US08076340B2
The invention relates to compounds having general formula (I), wherein R is as defined herein. The invention also relates to acid addition salt, a hydrate or a solvate of compounds of formula (I). The invention further relates to the method of preparing said compounds and to the use of same in therapeutics.
US08076334B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes and other related disorders and diseases, and may be useful for other diseases such as NASH, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and other disorders and diseases related thereto.
US08076333B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing Naratriptan, a compound selected from the group consisting of 2-HPOD, 2-HPHM, 4-PPED, 4-BPED and 2-PPED, and optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US08076315B2
This invention is directed to methods for preventing or ameliorating sleep-related breathing disorders. The method comprises administration to a patient in need thereof an effective dose of one or a combination of prostanoid receptor antagonists (eg. ramatroban, ifetroban, diphloretin, phosphate, polyphloretin phosphate, seratrodast, SC19220). The prostanoid receptor antagonist or combination of prostanoid receptor antagonists can be administered in conjunction with one or more serotonin receptor agonists, one or more cannabinoids receptor agonists, one or more serotonin reuptake inhibitors, one or more noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors, a combination of reuptake inhibitors, an inhibitor of prostanoid synthesis, or any combination of the foregoing.
US08076313B2
The present invention relates to a composition to a nutritional composition comprising 0.1 to 15 gram fermentable e partially hydrolysed gum having a degree of polymerization between 10 and 300 per 100 gram dry weight of the composition and 0.1 to 15 gram fermentable, indigestible polysaccharide other than a hydrolysed gum having a DP between 10 and 300 per 100 gram dry weight of the composition.
US08076312B2
This invention provides a method of preventing asthma, allergic rhinitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a subject comprising the step of administering to a subject a compound comprising a lipid or phospholipid moiety bond to a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer, or polymer, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a pharmaceutical product thereof. This invention also provides a method of treating allergic rhinitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a subject comprising the step of administering to a subject a compound comprising a lipid or phospholipid moiety bond to a physiologically acceptable monomer, dimer, oligomer, or polymer, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a pharmaceutical product thereof.
US08076300B2
FGF2-binding peptides are here described, which have been designed starting from the N-terminal region of PTX3, in particular spanning the PTX3(82-11O) region. Synthetic peptides related to this sequence are able to bind FGF2 and to inhibit its pro-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo with no anticipated impact on innate immunity.
US08076292B2
The invention includes methods and compositions for remodeling a peptide molecule, including the addition or deletion of one or more glycosyl groups to a peptide, and/or the addition of a modifying group to a peptide.
US08076281B2
A method and pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the effect of glucocorticoids, particularly dexamethasone, which suppress growth hormone secretion, by administering ghrelin or a ghrelin analogue, for example, [Aib2, Glu3(NH-hexyl)]hGhrelin(1-28)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:2) or other suitable ghrelin agonist, to counteract the catabolic effects of said dexamethasone and other natural glucocorticoids.
US08076279B2
The present invention is related to the use of a non-cellulosic cationically modified polysaccharide in cleaning compositions and more particularly to a surfactant based cleansing composition comprising, a surfactant, a non-cellulosic cationically modified polysaccharide and a solvent for use in personal care composition, household care composition or an institutional care composition.
US08076277B2
A method is provided for formulating a personal cleansing composition. At least one primary surfactant, at least one secondary amphoteric and/or nonionic surfactant, at least one humectant, and at least one polymeric and/or quaternary conditioner are selected, each of these components having a natural and renewable resource origin. The primary and secondary surfactants are combined with the at least one humectant and the at least one conditioner in a final composition that includes the combined primary and secondary surfactants at less than about 14 wt. %, and includes the combined at least one humectant and at least one conditioner at less than 5.5 wt. %. After forming the final composition, an optimum performance index (OPI) is determined for the composition to ensure that the composition has an OPI of at least about 5.450. The OPI is calculated as: OPI=3÷((solids wt. %+Zein score)÷performance grade).
US08076274B2
A lubricating oil composition for a heavy duty diesel engine comprises a base oil, at least 0.6 mass % of an ash-free antioxidant and an overbased magnesium-containing detergent. The detergent provides greater than 0.05 mass % Mg based on the mass of the composition. Bore polishing in the engine is reduced for a given level of exhaust gas ash production.
US08076270B2
The disclosed compositions and methods utilize hydrophilic polymers modified by the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic side groups. The polymers may exhibit physical association in solution at a specific temperature so as to provide a significant increase in viscosity at the specific temperature. The viscosity of such systems is substantially increased by the further inclusion of one or more hydrophilic components that may exhibit physical association in solution at one or more temperature trigger points and also associate with the one or more hydrophilic polymers modified by the incorporation of one or more hydrophilic side groups.
US08076265B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet which solves the defects of the prior art, that is, exhibits a good slipping property between the thermal transfer image-receiving sheets in forming images and can completely prevent feeding troubles such as multi feeding particularly in a thermal transfer printer in a low temperature environment.The present invention pertains to a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet in which a receiving layer is formed on at least one side of a substrate sheet, wherein the receiving layer is formed by applying and drying a coating solution comprising a binder resin, a release agent, and a lubricant in an amount of 0.05 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin and said lubricant is a main-chain single-end or a main-chain dual-end modified silicone oil having a viscosity of 50 to 500 mm2/s at 25° C.
US08076263B2
The present invention is directed to an improved catalyst support and to the resultant catalyst suitable for treating exhaust products from internal combustion engines, especially diesel engines. The support of the present invention is a structure comprising alumina core particulate having high porosity and surface area, wherein the structure has from about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica in the form of cladding on the surface area of said alumina core. The resultant support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 15 μg/m2.
US08076256B2
It is intended to provide a Pb-free semiconductor ceramic composition capable of shifting its Curie temperature toward a positive direction and capable of enhancing its jump characteristic while minimizing the increase in the resistivity at room temperature. There is provided a semiconductor ceramic composition in which a part of Ba of BaTiO3 is substituted with Bi—Na, the semiconductor ceramic composition being obtained by sintering a mixed calcined powder containing a calcined BT powder containing a calcined powder of (BaR)TiO3 or a calcined powder of Ba(TiM)O3 (in which R and M each are a semiconductor dopant), and a calcined BNT powder containing a calcined powder of (BiNa)TiO3; in which BaCO3 and/or TiO2 is/are added to the calcined BT powder or the calcined BNT powder or to the mixed calcined powder.
US08076245B2
A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device includes a substrate, a lower sacrificial membrane adjacent to the substrate, an upper thin film structure adjacent to the lower membrane, and a MOS material deposited on the upper thin film structure.
US08076244B2
A method for removing material from surfaces of at least a portion of at least one recess or at least one aperture extending into a surface of a substrate includes pressurizing fluid so as to cause the fluid to flow into the at least one recess or at least one aperture. The fluid may be pressurized by generating a pressure differential across the substrate, which causes the fluid to flow into or through the at least one aperture or recess. Apparatus for pressurizing fluid so as to cause it to flow into or through recesses or apertures in a substrate are also disclosed.
US08076243B2
Compositions and methods for forming a metal-containing thin film on a substrate. A reactor and at least one substrate in the reactor are provided. A metal-containing bis-β-diketiminate precursor is introduced into the reactor. The reactor is maintained at a set temperature and pressure, and the precursor is contacted with the substrate to form a metal-containing film on the substrate.
US08076234B1
For forming a semiconductor device, a via structure is formed through at least one dielectric layer and at least a portion of a substrate. In addition, a protective buffer layer is formed onto the via structure. Furthermore, a conductive structure for an integrated circuit is formed over the substrate after forming the via structure and the protective buffer layer, with the conductive structure not being formed over the via structure. Thus, deterioration of the conductive and via structures is minimized.
US08076231B2
A FinFET and nanowire transistor with strain direction optimized in accordance with the sideface orientation and carrier polarity and an SMT-introduced manufacturing method for achieving the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a pMISFET having a semiconductor substrate, a rectangular solid-shaped semiconductor layer formed at upper part of the substrate to have a top surface parallel to a principal plane of the substrate and a sideface with a (100) plane perpendicular to the substrate's principal plane, a channel region formed in the rectangular semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film formed at least on the sideface of the rectangular layer, a gate electrode on the gate insulator film, and source/drain regions formed in the rectangular semiconductor layer to interpose the channel region therebetween. The channel region is applied a compressive strain in the perpendicular direction to the substrate principal plane. A manufacturing method of the device is also disclosed.
US08076227B2
Systems and methods for lithography include actuating an electroactive polymer member to position mask and/or substrate.
US08076226B2
An apparatus for annealing a substrate includes a substrate stage having a substrate mounting portion configured to mount the substrate; a heat source having a plurality of heaters disposed under the substrate mounting portion, the heaters individually preheating a plurality areas defined laterally in the substrate through a bottom surface of the substrate; and a light source facing a top surface of the substrate, configured to irradiate a pulsed light at a pulse width of about 0.1 ms to about 100 ms on the entire top surface of the substrate.
US08076223B2
The present invention is a method for producing a semiconductor substrate, including steps of forming a SiGe gradient composition layer and a SiGe constant composition layer on a Si single crystal substrate, flattening a surface of the SiGe constant composition layer, removing a natural oxide film on the flattened surface of the SiGe constant composition layer, and forming a strained Si layer on the surface of the SiGe constant composition layer from which the natural oxide film has been removed, wherein the formation of the SiGe gradient composition layer and the formation of the SiGe constant composition layer are performed at a temperature T1 that is higher than 800° C., the removal of the natural oxide film from the surface of the SiGe constant composition layer is performed in a reducing atmosphere through a heat treatment at a temperature T2 that is equal to or higher than 800° C. and lower than the temperature T1, and the formation of the strained Si layer is performed at a temperature T3 that is lower than the temperature T1. This method enables epitaxial growth of the strained Si layer on the flattened SiGe layer without degrading surface flatness of the SiGe layer.
US08076219B2
A process for reducing or suppressing the appearance of watermarks in a hydrophobic surface of a semiconductor substrate prepared as a base substrate for epitaxial growth. The process includes cleaning the hydrophobic surface of the semiconductor substrate with an aqueous solution containing hydrofluoric acid (HF) and an additional acid having a pKa of less than 3, preferably hydrochloric acid (HCl), wherein the additional acid is present in the solution at a concentration by weight that is less than that of the HF; and final rinsing the cleaned hydrophobic surface of the semiconductor substrate with deionised water while subjecting the hydrophobic surface of the semiconductor substrate to megasonic waves for a time sufficient to reduce or suppress watermarks that could otherwise occur on the hydrophobic surface if the megasonic waves were not applied.
US08076217B2
The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for controlled quantum dot growth as well as a quantum dot structures. In some examples, a method is described that includes one or more of providing a substrate, forming a defect on the substrate, depositing a layer on the substrate and forming quantum dots along the defect.
US08076213B2
A method for fabricating a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes providing a substrate comprising a bottom electrode, forming a dielectric layer positioned on the bottom electrode, and forming a top electrode positioned on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a silicon nitride film, the silicon nitride film has a plurality of Si—H bonds and a plurality of N—H bonds, and a ratio of Si—H bonds to N—H bonds being equal to or smaller than 0.5.
US08076212B2
According to the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a surface of a lower insulating film (55) is planarized by CMP or the like, and an upper insulating film (56) and a protective metal film (59) are formed on the lower insulating film (55). Accordingly, the upper insulating film (56) and the protective metal film (59) are formed in such a manner they have an excellent coverage and the water/hydrogen blocking capability of the upper insulating film (56) and the protective metal film (59) is maximized.
US08076207B2
A method of making a gate structure includes the following steps. First, a gate is formed. Then, a first silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, and a second silicon oxide layer are formed to cover the gate from bottom to top. Later, a dry etching is performed to etch the second silicon oxide layer. After that, a wet etching is performed to etch the silicon nitride layer and the first silicon oxide layer. The aforesaid wet etching is performed by utilizing an RCA cleaning solution. Furthermore, the silicon nitride layer is formed by the SINGEN process. Therefore, the first and second silicon oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer can be etched together by the RCA cleaning solution.
US08076201B2
A method of manufacturing a flash memory device according to an embodiment includes forming a second oxide layer pattern having a mask pattern buried therein on a first nitride layer pattern and a first oxide layer stack on a semiconductor substrate; forming first polysilicon patterns at sidewalls of the buried mask pattern; removing portions of the first oxide layer, the first nitride layer pattern, and the second oxide layer pattern to form a third oxide layer pattern, a second nitride layer pattern, and a fourth oxide layer pattern at lower portions of the first polysilicon patterns and the mask pattern; forming a fifth oxide layer pattern surrounding each of the first polysilicon patterns; forming second polysilicon patterns on sidewalls of the fifth oxide layer pattern; and removing the mask pattern and parts of the third oxide layer pattern and the second nitride layer pattern between the first polysilicon patterns.
US08076200B2
A nonvolatile read-only memory having a thin nitrided tunnel insulator surface with a charge blocking insulator over the nitrided surface is presented. The tunnel insulator may be formed of a metal oxide, a metal oxycarbide, a semiconductor oxide, or oxycarbide. The dielectric structure may be formed by nitridation of a surface of a tunnel insulator using ammonia and deposition of a blocking insulator having a larger band gap than the tunnel insulator. The dielectric structure may form part of a memory device, as well as other devices and systems.
US08076193B2
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a semiconductor device fabrication method comprising: forming a first gate electrode via a first gate insulating film on a P-type semiconductor region formed in a surface portion of a semiconductor substrate, and forming a second gate electrode via a second gate insulating film on an N-type semiconductor region formed in the surface portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a first insulating film on side surfaces of the first gate electrode and the first gate insulating film, and forming a second insulating film on side surfaces of the second gate electrode and the second gate insulating film; forming a mask having a pattern corresponding to the P-type semiconductor region; etching away the second insulating film by using the mask; removing the mask; and forming a first gate electrode sidewall insulating film on the side surfaces of the first insulating film, and forming a second gate electrode sidewall insulating film on the side surfaces of the second gate electrode and the second gate insulating film, thereby forming an interface insulating film in an interface between the second gate electrode and the second gate insulating film.
US08076190B2
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed, the method comprises including: forming etching an oxide layer to form a pattern of parallel oxide bars on a substrate; forming nitride spacers on side walls of the parallel oxide bars, with gaps remaining between adjacent nitride spacers; forming silicon pillars in the gaps; removing the nitride spacers to form a plurality of fin bodies; forming an isolation region in between each of the fin bodies; and coating the plurality of fin bodies, the nitride spacers, and the isolation regions with a protective film.
US08076189B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device comprises forming a control electrode over a portion of a semiconductor layer, forming recesses extending into the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the control electrode, and forming doped regions in the semiconductor layer through the recesses. The doped regions form current electrode regions of the semiconductor device and each doped region extends into the semiconductor layer from at least a base of a recess. The method further comprises forming, after forming the doped regions, strained semiconductor regions in the recesses, wherein a junction between each doped region and the semiconductor layer is formed below an interface between a strained semiconductor region and the semiconductor layer.
US08076186B2
A laser annealing method includes forming a nitrogen-doped layer on a semiconductor layer, the nitrogen-doped layer having a nitrogen concentration of at least 3×1020 atoms/cc, irradiating a first area of the nitrogen-doped layer in a low oxygen environment with a laser beam and irradiating a second area of the nitrogen-doped layer in a low oxygen environment with a laser beam, a part of the second area overlapping with the first area.
US08076183B2
A method is disclosed for attaching an interconnection plate to semiconductor die within leadframe package. A base leadframe is provided with die pad for attaching semiconductor die. An interconnection plate is provided for attachment to the base leadframe and semiconductor die. Add a base registration feature onto base leadframe and a plate registration feature onto interconnection plate with the registration features designed to match each other such that, upon approach of the interconnection plate to base leadframe, the two registration features would engage and guide each other causing concomitant self-aligned attachment of the interconnection plate to base leadframe. Next, the interconnection plate is brought into close approach to base leadframe to engage and lock plate registration feature to base registration feature hence completing attachment of the interconnection plate to semiconductor die and forming a leadframe package.
US08076178B2
Embodiments of a method for assembling a multi-chip module (MCM) are described. During this method, a fluid that includes coupling elements is applied to a surface of a base plate in the MCM. Then, at least some of the coupling elements are positioned into negative features on the surface of the base plate using fluidic assembly. Note that a given coupling element selects a given negative feature using chemical-based selection and/or geometry-based selection. Next, the fluid and excess coupling elements (which reside in regions outside of the negative features on the surface) are removed.
US08076167B2
Provided are a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device with a laser cavity to enable a low threshold current on a semipolar surface of a hexagonal group-III nitride, and a method for fabricating the group-III nitride semiconductor laser device on a stable basis. Notches, e.g., notch 113a and others, are formed at four respective corners of a first surface 13a located on the anode side of a group-III nitride semiconductor laser device 11. The notch 113a or the like is a part of a scribed groove provided for separation of the device 11. The scribed grooves are formed with a laser scriber and the shape of the scribed grooves is adjusted by controlling the laser scriber. For example, a ratio of the depth of the notch 113a or the like to the thickness of the group-III nitride semiconductor laser device 11 is not less than 0.05 and not more than 0.4, a tilt of a side wall surface at an end of the notch 113a is not less than 45° and not more than 85°, and a tilt of a side wall surface at an end of the notch 113b is not less than 10° and not more than 30°.
US08076162B2
The present invention includes micro-sphere composition, methods of making binding assays. The present invention also includes a micro-sphere for binding biological molecules without pretreatment. The micro-sphere includes a spherical glass substrate having one or more metal nanoparticle regions that are exposed from within the glass, wherein the micro-sphere is capable of binding biological molecules without pretreatment.
US08076155B2
A use composition monitor determines the concentration of peracid and/or peroxide in a use composition using a kinetic assay procedure. A sample mixture containing a sample of the use composition, a diluent and at least one reagent is prepared and analyzed using, for example, an optical detector. Response data obtained by the detector is indicative of the optical absorbance of the sample mixture as a function of time. A processor analyzes the response data to determine a corresponding best fit linear relationship. Depending upon an expected concentration range, the initial absorbance and/or the slope of the best fit equation are used to calculate the concentrations of the peracid and peroxide in the use composition.
US08076153B2
Systems and methods are described for measuring pH of low alkalinity samples. The present invention provides a sensor array comprising a plurality of pH indicators, each indicator having a different indicator concentration. A calibration function is generated by applying the sensor array to a sample solution having a known pH such that pH responses from each indicator are simultaneously recorded versus indicator concentration for each indicator. Once calibrated, the sensor array is applied to low alkalinity samples having unknown pH. Results from each pH indicator are then compared to the calibration function, and fitting functions are extrapolated to obtain the actual pH of the low alkalinity sample.
US08076152B2
Aspects of the invention include a microfluidic device having a fluid flow path and a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of a polymeric surface of the fluid flow path. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using such devices.
US08076145B2
A method of analyzing vitamin E components in a lipoprotein by subjecting a lipoprotein-containing sample to ion exchange chromatography to separate the lipoprotein, reacting the separated lipoprotein to a pretreating solution containing an organic solvent and a surfactant to liberate vitamin E components, and then subjecting the liberated vitamin E components to reverse phase chromatography. Also described is a method of judging various pathological conditions such as the pathological conditions of diabetes, the risks of coronary artery diseases, and the pathological conditions of myocardial infarction using levels of vitamin E components in the lipoprotein as an index.
US08076133B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing antigen-specific Tr1 regulatory lymphocytes. The inventive method involves the use of artificial antigen-presenting cells expressing a molecule from the HLA class II system and a human LFA-3 molecule and expressing none of the B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, CD40, CD23, or ICAM-1 costimulatory molecules.
US08076132B2
The invention relates to a method of treating tumor cells within a patient wherein immature dendritic cells developed from the patient's monocyte cells and a lymphocyte cultured medium (LCM) adjuvant are introduced into the patient directly into the patient's tumor cells. The immature dendritic cells and LCM adjuvant combine with the antigens in the tumor cells to form a cancer vaccine, thereby immediately treating the tumor cells of the patient. The invention also provides a precursor treatment step of treating the patient with radiation therapy or a chemotherapy regimen.
US08076130B2
The present invention relates generally to a Plasmid Maintenance System for the stabilization of expression plasmids encoding foreign antigens, and methods for making and using the Plasmid Maintenance System. The invention optimizes the maintenance of expression plasmids at two independent levels by: (1) removing sole dependence on balanced lethal maintenance functions; and (2) incorporating at least one plasmid partition function to prevent random segregation of expression plasmids, thereby enhancing their inheritance and stability. The Plasmid Maintenance System may be employed within a plasmid which has been recombinantly engineered to express a variety of expression products.
US08076129B2
The reactor plate preferably includes a sealed reactor, a reactor flow channel connected to the reactor, a sample container constituted from a sealed container provided separately from the reactor, a sample container flow channel to be connected to the sample container, a syringe for sending a liquid, a switching valve for connecting the syringe to the reactor flow channel or the sample container flow channel, and a projecting flow channel connected to the end of the sample container flow channel located on the sample container side. The sample container has a penetrable portion through which the projecting flow channel can penetrate and which is provided to be opposed to the projecting flow channel and is located such that the projecting flow channel penetrating the penetrable portion is brought into contact with a liquid contained in the sample container. The sample container can be connected to the sample container flow channel.
US08076128B2
The present invention provides an automated analyzer system for performing chemical, biochemical or biological assays using changes/no changes in diffraction of light by the presence/absence of analytes which may or may not be present in a sample binding to their analyte specific receptors laid out in a preselected pattern in a disposable sensor. The analyzer is a modular, bench-top instrument that compactly integrates subsystems for sample dispensing, liquid handling, and optical generation of laser light beams and detectors for detecting for diffracted light. An internal processor is included for automating the instrument, and a user interface to provide communication with the operator.
US08076124B2
A method for the transient transformation of a living biological cell having an intact cell membrane defining an intracellular domain, and an apparatus for the transient transformation of biological cells. The method and apparatus include introducing a compartmentalized extracellular component fixedly attached to a cellular penetrant structure to the intracellular domain of the cell, wherein the cell is fixed in a predetermined location and wherein the component is expressed within in the cell while being retained within the compartment and wherein the compartment restricts the mobility and interactions of the component within the cell and prevents transference of the component to the cell.
US08076118B2
Live water solutions containing natural fresh water or saltwater microorganisms, is used in the bio-cycling of aquariums and to provide a healthy aquatic environment. Live water obtained from natural bodies of water, such as an ocean, sea, lake, river, or stream is filtered through filter media having a pore size between 5 and 20 microns to remove contaminants and debris while allowing microorganisms to remain in suspension. The live water is packaged in containers for retail sale thereby providing consumers with a source of live aquarium water for use in an aquarium during initial set-up, to replace water lost to evaporation, and for effecting quick water changes. An enrichment solution is disclosed to aid in maintaining the microorganisms metabolically and physiologically viable for extended periods. In an alternate embodiment, the live water is concentrated to a salinity level not less than 0.8 aw thereby reducing volume while maintaining microorganism viability. Rapid biochemical cycling of an aquarium is achieved by introducing the live water into an aquarium whereby marine microorganisms instantly contribute to establishing a healthy aquatic environment by reducing harmful ammonia levels and through denitrification.
US08076114B2
Nucleic acids encoding cytochrome P450 variants are provided. The cytochrome P450 variants of have a higher alkane-oxidation capability, alkene-oxidation capability, and/or a higher organic-solvent resistance than the corresponding wild-type or parent cytochrome P450 enzyme. A preferred wild-type cytochrome P450 is cytochrome P450 BM-3. Preferred cytochrome P450 variants include those having an improved capability to hydroxylate alkanes and epoxidate alkenes comprising less than 8 carbons, and have amino acid substitutions corresponding to V78A, H236Q, and E252G of cytochrome P450 BM-3. Preferred cytochrome P450 variants also include those having an improved hydroxylation activity in solutions comprising co-solvents such as DMSO and THF, and have amino acid substitutions corresponding to T235A, R471A, E494K, and S1024E of cytochrome P450 BM-3.
US08076113B2
A granule with an allergenic component has reduced dust by including antifoam added during the production of the granule. The antifoam may be dispersed throughout the granule or added to one of the components of the granule. The granule with antifoam produces at least 30% less dust than a comparable granule produced according to a process in which no antifoam is added.
US08076110B2
This invention relates to a method for producing an alkyl ester via a transesterification or esterification reaction. The method includes (1) mixing an oil source containing a triglyceride or a carboxylic acid and a first primary alcohol or a first secondary alcohol in a first organic solvent to form a first solution; in which each molecule of the first organic solvent contains 4-8 carbon atoms and a heteroatom; (2) reacting the triglyceride or the carboxylic acid with the first primary alcohol or the first secondary alcohol in the presence of a first lipase to produce a first alkyl ester, in which the first solution does not undergo phase separation throughout the reaction; and (3) separating the first alkyl ester from the first solution.
US08076104B2
An improved method for rapid identification of microorganisms is disclosed, along with sequences of PCR primers optimized for this purpose. The primers are designed based on information analysis of sequences from a large number of organism to amplify certain segments of genomic DNA whose sequences are unique among different organisms. The PCR products are compared with a DNA sequence database to obtain the identity of the microorganisms. This approach provides an accurate and fast identification and taxonomic assignment of microbial species.
US08076103B2
Methods for producing stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein are provided. The methods include isolating a stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein from a Trichoplusia ni larva expressing a recombinant protein, which Trichoplusia ni larva has ingested a food source comprising stable isotope-labeled algae, thereby resulting in incorporation of a stable isotope into the recombinant protein to produce the stable isotope-labeled recombinant protein.
US08076101B2
The present invention provides a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a modified cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The nucleic acid is modified by the insertion of a first heterologous segment encoding a detectable epitope in a region encoding an extracytoplasmic loop, such as at least one of EL1 through EL6. E12 is currently preferred. Proteins encoded by such nucleic acids, vectors and cells containing such nucleic acids, and methods of use thereof are also described.
US08076100B2
Nucleic acid constructs containing HIV-1 gag/pol and SIV gag or SIV env genes which have been mutated to remove or reduce inhibitory/instability sequences are disclosed. Viral particles and host cells containing these constructs and/or viral particles are also disclosed. The exemplified constructs and viral particles of the invention may be useful in gene therapy for numerous disorders, including HIV infection, or as a vaccine for HIV-1 immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis.
US08076094B2
Phosphorylation of histone H3 at threonine 11—a novel epigenetic mark for transcriptional regulation
The present invention relates to a process for controlling at least one androgen receptor- (AR-) regulated mechanism in mammalian cells under histone-phosphorylating conditions, said process comprising allowing at least one inhibitor with specificity for at least one protein kinase C-related kinase (PRK) to act on said at least one PRK1 thereby modulating, preferably down-regulating, the activity of said at least one PRK and optionally blocking said at least one androgen receptor-regulated mechanism in said mammalian cells.
US08076092B2
Assay methods are disclosed involving specific binding reactions which are simplified compared to known methods. A compound capable of producing chemiluminescence is immobilized on a solid support as is a member of a specific binding pair for capturing an analyte from a sample. An activator compound that activates the chemiluminescent compound and is conjugated to a specific binding pair member is added in excess along with the sample to the solid support. Addition of a trigger solution causes a chemiluminescent reaction at the sites where the activator conjugate has been specifically bound. The assay methods are termed non-separation assays because they do not require removal or separation of excess detection label (activator conjugate) prior to the detection step. The methods are applicable to various types of assays including immunoassays, receptor-ligand assays and nucleic acid hybridization assays.
US08076088B2
A method of detecting β-defensin in a bodily sample from a subject includes reducing the electrostatic interaction between β-defensin and negatively charged moieties in the bodily sample prior to detecting the β-defensin with an antibody or epitope binding fragment thereof.
US08076078B2
The present invention provides novel mutations of the CFTR gene related to cystic fibrosis or to conditions associated with cystic fibrosis. Also provided are probes for detecting the mutant sequences. Methods of identifying if an individual has a genotype containing one or more mutations in the CFTR gene are further provided.
US08076060B2
This invention provides a method whereby a vaccine, particularly a vaccine based on a prophylactic or therapeutic AIDS/HIV vaccine, or other immune-reactive substance is administered to produce an immunologic response that decreases intraocular pressure or has a neuro-protective effect beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma patients. The invention may also be used as a provocative test to diagnose glaucoma as well as identify those patients at risk for developing glaucoma. The invention may also be used to prevent the development of glaucoma in patients deemed to be at high risk of developing glaucoma, such as glaucoma suspects or ocular hypertensive patients.
US08076055B2
A reflector structure suitable for extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) is provided. The structure comprises a substrate having a multi-layer reflector. A capping layer is formed over the multi-layer reflector to prevent oxidation. In an embodiment, the capping layer is formed of an inert oxide, such as Al2O3, HfO2, ZrO2, Ta2O5, Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2, or the like. The capping layer may be formed by reactive sputtering in an oxygen environment, by non-reactive sputtering wherein the materials are sputtered directly from the respective oxide targets, by non-reactive sputtering of the metallic layer followed by full or partial oxidation (e.g., by natural oxidation, by oxidation in oxygen-containing plasmas, by oxidation in ozone (O3), or the like), by atomic level deposition (e.g., ALCVD), or the like.
US08076054B2
A composition for forming an adhesive layer which results in strong adhesion force between a substrate and a photosensitive resin layer, and which does not cause transfer of the constituting components to the substrate, a relief printing plate using the same, and a method for manufacturing a relief printing plate are provided. The composition of the present invention comprises (a) a carboxyl group-containing polymer, and (b) an oxazoline group-containing polymer. Adhesive layer 20 formed using the composition of the present invention can be preferably used as an adhesive layer that adheres between substrate 10 and photosensitive resin layer 30 in a relief printing plate.
US08076050B2
Disclosed are compositions of mixed fullerene derivatives with utility in organic semiconductors, and methods of making and using such compositions. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions of mixed fullerene derivatives further comprising one or more additional fullerene-based components within specified ranges. In certain other embodiments, the invention relates to methods of producing mixed fullerene derivatives of a specific composition from mixed fullerene starting materials, or pure fullerene derivatives of a specific composition from mixed fullerene derivatives. In yet other embodiments, the invention relates to semiconductors and devices comprising a composition of the invention.
US08076039B2
In a fuel cell stack, an inlet fuel distributor (15, 31, 31a, 31b) comprises a plurality of fuel distributing passageways (17-23, 40-47, 64) of substantially equal length and equal flow cross section to uniformly distribute fuel cell inlet fuel from a fuel supply conduit (13, 14, 50) to a fuel inlet manifold (28). The conduits may be either channels (40-47; 64) formed within a plate (39) or tubes (17-23). The channels may have single exits (65) or double exits (52, 53) into the fuel inlet manifold.
US08076028B2
A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2), iron sulfide (FeS) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent mixture. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) powder, iron sulfide (FeS) powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.
US08076025B2
The invention relates to a paste-like mass that can be used in electrochemical structural elements, including a heterogeneous mixture of (1.) a matrix (A) containing at least one organic polymer, precursors thereof, or prepolymers thereof, and a plasticizer, and (2.) an electrochemically activatable inorganic material in the form of a solid substance (B), the material not being soluble in the matrix and in water, with the proviso that a conductor that is soluble in the plasticizer and that is different from (B) is not present in the mixture, wherein the plasticizer is present in a quantity of up to about 5% by weight, relative to the quantity of the electrochemically activatable material. Self-supporting layers or layers that are placed on a substrate can be prepared from the paste-like mass. Composite layers having electrochemical properties are obtainable by combining such a layer wherein (B) is a positive electrode material, a layer wherein (B) has solid electrolyte properties, and a layer wherein (B) is a negative electrode material and can be used in rechargeable electrochemical cells.
US08076011B2
An electronic device housing is provided. The electronic device housing comprises a substrate, a base paint coating formed on the substrate, and a metallic coating formed on the base paint coating. The metallic coating comprises a plurality of first layers interleaved with a plurality of second layers, and a third layer provided outermost. The first layer and the second layer are respectively a zirconium dioxide layer and an aluminum oxide layer, or are respectively composite component layer of niobium pentoxide and zirconium dioxide, and silicon dioxide layer. The third layer is a magnesium fluoride layer.
US08076002B2
Photovoltaic modules are prepared by laminating an active device to a glass cover plate by means of a thermoplastic siloxane copolymer. The siloxane copolymer provides good adhesion, freedom from water absorption, and yet can be reworked either in the field or during recycling of the solar cell components.
US08075998B2
The invention relates to hydrocarbon-free aqueous creams of organosilicon compounds, their preparation and their use. The hydrocarbon-free water-in-oil creams of organosilicon compounds comprise the components: (A) one or more C1-C20-alkyl-C1-C6-alkoxysilanes (A1), alkoxy-containing organopolysiloxanes (A2) and/or organopolysiloxanes (A3) which comprise, in addition to other organosiloxane units, siloxane units which bear Si—C-bonded radicals containing basic nitrogen, with the proviso that the amine number of the organopolysiloxane is at least 0.01, (B) one or more emulsifiers and (C) water.
US08075996B2
A ceramics sintered compact is provided in which a relative dielectric constant and an electromechanical coupling coefficient are improved in superior balance and which shows a relatively high piezoelectric coefficient. A ceramics sintered compact having a perovskite structure is provided in which a (002)/(200) ratio by X-ray diffraction after polarization is applied is 1.0 or greater.
US08075994B2
A thermal bonding conjugate fiber constituted from a first component comprising a polyester resin and a second component comprising a polyolefin resin with a melting point lower than that of the polyester resin by not less than 20° C., characterized in that a post-heat treatment bulk retention rate thereof is 20% or more when calculated by the following measurement method: Bulk retention rate=(H1 (mm)/H0 (mm))×100(%) (wherein H0 is the web height when a 0.1 g/cm2 load is applied to a web with a mass per unit area of 200 g/m2; and H1 is the web height after a heat treatment for 5 min at 145° C. when a 0.1 g/cm2 load is applied to that web).
US08075992B2
Cured perfluoroelastomer articles are disclosed which have improved surface characteristics. The articles are coated with a thin durable film comprising a fluorocarbon telomer which reduces surface stickiness, while maintaining the sealing properties of the article.
US08075989B2
A polymeric foam article has at least two thermoplastic polymer foams in layered orientation, each of the thermoplastic polymer foams having an adjoining surface that contains a polymer skin, a thickness dimension perpendicular to the adjoining surface, perforations that are less than one millimeter in diameter that penetrate through the adjoining surface to a depth less than the thickness dimension of the foam, where the adjoining surface of one thermoplastic polymer foam is adjacent and adhered to the adjoining surface of another thermoplastic polymer foam with an adhesive thereby affixing the thermoplastic polymer foams to one another.
US08075988B2
A prepreg containing a carbon fiber [A] and a thermosetting resin [B], and in addition, satisfying at least one of the following (1) and (2). (1) a thermoplastic resin particle or fiber [C] and a conductive particle or fiber [D] are contained, and weight ratio expressed by [compounding amount of [C] (parts by weight)]/[compounding amount of [D] (parts by weight)] is 1 to 1000. (2) a conductive particle or fiber of which thermoplastic resin nucleus or core is coated with a conductive substance [E] is contained.
US08075985B2
Described are laminate films including a polyolefin base layer, and a metal receiving layer including a blend of propylene homopolymer or mini-random propylene-ethylene copolymer, and an amorphous poly-alpha-olefin or ethylene-propylene elastomer. The metal receiving layer may also include an ethylene-propylene copolymer. The laminate film may also include additional layers such as an additional polyolefin resin-containing layer, a metal layer, or combinations thereof.
US08075984B2
The present invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition characterized by comprising (A) a thermoplastic resin and (B) a white pigment in a mass ratio of 50:50 to 90:10 and further comprising (C) a black coloring material and a blue coloring material; and provides a formed article using the resin composition. The above thermoplastic resin composition is an improvement of the conventional technique for preventing the permeation of light from a thin part of the formed article while securing a satisfactory reflectance, and can markedly improve the light blocking effect of a thermoplastic resin composition, without the increase of the number of parts, the employment of a more complicated process, or the like.
US08075969B2
An electrically conductive member includes an elongate body, which has at least one electrically conductive region. The electrically conductive region comprises a porous polymeric material coated with an electrically conductive material. A method of manufacturing the electrically conductive member includes the steps of extruding an elongate body of polymeric material, wherein at least one region of the elongate body is porous in nature; and coating the elongate body with an electrically conductive material, such that the electrically conductive material substantially coats the pores of the at least one region.
US08075962B2
A newsprint medium for inkjet printing includes a newsprint medium base paper and a layer of multivalent salt disposed on at least one side of said base paper.
US08075959B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel includes a liquid crystal (LC) layer interposed between top and bottom substrates. The LC layer includes a plurality of LC compounds and a stabilization-aligned polymer polymerized from a plurality of polymerizable monomers and formed on at least one surface of the top substrate or the bottom substrate. The plurality of LC compounds comprise first, second, and third LC compounds in which the third LC compound is selected from the group consisting of a compound 3A, a compound 3B, a compound 3C, and combinations thereof. As seen from the chemical formulae, the plurality of LC compounds have condensed rings so that sensitivity to light and heat is reduced and reliability of the LCD panel is improved.
US08075956B2
The present invention relates to methods for functionally modifying a polymeric surface for subsequent deposition of metallic particles and/or films, wherein the polymeric surface is modified by increasing hydroxyl and/or amine functional groups thereby providing an activated polymeric surface for deposition of metallic particles to form a fluorescence sensing device. The device can be used for metal-enhanced fluorescence of fluorophores positioned above the metallic particles that can be readily applied to diagnostic or sensing applications of metal-enhanced fluorescence.
US08075951B2
One aspect of the invention provides ion-exchange and gas-diffusion membranes, fabricated by a layer-by-layer approach, for use, e.g., in electrochemical cells; a process for making membrane electrode assemblies fabricated using porous frameworks, LBL composite membranes and LBL carbon-Polymer electrodes; and the application of the membrane and electrode assemblies to a variety of devices, both electrochemical and otherwise.
US08075948B2
The present invention provides a transparent conductive film having: a transparent base film; a transparent SiOx thin film having a thickness of from 10 to 100 nm, a refractive index of from 1.40 to 1.80 and an average surface roughness Ra of from 0.8 to 3.0 nm, wherein x is from 1.0 to 2.0; and a transparent conductive thin film including an indium-tin complex oxide, which has a thickness of from 20 to 35 nm and a ratio of SnO2/(In2O3+SnO2) of from 3 to 15 wt %, wherein the transparent conductive thin film is disposed on one side of the transparent base film through the transparent SiOx thin film.
US08075937B2
Alkyldienamides compounds suitable for use as flavoring agents are disclosed. The compounds are used as flavors since they possess umami characteristics or other desirable organoleptic properties. The disclosed compounds are defined by the structure set forth below: wherein R is ethyl or cyclopropyl; and wherein R′ is methyl or butyl, with the proviso that when R is ethyl, R′ is not methyl.
US08075934B2
The present invention is directed an improved nutritional composition, methods of improving digestion, and methods of enhancing the bioavailability of TGF-β.
US08075931B2
A method of making a low molecular weight fraction of Phyllanthus niruri is provided. Such low molecular weight fraction is particularly useful for treating the skin, for example skin in need of treatment for signs of aging, for reducing inflammation, or for skin lightening.
US08075930B2
A method of making a low molecular weight fraction of Phyllanthus niruri is provided. Such low molecular weight fraction is particularly useful for treating the skin, for example skin in need of treatment for signs of aging, for reducing inflammation, or for skin lightening.
US08075924B2
A method of treating or ameliorating an indication of mucosal or adjacent tissue comprising periodically applying to mucosa at or adjacent to disease affected tissue a rinse comprising: an effective amount of appropriate composition of herbal bioactive comprising active(s) of one or more of Sambucus nigra, Centella asiatica or Echinacea purpurea; an antimicrobially effective amount of a quaternary ammonium surfactant; and optionally a polymer or mixture of polymers effective to coat said tissue and entrap said extract(s).
US08075923B2
This invention relates to a use of hederagenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl((1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside or a Pulsatillae radix extract containing the same as a therapeutic agent for solid tumors. Also, this invention relates to a method of preparing a therapeutic agent for solid tumors by using hederagenin 3-0-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside, or a method of treating a subject suffering from solid tumors, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective dose of hederagenin 3-0-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside.
US08075901B1
A formulation includes water, shea butter, an emulsifier and an essential oil comprising myrrh. In addition, the formulation can include cocoa butter, coconut oil, kelp powder, and a preservative comprising a mixture of phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. The formulation can be used for cosmetic applications in which the formulation is applied as a cream to a user's skin.
US08075898B2
A safe and efficient recombinant mite allergen is provided as a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent for mite allergic diseases, which contains no anaphylaxis-inducing impurities. The following recombinant protein (a) or (b) is provided: (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or 35; or (b) a protein comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 or 35 by deletion, substitution, or addition of one or several amino acids and having mite allergen activity.
US08075888B2
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17 and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders.
US08075882B2
Adoptive immune cells obtained by a method including (a) obtaining mammalian antigen-presenting associated cells; (b) culturing the resulting cells from step (a) in a culture liquid contained in a culture vessel coated with a sugar chain-containing polymer; and (c) detaching the cells from step (b) by shaking the culture vessel without treating the cells with an enzyme and without using a cell detaching tool. A method for treating a malignant tumor, type I diabetes, an atopic allergic disease or an infection, by administering the adoptive immune cells to a patient. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a malignant tumor, type I diabetes, an atopic allergic disease or an infection, including the adoptive immune cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08075864B2
Provided are a graphene sheet and a process of preparing the same. Particularly, a process of economically preparing a large-area graphene sheet having a desired thickness and a graphene sheet prepared by the process are provided.
US08075862B2
The present invention relates to a hydrophobic, fumed silica which is obtained by milling a fumed silica which has fixed dimethylsilyl and/or monomethylsilyl groups on the surface due to silanization; and to a process for the preparation of the silica according to the invention, and to silicone rubber materials containing the silica according to the invention.
US08075855B2
A MEMS integrated circuit comprising a peristaltic microfluidic pump and control circuitry for the pump. The pump comprises a pumping chamber positioned between an inlet and an outlet; a plurality of moveable fingers positioned in a wall of the pumping chamber, the fingers being arranged in a row along the wall; and a plurality of thermal bend actuators. Each actuator is associated with a respective finger such that actuation of the thermal bend actuator causes movement of the respective finger into the pumping chamber. The control circuitry controls actuation of the plurality of actuators. The control circuitry is configured to provide a peristaltic pumping action in each pumping chamber via peristaltic movement of the fingers.
US08075847B2
The invention relates to a detergent dispenser for dosing a quantity of solid detergent by dissolving some of the solid detergent in a liquid solvent, in particular in water, to form a detergent solution, and feeding the detergent solution to a detergent outlet. The dispenser comprises a housing (1) with a chassis (2) for wallmounting or the like and a solid detergent reservoir (3). The solid detergent reservoir (3) comprises a detergent compartment (4) holding the solid detergent, a solvent application compartment (7), a liquid solvent dispensing means (9), a solvent supply conduit (10) leading to the solvent dispensing means (9), a detergent solution collector means (11), and a solution conduit (12) connected to the detergent solution collector means (11) to carry away the detergent solution towards a detergent outlet. The invention is particularly convenient, because the solid detergent reservoir (3) is constructed as a modular unit easily separable from the housing (1). If different solid detergent reservoirs (3) for different types of solid detergent are provided, those are, even if they are different in the detergent compartment (4) and/or the solvent application compartment (7) and/or the liquid solvent dispensing means (9), fully compatible with the housing (1) as far as form and attachment points are concerned.
US08075834B2
A machine (10) for blow molding containers (110). The machine (10) has a stationary flow head (26) located above a turntable (12) with molds (16) mounted on carriages (38). The carriages (38) are mounted on ramps (40) and are raised to remove containers (110) and are lowered from the flow head (12) using a closed loop hydraulic system actuated by a cam. A double rack-and-pinion assembly (78) guides opening and closing of the molds (16) and a locking system having locking shafts (94, 96) engaging apertures (98, 100) in a cross head (74) with pivoting locking keys (102, 104) movable into alignment with the apertures (98, 100) prevents inadvertent mold opening. A container transfer device (32) has inflatable bladders (140) which engage the interior of the containers (110) to prevent damage. Augmented cooling of the containers (110) in the mold (16) is provided by positioning the flow head (26) at an acute angle (28) to the transfer device (32). Different molds (16) may be positioned on the turntable (12) in an alternating arrangement to facilitate production changeover.
US08075830B2
A blown film that comprises polypropylene that has a melt flow rate of 1.8 to 14.0 g/10 min. and a melting point of at least 115° C. The blown film has a haze of less than 10% and a gloss of greater than 70%. The blown film may be co-extruded with a medium density polyethylene or 15 wt % of an impact copolymer. A clarifier may also be incorporated. The blown film that comprises polypropylene is produced on a standard air cooled blown film line.
US08075822B1
The method of fabricating a stone-hard, mold-free, scented and decorative bead includes the steps of drying flower petals, finely chopping the dried petals, simmering the finely chopped petals, cooking off excess fluid from the simmered petals and straining to form a pulp, spreading the pulp and placing in a food dehydrator on low setting to form a dried pulp, milling the dried pulp m a flour mill on highest/finest setting to form a petal powder, mixing the petal powder with gum arabic solution and either flower oil or olive oil to form a clay composition, using either a form or hand rolling the clay composition to form a bead, piercing the bead with a pin, rotating the bead on the pin to form a dned bead, removing the dried bead from the pin to form a pierced bead, determining if a smoother surface is desired, if so buffing with final finish sandpaper, and determining if a shiny bead is desired, if so touching lightly petroleum jelly onto the pierced bead and wiping off to shine.
US08075815B2
The invention relates to a method for detecting process parameters when making wood products (6), especially wood panels, which are hot-pressed by applying pressure and heat, as well as a wood product (6). In said method, at least one measuring instrument (3) is introduced into the non-pressed starting material (2) during the on-going production process of the wood products (6) in order to detect the pressure, temperature, and/or humidity and remains in the end product (6). The measured process parameters are read in a wireless manner.
US08075806B2
A method of making a treating wash includes mixing brass granules with acetone, mixing carbon nanotube material, iron pyrite granules and copper granules in the acetone brass mixture, and straining the liquid from the remaining solid material. Methods of treating materials such as brass granules, iron pyrite granules, carbon nanotube material, and brass granules comprises washing the materials in the treating wash, followed by straining and drying the materials.
US08075792B1
A method (300) of texturing silicon surfaces (116) such to reduce reflectivity of a silicon wafer (110) for use in solar cells. The method (300) includes filling (330, 340) a vessel (122) with a volume of an etching solution (124) so as to cover the silicon surface 116) of a wafer or substrate (112). The etching solution (124) is made up of a catalytic nanomaterial (140) and an oxidant-etchant solution (146). The catalytic nanomaterial (140) may include gold or silver nanoparticles or noble metal nanoparticles, each of which may be a colloidal solution. The oxidant-etchant solution (146) includes an etching agent (142), such as hydrofluoric acid, and an oxidizing agent (144), such as hydrogen peroxide. Etching (350) is performed for a period of time including agitating or stirring the etching solution (124). The etch time may be selected such that the etched silicon surface (116) has a reflectivity of less than about 15 percent such as 1 to 10 percent in a 350 to 1000 nanometer wavelength range.
US08075788B2
A printed circuit board fabrication method allows a fabrication time and a fabrication cost to be reduced. The fabrication method of the printed circuit board includes steps of forming a resist layer on a surface of the printed circuit board whose surface is made of an insulator, of forming a hole that is connected from the surface of the resist layer to a conductor pattern of an inner layer and a hole and grooves having a depth not connected with the conductor layer of the inner layer by irradiating lasers, of filling a conductive material into the holes and the grooves to form a conductor pattern and of removing the resist layer to project a portion of the conductor pattern out of the surface of the insulating layer.
US08075786B2
An acoustic/pressure wave-driven device for separating a first component from a mixture of the first component and a second fluid component. The device comprises a rich reservoir, a lean reservoir, a pump reservoir, a bridge structure, and an acoustic/pressure wave source. The rich reservoir is for containing a fluid mixture having an elevated concentration of the first component. The lean reservoir is for containing a fluid mixture having a lesser concentration of the first component that is leaner than the concentration of the first component in fluid mixture of the rich reservoir. The pump reservoir contains a fluid mixture of the first component and the second fluid component. The bridge structure has a sidewall defining a gradient channel in fluid communication with the rich reservoir and the lean reservoir and a length extending there between. The gradient channel is for containing a fluid having a concentration gradient of the first component along its length. A diffusion portion of the sidewall disposed between the gradient channel and the pump reservoir is adapted to permit diffusion of at least the first component between the gradient channel and the pump reservoir while preventing fluid flow there between. The acoustic/pressure wave source provides acoustic waves into the pump reservoir to cause pressure oscillations in the fluid mixture therein adjacent to the diffusion portion to move molecules of the target component against the concentration gradient from the lean reservoir into the rich reservoir.
US08075783B2
A system and method for remediating a body of water and collecting suspended and dissolved solids therefrom are provided. The system includes a water-impervious lining positionable in a depression in or adjacent a body of water. The lining and depression define a treatment vessel, which includes a treatment portion, an outlet portion for containing treated water, and an outflow weir between the treatment portion and the outlet portion. Water to be treated is transported from the water body to the treatment portion. An entrapment element is delivered and mixed into the transported water, the entrapment element for capturing suspended and dissolved solids in the transported water and effecting a separation between the captured solids and water cleansed therefrom. The captured solids can be removed from the treatment basin, and the cleansed water can move through a channel in the outflow weir into the outlet portion.
US08075773B2
A hollow fiber membrane module, a hollow fiber membrane module unit using the hollow fiber membrane module, and a water treatment method using the module or the module unit enable the efficient contact of microorganisms on the surface of a membrane with a gas, the module and the unit having excellent durability. The hollow fiber membrane module is formed in such a manner that the end parts of sheet-form hollow fiber membranes are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and the end face of the anchoring member on a side where the hollow fiber membranes open is formed in a substantially circular shape. The hollow fiber membrane module unit is formed in such a manner that a plurality of modules is disposed. The water treatment method is used to purify treated water with the microorganisms adhered onto the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes by using the module or the unit.
US08075769B1
An in-line P-trap chlorinator that ensures water contact with a water-leachable algicide and/or antibacterial tablet while water is flowing through the P-trap, and after the flow of water has stopped. The in-line P-trap chlorinator is inserted in a condensation drain line of an air-conditioning or refrigerating unit to prevent formation of growth from bacteria or algae, which would plug the line, and/or to destroy any such growth already in the line. The inlet to the P-trap chlorinator is above the outlet, to prevent back-migration of harmful and/or corrosive gases, vapors, and/or liquids/mixtures/solutions. The P-trap chlorinator performs and combines the functions of a P-trap and a chlorinator. No additional P-trap is required.
US08075767B2
Described is an affinity microcolumn comprising a high surface area material, which has high flow properties and a low dead volume, contained within a housing and having affinity reagents bound to the surface of the high surface area material that are either activated or activatable. The affinity reagents bound to the surface of the affinity microcolumn further comprise affinity receptors for the integration into high throughput analysis of biomolecules.
US08075766B2
A water treatment method is provided for helping to partially or completely remove sodium and methane gas from water. In the method, water is combined with a reactant that is formulated to combine with the sodium in the water and form a compound. The water and compound are then passed through a bed of media for helping to separate the compound from the water. The method also includes aerating the water to release gases contained therein by breaking the water into microdroplets by passing it through a screen. Additionally, the method may include a step wherein the water is passed through an acidic resin for facilitating a cation exchange where additional sodium is removed. A water treatment apparatus for performing the method is also provided.
US08075758B2
Alkali alcoholates, also called alkali alkoxides, are produced from alkali metal salt solutions and alcohol using a three-compartment electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell includes an anolyte compartment configured with an anode, a buffer compartment, and a catholyte compartment configured with a cathode. An alkali ion conducting solid electrolyte configured to selectively transport alkali ions is positioned between the anolyte compartment and the buffer compartment. An alkali ion permeable separator is positioned between the buffer compartment and the catholyte compartment. The catholyte solution may include an alkali alcoholate and alcohol. The anolyte solution may include at least one alkali salt. The buffer compartment solution may include a soluble alkali salt and an alkali alcoholate in alcohol.
US08075756B2
A semiconductor wafer holder includes first and second holding members between which a semiconductor wafer is held. The second holding member includes a second conductive element placed in contact with a first conductive element of the first holding member and the semiconductor wafer. A ring clamp is used to press the second holding member against the first holding member for holding of the semiconductor wafer.
US08075754B2
The invention relates to a method for pumping through an orifice (30, 31) of a first substrate (1), a first volume of liquid (2) in contact with a first hydrophobic surface of said substrate, wherein a pressure variation between the first volume of liquid and a second volume of liquid (2′), located in contact with said orifice and a second hydrophobic surface of said substrate, is achieved by electrowetting.
US08075752B2
The invention relates to an electrochemical sensor and method for providing the sensor having an insulator, an electrode deposited on the insulator, an electrolytic material in contact with the electrode for providing an electrical connection, and a cooling and heating element in contact with the insulator and spaced apart from the electrode for adjusting a temperature of the sensor.
US08075749B2
In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising: a containment vessel configured for pressurization; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a first gas, wherein the first gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; a second gas, wherein the second gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the second electrode; a separator; a first gas collection vessel; and a second gas collection vessel, wherein the separator includes a first inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the first gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the first gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the second electrode and towards the first gas collection vessel, and wherein the separator includes an second inclined surface to direct flow of the electrolyte and the second gas due to a difference between density of the electrolyte and combined density of the electrolyte and the second gas such that the gas substantially flows in a direction distal the first electrode and towards the second gas collection vessel.
US08075746B2
A method is provided for synthesizing synthesis gas from carbon dioxide obtained from atmospheric air or other available carbon dioxide source and water using a sodium-conducting electrochemical cell. Synthesis gas is also produced by the coelectrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam in a solid oxide fuel cell or solid oxide electrolytic cell. The synthesis gas produced may then be further processed and eventually converted into a liquid fuel suitable for transportation or other applications.
US08075743B2
A cutting tool insert, particularly useful for machining of cast iron, comprising a body of a hard alloy of cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, cubic boron nitride based material or high speed steel a hard and wear resistant coating; and at least (Al,Cr)2O3 layer applied to said body is disclosed. Methods of making a cutting tool insert are also disclosed. In addition, methods for machining of cast iron using the cutting tool inserts are disclosed.
US08075741B2
In the water purification process, apparatus, and method, contaminated water vapor is exposed to liquid solvent, which causes a transfer of contaminants from the contaminated water vapor to the liquid solvent. In an advantageous embodiment, this latter step is followed by a second purification step where the decontaminated water in liquid phase is exposed to water vapor which causes a transfer of solvent remaining in the decontaminated water to the water vapor. The energy freed during the condensation of the vapor can advantageously be used for evaporation of the liquids, optionally by compressing the vapors prior to condensation thereof within heat exchangers.
US08075740B2
A system for treating feedwater includes a fluidized bed heat exchanger unit connected to receive feedwater and a flash concentrator column connected to receive feedwater discharged from the fluidized bed heat exchanger unit. A spray dryer is provided to receive a solids/liquid slurry discharged from the flash concentrator column. Feedwater can be treated by converting dissolved solids in the feedwater to suspended solids, vaporizing a portion of the feedwater to produce a solids/liquid slurry, and separating solids from the solids/liquid slurry.
US08075737B2
A headbox apparatus for a papermaking machine is disclosed. The headbox apparatus defines a flow path for stock flowing between an upstream location and a downstream slice lip. The apparatus includes a plurality of blocks which are anchored within the flow path between the upstream location and the slice lip. Each block and an adjacent block of the plurality of blocks define therebetween a flow tube for the flow therethrough of the stock. The flow tube has an upstream portion having an upstream and a downstream end. The flow tube has a downstream portion having an upstream and a downstream extremity, the upstream extremity of the downstream portion extending from the downstream end of the upstream portion. The downstream portion of the flow tube has a volume which is greater than a further volume of the upstream portion of the flow tube such that when the stock flows from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the flow tube, the stock is mixed within the downstream portion.
US08075736B2
Headbox for a paper machine which discharges paper raw material onto a wire as a raw material jet from a slice which is supplied with the paper raw material. The headbox includes an orientation correcting arrangement for correcting a pulp fiber orientation by supplying the paper raw material as a correction flow to a single location in either a central portion of the slice or a plurality of locations other than end portions thereof. The paper raw material is one of extracted from a taper header in which paper raw material for a main flow is stored and extracted from a correction-only taper header in which paper raw material for correcting the pulp fiber orientation is stored. This abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08075730B2
In a semiconductor device manufacturing method, an etching mask (75b) having a predetermined opening pattern is formed on an etching target film (74) disposed on a target object. Then, an etching process is performed on the etching target film (74) through the opening pattern of the etching mask (75b) within a first process chamber, thereby forming a groove or hole (78a) in the etching target film. Then, the target object treated by the etching process is transferred from the first process chamber to a second process chamber, within a vacuum atmosphere. Then, a silylation process is performed on a side surface of the groove or hole (78a), which is an exposed portion of the etching target film (74), within the second process chamber.
US08075723B1
A method for manufacture of unit cells for thin film photovoltaic materials includes providing an optically transparent substrate having a thickness, a back surface region, and a front surface region including one or more grid-line regions. The method further includes forming a layered structure including photovoltaic materials overlying a metal layer on the front surface region. Additionally, the method includes aligning a laser beam from the back surface region through the thickness of the optically transparent substrate to illuminate a first region within the one or more grid-line regions and subjecting a portion of the metal layer overlying the first region in the laser beam to separate a first portion of the layered structure from the first region. The method further includes scanning the laser beam along the one or more grid-line regions to cause formation of one or more unit cells of the layered structure and providing the one or more unit cells.
US08075721B2
This invention relates to the thermosetting resin compositions useful for mounting onto a circuit board semiconductor devices, such as chip size or chip scale packages (“CSPs”), ball grid arrays (“BGAs”), land grid arrays (“LGAs”) and the like, each of which having a semiconductor chip, such as large scale integration (“LSI”), on a carrier substrate. Similarly, the compositions are useful for mounting onto circuit board semiconductor chips themselves. Reaction products of the compositions of this invention are controllably reworkable when subjected to appropriate conditions. And significantly, unlike many commercial rapid curing underfill sealants (“snap cure underfills”), the inventive compositions possess an exotherm under 300 J/g or demonstrate package stability at 55° C. for 7 days, and therefore do not require special packaging to be transported by air courier, or special approval from international transportation authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, to permit such air transport. The inventive compositions possess an exotherm under 300 J/g and/or demonstrate package stability at 55° C. for 7 days and therefore do not require special packaging to be transported by air courier, or special approval from international transportation authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, to permit such air transport.
US08075718B2
Disclosed are a method for manufacturing a heavy-duty pneumatic tire by winding a reinforcing belt disposed in a belt layer of a tread with an untopped spiral steel cord, and a tire manufactured by the same.
US08075716B1
Sol-gel chemistry is used for the preparation of energetic materials (explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics) with improved homogeneity, and/or which can be cast to near-net shape, and/or made into precision molding powders. The sol-gel method is a synthetic chemical process where reactive monomers are mixed into a solution, polymerization occurs leading to a highly cross-linked three dimensional solid network resulting in a gel. The energetic materials can be incorporated during the formation of the solution or during the gel stage of the process. The composition, pore, and primary particle sizes, gel time, surface areas, and density may be tailored and controlled by the solution chemistry. The gel is then dried using supercritical extraction to produce a highly porous low density aerogel or by controlled slow evaporation to produce a xerogel. Applying stress during the extraction phase can result in high density materials. Thus, the sol-gel method can be used for precision detonator explosive manufacturing as well as producing precision explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics, along with high power composite energetic materials.
US08075715B2
A precursor composition of a reactive material that comprises a metal material and an energetic material, such as at least one oxidizer or at least one class 1.1 explosive. The metal material defines a continuous phase at a processing temperature of the precursor composition and the energetic material is dispersed therein. The metal material may be a fusible metal alloy having a melting point ranging from approximately 46° C. to approximately 250° C. The fusible metal alloy may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc. The reactive composition may have a density of greater than approximately 2 g/cm3. The reactive composition may also include a polymer/plasticizer system.
US08075714B2
An apparatus for the heat-treating of a heat-hardenable steel cruciform article having a weld seam includes a heating element to heat the weld seam to a point that an austenitic transformation occurs, and a quenching chamber to cool the weld seam, causing the formation of Martensite and an associated expansion. The quenching is rapid since slow quenching may allow a crystalline phase other than martensite to form. The apparatus may comprise rollers operable to convey the welded cruciform article through the apparatus at a speed such that the weld seam is subjected to heating for a predetermined heat time sufficient to cause a formation of martensite there within, and such that the heated portion reaches the quenching chamber and is quenched to create a substantial amount of martensite, e.g., an amount sufficient to cause expansion of the part.
US08075711B2
A hot-rolled high strength steel sheet in which, without using expensive Mo, and by effectively using Ti, which is an expensive element, the amount of precipitation hardening of which is large, both ductility and stretch-flangeability are improved at a tensile strength of 780 MPa or higher, and desirable tensile fatigue properties are exhibited. The hot-rolled high strength steel sheet has a composition including, in percent by mass, C: 0.06% to 0.15%, Si: 1.2% or less, Mn: 0.5% to 1.6%, P: 0.04% or less, S: 0.005% or less, Al: 0.05% or less, and Ti: 0.03% to 0.20%, the balance being Fe and incidental impurities, wherein the steel sheet has a structure in which the volume fraction of ferrite is 50% to 90%, the balance is substantially bainite, the total volume fraction of ferrite and bainite is 95% or more, precipitates containing Ti are precipitated in the ferrite, and the precipitates have an average diameter of 20 nm or less; and 80% or more of the Ti content in the steel is precipitated.
US08075709B2
A method for the surface treatment of aluminum or an aluminum alloy which comprises soaking aluminum or an aluminum alloy in a treating fluid containing ammonium silicofluoride and another aluminum-free fluorine compound to form a film thereon, wherein the treating fluid comprises an aqueous solution further containing at least one substance selected from the group consisting of aluminum fluoride, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum silicate, magnesium aluminate metasilicate and powdered aluminum.
US08075706B2
A paste composition for aluminum brazing of the invention contains 40 to 65% by weight of a metal powder for brazing (a), 5 to 35% by weight of a fluoride type flux (b), 1 to 10% by weight of a methacrylic acid ester type polymer (c), and 10 to 40% by weight of an organic solvent (d); and the component (d) is a hydrocarbon type organic solvent having no aromatic ring and no hydroxyl group and the composition is in a paste-like state having a viscosity of 6,000 to 200,000 mPa·s at 23° C. and accordingly, the storage stability and applicability (practically, discharge property and pressure stability by using a dispenser) and brazing property can be improved in good balance.
US08075701B2
A process for reconditioning a multi-component electrode comprising a silicon electrode bonded to an electrically conductive backing plate is provided. The process comprises: (i) removing metal ions from the multi-component electrode by soaking the multi-component electrode in a substantially alcohol-free DSP solution comprising sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and water and rinsing the multi-component electrode with de-ionized water; (ii) polishing one or more surfaces of the multi-component electrode following removal of metal ions there from; and (iii) removing contaminants from silicon surfaces of the multi-component electrode by treating the polished multi-component electrode with a mixed acid solution comprising hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid, and water and by rinsing the treated multi-component electrode with de-ionized water. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.
US08075700B2
A method and apparatus for a backwash system for cleaning an underwater intake filter assembly. The backwash system includes an underwater tank coupled on one end to a source of compressed fluid and on the other end to the intake screen assembly. The backwash system includes a U-shaped release conduit that is adapted to release a predetermined quantity of fluid to the intake screen in order to clean the filter assembly of waterborne debris.
US08075694B2
The invention is directed to methods of producing ethanol and decreasing residual starch production in a no cook fermentation comprising contacting granular starch containing substrates with a granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme, a protease, and a fermenting microorganism under suitable fermentation conditions at a temperature below the starch gelatinization temperature of the starch substrate to produce ethanol, wherein the ethanol production is increased and the amount of residual starch is decreased compared to a substantially similar method conducted without the protease.
US08075689B2
In an apparatus for the production of a silica crucible comprising a carbon mold suitable for producing the silica crucible by the rotating mold method, the carbon mold has a thermal conductivity of not more than 125 W/(m·K).
US08075687B2
A hydraulic binder based on slag cement, the slag cement including 20 to 80 weight % relative to a total weight of slag cement, of a blast furnace slag or a mixture of blast furnace slags, relative to the total weight of the slag cement, the hydraulic binder including an acceleration additive that is a ternary system including at least one alkali metal hydroxide in an amount such that, during mixing with water of the hydraulic binder, a molar concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide in the water is from 0.05N to 0.60N, preferably from 0.20N to 0.40N; an alkali metal sulfate at a rate of from 0.2 to 3 weight % of the slag cement; and a source of calcium sulfate in such a proportion that the content of calcium sulfate (CaSO4), relative to the weight of the slag cement, is from 2 to 7%.
US08075684B2
An aqueous liquid solution containing soluble salts of coloring metals—particularly manganese and ferric nitrate along with a sugar source and fulvic and/or humic acid can be readily applied to rock, soil or artificial construction surfaces impart a natural color tone to such surfaces. In this manner the visibility manmade disturbances is quickly and easily reduced and disturbed areas readily blend into the natural background. The liquid solution can be readily sprayed on rock or other surfaces. When the ambient temperature is warm natural color will develop in 4-8 days.
US08075681B2
This invention relates to a process for producing a hot, cold or lukewarm ready-to-use bituminous mix, characterized in that it includes the following successive steps: (a) preparing a hot, cold or lukewarm master mix or bituminous mix by mixing some or all of the bituminous binder proportioned in liquid form with some or all of the aggregates, and optionally with some or all of the fines and/or some or all of the aggregate mix and/or some or all of the various additives so as to obtain a mixture in which the aggregates and any fines and aggregate mix are coated by the bitumen, (b) storing of the master mix or of the bituminous mix obtained in step (a), (c) mixing the master mix or the bituminous mix stored in step (b) with one or more additional formulation components so as to obtain a hot, cold or lukewarm ready-to-use bituminous mix, in which step (c) is implemented at the mix production site if the additional formulation component is a thinning agent.
US08075680B2
Compositions containing Montmorillonite and Portland cement for tooth filling are disclosed; such compositions have shown good biocompatibility, excellent marginal adaptation to dentinal walls, short setting time, and improved viscosity.
US08075675B2
A gas extraction apparatus provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it.
US08075663B2
An anti-oxidative agent for molten metal containing at least nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether, organic amine, phosphoric acid, and phytic acid. A method of preparing the anti-oxidative agent for molten metal, by a) heating an organic amine to between 60 and 100° C., adding a nonylphenol polyoxyethylene ether, and stirring for between 3 and 5 min to yield a mixture; and b) cooling the mixture to between 30 and 100° C., and adding phosphoric acid and phytic acid and stirring for between 10 and 15 min. The anti-oxidative agent for molten metal has no flash point and spreads quickly on the liquid surface, providing high reduction efficiency at lost cost.
US08075661B2
An ultra-hard composite material and a method for manufacturing the same, including mixing a metal carbide powder and a multi-element high-entropy alloy powder to form a mixture, green compacting the mixture, and sintering the mixture to form the ultra-hard composite material. The described multi-element high-entropy alloy consists of five to eleven principal elements, with every principal element occupying a 5 to 35 molar percentage of the alloy.
US08075653B2
The present invention describes an air quality containment unit for isolating a construction, renovation or maintenance project. The air quality containment unit contains dust, molds and other air-borne pollutants using a filter, such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, to maintain a negative air pressure in the unit. The air quality containment unit includes at least one sealable orifice that allows workers to introduce, for example, an electrical cord into the unit without breaching containment.
US08075650B2
The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system to mount a filter bag to a wet/dry vacuum cleaner by providing an adapter for mounting the filter bag to a drain opening in the wet/dry vacuum cleaner drum and restricting the typical vacuum port, forcing the vacuum materials to enter through the drain opening and into the bag. The lid of the wet/dry vacuum cleaner can be removed independently of the bag to avoid rupturing the bag. Further, the bag can rest on the bottom of the drum for support.
US08075629B2
An orthopaedic prosthesis includes a curved outer surface configured to abut a patient's bone when the orthopaedic prosthesis is implanted therein. The outer surface may or may not be electrically conductive. A channel is defined in the outer surface and extends from a rim of the outer surface to a location on the outer surface. One or more electrical conductors is positioned in the channel and extends outwardly from the channel at the rim of the outer surface. A switch is positioned at the first location and is configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the outer surface and/or another electrical conductor when the first location of the outer surface contacts the patient's bone. The switch may be embodied as an end of the electrical conductor or a more complex switch such as a push-button type switch.
US08075623B2
An apparatus and method for distracting, in a given direction, and supporting two tissue surfaces. A plurality of wafers are consecutively inserted between the two tissue surfaces to create a column of wafers. The column of wafers is oriented between the tissue surfaces so as to expand in the given direction as the wafers are consecutively added to the column.
US08075619B2
Devices and methods for fixing defects in the anulus fibrosus (vertebral disc) of a patient are described. The devices a mesh patch; first, second, third, and fourth sutures; and first, second, third, and fourth anchors. Each anchor has a first portion adapted for insertion into a bone and a second portion having an opening. The sutures are disposed through the openings of the anchors. The first portions of the first and second anchors are inserted into a cranial vertebra. The first portions of the third and fourth anchors are inserted into a caudal vertebra. The mesh patch is positioned adjacent the defect. An end of first suture can be attached to an end of the third suture. An end of the second suture can be attached to an end of the fourth suture. The other ends of each of the first, second, third, and fourth sutures can then be anchored.
US08075614B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. The apparatus includes a replacement valve and an anchor having an expandable braid. In some embodiments, the expandable braid is fabricated from a single strand of wire. In some embodiments, the expandable braid comprises at least one turn feature. The anchor and the valve preferably are configured for endovascular delivery and deployment.
US08075604B2
A bone screw comprising a threaded shank including a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and defining a first threaded section extending from the distal end portion toward the proximal end portion and adapted for anchoring in cancellous bone, and a second threaded section extending contiguously from the first threaded section toward the proximal end portion and adapted for engagement in cortical bone, with the second threaded section having a finer thread pattern relative to the first threaded section. In one embodiment, the first threaded section includes a first helical threading defining a single lead thread pattern for anchoring in cancellous bone, and the second threaded section includes a second helical threading interleaved with the first threading to define a duel lead thread pattern for engagement in cortical bone. In a further embodiment, the bone screw includes a head portion extending from the threaded shank and configured for coupling to a spinal implant.
US08075600B2
An intermediate element for a detachable, lockable, ball joint-like connection in a device for the dynamic fixation of bones has a longitudinal axis, an outer wall concentric with the longitudinal axis, and an inner wall forming a coaxial cavity. Either the outer wall or the inner wall comprises one of two contact zones that form the ball joint-like connection. The intermediate element is at least partly made of a super-elastic or visco-elastic material.
US08075598B2
A pedicle screw with a closure device (16) for securing a rod (10) for stabilization of the vertebral column comprises a screw-in part (2), a head part (3) provided on the screw-in part (2), and a U-shaped recess (4) disposed in the head part (3), which recess is formed by the inner surfaces (5, 6) of two arms (7, 8) and a bottom surface (9) connecting the two inner surfaces. The rod (10) is insertable into this recess, and is held by the closure device (16). The rod (10) is provided with ridges (12) and grooves (13) running transversely with respect to the rod axis (11). Likewise provided with corresponding ridges (14) and grooves (15) is the bottom surface (9). The closure device (16) comprises a support element (17), which is insertable between the two arms (7, 8). Disposed in a displaceable way on the support element (17) are two sliding parts (20, 21), which, via a movement mechanism, are able to be brought from a position of being pushed against each other into a position of being pushed apart, in which pushed-apart position the two end regions (29), remote from one another, of the two sliding parts (20, 21) each project into a recess (23, 24) of the two arms (7, 8) in the state of the support element (17) being inserted in the screw. The closure device (16) is thereby locked with the pedicle screw; the rod (10) is firmly held in the pedicle screw.
US08075597B2
An apparatus for use in retaining vertebrae of a spinal column in a desired spatial relationship includes a rod which extends along the spinal column and is received in a housing. A connector extends from the housing and engages a vertebra. The connector is movable relative to the housing. An adjusting member is rotatable relative to the housing to move the connector relative to the housing. The adjusting member is accessible from an upper side of the housing.
US08075594B2
A multi-axial rod connector for connecting spinal rods is provided. The rod connector includes a poly-axial rod assembly configured to include a lateral translation mechanism and a fixed hook configured to be rigidly coupled to one end of the poly-axial rod assembly. The fixed hook includes a fixed hook cavity configured to secure a spinal rod. The rod connector also includes a variable hook configured to be rotatably coupled another end of the poly-axial rod. The variable hook includes a variable hook cavity configured to secure another spinal rod. The lateral translation mechanism is configured to change distance between the fixed hook and the variable hook.
US08075583B2
A catheter having an elongated shaft which has a multilayered distal tip with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a polymeric second material. In one embodiment the multilayered distal tip is a separate member, distal to the distal end of a proximal portion of the shaft. In another embodiment, the shaft has an outer tubular member, and a multilayered inner tubular member with a distal end which forms the multilayered distal tip of the shaft. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. In one embodiment, the polymeric second material is a polyamide material.
US08075580B2
Devices, systems and methods for transvascular interstitial interventions, including transvascular, catheter based vascular bypass, transmyocardial revascularization, bypass grafting of blood vessels, and interstitial surgical/interventional procedures wherein a catheter is advanced translumenally through the vasculature to a desired location and an operative instrument is passed through the wall of a blood vessel and to a target location (e.g. another blood vessel, an organ, a tumor, another anatomical structure) such that one or more operative devices may be advanced to the target location to perform the desired operative or interventional procedure.
US08075575B2
A surgical device and method used to assist in the surgical repair and rehabilitation of damaged and/or severed tendons. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device includes a hollow member, preferably shaped as a partial funnel and/or cone, having an inner and outer surface, a flared mouth, a shaft, and an apical end. In another embodiment, the device includes a hollow member, preferably shaped as funnel or barrel cut in half along its longitudinal axis, having an inner and outer surface, two flared mouths, and a shaft. The device may further include a thin, elongated handle for ease of manipulation, and can be implantable or non-implantable. The present invention further discloses a method of passing a severed flexor tendon and/or repair site through the edge of a pulley in the flexor tendon sheath, wherein the hollow member of the device disclosed in the present invention is introduced into the edge of a flexor tendon sheath's pulley and a severed tendon end and/or repair site is passed through the flared mouth of the device and is gently compressed through the shaft and apical end of the device so that the tendon end or repair site can be simultaneously squeezed into the pulley in a smooth and non-damaging manner.
US08075564B2
A piezotome operation unit for lifting a maxillary sinus at a position of placement of an implant upon lifting the maxillary sinus, which forms and enlarges the vertical hole with ease in a remaining bone of the maxillary sinus though vertical approaching, and upon forming a lateral window below a malar bone through lateral approaching, prevents a maxillary membrane from becoming damaged, thereby ensuring continuous, safe lifting so that the operating time is shortened and the efficiency of the operation is maximized.
US08075561B2
A fixation system for bones, with a connecting bar having plural through holes and at least one bone screw insertable into a through hole. The fixation system has at least one filler body, insertable into a through hole, and wherein the filler body is fastened in the through hole by having an overdimension with respect to the through hole.
US08075557B2
A bipolar electrosurgical scraper device is provided comprising a handle, a blade having a thickness and a beveled distal end with the beveled distal end terminating distally in a scraping edge. The beveled distal end includes a first electrode and a second electrode with the first electrode and the second electrode provided along a width of the blade and spaced apart with respect to the thickness of the blade. The device also comprises a fluid passage at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage.
US08075554B2
Methods and apparatus for treatment of patent foramen ovale (PFO) provide for applying energy to tissues adjacent the PFO with a catheter device to substantially close the PFO acutely. Apparatus generally includes a catheter device having at least one energy transmission member at or near its distal end configured to apply energy to PFO tissues to acutely, substantially close the PFO. Applied energy may be monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency energy or any other suitable energy, such as laser, microwave, ultrasound, resistive heating or the like. Some embodiments of a catheter device further include one or more tissue apposition members near the distal end for helping bring PFO tissues together, such as a PFO covering member, a vacuum applying member and/or the like. PFO closure via energy-based approaches of the invention may help prevent stroke, treat migraine headache, and possibly treat or prevent other medical conditions.
US08075548B2
In an apparatus for storing and administering active substances, at least one transfer mechanism is provided, and a first reservoir that contains an active substance in dissolved form is also provided, the active substance being administered by way of the transfer mechanism. A second reservoir having the active substance in solid form is additionally provided in the apparatus.
US08075547B2
A two-chambered, sequentially injectable syringe is disclosed. The syringe has two concentric barrels, substantially cylindrical in shape. The outer barrel has an open end adapted for receiving an inner barrel/first piston. The inner barrel/first piston contains a flushing liquid. The syringe has a second piston slidably movable in the inner barrel and a latching mechanism that can alternate between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration, the latching mechanism prevents the second piston from substantially all longitudinal movement relative to the inner barrel. In the unlocked configuration, the latching mechanism permits longitudinal motion of the second piston within the inner barrel.
US08075531B2
The present invention is a modular implantable medical device that is used deliver materials or energy into a patient's physiology, or from one region of a patient's physiology to another. The device includes a port element with a passageway therethrough for directing and anchoring a conduit element in a desired location. Both elements can be adjusted during placement to maximize the safety, comfort, and efficacy of use. In one embodiment, the port element is comprised of two components such that the passage way is formed after the components are assembled. This modularity enables a large diameter section of the conduit to be advanced past the port location, and the port to be assembled about a smaller proximal section of the conduit, thereby establishing full contact between the port and conduit elements to anchor the device in an optimal position.
US08075526B2
A peritoneal dialysis system includes a hardware unit including a piston and at least one vacuum source; a door connected to the hardware unit, the door including a cavity, the cavity having a diameter; the hardware unit further including a structure positioned opposite the door, the structure defining an aperture; a disposable unit including first and second fluid receiving membranes, the disposable unit disposed between the structure and the door; the at least one vacuum source operable to apply a vacuum to at least one of the first and second membranes of the disposable unit; the piston, at least a portion of which moves through the aperture, in operation contacting one of the membranes, the piston including a piston head having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cavity in the door; and a dialysis fluid opening enabling dialysis fluid to be pulled in between the first and second membranes.
US08075525B2
A sheet for guiding location of insulin injection has a sheet shape. The sheet has a first face and a second face opposite to the first face. A reference mark is formed at a first portion of the sheet to correspond to user's navel. A plurality of injection holes is formed at a second portion of the sheet opposite to the first portion to inject insulin, so that the insulin is injected at a left portion with respect to the reference mark by using the first face and the insulin is injected at a right portion with respect to the reference mark. A manual of the sheet is indicated on the first face and/or the second face. A day of a week is indicated corresponding to and adjacent to each of the injection holes. Thus, patient's convenience may be enhanced.
US08075518B2
A tendon deflection system including a shaft, a plurality of tendons movably disposed within the shaft, and a force-balancing element coupled to the tendons. In a first section, the plurality of tendons are arranged around the shaft at equal angles to each other and at an equal distance from the center of the shaft. The tendons operating in concert with the force-balancing element minimize the moment expressed in the first section. The second section is deflectable and includes at least one tendon, extending from the plurality of tendons in the first section, which is arranged along one side of the shaft such that the bending moment expressed in the second section is greater than the first section.
US08075513B2
A hydration management system includes a console for mounting on an IV pole. A urine collection bag and a hydration fluid bag hang from the console. Urine in the urine collection bag is weighed. An infusion pump is configured to pump hydration fluid from the infusion bag. A controller is responsive to the weight of the urine collection bag and controls the infusion pump to hydrate the patient based on the patient's urine output. An infusion set includes an infusion bag connector, an IV needle connector, and tubing, placed in the infusion pump, extending between the infusion bag connector and the IV needle connector. A urine collection set typically includes the urine collection bag, a catheter connector, and tubing extending between the urine collection bag connector and the catheter connector.
US08075512B2
An applicator having an enhanced grip portion. The applicator can include a barrel portion having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a barrel exterior surface, the barrel exterior surface being a barrel color, a grip portion positioned opposite the insertion end having a grip exterior surface, and a plunger having a plunger exterior surface. The applicator can further include gripping indicia disposed substantially on the grip exterior surface. The gripping indicia can include visual indicia and/or tactile indicia.
US08075506B2
A cast for supporting a limb includes a rigid outer shell, such as provided as first and second assembleable halves interconnected by a plurality of latches. An inner conforming foam insole is supported within the shell and is interconnected by pluralities of linearly extending passageways in combination with radially extending rings and which communicate with additional breathing holes extending through a cross sectional thickness of the insole for introducing an airflow for relieving patient discomfort. A toe attachable fan unit creates the airflow within the insole in communication with a plurality of vents positioned at upper terminating ends of each of the linear extending passageways. A plurality of airbags encircle the insole and are iteratively inflated and deflated to achieve a pulsing massage effect.
US08075500B2
Fetal wellbeing monitoring apparatus including a generally flattened hemispherical housing and a turret-like user interface- having a user operated control panel for controlling operation of the fetal wellbeing monitoring apparatus and providing fetal wellbeing information to an expectant mother. Fetal wellbeing monitoring apparatus including a fetal motor activity sensor including a base plate with a base plate topside and a base plate underside with an elongated planar strain gauge film element defining a nominal measurement plane in a non-flexed state, and having a variable electrical property proportional to resilient elastic flexion in a transverse direction to the measurement plane on application of a bending moment and a fetal motor activity determination module for processing time varying information for determining fetal motor activity. Two-ply pad for use with the fetal wellbeing monitoring apparatus.
US08075495B2
A biopsy device comprises a probe that is configured to couple with a holster. The probe comprises a needle, a cutter, and a body portion. The needle is rotatable and translatable relative to the body portion. The holster has a locking feature that is configured to prevent the needle from rotating relative to the body portion upon coupling of the probe with the holster. The locking feature may also be configured to prevent the needle from translating relative to the body portion upon coupling of the probe with the holster. The same probe may thus be used with a holster intended for use in a fixture-based, stereotactic setting, in which rotation and translation of the needle may be desired; and with a holster intended for use in a handheld, ultrasound-guided setting, in which rotation and translation of the needle may be less desired if not undesirable.
US08075494B2
An audiogram classification system is provided. The classification system includes categories for configuration, severity, site of lesion and/or symmetry of an audiogram. A set of rules can be provided for selecting the categories, wherein the set of rules ignore one or more local irregularities on an audiogram and have been validated to maximize agreement with judges.
US08075491B2
A method of providing cardiac stimulation therapy and a device for providing the therapy. A patient's cardiac activity as well as cyclical respiration is monitored. Cardiac stimulation is provided as indicated as therapeutic intervention for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias according to variable timing parameters. One or more of the timing parameters under which cardiac pacing stimulations are provided is varied or modulated with the cyclical variations in respiration. The one or more timing parameters are generally shortened or elongated in concert with the alternating inspiration/exhalation phases of respiration. In certain implementations, the patient's respiration is inferred from cardiac based physiologic signals. The methods and devices for providing cardiac stimulation therapy more accurately emulate natural healthy physiologic activity.
US08075480B2
A re-use prevention mechanism (160) for an apparatus (110) having a reusable part (120) and a single-use disposable part (130) connectable to the reusable part (120) is disclosed. The re-use prevention mechanism (160) comprises a blocking portion (1603) disposed, in use, between the disposable part (130) and the reusable part (120). An actuating member (1605) is operable between the blocking portion (1603) and one of the disposable part (130) and the reusable part (120) for moving the blocking portion (1603) into a blocking position upon disconnection of the disposable part (130) from the reusable part (120). hi the blocking position, the blocking portion (1603) engages an abutment surface (1206) on one of the disposable part (130) and the reusable part (120) if a user attempts to reconnect the disposable part (130) to the reusable part (120) and thereby prevents re-connection of the disposable part (130) to the reusable part (120).
US08075479B2
In a drive mechanism which displaces a movable lens to be displaced, a shape memory element which is displaced due to heating. A displaceable range of a movable lens is restricted between a first position and a second position. With the shape memory element in a heated state upon applying a predetermined amount of heat to the shape memory element, the movable lens is displaced to the first position, and when the shape memory element is not heated, the movable lens is displaced to the second position. During a normal observation, a time for which the movable lens is displaced to the second position is longer than a time for which the movable lens is displaced to the first position.
US08075472B2
The invention is a kit for a permanent ventricular assist device that can be permanently implanted into the circulatory system of a patient. The kit comprises one or more passive cores (Pcore), a stator, a power supply, and a controller unit. The inventors have realized that major open heart surgery, generally used for implementing a magnetic blood pump in the circulatory system, can be wholly avoided if the rotor and the stator are physically separated and are implanted respectively inside and around the blood vessel at the location of interest. Therefore the kit is characterized in that the one or more Pcores are configured to allow them to be implanted inside a blood vessel and the stator is configure to enable it to be placed outside of the blood vessel surrounding the Pcores. Also described are illustrative medical procedures for implanting the components of the kit at different locations in the body.
US08075471B2
An apparatus for assisting a heart of a patient includes an actuator for wringing blood concurrently from both the right and left ventricles of the heart without contacting circulating blood of the patient. The apparatus includes a power source connected to the actuator to power the actuator. A method for assisting a heart of a patient includes the steps of powering an actuator in contact with the heart with a power source. There is the step of wringing blood concurrently from both the right and left ventricles of the heart without contacting circulating blood of the patient with the actuator.
US08075469B2
The disclosure describes devices and methods for asymmetrical irradiation at a body cavity or site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. biopsy or cancer. One device includes a lumen which is off-set or off-settable from a longitudinal axis to increase the intensity of radiation received from a radiation source by a first tissue portion surrounding the body cavity and to reduce or minimize radiation received by a second tissue portion (e.g. healthy tissue) surrounding the body cavity.
US08075467B2
The device for erecting flat-folded tubular blanks supplied in flat-folded form comprises a collecting group provided with first gripping means which are mobile between a pick-up station of the single tubular blanks from a store and an opening station of the single tubular blanks. An opening group is arranged in the opening station and provided with second gripping means for gripping the single flat-folded tubular blanks at a second surface thereof, opposite the first surface engaged by the first gripping means. The second gripping means are mobile between a gripping position of the single tubular blanks and a distanced opening position thereof. A folding organ is destined to progressively engage a free side of the single tubular blanks during the course of opening, for completing the erecting of the tubular blanks.
US08075457B2
An abdominal crunch board for an inclinable exercise device includes a handle bar including opposite terminating engagement portions; a pair of opposing brackets coupled to the opposite terminating engagement portions, the pair of opposing brackets and the opposite terminating engagement portions forming a frame; a padded support coupled to the frame; and the opposing brackets are removably attachable to an adjustable incline of the inclinable exercise device at one or both of a location between a first end of the adjustable incline and a user support platform of the inclinable exercise device and a location between a second end of the adjustable incline and the user support platform.
US08075455B2
A rope-less jump rope exercise device includes a handle and a flexible, elongated lash having a first end associated with the handle and a second end. A ball-and-socket assembly interconnects the first end of the lash and the handle in order to provide rotary movement of the lash relative to the handle in all directions. The handle, lash and ball-and-socket assembly form one half of a pair of identical jump rope exercise assemblies which jointly comprise the jump rope exercise device. Alternatively, a rope-less jump rope exercise device includes a handle defining an inner cavity and a flexible, elongated lash having a first end at partially disposed within the inner cavity and a second end. A spring disposed within the inner cavity is configured to interconnect the handle and the lash and resist movement of the lash out of the inner cavity.
US08075435B2
An improved dual mode EPPV transmission hybrid electric drive system uses a combination of power sources including an internal combustion engine, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor, and provides more efficient operation and compact installation. The improved dual mode EPPV transmission hybrid electric drive system includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear linked to a first ring gear via a pinion on a first carrier, and a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear linked to a second ring gear via a pinion on a second carrier, wherein the various elements of the planetary gear sets are configured to allow a dual mode synchronous shift operation. The system includes a first clutch and a second clutch, both of which may be dry clutches, for changing the mode of the transmission from a high mode to a low mode and vice versa.
US08075434B2
A power transmission belt comprising a belt body having a length and defining at least one elongate rib, the rib having an exposed surface that engages a cooperating pulley, the exposed rib surface having at least one longitudinal groove formed therein which reduces transverse modulus of the surfaces engaging the cooperating pulley and thereby reduce noise accompanying running of the belt.
US08075432B2
In an engine unit of a straddle type vehicle, a V-belt-type continuously variable transmission (CVT) has a secondary sheave shaft 62 that rotates with a clutch housing of a centrifugal clutch. The secondary sheave shaft is supported in a cantilever fashion via two bearings. The engine unit has a gear that rotates with a clutch boss. Cage-and-roller needle bearings, which are a type of needle bearing, are inserted between the secondary sheave shaft and the gear. In this manner, without enlarging the engine unit, abrasions and deterioration of a bearing inserted between a rotational shaft supported in a cantilever fashion and a body of rotation are prevented.
US08075417B2
A golf club may have an orientation marker located on the golf club that indicates at least a relative orientation between the golf club head and shaft. The orientation marker may be located, for example, on the golf club head or shaft. A key member provides additional information with respect to the relative orientation between the golf club head and the shaft. The key member may be located, for example, on the golf club head, shaft, or grip portion, or on a head cover for the golf club head.
US08075410B2
Disclosed is a torsional vibration damper arrangement, especially for the drive train of a vehicle, including a primary side and a secondary side which is coupled to the primary side by a damper fluid arrangement in order for the primary side and the secondary side to rotate about an axis of rotation and rotate relative to one another. The damper fluid arrangement encompasses a first damper fluid that has low compressibility and transmits torque between the primary side and the secondary side as well as a second damper fluid which is more compressible and is loaded when the pressure of the first fluid increases.; The torsional vibration damper arrangement is characterized in that a volume containing the second damper fluid is disposed outside the primary side and outside the secondary side and does not rotate about the axis of rotation along with the primary side and the secondary side.
US08075408B2
In a first aspect there is provided a modular visual output component for a gaming machine, including a housing, at least one visual output device, an input connector electrically coupled to the visual output device, and an output connector electrically coupled to the input connector. The input and output connectors being arranged relative to the housing and shaped such that the output connector can be connected to an input connector of a further modular visual output component having the same configuration with the modular visual output components abutting one another, whereby two or more modular visual output components can be joined to one another and supplied from a common power source.
US08075406B2
The disclosed system and method provide a dynamic and scalable gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are connected to a network switch to form a hybrid peer-to-peer gaming network. The gaming switch has two sets of data ports configured into two virtual local area networks (VLANs). The gaming machines are connected through their network interfaces to a first set of data ports of the network switch to form a first VLAN. The gaming machines are connected through their serial interfaces and serial-to-network adapters to a second set of data ports of the network switch to form a second VLAN. The gaming machines are configured to communicate with devices external to the gaming network through their network interfaces. The gaming machines are configured to communicate with each other through their serial interfaces. External and internal communications within the gaming network are segregated both at the device and network levels.
US08075401B2
A hand-held game apparatus and a game program are provided which allow a user to play a game while going back and forth between a narrow-range image and a broad-range image of map. The user can manipulate a touch panel which mounted on a display section for displaying the broad-range image. If the user manipulates the touch panel to point to a coordinate position on the broad-range image, thus designating coordinates for the narrow-range image, a changed narrow-range is displayed. If the user indicates a moving direction on the broad-range image, thus designating a scroll direction, the displayed broad-range image is moved (scrolled).
US08075400B2
A game machine comprises a monitor for displaying a screen image for prompting a manipulation input, a control panel unit provided with push buttons and adapted to accept manipulations from a game player so as to make progress on a game, a movement mechanism unit disposed at a bottom of a base segment to provide turning and traveling to the control panel unit , an apparatus-body drive control section 107 for controlling the drive of the movement mechanism unit, and a control instruction section or for outputting a given drive control instruction generated during game play to the drive control section, whereby a motion for positional displacement of a manipulation input unit is instructed in line with a game progress or a game result to exert an influence on a difficulty level of a game so as to enhance amusement of the game.
US08075398B2
A first executable, such as a computer game, operates co-extensively with a second independently operating executable that monitors events on a client operating the first executable. The second executable determines actions to be performed in response to monitored events, as defined by a business logic table. The second executable traps API calls to perform actions altering apparent output of the first executable. The business logic table may be distributed to the client separately. The second executable and the first executable may be configured to execute during the same times on the client node. The second executable may be used to provide additional content, including advertising, in the context of an existing game or other software executable.
US08075391B2
Disclosed are a game and method for a game including a perceived skill component comprising a skill-based award and a supplemental award that, when summed, are equal in value to a predetermined award.
US08075387B2
An improved multiplier for a lottery game is provided. In connection with a base lottery game, each player receives or selects a multiplier indicia (or other bonus indicia) from a pool of multiplier indicia. In addition to drawings for the base game, a drawing of multiplier indicia and a determination of associated multiplier values is also conducted. For those players winning the base game who also received a multiplier indicia matching the drawn multiplier indicia, the base game prize is multiplied by the associated multiplier value.
US08075383B2
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to allow players to wager on video games. The method disclosed herein can allow players to win or lose money while partaking in any video game previously played for entertainment purposes. A player can purchase play time on a game, play the game and earn monetary prizes during the game, and then redeem the monetary prizes for real cash.
US08075382B2
An online lottery game having periodic drawings of a series of digits. Money derived from the sale of lottery tickets is allocated into a plurality of winning pools in which the winning pool consisting of all of the numbers is smaller than at least one and preferably all of the other winning pools consisting of less than all of the numbers. Money allocated to pools are carried forward to successive drawings in the event there are no winners of that particular pool.
US08075381B2
A gaming machine includes plural stations and a processor. Each station can determine a game result and execute a game independently. When executing a base game, the processor accepts a gaming value betting and updates used credit information. The processor executes an event game involving plural stations when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The processor awards an event game payout to a station which has achieved the best game result, based on the event game result. In awarding the event game payout, the processor changes a content of the event game payout based on the used credit information of the station.
US08075370B1
A method of using a buttocks uplift and support device, the device having at least one layer, each layer stacked atop another layer and having an adhesive backing, the adhesive backing of an outermost layer removably covered by a coated second backing. The device is removably adhered to a wearer's buttocks and when in proper wearing position the inside edge of the outermost layer adheres to a wearer's inner thigh below a buttock, the upper edge to a wearer's buttocks, the outer edge to a wearer's outer thigh, the lower edge across and behind an upper portion of wearer's leg. When the device is in proper position the device uplifts, supports, and separates the wearer's buttocks. A wearer selectively removes a desired number of layers by pulling on a pulltab.
US08075369B2
A fold-down convertible nursing bra with front and back reconfigurable straps is described. The cups of the bra are secured with a clip at the top of the shoulder strap that can be unclipped with one hand and folded down to nurse, then clipped back into the original position. A strip of fabric inside the cup remains attached to both the cup and the shoulder strap while the cup is folded down so that the bra remains secure and the clip can be easily accessed in order to reattach the cup. The bra also has back reconfigurable shoulder straps attached with a clip that can be removed and reattached in different positions such that the bra may be worn, for example, in a halter or racerback configuration.
US08075367B2
The absorbent pad for an underwire brassiere includes a sealed cover layer having opposed first and second surfaces and defining an open interior region therein. The first surface is porous, allowing for passage of perspiration into the open interior region. An absorbent layer is positioned within the open interior region of the sealed cover layer, and the absorbent layer is formed from a hydrophilic material. An adhesive layer is formed on the second surface of the sealed cover layer, so that the adhesive layer releasably adheres the absorbent pad to a lower edge of one cup of the underwire brassiere. The absorbent pad is dimensioned and configured to completely cover an underwire of the cup so that the absorbent pad absorbs perspiration of the wearer and provides protective padding over the underwire.
US08075362B2
An electronic banking toy is provided. The toy may include a housing defining a storage compartment with an adjoining slot for depositing coins. A controller may display graphical and auditory representations of activities on a display screen based on the sensed location of an icon moveably mounted in a track.
US08075360B2
A manufacturing method of an electron-emitting device including the steps of: preparing a base substrate provided with an insulating or semi-conducting layer in advance and exposing the layer to an atmosphere which contains neutral radical containing hydrogen. It is preferable that the insulating or semi-conducting layer contains metal particles; the insulating or semi-conducting layer is a film containing carbon as a main component; the neutral radical containing hydrogen contains any of H., CH3., C2H5., and C2H. or mixture gas thereof; compared with a density of a charged particle in the atmosphere, a density of the neutral radical containing hydrogen in the atmosphere is more than 1,000 times; and a step of exposing the insulating or semi-conducting layer to the atmosphere is a step of making a hydrogen termination by using a plasma apparatus provided with a bias grid.
US08075358B2
Disclosed are floats that allow forward motion while a user is standing erect on the surface of a body of water. Increased stability as well as the appearance of aquatic creatures enhance friendliness for beginning users. Design features provide additional performance and challenge for the advanced user. Handles resist falling of the user and provide added buoyancy should a fall occur.
US08075357B2
An oil supply device includes an axial oil passage and an intersecting oil passage provided in a propeller shaft, an axial oil passage and an intersecting oil passage provided in a drive shaft, and an oil guide passage. The intersecting oil passages allow oil inside the axial oil passages to be spouted radially of the shaft by centrifugal force generated as the shafts rotate. The oil is then supplied via the oil guide passage to an intermediate speed reduction device. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently lubricate an intermediate speed reduction device mounted on a drive shaft through a simple and compact arrangement.
US08075355B2
A marine jet propulsion system has a jet pump, a venturi connected to the jet pump, and a steering nozzle rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a first axis. The steering nozzle has a central longitudinal axis. The first axis intersects the central longitudinal axis. A first link has a first end rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a second axis. The first link has a second end disposed generally rearwardly from the first end of the first link. A second link has a first end rotationally mounted to the first link about a third axis and a second end rotationally mounted to the steering nozzle about a fourth axis. The third axis intersects the second end of the first link. A steering arm is connected to the first link. The axes are generally parallel to each other. A watercraft having the jet propulsion system is also disclosed.
US08075353B2
A boat propulsion unit includes a power source, a propeller, a shift position changing mechanism, a control device, and a speed reducing switch. The shift position changing mechanism has an input shaft, an output shaft, and first and second clutches. The first and second clutches change the connection state between the input shaft and the output shaft. In the shift position changing mechanism, the first and second clutches are engaged or disengaged, thereby changing the shift position among forward, neutral, and reverse. The control device controls connecting forces of the first and second clutches so that the propeller generates propulsive forces in the direction opposite to the present propulsive direction of a hull when the speed reducing switch is turned on by the operator of the boat. The boat propulsion unit easily retains the propulsive speed of a hull substantially at zero.
US08075351B2
The present invention relates to an electrical connector, which comprises means for preventing terminals from being deformed during connection of the connector. The electrical connector of the present invention comprises: a terminal position assuring member mounted to a connector housing; and a terminal protecting plate mounted to the terminal position assuring member. The terminal protecting plate comprises a first engaging element and the terminal position assuring member comprises a second engaging compactly configured since there is no need to provide any means for mounting or retaining the terminal protecting plate to the connector housing.
US08075348B2
A datacommunication interconnection system includes (a) an extension trunk cable-connector assembly and (b) a trunk cable-connector assembly. The extension trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a first cable including a plurality of first subunits, each of the first subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a jack attached to one end of the cable; and a plug attached to an opposite end of the cable. Each of the jack and the plug includes a contact for each of the conductors of the cable. The trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a second cable including a plurality of second subunits, each of the second subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a plug attached to one end of the second cable and connected with the jack of the extension trunk cable; and a plurality of RJ-45 connectors attached to subunits at an opposite end of the second cable.
US08075346B2
Implantable medical devices include headers having various features such as a modular design whereby the header is constructed from a series of stacked contact modules. Additional features include a feedthrough where pins exiting a housing of the implantable medical device extend into the header to make direct electrical connection to electrical contacts present within the header where those electrical contacts directly engage electrical connectors of leads inserted into the header. Other features include electrical contacts that are relatively thin conductors on the order of 0.040 inches or less and may include radial protrusions where the radial protrusions establish contact with the electrical connectors of the lead. Furthermore, electrical contacts may be mounted within the header in a floating manner so that radial movement of the electrical contact may occur during lead insertion.
US08075345B2
An electrical connector includes a main body, a tongue board located at the front end of the main body, a plurality of first pins and second pins which are located on the main body and extended into the tongue board. One side of the tongue board forms an operation surface. Each first pin has a first contact portion exposed outside of the operation surface. Each first contact portion defines a first contact area. At least one first contact portion defines a second contact area. The second contact area of the first contact portion is closer to the front end of the tongue board than the first contact area. Each second pin has a second contact portion exposed outside of the operation surface, and the second contact portions are respectively located at the rear end of the first contact portion. The electrical connector can be plugged by plugs with different formats.
US08075343B2
A card edge connector includes an elongated housing and a number of contacts retained in the housing. Each contact has a retaining portion retained in the housing, a contact portion forwardly extending from a front end of the retaining portion and a connecting portion backwardly extending from a rear end of the retaining portion. The contacts are arranged in two rows and formed with a first receiving space between two rows of contact portions to receive a module and a second receiving space between two rows of connecting portions to receive a mother board. The first receiving space defines a first center line along an insertion direction of the module. The second receiving space defines a second center line which is parallel to the first center line and offset to the first center line along an up to down direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.
US08075341B2
An electrical cable connector assembly comprises a metallic shell defining a receiving space and a rear wall enclosing the receiving space, a printed circuit board retained in the receiving space, an electrical connector including an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing, and a cable located behind the printed circuit board and including a wire extending into the receiving space to be soldered on the printed circuit board. The contacts each defines a soldering tail soldered to the printed circuit board. Wherein the rear wall defines a cable ring deep drawn rearwardly therefrom to cover the cable.
US08075338B1
A connector comprising a connector body attached to a post, the post including a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, a port coupling element attached to the post, wherein the port coupling element is rotatable about the post, and a plurality of openings on the post, the plurality of openings extending a distance toward the first end from the flange. Furthermore, a method of maintaining ground continuity in a connector comprising the steps providing a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, an opposing second end, and a flange having a plurality of openings positioned thereon, and biasing the flange in a position of interference with a port coupling element, the port coupling element being attached to post is also provided.
US08075327B2
An electrical connector assembly includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts, a fastening mechanism, and a floating cover. The contacts are received in the insulative housing and have mating portions extending of the insulative housing. The fastening mechanism includes a stiffener with a planar frame surrounding the insulative housing. The floating cover is provided with a number of openings to receive the mating portions of the contacts. The floating cover has a number of spring elements so as to floatably mount to the insulative housing and the stiffener.
US08075319B2
A method for making a supporting body (1) for the lock of a motor vehicle, comprises the steps of: forming an intermediate element (8) made of electrically insulating material provided with conductive paths (3); setting the intermediate element (8) inside a mold (23) for forming the supporting body (1); and injecting electrically insulating material in the mold (23) for carrying out co-molding of the supporting body (1). The intermediate element (8) and the conductive paths (3) are made independently, and the conductive paths (3) are fixed on opposite faces (9, 10) of the intermediate element (8) by constraint means (15, 16) of a mechanical type.
US08075315B2
An oral care implement has an interactive display that displays images representing oral care regions of the mouth. The user can interact with the display by playing a game, which can relate to oral care. An oral care implement has a plurality of lighted segments that can be sequentially illuminated to indicate a recommended brushing sequence. The lighted segments can be shaped and/or labeled to indicate particular oral care regions of the mouth.
US08075305B2
A burner for use in furnaces such as in steam cracking. The burner includes a primary air chamber for providing at least a portion of the combustion air, a burner tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, a fuel orifice located adjacent the upstream end of the burner tube, for introducing gaseous fuel into the burner tube, a burner tip having an outer diameter mounted on the downstream end of the burner tube adjacent a first opening in the furnace, so that combustion of the gaseous fuel takes place downstream of the burner tip producing a gaseous fuel flame, at least one non-gaseous fuel gun, the at least one non-gaseous fuel gun having at least one fuel discharge orifice, the at least one non-gaseous fuel gun being radially positioned beyond the outer diameter of the burner tip, wherein the at least one non-gaseous discharge orifice of the at least one non-gaseous fuel gun is positioned so that the non-gaseous fuel is injected into the gaseous fuel flame, whereby a portion of the non-gaseous fuel flame vaporizes prior to combustion and stabilizes the non-gaseous fuel flame.
US08075304B2
A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. The control may also be in communication with various other devices of an appliance, such as a variable speed air-circulating fan, a variable speed exhaust fan, or various sensors associated with the heating appliance. The control modulates the gas valve and the combustion air blower to maintain substantially stoichiometric conditions of the gas and air provided to the burner tube and as a function of signals from at least one of the devices. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven.
US08075299B2
Separation of an imprint lithography template and a patterned layer in an imprint lithography process may result in stress to features of the template and/or features of the patterned layer. Such stress may be reduced by minimizing open areas on the template, including dummy features within the open areas, and/or selective positioning of features on the template.
US08075295B2
A molding apparatus for the manufacture of pipe advantageously uses a cooling plug that is adjustably-secured to the extrusion head to compensate for misalignment of the extrusion head relative to recirculating mold blocks. This provides a simplified adjustment for adjusting the molding apparatus to correct for wall thickness variations in the molded pipe. This apparatus can be used in combination with existing alignment systems.
US08075294B2
A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a piston having a head slidably received in the slot. A pin is positioned between the piston head and an end of the slot. The mold further includes actuating means for actuating the piston in the slot when the mold is closed.
US08075293B2
A rotary blower rotor includes a rotor body having a corrosion-resistant coating covering the rotor body. An abradable coating covers at least a portion of the corrosion-resistant coating for providing an essentially zero operating clearance for increasing a volumetric efficiency of the rotary blower. A rotary blower including a rotor with a corrosion-resistant coating is also provided.
US08075292B2
A rotary piston compressor comprises a cylinder block (100), an eccentric rotor group (200) being fitted in the chamber of the cylinder block, a shaft (2) and a separating means (40). The eccentric rotor group (200) comprises a cylindrical rotor (4) provided on the shaft (2) and rotatable therewith, and a collar (3) rotationally provided on the cylindrical rotor (4). The separating means (40) is used for separating the axially extended sealed chamber, which is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric rotor group (200) and the inner wall of the cylinder block (100), into an induction chamber (70) and an exhaustion chamber (71). Wherein, the separating means (40) comprises: a baffle (8) provided between the inner wall of the cylinder block (100) and the collar (3) provided on the outer periphery of the eccentric rotor (4), a contact member (7) provided between the baffle (8) and the collar (3) and contacted therewith, and a jointing element (6) connecting the contact member (7) to the baffle (8) and the collar (3) respectively.
US08075287B2
A fluid pump includes a plunger that is movable to pressurize fluid drawn from an inlet into a compression chamber. The plunger is substantially axially movable in a cylinder. Fluid pressurized in the compression chamber is discharged through an outlet. The inlet and the outlet define a fluid passage therebetween. A solenoid valve communicates and blocks the fluid passage to control fluid discharged through the outlet. A solenoid valve support supports the solenoid valve. At least one of the inlet, the outlet, and the solenoid valve support is formed of a ferrous material integrally with the cylinder by monoblock casting.
US08075286B2
A double-acting compressor to compress liquid or gaseous fluids includes a cylinder having a piston head that reciprocates between opposite ends of the cylinder; a fluid discharge and suction passages defined in at least one of the opposite ends of the cylinder; a fluid suction and compression chamber connected to each end of the cylinder; fluid suction and fluid discharge valves connected to each one of the opposite ends of the cylinder; and pulling device connected to each end of said piston head. The pulling device extends along the cylinder and project out of the ends of the cylinder. The pulling device includes at least one flexible string having fastening means for the manual operation of the compressor.
US08075283B2
A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. Additionally, a bleed is provided to effect oil transfer via the oil transfer conduit when the normally open valve is closed.
US08075282B2
An agricultural sprayer includes a centrifugal pump used for transferring fluid from a nurse tank to fill the sprayer tank. It is sometimes required that the centrifugal pump be primed in order to perform the transfer of fluid and this priming is done by creating a vacuum in a priming line that is connected to a suction line extending between an inlet of the pump and to a discharge line of the nurse tank, with the vacuum being caused by routing a flow of compressed air through a venturi having its throat coupled to the priming line.
US08075280B2
A method of making a composite blade that is attachable to a rotating shaft using a conventional metal blade attachment. A blade is formed from a composite material with a blade root at one end thereof. A metallic member having an external shape conforming to a conventional metal blade root is shaped with an interior cavity having an opening for receipt of the blade root. Before the composite material is fully cured, a bladder is formed into or is inserted into an end of the blade root and inflated, thereby forcing the composite material into intimate contact with the interior cavity of the metallic member, thereby ensuring a fret-free interface upon final curing of the composite material. The interior cavity of the metallic member may be shaped or surfaced to improve the load carrying capability there between.
US08075279B2
The invention refers to a coated turbine blade for a gas turbine, having blade walls divided into sections with locally adapted material temperatures. The cooler material temperatures of the blade walls are at the points where the support ribs merge into the blade walls. The regions with higher material temperatures of the blade walls are at the positions where cavities are arranged inside the blade walls. This is achieved via a ceramic thermal barrier coating having different layer thicknesses that allow different material temperatures. The region of the surface of the blade wall which faces the working medium and lies opposite an internal rib has a thicker thermal barrier coating than a region of the surface of the blade wall which is cooled via a cooling medium that flows in the cavities. This results in homogenization of the material temperature in the connecting regions, which results in prolonged blade life.
US08075268B1
A turbine blade with a single tip rail extending along the mid-chord section of the blade tip from the trailing edge and around the leading edge region offset from the leading edge wall and ending just before the pressure side wall of the airfoil. The tip rail includes a forward side with a concave shaped cross section to form a vortex flow of cooling air on the side of the tip rail. A row of cooling holes discharge cooling air into the vortex flow formed along the concave forward side of the tip rail the tip rail also includes an aft side that is slanted downward to also form a vortex flow. The pressure side wall of the airfoil includes a concave shaped slot extending along the pressure side wall just below the tip corner, and a row of cooling holes to discharge film cooling air upward toward the tip corner.
US08075267B2
A method for determining the deflection and/or strain of an elongated member of a component is provided, in which a first point and a second point are assigned to the same side of an elongated member of the component, wherein the deflection and/or strain of the elongated member is determined by determining the distance between the second point and a third point, which is connected to the first point by an inflexible support, whereby the distance between the first point and the third point is considerably longer than the distance between the second point and the third point, and wherein the distance between the second point and the third point is determined in time steps and the frequency of the change of the distance is analyzed to detect frequency changes. Furthermore, an elongated member of a component subject to strain and comprises a sensor unit for determining the deflection and/or strain of the elongated member.
US08075262B2
A centrifugal-type blower includes a shaft, a fan, and a casing. The casing includes an inlet, an air passage, and a side wall part. A first distance from a center of the fan to the wall part at an inlet side end portion in a radial direction of the fan gradually increases from a volute start part to a volute end part. A second distance from the center to the wall part at any position thereof from an intermediate position to a counter-inlet side end portion in the radial direction is larger than the first distance within a first range. The second distance gradually decreases from the volute start part to a predetermined position. The second distance has the same length as the first distance within a second range.
US08075258B2
A heat-dissipating fan housing includes a casing having a compartment with an impeller section, a stationary blade section, and an airflow concentration section arranged from an air inlet toward an air outlet spaced from the air inlet in an axial direction. A mounting portion is received in the compartment, and an impeller is rotatably coupled to the mounting portion for driving airflows. Stationary blades are interconnected between the casing and the mounting portion and are received in the stationary blade section. Each stationary blade includes a first edge facing the air inlet and a second edge facing the air outlet. The airflow concentration section is between the second edge of each stationary blade and the air outlet in the axial direction. The airflow concentration section concentrates the airflows after passing through the stationary blades. The noise is reduced, the wind pressure is increased, and less electricity is consumed.
US08075252B2
A cooling fan includes a frame, a stator, a rotor and a display panel. The frame includes a base. The stator is mounted on a bottom surface of the base. The rotor is rotatably installed on the stator and received in the frame. The display panel is attached to a top surface of the base and electrically connected to the stator. The display panel can show a lot of useful information such as a logo of the cooling fan, a rotating speed of the cooling fan and an environment temperature.
US08075250B2
A fastening device is used for connecting a first and a second fan together. The two fans each have an upper flange and a lower flange and a cylindrical body interconnecting the upper flange and the lower flange. The fastening device includes a plate-shaped pad and two resilient portions respectively extending perpendicularly from two opposite sides of the pad. The two resilient portions respectively extend through the lower flange of the first fan and the upper flange of the second fan, pressing against the first fan and the second fan toward each other. The pad is sandwiched between the lower flange of the first fan and the upper flange of the second fan.
US08075240B2
An assembly including a frame is attached to the fork carrier of a forklift. The assembly picks up a tarp to cover the cargo on a flatbed trailer or picks up a plurality of straps to position the straps over the cargo. The tarp or straps are secured under the frame on the assembly and the forklift elevates the frame and tarp or straps above the cargo and drapes the tarp or straps over the cargo by firstly driving along side the trailer and secondly lowering the frame.
US08075239B2
A cargo handling device lifts a cargo to and from a cargo floor. A linear track mechanism is mounted on the cargo floor and has an extended position projecting through a vehicle opening. A cargo platform is mounted on the linear track mechanism so that the cargo platform moves between a horizontal stored position overlying the cargo floor and a horizontal extended position deployed through the vehicle opening. A pivot acts between the cargo platform and the linear track mechanism so that upon the cargo platform reaching the horizontal extended position the cargo platform can be pivoted between the horizontal extended position and a generally vertical position in which one end of the cargo platform is adjacent the ground so that a cargo resting on the ground can be positioned against the cargo platform. A restraint is provided for restraining the cargo on the cargo platform.
US08075237B2
A multi-level vehicle lift comprising a first platform mounted for movement between a lowered position and a raised position. A second platform is positioned below the first platform and is coupled to the first platform by a lift member such that movement of the first platform above a first raised position causes movement of the second platform. A third platform is positioned below the second platform and coupled to the first platform by a lift member such that movement of the first platform above a second raised position causes movement of the third platform A pit may be positioned below the platforms, and the lower-most platform is in the pit when the first platform is in the lowered position. Preferably, the pit is recessed into a ground surface, and an upper surface of the first platform is substantially flush with the ground surface when in the lowered position.
US08075232B2
A tie down for use on a load bearing surface includes a cup-shaped housing, a mounting block, a cylindrical fastener assembly, and at least one bail. The mounting block and cylindrical fastener assembly is rotatably mounted in the cup-shaped housing. The mounting block and cylindrical fastener assembly allow for rotation of the at least one bail above the plane of the load bearing surface.
US08075229B2
A chuck assembly configured to provide a shorter longitudinal profile. The chuck assembly includes a chuck body with a support bearing mounted to a rear portion of the chuck body and mounted to a portion of a housing such that a cavity is defined axially rearward of the support bearing and is configured to receive the jaws when the rear portion of the jaws extend axially rearward. The chuck assembly can be incorporated into a tool driven by a motor. In some aspects, the tool may include a speed change mechanism, a torque adjustment mechanism, or both.
US08075215B2
A device configured to apply a product may include a receptacle defining an inside space configured to contain a product to be applied and an applicator element fixed to the receptacle. The device may include a cap configured to close the receptacle. The device may include at least one channel configured to load the applicator element with product from the receptacle. The at least one channel may be in flow communication with an inside space of the receptacle and the at least one channel may open out directly to an outer periphery of the applicator element. The at least one channel may be disposed so as to be able to guide product from the receptacle over the outer periphery of the applicator element.
US08075209B2
A method of printing a plurality of images on a length of media comprises feeding the media from an input roll of media to a printing device where images are printed on the media. After images are printed on the media, the media is delivered to an output roll. The method further comprises determining a pile height differential on the printed media for at least one initial image. Based on the determined pile height differential, subsequent images printed on the media are modified. The subsequent images are modified in a manner designed to compensate for the determined pile height differential. Accordingly, a method of roll-to-roll printing is disclosed that may be used to balance the ink layer across the width of the roll of media and maintain the cylindrical shape of the output roll in various printing applications.
US08075208B2
A case for use with a stenotype machine, portable computer, and cables, power supply equipment, memory devices, as well as paper, writing utensils, and the like to form a mobile workstation. The case includes a top, a bottom, and a circumscribing sidewall, the top removably or hingedly attached to the side wall to cover an interior that is divided into multiple compartments, including at least a first compartment to store the portable computer, a second compartment to store the stenotype machine, and a third compartment to store cables for data and power that are connected to the computer and stenotype machine, the sidewall having an access opening for the stenotype machine to deploy for use while remaining attached to the case, and the case further including a bottom wall to which a stand is removably attached.
US08075204B2
A drive unit inputs an electrical signal to the first and second vibrating members to generate, in a light-transmitting region of a dust-screening member, vibration forming peak ridges defining a closed curve around a first virtual intersection of an virtual symmetry axis at the same distance from the first and second vibrating members and a vibrational axis for both first and second vibrating members, the vibration gradually increasing as the amplitude of each vibrational peak approaches the first virtual intersection, and having a maximum amplitude at the vibrational peak including the first virtual intersection. The drive unit controls the electrical signal to move the vibrational axes of the first and second vibrating members on the virtual symmetry axis and to change the first virtual intersection to a second virtual intersection and moving a vibrational peak of maximum vibrational amplitude to a position including the second virtual intersection.
US08075194B2
Wheel bearing (1) has sensor (15) for measuring rotational or angular movements of a wheel with wheel bearing flange (2) and roller bearing (4) attached thereto. Peripheral inner ring (7) has encoder ring (9) serving as transducer. To ensure a reliable operating mode even under the influence of dirt and rust and to be able to attach and detach the wheel bearing (1) with ease, sensor (15) is attached parallel to its radial reading direction (24) on radial contact face (23), pointing to the plane of encoder ring (9), of wheel bearing flange (2). Furthermore, sheet-metal part (16) is fitted on fixed outer ring (6) of roller bearing (4), which sheet-metal part (16) covers at least the reading area of sensor (15) and encoder ring (9) and serves, in circumferential terms, as contact face for sensor (15).
US08075192B2
A bearing device includes a bush and a pin inserted into the bush, whereby an outer peripheral face of the pin and an inner peripheral face of the bush contact each other. At least two oil reservoirs are formed on the outer peripheral face of the pin are and elongated along the length of the pin. The interval between the reservoirs is such that an angular range centered on the pin axial center between the first reservoir and the last reservoir is not more than a center angle of 40 degrees centered on the pin axial center. At least one of the reservoirs is configured by a plurality of punctate concave portions.
US08075189B2
A flexible film pouch includes an aperture to access its contents, and a closure means such as a re-sealable spout is applied over the aperture to permit sealed storage of the contents after opening. The closure means is attached to the flexible film pouch by means of a patch that is bonded to the inside of the pouch adjacent to the aperture. The patch is selected to have a mating surface that bonds with the inner surface of the pouch, where such bonding is preferably conducted by ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding. The patch itself may have a hole that permits access to the contents of the pouch, or the closure means may include a cutting surface that tears a portion of the patch to permit access.
US08075183B2
A method for evaluating the spatial resolution of a volumetric medical imaging system comprises imaging an image phantom including a sphere surrounded by a uniform medium. The image phantom is imaged and the resulting volumetric data set is used to generate an edge response function in three dimensions. Differentiating the edge response function produces a plane spread function. The method simultaneously measures the spatial resolution in all directions, providing a bulk measurement resolution. Alternatively, the edge response function may be assembled in a manner so as to independently measure the axial and trans-axial resolution of the volumetric imaging system.
US08075182B2
An apparatus for measuring a characteristic and a chip temperature of an LED includes a thermal conductive component. An LED chip is disposed on the thermal conductive component. A temperature control unit is connected to the thermal conductive component for providing a temperature to the thermal conductive component, and therefore providing the temperature to the LED chip via the thermal conductive component. A power-source and voltage-meter unit provides a current to the LED chip, and measures a voltage value of the LED chip. Under a measurement mode, the current is featured with a current waveform having a high current level and a low current level which are alternatively changed, for applying to the LED chip. Measurements are conducted respectively corresponding to the high current level and the low current level, and a correlation curve between the voltage and the temperature can be obtained with the results of measurement.
US08075181B1
A thermal monitoring sheet measures surface temperature distributions of large areas, even over large, contoured surfaces. The sheet incorporates conduits that terminate or intersect at temperature measurement locations with a fixed relative arrangement to form a two-dimensional grid for sensing temperature distributions.
US08075180B2
A method for predicting the drop impact resistance of a stretch-blow molded polypropylene container which comprises the steps of measuring the initial size of the container, placing it in an oven, remeasuring its size after removing it from the oven, calculating the percentage difference in size of the container and determining its drop impact resistance, which is proportional to said difference.
US08075178B2
Circuitry is disclosed for the calibration of heating element and ambient temperature sensors, comprising: a) an amplifier having positive and negative inputs, and an output; b) one or more heating MOS transistors selectably coupled in parallel and having 1) a heating transistor drain coupled to the positive input of the amplifier; 2) a heating transistor source configured to receive a supply voltage; and 3) a heating transistor gate coupled to the amplifier output; c) one or more ambient MOS transistors selectably coupled in parallel and having 1) an ambient transistor drain, 2) an ambient transistor gate coupled to the amplifier output; and 3) an ambient transistor source configured to receive the supply voltage; d) a temperature difference resistance configured: 1) to be coupled at least partially between an ambient connection and the ambient transistor drain; and 2) to be coupled at least partially between the ambient connection and the negative input of the amplifier.
US08075173B2
A trim panel for a vehicle interior provides a distinctive ambient lighting effect. The trim panel has an opening therein and an illuminated insert panel is mounted on the trim panel within the opening. The insert panel is molded of a clear plastic material and has a front face located in the opening and a painted or other rear reflective surface. The insert panel has a clear plastic edge wall located beyond the opening of the trim panel. A light pipe extends alongside the clear plastic edge wall and directs light into the clear plastic edge wall so that the light reflects within the clear plastic material and onto the rear reflective surface of the insert panel to illuminate the insert panel over its entire surface area facing through the opening of the interior trim panel.
US08075157B2
An LED module includes an LED having an optic axis and a lens fixed over the LED for refracting light emitted by the LED. The lens has a same cross section along a front-to-rear direction thereof. The lens has an inner incidence surface facing the LED and an outer emission surface. The inner incidence surface is concave toward the emission surface. The emission surface has a middle part around the optic axis of the LED concave toward the incidence surface, and two convex lateral parts off the optic axis of the LED. A peak intensity for the light generated by the LED and penetrating through the lens occurs within the convex lateral parts of the emission surface.
US08075148B2
An illumination apparatus includes a transparent substrate, a phosphor layer, an optical wavelength selection filter layer, and a light-emitting device. The transparent substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposing each other. The phosphor layer is disposed on the first surface side of the transparent substrate. The optical wavelength selection filter layer is disposed on the second surface side of the transparent substrate and configured to transmit light of a first wavelength therethrough and reflect light of a second wavelength that is emitted from the phosphor layer by being excited by the light of the first wavelength. The light-emitting device is configured to emit the light of the first wavelength from the optical wavelength selection filter layer side thereof toward the optical wavelength selection filter layer.
US08075136B2
An apparatus that can measure images of at least a portion of an eye and record data sets indicative of a neurological condition. A method interrelates an image and a data set to provide an interpretive result. The apparatus and method thereby provide guidance as to the presence of a medical condition in a patient. The apparatus and method can be used in an iterative measurement process, in which the apparatus attempts to discern normal health from a state of health that is not normal health. If the interpretive result is consistent with normal health, the process terminates, information is recorded, and an optional report is given. If the interpretive result is not consistent with normal health, the apparatus and method attempts to distinguish which condition is consistent with the data and images used, and can iterate with additional measurements and information to attempt to provide a useful interpretive result.
US08075135B2
Systems and methods may test and/or train the peripheral visual abilities of an individual. Peripheral visual abilities may be tested and/or trained while maintaining a central visual focus by the individual. A central display element may display central visual indicia, while a peripheral display element may display peripheral visual indicia. Each visual indicia displayed may possess one or more trait and, optionally, one or more property. Inputs may be received at a central input device and/or a peripheral input device, with inputs corresponding to the traits perceived to be possessed by displayed indicia. By determining the correspondence of received inputs to the traits possessed by corresponding indicia, the peripheral visual abilities of an individual may be tested and/or trained in accordance with the present invention.
US08075128B2
An image transfer mechanism includes a pressure element and a lever system. The lever system has a load attachment point with a range of position that depends on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element. A load mechanism includes a load connector with a distal end attached to the lever system load attachment point so that displacement of the lever system attachment point causes longitudinal movement of the load connector. The load mechanism applies a load that is substantially constant throughout the range of position of the lever system load attachment point. The load mechanism includes a spring and a crank attached to the spring and to the proximal end of the load connector. The crank is configured so that a change in the spring force produces a lesser change in the load force at the distal end of the load connector.
US08075126B2
An ink jet ink contains at least a coloring material and a specific water-soluble organic solvent and has both excellent color developability and excellent humidity resistance. The coloring material exhibits a small (9 or less) color difference ΔE value which is determined by a method including a series of specific steps and is represented as the square root of (L1−L2)2+(a1−a2)2+(b1−b2)2. The specific water-soluble organic solvent has an evaporation rate X smaller than that of water and a moisture absorptivity Y, the values of X and Y satisfying the relation of Y≦2.8X+10. The content of the specific water-soluble organic solvent is 50 mass % or more of the total amount of water-soluble organic solvents contained in the ink.
US08075124B2
An ink containing a hydrophobic colloid charged with a positive zeta potential when the pH of the ink is within a range of over 4 and under 6. Silicon or silicon compound can be limited from being eluted into the ink from a circuit board formed from a silicon wafer or the like. Additionally, silicon or silicon compound, if eluted into the ink can be prevented from being deposited on a resistance heater and causing “cogation”, or to prevent the silicon or silicon compound from being deposited in an ink channel and nozzle to clog the nozzle.
US08075119B2
A method of feeding solid ink sticks to a melting device in a phase change ink imaging device enables the solid ink sticks to move through the ink delivery system without buckling or being diverted from the feed path. The ink sticks fed to the ink delivery system have first and second contoured ends that complement the feed path to resist buckling due to feed forces and the bosses of one contoured end nest in the boss recesses of another contoured end of an adjacent ink stick to resist the effects of the feed forces as well.
US08075109B2
An inkjet printer, comprises a plurality of recording heads to jet ink onto a recording medium; an ink distributing device to distribute ink to the plurality of recording heads and having a damping action to the ink, the ink distributing device including, an ink chamber to store ink therein, an inlet section having an ink inlet port through which ink is fed from an outside into the ink chamber, and an outlet section having a plurality of ink outlet ports through which ink is discharged from the ink chamber; and a plurality of supplying pipes to distribute ink from the plurality of outlet ports to the plurality of recording heads.
US08075101B2
A recording head includes electrothermal transducers associated with temperature sensing elements. A method for driving the recording head includes supplying driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, and evaluating a temperature change in a temperature fall interval, occurring after supplying of driving energy to the electrothermal transducer, based on temperature information acquired from the temperature sensing element. The method further includes changing a setting value of the driving energy supplied to the electrothermal transducer, determining an energy value for driving the electrothermal transducer based on the evaluated temperature change and an energy value supplied to the electrothermal conversion element, and recording data on a recording medium by driving the electrothermal transducer according to the determined energy value.
US08075095B2
A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a substrate assembly defining ink inlet channels. Nozzles openings formed on the substrate assembly are in fluid communication with respective ink inlet channels. Lever arms extend from respective nozzles openings and thermal bend actuators are coupled to respective lever arms and anchored to the substrate assembly. The thermal bend actuators are configured to move the nozzles towards the substrate assembly to eject ink there through.
US08075089B2
A method of assembling a gear arrangement for a capper of an inkjet printer includes the steps of: mounting a first gear assembly to the printer to cooperate with a motor gear for driving rotation of the first gear assembly, the first gear assembly including a driving gear from which a code feature protrudes, the driving gear meshed with the motor gear; engaging the printer with a jig; and mounting a second gear assembly to the printer using the jig, the second gear assembly mounted to cooperate with the first gear assembly to be rotatable therewith and to further cooperate with a capper for capping a printhead so that the rotation of the second gear assembly moves the capper out of and into capping position. The step of mounting the second gear assembly further includes a step of sliding a slider block of the holding feature about the code feature of the driving gear, whereby the code feature cooperate with the holding feature to maintain the first gear assembly at a predetermined position during the mounting of the second gear assembly.
US08075088B2
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body; a page-width inkjet head unit capable of ejecting fluid droplets without substantially moving the page-width inkjet head unit while forming an image on a medium to be recorded on; a maintaining and recovering unit maintaining and recovering a function of a nozzle of the page-width inkjet head unit; and an engaging unit for engaging the page-width inkjet head unit and the maintaining and recovering unit together as a single unit when the page-width inkjet head unit and the maintaining and recovering unit are removed from the apparatus main body as a single unit.
US08075074B2
The present invention provides a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigeration compartment defined by surrounding walls and an open side. There is at least one cabinet door arranged to move relative to the cabinet to selectively open and close the open side. At least one component is located in the cabinet door requiring information to be transmitted between the cabinet and the door. A first mating hub is located on one of the surrounding walls of the refrigeration compartment. A second mating hub is carried on the cabinet door, such that when the cabinet door is moved into a closed position relative to the cabinet, the first and second mating hubs will be arranged in alignment. The hubs have terminal connections for transmitting information from one hub to the other when aligned.
US08075073B2
A notebook computer cooling pad with a receiving box is provided. The cooling pad has a base plate whose front edge is provided with a curved plate, and the curved plate is coupled with a support plate so as to form a tubular space. A drawer provided at one or each of two ends of the tubular space can be pulled out of or pushed into the tubular space and serves to receive a power cable, a USB flash drive, or a stationery article.
US08075071B1
A restroom utility device that allows an individual, while using a restroom, to work on a computer and perform other related office tasks. The device performs both typical “restroom” functions along with various office functions and has an outer casing. A see-through drawer and a cabinet are accessible through the front of the outer casing, which also has an attached slide-out scale located at floor level and a number of side pocket compartments on the left and right sides of the outer casing. The device is mobile through the use of a quartet of castor wheels and also includes an adjustable reading tray that is attached to a fixed mount extending out of the top of the outer casing. The reading tray includes a pair of slide-out supports that can be extended to the left and right of the reading tray for extra surface area as needed.
US08075070B2
A computer enclosure, includes a case and a power supply chassis secured in the case. The case includes a bottom wall and a rear wall. The bottom wall defines a securing slot. A first positioning member extends from the bottom wall. A securing tab extends from a bottom of the power supply chassis. The securing tab is configured to engage in the securing slot and prevent the power supply chassis moving in a first direction perpendicular to the case rear wall. The power supply chassis defines a first positioning hole configured for the first positioning member engaging therein to prevent the power supply chassis moving in a second direction perpendicular to the case bottom wall.
US08075067B2
Disclosed is a brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type for actuating a motor vehicle brake system having a brake booster which is operable in response to the driver's input by a brake pedal and to an electronic regulating and control unit. A device is provided to decouple a force-transmitting connection between the brake pedal and the brake booster in the ‘brake-by-wire’ operating mode. The electronic regulating and control unit (7) includes a control circuit for controlling the travel (SDs) covered by the output member (20) of the brake booster (3), the nominal value (SDsnominal) of the travel (SDs) covered by the output member (20) of the brake booster (3) is calculated corresponding to the actuating travel (SBp) of the brake pedal (1), and a monitoring module (24) is provided which, in the case of a fault such as the inclusion of air or brake circuit failure, performs a partial compensation of the extension of the travel (SDs) covered by the output member (20) of the brake booster (3), which extension is caused by the fault.
US08075062B2
A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo includes a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a central reinforcing member in the form of an engineered truss is located between the two side rails. Wheels are mounted to the frame. A deck including a load bearing surface with a grate is formed on the frame. Hoppers are positioned below the grate. The frame is formed as one solid welded unit. The deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum. A perimeter frame rail is located around the deck. The trailer can transport multiple types of loads and does not have to be converted from one mode to another and additionally has reduced longitudinal flexing.
US08075061B2
The present invention provides a bearing mechanism with an integrated flexible bearing surface. The bearing mechanism includes a frame, which is folded to define an inner space; and an integrated flexible bearing surface, which has an elastic restoring force and is prefabricated onto the inner space of the frame. At least two sides of the integrated flexible bearing surface are mated integrally with the frame when the bearing mechanism is fabricated. The present invention enhances the structural strength, reduces greatly the fabrication cost and improves substantially the manufacturing efficiency with better applicability and industrial benefits.
US08075058B2
The invention relates to a seat, in particular, a vehicle or aircraft passenger seat with seat components such as a seat base (12), a backrest (14) and a coupling device (16) for coupling the movement of at least one part of the seat components between an exit (I) and at least one comfortable (II) position and vice versa. According to the invention, the coupling device (16) comprises at least one control piece, which may be controlled using the movement of the backrest (14) and/or the seat base (12) and hence by means of at least one further control piece to move the seat base (12) and/or the backrest (14) between said positions (I, II), whereby an adjustment, in particular, tilting movement of the backrest is linked with a simultaneous adjustment movement of the seat base which, preferably in the rearward transition region into the backrest descends by a given amount relative to the front edge of the seat which simultaneously moves forward to increase the seat depth.
US08075053B2
A seat having a seat structure, a cover, and a back panel having at least one lateral wall covering a receiving space in a side wall of a backrest in which a side airbag module is arranged. An airbag will deploy between cover and free end of the lateral wall in a deployment direction. The lateral wall is fastened within the receiving space with at least one wall fastener arranged on an inner surface of the lateral wall.
US08075046B2
An air dam which provides at least one panel which operates between an open condition and a closed condition in the open space established between a truck coupled to a trailer to alter a part of an air stream generated about the truck-trailer during travel.
US08075044B2
A convertible has a convertible top which can be put away in the rear region of the convertible and, in a fully open position, is received in a convertible top compartment which can be at least partially closed by a convertible top compartment cover. In this case, the put-away convertible top is held down with the aid of the convertible top compartment cover and is fixed in the held-down position by at least one holding-down device which can be placed onto the convertible top and is disposed on the convertible top compartment cover. The holding-down device has a friction-reducing coating facing the convertible top.
US08075043B2
A folding top having changeable cover tension includes a cover stretched over a frame which is movable to move the cover between closed and opened positions. A tension bow is swung by a landau bar between a tensioning position and a non-tensioning position. Part of the rear portion of the cover is held in a narrow groove in the tension bow. The tension bow applies tension to this part of the cover when tension bow is in either of the tensioning or non-tensioning positions. Another part of the rear portion of the cover can slide into and out of a wide groove of the tension bow. The tension bow applies tension to this part of the cover when the tension bow is in the tensioning position but does not apply tension to this part of the cover when the tension bow is in the non-tensioning position.
US08075036B2
A utility vehicle includes a utility body, a chamber formed in the utility body, a framework movable into and out of the chamber, and at least one utility device located on the framework.
US08075022B2
The application relates to a device in accordance with fluid technology (1), having at least one connecting body (2), through which at least one fluid-carrying conduit (5) extends and to which an elastic fluid-carrying hose (3) can be connected by means of a connecting arrangement (16). The connecting arrangement (16) contains a holding slide (25), which is displaceably seated on the connecting body (2) and through which a pass-through opening (32) extends, which has an insertion section (33) and a holding section (34), which is narrower than the latter. The connected fluid-carrying hose (3) itself has been directly inserted through the pass-through opening (32) of the holding slide (25) into the fluid-carrying conduit (5). The width of the pass-through opening (32) in the area of the insertion section (33) is greater, and less in the area of the holding section (34), than the nominal exterior diameter of the fluid-carrying hose (3), so that in the release position of the holding slide (25) the latter can be introduced unhindered through the pass-through opening (32), and in the holding position of the holding slide (25) it is clampingly fixed in place, while its hose wall is being deformed.
US08075014B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a snowboard or ski or the like comprises a base body having at least one edge, a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein the edge comprises at least one channel formed therein to provide two or more edge elements to contact a medium during use.
US08075012B1
A towing device for towing a motorcycle comprising a base having a first end that slides horizontally into a receiver hitch of the vehicle; a platform extending outwardly from a second end of the base; an arc-shaped cradle for cradling a front wheel of the motorcycle; the cradle is divided into a front portion attached atop the platform and a ramp pivotally attached to the front portion of the cradle via a hinge, the ramp'can pivot to an up position and a down position, wherein the down position allows the front wheel of the motorcycle to be rolled into the front portion of the cradle, the ramp can be secured in the up position via a securing means; and a side support component extending upwardly from the platform, the side support component functions to support the front wheel of the motorcycle when in the cradle.
US08075010B2
A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frameset supported by the front wheel and the rear wheel. The rear wheel includes a first end cap and a second end cap, and each end cap has an aligned hole extending through the end cap. The rear wheel includes an axle that is positioned in the holes in the end caps and that defines an axial direction. The frameset includes a first dropout and a second dropout, each including an opening. The axle is positioned in the opening of each dropout. Each drop out has a lip that defines a slot aligned with and larger than the openings. Each of the lips is dimensioned to receive a corresponding end cap of the rear wheel. The lip of the first dropout has an axial length less than the lip of the second dropout.
US08075008B1
According to the present invention, there is provided a retractable staircase for a recreational vehicle. The retractable staircase has a translational section, which includes at least one-step. The translational section moves between an extended and a retracted position relative to the recreational vehicle. In the extended position, a rotational section, which also includes at least one step, moves between a lowered position with the step below the step of the translational section and an upside down and inverted position above the step of the translational section to provide for movement of the translational section to the retracted position.
US08075005B1
An apparatus for adjusting wheel alignment at an upper ball joint assembly of a vehicular suspension includes a bushing having an outer surface defined about a first axis, and a receptacle defined about a second axis eccentric to the first axis. The apparatus further includes a locking key having an arm portion adapted to removably cooperate with selected ones of slots arranged radially in a flange portion of the bushing so as to retain the bushing in a predetermined position.
US08075001B2
Disclosed is a chuck comprising a base (10) in which a plurality of radially continuous, longitudinal slots (41) are provided for an individual clamping jaw (11, 21), respectively. The clamping jaws (11, 21) encompass one respective stopping surface (34) and can be displaced radially relative to the base (10) when a slanted clamping jaw surface (34) and a complementary surface (4) are moved towards each other such that a surface (14) of each clamping jaw (11, 21) clamps a workpiece that is to be retained around the longitudinal axis (20) of the base (10). Each clamping jaw (11, 21) is provided with a stop area (33 or 29) that extends on a plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (20) of the base (10). Said stop area is impinged upon by a certain force in a longitudinal direction (20) during clamping by establishing a direct positive connection with a complementary area of an actuating element (3) or a positive connection with a complementary area of the base (10) which is positively connected to the actuating element (3). Force is thus relieved from the base, and the clamping jaws can be replaced individually. Non-round objects can be clamped in a simple way while objects can be clamped by engaging the same from behind.
US08074985B2
A gaming method includes repetitive plays simulating rolls of virtual dice by a player and at least one of a bonus feature and a progressive feature. A gaming method includes scoring dice.
US08074981B2
A printer includes a main body and a paper holding device. The main body is capable of printing and outputting paper. The paper holding device is secured to the main body and includes a paper tray, a connecting mechanism, and a sliding mechanism. The paper tray is configured for receiving the outputted paper. A driving gear member is located on the paper tray. The connecting mechanism is located on the paper tray and connected to the driving gear member. The sliding mechanism is located on the paper tray and connected to the connecting mechanism. The driving gear member controls the sliding mechanism by the connecting mechanism to shape a space to fit the size of the outputted paper.
US08074980B2
Apparatuses for feeding sheets and printing apparatuses are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses for feeding sheets includes a first guide; a second guide opposite the first guide; a first side wall; a second side wall opposite the first side wall; a support surface configured to support a stack of sheets with a first edge of the sheets facing the first guide, a second edge of the sheets facing the second guide and a center line of the stack extending from the first edge to the second edge; and at least two tampers including: a first tamper secured to the first guide between the center line and the first side wall, the first tamper including a first lower pad and a first upper pad which applies a lower force to the first edge of the sheets than the first lower pad; and a second tamper secured to the first guide between the center line and the second side wall, the second tamper including a second lower pad and a second upper pad which applies a lower force to the first edge of the sheets than the second lower pad.
US08074975B2
A mechanical arrangement is provided for processing plate-like workpieces, especially metal sheets. The mechanical arrangement includes a processing device and a handling apparatus. A support structure of the handling apparatus has a base support structure and a secondary support structure which is supported on the base support structure so as to be movable relative thereto and which is provided with a holding device for processed products.
US08074974B2
A vehicle height adjusting device includes a cylinder (1), a rod (3) inserted in the cylinder (1), a piston (4) connected to the rod (3) and movable within the cylinder (1), and defining a rod side chamber (2a) and an non-rod side chamber (2b) in the cylinder (1), damping parts (4a, 4b) for generating a damping force by the movement of the rod (3), a high pressure chamber (18) and a low pressure chamber (16) charged with gas, a pump chamber (25) for adjusting the vehicle height by supplying the working fluid in the low pressure chamber (16) into the non-rod side chamber (2b), a communicating path (5a) for communicating the non-rod side chamber (2b) and the high pressure chamber (18), and a valve body (20) for increasing and reducing a channel area of the communicating path (5a) depending on the fluid pressure of the high pressure chamber (18).
US08074973B2
A process and apparatus are provided for cooling gaseous effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis furnace, the cooling conduit apparatus comprising: (i) an inner wall for contacting the effluent, the inner wall defining a bore extending a length of the cooling conduit, the inner wall including a perimeter opening along the bore; (ii) an outer wall external to the inner wall and substantially coaxial to the inner wall; (iii) a substantially annular cavity external to the inner wall and including at least a portion of the outer wall, the annular cavity fluidly and remotely connected to the perimeter opening, the annular cavity externally surrounding a perimeter of the inner wall, the annular cavity including at least a portion of the outer wall; and (iv) a peripheral channel extending around a perimeter of the inner wall, the peripheral channel providing a channel flow path that fluidly connects the annular cavity with the remotely connected perimeter opening along the perimeter of the inner wall.
US08074972B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a device for a gas-liquid contacting apparatus. The gas-liquid contacting apparatus can include a member. The member can include: a non-breakable portion, and a breakable portion adapted for removal by application of an effective amount of force for creating one or more holes for a passage of a fluid there-through.
US08074969B2
A reconfigurable gate includes a first fence section, a section fence section and third fence section. The first fence section includes a plurality of first cross members. The second fence section includes a plurality of second cross members. The third fence section includes a plurality of third cross members. The first fence section and the second fence section are rotatably attached to the third fence section such that when the gate or fence is in a fully collapsed configuration, the plurality of first cross members and the plurality of second cross members are substantially interleaved with the plurality of third cross members.
US08074962B1
A blast gate assembly for connecting two hoses includes a first cylindrical section for frictionally engaging with a first flexible vacuum hose, a second cylindrical section for frictionally engaging with a second flexible vacuum hose, and a valve section disposed between the first cylindrical section and the second cylindrical section. The valve section includes a mounting bracket.
US08074954B2
A rail for fastening installations in an aircraft, the rail including a rail base section, a running-surface section that extends in a longitudinal direction with a running surface, and a connection section that connects the running-surface section to the rail base section at the face pointing away from the running surface. The running-surface section laterally on both sides, in each case spaced apart at a predetermined pitch, includes a multitude of projections projecting away from the connection section, each with a top that has substantially the same alignment as the running surface and a bottom that has an alignment that substantially is opposed to the alignment of the running surface. The bottom of the projections forms holding surfaces for holding a fitting. The rail is attached to a floor of the aircraft.
US08074947B2
A reconfigurable garden tool caddy device that is adapted for mounting to the handle portion of a long-handled garden tool, so as to provide the so equipped garden tool with two primary configurations of operation, namely: (i) a self-standing configuration, wherein its stand portion is arranged at a first angle with respect to the handle portion of the long-handled garden tool and supports the garden tool in an upright position at a second angle formed with respect to the ground surface of the garden; and (ii) a transport-work configuration, wherein the stand portion is disposed closely adjacent the handle portion of the garden tool and is releasably retained by a stand retainer structure so that the adapted garden tool can be transported between the garden and a tool shed or like shelter where garden tools are kept from the natural elements when not being used to work the soil of a garden.
US08074944B2
A clamp member includes a first member of a substantially L-shaped cross section having at the front end thereof a tongue section and formed to project from the main surface of the clamp member and a second member having at the front end thereof bent sections of a substantially L-shaped cross section juxtaposed with a notch interposed between them and formed to project from the main surface of the clamp member, the tongue section and the notch having a vertical positional relationship with the tongue section, the tongue section being disposed vis-à-vis the bent sections.
US08074943B2
A pipe support which comprises a body having a recess of a generally U-shaped configuration formed therein, the recess being opened at a top end, the body having a clamping portion extending downwardly and which clamping portion includes first and second resilient members which each comprise a vertical sidewall and an inwardly extending end segment. The pipe support is particularly suitable for use on various structural members.
US08074937B2
The invention relates to a device for load limitation in a aircraft high lift system, said system comprising individual segments of landing flap systems and slat flap systems, and a drive unit. The inventive device for load limitation comprises a control unit that is connected to position sensors and is embodied in such a way as to process signals from the position sensors and to generate a signal for limiting the supplied drive power. The invention also relates to a method for load limitation. According to said method, signals from at least two position sensors are measured; at least one reference variable is calculated form the measured signals; each reference variable is compared with a corresponding threshold value pre-determined from a maximum authorized load; and a control signal is generated for limiting the drive power, when at least one of the reference variables reaches or exceeds the threshold value.
US08074930B2
An aircraft door is disclosed comprising a first (301), second (302) and third (303) door members pivotably joined and arranged to move from a closed position in which said members are located in a substantially linear arrangement in the aircraft skin to an open position in which said members are located in a relative folded arrangement with the second and third door members situated substantially above the lowest edge of the first door member.
US08074929B1
Methods and structures for a composite truss structure are provided. The structure includes an upper chord member, a lower chord member, and a plurality of web members extending therebetween. Each of the upper chord member, the lower chord member, and the plurality of web members are formed of a continuous composite fiber positioned in each of the upper chord member, the lower chord member, and each of the plurality of web members wherein each of the upper chord member, the lower chord member, and the plurality of web members includes a predetermined number of passes of the continuous composite fiber corresponding to a predetermined load. The composite truss structure also includes at least a first gusseting plate coupled to the upper chord member, the lower chord member, and the plurality of web members.
US08074919B1
A parachute support system for supporting a helicopter emergency parachute is provided, comprising a parachute support shaft located within a main rotor shaft, said parachute support shaft being rotationally separated from the rest of the helicopter through the use of bearing supports or enclosures. As the parachute support shaft is connected to the main rotor shaft at multiple distinct and distant points, the system described also provides a preferable load path transfer route, such that parachute system malfunction is minimized.
US08074900B2
There is provided a fuel oil atomizer comprised of an elongated outer member, an elongated inner member and an atomizing head. The inner member is a fuel supply conduit which is coaxially received within the central opening of the outer member defining therebetween a generally annular atomizing fluid supply conduit. The atomizing head includes a fuel chamber, an atomizing fluid chamber and a mixing chamber. The fuel supply conduit communicates with the fuel chamber. The atomizing fluid supply conduit communicates with the atomizing fluid chamber. The fuel chamber has a first end and a second end. The atomizing fluid chamber is circumambient to the first end of the fuel chamber and the fuel chamber has a portion that extends axially from the atomizing fluid chamber. The mixing chamber is circumambient to the second end of the fuel chamber.
US08074894B2
A thermostatic mixing valve for mixing a hot fluid and a cold fluid to produce a tempered mixed fluid stream. The thermostatic mixing valve may have a valve body that defines a cold fluid inlet port, a hot fluid inlet port, a mixing chamber, a mixed fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, and a hot fluid outlet port in fluid communication with the hot fluid inlet port and disposed upstream of the mixing chamber. In some cases, the hot fluid outlet port may be used to provide hot water directly to an appliance or other fixture that can use non-tempered hot water.
US08074888B2
A portable electronic payment terminal is provided, which includes at least one removable battery. The removable battery carries an electronic chip containing at least one item of identification information and is able to communicate with a contactless reading device present in the terminal. The terminal further includes: a transmitter for transmitting the identification information to a distant control server of the terminal manufacturer; and a receiver for receiving from the server conformity or non-conformity information according to whether the identification information belongs to a list approved by the manufacturer.
US08074884B2
The invention relates to a keyboard (1) for data input, particularly a POS keyboard (1), with a key field (2) and at least one card reading device (6), for the reading of data from a card (13) provided with data, whereby the device (6) has a shaft (12), into which the card (13) can be inserted and in which the card (13) can be held, whereby the card reading device (6) is integrated pivotably into a surface (8) of the housing (9) of the keyboard (1).
US08074882B2
A computer-implemented method of providing targeted video promotional material includes transmitting a promotional item for display on a video terminal, determining whether the promotional item was skipped, and updating a profile corresponding to the promotional item or a viewer of the promotional item based on whether or not the promotional item was skipped.
US08074881B2
When an error occurs in decoding of coded data such as a barcode, the error in the decoding of the coded data is analyzed based on an image acquisition status of the coded data in image data acquired by image acquisition performed by an image acquisition section. Then, handling information allowing the coded data to be decoded is provided depending on a result of the analysis.
US08074880B2
The described embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for fingerprint authentication for a computing device. In one embodiment, the method comprises: storing a default finger swipe scan direction; receiving a finger swipe scan; authenticating the received finger swipe scan; determining a received finger swipe scan direction; and configuring the default finger swipe scan direction. The computing device may comprise a mobile device.
US08074876B2
Customer enrollment in a stored value card program is provided. One embodiment is a method for enrolling a customer in a stored value card program. One such method comprises: generating a list of unaffiliated stored value card programs; and when enrolling a new customer in a new stored value card program at a device, determining whether the new customer has a stored value account with one of the unaffiliated stored value card programs.
US08074868B2
Productivity is to be improved in assembling a semiconductor integrated circuit device. A matrix substrate is provided and semiconductor chips are disposed on a first heating stage, then the matrix substrate is disposed above the semiconductor chips on the first heating stage, subsequently the semiconductor chips and the matrix substrate are bonded to each other temporarily by thermocompression bonding while heating the chips directly by the first heating stage, thereafter the temporarily bonded matrix substrate is disposed on a second heating stage adjacent to the first heating stage, and then on the second heating stage the semiconductor chips are thermocompression-bonded to the matrix substrate while being heated directly by the second heating stage.
US08074867B2
A conductive ball mounting apparatus for mounting conductive balls by providing an array mask having through holes, into which conductive balls are to enter, above a mounting target placed on a stage, by arranging a ball reservoir having an opening for reserving a plurality of conductive balls, in the bottom, by moving the ball reservoir along the array mask, by dropping the conductive balls into the individual through holes of the array mask, adopts the following means. Firstly, the conductive ball mounting apparatus comprises moving means for moving the array mask and the stage relative to each other in horizontal directions. Secondly, the positions of the conductive balls in the through holes are arranged by finely moving at least one of the array mask and the stage relative to each other in the horizontal directions after the balls were dropped.
US08074859B2
A surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument includes a housing. The surgical instrument includes an elongated portion extending distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector operably couples to the elongated portion. A first pivoting member pivotably couples to a distal end of the elongated portion. The first pivoting member defines a first pivot axis intersecting the longitudinal axis when the first pivoting member is rotated. A distal mounting assembly pivotably couples to the first pivoting member and operably couples to the end effector. The distal mounting assembly defines a second pivot axis intersecting the first pivot axis and the longitudinal axis when the proximal mounting assembly is rotated.
US08074858B2
A retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. The retraction mechanism includes a motor, a first speed reducing mechanism, a clutch mechanism incorporating a second speed reducing mechanism, and a shaft. The first speed reducing mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The second speed reducing mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. In addition, the clutch mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first speed reducing mechanism. The shaft is configured to rotate upon activation of the motor the second speed reducing mechanism is in the locked state. The rotation of the shaft retracts a firing drive of the hand held surgical apparatus.
US08074855B2
A follower mechanism of the bypass type comprises a follower body which is normally spring-biased in the forward direction so as to, in turn, normally bias a strip supply of nail-type fasteners in the forward direction toward a discharge path along which the leading one of the nail-type fasteners will he driven and discharged out from the fastener-driving tool. A follower claw is normally spring-biased, around the pivotal axis of a pivot pin mounted upon the follower body, to a position at which the follower claw can engage the trailing one of the nail-type fasteners so as to bias the supply strip of nail-type fasteners in the forward direction. A latch-hook is integrally provided upon the follower claw for engaging an undercut region of the fastener-driving tool magazine end cap in order to retain the entire follower mechanism at a rearwardly retracted position within the magazine assembly of the fastener-driving machine.
US08074853B1
The present invention is a bag or backpack with the addition of at least one mesh pouch affixed within the bag. The at least one pouch is preferably made of mesh fabric, and includes a top opening with a top hem to contain fasteners which are placed inside of the hem. The top opening of the at least one pouch can be tightened together so that personal belongings which are placed inside of the at least one pouch will not drop out of the pouch. With the aid of the at least one interior pouch, the bag or backpack of the present invention significantly improves convenience, ease for organizing personal belongings being placed inside of the bag or backpack, and efficient use of the internal volume of the bag or backpack.
US08074847B2
A pressurized package for dispensing product there from through a valve. The valve is attached to the package by a valve cup. The valve cup is plastic, eliminating the need for metallic deformation to maintain pressurization of the container having propellant therein. This arrangement provides the benefit of less expensive package assembly.
US08074842B2
A dispenser including a plurality of tower sections allows an operator to remove one or more tower sections from the fluid dispenser without removing the fluid dispenser from a dispensing location. A housing of the dispenser includes multiple arrays of outlets from a housing fluid circuit that is connectable to fluid sources. Separate tower sections including complementary arrays are then coupled to arrays of the housing, thereby extending the housing fluid circuits to the dispense points disposed on the tower sections. The tower sections are secured to the fluid dispenser housing. The tower sections may further include mounting members that mate together to provide additional restraint and to ensure that the dispense points of the attached tower sections are aligned, thereby providing a clean, uniform appearance.
US08074840B2
A fluid dispenser assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a fluid dispenser (1, 2) comprising a fluid reservoir (1) and a closure member (2), the reservoir comprising at least one flexible sheet (11) provided with an opening (14) cut out in the sheet, the closure member (2) being mounted in said opening (14); and a flexible covering (3) wrapped around the dispenser, the covering including a window (34) through which the closure member (2) can be accessed.
US08074838B1
The combined water balloon launcher and water discharging device preferably includes a mechanism for discharging water. A water-holding reservoir may be mounted onto a handle section. A first barrel may also be coupled to the handle section. The first barrel may have an inlet port formed at a proximal end thereof in fluid communication with the water-holding reservoir. A guard may be coupled to a first plunger and may be slidably seated about the first and second barrels. The first plunger may displace air from the air holding chamber into the water holding reservoir. The water balloon launching mechanism may include a second barrel and a revolving water balloon-holding drum. The drum may contain isolated chambers in which water balloons are loaded. A second spring member may be anchored to the handle and attached to a second plunger. The second plunger urges the water balloon outwardly from the second barrel.
US08074837B2
An ice portion control module includes an ice bin for storing ice. A base in the ice bin has one or more portion control compartments. The one or more portion control compartments has an interior volume to hold a predetermined portion of the ice. An actuator moves the one or more portion control compartments between a fill position wherein the one or more portion control compartments holds the ice, and a dispense position wherein the predetermined portion of the ice is dispensed out of the one or more portion control compartments.
US08074836B2
A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes an electronically powered key device and/or identification code associated with a refill container to preclude the need for mechanical keys. The system utilizes a near field frequency response to determine whether a refill container is compatible with a dispensing system. In particular, the refill container is provided with a coil terminated by one of a number of capacitors. The container is received in a housing that provides a pair of coils that are in a spatial relationship with the installed refill container's coil. By energizing one of the housing's coils, the other coil detects a unique electronic signature generated by the container's coil. If the signature is acceptable, the dispensing system is allowed to dispense a quantity of material. The system also provides a unique latching mechanism to retain the container and ensure positioning of all the coils.
US08074829B2
A device includes an upper portion including a pit placement portion, a lower portion including a flat bottom portion, and a retaining strap connected to the upper portion at a first connector and removably connected to a second connector. The upper portion is adapted to removably connect with a half of an avocado.
US08074827B2
A beverage cup comprised by an open top and at least one channel defined by a corner with an acute angle so placed that the channel runs along the cup side from the cup bottom to the cup rim. In the absence of significant gravitational force as found in microgravity, weightless or weightlessness of spacecraft or the International Space Station, capillary forces between the beverage and the cup wall allow the beverage to creep along the channel and be in near proximity to the open cup rim. Lips placed at or near the channel at the rim can readily sip, drink, and consume the beverage without the need for a straw and without undue spillage for normal drinking motions including toasting. The channel conducts the beverage via capillary forces from the bottom of the cup to the rim until the beverage has been consumed.
US08074817B1
A method and apparatus for metering a liquid nutritional supplement is disclosed and provides a liquid dispenser having a body that contains a predetermined number of single dosages of the liquid nutritional supplement, a cap, such as a child resistant cap, coupled to a neck portion of the body, and a dosage cup coupled to the cap. The dosage cup has at least four axial shoulders on an inside surface thereof wherein each has an engaging surface adapted to engage axial ridges of the cap. The dosage cup is coupled to the cap such that a force that is greater, by a predetermined amount, than the weight of the dosage cup is required to remove the dosage cup from the cap. The dosage cup is provided with an indicator adapted to indicate one of the single dosages of the liquid nutritional supplement to be consumed by a user for a predetermined time period.
US08074814B2
The present invention is a wall-mounted toothbrush carousel that stores one or more electric and/or standard toothbrushes in a convenient rotary dispenser. The rotary dispenser comprises a top-mounted knob atop a clover-shaped disc, the disc being connected to a stem in a spindle-type manner. The bottom of the stem is connected to a concave base. In some embodiments, the concavity of the base collects and contains runoff. In other embodiments, the base may be defined by one or more drain holes to allow drainage of the residue. The stem offsets the disc from the base. The disc is four-leaf-clover-shaped and defined by alternate apertures (for holding standard and electric toothbrushes) and U-shaped recesses for holding electric toothbrushes. The spindle-type holder revolves around and holds one or more electric toothbrushes as well as standard toothbrushes in queued positions. The rotary dispenser may be seated in a freestanding base unit (various sizes and shapes) having a vertical notch for access to the queued toothbrushes, or may be seated on a wall mounting as desired.
US08074812B1
A rotary hanging track storage unit for mounting in a corner cabinet includes a circular hanging track 4 and hanger assemblies 10, hanging guard assemblies 11, and hanger extensions 22. The track 7 is attached to and supported by hanging track brackets 3, hanging track clamps 5, track supports 6, and center shaft 7. The assembly can be rotated within the corner cabinet 2 where cookware and utensils can be hung from assemblies 10 and extensions 22 to be accessed and stored.
US08074802B2
A slide cover for enclosing a region comprising an active region on a slide is provided. A slide cover and a slide are also provided. A slide cover for enclosing a region comprising an active region on a slide, where the slide is placed in a clamshell slide holder is also provided.
US08074800B2
A tray for supporting linear lamps in large cartons may be made to nest in one orientation and on rotation by 180 degrees may stack to form a latched array of lamp cradles. The cradle walls are formed along their lengths with alternating lengths and gaps. The alternating wall sections of the cradle walls are asymmetric right to left along the cradle axis. The walls forming the rows of cradles are arranged to be paired with a non-nesting wall on rotation by 180 degrees. In this way, at least one point along the length of each wall is supported in the non-nesting orientation. By forming latching features at the support points, the trays can be locked together as a rigid array of lamp cradles.
US08074798B2
A tool tote that is collapsible to reduce storage space is disclosed. The tool tote may be generally rectangular and include an upper opening facilitating access into the main compartment of the tote. The tote may include a removable rigidity enhancement device enabling the tote to be a self supporting tote when fully erected and enabling the tote to be collapsible when the rigidity enhancement device is pivoted out of position.
US08074791B1
A hook assembly for a modular conveyor belt having a conveying surface is provided. The hook assembly has a link interleaved with a plastic link from the modular conveyor belt. A hinge pin secures the link and plastic link together. The link has a recess in the conveying surface, an aperture disposed in the recess and a slot adjacent the aperture opening into the recess. The slot has a reinforced segment. A hook having a shall is provided which is slidable in the slot and includes a sharpened end of the hook disposed on a conveying side of the link and a translational member carried by the shaft and engagable with a track on a conveyor assembly such that the interaction between the track and the translational member results in movement of the hook between a lowered position in which the hook is positioned within the recess and a raised position in which the hook is disposed above the conveying surface. A modular conveyor belt is also provided.
US08074790B2
A manufacturing method for an absorptive article having a waistband member, includes: transporting a continuum (for example, second to seventh continuum) including waistband regions 1A and 1B corresponding to the waistband member. In the transporting, the continuum is asymmetric with respect to a center line CL of the continuum in a moving direction of the continuum, and is transported while being held on at least a first belt conveyor 110 and a second belt conveyor 120.
US08074773B2
A disc brake assembly comprising a brake rotor including a rotor flange having a circular countersink extending through a thickness of the rotor flange, with a smooth, beveled outer portion for receiving a rotor retention screw in a recessed position, and a threaded inner portion for receiving a prying screw; and a wheel hub including a hub flange having a circular bore for the rotor retention screw extending through a thickness of the hub flange, the circular bore having a threaded inner portion for receiving the rotor retention screw from the countersink for securing the brake rotor to the wheel hub. A diameter of the inner portion or the circular countersink is larger then a diameter of the circular bore to allow insertion of the prying screw into the circular countersink but not into the circular bore.
US08074771B2
Safety ladders to provide egress from water to a dock or boat or the like are disclosed. Safety ladders in accordance with the present invention are mountable to a structure, upwardly collapsible to a first storage configuration, and downwardly extendible to a second climbing configuration.
US08074767B1
An extensible, vehicle-mounted ladder with movable rungs is used to aid in raising and lowering in rescue operations. The ladder includes a rotatable base having storage space to hold extra rungs supporting the variable extended positions of the ladder. The ladder includes a plurality of ladder units or extensible booms. Each ladder unit includes four C-rails. A first ladder unit is attached to the rotatable base and the others extensible therefrom. The ladder includes rungs that slidably engage within two of the C-rails. A drive cable connects the rungs in a closed loop and is powered to enable rung rotation in a closed loop around the ladder units within the C-rails.
US08074765B2
In order to provide sound absorbing structure capable of reducing the noise of electronic equipment while maintaining the cooling capability of the electronic equipment, there is provided sound absorbing structure in which a plurality of penetrating openings are provided by arranging a plurality of acoustic materials having a predetermined shape at predetermined intervals in a flow channel of cooling fluid from a blower, and the plurality of acoustic materials are arranged so that the sound vertically incident on a penetrating plane of the penetrating openings from the blower does not directly go out of the electronic equipment.
US08074760B2
A rear arm for a straddle-type vehicle that satisfies rigidity requirements and is manufactured more easily. The rear arm includes a pair of arms that support end sections of a wheel axle, and a cross member that connects the arms. The cross member is formed by bending a singular tabular member. A rear end section of the cross member has a recessed shape that is recessed toward pivot members.
US08074743B2
A well system may be provided comprising a first primary inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to a surface device and a first secondary inductive coupler. The first secondary inductive coupler may be further configured to be communicably coupled to one or more completion components provided in a first portion of the well. In addition, the well system may comprise a second primary inductive coupler configured to be communicably coupled to the surface device and a second secondary induction coupler. The second secondary inductive coupler may be further configured to be communicably coupled to one or more completion components provided in a second portion of the well. The flow through at least one of the first and second portions of the well may be adjusted via at least one of the one or more completion components. A method for completing a well comprising inductive couplers may also be provided.
US08074741B2
Reamer bits have cutters with different effective back rake angles. Drilling systems include a pilot bit and a reamer bit, wherein cutters in shoulder regions of the reamer bit have a greater average effective back rake angle than cutters in shoulder regions of the pilot bit. Methods of drilling wellbores include drilling a bore with a pilot bit, and reaming the bore with a reamer bit having cutters in shoulder regions of the reamer bit that have an average effective back rake angle greater than that of cutters in shoulder regions of the pilot bit. Methods of forming drilling systems include attaching pilot and reamer bits to a drill string, and positioning cutters in shoulder regions of the reamer bit to have an average effective back rake angle greater than that of cutters in shoulder regions of the pilot bit.
US08074740B2
There is provided a method for drilling a cased hole and installing a geothermal transfer apparatus. A sonic drilling apparatus is positioned at a desired location. The sonic drilling apparatus includes a rotating and vibrating apparatus for rotating and vibrating a drill string into the ground. A retrievable drill bit is operatively connected to the drill string. The cased hole is drilled to a desired depth by rotating and vibrating the drill string into the ground. The retrievable drill bit is retrieved from the cased hole following the drilling of the cased hole to the desired depth. A geothermal transfer apparatus is lowered into the cased hole following the retrieval of the retrievable drill bit. Grouting material may be discharged into the cased hole before or after the drill string is removed from the ground.
US08074731B2
An impact tool (100) includes a spindle (11), a motor (1), a rotational impact system (10), a current detecting unit (32), and a current control unit (31). The spindle extends in an axial direction thereof. The motor provides the spindle with a rotational power in accordance with a motor current flowing therethrough. The rotational power rotates the spindle about the axis at an rpm value. The rotational impact system provides the spindle with an impact force in the axial direction, thereby transmitting both the rotational power and the impact force to an end bit. The current detecting unit detects a current value of the motor current. The current control unit reduces the current value if the current value detected by the current detecting unit exceeds a predetermined value.
US08074721B2
A switching apparatus, system, and method configured to operate at least a dual line downhole tool via a single pressure source are provided. The switching apparatus may comprise a housing configured to contain a switching piston actuated by a fluid pressure source. The apparatus may further contain a switching valve comprising a first and second coupling passageway coupled to a switching valve housing comprising four ports. The switching piston may actuate the switching valve, alternating the coupling between a first configuration in which the four ports are communicatively coupled into two sets of ports and a second configuration in which the four ports are communicatively coupled into an alternate two sets of ports. The first configuration may configure the fluid pressure source to actuate the downhole tool in a first manner and the second configuration may configure the fluid pressure source to actuate the downhole tool in a second manner.
US08074720B2
A system, program product, and method for monitoring and managing a plurality of marine riser assets is provided. The system can include one or more floating vessels each carrying a shipboard computer, a plurality of riser assets to be tracked and monitored, a riser asset identification sensor positioned to identify select riser assets being deployed to establish a riser string, one or more riser joint instrument modules positioned along the length of the riser string to provide riser asset load data, a centralized data warehouse to store riser asset identification and loading data for riser assets deployed at multiple remote vessel locations, and a riser lifecycle management server and riser lifecycle management program product adapted to monitor riser asset conditions, issue automated service alerts based on actual use information, maintain routine and non-routine maintenance records, manipulate and categorize riser assets, and automatically generate an accurate riser system configuration as was actually deployed for any particular drilling/completion operation.
US08074719B2
A system for installation in a well bore includes a flow control device and a control unit coupled to the flow control device. The flow control device is changeable from a first state to a second state. The first state corresponds to a first mode of fluid communication between an interior of a tubular conduit of a completion string and an annulus between the tubular conduit and a wall of the well bore. The second state corresponds to a second, different mode of fluid communication between the interior of the tubular conduit and the annulus. The control unit is coupled to the flow control device to change the flow control device between the first and second states. The control unit is actuated to change the flow control device in response to pressure in the well bore.
US08074717B2
A method for drilling a well with a drilling apparatus comprising a drill string and a bit, comprising attaching a cleaning tool comprising a coaxial pipe and at least one vortex spinner to a portion of the drill string above the bit, inserting the drill string into a wellbore, extending the wellbore while simultaneously pumping fluid through the cleaning tool to create a fluid flow, and loosening debris attached to the wellbore.
US08074715B2
Methods for setting particulate plugs in at least partially horizontal sections of well bores are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method comprises the step of selecting a deposition location for a particulate plug within the at least partially horizontal section of the well bore. The method further comprises the step of providing a pumping conduit capable of delivering slurries to the deposition location. The method further comprises the step of pumping a first slurry through the pumping conduit to the deposition location such that a velocity of the first slurry in the well bore at the deposition location is less than or equal to the critical velocity of the first slurry in the well bore at the deposition location.
US08074710B2
A system for conducting earth borehole operations comprising a CT carrier, a reel of CT rotatably mounted on the CT carrier, a mast carrier, separate from the CT carrier, a mast mounted on the mast carrier and movable between a lowered position for transport and a position transverse to the horizontal, a top drive carried by the mast, the top drive being longitudinally movable along the mast and a CT injector on the mast carrier.
US08074709B2
The present invention relates to a center mounting type air conditioner for a vehicle, which can reduce size and noise of a blower, and enhance installation efficiency and reduce an installation space of the air conditioner installed in the vehicle. At least one bypass passageway is formed in a dead space located between the scroll case and the air conditioning case, whereby some of air sucked from the intake duct is bypassed and sucked toward the second wheel of the dual blower wheel, to which the motor is connected.
US08074708B2
A heat exchanger includes tubes and a tank. The tubes extend in a first direction, and are stacked in a second direction. The tank has a tube insertion plate part, and is arranged at an end portion of the tubes. The tube insertion plate part has tube holes in which the tubes are inserted, and ribs extending in a third direction that is approximately perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The tube hole has end portions in the third direction. The rib are arranged to overlap with the end portion of the tube hole in the second direction, and to provide a deformable part to be deformable in the first direction. The deformable part is located in the tube insertion plate part outside of the ribs in the third direction.
US08074701B2
A method for producing a pattern for the precision-cast representation of a component having a cavity is provided. In the method wherein the component is a turbine component having a cavity, the finished pattern comprises a core and an outer contour pattern, the outer contour pattern at least partially surrounds the core and at least partially defines the outer contour of the turbine component. The core is produced from a curable core material, which cures during the course of the method, and the outer contour pattern is produced from a material which can be burned or melted out. In this case, first the outer contour pattern is produced with a cavity corresponding to the cavity of the turbine component and subsequently the curable core material is filled into the cavity and cured to produce the core.
US08074698B2
A window blind frame system is provided comprising a window blind secured to a frame and optionally at least one frame-securing clip for releasably retaining the frame in position relative to the window casing. The frame may comprise at least two angle joints connecting at least three extruded portions to form a substantially rigid structure, wherein a window blind may be attached to the frame and wherein the frame is configured to interact with a frame-securing clip which releasably retains the frame in position relative to a window casing. The components of the window blind frame system may be provided in kit form. Methods of assembly and fitting of the window blind frame system are also provided.
US08074696B2
An automatic mask peeling apparatus 10 includes: a brushing apparatus 30 for removing solidified plugging slurry attached to the mask 24; an air injection apparatus 36 for injecting, after the removal of the solidified plugging slurry, air from the opposite end face-side of the one end face to raise a folded surplus part of the mask from the one end face; a mask peeling apparatus 50 for holding the part raised by the air injection apparatus 36 to peel the mask 24; and a carrying apparatus 55 for carrying a masked plugging honeycomb structure 200 from the brushing apparatus 30 to the mask peeling apparatus 50. This apparatus can be used to peel a mask 24 which has been used for plugging only the predetermined cells of a masked plugging honeycomb structure 200; the mask 24 having an area larger than the area of the end face of the structure.
US08074695B2
An adhesive transfer device can reliably transfer by simple operation an adhesive onto a transfer target surface by either of spot-like transfer and linear transfer that are alternately selected. The adhesive transfer device has a supply reel (20) around which a transfer tape (1) having a backing material (2) provided with an adhesive (3) on one surface thereof is wound, a take-up reel (30) for taking up the transfer tape, and a transfer head (40) for transferring the adhesive onto the transfer target surface. The transfer head is pivotally supported at one end thereof and includes a first transfer section (45a) formed at a free end portion thereof and having a circular arc-shaped contact surface for mutual contact with the transfer target surface, a second transfer section (45b) having a flat transfer surface (45c) between the first transfer section and a pivot portion of the transfer head, and a spring member (46) for urging the free end portion of the transfer head toward the transfer target surface. Pressing the second transfer section onto the transfer target surface against the resilience of the spring member performs spot-like transfer of the adhesive onto the transfer target surface. Linear transfer of the adhesive onto the transfer target surface is performed by moving the first transfer section with the first transfer section pressed to the transfer target surface by the resilience of the spring member.
US08074691B2
A thickness measuring device of a laminating machine includes a mount, a stepper motor, a screw rod, a first contact-activated element, a second contact-activated element, and a microcontroller unit. The stepper motor is coupled to the mount. The screw rod is interlocked with the stepper motor. The first contact-activated element is provided at a position corresponding to and some distance below the screw rod. The second contact-activated element is provided at a position corresponding to and some distance above the screw rod. The microcontroller unit is electrically connected to the stepper motor, the first contact-activated element, and the second contact-activated element so as to provide initialization setting and exercise judgment and control after receiving a thickness measurement. Thus, the thickness of an object to be detected can be conveniently measured.
US08074682B2
The invention relates to a mixer tap for a thermal wave massage device which is designed in the form of a single lever mixer and makes it possible to control main parameters of the thermal wave massage procedure, i.e., an average temperature, contrast, the direction and speed of a thermal wave, with the aid of a single handle due to a special design that allows operating the mixer tap with two or three degrees of freedom. Moreover, the inventive mixer tap can be used as a diverter and substantially improves the operational safety of the thermal wave massage device. The use of the invention makes it possible to improve the ergonomic characteristics of the thermal wave massage devices, to make them more consumer attractive and to contribute to the wide distribution of the device as an effective conditioning and relaxation means.
US08074673B2
A freeze-resistant metering valve is provided that comprises a magnetic part and a hydraulic part. The magnetic part has an armature biased by a spring. The hydraulic part has an annular space for receiving and conveying a liquid as well as a tappet facing a valve seat. The valve seat comprises a nozzle opening on the side facing away from the tappet. In a currentless state, the tappet blocks the annular space in the direction of an opening (nozzle opening) until a freezing pressure exerted onto the armature generates a sufficient force by virtue of the solidifying liquid. This force is used to counteract the spring force until a freeze expansion space is created by way of a relieving motion.
US08074667B2
A makeup shield patch of material is curved at the top to fit under the eye. The front of the patch has a textured surface to catch falling eye makeup. The back of the patch has a weak adhesive which is gentle to the skin. Peel-off strips over the back adhesive surface are scored so that a narrow top peel-off strip or two end peel off strips are peeled off and the upper attaching portion adhered to the skin under the eye. The bottom part of the peel-off strip is left in place so the shield does not stick to or disturb any makeup on the cheek. A plurality of makeup shields are die-cut from a sheet of tape with a weak skin sensitive adhesive covered by scored peel off strips.
US08074651B2
A system for securing an endo-tracheal tube or other medical article in position upon a patient includes a head contact member, retainer, and attachment members which can be adjustably attached between the head contact member and the retainer. The retainer may include a bite block. Certain embodiments of the head contact member have a concave shape which follows a portion of the patient's skull and may have a rigid or flexible structure. The attachment member attaches to the retainer which grips the endo-tracheal tube or other medical article.
US08074644B2
The present invention relates to the inhalation delivery of aerosols containing small particles. Specifically, it relates to a method of forming an aerosol for use in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, a method of forming an aerosol for use in inhalation therapy is provided. The method involves the following steps: (a) heating a substrate coated with a composition comprising a drug at a rate greater than 1000° C./s, thereby forming an vapor; and, (b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming an aerosol, which is used in inhalation therapy. In another method aspect of the present invention, a method of forming an aerosol for use in inhalation therapy is provided. The method involves the following steps: (a) heating a substrate coated with a composition comprising a drug to form a vapor, wherein the coated composition is in the form of a film less than 10μ thick; and, (b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming an aerosol, which is used in inhalation therapy. In another method aspect of the present invention, a method of forming an aerosol for use in inhalation therapy is provided. The method involves the following steps: (a) heating a substrate coated with a composition comprising a drug to form a vapor in less than 100 milliseconds, wherein the vapor has a mass greater than 0.1 mg; and, (b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming an aerosol, which is used in inhalation therapy.
US08074641B2
An apparatus for use in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler which includes a novel valve system to aid in the delivery of aerosolized medicament to a subject. The apparatus also includes a novel rotational flow generator to aid in the useable delivery of said medication and avoid its loss either in the apparatus or by non-useful delivery to said subject.
US08074640B2
A housing has a dispensing outlet (400) and contains: a liquid supplier (7) for supplying liquid containing at least one volatile component to a liquid outlet (7a); an electric field provider (41, 42, 7) for causing liquid issuing from the liquid outlet to provide electrically charged droplets from which at least a part of the at least one volatile component evaporates to produce vapour; a collection receptacle (92) for collecting electrically charged droplets to inhibit the electrically charged droplets from passing through the dispensing outlet; an attraction electrode (91) for attracting electrically charged droplets into the collection receptacle (90); and a flow director (95) for directing vapour away from the collection receptacle (92) and towards the dispensing outlet (400).
US08074639B2
A panel, for creating a wall/roof of a structure, may consist of a core and an outside lining, and flow-pipes located under corrugations in the lining. Each of a plurality of pipes run from one end of the core to the opposite end, and protrudes outward from those ends. The core may comprise a first side having a female-shaped indentation, and a second side having a corresponding male shaped protrusion, to permit joining together of two or more panels. The ends of alternating flow pipes of one or more panels may be coupled with an adjacent pipe using an elbow, to form a pipe coil in a-heat transfer system. With the help of headers, heat exchangers, and a liquid medium directed to flow through the pipes of a system of rooms, heat management can be accomplished using solar energy.
US08074634B2
An emitter may be positioned for absorbing energy from a burner, and the emitter may include a substantially concave surface for emitting infrared radiant energy so that a substantially uniform distribution of infrared radiant energy is provided at a predetermined plane. The predetermined plane can be referred to as a plane of absorption because, for example, an article for absorbing at least some of the infrared radiant energy may be positioned at the plane of absorption. For example, food can be cooked at the plane of absorption. A support member for supporting the food to be cooked may be proximate the plane of absorption. The support member for supporting the food may be a cooking grid, rotisserie, or other suitable device for supporting the food. In one particular example, the support member is a cooking grid that may be proximate the plane of absorption, or more specifically the cooking grid may be substantially coplanar with the plane of absorption.
US08074633B2
A ball projecting machine having a C-shaped arm that provides the ability to adjust the length or elevation of pitched balls. The C-shaped arm connects a ball projecting head to a stand, with the ball projecting head affixed to one end of the C-shaped arm, and the C-shaped arm is slidably engaged through a frame atop the stand to allow rotation of the ball projecting head about a horizontal axis. A center of gravity of the ball projecting head in combination with the C-shaped arm facilitates stability of the ball projecting machine when the C-shaped arm is slid up or down. A locking device, when loosened, allows the C-shaped arm to slide up or down through the frame.
US08074626B2
A charge control unit controls electricity charged to a piezo element, which is for actuating a backpressure control valve so as to control backpressure applied to a valve element for a fuel injection valve. The backpressure control valve is configured to start to decrease the backpressure to actuate the valve element to open an injection port of the fuel injection valve when voltage of the electricity exceeds a threshold. A charge unit increases the voltage by repeating increasing and decreasing a drive current, which is supplied to the piezo element, for multiple times for charging the piezo element. A switching unit alternates the increasing and the decreasing such that the voltage exceeds the threshold in an intermediate period in a middle of a specific increasing period among multiple increasing periods, in each of which the drive current increases.
US08074625B2
The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion. The base portion receives the fuel into the body and the nozzle portion can be positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve carried by the nozzle portion that is movable between a closed position and an open position to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. An actuator is coupled the valve and extends longitudinally through the body towards the base portion, and a driver is carried by the body and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the driver does not move the actuator and in the second position the driver moves the actuator to move the valve to the open position.
US08074623B2
Method for adjusting the air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, in a fuel supply section thereof, such as a carburettor or a fuel-injection system, the fuel supply section having a control unit for adjusting the air-fuel ratio of the engine, and the engine having an engine speed and an engine throttle ranging from zero throttle to full throttle. The method including: a) measuring the engine speed of the engine; b) comparing the engine speed to a first engine speed value; c) adjusting the air fuel ratio if the engine speed is lower than the first engine speed value; and d) repeating a) to c) until the engine speed is either greater than or equal to the first engine speed value.
US08074612B2
A variable compression ratio apparatus is disclosed. An upper connecting rod has one end rotatably connected to a piston so as to reciprocate motion of the piston. A lower connecting rod has one end rotatably connected to the other end of the upper connecting rod. A crankshaft is rotatably mounted at an eccentric position of the lower connecting rod. A control rod has one end rotatably connected to the other end of the lower connecting rod, to control the position of that end of the lower connecting rod. A control shaft is connected to the other end of the control rod, to control the position of that end of the control rod.
US08074607B2
A brisket barrier for an animal stall comprises a ridge-shaped body having recessed sections formed therein and extending into the ridge. The recessed sections include a transversely extending slot adapted to receive a fixing device such as a screw. The recessed sections include a base portion in which the slot is formed, the base portion being arranged to engage with, in use, a ground surface on which said barrier is mounted. The barrier is adjustable, when fitted, in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.
US08074602B2
A food dispenser for dispensing dry food, the food dispenser comprising: a food receiving module for receiving the food; a metering module for metering a quantity of the food to dispense, the metering module including an impeller having at least one arm defining a vane, the impeller being rotatably mounted in the metering module, the metering module also including a power drive unit operatively coupled to the impeller for selectively rotating the impeller; a discharge module operatively coupled to the output port for receiving the food from the output port and dispensing the food; an impeller rotation detector operatively coupled to the impeller for detecting a rotation of the impeller when the power drive unit is used to rotate the impeller. The metering module is configured and sized to discharge a predetermined quantity of the food when the impeller rotates over a predetermined rotation angle. The impeller rotation detector detects that the impeller has rotated over the predetermined rotation angle after the power drive unit has been energized to detect dispensing of the predetermined quantity of the food.
US08074596B2
An apparatus and a method for forming a sheath over an elongate member comprises an extruder that has an output to supply a melt material having a temperature. A heat exchanger connected downstream the output of the extruder removes heat from the melt material in a controlled manner. An elongate member, which may be a cable core, is supplied to a crosshead that is connected downstream the heat exchanger to surround the elongate member with a sheath of the melt material.
US08074589B2
A thread winder includes a thread winding shaft into which a bobbin shaft is inserted so that a bobbin is detachably attached to the thread winding shaft, a rotating mechanism rotating the thread winding shaft to wind a thread on the bobbin, a thread winding shaft switching mechanism switching the thread winding shaft between a preparatory position and a winding position, a guiding member guiding the thread from a thread spool to the bobbin, a guiding member position switching mechanism switching the guiding member between a guide position and a retreat position, and a link mechanism links both switching mechanisms so that the guiding member is located at the guide position when the thread winding shaft assumes the preparatory position and so that the guide member is located at the retreat position when the thread winding shaft assumes the winding position.
US08074560B2
An extraction device for production of infusion drinks, includes an infusion chamber made up of a fixed part (1) and a moving part (2) which opens and closes the infusion chamber, a lever (20), mounted to rotate relative to an axle (A) and drive the moving part (2) in rotation relative to an axle (B), via a sliding pivot joint between the lever (20) and the moving part (2), characterized in that the axle (B) of rotation of the moving part (2) is arranged on an element mounted such as to move relative to the fixed part (1) to bring the moving part (2) closer to or further away from the fixed part (1).
US08074557B2
An electrohydraulic booster comprises an electromechanical transducer and a hydromechanical power stage which is connected to a pressurized medium supply and encompasses a cylinder and a piston that can be moved therein along the working axis. The electromechanical transducer acts on a spool valve which is associated with the hydromechanical power stage, is disposed at least in part inside the piston, is guided within a guiding bore in such a way as to be movable along the working axis, and has two first leading edges that cooperate with corresponding second leading edges located on the guiding bore in order to form a hydraulic sequential control. The guiding bore consists of two parts, i.e. a cylinder-mounted first section and a second section which can be moved along the working axis and comprises the second leading edges.
US08074551B2
A cutting assembly for cutting a substrate has two circular cutting wheels. The cutting wheels are bonded together as a unitary unit. Each cutting wheel has cutting protrusions on its circumference. The cutting assembly creates two lines of intermittent cuts on the substrate.
US08074549B2
A drum comprises a longitudinal central core corresponding to a length of the drum and extending from its ends, end discs, a plurality of intermediary discs provided with notches defining a housing zone of a cutting device and one or several sleeves made of an elastomeric material and braced around the discs. The sleeves at the initial state have a diameter substantially greater than a diameter of the drum and a certain degree of elasticity to deformation. A brace pushes and maintains the sleeves at the bottom of the notches causing an elastic deformation of the sleeves which grip the upper edges of the intermediary discs and an end disc producing pleats between consecutive intermediary discs.
US08074548B2
A fabric cutter for making a fringe on an edge of a fabric having a base member, a lever member; and a row of blades for cutting a fringe in the edge of a fabric, the lever member being pivotally attached to said base member and having suspended there from the row of blades; the base member having rectangular cutting slots with sharp edges corresponding in position to a lower end of each blade of the row of blades, the cutting slots being adapted to permit penetration there through of the plurality of blades upon lowering the lever member toward the base member to cut a fringe in the edge of a fabric located between the row of blades and the rectangular cutting slots.
US08074546B1
A saw includes a surface defining an opening therein, a plate structure configured to be attached to the saw below the surface, and an arm attached to the plate structure about a first shaft. A blade is configured to be engaged with the arm at a location spaced from the first shaft. The blade extends through the opening when the saw is in a normal operating position. The saw includes a firing mechanism including a barrel end portion having a bore defined therein and an extendable piston at least partially positioned within the bore. The barrel end portion is attached to the plate structure. The extendable piston engages the arm during its extension and causes the arm to pivot about the first shaft when the firing mechanism is activated by an activation signal. The pivoting of the arm causes the blade to be moved downwardly below the surface.
US08074541B2
A portable tool kit comprising a self-releasing clasp such that the clasp is released as a main body is rotated about a handle axle from a closed position to an open position with reference to a handle assembly. The main body and handle assembly cooperate to wholly enclose a set of tools when in the closed position. When in an open position, the tools of the main body are exposed to selection and rotation about a rivet of the main body cooperating with a biasing device of a biasing rivet of the main body to hold the tool in place. When fully extended, the main body and handle assembly permit the selection of a plurality of tools such as Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers of different sizes for extension from within the main body for use. Moreover, lamps may be provided on either end of the handle assembly for illuminating a work area.
US08074540B2
An adjustable wrench with a ratchet function comprises a fixed jaw 1 and a movable jaw, wherein the fixed jaw has a receiving recess for receiving a screw, a first spring is disposed between the screw and the inner wall of the receiving recess, a shaft is passed through the first spring and the screw, the shaft is formed thereon with a blocking portion for catching a pin, an actuating portion protrudes from the end of the pin, the actuating portion of the pin abuts against the V-shaped push surface of an operating piece, and when pressing one of the ends of the operating piece, the actuating portion of the pin can be pushed by the V-shaped push surface so that the pin moves and disengages from the blocking portion of the shaft. At this time, the wrench can be counter-rotated to quickly perform screw locking action.
US08074534B2
A flywheel includes a hub portion concentrically defined around a center of the flywheel. A body portion located peripherally around the hub portion has a driver-side face and a driven-side face. A plurality of passageways in the body portion extend through the flywheel and fluidly connect the driver-side face with the driven-side face. Each of the plurality of passageways is adapted to receive a flow of lubricant spilling onto the driver-side of the body portion when the flywheel is rotating, and to expel lubricant out of the driven-side face of the body portion.
US08074523B2
An air pressure sensor for sensing a side impact includes fastening means for fastening the air pressure sensor on a vehicle wall, the fastening means having a single aperture for accommodating a single fastening element, the fastening element being used for fastening the air pressure sensor on the vehicle wall. Furthermore, the fastening means have a structure on the pressure inlet channel which passes through an aperture in the vehicle door. The at least one structure is shaped in such a way that the at least one structure makes it possible for the air pressure sensor to be hooked on the vehicle wall.
US08074518B2
Systems (50) and methods for measuring and displaying a visual and/or graphical representation of the specific modulus (E/ρ) of a cellular ceramic body (10), such as those used to form particulate filters, are disclosed. The ultrasonic measurement system employs an ultrasonic transmitter (52T) and an ultrasonic receiver (52R) adjacent to, but spaced apart from respective ends (16, 18) of the ceramic body. Multiple ultrasonic waves (80) are sent through corresponding multiple longitudinal portions (12P) of the honeycomb structure (12), where adjacent longitudinal portions overlap. Time of flight (TOF) measurements (TOF1, TOF2), along with other parameters describing the ceramic body, allow for the measurement of the sonic speed (cmat) of the ultrasonic waves that pass through the ceramic body as well as the attenuation (IR). The specific modulus is then calculated from the square of the sonic speed (C2mat). The high resolution of the ultrasonic measurements allows for improved evaluation of the manufacturing process.
US08074515B2
A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.
US08074513B2
A fluid measuring instrument carrier structure includes a carrier main body assembled from three axially connected steel pipes. The carrier main body is provided from front to back at predetermined positions with a current meter, a front current-guiding holding-down plate, and a rear current-guiding holding-down plate. The front current-guiding holding-down plate has a gravity-center adjuster connected thereto. By employing the principles of fluid mechanics, the carrier main body with the front and rear current-guiding holding-down plates and the gravity-center adjuster is able to submerge in water and slightly horizontally sway leftward and rightward in water currents to maintain at a stable and balanced state, allowing a user to easily and quickly measure river water depth and current velocity.
US08074508B2
The invention relates to a device (D) for fastening an electronic detection unit (100) for tires to a rim (J), this unit being of the type which is fastened to the valve (200), which valve comprises a part (210) outside the rim and a part (220) inside the rim, said device consisting of a connection module (300) connected on the one hand to the inner part (220) of the valve (200) and on the other hand to a preformed receptacle (400) for accommodating said electronic unit (100), distinguished in that said receptacle (400, 400a, 400b) forms an accommodation volume which is open on the tire tread side. Applications: detection unit fastened to the vehicle wheels.
US08074490B2
An apparatus and a method for detecting a burial site of human remains are disclosed. An air stream is drawn through an air intake conduit from locations near potential burial sites of human remains. The air stream is monitored by one or more chemical sensors to determine whether the air stream includes one or more indicator compounds selected from halogenated compounds, hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, acid/ester compounds, oxygen-containing compounds, and naphthalene-containing compounds. When it is determined that an indicator compound is present in the air stream, this indicates that a burial site of human remains is below or nearby. Each sensor may be in electrical communication with an indicator that signals when the sensor has detected the presence of the indicator compound in the air stream. In one form, the indicator compound is a halogenated compound and/or a hydrocarbon, and the presence of the halogenated compound and/or the hydrocarbon in the air stream indicates that a burial site of human remains is below or nearby.
US08074489B2
An impact detection sensor is attached to a packaging container. When the packaging container is subjected to impacts downward in a vertical direction twice, i.e., a bottom surface of the packaging container is subjected to impacts twice, a weight moves downward in the vertical direction by the application of the first impact, and is seen through a weight indicator unit located on the bottom of an impact detection sensor. At the time of the application of the second impact, the weight moved downward in the vertical direction is prevented from moving back to. an initial position by a pressing portion, and seen through the same bottom weight indicator unit.
US08074487B2
A method of calibrating an apparatus for measuring Radon and/or its progeny in an air sample, includes providing an apparatus for measuring Radon in an air sample that includes a preset offset voltage corresponding to a threshold conductivity value and a preselected reading value for indicating a concentration of Radon and/or its progeny, exposing the apparatus to a calibration area for measuring conductivity of the air therein, comparing the measured conductivity value of the air with the preset offset value for conductivity, and setting a lower threshold conductivity value and corresponding threshold reading value same as the preselected reading value, if the measured conductivity of the air is determined to be lower than the preset offset value for conductivity.
US08074486B1
A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.
US08074476B2
A clothes washing machine having a dispenser for directing chemical additives, such as fabric softener, bleach, or the like, into the wash water during a washing operation. The dispenser includes a siphoning device having a water inlet, an upstanding siphoning tube, and a chemical additive receptacle about the siphoning tube. Upon the direction of water into the siphon cup from the inlet, water is directed both downwardly into the siphon cup for raising the liquid level above the top of the siphoning tube while simultaneously being directed through a plurality of relatively small substantially horizontal passageways that impart a plurality of pressurized liquid flow streams or sprays across an upper portion of the liquid within the siphon cup for further intermixing the water and chemical additive and for preventing the buildup of chemical additives on side walls of the siphon cup.
US08074475B2
A heater apparatus of a washing machine is presented. The presented heater apparatus of a washing machine is comprising; a tub (190); a heater joint unit formed on the tub (190); a heater (200) arranged on the heater joint unit; and a heater joint member (300) being able to offset the pressure inflicted to the heater joint unit by the arrangement of the heater (200) as pressurizes the heater joint unit.
US08074467B2
Apparatus and methods for dispensing small amounts of a viscous material onto a workpiece. The narrow-profile dispensing apparatus includes a fluid chamber, a nozzle, and a valve seat disk representing individual components that are removable from a main body of the dispensing apparatus for cleaning and/or replacement. The nozzle is coupled with the fluid chamber by a heat transfer body that may be cooled by, for example, a cooling fluid routed through an air pathway defined in the heat transfer body. The main body of the dispensing apparatus may be cooled by air exhausted from an air cavity of a pneumatic actuator regulating the movement of a needle to control the flow of viscous material in the dispensing apparatus.
US08074458B2
A heat recovery system for a turbomachine system includes a heat removal system and a refrigeration system. The heat removal system is fluidly connected to at least one component of the turbomachine system. The heat removal system passes a cooling fluid through the at least one component to absorb heat. The refrigeration system is operatively connected to the heat removal system. The refrigeration system extracts the heat from the cooling fluid passing through the at least one component of the turbomachine system to produce a cooling effect.
US08074444B2
An exhaust emission control device has an additive valve and a control unit to decrease nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas by means of a reducing agent. The control unit sets a valve opening period of time and a valve closing period of time alternately elapsing in a repetition cycle. The control unit controls the valve to discharge the agent into the exhaust gas during each valve opening period and to stop discharging the agent during each valve closing period. The control unit sets the valve opening period to be shortened as a flow rate of the exhaust gas is lowered, so that a penetration force of the reducing agent is appropriately set. The control unit sets the repetition cycle at a value depending on the flow rate of the nitrogen oxides to sufficiently deoxidize the nitrogen oxides by means of the agent.
US08074443B2
An exhaust aftertreatment system is provided with a large channel combustor, a fuel reformer, and a lean NOX trap. The lean NOX trap is denitrated by steps comprising: heating the fuel reformer to steam reforming temperatures by introducing vaporized fuel to the large channel combustor and combusting a portion of the vaporized fuel under lean conditions, then making the exhaust-injected fuel mixture overall rich, whereby the fuel reformer produces syn gas that denitrates the lean NOX trap. The fuel reformer has a low thermal mass, whereby it is designed to heat to at least about 500° C. and catalyze steam reforming reaction with each denitration. The large channel combustor is a monolith having an average channel size larger than the fuel reformer and a thermal mass no more than about 20% that of the fuel reformer, whereby the large channel combustor facilitates low temperature startup of the fuel reformer.
US08074442B2
An object of the invention is to realize a method of determining an abnormality in a particulate filter (5) capable of trapping and oxidizing particulate matter contained in exhaust gas in which even a minor abnormality in which small quantity of particulate matter can pass through the particulate filter (5) can be determined with a high degree of accuracy. To achieve this object, the abnormality determination method according to the invention, the transition of the inflowing exhaust gas temperature in and the outflowing exhaust gas temperature out of the particulate filter (5) during deceleration operating, and the degree of decrease in the outflowing exhaust gas temperature relative to the inflowing exhaust gas temperature is computed based on the transition. If the degree of decrease exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that the particulate filter (5) is abnormal.
US08074438B2
A link chain comprises a chain link including two shank portions and two arc portions connecting the two shank portions. The two shank portions and the two arc portions define an interior space of the first chain link; and a dividing element extends inwardly from an inside surface of one of the two shank portions and extends inwardly from the inside surface of the other shank portion. The dividing element divides the interior space into two movement spaces, and the dividing element has a centerline, and the centerline is not a straight line perpendicular to the shank.
US08074434B2
A harvester for root crops such as beets is provided which preferably provides continuous flow of root crops from a header, along a transfer assembly, through a processing run, and to an elevator assembly. The harvester can be configured to include or accommodate interchangeable header assemblies having different numbers of rows and/or row spacings. The transfer assembly can be of a floating type and helps to provide an even distribution of beets to the grabrollers. The processing run includes full-length cleaning grabrollers disposed parallel to the direction of travel. Modular elevator assemblies can be provided to further enhance harvester versatility. Such an approach includes interchangeable ferris wheel and scrubber chain elevator assemblies. An improved scrubber chain elevator assembly can be used which has a wraparound scrubber chain design. A pivoting tank conveyor for evenly filling a holding tank can be included. Large diameter carrier wheels on a single axle positioned for improved balance, flotation, and maneuverability typically are important basic characteristics of the harvesters.
US08074433B2
An agricultural harvester includes a primary power unit which is couplable with at least one primary load. The at least one primary load includes a threshing system load. An auxiliary power unit is mechanically independent from the primary power unit, and is couplable with at least one biomass processor, independent from the threshing system load.
US08074423B2
The three components composed parquet joint cement system comprises an aqueous epoxy resin dispersion, an amine hardener, which forms a solid adduct, and a wood flour. The solid portion in an aqueous epoxy resin dispersion is 5-10 wt. %, preferably 7-9 wt. % of parquet joint cement. The solid portion in the amine hardener is 4-7 wt. %, particularly 5-6 wt. % of parquet joint cement. An additional component with water mixable organic solvent, selected from alcohols or ketone, preferably ethanol, acetone, isopropanol or their mixture are also provided. An independent claim is also included for a method for producing a parquet joint cement, which involves utilizing an aqueous epoxy resin dispersion, an amine hardener, and wood flour.
US08074412B1
An element is inserted between the upper edge of a wallboard and a fluted ceiling. The element has a lower edge adapted to snugly accommodate the upper edge of the wallboard and an upper edge shaped and adapted to accommodate the fluted shape of the ceiling. The element is snugly fixed to the wallboard and includes mineral wool and calk fire putty sandwiched between two layers of sheet metal.
US08074393B2
A dual stage trigger assembly for a firearm. The trigger assembly comprises a spring loaded lightweight hammer, a spring loaded trigger, a spring loaded disconnector, a spring follower for the disconnector spring and two adjustment screws that allow the user the ability to adjust the sear face of the trigger that is engaged with the hammer in the cocked position and adjust the force imparted to the disconnector by the disconnector spring.
US08074392B2
A toy rifle (air soft rifle, BB-rifle) backlash vibration structure is disclosed formed of a receiver extension, a weight, a reaction spring and a buttcap spacer. The weight has a front extension inserted through the frame of the toy riffle and connected to the rear end of the piston spring at the rear side of the piston so that the component parts of the backlash vibration structure does not touch the piston during movement of the piston. The buttcap spacer is detachably fastened to the rear side of the receiver extension and mounted with an adjustment screw rod that is rotatable relative to the buttcap spacer to adjust the level of the backlash vibration from zero to the maximum.
US08074384B2
A handicraft assisting tool (1) includes a plate-like holding member (3) and a supporting member (2) on which the holding member is placed. The supporting member (2) includes a main plate having a shape corresponding to the holding member (3) and a side plate (22) standing from the periphery of the main plate in the thickness direction of the main plate. The main plate is formed with a plurality of elongated holes (23) arranged adjacent to the periphery of the main plate and spaced from each other along the periphery. The holding member (3) includes a periphery formed with a plurality of recesses (33). Each of the elongated holes (23) includes opposite ends configured to communicate with the recesses (33) when the holding member (3) is placed on the supporting member (2).
US08074375B2
The invention relates to a boot (1) comprising a leg (2) in rubber combined with a textile lining (4), the lining (4) comprising a first textile layer (6) able to evacuate moisture (10) and a second textile layer (7) intended to be in contact with the foot (5) of a user, forming a layer to protect the foot against moisture. The first textile layer (6) is made by using a resilient fabric with a thickness greater than 3 mm, and the second textile layer (7) is bamboo viscose based.
US08074366B2
A motion-sensing device for sensing tilt and acceleration when either tilt, horizontal acceleration, or tilt and horizontal acceleration acting concurrently, influence the device, including: a substrate, a first tilt sensor fixed to the top of the substrate; a pendulum flexibly coupled to the bottom of the substrate proximate to the first tilt sensor; and a second tilt sensor fixed to the pendulum. The first and/or second tilt sensors are preferably an accelerometer; a spring-mass system; and/or an arcuate resistive element. The first tilt sensor includes a tilt sensor that measures tilt in a first geometric plane, the pendulum is constrained to move in the first geometric plane, and the second tilt sensor is operable to measure tilt in the first geometric plane. The motion-sensing device or devices coupled to a machine, vehicle, and/or a control system. The substrate may include a portion of the first tilt sensor.
US08074364B2
A holder for a surgical knife blade has a holder body, a slide member supported slidably by the blade storage barrel, an attaching finger formed in part of the slide member to attach the surgical knife blade, a slide operating piece integrally formed with the slide member, a lock hook member that prevents the slide member from sliding, locking concave grooves disposed in a slide guide edge of the holder body which guides the slide member slidably and engaging in the lock hook member, and a lever device, coupled to the slide member, for supporting the lock hook member while biasing the lock hook member toward the locking concave groove. The locking concave grooves are formed in an attachment position where the surgical knife blade is attached to the attaching finger in the slide member. In a storage position, the surgical knife blade is stored in the storage barrel.
US08074363B2
A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandible and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.
US08074362B2
A foldable hand tool having a blade holder mounted with a handle for movement from folded and unfolded positions. The blade holder has an opening adapted to receive blades of different sizes. The foldable hand tool further has a locking mechanism to lock the holder in an open position. A blade holder lock engages a resilient arm formed in the side wall of the handle.
US08074357B2
A manufacturing method for an ink jet recording head. The method includes the steps of preparing a recording element substrate, preparing an electric wiring member, preparing a sealing material discharging member, and applying a sealing material. The ink jet recording head is constructed to provide a first gap between a recording element substrate and an inner edge of a hole. The first gap is larger than a second gap between the recording element substrate and an opposite inner edge of the hole measured along the same line. The sealing material is applied while moving the sealing material discharging member, along the line, from a portion of an electric wiring member adjacent to the first gap, across the first gap, across the electrical connection portions, across the second gap, to a portion of the electric wiring member adjacent to the second gap.
US08074351B2
A panel is mounted on the stage while the one end electrode of the FPC (flexible board) is mounted on the mounting part of one surface of the panel and the other surface of the panel is facing upward. A mounting method includes bending the other end side of the flexible board, after holding the other end portion including the other end electrode, which is positionally adjusted based on the position recognition result of the mounting portion the press tool recognizing the position of the other end electrode, matching the positions of the mounting portion and the other end electrode by relative positional adjusting, and mounting the other end electrode on the mounting portion by temporarily pressing the other end electrode on the mounting portion.
US08074349B2
A method for forming an electronic circuit disposes a plurality of magnets onto a flux plate to form a magnetic platen. A substrate package is formed using the magnetic platen and, stacked against the magnetic platen, a non-magnetic carrier and a substrate layer, with a bonding material sandwiched between the carrier and the substrate layer, and with the carrier layer disposed nearest the magnetic platen. A fused wafer stack is formed by heating the substrate package to adhere the substrate layer to the carrier. The fused wafer stack is removed from the magnetic platen and the circuit fabricated on the substrate layer.
US08074334B2
A method of assembling selected modular ratchet cap assemblies. In one aspect, the method includes the acts of providing identical threaded portions, providing identical cover portions, providing a first vent module, providing a second vent module different from the first vent module, selecting the first vent module and coupling together the first vent module with one of the identical threaded portions and one of the identical cover portions to form a first cap assembly, and selecting the second vent module and coupling together the second vent module with another one of the identical threaded portions and another one of the identical cover portions to form a second cap assembly. In other aspects, the method includes assembling first and second cap assemblies with identical cover portions and threaded portions, but having different pawl members providing different cap-installing torque limits. In other aspects, the method includes providing first and second cap assemblies with similar components, but having covers or portions thereof provided with different individualized characteristics for different applications.
US08074325B2
This is a unique, yet simple clip that also serves as a label for identification. It can be attached to a bundle of papers or on a file folder. It can also have adhesives for such attachment either on a permanent or removable basis. It can be used either in an office environment or in a home and can have a writable surface as well as having several embossed alpha-numeric or Braille characters.
US08074319B2
A foldable toothbrush has a shell, a cover, a mounting sleeve, a handle and multiple bristles. The cover is mounted pivotally to the shell and selectively covers the top opening and part of the front opening of the shell. The mounting sleeve is mounted pivotally to the shell and is selectively pivoted into the shell. The handle is mounted in the mounting sleeve and is selectively rotatable and slidable in the mounting sleeve. The bristles are attached to the handle. With the handle being rotatable and slidable in the mounting sleeve, the whole length of the toothbrush is adjustable to selectively adapt for using or stowing. Furthermore, the cover keeps the handle and the bristles clean when stowing.
US08074318B2
Arrangement for fixing brush elements (9, 10) to a rotatable brush frame formed of shaft (3) and flanges fixed to it and in which assembly the direction of bristles (9) is fitted essentially in the direction of the radius of the rotatable brush unit. Brash elements (9, 10) are locked on shaft (3) by means of oblong elements, as tubes (1) in shaft (3) direction, which tubes are from their both ends fixed to flanges in order to remain in place by means of parts in the flanges, which parts are from the end of tubes (1) fitted to the inside of the tubes.
US08074316B2
A wet to dry, single use fiber optic connector end face cleaning device. The device is comprised a of a first swab, the first swab having a cleaning head and a first grasping end, the cleaning head having a presaturated fabric attached thereto, and a second swab, the second swab having a drying head and a second grasping end, the drying head having a drying fabric attached thereto. In use, the cleaning head of the first swab is positioned adjacent to the drying head of the second swab, the cleaning head and the drying head at different elevations. Also disclosed is a method for using the fiber optic connector end face cleaning device.
US08074314B2
A ramp is assembled from first and second boards such that the first and second boards are foldable relative to one another. Rail assemblies comprising first and second channels are fastened along opposing sides of the boards. First and second hinge members, fastened to the sides of the first and second channels, pivotally couple the channels. Two central hinge members are mounted on the boards respectively to pivotally couple the boards at a central location between the opposing sides of the boards. An auxiliary hinge member is supported on the bottom of the first channels to provided added support to the pivotal coupling between the first and second channels. The auxiliary hinge member and the central hinge members are interchangeable with one another.
US08074304B1
A combination unit for hydrotherapy and exercise having a rubber dampening pad containing pre-drilled holes for the interchanging of exercise devices such as treadmills, bicycles, and elliptical machines. The unit has stairs for rear entrance and a clear splash guard for safe use indoors. The unit has a seat with shoulder and back jets located behind the seat, stability bars and a control panel. The control panel provides temperature control, aquatic jet flow, exercise equipment control and controls for MP3 players and the like. The unit has a water motor for driving certain exercise equipment.
US08074294B2
A wearable spinal protective apparatus is presented which will protect all parts of the human spinal column from cervical to lumbosacral vertebrae during high velocity activities. The apparatus is worn by user to cover the entire backside from neck and shoulders down, to be secured around the hips. This apparatus has many sections each uniquely designed to work together to reduce all forms of spinal injury. Protection provided by this apparatus is most valuable during high velocity activities. Because of its unique sectional design this apparatus can be tailored to match any size individual and any level of protection desired. The design of this apparatus goes well beyond the prior art of simple hard shell and padding.
US08079084B1
Various embodiments of the present invention provide elements that may be utilized for improved virus processing. As one example, a computer readable medium is disclosed that includes a virus signature compiled for execution on a virus co-processor. The virus signature includes at least one primitive instruction and at least one CPR instruction stored at contiguous locations in the computer readable medium. The CPR instruction is one of an instruction set that includes, but is not limited to: a compare string instruction, compare buffer instruction; perform checksum instruction; a seek instruction; and a test instruction. The primitive instruction may be, but is not limited to, an add instruction, a branch instruction, a jump instruction, a load instruction, a move instruction, a logic AND instruction, a logic OR instruction, and/or a logic XOR instruction.
US08079083B1
Recording network traffic is disclosed. Data associated with a network flow are monitored. If it is determined that the data associated with the network flow satisfy a first criterion based at least in part on a prediction value that reflects a likelihood that the network flow will result in a security event, the data associated with the network flow are begun to be recorded even though a second criterion corresponding to the security event has not been satisfied.
US08079074B2
Architecture for facilitating access of remote system software functionality by a host machine for the redirection of incoming and/or outgoing host traffic through the remote system for protection services to the host machine. The host machine can gain the benefits of effective protection software such as firewall, intrusion protection software, and anti-malware services, of the remote machine. The host machine can choose to exercise traffic redirection when there is a risk of being compromised, and then revert back to direct communications when the risk has been averted. The host machine takes advantage of the resources available on the remote machine in substantially realtime with minimal disruption to the host and/or the remote machine operations. This facilitates widespread and temporary protection of network systems for a more secure working environment and improved customer experience.
US08079054B1
Methods and apparatus provide for a Content Inserter to determine location(s) for secondary content in streaming video. The Content Inserter receives a set of video frames and analyzes data differential(s) occurring in the set of video frames to identify secondary content locations between adjacent video frames. The Content Inserter inserts secondary content at the location(s) for secondary content. A data differential can be a change in subtitle information between video frames, a change in audio data between video frames, a difference in content ratings between regions of video frames, and/or difference in activity levels between regions of video frames. Activity levels correspond to changes in pixel color data of video frames. Thus, the Content Inserter identifies secondary content locations based on characteristics of each video stream and ensures that inserted secondary content is placed in a video stream so that the secondary content will most likely be viewed.
US08079049B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for inserting sync bytes into a video transport stream. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a parsing procedure supported by a first set top box, appending a first transport packet to comply with the parsing procedure of the first set top box, and transmitting the first transport packet to the first set top box.
US08079040B2
The present invention provides loading and unloading mechanisms, and data drives for data storage cartridges. Embodiments of the cartridge loading and unloading mechanisms for a data storage cartridge may: operate in a manner such that the drive door of the data drive may be fully closed before the disk medium is exposed, e.g., before opening of the associated shutter of the cartridge; be powered by the same drive motor assembly that is used to move or transport the cartridge to the optical head assembly used for writing and/or reading of data from the disk medium of the cartridge; and may fit within a standard configuration for a data drive. Embodiments of the cartridge loading and unloading mechanisms, as well as the data drives, may provide reliable operation, ease of assembly, and of the parts and components necessary for the reliable operation, and positive data cartridge positioning, as well as minimizing backlash in the drive motor/gear assembly.
US08079033B2
A method and system is provided for routing data in a system. The method includes determining an initial fixed distribution pattern, determining a queue parameter based on at least a current amount of system use and a maximum potential system use, determining a time parameter based on the time that a message in the application has been waiting for its processing, determining a load parameter based on at least the time parameter and the queue parameter, and modifying the distribution pattern based on at least the load parameter.
US08079030B1
A computer has a hypervisor that supervises a virtual machine. The virtual machine includes a guest security module that enforces a security policy on network traffic entering and exiting the virtual machine. Malicious software (malware) uses stealth network communications to avoid the guest security module and attempts to communicate with its home base. A security module within the hypervisor has access to all network communications entering and exiting the computer. The security module communicates with the guest security module to identify communications of which the guest security module is aware. The security module analyzes the network communications for the computer to identify a stealth network communication of which the guest security module is unaware. The security module alters the stealth network communication, thereby prevent the malware from communicating with its home base.
US08079029B2
The present invention allows for the acquisition of content data. The present invention temporarily stores the first and second process progress information in the storage medium, and, when the requested content data and license data 301 are registered in the database after being downloaded and temporarily stored in the storage medium, removes the first and second process progress information, and, if there are the first and/or second process progress information are left when the stopped content acquisition process restarts, retries to acquire data after removing the content data and license data 301 corresponding to the second process progress information. This prevents, when the data acquisition is retried, the same content data and license data from being stored in the storage medium again. This allows efficient use of the storage space, and therefore the content data is acquired without fail.
US08079028B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for information processing, a recording medium, and a program that can provide newest functions in a plurality of applications. A PC 1 reads a UD information file 14 including functional generation information of a setup program 13 from a loaded optical disk 3, and obtains a UD information file 16 including functional generation information of a setup program 15 registered in a server 4 via a network 2. Then, the PC 1 compares the functional generation information of the UD information file 14 on the optical disk 3, the UD information file 16 of the server 4, and a UD information registry 12, and updates an application program 11 and the UD information registry 12 using the setup program corresponding to the newest functional generation. The present invention is applicable to an information providing system that provides music content distribution service having a copyright managing function via a network.
US08079016B2
An information processing apparatus includes an application management framework for managing the operating state of an application; another framework different from the application management framework; and an application that operates using this other framework. The application management framework has a determination unit adapted to determine whether or not the application is capable of being halted; and a halt control unit adapted to halt the application if the determination unit determines that the application is capable of being halted, and cancel the halting of the application if the determination unit determines that the application is not capable of being halted.
US08079007B2
A programmable analog tile integrated circuit programming tool communicates a power management control characteristic query soliciting control requirement information for a novel power management integrated circuit (PMIC) tile in a multi-tile power management integrated circuit (MTPMIC). The programming tool receives a user response to the query indicating control requirements across a network. The novel PMIC tiles have a pre-defined physical structure including all memory structures required for configuration of each tile and a bus portion. When combined in a multi-tile power management integrated circuit (MTPMIC), the bus portions of the selected tiles automatically form a standardized bus that accommodates all signal communication required for a functioning MTPMIC. The memory structure of each tile is individually addressable via the standardized bus. Thus, in response to control requirements, the programming tool programs a PMIC tile that is part of a MTPMIC to meet the control requirements.
US08079005B2
Disclosed is an approach for performing pattern classification for electronic designs. One advantage of this approach is that it can use fast pattern matching techniques to classify both patterns and markers based on geometric similarity. In this way, the large number of markers and hotspots that typically are identified within an electronic design can be subsumed and compressed into a much smaller set of pattern families. This significantly reduced the number of patterns that must be individually analyzed, which considerably reduces the quantity of system resources and time needed to analyze and verify a circuit design.
US08079000B2
An equivalency testing system, for formally comparing an RTLM and HLM, is presented. RTLM and HLM are first converted into DFGs RTLMDFG and HLMDFG. RTLMDFG and HLMDFG are then put into timestep form and are called RTLMts and HLMts. A test bench CSts is selected that couples RTLMts and HLMts. The combination of RTLMts[t], HLMts[t] and CSts[t] can have parts designated as datapath. Parts designated as datapath can be subject to a form of equivalence checking that seeks to prove equivalence by a form of inductive theorem proving that propagates symbolic values indicative of whether a node carries the same data content as another node. The theorem proving starts from initial conditions for HLMts[t] determined by partial execution of the HLM. Propagation to a combinational function output can be determined from equivalence relationships between it and another combinational function. Propagation through a multiplexer can produce a conditional symbolic value.
US08078994B2
A method of designing a semiconductor device includes density verification of layout data of the semiconductor device at a macro level. The method includes disposing virtual patterns each including a predetermined step width on a circumference of a verification frame; and moving the verification frame outside which the virtual patterns are disposed sequentially by the predetermined step width and performing the density verification of the layout data of the semiconductor device.
US08078993B2
Embodiments described herein include a computing device that is configured to generate a multi-view presentation. The computing device may include a wireless communication application that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly during a communication session. The computing device may generate a view for the communication session on a corresponding display area. In one embodiment, the view occupies only a portion of the display area. At the same time the view of the communication session is provided, an embodiment provides that one or more user-interface features are provided in a portion of the display area for use with a second application. In one embodiment, these user-interface features may be provided in a region of the display that does not include the area occupied by the view.
US08078984B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for replicating text at a virtual keyboard. Characters submitted to, displayed at, or accumulated for submission to an application data field are echoed at a keyboard data field that is in relatively close proximity to virtual keys used to enter the characters. Thus, a user does not have to alter their field of view to the application data field to determine what was submitted to the application data field, what was entered at the application data field, or what is to be submitted to the application data field. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention permit a user to much more easily see what they typed using a virtual keyboard. The need to alter a visual field of focus between an application data field and a virtual keyboard is significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
US08078983B2
A method and system is disclosed for operating a medical device with or without a cassette in place. A method is disclosed for adding additional VTBI to an ongoing infusion without stopping the infusion and with maintaining the infusion parameters. A method and system is disclosed for changing the CCA without having to interrupt or completely stop an ongoing infusion. Quick titration buttons are provided to allow improved navigation between various delivery display screens.
US08078980B2
System and method for configuring a wire appearance in a graphical programming environment. A first data type (or class), or communication functionality between nodes, e.g., timing, or data transfer, e.g., data transfer semantics, mechanism, or medium, in a graphical program is specified in response to user input. A first wire appearance denoting the first data type or specified functionality is created in response to user input, including, e.g., a specified wire pattern, thickness, shape, color(s), portion of the wire to be configured with the first wire appearance, wire label and/or wire icon to be displayed on or near the wire. A graphical program including a first icon and a second icon is created, including connecting the first icon to the second icon in response to user input, and displaying a wire between the first icon and the second icon in response, where the wire has the first wire appearance.
US08078978B2
An electronic messager with a predictive text editor, including a storage unit for storing a data structure associating, for each one of a plurality of a user's contacts, usage data for the user's history of usage of words in communications with the user contact, a data manager coupled with the storage unit for generating the data structure in the storage unit, and for updating the data structure as additional communications with each user contact are performed and additional usage data is obtained therefrom, and a text predictor coupled with the storage unit, for receiving as input a character string and a designated user contact, and for generating as output an ordered list of predicted words, based on usage data in the data structure associated with the designated user contact. A method is also described and claimed.
US08078976B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for a first pull down menu associated with a user interface. In response to receiving a request from the user to toggle the user interface between a user interface containing an original pull down menu and a user interface containing a modified pull down menu, the user interface is presented with the first pull down menu wherein the first pull down menu is the modified pull down menu. A user request associated with a feature presented in the first pull down menu is monitored. Values associated with requests received from a user are stored in a set of usage information. The first pull down menu is modified using the set of usage information to form a second pull down menu. The user interface containing the second pull down menu is presented to the user.
US08078970B1
A graphical user interface for configuring a programmable integrated circuit is disclosed. More specifically, the graphical user interface may comprise a displayed graphical representation of the programmable integrated circuit, where the graphical representation includes one or more selectable portions which may represent actual circuitry or components of the programmable integrated circuit. A user-selectable list box may be displayed which comprises one or more selectable items for configuring a selected portion of the graphical representation of the programmable integrated circuit. The user-selectable list box may be displayed in response to a selection of a selectable portion of the programmable integrated circuit for configuration. Additionally, the user-selectable list box may disappear or no longer be displayed in response to a user interaction outside the user-selectable list box, in response to a selection of an item from the user-selectable list box, etc.
US08078959B2
There is described an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to prevent a leakage of secrecy caused by the output operation of a report with image information, without loosing merits of the report with image information. The image processing apparatus includes: a report generating section to generate a report with image information, wherein the report shows a processing status of a job and the image information relates the job; a storage section to store the report with the image information; a reception section to accept an order for outputting the report with the image information stored in the storage section; an output section to output the report with the image information ordered at the reception section; and an inform section to inform that the report with the image information is generated, when the determining section determines that the report is the report with the image information.
US08078958B2
A scalable computing system for managing annotations is capable of handling requests for annotations to millions of documents a day. The computing system consists of multiple tiers of servers. A tier I server indicates whether there are annotations associated with a content source. A tier II server indexes the annotations. A tier III server stores the body of the annotation.
US08078954B2
The present invention enable a three-pane page flow editor optimized for viewing and editing a page flow. It centers around a selected focal node in the page flow, shows details and allows editing in the vicinity of the node. It provides a visual representation of nodes and the connections among them, enabling the ability to read and edit connections between nodes in a local area of the page flow without the overlaps between lines and crossovers once the page flow grows complex and cluttered in real applications. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US08078947B2
A data processing method is provided. Target page data are read from a memory cell array and addresses of multiple programmed-error bits are stored. A first syndrome polynomial and a second syndrome polynomial are obtained according to the target page data, and the target page data are saved as a first codeword and a second codeword. An errata locator polynomial is obtained according to the syndrome polynomials, and a first error count and a second error count are obtained according to the errata locator polynomial, the first codeword and the second codeword. A set of reference codes is obtained according to the errata locator polynomial. Read page data are outputted according to the addresses of the programmed-error bits, the first error count and the second error count. The read page data are corrected according to the set of reference codes to obtain corrected read page data.
US08078938B2
Aspects of the embodiment include providing a semiconductor memory comprising; a plurality of memory blocks that includes a plurality of regular memory cells; a plurality of first parity blocks that are disposed in accordance with the plurality of memory blocks, wherein the plurality of first parity blocks include a first parity memory cell holding a first parity code; a second parity block that includes a second parity memory cell holding a second parity code having a parity bit corresponding to the first parity code; a parity error correction unit that corrects an error of the first parity code using the second parity code; and a data error correction unit that corrects an error of the data stored in a regular memory cell using the first parity code corrected by the parity error correction unit.
US08078933B2
Decoder for low-density parity check convolutional codes. In at least some embodiments, a decoder (200) for arbitrary length blocks of low-density, parity-check codes includes a plurality of interconnected processors (202), which further include a plurality of interconnected nodes. A memory can be interconnected with the nodes to store intermediate log likelihood ratio (LLR) values based on channel LLR values. Thus, LLR values having successively improved accuracy relative to the channel LLR values can be output from each processor, and eventually used to decision information bits. In some embodiments, the memory is a random access memory (RAM) device that is adapted to store the intermediate LLR values in a circular buffer. Additionally, a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM) device can be used to generate a predetermined plurality of addresses for reading and writing LLR values.
US08078929B2
There are provided an optical line terminal and an optical network terminal, which can process with the same forward error correction code even if an EFC frame size of G-PON descending signals is different between two types of 255 and 120. The optical network terminal includes a photoelectric converter, a PON transceiver, and a physical layer. The PON transceiver includes an error correction code encoder including a shortening compensation parameter table and a shortening compensation calculator for calculating compensated data by referring to the shortening compensation parameter table. Also the optical line terminal includes a photoelectric converter, a PON transceiver, and a physical layer. The optical line terminal includes an error correction code encoder including a shortening compensation parameter table and a shortening compensation calculator for calculating compensated data by referring to the shortening compensation parameter table.
US08078925B1
In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for scan testing an integrated circuit is provided. The apparatus includes a combinational logic network; and a device for reducing gate switching in the combinational logic network to reduce power consumption during a scan test on the combinational logic network. The device for reducing gate switching in the combinational logic network includes a device for periodically isolating scan data from the combination logic network; and a device for periodically holding functional data coupled into the combinational network substantially steady. In one embodiment of the invention, the device for reducing gate switching in the combinational logic network is a plurality of serially coupled scan registers each having a pair of opposed controlled outputs with one controlled output providing scan output data and another controlled output providing functional data to the combinational logic network.
US08078919B2
A method, apparatus and program storage device for managing multiple step processes triggered by a signal is disclosed. Status records are created for each process step. When an error occurs, error status record in recorded in the status record. A user may then use the status record to identify the error, take corrective action and restart the process at the appropriate point for reprocessing the signals.
US08078910B1
A method and system of checkpointing single process application groups and multi-process application groups. In an exemplary embodiment, the method may include creating at least one full checkpoint for each application in an application group, and creating at least one incremental application checkpoint for each application in the application group. Further, each of the at least one incremental application checkpoint may be automatically merged against a corresponding full application checkpoint. Further, checkpointing may be synchronized across all applications in the application group. In the exemplary embodiment, each application may use both fork( ) and exec( ) in any combination.
US08078909B1
A template is received, the template comprising information describing an expected file system state. A discrepancy detection module compares an expected file system state from the template with an actual or requested state of the file system of a computer. If discrepancies between the expected state and the actual or requested file system state are detected, then an action is performed to respond to the discrepancy.
US08078883B2
According to the present invention, first, the first biometric information “a” is divided equally and biometric information “a” and biometric information “a′” are generated, the second biometric information “b” is divided equally and biometric information “b′” and biometric information “b″” are similarly generated. Then the biometric information “a′” that is the first half of the first biometric information “a” and the biometric information “b′” that is the first half of the second biometric information “b” are combined to generate one piece of biometric information 1 for a person. The biometric information “a″” that is the second half of the first biometric information “a”, and the biometric information “b″” that is the second half of the second biometric information “b”, are similarly combined to generate the other piece of biometric information 2 for the person. The biometric information 1 and 2 are stored and used for matching later.
US08078879B2
Apparatus for certifying electronic data supplied by a user receives data to be signed, supplied by the user from a source device, at a certifying apparatus including at least a signature server providing a signing function. An encrypted password is received at that server from the source device via a first communication path, the password being generated by an authentication system providing an authentication function separate from the signing function and the password being transmitted to the source device via a second communication path, the signature server and the authentication system have different communication paths with the source device. A version of the encrypted password is communicated between the signature server and the authentication system via a third communication path, different to the first and second paths, for authenticating the user. A result of the authenticating of the user is determined at the signature server by the communication between the authentication system and the signature server, that result being determined by verification of the version of the encrypted password, that verification being performed without the signature server verifying the actual plaintext password. The data to be signed is signed using elements of information secure to the signature server if the result of the authentication indicates that the user is authenticated. The signed data from the certifying apparatus is then passed to a recipient device so that the elements of secure information certify that the data supplier is the user. A method of certifying the data is also disclosed.
US08078877B2
A fast batch verification method and apparatus are provided. In the method of batch-verifying a plurality of exponentiations, (a) a predetermined bit value t is set to an integer equal to or greater than 1; (b) a maximum Hamming weight k is set to an integer equal to or greater than 0 and less than or equal than the predetermined bit value t; (c) n verification exponents si are randomly selected from a set of verification exponents S (n is an integer greater than 1, i is an integer such that 1≦i≦n), where the set of verification exponents S include elements whose bit values are less than or equal to the predetermined bit value t and to which a Hamming weight less than or equal to the maximum Hamming weight k is allocated; (d) a value of verification result is computed by a predetermined verification formula; and (e) the verification of the signatures is determined to be passed when the value of verification result satisfies a pre-determined pass condition. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of computation and particularly, the computation amount of multiplication, without increasing a probability that a verification error would occur, thereby significantly improving the speed of verifying a plurality of signatures.
US08078867B2
A system and method that facilitates the authentication of streamed data received at a device, where authentication information is not distributed over the data stream. One embodiment of a method of authenticating data comprises the steps of: receiving, at the device, data in a plurality of packets transmitted by a data server; submitting a request for a server-computed authentication value to a data authentication server, wherein the data authentication server is adapted to compute the server-computed authentication value based on a subset of the data transmitted by the data server; receiving, at the device, the server-computed authentication value from the data authentication server in response to the request; computing a device-computed authentication value based on a subset of the data received at the device corresponding to the subset of the data transmitted by the data server; and determining if the subset of the data received at the device is authentic by comparing the server-computed and device-computed authentication values.
US08078862B2
A cache-as-RAM (CAR) system of a multi-processor system that includes a plurality of processors may be initialized. The CAR system may assign a physical data address range for each of the plurality of processors such that the physical data address ranges allocated to all of the plurality of processors overlap with each other. A boot code stream may be executed with the CAR appearing to the executing boot stream as a memory store for executing the boot code stream. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08078855B2
Provided are a booting method of updating software components installed in a system and recovering from an error that occurs in an update, a method and system for automatically updating the software and recovering from the error, and a computer readable recording medium storing the method. The master boot record and the backup boot record are used to stably update a kernel and effectively recover from an update error. The component configuration database is used to update a plurality of software components including a kernel in a transaction, and perfectly recover from an update error.
US08078854B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates precise exception semantics. The system includes a processor that uses register rename maps to support out-of-order execution, where the register rename maps track mappings between native architectural registers and physical registers for a program executing on the processor. These register rename maps include: 1) a working rename map that maps architectural registers associated with a decoded instruction to corresponding physical registers; 2) a retire rename map that tracks and preserves a set of physical registers that are associated with retired instructions; and 3) a checkpoint rename map that stores a mapping between a set of architectural registers and a set of physical registers for a preceding checkpoint in the program. When the program signals an exception, the processor uses the checkpoint rename map to roll back program execution to the preceding checkpoint.
US08078845B2
A method and a device for processing instructions based on register group size information includes a pipelined processor, an instruction memory unit and a register file, whereas the pipelined processor includes a write-back unit and an execution unit. The device is characterized by including a controller that is adapted to receive a first register group size information and a first register identification information that define a first group of source registers associated with a first instruction; and to determine an execution related operation of the first instruction in response to the first register group size information, the first register identification information, a second register group size information and a second register identification information. The second register group size information and the second register identification information define a second group of target registers associated with a second instruction. The second instruction is provided to the pipelined processor before the first instruction.
US08078844B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for removing a register of a processor from an active state. In operation, an aspect of a portion of a processor capable of simultaneously processing a plurality of threads is identified. Additionally, a register of the processor is conditionally removed from an active state, based on the aspect.
US08078842B2
An electronic device that comprises a processor including an individual instruction and a first group of instructions. The device further comprises a memory externally coupled to the processor, as well as a second group of instructions. When executed, the first group of instructions causes the processor to execute the second group of instructions in lieu of the individual instruction.
US08078840B2
A fetch director in a multithreaded microprocessor that concurrently executes instructions of N threads is disclosed. The N threads request to fetch instructions from an instruction cache. In a given selection cycle, some of the threads may not be requesting to fetch instructions. The fetch director includes a circuit for selecting one of threads in a round-robin fashion to provide its fetch address to the instruction cache. The circuit 1-bit left rotatively increments a first addend by a second addend to generate a sum that is ANDed with the inverse of the first addend to generate a 1-hot vector indicating which of the threads is selected next. The first addend is an N-bit vector where each bit is false if the corresponding thread is requesting to fetch instructions from the instruction cache. The second addend is a 1-hot vector indicating the last selected thread. In one embodiment threads with an empty instruction buffer are selected at highest priority; a last dispatched but not fetched thread at middle priority; all other threads at lowest priority. The threads are selected round-robin within the highest and lowest priorities.
US08078839B2
An electronic processing element is disclosed for use in a system having a plurality of processing elements. The electronic processing element includes an input instruction memory, an operation unit, and an output instruction memory. The input instruction memory is configured to store and retrieve a plurality of operation codes and, for each operation code, an associated output instruction memory address. The operation unit is configured to generate an output datum defined by at least a selected operation code and an associated input datum. The output instruction memory is configured to receive the output instruction memory address and to retrieve an address for an input instruction memory of a second processing element. Upon selection of an input instruction memory address and presentation of an associated input datum, the processing element generates an output datum in association with a corresponding input instruction memory address of the second processing element.
US08078838B2
A multiport semiconductor memory device having a processor wake-up function and multiprocessor system, the multiprocessor system including a first processor configured to perform a first predetermined task; a second processor configured to perform a second predetermined task; and a multiport semiconductor memory device coupled to the first and second processors. The multiport semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array having at least one shared memory area; a first port coupled to the at least one shared memory area; a second port coupled to the at least one shared memory area; and a wake-up signal generator. The first processor is coupled to the at least one shared memory area via the first port, the second processor is coupled to the at least one shared memory area via the second port, and the wake-up signal generator is coupled to the first processor and the second processor.
US08078834B2
A digital signal processor includes a control block configured to issue instructions based on a stored program, and a compute array including two or more compute engines configured such that each of the issued instructions executes in successive compute engines of at least a subset of the compute engines at successive times. The digital signal processor may be utilized with a control processor or as a stand-alone processor. The compute array may be configured such that each of the issued instructions flows through successive compute engines of at least a subset of the compute engines at successive times.
US08078831B2
Apparatus, system and methods are provided for performing speculative data prefetching in a chip multiprocessor (CMP). Data is prefetched by a helper thread that runs on one core of the CMP while a main program runs concurrently on another core of the CMP. Data prefetched by the helper thread is provided to the helper core. For one embodiment, the data prefetched by the helper thread is pushed to the main core. It may or may not be provided to the helper core as well. A push of prefetched data to the main core may occur during a broadcast of the data to all cores of an affinity group. For at least one other embodiment, the data prefetched by a helper thread is provided, upon request from the main core, to the main core from the helper core's local cache.
US08078830B2
An integrated circuit arrangement has a processor array (2) with processor elements (4) and a memory (6) with memory elements (8) arranged in rows (32) and columns (30). The columns (30) of memory elements (8) are addressed by respective processor elements (4). An input sequencer (14) and feedback path (24) cooperate to reorder input data in the memory (6) to carry out both block and line based processing.
US08078825B2
A method for partitioning during an online node add. The method includes providing a data storage cluster with first and second nodes, and storing a table of data in the data storage cluster with a first partition storing a set of rows or data elements in the first node and a second partition storing a set of rows or data elements in the second node. The method includes adding a third node to the cluster and adding a third partition to the table using a partitioning mechanism to create a distribution mapping for data elements in the first, second, and third partitions. The distribution mapping provides substantially uniform distribution of the data elements over the first, second, and third partitions by the partitioning mechanism using modulo hash partitioning as a function of data elements or by combining hash and list partitioning such that data is retained on the original partitions.
US08078819B2
Network arrangements wherein a network interface receives write requests of files of a file system from a client computer, each file including respective data and respective metadata. A processor registers the metadata of a file to at least one first type storage medium and writes the data of the file to the at least one second type storage medium based on file value information. The storage system stores information of address ranges of an integrated logical unit, in which each address range corresponds to the at least one first type storage medium and the at least one second type storage medium included in the integrated logical unit, and provides the information of address ranges of the integrated logical unit to the client computer.
US08078809B2
By the same method as that of making data access to a data storage area in an online state, it is performed to access a data storage area other than the data storage area. A plurality of logical volumes carried by a disk array apparatus includes an online volume that is in an online state to a host and an offline state that is in an offline state to the host. The host transmits an access command including target information designating a target volume to the disk array apparatus as an access command to a starting volume other than the target volume. The disk array apparatus receives the access command to the starting volume and offers the data access to the target volume on the basis of the target information carried by that access command to the host.
US08078806B2
A microprocessor coupled to a system memory by a bus includes an instruction decode unit that decodes an instruction that specifies a data stream in the system memory and a stream prefetch priority. The microprocessor also includes a load/store unit that generates load/store requests to transfer data between the system memory and the microprocessor. The microprocessor also includes a stream prefetch unit that generates a plurality of prefetch requests to prefetch the data stream from the system memory into the microprocessor. The prefetch requests specify the stream prefetch priority. The microprocessor also includes a bus interface unit (BIU) that generates transaction requests on the bus to transfer data between the system memory and the microprocessor in response to the load/store requests and the prefetch requests. The BIU prioritizes the bus transaction requests for the prefetch requests relative to the bus transaction requests for the load/store requests based on the stream prefetch priority.
US08078804B2
A data cache memory coupled to a processor including processor clusters are adapted to operate simultaneously on scalar and vectorial data by providing data locations in the data cache memory for storing data for processing. The data locations are accessed either in a scalar mode or in a vectorial mode. This is done by explicitly mapping the data locations that are scalar and the data locations that are vectorial.
US08078797B2
A memory storage system of an embodiment includes a nonvolatile memory unit and memory control circuitry coupled to the memory unit. Storage locations of the memory unit are organized into one or more sub-blocks configured to store sectors of information from a host. The sectors of information can be identified by sector numbers of a predetermined order. The memory control circuitry is configured to write a sector of information to a location of a particular sub-block of a particular block. The memory control circuitry is further configured to write a sector of information to a location of a sub-block of the particular block that is other than the particular sub-block, regardless of the predetermined order of the sector numbers of the sectors of information. The memory control circuitry is further configured to write the sectors of information to the locations of the sub-blocks of the particular block substantially concurrently.
US08078793B1
A non-volatile memory device stores configuration variables for use by a computer firmware. The variable is initially stored in the memory device in a manner that minimizes the number of bits used to store the variable that are in the updated state. When a request is received to change the initial value of the variable to an updated value, the value is changed in place by changing only the bits used to store the variable from an erased state to an updated state, by only setting the invert flag, by setting the invert flag and by changing one or more of the bits of the variable from the erased state to the updated state, or by storing the updated value of the variable in a new location in the memory device.
US08078790B1
A cache unit multiple memory towers, which can be independently addressed. Cache lines are divided among multiple towers. Furthermore, physical lines of the memory towers are shared by multiple cache lines. Because each tower can be addressed independently and the cache lines are split among the towers, unaligned cache access can be performed. Furthermore, power can be conserved because not all the memory towers of the cache unit needs to be activated during some memory access operations.
US08078783B2
An information processing apparatus includes a card slot to which a card-type medium is inserted, a determination unit configured to determine an operation mode, from among a first, second and third operation modes, which attains the highest speed of data communication between the information processing apparatus and the cardtype medium on the basis of a first, second and third communication speeds and the interruption-preventing maximum data size, and a data communication unit configured to perform data communication between the information processing apparatus and the card-type medium in the operation mode which attains the highest speed of the data communication and which is selected from among the first to third operation modes by the determination unit.
US08078781B2
A device having priority update capabilities and a method for updating priorities, the method includes: receiving a request to update to a requested priority, priorities of transaction requests stored within a first sequence of pipeline stages that precede an arbiter; updating a priority level of a transaction request stored in the first sequence to the requested priority if the transaction request is priority upgradeable and if the requested priority is higher that a current priority of the transaction request; and arbitrating between transaction requests in response to priority attributes associated with the transaction requests.
US08078777B2
A method of managing a network. The method includes receiving an activation key transmitted from a device connected to the network, automatically transmitting a configuration to the device, automatically maintaining the configuration of the device, and receiving log information from the device.
US08078774B2
A system for tracking using electronic addresses is disclosed. The system stores an identification code, an electronic address, and a counter. The electronic address is made up of either single values or pairs of single values. A pair of single values for at least one of value of the counter is made up of a pseudonumber and a unique address value. The pseudonumber is able to be disentangled to produce a second pair of single values for a different value of the counter, thereby producing a tracking history.
US08078771B2
A system for sending large Command Descriptor Block (CDB) structures in a serial attached SCSI (SAS) controller includes a CDB Transmit Block, a CDB Memory, a Context Memory, a Direct Memory Access (DMA) Queue, a Transmit DMA Engine, and a SAS Interface. The CDB Transmit Block receives one or more Message Frames. If the CDB is small (32 bytes or less), the CDB Transmit Block reads data from the Message Frame and transmits a SAS Command Frame over the SAS interface. If the CDB is large (33 bytes or more), the CDB Transmit Block places a large CDB entry into the DMA Queue. The Transmit DMA Engine receives the large CDB entry from the DMA queue, utilizes an address pointer from the Message Frame to the CDB Memory to fetch large CDB information into a DMA buffer, and transmits a SAS Command Frame over the SAS interface.
US08078768B2
A universal serial bus (USB) device communicates with a USB host over a USB to remotely wake up the USB host over the USB when the USB host is in a low power (e.g. deep sleep) mode. The USB device performs an activity to wake up the USB host. The USB host performs a remote wake up process in response to detecting the activity by the USB device. The USB host performs a resume process in response to performing the remote wake up process by the USB host. The USB device wakes up in response to the USB host performing the resume process.
US08078755B1
Techniques are provided that allow client and server nodes to communicate without the continuing intervention of a load-balancing node that selected the server node. A load-balancing node intercepts a TCP SYN packet addressed to a virtual IP address. The load-balancing node selects a server node from among multiple server nodes, and sends the packet toward the server node. The server node sends an IPv6 packet toward the client node. The packet contains a Binding Update option that specifies the virtual IP address as a Home Address. This information causes the client node to replace destination addresses in outgoing IP packets so that packets that the client node would have sent toward the virtual IP address are sent toward the selected server node's IP address instead. Consequently, the IP packets are routed toward the selected server node instead of the load-balancing node.
US08078749B2
Various embodiments are provided for synchronizing with multidimensional data in a knowledge based synchronization framework for a multi-master synchronization environment. Prediction can be employed to transmit the next versions of a sequence of subsets of multidimensional data to consuming clients in an intuitive manner for a given application. For example, applications that render 2-D images on the client of multidimensional objects (e.g., 3-D graphical objects) stored on a server are achieved through synchronizing versions of the 2-D images to the client including predictively pre-computing and/or providing versions of the 2-D images to the client as synchronization updates.
US08078744B2
A communication method for implementing a real-time streaming using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) in a network is provided. Chunked encoding of HTTP is applied so that information can be exchanged between a server and a client while an HTTP request is being progressed. Therefore, bidirectional communication between the client and the server using HTTP is possible without modifying an existing HTTP protocol, and real-time transmission can be implemented.
US08078737B2
A SIP server can be deployed in a two-tier architecture, including an engine tier for processing of SIP communications and a state tier for maintaining the state associated with these communications. The state tier can include RAM-based replicas that provide data to the engines. Some of the SIP session state can be moved to the database in order to reduce the memory requirements of the state tier. Upon determining that a transaction boundary has been reached where the session state is steady, the state replica can save the data to the database. A hint can be received from the engine tier by the state replica indicating that the state data is ready to be saved. Subsequently, the data can be removed from the state tier by nulling out the bytes of actual data, while preserving the primary key, locking and timer information so as not to impact latency.
US08078734B2
The present invention is capable of preferably performing the establishment of a session using a predetermined protocol. In a mobile phone device applicable to an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the CPU of a main control unit executes NAI middleware, performs connection using a predetermined protocol via a system layer, acquires a connection request or a disconnection request from an individual application program, and controls, on the basis of the acquired connection request or disconnection request, the connection using the predetermined protocol performed by a connection unit.
US08078731B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates interacting with a user through a user proxy server. During operation, the system receives a request to interact with the user, wherein the request is received at a user proxy server, which services requests for interactions with users. This request specifies data or data types involved in the user interaction, as well as the purpose of the user interaction, but does not specify details of how the user interaction takes place. In response to this request, the system interacts with the user in a manner which is consistent with context information associated with the user.
US08078730B2
A communication session is maintained through a disruption by saving state information related to the communication session upon detecting the disruption and subsequently using the saved state information to re-establish the communication session. The communication session may be associated with an access point device in a wireless communication system, and the communication session may be re-established through the same or a different access point device in the wireless communication system.
US08078729B2
A system, method and apparatus are disclosed herein for media streaming. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more media servers to serve media content and a plurality of peers communicably coupled to one or more other peers of the plurality of peers and at least one of the one or more media servers to receive segments of media content, where at least one of peers allocates a set of resources for serving the segments of media content including cache memory to store the segments and media files and uplink bandwidth to send the segments of media content to the one or more peers to which the one peer is communicably coupled. The system also includes a first control server to track media content demand and the allocated resources of the plurality of peers to determine which peer should cache which segment of the media file and to return peer location information specifying the one or more peer locations from which each peer is to receive each segment of each media content requested. The control server is operable to send the location information to each peer. In one embodiment, the one control server is also operable to calculate a utility of each caching option and enforce it by sending triggers to the peers to initiate the caching at those peers.
US08078728B1
An application reservation and delivery system with capacity pooling including a logical resource pool, an application library, a resource manager, and a deployment manager. The logical resource pool includes computer resource assets which includes asset type, amount, and asset source in which each computer resource asset is decomposed to a specified level of granularity. The application library includes application configurations, each including at least one server configuration and computer resource asset requirements. The resource manager tracks availability of the computer resource assets, receives requests for specific application configurations for specified time periods, compares each requested application configuration with available computer resource assets at the specified time periods, and reserves resources for each requested application configuration during the specified time periods. The deployment manager deploys each requested application configuration using the reserved resources.
US08078725B2
A method for distributing data over a network includes the steps of establishing a secure connection between a client and a server; issuing a certificate and a private key to the client for identifying the client in a transaction; storing the certificate and the private key in a portable token of the client and used by the client during a transaction, the portable token including a unique distinguishing number and being a physical device removeably coupleable to a client computer; and generating a message linking the data being distributed to the client with at least part of the distinguishing number for the token used by the client during a transaction.
US08078712B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for network command delegation using auto-discovered pathways. A network management server can generate configuration or other commands to transmit to a set of supervisory hosts, which in turn relay the commands to an underlying set of hosts and/or targets. A network map can be maintained specifying pathway(s) to the supervisory hosts and/or underlying hosts and/or targets for delivery of the commands. The pathway(s) can be automatically generated using a discovery tool which probes connections to the supervisory host(s) and/or underlying hosts/targets, and records that information to a network map. The most efficient pathways on a total-hop, transit time or other basis can be identified. A systems administrator at the network management server can issue compact commands that are automatically disseminated to destination hosts/targets over large-scale and geographically diverse networks, without manually specifying pathways. Multiple layers of supervisory hosts can be used.
US08078711B2
A front-end gateway unit is designed for integration to a remote ecological environment monitoring system that is equipped with a wireless sensor network (WSN) system installed at a remote site, such as a farmland or a garden, for the purpose of allowing the WSN system to exchange data with a back-end host server via a wireless communication system. The front-end gateway unit is characterized by the capability of using either the WSN system or a built-in sensing module for collecting ecological data, and the capability of combining geographical location data in the ecological data. This feature allows the collection of a comprehensive set of ecological data (including geographical location, temperature, humidity, sunlight data, wind speed, and pest number) for transfer to the back-end host server, such that research/management personnel at the local site can conveniently browse these ecological data and learn the ecological conditions of the remotely monitored area.
US08078710B2
This invention discloses continuous functional monitoring of distributed network activity using algorithms based on frequency moment calculations given by Fp=Σimip. The frequency moment calculations are used to raise an alarm when a value exceeds a certain threshold. Frequency moments for p=0, 1, and 2 are described.
US08078705B2
Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with key-configured topology connection management are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a logic for mapping a resource to a port through which it can be accessed and a logic for determining whether a requestor will be granted a connection to the machine on which the resource resides based, at least in part, on membership in a key-configured topology. Membership in the key-configured topology may be determined by a connection management logic analyzing a key provided by the requestor in a request related to accessing the resource. The key may be internally generated by a key maintenance logic.
US08078703B2
An efficient software download to a configurable communication device is disclosed herein. The method of efficiently downloading software begins with a step of receiving a request to configure a communication device to run a communication application. The communication device being configured has a plurality of function blocks with a fixed portion of hardware and a flexible portion of hardware, wherein the same plurality of function blocks is capable of operating a plurality of communication applications. In a next step, the capability of the fixed portion and the flexible portion of hardware of the communication device is evaluated for a capability of implementing the communication application. Next, configuration information only for the flexible portion of hardware of the communication device is transmitted to the communication device to enable it to operate the communication application. An identification of the communication application is also transmitted to the communication device for purposes of tracking its implementation.
