of the support structure through to a second longitudinal side of the support structure opposite the first longitudinal side.
US08068240B2

To provide technology for easily carrying out image processing for printing or display purposes using undeveloped image data. A print control device comprises: a processing condition determining section that determines processing conditions for printing; and a print data generating section that generates print data from original image data according to the processing conditions. The processing condition determining section comprises: a first setting section that causes a first setting screen to be displayed, the first setting screen allowing a user to make settings for a first items group, for a purpose of determining the processing conditions for the first type of original image data that is developed; and a second setting section that causes a second setting screen to be displayed, the second setting screen allowing the user to make settings for a second items group, for a purpose of determining the processing conditions for the second type of original image data that is undeveloped. The second items group includes a specific item not included in the first items group. The print data generating section executes on the second type of original image data a developing process that includes a specific process according to a setting for the specific item.
US08068237B2

A reading sensor has first and second detection regions. The first detection region has high directivity and detects a thickness of a recording sheet. The second detection region has low directivity and detects a surface roughness of the recording sheet. The material type of the recording sheet is determined based on the detected thickness and surface roughness. Based on the type of recording sheet, conditions for forming images on the recording sheet are determined.
US08068229B2

An optofluidic device forming a liquid grating, a liquid detector or a liquid emitter and method(s) of operation.
US08068228B2

A structure that is located adjacent to a measurement target on a substrate is used to convert incident radiation from an optical metrology device to be in-plane with the measurement target. The structure may be, e.g., a grating or photonic crystal, and may include a waveguide between the structure and the measurement target. The in-plane light interacts with the measurement target and is reflected back to the structure, which converts the in-plane light to out-of-plane light that is received by the optical metrology device. The optical metrology device then uses the information from the received light to determine one or more desired parameters of the measurement target. Additional structures may be used to receive light that is transmitted through or scattered by the measurement target if desired.
US08068222B2

A novel approach for chemical imaging is disclosed. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system for producing a spatially accurate wavelength-resolved image of a sample from photons scattered from the sample, comprising an optical lens; a first optical fiber bundle of M fibers; a second optical fiber bundle of N fibers; an optical fiber switch; and a charge coupled device, wherein the image comprises plural sub-images, and wherein each sub-image is formed from photons scattered from a predetermined two spatial dimension portion of the sample, and wherein the scattered photons forming each sub-image have a predetermined wavelength different from a predetermined wavelength of scattered photons forming the other sub-images, and wherein the scattered photons for each sub-image are collected substantially simultaneously.
US08068207B2

A method includes impacting at least one identifier on a section of passing film for identifying the film as a source for content copied from the film.
US08068206B2

Electronic displays are physically reshaped and/or resized to meet custom specifications for special applications such as avionics, where Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are not typically used. Customization includes cutting the physical display to specified dimensions to fit into a target opening, and resealing the display to preserve proper cell spacing and assure basic functionality. The sealing process may include improving the original seal, and/or providing additional seals.
US08068201B2

A vertical orientation liquid crystal display in which orientation control by oblique electric field is performed stably and lowering in light transmission rate of the liquid crystal display is suppressed without increasing the number of manufacturing steps significantly. In the vertical orientation liquid crystal display, a plurality of regions having different inclination orientations of liquid crystal molecule are formed by applying a voltage to each pixel electrode having an aperture or a recessed portion. The liquid crystal display comprises a switching element connected electrically with the pixel electrode, and an auxiliary electrode formed to overlap the aperture or the recessed portion in the pixel electrode wherein the auxiliary electrode is formed of the same film as that of the semiconductor layer in the switching element.
US08068197B2

A liquid crystal display device including a thin light guide plate and capable of preventing light leakage from light sources is provided. The light guide plate is formed of a sheet. On a back face of the light guide plate, a first projection and a second projection that protrude outwardly and a reflection face provided between the first projection and the second projection are provided. The light sources are disposed on a side face of the light guide plate. A light entering portion is disposed on the side face where the light source is provided. A thin film portion is included between the light sources adjacent to each other in the light entering portion.
US08068194B2

In the line light source device and the plane light emission device, first recesses 14 are formed between adjoining light emission elements 5, on surfaces of sealing resin layers 10 opposite to the board 4. The line light source device and the plane light emission device, in which the light emission elements are coated with resin, have a simple configuration and high uniformity in luminous intensity in an emission end face of the device.
US08068192B2

An LCD assembly includes an LCD, a support member, a sliding member and a bracket. The support member engages the LCD, and the LCD is rotatable about an axis of the support member about a first axis. The sliding member engages the support member, and is rotatable about an axis of the support member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The bracket is configured for receiving the sliding member, and the sliding member is slidable in the bracket.
US08068191B2

A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel, a mold frame, chassis and a strength-reinforcing member. The liquid crystal display panel displays an image. The mold frame receives the liquid crystal display panel. The chassis is combined with the mold frame to secure an end of the liquid crystal display panel, and includes a first side portion and a coupling hole formed at the first side portion. The strength-reinforcing member is disposed between the first side portion and the mold frame. As a result, a strength of the chassis may be improved, and the to liquid crystal display panel may be prevented from being damaged.
US08068185B2

While a user of a digital television gives a command to switch from a first channel to a second channel, a comparison between a first remembered volume of the first channel and a second remembered volume of the second channel is provided. According to the result of the comparison, a currently-used volume of the second channel may be adjusted from the first remembered volume to the second remembered volume iteratively and by step volumes so that the adjustment of the currently-used volume of the later channel is not annoying for the user. Moreover, the user is also allowed in determining a preferred volume to be the currently-used volume of the second channel. While the user of the digital television flips between channels, unnecessary updates in a volume setting of the second channel are abandoned.
US08068184B2

A remote control unit for an entertainment system comprising a television or other display device, and a plurality of peripheral devices connected to the televisions. The remote control unit is adapted to send and receive information signals to and from the television and to the peripheral devices to control the devices. The television and remote control unit both preferably includes a receiver and transmitter and appropriate memory and logic coupled to the transmitter and receiver. Alternatively, the remote control unit preferably includes a receiver and transmitter and a repeater coupled to the receiver and the transmitter. In operation, the remote control unit sends commands to the television, which responds by sending information or a specific command back to the remote control unit. The remote control unit then retrieves and sends a specific command or repeats and sends the command received from the television to the appropriate peripheral device.
US08068183B2

Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a one embodiment, the control system will detect the change of state of an audio output sensor coupled to the audio output port.
US08068182B2

A system is presented that applies M×N×K computational units to calculating image parameters on N picture images captured simultaneously by N digital camera devices, where there are N groups of frame grabber units, each containing M frame grabbers in which there are K computational units. The data operated on by a computational unit is separate and independent from the image data operated on by the other computational units. This results in a performance speedup of M×N×K compared to one computational unit making the same computations. A master frame grabber unit controls the illumination of the N digital camera devices, and synchronizes the illumination with the clocks of the N digital camera devices.
US08068180B2

The present invention is directed to provide an AV processing device and the like that allow mixing three or more AV signals through easy operation. According to the invention, an AV processing device 30 includes an input unit 310 inputting three or more AV signals that are audio signals or video signals, a coordinate point assigning unit 322 assigning a given coordinate point in a predetermined two-dimensional region in which a coordinate axis for each input AV signal indicating its mixing rate from minimum to maximum is virtually assigned, a mixing rate calculator 331 calculating the mixing rate of each AV signal based on the coordinate axis for the AV signal and the assigned coordinate point, a mixed AV signal generator 332 generating mixed AV signals based on the calculated mixing rate of each AV signal, and an output unit 350 outputting the generated mixed AV signals.
US08068179B2

An on-screen display (OSD) device includes a memory, a processing unit, a buffer, a buffer controller, a decompression engine and an OSD video processing engine. The memory stores an OSD data to be played or processed. The processing unit reads the OSD data from the memory and produces a compressed OSD image data and OSD information. The buffer temporarily stores the compressed OSD image data for display. The decompression engine decompresses the compressed OSD image data temporarily stored in the buffer into an OSD image data and stores the OSD image data in the buffer. The OSD video processing engine receives the OSD information outputted from the processing unit through the buffer controller and produces an OSD image display data.
US08068177B2

A signal synchronization device and signal synchronization method are provided. The method comprises determining whether a receiving device can receive data output from an output device synchronously and adjusting the dummy period of the signal, which will be received by the receiving device, when the data output from the output device cannot be received by the receiving device synchronously.
US08068161B2

This portable terminal comprises a main unit having a microphone, a key operation unit, and a radio sending/receiving function of image and sound, a rotation axial unit having a video camera and an operation dial, an image display unit with a touch panel capable of displaying an image taken by the video camera, a received image and a screen for input operation, and a flip unit having the image display unit, a CCD camera, a speaker and an operation button. The rotation axial unit further includes an opening/shutting axis for connecting the main unit and the flip unit in a mutually rotatable way and a rotation axis for connecting the flip unit in a way of rotating the flip unit across the above rotation in the horizontal direction, and when the flip unit is opened and rotated across, it is used as a video camera with a monitor.
US08068154B2

The invention provides a system for isolating digital data representative of portions of a field of view. The system, which may be provided in the form of a digital camera, includes an array of sensor cells adapted to provide digital representations corresponding to at least a portion of the field of view, and a selector adapted to isolate a non-uniformly distributed subset of the digital representations provided by the array. The isolation may be performed based upon a set of values programmed in a programmable lookup table. A buffer is provided for holding the isolated digital representations.
US08068139B2

An image stabilization control circuit controls an optical element driving element configured to move an optical element provided in an imaging apparatus based on an output signal of a vibration detection element provided in the imaging apparatus. The image stabilization control circuit includes an analog-digital conversion circuit configured to receive an analog signal from a position detection element that detects the position of the optical element and convert the input analog signal into a digital signal, and a servo circuit configured to generate a correction signal for correcting the position of the optical element based on an output signal of the analog-digital conversion circuit and output the generated correction signal to the optical element driving element. The servo circuit includes a digital filter circuit and a register. The digital filter circuit performs filter processing based on a filter coefficient stored in the register.
US08068136B2

A method and system for determining the angular position of an object are disclosed. As one example, a method for determining the angular position of an object is disclosed, which includes the steps of obtaining data representing an image of a surface area of the object, the image including a plurality of dots, determining a set of coordinates for each dot of the plurality of dots, selecting a predetermined number of dots of the plurality of dots, comparing the predetermined number of dots with a plurality of dots stored in a dot map, responsive to the comparing step, if the predetermined number of dots substantially match the plurality of dots stored in the dot map, selecting the predetermined number of dots, and forming a coordinate transformation matrix representing a transformation from a coordinate frame associated with a position of the predetermined number of dots at the surface of the object to a coordinate frame associated with a position of the image of the surface area of the object.
US08068135B2

A device and method for vehicle collision avoidance and mitigation employing a video camera providing a frontal view of a roadway to a video display. A plurality of generally trapezoidal windows formed in front of and rearward of an iconic vehicle are employed to ascertain objects in front of and rearward of the vehicle. Using software, a closing rate of any object is continually calculated, and warnings or evasive actions are taken if a collision is calculated. The device can differentiate between shadows and objects through a filtering method requiring pixel changes in two or more windows concurrently for an object to be determined.
US08068129B2

Stereoscopic device including an image directing assembly, an image differentiator and an image detector, the image directing assembly having a first light inlet for receiving a first image and a second light inlet for receiving a second image, the first light inlet being spaced apart from the second light inlet, the image differentiator differentiating between the first image and the second image, wherein the image directing assembly directs the first image to the image detector via a common path, and wherein the image directing assembly directs the second image to the image detector via the common path.
US08068127B2

A printer includes an upper unit which opens and closes about a fulcrum lying at a rear position of a lower unit, and a paper path which is opened by opening the upper unit. A sensor unit is attached to the lower unit and includes a lower sensor holder and an upper sensor holder which are disposed in opposition to each other via the paper path. The paper path can be opened by pivoting the upper sensor holder relative to the lower sensor holder. When the upper unit is closed, the upper sensor holder is also closed in accordance with a closing pivoting motion of the upper unit.
US08068122B2

A method of image scaling includes the steps of: determining the coordinates of a virtual pixel in an original image, wherein the virtual pixel corresponds to an actual pixel in a scaled image; determining the coordinates of four actual pixels in the original image that are closest to the virtual pixel; determining the weights of the four actual pixels; and determining the pixel value of the virtual pixel in the original image in accordance with the determined weights and the pixel values of the four actual pixels.
US08068120B2

The present disclosure provides embodiments of guard band clipping systems and methods. One guard band clipping system embodiment, among others, includes a vertex processor configured to convert transformed vertex data to integer screen space data and pass the transformed vertex data downstream in a graphics hardware pipeline, and a guard band clipping module coupled to the vertex processor and a guard band arithmetic logic unit coupled to the guard band clipping module, the guard band clipping module configured to determine whether a primitive corresponding to the transformed vertex data is to be clipped and, based on that determination, forward the primitive to the guard band arithmetic logic unit to perform guard band clipping.
US08068114B2

Disclosed are methods and systems for granting an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in a multi-ASIC environment controlled access to a shared resource. A system includes a first ASIC, a second ASIC, and a shared memory that stores a shared resource and a data set partitioned into fields. The first ASIC writes data to a first subset of the fields and reads data from the fields. The first ASIC includes first logic that computes a first value based on the data read from the fields. The second ASIC writes data to a second subset of the fields and reads data from the fields. The second ASIC includes second logic that computes a second value based on the data read from the fields. Based on the first and second values respectively computed by the first and second logic, only one of the first and second ASICs gains access to the shared resource.
US08068109B2

Task and data management systems methods and apparatus are disclosed. A processor event that requires more memory space than is available in a local storage of a co-processor is divided into two or more segments. Each segment has a segment size that is less than or the same as an amount of memory space available in the local storage. The segments are processed with one or more co-processors to produce two or more corresponding outputs. The two or more outputs are associated into one or more groups. Each group is less than or equal to a target data size associated with a subsequent process.
US08068106B1

A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for rendering Bézier curves using a graphics processing unit (GPU). In one embodiment, a plurality of quadratic Bézier curves approximating a cubic Bézier curve are automatically generated. In one embodiment, the plurality of quadratic Bézier curves are rendered using the GPU.
US08068105B1

Technologies relating to user interfaces for visualizing audio properties. In some implementations, a method is provided that includes the actions of receiving one or more audio signals including digital audio data; generating one or more audio objects, each of the one or more audio objects representing one or more audio signals; and displaying an interface for representing properties of the audio objects, the interface including a region where each location within the region represents two or more audio properties relative to a virtual listener.
US08068103B2

Graphical user interface objects are specified by a collection of attribute-value pairs, the collection of which comprise a complete description of the object and may be used by a rendering element to create a visual representation of the object. In practice, each of a first portion of attributes may be associated with two or more values—each value (for a given attribute) specifying that attribute's value for a unique resolution. A second portion of attributes are associated with a single value and are, therefore, display resolution independent. Accordingly, the target object may be displayed at any of the specified design display resolutions or accurately displayed at any resolution between the specified design display resolutions.
US08068100B2

The invention provides a method for providing human input to a computer which allows a user to interact with a display connected to the computer. The method includes the steps of placing a first target on a first portion of the user's body, using an electro-optical sensing means, sensing data related to the location of the first target and data related to the location of a second portion of the user's body, the first and second portions of the user's body being movable relative to each other, providing an output of the electro-optical sensing means to the input of the computer, determining the location of the first target and the location of the second portion of the user's body, and varying the output of the computer to the display based upon the determined locations for contemporaneous viewing by the user.
US08068094B2

A pointing device that can move an object in a desired direction on a display screen includes a control unit that switches between a first mode and a second mode in accordance with the contents of the display on the display screen. In the first mode, the pointing device outputs information as to the location of the object within a pointing area. In the second mode, the pointing device divides the pointing area into a plurality of areas and outputs information as to the divided area in which the object is located.
US08068092B2

A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are provided by logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special key of the keypad that enables a user to progressively select variants without changing the position of the user's hands on the device.
US08068090B2

There is provided an image display medium that includes: a pair of substrates at least one of that is light-transmissive; a liquid enclosed between the substrates; and three or more types of colored particles dispersed in the liquid that move in accordance with electric fields applied between the substrates and have different colors and charge characteristics, wherein at least one type of the colored particles has an opposite polarity from at least one other type of colored particles.
US08068086B2

A first resistor string provides a plurality of first polarity gamma-reference-voltages. A second resistor string provides a plurality of second polarity gamma-reference-voltages. A first main-thermal compensation section exhibits a resistance value that increases with an increase of temperature. A second main-thermal compensation section has a resistance value that is decreases with an increase of temperature. Thus, gamma-reference-voltages corresponding to white gradation are decreased and gamma-reference-voltages corresponding to black gradation are maintained, so that a deviation of kickback voltage corresponding to the white gradation is decreased.
US08068082B2

A display apparatus includes a display panel that displays an image in response to a data voltage, a data driving unit that outputs the data voltage in response to a driving signal, and a printed circuit board that outputs the driving signal and that has a static electricity discharge circuit. The discharge circuit discharges high-voltage static electricity, which is introduced into the data driving unit, to ground. Accordingly, the display apparatus prevents the data driving unit from being damaged by the high-voltage static electricity.
US08068074B2

A pixel circuit including a storage capacitor to which data is written including a black level; a second driving transistor supplies a drive current corresponding to data written to the storage capacitor to a second organic electroluminescence element; a first driving transistor supplies to a first organic electroluminescence element drive current that reflects brightness degradation or current degradation in the second organic electroluminescence element, wherein the second driving transistor supplies a predetermined drive current to the second organic electroluminescence element including data of the black level; and the drive voltage of the first driving transistor is set to a voltage reflecting the brightness degradation or current degradation in the second organic electroluminescence element.
US08068060B2

An antenna tube configured to accommodate a grounding clip and an antenna, the antenna tube having a cylindrical tube having an upper end and an inner end opposite the upper end; a circumferentially extending groove in the cylindrical tube located between the upper end and the inner end; and a tapered lip at the inner end of the cylindrical tube, wherein the grounding clip fits between the circumferentially extending groove and the tapered lip, and at least a portion of the antenna slidably fits into the upper end of the cylindrical tube.
US08068057B2

An RFID tag that has a tag antenna and a tag LSI comprising: a power-supply element in which the tag LSI is mounted on a power-supply section; a plurality of patch antennas that function as tag antennas and sizes differs; and a high-frequency coupling section that couples the power-supply element with each of the patch antennas by high-frequency coupling.
US08068052B2

When an excitation signal is generated from an exciter due to an activation signal generated from a radar control device and is distributed to supply to each antenna sub-module, a combination reception signal is transmitted to a receiver from each antenna sub-module. The receiver takes in the combination reception signal obtained by each sub-module in response to an instruction from the radar control device, a frequency converter converts the combination reception signal into a prescribed frequency band, and a distributed aperture combination circuit performs a beam combination in accordance with a distributed aperture combination algorithm. In this way, a radar apparatus, which is equivalent to an active phased array radar of a large aperture and with high performance, is achieved.
US08068047B2

Provided is an AD conversion apparatus including: a differential amplifier that generates a differential input voltage according to an analog input signal; a differential DA converter of a charge redistribution type, which outputs a differential output voltage resulting from subtracting the differential input voltage from a differential comparison voltage that is in accordance with comparison data; a comparator that compares a positive output voltage and a negative output voltage in the differential output voltage; a control section that identifies the comparison data at which the differential output voltage becomes substantially 0 based on a comparison result of the comparator, and outputs the identified comparison data as output data; and a setting section that sets at least one of a common potential of the differential amplifier and a common potential of the differential DA converter, according to a targeted value of a common potential of the comparator
US08068041B2

An improved handheld electronic device and keypad include tactile features that help a user to identify certain keys of the keypad. In the present exemplary embodiment, the keypad includes keys in a predetermined region that can be employed during a telephone operation. The keypad additionally includes other keys outside the predetermined region. The keys in the predetermined region include tactile features that enable the user to identify and actuate the keys in the predetermined region during a telephone operation with the user directing minimal visual attention to the handheld electronic device.
US08068037B2

Advertisement systems and methods are provided for use in connection with notification services or systems. One such method, among others that are disclosed, can be practiced by performing at least the following steps: (a) monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; (b) contacting a party based upon the travel data; (c) providing an advertisement to the party during the contact; and (d) charging a fee for or otherwise monetarily benefiting from providing the advertisement.
US08068033B2

This invention provides a method for detecting contamination of a boiler condensate and/or a boiler feedwater in industrial fermentation processes. The method includes measuring an oxidation-reduction potential at one or more locations in the fermentation process with one or more devices capable of measuring oxidation-reduction potential at operating temperature and pressure. If the measured oxidation-reduction potential is not within an optimum range, an alarm is triggered.
US08068019B2

A system and method that, upon connection of a trailer to a tow vehicle, recognizes the trailer and applies a stored trailer configuration in a controller. In one embodiment, tire pressure sensors transmit RF signals that are received by the tire pressure monitoring system. Transmissions from the sensors are decoded in a controller and processed to identify, or create a particular trailer configuration as well as implement tire pressure monitoring automatically calibrated to the particular trailer configuration based on the sensor identifications for the tire pressure sensors. In another embodiment, the trailer configuration includes a pulse width modulated gain control for the trailer brakes.
US08068016B2

Information related to a vehicular environment is disseminated in a multi-hop broadcast network of nodes. Vehicles and roadside units are equipped with the nodes. An event is sensed at a location by a source node. In response, zones are associated with respect to the location of the source node. Each zone is logically asymmetric and disjoint from the other zones. An alert message is broadcast, received, and then rebroadcast by other vehicles according to the locations of the vehicles in the zones. The nodes can also disseminate witness information.
US08068012B2

A system in one embodiment includes an electronic device; and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device in direct electrical communication with the electronic device for selectively setting a voltage or current on the electronic device to one of at least three different levels. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device in another embodiment includes an antenna; a processor in communication with the antenna; and an interface in communication with the processor, the interface being adapted for direct electrical communication with an electronic device for selectively setting a voltage or current on the electronic device to one of at least three different levels. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08068010B2

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a method and system for communicating with the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a first and second structure respectively holding first data and second data that is complementary to the first data. The RFID tag does not include a microchip. An electromagnetic radio frequency signal is transmitted from an interrogator to the RFID tag. The interrogator receives, from the RFID tag, a response signal including third data being the first data or a combination of the first data and the second data. The interrogator extracts the third data from the response signal. A default value equal to the combination of the first data and the second data is stored in the interrogator. If the interrogator determines that the third data is unequal/equal to the default value, then a screen of the interrogator displays that the RFID tag is enabled/not enabled.
US08068004B1

An embedded inductor and a method for forming an inductor are described. Spaced apart first stripes are formed substantially parallel with respect to one another as part of a first metal layer. First contacts, second contacts, and third contacts in respective combination provide at least portions of posts. Spaced apart second stripes substantially parallel with respect to one another and to the first stripes are formed as part of a second metal layer located between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The first stripes, the posts, and the second stripes in combination provide turns of a coil.
US08067996B2

A vanadium dioxide front-end advanced shutter device. The electronic shutter device is designed to protect receiver front-ends and other sensitive circuits from HPM pulse events such as HPM weapons, directed energy weapons, or EMPs. The shutter incorporates a transition material such as thin-film vanadium oxide (VOX) materials that exhibit a dramatic change in resistivity as their temperature is varied over a narrow range near a known critical temperature. A high-energy pulse causes ohmic heating in the shutter device, resulting in a state change in the VOX material when the critical temperature is exceeded. During the state change the VOX material transitions from an insulating state (high resistance) to a reflective state (low resistance). In the insulating state, the shutter device transmits the majority of the signal. In the reflective state, most of the signal is reflected and prevented from passing into electronics on the output side of the shutter device.
US08067990B2

An atomic oscillator includes: a gas cell in which a gaseous metal atom is sealed; heating units heating the gas cell to a predetermined temperature and being a first heater and a second heater; a light source of exciting light exciting the metal atom in the gas cell; a light detecting unit detecting the exciting light which has passed through the gas cell; a substrate including at least a temperature controlling circuit for the heating units; a first heater wiring coupling the first heater and the substrate; a second heater wiring coupling the second heater and the substrate; and a third heater wiring coupling the first heater and the second heater. In the atomic oscillator, the gas cell includes a cylindrical portion; and windows which respectively seal openings at both ends of the cylindrical portion and constitute an incident surface and an emitting surface on an optical path of the exciting light. The first heater and the second heater are respectively formed on the windows at an incident surface side and an emitting surface side and made of transparent heating materials.
US08067985B2

The PN junctions of a transistor are biased for operation in the active mode but an initial flow of current reverses the bias of the base-emitter junction causing the transistor to conduct a resonant current with a voltage less than the forward junction voltage of said base-emitter.
US08067978B2

A pump system that can dynamically increase its current capability includes: a pump circuit, for producing an output voltage; an oscillator, for driving the pump circuit to pump at a particular frequency according to a pump enable signal; a limiter, coupled to both the oscillator and the output voltage fed back from the pump circuit, for generating the pump enable signal to the oscillator according to the output voltage feedback signal; and an edge timer, coupled to both the oscillator and the pump enable signal, for driving the oscillator to operate at an increased frequency according to a threshold parameter of the pump enable signal.
US08067971B2

A latch circuit for retaining and transmitting an input data value is disclosed, along with a memory, and a method for retaining and transmitting data. The latch circuit includes a primary input for receiving a data value, an output for outputting the data value, a data transmission path including a transmitting device for transmitting the data value from the primary input to the output, a feedback loop for retaining the data value, the feedback loop including the transmitting device and a further device. The further device is configured to turn on in response to assertion of an activating signal and to turn off in response to no assertion of the activating signal. The feedback loop not retaining data when the further device is turned off, and the feedback loop further including a multiplexer, and the multiplexer is configured to connect either the data transmitting device to the further device and form the feedback loop or to connect a secondary input to the further device and form a secondary data transmission path from the secondary input through the further device and the transmitting device to the output.
US08067969B2

An integrated circuit includes a pull-up compensation path unit configured to adjust a pull-up driving power of an input signal; a pull-down compensation path unit configured to adjust a pull-down driving power of the input signal; and a path control unit configured to route the input signal to one of the pull-up compensation unit and the pull-down compensation unit in response to a conditional signal.
US08067968B2

A locking state detector includes a phase comparing unit configured to compare a reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal to generate a first phase difference distinction signal to distinguish a first phase difference range, and a second phase difference distinction signal to distinguish a second phase difference range wider than the first phase difference range, and a locking state setting unit configured to generate a locking state signal in response to the first phase difference distinction signal and the second phase difference distinction signal.
US08067963B2

A sense amplifier control circuit includes an initial-voltage setting circuit configured to set a control signal to an initial voltage, the control signal controlling a sensing operation of a sense amplifier, and a control-signal-level adjusting circuit configured to first change a voltage level of the control signal from the initial voltage to a voltage level at which the sense amplifier can execute a current sensing, and is configured to second change, after a predetermined time elapses, the voltage level at which the sense amplifier can execute the current sensing to a voltage level at which the sense amplifier can execute a voltage sensing.
US08067953B2

A semiconductor device for measuring ultra low currents down to the level of single electrons or low voltages comprises a first and a second voltage supply terminal, an input terminal for receiving an electrical current or being supplied with a voltage to be measured, a bipolar transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector, wherein a first PN junction is formed between the base and the collector and a second PN junction is formed between the base and the emitter, wherein the emitter is coupled to the input terminal and the base is coupled to the second voltage supply terminal, and wherein the first PN junction is designed for reverse biased operation as an avalanche diode, and a quenching and recharging circuit having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage supply terminal and a second terminal coupled to the collector of the bipolar transistors, the quenching and recharging circuit permitting operation of the first PN junction reverse biased above the breakdown voltage of the first PN junction.
US08067948B2

An input/output (“I/O”) system includes a plurality of input/output (“I/O”) ports, measurement circuitry, and an I/O multiplexer bus. The measurement circuitry is coupled to measure one or more electrical properties of one or more devices to be externally coupled to one or more of the I/O ports. The I/O multiplexer bus is coupled between the I/O ports and the measurement circuitry. The I/O multiplexer bus is programmable to selectively couple the measurement circuitry to any of the I/O ports.
US08067945B2

A material medium, such as an optical fiber or electrical cable, is commonly used to carry services, such as telecommunications or energy service. The current invention identifies the following problems which may be encountered when monitoring a material medium. They are: (1) requiring a time and labor intensive investigation to find a fault, (2) needing a significant change in a current material medium infrastructure to support a monitoring effort, or (3) reducing available bandwidth in a material medium due to a monitoring device intruding into the material medium to send data. These problems are solved, in accordance with a feature of the current invention, by monitoring a material medium with at least one diagnostic sensor, and using an electromagnetic (EM) signal, such as radio frequency (RF), signal to wirelessly transmit the sensor data. The diagnostic sensor may measure the operational health of the material medium, or may measure local environmental conditions around the material medium. Using an EM signal, such as RF, to wirelessly transmit sensor data allows for a fast, low labor monitoring approach. Additionally, it avoids a need to either; (1) transfer the data by intruding into the monitored material medium, or (2) set up an independent material medium system to transfer the data.
US08067936B2

A method of magnetic resonance is provided that uses a frequency swept excitation wherein the acquired signal is a time domain signal is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises, applying a sweeping frequency excitation and acquiring a time domain signal. The sweeping frequency excitation has a duration and is configured to sequentially excite isochromats having different resonant frequencies. Acquisition of the time domain signal is done during the duration of the sweeping frequency excitation. The time domain signal is based on evolution of the isochromats.
US08067933B2

A cost-effective system provides reliable location information for locating a vehicle tied to a guideway. Reference markers are mounted to the guideway and scanning devices are disposed in the vehicle and generate at least one output signal when they pass a reference marker. The scanning devices are formed from several individual sensors which are extended in the driving direction with an average scanning length equal to or greater than a distance between neighboring reference markers.
US08067930B2

An input voltage detecting circuit includes an input circuit, a signal processing circuit and an output circuit. The input circuit is used for processing the intensity and the waveform of an input voltage, thereby generating a first signal, wherein the first signal and the input voltage have similar time sequences. The signal processing circuit is connected to the input circuit for reducing a first delaying time of the first signal, thereby generating a second signal having a second delaying time shorter than the first delaying time. The output circuit is connected to the signal processing circuit for processing the intensity and the waveform of the second signal, thereby generating the power status signal. If the input voltage is uninterrupted, the power status signal is in an uninterrupted status. If the input voltage is interrupted, the power status signal is in an interrupted status.
US08067924B2

In an information handling system, a multi-phase electrical converter includes an electrical input, an electrical output, a plurality of converter phases coupled with the electrical input and the electrical output, and a controller to ramp operation of one or more of the converter phases as a load demand adjusts. In an embodiment the converter may be a multi-phase buck converter having a high side switch, a low side switch, and an inductor. In an embodiment, the controller may ramp operation of the converter phases by adjusting a duty cycle of the high side switch. In an embodiment, the controller may adjust a phase angle of one or more of the converter phases, wherein the adjustment may be relative to the ramping operation of the one or more of the converter phases.
US08067908B2

A powertrain system is operative to transfer power between an input member and a plurality of power actuators and an output member to generate an output torque. The power actuators are connected to an energy storage device. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes monitoring operating conditions of the powertrain system, determining an electric power limit for output power of the energy storage device, selectively enabling electric power boost based upon the operating conditions of the powertrain system, and increasing the electric power limit when electric power boost is enabled.
US08067907B2

In a charged particle accelerator, voltage of several tens of kV is applied between accelerating electrodes. In such a case, electric discharge is sometimes generated between the accelerating electrodes. In the charged particle accelerator, part or entirety of the accelerating electrodes is coated with an electric discharge suppressing layer made of ceramics or alloy having a high melting point as compared with metal. When impurity fine particles are accelerated by an electric field and collide with the electrodes, the electric discharge suppressing layer made of ceramics or alloy prevents metal vapor from being easily generated from the electrodes and an ionized plasma from being easily produced, thus suppressing electric discharge between the electrodes.
US08067905B2

A switched preconditioner circuit is provided at the power input end of a light source to effectively drop the voltage of the light source to zero volts whenever the light source is required to be in an OFF state thereby eliminating the problem of unwanted current through the light source. The preconditioner circuit may include a terminal connected to a first power potential, a terminal connected to a power node at the power input end of the light source, and an input to receive a preconditioner control signal to place the preconditioner circuit in one of an ON state and an OFF state. The preconditioner circuit supplies the voltage to the power node in its ON state and effectively eliminates the voltage to the power node in its OFF state. The preconditioner circuit also may include a bleed path connected between the power node and a second or ground potential to shunt all power supplied to the power node when the preconditioner circuit input receives a signal to place the preconditioner circuit in the OFF state.
US08067889B2

A display medium including a layered structure that comprises two or more stacked display elements that each are provided, on or above a flexible substrate, with a pixel portion and lead line(s) for electrically connecting the pixel portion to outside of the pixel portion, and a hole portion or a cut-away portion included in the display element(s) that are above one or more of the lead line(s) of the display element(s) at a lower portion of the layered structure, so that the one or more of the lead line(s) of the lower portion display element(s) are exposed.
US08067888B2

This invention provides an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device, in which a plurality of electro-luminescent units is sandwiched between a light reflective layer with an aperture array and a micro-lens array. A light absorbing layer is adjacent to a surface of the light reflective layer opposite to the electro-luminescent units. The ambient light entering the display can be focused to the apertures and directly projected unto the light absorbing layer to eliminate the ambient light. The contrast of the organic light-emitting diode display device is improved.
US08067870B2

The motor of the invention is an outer rotor type motor, and a rotor includes a cylindrical rotor frame that is opened at one end thereof in an axial direction, and a hollow cylindrical magnet attached to an inner periphery of the rotor frame. The magnet has a joining portion joined to an inside cylindrical portion of the rotor frame, and a protruding portion that further protrudes in the axial direction from one end, the outer diameter of the protruding portion is larger than the inner diameter of the rotor frame, and the joining portion is directly brought into close contact with a portion ranging from the one end to at least a portion of the inside cylindrical portion.
US08067866B2

A central electricity distribution member for a rotary electric machine, comprising connecting bus bars of respective phases for connecting, among coils of respective phases wound around a stator of the rotary electric machine, the coils of the same phases; a connecting bus bar for a neutral point for connecting the coils of the same phases wound around the stator of the rotary electric machine; a circular holding groove capable of receiving the respective connecting bus bars as the respective connection bus bars are insulated from one another; a bus bar insulating portion formed using insulating material; a bus bar-side positioning portion provided on each of the connecting bus bars; and an insulation-side positioning portion provided on the bus bar insulating portion, for performing positioning between the respective connecting bus bars and the bus bar insulating portion in cooperation with the bus bar-side positioning portion.
US08067857B2

A redundant power supply method is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a load to a first source via a plurality of first power supplies and to a second source via a plurality of second power supplies. The method further includes bi-directionally communicatively coupling a controller to the plurality of first power supplies and to the plurality of second power supplies. The method includes activating a first portion of the plurality of first power supplies to supply power to the load, wherein the controller determines the number (“N”) of first power supplies activated, and activating at least one of the plurality of second power supplies to supply power to the load. The method also includes monitoring for at least one fault condition in each of the active first power supplies and in each of the active second power supplies.
US08067850B2

This invention involves a method of creating a hydroelectric turbine system that is capable of producing electricity while sustaining a majority of the fluid flow or hydraulic pressure within the pipe line or pipe network driving the system. The system's objective is to shave as little pressure as possible from an enclosed pipe system that requires pressure to operate and function properly. More particularly, this invention relates to a hydroelectric turbine generator system wherein the system is specially designed and configured with an unique impeller and fluted turbine housing that enable a generator device to produce a particular amount of electric current and voltage, while yet minimizing flow restriction and pressure loss to the fluid pressure driving the system.
US08067849B2

A wave energy converter (WEC) system includes a shell containing an internal oscillator comprised of a reaction mass suspended from the shell by an elastic spring in parallel with a constant force spring. The constant force spring provides a relatively constant force (Fc) to counterbalance the static weight of the reaction mass and reduce the extension “static” length of the elastic spring while the elastic spring exerts a force (Fes) on the reaction mass that is proportional to the displacement, x, of the elastic spring. A power take-off (PTO) device, located within the shell, coupled between the shell and the internal oscillator converts their relative motion into electrical energy.
US08067844B2

An engine generator set comprises an internal combustion engine having an output shaft that is coupled to an electrical generator for producing an AC electrical power output. The engine is operable to rotate the shaft at a first rotational speed so that the generator is driven to produce electrical power at a first frequency and a second rotational speed at which the generator is driven to produce electrical power at a second frequency. An exhaust gas turbocharger is operatively connected to the engine and has a compressor with a housing that defines a gas inlet. At least two guide, vane assemblies that are releasably and interchangeably connectable to the inlet to match the compressor performance with the first or second engine speed. The guide vanes of the first guide vane assembly extend in a downstream direction towards the impeller wheel at an angle relative to the inlet that is different to the corresponding angle of the guide vanes second guide vane assembly.
US08067843B2

A wireless mouse includes a magnetic ball, a power generating device and a power storage device. The power generating device includes an inductive coil, being dome-shaped and partially covering the magnetic ball and configured for generating inductive voltage following the movement of the magnetic ball, and a converting unit, being configured for converting the inductive voltage to a stabilized DC voltage. The power storage device electrically is coupled to the power generating device and configured for being charged by the converting unit using the stabilized DC voltage and provide power for the wireless mouse.
US08067841B2

A semiconductor device including: a die pad, a die on the die pad, and resin encapsulating the die and forming an isolation thickness over the die pad, the resin including a mounting aperture and a major surface configured for mounting to an external device, the major surface having a non warpage compensation portion adjacent the die and a warpage compensation portion in a relatively thermally inactive zone with an approximate discontinuity and/or abrupt change in gradient between the non warpage compensation portion and the warpage compensation portion.
US08067830B2

A dual or multiple row package (300) is provided which comprises a first plurality of terminals (303, 304, 305) and a second plurality of terminals (306, 307), which first and second plurality of terminals are exposed outside the encapsulation at a first side of the package. The terminals of the first plurality of terminals (303, 304, 305) are arranged in a first row (301), wherein a distance between each pair of adjacent terminals in the first row (301) is greater or equal than a first threshold value. Furthermore, the terminals of the second plurality of terminals (306, 307) are arranged in a second row (302), wherein a distance between each pair of adjacent terminals in the second row (302) is greater or equal than a second threshold and a distance between the first row (301) and the second row (302) is smaller than at least the first threshold value.
US08067829B2

A system and method are provided in which a first chip in a stacked multi-chip module configuration is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to a first portion of a partitioned interposer unit. Planar partitions of the interposer are physically bonded via multiple solder “bumps,” which possess high tensile strength but low resistance to horizontal shear force or torque. A second chip is affixed via one or more adhesion layers to the second portion of the partitioned interposer. The chips may thus be separated by horizontally and oppositely shearing or twisting the first and second portions of the partitioned interposer away from one another.
US08067827B2

An assembly of microelectronic devices and method for forming an assembly of microelectronic devices. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning a first packaged microelectronic device adjacent to a support member having support member circuitry, with the first packaged microelectronic device having a first microelectronic die at least partially encased in a first encapsulant to define a first package configuration. The method can further include electrically connecting the first packaged microelectronic device to a first portion of the support member circuitry and positioning at least proximate to the first packaged microelectronic device a second packaged microelectronic device having a second microelectronic die at least partially encased in a second encapsulant to define a second package configuration different than the first package configuration. The first packaged microelectronic device can be positioned between the support member and the second packaged microelectronic device. The second packaged device can be coupled directly to a second portion of the support member circuitry. Accordingly, the second packaged microelectronic device can be connected directly to the support member without connecting the second packaged device to the first packaged device.
US08067826B2

A metal tab die attach paddle (DAP) disposed between the lead frame and a power device die in a power device package reduces the stress exerted on the semiconductor power device die caused by the different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of the semiconductor power device die and the lead frame. In addition the power device package substantially prevents impurities from penetrating into the power device package by increasing the surface creepage distance of a sealant resulting from the metal tab DAP and an optional swaging of the lead frame.
US08067825B2

An integrated circuit package system includes providing die; forming leads adjacent the die; forming a die paddle adjacent the leads with the die thereover; and forming a cavity for isolating one of the die and a die attach segment of the die paddle.
US08067803B2

A memory device and method of making the memory device. The memory device comprises a storage transistor at a surface of a substrate. The storage transistor comprises a body portion between first and second source/drain regions, wherein the source/drain regions are regions of a first conductivity type. The storage transistor also comprises a gate structure that wraps at least partially around the body portion in at least two spatial planes. A bit line is connected to the first source/drain region and a word line is connected to the gate structure.
US08067799B2

A semiconductor device having a recess channel structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a recess formed in a gate forming area in an active area; an insulation layer formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to define the active area and formed so as to apply a tensile stress in a channel width direction; a stressor formed in a surface of the insulation layer and formed so as to apply a compressive stress in a channel height direction; a gate formed over the recess in the active area; and source/drain areas formed in a surface of the active area at both side of the gate.
US08067789B2

To provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device advantageous against EM and ESD. A plurality of I/O cells; a power wire formed of a plurality of interconnect layers over the above-described I/O cells; a bonding pad formed in an upper layer of the power wire and in a position corresponding to the I/O cell; and lead-out areas capable of electrically coupling the I/O cell to the bonding pad are provided. The above-described power wire includes a first power wire and a second power wire, and the above-described I/O cell includes first elements coupled to the first power wire and second elements coupled to the second power wire. The first element is placed on the first power wire side, and the second element is placed on the second power wire side. The first power wire and the second power wire can allow for a high current due to the interconnect layers over the I/O cells, thus having robustness against EM and ESD.
US08067780B2

This invention provides a light-emitting element and the manufacture method thereof. The light-emitting element is suitable for flip-chip bonding and comprises an electrode having a plurality of micro-bumps for direct bonding to a submount. Bonding within a relatively short distance between the light-emitting device and the submount can be formed so as to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the light-emitting device.
US08067766B2

A multi-level memory cell having a bottom electrode, a first dielectric layer, a plurality of memory material layers, a plurality of second dielectric layers, and an upper electrode is provided. The bottom electrode is disposed in a substrate. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate and has an opening exposing the bottom electrode. The memory material layers are stacked on a sidewall of the first dielectric layer exposed by the opening and are electrically connected to the bottom electrode. The second dielectric layers are respectively disposed between every adjacent two memory material layers and are located on the sidewall of the first dielectric layer. The upper electrode is disposed on the memory material layers. A manufacturing method of the multi-level memory cell is further provided. A multi-bit data can be stored in a single memory cell, and both the process complexity and the cost are reduced.
US08067760B2

A fluid flow control system using flow rate changes to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor. The system provides the ability to determine a position of a movable flow sensor element of a flow sensor by illuminating a photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a first set of pixel intensity values introducing an abrupt change to the fluid driving pressure, illuminating the photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a second set of pixel intensity values, and calculating the difference between the first and second sets of pixel intensity values as a function of pixel position.
US08067758B2

The present (or current) nuclear shielding is bulky and difficult to handle due to the reduced stopping power of the neutral radiations (X, gamma, n) in materials. It is proven that these radiations are reflecting at grazing incidence angles on special substrates called super-mirrors that contain nano-layers of various materials. The usage of nano-structures in an ordered manner or of nano-tubes may create inside the nano-structure the super-mirror reflection conditions and makes these nano-structures act like wave-guide for this neutral radiation driving it and turning at angles greater than 90 degrees requiring a total thickness a few microns only. The usage of ferro or piezo electric nano-structures generates a “shield” structure that has the wave-guides inside with the path dependent on a control voltage. The resultant device is a kind of shield that can be applied inside the core for nuclear reactor criticality control, making an electric control of the power level by adjusting the shielding transmission or outside for minimizing the nuclear reactor shielding. Other devices such as X, n imaging device, or radiation funneling to increase the efficiency of thin absorbents use are some of the potential applications.
US08067756B2

In an extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus generating an extreme ultraviolet light from a plasma generated by irradiating a target, which is a droplet D of molten Sn, with a laser light, and controlling the flow direction of ion generated at the generation of the extreme ultraviolet light by a magnetic field or an electric field, an ion collection cylinder 20 is arranged for collecting the ion, and ion collision surfaces Sa and Sb of the ion collection cylinder 20 are provided with or coated with Si, which is a metal whose sputtering rate with respect to the ion is less than one atom/ion.
US08067754B2

A photoconductive device comprising a photoconductive portion for generating carriers by applied excitation light; a resistance portion in contact with the photoconductive portion; a first conductive portion in contact with the resistance portion; and a second conductive portion that is provided so as to have a gap with respect to the first conductive portion and is in contact with the photoconductive portion.
US08067750B2

An ultraviolet area sterilizer or disinfector is incorporated into a building structure where concern exists regarding the presence of pathogenic bacteria on environmental surfaces. Ultraviolet C (UV-C) generators generate UV-C that is directed to architectural partitions of an enclosed area. The architectural partitions reflect UV-C to kill pathogens in the enclosed area. The device transmits a calculated dose of UV-C from a fixture mounted to an architectural partition in the enclosed area. Once an effective cumulative dose of UV-C has been reflected to radiation sensors, as measured by the sensors, the device shuts down.
US08067745B2

An X-ray detector includes; a panel having a plurality of photo-detecting pixels generating electrical signals in response to the detection of X-rays, a gate driver providing a gate signal to the plurality of photo-detecting pixels, wherein the photo-detecting pixels output the electrical signals in response to the gate signal, a readout integrated circuit reading out the electrical signal in response to the gate signal, a main board including a controller receiving the electrical signal and converting the electrical signal to an image signal, a film attached to the panel and the main board, the film including a signal line electrically connecting the readout integrated circuit to the panel and main board, wherein the readout integrated circuit is mounted on the film, and a shielding layer covering the film and comprising a conductive material, wherein the shielding layer prevents externally applied electromagnetic signals from passing through the film.
US08067744B2

A method of detecting ionizing radiation is provided. The method includes detecting ionizing radiation using a detector assembly having a pixelated semiconductor substrate, each pixel including a central region and a region of variable response, each pixel further including at least one anode, the detector assembly including a grid electrode coupled to a first surface of the semiconductor substrate such that the grid electrode circumscribes the central region of at least one pixel anode, the detector assembly further including a cathode coupled to a second surface of the semiconductor substrate, the method comprising, measuring a first signal between the at least one pixel anode and the cathode wherein the anode is electrically biased with respect to the cathode, measuring a second signal between the grid electrode and the cathode wherein the grid electrode is electrically biased with respect to the cathode, combining the magnitude of the first signal and the magnitude of the second signal to obtain a total signal from the semiconductor substrate, and outputting the total signal.
US08067743B2

Pixels including a photoelectric conversion element 1, a signal transfer TFT (thin film transistor) 2 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element, and a reset TFT 3 electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element and for applying a bias to the photoelectric conversion element are two-dimensionally disposed on the insulating substrate, and the photoelectric conversion element 1, signal transfer TFT 2, and reset TFT 3 are electrically connected through a common contact hole 9. A source or drain electrode of the signal transfer TFT 2 and the source or drain electrode of the reset TFT 3 are formed from a common electroconductive layer.
US08067740B2

An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate; first pixels laid out above cavities provided within the semiconductor substrate, the first pixels converting thermal energy generated by incident light into an electric signal; supporting parts connected between the first pixels and the semiconductor substrate, the supporting parts supporting the first pixels above the cavities; and second pixels fixedly provided on the semiconductor substrate without via the cavities, wherein a plurality of the first pixels and a plurality of the second pixels are laid out two-dimensionally to form a pixel region, and each of the second pixels is adjacent to the first pixels.
US08067733B2

A scanning electron microscope having a monochromator that can automatically adjust an electron beam entering the monochromator and operating conditions of the monochromator. The scanning electron microscope having a monochromator is equipped with, between an electron source and the monochromator, a first focusing lens for adjusting focusing of the electron beam entering the monochromator and a first astigmatism correcting lens for correcting astigmatism of the electron beam entering the monochromator. The microscope further includes a means of obtaining an image of an electron-beam adjustment sample disposed where the electron beam in the monochromator is focused, and based on the obtained image, driving the first focusing lens and the first astigmatism correcting lens so that the focusing and astigmatism of the electron beam entering the monochromator are adjusted.
US08067727B2

In a surface inspection system for detecting particles on a surface, a light source mounted to illuminate the surface provides multiple wavelength ranges of electromagnetic radiation. An optical detector produces an image of the surface. An optical signal is produced indicative of returned electromagnetic radiation at each of a plurality of the multiple wavelength ranges from a field of view on the surface. A processor operating on the optical signals resolves presence of a contaminant as a function of the optical signals, and produces a contaminant signal responsive to presence of a contaminant. A heating means positioned to evolve contaminants from the surface is responsively coupled to be activated in response to a contaminant signal. The multiple wavelength ranges comprise ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths. The processor comprises means to perform false color contrast stretching.
US08067720B2

An image sensing device includes a pixel array, a plurality of column amplification units each including a setting unit, and a plurality of reference signal supply units. A first reference signal and a second reference signal are common to a plurality of columns in the pixel array. Each of the plurality of column amplification units amplifies the difference between the first reference signal and the second reference signal to output the amplified difference, or amplifies each of the first reference signal and the second reference signal to output the amplified first reference signal and the amplified second reference signal. The setting unit of each amplification unit sets an amplification factor which is determined in accordance with a signal output from each of the plurality of column amplification units so as to reduce variations of the amplification factor between the plurality of column amplification units.
US08067713B2

An exemplary laser cutting device (300) includes a laser source (40), a lens module (51), a sprayer (60), a rotating subassembly (52), and a driving member (55). The lens module is configured for focusing a laser beam emitting from the laser source. The sprayer is rotatably connected to the lens module. The rotating subassembly is connected to the lens module. The rotating subassembly is configured for driving the lens module to rotate, such as to make the laser beam rotate relative to an axis of the laser beam. The driving member is connected to the lens and configured for driving the sprayer to rotate relative to the lens module.
US08067709B2

The present invention provides a haptic steering wheel switch device and a haptic steering wheel switch system including the same. The haptic steering wheel switch device comprises: a housing mounted in a steering wheel; a printed circuit board disposed inside of the housing; and a haptic rotary switch unit including a haptic rotary switch driver disposed in the housing and adapted to generate a rotational force in response to an electrical signal, a haptic rotary switching power transfer unit adapted to transfer the rotational force generated from the haptic rotary switch driver, and a haptic rotary switch knob exposed outside of the housing and connected to the haptic rotary switching power transfer unit to receive the rotational force from the haptic rotary switching power transfer unit.
US08067696B2

A printed circuit board includes an insulating layer, a copper layer formed on the insulating layer and a reinforcing layer formed on the copper layer at opposite sides of the given portion. The copper layer includes a plurality of electrical traces at a given portion thereof. A thickness of the reinforcing layer increases in a direction away from the given portion. A method for manufacturing the printed circuit board is also provided in this disclosure.
US08067688B2

A solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of elongated solar cells, each respective solar cell comprising (i) a core configured as a first electrode, (ii) a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the core, (iii) a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer disposed on the semiconductor junction, and (iv) an elongated counter-electrode disposed lengthwise on a first side of the respective solar cell and extending outward from the TCO layer. On a second side of each cell, approximately opposite the counter-electrode, is a notch or other disruption extending through the semiconductor junction and the transparent oxide layer, thereby exposing the core of the solar cell. The solar cell assembly may further comprise conductive internal reflectors configured between a first and second elongated solar cell in the plurality of solar cells such that a portion of the solar light reflected from the respective internal reflector is reflected onto the solar cells.
US08067682B2

A music score recognition method and a system thereof are provided. In the present method, a music score is detected and at least one measure in the music score is obtained by searching bar lines, so as to plan a recognition order according to the position of each measure in the music score. Next, an image capturing apparatus is controlled to capture one of the measures according to the recognition order, and music information in the captured measure is recognized and outputted immediately. The method follows the recognition order to repeatedly perform the steps of controlling the image apparatus, recognizing the captured measure, and outputting the music information on the other measures until each of the measures has been processed.
US08067674B2

Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding an omega-3 desaturase and a delta-12 desaturase, the enzymes encoded by the isolated polynucleotides, vectors containing the isolated polynucleotides, transgenic hosts that contain the isolated polynucleotides that express the enzymes encoded thereby, methods for producing the desaturase enzymes, and method of using the enzymes to make polyunsaturated fatty acids. The isolated polynucleotides are derived from a fungus, Saprolegnia diclina (ATCC 56851). In particular, omega-3-desaturase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Delta-12 desaturase may be used, for example, in the conversion of oleic acid (OA) to linoleic (LA). EPA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.
US08067671B2

The present invention is directed to controlling plant pest infestation, and particularly plant nematode infestation, by inhibiting one or more biological functions in the plant pest. The invention discloses methods and compositions for use in controlling plant pest infestation by providing one or more different recombinant double stranded RNA molecules in the diet of the pest in order to achieve a reduction in pest infestation through suppression of pest gene expression. The invention is also directed to methods for making transgenic plants that express the double stranded RNA molecules, to methods for detecting cells comprising the disclosed sequences, and to methods for detecting the disclosed sequences in biological samples.
US08067670B2

The present invention relates to genetically modified plant cells and plants in which the genetic modification leads to a reduction in GBSSI, SSIII and BEI activity in comparison to the activity in corresponding wild type plant cells or wild type plants. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for the production of such plant cells and plants. The present invention also relates to the starch produced by the plant cells of the invention or plants of the invention, as well as to methods for the production of this starch and derivatised starch.
US08067663B2

Disclosed is an absorbent sanitary article for absorbing body fluids which comprises a matrix containing metallic silver, wherein the silver is present bound to a fiber 24 exclusively on the surface thereof.
US08067658B2

An isomerization process is disclosed including contacting a n-hexane hydrocarbon feed containing less than about 10 volume % naphthenic hydrocarbons with a catalyst to produce an iso-hexane containing product; wherein the catalyst is prepared by: a) incorporating tungsten on a zirconium hydroxide solid; b) drying and calcining the tungsten impregnated zirconium hydroxide; c) sizing the dried and calcined material to particle sizes between about 150 and about 600 microns; d) incorporating a Group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, platinum and palladium, and combinations thereof, on the sized material; e) drying and calcining the Group VIII metal impregnated tungsten/zirconia material; and f) contacting the second dried and calcined material with hydrogen in a reducing environment to form the catalyst which contains tungsten, zirconia and a Group VIII metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, platinum and palladium, and combinations thereof.
US08067653B2

Described herein are methods for producing fuels and solvents from fatty acid resources. In general, the pyrolysis products of fatty acids are extracted in order to remove residual fatty acids and produce very pure hydrocarbon compositions composed of alkanes and alkenes. The fatty acids removed from the extraction step can be further pyrolyzed to produce additional hydrocarbons or, in the alternative, the fatty acids can be isolated and used in other applications. Also disclosed herein are fuels and solvents produced by the methods described herein.
US08067645B2

Process for producing a chlorohydrin by reaction between a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon, an ester of a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof, and a chlorinating agent, according to which the multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon, the ester of a multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon, or the mixture thereof used contains at least one solid or dissolved metal salt, the process comprising a separation operation to remove at least part of the metal salt.
US08067638B2

The present invention is to provide a compound represented by the general formula (1) exhibiting a high insecticidal effect and an insecticide comprising the compound as an active ingredient. The compound represented by the general formula (1) and an insecticide comprising the compound as an active ingredient, wherein, in the formula, A1, A2, A3 and A4 each represent a carbon atom or the like; R1 and R2 each represent a hydrogen atom or the like; G1 and G2 represent an oxygen atom or the like; Xs each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like; n represents an integer of 0 to 4; Q1 represents a substituted phenyl group, a substituted heterocyclic group or the like; Q2 represents a substituted phenyl group, a substituted heterocyclic group or the like.
US08067624B2

A method produces a fatty acid alkylester by transesterification of a fat or oil and an alcohol. The reaction is catalysed by a heterogeneous catalyst immobilized in a tubular reactor at a temperature between 260 and 420° C. and at a pressure higher than 5 bar. A mixture of the fat or oil and the alcohol is led in a continuous flow through the tubular reactor. The catalyst is preferably a metal oxide or a metal carbonate including an alkaline earth metal. The reaction takes place at reduced residence times and contact times compared to the prior art.
US08067618B2

A process for gas phase oxidation in which a gaseous stream which comprises at least one aromatic hydrocarbon and molecular oxygen is passed through one or more catalyst layers, wherein a moderator layer is arranged between two catalyst layers arranged in succession in flow direction of the gaseous stream, the moderator layer being less catalytically active than the catalysts adjacent upstream and downstream or being catalytically inactive. The desired oxidation products are obtained in high yield over prolonged periods.
US08067613B2

Compounds which inhibit the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases using them are disclosed.
US08067612B2

The invention relates to a method for producing bisbenzoxazoles that are interconnected by means of a system of conjugated double bonds, according to which o-aminophenols are reacted with dicarboxylic acids, the carboxyl groups of which are interconnected via a double bond or a system of conjugated double bonds, to form an ammonium salt, said ammonium salt being converted in the presence of dehydrogenating catalysts and solvents with a low dielectric loss into benzoxazol by means of microwave radiation.
US08067581B2

Compounds relating to attachment chemistries for binding biomolecules to a substrate surface are described. These include compounds of the following structure: The biomolecule includes a single nucleic acid, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, DNAs, RNAs, proteins, peptides, enzymes, antibodies, CNAs (cyclohexyl nucleic acids), p-MeNAs (methyl or methoxy phosphate nucleic acids), peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), and pyranosyl RNAs (p-RNAs).
US08067570B2

The present invention provides novel molecules, compositions, methods and uses for treating microvascular disorders, eye diseases respiratory conditions and hearing disorders based upon inhibition of the RTP801 gene and/or protein.
US08067559B2

Compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing a variety of diseases and conditions that are amenable to immunotherapy and, in one particular embodiment, compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing cancer in an animal are described. Specifically improvements related to the use of a yeast-based vaccine comprising a yeast vehicle and an antigen that is selected to elicit an antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune response in an animal, for use in prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination and the prevention and/or treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions are disclosed.
US08067553B2

A naturally occurring or recombinant urate oxidase (uricase) covalently coupled to poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(ethylene oxide) (both referred to as PEG), wherein an average of 2 to 10 strands of PEG are conjugated to each uricase subunit and the PEG has an average molecular weight between about 5 kDa and 100 kDa. The resulting PEG-uricase conjugates are substantially non-immunogenic and retain at least 75% of the uricolytic activity of the unmodified enzyme.
US08067550B2

The present invention relates to the production of anti non functional P2X7 receptor monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma cell lines.
US08067543B2

The invention is a proteinaceous construct comprising a Factor VIII molecule which is conjugated to a water-soluble polymer via carbohydrate moieties of Factor VIII, and methods of preparing same.
US08067537B2

A composition and a method effective in preventing or treating stomatitis are presented. The composition contains glutathione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or orotic acid or a derivative thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided.
US08067535B2

The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Three vaccinia virus CD8+ T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human M.C. class I allele, HLA-A0201, were identified. Each of these epitopes is highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. In addition, the induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination with two of these epitopes is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8+ T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. Two vaccinia virus CD8+ T cell epitopes restricted by another common human M.C. class I allele, HLA-B7, also were identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. This information will be useful for the design and analysis of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.
US08067504B2

A pre-adhesive composition is described comprising an acid-functional (meth)acrylate copolymer and an acylaziridine crosslinking agent, which when crosslinked provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive articles.
US08067502B2

The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition that gives a solar cell sealing sheet having, even without being crosslinked, good mechanical strength, solar cell sealability, transparency, and weatherability.The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention comprises 1 to 95% by weight of a propylene-based polymer (A) and 5 to 99% by weight of a copolymer (B) with at least one α-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than propylene, wherein (A) satisfies the following (i) and (ii), and (B) has a melting point below 80° C. or does not show a melting point as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). (i) Melting point measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) method is in the range of 80 to 135° C. (ii) Endotherm attributable to crystal melting is not observed at 140° C. or more in the endothermic curve measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) method.
US08067500B2

A curable composition and an adhesive which exhibit a temporarily fixing effect very quickly and which are completely cured quickly at room temperature, and a bonding method using such a composition. The curable composition including a component (A)], which is a polymerizable acrylic liquid composition, a component (B), which is cumene hydroperoxide, a component (C), which is a reducing agent containing vanadium or copper, or a reducing agent comprising ethylene thiourea, and a component (D), which is a basic compound having a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine structure.
US08067499B2

The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition that gives a solar cell sealing sheet having, even without being crosslinked, good mechanical strength, solar cell sealability, transparency, and weatherability.The thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention comprises 1 to 95% by weight of a propylene-based polymer (A) and 5 to 99% by weight of a copolymer (B) with at least one •-olefin having 2 to 20 carbon atoms other than propylene, wherein (A) satisfies the following (i) and (ii), and (B) has a melting point below 80° C. or does not show a melting point as measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). (i) Melting point measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) method is in the range of 80 to 135° C. (ii) Endotherm attributable to crystal melting is not observed at 140° C. or more in the endothermic curve measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) method.
US08067495B2

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic elastomer composition and a glass panel molding assembly for a vehicle. The thermoplastic elastomer composition comprising a polymer component (1) that comprises a styrene-type thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin-type polymer {except for the additives in item (5) below}, a non-aromatic-rubber softener (2), a higher fatty acid derivative (4), and at least one type of an additive (5) selected from (5-a) a vinyl polymer graft-olefin polymer, (5-b) a polyorganosiloxane cross-linked powder; and (5-c) a polyorganosiloxane graft-olefin polymer. And the glass panel molding assembly for a vehicle produced from the aforementioned composition.
US08067492B2

The invention relates to biodegradable hot-melt adhesive compositions, preferably without residual tackiness at room temperature and having a biodegradability, as measured by the released carbon-dioxide analysis method pursuant to Standard EN ISO 14855, that is higher than 55% , preferably higher than 60% , and preferably higher than 90% , and to the use thereof. This percentage is given by reference with the cellulose biodegradability measurement, which amounts to 100% in the same conditions.
US08067491B2

This invention relates to novel sulfur-containing silane coupling agents, and organic polymers containing carbon-carbon double bonds. These novel silanes can be carried on organic and inorganic fillers. The invention also relates to articles of manufacture, particularly tires, made from the elastomer compositions described herein.
US08067488B2

This invention relates a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate and processes to produce the cellulose solution. Another aspect of this invention relates to shaped articles prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising derivatives of cellulose prepared from a cellulose solution comprising at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. Another embodiment of this invention relates to compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters prepared from a cellulose solution comprising cellulose and at least one tetraalkylammonium alkylphosphate. In another embodiment of the invention, the cellulose esters of the present invention are used as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
US08067482B2

A process for the preparation of plastic molded articles which can be used in the dental field, the process including the steps of: mixing A) at least one polymerizable component and B) at least one initiator in desensitized form to form a paste having a consistency does not demix during injection; injecting the paste into a cuvette; and polymerizing the mixture by applying heat.
US08067481B2

The invention provides a low polymerization shrinkage dental composition and a polymerizable dental material selected from the group consisting of wax-like dental material that undergoes ring open polymerization. The dental composition is useful as restorative material and for making artificial teeth, dentures, restoratives, crowns and bridges of high strength dental polymeric material.
US08067474B2

A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon products comprising the steps of a) providing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; (b) reacting at least part of the synthesis gas to an oxygenate mixture comprising methanol and dimethyl ether in presence of one or more catalysts which together catalyse a reaction of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to oxygenates at a pressure of at least 3 MPa; (c) withdrawing from step (b) a reaction mixture comprising amounts of methanol, dimethyl ether, carbon dioxide and water together with unreacted synthesis gas and cooling the reaction mixture to obtain a liquid phase with the amounts of methanol, dimethyl ether and water and simultaneously dissolving carbon dioxide in the liquid phase; (d) separating the carbon dioxide containing liquid phase from a remaining gaseous phase comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (e) evaporating and reacting the liquid phase being withdrawn from step (d) in presence of a catalyst being active in the conversion of oxygenates to higher hydrocarbons and a tail gas comprising carbon dioxide; (f) separating tail gas from a liquid phase with the higher hydrocarbons; and wherein pressure employed in step (c) to step (f) is substantially the same as employed in step (b).
US08067473B2

Disclosed are methods and compositions useful in identifying an E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitor and modulating cell growth, comprising contacting a cell with an effective amount of an inhibitor of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and contacting the cell with an effective amount of a topoisomerase inhibitor, wherein the treatment with the E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitor and topoisomerase inhibitor modulates cell growth in comparison to a cell treated with the topoisomerase inhibitor alone. The present invention further provides methods for identifying and making an E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitor.
US08067470B2

A preparation for the topical application of linoleic acid to treat male and female androgenetic alopecia, age-related alopecia, and keratosis pilaris contains between about 0.1% and about 10%, preferably between about 1% and about 5%, and specifically about 2% linoleic acid by volume in its carrier vehicle. This acts to correct the local linoleic acid deficiency that exists in the follicles in these conditions and provides linoleic acid to suppress growth of Propionibacterium acnes with resultant reduction in its porphyrin production which in turn reduces microinflammation and altered keratinization that damages follicles and eliminates functioning follicles in alopecia and causes follicle plugging in keratosis pilaris.
US08067446B2

A method for treating a digestive ulcer of the small intestine or stomach is disclosed with a non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor that is a carboxylic acid compound, wherein the non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor is a carboxylic acid compound of formula (I) or its salt and wherein the terms of formula (I) are herein defined:
US08067441B2

The present invention relates to the use of Collismycin and derivatives thereof as inhibitors of oxidative stress in cells and their use for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases or conditions, especially neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
US08067433B2

The invention features methods, kits, and compositions for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders. The compositions include a corticosteroid in combination with a non-steroidal immunophilin-dependent immunosuppressant.
US08067429B2

The present invention relates to Rifaximin polymorphic, salt, hydrate, and amorphous forms, to their use in medicinal preparations and to therapeutic methods using them.
US08067428B2

Novel compounds of formulae (I) to (VIII), which more particularly include sulfonylurea derivatives, sulfonylthiourea derivatives, sulfonylguanidine derivatives, sulfonylcyanoguanidine derivatives, thioacylsulfonamide derivatives, and acylsulfonamide derivatives which are effective platelet ADP receptor inhibitors. These derivatives may be used in various pharmaceutical compositions, and are particularly effective for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular diseases, particularly those diseases related to thrombosis. The invention also relates to a method for preventing or treating thrombosis in a mammal comprising the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formulae (I) to (VIII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08067424B2

This invention provides a class of compounds which are useful for specifically inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinases. This class of compounds finds use in treating diseases resulting from inappropriate activity of cyclin-dependent kinases, including cancer, viral infections (e.g., HIV) neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease), and cardiovascular disorders (e.g. atherosclerosis). Moreover, certain members of this class are particularly useful for inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase 7 and are especially useful for the treatment of breast cancer.
US08067409B2

Compounds that inhibit protein kinases, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases using the compounds are disclosed.
US08067407B2

The present application relates to novel substituted dihydropyrazolone derivatives, processes for their preparation, their use for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and their use for the preparation of medicaments for treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular cardiovascular and haematological diseases and kidney diseases, and for promoting wound healing.
US08067406B2

An alkyl ether derivative represented by the following general formula [1] or its salt: wherein R1 and R2 represent each a substituent such as hydrogen, halogeno or alkyl; R3 represents alkylamino, amino or hydroxyl; the ring A represents a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocycle or a benzene ring; m and n are each an integer of from 1 to 6; and p is an integer of from 1 to 3; shows an effect of protecting retinal nerve cells and, therefore, is useful as a preventive and/or a remedy for retinal nerve diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinal artery obstruction, retinal venous obstruction, macular degeneration and retinopathy of prematurity.
US08067404B2

Phthalocyanine derivatives are described having photosensitizing characteristics and high solubility in water, useful for photodynamic treatment of bacterial infections, in particular infections generated by Gram-negative bacteria.
US08067402B2

A coating system and method are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a composition. The composition may include one or more bridged polycyclic compounds. At least one of the bridged polycyclic compounds may include at least two cyclic groups, and at least two of the cyclic groups may include quaternary ammonium moieties. In some embodiments, a method may include applying a coating to an oral surface. The coating may be antimicrobial. A coating may include antimicrobial bridged polycyclic compounds. Bridged polycyclic compounds may include quaternary ammonium compounds. Bridged polycyclic compounds based coating systems may impart self-cleaning properties to a surface (e.g., a tooth surface).
US08067395B2

Disclosed herein are compounds that inhibit the activity of particular tyrosine kinases. Methods for the preparation of such compounds are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include the compounds. Methods of using the compounds disclosed, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for the treatment of tyrosine kinase-mediated diseases or conditions or tyrosine kinase-dependent diseases or conditions are provided.
US08067385B2

Random sequence oligonucleotides that have antiviral activity are described, along with their use as antiviral agents. In many cases, the oligonucleotides are greater than 40 nucleotides in length. Also described are methods for the prophylaxis or treatment of a viral infection in a human or animal, and a method for the prophylaxis treatment of cancer caused by oncoviruses in a human or animal. The methods typically involve administering to a human or animal in need of such treatment, a pharmacologically acceptable, therapeutically effective amount of at least oligonucleotide that does not act by a sequence complementary mode of action.
US08067381B1

Provided are compositions comprising beta-alanylhistidine peptides and/or beta-alanines, and methods for administering these peptides and amino acids. In one aspect, the compositions and methods cause an increase in the blood plasma concentrations of beta-alanine and/or creatine.
US08067376B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for transdermal administration comprising a conjugate of methotrexate and PTD (protein transduction domain). In accordance with the present invention, the methotrexate, which is widely used for the treatment of psoriasis, rheumatoid and inflammation, etc., can be delivered transdermally to a local part of a patient body, in order to minimize the side effect of the methotrexate.
US08067365B2

The compositions and methods disclosed herein are for prevention or treatment of multi-organ failure with erythropoietin. The usefulness of the present invention is that erythropoietin may act to prevent the onset of MOF in a patient at risk of developing it. The present invention may further lessen the effect in one or more affected organs in a patient at risk of developing MOF or in one already diagnosed with it.
US08067362B2

The present invention relates to insulin derivatives having a side chain attached either to the -amino group of the N-terminal amino acid residue of the B chain or to the amino group of a Lys residue present in the B chain of the parent insulin via an amide bond which side chain comprises at least one aromatic group; at least one free carboxylic acid group or a group which is negatively charged at neutral pH, a fatty acid moiety with 4 to 22 carbon atoms in the carbon chain; and possible linkers which link the individual components in the side chain together via amide bonds.
US08067358B1

Disclosed are formulae and methods for the simultaneous relief of a variety of unpleasant symptoms of poison ivy on the skin. The compositions of the present invention remove toxic urushiol, relieve itching of the skin from urushiol, and heal the dermatitis caused by urushiol. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a topical dosage form which can be applied as often as desired, may be scrubbed onto the skin, and leaves a soothing effect on the skin after rinsing with warm water.
US08067342B2

Internal breakers are given that break fluids viscosified with non-polymeric viscosifiers such as viscoelastic surfactants, inside formation pores. The breakers are polyols, for example natural and synthetic sugars, monoalcohols, and mixtures of the two. The sugars may be ketones and aldehydes. The sugars are also breaker aides for oxidizing agents used as breakers. Methods of using the breakers and breaker aides in oilfield treatment fluids are given.
US08067341B2

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films, patterns and biochips and methods of making the same are provided. Such a biochip comprises a bio-receptor attached by means of an exposed chemical functional group on a surface of a high density CNT film or pattern produced by repeated lamination of CNTs on a substrate with exposed amine groups. Various types of CNT-biochips may be fabricated by bonding of bio-receptors to a CNT pattern (or film) containing exposed carboxyl groups or modified by various chemical functional groups. Further, the CNT-biochip may be used to measure an electrical or electrochemical signal using both conductor and semiconductor properties of the CNT, thereby not needing labeling. Upon fluorescent measurement of DNA hybridization using such a CNT-DNA chip it is possible to show more distinct signals useful for genotyping, mutation detection, pathogen identification and the like.
US08067340B2

The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate.
US08067338B2

A compound having formula (I): X—E—Si−Cl3  (I) wherein:X represents an isocyanate function;E represents a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl chain comprising from 4 to 30 carbon atoms, and optionally contains a bridge function of —O—, —S—, —NH— or aryl;and X and SiCl3 are separated by a chain of at least 4 carbon atoms.
US08067335B2

Various multisided thermal media image elements, and methods of manufacture thereof, are presented. In one embodiment, a first media substrate is at least partially coated with thermally sensitive ink on one or more of its sides. A second media substrate is coated with the thermally sensitive ink on at least one of its sides. The second media substrate is at least partially integrated with the first media substrate to form a multisided thermal media image element, wherein at least a portion of the second media substrate is capable of being removed for independent use. The multisided first and second media substrates are adapted to be imaged via a thermal printer individually and together upon integration into the image element.
US08067334B2

A catalyst on an oxidic support and processes for selectively hydrogenating unsaturated compounds in hydrocarbon streams comprising them using these catalysts are described.
US08067330B2

Disclosed is a catalytic material for purifying an exhaust gas component. The catalytic material comprises a composite oxide which contains, as essential components, zirconium (Zr) and neodymium (Nd), and further contains a rare-earth metal R other than cerium (Ce) and neodymium (Nd), wherein each of the zirconium, neodymium and rare-earth metal R constituting the composite oxide is contained, in the form of oxide, in such a manner that a ratio of Nd2O3/(ZrO2+Nd2O3+RO) is 3 mol % or more, and a ratio of (Nd2O3+RO)/(ZrO2+Nd2O3+RO) is 33 mol % or less. The catalytic material of the present invention can oxidize/burn PM in a short period of time, while suppressing CO emission during the burning of the PM, and can achieve further enhanced NOx conversion performance.
US08067328B2

A polymerization catalyst composition comprising (1) a transition metal compound of Formula (A), Z being 5-membered heterocyclic containing at least one carbon, at least one nitrogen and at least one of nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, the others being nitrogen or carbon; M is a Group 3 to 11 metal or a lanthamide metal; E1 and E2 are divalent groups of aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or alkyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, or heterocyclic; D1 and D2 are donor atoms or groups; X is an anionic group, L is a neutral donor group; n=m=zero or 1; y and z are zero or integer such that X and L satisfy valency/oxidation state of M, (2) a catalyst-activating support which is a solid particulate substance, insoluble in hydrocarbons, comprising at least magnesium and aluminum atoms and hydrocarbyloxy groups containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the molar ration of Mg/Al being in the range 1.0 to 300 and the molar ratio of hydrocarbyloxy groups to aluminum atoms being in the range 0.5 to 2.0, and optionally, (3) an additional activator selected from aluminum alkyl and boron compounds.
US08067325B2

It is intended to provide a semiconductor ceramic composition containing no Pb, which is capable of shifting the Curie temperate to a positive direction as well as of controlling room temperature resistivity and having an excellent jump characteristic. Since the semiconductor ceramic composition in which a portion of Ba of BaTiO3 is substituted by Bi—Na has a crystal in which a central part and an outer shell part of a crystal grain are different from each other in composition, the composition is capable of improving control of room temperature resistivity and a jump characteristic, and therefore it is optimum as a material for a PTC thermistor, a PTC heater, a PTC switch, a temperature detector, and the like.
US08067318B2

This invention relates to stretchable nonwoven sheets prepared by substantially uniformly impregnating a necked nonwoven substrate or an easily extensible as-made nonwoven substrate with an elastomeric polymer by treatment with an elastomeric polymer solution. The nonwoven sheet is useful in the manufacture of diapers and other hygiene articles.
US08067316B2

A conductive paste including conductive particles each of which has a size of greater than or equal to 0.1 μm and less than or equal to 10 μm, a resin, and a solvent is placed over a first conductor and the solvent is vaporized. In this manner, a second conductor having the conductive particles and a memory layer including the resin between the first conductor and the conductive particles is formed.
US08067315B2

A nitrogen-containing silicon carbide material may be deposited on the basis of a single frequency or mixed frequency deposition recipe with a high internal compressive stress level up to 1.6 GPa or higher. Thus, this dielectric material may be advantageously used in the contact level of sophisticated integrated circuits, thereby providing high strain levels while not unduly contributing to signal propagation delay.
US08067311B2

A mask for forming a metal line and a via contact, and a method for fabricating a semiconductor device using the same, minimizes misalignment. The mask includes a first mask region having a dark tone for light shading, a second mask region having a half tone, being disposed within the first mask region to form the metal line, and a third mask region having a clear tone, being disposed within the second mask region to form the via contact.
US08067310B2

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first metal layer on a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate including a diffusion layer; forming an insulating layer having an opening on the first metal layer; forming a second metal layer on the first metal layer in the opening of the insulating layer; removing the insulating layer; covering an exposed surface of the second metal layer with a third metal layer, the third metal layer including a metal having an ionization tendency lower than that of the second metal layer; and forming an electrode interconnect including the first metal layer, the second metal layer, and the third metal layer by removing the first metal layer using the third metal layer as a mask.
US08067297B2

Chemical vapor deposition processes utilize higher order silanes and germanium precursors as chemical precursors. The processes have high deposition rates yet produce more uniform films, both compositionally and in thickness, than films prepared using conventional chemical precursors. In preferred embodiments, trisilane is employed to deposit SiGe-containing films that are useful in the semiconductor industry in various applications such as transistor gate electrodes.
US08067288B2

This invention discloses a method for manufacturing a one-time programmable (OTP) memory includes a first and second MOS transistors connected in parallel and controlled by a common gate formed with a single polysilicon stripe. The method further comprises a step of implanting a drift region in a substrate region below a drain and source of the first and second MOS transistors counter doping a lightly dope drain (LDD) encompassing and surrounding a drain and a source of the first MOS transistor having a different threshold voltage than the second MOS transistor not reached by the drift region.
US08067284B1

A semiconductor device including a bilayer charge storing layer and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the method includes: (i) forming a first layer of the bilayer charge storing layer; and (ii) forming a second layer formed on a surface of the first layer, the second layer including an oxynitride charge trapping layer. Preferably, the first layer includes a substantially trap free oxynitride layer. More preferably, the oxynitride charge trapping layer includes a significantly higher stoichiometric composition of silicon than that of the first layer. In certain embodiments, the oxynitride charge trapping layer has a concentration of carbon selected to increase the number of traps therein. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08067282B2

A method for selective formation of trenches is disclosed. First, a substrate is provided. The substrate includes a first semiconductor element and a second semiconductor element. The first semiconductor element has a dopant. Second, a wet etching procedure is carried out to selectively form a pair of trenches in the substrate around the second semiconductor element, a first source/drain ion implantation is selectively carried out on the first semiconductor element, or a second source/drain ion implantation is selectively carried out on the second semiconductor element.
US08067279B2

The present invention facilitates semiconductor device fabrication by providing mechanisms for utilizing different isolation schemes within embedded memory and other logic portions of a device. The isolation mechanism of the embedded memory portion is improved relative to other portions of the device by increasing dopant concentrations or reducing the depth of the dopant profiles within well regions of the embedded memory array. As a result, smaller isolation spacing can be employed thereby permitting a more compact array. The isolation mechanism of the logic portion is relatively less than that of the embedded memory portion, which permits greater operational speed for the logic.
US08067278B2

A semiconductor device includes at least one thin film transistor including a semiconductor layer that has a crystalline region including a channel region, a source region and a drain region, a gate insulating film disposed at least on the channel region, the source region and the drain region of the semiconductor layer, and a gate electrode arranged so as to oppose the channel region via the gate insulating film. At least a portion of the semiconductor layer includes a catalyst element capable of promoting crystallization, and the semiconductor layer further includes a gettering region that includes the catalyst element at a higher concentration than in the channel region or the source region and the drain region. The thickness of the gate insulating film on the gettering region is smaller than that on the source region and the drain region, or the gate insulating film is not disposed on the gettering region.
US08067274B2

In this manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, a metal plate having a plurality of projection electrodes in each of a plurality of semiconductor device formation areas is prepared. Next, the projection electrodes of each of the semiconductor formation areas are aligned corresponding to external connection electrodes of each semiconductor construction, and each semiconductor construction is separately arranged on the projection electrodes in the semiconductor device formation areas. Next, an insulating layer formation sheet is arranged on the metal plate, and the metal plate and the insulating layer formation sheet are joined by heat pressing. Then, the metal plate is patterned and a plurality of upper layer wirings that connect to the projection electrodes is formed.
US08067270B2

A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a post and a base, mounting an adhesive on the base including inserting the post through an opening in the adhesive, mounting a substrate on the adhesive including inserting the post into an aperture in the substrate to form a gap in the aperture between the post and the substrate, then flowing the adhesive into and upward in the gap, solidifying the adhesive, then mounting a semiconductor device on a heat spreader that includes the post and the base, electrically connecting the semiconductor device to the substrate and thermally connecting the semiconductor device to the heat spreader.
US08067269B2

A method for fabricating transistors such as high electron mobility transistors, each transistor comprising a plurality of epitaxial layers on a common substrate, method comprising: (a) forming a plurality of source contacts on a first surface of the plurality of epitaxial layers; (b) forming at least one drain contact on the first surface; (c) forming at least one gate contact on the first surface; (d) forming at least one insulating layer over and between the gate contacts, source contacts and the drain contacts; (e) forming a conductive layer over at least a part of the at least one insulating layer for connecting the source contacts; and (f) forming at least one heat sink layer over the conductive layer.
US08067267B2

A method of making a stacked microelectronic assembly includes providing a first microelectronic package that includes a first substrate having a first dielectric layer, conductive posts, and conductive traces extending along the surface of the first dielectric layer; providing a second microelectronic package including a second substrate that includes a second dielectric layer; securing a microelectronic element to one of the surfaces of at least one of the first or second substrates; and joining the conductive posts of the first substrate with the fusible masses of the second substrate. The posts may include a plurality of aligned posts which are aligned in a first row extending in a single orthogonal direction along a surface of the first substrate away from a portion of the first substrate that faces a face of the microelectronic element. The aligned posts are disposed beyond one of the edges of the microelectronic element.
US08067258B2

A method of protecting a substrate during fabrication of semiconductor, MEMS, or biotechnology devices. The method includes application of a protective thin film which typically has a thickness ranging from about 3 Å to about 1,000 Å, wherein precursor materials used to deposit the protective thin film are organic-based precursors which include at least one fluorine-comprising functional group at one end of a carbon back bone and at least one functional bonding group at the opposite end of a carbon backbone, and wherein the carbon backbone ranges in length from 4 carbons through about 12 carbons. In many applications at least a portion of the protective thin film is removed during fabrication of the devices.
US08067256B2

A method of making a microelectronic package, and a microelectronic package made according to the method. The method includes: bonding and thermally coupling a plurality of IC dies to an IHS panel to yield a die-carrying IHS panel; mounting the die-carrying IHS panel onto a substrate panel including a plurality of package substrates to yield a combination including the die-carrying IHS panel mounted to the substrate panel; and singulating the combination to yield a plurality of microelectronic packages, each of the packages including: an IHS component of the IHS panel, one of the plurality IC dies bonded and thermally coupled to said IHS component and one of the plurality of package substrates, said IHS component and said one of the plurality of IC dies being mounted to said one of the plurality of package substrates to form said each of the packages.
US08067250B2

A method of manufacturing a ferroelectric memory device includes: forming a hydrogen barrier film which covers a ferroelectric capacitor including a lower electrode, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode, wherein a thickness of an area of the hydrogen barrier film provided on the upper electrode is made greater than a thickness of an area of the hydrogen barrier film provided on a sidewall of the ferroelectric capacitor by forming the area of the hydrogen barrier film provided on the upper electrode in a plurality of layers.
US08067249B2

A method is disclosed for functionalizing biosensors. The biosensors are based on semiconductor chips mounted on a finished processed wafer. They are provided with sensor fields placed thereupon, which are arranged in any array, and, to be precise, for carrying out a functionalization, for example, with organic molecules such as nucleic acids like DNA, RNA and PNA or with their derivatives, proteins, sugar molecules, or antibodies.
US08067234B2

Methods are provided for isolating adipose derived stromal cells from an animal by extracting adipose tissue from the patient, dissecting the tissue, dissociating the tissue into a cell suspension, removing the adipocytes, exposing the cell suspension to red cell lysis buffer, and isolating adipose derived stromal cells.
US08067233B2

The present disclosure describes mammalian pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) isolated from corneal limbal tissue, a non-embryonic tissue. The ELSCs of the present disclosure are capable of proliferating in an in vitro culture, maintain the potential to differentiate into cells of endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm lineage in culture, and are capable of forming embryoid-like bodies when placed in suspension culture. Thus, these cells possess multi-lineage differentiation potential and self-renewing capability. ELSCs may be a promising therapeutic tool, and may provide new therapeutic alternatives for various diseases, conditions, and injuries.
US08067232B2

The present invention relates to a cell for the production of an antibody molecule such as an antibody useful for various diseases having high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity, a fragment of the antibody and a fusion protein having the Fc region of the antibody or the like, a method for producing an antibody composition using the cell, the antibody composition and use thereof.
US08067217B2

The present invention has its object to provide a method for stably preserving a capsule containing reduced coenzyme Q10, which is useful as foods, functional nutritive foods, specific health foods, nutritional supplements, nutrients, animal drugs, drinks, feeds, cosmetics, medicines, remedies, preventive drugs, etc. The present invention relates to a method for preserving reduced coenzyme Q10 which comprises producing or obtaining a capsule containing reduced coenzyme Q10, and controlling environment surrounding the capsule to a relative humidity of not less than 0% but not more than 60%. According to this method, reduced coenzyme Q10 can be preserved stably, without requiring huge cost and labor, or special equipment.
US08067209B2

The present invention relates to a method for screening an individual for the presence in his/her genome of a genetic marker that is indicative of an increased risk of deep venous thrombosis, wherein the genetic marker is haplotype 2 of the fibrinogen γ gene (FGG-H2) as given in FIG. 5A. The genetic marker comprises a set of one, two, three or four mutations in the nucleic acid material encoding fibrinogen γ, the mutations being selected from the group consisting of 129A/T (rs2066854), 7874G/A (rs20668β1), 9615′C/T (rs2066864) and 10034C/T (rs2066865).
US08067205B2

A method for synthesizing cDNA possessing a consecutive sequence starting with a nucleotide adjacent to a cap structure of mRNA, which comprises (i) a process for annealing a double-stranded DNA primer and an RNA mixture containing mRNA possessing a cap structure, (ii) a process for preparing a conjugate of an mRNA/cDNA heteroduplex and a double-stranded DNA primer by synthesizing the first-strand cDNA primed with the double-stranded DNA primer using reverse transcriptase, and (iii) a process for circularizing the conjugate of the mRNA/cDNA heteroduplex and the double-stranded DNA primer by joining the 3′ and 5′ ends of the DNA strand containing cDNA using ligase. This method enables us to efficiently synthesize a full-length cDNA possessing a consecutive sequence starting with a transcription-start-site nucleotide from a small amount of RNA by small processes.
US08067202B2

The present invention relates to genetically attenuated superantigen toxin vaccines altered such that superantigen attributes are absent, however the superantigen is effectively recognized and an appropriate immune response is produced. The attenuated superantigen toxins are shown to protect animals against challenge with wild type toxin. Methods of producing and using the altered superantigen toxins are described.
US08067201B2

Provided herein are methods for refolding proteins. The methods involve covalently modifying a denatured protein with a nonproteinaceous polymer and then renaturing the modified protein.
US08067200B2

A single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a nociceptive sensory afferent; a Targeting Moiety that is capable of binding to a Binding Site on the nociceptive sensory afferent, which Binding Site is capable of undergoing endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent; a protease cleavage site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by a protease, wherein the protease cleavage site is located between the non-cytotoxic protease or fragment thereof and the Targeting Moiety; and a translocation domain that is capable of translocating the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide fusion proteins, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described.
US08067199B2

The present invention relates to anti-IL13 antibodies that bind specifically and with high affinity to both glycosylated and non-glycosylated human IL13, does not bind mouse IL13, and neutralize human IL13 activity at an approximate molar ratio of 1:2 (MAb:IL13). The invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment of IL13-mediated diseases, such as allergic disease, including asthma, allergic asthma, non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema, urticaria, food allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ulcerative colitis, RSV infection, uveitis, scleroderma, and osteoporosis.
US08067197B2

The invention relates to a novel purified recombinant αVβ3 adhesion receptor which shows an unimpaired ligand binding activity, and a process for preparing said soluble non-membrane bound receptor in excellent yields by recombinant techniques using a baculovirus-insect cell expression system. The so-synthesized soluble receptor may be used very easily as screening tool for new therapeutic compounds which may inhibit the natural αVβ3 adhesion receptor. Such therapeutic compounds which can be discovered very easily, fast and without health risk by means of the soluble receptors according to the invention may be, for example, RGD peptides or non-peptidic compounds mimicking the natural ligand epitopes. The invention relates, furthermore, to a corresponding process for preparing recombinant full-length αVβ3 adhesion receptor in excellent yields, additionally using detergents to dissolve the membrane bound receptor from the surface of the host cell.
US08067194B2

The invention relates to a method and hydrolysis tank for enzymatic hydrolysis of raw materials containing collagen and proteins to produce the three layers: a top layer containing fat, a mid-layer comprising water soluble constituents and denatured collagen, and a non-soluble bottom layer comprising bones and non-soluble proteins. These layers are separated and the second layer is further separated by cooling for a time period sufficient to form two layers: a bottom layer containing partially or wholly set collagen, and a liquid top layer containing the remaining water soluble proteins which are removed. The other is heated until it becomes liquid. The hydrolysis tank comprises a turnable stirring mechanism, a device for heat exchange and a reversible screw that is arranged in the bottom of the tank. A clearing sump for separation of collagen, includes an inlet for supply of hydrolysate.
US08067176B2

A chemical reaction is conducted in a fluid of a droplet inside a reaction receptacle or on a surface of a reaction substrate. Fluctuations of a magnetic field are applied to the droplet including an aqueous solution having magnetic body particles with a hydrophilic surface, and a physical force is transmitted to the surrounding aqueous solution through the magnetic body particles. The droplet is thus moved by the physical force to conduct an operation necessary for a chemical reaction.
US08067172B2

The present invention is related to a device, kit and method for pulsing a biological sample with a pulsing agent and subsequently stabilizing the biological sample so pulsed. The invention has application in the fields of medical diagnostics, particularly relating to immunity.
US08067157B2

Methods are provided for isolation of DNA sequences encoding proteins with properties of interest by means of expression cloning in filamentous fungal host cells. The isolated DNA sequences are useful in processes for producing the proteins of interest.
US08067151B2

A method for storing and using platelets and an associated platelet structure. At least one modified platelet is formed. Each modified platelet includes a platelet and at least one polymerated chemical. Each polymerated chemical includes a polymer covalently bonded directly to the platelet or includes the polymer and a linker molecule such that the linker molecule is covalently bonded to the platelet and the polymer is covalently attached to the linker molecule. The polymer of each polymerated chemical of each modified platelet is polyethylene glycol (PEG) or a PEG derivative. Forming each modified platelet does not include modifying the platelet membrane of each platelet with a glycan-modifying agent. The at least one modified platelet is stored in a temperature range below 0° C. After being stored, the at least one modified platelet may be introduced into a subject to treat a condition related to a reduced platelet function.
US08067144B2

The present invention relates to a polyester having an excellent hydrolysis resistance even when used in a process for producing a toner for electrophotography which includes a step of forming a raw material into particles in an aqueous medium, and a toner for electrophotography which contains the polyester and is excellent in storage stability and fixing property. There are provided a polyester for a toner for electrophotography which is used in a process for producing a toner including a step of forming a raw material component into particles in an aqueous medium or a solution, and produced by polycondensing an alcohol component with a carboxylic acid component containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an alkyl succinic acid and an alkenyl succinic acid, as well as a toner for electrophotography which contains the polyester.
US08067137B2

A photoconductor that includes a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer that contains at least one charge transport component, and a polysiloxane/polyetherimide polymer.
US08067136B2

To provide: a charge control agent having negative chargeability, which contributes to environmental conservation and the like to an increased degree, has high performance (high charge amount, quick rise-up of charge, excellent stability with time, and high environmental stability), and has improved dispersibility; a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image containing the charge control agent; and an image forming method and an image forming apparatus each using the toner for developing an electrostatic charge image. A charge control agent for controlling a charged state of powder, characterized by including one or more units each represented by the following chemical formula (1) in a molecule.
US08067135B2

Metrology systems and methods for lithography processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a mask having a plurality of corner rounding test patterns formed thereon. A first semiconductor device is provided, and a layer of photosensitive material of the first semiconductor device is patterned with a plurality of corner rounding test features using the mask and a lithography process. An amount of corner rounding of the lithography process is measured by analyzing the plurality of corner rounding test features relative to other of the plurality of corner rounding test features formed on the layer of photosensitive material of the semiconductor device. The lithography process or the mask is altered in response to the amount of corner rounding measured, and a second semiconductor device is provided. The second semiconductor device is affected using the altered lithography process or the altered mask.
US08067134B2

The field of this disclosure is making three-dimensional topographic structures by means of graduated exposure in a photosensitive material, such as a photoresist, photosensitive polymide, or similar. Such patterns may be written either to be used directly as optical, mechanical, fluidic, etc. components, e.g. diffusors, non-reflecting surfaces, Fresnel lenses and Fresnel prisms, computer-generated holograms, lenslet arrays, etc, or to be used as masters for the fabrication of such components by replication. Replication can be done by molding, pressing, embossing, electroplating, etching, as known in the art. This disclosure includes descriptions of using passive absorbing components in thin resist, using high gamma thick resists with high resolution pattern generators, using multiple focal planes including at least one focal plane in the bottom half of the resist, and iterative simulation of patterning and adjustment of an exposure map.
US08067128B2

A sealing structure for a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same, in this structure, a first gas separator, a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst on the one side, a proton exchange membrane, a second catalyst, a second gas diffusion layer and a second gas separator on the other side, are in turn stacked, wherein an area of the second gas diffusion layer is smaller than an area of the proton exchange membrane. The area of the proton exchange membrane is not larger than an area of the first gas diffusion layer, and the area of the first gas diffusion layer is smaller than an area of the first gas separator, therefore, the shape of the front edges of these elements are step-shaped. The area obverse to the step shape is filled with cured sealing material.
US08067117B2

The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3 as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
US08067114B2

Provided is a lithium secondary battery which uses a lithium manganese metal oxide as a cathode active material and a non-graphitic carbon material as an anode active material, and based on the total weight of the electrolyte, contains 0.1 to 20% by weight of a salt represented by Formula I in a lithium salt-containing non-aqueous electrolyte: R4X+YZn−  (I) wherein R, X, Y, Z and n are as defined in the specification. The lithium secondary battery of the present invention can improve low-temperature properties of the battery by increasing the lithium ion-electrode reactivity and decreasing the electrode-interface resistance, via the formation of a charge double layer at the cathode-anode interface upon charging/discharging of the battery at a low temperature, and therefore can be preferably used in medium/large battery systems such as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) requiring operation under severe conditions.
US08067106B2

Disclosed is a fuel cell including a fuel cell stack; a stack case which contains the fuel cell stack; and a blocking device including connecting portions which electrically connect, to output terminal portions of the fuel cell stack, output cables to transmit the output of the fuel cell stack to a device provided outside the stack case, the blocking device being capable of blocking the mutual connection performed by the mechanical operation of the connecting portions from the outside of the stack case. Moreover, at least a portion of the blocking device in which the output cables are electrically connected to the connecting portions is arranged outside the stack case.
US08067098B2

A coating system and process for protecting component surfaces exposed to sulfur-containing environments at elevated temperatures. The coating system includes a sulfidation-resistant overlay coating that is predominantly niobium or molybdenum.
US08067097B2

A woven laminate for sound absorption that includes a first woven layer, a second woven layer, and a third woven layer. The first woven layer has a coarse structure. The second woven layer has a fine structure. The third woven layer has a medium structure. Each of the first, second, and third woven layers are composed of metallic wires that are woven to each other or interlaced as a fleece. At least one of the first, the second, and the third woven layers are superimposed in order to form the woven laminate. The woven layers are placed in the layer order fine-coarse-medium. The woven layers are welded together at least partially.
US08067093B2

The present invention relates to compounds suitable to use as curing agents for epoxy systems which can be obtained by reacting an amine-functional compound with an α-β unsaturated acid and/or ester and a mono-functional epoxy compound. The invention further relates to coating compositions comprising these curing agents.
US08067080B2

Provided is an optical recording medium including, in sequence: a first substrate; a first information recording layer; an intermediate layer; a second information recording layer; and a second substrate having wobble convex portions on its surface, wherein information is recorded on or reproduced from the first information recording layer and second information recording layer by irradiation with a laser beam from a first information recording layer side, wherein the second information recording layer includes, over the second substrate, a light reflective layer, a dye recording layer, and an inorganic protective layer, wherein the inorganic protective layer has a thickness of 3 nm to 40 nm, and wherein the dye recording layer includes a cyanine compound expressed by General Formula (I) and a squarylium compound expressed by General Formula (II):
US08067079B2

The optical storage medium according to the invention uses a mask layer as a super resolution near field structure, which comprises a doped semiconductor material. The semiconductor material is n-doped particularly such that the reflectivity of the semiconductor material is increased, when irradiated with a laser beam. As a semiconductor material advantageously an indium alloy and as a doping material selenium or tellurium can be used. For the manufacturing of a respective optical storage medium a sputtering method for depositing the doped semiconductor material as the mask layer can be used, wherein the dopant is included already in the semiconductor sputtering target.
US08067072B2

A plurality of stacked polyethylene film bags comprising about 40-48 wt. % high density, high molecular weight polyethylene, 12-20 wt. % high density, medium molecular weight polyethylene, 20-30 wt. % linear low density polyethylene, 0-8 wt. % color concentrate, are releasably adhered together in substantial registration. Each of the bags includes front and rear polyethylene film walls and each of the front and rear walls have first and second side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. The front and rear walls are integrally joined at their first and second side edges and secured together at their bottom edges. An open mouth portion is defined adjacent the top edges of the bag. At least an upper portion of the outer surface of the front and rear walls of each of the bags has been corona treated. T-shirt style bags using the above formulation are also described.
US08067069B2

An implantable article including a biocompatible substrate and a bioactive strontium-substituted calcium phosphate ceramic apatite coating chemically bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the biocompatible substrate, wherein the strontium-substituted calcium phosphate ceramic apatite coating includes nanopores, nanocrystals and strontium ions, and includes a hexagonal crystal structure of apatite having a molar ratio of strontium ions to calcium ions of about 0.0001 to about 0.5, and the strontium ions inhibit bone resorption in vitro and enhance bone formation in vivo so that the implantable article exhibits enhance fixation and bone ingrowth in and around the implantable article.
US08067068B2

This invention relates to liquid crystal compositions, and polymer networks and articles comprising the compositions. The compositions comprise at least one compound of the group of compounds represented by the structures of each of the following Formulas (IV), (V) and (VI), as defined herein. A process for making the composition is also provided.
US08067067B2

Disclosed herein is a method for applying plasma-resistant coatings for use in semiconductor processing apparatus. The coatings are applied over a substrate which typically comprises an aluminum alloy of the 2000 series or the 5000 through 7000 series. The coating typically comprises an oxide or a fluoride of Y, Sc, La, Ce, Eu, Dy, or the like, or yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG). The coating may further comprise about 20 volume % or less of Al2O3. The coatings are typically applied to a surface of an aluminum alloy substrate or an anodized aluminum alloy substrate using a technique selected from the group consisting of thermal/flame spraying, plasma spraying, sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). To provide the desired corrosion resistance, it is necessary to place the coating in compression. This is accomplished by controlling deposition conditions during application of the coating.
US08067066B2

The present invention relates to tie-coat compositions for fouling-release paint systems. The invention provides a method of coating a substrate with a coating composition comprising at least two types of functional polysiloxane compounds selected from epoxy-functional polysiloxanes, amino-functional polysiloxanes, and particular adhesion promoting agents of the polysiloxane type. The present invention also provides a substrate coated with such a composition and a composition particularly useful for said method. The binder phase may also comprise constituents of epoxy paint compositions, e.g. epoxy resins and amine curing agents. The compositions are particularly relevant in combination with diorganopolysiloxane-based fouling-release coatings and anticorrosive epoxy primer coatings.
US08067052B2

The present invention relates to a combination of a hermetically sealed, substantially air-tight container and a nutritional composition. The container of the present invention is adapted for the convenient transport, and storage of a single daily oral dose of a nutritional composition containing a fatty acid, for example, diacyl glycerol, an octadecatrienoic acid, an octadecadienoic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of the c9, t11 and t10, c12 isomers of CLA in a nutritional composition. The wide range of health benefits associated with consumption of these CLA fatty acids is well known. Furthermore, the invention relates to a container that substantially prevents CLA lipid oxidation caused by exposure to air.
US08067050B2

An aromatic vinegar is produced from wine or fruit vinegar and cooked or concentrated musts, by freeze concentrating the vinegar in a freeze concentration system (1) and mixing it together with concentrated must to obtain an aromatic vinegar with an acidity of at least 6 g/100 ml and high sugar content without the addition of additives.
US08067048B2

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cooking French fries without cooking oil. The apparatus relies on high pressure inert gas at high temperature as the cooking medium. The inert gas acts both as a heat transfer medium to cook the potatoes, and as a protective atmosphere to prevent charring and oxidation of the potatoes.
US08067041B2

The present invention provides methods for treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a polymeric proanthocyanidin composition from a Croton species or Calophyllum species in an amount sufficient to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS). Treatment of c-IBS includes the treatment of the constipation component of c-IBS as well as the pain and abdominal discomfort associated with c-IBS. In one embodiment, the polymeric proanthocyanidin compound is crofelemer. The present invention in an alternative embodiment also provides methods for treating alternating constipation-predominant/diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
US08067033B2

Stable pharmaceutical compositions of famotidine and ibuprofen in a single unit dosage form are disclosed herein. The compositions comprise a famotidine core having a reduced or minimal surface area surrounded by a layer of ibuprofen. In some embodiments, the ibuprofen is in direct physical contact with the famotidine.
US08067032B2

The present invention is concerned with the formation of submicron particles of an antineoplastic agent, particularly paclitaxel, by precipitating the antineoplastic agent in an aqueous medium to form a pre-suspension followed by homogenization. Surfactants with phospholipids conjugated with a water soluble or hydrophilic polymer such as PEG are used as coating for the particles. The particles produced generally have an average particle size of less than about 1000 nm and are not rapidly soluble.
US08067028B2

Drug delivery devices are provided herein including crosslinked polymeric compositions. The devices may, in embodiments, possess at least two drug release profiles, in embodiments at least three drug release profiles.
US08067026B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain polymeric release regions that control the release of one or more therapeutic agents. The polymeric release regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers that contain one or more rigid, nonplanar polycyclic molecular structures. The therapeutic agent is disposed beneath or within the polymeric release region.
US08067025B2

Medical devices having a catalyst capable of catalyzing the generation of nitric oxide attached to the medical device and methods of treating a vascular condition using the devices are provided.
US08067013B2

A vaccine composition and method which is effective in preventing or ameliorating Avian Influenza Virus infection is set forth herein. The vaccine contains at least two inactivated strains of avian influenza virus, wherein the combined haemoagglutinin (HA) total is at least about 200 HA/dose of the vaccine composition, and wherein each of the strains presents at least about 128 HA/dose, and further wherein one of the strains has the same HA subtype as that of a challenge virus, and wherein at least one of the strains has a different NA subtype than the challenge virus.
US08066998B2

Norovirus antigen peptides are described having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1-16, or fragments thereof. Such peptides can be used in the preparation of antiviral therapies such as vaccines, methods of preparing antibodies to the antigen peptides, methods of using the peptides or the corresponding antibodies for detection of norovirus, and compositions of the peptides, DNA and/or antibodies. A kit for the detection of norovirus is also provided.
US08066989B2

The present invention refers to a method of treating tumor growth and metastasis in a mammal, the treating comprising administering allogeneic effector cells together with trifunctional bispecific or trispecific antibodies or a combination thereof having the following properties: a) binding to a T cell b) binding to at least one antigen on a tumor cell c) binding via their Fc portion in the case of trifunctional bispecific antibodies or via third specificity in the case of trispecific antibodies to Fc receptor positive cells; the antibodies redirecting the allogenic cells away from host tissues in order to substantially reduce or avoid a graft versus host disease.
US08066986B2

Disclosed are formulations for enhancing the in vivo colonization of probiotic microorganisms that include digestive enzymes and probiotic microorganisms, and polysorbate surfactants. The enzymes include lactogenic enzyme formulations that promote growth of Lactobacillus probiotics, bifidogenic enzyme formulations that promote growth of Bifidobacterium probiotics and combination formulations that benefit both types of probiotics. It has been discovered that certain polysorbate surfactants, including polysorbate-60 and polysorbate-80, further promote probiotic microorganism growth, when used with the enzyme formulations. The formulations are preferably compounded as dry powders, to avoid water reaction with the enzymes in blended formulations. Such formulations can be contained in capsules, tablets, packets or bottles and administered orally, either sequentially or in one combined formulation.
US08066984B2

Modified viruses and methods for preparing the modified viruses are provided. Vaccines that contain the viruses are provided. The viruses can be used in methods of treatment of diseases, such as proliferative and inflammatory disorders, including cancer, and as anti-tumor and/or antiangiogenic agents. The viruses also can be used in diagnostic methods.
US08066972B2

The present invention provides methods for screening a pharmaceutical agent for its ability to modulate long term memory formation, performance of a hippocampal-dependent cognitive task or STAUFEN function. The present invention also provides methods for modulating long term memory formation or performance of a hippocampal-dependent cognitive task by modulating staufen-dependent protein expression. The present invention further provides methods for treating a defect in long term memory formation associated with a defect in STAUFEN and methods for treating a defect in performance of a hippocampal-dependent cognitive task associated with a defect in STAUFEN.
US08066971B2

This invention provides novel compositions and methods for the specific and/or preferential delivery of an effector (e.g. a drug or label) to an epithelial cell (e.g. a pulmonary epithelium). The compositions comprise an adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP) attached to an effector thereby forming a chimeric moiety. The chimeric moiety is preferentially delivered to epithelial cells.
US08066970B2

The present invention relates to a class of compounds and to diagnostic compositions containing such compounds where the compounds are iodine containing compounds. More specifically the iodine containing compounds are chemical compounds containing an aliphatic central moiety containing hydroxyl groups allowing for the arrangement of three iodinated phenyl groups bound thereto.The invention also relates to methods employing such diagnostic compositions as contrast agents in diagnostic imaging and in particular in X-ray imaging and to contrast media containing such compounds.
US08066969B2

This invention relates, in general, to a method of producing magnetic oxide nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles and, more particularly, to a method of producing magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles, which comprises (1) adding a magnetic or metal precursor to a surfactant or a solvent containing the surfactant to produce a mixed solution, (2) heating the mixed solution to 50-6001 C to decompose the magnetic or metal precursor by heating so as to form the magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles, and (3) separating the magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles. Since the method is achieved through a simple process without using an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent, it is possible to simply mass-produce uniform magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles having desired sizes compared to the conventional method.
US08066961B2

A mechanism for positionally restraining a microplate is disclosed. The mechanism is defined by a base having at least one surface with a receptacle for the insertion of a microplate into the base. Supports and/or positioning structures on a surface of the base have point contacts to restrain movement of the microplate in a stable position for repeatable optical detection measurements. The supports and/or positioning structures permit insertion of the microplate for an initial measurement, removal of the microplate for analytical manipulation, and re-insertion of the microplate to an exact position so as to allow analysis of precise comparative measurements by an optical reader.
US08066942B2

An integrated device for heating and oxygenating blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising a shell-and-tube heat exchanger module provided with a coupling to a blood supply line and with two couplings respectively for the intake and discharge of the water designed to exchange heat with the blood; ports are also provided for the passage of the blood toward an oxygenator module of the hollow-fiber type which is located at the peripheral region of the heat exchanger and is provided with a coupling to a blood discharge line; the device further comprises means adapted to direct the flow of blood along a turbulence-free path and with optimum distribution within the two modules.
US08066941B2

A pressurized water tank having a head space includes a pump for recirculating the water through a nozzle disposed in the head space. The out flowing stream of water will entrain air and cause mixing of air entrained water with the remaining water in the tank. To enhance air entrainment and convey the air entrained water to a location well below the water level, the stream of water is injected into a vertical venturi tube. The entrained air will have an oxidizing effect upon organic matter and also cause circulation of the water within the tank. To enhance oxidation of organic and inorganic matter, a UV lamp may be located in the head space to convert oxygen molecules in the air into ozone molecules. Such ozone molecules would be entrained in the stream of water flowing out of the nozzle and into the tube and have a strong oxidizing effect upon organic and inorganic matter. UV radiation from the UV lamp will also have a virucidal and germicidal effect upon microorganisms on the surface of the water and in water to some depth below the water surface.
US08066939B2

The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses systems and methods for treating a human being and/or items with descenting material, the systems, in certain aspects, including a generator for producing descenting material, and, in certain aspects at least one direction apparatus in communication with the generator for receiving produced descenting material from the generator and for directing said descenting material in a desired direction.
US08066935B2

An impact well configured to reduce the turbulence in a flowing fluid. The impact well has the shape of a frustum and includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a base portion. The base portion includes a domed portion that extends upwards into the intermediate portion. The upper portion, the intermediate portion and the base portion each included stepped areas configured to assist in the alignment of the portions and the assembly of the well.
US08066911B2

A method of improving flowability of adipic acid includes adding to the adipic acid at a relatively low temperature a flowability improving agent, such as an acyclic saturated monobasic acid containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms or an acyclic saturated dibasic acid containing 10 to 14 carbon atoms.
US08066908B2

A method of preparing a lanthanide-doped nanoparticle sol-gel matrix film having a high signal to noise ratio is provided. The sol-gels are also provided. A method of preparing light emitting sol-gel films made with lanthanide doped nanoparticles, for the production of white light is also provided. The method comprises selecting lanthanides for the production of at least one of green, red and blue light when excited with near infrared light, preparing nanoparticles comprising the selected lanthanides, stabilizing the nanoparticles with ligands operative to stabilize the nanoparticles in an aqueous solution and selected to be substantially removed from the sol-gel matrix film during synthesis, incorporating the stabilized nanoparticles into a sol-gel matrix and heating to increase the signal to noise ratio of the luminescence by substantially removing the low molecular weight organic molecules. Additionally, light emitting sol-gel films made with lanthanide doped nanoparticles are provided.
US08066893B2

A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head having a stepped, recessed, high magnetic moment pole connected with a write pole. The stepped pole structure helps to channel magnetic flux to the write pole without leaking write field to the magnetic medium. This allows the write head to maintain a high write field strength at very small bit sizes. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer and a first CMP layer over substrate that can include a magnetic shaping layer. A mask is formed over the dielectric layer, the mask having an opening to define the stepped pole structure. The image of the mask is transferred into the dielectric layer. A high magnetic moment material is deposited and a chemical mechanical polishing is performed to planarize the magnetic material and dielectric layer.
US08066890B2

A method of fabricating a spatial light modulator. The method includes providing a first substrate including a first bonding surface, forming a first layer coupled to the bonding surface, wherein the first layer is characterized by a first set of material parameters, and forming a second layer coupled to the first layer, wherein the second layer is characterized by a second set of material parameters. The method also includes patterning the first layer and the second layer to form a plurality of landing structures extending to a first distance from the bonding surface of the first substrate. The method further includes providing a second substrate including a second bonding surface, joining the first bonding surface of the first substrate to the second bonding surface of the second substrate, and forming a plurality of moveable mirrors from the second substrate. During operation, the moveable mirrors make contact with the second layer.
US08066881B2

A process of obtaining a natural, bioactive concentrate, rich on hydroxytyrosol, from olive tree residues and subproducts using clean technologies is presented. These technologies comprise supercritical fluid extraction, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis which are used individually or in an integrated mode. The natural extract comprises hydroxytyrosol at a minimum concentration of 15% (mass fraction) and a maximum concentration of 98% (mass fraction). The hydroxytyrosol-rich concentrate exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities, which are superior to the activities observed for isolated hydroxytyrosol in equivalent concentration. The hydroxytyrosol-rich concentrate can be prepared in the form of solid particles, as an aqueous solution, in an emulsion or as lipidic based nanoparticles. Industrial application includes the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
US08066878B2

The invention relates to an anaerobic purification device for purification of influent. The device has a reactor tank, an inlet for introducing influent into the tank, a water collecting device for collecting purified water, a gas collecting system for collecting gas from the fluid contained in the reactor, a gas-liquid separation device, a riser for passing liquid into the separation device by gas lifting action caused by gas collected in the gas collecting system, and a downer for returning liquid and sludge from the separation device into the lower tank section. According to the invention this device is characterized in that it is arranged to define, in the downer at the level of the liquid surface, a head pressure of, at least, approximately 1.4 m water column (approximately 0.14 bar). The invention also relates to a method for anaerobic purification device for purification of influent.
US08066877B2

This invention relates to various apparatus for carrying out cake-filtration solid-liquid separation processes in which the solid-liquid mixture is subjected to a homogeneous magnetic field, a magnetic field gradient or both and cake-filtration.
US08066876B2

A chromatographic apparatus may include a hydraulic lifting mechanism axially movable from a lowered position to a raised position such that a column and flange of the apparatus are axially movable with the hydraulic lifting mechanism. In a packing system, a mobile column module may be moved into engagement with a packing station by engaging a flange of the column module with a fixture of the packing station. After packing a column of the column module, the column module may be removed from the packing station with a piston head locked in the column to maintain packing pressure. The packing station may be utilized to unpack the column. A hydraulic lifting mechanism may be operated to lower one or more portions of the column module such that the one or more portions may be separately removed from the packing system.
US08066875B2

A low pressure liquid chromatographic cartridge is provided having a tubular polymer container adapted to receive a chromatographic packing material. The container has an outlet port located at a downstream end of the container and container threads formed on an upstream end of the container. A polymer cap having cap threads located on the cap threadingly engage the container threads. An inlet port is located on an upstream end of the cap. A flange depends from the cap and mates with the lip of the container to form a fluid tight seal between the polymer cap and container suitable for use in low pressure liquid chromatography. A locking tab on a skirt of the cap engages a recess on the container when the seal engages the cap and container to lock the cap in position relative to the container. Alternatively, continuous screw threads on the cap and container may hold the parts together.
US08066868B1

Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for the processing a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock via fluidized catalytic cracking with selected hydrocarbon fractions including light olefins being obtained via absorption and separation product recovery.
US08066863B2

A multi step process, which forms a Group VIA material layer, such as a selenium (Se) layer, having a thickness greater than 500 nanometers. The process includes electroplating a Se material layer, which has an amorphous micro-structure and which exhibits high electrical resistivity, on a workpiece and subsequently annealing the Se layer. Annealing process transforms the amorphous structure of the Se layer into a crystalline structure which is conductive. After the annealing, another Se layer can be electroplated onto the annealed Se layer. The electroplating and annealing steps can be repeated until the desired Se layer thickness is reached.
US08066862B2

A manufacturing method of a wiring board includes a sticking layer forming step; a resist film forming step of forming a resist film on an upper surface of the sticking layer, the resist film having an opening exposing the upper surface of the sticking layer; a metal layer forming step of forming a metal layer, so as to cover an upper surface of the resist film and cover a side surface of the resist film and the upper surface of the sticking layer forming the opening for forming the wiring; a plating film forming step of filling with a plating film the opening for forming the wiring; a metal layer and plating film removing step; a resist film removing step; and a sticking layer removing step of removing the sticking layer of an unnecessary part not covered with the metal layer, after the resist film removing step.
US08066861B1

A method for producing metal powder is provided the comprising supplying a molten bath containing a reducing agent, contacting a metal oxide with the molten bath for a time and at a temperature sufficient to reduce the metal in the metal oxide to elemental metal and produce free oxygen; and isolating the elemental metal from the molten bath.
US08066859B2

A sensor supervision system for periodically providing a test to accesses the status of a gas detection sensor, such as a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, is provided. To access the status of the CO sensor, a processor provides a voltage to the sensor supervision system, such that a voltage is applied to CO sensor, charging the CO sensor. The status of the CO sensor is accessed by determining the change in the voltage charge of the CO sensor between two sampling time points. If the first sample voltage is substantially equal to the second sample voltage, i.e., a substantially constant voltage, the carbon monoxide sensor fails the test. However, if there is an change is the voltage change between the first and second sampled time points, the CO sensor passes the test.
US08066854B2

The invention is directed to efficient methods for depositing highly adherent anti-microbial materials onto a wide range of surfaces. A controlled cathodic arc process is described, which results in enhanced adhesion of silver oxide to polymers and other surfaces, such as surfaces of medical devices. Deposition of anti-microbial materials directly onto the substrates is possible in a cost-effective manner that maintains high anti-microbial activity over several weeks when the coated devices are employed in vivo.
US08066853B2

A method of forming an inorganic alignment film made substantially of an inorganic material on a base substrate is provided comprising a milling process of irradiating ion beams onto the surface of the base substrate, on which the inorganic alignment film is to be formed, from a direction inclined at a predetermined angle θb with respect to a direction vertical to the surface, and a film-forming process of forming the inorganic alignment film on the base substrate onto which the ion beams are irradiated. In the milling process, the predetermined angle θb is preferably 2° or more. In the milling process, an acceleration voltage of the ion beams during the irradiation of the ion beams is preferably 400 to 1400 V.
US08066845B2

A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.
US08066838B1

A method of fabricating a composite tubular member includes providing a mandrel having a central longitudinal axis and wrapping a plurality of composite fiber layers around said mandrel wherein the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel. The composite tubular member produced does not have any longitudinal seams and is thus considerably stronger and more durable than prior art composite tubes.
US08066837B2

Processes comprising providing a layer composite comprising a layer of photopolymerizable material and a removable substrate film disposed on one side of the layer of photopolymerizable material, wherein the photopolymerizable material comprises an elastomeric binder, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a photoinitiator; and (a) miter-cutting two edges of the layer composite to be joined, to form two miter-cut ends; (b) providing a hollow cylinder on a rotatably mounted support cylinder, wherein the hollow cylinder has an outer surface and is in a temporarily locked position relative to the support cylinder; (c) applying an adhesion-promoting layer to the outer surface of the hollow cylinder; (d) applying the layer composite to the hollow cylinder bearing the adhesive-promoting layer, wherein the layer composite is disposed on the hollow cylinder such that the removable substrate film faces away from the hollow cylinder and the two miter-cut ends lie substantially one on top of the other, but not overlapping; (e) removing the substrate film from the layer of photopolymerizable material to provide an exposed surface of the layer of photopolymerizable material; (f) contacting the exposed surface of the layer of photopolymerizable material with a rotating calender roll with heating to join the two miter-cut edges and form a processed hollow cylinder, wherein heating comprises a locally-acting heat source moved in an axial direction relative to the hollow cylinder along the entire width of the layer of photopolymerizable material such that the exposed surface is heated; and (g) removing the processed hollow cylinder from the support cylinder.
US08066835B2

A method and an apparatus are described for the production of a mitered corner joint between parts of a frame, by vibration welding. During the welding procedure, in each case two parts of a frame are displaced by oscillatory heads into mutually perpendicular straight-line translatorial oscillations, the phases of which have been matched to one another in such a way that mitered areas of the two parts of the frame oscillate perpendicularly with respect to a stationary mitered plane and through the same, while the mitered area is retained under a prescribed welding pressure in the system. The method and the apparatus can be used for the simultaneous production of the four corner joints of a frame, in particular of a frame of the moveable or fixed part of windows or of doors. For this, at least four, and preferably eight, oscillatory heads, which displace the parts of the frame into the translatorial oscillations, are synchronized in such a way that their frequencies and amplitudes are the same.
US08066833B2

A novel non-toxic IR tracer composition is provided herein which, when incorporated into an IR tracer projectile which is then fired, generates a dim visibility IR trace. Such IR tracer composition is a non-toxic, boron-containing, IR tracer composition comprising: from about 20 to about 30% by weight, or from about 45 to about 60% by weight, of potassium perchlorate; from about 5 to about 16% by weight of a metallic fuel which consists of boron; from about 20 to about 25% by weight, or from about 40 to about 50% by weight, of a non-metallic fuel which consists of sodium salicylate; from about 5 to about 10% by weight of a retardant which consists either of iron carbonate or magnesium carbonate; and an effective amount of binder, wherein the total percentage of such ingredients add up to 100%. A novel IR tracer projectile containing such IR tracer composition for generating a dim visibility IR trace is also provided.
US08066823B2

Devices for cleaning of enclosed spaces by means of liquid sprayed out. The device comprises a housing with a stationary part to which the liquid is supplied and on which a rotatable part bearing a hub is mounted. The hub has at least one spray nozzle. An element suspends the hub in a bearing in the rotatable part. The rotatable part comprises a turbine driven by the liquid and having a planetary gear for turning the rotatable part and at least one nozzle so that the liquid sprayed out by at least one of the nozzles during rotation sweeps across the inside of the enclosed spaces. The stationary part comprises an upper ring gear in engagement with a lower ring gear on the hub, which two ring gears are surrounded by the housing. The turbine and the planetary gear are fitted in the rotatable part to achieve a compact device.
US08066822B2

Dish washing machine including a steam generator. The dish washing machine also includes a tub that defines a dish washing space therein. A water supply supplies water to the steam generator, and a steam flow conduit guides steam, generated by the steam generator, to the dish washing space. An over-pressure prevention conduit having one end connected to the water supply conduit and the other end connected to either the steam flow conduit or the tub. The over-pressure prevention conduit prevents water in the steam generator from flowing backward into the water conduit and/or the public water supply when a reverse water pressure condition occurs.
US08066820B2

A method of cleaning at least one article having a surface to be cleaned, the method comprising the steps of inserting the article into a cleaning chamber (3), subjecting the surface of the article to treatment with water vapor under conditions such that at least a portion of the water vapor condenses on said surface of the article as condensed water, and introducing an organic solvent into the cleaning chamber (3) and thereby removing the condensed water from the surface of the article, wherein no immersion of the article in water or aqueous solution takes place in the cleaning chamber.
US08066808B2

An ink set for ink-jet recording includes a plurality of color inks, wherein the following formulae (a) to (d) are satisfied. Light OD reduction rate (X %)=[(A−B)/A]×100  (a) Ozone OD reduction rate (Y %)=[(C−D)/C]×100  (b) Total OD reduction rate (Z %)=X+Y
US08066806B2

A sintered silicon oxide for film vapor deposition having a density of 1.0 to 2.0 g/cm3, three-point flexural strength of at least 50 g/mm2, and a BET specific surface area of 0.1 to 20 m2/g is provided. When this sintered silicon oxide is used for evaporation source of a film, pin holes and other defects of the film caused by the problematic splash phenomenon can be reliably prevented and stable production of a reliable package material having excellent gas barrier property is been enabled. This invention also provides a method for producing such sintered silicon oxide, and this method can be used in a large scale production without requiring any special technology, and therefore, this method is capable of supplying the market with the sintered silicon oxide at reduced cost.
US08066803B2

The invention relates to vacuum cleaner filter bag with a bag wall made of a filter material, wherein the bag wall and/or the interior of the vacuum cleaner filter bag comprise fibres containing a biopolymer and having an antibacterial effect and/or a powder produced from a biopolymer and having an antibacterial effect.
US08066796B1

A method of creating simulated agglutinate particles by applying a heat source sufficient to partially melt a raw material is provided. The raw material is preferably any lunar soil simulant, crushed mineral, mixture of crushed minerals, or similar material, and the heat source creates localized heating of the raw material.
US08066792B2

According to one representative embodiment, an exhaust aftertreatment component that includes a housing that defines an interior cavity through which exhaust gas is flowable. The housing includes an inner body, an outer body, and a space defined between the inner and outer bodies. The component also includes an insulation pack that is positioned within the space. The insulation pack includes insulation media encapsulated by a flexible fabric. The insulation pack further includes an at least partially rigid member that has a rigidity greater than a rigidity of the insulation media and flexible fabric.
US08066791B2

An air cleaner assembly and components therefor are provided. Features are described providing for a cantilevered support of a filter cartridge contained therein, and also, in some examples anti-rotational support. Also, a supported housing seal is shown. A filter cartridge arrangement is described and shown. Methods of assembly and use are also described.
US08066790B2

A filter housing and filter cartridge engagement structure comprising a housing having at least one ramp adapted to engage lugs of the at least one filter cartridge.
US08066789B2

A system for depressurizing and cooling a high pressure, high temperature fine solid particles stream having entrained gas therein. In one aspect, the system has an apparatus for cooling the high pressure, high temperature fine solid particles stream having entrained gas therein and a pressure letdown device for depressurization by separating the cooled fine solid particles from a portion of the fine solid particles stream having entrained gas therein, resulting in a lower temperature, lower pressure outlet of solid particles for disposal or handling by downstream equipment.
US08066788B2

An engine generator including an engine, a generator and an air cleaner inside a case is disclosed. A wall section of the case is dented in the internal direction of the case to provide a filter accommodation section with a space for accommodating a filter. The space has an opening that opens toward the exterior of the case. The filter accommodation section has an outside-air intake port. The opening is blocked by an air cleaner cover.
US08066781B2

The present disclosure relates to a composition for dyeing or lightening human keratin fibers, comprising: a cosmetically acceptable medium; at least 25% by weight of at least one fatty substance; at least one cationic polymer; at least one dye chosen from oxidation dyes and direct dyes; at least one basifying agent; and at least one oxidizing agent. The disclosure also relates to a dyeing or lightening process using it. Another subject of the disclosure is multi-compartment devices or kits for obtaining, after mixing together the compositions of the compartments, just before its application, a composition according to the disclosure.
US08066776B2

Prosthesis for implantation in the knee having a tibial component for attachment to the tibia. The tibial component has a first, upper surface and a second, lower surface opposite the first surface for attachment to the tibia. The first surface includes a lateral bearing region having a convex form and a medial bearing region having a flat form, arranged such that the respective angles of inclination in sagittal planes of the lateral and medial bearing regions of the component in situ when fitted to the tibia are different.
US08066771B2

A spinal prosthesis system having a caudal prosthesis provided with a pair of pedicle anchors for coupling to an inferior vertebral body, the caudal prosthesis including an artificial caudal facet joint structure comprising a pair of caudal bearing surfaces. A cephalad prosthesis is provided with a second pair of pedicle anchors for coupling to a superior vertebral body. The cephalad prosthesis includes an artificial cephalad facet joint structure having a pair of cephalad bearing surfaces. An artificial facet joint is formed between the adjoining vertebral bodies by articulation of the artificial caudal facet joint structure with the artificial cephalad facet joint structure.
US08066770B2

The present invention concerns articles having an outer surface that bears at least two layers of metal particles, wherein the at least two layers comprise an outermost layer and an intermediate layer; the outermost layer consisting essentially of aspherical metallic particles having a mean particle size of 50 to 500 microns; and the intermediate layer consisting essentially of substantially spherical metallic particles having a mean particle size of from 50 to 500 microns. In some embodiments, the outer surface has a volume porosity of between about 20% to about 80%.
US08066760B2

A system for treating abnormalities of the cardiovascular system includes a stent having a plurality of movable crown portions. When the stent is expanded, the crown portions move to a diameter recoil prevention position. One embodiment of the invention includes crown portions that translate from a concave to a convex configuration with respect to the strut portions of the stent during expansion of the stent. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method reducing diameter recoil of stent upon expansion of the stent.
US08066754B2

A medical device comprising a catheter having a retractable outer sheath and a rolling membrane. The catheter includes a catheter inner shaft about which a stent in a reduced diameter configuration may be disposed. A stent retaining region of the sheath is disposed about the stent to retain the stent in the reduced diameter state prior to delivery. The rolling membrane is engaged to a portion of the outer sheath at an engagement region. The rolling membrane is positioned between the catheter inner shaft and the outer sheath and prior to retraction of the sheath the rolling membrane is disposed about at least a proximal section of the stent and is rollingly retracted therefrom when the sheath is retracted to deliver the stent. The device also recaptures a stent by pressurizing a intra-catheter space, which results in the longitudinal movement of the outer sheath in a distal direction to recover and retain the stent.
US08066752B2

A method and apparatus for adjusting body core temperature are provided. The apparatus comprises an appendage chamber that is adapted to be disassembled from a heat exchange element. In one aspect, the appendage chamber is disposable. The appendage chamber provides a negative pressure environment for a patient's appendage placed therein. An appendage is heated and exposed to a negative pressure environment within the apparatus to efficiently raise or maintain the body core temperature of the patient.
US08066751B2

The invention relates to an implantable orthopaedic device, in particular for the cervical spine, of the type formed by a support plate (2) provided with at least one orifice (3) for passage of a fixing screw (4), which orifice (3) is provided with locking means comprising a slotted metal ring (8) accommodated in a receiving groove (5) on the circumference of said orifice (3) of the plate and intended to cooperate with an annular channel (10) formed in the screw head (4a). According to the invention, the annular chamber (10) of the screw head (4a) is framed by an end of male spherical contour (11′) and by a truncated annular protuberance (12). This end of male spherical contour (11′) is designed to cooperate with the complementary female spherical contour (7a′) formed on the upper flange (7a) of the plate groove (5). Moreover, the locking ring (8) is mounted “floating” in its receiving groove (5), and the channel (10) of the screw head (4a) is connected to said annular protuberance (12) via a truncated part (10c) allowing the screw to be undone.
US08066732B2

Described are devices, methods and systems useful for achieving occlusion of vascular vessels. Percutaneous procedures can be used to occlude and obliterate the greater saphenous vein, for example in the treatment of varicose vein condition caused by venous reflux. Certain embodiments encompass the percutaneous delivery of an occlusion device inverted within a cannula, its deployment and filling, so as to occlude or obliterate a portion of a vascular vessel.
US08066731B2

A treatment device is provided including a catheter having a lumen that is opened to a distal end of the catheter; a wire passing through the lumen so that the wire is inserted into or retracted from the lumen; and a piece disposed at a distal end of the wire and having the maximum width when the piece is protruded from the distal end of the catheter is set larger than the diameter of the lumen, wherein the piece body is formed of a deformable material having a broad curved surface shape that distributes concentration of pressure acting on tissues, and when the wire is pulled in toward the catheter, the piece being extended in the axial direction by the lumen and reduced in its outer diameter so as to be pulled into the lumen.
US08066729B2

An obturator has an elongated shaft with a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion within an obturator housing. The distal end of the first shaft portion creates a first shield and the distal end of the second shaft portion creates a second shield. A blade having a piercing tip and cutting edges is interposed between the first shield and the second shield. In use, once the piercing tip passes the body wall, the first shield moves to cover the piercing tip and protect internal organs from accidental injury while the cutting edges continue to cut the body wall. Once the second shield passes through the body wall, the second shield moves to cover the cutting edges.
US08066728B2

Single-use lancet device includes a body. A movable skin engaging member is at least partially disposed inside the body and includes a lancet opening through which a lancet needle extends. A holding member can move at least between a retracted position and an extended position. The skin engaging member is structured and arranged to retract into the body. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08066726B2

A system for treatment of a vessel lesion comprises an expandable balloon and at least one cutting blade engaged to an exterior surface of the balloon. At least a portion of the cutting blade has a substantially serpentine configuration defined by a plurality of interconnected peaks and troughs wherein each trough is in closer proximity to the balloon than each peak.
US08066720B2

An exemplary method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing a surgical stapler that includes at least one staple, a pusher configured to hold at least one staple, a splay arm movable relative to the pusher, where that splay arm includes two spaced-apart splay tips, and a driver movable relative to the pusher; splaying at least one staple by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips; and after splaying, closing at least one staple by plastically deforming the distalmost staple against the splay tips. Another exemplary method for surgically stapling tissue may include providing a surgical stapler comprising a plurality of staples, a pusher configured to hold the staples, a splay arm movable relative to the pusher, a driver movable relative to the pusher, wherein the pusher, splay arm and driver are initially in a first configuration relative to one another; splaying at least one staple to a splayed state; after splaying, closing at least one splayed staple, after which the pusher, splay arm and driver are in a second configuration relative to one another; and resetting the stapler to the first configuration of the pusher, splay arm and driver; where the splaying and closing each plastically deform at least one staple.
US08066716B2

An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body's natural wound healing response. The method of the invention creates more normal dermal architectures in skin with limited depths of skin removal by the series of superficial treatments that may be comparable to the extent of neocollagenesis caused by a deep skin removal treatment (e.g., CO2 laser skin removal).
US08066713B2

A remotely-activated injection device for use in vertebroplasty is provided to inject a flourescent probe material into a patient. The injection device includes a pump defining an injection chamber having an exit opening; an actuator; and a cable having a first end coupled to the actuator, and a second end remotely engaging the pump. The actuator remotely controls the pump by responsive movement of the cable to thereby cause injection of a flourescent probe material from the injection chamber of the pump through the exit opening to the patient.
US08066709B2

An apparatus and method for placing adjacent vertebrae at a fixed distance and angular relationship relative to each other, fixing said vertebrae in said position by use of a milling block engaging each of said adjacent vertebrae and then using a milling means, the depth, length and excursion of which from side to side are controlled by said apparatus to machine out a defined thickness of bone and a space of defined length, height, width and shape in preparation for receiving an interbody spinal implant or graft of known size and configuration are disclosed.
US08066698B2

A cryosurgery device includes an aerosol container holding a liquid refrigerant and having a valve and a stem extending out therefrom; an actuator seated on the stem and including an outlet tube for receiving released refrigerant from the container; a hub mounted on the container and including slots therein; and a base having a central opening for receiving the hub, the base including aligning projections that enter the slots in the hub to engage and apply pressure to the actuator to cause the actuator to depress the stem and release refrigerant into the base. The container may further contain an applicator tube mounted to the hub in fluid communication with the outlet tube with a porous tip mounted to a distal end of the applicator tube for receiving the refrigerant and, being chilled thereby, applied to a skin lesion to be treated.
US08066696B2

An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus, which allows SLT to be performed by a laser source not having a Q-switch which emits a continuous wave laser beam, has a laser source capable of emitting a continuous wave visible laser beam to be absorbed into pigment cells of trabecular meshwork, an irradiation optical system for directing the laser beam to a patient's eye so as to irradiate the eye with the laser beam, a device for pulsing the laser beam by controlling a driving duration of the laser source or opening and closing durations of a shutter in the irradiation optical system, a device capable of setting an irradiation duration of the laser beam within a range of 0.1 msec to 5 msec in order to perform Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, and a device capable of setting irradiation energy density of the laser beam within a range of 1 J/cm2 to 8.5 J/cm2.
US08066683B2

A disposable diaper is provided, including an absorber, a top sheet, a back sheet, and a skin contact sheet (SCS) disposed above the top sheet. The skin contact sheet is formed with a stool passing opening and a urine passing opening at a portion corresponding to a crotch part, and includes an SCS central region formed by extending a strip-shaped inter-opening region, which is sandwiched by the two openings and extends in the width direction, by half the length between the openings in the anterior direction and in the posterior direction; an SCS ventral region located at the ventral side from the SCS central region; and an SCS dorsal region located at the dorsal side from the SCS central region. A least the SCS central region has the stretching force in the width direction, and an inter-opening central region sandwiched by the two openings includes a non-stretchable region.
US08066680B2

An intradermal delivery method for use in intradermally injecting substances into the skin of an animal includes a needle cannula supported by a hub portion that is attachable to a prefillable container. A limiter portion surrounds the needle cannula and extends away from the hub portion toward a forward tip of the needle cannula. The limiter portion includes a skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to an axis of the needle cannula. The skin engaging surface is received against skin of an animal to administer an intradermal injection. The forward tip extends beyond the skin engaging surface a distance that enables penetration of the needle cannula into the dermis layer of the skin of the animal enabling injection of the substance into the dermis layer of the animal. The device includes enclosure means that is moveable for concealing the needle cannula after the injection has been administered.
US08066678B2

The needle of a syringe, wire guide, biopsy needle, Huber needle and the like is drawn into a protective cap and sheath arrangement after use for disposal purposes. The cap is tethered to a housing in which the needle is mounted by the sheath. The sheath is made of a film material that has a high tensile strength and a low percent of elongation, such as polyester. The sheath is initially mounted about the needle in a collapsed accordion-like condition between the cap and housing. When the cap is moved along the needle, the sheath is played out over the needle. The cap houses a spring clip to snap over the bore through which the needle is retracted to prevent re-emergence of the needle. The flexible nature of the sheath allows the sheath to pass about the two legs of the Huber needle.
US08066673B2

A stabilization seal is used with existing cannulas for forming a gas-tight seal with tissue in a body wall. The stabilization seal includes a cylindrical inflatable elongate tube having a graduated wall-thickness that is thicker in a central region and thinner in a distal-end region. The tube includes a sealing cuff, having an inflation port, for sealing around a cannula. Application of inflation pressure greatly expands the distal-end region while the central region expands slightly. Another embodiment of a stabilization seal includes an inflatable thread that is used with a cannula having a helical channel on its outer surface. An inflatable tube is wound into the channel. A distal end of the tube includes a gas-tight seal and a proximal end of the tube includes an inflation port. In the uninflated condition the nested tube is flush with the channel. Inflating the tube enlarges the cannula assembly.
US08066672B2

An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup power supply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic.
US08066666B2

The catheter comprises a catheter tube formed of two superposed tubular layers of materials which differ from one another. A tubular mediator layer is arranged between the layers to provide an adhesive anchorage for the layers.
US08066662B2

A programmable injection device, comprising: a nozzle comprising a nozzle head with a fluid input hole and a distinct injection hole, the nozzle head accepts a dose of fluid from the fluid input hole to be injected into the skin of a patient through the injection hole, without use of a needle, a fluid capsule that is connected to said nozzle head and is adapted to provide the nozzle head with multiple doses of fluid for successive injections, without replacing the fluid capsule, an injection head that is adapted to have said fluid capsule and said nozzle head mounted onto it, comprising a first mechanism adapted to forcefully push a dose of a programmable amount of fluid from said fluid capsule to said nozzle head and a second mechanism for injecting by an programmable pressure said dose of fluid from said nozzle head into the skin of a patient in at least one of a programmable velocity or a programmable pressure applied to the skin surface.
US08066661B2

Formulations are described that are viscous and will benefit from needle-free delivery at high driving pressures. Conventional delivery of these viscous formulations by hypodermic syringes is inconvenient as well as painful. Formulations include those which have a viscosity of about 5 cS or more at about 20° C. and which can have 0.5 ml or more administered by a needle-free injector in about 0.1 second±0.02 seconds.
US08066660B2

A split-tip catheter for placement within the vasculature of a patient and for use in hemodialysis or other suitable procedures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the split-tip catheter includes a catheter body that defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The catheter body further comprises a split distal region, including a venous segment that defines a distal portion of the first lumen and an arterial segment that defines a distal portion of the second lumen. The venous segment includes a recess extending proximally of a nose portion; and a lateral opening in fluid communication with the first lumen. The arterial segment is separate from the venous segment and is removably seatable in the recess provided by the venous segment such that it “nests” therein. The arterial segment also includes a lateral opening in fluid communication with the second lumen.
US08066651B2

A medical examination chair is used to seat a patient and move the patient along three essentially-perpendicular planes over a wide range. The chair includes a primary arc which is connected to a stationary column by a horizontal shaft, forming a first axis of rotation. A second axis of rotation, which is essentially perpendicular to the first, passes through first and second ends of the primary arc. The chair also includes a secondary arc which is equipped with a seat and which is disposed inside the primary arc. Third and fourth ends of the secondary arc are connected to the first and second ends of the primary arc by an upper shaft and a lower shaft. The primary and secondary arcs can rotate around the first and second axes of rotation respectively. The medical examination chair further includes braking elements for suddenly stopping the rotational movement.
US08066647B2

A signal representative of a patient's respiration is split into equal length epochs. A primary feature is extracted from each epoch that acts as a compressed representation of the signal events. Statistics are applied to the primary feature to produce one or more secondary features that represent the entire epoch. Each secondary feature is grouped with one or more other features that are extracted from the entire epoch rather than selected epoch events. This grouping is the epoch pattern. The pattern is manipulated with suitable classifier algorithm to produce a probability for each class within the algorithm, that the signal may be representative of a disease state (Cheyne-Stokes, OSA etc). The epoch is assigned to the class with the highest probability. Also defined are methods of detecting Cheyne-Stokes breathing by analyzing a signal to detect one or regions of hyperpnoea and if the length of a hyperpnoea exceeds a parameter, Cheyne-Stokes is present.
US08066634B2

A digital otoscope for capturing live and still digital images of body tissue and having associated optical characteristics that improve the quality of visual information gathered for medical inspection of both human and veterinary subjects. The digital otoscope includes a tip element having dimensions that are small enough to fit into a small body cavity, such as an ear canal. The tip element and the otoscope enclose an assembly of optical components yielding optical characteristics that provide a substantially wide field of view and a substantially wide range of optimal focus from which to form visual information within a small and confined body cavity.
US08066621B2

A method and system for exercising areas of the body such as the neck, the wrist, the ankle, and the torso which require a wide range of motion and effective resistance over this range. A first member can rotate in relation to a frame and a user interface (second member) is moveable in relation to the first member. As a user pushes on the user interface in any of an X-Y direction the user interface travels in a controlled arcuate three-dimensional motion. The user interface is attached to a lead (rope or cable) which holds the user interface at a rest position and also provides a force on the user interface in the opposite direction of the users force. The lead is attached to an adjustable resistive system and/or a damping system that resists the movement of the sliding assembly. The lead spools in and out of from a central location through a fairlead. Many mechanical configurations can be utilized to allow the user interface to travel in an arcuate path in the direction which it is pushed.
US08066580B2

A golf training plate including a body rectangular in shape comprising a top surface, a left side, a right side, a forward side and a rear side having two foot placement cutouts extending from the rear side towards the forward side and an alignment arm in the shape of an “L” comprising a short portion adjacent the right side of the body and a long portion, substantially parallel to the forward side of the body defining a training space for placement of a ball. The body and the alignment arm each have a series of ball alignment lines to aid in placement of the ball relative to the foot placement cutouts.
US08066574B2

A damper mechanism 4 has a clutch plate 21 and a retaining plate 22 disposed aligned in the axial direction, a hub flange 6 disposed relatively rotatably in the axial direction between the plates 21 and 22, and a second coil spring 8 for elastically linking the plates 21 and 22 to the hub flange 6 in the rotational direction. The plates 21 and 22 have a pair of first main body components 28, and a plurality of linking components 31 that are disposed in the rotational direction between first protrusions 49 and second protrusions 57 and that link the pair of first main body components 28. The plurality of linking components 31 is disposed such that adjacent pitches are different.
US08066572B1

One or more systems for transmitting real-time game information for a game to a remote device are provided. The system can include at least one remote terminal unit adapted to be communicated with a controller associated with a game information display device. The remote terminal unit can communicate with a network in communication with each remote terminal unit and with a game server. The game server can include a game server processor. The game server processor can be in communication with each remote terminal unit. A game server data storage can be in communication with the game server processor.
US08066567B2

A control system including MR or ER fluid is used to control actuation. The control system is configured to engage or disengage operably coupled elements. A joystick control system for a vehicle includes a controller configured to control engagement of operably coupled elements.
US08066561B1

A system, method, and computer readable storage to provide a wagering game that awards bettors who correctly predict which of several parties in competition will be the last to successfully meet the requirements of a predetermined sequence of outcomes. Bettors can also wager on the length of the sequence achieved.
US08066559B2

The invention eliminates recirculation or back draft associated cooling air flows in systems that use two or more cooling fans/blowers (or other possible cooling devices). The inventive device with accomplish this by mean of an “Iris-like” in-plane device. The solution described herein is to be passive in nature (although it could be made to respond to electronic or other signals/commands/control mechanisms) and will be capable of responding to a filed fan/blower and engage at the time of fan/blower failure simply by detecting the change of pressure associated with the failed cooling device. The inventive device will reduce the space required and the cost associated with back draft damping or recirculation. In addition, the device can be retrofitted to existing systems and can be designed to be an integral part of a finger guard (a safety feature) of a cooling fan. The device will also provide acoustic advantages of more traditional back draft or recirculation as the Iris will retract completely out of the airflow during normal operation and therefore not result in the acoustic vibrations associated with many of the existing solutions.
US08066558B2

Demand ventilation protocols can address the issue of sensor failure while still providing desirable levels of energy conservation. An occupancy indicator such as a sensor can be monitored. If the sensor reading is determined to be incorrect, unexpected or otherwise erroneous, the ventilation system can provide an amount of fresh air sufficient for adequate ventilation without over-ventilating the building.
US08066550B2

A wafer polishing method, in which the outer circumferential edge of a polishing member is first cut by a cutting tool fixed to a table base, thereby forming the polishing member into a completely round shape and also positioning the polishing member in a Y direction at a Y-directional reference position of the table base. Thereafter, a polishing unit is once lifted in the condition where the table base remains still at the reference position. Thereafter, the table base is horizontally moved toward a column in the Y direction to thereby position the polishing member in the Y direction so that only a peripheral portion of the wafer is polished by the polishing member. At this time, the horizontal travel of the table base is preliminarily obtained from the Y-directional positional relation between the cutting tool and the wafer held on a chuck table and from the width of the peripheral portion to be polished. Finally, the polishing unit is lowered to make the lower surface of the polishing member into pressure contact with the peripheral portion of the wafer, thus polishing only the peripheral portion.
US08066541B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing a contact pin (01) for use as an electric contact element of a fluorescent tube, wherein the contact pin has a recess (06) extending along the longitudinal axis (05) thereof, wherein a connection wire of the fluorescent tube can be inserted into said recess and can be electrically connected to the contact pin (01), wherein the outer wall of the contact pin (01) has a cylindrical contact region (17) which can be engaged in a base bracket of the fluorescent tube in order to establish an electrical contact between the base bracket and the fluorescent tube, and wherein the outer wall of the contact pin (01) has an annular collar (08) with which the contact pin rests against the wall (04) of an end cap (02) when inserted into a recess of the end cap (02) which is provided on the axial end of the fluorescent tube.
US08066535B2

A mounting apparatus includes a mounting rack and an electronic device. The mounting rack includes a frame. An interface is defined in the frame. The frame includes a securing member. An electronic device is inserted in the mounting rack from front to back. The electronic device includes a back wall. The back wall is adjacent to the frame and defines a port for receiving a cable. The cable is secured to the securing member and inserted into the interface of the frame.
US08066534B1

A probe connector includes a pedestal shell having a pedestal platform and a barrel extending upward from the pedestal platform with a fastening body protruded outward at a top of the barrel, a positioning shell removably coupled to the fastening body and having a blocking plate covered on the top of the barrel and side plates abutting against outsides of the fastening body, a probe pin movably restrained in the barrel by the blocking plate and further projecting upward out of the blocking plate, and an elastic element assembled between the probe pin and the pedestal platform. Two windows are opened at two opposite parts of the fastening body. Two opposite side plates are provided with two contact arms extending downward and inclined towards each other to pass through the windows and always resist against the probe pin to clip the probe pin therebetween.
US08066530B2

The assembly has a subscriber identification module comprising a housing with a recess disposed in the housing. An electrical connector portion is secured to the housing. The connector portion comprises a dielectric body and connector terminals. A subscriber identification module is housed in the housing, where the subscriber identification module has device terminals. A conductor or flexible substrate electrically connects the connector terminals to the device terminals. A protective filler overlies the subscriber identification module and at least part of the conductor or the flexible substrate.
US08066528B1

A card connector includes an insulating housing which defines a first inserting groove and two soldering openings opened behind the first inserting groove with top ends thereof communicating with the first inserting groove. A plurality of first signal terminals is disposed in the base portion and each has a contacting portion exposed in the first inserting groove and a soldering tail projecting in the soldering opening. A main shell enclosing the insulating housing has a base plate covered on the first inserting groove, and a monitoring gap opened in a rear of the base plate and facing the soldering openings. An auxiliary shell, enclosing the soldering openings after the soldering tails are soldered to a printed circuit board, has a top shielding plate mated with the monitoring gap to cover tops of the soldering openings, and a rear shielding plate covering rears of the soldering openings.
US08066525B2

An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing or otherwise retainer from movement in the housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends/side of the connector. Various styles of connectors are made possibly, including modular connectors that may be assembled in multiple combinations.
US08066521B2

An electronic device includes a main body, a circuit board, a receiving space defined in one side of the main body, a plurality of USB ports and a driving module. The receiving space includes a plurality of sets of fixed contacts on a bottom thereof, and the fixed contacts are electrically connected to the circuit board in the main body. The plurality of USB ports are slidably received in the receiving space, and each USB port comprises a set of external contacts. The driving module is configured to push one of the USB ports to a first position, wherein the USB port is able to slide from the first position to a second position where the set of external contacts of the USB port engages one of the plurality of sets of fixed contacts, which electrically connects the one of the USB ports with the circuit board.
US08066505B2

An injection molding nozzle comprises a material feed pipe subtending a flow duct communicating flow-wise with at least one nozzle tip. Each tip points transversely to axial direction A of the nozzle and is held by a manifold. The manifold is pluggable/insertable into the material feed pipe and includes a neck and a base. A manifold duct system is subtended in the manifold. A main duct extending the flow duct is in the neck and the base comprises a deflection site and at least one manifold duct. The manifold duct runs radially to axial direction A. The nozzle tip is affixed in a seating unit fitted with a central recess. Radial boreholes running transversely to axial direction A fit into the seating unit and receive plugged-in nozzle tips. The central recess receives the base, the nozzle tip being secured by the base to and in the seating unit.
US08066504B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for making a rotor blade spar from composite material wherein a multi-component mandrel is used to form the composite spar. The mandrel is made using a number of components that are assembled and held in place using a roller assembly. The roller assembly is removed after pre-cure lay up and compaction of the composite material. Once the roller assembly is removed, the remaining mandrel components can be separated from each other and easily removed from the spar. The mandrel components, including the roller assembly, can then be re-assembled and re-used to form additional composite spars.
US08066500B2

In one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge assembly for connection to the frame of a high-pressure, high-temperature press comprises a front end comprising a back-up intermediate and coaxial with an anvil and a piston, the anvil comprising a proximal end in contact with the back-up and a distal end that forms part of a pressurized chamber within the frame, the back-up comprising a proximal end comprising a first diameter proximate an interface with a distal end of the piston, and a distal end comprising a second diameter proximate an interface with the proximal end of the anvil, the back-up comprising one or more circumferential reliefs disposed on the first diameter.
US08066498B2

The objects of the present invention are to provide a magnetic field molding device capable of improving yield in a production and stabilizing product quality, and a method for producing a ferrite magnet. In molding in a magnetic field, the mortar-shaped die 19 provided with a plurality of the cavities 13 is heated by the heater member 20, provided in the heater block located under the mortar-shape die 19, under control of a controller at varying temperature depending on the position of the mortar-shape die 19, to keep uniform temperature of the slurry in the cavities 13. This assures good and stable slurry dehydration properties and improves product yield.
US08066493B2

An aspirator for inflating an aircraft evacuation slide, emergency raft or other inflatable device includes a flexible, collapsible aspirator barrel that is inflated during operation to form a substantially rigid tube. According to one embodiment, the inflatable support member receives a flow of high pressure air directly from the aspirator injector nozzle assembly. According to another embodiment, the collapsible aspirator barrel receives a flow of high pressure gas directly from the high pressure inflation source. Because the aspirator barrel of the present invention is collapsible, the present invention occupies significantly less space when stored than an equivalent aspirator with a rigid aspirator barrel.
US08066482B2

A gas turbine engine component having shaped cooling holes that further enhances the cooling of a desired region while reducing stress levels in and around the cooling holes is disclosed. The cooling holes are generally elliptically-shaped and diffuse from a cooling fluid supply side to a discharge side and are oriented on the turbine component to reduce stress concentrations while directing the cooling fluid to a desired surface or location. The elliptical cooling holes have openings in the surface that have high points that are concentric and planar.
US08066468B2

The invention relates to collecting and conveying devices for stacks of sheets (3), comprising a collecting station (1) in which a corresponding number of sheet stacks (3) are formed simultaneously from several imbricated flows (2) of sheets which are guided adjacent to each other, a transversal transporter (4) which is arranged at a distance behind the collecting station (1) for transporting the finished stack of sheets (3) in a manner transversal to the direction of transport of the sheets in the collecting station (1) and a transfer device (5) which is used to transport the stack of sheets (3) from the collecting station (1) to the transversal transporter (4). According to the invention, a carriage (9) that can be displaced over a given path in a manner that is synchronous with the transversal support (4) is arranged adjacent thereto. Also, a row of holding down clamps (10) is secured to said carriage and the holding down clamps can be lowered on the stack of sheets (3) located on the transversal transporter (4).
US08066457B2

The invention relates to a machine tool, particularly a machine reamer, comprising a shaft-type base and a replaceable cutter head which frontally protrudes from the base. An axially protruding extension of said cutter head engages into a frontal receptacle that is fixed to the base, the cutter head being removably clamped in said receptacle by means of a clamping screw which penetrates the replaceable cutter head in a truly axial direction. The screw head of the clamping screw rests against a face of the replaceable cutter head. The extension of the replaceable cutter head is provided with a polygonal part which is complementary to a truly axial polygonal hole that is fixed to the base and is penetrated by the polygonal part. The extension is further provided with an externally conical part which adjoins the polygonal part, engages into a conical hole that is fixed to the base, and is complementary to said conical hole while the clamping screw is screwed into a central internal thread that is fixed to the base. Preferably, the base is equipped with a functional insert which is rigidly connected to the base and contains the internal thread, the polygonal hole, and/or the conical hole.
US08066453B2

A connection element (10), having a constant cross-section for sheet pile wall components such as sheet piles, features a claw profile (12) for engaging a head strip (44) of a sheet pile wall component (42). The claw profile (12) exhibits a claw-shaped lock (22) formed by two hook strips (18, 20) as well as an attachment profile (14) for engaging in a claw-shaped lock (46) of a sheet pile wall component (42). The attachment profile (14) exhibits a straight neck strip (32) and a head strip (34) of a greater cross-section at its free end. An additional head strip (38) for securing a claw-shaped lock (46) of a sheet pile wall component (42) is formed at the free end section (28) of at least one of the hook strips (20) of the claw profile (12).
US08066443B2

A packaging and application device for a cosmetic product. The device may include a platform, a tube forming a housing for the product and a driving mechanism for translational movement of the platform in the tube. The movement of the platform allows dispensing of product via a dispensing opening in the tube. A side wall of the tube includes an inner cross-section having an inwards-concave portion and an inwards-convex portion. The tube is arranged in a base having an outwards-convex outer cross-section.
US08066427B2

A cooking apparatus includes a spatula assembly and a cooking container comprising an upper access opening and an inner, cooking surface having a spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly includes a spatula driver and a curved spatula pivotally mounted to the cooking container for moving along the cooking surface and about a pivot axis between first and second positions. The pivot axis passes through the center point of the spherical surface portion. The spatula assembly may be constructed so that at least one of the first and second positions is above the pivot axis. The curved spatula may also include a spatula body having an outer surface and a barrier member extending radially inwardly from the outer surface, the outer surface contacting the cooking surface of the cooking container.
US08066422B2

When making moisture content adjustment by adding liquid such as water to a raw material such as pulverulent material including bentonite, uniform mixing of the liquid such as water with the raw material is given with relatively simple facilities, moisture content adjustment of a large quantity of raw materials is attainable, and besides, a material having satisfactory performances such as impermeability is obtainable through uniform moisture content adjustment. Within a mixing tank (1) configured with a normal powder mixer kept at low temperatures, pulverulent bentonite (A) and fine granular ice (B) are stirred and mixed. Stirring and mixing of the fellow pulverulent materials are adapted to uniformly mix the pulverulent bentonite (A) and the fine granular ice (B), enabling uniformly moisture content-adjusted bentonite to be obtained. A liquid-nitrogen gas bomb (21), for instance, is connected to the mixing tank (1), causing the inside of the mixing tank to be kept at low temperatures with nitrogen gas supplied from the bomb, before putting the prepared fine granular ice (B) through an inlet port (20).
US08066421B2

The disclosure relates to a method for effectively and efficiently adding sodium trimetaphosphate to a gypsum slurry. In one exemplary embodiment, the sodium trimetaphosphate is added at the same time as foam is added to the gypsum slurry through the foam waterline. In another exemplary embodiment, the sodium trimetaphosphate is added at the same time as additional water is added to the gypsum slurry through the gauging waterline. The sodium trimetaphosphate can be added to either or both waterlines in its dry form or in a diluted solution.
US08066417B2

Different arrangements for improving the coupling-in efficiency between an LED assembly and a light guide are disclosed. In a first arrangement, a substantially planar end of a light guide is seated on a perimeter wall of a support that encloses a LED assembly, and a reflecting surface enhances coupling efficiency of a light guide. Alternative arrangements use a separate coupler disposed between the LED assembly and the light guide, which coupler has a paraboloid or aspheroid conformation to develop substantially collimated light that is directed into the light guide. The cavity around the LED assembly and within the coupler, may be air or a material having an index of refraction that closely matches the index of refraction of the light guide material.
US08066409B2

A light source device includes a light-condensing device that condenses an illumination light that is emitted from a light source lamp. The light-condensing device includes at least one lens, a lens holder in which a lens is fixedly provided, and a lens holding member. The lens holding member is a member for fixing a lens to the lens holder. The lens holding member causes at least one circumferential portion of the lens to protrude to the lens holder side, and causes the optical axis of the lens to match the optical axis of the illumination light.
US08066406B2

A device for holding and positioning an optic, such as a refractive lens, over a light source such as a light emitting diode. The refractive lens is frustum-shaped with an upper light-exiting end having an upper rim, a lower light-entering end, and a conical sidewall that tapers from the upper rim to the lower end. The device has a channel including a base and first and second sidewalls extending from the opposed side edges of the base, and further having one or more optic holding positions. The optic holding position includes an aperture formed in the base that is configured to receive the conical sidewall of the optic, and an aperture formed in a portion of each sidewall, adjacent the aperture in the base, for retaining a portion of the upper rim of the optic lens. The aperture can include a slot opening through which a portion of the upper rim of the optic lens at least partially extends.
US08066399B2

A solar energy street lamp structure with an adjustable angle is provided. The solar energy street lamp structure includes a lamp holder, a lighting unit, a photovoltaic panel, an electric power storage portion, and an actuation portion. A frame and a holder of the lamp holder are movably coupled by pivot units. The electric power storage portion is placed inside the lamp holder. An actuation unit of the actuation portion is connected between the frame and the holder for adjusting an angle between the frame and the holder such that the lighting unit and the photovoltaic panel, both disposed on the holder, are adjustable synchronously. The photovoltaic panel and the lighting unit are rotatable according to an incident angle of sunlight by adjusting the holder. Thus, the solar energy street lamp structure generates power at enhanced efficiency and can emit light in various directions so as to have wide applicability.
US08066396B2

Various lighting devices are provided which may be used to advantageously illuminate areas of interest in a secure, convenient manner. In one example, a lighting device includes a headlamp. The headlamp includes a base, a body, and a light source. The base includes two support members and an aperture in each of the support members. The body is secured to the base through the apertures and is adapted to rotate relative to the base. The light source is in the body and positioned substantially between the two support members. The light source is adapted to rotate with the body relative to the base to adjust an angle of light emitted by the light source. As another example, related methods are also provided.
US08066393B2

In a backlight which arranges light emitting diodes on a side surface of a light guide plate, irregularities of radiation light from the backlight can be decreased. In a liquid crystal display device having a backlight which radiates light to a liquid crystal panel, LEDs which constitute a light emitting element are mounted on a light guide plate formed on the backlight, and teardrop-shaped lenses are formed on a light radiation surface of the light guide plate. By changing the advancing directions of lights radiated from the light emitting element using the teardrop-shaped lenses, it is possible to decrease irregularities of a planar light source by scattering the radiation lights from the light guide plate.
US08066391B2

A luminary has a central lamp, an emergency lamp and a control box. The emergency lamp is ring-shaped and mounted around a light-emitting end of the central lamp and has a base and a circuit board. The circuit board has an LED set and a cable set connected to the LED set. The control box is electrically connected to cable set of the circuit board, adapted to connect to an AC power and has a battery. The control box drives the LED set when an outage of the AC power occurs. Since emergency illumination is provided by the emergency lamp and is independent of normal illumination provided by the central lamp, battery power for emergency illumination can be kept from being quickly consumed by the central lamp that is usually power-consuming.
US08066389B2

A beam alignment chamber comprising: a base, first and second side walls connected to the base, and a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further including a plurality of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each being disposed to direct the light beams from a corresponding light sources along the length of the beam alignment chamber through the output opening forming an aligned array of parallel light beams, and one or more optical elements positioned in the optical path of the aligned array of light beams disposed to correct the beam divergence with respect to at least one axis.
US08066388B2

A light source device includes a first light source, a second light source, a reflective assembly, and a condensing lens defining an optical axis. The first light source includes a first lamp and a first reflector reflecting light beams generated by the first lamp as first parallel light beams. The second light source includes a second lamp and a second reflector reflecting light beams generated by the second lamp. The first light source, the reflective assembly and the condensing lens are arranged in order along the optical axis. The second light source corresponds to the reflective assembly deviated from the optical axis. The reflective assembly reflects light beams reflected by the first reflector back to the first reflector, and reflects light beams from the second reflector to the condensing lens. The condensing lens condenses the first parallel light beams and the light beams reflected by the reflective assembly.
US08066386B2

A display position control device for projection image which controls a display position of a projection image displayed on a projection surface includes: a display position adjustment control unit which divides display position shift amount from a display target position of the projection image on the projection surface into a value an integer number times larger than a pixel pitch of the projection image and a value smaller than the pixel pitch; a display position control processing unit which performs display position control through image processing based on the value the integer number times larger than the pixel pitch; and a display position control mechanism which performs optical display position control based on the value smaller than the pixel pitch.
US08066384B2

An image projection kit and a imagery content distribution system and method. In one aspect, the invention is a kit for projecting imagery content onto architecture comprising: a projector apparatus comprising a housing containing an image sensor sub-system and an image projector subsystem, a single-reflex lens assembly in operable cooperation with the image sensor sub-system and the image projector sub-system, at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals, and a processor operably connected to the image sensor sub-system, the image projector sub-system and the at least one port of the projector apparatus; a mechanism for mounting the projector apparatus in a fixed orientation having a line a sight to the architecture; a control unit comprising a housing, at least one port for receiving and/or sending data signals and a processor operably connected to the at least one port of the control unit; and a software package for installation on a computer, the software package containing computer code for rendering a composition window on the computer wherein a map corresponding to the architecture can be created, the map comprising at least one matte whose image is projected onto a surface of the architecture, and wherein the size, shape, position, orientation, or any combination thereof of the at least one matte can be adjusted within the composition window so that the projected image of the matte corresponds with the surface of the architecture.
US08066383B2

A wire harness projection guidance system comprises a support stand for supporting a wire harness board used to construct a wire harness. A projector is mounted to the support stand for projecting an image onto a wire harness board supported on the support stand. A memory stores data representing wire route for each of a plurality of individual wires in a wire harness. A programmed processing system is operatively coupled to the memory and the projector for generating a series of images to be projected by the projector. Each image in the series represents one of the stored wire routes for an associated individual wire.
US08066381B2

A polarizing beam splitter includes: first and second prisms each having first and second end surfaces serving as an input surface or an output surface of light and an opposed surface as side surfaces of a pillar-like member; and at least two parallel flat layers disposed in parallel between the opposed surfaces of the first and second prisms. Here, one of the least two parallel flat layers is a first parallel flat layer polarization-separating the input beam. When it is assumed that the refractive index of a base material of the first and second prisms is Np, the resultant refractive index of the parallel flat layers other than the other parallel flat layer of the at least two parallel flat layers is Na, and the refractive index of the other parallel flat layer of the at least two parallel flat layers is Nb, (Na−Np)×(Nb−Np)<0 is satisfied.
US08066378B2

A projection system that projects coherent light rays from a coherent light (e.g., laser) source onto an inner surface of a three-dimensional projection surface is disclosed. A compact and low-power laser light image can thereby be formed and seen by an observer from outside the properly constructed three-dimensional projection surface. The three-dimensional projection surface thereby allows more accurate and interesting and useful projections of images of three-dimensional objects thereon. Examples of things that can be represented on such a surface are celestial bodies and planets like the Earth and anatomical organs. Special geometric and spatial correction is optionally applied to create the desired image onto a three-dimensional projection screen. Useful and entertaining information can also be displayed, optionally as dynamic and moving images, onto the projection screen as well.
US08066369B2

A method of making corrective eyeglasses is disclosed. One embodiment is a method of making corrective eyeglasses. The method includes obtaining vision parameters of a patient's eyes, obtaining an eyeglass frame comprising at least one mounted optical element, and programming the optical element to define a pattern of refraction that is associated with the vision parameters.
US08066361B2

The liquid delivery system includes a liquid receptacle (1) installable on the liquid jetting device, a liquid supply device (900), and a liquid flow passage member (910). The liquid receptacle (1) has a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid, an air flow passage connecting the liquid storage chamber to the outside air, a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the liquid jetting device, an intermediate flow passage leading from the liquid storage chamber to the liquid delivery port, and a sensor disposed in the intermediate flow passage to sense whether the liquid is present or not. The liquid storage chamber includes a top storage chamber that is located at an uppermost position in the liquid storage chamber. The intermediate flow passage has a buffer chamber disposed downstream of the sensor, at a location adjacent to the top storage chamber. The liquid flow passage member (910) is connected to the top storage chamber, and a communication hole is formed in a wall that lies between the top storage chamber and the buffer chamber.
US08066347B2

Measurement accuracy in temperature of a substrate for an ink jet head is improved. A substrate for an ink jet head includes diode sensors and aluminum sensors and as plural kinds of substrate temperature sensing elements, each of which has an output voltage property different from each other. The diode sensors and have a property that the output voltage thereof decreases as temperature increases when a constant current is applied to the corresponding sensor. The aluminum sensors and have a property that the output voltage thereof increases as temperature increases when the constant current is applied to the corresponding sensor.
US08066341B2

A piece of furniture including a body and at least one flap that can be upwardly displaced by means of at least one actuating arm which is joined to the flap in an articulated manner and can preferably be pivoted about a horizontal axis. At least one actuating arm is subjected to the action of a spring device, and at least one electric drive acts on at least one actuating arm. A coupling device acts between the electric drive and the actuating arm, said coupling device having a free wheel for freely displacing the actuating arm into an open position and/or a closed position, in at least one rotary direction over a defined angular region.
US08066336B2

A rim for a bicycle has a lower bridge with infra-spoke zones of lower thickness than the thickness of the spoke attachment zones. The increase in thickness from the infra-spoke zones to the spoke attachment zones and the reduction in thickness between the spoke attachment zones and the infra-spoke zones have a sharp corner.
US08066334B2

A tool used for cutting coke or other hard materials in drums, adapted for being mounted to a boring rod with which the water can be run under pressure into the tool thus that, the water can be run toward the boring and cutting nozzles, being provided with a valve mechanism that can rotate about a coupling angle for releasing and closing the flow channel ports depending on a control input, with a first coupling position of the valve mechanism for boring and another coupling position for cutting, whereby the valve mechanism can be coupled at a water pressure reduced to the coupling pressure by rotating about the coupling angle, is simplified as to construction and handling in that the valve mechanism comprises a valve body in the water intake area of the casing, which has a cylindrical shape and a section for the water flowing inside the casing, as well as being rotationally mounted and having the possibility to be lifted and lowered in a cylindrical section of the inner wall of the casing, the valve body being displaceable at working pressure to a lower position against a spring tension —depending on the preset control for the individual desired function of the tool —and on occurring the coupling pressure, under spring tension, to an upper position relative to a rotating motion of the valve body about the coupling angle.
US08066329B2

A car seat head rest, which is adapted for mounting on a car seat having two spaced apart retention slots, includes a head pillow, a display screen supported at the rear side of the head pillow, and an adjustable mounting arrangement including a length-adjustable sliding guider longitudinally supported within the interior cavity of the head pillow, a supporting frame having two overlapped sliding panels and two supporting arms downwardly and parallelly extended from the sliding panels respectively through the bottom side of the head pillow to define an engaging distance between the two supporting arms, and an adjuster provided at the sliding guider to control a length of the sliding guider so as to selectively adjust the engaging distance of the supporting arms for slidably engaging with the two retention slots respectively so as to securely support the head pillow on the car seat.
US08066328B2

A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a vehicle seat supported by the vehicle frame, and a striker connected to the vehicle frame. The vehicle frame defines a passenger ingress/egress opening. The vehicle seat includes a pivotal seat back movable between an upright and a collapsed position. The striker includes a handle grip positioned on the vehicle frame for gripping by an associated passenger entering or exiting the vehicle through the passenger ingress/egress opening. The striker is positioned on the vehicle frame to cooperate with the seat back to retain the seat back in the upright position. A vehicle seat is also disclosed.
US08066320B1

A hinge assembly includes a hinge member joined to a vehicle door. A cam member is disposed about a portion of the hinge member, and the cam member has a protrusion. A casing is joined to a body portion of the vehicle, and the casing has an aperture along an axis. The aperture is configured to receive a portion of the cam member therein, and the casing has a slot including a first detent configured so the protrusion of the cam member moves along the slot. A biasing member urges the cam member in a direction to move the door to a closed position. When the door is rotated to an open position, the protrusion moves along the slot to an engaged position with the first detent such that the door is maintained in the open position until the door is moved to disengage the protrusion from the first detent.
US08066316B2

An adjustable mounting system for a vehicular body component includes a base having a number of slide rails, with retainers slidingly engaged with the slide rails. Each retainer has a retention section for mounting the base to a surface within the vehicular body, which is attached to a slidably mounted pediment. Fastener retainers located within the pediments allow devices such as interior trim pieces to be attached to the adjustable mounting system.
US08066309B2

A latch (10) including a casing (12) adapted to be fixedly mounted in a door, a carriage (20) mounted in the casing (12) and adapted for slidable movement relative to the casing (12) between an actuated position and a return position, a first spring (34) biasing the carriage (20) to the return position and a lock bolt (42) mounted to the carriage (20) and adapted to protrude from the casing (12) when the carriage (20) is in the return position. The latch (10) also includes a master cam (60) and a slave cam (80) each pivotally mounted to the casing (12) such that the master cam (60) directly acts upon the slave cam (80) whereby the pivoting actuation of the master cam (60) drives pivoting actuation of the slave cam (80) which in turn actuates sliding movement of the carriage (20) from the return position to the actuated position. Pivoting actuation of the master cam (60) through at most 35° is sufficient to move the carriage (20) to the actuated position.
US08066299B2

Improvements in a trailer hitching and tracking steering system are disclosed include a new style RV or wagon style RV that includes an extendable, variable position tow bar that accommodates misalignment of a tow vehicle. The tow bar can be rotated for storage within the RV wagon. Further improvements include a wheel steering mechanism to improve tracking of a towed vehicle using a bi-directional caster front suspension for steering a wagon style RV in both a forward and reverse direction. The caster of the front wheels is automatically re-directed depending upon the direction of travel of the RV. The suspension system includes a steerable rear suspension that minimizes the amount the back wheels will cut the corner when turning. The improvements also include the use of visible light beams to guide a tow vehicle backing up to an RV to be correctly positioned for hitching without assistance.
US08066292B2

The invention relates to a steering device for a vehicle, with at least one actuator which pivots at least one steerable vehicle wheel by a steering angle which can be stipulated by way of a steering angle transducer. According to the invention, the actuator has a wheel-side pivoted part and an axle-side pivoted part which can be turned around their axes of rotation to one another and that to set the steering angle of the vehicle wheel, the wheel-side pivoted part can be deflected in the turning of the two pivoted parts by the swivel angle (φ) relative to the axle-side pivoted part.
US08066291B2

The invention generally relates to a shopping cart that could have: (i) a slidably movable lower container; (ii) a telescoping container; (iii) dual handles; (iv) a stand having a number of holders and a writing surface formed therein; (v) a wheel having a brake coupled thereto; (vi) a generally A-shaped frame; and/or (vii) a retractable child seat assembly.
US08066289B2

The invention relates to a rapid clamping system (50), comprising a clamping housing (12), with a piston (18) acted on from one side by springs (15) and which may be pressurised from the other side, with an actuator (60) arranged on the piston (18) to follow the piston movement, with at least one clamping bolt (32) arranged to be displaced perpendicular to the piston axis (28), in a working coupling acting in both directions of displacement with the actuator (60) by means of an inclined guide (52), whereby, with the springs (16) extended, the clamping bolt (32) takes up a locking position for locking a clamping pin (14) which may be introduced in the clamping housing (12) and which adopts an unlocking position for removal of the clamping pin (14) on corresponding pressurization of the piston (18). The invention is characterized in that the inclined guide (52) has an irregular guide contour (54) with varying angles of inclination (α, β, γ, δ) relative to the piston axis (28) to achieve varying translation ratios.
US08066287B2

A dynamic shaft seal assembly is provided including a dynamic seal for engaging a rotary shaft. The dynamic seal includes a base portion that is mounted within a casing and has an axially extending barrel portion extending from a radially inner end of the base portion. The axially extending barrel portion terminates in a radially extending leg portion which extends inwardly from an end of the axially extending portion. A generally conically shaped seal portion extends from an end of the radially extending portion and the seal portion includes a radially inner face engaging the shaft and a radially outer face having a stiffening bead integrally formed thereon. The stiffening bead reduces the seal's propensity for “bell mouthing” while the axially extending barrel portion provides improved shaft followability for the dynamic seal.
US08066286B2

The invention relates to a multistage brush seal of a steam turbine that comprises several brushes which in turn comprise several bristles. A plurality of brushes are arranged next to each other and are configured different from each other with regard to the length of the bristles, or to the bristle thicknesses, or to the bristle rigidities, or to the lay angle of the bristles, or to the height of a first guard ring in front of or behind the brush seal in the flow direction, which delimits this brush seal, or to a gap between the bristles and an opposing surface.
US08066274B2

A retard roller of an automatic document feeder provides a frictional force to separate plural documents from each other. The retard roller can provide a first damping torque and a second damping torque with different directions. The second damping torque is smaller than the first damping torque. As such, the frictional force exerted on the document is reduced for returning the document out of the automatic document feeder. A retard roller module having such a retard roller is also provided.
US08066269B2

A device for welding plastic tubes includes a laterally movable tube holder having tube holding areas and a laterally fixed tube holder having tube holding areas. Each tube holder includes clamping structure for clamping each tube placed in the respective tube holder areas and for creating a fluid free area. A spring mechanism urges the laterally movable tube holder toward the laterally fixed tube holder to maintain the clamp faces flush against each other. A clamp locking mechanism is provided to supplement the action of the spring mechanism by maintaining the clamp faces flush against each other during the loading of the tubes.
US08066266B2

An elastomeric isolator has an elastomeric body which incorporates an inner structural member and an outer structural member. The elastomeric body includes a shear hub extending between radial flanges or end plates of the inner and outer structural members that undergoes shearing stresses during deflection of the elastomeric isolator. The elastomeric body is bonded to the radial flanges or end plates. The inner structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the outer structural member. The outer structural member includes a radial flange which is axially offset from an axial flange of the inner structural member. With this configuration, excessive stresses on the elastomeric body are avoided during high load movements of the elastomeric isolator.
US08066264B2

The valve cover has a pair of tabs at the ends that are inserted into end sections of an orifice in the tray deck. The tabs of the valve cover abut against the underside of the tray deck while a pair of sloped portions of the valve cover rest on the top side of the tray deck in order to hold the valve cover in place.
US08066261B2

A power or manually operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. The new winch, while intended to be driven by on-board electric or hydraulic power, includes a novel mechanism, actuated by a conventional winch handle, for converting the winch to a multi-speed manual operating mode in the event of failure of the on-board power system. A clutch mechanism enables controlled release of line from the winding drum during manual operation, and enables adjustments and emergency release operation when operating in a power mode. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, and positively drawn from the drum when the line is not under load. Significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew is enabled.
US08066257B2

A liquid dispensing faucet including a flow control lever engaging a sealing member within an internal cavity of a faucet body. The sealing member is held within the faucet body in an oversized recess permitting liquid to flow about all sides of the sealing member when the flow control handle is placed in an open position and liquid flows through the faucet body. The faucet body may have a removable spout mounted at a second end of the body. An air inlet may be included within a flow path of the liquid downstream of the sealing member. This air inlet promotes the removal of residual liquid from the flow path when the flow lever is in a closed position and is positioned to discourage flow of the liquid through the air inlet when the flow lever is in an open position.
US08066255B2

A solenoid valve has a main body defining a gas inlet passage, a gas outlet passage, and a cavity; a core tube forming a closure for said cavity so as to prevent an escape of gas; a cylindrical main piston slidably movable in said cavity of said main body, said main piston forming a front chamber and a back chamber in said main body, said main piston having a gas conduit for passing the gas from said gas inlet passage to said front chamber and an axial hole for passing the gas from said back chamber into said gas outlet passage with a bleed orifice at one end of said axial hole; said main piston being spring biased to a closed position; a spring biased pilot piston; and electrical coil means associated with said core tube to provide a magnetic field for movements of said pilot piston and said main piston, so that when said coil means is deenergized said pilot piston closes said outlet passage and causes a pressure equalization allowing said return spring to push said main piston to close the valve, while when said coil means is energized said pilot valve opens said outlet passage and lowers a pressure which causes pushing of said main piston to open the valve.
US08066252B2

In one embodiment, a system for lifting and supporting a vehicle is described. The system includes at least one vehicle hoist fitting configured to distribute the weight of the vehicle along a skin of the vehicle, at least one removable bearing cup assembly configured to attach to said vehicle hoist fitting, and at least one trunnion assembly configured for attachment to a support structure and further configured to engage said removable bearing cup assembly.
US08066241B2

A supporting structure is provided for supporting a flat panel display. The supporting structure includes a brace and a base. The brace includes a chassis and a number of arms movably connected to the chassis. The chassis includes a supporting portion surface, an opposite grasp portion surface, and a side surface connecting the supporting portion surface and the grasp portion surface. The supporting portion surface is positioned against the back surface of the flat panel display. The chassis defines a number of side openings on the side surface from the grasp portion surface and along a direction parallel to the axis of the chassis. The base includes a casing sleeved on the chassis therein. The casing defines a number of cutouts corresponding to the side openings and cooperates with the side openings to define a number of sliding grooves for the arms sliding therein respectively.
US08066240B2

A multi-configurable furniture assembly including height adjustable legs, a height adjustable pedestal support structure, a variable height foot support for cabinets and shelves and a panel wall assembly where each of the separate assemblies have finished and high quality appearances after a configuration is constructed.
US08066238B1

Provided is a suction cup including a cover, a shell, a suction mouth and an operating mechanism. The cover forms an opening. The shell is fixedly mounted on the cover. The suction mouth is fixedly mounted below the cover. The operating mechanism is pivotally mounted to the shell and includes a pivot body. The pivot body disposes a hand lever. An axle sleeve is fixedly mounted to the pivot body and disposes a pulling portion. The axle sleeve passes through a through hole of the suction mouth, and the pulling portion is against an upper inner surface of the through hole. By rotating the hand lever, the operating mechanism can upwardly pull the handle to raise the center of the suction mouth for rarefying air and making the suction cup be stably fixed on a plane. The suction cup has a simple structure and is convenient to be used.
US08066236B2

Optical equipment mounting devices and systems are provided. In an embodiment of the present invention an optical mounting system can generally comprise a mounting assembly to carry an optical device and a support coupled to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly can include a generally horizontal platform and can define a vertical axis passing substantially orthogonal to said horizontal platform. The support can be adapted to hold an optical device below the generally horizontal platform of the mounting assembly and to one side of the vertical axis. An optical mounting system can also comprise an adjustment mechanism capable of precisely adjusting the position of the optical device in small increments. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08066235B1

An adjustable work stand for motorcycles includes a platform and platform support means. The platform support means includes left and right vertical support members adapted to be adjustable upwardly and downwardly. Upper and lower horizontal support members extend between the vertical support members. The platform is pivotally attached to the upper horizontal support member. A vertically adjustable platform support arm extends between the lower horizontal support member and the underside of the front of the platform. A stand support arm extends rearwardly from one of the left and right vertical support members, the forward end of the stand support arm being pivotally connected to the vertical support member, the rearward end of the stand support arm adapted to contact the same surface upon which the vertical support members rest.
US08066232B2

A flat-screen monitor support comprises a body having means for attachment of a monitor thereto and a locking means operable to lock against a support post extending through the body and through the locking means. The locking means supports the body to prevent the body from sliding down the post under the weight of a monitor attached to the body. The body is rotatable relative to the locking means about an axis of a support post extending through the body and locking means, when the locking mechanism is locked to the support post. In addition, a support base for securing a flat-screen monitor support to a table surface, comprising a support post having a support plate secured to one end thereof, a seat cup to sit on a table surface and receive therein the support plate with the support post upstanding from the table surface, and a clamp bracket to sit on the support plate with a tightening means positionable against an underside of a table surface, to clamp the support plate, seat cup and table top together. Once secured to a table top, the support plate is rotatable relative to the seat cup and the clamp member to enable a user to position a flat-screen monitor relative to the support base.
US08066231B2

A trainline support bracket for connection to a railcar having a yoke and a coupler attached to the railcar and a coupler-uncoupling mechanism housing attached to the coupler having first and second side walls with first and second contoured recess members thereon, and having upper and lower compartments for attaching the trainline support bracket thereto. The trainline support bracket includes a main body connector having an upper connector section and a lower connector section. The upper connector section of the main body connector is for connecting to the coupler-uncoupling mechanism housing of the coupler. The trainline support bracket also includes a lower connecting bracket having a first end and a second end. The lower connector section of the main body connector is for detachably connecting to the first end of the lower connecting bracket; and the second end of the lower connecting bracket is for detachably connecting to a trainline fitting in order to support hose fittings, hoses and a gladhand coupling having a hose connected to the coupling.
US08066225B1

A multiple-tethered kite extracts power from wind. Systems having three or more tethers coupled to a single kite are contemplated, as are systems having multiple kites coupled to a given pair of tethers. Commercially useful tethers would most likely have a length of at least 1000 meters, and would be fixed at least 100 meters apart. During a given cycle the distance between each of the bases and the kite would likely vary by at least 50 meters. Motion of the tethers can be converted to useful energy in any commercially viable manner, for example by driving an electric generator or a water pump.
US08066224B2

A platform for the aerial delivery of payloads into aquatic environments has a staged v cross-section formed by two walls extending from an end part. The portions of the two walls adjacent to the end part diverge from it at an angle θ and, together with the end part, form the tip of the platform. The remaining portions of the two walls, remote from the end part, form the body of the platform, and diverge at an angle φ that is greater than the angle θ. When the platform is deployed onto the surface of a fluid, it initially experiences a period of low deceleration as the tip penetrates the surface, followed by a period of higher deceleration, as the body contacts the surface.
US08066223B2

An enhanced aerial delivery system addresses issues raised when large quantities of fluids, powders, and other agent materials are to be transported in and aerially dispersed by aircraft. Some aspects include positioning and securing of tanks aboard the aircraft to facilitate management and safety of the tanks and aircraft. Other aspects address coupling of the tanks and associated piping to lessen structural effects upon the aircraft. Further aspects deal with channeling, containing, and dumping stray agent materials that have escaped from the agent tanks on board the aircraft.
US08066216B2

A lever drag mechanism includes a friction disc, a drag disc, and a moving mechanism. The moving mechanism includes an urging member. The urging member urges a bearing by pressing an inner periphery thereof to allow an outer periphery of the bearing to make constant contact with a housing recess. When a drag lever is pivoted, the moving mechanism axially reciprocates the spool shaft to allow a second brake member to make contact with or to separate away from a first brake member.
US08066210B2

A central shaft for a gyratory crusher, which includes a crushing head on which a first crushing shell is mounted; a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted, which second crushing shell defines, together with the first crushing shell, a crushing gap; and a driving device, which is arranged to rotate an eccentric about said central shaft and thereby to cause the crushing head to execute a gyratory movement for crushing of material that is introduced in the crushing gap. The central shaft has a cavity in which are accommodated an anti-reverse and a torque limiter, the anti-reverse and the torque limiter being adapted for connection to said crushing head for restricting spinning.
US08066209B2

A shredder head adapted to shred data bearing documents and bottles.
US08066208B2

A bale shredder is mounted on a frame and has a flail that will shred material, such as hay, straw and silage, and an auger receives the shredded material and moves it toward a first end of the auger. The first end of the auger is surrounded by a chamber that has a first opening in an axial direction of the auger that opens into a fan or blower so that material going through the first opening is blown out of a discharge chute. An endless conveyor is mounted adjacent a second opening of the chamber, laterally of the auger, and is positioned to receive material from the second opening. Panels are provided for selectively blocking the first opening when the endless conveyor is to be moving material from the chamber, and for blocking the second opening when the fan is to be used for discharging material. The two different conveyors are selectively used for delivery of shredded material from the bale shredder.
US08066206B1

A portable game feeder backpack that is worn by the user to spread feed for wild game or other granular material, e.g. seed, grain, or fertilizer. The invention provides a bucket mounted on a tubular frame. A funnel and a downspout direct granular material to a motorized spreader plate mounted below the bucket. A handheld switch remotely activates the motor. The device is worn as a backpack and has two removable padded shoulder straps. A detachable bracket allows the device to be attached to the rear structure on a vehicle, e.g. an all terrain vehicle or pickup. The device also can be used as a swiveling hunting seat having a padded cover on the lid of the bucket. The lid draining accumulated water to protect interior contents. Motor control is easily interchangeable among pushbutton, remote and timer control.
US08066199B2

A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing.
US08066198B2

A valve apparatus can be used to select between a cold or a hot coolant for heat exchange, this selection depending on whether an attached heat exchanger is to operate as a cooler or a heater. The apparatus includes a valve housing with first and second chambers formed therein, first inlet and outlet ports for flow of a primary liquid into and out of the first chamber and further ports for flow of coolant at different temperatures through the second chamber. A linear actuator in the housing has a body containing wax and a plastic piston that is movable to an extended position by expansion of the wax. The actuator body is located in the first chamber so the temperature of the wax is dependent on the liquid's temperature in the first chamber. An end portion of the actuator adjacent to the second chamber is made of plastic. A valve mechanism for controlling coolant flow is operably connected to the piston and located in the second chamber. This mechanism includes a spool movable by the actuator.
US08066196B2

A water saver system that includes a temperature-sensitive valve, connected between the shower water control valves and the shower head, diverts water to a bladder pressure tank until the water warms up. The temperature sensitive valve opens when the water reaches a preset temperature. The water stored in the pressure tank flows back through a metering orifice and mixes with the warm water over the course of the shower so little water is wasted. The pressure tank could be placed on the floor of the shower or outside the tub (under sink) in a retrofit or built into the wall stud cavity in new construction.
US08066187B2

Network and device configuration systems and methods are described. In an embodiment, a first user interface configured to receive from a user configuration information regarding a first network provided. Program code stored in computer accessible memory is configured to generate a barcode that includes information related to the first network configuration information, wherein the barcode can be scanned by a device having a barcode scanner and a network interface to configure the network interface to access the first network.
US08066186B2

A packaging system uses marked, specially designed packaging to enable confidential purchasing of consumer goods. Products having a first configuration normally labeled for sale are convertible into a second configuration which conceals the identity of the goods, other than perhaps having a confidentiality brand. The confidentiality package is bar-coded for price and purchase scanning but does not identify the type of good(s) being purchased either at the cash register or on the customer's receipt. The confidentially packaged items, which could be marketed under a YOURS CONFIDENTIALLY brand name, for instance, are primarily sold at a retail location immediately next to a normally marked, identical (except for the outer packaging shell) item, and have a brief description of what the item is directly under it (Tampons for example) located in the shelf strip next to the re-order shelf tag.
US08066161B2

A hands-free rescue/carrying apparatus includes at least one body-worn garment having a front facing side and a rear facing side, and at least one adjustable lift mechanism attached to the at least one body-worn garment. The at least one lift mechanism is attachable to an article to be supported and is designed to provide a substantial mechanical advantage as to the weight of the article, when employed. Advantageously, the garment having the at least one lift mechanism permits selective dynamic lift capability of the article to which it is attached and secured in a substantially hands-free manner.
US08066154B2

A device that provides better movement of semi solid materials such as but not limited to food products for metered dispensing. The device is able to take bulk semi solid material, entrain or draw the material into the device and add pressure to the semi solid material so that the semi solid material may be passed thru a nozzle or controlled discharge metering device or orifice. The rollers have circumferential grooved profiles and scrapers that are able to actively remove the semi-solid materials from the grooved profiles. The emitted semi solid material can then be more accurately applied or portioned in a metered fashion. Typical applications include but are certainly not limited to the production of cookies from bulk dough, the application of icing to a cake base/body/top or perimeter, metering of dough for bread or rolls so as to allow for a cutting device to cut off into uniform pieces.
US08066147B2

A crate, such as for transporting egg cartons or other items, includes a base, opposed side walls and a rear wall extending upward from the base. A front wall opposite the rear wall is selectably moveable between a closed position and a retracted, open position. In the retracted position, access to the interior of the crate is provided. In one embodiment, the front wall includes a plurality of pivotably connected sections, such that the front wall can be retracted to provide access to the interior. A latch selectively prevents movement of the front wall to the retracted position.
US08066146B2

Disclosed are an insulated container in which a high-performance vacuum heat insulating material is formed around a three-dimensional container and in which heat loss is minimized, and a method of manufacturing the insulated container. An insulated container for heat-insulation storage of a liquid has a resin inner container equipped with liquid flow inlet/outlet portions, an interior member and an exterior member which accommodate the inner container and around which a gas barrier layer is formed, and a heat insulation space which is defined between the interior member and the exterior member and which is held in a pressure-reduced state, with a heat insulating material being sealed therein. Further, flange members are fitted onto the flow inlet/outlet portions, lower flange surfaces of the flange members are bonded to the interior member, and upper flange surfaces thereof are bonded to the exterior member.
US08066142B2

The present invention discloses a locking bar anti-theft device for container. It will still be effective in preventing the handle from disengaging from the handle hub even if the rivet is damaged; in addition, an internal structure is utilized so that the structure cannot be damaged, thus enhancing the safety of containers. Wherein a projection is provided on a plane by the side of the rivet hole at the front end of the handle corresponding to the sidewall of the handle hub; a guide groove is provided in the inner surface of the sidewall of the handle hub so as to guide the projection of the handle to enter the cavity of the handle hub; a rotary groove is provided in the inner surface of the sidewall of the handle hub so as to rotate the projection around the rivet after the handle is hinged to the handle hub; the guide groove communicates with the rotary groove; when the handle and the handle hub are hinged by the rivet, the projection is disengaged from the guide groove and enter the rotary groove; when the container is locked, the other end of the handle is fixed after driving the projection to rotate a certain angle inside the rotary groove.
US08066139B2

A closure for a container opening according to one embodiment comprises a plug including a series of projections and being constructed and arranged to be received within the container opening and an overcap constructed and arranged for being attached to the plug so as to close off an interior of the plug and create an assembly. The projections being constructed and arranged for interfit with a specialized wrench socket for threadedly advancing the plug into the container opening.
US08066128B2

Apparatuses for the efficient and safe organization of product on shelves. The present invention encompasses shelving allocation units that are adjustable in a longitudinal direction to accommodate varying shelf depths. The present invention also provides for shelving allocation units that are adjustable in both the longitudinal direction, but also along an orthogonal axis. By being adjustable along an orthogonal axis, the shelving allocation units of the present invention may be adapted to accommodate various sizes of product. The present invention also includes novel backstop assemblies that may be adapted for use in shelves of various dimensions.
US08066123B2

An exemplary lockable package holds a sliding element within a lockable sleeve. The sleeve comprises a base and a top. The base includes a release button defined by a release surround and a hinge that connects the release button to the base. The release button also includes a free end. Pushing inwardly on the release button urges the free end inwardly to disengage a locked sliding element. The sliding element comprises a sliding base, a sliding top, and an article cover that spans the primary containers. For example, the primary containers are pouches that hold consumable articles, such as vitamins, or personal care articles, such as contact lenses.
US08066116B2

A conveyor belt has a mono-ply construction comprising a central fabric ply, top and bottom cover layers and a connection interconnecting the opposite ends of the belt. The top and bottom cover layers are removed from the opposite ends of the belt to define exposed fabric ply regions which are arranged in a mutually overlapping relationship. Two connection plates extend generally over the entire width of the conveyor belt on opposite sides thereof, and fasteners extend through the connection plates and the opposite ends of the conveyor belt to form a secure, yet flexible, connection.
US08066113B2

An apparatus for segregating electronic components that engages and stops each of a plurality of electronic packages passing down a singulation tube is disclosed. In addition, the segregating apparatus is cable of segregating the electronic packages even though some of them had been linked together during the sealing process. The segregating apparatus includes a first swing arm to clip a electronic component, a second swing arm to clip another electronic component, and a third swing arm to depart the two electronic components, where all of components of the segregating apparatus are driven by a single driving force, reducing the size of the apparatus and the time needed for the segregating process.
US08066105B2

The invention relates to a suspension hydraulic damper (1) comprising a tube (2) filled with working liquid, inside of which a slidable piston assembly (3), provided with compression (12) and rebound (11) valve assemblies and attached to a piston rod (4) led outside the damper (1), is placed, and at least one compression valve system (18, 19). To increase an amount of dissipated energy during extremely fast compression strokes the compression valve system (18, 19) comprises at least one substantially thin closing element (24, 34), preferably in a form of a flat floating disc, having an outside diameter less than the inner diameter of the tube (2) and being axially slidable with respect to the piston rod (4) axis, a spring (23, 33) surrounding the piston rod (4) axis and pressing the closing element against a retainer (26, 35) into an open position, an abutting surface (28, 38) for the closing element (24, 34) in a closed position, and at least one passage (25, 31) for the flow of damping medium in the closed position.
US08066102B2

A lifting apparatus includes a vertical guide device, a turntable device which is movable along the vertical guide device upwards or downwards, and a first driving device which drives the turntable device moving in an upward and downward direction guided by the vertical guide device. The turntable device includes a bracket which is slidably engaged with the vertical guide device and projects perpendicularly toward a side of the vertical guide device, a turntable which is rotatably provided on the bracket, and a second driving device which rotates the turntable on the bracket.
US08066096B1

An inlet silencer for an air inlet in a housing, which housing contains a source of high frequency noise radiated by an air intake for the source of high frequency noise, comprises: a plenum that extends longitudinally within the housing that couples the air inlet in an upstream region of the plenum to the air intake for the source of high frequency noise in a downstream region of the plenum; a partition that extends laterally within the plenum between the upstream region of the plenum and the downstream region of the plenum; at least one channel that penetrates longitudinally through the partition that has a gap across its inner surface that approximates one wavelength of at least one fundamental frequency of high frequency noise that the source of high frequency noise generates; and acoustic damping material that lines the inner surface of the channel.
US08066095B1

A compact bass speaker cabinet uses a long, narrow, tapered waveguide that acts as does a small radial portion of the air outside a large pulsating sphere, and has the same bass response as the large pulsating sphere. The smaller end is closed and the longer end is open. In one embodiment the inside of the waveguide is a rectangle about an inch thick and substantially as wide as the speaker or speakers that are mounted on the wider surface close to or slightly overlapping the closed end; and the inside surfaces are tapered so that they meet at a point which lies beyond the closed end by a distance equal to the radian wavelength of the longest sound wave that is to be produced.
US08066090B2

A hydraulic control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a forward travel engaging element, a reverse travel engaging element, a first signal electromagnetic valve, a first switching valve, and a second switching valve. The hydraulic control apparatus is structured so as to change the output state of the signal pressure of the first signal electromagnetic valve when changing from the reverse travel shift position and/or shift range to the non-travel shift position and/or shift range and when changing from the forward travel shift position and/or shift range to the non-travel shift position and/or shift range, and to enable quick draining of hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic servo of the reverse travel engaging element and hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic servo of the forward travel engaging element.
US08066081B2

A small-sized tiller includes a stand unit configured to solely support the tiller in a self-standing state. The stand unit has a pole portion removably mountable to a resistance-bar attachment portion of the body frame when a resistance bar has been removed from the resistance-bar attachment portion.
US08066080B1

A shovel device having a base region and a transverse blade, the transverse blade having a longitudinally positioned forward blade edge that is operatively configured to cut the earth and trim a portion thereof. The shovel device is adapted to create an edge portion and further has a rearward wall so as to more easily allow the repositioning of removed earth from the edge region.
US08066079B2

Drill string flow control valves and more particularly, drill string flow control valves for prevention of u-tubing of fluid flow in drill strings are provided. Drill string flow control valves may comprise a valve housing, a valve sleeve axially movable within a valve housing from a closed position to an open position, a piston axially movable within said valve housing and bearing against the valve sleeve, a biasing mechanism for biasing the valve sleeve into the closed position, a static pressure port for actuating said piston utilizing internal fluid pressure within said valve and a plurality of dynamic pressure ports for allowing a differential pressure to be exerted on the valve sleeve during dynamic flow conditions. The differential pressure exerted on the valve sleeve may be the result of an upstream pressure and a downstream pressure during fluid flow through said valve. By allowing a differential pressure resulting from a fluid flow to act on the valve sleeve, u-tubing in a drill string can be prevented or substantially reduced. Methods of use are also provided.
US08066073B2

Methods for treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore which improves fluid loss control during treatment. In some aspects, the treatments include preparing an aqueous fluid including one or more water inert polymers and an optional viscosifier, injecting the aqueous fluid into the wellbore at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure, and thereafter injecting into the wellbore a proppant laden fluid at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure. The water inert polymer may be a polymer such as an emulsion polymer or a latex polymer. Some methods of the invention use a fluid which may have a normalized leak off coefficient (Cw/sqrt(K)) equal to or less than about 0.0022, 0.0014, or 0.0010. A conventional fluid loss additive may or may not be used in conjunction with the treatment fluid and/or the proppant laden fluid. The water inert polymer may or may not substantially enter formation pores. In another aspect, methods for reducing matrix damage to a formation during a treatment operation include preparing an aqueous treatment fluid formed of at least one water inert polymer, and injecting the fluid at a pressure equal or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure.
US08066066B2

A centraliser segment (11) comprising a first collar portion(15), a second collar portion (17) and bow element (19) extending between said first collar portion and said second collar portion to maintain the collar portions in spaced relation to each other, said bow portions having an intermediate portion which lies to one side of the plane accommodating the collar portions, a first connector element (21) provided at one end of the collar portions and second connector element (23) provided at the other end of the collar portions, said first connector elements are engagable with said second connector elements of the same or another centraliser segment such that one or more said centraliser segments are connectable together to form a centraliser which in use is capable of being received around a borehole casing, said first and second connector element having an adjustment element which can cause the diameter of the centraliser can be varied by operation of the adjustment element (41) wherein the adjustment is controllably and continuously variable over a range of diameters.
US08066064B2

A wellhead system comprising a high pressure housing having a retractable ring and a casing hanger having an activation ring configured to be engaged by the retractable ring when the casing hanger is lowered into the high pressure housing. An expandable load member is carried by the casing hanger into the high pressure housing. When the activation ring is engaged by the retractable ring, the activation ring is blocked from further downward motion. The activation ring and the body of the casing hanger cooperate with the load member to expand the load member outward into engagement with the high pressure housing as the casing hanger is lowered further into the high pressure housing. The outer surface of the load member and the inner surface of the high pressure housing are configured so that the high pressure housing supports the casing hanger when the load member is expanded into engagement with the high pressure housing.
US08066062B2

Sealing arrangement for dynamic sealing around a drill stem (16) or a coiled tubing is described, comprising an elongated, dynamic sealing unit (10) which is arranged to surround the drill stem (16), in that the sealing unit (10) comprises a number of sets with main seals (20) arranged mutually spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the sealing unit (10), where said main seals (20) comprise at least one disc-formed or ring-formed packer element (30) of an elastic material, such as an elastomeric material, arranged to surround said drill stem (16). Said main seal (20) comprises at least one inlet channel arranged to receive a friction reducing medium through or via the seal directly into the seal surface (32) of the packer element (30), against the drill stem (16).
US08066042B2

The folding work bench folds compactly for storage when not in use and occupies a minimal work space. The folding work bench has a durable work surface, a top storage shelf, a back board for hanging tools, a locking mechanism, and a work table that can be folded up against the back board and locked in a compactly folded configuration that also secures the tools on the back board in the work bench.
US08066037B2

A nozzle for dispensing fuel into a vehicle having a body portion and a spout extending from the body portion. The spout passes fuel from the body portion to a vehicle during refueling. The body portion includes a fuel flow control member for allowing or preventing fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout. A fuel collector collects fuel remaining in the body portion and the spout after the fuel flow control member shuts-off the flow of fuel through the body portion and the spout. Preferably, the fuel collector is configured to allow fuel collected in the fuel collector when the vehicle is being refueled to drain into the fuel tank of the vehicle after the flow control member prevents fuel from passing through the body portion and the spout but prior to removal of the spout from the fuel tank of the vehicle.
US08066035B1

A bead stringing apparatus that enables the user to quickly restring pre-strung beads, of the type that are on temporary strings, commonly available in bead stores. The connectors on the apparatus pull both ends of the temporary string in a taut position over an open work space. This aligns the pre-strung beads automatically along the temporary string allowing them to be restrung easily by a permanent string or wire. The user can quickly resting rows of the pre-strung beads by putting their wire through the aligned holes and when the wire exits a row of the pre-strung beads the user can add in other loose beads on their wire to go in and between the pre-strung beads. This allows the user to create infinite designs and patterns of beadwork. The open work space around the pre-strung beads provides flexibility and ample room for the newly incorporated loose beads to hang down onto the permanent wire out of the way of the beading process. The pre-strung beads can also be measured along the temporary string for bead patterning.
US08066034B2

A method for weaving a webbing, comprising at least one first right-hand weft thread and at least one second left-hand weft thread, characterized in that the two weft threads are introduced into the same shed from both sides of the webbing, are wound around weft thread retainers in weft change loops, are substantially retained by the weft thread retainers until shed change and are then stripped off from the left thread retainers by the reed and after shed change and are bound against the stop.
US08066030B2

Disclosed is a fuel conveying device including a valve housing in which a pressure release valve and a non-return valve are arranged parallel to one another, the pressure release valve having a first inlet, which downstream of a valve seat opens into a valve chamber in which a valve body is movably arranged and which is in fluid connection with a second inlet for the non-return valve via a first outlet. The device improves the control response of the pressure release valve by providing the first outlet at the periphery of the valve chamber and in the axial direction with respect to a valve axis such that when the pressure release valve is open the flow from the valve chamber into the second inlet is a substantially radial flow.
US08066022B2

A portable collapsible blind is provided including positioning members and simulated arborescent structures to break-up the hard geometric shape and lines of the blind. The positioning members can position the simulated arborescent structures to extend beyond at least one of a sidewall, side edge, upper edge, sidewall corner, roof edge, roof corner and roof a preselected distance. The simulated arborescent structure can include a limb and a leafy part suspended by the limb at a location distal from the geometric shape of the blind. A concealment pod also can be provided. The concealment pod can include a base with a plurality of outwardly projecting simulated arborescent structures. The base can include the fastener element that joins with a corresponding fastener element of a joining element. The base and joining element can be pivotally joined so that the simulated arborescent structures can be oriented in a variety of configurations.
US08066015B2

A mascara system comprising, in combination: (a) a mascara applicator comprising a substantially longitudinal stem having a major axis A and a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein at least two adjacent protrusions are spaced from one another at a distance R at the base of the stem; (b) a mascara composition comprising primary particles that are at least about 5 microns in equivalent diameter; and (c) a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The mascara applicator is a molded applicator, the distance R is from about 0.75 mm to about 3.0 mm, and at least one of the primary particles is a wax primary particle composed primarily of one or more waxes.
US08066014B2

A multi-functional hairbrush with storage compartments for grooming, storing and organizing small beauty accessories, the hairbrush having a hollow brush head and main chamber, a brush lid portion attached hingedly to the hollow brush head, a plurality of spring clips mounted removably therewithin. The hairbrush also has a slot chamber positioned underneath the main chamber and a flat comb portion fitting within the slot chamber and inserted removably therewithin. The hairbrush has a hollow, elongated handle portion and an elongated chamber, with handle lid portion attached hingedly to the handle portion. The elongated chamber also as a plurality of spring clips mounted removably therewithin.
US08066013B2

A hand-held electronic pedicure instrument includes a housing having an outside portion and an inside portion. The inside portion includes a battery electrically coupled to a motor which can be activated by a switch on the outside portion of the housing. The outside portion of the housing also has a handle. The motor provides rotational output to a shaft extending from the inside portion of the housing, through an opening in the housing and beyond the outside portion of the housing, the shaft having a distal end. The instrument further has a wheel having proximal and distal surfaces. The distal end of the shaft secures to the proximal surface of the wheel. An attachment has a proximal portion that is removably secured to the distal surface of the wheel. The attachment has a distal portion having an abrasive material.
US08066011B2

A filter element incorporating an adsorbent material is provided. The filter element may comprise a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material spaced apart to form a compartment therebetween. The compartment may be filled with one or more adsorbents or the compartment may be divided into two regions, wherein one compartment region is filled with an adsorbent and the other compartment region is either filled with an ion-exchange resin or remains empty. The section of filter material adjacent to the tobacco rod may include one or more channels therethrough for passaging smoke directly from the tobacco rod into the adsorbent-filled compartment. The mouth end section of filter material may contain a breakable capsule, wherein the breakable capsule is filled with a flavoring agent capable of altering the taste characteristics of mainstream smoke.
US08066010B2

A filter component includes a catalyst surrounded by a thermally insulative carbon fiber composite. The catalyst can catalyze the chemical reaction of selected gaseous constituents of a gas stream. During catalysis, the catalyst can reach high temperatures. The carbon fiber composite can contain heat generated during the catalysis within the filter component and thereby reduce heat transfer to the surroundings. The filter component can be used in smoking articles. Methods of making and using the filter-component and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke are also provided.
US08066008B2

A prophylactic device providing the wearer with increased protection against slippage and ruptures. The device has a tubular body with an extra strength tip and a band. The band is elastic and has a ring that stretches to pass comfortably over a wearer's testicles. The band secures the prophylactic device to the wearer and prevents the device from slipping off of the wearer. Both the extra strength tip and the band are thicker than the tubular body and provide the wearer protection against ruptures.
US08066006B2

A filtering face-piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 and a harness 14. The mask body 12 includes (i) a filtering structure 18, (ii) a plastic support structure 16, and (iii) a nose clip 19 that is secured to the plastic support structure 18 by being molded therein. The inventive filtering face-piece respirator is beneficial in that it eliminates the need for an adhesive or welding step to secure the nose clip to the mask body.
US08066002B2

There is provided a manifold for use in a medicament dispenser device for the delivery of medicament powder from an open blister pocket of a blister pack. The manifold comprises a body, the body defining a chimney having a chimney inlet and a chimney exit for directing airflow from the chimney inlet to the chimney exit; the body further defining a chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber exit. The chimney exit and said chamber inlet lie side-by-side each other such that when said open blister pocket of said blister pack is positioned adjacent thereto said airflow may be directed from the chimney exit to the chamber inlet via the open blister pocket to entrain said medicament powder and enable transport thereof in the airflow from the chamber inlet to said chamber outlet. The manifold is arranged such as to delay the emptying of the medicament powder from the blister pocket.
US08065998B2

A cooking apparatus includes a housing and a cooking plate. Burners are located within the housing and below the cooking plate. A non-powered mechanical thermocouple probe is proximate to a pilot burner with a bi-metal element that produces an electrical signal when heated by the pilot burner. A pilot shutoff valve has an inlet connected to receive gaseous fuel from a gaseous fuel manifold, a pilot output connected to deliver gas to the pilot burner, a main burner output connected to deliver gas the burners, and a thermocouple probe input connected to receive the electrical signal produced by the bi-metal element. The pilot shutoff valve is biased to a default closed position where gas is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the pilot output and from the inlet to the main burner output. When the pilot shutoff valve is open, the pilot shut off valve permits gas to flow from the inlet to the pilot output and from the inlet to the main burner output.
US08065985B2

A piston has an upper crown portion with an upper combustion wall against which combustion forces act and a lower crown portion with a pair of pin bosses spaced for receipt of a small end of a connecting rod therebetween. The upper crown portion and the lower crown portion form an outer oil gallery and a central oil gallery in fluid communication with one another. The central oil gallery is formed in part by an annular flange extending radially inwardly from the outer oil gallery and upwardly toward the upper combustion wall to a free edge spaced from the upper combustion wall. The free edge forms an opening about a central axis of the piston and has a non-planar uppermost surface with depressions aligned diametrically opposite one another across the opening to improve the oil flow throughout the central oil gallery.
US08065982B2

In a variable intake apparatus for a V-type internal combustion engine, each of plural intake pipes is separated from a surge tank by a partition wall, and communication ports, provided in the partition wall for the respective intake pipes, are opened and closed by respective variable intake valves to adjust length of intake passages. The variable intake valves in one of two parallel rows are offset from the variable intake valves in the other row. The variable intake valves are opened and closed by turning the turning shafts to which the variable intake valves are connected. Further, a synchronization mechanism synchronously turns the turning shafts (5a; 5b), and is connected between the paired turning shafts. The turning motion of one turning shaft is transmitted to the other turning shaft via the synchronization mechanism, and the variable intake valves are synchronously opened and closed.
US08065980B2

An engine cooling system is provided with a cooling circuit including a coolant pump for supplying an engine with a coolant and for circulating the coolant in the cooling circuit, and at least one heat exchanger for cooling said coolant downstream of the engine, wherein an expansion tank is connected to the cooling circuit upstream of the coolant pump. The cooling system is pressurized by a pressure regulating arrangement arranged to pressurize coolant supplied to the cooling circuit from the expansion tank during at least one predetermined operating mode of the engine and the expansion tank is closed to the ambient atmosphere during all normal engine operation modes.
US08065979B2

A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine including a fuel tank, a membrane dividing the fuel tank into at least a first and second portion, the membrane preferentially diffusing a substance from a mixture, the substance having an increased knock suppression relative to the mixture, and a controller adjusting delivery of condensed water to the tank responsive to an operating condition.
US08065978B2

A light accessory is provided for a remotely controlled animal training system, allowing visual tracking of an animal in low ambient light conditions. The light accessory may be a stand-alone accessory or be in conjunction with a wireless receiver. The light accessory may be controlled by an accessory channel that exists in the remotely controlled animal training system, or may be controlled by the presence of a generic proximate radio frequency transmission.
US08065977B1

The feline exercise apparatus removably hooks over a door and provides a pair of vertically hung carpet like sections for a cat to climb and scratch. The bottom section removably affixes to the top section. Either section can be rolled and hooked to itself to form a cylindrical tunnel, whether hung from the door or detached. A pair of hanging members are also optionally attached.
US08065971B2

A method for adjustably positioning a boat fender on the side of a boat utilizes a flexible strap having a plurality of openings therein having a boat fender rope threaded therethrough. The boat fender rope can be quickly moved through the openings in the strap to raise or lower the boat fender to lock the boat fender in place on the side of the boat.
US08065966B1

An odd link work surface lift has a foundation with spaced front and back pivots, has a first link pivotally connected with the front pivot and extending to a first end, has a second link pivotally connected with the first end and extending to a second end, has a mounting bracket pivotally connected with the second end and extending to a terminal end, and a traveler link pivotally connected with the back pivot and extending to a cam follower. The mounting bracket has a curvilinear cam surface at the terminal end. The cam follower travels along the cam surface in abutting engagement. A length from the second end to the terminal end is materially greater than a length between the spaced front and back pivots.
US08065963B2

A fairground attraction is disclosed, including a track, a number of people carriers and device connected to the people carriers for advancing thereof along the track. Each people carrier is connected to the advancing device for pivoting about its top axis and is suspended in cantilevered manner above the track or rests thereon via support devices displaceable at an angle to the direction of forward movement. The people carriers can thus be moved as it were in “drifting” manner over the track. The advancing device can be arranged between the track and the people carriers, and can include for each people carrier a connecting member which protrudes from the track and on which the people carrier is mounted on its centre line and around which the people carrier can swivel. The fairground attraction can further be provided with devices for forcing the people carriers back to a neutral position oriented along the track and/or means for placing the people carriers at an angle relative to the direction of forward movement.
US08065961B1

In one embodiment, a less lethal munition including a ring airfoil projectile. The flight trajectory of the projectile has increased accuracy resulting from the aerodynamic stabilization of the projectile. In some embodiments, the projectile is both aerodynamically stabilized and spin stabilized.
US08065957B2

There is described a sheet inspection system for a sheet-fed recto-verso printing press of the type comprising two printing cylinders (10, 20) for carrying out simultaneous recto-verso printing of the sheets, said sheet inspection system comprising at least one inspection device (200; 300; 400) for taking an image of one side of the printed sheets. The sheet inspection system comprises first and second transfer cylinders (60, 65) interposed between a first (10) of the two printing cylinders (10, 20) and a chain gripper system (5) of the printing press, printed sheets being transferred successively from the first printing cylinder (10) to the first transfer cylinder (60), to the second transfer cylinder (65), and to the chain gripper system (5). The inspection device (200; 300; 400) comprises a line image sensor (210; 310; 410) for performing line-scanning image acquisition of the one side of the printed sheets, this line image sensor (210; 310; 410) visually acquiring an image of a printed sheet while the printed sheet is being transported on the first or second transfer cylinder (60; 65).
US08065951B2

A motion platform/simulator uses pumps coupled to servo-controlled electric motors to pump fluid directly into and out of rubber bellows-type actuators. Peristaltic or gear pumps may be used in conjunction with linear transducers/encoders. The fluid can be a gas such as air or one of many non-toxic fluids, even water, as the pump or actuators require no lubrication from the working fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a mechanical pivot such as a U-joint is situated between the platform and the ground surface, and each transducer is located immediately adjacent an actuator. A reservoir or reservoirs may be provided to supply and receive fluid to and from the actuator(s) through the pump(s) or, alternatively, the pump(s) may be coupled between two actuators, thereby eliminating the need for a fluid reservoir. A pump may be coupled between two stacked actuators or different actuators located at different points on the platform.
US08065950B2

An automatic pistol essentially consists of an immovable barrel, a breech with a firing pin and a cartridge extractor, a breech frame, a spring-loaded device for the removal of gas with a gas piston and a gas cylinder, a firing mechanism and a magazine. The barrel is fitted with an end piece, which is located in the lower part of the rear end of the barrel. The design of the breech allows for the displacement of its front part downwards, when the breech is in its front end position. The front part of the breech is fitted with side locking lugs. The corresponding locking grooves are located in the cavities on the end piece of the barrel. The gas piston has an opening for ejecting the cartridge casing. In the course of the backward movement, the gas piston unlocks the breech and draws it back. In the forward movement, the breech is carried forward and pushed downwards. The gas cylinder is located at the front part of the barrel and encompasses the barrel. Along the length of the barrel gas ducts are fixed.
US08065939B2

A rescue tool includes a fully pivotally opened handle in an obtuse angle disposition with one handle separately gripped and then a force transmitted through force bearing surfaces to the oppositely disposed handle having an outwardly disposed sinusoidal surface and juxtaposed hook end which engage a seized fire hose coupling. A high torque force is readily exerted through the handles on the seized fire hose coupling. The elongate handles and pivotally disposed jaws having elongate arcuate cutting edges corporately provide rapid cutting of aluminum sheath hybrid car battery cables in a further rescue operation.
US08065936B2

A device having a pass through formed therein that is offset from point where energy is received in order to perform a function (e.g., drive, tighten, thread, cut) on a material (e.g., pipe, rod) passing therethrough. The device may include a coupler to connect to an energy source (e.g., drill, impact gun, hand crank), an insert within the pass through to perform the functions, and gears (number and type may vary) to transfer the energy from the coupler to the pass through. The insert may perform the functions or may receive tools to perform the functions. The device may include two substantially similar pass throughs capable of receiving the insert or the coupler so as to provide a configurable device (e.g., torque vs. speed, push vs. pull) The coupler may be rotatable around the perimeter of the device to allow one to work in hard to reach places.
US08065934B2

A transmission (8) having a transmission housing (26) having a region in which gear wheels (66, 68) rotate and a heat exchanger (30) which absorbs the heat generated in the transmission (8). This heat is transferred to a transmission lubricant and released to a coolant to transport the heat away from the transmission (8). A recess (56) is provided, in the transmission housing (26) outside of the region in which the gearwheels (66, 68) rotate, through which transmission lubricant flows and in which the heat exchanger (30) is arranged. The heat exchanger (30) has a bypass valve (48) which enables the heat exchanger (30) to be bypassed starting at a predefined low or excess pressure.
US08065928B2

A vented filter is placed at the HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) loop entry port of an HPLC injector valve. The vented filter prevents the push gas used to deliver the crude radiolabeled product from over-pushing the liquid to waste. Push gas is vented off when the entire crude liquid product has passed through the vented filter and been loaded onto the HPLC loop.
US08065927B2

A probe used during a total knee arthroplasty for measuring forces and locations of their points of application and thereby moments includes two load sensitive plates t to be inserted in one joint-compartment of a knee joint each and each being provided with a top surface and a bottom surface. At least two load sensors may be situated on the top surfaces and/or the bottom surface of each load sensitive plate.
US08065914B2

A vibration gyro made of a single crystal piezoelectric material includes: a base; a plurality of resonating arms extending from the base; an excitation electrode formed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of resonating arms so as to vibrate at least the one of the plurality of resonating arms; and a piezoelectric element detecting a vibration component due to a Coriolis force acting perpendicularly to a vibrating direction of the plurality of resonating arms being vibrated by the excitation electrode, the piezoelectric element being mounted on a surface of at least one of the plurality of resonating arms and the base.
US08065911B2

A method and apparatus for assessing the tread on a vehicle tyre, measuring tyre pressure and calculating other parameters such as vehicle weight. The vehicle is driven in a longitudinal direction so that the tyre passes over a first lateral sensor (6) that extends across the footprint of the tyre, the first sensor comprising an array of individual force sensing elements (11), which provide outputs indicative of tyre pressure at points across the footprint of the tyre. The sensing elements are sampled at intervals as the tyre moves over them, so as to build up data relating to the entire footprint of the tyre. The sensing elements are of relatively high resolution to detect areas within the tyre footprint where there is tread cut into the tyre, so that the extent of tread coverage can be assessed. Tyre pressure is also determined. The tyre then passes over a series of second lateral sensors (7) spaced at intervals to assess the tyre around its circumference. The second lateral sensors may be of low resolution, with outputs being compared with each other and with a low resolution sensor (T) adjacent the high resolution sensor to assess whether there is a difference in tyre tread quality at different positions around the tyre circumference. At least one lateral sensor may be provided with resilient portions that extend into tyre tread portions. These will engage the base of a tread portion that is below a predetermined minimum tread depth, so as to increase the area of contact and provide an indication of insufficient tread depth.
US08065906B2

The present invention describes methods and kits for determining the concentration of free chlorine in water. To avoid false readings from other species present in the water, the free chlorine is reacted with ammonia to form monochloramine, which is then reacted to form an indophenol or an indonaphthol. The concentration of the indophenol or indonaphthol is proportional to the total monochloramine present. Subtracting the concentration of residual monochloramine from the total monochloramine yields the concentration of monochloramine formed from the free chlorine and ammonia, and is proportional to the concentration of free chlorine. Embodiments of the present invention will simplify and accelerate accurate measurements of free chlorine in water, without interference from compounds impacting present measurements of free chlorine.
US08065894B2

A double knit fabric which does not require hemming treatment even when it is cut into a desired shape and does not give any damage on handling to the fabric when an user wears it, and which can suppress generation of run or curling. A double knit fabric having a superior run and curling generation preventing ability, is made by a knitting process utilizing a non-elastic yarn and an elastic yarn having thermal deformation starting temperature being 150° C. to 190° C., with a plating stitch so that the non elastic yarn is arranged on both external surfaces thereof, while the elastic yarn is arranged on both inner surfaces thereof.
US08065889B1

An adjustable support structure for supporting food items above melt water which accumulates in the bottom of an insulated portable ice chest. A horizontal deck supports food and ice within the ice chest above the ice chest bottom so that a volume for melt water is defined between the ice chest bottom and the horizontal deck. In some embodiments, to facilitate draining the ice chest in situ, a drain water suction pick up tube is provided having a lower portion extending downwardly from the horizontal deck into the volume. In some embodiments, the horizontal deck includes a generally rectangular main portion and a pair of adjustable wings, with supports under the main portion for positioning the horizontal deck a distance above the ice chest bottom.
US08065888B2

An apparatus for maintaining low temperature of a food item includes a first bowl member, a second bowl member, and a lid member. The first bowl member includes a first body portion, a first open top end portion, and a first closed bottom end portion. The first bowl member is capable of receiving a cooling material therewithin. Further, the second bowl member includes a second body portion, a second open top end portion, and a second closed bottom end portion. The second bowl member is capable of receiving the food item therewithin. The second bowl member is configured to be removably received within the first bowl member. The second bowl member includes at least one handle member for facilitating lifting and carrying of the second bowl member. The lid member covers the food item received in the second bowl member.
US08065884B2

The use of sealants based on organosilanes for refrigeration and air conditioning systems is made possible by control of the rate of introduction and viscosity of the sealant mixture within certain ranges. An appropriate choice of organosilane sealant is made to allow effective sealing of small pinhole size leaks in the air conditioning or refrigeration system. The organosilane is then combined with a miscible lubricant at particular ratios to provide the proper mixture viscosity for injection into the refrigerant system to prevent bearing seizure. Specific orifice sizes are selected for an apparatus to ensure that the composition is injected at the flow rates required to prevent liquid slugging and subsequent compressor shutdown or failure. In addition, effective introduction of the mixture requires certain procedures be performed. Injection procedures are also described that prevent temporary or catastrophic equipment shutdown.
US08065880B2

A premixed combustion burner for a gas turbine can efficiently premix fuel and air to produce fuel gas having a uniform concentration, while reliably achieving prevention of flash back by making the flow rate of fuel gas substantially uniform. The premixed combustion burner for a gas turbine has a fuel nozzle, a burner cylinder arranged so as to surround the fuel nozzle and form an air passageway between itself and the fuel nozzle, and swirler vanes that are arranged along an axial direction of the fuel nozzle in a plurality of positions around the circumferential direction of an outer circumference surface of the fuel nozzle. The swirler vanes gradually curve from an upstream side to a downstream side to spin the air traveling within the air passageway from the upstream side to the downstream side. A cutaway section is provided in a rear edge section on an inner circumference side of the swirler vanes.
US08065878B2

An internal combustion engine having a reciprocating multi cylinder internal combustion engine with multiple valves. At least a pair of exhaust valves are provided and each supply a separate power extraction device. The first exhaust valves connect to a power turbine used to provide additional power to the engine either mechanically or electrically. The flow path from these exhaust valves is smaller in area and volume than a second flow path which is used to deliver products of combustion to a turbocharger turbine. The timing of the exhaust valve events is controlled to produce a higher grade of energy to the power turbine and enhance the ability to extract power from the combustion process.
US08065861B2

The hardware for mounting the blinds is located in the head rail such that it does not interfere with the cutting operation but remains with the blind after the blind is cut-to-size. The hardware overlaps with a blind component and the hardware may include a mounting bracket that includes a notch for receiving the blind component. The ends of the blinds are aligned in a package by the manufacturer during the packaging process. The blinds are secured in the package such that the blind elements are properly aligned. The aligned blinds and the package are inserted into a cutting machine as a unit and the cutting machine cuts the blinds and the package simultaneously.
US08065852B2

A roofing system including horizontal or sloped metal framing members, for example, C-joists, U-joists, open web joists, or other metal frame systems that support a reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable SCP panel. The roofing system is non-combustible, water durable, mold and rot resistant, termite resistant and is capable of resisting shear loads equal to or exceeding shear loads provided by plywood or oriented strand board panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of inorganic binder, for example, calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, an active pozzolan and lime. The continuous phase is reinforced with glass fibers and contains lightweight filler particles, for example, ceramic microspheres.
US08065850B1

A modular architectural precast cladding system that is completely mortarless, and not subject to the inherent deficiencies of masonry materials and practice. Simple, rapid and uniform installation, with automatic alignment and self leveling features. A multi-purpose mechanical connector that is either cast-in-place at point of manufacture, or alternatively can be anchored later on the jobsite.
US08065848B2

A system and method of manufacture providing reinforced structurally functional load-bearing members, including but not limited to using thermoplastic materials, such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP), reinforced such as with an aluminum alloy, glass-reinforced polyurethane (foamed or unfoamed), or carbon fiber core element. Among its possible uses, the present invention has application for provision of structural support members, such as an illustrative I-joist product having a vertical center member preferably comprising a thermoplastic material, and top and bottom flanges having structurally meaningful reinforcement. The center member and flanges preferably comprising a thermoplastic material provides a relatively hard, durable, substantially weather-resistant structure. Certain embodiments of the present invention include reinforcing members having a plurality of lobes or arms. Additional embodiments include indentations along the reinforcing members, such as the arms, to aid in bonding between the thermoplastic outer material and reinforcing member within the thermoplastic material. Certain embodiments of the present invention include reinforcing members used in combination with a foamed area and a thermoplastic material.
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