US08071730B2
The present invention relates to novel isolated antibodies, derived compounds, and functional isolated antibody fragments, capable of inhibiting the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro and/or in vivo and obtained by functional screening.More particularly, the present invention relates to the 6F4 antibody, specific to the JAM-A protein, as well as its use for the treatment of cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions composed of these antibodies are also covered.
US08071724B2
The invention is a proteinaceous construct comprising a Factor VIII molecule which is conjugated to a water-soluble polymer via carbohydrate moieties of Factor VIII, and methods of preparing same.
US08071713B2
The invention provides a novel method for manufacturing iodinated resin particulates that have widespread utility as disinfectants. The invention also provides novel iodinated demand disinfectant iodinated resins that have superior properties than resins known in the art. The novel manufacturing process of the current invention is highly efficient and environmentally friendly and is conducted without the presence of water. Additionally, the manufacturing process produces iodinated resins that have better overall biological performance than resins produced by prior art methods owing to higher degrees of iodine in the manufactured resin particulates and higher degrees of uniformity of iodine content when comparing particulate to particulate.
US08071710B2
The manufacture of polyetherquinoxalines may be accomplished by polymerization of quinoxaline and related monomers with a bisphenol under aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction conditions. A method of manufacture includes contacting a substituted or unsubstituted quinoxaline having replaceable groups at the 2,3 positions with a bisphenol or a bisphenol derivative under aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction conditions. The resulting polyetherquinoxalines contain quinoxaline groups joined by ether linkages at the 2 and 3 positions of the quinoxaline groups. In one example, the polyetherquinoxaline has a formula represented as wherein “n” is an integer from 1 to 10000, and R1, R2, R3, R4 are independently hydrogen, methyl, CF3, tert-butyl, benzoyl, benzenesulfonyl, a sulfonic acid salt, an aliphatic group, an alicyclic group, or an aryl group, and Ar is an aromatic radical. These melt-processable polyetherquinoxalines can be prepared under relatively mild conditions, have excellent thermal and mechanical properties, and are organo-soluble, transparent and colorless thermoplastics.
US08071708B2
Multicomponent silicone compositions which can be crosslinked via the click reaction and which, after mixing of the individual components, harden to give an elastomeric material contain: at least one compound (A) or (B), at least one compound (B) or (C), and at least one Cu catalyst (D), where (A) is an organic compound or an organosilicon compound which possesses at least two moieties having terminal aliphatic carbon-carbon triple bonds having terminally bonded hydrogen; (B) is an organic compound or an organosilicon compound which possesses at least two moieties having terminal aliphatic carbon-carbon triple bonds having terminally bonded hydrogen and simultaneously at least two moieties having carbon-bonded azide groups; (C) is an organic compound or an organosilicon compound which possesses at least two moieties having carbon-bonded azide groups.
US08071705B2
Biocompatible polymers are manufactured to include an amino acid mimetic monomer and one or more hydrophobic acrylate monomers. The amino acid mimetic monomers are selected to mimic the side chain of the amino acids asparagine or glutamine. The amino acid mimetic monomer can be a methacryloyl or acryloyl derivative of 2-hydroxyacetamide, 3-hydroxypropionamide, alaninamide, lactamide, or glycinamide. These amide functional groups offer the advantage of moderate hydrophilicity with little chemical reactivity. The amino acid mimetic monomer can be copolymerized with one or more hydrophobic acrylate monomers to obtain desired coating properties.
US08071704B2
Prepolymerizable surface active monomers with both fluorine-containing groups and hydrophilic groups
Provided are surface modified contact lenses formed from one or more fumaric- or itaconic-containing prepolymers having reactive functionality that is complimentary to surface modifying polymers.
US08071702B2
An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.
US08071700B2
A borohydride metallocene complex of a lanthanide, its process of preparation, a catalytic system incorporating a borohydride metallocene complex and a process for the copolymerization of olefins employing this catalytic system. Such a complex corresponds to one or other of the following formulae A and B: where, in the formula A, two ligands Cp1 and Cp2, each composed of a cyclopentadienyl group, are connected to the lanthanide Ln, such as Nd, and where, in the formula B, a ligand molecule, composed of two cyclopentadienyl groups Cp1 and Cp2 which are connected to one another via a bridge P of formula MR1R2, where M is an element from group IVa, such as Si, and where R1 and R2, which are identical or different, represent an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, is connected to the lanthanide Ln, where L represents an alkali metal, such as Li, where N represents a molecule of a complexing solvent, such as THF, where x is an integral or non-integral number greater than 0, where p is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and where y is an integer which is equal to or greater than 0.
US08071697B2
A process includes the steps of: 1) heating a mold at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 200° C.; 2) feeding a silicone encapsulant composition including a mold release agent, where the composition has a viscosity ranging from 100 cps to 3,000 cps at operating temperatures of the process, to an assembly for preventing the silicone encapsulant composition from flowing backward out of the assembly; 3) injecting the silicone encapsulant composition from the assembly into a mold having a horizontal orientation and having a mold cavity through a gate, where the mold cavity has a top and a bottom, a vent is located at the top of the mold cavity, the vent comprises a channel 0.1 mm to 1 mm wide by 0.0001 mm to 0.001 mm deep, the gate is located at the bottom of the mold cavity, and injecting is performed at a pressure ranging from 1,000 psi to 10,000 psi for up to 5 seconds; 4) holding the silicone encapsulant composition at 1,000 psi to 10,000 psi for an amount of time sufficient to prevent the silicone encapsulant composition from flowing out of the mold cavity; 5) curing the product of step 4). Lenses for LED packages may be prepared by the process.
US08071692B2
The invention provides methods for making copolymers and multi-arm block copolymers useful as drug delivery vehicles. The multi-arm block copolymers comprise a central core molecule, such as a residue of a polyol, and at least three copolymer arms covalently attached to the central core molecule, each copolymer arm comprising an inner hydrophobic polymer segment covalently attached to the central core molecule and an outer hydrophilic polymer segment covalently attached to the hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the central core molecule and the hydrophobic polymer segment define a hydrophobic core region. The solubility of hydrophobic biologically active agents can be improved by entrapment within the hydrophobic core region of the block copolymer. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions including such block copolymers, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the block copolymers as drug delivery vehicles.
US08071690B2
A crosslinked lactic acid polymer composition containing (i) a macromer comprising (i-a) a flexible segment produced by the condensation of two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of lactones, furans, epoxies, isocyanates, anhydrides, dianhydrides, alcohols, diols, triols, carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids, esters, diesters, triesters, ethers, diethers, and triethers; and (ii) a lactic acid polymer produced by the condensation of a lactic acid monomer ordimer selected from the group consisting of D-lactic acid, L-lactic acid, D,L-lactic acid, L,L-lactide, D,D-lactide, and D,L-laclide; wherein the macromer and the lactic acid polymer contain carbon-carbon single-bond crosslinks. The macromer may further contain (i-b) a lactic acid segment produced by the condensation of a lactic acid monomer or dimer selected from the group consisting of D-lactic acid, L-lactic acid, D,L-lactic acid, L,L-lactide, D,D- lactide, and D,L-lactide with a polytunctional monomer selected from the group consisting of dianhydrides, diols, triols, dicarboxylic acids, and tricarboxylic acids. Also, methods of producing the polymer composition.
US08071689B2
The invention includes a siloxy-amine functionalized rubbery polymer, which exhibits good reinforcing characteristics and filler dispersing effect, a method for making, and a rubber composition including the same. In one embodiment, a process for manufacturing includes polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer using an organolithium compound as an initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent. Next, an active terminal end of the polymer is reacted with a functionalized terminating agent represented by: RN—(CH2)XSi(OR1)3, Formula (I) wherein R, in combination with the nitrogen (N) atom, is a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aromatic or non-aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with one or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; R1 represents a group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms selected from an alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an allyl, or an aryl; and X is an integer from 1 to 20.
US08071685B2
An immiscible polymer blend including a first polymer component including a paint polymer phase and a second polymer component immiscible with the first polymer component and selected from polyolefins and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). A method of recycling paint by blending a first polymer component including a paint polymer phase with a second polymer component immiscible with the first polymer component and selected from polyolefins and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is also presented.
US08071682B2
A method for producing a conjugated diene polymer is provided that includes a step of polymerizing a conjugated diene-containing monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an alkali metal catalyst, thus giving a polymer having a catalyst-derived alkali metal at one terminus of a polymer chain comprising a conjugated diene-based monomer unit, and a step of reacting the polymer obtained in the step of polymerizing and a trialkoxysilane compound represented by the formula below. (In the formula, M denotes an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, R1, R2, and R3 independently denote an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m denotes an integer of 1 to 5, and n denotes an integer of 0 to 5.) There are also provided a conjugated diene polymer produced by the production method, and a polymer composition containing a rubber component that includes the conjugated diene polymer and carbon black and/or silica, the total content of the carbon black and the silica being 5 to 200 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the rubber component.
US08071672B2
To provide a lenticular lens sheet having a fine light shielding pattern that has high color reproducibility. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The above problem can be solved by a lenticular lens sheet, in which the average primary particle diameter of carbon black contained in a light shielding layer is not less than 10 nm and not more than 50 nm and, preferably, in an image of the cross-section of the light shielding layer under scanning electron microscopic observation, the area ratio of carbon black to the whole image is not less than 60% and not more than 95%, and a process for producing the lenticular lens sheet.
US08071666B2
Suspensions having good flow properties are produced by including a particulate thickener containing chemically or physically bound polymer.
US08071662B2
The invention features dental compositions containing a basic filler that has been surface-treated with a strong acid to increase the shelf life of the composition.
US08071653B2
A method of promoting weight loss in animals or humans by administering thereto a therapeutically effective amount of a mixture of RR-ractopamine and SR-ractopamine is disclosed.
US08071652B2
A treatment to differentially regulate the expression of genes related to irritable bowel syndrome is provided.
US08071645B2
Systems and methods for treating inflammatory and proliferative diseases, and wounds, using as a pharmacon a fatty acid metabolism inhibitor, a glycolytic inhibitor, and/or an agent able to alter cellular production of reactive oxygen, or combination thereof, optionally in combination with one or more chemotherpeutic agents. In preferred embodiments, the invention combines an oxirane carboxylic acid, represented by etomoxir, with a 2-deoxyglucose compound, represented by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and/or an antibody against UCP and/or Fas antigen. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat drug-resistant or multi-drug resistant cancers.
US08071641B2
Use of a cannabidiol for the manufacture of a medicament identified for the treatment or prevention of diabetes and/or insulitis.
US08071636B2
Described herein are compounds for and methods of treating conditions or diseases in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition containing an effective amount of an α-adrenergic modulator. The compounds and methods are also useful for alleviating types of pain, both acute and chronic.
US08071631B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I below and their tautomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, compositions and methods of uses thereof:
US08071621B2
Compounds of Formula I wherein R1, A, R2, R3, R4, R5, R8, n, m, q and r are as described in the specification, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, methods of making, pharmaceutical compositions containing and methods for using the same.
US08071619B2
The invention relates to a novel injectable liquid formulation of paracetamol, comprising an aqueous solvent, a buffer agent with a pKa between 4.5 and 6.5, an isotonic agent and the dimer of paracetamol of formula (I), a method for preparation of said formulation and the use of said dimer for the stabilisation of a liquid paracetamol pharmaceutical formulation.
US08071617B2
The present invention provides compounds having formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, wherein R1-R4, n, p, A, B, D, E, L and AR1 are as described generally and in classes and subclasses herein, and additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for the use thereof for the treatment of disorders mediated by the CD11/CD18 family of cellular adhesion molecules (e.g., LFA-1).
US08071609B2
This invention relates to compounds of the general formula: in which Q is an ethynyl or ethenyl moiety; Ring A is an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring or ring system; and the remaining variable groups are as defined herein, and to their preparation and use.
US08071601B2
The present invention relates to an adenosine A3 receptor ligand of the general formula (I).
US08071596B2
This invention relates to novel endothelin receptor antagonists, derivatives, acceptable acid addition salts, solvates, hydrates and polymorphs thereof. The invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by compounds that block the endothelin signaling pathway that leads to vasoconstriction and in particular those diseases or conditions beneficially treated by endothelin receptor antagonists.
US08071595B2
1,2-disubstituted heterocyclic compounds which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 10 are described. Also described are processes, pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical preparations and pharmaceutical use of the compounds in the treatment of mammals, including human(s) for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other disorders which may affect CNS function. Among the disorders which may be treated are neurological, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, those associated with cognitive deficits or schizophrenic symptoms.
US08071593B2
Described are compounds which inhibit, regulate and/or modulate kinase signal transduction, for example of Met kinase. The compounds are of the formulae A1 to A148 and B1 described herein, including 2-oxobenzoxazol-3-ylmethyl]phenyl}carbamate and 2-oxooxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-ylmethyl)phenyl]carbamate compounds, and pharmaceutically usable salts, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios. Also described are compositions containing these compounds. Also described are methods for the treatment of diseases in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of kinase signal transduction plays a role by administering these compounds.
US08071591B2
Provided herein are aminoquinolones of formula I and compositions containing the compounds, wherein formula I is The compounds and compositions provided herein are useful in the amelioration or treatment of GSK-3 inhibitors mediated diseases.
US08071587B2
The invention relates to imidazoiso[5,1-a]quinoline and 5,6-dihydro-imidazoiso[5,1-a]quinoline derivatives according to general Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds can be used for the treatment of infertility.
US08071586B2
The invention is concerned with novel heterocyclyl compounds of formula (I) wherein A, X, Y1, Y2, Y3, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, m, n and p are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are antagonists of CCR2 receptor, CCR5 receptor and/or CCR3 receptor and can be used as medicaments.
US08071581B2
The present disclosure relates to triazolopyridazine protein kinase modulators of Formula (I), methods of using these compounds to treat diseases mediated by kinase activity.
US08071568B2
The present invention provides nucleoside aryl phosphoramidates of structural formula (I) which are precursors to inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral polymerase. These compounds are precursors to inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful for the treatment of RNA-dependent RNA viral infection. They are particularly useful as precursors to inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase, as precursors to inhibitors of HCV replication, and/or for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. The invention also describes pharmaceutical compositions containing such nucleoside aryl phosphoramidates alone or in combination with other agents active against RNA-dependent RNA viral infection, in particular HCV infection. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA viral replication, and/or treating RNA-dependent RNA viral infection with the nucleoside aryl phosphoramidates of the present invention. (I)
US08071564B2
Provided herein are a variety of methods and compositions for regulating angiogenesis, such methods and compositions being useful in a variety of applications where modulation of vascular formation is useful, including, but not limited to, treatments for ischemia and wound healing. Certain of the methods and compositions accomplish this by using various zinc finger proteins that bind to particular target sites in one or more VEGF genes. Nucleic acids encoding the zinc finger proteins are also disclosed. Methods for modulating the expression of one or more VEGF genes with the zinc finger proteins and nucleic acids are also disclosed. Such methods can also be utilized in a variety of therapeutic applications that involve the regulation of endothelial cell growth. Pharmaceutical compositions including the zinc finger proteins or nucleic acids encoding them are also provided.
US08071560B2
This invention pertains to inhibitors of atrial natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) function, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA), useful for reducing the inflammation associated with many human diseases, such as asthma, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, and cancers (such as melanoma, lung cancer, and/or ovarian cancer) by interfering with NPRA gene expression or otherwise reducing NPRA function within a subject; and methods for treating a subject suffering from, or at risk of developing, an inflammatory disease, respiratory allergy (such as allergic rhinitis and asthma), viral infection, and/or cancer by administering such NPRA inhibitors to the subject.
US08071555B2
The disclosed invention provides tetrapeptides with the amino acid sequence proline-glutamine-glutamate-X (P-Q-E-X), where X can be either lysine (K) or isoleucine (I). These tetrapeptides inhibit ultraviolet light (UV)-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) by skin epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Furthermore, the tetrapeptides repress the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) by skin fibroblasts induced by either direct exposure to UV rays or treatment with media conditioned by UV-treated keratinocytes. The small size and bio-activity of the tetrapeptides render them suitable for use in therapies directed to inflammatory skin disorders and as active ingredients in skin care products.
US08071550B2
A method for treating uterine disorders, including hyperplasic, hypertonic, cystic and/or neoplastic uterine gland tissue by local administration of a botulinum toxin to or to the vicinity of the afflicted uterine tissue.
US08071549B2
The present invention relates to a compound comprising the third Immunoglobulin (Ig3) module, and/or the fourth Immunoglobulin (Ig4) module, and/or the fifth immunoglobulin (Ig5) module, and/or the first Fibronectin III (Fn3,1) module, and/or the second Fibronectin III (Fn3,2) module of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), or a fragment, or a variant thereof, capable of interacting with an Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) receptor and/or Adenosine-Tri-Phosphate (ATP) and/or L1, and thereby the compounds are capable of inducing differentiation, modulating proliferation, stimulate regeneration, neuronal plasticity and/or survival of cells. Further, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound, a process of producing a pharmaceutical composition and the use of said compound.
US08071545B2
A method for treating skin malignancies, malignant tumors, metastatic malignancies and abnormal skin growths in an organism by treating the organism to inhibit the stress mechanism via different pathways and synergistically reduce the production of thrombin in the organism by maintaining antinociception anesthesia throughout the treatment process to control psychic and somatic stress and to reduce the activity levels of Factor VIII, administering medications to the organism that reduce the activity of Factor VII, administering anti-thrombin medications to the organism, or administering to the organism medications that reduce the activity levels of Factor X and Factor Xa.
US08071531B2
A flavor and fragrance composition with a cooling sensation effect comprising 1-(2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohexyl)ethanone represented by the formula (1). The flavor and fragrance composition is added to a beverage or food product, a fragrance or cosmetic product, a daily utensil product, an oral composition, or a pharmaceutical product in the range of 0.0001 to 20% by weight to the total weight of the flavor and fragrance composition added.
US08071527B2
A cleaning compound for cleaning surfaces in a food processing environment includes at least one container, with each container including a peroxide and/or an alkaline reactant therein. The alkaline reactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range when the peroxide and the alkaline reactant are mixed together. The cleaning compound may be a liquid or dry compound, which is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
US08071526B2
A method of making an aqueous ozone solution for an industrial cleaning system is described. The method includes providing a reaction vessel for entraining ozone gas in an aqueous solution. The reaction vessel includes a conical-shaped surface having a two or more edges or ridges. The conical-shaped surface defines an interior, and two or more edges or ridges are in contact with the interior. The reaction vessel is in fluidic communication with a supply of water. The reaction vessel is in fluidic communication with a supply of a first aqueous ozone solution. The first aqueous ozone solution is directed to the conical-shaped surface. Water is directed to the conical-shaped surface, and the water and the first aqueous ozone solution are mixed to form a second aqueous ozone solution.
US08071520B2
A cleaning composition including a sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a co-surfactant, a water conditioning agent and water. The sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside is one of a C12 sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside, a C10-C12 blend of a sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside or a C10 sulfonated functionalized alkyl polyglucoside. The co-surfactant comprises a C6-C12 alcohol ethoxylate having between 3 and 10 moles of EO. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially free of alkyl phenol ethoxylates. The cleaning composition is capable of removing soils including up to 20% proteins and has a neutral pH.
US08071517B2
A trunk piston marine engine lubricating oil composition for a medium-speed compression-ignited marine engine comprises, in a major amount, an oil of lubricating viscosity containing 50 mass % or more of a Group II basestock, and, in respective minor amounts, (A) an overbased metal hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent having a basicity index of 4.5 or less, and (B) an overbased metal hydrocarbyl-substituted hydroxybenzoate detergent having a basicity index of greater than 4.5. The ratio of detergent (A) to detergent (B), both expressed as mass of active ingredient, is in the range from 0.5 to 15. The trunk piston marine engine lubricating oil composition has a TBN (using ASTM D2896) of 20 to 60.
US08071512B2
An annular fluid or packer fluid, and methods of making the same, that includes a water-miscible solvent, a viscosifying additive, a crosslinking agent, a crosslinking inhibitor having the facility to inhibit crosslinking between the viscosifying additive and the crosslinking agent, and an initiating agent having the facility to overcome an action of the crosslinking inhibitor and to initiate crosslinking between the viscosifying additive and the crosslinking agent, is shown and described. The fluid has a thermal conductivity of no more than about 0.25 btu/(hr·ft·° F.) and a potential to substantially increase its viscosity upon sitting for a selected period of time.
US08071509B2
The present invention relates to glycerol based drilling fluids. In particular, the invention relates to drilling fluids comprising a 95-20 volume % glycerol/water solution capable of stabilizing water-sensitive formations during drilling and the use of such solutions for drilling a well having water-sensitive formations.
US08071508B2
Paste-extruded sulfonamide herbicide compositions having improved spray equipment clean-out properties are made by preparing a mixture comprising a sulfonamide herbicide free acid, at least about 50 equivalent % of an inorganic base relative to the sulfonamide herbicide free acid and sufficient water to form an extrudable past, extruding the mixture to form an extrudate, and drying the extrudate.
US08071502B2
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst is provided in which alloying of precious metals is prevented even at high temperatures so that degradation of catalyst can be inhibited. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst comprises a substrate serving as a passage of exhaust gas; and a catalyst coating layer formed on the internal surface of the through hole and including precious metals and a refractory inorganic oxide. The catalyst coating layer formed in the area A located on the upstream portion of the passage with respect to the flow direction of exhaust gas contains a precious metal, Rh. The weight ratio of Rh and the precious metal other than Rh is 1:0 to 0.5. The catalyst coating layer formed in the area B located on the downstream portion of the passage contains precious metal other than Rh. The weight of the precious metal other than Rh is larger than the weight of Rh.
US08071498B2
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst wherein the catalytic activity can be recovered over a wide temperature range is provided. Also provided are a method for recovering an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and a catalyst system for exhaust gas purification. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst is characterized by containing an oxide A containing an oxide (A-1) containing an alkaline earth metal and/or a rare earth metal and an inorganic oxide (A-2), and a noble metal B supported by the oxide A. This exhaust gas purifying catalyst is also characterized in that the weight ratio of the oxide (A-1) containing an alkaline earth metal and/or a rare earth metal to the noble metal B is from 1:10 to 1:500.
US08071497B2
One exemplary embodiment is a refinery or a petrochemical production facility. The refinery or petrochemical production facility can include: a) a catalyst regeneration zone; b) a halogen removal zone; and c) an elimination zone for at least one of a dioxin and a furan compound, wherein at least a portion of an effluent from the halogen removal zone is combined with a stream comprising oxygen from the catalyst regeneration zone or halogen removal zone.
US08071485B2
Small feature patterning is accomplished using a multilayer hard mask (HM). Embodiments include sequentially forming a first HM layer and a multilayer HM layer over a substrate, the multilayer HM layer comprising sublayers, etching the multilayer HM layer to form a first opening having an upper first opening with sides converging to a lower second opening and a second opening with substantially parallel sides and an opening substantially corresponding to the lower second opening of the first opening, etching through the second opening to form a corresponding opening in the first HM layer, and etching the substrate through the corresponding opening in the first HM layer.
US08071476B2
Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include a cobalt titanium oxide film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The cobalt titanium oxide film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The cobalt titanium oxide film may be formed by atomic layer deposition.
US08071470B2
A method of fabricated a wafer level package is described. In one embodiment, the method includes fabricating at least one active device on a semiconductor wafer that has not been singulated, with the active device having a plurality of bonding pads exposed at an upper surface of the wafer. Prior to singulating the semiconductor wafer, a plurality of corresponding stud bumps on the plurality of bonding pads with a wire bonding tool are formed. Thereafter, a molding encapsulation layer is applied over the semiconductor wafer leaving an upper portion of each of the plurality of stud bumps exposed.
US08071456B2
Any of a plurality of contact plugs which reaches a diffusion layer serving as a drain layer of an MOS transistor has an end provided in contact with a lower surface of a thin insulating film provided selectively on an interlayer insulating film. A phase change film constituted by GST to be a chalcogenide compound based phase change material is provided on the thin insulating film, and an upper electrode is provided thereon. Any of the plurality of contact plugs which reaches the diffusion layer serving as a source layer has an end connected directly to an end of a contact plug penetrating an interlayer insulating film.
US08071449B2
A semiconductor storage device has a plurality of word lines formed with a predetermined interval on a semiconductor substrate, a selection transistor provided at an end portion of the plurality of word lines, a first insulating film formed so as to cover side surfaces of the word lines, a side surface of the selection transistor, and a surface of the semiconductor substrate between the word lines, a high-permittivity film formed on the first insulation film, a second insulating film formed so as to cover the upper surface of the word lines and the selection transistor, a first air-gap portion located between the word lines and surrounded by the high-permittivity film and the second insulating film, and a second air-gap portion formed via the first insulating film and the high-permittivity film at a sidewall portion, which opposes the selection transistor, of the word line adjacent to the selection transistor, an upper portion of the second air-gap portion being covered by the second insulating film.
US08071448B2
A disclosed semiconductor device includes multiple gate electrodes disposed on a semiconductor substrate; and multiple sidewall spacers disposed on sidewalls of the gate electrodes. The thickness of the sidewall spacers is larger on the sidewalls along longer sides of the gate electrodes than on the sidewalls along shorter sides of the gate electrodes.
US08071445B2
In a transistor region, a source interconnect layer and a gate electrode are buried in trenches. A source extending region is provided adjacent to the transistor region or in the transistor region, and a source interconnect layer is designed to protrude from the upper end of a trench. This source interconnect layer is connected to a source electrode formed in the transistor region immediately above the trench. A gate extending region is provided outside the source extending region, and the gate electrode and a gate interconnect layer are connected. The gate electrode is formed by performing etchback without forming a resist pattern, after a polysilicon film is formed. Here, the polysilicon film remains like a side-wall on the sidewall of the portion of the source interconnect layer protruding from the upper end of the trench.
US08071442B2
A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities which may have a non-rectangular shape, which may be maintained even during corresponding high temperature treatments by providing an appropriate protection layer, such as a silicon dioxide material. Consequently, a lateral offset of the strain-inducing semiconductor material may be reduced, while nevertheless providing a sufficient thickness of corresponding offset spacers during the cavity etch process, thereby preserving gate electrode integrity. For instance, P-channel transistors may have a silicon/germanium alloy with a hexagonal shape, thereby significantly enhancing the overall strain transfer efficiency.
US08071418B2
Solar cells and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may include providing a silicon substrate and introducing dopant to one or more selective regions of the front surface of the substrate by ion implantation. The substrate may be subjected to a single high-temperature anneal cycle. Additional dopant atoms may be introduced for diffusion into the front surface of the substrate during the single anneal cycle. A selective emitter may be formed on the front surface of the substrate such that the one or more selective regions of the selective emitter layer are more heavily doped than the remainder of the selective emitter layer. Associated solar cells are also provided.
US08071414B2
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating an organic photovoltaic device with improved power conversion efficiency by reducing lateral contribution of series resistance between subcells through active area partitioning by introducing a patterned structure of insulating partitioning walls inside the device. According to the method of the present invention, since the lateral contribution of series resistance between the partitioned subcells is minimized and each subcell works independently, there is no interference phenomenon against the current output of each subcells. As such, the function of a charge extraction layer with high conductivity can be maximized. Thus, the method of the present invention can be effectively used in the fabrication and development of a next-generation large area organic thin layer photovoltaic cell device.
US08071413B2
The present invention discloses an MEMS sensor and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate including an opening; a suspended structure located above the opening; and an upper structure, a portion of which is at least partially separated from a portion of the suspended structure; wherein the suspended structure and the upper structure are separated from each other by a step including metal etch.
US08071406B2
An array substrate includes a substrate including a display area and a peripheral area surrounding the display area, a transistor layer formed in the display area of the substrate and electrically connected to a gate line and a data line, a color filter formed in a pixel region on the transistor layer, a first light blocking member disposed between adjacent color filters, a first transparent member formed on the first light blocking member to cover the first light blocking member, a first color pattern formed in a peripheral area of the substrate and including substantially the same material as the color filter, and a second transparent member including substantially the same material as the first transparent member. The second transparent member is disposed in the peripheral area of the substrate to cover the first color pattern.
US08071405B2
Provided is a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device with a laser cavity enabling a low threshold current, on a semipolar surface of a support base the c-axis of a hexagonal group-III nitride of which tilts toward the m-axis. In a laser structure 13, a first surface 13a is a surface opposite to a second surface 13b and first and second fractured faces 27, 29 extend each from an edge 13c of the first surface 13a to an edge 13d of the second surface 13b. A scribed mark SM1 extending from the edge 13c to the edge 13d is made, for example, at one end of the first fractured face 27, and the scribed mark SM1 or the like has a depressed shape extending from the edge 13c to the edge 13d. The fractured faces 27, 29 are not formed by dry etching and thus are different from the conventional cleaved facets such as c-planes, m-planes, or a-planes. It is feasible to use emission of a band transition enabling a low threshold current.
US08071404B2
By using a first substrate which has a light-transmitting property and whose first face is provided with a light-absorbing layer, a mixture including an organic compound and an inorganic material is irradiated with light having a wavelength, which is absorbed by the inorganic material to heat the mixture, and thereby a film of the organic compound included in the mixture is formed on the first face of the first substrate. Then, the first face of the first substrate and a deposition surface of a second substrate are arranged to be adjacent to or in contact with each other, irradiation with light having a wavelength, which is absorbed by the light-absorbing layer is conducted from a second face side of the first substrate, to heat the organic compound, and thereby at least part of the organic compound is formed as a film on the deposition surface of the second substrate.
US08071400B2
A buffer layer manufacturing method, including: a preparation step for preparing a reaction solution which includes a component (Z) of at least one kind of zinc source, a component (S) of at least one kind of sulfur source, a component (C) of at least one kind of citrate compound, a component (N) of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of ammonia and ammonium salt, and water, in which the concentration of the component (C) is 0.001 to 0.25M, the concentration of the component (N) is 0.001 to 0.40M, and the pH of the reaction solution before the start of reaction is 9.0 to 12.0; and a film forming step for forming a Zn compound layer consisting primarily of Zn(S, O) and/or Zn(S, O, OH) by a liquid phase method with a reaction temperature of 70 to 95° C.
US08071397B2
A semiconductor fabricating method including: placing the semiconductor wafer having a film thereon inside of a chamber; generating plasma; detecting a quantity of interference lights for each of at least two wavelengths obtained from a surface of the wafer for a predetermined time period during the etching of the wafer; detecting a first time point at which the detected quantity of interference lights for one of the two wavelengths becomes a maximum and a second time point at which the detected quantity of interference lights for the other wavelength becomes a minimum; determining a state of etching based on a result of comparing a predetermined value with an interval between the first and second time points, wherein both time points are detected by using outputs of a detector for detecting a quantity of the interference lights; and controlling etching in accordance with the determining.
US08071385B2
A portable chemical analytical apparatus to analyze a test swipe includes a heater to warm the test swipe to a predetermined temperature; a clamp to secure the test swipe to the heater; one or more pumps to dispense one or more chemicals onto the test swipe from a disposable cartridge; a fan to remove chemical vapors rising a predetermined distance from the test swipe; and a camera to capture an image of the test swipe for automated analysis.
US08071377B2
The present invention provides methods for immortalizing precursor cells that are non-terminally differentiated cells such as stem cells, said methods comprising culturing the precursor cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and one or more growth factors that support the proliferation but not differentiation of the non-terminally differentiated cells. The present invention further provides methods to induce the differentiation of immortalized cells, comprising growing the cells in the presence of a Notch agonist and at least one growth factor which supports the differentiation of the cell into a more specialized cell type. The immortalized and/or differentiated cells of the invention can be used to repopulate cell populations that have been diminished, for example as a result of infection or exposure to certain drugs. The invention further provides a cell culture comprising a population of non-terminally differentiated cells immortalized by the methods of the present invention and kits comprising reagents that promote the immortalization of precursor cells. The invention further provides methods for screening for Notch modulators and for identifying genes involved in processes of cellular differentiation.
US08071366B2
A method is described for generating a clinically significant volume of neural progenitor cells from whole bone marrow. A mass of bone marrow cells may be grown in a culture supplemented with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Further methods of the present invention are directed to utilizing the neural progenitor cells cultured in this fashion in the treatment of various neuropathological conditions, and in targeting delivery of cells transfected with a particular gene to diseased or damaged tissue.
US08071362B2
The disclosed technology relates to a sterilization indicator and a process to concentrate signal generated by constraining it to a minimal surface, in a minimal volume and minimal pH and growth buffering or mediating influences. The sterilization indicator may comprise a carrier 12, the carrier having a first surface 14 and a second surface 16; a support 20, the support having a first section 22 and a second section 24, the carrier 12 overlying the first section 12 of the support 20, the second surface 16 of the carrier being adhered to the first section 22 of the support 20; and a biological indicator 30 supported by the carrier 12. The second section 24 of the support 20 may be of sufficient dimension to permit handling the sterilization indicator 10 without contacting the biological indicator 30. A process for making the sterilization indicator is disclosed. Processes for using the sterilization indicator are disclosed.
US08071343B2
A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.
US08071337B2
A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.
US08071330B2
The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of cefaclor, which process comprises reacting 7-amino-3-chloro cephalosporanic acid (7-ACCA) with D-phenylglycine in activated form (PGa) in the presence of an enzyme in a reaction mixture to form cefaclor, wherein at least part of 7-ACCA and/or PGa are added to the reaction mixture during the course of the reaction. The invention also relates to an aqueous mixture comprising an amount of cefaclor of >10 (w/w) %, an amount of 7-amino-3-chloro cephalosporanic acid of <2 (w/w) %, and an amount of D-phenyl glycine of <2 (w/w) % and a process for the recovery of cefaclor from this aqueous mixture. The invention also relates to cefaclor in crystal form having an absorbance at 400 nm (A400) of less than 0.250.
US08071329B2
Organisms such as bacterial spores are analyzed and/or characterized based on based on peptide fragments of a set of selectively solublizede proteins. Libraries of protein and gene sequences may be utilized for comparison to and identification of proteins and unknown organisms.
US08071323B2
Antibody compositions and methods for treatment of neoplastic disease in a mammalian subject are provided. Methods of diagnosing cancer in a mammalian subject are also provided.
US08071318B2
Drug candidate screening methods are applied to discover compounds with activity against ion channel targets. The method may include modulating the transmembrane potential of host cells in a plurality of sample wells with a repetitive application of electric fields so as to set the transmembrane potential to a level corresponding to a pre-selected voltage dependent state of a target ion channel.
US08071312B2
The present invention concerns preparation of DNA molecules, such as a library, using a stem-loop oligonucleotide. In particular embodiments, the invention employs a single reaction mixture and conditions. In particular, at least part of the inverted palindrome is removed during the preparation of the molecules to facilitate amplification of the molecules. Thus, in specific embodiments, the DNA molecules are suitable for amplification and are not hindered by the presence of the palindrome.
US08071308B2
The present invention features novel, diverse, hybrid and engineered recombinase enzymes, and the utility of such proteins with associated recombination factors for carrying out DNA amplification assays. The present invention also features different recombinase ‘systems’ having distinct biochemical activities in DNA amplification assays, and differing requirements for loading factors, single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs), and the quantity of crowding agent employed.
US08071304B2
The present invention discloses a functional relationship between a recognized disease condition and a polymorphism in the nucleotide factor kappa B promoter (NFKB1). This relationship provides a platform for methods of altering promoter activity and for determining similar relationships between specific pathologies and identified polymorphisms. A statistically significant risk of developing ulcerative colitis was shown to be correlated with the presence of an ATTG insertion/deletion in the NFKB1 promoter and is likely to apply also to a variety of other inflammatory diseases.
US08071295B2
The present invention relates to methods for performing surveys of the genetic diversity of a population. The invention also relates to methods for performing genetic analyses of a population. The invention further relates to methods for the creation of databases comprising the survey information and the databases created by these methods. The invention also relates to methods for analyzing the information to correlate the presence of nucleic acid markers with desired parameters in a sample. These methods have application in the fields of geochemical exploration, agriculture, bioremediation, environmental analysis, clinical microbiology, forensic science and medicine.
US08071289B2
A method to make libraries of hybrid polynucleotide molecules of two parental polynucleotide molecules utilizing single-stranded DNA was invented. Example of the method comprises several steps: (i) preparation of two single-stranded polynucleotide molecules comprising sequences containing one or more parts of homology and one or more parts of heterology, (ii) random or non-random fragmentation of said polynucleotides, (iii) hybridization of the fragmented molecules followed by de novo polynucleotide synthesis (i.e. polynucleotide chain elongation) on the hybridized molecules, (iv) separation of the chain elongation products (i.e. double-stranded polynucleotide molecules) into single-stranded polynucleotide molecules (denaturation) (v) hybridization of the resultant single-stranded polynucleotide molecules followed by de novo polynucleotide synthesis on the hybridized molecules, and (vi) repeating at least two further cycles of steps (iv) and (v).
US08071284B2
This invention relates, in part, to methods and compositions for determining altered susceptibility of a human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) to the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (“NNRTIs”) efavirenz (“EFV”), nevirapine (“NVP”), and delavirdine (“DLV”), the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor AZT, and the integrase strand transfer inhibitors diketo acid 1, diketo acid 2, and L-870,810 by detecting the presence of a mutation or combinations of mutations in the gene encoding HIV reverse transcriptase that are associated with altered susceptibility to the anti-HIV drugs.
US08071280B2
A medium solution which will increase the growth, survival and ultimately the live birth rate of oocytes and embryos which have been or will be subjected to cryopreservation. The solution contains varied amounts of glucose, pyruvates, amino acids, vitamins K5 and C, antioxidants, fatty acids to supply the specimens with the chemical ingredients and uptake requirements required to recover and prosper during and after the cryopreservation process. The solution supplies nutrients to the specimens that will replenish depletion and damage to the specimens and their mitochondria, spindles and structural features, such as cell walls. One formulation addresses the additional requirements of frozen specimens as opposed to the current media solutions and methods which treat the un-frozen specimens the same as the frozen specimens when recovering them from cryopreservation.
US08071278B1
Double patterning using a single reticle. A blading technique may be used to allow a single reticle to be used for double patterning. The reticle is placed into a lithographic apparatus and a first portion of the pattern is exposed onto a first photoresist overlaying a target region, while blading the second portion of the pattern. Then, a second portion of the pattern is exposed onto a second photoresist, while blading the first portion. Alternatively, each portion of the pattern may be exposed to the photoresist simultaneously, but to different target regions. Then shot coordinates are adjusted and the portions are exposed to a photoresist again to allow creation of the composite pattern in at least one of the target regions. During the double patterning process, the reticle may be kept in the lithographic apparatus.
US08071270B2
The present invention provides a polyhydric compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R51 to R67 each independently represent a hydrogen atom etc., at least one selected from the group consisting of R1 to R5 is a group represented by the formula (II): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom etc., U represents a C1-C20 divalent hydrocarbon group etc., and A+ represents an organic counter ion, and the others are hydrogen atoms or groups represented by the formula (III): wherein X1 to X4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom etc., n represents an integer of 0 to 3, W represents any one of the following groups: Z1 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group etc., and ring Y represents a C3-C20 alicyclic hydrocarbon group, and a chemically amplified resist composition containing the same.
US08071265B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, a zinc dithiol containing charge transport layer, a zinc dithiol containing photogenerating layer, or where the charge transport layer and the photogenerating layer both include a zinc dithiol.
US08071254B2
Crosslinkable polymers and crosslinked fluoropolymers are prepared from selected fluorinated dienes and monomers containing Br and I. Also disclosed are proton conductive membranes of these crosslinked fluoropolymers.
US08071252B2
An interconnector for high-temperature fuel cells is characterized in that the interconnector comprises two components (A, B) made of different materials. Component (A), which is in contact with the electrodes and ensures the electric connection between the fuel cell units, is made of a chromium oxide-forming, high-temperature alloy, and component (B), which connects the fuel cell units mechanically, is made of a corrosion-resistant, non-electroconducting, high-temperature material which does not bleed any chromium.
US08071248B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, a water inlet conduit, and a hydrometer, such as an alcoholometer. The hydrometer is adapted to provide a measurement of a water-to-fuel ratio of a fuel inlet stream within the fuel inlet conduit. The water inlet conduit is adapted to provide a quantity of water to the fuel inlet conduit in order to achieve a desired water-to-ratio being provided to the fuel cell stack.
US08071247B2
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell.
US08071246B2
A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.
US08071244B2
A fuel cell system includes a cell stack, a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the cell stack, an outside air temperature sensor which detects an outside air temperature, and a CPU which controls a process in the fuel cell system. When the temperature of the cell stack is lower than a predetermined temperature, the fuel cell system performs a temperature raising operation of the cell stack by making the concentration of aqueous methanol solution in an aqueous solution tank higher than in a normal operation and by making an output of an aqueous solution pump greater than in the normal operation. The CPU sets a run time for the temperature raising operation based on a detection result from the outside air temperature sensor, a detection result from the temperature sensor, and a run time setting table which is stored in a memory. The fuel cell system is capable of raising a temperature of the fuel cell quickly and stably to the predetermined temperature.
US08071235B2
A packing material for a lithium cell of the present invention includes a first adhesive layer, an aluminum foil layer, a coating layer, an adhesive resin layer or a second adhesive layer, and a sealant layer laminated sequentially on one surface of a base material layer, wherein the coating layer is a multilayer structure comprising a layer (A), in which 1 to 100 parts by mass of a phosphoric acid or a phosphate has been blended into 100 parts by mass of a rare earth element-based oxide, and a layer (X) which contains an anionic polymer and a cross-linking agent that causes cross-linking of the anionic polymers.
US08071234B2
A battery pack having a plurality of battery cells (10) connected in series and/or parallel. The battery pack is provided with a plurality of battery cells (10), each encased in a rectangular external case, and a plurality of separators (20) with electrical and heat insulating properties covering the outside of each battery cell external case excluding electrode terminals (12). Each separator (20) is disposed so as to intervene between adjacent battery cells (10) putting the external cases of those battery cells (10) in contact with both sides of the separator (20). With the external case of each battery cell (10) covered by separators (20) while exposing electrode terminals (12), the electrode terminals (12) are connected together. As a result, excluding required regions, the battery cells (10) can be enclosed and unintended events such as short circuits can be effectively prevented.
US08071229B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording media is disclosed which employs inexpensive materials in the intermediate layer of the high-recording density media while exhibiting magnetic characteristics comparable or superior to those of media using Ru or Re. A perpendicular magnetic recording apparatus employing this perpendicular magnetic recording media also is disclosed. The perpendicular magnetic recording media has a nonmagnetic substrate, a soft magnetic backing layer formed on the nonmagnetic substrate, a seed layer formed on the soft magnetic backing layer, an intermediate layer formed on the seed layer, a magnetic layer formed on the intermediate layer, and a protective layer formed on the magnetic layer. The intermediate layer comprises an alloy with the hcp structure containing 55 at % or more Zn, the magnetic layer comprises an alloy with the hcp structure containing Co, and the Δθ50 value of the orientation plane (0002) of the magnetic layer is between 1.5° and 4°.
US08071223B2
Disclosed are films obtained from blends of ethylene copolymers with organic acid salt-modified potassium ionomeric copolymers. The films of the present invention can be welded using RF energy.
US08071222B2
Polymeric particles capable of absorbing blood and/or body fluids, the polymeric particles being coated with at least one surfactant and with at least one solvent, are produced and used for absorbing blood and/or body fluids, especially in hygiene articles.
US08071210B2
In one aspect, described herein are ultrathin films comprising an azlactone functionalized polymer and a primary amine functionalized polymer. Also described herein are ultrathin films including reactive, nonreactive, partially reactive/nonreactive, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and mixed hydrophobic/hydrophilic ultrathin films. In another aspect, described herein are methods for making surface attached and freestanding ultrathin films.
US08071195B2
The present invention provides a multi-layered object having a hard coat layer capable of improving anti-staining property, anti-staining durability, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance and the like. A multi-layered object comprising a hard coat layer and a light transmitting layer, wherein the hard coat layer is formed from a composition for hard coat comprising: an active energy ray-curable silicone-acrylic copolymer (A); and an active energy ray-curable polyfunctional compound (B), and wherein the active energy ray-curable silicone-acrylic copolymer (A) contains: a polysiloxane block (a-1), an acrylic block (a-2) containing an active energy ray-curable double bond group and a fluoroalkyl group-containing acrylic block (a-3).
US08071194B2
A heat collector includes a heat absorption surface, an opposite heat focus surface and one or more surrounding sides. A matrix of the heat collector is a thermally conductive material. There is a plurality of adiabatic pores mixed within the matrix. A relative concentration distribution of the adiabatic pores increases from the heat absorption surface to the heat focus surface, and decreases from the surrounding sides to a center of the heat collector. The shape of the heat collector can be rectangular, cylindrical, prismatic, plate-shaped, square, or polyhedral. The heat collector can draw heat generated from electrical components, and collect the generated heat for reuse in order to enhance energy efficiency.
US08071193B2
The invention relates to a floor panel in the form of a multilayer, rectangular laminate with a soft core (10) of plastic, a décor film (12) on the upper side of the core (10), a transparent finishing layer (14) and a transparent lacquer layer (16) applied on the finishing layer (16), as well as a back-pull layer (18) on the back of the core (10), with a lockable tongue and groove connection at least at two mutually opposite edges of the panel (20, 22).
US08071190B2
A multi layered tire former bladder and a method for making the bladder is described. The multi layered bladder includes a elastomeric bladder having an outer surface and an inner surface; a release coating on the outer surface of the bladder; and at least two fabric reinforcing plies which include a first outer ply embedded in the bladder below the outer surface and an inner surface fabric ply at the inner surface of the bladder. In the method of making the bladder an air dried release coating is applied to the outer elastomeric surface of the bladder.
US08071185B2
A method for the preparation of silicon dioxide dispersions is described, wherein the surface of the silicon dioxide is modified by a treatment with the reaction products of a compound of trivalent aluminum with least one aminoorganosilane. These reaction products are formed in a separate reaction step. The present invention also relates to recording sheets for ink jet printing having such a dispersion incorporated in an ink-receiving layer.
US08071183B2
A sealing glass of a low melting point phosphate glass composition contains 15 to 35% of BaO and Sb2O3 (in total) and the ratio by weight of BaO to Sb2O3 or Sb2O3 to BaO is 0.3 or less. Particularly the transition metal is vanadium and the glass contains V2O5 of 45 to 60 wt % as vanadium oxide and P2O5 of 15 to 30 wt % as phosphorus oxide. The bonding material is a mixture of a filler and a vanadate-phosphate glass that contains V2O5 of 45 to 60%, P2O5 of 20 to 30%, BaO of 5 to 15%, TeO2 of 0 to 10%, Sb2O3 of 5 to 10%, and WO3 of 0 to 5%. The particle size of the filler is in the range of 1 to 150 μm and the ratio of filler is 80% by volume or less of the adhesive glass.
US08071182B2
SubjectThe subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of the nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, a high stability to heat and a short helical pitch, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics. The subject is also to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life, a little light-leak and so forth.Means for Solving the SubjectThe invention provides a liquid crystal composition that has the nematic phase, including a specific optically active compound as a first component and a specific four-ring compound having a high maximum temperature of the nematic phase as a second component, and optionally including a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a third component and a specific compound having a positively large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and provides a liquid crystal display device including this composition.
US08071175B2
A foam play article comprises: an elastic tube for forming an elastic rubber layer; a foam formed by foaming polyurethane materials (2) in the elastic tube (1); and a coating layer (7) coated on the elastic rubber layer. The article may be manufactured by a method which comprises: providing polyurethane foam materials; attaching a material injector (5) to an elastic tube (1); injecting a predetermined amount of the polyurethane foam materials to the elastic tube (1) through the material injector (5); placing the elastic tube (5) in a mold (6) to provide a foam therein; applying a coating layer onto an outer surface of the foam; and drying the coated foam. The-thus formed play article has superior surface gloss, improved waterproof, soft tactile sensation, and higher stability.
US08071174B2
A method for forming a conductive elastomer by applying or spray coating a conductive paste onto an elastomeric substrate using a reactive top coat to thin the conductive paste prior to spraying onto the substrate. The use of a reactive topcoat to thin the conductive paste avoids the need for hazardous volatile organic components as solvents to thin the conduct paste and improves the bonding of the conductive paste to the elastomeric substrate once the spray coating is cured.
US08071168B2
A new, low temperature method for directly writing conductive metal traces with micron and sub-micron sized features. In this method, a flat beam is used, such as an AFM cantilever, with or without a tip, to draw traces of metal precursor ink onto a substrate. The dimensions of the metal traces can be directly controlled by the geometry of the cantilever, so that one can controllably deposit traces from 1 micron to over 100 microns wide with microfabricated cantilevers. Cantilevers with sharp tips can be used to further shrink the minimum features sizes to sub-micron scale. The height of the features can be increased by building layers of similar or different material.
US08071166B2
There is provided a method of making a heat treated (HT) coated article to be used in shower door applications, window applications, or any other suitable applications where transparent coated articles are desired. For example, certain embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a coated article including a step of heat treating a glass substrate coated with at least a layer of or including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and an overlying protective film thereon. In certain example embodiments, the protective film may be of or include both (a) an oxygen blocking or barrier layer, and (b) a release layer. Following and/or during heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, or the like) the protective film may be removed. Other embodiments of this invention relate to the pre-HT coated article, or the post-HT coated article.
US08071153B2
Disclosed are whey protein-containing granules which can dissolve a whey protein into water without forming insoluble lumps thereby making a solution containing the dissolved whey protein clear without turbidity, and a method for producing the same. The whey protein-containing granules are composed of a polyglycerin fatty acid ester having HLB of 13 to 18 and containing lauric acid as a constituent fatty acid. As the polyglycerin fatty acid ester, for example, monolauric acid decaglycerin ester or monolauric acid pentaglycerin ester may be used.
US08071151B2
A dual deposit stencil apparatus for discharging filler materials onto parallel lanes of base cakes comprises a stencil tube having two inlet openings, one communicating with a source of first filler material, and the other communicating with a source of second filler material. The stencil tube has four discharge openings therein. A stencil carried on the stencil tube has pairs of openings therein for receiving two filler materials. Provided in the stencil tube are a first shutoff valve and a second shutoff valve. First and second actuating mechanisms control the shut off valves and are coordinated to simultaneously provide first and second filler material to each pair of openings in the stencil. A wire mechanism cooperates with the stencil for simultaneously removing the first and second filler materials from each pair of openings.
US08071150B2
A method for thawing and infusing partially frozen fruits or vegetables. Individually quick frozen fruits or vegetables are introduced into a mixing kettle. An infusion solution is circulated from a solution tank, through a bed of fruits or vegetables, and back to a solution tank. The infusion solution is maintained at a temperature of about 45° to about 50° F. and at a Brix of about 40° to about 50°. The infusion solution is pumped and circulated at a high rate which reduces thaw time but does not result in product degradation. After thawing, the pumping and re-circulating rate is decreased to allow for increased infusion efficiency. Pressure pulses are applied to the product in the mixing tank which decreases the infusion time. Thus, thawed and infused fruit and vegetables are produced quickly and with minimal product degradation.
US08071131B2
Compositions and methods useful in restorative dentistry are disclosed. Compositions of the present invention include a peptide, and a polymer matrix. The peptide is one capable of reacting with a source of mineralizing ions to initiate deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals within the polymer matrix. Compositions of the present invention are uniquely capable of sealing a junction between a dental restorative material and adjacent native tooth tissue.
US08071126B2
A percutaneous absorption type patch adapted to be applied to a skin surface of a patient. The percutaneous absorption type patch comprises: a stratum-corneum release member constituted from a sheet-like first supporting substrate and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on the first supporting member; a medicinal-components administration member constituted from a sheet-like second supporting substrate, a medicinal-components retention layer laminated on the second supporting substrate, and a protect layer laminated on the medicinal-components retention layer; and a sheet-like handling member interposed between the stratum-corneum release member and the medicinal-components administration member. An edge portion of the handling member is coupled to or integrated with both the first supporting substrate and the protect layer. Operations of peeling the stratum-corneum release member from the skin surface of the patient and peeling the protect layer from the medicinal-components retention layer are carried out at a time by pulling the handling member toward an operating direction.
US08071125B2
This invention relates to a transdermal patch in the form of a layer complex, comprising a backing layer, a drug-reservoir layer comprising pharmacologically active ingredients and pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, and a release liner covering the drug-reservoir layer, characterized in that the drug-reservoir layer comprises isosorbide dinitrate and Bisoprolol at a ratio of 1:3 to 3:1 by weight, as the pharmacologically active ingredients. Animal tests show that said patch can reduce the elevation of T wave of cardiogram, the increase of the level of myocardial enzyme in blood serum, and the extension of the range of myocardial infarction caused by ligating the coronary artery in animals. Results show that said patch exhibits a considerable synergistic effect in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and has good preventive and therapeutic effects on several adverse events on heart. In addition, the animal tests show that the patch according to the invention has a better pressure-reducing effect than the application of the patch containing only one of isosorbide dinitrate and Bisoprolol, and does not worsen the arrhythmia that is easily caused by the application of the patch containing only isosorbide dinitrate or Bisoprolol.
US08071119B2
A dispensing device having a polymer which is combined with a therapeutic agent in the form of a microparticle or nanoparticle which is “hyper-compressed” to form a controlled release dispensing device and methods of locally administering a therapeutic agent using said microparticles.
US08071111B2
The invention relates to the field of diagnosis of and vaccination against Streptococcal infections and to the detection of virulence markers of Streptococci. The invention discloses a method for modulating virulence of a Streptococcus, the method comprising modifying a genomic fragment of Streptococcus wherein the genomic fragment comprises at least a functional part of a fragment identifiable by hybridization in Streptococcus suis to a nucleic acid or fragment thereof as shown in FIG. 5.
US08071110B2
Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
US08071100B2
The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that bind or neutralize anthrax lethal factor (LF), edema factor (EF), and/or protective antigen (PA). The invention provides such antibodies, fragments of such antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, fully human or humanized antibodies retaining anthrax toxin-binding ability, and pharmaceutical compositions including such antibodies. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. Additionally, the invention provides for prophylactic, therapeutic, and diagnostic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention.
US08071098B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide a cerebral vasospasm inhibitor which is effective on cerebral vasospasm occurring after subarachnoid hemorrhage and has few side-effects. The cerebral vasospasm inhibitor of the invention is characterized in containing an anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody as an active ingredient.
US08071097B2
The present application relates to apoptotic anti-IgE antibodies, nucleic acid encoding the same, therapeutic compositions thereof, and their use in the treatment of IgE-mediated disorders.
US08071095B2
The invention provides immunosuppressive polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides mutant CTLA-4 polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding mutant CTLA-4 polypeptides. Compositions and methods for utilizing such polypeptides and nucleic acids are also provided.
US08071092B1
The present invention relates to a novel Neutrokine-alpha, and a splice variant thereof designated Neutrokine-alphaSV, polynucleotides and polypeptides which are members of the TNF family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.
US08071088B2
Compositions and methods useful for reducing or eliminating the presence of pathogens in meat and meat products are disclosed. Administration of one or more lactic acid producing microorganisms to a live animal, to a carcass, to meat, to meat products, or in animal feed results in significant reductions in the amount of pathogens potentially harmful to humans when ingested. Synergistic effects can be achieved with the administration of multiple strains of microorganisms.
US08071075B2
The invention relates to a method for treatment or prophylaxis of a disease or condition in an animal comprising administering to a mucosal membrane of said animal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a drug delivery system comprising at least one physiologically active agent or prodrug thereof and at least one penetration enhancer selected from safe ester sunscreens.
US08071070B2
Provided is a crystalline TiO2 powder in the form of aggregated primary particles having a variable sintering stability at a BET surface area of 70-100 m2/g and a rutile content of greater than 10% but less than or equal to 40%, and a process for preparing the crystalline TiO2 powder, which involves: introducing a TiCl4 vapor and, separately therefrom, H2 and a primary air into a mixing chamber to produce a gaseous mixture; igniting the gaseous mixture in a burner to produce a flame, which is burned into a reaction chamber to produce the crystalline TiO2 powder and gaseous substances; and separating the crystalline TiO2 powder from the gaseous substances, wherein the relative amounts of TiCl4 vapor, H2 and primary air are selected to provide crystalline TiO2 powder having the aforementioned BET surface area and rutile content, with the proviso that factor A has a value of 0.1-0.4 g/m2 in accordance within the following formula: factor A=105{[(TiCl4 vapor×H2)/(amount of air×gaseous mixture)]/BET]}.
US08071067B2
Processes for forming ferric chloride solutions that are stable at relatively low temperatures and suitable for transportation without precipitation are provided. The stable ferric chloride solutions have an iron content of about 16 to about 23 weight percent and a hydrochloric acid content of about 11 to about 17 weight percent, wherein the ferric chloride solution is a stable solution and/or reversibly freezes at −10° C. Also disclosed are processes for reconstituting the stable ferric chlorides solutions to provide a final iron content of 10 to 14 weight percent and lower the concentration of hydrochloric acid contained therein.
US08071052B2
An assembly for handling a fluid, comprising a valve and a controller. The valve has at least one revolving valve element and a coupling device. The coupling device comprises at least one port coupled to a flow path and is adapted for interacting with said at least one revolving valve element in order to control a fluid flow through said at least one port using a relative valve position between the revolving valve element and the coupling device. The controller is adapted for controlling the relative valve position based on at least one of a current and a previous measurement of an amount of the fluid flow dependent on the relative valve position.
US08071050B2
An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter. An improved pipette tip that includes the addition of a second elastomeric material and cooperative means for insuring uniform interference and depth of penetration of the pipetter barrel as successive barrels are inserted and ejected. Also disclosed is an improved multiple-tip configuration with similar features as the ergonomic pipette tip that can be mounted to multiple barrels of a multi-pipetter as one tip instead of 8 or 12 individual tips. The secondary elastomeric material allows for better sealing and eliminates alignment issues, high installation and ejection requirements while reducing the hand and thumb forces that due to repeated use will sometimes result in repetitive stress injury.
US08071041B2
Alkaline metal fuel technology is applied to the design and construction of an electrolytic fuel cell. Highly exothermic chemical reactions and vigorous kinetic gaseous flows are promoted within a ferrous metal tubular structure called a tuyere which is used to generate electricity and to simultaneously produce nitrated products and commercial organic chemicals.
US08071031B1
A device for the precise and accurate potentiometric pH measurements in situ. Embodiments of a potentiometric device according to the invention consist of one or more glass pH-sensitive electrodes connected to a potentiometer. A key feature of the device is that, rather than being calibrated conventionally with buffers, it can be calibrated with an in situ device that measures pH spectrophotometrically. Spectrophotometric pH measurements obtained via sulfonephthalein absorbance measurements are inherently calibrated (do not require buffers). Thus, devices according to the invention allow for continuous potentiometric pH measurements with occasional spectrophotometric calibrations. The spectrophotometric calibration device consists of a spectrophotometer with associated pumps for combining a sulfonephthalein pH indicator with the aqueous medium whose pH is to be measured. The device will record potentiometric pH measurements for an extended period of time until the spectrophotometric device is autonomously activated for another calibration. In this manner precise and accurate pH measurements can be obtained continuously in the environment, and the low energy expenditure of the potentiometric device provides excellent endurance. Also provided is a method and associated devices for spectrophotometrically determining the salinity of an aqueous medium.
US08071026B2
A tissue processor is described that comprises a retort for processing histological samples using various reagents, a plurality of exchangeable reagent supply containers that each comprise at least one container opening, a system of conduits, a control device for conveying reagents out of the reagent supply containers through at least one reagent conduit into the retort, and system bottles. The reagent supply containers and the system bottles are connected via the pertinent reagent conduits to at least one valve. The valve is electrically connected to the control device such that at least one of filling and emptying of the system bottles with reagents from the reagent supply containers is controlled. This design allows differently dimensioned reagent supply containers while at the same time minimizing the space requirement for the reagent containers.
US08071021B2
A method of decontaminating articles, comprising the steps of: (a) moving a plurality of articles having a known temperature along a first path; (b) conveying a carrier gas along a second path that includes an elongated plenum, the second path intersecting the first path downstream from the plenum; (c) heating the carrier gas to a temperature of at least about 105° C. at a location upstream of the plenum; (d) introducing into the carrier gas in the plenum an atomized mist of a liquid hydrogen peroxide of known concentration; and (e) controlling the following: (1) the volumetric flow of carrier gas along the second path; (2) the volume of hydrogen peroxide introduced into the carrier gas; and (3) the temperature of the carrier gas introduced into the plenum, such that the concentration of the vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the carrier gas where the first path intersects the second path has a dew point temperature below the known temperature of the articles.
US08071015B2
Disclosed is a process of producing a porous metal body containing a metal component which is likely to be oxidized, by which process the amounts of residual carbon and residual oxygen therein are decreased, and by which the performance of the product porous body can be largely promoted. The process for producing a porous metal body by sintering a material of the porous metal body, which material is obtained by coating a slurry containing a metal powder and an organic binder on an organic porous aggregate, comprises a defatting step of treating the material of the porous metal body at a temperature not higher than 650° C. in an atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; a decarbonization step of treating the material of the porous metal body after the defatting step in an inert atmosphere or vacuum atmosphere at a temperature not higher than sintering temperature; and a sintering step of retaining the material of the porous metal body after the decarbonization step in an inert atmosphere, vacuum atmosphere, hydrogen atmosphere, or in a reducing atmosphere containing hydrogen gas and an inert gas at a temperature not higher than the melting point of the metal powder.
US08071003B2
A method of manufacturing a vibration damping bushing wherein after setting a main shaft member on a lower mold, an medial sleeve is set to be disposed about the main shaft member, and a plurality of sections are moved forward in a centripetal direction to form an intermediate mold together, and then an upper mold is superposed onto the intermediate mold to form a mold cavity therein. At least one positioning protrusion is formed on a cavity defining face, being discontinuous in a circumferential direction, while being located at either semi-circumference of the cavity defining face with any diametric line interposed therebetween. The medial sleeve is set in position in an axis-perpendicular direction within the mold cavity by holding the positioning protrusions in contact against an outer peripheral face of the medial sleeve. A vibration damping bushing manufactured by this method is also disclosed.
US08070998B2
Gel-spun multi-filament polyethylene yarns possessing a high degree of molecular and crystalline order, and to the drawing methods by which they are produced. The drawn yarns are useful in impact absorption and ballistic resistance for body armor, helmets, breast plates, helicopter seats, spall shields, and other applications; composite sports equipment such as kayaks, canoes, bicycles and boats; and in fishing line, sails, ropes, sutures and fabrics.
US08070996B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production in continuous of cellulose-based flame-retardant fibres or filaments and textile articles obtained therefrom, comprising the predispersion in water of an organophosphoric additive, the dosing and mixing of the aqueous predispersion in a solution of cellulose xanthogenate, the filtration of the mixed solutions and spinning in a regenerating and coagulation bath.
US08070993B2
A method of producing a composite component that includes both a structural insert and a plastic casing. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method uses a closed-loop control system and includes the following steps: evaluating the structural insert for various attributes, placing the structural insert in a mold cavity, adjusting the position and/or orientation of the structural insert with respect to the mold cavity based on, among other things, the evaluated attributes, and injecting molten material into the mold cavity so that it at least partially surrounds the structural insert.
US08070991B2
An exemplary method for making a lens array having many lenses includes the follow steps. A light pervious substrate including a supporting surface is firstly provided. Secondly, a molten molding material is applied on the supporting surface. Thirdly, a pressing mold including many molding parts is provided, each molding part including a molding cavity for molding the lens. Fourthly, the pressing mold is pressed on the molten molding material. Fifthly, the molten molding material is half-cured, thereby forming a half-cured molding material. Sixthly, the half-cured molding material is pressed by the pressing mold. Seventhly, the half-cured molding material is fully cured to form each lens in each molding cavity. Finally, the pressing mold is removed from the light pervious substrate to form the lens array.
US08070982B2
A liquid crystal-containing composition includes a microcapsule. In the microcapsule, a liquid crystal is encapsulated by a shell material component containing polyurea. Monomer components included in the polyurea include a polyisocyanate component, a high molecular weight polyamine component and a low molecular weight polyamine component.
US08070980B2
A composition for chemical soil improvement includes a synthetic fluid or base oil, a pour point depressant, polyisobutylene, and synthetic fibers, and various combinations thereof.
US08070979B2
A method for providing soil improvement to a particulate surface soil including applying to and allowing to penetrate the associated surface soil a composition comprising a synthetic fluid and a binder and applying as a second surface a synthetic fluid, a binder, and synthetic fibers.
US08070977B2
The present invention relates to compositions containing hydrofluoroolefins and to the uses thereof as heat transfer fluids, blowing agents, solvents and aerosols. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions having: 5 to 65% by weight, preferably from 5 to 15% by weight, of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 5 to 70% by weight, preferably 40 to 60% by weight, of HFC-134a and 25 to 42% by weight of HFC-32.
US08070975B2
Provided are azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) and hydrogen fluoride (HF). Such azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions are useful as intermediates in the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf).
US08070971B2
An improved method of etching a structure and a structure etched by the method is disclosed. The bottom side of a leadframe of an IC-package is an example of a structure, which advantageously may be etched with the disclosed method. The method includes the steps of providing an etch mask to the substrate to be etched. The etch mask comprising at least two sub-mask: a first sub-mask covering the area which substantially should remain after the etching process, and a second sub-mask covering an area to be removed in the etching process. The second sub-mask is a sacrificial mask in the form of a grid. The presence of the second sub-mask increases the etching speed in the area covered by it.
US08070964B2
The present invention is characterized in that a base material comprises ester groups in the main chain and/or in the side chain(s), and comprises a polymer having hydrophobic groups. Particularly, the hydrophobic groups can be introduced by irradiating the base material with a radiation during the base material contacts an aqueous solution of a monohydric alcohol or an aqueous solution of an alcohol having not less than 2 hydroxyl groups, which is a monomer or a polymer, and which has one or more carbon atoms between the carbon atoms to each of which the hydroxyl group is bound in the monomer or in each monomer constituting the polymer.
US08070963B2
A method for purifying fluids and a sedimentation tank, the sedimentation tank includes: a perforated plate spaced from an upper and of the sedimentation tank dividing the sedimentation tank into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; an inlet adapted to inlet fluid into the tank; a first outlet, positioned above the perforated plate for outletting a clarified fraction of the fluid; a second outlet positioned at a bottom of the tank, for outletting a concentrated sludge fraction of the fluid; a pump; and a washing mechanism, positioned at least partially above the perforated plate; wherein the pump is adapted to provide a washing fluid to the washing mechanism when a level of fluid in the sedimentation tank is below a predefined level; and wherein the washing mechanism washes an upper surface of the perforated plate by the washing fluid.
US08070960B2
A method of dewatering a solids laden waste stream, whereby the slurry is pumped into a vertical filter retaining structure and the liquid is allowed to flow out through the pores of the filtration element while retaining the solids within the structure. After the solids have dewatered, doors or gates located at the bottom of the structure are opened and the solids drop out the bottom by gravity. The structure is elevated to allow a transport vehicle to be placed under the doors prior to dropping out the solids. One embodiment utilizes an open bottom, closed top filter bag that is closed off by the doors or sliding gates located at the bottom of the structure. Another embodiment disclosed would use rigid filter plates to retain the solids and drop out the accumulated solids by opening sliding gates at the bottom of the structure. The filter bag or plates is accessible from the side to allow either manual or automatic pressure washing of the filtration elements or filter bag after each dewatering cycle.
US08070959B2
Chalcogenide compounds with cation exchange capability and methods of using the compounds are described. Compounds of the general formula A2xMxSn3-xS6 are described wherein x is 0.1-0.95, A is Li+, Na+, K+ or Rb+ and M is Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ or Ni2+. Compounds of the general formula H2xMxSn3-xS6 are also described wherein x is 0.1-0.95 and M=Mn2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Co2+ or Ni2+. The compounds can be layered compounds. The compounds are capable of intercalation of Cs+, Sr2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and/or Ag+ ions. A process involving contacting the compounds with a solution comprising one or more ions including Cs+, Sr2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and/or Ag+ is also provided. The one or more ions can be removed from the solution by the compounds. A process comprising contacting compounds of the general formula A2xMxSn3-xS6 with a solution containing UO22+, Th4+ or Pu4+ ions is also described.
US08070958B2
The present invention relates to a separation matrix comprised of ligands coupled to the surfaces of a porous support, such as one or more porous particles, wherein the ligands provide at least one chemical gradient within the support. In the most advantageous embodiment, the chemical gradient is a ligand density gradient. The invention also relates to a method of providing a separation matrix comprising ligands coupled to the surfaces of a porous support, in which method at least one ligand density gradient is provided by solvent-controlled diffusion of at least one reagent into the porous support.
US08070954B2
An object is to provide a fresh water generating method that is capable of efficiently producing purified water, such as fresh water, from unpurified water, such as sea water. Provided is a fresh water generating method for generating fresh water by way of reverse osmosis membrane filtration, which includes mixing sea water with low salt concentration water having a salt concentration lower than sea water to produce mixed water, and subjecting the mixed water prepared by the mixing to reverse osmosis membrane filtration, thereby generating fresh water.
US08070950B2
Disclosed is a boron removal method which can remove boron from boron-containing water satisfactorily by using a small amount of a chemical agent, and which generates small amount of precipitate. Also disclosed is a boron-removing agent which is easy to handle and has excellent boron-adsorption ability. A xerogel of an organic polymeric compound having a cis-type diol structure and a water-soluble salt of an alkaline earth metal are added to a boron-containing water under alkaline conditions.
US08070941B2
A control system comprising a timer based controller and a valve wherein the timer-based controller has a fixed period and the timer based controller regularly cycles the valve between a first condition and a second condition with the first portion of the cycle directing a first flow of water through a dispensable material and the remaining portion of the cycle directing a lesser flow of water through the dispensable material.
US08070939B2
A process comprising: a) taking a sample from a continuous reactor process, b)measuring a content of a halide in the sample, and c) in response to the measured content of the halide, adjusting a flow of a halide containing additive comprising the halide to control the process. Also, an apparatus comprising: a) a reactor holding an ionic liquid catalyst and a reactant mixture, b) a means for measuring levels of a halide in an effluent from the reactor, and c) a control system that receives a signal in response to the measuring and communicates changes in an operating condition that influences the yield of a product in the reactant mixture.
US08070933B2
The invention is an electrolytic microfinishing process which utilizes a conductive tool as a cathode and a conductive workpiece as an anode both connected to a power supply. Electrolytic fluid is pumped between the tool and workpiece, creating a decomposition of the workpiece surface allowing the surface of the workpiece to be removed or wiped away by the interaction of the flowing electrolyte and rotation of the tool without generating any heat at a rate significantly faster than any other known machining process. The tool has no contact with the workpiece and accordingly, requires very low clamping loads to hold the workpiece in the spindle during the finishing operation. Due to the low clamping loads, the distortion of the workpiece is completely eliminated. Modulating the power supply during the work cycle allows the use of a single tool for both roughing and finishing as a continuous cycle to significantly provide surface finishes previously unobtainable.
US08070929B2
Techniques for forming metal catalyst particles on a metal tip, and nanostructures on a metal tip are provided.
US08070918B2
An improved metal coated textile and its production method where the coating of metal is deposited onto the textile through sputtering process in thickness between 20 to 2000 angstroms, with less than 5% variance in thickness across the entire length and width of the textile with width up to and over 10000 mm and length up to and over 1000 meters. The improved sputtering process utilizes longer cathodes, arrangements of metal target(s), tension controller with tension meter(s), guard(s), cylinder cover(s), and control over the textile while traveling through the chamber. The metal layer deposited is highly adhesive to the textile and is suitable for producing clothing, swim wear, diving suit, tent, cushion, wall paper, curtain, carpet, protective cover, screen window, equipment casing, and various other items. The metal layer confers characteristics such as anti-bacterial, deodorizing, improved metallic appearance and texture, electrical conductivity, heat-shielding, heat retention, and dirt repellency to the textile.
US08070915B2
A static dewatering element (10) for a web forming machine has a thermally sprayed coating (26) manufactured of powder particles (34). The powder particles (34) are agglomerates composed of primary particles (36). The average size of the primary particles (36) is smaller than 0.5 μm. The invention also relates to a method for covering a static dewatering element designed for a web forming machine.
US08070912B2
Methods of treating wood and wood products include irradiating untreated wood having a first molecular weight with ionizing radiation to cause an increase in the molecular weight of a cellulosic component of the wood to a second, relatively higher molecular weight.
US08070906B2
This invention provides a process for improving the field emission of an electron field emitter comprised of an acicular emitting substance such as acicular carbon, an acicular semiconductor, an acicular metal or a mixture thereof, comprising applying a force to the surface of the electron field emitter wherein the force results in the removal of a portion of the electron field emitter thereby forming a new surface of the electron field emitter.
US08070904B2
In a method of making a body part or chassis part of a motor vehicle, several pre-impregnated fiber materials (prepregs) are stacked on top o one another, with an outermost prepreg intended for attachment to a metallic base body being provided with an adhesive. The stacked prepregs are then shaped into a three-dimensional preform which is then compressed with the base body in a press tool for bonding the preform with the base body and allowing the adhesive to cure, thereby producing a joined structure which is allowed to cure.
US08070898B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for creating tubular devices, e.g., as components for catheters, sheaths, and or other devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a method is provided for making a tubular device using a sheet of material including a coated first surface. The sheet is rolled around a mandrel until longitudinal edges of the sheet are disposed near or adjacent one another, e.g., without attaching the longitudinal edges together. A tubular braid is positioned over the sheet-wrapped mandrel, one or more tubular segments are positioned over the tubular braid, and heat shrink tubing is positioned over the tubular segments. The resulting assembly is heated to cause the tubular segments to at least partially reflow and/or otherwise laminate the tubular segments to the tubular braid and sheet. The heat shrink tubing and mandrel are then removed to create the tubular device.
US08070896B2
A method for making an illustrated card has providing a cardboard with at least one printed layer and ornamentation; positioning one ornamentation on one of the adhesive portions; pressing the ornamentation toward the adhesive portion; and repeating positioning one ornamentation on one of the adhesive portions and pressing the ornamentation toward the adhesive portion. The illustrated card allows users especially children to make the illustrated card by themselves and children can be trained to arrange the ornamentation with different colors for improving chromatological and fine-motor skills.
US08070895B2
A fibrous mat-faced cementitious article comprising (a) a cementitious core, and (b) a first fibrous mat comprising polymer or mineral fibers and a hydrophobic finish on at least one surface thereof, wherein the hydrophobic finish is in contact with the cementitious core, and a method of preparing a fibrous mat-faced cementitious article, as well as a method of preparing a water-resistant cementitious article comprising (a) preparing an aqueous siloxane dispersion, wherein the dispersion comprises about 4 wt. % to about 8 wt. % siloxane, (b) combining the siloxane dispersion with a cementitious mixture to provide a cementitious slurry, (c) depositing the cementitious slurry onto a substrate, and (d) allowing the cementitious slurry to harden, thereby providing a cementitious article.
US08070888B2
A wire rod or a steel wire of a bamboo nano-structure, whose mean grain diameter in a C-direction section is 200 nm or smaller, is prepared by applying a hot or warm working and additionally applying a cold working to a steel and next, by performing a forging, by a tool or a die such as cold pressure production, to a section, of a desired, limited site, other than a section parallel to an L-direction, an equiaxed nano-structure, whose mean grain diameter is 200 nm or smaller, is formed in this site. As a typical example of a formed article, there is enumerated a high strength micro screw in which a shaft outer diameter is 1.6 mm or smaller, a surface layer part of a head part recess has equiaxed nano-structure and a hardness Hv≧300, and a screw main body portion has bamboo nano-structure and a hardness Hv≧250.
US08070887B2
The present invention provides a line pipe of, e.g., the API standard X60 to X100 class. The line pipe has an excellent deformability, as well as excellent low temperature toughness and high productivity, a steel plate used as the material of the steel pipe. Methods for producing the steel pipe and the steel plate are also provided. In particular, a high-strength steel plate excellent in the deformability has a ferrite phase is dispersed finely, and accounts for 5% to 40% in area percentage in a low temperature transformation structure mainly composed of a bainite phase. For example, most grain sizes of the ferrite phase are smaller than the average grain size of the bainite phase. A high-strength steel pipe excellent in deformability is also provided, in which a large diameter steel pipe is produced through forming the steel plate into a pipe shape. The steel pipe has the above-referenced structure, and satisfies the conditions that YS/TS is 0.95 or less and YS×uEL is 5,000 or more. Methods for producing such steel plate and steel pipe are also provided.
US08070883B2
Methods and apparatus for removing particles from vials includes the use of a one sided pressure sensitive filament tape to remove external particles from vials. A roll of tape is juxtaposed relative to a line of vials moving along the production line. As each vial moves within the space between the tape the outside of the vial contacts the tape causing the particles to be removed and imbedded in the adhesive on the tape. A feed roll and a rewind roll provides for the tape to unwind while in contact with the outside of the vials and in conjunction with the movement of the vials along the production line. By causing the feed roll and the rewind roll to advance unused tape while in contact with the outside surface of the vials, the vials are caused to rotate at least 360 degrees while advancing down the line.
US08070881B2
Methods of removing contaminant matter from porous materials include applying a polymer material to a contaminated surface, irradiating the contaminated surface to cause redistribution of contaminant matter, and removing at least a portion of the polymer material from the surface. Systems for decontaminating a contaminated structure comprising porous material include a radiation device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a surface of a structure, and at least one spray device configured to apply a capture material onto the surface of the structure. Polymer materials that can be used in such methods and systems include polyphosphazine-based polymer materials having polyphosphazine backbone segments and side chain groups that include selected functional groups. The selected functional groups may include iminos, oximes, carboxylates, sulfonates, β-diketones, phosphine sulfides, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphine oxides, monothio phosphinic acids, and dithio phosphinic acids.
US08070879B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process is provided which includes a chamber body containing a substrate support, a lid assembly attached to the chamber body, a remote plasma system (RPS) in fluid communication with the reaction zone, a centralized expanding conduit extending through the lid assembly and expanding radially outwards, a first gas delivery sub-assembly configured to deliver a first process gas, and a second gas delivery sub-assembly configured to deliver a second process gas into the centralized expanding conduit. The first gas delivery sub-assembly contains an annular channel encircling and in fluid communication with the centralized expanding conduit, wherein the annular channel is adapted to deliver the first process gas through a plurality of passageways and nozzles and into the centralized expanding conduit. The second gas delivery sub-assembly contains a gas inlet in fluid communication to the centralized expanding conduit.
US08070876B1
A fireproof insulating foamed cementitious composition with thermal energy storage capacity is provided for use in producing wall insulation boards, fireproof claddings for steel structures, inner cores of fire resistant wall or door panels, and the like. The composition demonstrates improved energy efficiency in which phase change materials, such as microencapsulates, are used in conjunction with a cementitious mixture of calcined gypsum and hydraulic cement, lightweight aggregates, a polymer latex, and a foaming solution to create stable air bubbles inside the cementitious matrix. The calcined gypsum and the hydraulic cement are present in a weight ratio range from about 1:3 to about 3:1. The composition may further include reinforced fibers, surfactants, inorganic flame retardants, and other additives. The presence of the phase change material not only increases energy efficiency of the cured cementitious foam material, but also improves compatibility between calcined gypsum and cement during slurry mixing and hardening.
US08070874B2
The invention provides a surface-modified titanium dioxide particle inhibited in photocatalytic activity and reduced in amount of volatile water. The surface-modified titanium dioxide particle has on the surface a crystalline composite compound of at least one of alkaline earth metals selected from magnesium, calcium, barium and strontium complexed with titanium dioxide in an amount of 0.1-20% by weight based on the weight of the surface-modified titanium dioxide particle in terms of oxide of the alkaline earth metal. The surface-modified titanium dioxide particle is produced by heating a compound of an alkaline earth metal and a titanium dioxide particle at a temperature of 60° C. or higher so that the alkaline earth metal is complexed with titanium dioxide to form a crystalline composite compound on the surface of the titanium dioxide particle in an amount of 0.1-20% by weight based on the weight of the surface-modified titanium dioxide particle in terms of oxide of the alkaline earth metal.
US08070870B2
Disclosed is an inkjet recording yellow ink containing a water-soluble azo dye (yn1) selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following Formula (Y) in which n is 1, and a salt thereof, and a water-soluble azo dye (yn2) selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by the following Formula (Y) in which n is 2, and a salt thereof: wherein, in Formula (Y), G represents a heterocyclic group; R, X, Y, Z, and Q each independently represent a monovalent or divalent group; n represents 1 or 2; when n is 1, R, X, Y, Z, Q and G each independently represent a monovalent group; and when n is 2, R, X, Y, Z, Q and G each independently represent a monovalent or divalent group, and at least one of R, X, Y, Z, Q and G represents a divalent substituent.
US08070862B2
A dust collection device for a sanding tool comprising a bag having a sidewall and a coupler attached to the bag. The sidewall comprising a first filter layer, a second filter layer, and an outer support layer. The first filter layer comprising a plurality of fibrillated electrostatically charged electret fibers forming a nonwoven web; the first filter layer having a total pressure drop between about 0.1 to about 4.0 mm H2O, and the first filter layer having a total basis weight between about 50 to about 450 gram/m2. The second filter layer comprising a melt blown microfiber nonwoven web; the second filter layer having a total pressure drop between about between about 5.5 to about 20.0 mm H2O, and the second filter layer having a total basis weight between about 15 to about 75 grams/m2.
US08070855B2
A method is provided for reducing emissions of a volatile organic compound (“VOC”) from a source of the VOC. The method includes the steps of: (A) operatively positioning a VOC-absorbing material between the source of the VOC and the atmosphere, wherein the VOC from the source of the VOC must pass through the VOC-absorbing material before being vented to the atmosphere, and wherein the VOC-absorbing material comprises: (i) a permeable substrate; and (ii) a stripper for the VOC; and (B) exposing the stripper of the VOC-absorbing material to bacteria, wherein the bacteria is selected for being capable of converting the VOC to another compound. A method for pumping a fluid from a low-pressure fluid source to a high-pressure fluid outlet and a method for storing or transporting a fluid are also provided, wherein the fluid comprises a VOC.
US08070852B2
The oxygen partial pressure control unit includes a gas purification section for purifying the gas having the oxygen partial pressure controlled within a range of from 0.2 to 10−30 atm, and a tank for storing the purified gas produced by the gas purification section. The purified gas stored within the tank is supplied to the another unit. The oxygen partial pressure control unit includes a circulation circuit including the tank and the gas purification section. The gas filled in the tank 20 is caused to circulate along the circulation circuit, and the purified gas produced by the gas purification section is stored in the tank.
US08070846B2
A method for operating a gas-solid separator that has: an inner cylinder 10 having a closed lower end 11 and an opened upper end 1, and extending in a vertical direction; an outer cylinder 2 that coaxially covers the inner cylinder 10 from the outside and has a gas vent port 6 formed on the upper end side of the inner cylinder and communicating with an exterior; and a plurality of axially extending long holes 4 having a length L[m] and formed on a side surface on the lower end 11 side of the inner cylinder 10 in a circumferential direction, one of long side edge parts of each of the long holes being provided with a guide blade 5 that protrudes outward and is inclined circumferentially so as to cover the long hole 4, wherein the length L of each long hole 4 is defined such as to satisfy an expression of non-dimensional Stokes number St=(ρpdp2/(18μ))·U/L≧0.3, where U[m/s] represents a cross-sectional average linear velocity of a mixture of gas and solid particles that is supplied downward from the opening 1 of the inner cylinder 4, ρp[kg/m3] a particle density of the solid particles, dp[m] an average particle diameter of the solid particles, and μ[Pa·s] a viscosity of the gas.
US08070843B2
Provided are several polishing compositions useful for modifying a surface, such as a semiconductor wafer suitable for fabrication of a semiconductor device, especially when used in fixed abrasive planarization techniques. The polishing compositions include a synergistic mixture of water, an oxidizing agent, a complexing agent, and metal ions. Also provided are various methods of surface planarization.
US08070842B2
The present invention provides a dental polishing article having excellent polishability, which can polish dental composite resin, porcelain, dental restorative and prosthetic materials and teeth at a low cost, conveniently in a short time. More specifically, the present invention provides a dental polishing article which comprises a polishing portion formed by compounding polishing grains in an elastomer binder, and the polishing portion further comprising spherical resin particles.
US08070838B1
An additive composition for use in a liquid fuel containing a mixture of alcohol, aromatic hydrocarbon, acetone, petroleum ether, and mineral oil. The fuel additive is added to a hydrocarbon fuel to reduce pollutants and improve burning efficiency of the fuel. The treated fuel is produced by mixing a sufficient amount of additive to the fuel to produce the desired result.
US08070836B2
In one aspect, a process for producing a biofuel comprises reacting a feed material that comprises a glyceride with an alcohol in the presence of a catalytic composition such that at least some of the glyceride in the feed material is converted into a biofuel mixture that comprises glycerol and the corresponding alcoholic ester of the glyceride. The catalytic composition comprises a heterogeneous catalyst and a homogeneous catalyst. The heterogeneous catalyst and the homogeneous catalyst have a synergistic effect in catalyzing the reaction of the glyceride in the feed material with the alcohol.
US08070830B2
The invention relates to a dye composition comprising a thiol/disulfide fluorescent dye comprising a heterocycle, and to a dyeing process which has a lightening effect on keratin materials, in particular keratin fibers, especially human keratin fibers such as the hair, using said composition. It similarly relates to novel thiol/disulfide fluorescent dyes and to uses thereof in lightening keratin materials. This composition makes it possible to obtain a particularly resistant and visible lightening effect on dark keratin fibers.
US08070825B2
The present invention is an endo-prostatic stent and a detachable catheter apparatus including the same, allowing the correct positioning of the stent using tactile feed-back of the operator during insertion i.e. without the need for any imaging means like endoscopy or sonography.
US08070822B1
A method for controlling the mutual angle between the parts of an artificial hip joint during an operation for insertion of the artificial hip joint, is described. The stem of the femoral hip prosthesis is fastened permanently or removable in the usual manner in the proximal end of the femur. A tool for controlling of the mutual angle between the stem of the prosthesis and the cup of the prosthesis is fastened to the stem. The femur of the patient is then oriented in a predefined position and the cup is then brought into its intended position by means of the femur of the patient and the mentioned tool. A tool for controlling the mutual angle between the parts of the artificial hip joint is also described.
US08070812B2
A prosthesis for partial replacement of a vertebral body includes upper and lower contact plates that contact upper and lower vertebral bodies and a bridging element to be inserted into a bone cavity that bridges an intermediate vertebral body to be replaced that lies between the upper and lower vertebral bodies. This bridging element has anchoring projections which can be moved between a retracted implantation position and a protruding anchoring position.
US08070787B2
A warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting a convective apparatus with multiple separately inflatable sections, each adapted to enable a particular mode of warming.
US08070780B2
A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08070778B2
Systems and method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can includes an implant having an initiating piece and a distraction piece. The initiating piece can include a lower distraction element, a second wing, a lower portion of a spacer, and a lower portion of a first wing. The initiating piece can be positioned such that an interspinous ligament of the targeted motion segment is disposed between the first and second wing. The distraction piece can include an upper distraction element, an upper portion of the spacer, and an upper portion of the first wing, and can be mated with the initiating piece by mating a rail of the distraction piece with a slot of the initiating piece, thereby disposing the implant between adjacent spinous processes.
US08070774B2
A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08070772B2
A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall comprising a covering member having a longitudinal axis and positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and a first spherical retainer positionable external of the vessel. The covering member has a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture.
US08070767B2
An optical penetrating adapter for mounting to a surgical portal to permit visualization through the surgical portal includes an adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having a transparent window adapted to penetrate tissue and to permit visualization therethrough and means for coupling the adapter member to the surgical portal. The transparent window may have various shapes and configurations adapted to penetrate, dissect, resect or separate tissue in a non traumatic manner. Alternatively, the transparent window may incorporate structure such as cutting edges blades, points, etc to pierce, cut or incise tissue.
US08070760B2
A clipping instrument for an endoscope is provided. The clipping instrument includes a flexible sheath, an operation wire, at least one detachable clip assembly, including a pair of openable and closable clipping arms and a fastening ring, the clipping arms being configured to be projected forward to open and to be closed according to forwarding and retracting movements of the fastening ring through the operation wire, a withdrawal stopper and an advancement stopper, which are provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the flexible sheath. The withdrawal stopper restricts the fastening ring from being retracted rearward into the withdrawal stopper once the fastening ring is forwarded to penetrate through the withdrawal stopper. The advancement stopper restricts the fastening ring from being forwarded further to penetrate out of the advancement stopper once the fastening ring is forwarded to penetrate through the withdrawal stopper.
US08070759B2
Various embodiments are directed to a surgical device including an end effector. The end effector may include a first jaw member defining a first groove and a second jaw member defining a second groove. The first jaw member and the second jaw member may be selectively pivotable between an open position and a closed position. Also, the first groove and the second groove may align to form a combined helical groove when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position. In addition, the first jaw member may define a wire opening aligned with the first groove. Further, the first jaw member may define a beveled edge directed distally and substantially parallel to a distal portion of the wire opening.
US08070755B2
A method for providing joint arthroplasty includes providing a gauge for making a measurement of the contour of a long bone, making a measurement of the contour of a long bone with the gauge, providing a plurality of joint prostheses, selecting one of the plurality of joint prostheses based upon the measurement of the contour, resecting a long bone, and implanting the selected one prosthesis onto the long bone. A kit is also provided for selecting one of a plurality of joint implants for use in joint arthroplasty on a bone. The kit includes a first gauge and a second gauge.
US08070754B2
Surgical instrumentation for use in placing an implant into a disc space between a pair of spinal vertebrae may include: (a) a distractor having a distal end that may be placed into the disc space between the pair of spinal vertebrae; (b) an inserter for use in moving the implant toward the disc space between the pair of spinal vertebrae; and, (c) a distractor/inserter rail/groove interconnection that interconnects the distractor and the inserter for relative movement thereby.
US08070745B2
A method and apparatus for infusing medication into a patient's body using a medication chamber referenced to ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a medication chamber enclosed by a peripheral wall which includes a movable portion configured to transfer exterior ambient pressure into the chamber. Means are provided for exerting a negative bias force acting on the movable portion in a direction opposed to the ambient pressure force. Thus, the resultant pressure in the chamber will be negative with respect to ambient pressure, reducing the risk that the chamber can be overpressurized and produce an unintended medication discharge.
US08070742B2
The system for controlling body fluids overcomes the limitations of the prior art by automatically infusing diuretic and/or other drugs into a human patient. In one approach, the rate of infusion of the diuretic is adjusted based on the measured weight of the patient. For example, this weight can be transmitted wirelessly to a portable diuretic infusion device attached to the patient.
US08070740B2
Methods and systems for providing an improved apparatus and packaging system to more expeditiously hydrate or reconstitute medical grafts and to effectively and uniformly seed the medical grafts with biological components and cultured cells. The systems generally comprise a container comprising entry port, at least one substrate cavity, and top, side and bottom walls defining an inner surface. The entry port is configured to receive the biological solution. The cavity is in communication with the entry port and includes the porous substrate maintained under negative pressure. The container volume is substantially the same as a volume of the porous substrate. The side and bottom walls are configured to promote a laminar flow of the biological solution received through the entry port.
US08070734B2
The invention relates to an arrangement for the removal of waste products, such as smoke and tissue particles, arising during the ablation of biological tissue by means of laser irradiation. According to the invention, discharge openings for a flushing gas are provided, which are arranged such that the gas flows meet above the ablation region at an angle of ca. 100° and stratify to give a gas flow taken up by a suction opening.
US08070731B2
An access apparatus for use during a surgical procedure to provide access to the interior of the body includes an access member defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end for being disposed at an exterior side of the body and a distal end for extending into the interior of the body. The access member has a bore therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of an object. A seal is disposed within the bore of the access member. The seal includes a fabric material and an elastomeric material, and defines an internal passageway dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with an object inserted therethrough.
US08070728B2
A cannula assembly for injecting implant material into a bone, including an inner cannula defining a central conduit including a first proximal port in communication with the central conduit, an outer cannula surrounding the inner cannula to define a peripheral conduit, and a connector interconnecting the cannulas and detachable from at least one of the cannulas, and at least one of the connector, the first cannula and the second cannula including a second proximal port in communication with the peripheral conduit defined along a direction different than a longitudinal axis of the first and second cannulas.
US08070727B2
The present disclosure is directed to a dose setting mechanism that may be used with a drug delivery device. The dose setting mechanism may include an inner body having a helical thread along an outer cylindrical surface of the inner body, and a drive sleeve for driving a piston rod in an axial direction, the drive sleeve positioned within at least a portion of the inner body. The dose setting mechanism may further include a dose dial sleeve rotatably engaged with the helical thread of the inner body and a dial grip connected to the dose dial sleeve and releasably connected to the drive sleeve. Further when a dose is set, the dial grip is rotated so that both the dose dial sleeve and the drive sleeve rotate with respect to the inner body.
US08070718B2
Medical devices formed using a sacrificial structure, and processes of forming the devices therefrom.
US08070717B2
A bladder catheter for transurethral introduction into the urinary bladder by the urethrae, includes an elastic catheter shank with a fillable balloon element secured thereto and connected to a filling channel incorporated into the wall of the catheter shank. The balloon element and the catheter shank are made of polyurethane, a polyurethane-polyvinylchloride mixture or similar polyurethane-based material.
US08070713B2
A disposable injector with a housing (10) in which at least one mechanical spring energy accumulator (50), at least one cylinder-piston unit (100), at least one piston-actuating ram and at least one release unit are arranged. The housing has at least one draw hook (21) which has at least one supporting surface in the region of its free end. The piston-actuating ram bears against the supporting surface. The blocking position of the draw hook is ensured by a release element positioned in a blocking position. The release (82) has a release position which brings about an inevitable lateral retraction of the draw hook—with the piston-actuating ram being released.
US08070696B2
The invention relates to a myopia prophylactic and therapy appliance, which includes a suction head and a handle. The end of the suction head is in the form of a round flat opening. A blowhole is set on the wall of the handle. During the course of using the appliance, first, put the suction head snugly on the eyeball in order to vent the air of the suction head. Then, negative pressure is produced in the suction head by nipping the blowhole. When a hand grasps, or nips, the blowhole, a negative air pressure is produced. The handle is then pushed and pulled resulting in the suction head tip attracting the eyelid and eyeball and causing same to move back and forth. The suction head sucks the eyelid and the eyeball, and moves forward and backward by pulling forward and pushing backward the handle. Because the eyeballs are controlled by 6 extraoculars, when they are pulled and pushed, there will be a little distortion of the eyeballs. With this distortion, there will be a strong massage to the ciliary muscle. So the ciliary muscle will relax and get back to regulate normally. Then the eyes will relieve, so the utility model is convenient and effective.
US08070691B2
A cytology device and a method of use thereof are described. The cytology scraper comprises a scraping element that provides increased tissue removal capabilities over conventional cytology brushes. The edges of the scraping element can also simultaneously dilate strictures during the tissue removal procedure.
US08070685B2
A connectorized ultrasound probe includes a distal section that is configured for insertion into a patient's body and a proximal section configured to interface the distal section with an ultrasound system. The distal section is easily attachable and detachable from the proximal section using at least one set of connectors. When connected, a user-operated actuator located on the proximal section controls the bending of the distal section, and the ultrasound system sends driving signals to and receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer via the proximal section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for long term monitoring, because the disconnectability of the proximal section makes it possible to leave the distal section in place in the patient for longer periods of time without undue discomfort.
US08070683B2
A scan conversion method for ultrasonic imaging is disclosed. The method comprises a storage step for storing sample data derived from ultrasonic echo signals into a memory; a conversion step for performing conversion between target coordinate points in a display coordinate system and interpolation coordinate points in a sampling coordinate system; and an interpolation step for interpolating several sample data adjacent to the interpolation coordinate points to obtain the interpolation data at the interpolation coordinate points, wherein the interpolation step includes a nonlinear interpolation substep selected for low-pass filter of the ultrasonic echo signals. When interpolation is conducted along Axis θ of the polar coordinates, 4-point interpolation may be used. The interpolation coefficient may be based on cubic B-spline function, which has relatively uniform low-pass filter effects, thereby reducing noise result from interpolation in ultrasonic image.
US08070660B2
A device for managing a retractable sheet that is wound on a roller by the action of a spring that may be extended by pulling on the exposed edge of the sheet wherein the device is used for printing messages thereon or for obscuring the view of nearby items. The device is easily changeable for multiple uses as the roller containing the sheet is separable from the main unit, allowing reuse of the more complex and expensive components of the device. A brake on the device prevents the spring from unwinding when the roller is removed. A damping mechanism limits the retraction speed of the sheet, which the damping mechanism being disengaged when the sheet is being pulled out. A cover is provided to obscure the main part of the unit and to prevent tampering. A unique slot configuration allows for easy, tamper-resistant installation of a header card. A pull tab is made of inexpensive components and is designed to allow for easy placement of a graphic label.
US08070652B2
The present invention relates to a method for overcoming tooth butt conditions (ZaZ) when engaging gears in transmissions. A sensitive adjustment of the clutch to apply torque for rotating the drive shaft of the transmission in order to overcome tooth butt conditions has certain limits because of the proportion of the power required and desired for making said sensitive adjustment. This may cause unpleasant jerking of the vehicle or a clearly audible locking noise of the involved positively connected elements and undesired mechanical stress to said elements.The method according to the present invention provides a remedy due to the fact that during each shifting process, regardless of the occurrence of a tooth butt condition, the clutch is brought into a position allowing minimum predetermined torque transmission to the drive shaft of the transmission, and this torque is supported on a transmission brake, which is often already available. Due to its substantially smaller size, the transmission brake can much more quickly and accurately adjust a desired net torque curve and torque progress on the drive shaft of the transmission when a tooth butt condition occurs and thus make it significantly easier to overcome the tooth butt condition.
US08070650B2
A hydraulic control system of a vehicle power train having a belt-type continuously variable transmission, and a hydraulic lock-up clutch, includes: a line pressure control valve; first and second control valves; first, second and third electromagnetic valves; and a fail-safe valve. The fail-safe valve is switched to a fail position in which a line pressure is supplied to one of a drive pulley and a driven pulley when a rapid deceleration state is likely to occur in the belt-type continuously variable transmission, the fail-safe valve is switched to a normal position in which a hydraulic pressure output from the first control valve is supplied to the one of the drive pulley and the driven pulley during times other than the above, and the fail-safe valve is switched by a combination of a hydraulic pressure controlled by the second electromagnetic valve and a hydraulic pressure controlled by the third electromagnetic valve.
US08070649B2
An automatic dual clutch transmission includes an input clutch which selectively connects a prime mover to an electric motor. The electric motor, in turn, is connected to the inputs of a pair of coaxial friction clutches. Each of the coaxial outputs of the friction clutches drives an input gear with meshes with a pair of gears, one of which is associated with each of a respective pair of layshafts or countershafts. On each countershaft, between the pair of gears driven by the outputs of the two clutches, are a pair of synchronizer clutches which selectively synchronize and connect one of the two gears to the associated countershaft. A similar arrangement of a second pair of gears separated by synchronizer clutches connects the countershafts through a selected gear to a pair of output gears coupled to and driving a differential cage or spool.
US08070647B2
A powertrain includes an engine coupled to an input member of a hybrid transmission. The hybrid transmission is operative to transfer power between an input member and a plurality of torque machines and an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain includes, monitoring operation of the hybrid transmission, determining motor torque offsets for the torque machines, transforming the motor torque offsets for the torque machines to an input torque offset and an output torque offset of the hybrid transmission, and adjusting operation of the engine based upon the input torque offset and the output torque offset of the hybrid transmission.
US08070646B2
A transmission of the present invention has an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes. The torque transmitting devices are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US08070643B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US08070640B2
A fluctuating gear ratio limited slip differential assembly is provided that includes a differential case and a pair of side gears disposed within the differential case. Each of the side gears may have a tooth with a first tooth flank. The differential assembly may further include a pinion shaft disposed within the differential case and a plurality of pinions supported by the pinion shaft. The pinions may be configured for engagement with the pair of side gears and each of the pinions may have a tooth with a second tooth flank. The first and second tooth flanks are configured to cause movement of the plane of action defining all contact points between the first tooth flank of the side gears and the second tooth flank of the pinions in a predetermined and/or controlled manner.
US08070632B2
A torsional compensator having an inner hub, an outer sprocket, left and right grippers, and a resilient torsion sleeve. The torsion sleeve occupies a generally annular cavity between the inner hub and outer sprocket and each end of the sleeve is coupled to a gripper. One gripper is coupled to the inside of the outer sprocket and the other gripper is coupled to the outside of the inner hub and they are axially spaced apart. The inner hub supports the outer sprocket for coaxial rotation thereon.
US08070620B2
A method, system and golf ball are provided to determine the deceleration of a golf ball and, in turn, the speed of a green. The system may include a golf ball and an offboard display device. The golf ball may include a golf ball body, a motion sensor disposed within the golf ball body to measure acceleration of the golf ball along each of three mutually perpendicular axes, and a transmitter disposed within the golf ball body to transmit data representative of deceleration. The display device may include a receiver to receive data representative of the deceleration of the golf ball from transmitter and a display to provide a representation of the deceleration of the golf ball. At least one of the golf ball and the display device may include a processor to determine deceleration of the golf ball based upon the acceleration measured by the motion sensor.
US08070602B2
The present invention relates to a gambling machine comprised of a display unit (1) to display a course of a game and to display game results, and comprised of an operating unit (3) to influence the course of a game, and comprised of an electronic control unit (2) connected to the display unit (1) and to the operating unit (3) to control the course of a game and to determine the game results. To provide such a gambling machine wherein the operating unit (3) is wear-free and vandalism-safe, the present invention proposes that the operating unit (3) be comprised of an operating panel (4) made of a dielectrical shockproof material, the front side of which forms the operating panel of the operating unit (3), with the operating panel (4) being comprised of an operating field (5) or being subdivided into several operating fields (5), and wherein a capacitive sensor element (8) arranged on the rear side of the operating panel (4) is allocated to each operating field (5).
US08070600B2
A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. An electronics assembly is mounted in the housing for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.
US08070590B2
Gaming devices dispense tickets which are unrelated to a player's success on a particular game played on a gaming device or to the player's credits on a credit meter or other “cash out”indicator. The gaming devices provide gaming awards and also provide tickets. Other methods provide tickets during the play of wagering games. Still other embodiments comprise lottery terminals which dispense tickets other than those purchased by a lottery patron or won on a purchased lottery ticket.
US08070587B2
A gaming system where, as players play the primary games of the gaming devices, the gaming devices or the players playing at those gaming devices are occasionally provided with game elements associated with a multiplayer bonus game. In one embodiment, when a designated number of the game elements associated with the multiplayer bonus game have been awarded during game play, the multiplayer bonus game is triggered. During the multiplayer bonus game, the gaming system randomly selects a plurality of the game elements and compares the randomly selected game elements with the game elements awarded to the players. The players receive bonus awards based at least in part on the relationship between the awarded game elements and the game elements which are randomly selected during the bonus game.
US08070583B2
A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.
US08070578B2
A central determination gaming system with a central controller providing a game outcome to an individual gaming terminal and the gaming terminal determining the presentation of the provided game outcome. In one embodiment of the present invention, a gaming terminal receives a predetermined game outcome from a central controller. The gaming terminal determines a game outcome presentation, (i.e., how the game outcome is displayed or presented to the player) for the provided game outcome by selecting a game outcome presentation seed for the received game outcome. The gaming terminal utilizes the selected game outcome presentation seed to determine a game outcome presentation. The determined game outcome presentation is displayed to the player and the received game outcome is provided to the player.
US08070574B2
Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detecting, storing, and retrieving information about the composition of present and past hands of cards in a casino table game. The method includes causing a card-handling device to substantially automatically generate a plurality of hands wherein each hand includes one or more cards. Card information is identified that includes a rank and a suit of each card as each card moves through the card-handling device. A play history is maintained of a card composition of more than one round wherein the card composition of each round includes the cards in each hand of each round. The card information of at least one hand from at least one round may be displayed.
US08070570B2
A spreader disk assembly for spreading crop residue such as straw discharged from an agricultural harvesting machine, and more particularly, which has a bat support mechanism that enables the bats to be quickly and easily hingedly or pivotally convertible from a deployed spreading mode to a flattened stowed mode for windrowing, which does not require removal of the bats, or the disk from the spreader. A locking mechanism is provided that enables the quick and easy conversion and securely holds the bats in both modes.
US08070568B1
An apparatus for cleaning a carcass includes an elongate housing having a forward and a rearward frame disposed in parallel, transversely opposed relation to one another. The elongate housing includes a plurality of stations. At least one rotating device at each station is disposed on the forward or rearward frame. A first station may include a pair of transversely opposed counter-rotating devices disposed at a common downward angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate housing. A second station includes a plurality of rotating devices positioned near the top of the apparatus to clean the hoof and ankle area. A third station includes a plurality of vertically stacked rotating devices. A fourth, fifth, and sixth station include plural rotating devices in axial alignment with one another that are collectively oriented in a predetermined downward slope relative to the longitudinal axis to clean a carcass from top to bottom.
US08070567B2
A de-boning method and apparatus for automating incision making to the meat of bone laden meat and scraping operation of meat from the bone laden meat by a meat separator, are proposed.The apparatus has a clamping device 1 for clamping an end part ‘d’ of unconcealed part of the bone of bone laden meat, a meat separator 31 having meat scraping plates 317a, 317b for pinching a bone of the bone laden meat, a cutter 33 located between the clamping device 1 and the meat separator 31, a clamping device lifting means 30, and rotation drive means 303 and 313 for rotating for rotating the clamping device 1 and the meat separator 31 in synchronism with each other, whereby spiral incision is made to a part of the meat of the bone laden meat by rotating the clamping device 1, and remaining part of the meat is scraped off as the clamping device is lifted while rotating in synchronism with the meat scraper.
US08070563B2
A sharpening device for sharpening operative instrumentation having a gripping handle 4 and an acutely angled receptacle support 6, both of which form a radiated palmer contour 8, and both of which have flattened self balancing table rest 10 terminations. The hone receptacle 6 has an attached offset rectilinear container or whet-stone receptacle 12 with guard walls 16 that extend above a contained whet-stone 14. The instrument entry channel 18 is a shorter wall that allows full usage of the whet-stone surface without forcibly influencing sharpening angulations due to an excessively high wall. The offset receptacle support 6 and whet-stone receptacle 12 create two overhangs or a vertical locking rest 20 and a horizontal locking 22 rest that engage with a table. The locking rests coupled with the angled handle 4 receptacle support 6 and resultant palmer contour 8 permit two ergonomic holding positions that allow for both vertical and horizontal honing orientations.
US08070555B2
A visual feedback system and method for airfoil polishing is disclosed. In one aspect there is a system for providing visual feedback during a polishing operation of a workpiece. In this system there is a model having a representation of a desired shape of the workpiece. A scanning system generates a representation of a current shape of the workpiece while in-process during the polishing operation. A comparator compares the current shape of the workpiece to the desired shape of the workpiece. An illumination system highlights the workpiece with visible light during the polishing operation. The highlighting of the workpiece with visible light is a function of the comparison between the current shape and the desired shape. The illumination system highlights a portion of the workpiece that needs additional polishing to conform to the desired shape.
US08070550B2
A block for building a toy is provided. The block includes a body, a case provided in the body, a holder with a sliding-prevention part, provided movably and rotatably within the case, and a magnet with south and north pole faces, installed in the holder. The blocks, each with this construction, can connect to each other to build a toy, without sliding off relative to each other.
US08070545B2
A method for manufacturing an electro luminescent element includes a process of forming a light emitting layer and a photoresist layer in this order, on the base substance; a process of pattern exposing and then developing the photoresist layer, so as to the part corresponding to a predetermined light emitting part of the photoresist layer remains; a process of forming a light emitting part which its surface is covered with the photoresist layer, by removing the light emitting layer which is bared because the photoresist layer is removed; a process of forming a photoresist layer on the base substance, so as to cover the light emitting part; and a process of pattern exposing and then developing the photoresist layer, so as not to bare the light emitting part and the end part thereof.
US08070526B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of first terminals secured in the housing. The insulative housing includes a base with a front face, a tongue portion extending forwardly from the front face of the base and a plurality of passageways located on a first side face of the insulating housing. The passageways extend from the tongue portion to the base across the front face of the base. The passageways communicate with an exterior through the first side face along a whole length thereof. The plurality of first terminals are received and retained in the passageways. Each first terminal includes a contact portion located on the tongue portion and exposing to the first side face of the tongue portion, a retention portion located on the base portion and a tail portion.
US08070521B2
A socket connector is configured for receiving a first card and a second card. The socket connector includes a latching seat, a plurality of latching plates, and a shielded case. The latching seat includes a first surface and an opposite second surface, the first surface defines a sliding groove, a second surface defines a receiving slot. The latching plates extend from edges of the first surface. The shielded case is secured in the receiving slot, and defines an entrance. The first card is received in the sliding groove and latched by the latching plates, the second card is inserted into the shielded case through the entrance. The disclosure further discloses an electronic device using the socket connector.
US08070518B2
A compression sleeve is combined to a microphone cable. A small-diameter cylindrical portion is compressed on the outer peripheral side of a folded portion of a shielding cable. Thus, the compression sleeve is electrically connected to the shielding cable. A large-diameter cylindrical portion covers a connection portion between a connector and the microphone cable. The large-diameter cylindrical portion and a connector housing are fitted with each other. A bush covers the compression sleeve. Inner periphery of the connector housing is in contacts and presses the outer periphery of the large-diameter cylindrical portion. The large-diameter cylindrical portion has a flange on the outer surface. The flange contacts and presses an end of the connector housing on closer to the microphone cable by the shoulder portion of the bush.
US08070511B1
A hot-plugging connector is provided for a hard disk drive (HDD), including an HDD plugging port and a connection port for an SATA cable and a power supply and further includes an HDD plugging indication device having a positive terminal that is supplied with power from a host machine and a negative terminal that is connected to a pin of the connector that is in connection with ah HDD plugging grounding line but is not in direct connection with a grounding line of the host machine. The hot-plugging connector further includes an HDD operation indication device having a positive terminal that is supplied with power from a host machine and a negative terminal that is connected to a pin of the connector that is in connection with an HDD operation grounding line but is not in direct connection with a grounding line of the host computer.
US08070508B2
The present disclosure relates to a strain relief. In various embodiments, the strain relief includes a strain relief body and at least one alignment feature. The strain relief body is configured to provide support for connection of a cable and/or a wire lead of the cable to a frame. The alignment feature is configured to facilitate alignment of the strain relief relative to the frame. In various embodiments, provided are methods of manufacturing a sensor with a strain relief. The methods may include forming the strain relief about a cable and/or wire leads, wherein the strain relief comprises at least one alignment feature, aligning the alignment feature of the strain relief to a complementary alignment feature of a frame, engaging the complementary alignment feature of the frame with the alignment feature of the strain relief, and electrically coupling the cable and/or wire leads to a circuit.
US08070505B2
An electrical connecting device is disclosed and includes a printed circuit board, an electrical connector, and a fixing gum. The electrical connector is used for electrically connecting a chip module onto the printed circuit board and has at least one gum positioning portion formed on at least one sidewall thereof. The gum positioning portion is non-coplanar with respect to the sidewall. The fixing gum adheres between and to the recess and the printed circuit board and is also attached in the recess. Because the gum positioning portion of the electrical connector is non-coplanar with respect to the sidewall, after the fixing gum is sprayed on the gum positioning portion, the electrical connector is reliably mounted on the printed circuit board to be prevented from falling off under an external force during a reflowing or due to shaking.
US08070502B2
An electrical connector with a first coupling device with a first connection for a first electrical cable and a second coupling device with a second connection for a second electrical cable and wherein both coupling devices are interlocking for electrical contact. The second coupling device includes a first component to contact the first coupling device by interlocking, a second component that includes the second connection, and a coupling device for electrical coupling of the first component with the second component, wherein both components are flexible relative to each other in radial and/or axial direction.
US08070486B2
A method of indirect bonding and a physical model that allows for optimal positional alignment of orthodontic appliances on a patient's teeth is disclosed. The physical model of the patient's teeth has pods and ridges on the facial surface of the teeth. Adhesive is applied to an orthodontic appliance and the appliance is placed on a tooth of the physical model against the ridge and on top of the pods. The adhesive fills the space in between the appliance and the facial surface of the tooth and adheres to the model, resulting in a dimensionally correct custom base that is properly aligned with the tooth to account for all five positional elements of a tooth. Once all the orthodontic appliances are applied to the model, the appliances can then be removed from the model and bonded to the patient's teeth in the optimal position using a transfer template.
US08070485B2
A pontic (10) having a prefabricated notch, channel or slot (11) to physically engage and ensure a secure mechanical lock with the dental appliance (30). The invention also pertains to a method of fabricating a dental appliance (30) and a kit for facilitating the same. The invention has particular application to thermoformed, removable appliances.
US08070484B2
The invention comprises a combination burner for the gasification of pulverized fuels with an oxidation means containing free oxygen at ambient or higher pressures, as well as temperatures between 800-1800° C., with the ignition device of the pilot burner with flame monitoring and the pulverized fuel burner being integrated as a combination burner and all operating channels being routed separately from each other up to the mouth of the burner and the media carried by the channels only being mixed at the mouth of the burner. When the pilot burner is dismantled the eddy bodies 14 attached to its sleeve in the main burner oxidation means supply 17 can be exchanged quickly and easily and thus the main burner flame adapted in the optimum way to the reaction chamber contour of the reactor.
US08070478B2
The present invention relates to a mould, in which a completely closed cavity can be formed in one operating state, comprising an injector (10) which is at least partially accommodated in the mould (14) and the discharge opening of which opens into the closed cavity. According to the invention, the injector is designed with a material feed duct (30) and a material return duct (34), wherein the two ducts (30, 34) open into a connecting chamber (32) in the region of the tip of the injector (10) and are flow-connected to one another via said connecting chamber (32). In this case, an injector needle (36) can be switched into at least two operating positions, wherein, in one moved-forward operating position, the discharge opening is closed by means of the tip (38) of the injector needle (36) and, in the other, pulled-back operating position, the discharge opening is flow-connected to the connecting chamber, and the injector (10) is therefore open.
US08070477B2
A mold assembly includes a mold moving half, at least one heat sink positioned on the mold moving half, and a plurality of heat pipes positioned on the mold fixed half and on the at least one heat sink. The at least one heat sink includes a plurality of parallel fins. The plurality of parallel fins is secured to the heat pipes with the heat pipes passing therethrough. The heat pipes are capable of moving together with the mold moving half.
US08070476B2
A thermal insulation stamper includes a first metal layer, a heat insulating layer, an intermediate layer, a conductive coating, and a second metal layer. The first metal layer has a fine pattern on an exposed surface. The heat insulating layer is formed of a heat-resistant resin and overlies the first metal layer. The heat-resistant resin contains oxygen. The intermediate layer overlies the heat insulating layer. The conductive coating overlies the intermediate metal layer. The second metal layer overlies the conductive coating. A region with a high concentration of oxygen is formed in the vicinity of an interface between the heat insulating layer and the intermediate layer. A method for producing such a thermal insulation stamper is also disclosed.
US08070461B2
A closing element is for a valve assembly of a compressor unloader, the compressor including a casing with a compression chamber, the unloader including a housing defining a chamber. The valve assembly has a base between the compression and unloader chambers, a passage connecting the two chambers, a seat about the passage, and a stem bore within the base having a control chamber. The closing element includes a main body movably disposed within the stem bore and having a sealing surface disposeable against the valve seating surface to obstruct the valve passage and a control end surface within the bore control chamber A sealing member disposed about the main body prevents flow between the control chamber and the valve passage. The main body and/or the sealing member is configured such that the main body is radially moveable to align the body sealing surface with the valve seat.
US08070453B1
A centrifugal impeller having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the outlets including at least one outlet in a forward direction of the impeller and at least one outlet in a rearward direction of the impeller. A flow path distance of the outlet in the forward direction can be greater than a flow path distance of the outlet in the rearward direction in order to provide a greater pressure in the outlet having the greater flow path distance. In another embodiment, the flow path volume in the forward direction can be greater than the flow path volume in the rearward direction in order to provide a greater flow volume in the forward direction. In another embodiment, the number of flow paths in the forward direction can be greater than the number of flow paths in the rearward direction in order to provide a greater flow volume in the forward direction. The impeller is also used in a gas turbine engine in which the impeller also includes a turbine blade, and the forward directing outlets deliver compressed air to a combustor while the rearward directed outlets bypass the combustor.
US08070437B2
A method for damping edgewise oscillations in one or more blades of a wind turbine includes the steps of detecting if one or more of the blades oscillates edgewise during operation of the wind turbine, and substantially cyclically generating a pitch angle difference between at least two of the blades. Further provided is an active stall controlled wind turbine and use hereof.
US08070422B1
A turbine rotor blade and stator vane assembly in which the rotor blades include a cooling air discharge slot formed within the blade platform to discharge cooling air toward a surface of the adjacent vane to prevent formation of a vortex flow over the region of the vane where the vane airfoil and the inner endwall merges around the fillet. The rotor blade includes a row of exit holes to discharge cooling air from an impingement cavity to provide cooling for the trailing edge. The platform injection cooling air ejection slot is connected to the impingement cavity and provides cooling for the platform and injection of cooling air to break down the formation of the vortex on the vane endwall region.
US08070420B2
An airflow-cooling apparatus of a ceiling air-conditioning circulation machine, and more particularly a structure permitting a smooth flow of the indoor air, wherein the drawn current of air passes through a cooling apparatus and then is guided indoors for reducing the temperature. A base frame includes a base frame having a rectangular positioning frame of the rim thereof. A plurality of radial supports are extended from the periphery of the positioning frame inwards. A circular frame is positioned at the center of the base frame. The rim of the circular frame is attached to the radial supports. A fan base is positioned within the circular hole of the circular frame and supported by a plurality of ribs. A plurality of conic and ring-shaped air outflow/inflow channels are concentrically and outwardly interposed between the circular frame and the positioning frame.
US08070418B2
A vacuum pump includes a gas inlet, a quick-rotatable rotor connectable with a flange of a multi-chamber vacuum installation which flange has a plurality of suction openings separated by separation walls, and a gas path separating structure which is located in the gas inlet of the pump, dividing the gas inlet in suction regions, and which seals, together with the separation walls, chambers of the multi-chamber vacuum installation.
US08070415B2
A rear loading cargo carrying wheeled vehicle includes a pair of container lifts for moving shipping containers between a container support platform on the vehicle and an unloaded position behind the vehicle. Each lift typically includes a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the vehicle, a telescoping arm telescopically mounted on the pivot arm, and a container engaging support member mounted on the telescoping arm for engaging and supporting the containers. A platform lift is provided for lowering the platform during the loading operation to provide greater stability. The container support platform includes a forward section and tail section which is movable relative to the forward section to provide greater clearance for loading and unloading the container. Guide walls along either side of the platform guide misaligned containers onto the platform. The container lifts are configured for loading and unloading one or more containers onto and from the platform.
US08070413B2
A control system for a machine which includes a load handling apparatus for moving a load relative to a body of the machine. The machine includes a pivot about which a tipping moment is produced by the load. The load handling apparatus includes an actuator capable of moving the load to a position at which the tipping moment is at a threshold value. The control system is responsive to a tipping moment sensor to control operation of the actuator to progressively reduce the speed of movement of the load as the threshold value of the tipping moment is approached.
US08070411B2
A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.
US08070406B2
A self-piercing rivet for forming joints in high strength steel has a partially hollow shank of a particular form in order to ensure that it has sufficient column strength to pierce the material. The thickness of the shank is such that adequate joint strength is achieved with a lower degree of flare than would be necessary for conventional riveted joints. The ratio of the thickness of the shank (outside diameter minus inside diameter) is in the range 0.47 to 0.52. The ratio of the cross sectional area of the shank in the region around the bore to the outside diameter of the shank is in the range 3.0:1 to 3.6:1.
US08070397B2
The self feeding drill bit comprises a shank that has one end adapted to be connected to a chuck of a rotary tool such as a drill or power driver. The opposite end of the shank supports a cutting member where the cutting member is a cup shaped member having a series of teeth formed on the edge thereof. A screw tip is provided for feeding the cutting member into and through the wood. A removable cutting blade is provided for boring the interior of the hole. A kit including a self feed bit and a plurality of replacement bits is also provided.
US08070394B2
A support assembly (1) is provided for the roof or hanging wall (36, 114) of an underground mine. The assembly comprises at least one support elongate (30) and a grout bag (2, 60, 80, 90, 102, 108, 120) used in association therewith and wherein the grout bag is inflated with settable granular material or grout (42). The support elongate is substantially surrounded, in plan view, by the grout bag and set granular material or grout contained therein. Preferably at least one cross-member (28) extends generally diametrically across the top of the support assembly and is anchored to the roof or hanging wall by the support elongate. The grout bag is preferably suspended from the end regions of the cross-member. Various grout bags for inclusion in such a support assembly are also provided.
US08070386B2
An extension plate for use in a compactor includes an elongate body extending between a first surface configured to be coupled to the compactor frame and a second surface configured to be coupled to a support of the compactor. The first surface includes a first opening aligning with an opening into an interior of the compactor. A second opening in at least one of the elongate body or the second surface communicates with the first opening to allow passage of a hose through the extension plate and through the opening in the frame into the interior space.
US08070385B2
A control is provided for a machine that applies a material to a subgrade and pulls a floating screed over the top surface of the material behind the machine. The floating screed is attached to the machine by at least one tow arm at a tow point on the tow arm. The vertical height of the tow point is controlled by a hydraulic cylinder on the machine in response to a valve control signal applied to a hydraulic valve. The screed determines the thickness of the material on the subgrade as it is manipulated by adjusting the height of the tow point such that the top surface of the material follows a reference surface. A first sensor is mounted on the machine, adjacent the front of the machine, for sensing the relative height of the reference surface and providing a first sensor output related thereto. A second sensor for senses the height of the tow point relative to the machine and provides a second sensor output related thereto. This can be accomplished directly, or by sensing the height of the tow point with respect to the reference surface and subtracting the portion of the this sensed height attributable to changes in the reference surface. A control circuit, responsive to the first sensor output and the second sensor output, provides a valve control signal to the hydraulic valve for control of said hydraulic cylinder.
US08070382B2
A tile for covering an area and which interlocks with an adjacent tile includes a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface. The main body has at least a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The tile includes at least one male connector situated on at least one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the main body and extending outwardly therefrom. The tile further includes at least one female receptacle situated on at least one of the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the main body and extending outwardly therefrom. The male connector of the tile is engageable with a female receptacle of an adjacent tile so that the tile may interlock with the adjacent tile.
US08070376B2
A system for connecting a shaft to a joint, and a corresponding method are provided, wherein a shaft journal embodied on the end of the shaft that is to be connected to the joint can be inserted into a recess of a joint connection. The aim of the invention is to be able to pre-assemble and axially align the shaft and the recess in a simple manner. To this end, the shaft journal and the recess are adapted to each other in such a way that the shaft journal can be displaced in the recess in an essentially weak manner in a first section T1 of the insertion path E, and a large amount of force is expended for the displacement of the shaft journal in the recess in a section T2 of the insertion path E.
US08070371B2
A limiting device to prevent unwanted removal of paper from a paper or ticket printing and dispensing apparatus for paper roll printers, including paper cutter actuating means, positioned between a ticket dispensing exit and a cutting device to cut paper onto which printing has taken place and for controlling feeding of the paper and for controlling operation of the printer; activation of the cutting device is responsive to either an incompletely printed ticket or an action externally of said apparatus or to completion of any printing onto the ticket; a movable member or curved door is provided to more from a deactivation position to an activation position to control the operation of the paper cutter and the curved door is responsive to completion of a ticket printing operation or an occlusion at the dispensing exit or to a pre-set printing operation.
US08070370B2
A gear mechanism includes a pair of gears including first and second gears overlapped with each other in an axial direction. The first and second gears include first and second tooth portions, respectively. The first tooth portion slightly projects outwardly from the second tooth portion. The first gear is formed with a deformation facilitating portion for facilitating deformation of the first gear in a radial direction.
US08070357B2
A device having temperature evaluating capabilities, the device includes: (i) a temperature sensitive delay line that comprises multiple first type NMOS transistors and first type PMOS transistors; (ii) an configurable delay line that comprises second type NMOS transistors and second type PMOS transistors; wherein a process condition sensitivity of first type NMOS transistors and first type PMOS transistors substantially equals a process condition sensitivity of the second type NMOS transistors and second type PMOS transistors; wherein the configurable delay line is less sensitive to temperature than the temperature sensitive delay line; (iii) a phase detector, coupled to an output of the temperature sensitive delay line and to an output of the adjustable delay line, the phase detector is adapted to determine a difference between a delay introduced by the temperature sensitive delay line and a delay introduced by the adjustable delay line; and (iv) a controller, adapted to: (a) find a configuration of the configurable delay line that introduces a delay that substantially equals a delay introduced by the temperature sensitive delay line; and (b) determine a temperature of the temperature sensitive delay line in response to the found configuration.
US08070354B2
A system for mixing a bioprocessing fluid includes a container receiving the bioprocessing fluid and a support member supporting the container in an interior of a housing. A first channel is bounded by a first stationary arm and a second stationary arm with the first channel receiving the container. A first mixing arm and a second mixing arm are located in the interior. The first mixing arm is connected to the second mixing arm by a connecting member. The first mixing arm is located in the first channel and the second mixing arm is located in a second channel. The connecting member is movable to cause the first mixing arm to contact a first outer surface of the container to cause mixing of the bioprocessing fluid.
US08070353B2
An easily cleanable horizontal mixer. This horizontal mixer (10) includes a mixing bowl (18) having an upper opening, a material feed port (20), a roof (22) configured so as to close the upper opening, a material feed tube (24) attached to the roof and extending upwardly from a periphery of the material feed port to define a material feed passage extending through the material feed port, and the lid (26) disposed in the material feed tube. The mixing bowl has a bottom wall (14), a peripheral wall (16) extending from the periphery of the bottom wall to the upper opening, and a scraper plate (32) at an upper end (16b) of the peripheral wall. The lid has an inner surface (26a) that is, at a position to close the material feed port, brought into a position where the inner surface is flush with an inner surface (22a) of the roof.
US08070352B2
A vibration exciter, particularly for a vibration pile driver, comprises at least two axles disposed parallel to one another, as well as at least two imbalance masses, which are attached to one or more of the axles. The relative rotary position of the imbalance masses can be adjusted relative to one another by at least one rotary oscillating motor having a rotor shaft and a stator housing. The rotor shaft is an integral part of one of the axles, and the rotary position of the stator housing relative to the rotor shaft can be changed. The stator housing has at least one closure lid that is at least partially unreleasably coated with a slide alloy, for radial and axial bearing of the rotor shaft. At least one shaft seal is disposed between the rotor shaft and stator housing. The seal is hydraulically biased and provided with a support element.
US08070349B2
A concrete mixing drum includes a wall having a first section (41) and a second section (43). The first section (41) extends in a spiral along an axial centerline (31) of the drum. The second section (43) extends in a spiral along the axial centerline (31) of the drum adjacent to the first section (41).
US08070344B2
A light unit which includes a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in parallel, a light-guiding member arranged on said LED light sources, a light reflecting part for reflecting light from said LED light sources forward, a light diffusion part for outgoing light from the surface of said light-guiding member to outside, and an optical path changing part arranged above said light-diffusion part, wherein a side of said light-guiding member that faces said light diffusion part is flat.
US08070336B2
A lighting or signaling device for a motor vehicle which is capable of emitting a linear beam in the direction of an optical axis and which comprises a point light source that emits light rays radially around a source; a light ray guiding plate; wherein the light guiding plate is shaped so that the light rays generally propagate in incident propagation planes normal to the plate between the light source and the reflection edge and in reflected propagation planes normal to the plate between the reflection edge and the output edge.
US08070333B2
A docking light system for a watercraft including a docking light fixture, a docking lamp positioned within the docking light fixture, and an accessory lamp mounted to the docking light fixture. The accessory lamp emits light outwardly from the watercraft and is masked to control the horizontal and vertical beam spread sectors of emitted light from illuminating the watercraft causing glare to an occupant of the watercraft. In another aspect, a navigation light is provided on the docking light fixture, where the navigation light may be a masthead light, a stern light, a port side marker light, a starboard side marker light, etc.
US08070330B2
A floating lamp system is provided. The system includes an object having a first inner wall and a second inner wall. A first conductive element is mounted on the first sidewall and electrically connected to the anode of a power source. A second conductive element is mounted on the second wall and electrically connected to the cathode of the power source. The system further includes a floating lamp having a balloon and a lighting element mounted in the balloon. An anode contact point is mounted on the top of the balloon and a cathode contact point is mounted on the bottom of the balloon. The lighting element is electrically connected to the anode contact point and the cathode contact point. When the floating lamp floats, causing the anode contact point to contact with the first conductive element, the lighting element is lit up.
US08070329B1
Improved light emitting optics systems are provided for obtaining desired illumination patterns. Illumination assemblies and systems are provided that incorporate improved light emitting optics systems.
US08070323B2
A light fixture allows individual light bulbs to be arranged in compact fashion to maximize the number of bulbs per given area in the fixture. To facilitate replacement or exchange of the bulbs, the bulbs are mounted in alternating succession on a pair of separately movable supports, reorientation of which serves to remove the bulbs from the tight packed arrangement, to one in which the bulbs are sufficiently separated from one another to allow hand access for removal and installation of the bulbs. A distinct aspect of the aforementioned feature of the invention independent of the movable supports resides in the ability to utilize two of more of the fixtures to multiply the light produced. Advantageously, the fixtures can be arranged in direct physical series, side by side, or to form an array extending in orthogonal directions.
US08070316B2
A lighting apparatus with LED includes a metal-made main body 90; a plurality of LED chip units 1 each including an LED chip and a pair of lead terminals 42, 43 electrically connected to electrodes of the LED chip; and a dielectric layer 80 disposed between the main body 90 and each LED chip unit 1 for making electrical insulation therebetween as well as bond the same. The circuit board 20 is formed with a plurality of windows 23 through which the individual LED chip units 1 extend respectively with the lead terminals held in electrical contact with the circuit pattern of the circuit board at the circumference of the window, each of the LED chip units being thermally coupled at its bottom face with the main body 90 through the dielectric layer 80, and the heat generated in the LED chip is conducted to the main body through the dielectric layer without passing through the circuit board.
US08070313B2
A backlight structure comprises a frame, a circuit board, and a connector. The frame has an opening. The circuit board is located below the frame and has a through hole, wherein the through hole aligns with the opening. The connector passes through the opening and the through hole, protrudes from a surface of the frame, and is electrically connected to the circuit board.
US08070311B2
A solar LED lamp for lighting purpose includes a fixing box, a covering member mounted on the fixing box and a plurality of LED modules attached to a bottom of the covering member. The covering member includes a top plate fixed to a top of the fixing box, a solar panel disposed over a top surface of the top plate and a mounting bracket fixed to a bottom of the top plate and located in front of the fixing box. The LED modules are attached to a bottom of the mounting bracket. The solar panel is provided for receiving solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical energy which is used to activate the LED modules.
US08070309B2
An object is to provide a showcase capable of improving the appearance of an illumination apparatus and also capable of improving the effects of illumination by the illumination apparatus. In the showcase, the inside of a display chamber formed in a main body thereof is illuminated with the illumination apparatus. The illumination apparatus includes: a plurality of LED illumination components equipped with LED elements; a holding member attached to the main body to hold the LED illumination components; a wiring connector provided between the LED illumination components; and a reflecting plate covering the connector.
US08070296B2
An illumination apparatus includes: a solid-state light source; a Peltier element configured to cool the solid-state light source; a light amount sensor configured to detect an amount of a light emitted from the solid-state light source; a power consumption monitor configured to monitor power consumptions of the solid-state light source and the Peltier element; and a power controller configured to control powers supplied to the solid-state light source and the Peltier element. The power controller controls the powers supplied to the solid-state light source and the Peltier element, on the basis of the light amount detected by the light amount sensor and a sum of the power consumptions of the solid-state light source and the Peltier element.
US08070278B2
A method of priming one or more printhead integrated circuits, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a printhead assembly comprising: an ink distribution manifold having an ink inlet and an ink outlet; one or more printhead integrated circuits mounted on the manifold, each printhead integrated circuit comprising a plurality of nozzles; an upstream ink line connected to the ink inlet; and a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet, wherein at least part of the printhead assembly contains ink bubbles; (ii) providing an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet via the upstream ink line; (iii) priming the printhead integrated circuits by drawing ink from the ink chamber, through the manifold and into the downstream ink line using a pump; (iv) bursting ink bubbles in the downstream ink line; (v) sensing for ink downstream of a bubble-bursting point in the downstream ink line; and (v) shutting off the pump when the ink is sensed.
US08070269B2
The liquid storage apparatus includes: a liquid storage chamber which is constituted by a flexible bag member and stores liquid; an exterior container which has walls constituted by a shape memory member and has a hermetically sealed space in which the liquid storage chamber is disposed, the shape memory member extending and contracting freely at temperatures not greater than a transformation temperature and recovering a memorized shape at temperatures not less than a shape recovery temperature; a forcing member which applies a contraction force to the walls of the exterior container in a direction in which the walls contract; and a temperature adjuster which adjusts a temperature of the shape memory member directly or indirectly so as to control a ratio of a portion of the shape memory member having temperatures not greater than the transformation temperature and deformed to a contracted shape by the contraction force of the forcing member and a ratio of a portion of the shape memory member having temperatures not less than the shape recovery temperature and recovering the memorized shape more extended than the contracted shape, so that a pressure in the liquid storage chamber is changed depending on a volume change of the exterior container due to deformation of the shape memory member.
US08070261B2
The liquid ejection head comprises: a nozzle from which liquid is ejected; a pressure chamber which accommodates the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle; a pressurizing device which deforms to pressurize the liquid in the pressure chamber to eject the liquid from the nozzle; and a nozzle flow channel through which the pressurized liquid flows from the pressure chamber to the nozzle, the nozzle flow channel having at least a portion in which forces acting toward an axis of the nozzle flow channel onto the liquid flowing inside the nozzle flow channel are not uniform within a cross-section perpendicular to the axis.
US08070259B2
A micro-fluid ejection head assembly having improved assembly characteristics and methods of manufacturing a micro-fluid ejection head assembly. The micro-fluid ejection head includes a fluid supply body having at least one fluid supply port in a recessed area therein. A reinforcing member circumscribes the fluid supply port. A micro-fluid ejection head is attached with an adhesive to the supply body in the recessed area so that cracking of the ejection head during adhesive curing is substantially reduced.
US08070254B2
A printing head cleaning apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus includes a spraying unit to spray a quantity of cleaning solution using a sprayer and a cleaning shuttle to carry the spraying unit. The spraying unit includes a cleaning solution tank to store the cleaning solution sprayed by the sprayer, a spraying cam to operate the sprayer to selectively spray a quantity of the cleaning solution, and a cam driving member to cause the spraying cam to rotate according to movement of the cleaning shuttle.
US08070243B2
An electronic device enclosure includes a bottom plate, a mounting member mounted to the bottom plate, and a resilient member attached to the mounting member. At least one bridge protrudes from the bottom plate. A gap is defined between the bridge and the bottom plate, and a protrusion is formed in the bottom plate. The mounting member includes a positioning tab capable of inserting into the gap along a first direction. At least one securing tab protrudes from a free end of the resilient member towards the bottom plate. The securing tab is capable of engaging with the protrusion of the bottom plate to prevent the position tab from removing from the gap along a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US08070238B2
An electro mechanical brake apparatus is provided, in which a counter-measure for the heat of the driving circuit is much improved when configured to be integrated with an electric circuit. An electric circuit portion is provided by sandwiching a motor with brake pads, and a power module is provided so that a heat dissipating surface is opposed to the inner surface of the metallic outer case of the electric circuit portion, and a control circuit board is disposed at the motor side for the power module.
US08070230B2
A rotatable office chair comprises at least two seat carriers, each further comprising an upper arched guide and a lower arched guide, and at least two back rest carriers, each further comprising a restrictedly guided region, and a back rest arranged on back rest carriers, wherein the restrictedly guided region of the at least one back rest carrier is guided between the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide of the at least one seat carrier, thus allowing the at least one back rest carrier to be inclined relative to the seat carrier, wherein the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide are embodied at least in certain regions as an arc of a circle portion and wherein the arc of a circle portion of the upper arched guide and the arc of a circle portion of the lower arched guide have the same center of a circle.
US08070229B2
The present disclosure is directed to a monobloc rocking chair. The rocking chair includes a seat, backrest, a pair of front legs, a pair of rear legs, and rockers extending between front and rear legs. The chair is molded of a single material include a downwardly opening cavity and formed to taper outwardly from top to bottom. The cavity is formed by the seat being supported directly from below by front legs and being supported directly from above by a backrest. Rear legs are spaced from the seat. This allows two identical chairs to nest when vertically stacked for compact shipping, storage, or display. The monobloc rocking chair can include one or more arms or be armless.
US08070223B2
A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.
US08070208B2
A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, a tailgate support, and an adjustor. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The adjustor may include a base and a traveler configured to move with respect to the base. The base may be positioned on, and fixed with respect to, one of the tailgate and a first side of the vehicle. When the base is positioned on the tailgate, the tailgate support may extend to connect the traveler to the first side of the vehicle. Alternatively, when the base is position on the first side of the vehicle, the tailgate support may extend to connect the traveler to the tailgate. In either configuration, by manipulating the position of the traveler with respect to the base, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.
US08070204B2
A molding system includes a clip and a molding. The clip attaches to at least one panel of a vehicle. The clip includes a body that presents a surface. A pair of lips extends from the body in opposition to the surface. A fastener extends from the surface and is configured for engaging the at least one panel of the vehicle. A sealant is disposed on the surface. The sealant is configured to expand upon application of a condition such that the sealant engages the at least one panel of the vehicle to retain the clip to the at least one panel of the vehicle. The molding is configured to snap over the pair of lips on the clip such that the molding is secured to the at least one panel of the vehicle.
US08070198B2
An article removal apparatus and method for the removal of debris from a surface by a user without physical bending, twisting, or strain. The article removal apparatus includes a blade, a structure for pivotal movement, a primary extension, and a secondary extension. The blade includes a first side, a second side, and a lengthwise axis. The structure for pivotal movement includes a pivotal axis adjacent to the second side. The primary extension includes a primary longitudinal axis, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is adjacent to the second side. The secondary extension includes a secondary longitudinal axis, a pivotal end portion, and an opposing end portion. The pivotal end portion is adjacent to the structure for pivotal movement. A user grasps the primary and secondary extensions, one in each hand selecting the angle between them and plows the debris from the surface.
US08070196B2
A bumper mounting assembly comprises a support member mountable to a vehicle front and a bumper-carrying member hingedly mounted to the support member to be movable between an upright position and a lowered position. A primary actuator is secured to the support member and the bumper-carrying member and can apply braking force against movement of the bumper-carrying member from the upright position to the lowered position and can preferably move the bumper-carrying member from the lowered position to the upright position. One of the bumper-carrying member and the support member carries a detent and the other carries a movable latch and a latch actuator for moving the latch between an engagement position and a disengagement position, with the latch biased into the engagement position so that the latch can selectively retain the bumper-carrying member in the upright position. A system to maintain pressure in a spare tire is also described.
US08070195B2
A radiator grille of an automobile includes a plastic main grille provided with plural air vents and plural positioning bases formed in the inside. Each of the positioning bases has a plugging groove for being inserted with a hooking member, which is made of metal with a locking portion located at one end, a blocking portion elastically extended outward, and a hunched positioning portion formed outwardly. So, with the hooking members made of metal to possess a strong strength and elasticity, they are not to be easily broken owing to improper operation while being assembled with the main grille. Moreover, the radiator grille can not only be conveniently and swiftly assembled, but also firmly positioned in a car.
US08070194B2
The invention relates to an installing mechanism and its deinstalling tool for a control turning handle (150) of a lock on an actuating rod (17) comprising two assemblies (E1, E2) that interact via a bayonet-type assembly by an axial engagement in the direction of the leaf then a rotation in a circular arc branch, in a second direction opposite the first direction around the axis of the rod, of the second assembly (E2) on the first set (E1), characterized in that each circular arc branch comprises an engagement limit stop upon which an associated stub rests, and a retractable stop for rotationally blocking the associated stub in the circular arc branch. The invention is particularly for use in a hygienic handle.
US08070193B2
An exemplary foldable electronic device includes a first cover, a second cover coupled to the first cover and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a hooking portion disposed on the first cover and a latching portion formed on the second cover. The hooking portion has a hook, the latching portion has a latching slot, an unlatching slot, and a sliding slot connecting the latching slot and the unlatching slot. The hook is deformable to capable of latching the latching slot or unlatching from the latching portion when sliding to the unlatching slot along the sliding slot.
US08070183B2
An airbag to be inflated by gas for a vehicle includes a base member for the airbag, an opening and closing vent provided in the base member, and a discharging gas control member for restraining gas from discharging from the opening and closing vent. The discharging gas control member closes or slightly opens the opening and closing vent when an occupant does not contact a front surface of the airbag facing the occupant when the airbag is inflated. The discharging gas control member opens or widely opens the opening and closing vent so as to allow the gas to be discharged from the opening and closing vent when the occupant contacts the front surface of the airbag, and the front surface is pushed in a direction opposite to the occupant.
US08070182B2
A hand truck includes handles; a ledge comprising a cavity; a fastening device comprising a quick release and a clamp; and a locking device comprising a hollow first section including an opening on either side, a hollow second section releasably put on the first section, the second section including an opening on either side, the openings being in registration to each other, a block member in the first section and including a transverse channel aligned with the openings and the cavity, a sliding lock pin in the cavity, the openings, and the channel to lock the first and second sections, the lock pin having a projection in the channel, a depressible shuttle member in the first section and including a hook partially disposed in the block member, and an inclined slot in the hook with the projection disposed therein, and an actuation rod releasably secured to the shuttle member.
US08070181B2
The convertible cart comprises a first platform and a platform assembly. The platform assembly comprises a second platform and a third platform and is pivotably connected to the first platform. The platform assembly moves between a first position where the second platform is disposed above the first platform and a second position where the third platform forms a continuous platform with the first platform. In another embodiment the cart comprises a first platform and a second platform movable between a first position where said second platform is disposed above the first platform and a second position where the third platform is coplanar with the first platform. Methods of converting a cart between a utility cart and a platform truck are also provided.
US08070178B2
A protective safety cover for fifth wheel pin has a main panel having at least one edge, and an opening adapted to receive the king pin of the trailer therethrough; a perimeter wall extending perpendicularly to the at least one edge of the main panel; and a retainer member connected to the main panel and adapted to securely and removably attach the safety cover to the goose neck of the trailer and around the king pin, to thereby surround the king pin and protect a person from accidentally hitting the king pin.
US08070168B2
The invention relates to a clamping drill chuck including a chuck body (1), a clamping cone (2) that can be rotated coaxially in relation to the chuck body (1) and is axially supported on a jaw holder (3) mounted on the chuck body (1) and in which clamping jaws (4) are guided in guiding slits, said clamping jaws being adjustable, by means of the jaw holder (3), for the clamping and releasing action by a relative rotation between the chuck body (1) and the clamping cone (2). The drill chuck also includes a locking device (9) provided with a toothed ring (6) which is coaxial to the chick axle (5), in addition to a latch mechanism (8) which is mounted on the jaw holder (3) and engages in the toothed ring (6) when subjected to the force of a spring (7).
US08070166B2
A score-keeping product for an anagram game that has a pouch for storing a plurality of anagram game cubes therein; a pair of slide members that each can be linearly moved between open and closed positions with each slide member, in an at least partially open position, enabling access to the interior of pouch so that the anagram game cubes can be stored or removed therefrom for the purpose of playing the game cubes with each of the slide members including a scoring pointer; and a pair of scoring indicia on the pouch and each disposed along a linear locus that extends respectively along side of a corresponding slide member with each scoring indicia provided with a series of score markers. The slide members are selectively movable so that the corresponding scoring pointer can be progressively moved to align with one of the series of score markers in scoring the game.
US08070163B2
In a set of multilingual tiles, each tile bears a first character of a first language and also bears a second character of a second language. Tiles are positioned by players of a game, to form words in an inherently multilingual educational and entertainment experience. Tile characters are not mere transliterations of one another. The characters on a given tile may have different spatial orientations. Sometimes each player can make words only in one language, and different players try to make words in different languages. Sometimes a player gains points for words made in a language that is not the player's native language, and loses points for words made in a language that is the player's native language. Extra points may be awarded if tiles form multiple words in multiple languages, or if tiles form related words, namely, synonyms and/or antonyms.
US08070158B2
An electronic device includes a main body and a plurality of paper trays. The main body includes a mounting plate, and the mounting plate defines a paper outlet. A mounting bracket is secured to the main body. A control module is disposed on the mounting bracket. A driving member is connected to the paper trays. The control module is capable of causing the driving member to move the paper trays along a direction parallel to the mounting plate, so that one of the paper trays is aligned with the paper outlet.
US08070155B2
A sheet post-processing apparatus includes first rollers that convey a sheet, a waiting tray that includes a pair of sheet supporting units movable in a direction orthogonal to a conveying direction of the sheet and on which the sheet conveyed via the first rollers is stacked, second rollers that are provided downstream the waiting tray along the conveying direction of the sheet and are suspended, when projection of a leading end of the sheet from the waiting tray reaches a predetermined projection amount according to the conveyance of the sheet, simultaneously with the first rollers disposed upstream the waiting tray, and an aligning unit that stacks the sheet and continuously-conveyed plural sheets dropped after a trailing end of the sheet is discharged onto the waiting tray by the first rollers and the second rollers and aligns a bundle of the plural sheets.
US08070150B2
A sheet ejection device includes: a sheet ejection tray adapted to stack a sheet ejected thereon; an alignment member which aligns a position in a width direction and a direction perpendicular to a sheet ejection direction of the sheet on the sheet ejection tray; and a supporting unit which supports the alignment member so that the alignment member is displaced in a direction intersecting the sheet ejection direction when outer force is applied to the alignment member.
US08070141B2
A fluid inlet device (1) suitable for introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into a vessel, which fluid inlet device comprises a guide member having a surface on which surface a liquid film is present during normal operation, and having a main direction of gas flow along the surface; and wherein the guide member (20) is provided with a liquid catcher channel (40) extending from an upstream position with respect to the guide member (20) to a downstream position, and wherein a virtual line along the guide member between the upstream position and the downstream position deviates from the main direction of gas flow; the use of the fluid inlet device for introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into a gas-liquid contacting vessel; and a method of retrofitting a fluid inlet device.
US08070136B2
A unitary stackable fence module having end assemblies and span members is provided for forming a perimeter fence having an inwardly inclined profile. A right angle end support has vertical and horizontal members and an angle arm, spaced from and attached to a side edge of the vertical and horizontal members adjacent the span members. The unique arrangement permits a plurality of fence modules to be stacked for transport or storage. Loops formed on the vertical members permit pivotal pinning of fence modules together to form perimeter fences of any polygonal shape.
US08070118B1
A mounting bracket is provided for removably mounting a storage device on a slot track or slotwall panel having a plurality of slots having undercut sidewalls that form generally “T” shaped slats. The mounting bracket includes a support surface having a first “J” shaped hook to hook over the edge of a slat and into the undercut sidewall and a second “J” shaped hook to hook into a second slot and into the undercut sidewall. The mounting bracket includes a storage device connector attached to the support surface at a first end and has a second end. The storage device connector can include a lock rotatably mounted on the top wall adjacent the first “J” shaped hook having a locking member and an operator that is rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. A storage device can be coupled to the second end of the storage device connector. The storage device can be an actuatable holding system for a bicycle, or other storage device such as a basket or a storage shelf.
US08070117B2
An apparatus and method for mounting various audio devices to a flat panel display employing mounting holes disposed on a rearward face of the panel of the flat panel display that are otherwise normally employed to couple a support of the flat panel display to the panel of the flat panel display, wherein a hub supporting rods that in turn support the audio devices is coupled to the rearward face of the panel with the aid of those holes, and wherein the hub and rods together convey electrical signals between at least one of the audio devices and at least one cable.
US08070116B1
A cookware underliner as some having a top and bottom layer encapsulating at least a portion of a rigid frame. The top layer provides a base with upwardly extending sidewalls which receive a cooking article therein. The top and bottom layers are preferably constructed of silicon rubber or thermoplastic rubber and provide an attractive alternative to planar birchwood underliners currently available in the marketplace.
US08070109B2
A system and method is provided for controlling bell movement and/or sound in a model train or other model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a user control, a sound subsystem, a bell controller and a bell device. The user control may include a lever, a track, and a plurality of predetermined positions on the track, wherein the lever can be moved by a user to any one of the plurality of predetermined positions. The user control may be configured to transmit at least one bell signal in response to the lever being released from (or moved to) one of the plurality of predetermined positions. The bell controller is configured to receive the bell signal, and to use the bell signal to control at least the bell device. The bell device may include a bell and an electromagnetic device, wherein the bell comprises a permanent magnet and is configured to swing from a bracket. By applying at least one voltage to the electromagnetic device, and placing the bell near the electromagnetic device, a magnetic field can be created and used to swing the bell from the bracket, thereby simulating bell movement. The bell controller may further be adapted to synchronize bell movement with bell sound by transmitting a bell sound signal to the sound subsystem at a particular time, so as to substantially synchronize at least one bell movement with at least one bell sound.
US08070097B2
A mobile divider for an aircraft or an aircraft cabin with a first wall section, a second wall section that is essentially arranged parallel to the first wall section and a cable duct that is arranged between the first wall section and the second wall section. The cable duct protrudes over an edge of the first wall section and an edge of the second wall section in at least one location. This makes it possible to route a supply line such as, for example, an electric line in the cable duct within the divider and also in the transition region between the divider and, for example, a cabin supply channel such that the supply line is not visible to a passenger traveling in the cabin, particularly in the transition region from the mobile divider into the supply channel.
US08070093B2
A mount for an aircraft turbojet engine. The mount includes a central box formed by an assembly of two side panels joined via transverse ribs and two side boxes secured to a forward part of the box and arranged either side thereof, each side box including an aft closure frame. One of the ribs forming the box includes two side extensions made in a single piece with the rib and respectively projecting from the two side panels outwardly from the box, the two extensions being fixedly mounted on the frame of each of the two side boxes, respectively.
US08070089B2
A hybrid helicopter (1) includes a central fuselage (2) defining a front end (3) and a rear end (4), the hybrid helicopter (1) having a main lift rotor (10), an additional lift surface (20), a mechanical interconnection system (40), and at least one turbine engine (61, 62) for continuously driving the main rotor (10) in rotation. Furthermore, the main rotor (10) is mechanically connected to the mechanical interconnection system (40) by rotary rotor mast (12), and the additional lift surface (20) is arranged at the rear of the hybrid helicopter (1) between the rotor mast (12) and the rear end (4) of the fuselage (2), each end zone (21′, 22′) of the wings (21, 22) of the additional lift surface (20) being provided with a vertical element (23, 24) fitted with a rudder (23′, 24′).
US08070088B2
A novel positive traction permeate tube and fittings therefor are described for use in spirally wound membrane filtration elements for filtration and separation applications. Membrane filtration elements incorporate the novel permeate tube. Methods of making the novel positive traction permeate tube are also disclosed, as are the preferred sanitary stainless steel materials used for the sanitary tube and fittings. The novel permeate tube involves a sanitary tubing having two open ends, each with an end fitting. The end fittings engage a positive traction drive for high tension spiral winding of a membrane element spirally around the novel permeate tube. Membrane filtration elements made with the novel permeate tube are less subject to slippage and breakage during manufacture and can withstand higher pressure drops and flow rates during use without failure of the spirally wound membrane element. The positive traction permeate tube facilitates membrane replacements.
US08070085B2
A pretensioner is provided, which can be partially changed in mechanical strength of in a cylinder, in addition, can be widely used. In the pretensioner, the cylinder is molded by forging, and a positioning portion as a high-strength portion is formed from a partition formed using a excess portion produced during the forging-molding. Therefore, while an outer circumferential shape of the cylinder is not changed, a specification of the positioning portion can be varied, the specification including a formation position of the positioning portion, an extension dimension of the positioning portion from the cylinder, and thickness of the positioning portion along a through direction of the cylinder.
US08070071B2
A method of imaging a coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern; and (b) low-pass filtering said captured image so as to obscure data elements and preserve target elements. The coding pattern comprises and target elements and data elements, which encode data values by multi-pulse position modulation.
US08070068B2
A transaction product includes a lens, a slide, an actuating mechanism, a housing and an account identifier. The slide depicts a plurality of scenes, and each of the plurality of scenes is separately depicted on a different portion of the slide. The actuating mechanism is positioned to cause movement of the slide to change which one of the plurality of scenes aligns with and is viewable through the lens at a given time. The housing substantially encloses the lens, the slide and the actuating mechanism. The account identifier is coupled with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US08070060B2
The invention may be embodied as an identity assurance system or method. A system according to the invention may have a biometric sensor capable of providing static biometric indications, a strap capable of positioning the sensor on an organism, and a computer in communication with the sensor. The computer may have software running on the computer in order to (a) cause the computer to determine whether there is a match between a subsequent static biometric indication and an initial static biometric indication, and (b) cause the computer to send a signal indicating whether a match was determined in order to assure the identity of the organism.
US08070058B2
A wireless financial transaction instrument, such as a card, has a magnetic stripe, a display, and an on-board power supply, such as a battery, and is usable with a dual capture point of sale terminal. Information is received by such a terminal from the card wirelessly, and also from the magnetic stripe, and the data received contactlessly is preferably used to verify that read from the stripe. The display can display the account number on command, or to display a current balance, or amount of credit remaining, or any combination of these items of information.
US08070055B2
A portable terminal operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records in the form of user cards. The user cards include credit and/or debit cards. Data corresponding to the card data is stored in at least one memory of the terminal. The terminal includes a wireless communication device. The terminal operates to wirelessly communicate data corresponding to card data wirelessly to one or more remote computers to cause financial transfers to or from selected accounts. The terminal also operates to provide outputs corresponding to account balances and to receive data corresponding to receipts.
US08070047B1
A flux composition is provided, comprising, as an initial component: a fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; and wherein zero to three of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is(are) hydrogen. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the flux composition.
US08070046B1
An amine flux composition is provided, comprising, as an initial component: an amine fluxing agent represented by formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted C1-80 alkyl group, an unsubstituted C1-80 alkyl group, a substituted C7-80 arylalkyl group and an unsubstituted C7-80 arylalkyl group; wherein R7 and R8 are independently selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a substituted C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group and a substituted C6-20 aryl group or wherein R7 and R8, together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C3-20 cycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group; wherein R10 and R11 are independently selected from a C1-20 alkyl group, a substituted C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group and a substituted C6-20 aryl group or wherein R10 and R11, together with the carbon to which they are attached, form a C3-20 cycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with a C1-6 alkyl group; and, wherein R9 is selected from a hydrogen, a C1-30 alkyl group, a substituted C1-30 alkyl group, a C6-30 aryl group and a substituted C6-30 aryl group. Also provided is a method of soldering an electrical contact using the amine flux composition.
US08070035B2
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
US08070031B2
A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a tool housing, a power source associated with the housing and including a cylinder head, a cylinder and a piston reciprocating in the cylinder, a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to the cylinder, a chamber switch and a trigger switch; the cylinder head, the valve sleeve, the cylinder and the piston combining to define a combustion chamber, the closing of both switches required for initiating an ignition of the power source for driving piston down cylinder. A fan is disposed in the combustion chamber, and a control system includes a control program associated with the housing, connected to the power source, the chamber switch and the trigger switch, and configured for providing a designated ignition delay period after fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and when the chamber switch is closed, the delay period being variable as a function of monitored tool parameters.
US08070022B2
An apparatus, system, and method for dispensing a measured amount of paste is provided herein, including a flexible container for paste, comprising a closed end, a peripheral wall, and an open outlet; a top cap comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the top cap hingedly attached to the open outlet, the bottom surface of the top cap disposed to cover the open outlet in a closed position and uncover the open outlet in an open position; and a scooper attached to the bottom surface of the top cap in a substantially perpendicular orientation, the scooper configured to dip into the container in the closed position and scoop out a measured amount of paste from the container in an open position.
US08070017B2
A unified assembly of a mounting cup and valve stem assembly for aerosol containers. The mounting cup contains a flat central portion having an inner section extending downward from its periphery. An outer section extends upward from the lower edge of the inner section and abuts the inner section. The inner and outer sections constitute the lower wall. The outer section extends above the flat central portion and ends in a channel which can fit onto the bead of an aerosol container. The flat central portion has at least one hole through it. The valve stem assembly contains a flat circular upper piece having holes corresponding to those in the mounting cup. The holes are the open top ends of chambers for springs and plungers. Valve stems are below the chamber. The lower wall of the mounting cup is crimped to hold the mounting cup to the valve stem assembly.
US08070011B2
A cover to be attached to a container having a mouth defined at an open end thereof. The cover includes a body having a plane surface defined at an upper end thereof and which is connected to a flap defined at a lower end of the body for sealingly engaging the mouth of the container. A semi-spherical shaped expansion chamber is positioned between and connecting the plane surface and the flap, and an inner trunk-conic wall abuts the plane surface and extends way from the plane surface and toward the mouth of the container. The inner trunk-conic wall terminates at a bottom wall, wherein the bottom wall extends transverse relative to a longitudinal axis of the cover; and an exhaust hole is defined in the bottom wall.
US08070010B2
A food cooking surface for a cooking appliance, a method of producing that surface and a method of cooking food with a cooking appliance having that food cooking surface. The food cooking surface is made of a metal alloy of zirconium and of at least another metal, the zirconium content is not less than 75 wt %. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the alloy contains less than 10 wt % of elements added to zirconium.
US08070008B2
A plug to hermetically seal an aperture in a sheetmetal, or in the floor of a vehicle, comprising, a cap covering the aperture and comprising an external, circumferential flange resting on one side of the sheetmetal or of the floor and fitted with a first circumferential seal, an affixation portion entering said aperture and, a second circumferential seal configured at the cap or at the affixation portion and being a distance from the first seal and resting against the sheetmetal or the said floor, a cavity being subtended by the sheetmetal or said floor, the two seals and at least one wall of the plug, where said plug, includes a pressure-compensating chamber, which communicates with the cavity and, which compensates a change in pressure, caused by a change in temperature, inside the cavity, by changing the volume of the pressure-compensating chamber.
US08070005B1
A molded thermoplastic tank for use as a septic tank or storage tank when buried in soil has a combination of transverse peak and valley corrugations in combination with one or more lengthwise peak corrugations, to provide in effect a molded-in beam structure. The lengthwise corrugations may be at the top, between spaced apart access ports, along the bottom. In one embodiment, the top has an H-shape pattern beam structure. In another embodiment separately formed plastic beams and or a combination of vertical and horizontal struts are inside the tank.
US08069999B2
A hanger, for suspending at least one object from a support, includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a cap extending from the top surface of the base. Further, packaging, having an upper and lower portion, at least partially encloses the base and at least partially encloses the at least one object for removably attaching the object to the base. The cap is removably engagable with the support and the hanger is removably attached to the at least one object by at least the packaging.
US08069989B1
A self-cleaning water filter system for removing particulate matter from water by producing scouring effect which pulls debris or particles off from a filter element when a fluid flow is produced across the filter element. The self-cleaning water filter system has a filter housing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an internal cavity. A water inlet tube, an exit tube and a water supply line are adapted to be connected to the filter housing. The filter element is positioned within the filter housing and can have a cylindrical or rectangular configuration. A pressure vessel is in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the filter housing. A pressurizable flexible chamber adapted to expand and contract due to the pressure in the filter housing is positioned inside the pressure vessel. At least one perforated flow tube is positioned in the filter housing adjacent to the filter element and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel.
US08069986B2
A blow molded plastic container is disclosed that includes a bottom portion, a top portion and a body portion. In an embodiment, the body portion includes side portions and includes at least one side portion that has a support protrusion extending therefrom. The top portion is connected to the body portion and includes a dispensing opening. The bottom portion is connected to the side portions. In an embodiment, when the container is positioned to rest on a surface on a side portion, the centerline axis of the dispensing opening is angled with respect to a plane formed by said surface. Embodiments of a container in which the side portion opposing the side support portion includes a receiving portion for receiving at least a portion of the support protrusion from a second similarly configured container are also disclosed.
US08069982B2
An array of disposable absorbent article configurations is provided comprising a sequence of designs corresponding to a wearer's stages of development. A merchandising system facilitates consumers' selection of an absorbent article configuration by appropriately matching an absorbent article configuration with a particular wearer's stage of development. The system includes indicia exhibiting pictorial representations of the absorbent article configurations fitted to wearer's at corresponding stages of development enabling a consumer to choose the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer.
US08069980B2
The present disclosure provides a package for a medical device containing a cavity for receiving the medical device, a first closure having a sealed portal therein and a second closure adjacent the first closure.
US08069977B2
The subject invention provides for a slider bed conveyor system that allows for lateral movement of a longitudinally moving conveyor of a fixed length. The system includes a first conveyor section having a first surface that extends between opposing first walls. A second conveyor section is operatively connected with the first conveyor section and includes a second surface that extends between opposing second walls. The first and second conveyor sections support the longitudinally moving conveyor and the second conveyor section is laterally moveable in relation to the first conveyor section.
US08069971B2
A bulk material handling system includes a bulk material handling apparatus to convey bulk material and a bulk material handling accessory to aid the bulk material handling apparatus in conveying the bulk material. The bulk material handling accessory includes a controller having one or more sensors. The controller generates a control signal to adjust operation of the bulk material handling accessory based upon at least one status signal of the one or more sensors. The controller also generates the control signal in accordance with a status signal to control signal response pattern defined by system parameter values. The system parameters include a minimum value to define a minimum level of the control signal associated with fail-safe operation and a maximum value to define a maximum level of the control signal associated with stable operation the bulk material handling accessory.
US08069969B2
A transport device for objects comprises a frame with a series of carriers that run mutually parallel and are pivotally coupled to an endless drivable moving track so as to enable displacement in a direction of displacement. At least some of the carriers comprise pusher shoes with guiding construction that are shiftable along the relevant carriers transversely of the direction of displacement using guide means arranged on the frame. The guiding construction comprises a guide pin with a guide body arranged thereon, wherein the guide pin comprises at least two portions of differing diameter, that the guide means comprise a guide channel in which the guide pin can engage, and that the depth of the guide channel progresses such that, at first engagement, the portion of the guide pin with the largest diameter engages in the guide channel, and with further engagement a portion with a smaller diameter.
US08069968B2
An apparatus for the discharge of an article, in particular of a flat mail item. A first conveyor device is able to transport the article in a primary transport path, a second conveyor device transports it in a branched transport path. A diverter is configured to leave the article either in the primary transport path or to discharge it into the branched transport path. A conveyor belt of the first conveyor device is guided around a roller. This roller is mounted onto the diverter. Thus a pivoting of the diverter from a standby position into a discharge position causes the roller and the conveyor belt resting upon the roller to be displaced perpendicular to the pivot axis of the diverter.
US08069964B2
A shock absorber includes a piston which has at least one compression fluid passage and at least one rebound fluid passage. A compression valve assembly closes the at least one compression passage and a rebound valve assembly closes the at least one rebound passage. An interconnecting passage connects the at least one compression fluid passage and the at least one rebound fluid passage to define an open flow path through the piston.
US08069959B2
An elevator includes a car follower associated with each of a pair of guide rails, and carrying electromagnets which are spaced from electromagnets on an elevator car. The electromagnets on the car and car follower create a repulsive force tending to center the car between the car follower electromagnets associated with the two guide rails. Preferably, the car follower electromagnets are interconnected into a single car follower such that they move together.
US08069958B2
An elevator (49) includes remote elevator monitoring equipment (50) (REM) connected by a communication linkage (52) to a central elevator monitoring and control station (51). Main, drive, and door controllers (56-58) are interconnected (5961) with the REM. Power-on-reset (POR) of controllers is caused internally (150) or by remotely-operable relays (63-65). An elevator expert at the remote station may order a POR (108), disable components (120), try various fixes (124), and/or order maintenance (115, 135) with instructions. In another embodiment, the controller (56a, 56b) includes elevator diagnostics (150) which can recognize an elevator malfunction and either cause a relay (63) to interrupt power for an interval or cause a reboot.
US08069956B2
An elevator governor capable of setting first overspeeds different between a rising time and a descending time by a simple configuration and at a low cost without the need for electric power supply from the outside. For this purpose, a weight that is moved in a predetermined direction by receiving a centrifugal force according to a travel speed at the rising time and the descending time of a car, an elastic body urged by movement of the weight having received the centrifugal force, and an actuating device actuates a stop switch when the weight having received the centrifugal force moves to a predetermined position against an urging force of the elastic body are provided, and also a switching device driven by the rising/descending operation of the car is provided. By the switching device, the length of the elastic body at the time when the actuating devices actuates the stop switch is switched to a length different according to the rising/descending direction of the car.
US08069948B2
Ladder configurations and components are provided including an outer rail assembly which is longitudinally adjustable relative to an inner rail assembly. The outer rail assembly may include a pair of spaced apart outer rails each fixedly coupled to an associated sleeve or sliding mechanism. Each sleeve is in turn slidably coupled to an inner rail of the inner rail assembly. The outer rails may be positioned and oriented at an acute angle relative to the inner rails so as to provide an increased base distance between the two outer rails. Support structures are also disclosed which are coupled at multiple locations along a rail member and at least one location of a rung. Additionally, ladder hinges are disclosed including hinge components configured to effectively transmit loads from associated rails. In one embodiment the hinge may include a pinch prevention mechanism.
US08069947B2
A sound attenuation canopy for reducing levels of sound passing through an opening comprises a sound absorbing member. The sound absorbing member is comprised of a flexible sound absorbing material and has a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. The first end is configured to attach to a periphery of the opening at a first location, the second end is configured to attach to a periphery of the opening at a second location and the intermediate portion is configured to be spaced apart from the opening. When the first end and the second end of the sound absorbing member are attached to the periphery of the opening, at least one side opening is at least partially defined by the intermediate portion and the perimeter of the opening, and a sound transmission flow path through open space between the opening and the side opening comprises at least one change of direction greater than 45 degrees.
US08069945B2
An apparatus (10) for use in turning steerable wheels of a vehicle (12) upon manual rotation of a steering wheel (14) comprises a front steering motor (36) coupled to a front steerable wheel (18) of the vehicle (12) for turning the front steerable wheel. A rear steering motor (66) is coupled to a rear steerable wheel (22) of the vehicle (12) for turning the rear steerable wheel. A position sensor (34) senses a rotational position of the steering wheel (14) and provides an output indicative of said rotational position. A controller (90) receives the output of the position sensor (34) and controls the front and rear steering motors (36, 66) to turn the front steerable wheel (22) in response to the output from the position sensor (34) indicating rotation of the steering wheel (14) in a first portion of a range of rotation of the steering wheel. The controller (90) also controls the front and rear steering motors (36, 66) to turn only the rear steerable wheel (22) in response to the output from the position sensor (34) indicating rotation of the steering wheel (14) in a second portion of the range of rotation of the steering wheel.
US08069936B2
Earth-boring tools and components thereof include a particle-matrix composite material having encapsulated diamond particles embedded within a matrix material. Diamonds in the particles comprise less than about 25% by volume of the composite material, the matrix material comprises less than about 50% by volume of the composite material, and encapsulant material surrounding the diamonds at least substantially comprises a remainder of the volume of the composite material. Methods of forming at least a portion of an earth-boring tool include embedding encapsulated diamond particles in a volume of matrix material to form a particle-matrix composite material. The composite material is formed in such a manner as to cause diamonds to comprise less than about 25% of the composite material, the matrix material to comprise less than about 50% of the composite material, and encapsulant material surrounding the diamonds to at least substantially comprise a remainder of the composite material.
US08069932B2
A method and apparatus for determining formation parameters including a seismic array for receiving seismic waves at plurality of depth simultaneously, thereby enabling a determination of a formation velocity by using a difference in the seismic waves received by the various portions of the array.
US08069931B2
A drill bit string has an internal steering module for measurement while drilling. A chassis is inserted into a modified drill collar from the axial end, rather than through the side. The chassis has external pockets machined into it from its outer diameter. The size of the longitudinally milled slots in the chassis is determined by the size of the components. The mud flow path is positioned off-center because of the component slots. The geometric shape of the flow path through the tool is shaped to optimize the flow area and maintain a wall thickness that can withstand the mud pressure. The wall thickness surrounding the flow area is proportional to the maximum hydrostatic pressure and the circulation pressure.
US08069923B2
A positive displacement wellbore servicing pump having a power end and a fluid end is disclosed. The fluid end has a main chamber and a suction bore in fluid connection with the main chamber and the suction bore has a suction central axis vector. A discharge bore is in fluid connection with the main chamber and the discharge bore has a discharge central axis vector. A portion of the suction central axis vector is vertically higher than any portion of the discharge central axis vector. A method of providing a wellbore servicing fluid to a wellbore is also disclosed. A method of providing a wellbore servicing fluid to a fluid end of a positive displacement pump is also disclosed.
US08069919B2
A system for monitoring a location of a borehole for production of petroleum from an earth formation is provided. The system includes: an assembly including at least one of an injection conduit for injecting a thermal source into the formation and a production conduit for recovering material including the petroleum from the formation; a guide conduit attached to at least a portion of the at least one of the injection conduit and the production conduit, the guide conduit extending in a direction at least substantially parallel to the at least one of the injection conduit and the production conduit; and a detection source conduit insertable through the guide conduit and configured to dispose therein a detection source for detecting a location of the assembly in the formation. A method of monitoring a location of a borehole for production of petroleum from an earth formation is also provided.
US08069913B2
A method of monitoring acoustic activity in a formation from a wellbore includes positioning a flow manipulation device into the wellbore, the flow manipulation device defining a flow path through which fluid may flow. Fluid is then pumped into the wellbore and through the manipulation device. A sensor disposed near the manipulation device is then coupled to the formation, the formation is fractured with fluid, and acoustic events in the formation are detected with the sensor.
US08069912B2
A heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger may have a conduit configured to conduct a fluid and at least one body of metal foam surrounding the conduit. The at least one body of metal foam may have a radially inner portion, a radially outer portion, and a radially intermediate portion between the radially inner portion and the radially outer portion. The at least one body of metal foam may have a lower percentage of void space at the radially outer portion as compared to the radially intermediate portion.
US08069903B2
A continuous casting furnace for producing metal ingots includes a molten seal which prevents external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber. A startup sealing assembly allows an initial seal to be formed to prevent external atmosphere from entering the melting chamber prior to the formation of the molten seal.
US08069900B2
Pipe-in-pipe composite tubular structure having between layers a hardenable filling material associating the layers to enhance the structure mechanical performance mostly in collapse. Prior to harden the filling material, the composite tubular structure can be longitudinally deployable between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, and has a radial dimension increasing between the folded configuration and the deployed configuration. Such structure is well fitted to be used in oil-well downhole structure and casings or underwater pipeline/flowline.
US08069897B2
The invention concerns a fast door comprising: a structure having in particular two posts (3) in each of which is provided a slide rail (16) and a transverse lintel-forming element (4), and a flexible curtain (12) connected to the structure at the lintel-forming element (4) via electromechanical means controlling the lowering and lifting of the curtain (12), the curtain (12) incorporating at least one flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) inserted in receiving means provided in the curtain (12), the flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29) capable of being engaged at its ends in each of the slide rails (16) and capable of bending to be released at least from one rail (16) without being subjected to permanent deformation which would impair the operation of the door once reinstalled in its rails. The door further includes means for detecting any contact with the curtain associated with at least one flexible reinforcing bar (13, 29), the detecting means capable of having a normal operating condition when the bar (13, 29) is rectilinear and an abnormal operating condition under the effect of a contact with the curtain (12).
US08069886B1
A capsule preparation system includes a syringe holder for retaining a syringe, the syringe holder configured for operating a plunger of the syringe, a supply vial for storing a volume of radiopharmaceutical, and a capsule holder for capturing a capsule wherein the capsule holder is configured for selectively releasing the capsule from the capsule holder. At least a portion of the syringe holder is movable along a first direction and a second direction to position the syringe relative to the supply vial and the capsule.
US08069878B2
A hand-held dispenser for precisely controlling the flow rate of water therethrough and for injecting a liquid chemical into the water passing through the apparatus.
US08069877B2
A flush valve according to the present disclosure includes a pressure compensating device for toilet and urinals to ensure consistent flush and bowl refill volumes. Certain flush volume limits may required for compliance with federal, state and local regulations regarding water usage. The flush valve can adjust water flow rates within the prescribed water usage limits and does not sacrifice the toilet's bowl washing and waste removal capabilities.
US08069874B2
An assembly and method for tapping into a pressurized tubular that is adapted for use in a subsea environment via a diver or remotely operated vehicle. The assembly includes a tapping tool connectable to the tubular via a saddle connection.
US08069873B2
A bypass assembly is provided for preventing unwanted liquids from collecting within fuel gas risers, exiting such risers and contaminating fuel gas systems. A conduit extends from a riser vessel to a natural gas flow line. An insert extends from the bypass line into the natural gas flow line. As production flows through the flow line and insert, a suction force is created that draws liquids from the riser into the conduit and, ultimately, back into the flow line system.
US08069864B2
A hair retaining clip includes a first claw portion, and a second claw portion pivotally connected to the first claw portion. A primary hinge may provide the pivotal connection between the first claw portion and the second claw portion, aligned along a primary hinge axis. At least one deployable handle extends from one of the first claw portion and the second claw portion, and may be movable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration.
US08069850B2
A fluid dispenser device including at least one individual reservoir (21) containing a single dose of fluid, such as powder, opening means (40) being provided for opening an individual reservoir (21) each time the device is actuated, the device including a dispenser chamber (70) for receiving the dose of fluid contained in a reservoir (21) after said reservoir has been opened, an inhalation endpiece (15), and an inhalation trigger system that comprises a deformable air-chamber (61) that co-operates with said dispenser chamber (70), said dispenser chamber being displaceable between a rest position and an inhalation position, such that during inhalation through said inhalation endpiece (15), said air chamber (61) is deformed, thereby displacing said dispenser chamber from said rest position to said inhalation position.
US08069838B2
Systems, methods and a processor are provided for adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine. The systems, methods and processor include adjusting the spark timing of an internal combustion engine configured to power a vehicle toward peak torque timing based on an output of a longitudinal acceleration sensor configured to sense a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle.
US08069837B2
An intake control device for an internal combustion engine includes an intake air induction duct, a housing, a valve, and a gasket. The housing is received in a receiving chamber of the intake air induction duct. The valve is received in the housing for opening and closing an intake passage defined in the housing. The gasket is mounted on one of (a) a position between the intake air induction duct and the attachment surface, and (b) a position between the housing and a wall surface of the receiving chamber. The housing opposes the attachment surface and is spaced from the attachment surface by a predetermined clearance. The gasket has an elastic deformation portion that is positioned between the housing and the attachment surface.
US08069835B2
The present disclosure provides an internal combustion engine having an engine housing with at least one cylinder that has diameter less than about 3 inches. A fuel injector is provided and disposed at least partially within the at least one cylinder, and includes a plurality of outlet orifices having a diameter between about 50 microns and about 125 microns, or about 0.05 millimeters and about 0.125 millimeters. The injector may include more than one set of separately controllable fuel outlet orifices, at least one of which could have an average diameter between about 0.05 millimeters and about 0.125 millimeters. The disclosure further provides a method of operating an internal combustion engine. The method includes the steps of rotating an engine crank shaft of the engine at a speed greater than about 5000 revolutions per minute, injecting a quantity of fuel into each of the cylinders, and burning at least every fourth piston stroke a sufficient quantity of the injected fuel to yield a brake mean effective pressure of at least about 200 lbs. per square inch.
US08069833B2
A piston 2 includes a piston upper body 8 made up of a crown portion 3 for receiving combustion pressure and a land portion 7 having piston ring grooves 4, 5, and 6, as well as a skirt portion 9 formed on the lower side of the piston upper body 8, and a pin boss portion 11 for supporting a piston pin 10. The land portion 7 also includes an outer peripheral surface 16 of the aforementioned piston upper body 8. The land portion 7 is referred to as the outer peripheral surface 16 of the piston upper body 8. In the piston 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a thrust side, and reference numeral 13 denotes an anti-thrust side. The piston 2 is formed such that the piston upper body 8 is off-centered toward the anti-thrust side 13 with respect to a center line 14 of the piston 2.
US08069829B2
A method for operating a vehicle, the vehicle including an internal combustion engine coupled in the vehicle, the engine having at least one cylinder with an intake and an exhaust valve, where the opening and closing timing of the intake valve is adjustably retardable and the opening and closing timing of the exhaust valve is adjustably retardable via camshaft adjustments, during engine operation, an energy conversion device coupled in the vehicle capable of selectively supplying and absorbing torque during vehicle operation, and a transmission, the method comprising: adjustably retarding intake valve opening timing and intake valve closing timing from piston top dead center; and adjusting operation of the transmission and the energy conversion device to maintain engine speed sufficient to enable adjustment of said intake and exhaust valve timing.
US08069827B2
A drive component for driving an electric water pump for causing engine coolant to flow is mounted in an engine compartment. When the ignition is off and the temperature of a exhaust heat recovery device is above a temperature, an ECU estimates a peak temperature in the engine compartment after the stop of the engine. When the peak temperature is above a temperature, the ECU stops the engine and drives the electric water pump and an electric fan for cooling the drive component for driving the electric water pump.
US08069819B2
Methods and systems provide for incubating a plurality of eggs at least partially at a primary incubation location and then incubating the plurality of eggs (e.g., a plurality of single sex eggs sorted from the plurality of eggs) at least partially during transport to a secondary location.
US08069810B2
An attachment device with a whistle comprises a securing device of a flexible joining strap and a release button, the assembly being housed in a hollow body made from plastic material. The hollow body is injection molded in a single part being subdivided into a first compartment housing the whistle and a second compartment housing the release button and a securing jaw. The latter is composed of a first jamming surface integral to the movable release button and a fixed second jamming surface molded together with the body, said part being open molded by means of a stop valve joined to the body of the compartment by a hinge.
US08069805B2
A mooring chain connector assembly for a floating device), such as for example a FPSO vessel or a floating offshore structure, is described, the connector assembly comprising a chain connector having a first pivot axis and a coupler for coupling a mooring chain to the chain connector. The assembly further comprises a channel assembly attached to the floating device. The channel assembly have an upper end and a lower end, wherein mooring chain locking device is provided at the upper end of the channel assembly. The channel assembly extends in the floating device from its bottom side to a higher level in the floating device which can be located above sea surface. A bearing location for the first pivot axis of the chain connector is provided at the lower end of the channel assembly. The chain connector is movable in the channel assembly and a hoist is provided to move the chain connector between a first position, in which the first pivot axis is located in the bearing location of the channel assembly and a second position above the channel assembly, in which the coupler of the chain connector is accessible.
US08069783B2
A printing screen, comprising a sheet, at least sections of at least one pair of opposite edges of which are folded such as to define attachment elements, and a printing screen unit including at least one pair of interface members attachable to the attachment elements at the at least one pair of opposite edges of the sheet.
US08069765B2
A method and apparatus for converting a portable band saw to an upright stationary table band saw includes a stand having a base, at least one vertically extending side wall, and a top. A work piece support surface can include an opening through which one run of a closed loop saw blade of the portable band saw can pass when the portable band saw is mounted in a supporting relationship with respect to the stand. A switch mounted on the stand operates the portable band saw independent of the finger trigger on the handle. The on/off switch is connected to a plug engaged by the portable band saw when mounted in the stand. The plug is engagable within a socket of the band saw and is electrically connected to bypass the finger trigger of the portable band saw and to create a circuit through the on/off switch.
US08069755B2
The present application is directed to devices and methods for cutting a spinal implant. In one embodiment, the device includes a handle and a head. The handle is sized to receive a predetermined length of the implant. A head is rotatably attached to the handle and includes a blade. After the implant is inserted into the handle, the head is rotated causing the blade to move around the implant and cut an excessive length from the predetermined length.
US08069750B2
A compact vehicle pedal includes a mounting bracket having a lower arm with guide slot. A swing plate having a mounting face and upper arm with guide slot is pivotally interconnected to a mounting bracket upper arm at a first axis by a pivot pin disposed within the swing plate guide slot, and the swing plate upper end has a first degree of freedom. An electronically controlled pedal arm assembly is mounted on the swing plate. A screw member connected to a drive apparatus has an end connected to the swing plate and operatively connected to the mounting bracket slot at the second axis, and the swing plate lower end has a second degree of freedom that is greater than the first. Activation of the drive apparatus displaces the screw member to pivotally constrain movement of the swing plate about the first axis and the second axis.
US08069747B2
A robotic arm comprising a plurality of segments, each comprising articulated links, and means for causing each segment to bend so the arm can follow a serpentine path. A helical spring is provided coaxially with the arm to urge the links to an initial datum position, and to distribute the bending over the links of each segment.
US08069740B2
A screw mounting hole and a female screw part are formed in a bearing part of a gear cover, and the screw insertion hole is formed in the idle shaft. The idle shaft is fixed to the gear cover by inserting a fixing screw through the screw mounting hole and screwing it into the female screw part through the screw insertion hole. A positioning groove in a predetermined position in relation to the screw insertion hole is formed in the end face of the idle shaft. When the positioning groove is disposed perpendicularly to an engine mounting surface and the idle shaft is fitted to the gear cover, the screw mounting hole is opposed to the screw insertion hole and, when the fixing screw is fitted, the confirmation of hole positions and the aligning of holes can be eliminated.
US08069731B2
A service gauge for determining refrigerant pressure and the saturated vapor equivalent temperature, or other parameters, for a refrigerant in an HVAC system. In one embodiment, the service gauge employs a bourdon tube with at least one attached strain gauge to sense the refrigerant pressure and produce an electronic pressure signal. In another embodiment, a magnet and rotary position sensor produces an electronic signal proportional to the refrigerant pressure. The electronic pressure signal from the output of the strain gauge or the rotary position sensor is connected to a microprocessor, which calculates and displays the refrigerant pressure, the saturated vapor equivalent temperature for a variety of refrigerants, produces instantaneous and time lapsed representations of those parameters, and other parameters of the refrigerant.
US08069724B2
Filling level indicator having an explosion-proof housing comprising a glass and a metallic frame, wherein the glass is fused into the frame.
US08069710B2
A remote fueling system is provided. The system comprises a wellbore servicing equipment unit comprising an internal combustion engine, a fuel tank coupled to the internal combustion engine, a fuel distribution channel, a fuel level sensor component, a fuel level indicator, and a fuel level indicator control box. The wellbore servicing equipment is mounted on a trailer upon which the wellbore servicing equipment is transported to the wellbore. The fuel level sensor component senses a fuel level inside the fuel tank. The fuel level indicator indicates a fuel level status of the fuel tank to remote fueling personnel at a standoff distance. The fuel level indicator control box is coupled to the fuel level sensor component and to the fuel level indicator and commands the indication presented by the fuel level indicator based on the fuel level inside the fuel tank sensed by the fuel level sensor component.
US08069705B2
An underground storage system includes a primary containment unit and a secondary containment unit arranged to sealingly encompass the primary containment unit. The underground storage system further includes a leak detection system which is fluidly connected to the secondary containment system, and which is adapted to detect fluid leaks in the primary containment system and the secondary containment system.
US08069703B1
A new method for the semi-continuous detection of heavy metals and metalloids including mercury in gaseous streams. The method entails mass measurement of heavy metal oxides and metalloid oxides with a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor having an uncoated substrate. An array of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors can be used where each sensor is for the semi-continuous emission monitoring of a particular heavy metal or metalloid.
US08069688B2
Methods of fabricating improved gemstones and gemstones thus obtained are described. Roughness is introduced on facets of a gemstone through application of nanometer and/or micrometer sized features, to provide the facets with a hazy white-colored appearance. Alternatively, millimeter-sized reflective features can be applied on the facets, to form a gemstone with improved scintillation or play of light.
US08069685B2
Provided is an air conditioning system comprised of a plurality of indoor units connected to each other in parallel, each having an expansion valve, and an outdoor unit including a plurality of compressors, in which at least one of the compressors provided to the outdoor unit is a capacity modulation compressor including an electromotive driving unit for driving a plurality of compression units capable of selectively compressing a working fluid, and the electromotive driving unit for the capacity modulation compressor has a stator with a coil wound around thereon and a rotor rotating inside the stator, the rotor being an LSPRM including a rotor core, flux barriers, permanent magnets and conductive bars.
US08069683B2
A refrigerant system has at least one unloader valve selectively communicating refrigerant between the compressor compression chambers and a point upstream of the evaporator. When the compressor is run in unloaded mode, partially compressed refrigerant is returned to a point upstream of the evaporator. In an unloaded mode, a higher refrigerant mass flow rate passes through the evaporator, as compared to prior art where the by-passed refrigerant was returned downstream of the evaporator. This increases system efficiency by more effectively returning oil which otherwise might be left in the evaporator back to the compressor. Also, the amount of refrigerant superheat entering the compressor in unloaded operation is reduced as compared to the prior art compressor systems, wherein the by-passed refrigerant is returned directly to the compressor suction line. Reduced refrigerant superheat increases system efficiency, improves motor performance and reduces compressor discharge temperature. Also, by moving the unloader line further away from the compressor, the compressor replacement is simplified as there is no connecting unloader line directly in front of the compressor.
US08069682B2
An air conditioner performs a refrigerant quantity judging operation to judge the refrigerant quantity in a refrigerant circuit, and includes a heat source unit, utilization units, expansion mechanisms, a first refrigerant gas pipe, a second refrigerant gas pipe, a refrigerant liquid pipe, switching mechanisms, a temperature detector, and a controller. The heat source unit includes a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger. The first refrigerant gas pipe is connected to the discharge side of the compressor. The switching mechanism can switch between a first state and a second state. The temperature detector is mounted on the first refrigerant gas pipe, and configured to detect a refrigerant temperature on the first refrigerant gas pipe side and output a refrigerant temperature detection value. The controller corrects the refrigerant quantity judged by a refrigerant quantity judging operation based on the refrigerant temperature detection value.
US08069669B2
A combustion chamber which is fitted with a separator disposed between the radially inner wall of the chamber and the inner flange of the chamber is disclosed. The separator includes a tubular portion and a fastener portion. The tubular portion is centered on the main axis of the combustion chamber, with the upstream end thereof being situated upstream from orifices in the radially inner wall of the chamber. The fastener portion is secured to the combustion chamber. The tubular portion splits the flow of air running along the radially inner wall into an inner air flow passing between the tubular portion and the inner flange of the chamber, and an outer air flow passing between the radially inner wall and the tubular portion.
US08069656B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an internal combustion engine system comprising an engine, an oxidation catalyst, and a particulate filter, the method comprising: determining if the outlet temperature of exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst is below a first temperature, measuring the time that the outlet temperature of exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst is below the first temperature, determining if the measured time has exceeded a first time period, and if so, elevating the temperature of the exhaust gas exiting the oxidation catalyst.
US08069647B2
An external jet nozzle mixer includes identically formed lobes. The external mixer works with the internal mixer further to mix the engine internal bypass flow with the internal jet engine core flow to level the disparate flow velocities, to reduce the peak velocities from the jet engine core and increase the lower bypass velocities of the engine internal bypass flow, and thereby reduce noise. The internal lobe contours act as lifting flutes, causing mixing of the primary hot and cold flows to mix before exiting the nozzle. The external lobe contours act as venturi chutes, accelerating the cooler ambient secondary air flow. The lobes thus act collectively as an injector to force the cooler ambient secondary flow into the previously mixed primary flow as it exits the nozzle. Also obtained is an increased thrust efficiency and, consequently, decreased fuel consumption and engine emissions.
US08069646B2
A pressure vessel bypass valve forms a bypass system for enabling a part of the air compressed by a compressor to directly flow into a combustor while preventing the part of the air from flowing through a humidification tower and a recuperator. A turbine bypass valve forms another bypass system for enabling a part of a humidified air to be discharged to an exhaust duct after a heat exchange between the humidified air and a turbine exhaust gas is performed in the recuperator while preventing the part of the humidified air from flowing through a turbine. A turbine control system controls the bypass valves to be opened and closed in accordance with increase and decrease of the load.
US08069642B2
A yarn, fabric, and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection and having improved flash fire protection, consisting essentially of (a) 50 to 60 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%; (b) 31 to 39 weight percent modacrylic fiber; and (c) 5 to 15 weight percent para-aramid fiber; said percentages on the basis of components (a), (b), and (c). In some embodiments, 1 to 3 weight percent of the meta-aramid fiber is replaced with an antistatic fiber comprising carbon or metal with the proviso that at least 50 weight percent meta-aramid fiber is maintained. Garments made from the yarns provide thermal protection such that a wearer would experience less than a 65 percent predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire exposure of 4 seconds per ASTM F1930, while maintaining a Category 2 arc rating per ASTM F1959 and NFPA 70E.
US08069639B2
A mower is provided that includes a height-adjuster assembly that adjustably connects the ground engaging wheel to the housing of the mower at an adjustable height from the ground. The height-adjuster assembly includes a bracket fixed to the housing, an arm, a sleeve, a wheel mount, a pin, and a handle. The arm is rotatably mounted relative to the housing and the bracket about a pivot point. The sleeve is fixed to the arm for rotation with the arm relative to the housing and the bracket about the pivot point. A handle overlays the pin and the sleeve. The handle is configured to be grasped by a user for movement along a first direction to move the pin from a first position into a second position. Upon reaching the second position, the handle and the sleeve can be rotated to rotate the ground engaging wheel relative to the housing.
US08069638B2
A baler for making large cylindrical modules of cotton includes an expansible module-forming chamber comprising a plurality of module-forming belts that are supported in side-by-side relationship across a plurality of fixed and movable belt support rolls. The module-forming chamber includes a fixed front section and a movable rear section in the form of a discharge gate mounted to an upper rear location of the front section for pivoting between a lowered baling position and a raised discharge position. Located at the bottom of the baling chamber between a bottom fixed belt support roll and a lower front roll of the lowered discharge gate is an inlet through which cotton passes into the module-forming chamber. A module wrapping arrangement is carried on the discharge gate for selectively feeding a length of plastic sheet material into the inlet for being wrapped about the circumference of a cotton module formed in the chamber. Located within the inlet in front of the lower front gate roll is a rake-like cotton bunching eliminator which operates to prevent cotton from bunching prior to being fed onto the circumference of a rotating cotton module during the operation of wrapping the module, thus eliminating the formation of lumps on the circumference of the module.
US08069632B2
An integrally assembled changeable framework connector used for a spatial structure includes a framework, a predetermined quantity of protruded connecting bases and a specific quantity of positioning element. The framework is a predetermined shaped axial rod, which acts as a main body of the whole connector. The protruded connecting base has a specific quantity of protruding bodies extended in different positions and directions and disposed on a predetermined shaped base body and along the peripheral surface of the framework, and fixed onto the framework by a positioning element to form a connector used for connecting various different spatial structures in any direction and position. An axial pipe and a lateral connecting element are used for connecting the connectors to form the spatial structure. The shapes of the framework, the protruded connecting base and the positioning element can be changed to fit the shape and the connection of the spatial structure.
US08069620B2
To form a new structurally suspended slab or to raise an existing slab for a structural foundation, structural supports are placed in the ground. The structural supports are attached to lifting assemblies, which are also installed in the slab. Actuation of the lifting assembly allows the slab to be raised and/or lowered, thereby forming a suspended slab over a void of a desired size. Existing slabs may be repaired using similar techniques.
US08069619B1
A vented gutter system includes a gutter hanger and a ventilation strip. The gutter hanger preferably includes a lengthwise support, a plurality of hanger members and a plurality of mounting plates. Each hanger member includes a roof attachment leg and a fascia attachment member. Each mounting plate is attached to a single fascia attachment member. The plurality of mounting plates may be replaced with a single lengthwise mounting plate. The plurality of hanger members are attached to the lengthwise support. The ventilation strip is retained at a bottom of the plurality of hanger members. A vented fascia system preferably includes a rear plate, a roof flange, at least two bracket spacers, a fascia plate and a ventilation strip. The roof flange and rear plate are secured to the bracket spacers. The ventilation strip and the fascia plate are also secured to the bracket spacers.
US08069618B2
A sterilization plant for the sterilization of surgical instruments is provided. The plant includes at least one original building (1) having at least one first process line that extends, at least partly, essentially parallel to a first one (2) of the essentially limiting external walls (2, 3, 4, 5) of the original building (1). The sterilization plant further includes at least one extension module (31) located next to and, at least partly, essentially parallel to the first external wall (2). Also provided are an extension module (31) and a method of increasing the capacity of a sterilization plant.
US08069612B2
A mullion assembly (10) includes a top mounting block (92) attached to a top beam (24) of a door frame (22). A bottom mounting block (108) is mounted on a floor (20) spaced from the top beam (24) in a vertical direction. A post (40) is detachably mounted between top and bottom mounting blocks (92, 108). A brace (50) is mounted to a lower end (44) of the post (40). A positioning rod (172) is mounted to the brace (50) and moveable between a locking position and an unlocking position to lock the post (40) between the top and bottom mounting blocks (92, 108). An anchoring rod (214) is mounted to the brace (50) and moveable between an anchoring position and a non-anchoring position, allowing further locking of the post (40) between the top and bottom mounting blocks (92, 108) when the mullion assembly (10) is exposed to a fire.
US08069609B1
A floral arrangement assembly for efficiently creating a customizable arrangement of flowers and vases. The floral arrangement assembly generally includes a base unit having a plurality of receptacles, a plurality of tubular members removably positioned within the plurality of receptacles, a plurality of vessels positioned within the plurality of tubular members, and a plurality of retainers for securing the plurality of vessels to the plurality of tubular members. The tubular members and vessels are retained in a substantially upright position. The vessels are adapted to receive and retain a plurality of decorative flowers. The assembly may also be used without the base unit in one embodiment or without the vessels and retainers in another embodiment. The tubular members may additionally hold a plurality of decorative objects below the vessels for added décor. Further, a light may be positioned below the tubular members within the base unit for illuminating the assembly.
US08069608B1
A mushroom compost compacting system and method includes a roller assembly mounted to a compost receptacle to form a nip, and a web or conveyor to convey mushroom compost to the nip. Mushroom compost is compacted at the nip from an initial compost height to a final compost height. The roller assembly has a roller, a shaft, and fixtures coupled to each end of the shaft. The fixtures are adjustable to define the roller nip height. In one embodiment, the fixtures are mounted to sleeves that engage the sidewalls of the compost receptacle. In another embodiment, the ends of the fixtures are mounted to a support, which may be a joist or a separate channel extending under the floor portion of the compost receptacle, or which may be a post that forms support structure for the compost receptacle.
US08069607B2
A front sight has a main body, a sight post body carrier, and a sight post body. The main body has an engagement structure for having a sight post body carrier movably engaged therewith and has a mounting structure for being attached to a weapon. The sight post body carrier is moveably engaged with the engagement structure of the main body in a manner allowing the sight post body carrier to be selectively translated at least partially along a length of the engagement structure and limiting unrestricted movement of the sight post body carrier in other directions. The sight post body includes a plurality of different length sight posts. The sight post body is moveably mounted on the sight post body carrier in a manner allowing each one of the sight posts to be selectively moved to a sight post use position with respect to the main body.
US08069606B1
This tool makes it possible to more conveniently handle the “selector” element on a conventional M16/M4 family weapon when the selector must be removed or reinserted. As will be appreciated by those in the gun repair trade, in the disassembly or reassembly of such weapons the handling of the selector element is a tricky and painstaking activity. This disclosed tool handily is an assist in such activities. The tool is inserted in the opening in the receiver of the selector element and rotated. An offset circular cam means on the tool when rotated will handily depress the detent element (which necessarily must be done and it also has a spring beneath it). A bumper end cap at the distal end of the tool will carefully engage the selector element to gently push on it if needed (or in the reverse operation for the tool to be gently backed away there from as the selector is repositioned into the weapon). A longitudinal groove on the cam means will signal to the user when the proper rotation has been achieved to adequately depress said detent element.
US08069600B2
A bolt for a firearm is described that can be used to chamber, extract, and/or eject different cartridges that have different outside rim diameters. In one embodiment, the bolt includes a bolt head that is configured to engage the rearward end of a plurality of different cartridges. The bolt may include an extractor that is configured to engage the rims of the plurality of cartridges and/or an ejector that is configured to bias the cartridge case out of an ejection port of the firearm.
US08069590B2
A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade having a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting upright includes a limiting member that limits upward movement of the retention member when the plow blade is in a working orientation such that the retention member is secured on the mounting upright. The preferred snow plow may also include an attachment member located on the mounting apparatus, wherein the plow blade retention member may be removably secured within the attachment member when the plow blade is in a non-working orientation.
US08069588B2
An article of footwear comprising a sliding eyelet apparatus comprising a flexible track comprising at least one groove and at least one track, and a lace carrier comprising a lever comprising at least one tooth to engage said groove, a spring; and a slider comprising a rail to engage said flexible track.
US08069585B2
The shoe, has a shoe upper part and a sole. The sole has a supporting part, which is designed for receiving the heel region of the wearer's foot and is connected to the shoe upper part, and a sole element, which is connected to the supporting part. In order to improve the damping behavior of the shoe, the supporting part and the sole element are spaced apart from each other, in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The connection between the supporting part and the sole element is preformed at two spaced-apart points in such a way as to form, under the heel region of the wearer's foot, a gap. The gap extends at least in portions over the entire width of the sole. The sole element, in the rear end region of the shoe, is connected to the supporting part.
US08069582B2
A dryer includes a cabinet; a drum rotatably mounted inside the cabinet; a front panel provided between the cabinet and the drum; a valve provided inside the cabinet to control supply and cutoff of gas and an amount of the supplied gas; a fixing piece for mounting the valve on one side thereof; and a bracket coupled to the other side of the fixing piece.
US08069580B2
A measuring device for determining a position and/or a speed includes a scale having marks arranged at spacings from one another, and a scanning head, with the scale and the scanning head being arranged for movement relative to one another along a movement direction. The scanning head is constructed to determine a first spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a first one of the marks, and a second spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a second one of the marks, with the position and/or the speed being determined on the basis of the first spacing and the second spacing.
US08069572B2
The invention relates to a hand machine-tool, especially electrical shears, comprising a housing (13) provided with a tool head (14) and a grip part (15), an electric motor (18) arranged in the housing (13), a switch (22) for the electric motor (18), and a drive shaft (16) mounted in the tool head (14), transversally to the housing axis. The drive shaft can be driven by the electric motor (18) by means of a transmission (19). The hand machine-tool also comprises a rotary tool (11) that can be fixed to the drive shaft (16). The aim of the invention is to create a compact, structurally small and lightweight hand machine-tool for work without generating fatigue. To this end, a small-volume, rechargeable energy accumulator, preferably a lithium ion accumulator (20), which feeds the electric motor (18) and has a high charging capacity, is arranged in the grip part, together with an electronic plate (21) and the switch. The transmission (19) and at least part of the electric motor (18) are arranged in the tool head (14).
US08069565B2
A method of forming a nozzle chamber of a printhead includes steps of forming a first laminate of sacrificial layers on a substrate, the first laminate of sacrificial layers being formed as a ring on the substrate; photoimaging the first laminate of sacrificial layers to cause edges thereof to angle inwards, forming an approximate trapezoidal cross-section; depositing a TiN layer over the first laminate of sacrificial layer and the substrate, the TiN layer being inclined at portions deposited over the inwardly angled edges; etching the TiN layer to form a paddle and a nozzle chamber rim, the paddle incorporating an inner inclined portion and the nozzle chamber rim incorporating a complementary outer inclined portion, the paddle and nozzle rim defining an aperture therebetween; and removing the one or more sacrificial layers.
US08069558B2
A method for manufacturing a substrate having built-in components prevents a short circuit caused by the spread of solder or conductive adhesive. Land regions to connect a circuit component and a wetting prevention region surrounding the land regions are formed on one primary surface of a metal foil. Terminal electrodes of the circuit component are electrically connected to the land regions using solder, and an uncured resin is disposed on and pressure bonded to the metal foil and the circuit component, so that a resin layer in which the circuit component is embedded is formed. Subsequently, a wiring pattern is formed by processing the metal foil. The wetting prevention region is a region obtained by roughening or oxidizing one primary surface of the metal foil so as to reduce solder wettability.
US08069556B2
A cable harness production system includes an electronic controller and at least one installation plate to which a plurality of mounting stations is fastened. Each of the mounting stations supports a receptacle for a functional element, which is directly connected to at least one cable harness or is shaped as a cable installation aid, such as a fork. In at least one mounting station, at least one electronic transmitter is integrated with a test sensor which can be activated by the mounting of a functional element, or by the insertion of a cable into the cable installation aid, so that a test message, as an electric wave, can be emitted and can be received and evaluated by the electronic controller.
US08069551B2
A method for handling a stator bar at a stator bar facility having a stator bar workstation, an in-ground pit proximate to and at an elevation below the workstation and a stator bar transport proximate to the in-ground pit including: loading the stator bar onto the stator bar transport; turning the stator bar at least 45 degrees in a vertical plane; positioning at least a third of a length of the stator bar down into the in-ground pit, aligning a first end of the bar with the workstation, and turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, such that a second end of the bar is aligned with the workstation.
US08069549B2
A quartz crystal device includes a crystal resonator element and a package including a plurality of components. The plurality of components are bonded using a metal paste sealing material containing a metallic particle having an average particle size from 0.1 to 1.0 μm, an organic solvent, and a resin material in proportions of from 88 to 93 percent by weight from 5 to 15 percent by weight, and from 0.01 to 4.0 percent by weight, respectively, to hermetically seal the crystal resonator element in the package.
US08069547B2
A method of manufacturing an installation-ready pipe coupling is disclosed. The method includes providing pipe coupling segments each having an initial radius of curvature and an initial subtended angle. The segments are each deformed so as to take a permanent set and have a final radius of curvature greater than the initial radius of curvature and a final subtended angle smaller than the initial subtended angle. The deformed segments are assembled in end-to-end relation using adjustably tightenable fasteners to form a coupling. The deformed segments are maintained in spaced relation so that pipe elements can be inserted between them without disassembly of the coupling.
US08069544B2
A retraction tool for removing the shank of a tool holder from a base block mounting includes an elongate threaded member having a hook threaded on one end thereof. The hook has a hook end for holding to the forward end of a tool holder. A hammer moveable along the length of the elongate member impacts against said stop for pulling said tool holder from said base block mounting.
US08069541B2
The invention relates to a device for needling a nonwoven web having on the base thereof at least one needle bar comprising a needle board having a plurality of needles. The needle bar is held by a bar carrier on which a vertical drive engages for oscillating motion of the bar carrier for an up and down movement. A superimposed horizontal drive is also associated with the bar carrier, by which a back-and-forth movement is induced. The horizontal drive has two eccentric drives coupled to a horizontal guide. The eccentric drives are each formed by a connecting rod and a crankshaft coupled to a connecting head of the connecting rod. According to the invention, the connecting rods are coupled to the horizontal guide with the connecting rod ends thereof in a diagonal orientation, the center axes of the connecting rods forming an angle.
US08069540B2
A strapping system including a strap having opposite first and second faces carrying first and second arrays of touch fastening elements respectively and a buckle assembly releasably attached to one end of the strap and defining an opening sized to receive an opposite end of the strap. The buckle assembly includes a buckle and an attachment portion coupled to the buckle, the attachment portion having opposing surfaces that releasably engage the touch fastening elements on the first and second faces of the strap, respectively, to releasably secure the buckle to the strap, wherein the strap includes touch fastening elements engageable with other touch fastening elements of the strapping system when the buckle assembly attached to the strap to secure the strapping system about an object.
US08069532B2
Method and apparatus for forming a grommet assembly to seal and reinforce holes through a cured in place liner for securing a cable. A first grommet base having a centrally located aperture with wedge shaped grooves is positioned on one side of the hole. A barrel having two opposed sets of wedge shaped projections is inserted into the grommet base and a second grommet base is placed on the barrel and pushed towards the liner until the second base firmly contacts the top surface of the liner and compresses the liner against the first base. The wedge shaped projections on the barrel and the complimentary grooves in the central apertures of the grommet bases prevent the barrel from being pulled out of either grommet base. The end of the barrel which projects out above the second base is cut off flush with the top surface. A hydraulic press to install the grommet assembly is also disclosed.
US08069526B2
An over-the-hand cleaning device is described herein that comprises at least one finger portion, a cleaning surface and a rotatable member including at least one cleaning tool.
US08069524B2
A brush head, in particular a toothbrush, with a base carrier (1) formed from a soft elastic material in which connecting elements comprising separate support rings (2) separated from one another and bearing a plurality of bristle tufts (4) are embedded, each of the rings having a bristle tuft threaded through. Preferably the bristle tuft can move axially in the support ring and is supported resiliently by the soft elastic material.
US08069520B2
A cleaning tool including one or more of the following features in various embodiments: a mop head that pivots with respect to a handle assembly to dispose a motorized power head between a mopping position and a scrubbing position; a nozzle assembly connected to the handle assembly and in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, the liquid disposed within the liquid reservoir ejected from the nozzle assembly in response to trigger control by an operator; an absorbent or soil attracting mopping cloth attached to a cartridge support; a mopping cartridge ejection member slidably disposed within the mopping platform and manipulated to eject the mopping cartridge from the mopping platform; and a mopping cloth ejection member disposed on a top surface of the mopping platform and manipulated to eject the mopping cloth from the mopping platform.
US08069516B2
A space saver pillow system comprises a space saver pillow and a bag. The space saver pillow includes a fill and a covering surrounding and enclosing the fill. The fill of the space saver pillow is adapted to generally rebound back to its natural state after being compressed. The bag encloses the space saver pillow and an amount of air. The space saver pillow enclosed in the bag is compressed no more than about 80% of its original size.
US08069513B2
A patient support apparatus comprises a frame, at least one drop rail coupled to the frame and tiltable relative to the frame, a seat section supported by the at least one drop rail to tilt therewith, a thigh section coupled to the seat section, a head section coupled to the frame and coupled to the at least one drop rail, and a linkage coupled to the head section and coupled to the thigh section. Raising and lowering of the head section results in tilting of the at least one drop rail relative to the frame. The linkage has a first mode of operation in which the seat and thigh sections remain substantially parallel as the at least one drop rail tilts. The linkage has a second mode of operation in which the thigh section tilts relative to the seat section as the at least one drop rail tilts.
US08069512B2
An adjustable bed frame assembly includes a center frame comprising two substantially parallel side frame members connected by two substantially parallel connector frame members, a forward connector frame member and a rear connector frame member, wherein the two connector frame members are located within approximately a center one-third of the length of the side frame members. The adjustable bed frame assembly also includes a base frame that includes a plurality of legs for mounting on a floor is rigidly affixed to the center frame such that the center frame does not move with respect to the base frame. The adjustable bed frame assembly further includes a head frame that comprises two substantially parallel side frame members connected by at least one connector frame member, wherein two lower ends of the head frame's parallel side frame members are pivotally attached to the forward connector frame member of the center frame; in addition, a downwardly facing extension frame member is attached to the head frame's connector frame. The adjustable bed frame assembly also includes an actuator for raising and lowering the head frame, wherein one end of the actuator is pivotally connected to the head frame's extension frame member and an opposing end of the actuator is connected to the center frame's rear connector frame member. The adjustable bed frame assembly also includes a mattress platform affixed to a top side of the head frame to provide support to a head portion of a mattress.
US08069505B2
A jet face for a jet has a plurality of detents configured to aid gripping the face for rotational operation. The jet face can also include a mounting coupling to accept a removable element. The removable element can be configured as a ring-shaped element, and the coupling a groove sized to accept the element.
US08069504B1
An inflatable domed pool bladder for use when winterizing swimming pools is herein disclosed, comprising a large inflatable bladder which covers the entire pool surface wherein a center of the dome is higher than the sides. In this manner when a conventional pool cover is installed over the bladder, it is kept above the level of the side walls of the swimming pool and any rain, snow, leaves or other debris are unable to accumulate. The bladder prevents water from pooling on the cover, reducing the risk of drowning by young children or pets. Also, a potential cost savings results from improved water retention efficiency within the swimming pool.
US08069501B2
A toilet seat for filtering foul air includes large capacity internal ducting connected between a very large intake opening and a large exhaust for efficient, high capacity air filtration. The seat comprises an assembly including upper and lower halves joined along a horizontal seam. The seat halves pivot on an axle and are biased apart to sense use of the device to control its on/off timing. The device is activated as the user sits on the seat and is programmed by a controller to continue for a length of time after toilet use.
US08069500B2
A portable urinal includes a simulated golf club and a privacy shield, allowing the urinal to be used in a secluded part of a golf course while appearing to practice a golf swing. In one embodiment, the simulated golf club includes an elongated sealed receptacle for holding urine. In another embodiment, the elongated sealed receptacle is formed within a canister attached to the simulated golf club, which may be an actual golf club.
US08074293B2
For adjusting a positional relationship between a specimen and a probe to measure an electric characteristic of the specimen through a contact therebetween, a base table holding a specimen table holding the specimen and a probe holder holding the probe is positioned at a first position to measure the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen at the first position, and subsequently positioned at a second position to measure the positional relationship therebetween at the second position so that the probe and the specimen are contact each other at the second position, the specimen table and the probe holder are movable with respect to each other on the base table at each of the first and second positions to adjust the positional relationship between the probe and the specimen, and a measuring accuracy at the second position is superior to a measuring accuracy at the first position.
US08074278B2
Apparatus and methods for intrusion protection in safety instrumented process control systems are disclosed. An example method of protecting a safety instrumented system includes receiving legitimate information from a component of a process control system wherein the legitimate information is intended for delivery to a safety instrumented system, determining if a signature at least substantially matches the legitimate information, and preventing the legitimate information from reaching the safety instrumented system when it is determined that the signature at least substantially matches the legitimate information.
US08074275B2
A method of preventing network denial of service attacks by early discard of out-of-order segments comprises creating a reassembly queue for a connection between a first network node and a second network node, wherein the connection has been established based on a transport-layer network protocol, the reassembly queue having a size based on a buffer size of an input interface with which the connection is associated. As out-of-order data segments arrive on the connection, and before other processing of the segments, whether the reassembly queue is full is determined, and the out-of-order segments are discarded if the reassembly queue is full. The size of the reassembly queue is automatically changed in response to one or more changes in any of network conditions and device resources.
US08074263B1
A user at a computing device interacts with a networked site so that the user can log in thereto. The site receives a selection to log in and in response downloads at least one replacing driver for bypassing a corresponding driver operating on the computing device that may possibly copy log-in data including authentication credentials as entered by the user. Each replacing driver is loaded into an operating system of the computing device so as to bypass the corresponding possibly copying driver and be employed in the operating system rather than such corresponding bypassed driver. The site then delivers a log-in screen to a presentation application of the computing device after each replacing driver has been loaded. The presentation application displays the log-in screen and the user enters the log-in data thereinto. Accordingly, each non-trusted and bypassed driver is unable to copy the entered log-in data.
US08074262B2
A first processing system determines whether a second processing system provides a trustworthy state for supporting a virtual trusted platform module (TPM), based at least in part on an assertion made by a management authority. The first processing system also determines whether the management authority is trusted. The first processing system may transfer state for the virtual TPM to the second processing system only if (a) the management authority is trusted and (b) the assertion made by the management authority indicates that the second processing system provides a trustworthy environment for supporting the virtual TPM. In one embodiment, the first processing system transfers state for the virtual TPM to the second processing system only if a trust level designation for the second processing system is equal or greater than a trust level for the first processing system. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08074260B2
An interactively authorizing access control method applicable to an access control center is disclosed. According to the present invention, an effective time interval can be set for the permit by an authorized person of the object according to his/her usual pass time such that when the access control center identifies the permit is valid, the effectiveness of the permit can be further determined according to the effective time interval set by the authorized person, thereby determining whether the object is allowed to pass.
US08074253B1
Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.
US08074251B2
One aspect of the disclosed technology is a limited social television system that provides a light-weight process that allows multiple audience members to close the loop of interaction and create a compelling feeling of “shared experience” on the part of the response-reviewer.
US08074241B2
A method for providing panoramic videos and images to a user using a server-client architecture while minimizing the wait time necessary before still images are available for viewing or videos begin playing. A series of location-referenced panoramic images are separated into one-dimensional tracks. Intuitive user controls are provided which allow the user to start and stop video playback, step through the panoramas in a track one at a time, and change the viewing orientation within the panorama. A video will start playing as soon as the video files for the preferred projected cube faces have been downloaded. This delay is reduced by storing the videos as keyframe distance files for opposing directions for each cube face and further reduced by encoding videos with different starting points so that they are staggered by a portion of the keyframe distance.
US08074238B2
Provided is a spindle motor. The spindle motor includes a rotatable shaft, a stator, a rotor, and a turntable. The stator is positioned around the shaft. The rotor includes a rotor yoke coupled to the shaft. The rotor is rotated with the shaft integratedly by a reaction with the stator. The turntable is coupled to the shaft. The rotor yoke and the turntable are coupled to each other and are fixed to the shaft.
US08074236B2
A disk drive device includes: a device body having a front surface that forms a disk insertion and ejection opening; a pair of arms supported at proximal end portions thereof pivotally from the front surface of the device body to a downstream side in a disk insertion direction; transport rollers respectively rotatably supported at distal ends of the arms and transporting the disk to an inside or outside of the device body by being brought into contact with a side surface of a disk; an urging member urging the arms so that the transport rollers supported respectively by the arms approach each other; and a transport roller rotation mechanism driving at least one of the transport rollers, supported respectively by the arms, for rotation, wherein the arms synchronously pivot the transport rollers in such a manner that the pivotally supported proximal end portions are coupled to each other.
US08074226B2
Systems and methods for switching from a first Internet context to a second Internet context without process shutdown are described. Internet context data, such as cookies, history and user-defined data, is stored in containers unique to each user on a system. Internet content is stored in a common location so redundant downloaded information is not stored. Content information is found or stored by hashing a URL and indexing the memory location according to the resulting hash value. If content data is specific to a particular user, a hash is performed on a combination of the URL and an ordinal associated with the user's unique identity to obtain a hash value unique to the user. The user-specific content is then stored and the memory location is indexed according to the unique hash value.
US08074218B2
System for managing a life cycle of a virtual resource. One or more virtual resources are defined. The one or more defined virtual resources are created. The created virtual resources are instantiated. Then, a topology of a virtual resource is constructed using a plurality of virtual resources that are in at least one of a defined, a created, or an instantiated state.
US08074216B2
This invention relates to a device management apparatus. This device management apparatus is a device management apparatus which communicates with a client computer, includes an output management unit adapted to manage output information of a device for each user, an identification unit adapted to identify a user who is about to install a driver, a device extraction unit adapted to extract a device used by the user identified by the identification unit based on the output information, and a transmission unit adapted to transmit the driver of the device extracted by the device extraction unit to the client computer.
US08074215B2
Operation of a computer system is governed by an executable application and settings set forth in an XML document to which the application refers during execution. When an application is published for installation, it includes the application and a base XML document. Portions of the base XML document are marked as editable during installation. During installation, an installation manager review the base XML document, identifies editable portions therein and reads installation settings data therefor. The installation manager may generate a modified XML document representing the settings of the base XML document and any modified settings obtained for installation. Modified settings data may be obtained from an operator, from a computer system on which installation occurs or from a dataset representing settings data obtained in prior installations.
US08074213B1
A system and method for automatically updating a software application deployed on a plurality of client computers are disclosed. A server computer may determine a time for the client computers to update the software application and send an update command to each of the client computers at the determined time. In response to the update command, each client computer may download an update for the software application and install the update for the software application.
US08074204B2
A test framework suited for use with distributed business applications allows developers to specify a test, or suite of tests, to be easily selected and executed. Execution of a test suite instantiates objects such as a test runner and a test result object that set up, activate, and observe a test cycle. Results may be forwarded to a variety of special-purpose listeners which evaluate variable and state changes and ultimately determine pass/fail metrics. Results from profilers may be used to determine code coverage for each of the tests performed by the suite. APIs allow integration of the test framework with other development processes such as a be source code management system. In one embodiment, new or changed source code may not be checked in until successfully passing a test cycle.
US08074197B2
Methods and apparatuses to design an Integrated Circuit (IC) with a shielding of wires. In at least one embodiment, a shielding mesh of at least two reference voltages (e.g., power and ground) is used to reduce both the capacitive coupling and the inductive coupling in routed signal wires in IC chips. In some embodiments, a type of shielding mesh (e.g., a shielding mesh with a window surrounded by a power ring, or a window with a parser set of shielding wires) is selected to make more routing area available in locally congested areas. In other embodiments, the shielding mesh is used to create or add bypass capacitance. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08074189B2
For application to analog, mixed-signal, and custom digital circuits, a system and method to begin with a complex problem description that encompasses many variables from statistical manufacturing, the circuit's environment, and the circuit's design parameters, but then apply techniques to prune the scope of the problem to make it manageable for manual design and more efficient automated design, and finally use that pruned problem for more efficient and effective design.
US08074185B2
A system and method for displaying, searching, manipulating and modifying of hierarchically linked genealogy data in a relational database on a computer system. A graphic representation of the data in the database is displayed on a computer display device. The system uses zooming, a common function used in computer systems, to show more or less information in the database in readable form. Using the computer pointer devices, the data in the database can be manipulated, added, deleted, or moved. The system allows for changing of the root node individual thereby giving a different view of the database, to zoom in or zoom out and save that view of the database for future reference. The system displays all relationships of the data in the hierarchical structure by use of various sizes and type of lines and positions in the structure and shows for example data further away from the root node individual as a progressively smaller graphical image.
US08074175B2
The subject application relates to a user interface(s), system(s), and/or methodology that facilitate improved management and coordination of activities, events, and occasions using a digital calendar format that can be accessed anywhere, changed or edited with ease, and readily synchronized on different devices. Various input modes can be employed including inking. New items can be created using an inking component and then dragged and dropped onto the appropriate day. Items can be modified or deleted and such alterations can be tracked to ensure that calendar changes can be monitored, and moreover, access to the calendar can be controlled.
US08074172B2
One aspect of the invention involves a method that includes: in a first area of the touch screen, displaying a current character string being input by a user with the keyboard; in a second area of the touch screen, displaying the current character string or a portion thereof and a suggested replacement for the current character string; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user activates a delimiter key on the keyboard; replacing the current character string in the first area with the suggested replacement if the user performs a first gesture on the suggested replacement displayed in the second area; and keeping the current character string in the first area if the user performs a second gesture on the current character string or the portion thereof displayed in the second area.
US08074168B2
The disclosed embodiments automate context-compensated rendering of text in a graphical environment. In the disclosed embodiments, the system first receives a specification of the graphical environment that includes text to be rendered in the graphical environment. Next, the system determines the parameters of the local environment near the text (e.g., character size and perturbations for perspective and tilt, pixel density, adjacent (local or background) color and brightness, illumination and shadow effects, etc.). The system then dynamically renders text to compensate for those parameters, in order to display the text more clearly.
US08074166B2
Techniques are provided for performing focus inference when compiling an Extensible Markup Language Transforms (XSLT) stylesheet into a compiled XSLT processor. In XPath/XSLT, expression evaluation occurs with respect to the dynamic context. In XPath, the part of the dynamic context, related to the context node-set, is called the “focus” of the expression. Conceptually, the focus would need to be systematically computed and propagated along the recursive execution of XSLT templates. This is costly. Focus inference enables the more efficient execution of XSLT programs since the inferred focus information can be used directly by a code generator in an XSLT compilation architecture.
US08074165B2
Allowing annotations to occur remotely from the device in which they are viewed enables the optimal viewing device and optimal annotation device for generating annotations. Specifically, the annotation systems allow a user to associate annotations with one or more portions of an object. An object identifier is created to identify one or more objects. This object identifier is then forwarded to the annotation device. On the annotation device, the user can associate annotations with a portion of the object based on either a textual or a graphical technique. Upon completion of the annotations, the system synchronizes the annotations with the object based on the object identifier and the selection portion.
US08074149B2
A RAID disk drive controller (FIG. 33) implements disk storage operations, including striping and redundancy operations with multiple disk drives connected via respective SATA ports (520). Configurable data path switch logic (460) provides dynamic configuration of two or more attached drives into one or more arrays. Data transfers are synchronized locally by leveraging the SATA port transport layer FIFO (530). Synchronous transfers allow on-the-fly redundancy (XOR) operations (FIG. 36) for improved performance and reduced hardware complexity. XOR accumulator hardware (FIG. 42-FIG. 43) reduces buffer requirements for multiple DMA channels otherwise required for synchronization, and various narrow and wide striping modes are supported.
US08074145B2
A software-defined radio includes a radio circuit and an executable radio software system operable with the radio circuit and conforming to the software communications architecture (SCA) specification and defining an operating environment that allows a waveform application to operate with the radio circuit for transmitting and receiving voice and data. A write-protected non-volatile memory is operable with the radio circuit and executable radio software system. The non-volatile memory has a write enable controlled by a non-driver program for deferring a wear leveling correction sequence.
US08074144B2
Plural data lines read normal data stored in a first area in the memory cell array when the data lines are connected to a selected bit line. Plural parity data lines read parity data from a second area in the memory cell array different from the first area, the parity data being used for an error correction of the normal data stored in the memory cell. A first determination circuit compares the normal data read from the data lines and their expectation value, respectively, and determines whether the data and the expectation value coincide, respectively. A second determination circuit compares the parity data read from the parity data lines and their expectation value, respectively, and determines whether the data and the expectation value coincide, respectively. The second determination circuit includes a selection circuit that selectively outputs a determination result on a part of the parity data lines.
US08074142B2
A decoding apparatus for low density parity check codes includes a variable-to-check message generator and a check-to-variable message generator. The variable-to-check message generator includes a variable-to-check processing unit block, provided with an adder, and which is arranged between registers corresponding to locations of ‘1’s in a check matrix. The check-to-variable message generator includes a check-to-variable processing unit block, provided with a comparator, between registers corresponding to locations of ‘1’s in the check matrix. The decoding apparatus for low density parity check codes is simple in configuration and is able to perform high speed processing without using RAMs without the necessity of performing complex control operations.
US08074141B2
To achieve a greater flexibility when transmitting data according to a hybrid ARQ method, preferably when used in a mobile radio system, a channel-coded bit stream is divided into at lest one first bit stream (A) and one second bit stream (B, C), whereby these parallel bit streams (A-C) are each subjected to a separate bit rate matching, and the resulting bits of the individual bit streams (A-C) are subsequently combined with one another once again in order to transmit in a data packet or in a repeat data packet that is requested on the receiver side.
US08074138B2
In a decoding apparatus in a portable Internet terminal, a channel encoded symbol received from a transmitter is decoded by one of a chase-combining scheme and a code-combining scheme selected based on an ID value of the subpacket indicating a start position of the symbol. In this case, the chase-combining scheme is partly used for the encoded symbol of the information bit. With such a mode, decoding can be performed at a low code rate.
US08074130B2
A test apparatus includes a test section that executes testing of each cell of the memory under test, a fail information storage section that stores fail information in a fail memory; a counting section that counts the number of defective cells in each block, a reading request receiving section that receives a request to read the fail information of each cell, a comparing section that compares the number of defective cells in a block to a predetermined reference number, a converting section that, in a case where the number of defective cells exceeds the predetermined reference value, converts a plurality of consecutive pieces of fail information in a response data string into a value indicating defectiveness, and a compressing section that compresses the response data string and returns a compressed response data string.
US08074127B2
The present invention is to provide a signal analyzing apparatus which can easily identify a pattern high in error rate and a pattern causing bit errors in comparison with the conventional device. In a signal analyzing apparatus (4) for analyzing a signal from an object under test, and having a display unit (21) display an analysis result on the signal, the signal analyzing apparatus (4) includes a statistical processing unit (34) for statistically processing the analysis result for each of divided sections obtained by dividing an analysis section set for the signal; and a display control unit (23) for causing the display device to display statistical results obtained by the statistical processing unit for each of the divided sections, when a divided section are identified as a new analysis section, the statistical processing unit performs statistical processing of the analysis result for each of divided sections obtained by dividing the new analysis section, the display control unit causes the display device to display the statistical results obtained by the statistical processing unit for each of new divided sections.
US08074123B2
A multi-CPU system including plural CPUs, comprising a failure state detection unit for detecting a failure in an operating program, and a recovery unit for determining, when the failure state detection unit has detected a failure, whether or not recovery of data involved in the failure is possible on the basis of content of the detected failure, and for recovering the data when recovery is determined to be possible.
US08074120B2
To detect a power failure in a volatile data memory containing useful data units and test data units associated with the useful data units, the associated test data unit is also read when the useful data unit is read-accessed, and a decision is made as to whether the useful data unit is corrupted based on the test data unit. A power failure is identified when at least two read useful data units within a predefined number of successive read accesses are found to be corrupted.
US08074109B1
Techniques are described of using votes of third-party components to select a master processor from a plurality of redundant processors. A master processor and a standby processor maintain communications with one another. If communication between the master processor and the standby processor fails, the processors may poll a set of registered voters to determine which of the processors is to be the master processor. In this way, the processors may determine which of the processors is to be master without the use of a shared indicator to specify which of the processors is to be the master processor.
US08074104B2
A controlling apparatus for controlling a disk array unit includes a cache memory for caching data of the disk array unit; a nonvolatile memory for storing the data in the cache memory; and a control unit for detecting a defective location in the nonvolatile memory where the data is stored defectively and updating information indicating the defection location, for generating an error detection code of the updated information, for writing the generated information and the associated error detection code into an area of the nonvolatile memory different from any area where any information indicating any defective location previously detected and stored into the nonvolatile memory, and for controlling writing the data in the cache memory into a location of the nonvolatile memory designated by any selected one of the information stored in the nonvolatile memory.
US08074099B2
In a computer system including server apparatuses such as an active server and a standby server connected to a storage apparatus, when the active server fails, a management server changes over connection to the storage apparatus from the active server to standby server to thereby hand over operation to the standby server. The management server refers to a fail-over strategy table in which apparatus information of the server apparatuses is associated with fail-over methods to select fail-over strategy in consideration of apparatus information of the active and standby servers.
US08074089B2
A power supply controlling system includes a receiving device, a power supply device, and a transmitting device connected to an information processing apparatus. The receiving device includes a transmitting portion that transmits a switch signal of a power supply switch used for on/off of the power supply device to the transmitting device via second signal lines used for the reception of a second video signal, which are different from first signal lines used for the reception of a first video signal. The transmitting device includes an acquiring portion that acquires the switch signal from the second signal lines on which the second video signal and the switch signal are mixed, and an outputting portion that outputs the switch signal to the power supply device. The receiving device and the transmitting device are connected with a single cable including the first and the second signal lines.
US08074083B1
Systems and methods provide for controlling download and playback of media content. A system includes a client, which can play content, and a server. The server includes a permission system that can determine whether a client request to download or play content should be granted. All purchase, download, and playback requests require permission from the permission system. The server also includes a DD module system that transfers a DD module to the client. The DD module includes a content key decryption module, a content decryption module, and a content decompression module. The content key decryption module decrypts an encrypted content key that was received from the server. The decryption uses a unique DD module key that has been hard-coded into the content key decryption module. The content decryption module uses the content key to decrypt encrypted content. The content decompression module decompresses compressed content so that it can be played.
US08074079B2
An anti-attacking method for a private key is provided. The method includes using a plurality of storage areas for storing the same security information. The method also includes selecting one of the storage areas as a currently-used storage area for accessing the security information and synchronously updating the security information stored in the other storage areas while updating the security information stored in the currently-used used storage area when generating a digital signature by using a signature rule and the private key. The method further includes selecting one of the other storage areas as the currently-used storage area for correctly accessing the security information when detecting an attack on the security information stored in the currently-used storage area during generation of the digital signature. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the attacker from stealing the private key.
US08074071B2
A system effecting a data reproducing method for a plurality of devices, for sending and receiving data by authenticating the plurality of devices with each other, said data reproducing method including: selecting, from a plurality of descrambling methods, a descrambling method corresponding to a type of said data, executing authentication by an authenticating method corresponding to the selected descrambling method, where the authenticating method is selected from a plurality of authenticating methods, and reproducing said data.
US08074068B2
A secret sharing device of (k, n) threshold scheme creates a generator matrix G, first divided secret data, and random number data, calculates shared partial data based on the product of matrices with the random number data, the divided secret data, and the generator matrix G, and delivers the shared information formed by the shared partial data and the header information individually to the storage units. The secret sharing device calculates a recovery matrix and multiplies the shared information by the recovery matrix, hence to recover the secret information.
US08074060B2
A microprocessor for improving out-of-order superscalar execution unit utilization with a relatively small in-order instruction retirement buffer. A plurality of execution units each calculate an instruction result. The instruction is either an excepting type instruction or a non-excepting type instruction. The excepting type instruction is capable of causing the microprocessor to take an exception after being issued to the execution unit, wherein the non-excepting type instruction is incapable of causing the microprocessor to take an exception after being issued. A retire unit makes a determination that an instruction is the oldest instruction in the microprocessor and that the instruction is ready to update the architectural state of the microprocessor with its result. The retire unit makes the determination before the execution unit outputs the result of the non-excepting type instruction, wherein the retire unit makes the determination after the execution unit outputs the result of the excepting type instruction.
US08074055B1
A computer. A processor pipeline alternately executes instructions coded for first and second different computer architectures or coded to implement first and second different processing conventions. A memory stores instructions for execution by the processor pipeline, the memory being divided into pages for management by a virtual memory manager, a single address space of the memory having first and second pages. A memory unit fetches instructions from the memory for execution by the pipeline, and fetches stored indicator elements associated with respective memory pages of the single address space from which the instructions are to be fetched. Each indicator element is designed to store an indication of which of two different computer architectures and/or execution conventions under which instruction data of the associated page are to be executed by the processor pipeline. The memory unit and/or processor pipeline recognizes an execution flow from the first page, whose associated indicator element indicates the first architecture or execution convention, to the second page, whose associated indicator element indicates the first architecture or execution convention. In response to the recognizing, a processing mode of the processor pipeline or a storage content of the memory adapts to effect execution of instructions in the architecture and/or under the convention indicated by the indicator element corresponding to the instruction's page.
US08074054B1
A processing system includes a group of processing units (“PUs”) arranged in a daisy chain configuration or a sequence capable of parallel processing. The processing system, in one embodiment, includes PUs, a demultiplexer (“demux”), and a multiplexer (“mux”). The PUs are connected or linked in a sequence or a daisy chain configuration wherein a first PU is located at the beginning of the sequence and a last digital PU is located at the end of the sequence. Each PU is configured to read an input data packet from a packet stream during a designated reading time frame. If the time frame is outside of the designated reading time frame, a PU allows a packet stream to pass through. The demux forwards a packet stream to the first digital processing unit. The mux receives a packet steam from the last digital processing unit.
US08074053B2
A memory update engine provides flexible modification of data in memory. A processor may employ the update engine to update filter coefficients, special effects parameters, signal sample processing instructions, or any other instruction or data during processing. The update engine supports dynamic updating without requiring processor shutdown, thereby allowing the processor to seamlessly continue operation during a live performance.
US08074051B2
A multithreaded processor comprises a plurality of hardware thread units, an instruction decoder coupled to the thread units for decoding instructions received therefrom, and a plurality of execution units for executing the decoded instructions. The multithreaded processor is configured for controlling an instruction issuance sequence for threads associated with respective ones of the hardware thread units. On a given processor clock cycle, only a designated one of the threads is permitted to issue one or more instructions, but the designated thread that is permitted to issue instructions varies over a plurality of clock cycles in accordance with the instruction issuance sequence. The instructions are pipelined in a manner which permits at least a given one of the threads to support multiple concurrent instruction pipelines.
US08074046B2
A semiconductor memory device comprises an input unit inputting an address and data; a storage unit storing data and a FAT; an address conversion unit converting the address; an access unit accessing the storage unit according to the converted address; a detection unit detecting a format of the FAT; and an alteration unit altering conversion rules in the address conversion unit according to the detection.
US08074043B1
Detection and proper deduplication of a re-started data stream in a segmentation analysis-based deduplication system are provided by retaining information about a previous data stream and using that information when performing segmentation of the re-started data stream. Information such as a segment size associated with a last data object received in the previous data stream and a record of how much data was present in the last segment associated with the previous data stream is retained. The retained segment size information is used to set a first data object segment size of the re-started data stream, and the size of last segment information is used to determine how much information should be put in the first segment associated with the re-started data stream in order to maintain proper alignment of the remainder of the segments for the first data object in the re-started data stream for deduplication.
US08074041B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing storage space allocation. The apparatus includes a recognizing module, a reserving module, and a managing module. The recognizing module recognizes a trigger event at a client of the data storage system. The reserving module reserves logical units of space for data storage. The management module manages the logical units of space at the client. Such an arrangement provides for distributed management of storage space allocation within a storage area network (SAN). Facilitating client management of the logical units of space in this manner may reduce the number of required metadata transactions between the client and a metadata server and may increase performance of the SAN file system. Reducing metadata transactions effectively lowers network overhead, while increasing data throughput.
US08074040B2
The invention provides a flash device. In one embodiment, the flash device comprises a first NAND flash integrated circuit, a second NAND flash integrated circuit, and a control integrated circuit. The control integrated circuit generates a plurality of first access signals with first timings to access the first NAND flash IC, and generates a plurality of second access signals with second timings to access the second NAND flash IC, wherein the first timings are different from the second timings. The first NAND flash integrated circuit then accesses data stored therein according to the first access signals. The second NAND flash integrated circuit then accesses data stored therein according to the second access signals.
US08074023B2
In-system programming to switch memory access from one area to another in memory cards is disclosed. A command to access a first area of a memory card is received. Access is switched from the first area of the memory card to a second area of the memory card if specified data follows the received command allowing for the memory access switch.
US08074022B2
A computer system is disclosed including a printed circuit board (PCB) including a plurality of traces, at least one processor mounted to the PCB to couple to some of the plurality of traces, a heterogeneous memory channel including a plurality of sockets coupled to a memory channel bus of the PCB, and a memory controller coupled between the at least one processor and the heterogeneous memory channel. The heterogeneous memory channel includes a plurality of sockets coupled to a memory channel bus of the PCB. The plurality of sockets are configured to receive a plurality of different types of memory modules. The memory controller may be a programmable heterogeneous memory controller to flexibly adapt to the memory channel bus to control access to each of the different types of memory modules in the heterogeneous memory channel.
US08074018B2
A disk array apparatus has a plurality of the same type of disk array units. Each of the disk array units has a plurality of storage areas in each of which firmware for allowing the disk array unit to operate is stored. When the disk array apparatus recognizes that a first disk array unit has been disposed therein, it compares a version number of firmware stored in each storage area included in the first disk array unit with a version number of firmware stored in each storage area included in a second disk array unit that currently operates in the disk array apparatus. If these version numbers are the same, the disk array apparatus makes a storage area in which firmware executed by the first disk array unit is stored conform to a storage area in which firmware executed by the second disk array unit is stored.
US08074017B2
A method according to one embodiment may include creating a reserved partition on at least one volume of a RAID system. The method may also include creating a table to map data stored in the reserved partition to at least one intended volume address of at least one volume of the RAID system. The method may also include writing data associated with a RAID data write request into the cache memory, writing the data into the reserved partition, and updating the table to reflect data stored in the reserved partition.
US08074015B2
In a storage medium, an address space is defined which is divided into a first area and a second area. According to the invention, at least one file is stored on the medium which is split into small data packets and large data packets. All small data packets are stored on said first area, and all large data packets are stored on said second area. A single file allocation table (FAT) is used and is small by having one entry per data packet.
US08074012B2
A data backup method for a flash memory is provided. After writing of data to a plurality of written pages of a first block of a flash memory is completed, a last weak page of the written pages is determined. A first strong page corresponding to the last weak page is then determined. A plurality of strong pages between the first strong page and the last weak page are then determined. Data of the plurality of strong pages is the coped to a backup area of the flash memory for data recovery.
US08074008B2
The motherboard comprises a CPU and a memory component; further at least one video data processing chip mounted to the motherboard wherein the video data processing chip is programmable; and further at least one additional memory component provided to store a software that is executable by the video data processing chip.
US08074004B2
An electronic device of detecting contention of a bidirectional bus for avoiding failing to drive a bidirectional bus due to bus contention includes: an output terminal, an input terminal and a data output unit, a timing comparing controller and a comparing unit. The output terminal is coupled to the bidirectional bus and used for outputting a data output signal to the bidirectional bus. The input terminal is coupled to the output terminal and the bidirectional bus and used for receiving a data reception signal from the bidirectional bus. The data output unit is used for providing the data output signal. The timing comparing controller is used for generating a timing comparison signal according to the data output signal. The comparing unit is used for comparing the data reception signal with the data output signal according to the timing comparison signal to determine a contention state of the bidirectional bus.
US08074001B2
An information processing apparatus includes a selection portion that selects any one of a first setting that enables data on a hot key from a keyboard for a server, a second setting that enables the data on the hot key from the keyboard for a KVM switch, and a third setting that disables the data on the hot key from the keyboard for both of the KVM switch and the server; and a transmission portion that transmits the data on the hot key and a flag indicating the first setting to the server when the first setting is selected, transmits the data on the hot key and a flag indicating the second setting to the KVM switch when the second setting is selected, and fails to transmit the data on the hot key to the KVM switch and the server when the third setting is selected.
US08074000B2
A key processing method for use in a computer system having at least one BIOS (basic input output system) and one controller is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. After a predetermined time period, it is first determined whether a specific hotkey has been pressed. If so, the BIOS acquires identification data of the specific hotkey from the controller and performs a corresponding service.
US08073994B2
Asynchronous network interface and method of synchronisation between two applications on different computers is provided. The network interface contains snooping hardware which can be programmed to contain triggering values comprising either addresses, address ranges or other data which are to be matched. These data are termed “trip wires”. Once programmed, the interface monitors the data stream, including address data, passing through the interface for addresses and data which match the trip wires which have been set. On a match, the snooping hardware can generate interrupts, increment event counters, or perform some other application-specified action. This snooping hardware is preferably based upon Content-Addressable Memory.The invention thus provides in-band synchronisation by using synchronisation primitives which are programmable by user level applications, while still delivering high bandwidth and low latency. The programming of the synchronisation primitives can be made by the sending and receiving applications independently of each other and no synchronisation information is required to traverse the network.
US08073987B2
A card type peripheral apparatus connected to a host apparatus for communication therewith according to a specific protocol. The card type peripheral apparatus includes a plurality of configuration registers configured to be accessible by the host apparatus and to be set with diverse set information. At least one of the plurality of configuration registers is a special register configured to be set with data arbitrarily selected and fixedly established by a vendor that either fabricates or markets the card type peripheral apparatus. The special register is set with protocol identification information for discriminating the specific protocol.
