US08066943B2
A clinical analyzer having the capability to operate at both a higher and lower throughput, depending upon the assay load demand experienced by the hospital or laboratory, so that analyzer throughput most closely matches assay demand.
US08066933B2
The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises polyamide, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed.
US08066929B2
The present invention relates to a method and a device for placing at least one material layer onto a relief mold for producing a composite material. Thereby, an elastically-reversibly deformable body with a surface relief that is designed to correspond to the relief mold is pressed against the material layer, as a result of which the surface of said body is deformed, and the material layer can be picked up. As a result of its elastically-reversible characteristics the body subsequently deforms back to its initial state so that the material layer can easily be placed onto the relief mold.
US08066927B2
The invention relates to a method for making a thermoplastic composite part by molding. The method includes making several portions of the part according to a molding method, the molding method including placing, in a mold, a composite material containing fibers embedded in a thermoplastic matrix, while arranging the material so that the fibers contained therein are oriented along one or more preferred directions; submitting the mold to particular pressure and temperature conditions, knowing that for each of the different portions the fibers may be of different natures and dimensions, and may be oriented in different directions, while the thermoplastic matrix and that of the material used for making the first portion are identical or compatible; and assembling the different portions obtained, placing them in a mold, and submitting the latter to particular pressure and temperature conditions.
US08066924B2
A method and apparatus for carrying out the method are for forming a sheet or film of thermoplastic polymer alloy by extruding an intimate blend of incompatible polymer materials, such as polypropylene dispersed in LLDPF, through an extruding die and stretching after extrusion. In the die upstream from the exit is a grid chamber comprising one or more grids, the grid or grids having at least 4 (in the longitudinal sections perpendicular to the main surfaces of the flow) closely spaced lamellae (303) having walls extending several millimeters in the direction of the flow which are interconnected (306) at intervals such that viewed in sections perpendicular to the direction of flow they form a network, the intervals being essentially longer than the distance between each pair of lamellae and between the lamellae apertures of a size selected to reduce the average size of the dispersed phase of P1 or P2 in the blend, the grid or grids being located at a position in the chamber where the gap is wider than the said exit gap, the grip chamber further comprising a gap reduction portion between the screen and the die exit wherein the gap through which the blend flows is reduced at least part way to the gap of the die exit. There may be two grids with parallel lamellae arranged so that the lamellae of the downstream grid are located mid-way between the lamellae of the upstream grid.
US08066921B2
A method of producing a container and a closure comprises blow molding a body comprising a container portion and a closure portion joined together, and separating the closure portion from the container portion. A container and/or a closure produced according to the method are also disclosed, as well as an intermediate product for producing a container and a closure.
US08066915B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a nickel atom-, manganese atom- and cobalt atom-containing composite carbonate that is high in specific surface area and large in tap density, and useful as a raw material for producing a lithium nickel manganese cobalt composite oxide to be used in a positive electrode active material for use in a lithium secondary battery. The composite carbonate includes nickel atoms, manganese atoms and cobalt atoms, and has an average particle size of 5 μm or more and less than 20 μm, a BET specific surface area of 40 to 80 m2/g and a tap density of 1.7 g/ml or more.
US08066909B2
A light emitting device is disclosed. The light emitting device may include a light emitting diode (LED) for emitting light and a phosphor adjacent to the LED. The phosphor may be excitable by light emitted by the LED and may include a first compound having a host lattice comprising first ions and oxygen. In one embodiment, the host lattice may include silicon, the copper ions may be divalent copper ions and the first compound may have an Olivin crystal structure, a β-K2SO4 crystal structure, a trigonal Glaserite (K3Na(SO4)2) or monoclinic Merwinite crystal structure, a tetragonal Ackermanite crystal structure, a tetragonal crystal structure or an orthorhombic crystal structure. In another embodiment, the copper ions do not act as luminescent ions upon excitation with the light emitted by the LED.
US08066907B2
A liquid crystalline polyester resin composition is provided, by which a molded article with an enhanced specific modulus can be produced. The liquid crystalline polyester resin composition comprises mica fillers in an amount of 15 to 30 parts by mass and carbon fibers with specific volume resistance of 108 Ωcm or more in an amount of 5 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystalline polyester.
US08066906B2
A polymerizable compound represented by general formula (1): wherein A represents a ring assembly composed of at least two 6-membered rings each optionally having a substituent; X1 and X2 each represent a (meth)acryloyloxy group; and Y1 and Y2 each independently represent a single bond, an optionally branched alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an ether linkage, —COO—, —OCO—, a 6-membered ring optionally having a substituent, a naphthalene ring optionally having a substituent, or a combination thereof; the substituent being a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitrile group, an optionally branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an optionally branched alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or an optionally branched alkenyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the alkyl, alkoxy, or alkenyl group may have its —CH2— moiety replaced with a sulfur atom or an oxygen atom and may have its hydrogen atom replaced with a halogen atom or a nitrite group.
US08066905B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element which can suppress a production cost, has good heat resistance, uniformly maintains the fixed orientation of a liquid crystal polymer in a wide temperature range, shows a low haze with reliability, and can maintain desired birefringence property with reliability. The present invention relates to an optical element formed by forming, on an upper surface of a base material having light transmittance, at least a birefringence layer having a structure obtained by fixing liquid crystal monomers each having a polymerizable group at a terminal thereof in a state where the monomers are homeotropically oriented, and by removing an additive layer formed on the upper surface of the birefringence layer.
US08066904B2
Inhalation of low levels of nitric oxide can rapidly and safely decrease pulmonary hypertension in mammals. Precise delivery of nitric oxide at therapeutic levels of 20 to 100 ppm and inhibition of reaction of nitric oxide with oxygen to form toxic impurities such as nitrogen dioxide can provide effective inhalation therapy for pulmonary hypertension.
US08066899B2
The present disclosure relates to non-ignitable gaseous compositions comprising difluoromethane and tetrafluoroethylene. When the pressure is at least 150 psig, the molar percentage of tetrafluoroethylene in the non-ignitable gaseous composition is no more than 111.6−0.124X. When the pressure is less than 150 psig, the molar percentage of tetrafluoroethylene in the non-ignitable gaseous composition is no more than 102−0.06X. X is the pressure in the unit of psig.The present disclosure also provides processes for making such non-ignitable gaseous compositions.Also disclosed are azeotropic compositions of TFE and HFC-32.
US08066896B2
An apparatus for etching a wafer by a single-wafer process comprises a fluid supplying device which feeds an etching fluid on a wafer, and a wafer-chuck for horizontally holding the wafer. The wafer-chuck is equipped with a gas injection device for injecting a gas to the wafer, a first fluid-aspirating device, and a second fluid-aspirating device. The etching fluid supplied on the wafer is spread by a rotation of the wafer. The etching fluid is scattered by a centrifugal force, or flows down over an edge portion of the wafer and is blown-off by the gas injected from the gas injection unit, and is aspirated by the first fluid-aspirating device or the second fluid-aspirating device.
US08066891B2
The present invention provides a laminate comprising an insulating layer having suppressed dusting properties, an insulating film comprising the insulating layer, and an electronic circuit component comprising a pattern of the insulating layer. The laminate has a layer construction of first inorganic material layer-insulating layer-second inorganic material layer or a layer construction of inorganic material layer-insulating layer. The insulating layer comprises a laminate of two or more wet etchable insulating unit layers. At the interface between the inorganic material layer and the insulating layer, surface irregularities of the inorganic material layer have been transferred onto the surface of the insulating layer. The average height of the surface irregularities transferred onto the insulating layer is less than the thickness of the outermost insulating unit layer in the insulating layer.
US08066888B2
A blood cell collection system having means for detecting when a cell separation chamber has filled with white blood cells, and flushing the cells out of the cell separation chamber into a collect bag. A red-green sensor senses the optical characteristics of fluid leaving the cell separation chamber. A baseline value is calculated. The device calculates a ratio of the intensities of red light and green light and a peak-to-peak ratio of intensities. If either ratio exceeds thresholds computed from the baseline, the device flushes the cells into the collect bag. A camera detects white cells passing into the cell separation chamber and the device calculates the number of cells being collected. If the calculated number of collected cells exceeds a certain limit, the cell separation chamber is flushed. If the device is unable to establish a baseline, the donation can proceed, relying solely on the calculated number of collected cells.
US08066885B2
A process for the beneficiation of carbonate mineral substrates by magnetic separation is defined herein wherein a phosphorus or nitrogen containing organic compound or reagent and a plurality of magnetic particles are intermixed with a carbonate containing mineral substrate, a magnetic field is applied to the mixture and a value mineral is thereby separated from a non-value mineral.
US08066873B2
An aeration and microbial reactor system for use in decontaminating water including a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains adjacent a top surface of the contaminated water while the bioreactor containing inoculated carrier media is attached below. Beneficial microbial populations thrive and spread throughout the liquid medium, and consume or fix the contaminant such that the contaminant is removed from the water.
US08066869B2
The invention relates to a treatment process of a sulphur-containing hydrocarbon fraction, comprising the following steps: a) a hydrodesulphurization step of said hydrocarbon fraction to produce a sulphur-depleted effluent, consisting of passing the hydrocarbon fraction mixed with hydrogen over at least one hydrodesulphurization catalyst. b) a step of separation of the partially desulphurized hydrocarbon fraction from the hydrogen introduced in excess, as well as the H2S formed in step a). c) a step of collecting both mercaptans and thiophenic compounds, consisting of placing the partially desulphurized hydrocarbon fraction originating in step b) in contact with an adsorbent comprising at least one element chosen from the group constituted by the elements of groups VIII, IB, IIB and IVA, the adsorbent being used in reduced form in the absence of hydrogen at a temperature above 40° C., the metal content in the reduced form of the adsorbent being above 25% by weight.
US08066864B2
The invention relates to polymers which comprise at least partially cross-linked main chains constructed from repeat units of the general formula I and possibly repeat units of the general formula II and also possibly repeat units comprising five- or six-membered aza aromatics or nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Polymers of this type are used as additive in electroplating baths since these enable a better layer thickness distribution of the electroplated layer.
US08066858B2
A sensor, and methods of making, for determining the concentration of an analyte, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. The sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, and can include an insertion monitoring trace to determine correct positioning of the sensor in a connector.
US08066856B2
A tending module for a series of electrolysis cells designed for the manufacture of aluminum by igneous electrolysis, each cell including a series of anodes provided with a metal rod designed to fix and electrically connect the anodes to a metal anode frame. The tending module includes a frame to be fixed to a mobile component, and at least one anode handling unit connected to the frame. The module also includes, integral with the anode handling unit, an activator that can exert at least one force or impulse on the anode rod, with a force such that, although the stem is firmly maintained in contact against the anode frame, the contact surfaces are moved in relation to each other by an amount sufficient for electrical contact to be improved. Advantageously, the activator is a jack or an impulse generator integral with the anode clamp.
US08066852B2
Light hydrocarbon enrichment is accomplished using a vertically oriented distillation column having a plurality of vertically oriented, nonselective micro/mesoporous hollow fibers. Vapor having, for example, both propylene and propane is sent upward through the distillation column in between the hollow fibers. Vapor exits neat the top of the column and is condensed to form a liquid phase that is directed back downward through the lumen of the hollow fibers. As vapor continues to ascend and liquid continues to countercurrently descend, the liquid at the bottom of the column becomes enriched in a higher boiling point, light hydrocarbon (propane, for example) and the vapor at the top becomes enriched in a lower boiling point light hydrocarbon (propylene, for example). The hollow fiber becomes wetted with liquid during the process.
US08066851B2
A system for treating recovered fluids in-line that includes a thermal reactor for separating contaminated drill cuttings into drill cuttings and contaminants by applying heat to the contaminated drill cuttings so as to vaporize contaminants from the contaminated drill cuttings; a first condenser in fluid connection with the thermal reactor for condensing the vaporized contaminants; a separator in fluid connection with the first condenser for separating the condensed vapors into an oleaginous liquid and an aqueous liquid, wherein at least a portion of one of the aqueous liquid and oleaginous liquid is fed back into the first condenser via a feedback line; and an ozone generator operatively coupled to the feedback line, wherein at least the portion of the fed back liquid is ozonated by the ozone generator and fed into the condenser is disclosed.
US08066840B2
A method of forming metallic connector patterns for solar cells, whereby an embosser having raised features shaped in the form of a metallic connector pattern is used to attach a portion of a metallic foil to a transparent conductive layer formed on a top transparent surface of a solar cell structure. The raised surfaces of the embosser press the metallic foil portion against the transparent conductive layer. Heat and pressure directed to the metallic foil portion attach the metallic foil portion to the underlying transparent conductive layer, and then the rest of the metallic foil, which is not attached to the transparent conductive layer, is removed.
US08066829B2
The invention relates to a process for making a hot stamped coated steel sheet product, comprising the steps of pre-coating a steel strip or sheet with aluminium- or aluminium alloy, cutting said pre-coated steel strip or sheet to obtain a pre-coated steel blank, heating the blank in a furnace preheated to a temperature and during a time defined by diagram according to thickness, at a heating rate Vc between 20 and 700° C. comprised between 4 and 12° C./s and at a heating rate Vc′ between 500 and 700° C. comprised between 1.5 and 6° C./s, to obtain a heated blank; then transferring said heated blank to a die, hot stamping the heated blank in the die obtain a hot stamped steel sheet product, cooling at a mean rate Vr between the exit of the heated blank from the furnace, down to 400° C., of at least 30° C./s.
US08066824B2
The present invention provides modified metal surfaces, methods of preparing the same, and intermediates thereto. These materials are useful in a variety of applications including biomaterials.
US08066821B2
A dishwasher includes wash chamber, a wash system for supplying washing fluid to wash arms to clean articles arranged in the wash chamber, and a washing fluid manifold having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet portions. A filter chamber is fluidly connected to the washing fluid manifold for removing food soil from the washing fluid. A venturi is provided in the passage for establishing a low pressure region. A sampling port for feeding the filter chamber is located in the low pressure region. In addition, a bleed port is provide near an inlet of the filter chamber. In this manner, washing fluid enters the filter chamber at low pressure to increase the efficiency of a filtering process, while washing fluid enters the wash arms at a high velocity to efficiently perform a washing operation.
US08066814B2
A crystal-growing furnace having a slurry drainage duct structure includes a furnace body, a supporting table, a loading frame, a plurality of eaves elements, and a set of eaves gutters. The supporting table includes a table plate and a plurality of supporting posts. The loading frame includes a lower plate and four side plates, where four elongated eaves boards descend from sides of the lower plate. Four eaves gutters, having V-shaped grooves, are connected with one another and disposed beneath the four eaves elements correspondingly. Any high-temperature silicon slurry leaks from a furnace crucible will be guided by the elongated eaves boards into the V-shaped grooves of the eaves gutters to prevent the silicon slurry from flowing along the periphery of the table plate and down to the supporting posts.
US08066812B2
A magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) composition comprising: caustic calcined magnesia magnesium chloride phosphoric acids or corresponding salts exfoliated vermiculite.
US08066807B2
Flame-retarding additives that may also have insulating properties are disclosed that include at least one carbonate salt, and at least one additional salt, active ingredient or combination thereof. In addition, methods of forming flame-retarding additives are disclosed that include providing at least one carbonate salt, providing at least one additional salt, active ingredient or combination thereof; and combining the at least one carbonate salt along with the at least one additional salt, active ingredient or combination thereof to form the flame-retarding additive. Flame-retarding additives disclosed may also comprise at least one filler material, including sand or white sand. These additives may also be included in paints and a number of processed building materials.
US08066802B2
The present invention relates to a method and a device for providing a zone (2) of clean air at an operation area (3) wherein an air treatment device (1) having a lighting device (25) is brought to a functional position such that the air treatment device (1) and the lighting device (25) are located above an operation area (3) and between the operation area (3) and a ceiling (32) in the operation premises (4). Air is taken into the air treatment device (1) from upper portions of the operation premises (4) and subsequently filtered in the air treatment device (1). The air is cooled in the air treatment device (1) to achieve a lower temperature than impure air (8) surrounding the zone (2) of clean air and subsequently discharged from the air treatment device (1) as a laminar air flow descending slowly downwards towards the operation area (3).
US08066797B2
The method of the present invention involves recycling or reprocessing small-sized metallic or non-metallic by-products by enclosing them in a binder prior to melting. The binder can be a steel drum or other suitable steel enclosure. Melting is then accomplished by a cupola.
US08066794B2
One aspect is a method of recovering minerals. The method includes heating aggregated minerals with microwave energy. The aggregated minerals consists of at least a first and a second mineral bound together, the first and second minerals each having different differential thermal expansion rates such that fractures occur between the minerals of the aggregated minerals. The fractured minerals are subjected to microwave heating to induce fractures between and separation of the at least first and second minerals, and also to ultrasound energy causing further size reduction. The fractured and size-reduced minerals are heated with microwave energy. The fractured and size-reduced minerals consist of metal-containing materials, such that metal-containing materials are heated to at least the melting temperature of one of the metals in the metal-containing materials.
US08066780B2
A gastric balloon includes a scaffold structure, one or more internal inflatable compartments within the scaffold structure, and one or more inflatable bladders formed over the space-filling compartment. The gastric balloon may be deployed transesophageally using a gastroscope and is inflated in situ, preferably using a combination of liquid and gas inflation media.
US08066779B2
A modular hip joint implant and associated method. The modular hip implant includes a femoral stem having a proximal surface defining a dovetail groove having first and second female wings, and a neck component having a distal surface defining a semi-dovetail projection engaging the dovetail groove. The projection includes a single male wing mating with the first femoral wing.
US08066777B2
A wrist prosthesis system to replace at least a portion of a bone of a wrist of a patient. The system includes a carpal implant to replace at least a portion of a carpal bone of a carpal complex of the patient. The carpal implant includes a base and an augment that replaces at least a portion of the carpal bone. The augment is removably coupled to the base.
US08066769B2
The present invention discloses a multi-component intraocular lens implanted in an optical system of a human eye, including one or more foldable removable components, each component being foldable. One component acts as a base lens, including a flange with a slot. Another component acts is an optical assembly that may include a top lens joined to or integrated with a mid lens. The top lens, the mid lens or the optical assembly may include at least one projection that engages the slot of the base lens. The top and mid lenses are manufactured from a material having adhesive properties, wherein the top and mid lenses adhere to each other free of any material or substance being present therebetween.
US08066767B2
The invention concerns an intraocular lens with negative spherical aberration and a method of determining the refractive power of intraocular lenses. In the environment of immersion medium the intraocular lens refracts an incoming wave with an elliptically oblongly curved wave front into an outgoing wave with a substantially spherical wave front.
US08066766B2
Devices and methods used in termination of a tissue tightening procedure are described. Termination includes the cinching of a tether to tighten the tissue, locking the tether to maintain tension, and cutting excess tether. In procedures involving anchors secured to the tissue, the tether is coupled to the anchors and the tissue is tightened via tension applied to the anchors by cinching the tether. In general, the devices and methods can be used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, and can be applied through small incisions or intravascularly. A method for tightening tissue by fixedly coupling a first anchor to a tether and slidably coupling a second anchor to the tether, securing both anchors to the tissue, applying tension to the tether intravascularly, fixedly coupling the tether to the second anchor, and cutting the tether is described. The tissue to be tightened can comprise heart tissue, in particular heart valve annulus tissue. Various devices and methods for locking the tether in place and cutting excess tether are described.
US08066762B2
A polymeric tube is positioned on a polymeric mandrel and then laser cut to form an implantable medical device, such as a stent. The method reduces contamination of the inner surface of the stent, which would be caused if conventional glass or metal mandrels are used, while simultaneously reducing damage to the inner surface of the stent due to the shielding effect of the polymeric mandrel.
US08066759B2
A resonator device for medical device is provided. The resonator device includes a helical structure and a capacitor structure. The resonator device can be used in conjunction with a medical device, including a stent.
US08066749B2
Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning at a vertebra for resisting the expulsion of a bone graft from within an intervertebral space. The implant includes a buttress plate having an intervertebral plate and an anchoring plate connected such that the intervertebral plate can move relative to the anchoring plate.
US08066745B2
A spinal fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.
US08066741B2
A prosthetic replacement for a posterior element of a vertebra comprising portions that replace the natural lamina and the four natural facets. The prosthetic replacement may also include portions that replace one or more of the natural spinous process and the two natural transverse processes. If desired, the prosthesis replacement may also replace the natural pedicles. A method for replacing a posterior element of a vertebra is also provided.
US08066739B2
A tool set for implanting bone screws in a human spine, followed by the implantation of a longitudinal connecting member into the bone screws includes a pair of independently mountable and manipulatable elongate guide tools that form a unitary tool guide when desired. Each guide tool includes attachment structure for independent operable connection of the guide tool to an arm of the bone screw. The bone screw/guide tool attachment includes an undercut and/or recess so as to resist separation of the guide tool member from an attached bone screw. A removable stabilizer cooperating with the pair of guide tools places such tools in a set spaced relation to one another when desired. Further tools include a cooperating bone screw driver with an attached stabilizer, a closure starter/reduction tool, a closure driver and a counter torque tool.
US08066735B2
A zipper-type wound closer attachable to the skin around a skin opening and zipped closed to pull the skin opening closed. The wound closer includes two elongated connecting strips whose feet are pre-coated with adhesive and attached to the skin around the skin opening. The edges of the wound are trimmed flush with the interior sides of connecting strips, and the strips are then zipped together by moving a slider along the connecting strips to join the strips together like a familiar zipper. The wound zipper forms a continuous, toothless seam to prevent seepage of fluid through the seam. By holding the freshly trimmed edges of the skin opening together immobile in a clean, firm, closely aligned connection, the wound closer recreates the conditions under which scar-free healing of the skin can occur naturally; useful for repairing wounds and removing existing scars.
US08066725B2
An anastomosis device providing increased functionality, reliability and safety through the use of designs addressing potential puncture of an inflation balloon being used to hold and approximate tissue. The anastomosis device can include bladder retention structures configured to engage and retain tissue without pointed or sharpened surfaces that can rupture the inflation balloon. The anastomosis device can include a reinforced or otherwise protected inflation balloon to resist puncturing by a bladder retention structure. The anastomosis device can include a catheter wall profile selected to physically prevent bladder retention structures from being forcibly bent back so as to avoid potential contact with and puncture of the inflation balloon. The anastomosis device can include a catheter funnel with an internal spring for preventing kinking of the catheter lumen while providing for flexibility and stretch of the funnel to absorb pulling or shock force which can rupture the inflation balloon.
US08066718B2
A surgical suturing device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end is operable to move a suture through body tissue. A handle assembly is coupled to an elongated shaft having a hollow configuration. An actuating rod is disposed to extend between the handle assembly and the shaft. A needle assembly at the distal end of the actuating rod is movable with the actuating rod between an extended state and a retracted state. Bifurcated portions of the needle assembly define a suture slot, the bifurcated portions have a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the retracted state and having a separated relationship when the needle assembly is in the extended state. The needle assembly is biased to the retracted state and the bifurcated portions are biased to the separated relationship.
US08066712B2
The disclosure relates in certain embodiments to medical devices, systems and methods for use in osteoplasty procedures, such as vertebral compression fractures. One system for delivering a bone fill material to a bone includes an elongated introducer configured for insertion into a bone and having a channel sized to allow a flow of bone fill material therethrough. The introducer has at least one outlet opening in communication with the channel for delivering the bone fill material into the bone. A thermal energy emitter is coupled to the introducer and configured to apply thermal energy to the bone fill material flowing through the introducer. A sensor and a computer controller can be used to measure data about the bone fill material and to control certain aspects of the flow of bone fill material. A hydraulic pressure source may also be operatively coupled to the introducer and configured to apply a force on the bone fill material to provide a pressurized flow of bone fill material through the introducer. In certain embodiments, the system for use in osteoplasty procedures can include a cooling system that can be used to cool the bone fill material.
US08066706B2
A surgical nail (1), in particular, an intramedullary nail, has a central axis (2) and is formed of a material (M) having a modulus of elasticity (E). A plurality of transversal openings (5) run transversally to the central axis (2) and have a cross-sectional profile (F) and a transversal axis (6), the cross-sectional profile (F) having a maximum length (a) that runs in the direction of the central axis and a maximum width (b) that runs perpendicular to the length. A longitudinal bore (3) runs coaxially with the central axis (2) and defines a wall (4). A longitudinal insert (7) can be introduced into the region of the transversal opening (5) via the longitudinal bore (3). Said insert has a longitudinal axis (13) and consists of a material (m). The insert (7) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (25) so that said insert can be elastically compressed in a radial manner and includes a plurality of radial elevations (14) fitting inside the transversal openings (5).
US08066705B2
An improved method and instrumentation for performing spinal surgery, including discectomy, interbody fusion and rigid internal fixation of the spine, from the lateral aspect of the spine is disclosed. The surgical procedure can be performed through a very small incision. The instrumentation of the present invention, all of which is inserted from a lateral position into the spine in the preferred embodiment, comprises a guide pin, a distractor, an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve an adjustable drill and an implant driver. The distractor of the present invention is driven into the disc for spacing apart and realigning the adjacent vertebrae. It further functions as an alignment rod for inserting the extended outer sleeve which is a hollow tubular member capable of maintaining said spacing and alignment of two adjacent vertebrae and defines a protected space through which subsequent instruments which may include, but are not limited to a drill and a diameter reducing inner sleeve may be passed, as well as a spinal implant. The remainder of the surgical procedure consisting of the removal of spinal material across the disc, fusion, and rigid internal stabilization via the implant may all be performed via the closed space within the extended outer sleeve.
US08066701B2
Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device further include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.
US08066700B2
An electrosurgical instrument includes a shaft, a flexible portion, and a head coupled to the shaft through the flexible portion and pivotably coupled to the flexible portion. The head includes a non-conductive surface and an electrically conductive surface. The flexible portion is configured to bias the non-conductive surface and the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface, such as cartilage. The non-conductive surface may include a material having a thermal conductivity less than or equal to about 30 W/m*K and/or a volume resistivity greater than or equal to about 1×1014 ohm*cm. The non-conductive surface may include a ceramic such as Macor® ceramic, ZTA ceramic, and/or 99.5% alumina ceramic.
US08066695B2
An apparatus for administering a therapeutic agent is provided. The apparatus, in an embodiment, includes an ozone generator connected to a scavenger and an ozone administrator via network of tubing and valves. When activated and the valves placed in the proper position, the ozone generator will fill the ozone administrator with ozone. The ozone generator can then be turned off and the valves moved so that the administrator can be disconnected from the remainder of the apparatus. The administrator is typically in the form of a syringe and needle. Once the syringe and needle is filled with ozone, the needle can be inserted into a tissue and the ozone expressed therefrom into the tissue. Various other apparatuses and methods are also contemplated.
US08066694B2
A permanently implanted insulin pump or combined insulin and glucagon pumps, controlled by a valve that expands and contracts due to osmosis as a result of changes in the blood sugar level. The valve is constructed from tissues harvested or grown from the patient's body tissues to prevent rejection, infection or thrombosis. It operates the pump(s) though a blood vessel via a magnetic strip within the valve tissue and a reed switch located outside the blood vessel. The pump battery is recharged by electromagnetic induction in response to low battery warnings. Glucagon and/or insulin are refilled in response to low-level warning indicators, using self-sealing septa located near to the surface of the skin.
US08066693B2
The present invention is a kit for preparing a medical catheter from catheter sections which are short relative to the length of the catheter. The catheter is divided into two or more sections configurable into two configurations. In one configuration, the sections are joined to form a catheter of a greater length than the length of each individual section. In the other configuration, the length of the catheter is reduced. The invention also relates to a method of producing a catheter section by injection molding.
US08066688B2
The present invention relates to liquid drug medical devices for enabling the administration of liquid drugs, and also a needle shield removal device for safely removing needle shields.
US08066687B2
The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article comprising a chassis defining a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and rear waist region. The article includes front and back ear panels that are joined at opposing side seams. The side seam can include an initiation region, which can be bonded or unbonded, and a propagation region. The initiation region and the propagation region have a resistance to user-applied opening forces. The resistance at the initiation region is less than that of the propagation region. The seam can further include additional regions. The article can include a tab member that can be engaged by the user to facilitate opening of the seam.
US08066684B2
This invention provides disposable pants usable as both pants and a diaper, which ensure excellent stretchability to facilitate raising/lowering when putting them on, and the like. The disposable pants have functions of both pants and a diaper, and a left front abdominal part and a right front abdominal part can be expanded to the left and right by breaking left and right breaking parts. The left front abdominal part and right front abdominal part are provided with adhesive pieces attached/detached to/from an adhesive part of a central front abdominal part. The ratio between a lateral dimension of the front abdominal section in a stretched state and a lateral dimension between positions to which the left and right adhesive pieces are bonded, respectively, is set to fall within a range of 0.05≦X2/X1≦0.55, which ensures stretchability of the front abdominal section.
US08066681B1
A monitor-driven intracranial catheter assembly including dual lumen catheter for monitoring intracranial pressure via a pressure sensor located in one lumen while simultaneously draining cerebrospinal fluid through another lumen. A third lumen can also be provided with a side port for receiving a stylet. The stylet is used as a stiffening agent to aid in advancing the catheter into the patient's brain. The pressure sensor is preferably a spectral modulation sensor that communicates with a photodetector apparatus by means of a single optical fiber, thus minimizing the diameter of the catheter. The photodetector is self-correcting for signal errors caused by temperature change, changes in intensity of the input light, and transmission losses within the optical apparatus. Moreover, the photodetector operates off the output voltage of the standard hospital monitor by “scaling” the signal from the monitor to provide a pressure measurement signal that emulates the output of a piezoresistive strain gauge sensor or Wheatstone bridge. Therefore, the entire catheter assembly is designed to be used with any of the common types of hospital monitors. The pressure monitoring catheter assembly can be used in any situation requiring very sensitive pressure measurements and can be zeroed and calibrated in situ.
US08066677B2
A rapid exchange-type catheter for aspiration of embolic debris from a blood vessel includes an elongate aspiration tube and a relatively short guidewire tube mounted beside a distalmost portion of the aspiration tube. A proximal portion of the guidewire tube defines a strain relief segment. In one embodiment, the strain relief segment is formed detached from the aspiration tube. In another embodiment, the strain relief segment is minimally attached to the aspiration tube and becomes detached from the aspiration tube when a sufficient transverse force is applied to urge the guidewire tube away from the aspiration tube.
US08066675B2
A one-piece low drag septum is provided for preventing escape of fluid from an introducer needle during removal of such a needle from a catheter and introducer needle assembly. The septum generally includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity portion, and a longitudinal axis. The distal portion acts as a primary seal to prevent escape of blood from the catheter into the assembly and is generally positioned furthest away from the user of the apparatus and nearest the patient. The cavity portion reduces friction placed on the introducer needle. The proximal portion of the septum acts as a secondary seal to prevent escape of material from the cavity, seals the cavity, and wipes the needle as it is being withdrawn from the catheter assembly.
US08066674B2
A catheter introducer system is provided with a catheter sheath having a valve providing for a friction fit around a catheter. The friction fit is selectively adjustable to vary between a first configuration for longitudinal movement of the catheter through the valve and a second configuration for holding the catheter longitudinally in place. The valve may include a chuck to grip the catheter radially. The chuck may include an annular base and an opposed annular clamp, and a washer disposed between the base and the clamp. At least one of the base and the clamp may include a beveled surface that forces the washer radially inwardly as the base and the clamp are drawn together. The system also includes one or more dilators layered within the sheath. One or more of the dilators may include a preformed arcuate portion configured to access a targeted branched vessel. The layered dilators and sheaths are typically softer and more hydrophilic proceeding from the innermost dilator out to the sheath. The dilator may be reinforced by a wire embedded in the body of the dilator. The distal tip of the sheath may be stiffened by a ring affixed adjacent the distal end. The sheath may include in the innermost dilator a trocar formed of a flexible, hollow outer wire and an inner stiff needle, which can extend beyond the wire for piercing and be withdrawn to relax the wire for advancement of the dilator.
US08066669B2
A Luer access device may include a housing, a septum, and a gas permeable vent in communication with at least a portion of the housing for venting gas from an extravascular system. A method of venting a medical device may include providing a gas permeable vent within a Luer access device as part of an extravascular system and venting gas from the extravascular system through the gas permeable vent of the Luer access device.
US08066668B2
A syringe assembly includes a syringe barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, an open proximal end, a distal end, and an outlet; a plunger assembly disposed at least partially within the syringe barrel, including an elongate plunger rod having a locking flange formed thereon; and a plunger head having a distal sealing surface, the plunger rod being engageable with the plunger head such that the plunger rod is adapted to move the plunger head within the chamber of the syringe barrel through an injection cycle; and a flange lock disposed at the open proximal end of the barrel. The flange lock is integral with the open proximal end of the syringe barrel. During the injection cycle, the flange lock engages the locking flange of the plunger rod so as to prevent removal of the plunger rod from the syringe barrel.
US08066667B2
A catheter used for treatment of complex vasculature, such as a bifurcated aneurysm, is provided with an inflatable balloon at a distal portion thereof. The shape, location and material of the inflatable balloon are selected such that when inflated, the balloon conforms to the shape of the complex vasculature, or at least a portion thereof, without appreciably deforming the vessel walls. In this manner, the balloon can be used to control flow in the vasculature, for example occluding a selected branch of the vasculature during introduction of material in order concentrate the material and minimize its disbursement by blood flow.
US08066665B2
A system for the metering and delivery of small discrete volumes of liquid is comprised of a small or minimal number of inexpensive components. One such component is a movable member, such as a miniature precision reciprocating displacement pump head, which is driven by an actuator that comprises a shape memory alloy material. The operating mechanism of the system is of little or minimal complexity. The system facilitates the precise metering and delivery of the small discrete volumes of liquid. Potential applications for the system include subcutaneous, long-term, automated drug delivery, for example, the delivery of insulin to a person with diabetes. In such an application, the small, simple and inexpensive nature of the invention would allow for its use as both a portable and a disposable system.
US08066654B2
A spinal orthosis and method of applying extension and compression forces onto a user spine includes a lumbo-sacral compression unit conforming to a portion of a user's torso and exerting an encircling compressive force to provide a hydraulic lift. A posterior spinal frame member is secured by the lumbo-sacral compression unit to be cantilevered upward along the user's spine. A pair of adjustable shoulder strap assemblies are connected to an upper portion of the posterior spinal frame member and adjacent a lower portion of the posterior spinal frame member to enable a user to adjustably apply a thoracic force with adjustable controlled buckles and straps positioned on the user's chest.
US08066652B2
The present invention relates to a massage device. In one embodiment, the massage device includes a massage assembly and a transmission assembly for driving the massage assembly to provide massage effects. The massage assembly includes a pair of massage members. Each massage member has a driving member having a pair of eccentric gears, a massage bracket engaged with the driving member and a plurality of massage heads attached to the massage bracket. The transmission assembly includes a hoist transmission mechanism.
US08066646B2
A plethysmograph is described that includes a reference chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a barrier wall spaced beneath the bottom wall, a continuous side wall having a lower edge, and a first continuous flange with a lower edge below the bottom wall and above the barrier wall; a test chamber having a bottom wall, a continuous side wall with an upper edge, and a second continuous flange extending upwardly from the upper edge, the interior face of one of the flanges including an annular groove with an O-ring in the groove, and the interior face of the other flange being tapered from vertical by up to about 1°; and a manifold having airflow openings in communication with the reference and test chamber and a common exterior airflow opening through a passageway, and a sampling port in communication with the passageway.
US08066645B2
A bleed flow valve assembly for venting air from a blood pressure cuff at relatively constant pressure decrease rate irrespective of cuff size includes a multiple chamber bleed valve and a multiple position control valve operatively associated therewith. A first end chamber is connected in pneumatic communication with the cuff and pneumatically sealed from a second central chamber by a first flexible diaphragm. A third end chamber is separated from the central chamber by a second flexible diaphragm. A variable flow area opening through the second diaphragm provides a flow path for controllably venting air from the second chamber to ambient pressure when the control valve is selectively positioned to connect the third chamber in pneumatic communication with ambient pressure. Air is vented from the cuff through the first chamber in regulated response to the pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber acting upon the first flexible diaphragm.
US08066644B2
A system, method and device for positioning a target located within soft tissue in a path of an instrument inserted into the soft tissue includes: a manipulation system including a plurality of force applicators positioned around the soft tissue containing the target; an image acquisition system including an imaging probe for obtaining data for generating an image of the soft tissue containing the target; a detection means for detecting deflection of the target using the data from the imaging probe; and a control means for actuating the plurality of force applicators to apply forces on the soft tissue in response to a detected deflection of the target to move the target back in line with the path of the instrument. In an exemplary embodiment, the soft tissue is a breast, the imaging probe is an ultrasound imaging probe, and the instrument is a biopsy needle.
US08066642B1
Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.
US08066639B2
A glucose measuring system includes a glucose meter that incorporates wireless communication capabilities. The meter can advantageously be a low cost meter by eliminating expensive components, such as the display. The user nevertheless is able to retrieve and view his or her glucose values by referring to displays within the glucose measuring local area network. Feedback via these displays can advantageously be used by the diabetic to create a higher level of confidence and safety.
US08066632B2
A teleoperated endoscopic capsule for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes inside an animal body cavity, comprising a body (1) with a plurality of locomotion modules (5) placed on its surface, suitable for moving said body in the body cavity. The capsule also comprises an energy source inside said body and a microcontroller in the body (1) for actuating the locomotion modules (5) on the basis of commands teletransmitted by an operator. A video camera is then provided for capturing images controlled by said microcontroller and a transceiver system for receiving the commands teletransmitted by the operator and for transmitting the images gained through the video camera.
US08066630B2
The invention relates to a holding and resting device for medical instruments having essentially cylindrical instrument bodies, in particular endoscopic instruments, with a base body that can be secured for instance to an operating table and an instrument input to be inserted into the base body and in which the instrument body can be secured by clamping. To create a holding and resting device for medical instruments having essentially cylindrical instrument bodies, which is of simple construction and can be activated quickly and safely, it is proposed with the invention that the instrument input includes a ring-shaped tension casing with at least two holder arms as well as a tension nut that works together with the tension casing.
US08066628B1
Devices and methods are disclosed for implanting, positioning, removing, replacing and operating intra-aortic balloon pumps.
US08066622B2
Disclosed is a complex bench press which can be switched into a flat bench press, a decline bench press, or an incline bench press to achieve improved space utilization in a narrow space, and which enables users to switch the bench press into the bench press for a specific function in a significantly simple and quick manner to achieve improved convenience of use, and which enables users to always assume a posture appropriate for exercising even when the bench press is switched into the bench press for a specific function, to thereby protect users from injury during exercise.
US08066620B2
A method of actuating a clutch includes commanding a shift, monitoring slip speed, beginning synchronization, filling to a pre-fill volume, and holding at the pre-fill volume. After slip speed reaches a trigger point, the clutch is filled to a first predicted touch point volume, which is greater than the pre-fill volume. The pre-fill volume is approximately 80 to 90 percent of the first predicted touch point volume. The method may determine slip speed derivative, and set the trigger point based thereupon. The method may monitor actual touch point volume and calculate a flow model, which is used to determine when the pre-fill volume has been reached. Filling the clutch to the pre-fill volume may begin simultaneously with commanding the shift. Pressure is generated by an auxiliary pump, which receives power from sources other than an internal combustion engine.
US08066615B2
A method for operating the powertrain includes monitoring operator inputs, monitoring a transmission output, and terminating an engine operating mode when a time-rate change in the transmission output exceeds a threshold absent a change in the monitored operator inputs.
US08066603B2
A multi-speed sprocket assembly is provided for engaging a bicycle chain displaceable by a derailleur. The multi-speed sprocket assembly generally includes at least one smaller sprocket and at least one larger sprocket. The larger sprocket includes first and second transitional segments for alternatively receiving a shifting chain segment of the bicycle chain shifting from the smaller sprocket to the larger sprocket. The first transitional segment includes a first run-on ramp configured to receive an outer link plate of the shifting chain segment. The first run-on ramp has a first support point configured to bend the transferring bicycle chain at a first angle to position a first chain roller against a no-load tooth flank of the larger sprocket while a second chain roller rests against a load tooth flank of the smaller sprocket. The second transitional segment includes a second run-on ramp configured to receive the outer link plate of the shifting chain segment. The second run-on ramp has a second support point configured to bend the shifting chain segment at a second angle to position the first chain roller against the no-load tooth flank of the larger sprocket while the second chain roller rests against the load tooth flank of the smaller sprocket.
US08066601B2
In a timing chain driving system in which the speed of a driving sprocket fluctuates cyclically, the tooth pitch of a driven sprocket from which a tension span of the chain travels toward the driving sprocket varies cyclically around the circumference of the driven sprocket so that the tooth pitch at the point at which the timing chain disengages from the driven sprocket is at a minimum when the rotational speed of the driving sprocket is maximum, moderating fluctuations in chain tension. A similar effect can be achieved in the case of a driving sprocket having a cyclically varying tooth pitch by arranging the driving sprocket so that its tooth pitch is maximum at the point at which it is engaged by the chain when its rotational speed is maximum.
US08066600B2
A ratcheting tensioning device for a closed loop chain driven power transmission system of an internal combustion engine consisting of a base tensioner arm (12) and an adjusting tensioner arm (14) which each contact different strands or chain. Optionally, each arm may have a chain guide element for contacting the chain. The two tensioner arms (12, 14) are connected by a link plate (16) that is pivotally mounted to the base tensioner arm (12) in proximity to a first edge (24) of the link plate (16). A channel (52) located in proximity to a second edge (25) of the link plate (16) which allows a pin or sleeved bolt, to be securely attached to the adjusting tensioner arm (14), to traverse along the length of the channel (52) to urge the two tensioner arms (12, 14) toward each other in response to progressively increasing slack in the chain caused by the wearing over time of the components of the power transmission system.
US08066596B1
A bicycle gear assembly comprises first and second sets of cog wheels, each having at least three cog wheels of various sizes including a largest cog wheel and a smallest cog wheel. These two sets are oriented so that the largest cog wheel of the first set is aligned with the smallest cog wheel of the second set and vice versa, the first and the second sets of cog wheels define at least a first, second and third pair of substantially aligned cog wheels. Additionally, a chain is mounted about a first pair of the aligned cog wheels and a gear shift assembly is adapted to move the chain from the first pair of substantially aligned cogwheels to the second pair of substantially aligned cogwheels and from the second pair of substantially aligned cogwheels to the third pair of substantially aligned cogwheels.
US08066582B1
A system and device for golf putting practice, in which the device includes a first leg, a slider element attached to the first leg for grasping a shaft, and a shorter second leg pivotable to the first leg. The second leg is released and squeezed against the first to expose an opening in the slider element to receive the shaft therein, the second leg then released to pivot outward, causing the slider element to move down relative to the upper end of the first leg, closing down on the opening and seating the shaft. A second support device is installed in spaced relation on the shaft to achieve the level horizontal position of the shaft as a guide for a golfer practicing putting strokes with a golf putter.
US08066575B2
Automatic installation of a circlip is facilitated even when an axial length (inner race width) of a protrusion of an inner race is reduced. An inner race is installed in a constant velocity universal joint for transmitting torque while allowing angular displacement between itself and an outer race, with a shaft being inserted in a shaft hole formed in an inner bore to be spline-fitted thereto so as to be prevented from coming off by virtue of the circlip. A two-step chamfer having different chamfer angles is provided at a shaft insertion side end portion of the shaft hole. The two-step chamfer includes a first chamfer section situated on a shaft hole opening side and a second chamfer section provided on the side opposite to the shaft hole opening so as to be continuous with the first chamfer section. The chamfer angle α of the first chamfer section is set larger than the chamfer angle β of the second chamfer section.
US08066573B2
A driveshaft assembly includes a tubular slip member having a first spline member having a plurality of splines formed thereon having a first tolerance and a second spline member having a plurality of spline sections. The plurality of spline sections includes a plurality of splines formed thereon having a second tolerance. The second spline member cooperates with the first spline member. A zone is disposed on the second spline member and has a first profile. The zone is disposed adjacent to at least one of the plurality of spline sections of the second spline member, and the first profile defines a clearance relative to the first spline member.
US08066565B2
The present invention is directed to a computer network system that allows a user to register for games of chances throughout the country and in accordance with national, state and local laws and ordinances. This system analyses the geographical location and residency information of a user in relation to the geographical access and participation areas permitted, excluded, and restricted for a game of chance as governed by jurisdictional laws, statutes, rules, and regulations. If the user is not located within a permitted area or falls within an excluded or restricted area, the user will not be allowed to access or participate in the game of chance. The ability of the system to limit participation by geographical location is based on user input, data, and variable analysis, and the comparison between the areas where games of chance are permitted, excluded, restricted, and user location and residency, filters data to determine user accessibility to a game of chance, listings, and advertising. The methods and apparatus of this system have applications on the Internet for raffles as well as other conventional games of chance.
US08066564B2
A gaming system which displays a plurality of reels. Each reel is associated with a display area which displays a symbol. A wager is allocated to each one of the display areas. An award is determined based, at least in part, on such allocation.
US08066562B1
A method of simulating a traditional casino roulette game experience using a specially designed deck of thirty eight (38) playing cards to determine a winning number rather than via a spin of the roulette wheel. The deck includes one card for each single unique number from the roulette wheel, i.e. 00, 0, and numbers 1-36. The deck is shuffled so that the cards are drawn at random to simulate a spin of the roulette wheel. The dealer activates the shuffler to draw a card from the shuffled deck. A bar code on the drawn card is read into a computer via a scanner. Scanning the card activates the computer to provide a visual representation of a spin of the roulette wheel on a monitor located near the roulette table. The visualization shows the ball landing on the unique number of the roulette wheel dictated by the drawn card.
US08066560B2
External airflow rates from floor vents that provide chilled air to information handling systems are measured with a disposable tool to ensure compatibility of the information handling systems' external air cooling constraints with the cooling capacity of the floor vents. For instance, an information handling system manufacturer sends a disposable tool formed from a cardboard box to a user location. The tool has an open bottom to fit over a floor vent and a slat cut in a side surface to move in response to airflow that enters at the bottom. Pre-calibrated markings associated with expected airflow rates for information handling system cooling floor vents measure airflow rates by the degree of slat movement so that the user location and manufacturer may confer to confirm the compatibility of the user location cooling capacity with selected information handling systems.
US08066557B2
The game field dressing tool provides a one-piece tool utilized to dress both small and large game in the field. The tool is fabricated from a suitable rugged metal, such as stainless steel. The tool comprises an elongate handle and a head. The head incorporates a plurality of surface areas adapted to perform different field dressing tasks. A threaded hole is provided in the handle to permit the tool to be converted to a hatchet.
US08066552B2
A polishing pad has a polishing layer and a backing layer secured to the polishing layer. The polishing layer has a polishing surface, a first thickness, a first compressibility, and a hardness between about 40 to 80 Shore D. The backing layer has a second thickness and has a second compressibility greater than the first compressibility. The first thickness, first compressibility, second thickness and second compressibility are such that the polishing surface deflects more than the thickness non-uniformity of the polishing layer under an applied pressure of 1.5 psi or less.
US08066544B2
A toy apparatus may include a frame and a shell that may extend over and around the frame so that the apparatus takes on the appearance of an animal or thing. The frame may support a power source, a motor, drive and support wheel(s), a controller, one or more sensors and/or switches, and an audio emitting device(s). The sensor(s) and/or switches may include one or more of a photo sensor; a pressure, touch or contact sensor; an audio sensor; or any combination of these or similar sensors or switches that are positioned on the “front” and “top” of the frame. The apparatus may also be positioned in and interact with one or more separate or interconnected environments. These environments may include one or more platforms or enclosures, ramp(s), “exercise” wheel(s) and other light or sound emitting devices.
US08066543B2
A toy top playing apparatus for one person to play a toy top spinning game. A main body of the apparatus is provided with a display portion for displaying a game point, a play stage for spinning a toy top thereon, a dummy toy top simulating a toy top and arranged on the play stage, a sensor for detecting contact between the toy top and the dummy toy top, and a control section for processing the game point displayed on the display portion when the sensor detects the contact. The dummy toy top rotates on its axis, and a rotational direction thereof is controlled.
US08066536B2
A spring connector includes a barrel, a plunger and a spring. The barrel includes a longitudinal space formed therein, an opening formed at a top thereof, a bottom plate formed at a bottom thereof and a narrow portion formed from a middle portion and to the bottom thereof. The plunger includes a contact portion protruding from the opening, a sliding portion received in the longitudinal space, and a limit recess formed in the lower sliding portion. A top end of the spring is received in and limited by the limit recess, and a bottom end and a middle portion is limited by the narrower portion to restrict the spring being compressed along a longitudinal direction thereof. The spring is also prevented from deviating from the longitudinal direction thereof.
US08066531B2
A microphone output connector is of a three-pin type. A cylindrical connector housing and a first pin are installed at an end of a conductive microphone case of a microphone to be electrically connected to the microphone case. The microphone output connector includes a shield cover penetrated by three pins and covering a surface of the connector base. The shield cover partly extends to cover a portion of the connector base at which a thread is screwed in so that the shield cover is pressed against an inner surface of the cylindrical connector housing by the thread. The shield cover is pressed against the inner surface of the cylindrical connector housing by the connector base at a side of the connector base opposite to the position at which the thread is screwed in.
US08066526B2
A method and apparatus for jumping a pin connections in an electrical device are provided. The electrical device can be a vehicle having a data link connector that once mated with the apparatus, such a jumping connector that will jump at least two pin connections in the data link connector. The jumping connector can also have dip switches that be in the active or inactive state. In the active state, the dip switch will cause a connection to one of the pin connectors on the electrical device while the inactive state, the dip switch will not cause a connection to one of the pin connectors on the electrical device.
US08066524B2
In one embodiment of the invention, a method of mounting a surgical robotic arm to a set-up arm of a robotic surgical system is provided that includes sliding a pair of guide slots of the surgical robotic arm over a pair of guide tabs in the set-up arm; aligning electrical connectors in the set-up arm to electrical connectors of the surgical robotic arm; and coincidentally mating male electrical connectors to female electrical connectors while finally mating the guide tabs in the set-up arm to flanges of a housing of the surgical robotic arm.
US08066512B2
The occlusal position of a patient is measured by means of light transmission through a layer of a polysiloxane which is not cross-linked. This material forms an exceptionally accurate impression of a patient's bite essentially instantaneously and enables subsequent recording and analysis of the bite in a matter of minutes.
US08066508B2
A signal generation system for flame ignition and sensing. The ignition signal generation is adaptive for improving flame ignition while eliminating excess energy usage. High voltage signals for flame sensing may also be provided. If more energy or speed is needed for ignition signal generation, then the flame sensing signal generation portion may be disabled to increase the amount of available energy. Adaptation for ignition signal generation may be guided by the results of flame sensing. The flame sensing voltage may be regulated based on the flame current strength. The flame current may be controlled within an optimum range to reduce rod contamination rate and yet provide reliable flame sensing when the rod contamination built up. The adaptation may be algorithmic-based with the facilitation of a microcontroller. The system may provide the high voltage signals from a low voltage power supply, such as that of 24 VAC.
US08066507B2
A rotary plate is rotatably supported with respect to a stationary base using an R-guide, and the weight of the rotary plate and a mold mounted to the rotary plate is also supported by the R-guide in addition to a bearing. Therefore, a moment and a vertical downward load acting on the bearing of the rotary plate can be reduced. A block of the R-guide is fixed with respect to the rotary plate side through a disc spring. Therefore, while the rotary plate is rotating, the elastic force of the disc spring causes the rotary plate to separate from the stationary base by a space, which reduces the rotational resistance of the rotary plate. During mold clamping, respective pressure-receiving surfaces of the rotary plate and the stationary base contact each other against the elastic force of the disc spring, which enables reliable transfer of a mold clamping load to the stationary base.
US08066503B2
A composite item is fabricated in a device for infusing a layup. The device include a mandrel, vacuum cup and bagging film. The mandrel is to receive the layup. The mandrel includes a reinforcement receiving zone and a resin receiving zone substantially adjacent to the reinforcement receiving zone. The vacuum cup is in cooperative alignment with the resin receiving zone. The bagging film is to generate a gas tight envelope surrounding the reinforcement receiving zone and the resin receiving zone. The vacuum cup is sealed upon the bagging film to generate a chamber above the resin receiving zone.
US08066496B2
A reciprocated pump positioned at the lower end of a string of tubing in a bore hole that provides a passageway for moving formation fluid to the earth's surface, including a pump barrel supported in communication with the tubing and a standing valve at the lower end thereof providing a first passageway through which formation fluid flows into the pump barrel, the pump barrel having an intermediate vent port providing a second entry passageway, and a tubular plunger reciprocated within the barrel and having an upper and a lower portion with a plurality of non-metallic seal rings separated by metallic spacers received on the plunger upper portion and configured to support a column of formation fluid within the tubing to substantially isolate the portion of the barrel below the non-metallic seal rings from the tubing pressure to thereby allow formation fluid to move into the pump barrel.
US08066490B2
A rotor blade for a wind turbine is disclosed. The rotor blade includes a flange section configured to connect the rotor blade to a rotor hub; and an airfoil section extending outward from the flange section. The flange section is comprised of a carbon reinforced polymer.
US08066486B2
Method and apparatus for vibration-based automatic condition monitoring of a wind turbine, comprising the steps of: determining a set of vibration measurement values of the wind turbine; calculating a frequency spectrum of the set of vibration measurement values; calculating a cepstrum of the frequency spectrum; selecting at least one quefrency in the cepstrum, and detecting an alarm condition based upon an amplitude of the cepstrum at the selected quefrency, and a wind turbine therefor.
US08066485B1
A turbine rotor blade with a single tip rail on the suction side of the blade tip, and in which the pressure side tip edge includes a row of trench film slots that each having side walls that are open on the pressure side wall and extend onto the tip floor and have side walls with a curvature toward the trailing edge of the blade tip. The trench film slots also have a curved inboard surface and a curved outboard surface in which the inboard surface curvature is less than the outboard surface curvature. The tip rail includes a slot opening onto the top surface and extending the length of the tip rail with a row of metering and cooling holes opening into the slot. The metering and cooling holes have a curvature toward the pressure side edge of the tip floor to increase a heat transfer rate form the metal.
US08066477B2
A pump apparatus comprising a series of stacked impellers rotating about a common axis, for pumping a viscous fluid mixture upwardly from an underground location. The pump apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical housing having an intake at or near its suction end. A plurality of impellers are mounted in the housing to rotate about a shaft, which each induce flow of the mixture toward the discharge end of the pump. Each impeller has a series of radially outwardly extending vanes, one or more of such vanes having a radially-extending horizontal slot and arranged to generate an upwardly moving column of fluid. Without being limited to the theory of operation, the horizontal slot in the vanes assists in creating laminar flow and reducing turbulent flow.
US08066475B2
A uniquely configured rotating seal tooth is used in conjunction with commonly used labyrinth-type seals that provide a seal between a rotating component and a stationary component. The uniquely configured rotating seal tooth produces a compression mechanism to counter leakage flow through the labyrinth of seal teeth, thereby lessening the pressure gradient that drives leakage and reversing the direction of some of the leakage flow.
US08066472B2
A lubrication system for a bearing assembly includes a fan shaft with a plurality of conduits, a first bearing rotatably supporting the fan shaft, and a second bearing rotatably supporting the fan shaft where the second bearing is axially spaced from the first bearing. The plurality of conduits includes at least a first conduit aligned with the first bearing and a second conduit aligned with the second bearing. A spray bar includes a plurality of supply orifices that direct lubricating fluid to the first and second bearings via at least the first and second conduits.
US08066471B2
Disclosed is an annular flow duct for a turbomachine, the flow duct arranged concentrically about a machine axis running in the axial direction and defined by a boundary wall of circular cross section for directing a main flow, wherein the boundary wall has a plurality of return flow passages distributed over its circumference and through which in each case a partial flow is detached from the main flow at a bleed position and returned to the main flow at a feed position situated upstream of the bleed position, and having aerofoils, arranged radically in the flow duct, of a blade ring, the aerofoil tips of which lie opposite the boundary wall, with a gap formed in each case, wherein the aerofoils are movable in a predetermined rotation direction along the circumference of the boundary wall. Furthermore, a compressor which is insensitive to pumping and flow separations, as viewed in rotation direction, the bleed position of each return flow passage lies upstream of the corresponding feed position.
US08066466B2
A method and apparatus for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system, or cluster tool, is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a robot assembly is provided. The robot assembly includes a first motion assembly movable in a first direction, and a second motion assembly, the second motion assembly being coupled to the first motion assembly and being movable relative to the first motion assembly in a second direction that is generally orthogonal to the first direction. The robot assembly further comprises an enclosure disposed in one of the first motion assembly or the second motion assembly, an actuator within the enclosure, and a fan assembly disposed in the enclosure that is adapted to generate a pressure within the enclosure that is less than a pressure outside of the enclosure.
US08066465B2
A device for fastening components with automatic compensation of tolerances of the spacing therebetween, comprising a base unit including a blind rivet nut securable to one of the components, a threaded adjusting nut and a sleeve-shaped retainer adapted to receive, an adjusting unit including a threaded sleeve, a locating plate and a driving bush connecting the threaded sleeve and the locating plate, the threaded sleeve adapted to be being screwed into the adjusting nut via a first thread pairing of a first thread direction, and a fastening screw which may be screwed into the rivet nut secured to one of the components via a second thread pairing of an opposing second thread direction, forming with the driving bush a releasable connection so that the adjusting unit rotates during rotation of the fastening screw, moving the locating plate into contact with the second component.
US08066463B2
A fastener system for use with a powder actuated tool. The system include a pin, a metallic washer surrounding a portion of the pin at the second end; and a plastic sleeve disposed between the metallic washer and the pin. The plastic sleeve includes a cap portion and an sleeve portion, the cap portion disposed on the top side of the metallic washer coincident with the head of the pin.
US08066462B2
The invention provides a fastener (10) which has an actuating means (12), a bias means (14) and a flexible core (16). The flexible core (16) has an means for engaging (18) which may be integral with but is preferable separate from the flexible core (16)The actuating means (12) includes a material adapted to contract when activated, such as shape memory alloy. Upon contraction of this material, the means for engaging (18) is movable between an engagement position and a disengagement position. The bias means (14) biases the flexible core (16) to the engagement position.
US08066461B2
A screw-type fastener includes an internal cinching mechanism that physically locks exposed threads of a screw outside a housing after a certain number of turns. The fastener may for example, be affixed to a faceplate of a printed circuit board. The exposed threads may then be rotated to threadably engage corresponding threads of a sub-rack or other enclosure in a manner that prevents movement of the faceplate relative to the enclosure as the screw engages the enclosure. When the internal cinching mechanism is locked, the physical relationship (e.g., distance) between the faceplate and the sub-rack is retained until the fastener is unscrewed.
US08066456B2
The invention relates to a clamping device for removably mounting a tool (3) or a tool fixture in a receiving part (1). Said clamping device comprises several pincers elements (33) which are concentrically arranged around a central axis (32) within the receiving part (1) and are impinged upon by a tension spring (39) so as to be moved into a clamping position in order to brace the tool (3) or the tool fixture. In order to be able to automatically replace a tool without using much force and energy, an axially movable closing element (17) is assigned to the pincers elements (33). Said closing element (17) impinges the pincers elements (33) in a forward position that is advanced in the direction of the pincers elements (33) for mounting purposes in the clamping position thereof, which is swiveled inward by means of the tension spring (39), while being movable into a retracted position with the aid of a detaching device (12, 16, 45, 46, 47) in order to release the pincers elements (3).
US08066447B2
A wood mat has a first layer of timbers extending parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction and a second layer timbers spanning across the first timbers parallel to one another and transversely to the first timbers such that each second timber intersects a plurality of the first timbers at respective intersecting locations of the mat; and a plurality of pressed fasteners mounted at selected intersecting locations through drilled holes formed by either a rivet fastener or a press fit fastener having opposed ends compressively joining the timbers therebetween.
US08066440B2
A camera module is disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes a lens barrel, which supports a lens and in which the lens allows a ray of light to be incident at an imaging part, a driver, which moves the lens barrel along an optical axis, a body, which houses the lens barrel, and a buffering part, which is interposed between the lens barrel and the body when the lens barrel collides with the body.
US08066437B2
A transceiver module includes a receptacle assembly that isolates the signal ground potential at which an opto-electronic subsystem operates from the chassis ground potential at which the transceiver module housing is maintained, while also helping maintain optical alignment of the system elements. The receptacle assembly can include a receptacle made of metal, a coupling made of metal, and a connector made of a dielectric material. The connector is interposed between the receptacle and the coupling to electrically isolate the signal ground potential of the opto-electronic subsystem from the chassis ground potential of the housing and receptacle. As the metal receptacle is mounted in an opening of the housing, it helps shield the housing against EMI.
US08066428B2
A stop watch (1) includes a time indicator comprising a hand (2), a first scale (31) and a second scale (41). A first part of a time indication is shown by the hand (2) on the first scale (31) and a second part of said time indication is shown by said second scale (41) in combination with said first scale (31). The first scale (31) is fixed and said second scale (41) is movably mounted around said first scale (31). The first part of said time indication corresponds to seconds of a duration counted by said stop watch (1), and the second part of said time indication corresponds to tenths of seconds of said duration.
US08066415B2
An exterior mirror vision system includes a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a driver side of an equipped vehicle and a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a passenger side of the equipped vehicle. The driver-side exterior mirror assembly including a mounting portion configured for mounting at the driver side of the equipped vehicle, a driver-side exterior mirror housing, and a driver-side reflective element. The driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a driver-side light module and a driver-side camera. The passenger-side exterior mirror assembly includes a mounting portion configured for mounting at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle, a passenger-side exterior mirror housing, and a passenger-side reflective element. The passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a passenger-side light module and a passenger-side camera. The driver-side camera and the passenger-side camera are part of a multi-camera vision system of the equipped vehicle.
US08066410B2
A light source (101) is provided which comprises (a) a housing element (107); (b) a heat sink (109); (c) a first flow channel element (111) which, alone or in combination with said housing element, creates (i) a first set of flow paths (221) for the flow of fluid in a first direction through the light source, and (ii) a second set of flow paths (223) for the flow of fluid in a second direction through the light source; (d) a set of synthetic jet actuators (143, 145) having at least one member and being in fluidic communication with said first set of flow paths; and (e) a set of LEDs (113) containing at least one member and being in thermal contact with said heat sink.
US08066407B2
An electronic luminaire based on light emitting diodes, for illumination with a low electric power consumption at indoor spaces for offices or wide spaces, which use false soffit systems on their ceilings, in order to adapt their lighting. It is based on a closed module that is manufactured with hot galvanized stamped laminated steel or with injection molding plastic, and comprehends four sections: A), B), C) and D), where A) corresponds to a casing which houses B) and C) overlapped sections, and these are finally assembled to D) section, together with an electronic power source; the B) section is an electrical harness, the C) section is a plurality of LED bars, and D) section corresponds to the reflecting screen, that counts with a plurality of individual reflecting elements of concave, elliptical or parabolic type.
US08066405B2
A lumenaire system for providing varied types of illumination having a structural frame with hubs disposed in a spatial configuration and joining members providing structure and stability between said hubs. There are quasi point light sources mounted at specific points on the structural frame for providing a radiant illumination from said lumenaire system and an optical system for distributing the radiant illumination as a specific light pattern.
US08066402B2
Work light has LEDs that may require heatsink. Desired radiation pattern achieved by using optical components designed to produce beam or LEDs may have beams in different directions. Radiation pattern of LEDs may be changed by refractive-reflective optics or by convex lenses. Convex lenses may be hemispheres, other planoconvex shapes, concavo-convex shapes, or other shapes. Curved surfaces on any lenses may be spherical or aspheric. Ballast to operate the LEDs from line voltage AC or low voltage DC. Work light may contain batteries. The work light may be mounted on a stand. May have accessory mount. May have charging station. May have a paging transmitter to activate a paging receiver in work light. May have openings for heat transfer from heatsink to ambient air external to light.
US08066400B2
A lighting source that can be deployed in a hazardous environment is disclosed. For example, the lighting source comprises at least one light emitting diode and a power supply for providing power to the at least one light emitting diode. The lighting source also comprises an enclosure for housing the at least one light emitting diode and the power supply, where said lighting source is for deployment in a hazardous environment.
US08066395B2
A display device comprising: a display panel including a display region; a plurality of light source lamps arranged to emit light toward the display region, each of the plurality of the light source lamps including a folded portion or a curved portion located at least partially outside of the display region and arranged along to an edge of the display panel; and a reflective surface underlying the light source lamps, the reflective surface including a first region with a first reflectance located in an area extending along said edge of the display panel and outside of the display region, and a second region with a second reflectance higher than the first reflectance.
US08066394B2
A backlight assembly includes a plurality of lamps, a receiving container and a conductive member. Each of the lamps includes a lamp body, a first electrode part disposed at a first end portion of the lamp body and a second electrode part disposed at a second end portion of the lamp body, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion. The receiving container includes a bottom plate on which the lamps are disposed and a sidewall disposed at edge portions of the bottom plate to define a receiving space. The receiving container has a plurality of grounding portions formed on the bottom plate or the sidewalls. The conductive member electrically connects the second electrode part to one of the grounding portions.
US08066390B2
An antiglare film includes: a transparent support; and an antiglare layer containing a light-transmitting particle and a light-transmitting resin, wherein the light-transmitting particle has a structure including a core particle and a shell layer, each of the core particle and the shell layer contains an organic polymer, the shell layer has a thickness of from 10 to 2,000 nm, the core particle has a refractive index of from 1.54 to 1.65, and the shell layer has a refractive index of from 1.46 to 1.53.
US08066368B2
The invention provides, as an aspect thereof, an inkjet printer that connects a vacuum fan on the printer case side and a vacuum platen on the cover side through a short vacuum path. The platen moves in conjunction with the cover of the roll paper compartment. The platen is a vacuum platen having vacuum regions, suction holes and a platen-side air path on the platen side, and a vacuum fan and a vacuum duct that connects the vacuum fan to the suction unit of the platen on the printer case side. The vacuum duct is disconnected from the suction unit of the platen when the platen moves in conjunction with the cover, and the length of the vacuum duct can therefore be short, corresponding to the distance between the intake opening of the vacuum fan and the suction unit of the platen when the cover is closed.
US08066364B2
An aqueous inkjet ink is described including water, a charge stabilized anti-abrasion polymer provided as a hydrophobic colloidal sol, a water-soluble humectant and a polyethyleneglycol-diether compound of Formula I as an anti-abrasion aid: R1—(OCH2CH2)nO—R2 (I) where R1 and R2 can be the same or different and are individually alkyl with 1 to 4 carbons, or phenyl, and n is between 2 and 45. Also described is a related aqueous inkjet ink-set and an image forming method having the step of imagewise applying by jetting to a receiver, one or more aqueous inks, as above described.
US08066363B2
Ink delivery systems for an ink jet printer and methods for manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the system comprises a separable ink tank, a printhead body having an opening, ink ejectors associated with the printhead body, and a retainer engaged with the tower portion of the printhead body and with an exit port of the ink tank. A filter is attached to least one of the printhead opening and the retainer, such as by insert molding or heat staking for example. A filter cover member, such as a wick or a septum for instance, is disposed adjacent the filter.
US08066360B2
A fluid cartridge for a printing device includes a housing having a base and a first and second chamber. A wall extends outwardly from and substantially normal to the base and is configured to separate the housing, thereby forming the first and second chambers. An air/ink exchange port is defined in a bottom portion of the wall and adjacent to the base. A longitudinal air flow-restricting member is disposed adjacent the air/ink exchange port and on the base, and extends outwardly predetermined distance into one of the first or second chambers.
US08066352B2
A printhead assembly is provided having at least one printhead module of at least two print nozzle integrated circuits and respective electrical connectors, at least one controller configured to process print data and to communicate the processed print data to microprocessing circuitry of at least one of the print nozzle integrated circuits via the respective electrical connector so as to control the printing operation of the print nozzle integrated circuit to print the processed print data, and a casing in which the printhead module and controller are removably mounted.
US08066351B2
The invention provides for a printer assembly for a pagewidth printer. The assembly includes a casing that defines a print media feed path, and duplex printheads arranged on opposite sides of the a print media feed path. Also included are two purging members each inclined at a predetermined angle to a direction of travel of print media through the path, each member defining a purging chamber. The assembly further includes extractor tubes connecting the purging chambers in fluid communication with a suction pump, and an actuating mechanism configured to displace the printheads between a printing position, where the printheads are able to print onto media fed through the feed gap, and a purging position, where the printheads are located at the predetermined angle relative to the media path adjacent the chambers to allow the suction pumps to remove material purged from said printheads.
US08066350B2
An ink-jet recording apparatus including: a cartridge mount; a recording head; an ink passage; an ink discharger; and a controller. An ink cartridge that stores ink is to be replaceably mounted on the cartridge mount. The recording head ejects the ink toward a recording medium. Through the ink passage, the ink is supplied from the cartridge mount to the recording head. The ink discharger discharges the ink. The controller includes a cartridge judgment section and a discharger control section. The cartridge judgment section judges whether the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mount is a subject cartridge that satisfies a predetermined condition or not. The discharger control section controls the ink discharger to discharge at least the ink in the ink passage when the cartridge judgment section has judged that the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mount is the subject cartridge.
US08066346B2
A printer controller for supplying dot data to an inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of transversely aligned color channels. Each color channel comprises at least one nozzle row extending longitudinally along the printhead with each nozzle in a color channel ejecting the same colored ink. The printhead is comprised of a plurality of printhead modules with each printhead module comprising a respective segment of each nozzle row. The printer controller is programmed to supply dot data such that each of the printhead modules fires a respective segment within a predetermined segment-time, wherein at least one of the fired segments is contained in a different color channel from at least one other of the fired segments.
US08066345B2
A method for setting up a condition for a drive signal in a liquid ejection head that includes a plurality of linearly-arranged nozzles and driving elements provided for each of the nozzles, includes: calculating an average value or a median value of ejection rates for each nozzle relating to a supply of the drive signal under a plurality of conditions; classifying the plurality of nozzles into a plurality of groups based on the average value or the median value of the ejection rates; calculating a proper condition for the drive signal corresponding to each group based on a statistical value of the ejection rate relating to the group; and selecting one proper condition among proper conditions corresponding to the groups so as to set the selected proper condition for each nozzle.
US08066344B2
Provided is an apparatus capable of mounting an expendable cartridge thereon, including: a consumption amount counting unit that counts up the consumption amount of expendable cartridges in the apparatus when a change is detected for the first time during the continuous operation or the apparatus. The detected change is a residual expendable amount of the expendable cartridge decreasing from a value higher than a predetermined low residual level to a value lower than or equal to the low residual level. The consumption amount of the expendable cartridges is counted up and is detected in a number of different manners, depending on the circumstances surrounding the measured values of the residual expendable amounts and the replacement of the cartridges.
US08066335B2
A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side defining a clip groove. The weight further includes a clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim. The clip further has an attachment portion seated in the clip groove such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion.
US08066326B2
A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seatback that is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A linkage system is operatively coupled between the seatback, seat cushion, and the floor. The linkage system automatically moves the seat cushion downward and forward and translates the seatback downward and rearward in response to movement of the seatback between the upright position and the folded position.
US08066319B2
A vehicle emergency egress system includes a transparent armor assembly disposable in a vehicle window frame, the transparent armor assembly including at least one transparent armor pane, and interiorly accessible release means, the release means being selectively operable by a vehicle occupant for effecting release of at least the one of the transparent armor panes, such release permitting shifting a respective one of the at least one transparent armor panes from the transparent armor assembly to define an egress portal. A method of forming a vehicle emergency egress system is further included.
US08066317B2
A cabriolet top for a cabriolet vehicle for displacement between a closed position covering a vehicle interior and a storage position opening up the vehicle interior is proposed, comprising a pivotably mounted cabriolet-top linkage on which a rigid cabriolet-top element is arranged, the cabriolet-top element extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, being adjacent, in the closed position of the cabriolet top, to a transverse post bounding a windscreen at the top, and, together with the cabriolet-top linkage, stretches open a foldable cabriolet-top cloth and, in the storage position of the cabriolet top, is arranged on the upper side in a cabriolet-top storage compartment such that the cabriolet-top cloth runs downwardly over a rear border of the cabriolet-top element. A rod is arranged on the cabriolet-top cloth on the rear side of the rigid cabriolet-top element, the rod extending between the border regions on both sides of the cabriolet top and, in the storage position of the cabriolet top, pre-stressing the cabriolet-top cloth downwardly in such a manner that, in a region visible from the outside of the vehicle, the cabriolet-top cloth runs at least substantially crease-free downwardly over the rear border of the cabriolet-top element into the cabriolet-top storage compartment.
US08066314B2
A slide deck device for a vehicle is provided wherein a luggage placement plate can be operated to slide smoothly even if heavy luggage is placed on the front or rear end of the luggage placement plate and also wherein no adverse effect occurs in subsequent sliding operations. The slide deck device includes upper rollers 69 which are mounted to the upper rails 52, 53, 70, 71 and 87 to be positioned in front of rearmost lower rollers of the lower rollers 64, are positioned in the lower rails 25, are spaced away from ceiling surfaces 31 of the lower rails and the bottom surfaces 30 of the lower rails when in contact with the bottom surfaces, and come in contact with the ceiling surfaces to be rotatable thereon when some of the lower rollers move away from the bottom surfaces and the ceiling surfaces.
US08066312B2
A hose handling apparatus for gripping, advancing, and maneuvering a high pressure hose is provided. The hose handling apparatus comprises a support member comprising a first end, a middle section, and a second end, a generally cylindrical handle detachably connected to and substantially perpendicular to the first end of the support member forming a rigid connection with the support member to provide grip to a user's hand, a first generally cylindrical curvilinear gripping element detachably connected to and substantially perpendicular to the middle section of the support member, and a second generally cylindrical curvilinear gripping element detachably connected to and substantially perpendicular to the second end of the support member. The support member is angled at the middle section. The handle and the gripping elements form a parallel configuration which is perpendicular to a planar surface of the support member. The gripping elements grip the hose positioned between them firmly.
US08066310B2
A device capable of procuring one or more objects from a surface, particularly the removal of pet waste from the ground or another surface. The device can allow a person to remove waste while standing or sitting in a comfortable position, thereby reducing or eliminating strain or injury. The device can be used with one hand and with minimal effort.
US08066304B2
A mud flap for land vehicles, comprising at least one drive element (4) cooperating with the mud flap (1) for pivoting thereof to a desired position around the vehicle wheel.
US08066302B2
The present invention provides a center frame designed so that a center member, legs, and a lower plate can be formed by bending metal sheets, and to provide a manufacturing method for the center frame.A pair of front legs 13 and a pair of rear legs 14 are formed by bending metal sheets so as to have substantially reverse U-shaped cross-sections. The center member 10 is formed by bending a metal sheet so as to have a substantially square U-shaped cross-section. The front legs 13, the rear legs 14, the center member 10, a center front plate 22, and a center rear plate 23 are placed on and securely weld to the lower plate 18, which has an approximate X shape, in a plan view, and an isosceles trapezoidal shape in a lateral cross-section. This eliminates the need for expensive molds and makes it possible to easily manufacture the center frame from the center member, legs, and lower plate formed by bending metal sheets.
US08066300B2
A baby carriage includes: a pair of front legs; a pair of connecting members; a pair of guide sleeves respectively fixed to intermediate regions of the pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs having their upper ends pivotally connected to the connecting members, respectively; a pair of push bars slidably held by the pair of connecting members and the pair of guide sleeves, respectively; a pair of slide members provided slidably on upper regions of the pair of rear legs, respectively; a back cross member having its upper end pivotally connected to the pair of slide members and its lower end pivotally connected to respective lower regions of the pair of rear legs; and a bottom cross member having its front end pivotally connected to respective lower ends of the pair of push bars, and its rear end pivotally connected to respective intermediate regions of the pair of rear legs.
US08066282B2
An apparatus for feeding and aligning sheets which are fed to a processing machine, e.g. a printing machine, includes at least two parallel transporting belts which, on a side directed toward the sheet, subject the sheet to different retaining forces, in such a way that the retaining force in outer peripheral regions is greater than in an inner region located therebetween. The transporting belts can be activated individually in dependence on the position of the sheet, and they can therefore align the sheet in its transporting direction and obliquely thereto.
US08066276B2
A device for separating of individual, flat objects from the underside of a stack of this kind of objects (2) includes a roll bed conveyor consisting of a plurality of circulating rollers (9) and supporting the stack from beneath, wherein the rollers (9) are respectively rotatable around their longitudinal axis (10) and are moved along an orbit (11). Hereby the rollers (9) are coupled by a coupling (8) to at least one roller wheel (7) and, by means of this coupling, the longitudinal axes (10) of the rollers (9) are respectively pivotable in relation to the roller wheel (7). The rollers (9) are pivoted in a releasing region (13) of the orbit (11), through which an opening of the roll bed conveyor is created. Thus, the flat objects (2) can individually be conveyed from beneath the stack and transported away through the opening.
US08066270B2
A vise jaw accessory that attaches to a conventional vise having a unique means of mounting above the vise, using a set of accessory jaw brackets, front and rear, with special mounting provisions for each, capable of supporting and positioning a set of accessory jaws that hold and stabilize a wide variety of irregularly shaped objects by means of opposing arrays of spring-loaded pins capable of individual deflection. The jaws are designed to be interchangeable to accommodate work types ranging from delicate to heavy-duty, as well as flat faces or other jaw face types.
US08066268B2
The present invention can be used to hold one's screw driving bits directly on the tool so a specific bit can easily be found and employed as needed. Each holder may be produced from a heavy duty plastic or rubber. There may be approximately 8-10 openings for assorted bits, which allow 16-20 different bits to be inserted. The bits may stick out the top and bottom of the holder so a user may see exactly what type each is.
US08066259B2
A hydraulic jack comprising a hydraulically actuated saddle movable from a first lowered position to a second raised position, the jack having a handle which, when pumped up and down, hydraulically raises the saddle, lowering control means associated with the jack for preventing premature lowering of the saddle upon malfunction of the hydraulic actuation during raising of the saddle and a release lever engaging the lowering control means adapted to release the same and permit lowering of the saddle when the handle is pumped up and down.
US08066251B2
A force exerting device having a force exerting structure including a load arm as a first side, pivotable about a load pivot, a resilient member attached to the load arm and to a termination point and forming a second side of the force exerting structure. The third side of the structure is formed by a line from the termination point to the load pivot. A first adjustment mechanism moves the termination point to change the length of the third side of the structure. A second adjustment mechanism moves the termination point in a direction different than the first adjustment direction so the termination point location can cross a substantially plumb line passing through the load pivot. A force modification device may be included to dynamically adjust the resilient member termination point position in response to motion of the load arm.
US08066247B2
A modular shoring assembly is described. Also described is a length-adjustable support for use with said modular shoring assembly which allows for the height of the shoring assembly to be quickly modified. Also described is a support frame and support panel system as well as a support beam.
US08066245B2
A support device for a flat appliance is disclosed. The support device includes a mounting plate having at least one hole defined therein. The mounting plate is adapted for attachment to a side of the flat appliance with a fastener extending through the at least one hole and into at least one corresponding receiving hole in the flat appliance. The device further includes a mounting bracket that is adapted for attachment to a stand structure. The device also includes a brace disposed between the mounting plate and the mounting bracket. The at least one hole in the mounting plate is adapted for accommodating the receiving hole of a variety of different flat appliances.
US08066242B2
A separating device with integrated storage securing an electrical charging device and providing wire management for portable computers, such as notebook computers or laptop computers, in a cart, pedestal, desk-mounted depot, or similar devices is shown herein. Briefly stated, in its preferred embodiment, the separating device comprises a sheet of rigid material with a thin thickness cut in a roughly trapezoidal profile, a plurality of holes, a plurality of tabs, and a plurality of slots. The separating device is designed to accept a portable computing device and its charging device. Wires running from the charging device to the portable computing device are fed through the separating device for wire management. Wires running from the charging device to a power plug are wrapped around the separating device for further wire management. Also, the separating device may be attached to a device capable of accepting the separating device.
US08066233B2
A swivel includes: a circular fixed base; and a movable stage capable of rotating relative to the fixed base.
US08066227B2
Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more slit-tube longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
US08066226B2
Disclosed herein are two separate processes that do not require a propellant and do not produce an equal and opposite reaction against any external form of matter in the Local Inertial Reference Frame and do not violate Newton's Laws in the Universal Reference Frame. The first process produces horizontal motion, relies on the earth's gravitational field as an external force, and has been successfully tested. The second process produces vertical motion and relies only on the aether. It has been successfully tested considering the effect of the earth's gravity. Due to the law of conservation of angular momentum, the first process is considered by some to not be possible, but with the proper use of an external field (for example, gravity) and the phenomenon of precession, it is clearly possible. A clear distinction is made between a simple rotor and a gyroscope which is a far more complex device.
US08066219B2
A tiltrotor aircraft having a fixed wing and tilting rotors has a rotor blade with a shaped tip portion that provides improved hover performance. The shaped tip portion preferably has a terminal anhedral of at least 20° with respect to its stacking line, and the blade has an overall twist from root to tip of at least 20°, and a thickness ratio between 19% and 30% at a radial station of 10%. These features advantageously conspire to provide a hover figure of merit of at least 0.84 and a cruise propulsive efficiency of at least 0.85. A controller preferably limits the rotor speed in sustained airplane-mode forward flight cruise of at most 40% of a hover maximum rotor speed, and alternatively or additionally limits a rotor edgewise advance ratio to at most 0.20.
US08066218B2
A system and method for an aircraft (10) that provides an IR decoy (12) for an incoming missile (18) to track instead of an engine (14) of the aircraft (10) is disclosed. The IR decoy (12) is deployed during or just after take off, and prior to landing to provide a signature (16) for any incoming missile (18). The IR decoy (12) provides a heat source (16) that has a higher radiant intensity than the hottest heat source on the aircraft (10), which is typically the engine (14), thereby providing a more attractive heat source for the missile (18). In another embodiment, a warning system (20) for an aircraft (10) detects an incoming missile (18), and deploys IR decoy (12) and creates an engine mask (22) by injecting an additive into the exhaust stream of the engine (14), thereby obscuring the radiation emanating from the engine (14).
US08066211B2
A closed-circuit grinding plant for grinding coarse material into a fine material, in particular for generating cement raw meal and/or cement from cement clinker, the plant having at least two roller presses disposed about a central riser shaft which pneumatically transports the fine material or pulverizing the coarse material, at least two sifters for separating the fine material generated during the pulverization from still existing coarse material, and at least two fine material settling devices for settling the fine material from the sifting air of the sifters.
US08066205B2
An apparatus for use with a paint container includes a nozzle and a housing. The nozzle receives paint from the container. The housing has a handle, an air inlet, and an air flow path configured to direct air from the inlet into the container. A valve body opens and closes the air flow path into the container upon moving back and forth between open and closed positions. The valve body moves between those positions by rotating about an axis without moving along the axis.
US08066203B2
A switching device of a multifunctional shower head is integrated into the cavity of the shower head, which mainly includes a switching button, a radius bar, a swing arm, a coupled gear, a shaft for the coupled gear, a division gear, and a shaft for the division gear; wherein one end of said radius bar extends out of the shower head via a through-hole to fix with a switching button, and the end has a pivot pin; one end of said swing arm is fixed onto the shaft of the coupled gear, while a slot guide is disposed on the other end for connecting with said pivot pin of said radius bar; said gearing coupled and division gears are located in the cavity of the shower head via their shaft respectively; said division gear closing on the outlet of the main body has several dividing holes coordinating to the outlet of the main body.
US08066197B2
A thermal bypass valve for a heat exchanger circuit includes a valve housing forming a valve chamber including a bypass passage and ports for the flow of heat exchange fluid into and out of the valve chamber as well as a bypass port defined by a valve seat. Two axially aligned thermally sensitive actuators are mounted in the chamber, each with an actuator body and its own movable piston extendible from one end of the body. One of these pistons operably engages the actuatory body associated with the other piston. Each actuator body is normally movable in the chamber in response to extension of its piston. One of the actuators extends its piston at a higher temperature than the temperature required for the other actuator to extend its piston. A bypass valve member is mounted on one of the actuators and can be moved by either actuator from an open position to a closed position.
US08066193B2
A smartcard (1) includes: first and second microcircuits (100, 200) respectively storing first and second applications (120, 220), elements for communicating (14) with the outside of the card (1), connected to the first microcircuit (100), the first application (120) being capable of transmitting (708) a command received by the communication elements (14) to the second application (220) the first application (120) being capable of receiving a response to the command transmitted to the second application (220) and of aggregating (718) the response with at least one data value stored in a memory of the first microcircuit (200) in such a manner as to form an overall response to the command received from the outside.
US08066182B2
A new credit card system which enables improved reading and other operations. Reading can be done in the short edge of the credit card thereby shortening the aspect ratio and size of the card reader. The reader can be electrical, reading information via contacts, or can be optical readers.
US08066180B2
From the detection result of a sensor for detecting a card, whether or not the card exists in the inside, and whether or not the card exists in a return area are determined, respectively, and in the state where it is determined that the card exists in the inside, if the time counted by a first timer has reached a time while a command from a host system is not received by a communication unit, then it carries out the communication error process of addressing that the command is not received. That is, the card in the inside is returned to the area, and subsequently, in the state that it is determined that the returned card exists in the area, if the time counted by a second timer reaches a second time while the card is not taken out from the area, the card is taken to the inside.
US08066179B2
A method and system for livestock breeding and management for use with a herd where each female animal carries a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The system comprises a herd management system and one or more breeding activity monitors to be carried by each male animal. Each breeding activity monitor is adapted to detect when the male animal is mounting a female animal based on the body position of the male animal, read identification data from the RFID tag carried by the mounted female animal, and generate breeding activity data including the identification data of the mounted female animal, mounting male animal and timing data for each mounting for output to the herd management system. The herd management system is adapted to process breeding activity data output from the breeding activity monitors to generate herd management data.
US08066176B2
When according to the invention, a container is formed from a sheet-shaped material, and it is punched and scored such that the base (7) and the side members (3, 4, 5, 6) constitute an entity without incisions, cuts and the like, it is possible to achieve a container which is foldable, in that the side members may be folded inwards over the base, and which may be erected to provide a container which, when made of a combustible material, may be disposed of by incineration after use. As the container is completely liquid-tight, it may be used for liquid as well as solid contents.
US08066170B2
A wire bonding machine is provided. The wire bonding machine includes a bonding tool and an electrode for forming a free air ball on an end of a wire extending through the bonding tool where the free air ball is formed at a free air ball formation area of the wire bonding machine. The wire bonding machine also includes a bond site area for holding a semiconductor device during a wire bonding operation. The wire bonding machine also includes a gas delivery mechanism configured to provide a cover gas to: (1) the bond site area whereby the cover gas is ejected through at least one aperture of the gas delivery mechanism to the bond site area, and (2) the free air ball formation area.
US08066164B2
A backpack is provided including a waistbelt having a dual-axis canting system. The waistbelt includes a central support and left and right belt portions that are pivotally coupled to the central support, extending around the sides of the user. The belt portions are configured to pivot about corresponding pivot axes, spaced apart from each other. The belt portions can freely pivot with respect to the central support to accommodate the user's body shape and the user's movement.
US08066148B2
A portable holder for beverage containers includes a basket suspended from a first movable position piece. The first movable position piece is rotatably connected to a first plate. The first plate is connected to a second plate. The second plate may be attached to a hanging member for suspending the portable holder for beverage containers. The second plate may be attached to a strap for securing the second plate to a stationary object or a moving vehicle. The portable holder for beverage containers may be configured to fold into a smaller size for storage when not in use.
US08066132B2
A water bottle adapter (6) fits securely onto a water bottle (1) which is used to isolate the water within the bottle from a common water supply. The adapter (6) is fastened to a mating device by means of a threaded neck (7). The neck (7) includes two longitudinal tensioning ribs (37) that promote a retaining function between the neck (7) and any device that has been affixed to the neck (7). A pressure relief valve (13) having a valve stem (14) is formed within the lid (8) of the adapter (6) to permit the escape of air from the bottle (1) when in use. A series of ribs (19) is formed within a bore containing the valve stem (14) to dampen noise produced by the operation of the valve (13).
US08066130B2
In one aspect, a storage system includes a base comprising a bottom channel, a top channel and a protrusion therebetween, at least one arm having an upturned tab and a rearwardly extending tab, wherein the upturned tab is configured to engage the top channel and the rearwardly extending tab is configured to engage a bottom surface of the protrusion and further wherein the bottom channel is adapted to receive a second arm under the first arm. In another aspect, a storage system may be mountable to a friable substrate and include a base having a plurality of holes for accepting a plurality of drywall fasteners; a plurality of self-drilling drywall fasteners having a crest diameter of at least about ¼ inch; a plurality of arms operatively connected to said base; a shelf; and at least one hook or bin operatively connected to the base at the lower channel.
US08066109B2
A powerful throughput magazine of the ‘first in first out’ type is activated for the handling of diapers (10) or similar objects during the transport from a converter (13) to a packer (14), the diapers being transported as diaper groups (19) through said magazine. The magazine (15) comprises of an endless magazine conveyor (18) having transversely directed bars (20), wherein one diaper group (19) each is disposed between adjacent bars on the magazine conveyor (18) in an upright position. After removing the diapers (10) from the magazine (15), the diaper groups (19) are separated again, and the diapers are individually fed to the packer (14).
US08066101B2
A belt device for driving an elevator is provided, the rest retaining capability of which is improved in order to retain the stopped state of an elevator cage if oil or water adheres to between a belt and a pulley. In the belt device for driving an elevator in which a belt 4 is stretched over a plurality of pulleys 1, 2, and 3, and the belt 4 is rotated by the rotations of the pulleys 1, 2, and 3, wherein the coefficient of friction of a contact surface with at least a driving pulley in the belt 4 is set to 0.6 to 3.0, and the contact surface is constructed of a rubber having a hardness (IRHD) of 65 to 95, and a wear resistance of 5 to 300 mm3 in Taber wear (ISO547-1-1999, under conditions: a wear ring of H18; a load of 1 kg; and 1000 rpm).
US08066094B2
A steering shaft is composed of an upper shaft, a lower shaft, an input shaft, and an output shaft. The upper shaft, the lower shaft, and the input shaft can rotate together, and the input shaft and the output shaft are relatively rotatably coupled to each other via a torsion bar. The rotational position of a rotor coupled to the output shaft is calculated based on the detected rotational position of the lower shaft and a steering torque detected based on the amount of relative rotational displacement of the input shaft and the output shaft. Thus, it is not necessary to include a rotor rotational position detecting unit for detecting the rotational position of the rotor within the electric motor, which reduces the size of the electric motor.
US08066087B2
Thermally stable ultra-hard compact constructions comprise a polycrystalline diamond body substantially free of a catalyst material, and a substrate that is joined thereto. The substrate can be ceramic, metallic, cermet and combinations thereof, and can be joined to the body by a braze material or other material that forms an attachment bond at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The body and substrate are specially formed having complementary interfacing surface features to facilitate providing an improved degree of attachment therebetween. The complementary surface features can in the form of openings and projections, e.g., one of the body or substrate can comprise one or more openings, and the other of the body or substrate can comprise one or more projections, disposed within or extending from respective interfacing surfaces. The complementary surface features operate to resist unwanted delamination between the body and substrate, thereby extending effective service life of the construction.
US08066082B2
An air driver device having a simple construction, being of a compact size, and having excellent durability. The air driver device is designed to shut off a supply of compressed air to an air motor, by means of a tightening torque control mechanism and a shut-off valve mechanism, in a case where the tightening torque reaches the set torque value. The air device is designed to tighten screw members at a prescribed tightening force, wherein the tightening torque control mechanism is composed of (i) a clutch unit, (ii) a driving piston on the back face of which is formed one clutch plate, so that clutch plates of the clutch unit may move by making rotational differential motions in a case where the tightening torque reaches the set torque value, (iii) a cylinder for storing this driving piston, (iv) a check valve for operating the shut-off valve mechanism, in linkage with the driving piston through an oil charged in the cylinder, and (v) a torque control member for regulating the set torque value.
US08066060B2
During the production of crude oil, naturally occurring paraffin can be deposited on the inside surfaces of production tubing. These wax deposits reduce the cross sectional area of the tubing and can reduce or completely halt the flow of oil from the well.Currently there are many different methods employed in oil fields around the world to combat paraffin problems, but none are one hundred percent effective. When the available methods fail completely, costly removal and replacement of the tubing must be performed in order to resume oil production.The hot anti-wax knife tool provides a previously unavailable method of melting a hole through the paraffin deposits in the production tubing in order to restore production. The tool utilizes rechargeable batteries in a novel arrangement which provides sufficient power to melt through paraffin using a uniquely designed heating element and cutting head.
US08066058B2
A method for breaking a fracturing fluid includes identifying application parameter(s) including a subterranean formation temperature, and determining an acid precursor concentration in response to the application parameter(s). The method further includes providing a treatment fluid including a carrier fluid, a metallic peroxide breaker, and an amount of an acid precursor according to the acid precursor concentration, and treating the subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The application parameter(s) may further include a flowback wait time, a composition of the metallic peroxide breaker, a gel loading of the carrier fluid, and/or a permeability of the subterranean formation. The metallic peroxide breaker may include an alkaline peroxide and/or a zinc peroxide. The acid precursor may include polylactic acid and/or polyglycolic acid.
US08066053B2
Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.
US08066049B1
An automatic gluing mechanism includes a vertical board and a support rack and a power cylinder mounted to the vertical board. The mechanism includes a position adjusting member, a cam, two glue applicator tubes, a first connection block, two slidable members, a resilient element, and a stop block. The position adjusting member is slidably coupled to the vertical board and has an end coupled to the power cylinder and another end slidably coupled to the first connection block. The two slidable members are slidably mounted to the first connection block. The two glue applicator tubes are rotatably mounted to the two slidable members and connected to each other by the resilient element. The cam is mounted to the position adjusting member and forms a camming surface. The slidable members engage and follow the camming surface. The stop block is mounted to the support rack to stop the first connection block.
US08066043B2
The disclosure relates to a combination forest biomass and tree harvester, a harvesting head assembly, and methods for harvesting trees and forest biomass. In some embodiments, the combination forest biomass and tree harvester includes a self-propelled vehicle base, a moveable arm, and a harvesting head assembly. The harvesting head assembly may include a frame member, a grabbing assembly, and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly may include a primary cutting mechanism and a secondary cutting mechanism. As the combination forest biomass and tree harvester moves through a forest area, the cutting assembly may be used to cut trees and mow biomass.
US08066040B2
A feller buncher is provided including a felling head having a gathering arm and an accumulation arm.
US08066033B2
A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
US08066024B2
An emergency shutoff valve includes a fluid conduit having a frangible area defined therein, a valve member operatively coupled to said conduit upstream of the frangible area, an expansible chamber having the frangible area defined therein, a movable member defining at least a portion of the expansible chamber, and a linkage operatively coupled to the movable member and the valve member for shutting the valve upon movement of the movable member in response to leakage of fluid through the frangible area. A method of shutting off fuel includes defining an expansible chamber about a frangible area in the conduit, moving a member defining a portion of the expansible chamber in response to leaking fuel, and shutting off a fuel valve in response to moving the movable member.
US08066021B2
An umbrella assembly is provided that comprises a canopy assembly and support rods connected by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the canopy assembly to alternate between both deployed and folded positions, as well as opened and closed, by a single tension member that can be controlled by an actuation device such as a crank. The hinge assembly can also interlock, stabilizing the canopy assembly.
US08066019B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of cosmetic powder containers and dispensers and particularly to a cosmetic powder dispenser with rotatable dispensing mechanism. The present invention is particularly easy to use and cost effective by allowing the consumer to dispense only the desired amount of the cosmetic powder by providing a rotating dispensing mechanism, and at the same time allow the consumer to apply the cosmetic evenly to the brush head by providing an application surface to manipulate the cosmetic brush evenly onto the brush head. Furthermore, the rotating dispenser of the present invention, includes and open and closed position as to safeguard the loose powder in the container from spilling out by accident or during use or travel.
US08066018B2
A hair clip includes two jaws each having a hand grip extended from one end and a connector disposed on a middle portion, and a coupling device having a spring member engaged with the connectors of the jaws for coupling the jaws and the coupling device together and for applying a spring biasing force to bias and force the lugs and one ends of the jaws toward each other, and for allowing the jaws to be forced away from each other and to engage with a hair of a user when the hand grips are forced and depressed toward each other by the user. The jaws each include an opening for anchoring the spring member to the jaws. An elastic member may resiliently couple the lugs of the spring member together.
US08066012B1
A tobacco product is formed by rolling moistened tobacco leaves about a cylindrical form casing and allowing the leaves to dry to form a shell. After the form casing is removed a consumer can fill the shell with crushed tobacco leaves of a favorite blend, thereby eliminating some steps in the making of a “roll-your-own” tobacco product.
US08066009B2
A perianal support device is provided that is configured to inhibit the formation and/or progression of tissue damage in the perianal region of the body. A method is provided to apply the perianal support device to patients during childbirth to inhibit the formation and/or progression of tissue damage in the perianal region of the body.
US08065999B2
An adjustable grate is described herein that may be easily adjusted to fit within variously sized grills. The adjustable grate includes a main plate having a plurality of fingers extending from a front side and a rear side. A front slide plate has a plurality of fingers that slidably engage with the fingers on the front side of the main plate. A rear slide plate has a plurality of fingers that slidably engage with the fingers on the rear side of the main plate. The front slide plate, the rear slide plate and the main plate define a cooking surface. The front slide plate and the rear slide plate may be slidably adjusted with respect to the main plate to expand or contract the cooking surface.
US08065995B2
A method and apparatus of cutting and cleaning wafers in a wire saw is disclosed. In one embodiment, a wire sawing apparatus includes a horizontal ingot feeding wire slicing apparatus which includes a vertical wire web, in which sawing wires of the vertical wire web are located substantially in a vertical plane and move in a substantially vertical direction, a first top outlet and a second top outlet located in a top position with respect to a work piece for applying fluids during sawing, and at least one chute located substantially below the work piece for receiving the fluids, wherein the work piece is impelled against the vertical wire web by horizontal movement and the fluids flow in a vertical direction against and into the work piece for slicing and cleaning wafers.
US08065969B2
This invention relates to the use of a removably attachable sailing rig with an integrated water foil for the conversion of a conventional boat, row boat, kayak, canoe, and power boat into a sailboat or an existing sailboat rig into a canting sail rig. The sail rig system utilizes the strong attachment points inherently available on most conventional boats and soft inflatable boats for attachment. The sail rig is comprised of a mast with an integrated water foil and is supported by a strut on each side forming a tripod with the mast, a sail is attached to the mast which is unconventionally tacked or jibed around the front of the mast in order to clear the struts. The base of each strut has a strut attachment assembly for direct attachment to an oar lock or shear of a boat. The base of the mast has a mast attachment assembly for direct attachment to the bow or bow towing ring. The mast and water foil can be tilted or canted to either side of the boat by lengthening or shortening each strut. The sail rig system also has a separate rudder assembly for steering.
US08065967B2
A modular welding table where the work surface is made up of a plurality of plates that can be easily slid to and fro, adapting to objects of different shapes is disclosed. The through holes on these plates, as well as the parallel grooves between these plates, provide the foothold for clamping tools and devices that are used in conjunction to this welding table, to secure the work piece in place. Under each of the leg, a height-adjustable pad is provided, so that the welding table can adjust its evenness accordingly, by turning the screw stem of the pad easily.
US08065960B2
The invention relates to a hand grenade (1) with an active body (3) containing an active charge (2), and with an ignition device (4) that acts on a detonator (12) to ignite the active charge (2). In order to achieve this feature, after the hand grenade (1) has been thrown the ignition can be triggered without delay if the tactical situation requires it, and no danger arises for the shooter if the hand grenade (1) with the safety device released is dropped accidentally. The invention pertains to an electronic ignition system composed of an ignition trigger (6) and a fuze (8) used as the ignition device (4), whereby the ignition trigger (6) remains with the shooter when the hand grenade (1) is thrown and the hand grenade (1) can be ignited by wireless only when the shooter activates an ignition trigger element (11) of the ignition trigger (6).
US08065955B2
A hydraulic press is provided that includes a frame having a base, an upper member positioned above the base and a pair of laterally spaced side members extending upwardly from the base to the upper member. The hydraulic press also includes a cross-member extending between the pair of side members, with the cross-member being configured to support a work piece and moveable along the side members.
US08065949B1
A gas operating system for a firearm renders the firearm capable of firing a wide range of shot loads by passively or automatically compensating for different shot loads. The firearm includes a plurality of ports formed in the firearm barrel, and corresponding ports formed in a gas cylinder of the gas operating system. The ports tap gases generated during firing which are used to cycle the firearm. When firing different cartridge loads, differing combinations of the ports are selectively at least partially blocked or otherwise obstructed by the cartridge casing according to the size of the cartridge.
US08065946B2
A composite armor element for protection against projectiles. At least one layer of effective bodies is disposed in rows next to one another in the composite armor element, the effective bodies being embedded in a matrix material. The effective bodies of one row are fixedly interconnected at least partially by means of webs to form a chain which is a monolithic element. An effective body element for insertion in a composite armor element comprises at least two effective bodies fixedly interconnected by at least one web to form a chain. The effective body element is a monolithic element, and a plurality of effective body elements are embedded in a matrix material.
US08065941B2
An apparatus for sensing a position of a cutting tool in a computer numerical controlled machine tool is provided including an arm supporting and moving a sensor that cooperates with the cutting tool. Also provided is a housing including a gear assembly and a driving motor for moving the arm, and a stopper for defining an operating position of the arm. The driving motor supplies rotation force to the gear assembly so as to pivot the arm against the stopper and then apply force to an elastic member. When the driving motor is stopped, the elastic member applies a force, through the gear assembly, urging the arm against the stopper in the operating position.
US08065940B2
A torque application device according to the present invention comprises a collar for engaging a fastener, a grip coupled to the collar such that a predetermined maximum torque can be applied to the collar to tighten the fastener, and a slip mechanism to prevent the likelihood that the maximum torque is exceeded. The device may further include an indicator (such as a visual, audible and/or tactile indicator) to indicate that the predetermined maximum torque has been applied.
US08065935B2
A rotary drag bit for drilling a subterranean formation includes a plurality of support elements affixed to the bit body, each forming at least a portion of a cutting element pocket. Each of a plurality of cutting elements has a substantially cylindrical body and is at least partially disposed within a cutter pocket. At least a portion of the substantially cylindrical body of each cutting element is directly secured to at least a portion of a substantially arcuate surface of the bit body. At least a portion of a substantially planar surface of each cutting element matingly engages at least a portion of a substantially planar surface of a support element.
US08065933B2
An ergonomic bicycle pedal with removable platform comprises a pedal axle configured to receive a pedal body A socket extends integrally from the underside of the removable platform. A front hook and a rear hook extend integrally from the underside of the platform with the front hook configured and sized to engage a front channel and a rear hook configured and sized to engage a rear channel. Both the front and the rear channels are configured to allow rotational movement along two axes by having the socket moving on top of the ball and having the front hook moving within the front channel and the rear hook moving within the rear channel.
US08065917B1
A pressure sensor device for a modular pressure sensor package is provided, comprising a substrate having a pressure port that extends through the substrate from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate. A pressure sensor die is attached to the first side of the substrate, forming a seal over the pressure port on the first side of the substrate. A cover is attached to the first side of the substrate over the pressure sensor die, forming a sealed cavity wherein the pressure sensor die is located within the cavity. The device also comprises a plurality of electrical connectors mounted to the substrate external to the cavity, the plurality of electrical connectors electrically coupled to the pressure sensor die. Further, the substrate includes at least one mounting element configured to secure a pressure port interface to the second side of the substrate in a position around the pressure port.
US08065913B2
A probe assembly for use with an ink reservoir level sensing apparatus comprises an insulating support frame formed of an electrically insulating material. The insulating support frame includes a lower portion to be positioned in a lower portion of an ink reservoir and an upper portion configured to be positioned in an upper portion of the ink reservoir. The insulating support frame has a lower probe and an upper probe each partially encapsulated by the electrically insulating material of the insulating support frame such that the lower and upper probes are physically and electrically isolated from each other, and positioned with respect to each other such that at least a portion of the lower probe is positioned in the lower portion of the frame, and the upper probe is positioned above the lower probe in the support frame extending to the upper portion of the frame. An outer probe is attached to the insulating support frame using attachment features that are formed integrally with the insulating support frame. The outer probe is positioned on the insulating support frame extending from the lower portion of the frame to the upper portion of the insulating support frame.
US08065910B2
An abnormality determination apparatus for an oxygen sensor provided on the downstream side of a catalyst includes: a first determination portion that determines whether amount of decline in output value of the oxygen sensor during a period from when amount of intake air or exhaust gas declines before a fuel cut is started to when the fuel cut is started is smaller than a reference amount of decline; a second determination portion that determines whether degree of change in the output value when the output value changes from a first reference value to a second reference value that shows a leaner state than the first reference value is more gradual than a set degree of change after the fuel cut is started; and a third determination portion that determines whether the oxygen sensor is abnormal based on determinations by the first determination portion the second determination portion.
US08065905B2
Method for dewatering, pressure testing, hydrotreating, suppressing methane hydrate formation and suppressing solution freezing point in pipeline operations have been disclosed, where the solution used in the operations includes an effective amount of a metal formate salt. The metal formate salt solutions have a low viscosity, have a high density, have a low metals corrosivity, are non-volatile, have a low solubility in hydrocarbons, are readily biodegradable, have a low toxicity, are non-hazardous, have a low environmental impact, have a freezing point depression property forming water/formate eutectic point mixtures, and have a water-structuring and water activity modification property.
US08065892B2
A supplying tube for a molten glass, which is placed in a downstream end portion of a supplying passage directing the molten glass flowing out of a melting furnace to a forming vessel in a forming furnace, has a small diameter tube portion which has a small flow passage area and is provided at an upstream side, and a large diameter tube portion which is provided at a downstream side of the small diameter tube portion and has a large flow passage area. An expanded diameter tube portion of which flow passage area gradually expands toward the downstream side is interposed between the small diameter tube portion and the large diameter tube portion. The small diameter tube portion, the expanded diameter tube portion, and the large diameter tube portion may be integrally and continuously connected to one another.
US08065879B2
A process for the integration of a cryogenic air separation plant and an oxy-combustion power plant is presented. This process includes producing a pressurized nitrogen stream and a pressurized oxygen stream, burning a fuel stream thereby generating a steam stream from a boiler feed water stream, wherein the stream is used for work expansion within the oxy-combustion power plant. This process also includes heating the pressurized nitrogen stream and the pressurized oxygen stream with a compressed air stream, thereby forming a heated pressurized nitrogen stream and a heated pressurized oxygen stream. This process also includes heating the heated pressurized nitrogen stream to form a hot pressurized nitrogen stream, work expanding the hot pressurized nitrogen stream to a lower pressure thereby forming a hot exhaust nitrogen stream and recovering energy, and heating the boiler feed water stream by indirect heat exchange with the hot exhaust nitrogen stream.
US08065872B2
A one-way clutch including a first radially disposed plate having at least one tab extending radially outward, and having a receiving feature or an axial protrusion; a second radially disposed plate including the other of the receiving feature or the axial protrusion; and a spacing element with at least one segment circumferentially interleaved with the at least one tab. One of the spacing element or the second plate is arranged for connection to a torque transmitting element in an automotive device, the at least one segment forms a mechanical path between first and second axial ends of the clutch, and the receiving feature and protrusion are lockingly engageable for relative rotation of the first and second plates in a first direction.
US08065870B2
Method and device for reduction of a gas component in an exhaust gas flow of a combustion engine (1) that is adapted for operation by a lean air/fuel mixture. An exhaust pipe (21) is included for transport of the exhaust gas flow from the engine (1). A separation unit (22) is also included that is arranged along the exhaust pipe (21), which separation unit (22) has a wall structure (32) of a material which provides separation of the gas component from the exhaust gas flow by means of a selective passage of the gas component before other gas components in the exhaust gas flow. The method provides for a reduction and a separation unit that is intended to be utilized during such a reduction. An improved reduction of in particular NOx compounds from a so-called “lean-burn” engine is also provided.
US08065864B2
In some embodiments, a mower can be adapted to traverse a terrain. The mower can include a frame, which can include a front and at least one front beam located at the front of the frame, and first and second front wheels. In some embodiments, each of the first and second wheels can be coupled to the at least one front beam and at least one biasing member can be associated with each of the first and second front wheels. In some embodiments, the at least one biasing member can be positioned to bias the wheels in a downward direction and can include being constructed a of a non-metal material. In some embodiments, the wheels can independently move with respect to one another in response to changing elevation of the terrain. The mower also can include a cutter deck and at least one cutter.
US08065844B2
A photovoltaic (PV) module assembly including a PV module and a ballast tray. The PV module includes a PV device and a frame. A PV laminate is assembled to the frame, and the frame includes an arm. The ballast tray is adapted for containing ballast and is removably associated with the PV module in a ballasting state where the tray is vertically under the PV laminate and vertically over the arm to impede overt displacement of the PV module. The PV module assembly can be installed to a flat commercial rooftop, with the PV module and the ballast tray both resting upon the rooftop. In some embodiments, the ballasting state includes corresponding surfaces of the arm and the tray being spaced from one another under normal (low or no wind) conditions, such that the frame is not continuously subjected to a weight of the tray.
US08065832B2
A system for dispersing water to the root zone of one or more trees beneath the soil's surface, comprising a perforated hollow cylindrical tube, ending in a spike, with an internal filter, which is driven into the ground to deliver water to the root zone a tree or trees.
US08065814B2
A foot dryer designed to provide air flow between a patient's toes for drying the bottoms of a patient's feet and especially between their toes. Toe separators are provided on a pair of replaceable gel foot beds for improved sanitation and comfort for the patient. The footpads are replaceable in order to decrease cross contamination from one user to another. Air vents are provided to direct air flow to hard to dry areas such as between a user's toes.
US08065812B2
A detecting apparatus for detecting linearity of an object includes a platform, a slide rail vertically extending from the platform, two standard units slidably mounted to the slide rail, and a detecting unit. The detecting unit includes a mounting block slidably mounted to the slide rail, a test dial indicator fixed to the mounting block and including an elastically extendable spindle, and a detecting bar slidably mounded to the mounting block via a resilient member. The standard units are used to abut against the object to cooperatively define a detection reference plane. A first end of the detecting bar abuts against by the spindle of the test dial indicator, and a second end of the detecting bar is used to contact the object.
US08065803B2
A cutting tool including a housing provided with a compartment having an opening, a carrier disposed in the compartment and displaceable between extended and retracted positions, a spring for biasing the carrier in the retracted position, a mechanism for displacing the carrier in the extended position, a mechanism for releasably retaining the carrier in the extended position, and the carrier having a nesting surface for a blade whereby a blade nested thereon will project through the compartment opening when the carrier is in the extended position and will be disposed within such compartment when the carrier is in the retracted position.
US08065802B2
A shaving razor has a housing joined to a handle, one or more blades mounted in the housing and a light source. The light source projects a defined image indicating the exact location of a blade edge on the skin of a user enabling the user to properly align the blade edge on the skin during shaving.
US08065796B2
A method of creating an active electrode that may include providing a flex circuit having an electrode made of a first material and providing a first mask over the flex circuit, the first mask having an offset region and an opening that exposes the electrode. The method may also include depositing a second material over the offset region and the opening, the second material being different from the first material and providing a second mask over the second material, the second mask having an opening over a portion of the second material that is over the offset region.
US08065795B2
Processes for fabricating a multi-layer circuit assembly and a multi-layer circuit assembly fabricated by such processes are provided. The process includes (a) providing a substrate at least one area of which comprises a plurality of vias, these area(s) having a via density of 500 to 10,000 holes/square inch (75 to 1550 holes/square centimeter); (b) applying a dielectric coating onto all exposed surfaces of the substrate to form a conformal coating thereon; and (c) applying a layer of metal to all surfaces of the substrate. Additional processing steps such as circuitization may be included.
US08065778B2
A robot cleaner that is capable of preventing dust collected in a dust tank from flowing backward outside when a situation in which the dust may be discharged outside occurs includes a cleaner body, a dust tank mounted in the cleaner body to collect dust, and a backward-flow preventing device to prevent dust from flowing backward outside through a suction port of the dust tank. The backward-flow preventing device includes a shutter unit to open and close the suction port and a stopper unit to drive the shutter unit.
US08065760B2
This invention presents a foldable cot. The foldable cot includes a foldable frame and a flexible sheet having a generally rectangular shape. The peripheral portions of the flexible sheet are secured to the foldable frame. The foldable frame has two-pairs of hingedly connected longitudinal bars, which allows the foldable frame to be folded in a longitudinal direction. A middle support structure is mounted to the hinge connectors. The middle support structure includes a pair of crossbars having a general X-shape. Upper ends of the crossbars are pivotably connected to the hinge connectors. There is provided a pair of vertical poles connecting the upper ends and lower ends of the crossbars, respectively. The vertical poles are extendible between a retracted position and an extended position, which allows the X-shaped crossbars to have a scissors-like motion so that the foldable frame can be folded in a transverse direction.
US08065759B2
A monitor embodiment, monitoring overflow levels in a bathtub, comprises an input water unit, including a control circuitry, coupled to a hot-cold water facet; a water level detection unit including telescopically joined tubes with a floatable lowest tube associated with an indicator, an uppermost tube fixed to the input unit, sensors attached to non-lowest tubes variably coupled. The sensors detect the indicator's position reaching a predetermined alarm or shutoff level, causing respective initiating an alarm signal, or terminating the input unit's water flow. Another embodiment additionally comprises an output water unit associated with the circuitry, incorporating a temperature sensor and a user preset-temperature selector. The output unit outlets cooled water from the bathtub, the input unit inlets hot water until the preset-temperature is reached, provided no alarm signal was issued. An additional sensor, incorporated in the input unit, allows adding the hot water when it's hotter than the bathtub water.
US08065758B1
The present invention may be used for dispensing a liquid soap adjacent a faucet assembly having a vertical opening. A lift rod having a conduit therein may be slidably inserted in the vertical opening. A dispensing rod having a conduit may be attached at an upper end of the lift rod. A pump may be attached at a lower end of the lift rod for fluid communication with an outlet end of the pump. A reservoir tube may be attached to an inlet end of the pump and may be disposed at a second end in a liquid reservoir. The pump may have a flange and a lower portion. The lower portion may be slidably inserted in a support element to allow the flange to abut a top edge of the support element for operation of the plunger when a force may be applied to the lift rod.
US08065757B2
A bath includes a water outlet or outlets (5) arranged to in use direct a flow of water from behind onto the upper body of a bather or bathers sitting in the bath and leaning back against the wall (1) of the bath. The upper body water outlet(s) may comprise two spaced water outlets one positioned to direct a water flow onto the left-side upper body of a bather and the other positioned to direct a water flow at the same temperature onto the right-side upper body of the bather.
US08065753B2
Here is disclosed a garment a device and a method for reducing the risk of bone fracture of a human or animal subject due to impact forces on a vulnerable region having a bone part, e.g. the greater trochanter near the skin surface, there being a soft tissue region proximate to the vulnerable region lacking a bone part near the skin surface. The garment comprises at least one protective device shaped in accordance with anatomical features of the vulnerable region and the soft tissue region so that the impact energy is shunted for the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region, where such energy may be safely dissipated and mounting means for removable mounting the at least one protective device on the subject in a manner permitting the shunting of impact energy from the vulnerable region to the soft tissue region. The protective device is shaped for partly or totally surrounding the vulnerable region and has a thickness establishing a protective free space that will not transfer energy above the vulnerable region and comprises a soft and elastic material having a suitable elasticity and hardness, so that in the case of a fall the impact force will partly compress the device against the soft tissue region and as the elastic material rigidifies during its compression, it will gradually transfer the energy to the surrounding soft tissue, whereby a substantial portion of the impact energy is absorbed and retransmitted to the soft tissue region. The garment provides a lightweight, soft and less bulky protective device which is comfortable for the wearer and which maintain a stable form and which still makes it possible to transmit sufficient impact energy to the soft tissue region surrounding a vulnerable region.
US08065750B2
A glove including a palm portion formed of flexible material. The palm portion has at least one support area. The support area having a plurality of ball shaped elements.
US08065745B2
A funereal garment for use in providing a full and healthy appearance to a corpse lacking tissue necessary for such appearance. The garment includes a main garment body with compartments positioned to receive shaped inserts, wherein the compartments and shaped inserts are provided in sufficient number and location to provide a supplementary mass and enhanced physiological conformation to a corpse dressed in such garment, simulative of a full and healthy appearance of the corpse in relation to the corpse without such garment. The inserts may be inflatable articles or forms of predetermined shape, adapted for placement and retention in the compartments of the garment, so that the funereal garment provides the corpse with an aesthetic appearance for viewing and funeral/internment ceremonies.
