US08097516B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure in which different types of devices are located upon a specific crystal orientation of a hybrid substrate that enhances the performance of each type of device. In the semiconductor structure of the present invention, a dual trench isolation scheme is employed whereby a first trench isolation region of a first depth isolates devices of different polarity from each other, while second trench isolation regions of a second depth, which is shallower than the first depth, are used to isolate devices of the same polarity from each other. The present invention further provides a dual trench semiconductor structure in which pFETs are located on a (110) crystallographic plane, while nFETs are located on a (100) crystallographic plane. In accordance with the present invention, the devices of different polarity, i.e., nFETs and pFETs, are bulk-like devices.
US08097515B2
A method for forming a nanowire field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a nanowire over a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate structure around a portion of the nanowire, forming a capping layer on the gate structure; forming a first spacer adjacent to sidewalls of the gate and around portions of nanowire extending from the gate, forming a hardmask layer on the capping layer and the first spacer, removing exposed portions of the nanowire, epitaxially growing a doped semiconductor material on exposed cross sections of the nanowire to form a source region and a drain region, forming a silicide material in the epitaxially grown doped semiconductor material, and forming a conductive material on the source and drain regions.
US08097512B2
A field effect transistor, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) having a junction field effect transistor (JFET) embedded as a body diode.
US08097506B2
In some embodiments, a gate structure with a spacer on its side may be used as a mask to form self-aligned trenches in a microelectronic memory, such as a flash memory. A first portion of the gate structure may be used to form the mask, together with sidewall spacers, in some embodiments. Then, after forming the shallow trench isolations, a second portion of the gate structure may be added to form a mushroom shaped gate structure.
US08097505B2
A method of forming an isolation layer in a semiconductor device is disclosed, by which breakdown voltage and PN junction leakage characteristics of the isolation layer are enhanced. Embodiments include depositing a pad nitride layer over a semiconductor substrate, reducing the thickness of the pad nitride layer by etching a portion of the pad nitride layer, forming a tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) oxide layer over the remaining pad nitride layer, forming a trench by selectively removing the tetraethyl orthosilicate oxide layer and the pad nitride layer over an isolation area of the semiconductor substrate, depositing an high density plasma oxide layer over the substrate to fill the trench, and forming an isolation layer by planarizing the high density plasma oxide layer and the tetraethyl orthosilicate oxide layer.
US08097501B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first-conductivity-type semiconductor region on a semiconductor layer; forming a mask member on the first-conductivity-type semiconductor region; selectively forming an opening in the mask member; etching the first-conductivity-type semiconductor region exposed to the opening to form a trench having a larger diameter than the opening and an eaves-like mask projected above the trench and made of the mask member; and forming a second-conductivity-type semiconductor region in the trench below the eaves-like mask by epitaxial growth to form a structure section in which the first-conductivity-type semiconductor region and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor region are alternately repeated in a direction generally parallel to a major surface of the semiconductor layer.
US08097496B2
A semiconductor package includes a leadframe having first and second level downset lead extensions, a quad flat nonleaded package (QFN) attached to the first level downset lead extension, and a flip chip die attached to the second level downset lead extension. Another embodiment of a semiconductor package includes a leadframe having a lead, a first quad flat nonleaded package (QFN) connected to the lead, and a second quad flat nonleaded package invertly connected to a top surface of the first quad flat nonleaded package, wherein the second quad flat nonleaded package is wirebonded to the lead. A third embodiment of a semiconductor package includes a leadframe having a lead with a first level downset lead extension, a quad flat nonleaded package (QFN) connected to the first level downset lead extension, and a first wirebondable die attached to a top or bottom surface of the quad flat nonleaded package.
US08097495B2
A leadframe for a semiconductor package is disclosed including electrical leads which extend from one side of the leadframe to an opposite side of the leadframe, where electrical connection may be made with the semiconductor die at the second side of the leadframe. The semiconductor die may be supported on the leads extending across the leadframe. The package may further include a spacer layer affixed to the electrical leads to fortify the semiconductor package and to prevent exposure of the electrical leads during the molding of the package.
US08097489B2
A semiconductor device includes a pre-fabricated shielding frame mounted over a sacrificial substrate and semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited through an opening in the shielding frame around the semiconductor die. A first portion of the shielding frame to expose the encapsulant. Removing the first portion also leaves a second portion of the shielding frame over the semiconductor die as shielding from interference. A third portion of the shielding frame around the semiconductor die provides a conductive pillar. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first side of the encapsulant, shielding frame, and semiconductor die. The sacrificial substrate is removed. A second interconnect structure over the semiconductor die and a second side of the encapsulant. The shielding frame can be connected to low-impedance ground point through the interconnect structures or TSV in the semiconductor die to isolate the die from EMI and RFI, and other inter-device interference.
US08097479B2
In this method for producing an anti-reflective film, pores are formed on a surface of a polymer molding material to continuously change a refractive index and then reduce reflectance, in which anodic oxidized porous alumina, in which pores having a tapered shape and whose pore diameter continuously changes, are formed by repeating anodic oxidation at about the same formation voltage and pore diameter enlargement treatment, is used as a mold, or a stamper, which is produced by using the anodic oxidized porous aluminum as a mold, is used as a mold.
US08097472B2
A separation module operates to fractionate or separate an analyte into fractions according to pI, i.e., pI bands, utilizing capillary isoelectric focusing (“CIEF”) within a first microchannel. The fractions are stacked to form plugs, the number of which is determined by a number of parallel second microchannels integrally connected to the first microchannel, into which the fractions are directed according to the buffer characteristics found in each of the individual microchannels. Within the microchannels the plugs are separated into proteins according to a different chemical property, i.e., “m/z,” utilizing capillary electrophoresis (“CE”).
US08097471B2
Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group of process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.
US08097469B2
A process of determining whether a patient with a disease or disorder will be responsive to a drug, used to treat the disease or disorder, including obtaining a test spectrum produced by a mass spectrometer from a serum produced from the patient. The test spectrum may be processed to determine a relation to a group of class labeled spectra produced from respective serum from other patients having the or similar clinical stage same disease or disorder and known to have responded or not responded to the drug. Based on the relation of the test spectrum to the group of class labeled spectra, a determination may be made as to whether the patient will be responsive to the drug.
US08097458B2
This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem cells. Traditionally, pluripotent stem cells are cultured on a layer of feeder cells (such as mouse embryonic fibroblasts) to prevent them from differentiating. In the system described here, the role of feeder cells is replaced by components added to the culture environment that support rapid proliferation without differentiation. Effective features are a suitable support structure for the cells, and an effective medium that can be added fresh to the culture without being preconditioned by another cell type. Culturing human embryonic stem cells in fresh medium according to this invention causes the cells to expand surprisingly rapidly, while retaining the ability to differentiate into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers. This new culture system allows for bulk proliferation of pPS cells for commercial production of important products for use in drug screening and human therapy.
US08097456B2
The present invention relates to tissue engineered compositions and methods comprising nanotopographic surface topography (“nanotopography”) for use in modulating the organization and/or function of multiple cell types.
US08097448B2
Cells of the species Issatchenkia orientalis and closely related yeast species are transformed with a vector to introduce an exogenous lactate dehydrogenase gene. The cells produce lactic acid efficiently and are resistant at low pH, high lactate titer conditions.
US08097440B1
The present invention is generally provides recombinant microorganisms comprising engineered metabolic pathways capable of producing C3-C5 alcohols under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The invention further provides ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes which have been mutated or modified to increase their NADH-dependent activity or to switch the cofactor preference from NADPH to NADH and are expressed in the modified microorganisms. In addition, the invention provides isobutyraldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes expressed in modified microorganisms. Also provided are methods of producing beneficial metabolites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by contacting a suitable substrate with the modified microorganisms of the present invention.
US08097437B2
The instant invention provides highly pure Polysialic acid and process for preparation thereof.
US08097431B2
The present invention provides for methods and systems for detecting steroids. Examples of such steroids include estrogen, progesterone, androgen, testosterone, and derivatives and analogs thereof. Systems useful for carrying out the method include tripartite constructs including a DNA-binding domain, a ligand binding domain, and an activation domain. The present invention provides numerous improvements over previous diagnostic systems for detection of steroids, such advantages include that the method allows for detection of steroid analogs and derivatives, whose structures may not yet be known, the method is generally applicable to a wide variety of organisms, and numerous ligand binding domains may be used in conjunction with the present system.
US08097426B2
Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.
US08097412B2
We have developed a novel TaqMan quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) based DNA test for detecting annual and/or intermediate ryegrass types in perennial ryegrass. This DNA test was designed using an insertion/deletion (InDel) site in the LpVRN2_2 gene. The new DNA test is more reliable, accurate, and cost effective in detecting annual and intermediate type contamination in perennial ryegrass, having a sensitivity of 0.04% in a sample size of 5000 seeds. Use of a higher sample size (12.5-fold higher compared to the SRF test) provides additional accuracy in detecting the level of contamination A forward and reverse set of primers also identified an approximately 450 bp fragment in or near the LpVRN1 promoter, the fragment being present for all perennial, but not annual, varieties tested.
US08097405B1
A process for determining the sequence of nucleic acids of interest employs nucleotides or nucleotide analogs that have been made detectable by non-radioactive modifying or labeling. Such nucleotides or nucleotide analogs are modified on the sugar moieties, the phosphate moieties or the base moieties, including base analogs. Modified nucleotide analogs can be attached to or coupled to or incorporated into DNA or RNA. The modified or labeled nucleotides or nucleotide analogs are also useful in processes for detecting the presence of nucleic acids of interest and for characterizing chromosomal sequences. Detection processes using the modified or labeled nucleotides or nucleotide analogs extend to the use of a gel for separating or resolving hybrids formed between non-radioactively labeled oligonucleotides or polynucleotides and such nucleic acids of interest.
US08097397B2
Disclosed are: a material for forming a protective film to be laminated on a photoresist film, which can prevent the contamination of an exposing device with an outgas generated from the photoresist film, which has little influence on the environment, which has a high water repellent property, which sparingly causes mixing with the photoresist film, and which can form a high-resolution photoresist pattern; a method for forming a photoresist pattern; and a solution for washing/removing a protective film. Specifically disclosed are: a material for forming a protective film, which comprises (a) a non-polar polymer and (b) a non-polar solvent; a method for forming a photoresist pattern by using the material; and a solution for washing/removing a protective film, which is intended to be used in the method.
US08097394B2
A method of preparing an electrophotographic photoreceptor, including forming a photosensitive layer on an electroconductive substrate; and forming a surface layer on the photosensitive layer, wherein the surface layer is formed by a spray coating comprising a spray droplet having an average diameter (D50) not greater than 10 μm.
US08097388B2
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to an improved low wear overcoat for an imaging member having a substrate, a charge transport layer, and an overcoat positioned on the charge transport layer, and a process for preparing the same including combining a binder, a hole transport molecule, a melamine formaldehyde crosslinking agent and an acid catalyst dissolved in an alcohol solvent to form an overcoat solution, and subsequently providing the overcoat solution onto the charge transport layer to form an overcoat layer.
US08097386B2
A positive-type photosensitive resin composition for electronic materials having good film adhesiveness and sensitivity without causing a corrosion reaction to copper and copper alloys in metal wirings, a method for producing patterns and electronic parts are provided. The positive-type photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a polybenzoxazole precursor having a structure represented by the following general formula (I): wherein X represents a bivalent organic group, Y represents a tetravalent organic group, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group, and m represents an integer of 2 to 500 which represents a repeating unit number of the polymer, (B) a solvent, (C) a tetrazole derivative and (D) a compound which generates an acid by light.
US08097385B2
The present disclosure provides for a bipolar plate assembly for use in a fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate assembly includes: (a) at least one flow field layer defining a flow field portion and a perimeter portion; (b) at least one core assembly including at least one porous carbon layer and at least one impermeable layer; and (c) a cathode side reactant and an anode side reactant. The at least a first flow field layer is made from a porous carbon material and the perimeter portion is impregnated with a polymer material. The porous carbon layer is joined to: (i) the at least one impermeable layer on a first side by an adhesive material; and (ii) the flow field layer perimeter on a second side by a second adhesive material. The at least a first flow field layer defines reactant inlet and outlet ports and reactant flow passageways for each of the cathode side reactant and the anode side reactant. A method of making such a bipolar plate as described herein is also provided, as well as a method for rendering a layer of carbon material substantially impervious to a liquid agent such as an acid and rendering the porous carbon components wettable to retain an acidic liquid electrolyte. Fuel cell bipolar plates made in accordance with the teachings herein exhibit excellent heat transfer characteristics, and are particularly effective in conducting heat to the edge of a fuel cell stack.
US08097383B2
To provide a polymer electrolyte material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which is an electrolyte material having a high ion exchange capacity and a low resistance, and which has a higher softening temperature than a conventional electrolyte material.An electrolyte material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which is made of a polymer containing repeating units based on a fluoromonomer having a radical polymerization reactivity, wherein the repeating units contain, in their side chains, a structure having ionic groups represented in the following formula (α) (provided that in the formula, each of Q1 and Q2 which are independent of each other, is a single bond or a perfluoroalkylene group that may have an etheric oxygen atom, provided that they are not single bonds at the same time, Rf1 is a perfluoroalkyl group which may have an etheric oxygen atom, and X is an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, provided that when X is an oxygen atom, a=0, when X is a nitrogen atom, a=1, and when X is a carbon atom, a=2, and Y is a fluorine atom or a monovalent perfluoro organic group).
US08097382B2
A fuel cell system (10) includes: a fuel cell (1); a hydrogen supply device (2) for supplying a hydrogen gas to the fuel cell (1); an anode off-gas passage (22) through which an anode off-gas discharged from the anode side of the fuel cell (1) passes; a hydrogen concentration sensor (3) that measures the concentration of hydrogen in the anode off-gas; and a sensor correction device (4) that, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the hydrogen gas supply to the fuel cell by the hydrogen supply device (2) was stopped, measures the hydrogen concentration using the hydrogen concentration sensor (3), and corrects a measurement value from the hydrogen concentration sensor (3) based on the measured hydrogen concentration.
US08097379B2
In a solid polymer electrolyte membrane type fuel cell of the invention, where a pair of electrodes are provided on opposite sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the outside thereof is clamped by a pair of separators, and nonconductive picture frame-shaped members 61 are arranged at the outer edge portions of the separators, for allowing increase and decrease of a space between separators, while sealing a gap between the separators.
US08097375B2
A method for filling a fuel cell anode supply manifold with hydrogen prior to a start-up operation to facilitate a substantially even hydrogen distribution across the fuel cell is disclosed. The anode supply manifold is in fluid communication with a source of hydrogen. A first valve in fluid communication with the anode supply manifold and a second valve in fluid communication with an anode exhaust manifold are initially in a closed position while hydrogen is supplied to the anode inlet conduit to pressurize the fuel cell stack. The first valve is then opened to purge at least a portion of a fluid from the anode supply manifold to facilitate a filling of the manifold with hydrogen.
US08097374B2
A fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell stack, a second fuel cell stack arranged in a cascade configuration with the first fuel cell stack, and at least one hydrocarbon fuel reformer which is thermally integrated with at least a portion of the first stack. The system is configured such that in operation, at least partial reformation of hydrocarbon fuel occurs prior to entry into the first stack or in the first stack, and the second stack uses fuel exhaust from the first stack as fuel. A method of operating the fuel cell system includes reforming a hydrocarbon fuel to form a reformed fuel while cooling at least a portion of a first fuel cell stack, generating electricity in the first fuel cell stack using the reformed fuel, providing a fuel exhaust stream from the first fuel cell stack into a second fuel cell stack, and generating electricity in the second fuel cell stack using the fuel exhaust stream from the first fuel stack as a fuel.
US08097373B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell power supply device that can realize a reduction in size and improvement of durability of an accumulating unit while maintaining output performance that is applicable when large output is requested. The fuel cell power supply device includes: an output judging unit 31 that judges whether the output of a fuel cell 1 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level with respect to electric power requested by a load 5; and a power-supply controlling unit 30 that limits, when it is not judged that the output of the fuel cell 1 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, the output of an accumulating unit 21 to be equal to or smaller than a first output limit value for allowing continuous output in first output time an limits, when it is judged that the output of the fuel cell 1 is equal to or higher than the predetermined level, within second output time shorter than the first output time, the output of the accumulating unit 21 to be equal to or smaller than a second output limit value, which is larger than the first output limit value, for allowing continuous output in the second output time.
US08097367B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell with superior cycle characteristics is provided. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte salt. The non-aqueous solvent contains ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate. The ratio of the ethylene carbonate to the total mass of the ethylene carbonate and the propylene carbonate is from 0.40 to 0.78. The non-aqueous electrolyte contains a 1,3-dioxane compound at a mass % of from 0.1 to 5.0. The 1,3-dioxane compound is represented by Formula 1: where R1 to R4 independently denote a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group.
US08097342B2
Certain example embodiments relate to sputter-deposited transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) that are capable of surviving the harsh environments of ovens so that they can be included, for example, in oven door applications. In certain example embodiments, zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO2 or other suitable stoichiometry) may be used as a protective overcoat to protect an underlying Ag layer from corrosion in the atmosphere. In certain three lite oven door example embodiments, surfaces 2 and 4 each have an Ag-based TCC sputter-deposited thereon. The Ag-based TCC may have a sheet resistance of about either 4 or 5 ohms/square in certain example embodiments.
US08097333B2
Pre-impregnated composite material (prepreg) is provided that can be cured to form composite parts that have high levels of damage tolerance. The matrix resin includes a thermoplastic particle component that is a blend of particles that have a melting point above the curing temperature and particles that have a melting point at or below the curing temperature.
US08097329B2
A thin film device has a substrate having thin film elements, and an undercoat formed on the thin film elements of the substrate. The undercoat comprises at least one insulating film formed into a predetermined shape by closely adhering, exposing, and etching a film comprising a photosensitive resin material. The thin film device further has a thin film pattern formed into a predetermined shape on the undercoat.
US08097328B2
The high-pressure melamine resin decorative plate of the present invention includes a laminate of a decorative sheet, and a melamine resin-impregnated paper and a core layer on a back surface of the decorative sheet, and then the resultant laminated structure is subjected to heat- and press-molding. The decorative sheet includes at least a low-gloss pattern ink layer partially formed on a substrate, and a surface protective layer which is present on and contacted with the low-gloss pattern ink layer so as to cover a whole surface; the surface protective layer is formed by crosslinking and curing an ionizing radiation-curable resin composition, and provided therein with a low-gloss region which is located in a portion just above the low-gloss pattern ink layer and in the vicinity of the portion and visually recognized as a concave portion.
US08097326B2
A stack of folded sheets comprises first and second groups of folded sheets. Each of the sheets if each group includes a center panel, it second panel, and a V-shaped portion including third and fourth panels. The sheets of the two groups are alternately arranged so that the second panel of each sheet of each group is adjacent a fourth panel of a sheet of the other group. The adjacent second and fourth panels may or may not be interleaved.Adjustable folding boards are provided for folding elongated webs into the first and second folded sheets. Each of the folding boards includes a slidably mounted first plate which folds the fourth panel of the folded sheet. A second plate extends downwardly from the first plate and is also slidably mounted for movement transversely to the web. Third and fourth plates are mounted in front of the second plate.Adjusting the first and second plates relative to the web changes the width of the fourth panel. Adjusting the third panel relative to the web changes the widths of the central panel and the third panel. Adjusting the fourth plate relative to the web changes the widths of the central panel and the second panel.
US08097323B2
An object of the invention is to write-once record and reproduce, or only reproduce, a mark smaller than the resolution limit; obtain a high level of reproduction performance (CNR and the like); and realize a high level of reproduction durability. In the invention, between a signal reproducing functional layer composed of Sb or Te and a protecting layer there is introduced a thermally stable diffusion preventing layer, and thereby reactions between the signal reproducing functional layer and the protecting layer due to increased temperature can be prevented or suppressed while increasing reproduction durability.
US08097321B2
This invention relates to the use of vermiculite and layer minerals in general release films.
US08097317B2
Provided is a high-gloss, multilayer plastic container, comprising: (1) a transparent polyester-based resin outer layer; (2) a transparent adhesive resin layer; and (3) a colored polyolefin-based resin layer in the stated order from an outer surface side of the container, wherein: the transparent polyester-based resin outer layer has a surface roughness Ra of 0.2 μm or less; and an interface between (2) the transparent adhesive resin layer and (3) the colored polyolefin-based resin layer has a concavoconvex level of 15 μm or less. An interface between (1) the transparent polyester-based resin outer layer and (2) the transparent adhesive resin layer preferably has a concavoconvex level of 15 μm or less. According to the present invention, a multilayer plastic container having an even, smooth surface, a high-gloss, deep color tone, and an extremely excellent external appearance can be obtained.
US08097315B2
The multilayer container of the present invention comprises an outermost layer, an innermost layer and at least one intermediate layer interposed between the outermost layer and the innermost layer. Each of the outermost and innermost layers is mainly made of a thermoplastic polyester resin A produced by polymerizing a dicarboxylic acid component comprising 80 mol % or higher of terephthalic acid with a diol component comprising 80 mol % or higher of ethylene glycol. At least one of the intermediate layers is mainly made of a mixed resin B of a polyamide resin C and a polyamide resin D in a mixing ratio of 99.5/0.5 to 80/20 by weight. The polyamide resin C is produced by polymerizing a diamine component comprising 70 mol % or higher of m-xylylenediamine with a dicarboxylic acid component comprising 70 mol % or higher of adipic acid. The polyamide resin D has a solubility index satisfying the formula (1): Sa
US08097311B2
Hollow, cylindrical, seamless metal master for producing seamless diffuser sheets of preselected length and width. Additional aspects of the invention include a hollow cylindrical seamless invertible elastomeric master and method of making the same and an apparatus and process for effecting variable diffuser recording in photosensitive medium.
US08097309B2
The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding two or more characteristics. The other subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a high voltage holding ratio, a high contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that has negative dielectric anisotropy, including a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a two-ring compound having a small viscosity as a second component, and may optionally including a specific compound having a small viscosity as a third component and/or a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and provides a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.
US08097305B2
The invention concerns a method which consists in depositing on a substrate a solution containing metal mineral salts constituting chalcopyrite and an organic binder; then drying to obtain a solid film on the substrate; and finally contacting the film with an atmosphere containing one or more elements of group 16 of the periodic table and forming chalcopyrite by thermal reaction.
US08097304B2
A method of forming a nano-particle array by convective assembly and a convective assembly apparatus for the same are provided. The method of forming nano-particle array comprises: coating a plurality of nano-particles by forming a coating layer; performing a first convective assembly by moving a first substrate facing, in parallel to and spaced apart from a second substrate at a desired distance such that a colloidal solution including the coated nano-particles is between the first and second substrate; and performing a second convective assembly for evaporating a solvent by locally heating a surface of the colloidal solution drawn when the first substrate is moved in parallel relative to the second substrate. The present invention provides the method of forming the nano-particle array where nano-particles having a particle size from a few to several tens of nanometers are uniformly arrayed on a large area substrate at a low cost, and the convective assembly apparatus for the same.
US08097299B2
The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for use in production of a ruthenium or ruthenium compound thin film by chemical vapor deposition, including ruthenium and an arene group and norbornadiene both coordinated to the ruthenium and represented by the following formula. The present invention is an organoruthenium compound for use in chemical vapor deposition which does not require the coexistence of oxygen during the thin film formation, and moreover, is liquid at ordinary temperature, thereby having good handleability and recyclability. wherein the substituents, R1 to R6, of the arene group are each hydrogen or an alkyl group, and the total number of carbons of R1 to R6 (R1+R2+R3+R4+R5+R6) is 6 or less.
US08097271B2
The present invention includes compositions for imparting a controlled-release warming sensation to the oral receptor areas of a user. The oral, controlled-release warming compositions include a warming agent and a hydrated or swollen food-grade polymer which forms a matrix with the warming agent. Also included are oral delivery systems for the warming compositions, methods for preparing same, and methods for imparting and sustaining a warming sensation in the mouth and upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the user.
US08097268B2
Coatings for implantable medical devices comprising non-fouling moieties or polymers chemically bonded to the surface of the device via chelating structures, and methods of fabricating the coatings are disclosed.
US08097264B2
A natural emulsifying or coemulsifying agent is formed from fatty acids of olive oil emulsified with 5 to 8 mol ethoxylated cetyl stearyl alcohol. This natural emulsifier is particularly suited for applications in the field of cosmetics, particularly in cosmetic creams, to produce products exhibiting a pleasant silk touch, with hydrating properties and good smoothness.
US08097260B2
The invention provides lipid A deficient mutant Neisseria meningitidis cells, pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cells, and methods of using such cells.
US08097250B2
The present invention provides a means of inhibiting the growth and metastasis of cancer cells by administering anti-chemokine antibodies. It is possible to identify the particular chemokines which are over-expressed in the tumor using methods of the invention and administer antibodies against that over-expressed chemokine.
US08097244B2
Combinations of cell lines are provided for allogeneic immunotherapy agents in the treatment of cancer. Cancer vaccines generally have been limited to the use of cells that contain at least some tumor specific antigens (“TSAs”) and/or tumor associated antigens (“TAAs”) having shared identity with antigens in a targeted tumor. In such cases, tumor cells often are utilized as a starting point on the premise that only tumor cells will contain TSAs or TAAs or relevance, and the tissue origins of the cells are matched to the tumor site in patients. A primary aspect of the invention is the use of immortalised normal, non-malignant cells, in combination with primary and/or metastatic tumor cells, as the basis of an allogeneic cell cancer vaccine. Normal cells do not posses TSAs or relevant concentrations of TAAs and hence it is surprising that normal cells are effective as anti-cancer vaccines when administered in combination with primary and/or metastatic tumor cells. More surprisingly, a three way combination of cells obtained from metastasized cells, non metastasized tumor and cells from a normal cell line provided good therapy. For prostate cancer, for example, a vaccine may be based on one or a combination of different immortalized normal cell lines derived from the prostate according to parameters described herein. The cell lines may be lethally irradiated with, for example, gamma irradiation at 50-300 Gy to ensure that they are replication incompetent prior to use.
US08097230B2
The invention provides a process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide by reacting carbon monoxide with elemental sulphur to form carbonyl sulphide and disproportionating the carbonyl sulphide formed into carbon disulphide and carbon dioxide, the process comprising contacting a gaseous stream comprising carbon monoxide with a liquid elemental sulphur phase containing a solid catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 250 to 700° C. to obtain a gaseous phase comprising carbonyl sulphide, carbon disulphide and carbon dioxide. The invention further provides the use of a liquid stream comprising carbon disulphide, carbonyl sulphide and carbon dioxide obtainable by such process for enhanced oil recovery.
US08097224B2
Embodiments of the invention provide to apparatuses and media used in drug elution studies and methods for making and using them. Such methods and materials can be used for example to assess and control the manufacturing process variability of drug eluting implantable devices such as cardiac leads. One embodiment of the invention is a drug elution method that can be used for in-vitro studies of a matrix impregnated with a compound such as a drug blended polymer matrix. A related embodiment of the invention is an apparatus that is used for example to facilitate the practice of the above-noted methods by inhibiting the evaporation of dissolution media from the vessels in which elution is observed.
US08097221B2
A lamp assembly including at least one light source, a housing formed from a first moisture barrier composition and a sealing cap formed from a second moisture barrier composition, wherein the at least one light source is arranged within the housing and the sealing cap is hermetically bonded to the housing and the at least one light source, and the sealing cap is arranged to enclose the at least one light source within a volume formed by the housing and the sealing cap.
US08097219B2
An apparatus for providing reaction of fluids and separation of products with increased residence time. The apparatus includes a stationary shell, a rotating hollow cylindrical component disposed in the stationary shell, a residence-time increasing device external to the stationary shell, a standpipe for introducing fluid into an interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the residence-time increasing device, a first outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a less dense phase fluid, and a second outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a more dense phase fluid.
US08097214B2
The present invention is directed toward an air freshener that is constructed and arranged to be secured to the supporting shaft of a ceiling fan. One embodiment of the device includes a scented ring of wickable material having an inner aperture and split through one side. The aperture is sized to cooperate with the supporting shaft of the fan and the split allows the scented ring to be sprung apart for easy installation of the device about the supporting rod. The wickable material includes properties that allow the device to remain in position about the supporting rod once installed while wicking a fragrance composition substantially to its surface for distributing a fragrance evenly throughout an open area, such as a large room. The inner and bottom surfaces of the scented ring may include a polymeric coating to prevent the fragrance composition from wicking to a supporting surface.
US08097210B2
This invention relates to a test sensor cartridge assembly that dispenses test sensors individually while shortening the distance of the lateral movement required to eject the sensor. A stationary gear rack is affixed to a surface with a moveable gear rack positioned parallel to the stationary gear rack. The moveable gear rack is adapted to engage the test sensor. A gear is positioned between and contacts the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack. The lateral movement of the gear in a first direction generates rotational movement by the gear. Both the lateral and rotational movement move the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction. The lateral movement of the gear rack in the first direction ejects a test sensor from a test sensor cartridge.
US08097206B2
For the metallurgical treatment of steel melts, a lance is guided through a guide tube with gland into a reaction chamber, on which a water-cooled connection with a connector flange and a vacuum-sealed housing with a housing flange are located, as well as a compensator installed between the housing and the gland guide tube for compensating lateral, axial or angular relative motions of the guide tube and housing during the course of movement.
US08097204B2
A lightweight bevel head attachment for a torch cutting machine includes a horizontal support tray, a rotation assembly mounted under the support tray, a tilt assembly coupled to the rotation assembly for rotation therewith about a vertical axis, a torch holder carried and pivoted by the title assembly, and a rack-and-pinion lift assembly having a mounting plate for attachment to the cutting machine carriage. The tilt assembly includes a pair of link arms housing a pulley system for transmitting pivotal motion at an input shaft to an output shaft on which the torch holder is mounted. The bevel head attachment can provide bevel angles in a range of about +/−75 degrees.
US08097203B2
The invention describes a high porosity ceramic article and method of manufacturing the same and intermediate dried honeycomb green body articles. The article may have a total porosity of at least about fifty-five percent, above sixty percent, or even above sixty-five percent. The method of manufacture includes mixing a ceramic-forming powder, an organic pore former, water, and a crosslinker. Drying causes a condensation reaction between the pore former and the crosslinker thereby forming a network within the green body that strengthens the green body and reduces cracking. The pore former may include starch or an activated cellulose compounds. Secondary pore forming agents, such as graphite may also be included.
US08097202B2
A powder metallurgy process for the manufacture of powders of a refractory ceramic material, comprising the consecutive steps of: (i) obtaining a dry mixture of a hafnium dioxide HfO2 powder and an yttrium oxide Y2O3 powder; (ii) step of granulation by pelletization of the dry mixture under stirring in order to obtain a granulated mixture, this granulation step comprising the spraying, into the dry mixture, of an aqueous solution comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG); (iii) drying of the granulated mixture; (iv) filling of a mold with said granulated mixture; (v) isostatical or semi-isostatical pressing of the granulated mixture in order to obtain a compact mixture; (vi) sintering of the compact mixture in order to obtain a refractory ceramic material at a solidus temperature in the range between 2500° C. and 2800° C.
US08097201B2
Provided is a bisplit mold for tire forming capable of avoiding the pinching of the unvulcanized tire at the mold clamping. Also provided is a process for manufacturing a tire by use of the bisplit mold. The bisplit mold includes: a plurality of segments provided to each of the paired containers, and formed by being divided in the tire circumferential direction and; opening-closing means provided to the respective containers, cause the superior and the inferior segments to come close to and separate away from each other, the segments being attached to the pair of containers with vertically bisplit center plates placed between the pair of containers; a superior side plate and an inferior side plate provided respectively to the pair of containers; and vertically bisplit mold pieces provided to the inner sides of the segments.
US08097197B2
A storage means provides sealed storage for contents. A closure means is fused to a container by application of an electro-magnetic field providing a permanent and hermetic seal between the closure and the container. The closure further includes a removable panel to provide access to the contents of the container.
US08097195B2
The invention relates to a method for energy usage during the cooling of extrusion profiles, preferably pipes, wherein energy is supplied in the form of heat for melting the plastic and heat is withdrawn from the plastic again for shaping at least in the devices of mold, calibration, and cooling bath until the plastic is self-supporting. According to the invention, it is provided that a coolant medium runs through the extrusion line opposite to the extrusion direction for cooling, the medium which is used for cooling being guided from one device to the next and the coolant medium heating further in each device.
US08097190B2
An optical resin composition with superior impact resistance and a method for producing an optical lens from the composition are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical resin composition for a plastic optical lens has superior impact resistance as well as light-weight, superior moldability, excellent dyeing ability, a high Abbe number and good transparency. The optical lens produced from the composition exhibits superior impact resistance even after multi-coating. The optical resin composition with superior impact resistance has a solid refractive index (nD) of about 1.53 to about 1.57, an Abbe number of about 35 to about 48, a liquid specific gravity of about 0.97 to about 1.25 and a solid specific gravity of about 1.10 to about 1.35, by which the composition comprises a mixture of isophorone diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate, pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate), a UV absorber, a release agent and a polymerization initiator. The optical lens is produced by thermally curing the composition.
US08097187B2
A dielectric fluid comprising hydrocarbon liquid admixed with an ester-based compound, wherein the ester-based compound is present in an effective amount to impart breakdown inhibiting properties to a paper insulation material when the dielectric fluid is in contact with the paper material.
US08097186B2
A method is disclosed for producing a non-linear powder having microvaristor particles which have a non-linear current-voltage characteristic. The production steps includes mixing non-metallic particles with the microvaristor particles, thermally treating the non-metallic particles for decomposing them into electrically conductive particles and fusing the electrically conductive particles onto the microvaristor particles. Embodiments, among other things, relate to: breaking up agglomerates of the non-metallic particles during mixing; keeping the decomposition temperature below a sintering or calcination temperature of the microvaristor particles; and choosing micron-sized or nano-sized non-conductive particles for microvaristor decoration. The production method produces varistor powder with improved reproducibility of the non-linear electric current-voltage characterstic and with reduced switching fields (Es).
US08097185B2
A composition of and method for forming activated carbon with magnetic properties for magnetic separation of the activated carbon from a liquid being treated is disclosed wherein a solution iron magnetic precursor is intimately mixed or absorbed into a porous carbon precursor or mixed with a solution or meltable carbon precursor to form an essentially homogeneous mixture or solution that when dried and pyrolized forms activated carbon particles with magnetic material evenly dispersed throughout the activated carbon material. The activated carbon particles may be of fine particle size, even powdered, and still retain magnetic properties sufficient for magnetic separation. In a particular aspect of the invention, a carbon precursor of soft wood is soaked in a solution of a ferric salt, dried, pyrolized and activated.
US08097184B2
A conductive composition comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a dopant, and a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound. A capacitor comprises an anode composed of a porous material of valve metal, a dielectric layer formed by oxidizing the surface of the anode, and a cathode provided on the dielectric layer and having a solid electrolyte layer containing a π conjugated conductive polymer, which comprises an electron donor compound containing an electron donor element provided between the dielectric layer and the cathode. Another capacitor is based on the above-described capacitor, wherein the solid electrolyte layer further comprises a dopant and a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound. An antistatic coating material comprises a π conjugated conductive polymer, a solubilizing polymer containing an anion group and/or an electron attractive group, a nitrogen-containing aromatic cyclic compound, and a solvent. An antistatic coating is formed by applying the antistatic coating material.
US08097181B2
The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one ascorbic acid, terephthalate, or nitromethane, or mixtures thereof. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.
US08097172B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for recovering organic compounds from plant waste water. A saturator (10) is coupled to a feed gas stream (70) and a heated makeup water stream (54) which includes recoverable organic compounds. The saturator provides a saturated feed gas stream (70) which includes feed gas, steam and recovered organic compounds. A pump (30) recycles saturator water (56) and the makeup water stream (50) is added to that recycle stream (54).
US08097165B2
Modified and insoluble starches are utilized for eliminating natural organic substances/contaminants from liquids and in particular from liquids used for food applications, such as drinking water, beverages, fruit juices or syrups, as well as natural water, industrial process water, or wastewater.
US08097159B1
A pressure filter type water kettle includes a kettle body for holding water, a pressure device holder mounted in the kettle body to close the top open side of the kettle body, a filter fastened to the bottom side of the pressure device holder and dipped in water in the kettle body, and a pressure device mounted in the pressure device holder and operable to apply compressed air to force filled water through a series of filter layers in the filter so that water is filtered into a drinkable condition.
US08097154B2
To be able to insert a cylindrical filter element (10) which is joined at each end to an end disk (14) quickly into a housing element (40) in a filter unit (100) and connect it firmly, a screw connection having conical threads (16, 46) on the filter element (10) and on the bottom of the housing (41) is provided.
US08097151B2
The device disclosed is an improved water harvesting device providing the capability of diverting debris away from a water entry area and reducing potential for clogging of the water entry area. The water harvesting device comprises a tank portion for containment of water and a water entry portion for receiving water, particularly rainwater from a building water collection system such as an eaves and downspout configuration. Debris typically accompanying rainwater as it exits from the downspout of the building collection system is diverted away from the water entry area allowing for better water collection efficiency, preventing backing of water and reducing operator maintenance of the device.
US08097146B2
An electrochemical gas sensor testing device that includes a test signal generator that generates a multiplexed signal that includes a first test signal that includes alternating current (AC) and is free from a direct current (DC) component and a second signal that includes a DC bias voltage, an electrochemical cell that includes a counter electrode, a sensing electrode, and an electrolyte, the counter electrode and the sensing electrode being in electrical communication with the electrolyte and each other, the counter electrode being in electrical communication with the signal generator to receive the multiplexed signal generated by the signal generator, and a processor that receives an AC signal from the sensing electrode and that analyzes the AC signal.
US08097140B2
A method for collecting an analyte species from a sample is provided, the method of collection potentially being supplemented to give a method of preparing a sample for analysis and/or a method of analysis. The method including providing part of a sample in a substrate, causing the sample to migrate to an interface between the substrate and a second substrate due to the action of an electrical potential difference, the electrophoretic velocity of the analyte species of the second substrate being balanced by or exceeded by the bulk flow velocity of the second substrate and the bulk flow velocity of the second substrate being in an opposing direction to the electrophoretic velocity of the analyte species in the second substrate. In this way substantial concentration of the analyte species at the interface is provided. Subsequently the species can be conveyed away from the interface for further preparation and/or analysis.
US08097135B2
The present invention is directed to a reversible electrochemical sensor for polyions. The sensor uses active extraction and ion stripping, which are controlled electrochemically. Spontaneous polyion extraction is suppressed by using membranes containing highly lipophilic electrolytes that possess no ion-exchange properties. Reversible extraction of polyions is induced by constant current pulse of fixed duration applied across the membrane. Subsequently, polyions are removed by applying a constant stripping potential. The sensors provide excellent stability and reversibility and allow for measurements of heparin concentration in whole blood samples via protamine titration. The sensors can also monitor a polyion concentration and an enzyme activity, wherein the polyion decomposition is directly proportional to the enzyme activity in a sample. Additionally, the sensors can monitor an enzyme inhibitor activity. Also, an immunoassay can be used to detect analytes by employing one of a polyion and an enzyme as markers.
US08097132B2
A metal-containing material is introduced in the container with an anode inserted therein, the container is introduced in a tank filled with an electrolyte, with a cathode opposed to it, and direct current is passed through ((+) anode and (−) cathode) to recover the desired metal.
US08097131B2
A method and a device for electrochemically machining workpiece having blade end plates at the longitudinal both ends of a blade-shaped portion having aerofoil shape in cross section by extending and retracting divided electrodes. A part of the blade-shaped portion and one blade end plate continued therewith are electrochemically machined by advancing the main electrode in an acute angle direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the blade-shaped portion. At the same time or subsequently, the remaining part of the blade-shaped portion and the other blade end plate continued therewith are electrochemically machined by slidably advancing an auxiliary electrode along the slope of the main electrode forming an acute angle relative to the blade-shaped-portion-machining-surface. Thus, the number of the parts of an electrode unit can be reduced and the structure thereof can be simplified.
US08097129B2
This invention relates to erosion resistant coatings comprising at least 2 sublayer systems in which each sublayer system is separated from another by an interlayer, wherein (i) each sublayer system is the same or different and comprises at least 4 layers, (ii) said layers comprise alternating layers of a nitride-containing compound of stoichiometric composition and a nitride-containing compound of nonstoichiometric composition, (iii) each sublayer system has a thickness of greater than about 0.4 microns, and (iv) each interlayer is the same or different and comprises a metal-containing compound. This invention also relates to a method for producing the coatings and to articles, e.g., gas turbine compressor rotor blade and stator vanes, coated with the coatings.
US08097127B2
An aqueous polysilicate composition comprising a polysilicate microgel based component in association with particles derived from colloidal polysilicate. The invention also concerns a process for preparing an aqueous polysilicate composition comprising mixing an aqueous colloidal polysilicate with an aqueous phase of a polysilicate microgel. The aqueous polysilicate composition is more effective than colloidal silica and is more stable than a conventional polysilicate microgel.
US08097122B2
Segments, typically ceramic, for use in dewatering blades for papermaking and similar machines comprise lower surfaces to each of which at least one interlock member is bonded. The segments are installed by inserting the interlock members into a channel in an intermediate sub-assembly or base member. The members are securely attached within the channel by a suitable adhesive, or clip means to engage the interlock members, with the optional addition of an adhesive. The segments and dewatering blades, and a method of manufacture, allows for the segments to be made as flat units, without unnecessary angular surfaces, simplifies their attachment to the base, and reduces the occurrence of stress cracking or other damage to the segments. A single segment can be used in various dewatering blade types and in more than one orientation in dewatering blades, reducing manufacturing costs by unitizing construction.
US08097119B2
Epoxy adhesive compositions containing a rubber-modified epoxy resin contain a bisphenol. The bisphenol can be pre-reacted with the rubber-modified epoxy resin to advance the resin. The adhesives are resistant to thermal degradation as can occur in so-called “overbake” conditions, in which the adhesive is heated to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. In addition, expanded microballoons are included in epoxy structural adhesives to promote a desired fracture mode.
US08097115B2
A manufacturing method of an electro optical device includes drawing a seal material in adjacent substrate forming areas on a first large size substrate and bonding a second large size substrate to the first large size substrate via the seal material. During drawing of the seal material, the seal material is continuously drawn in the substrate forming areas by a going stroke, a return point, and a returning stroke. In the going stroke, the seal material is continuously drawn through a portion of each of the substrate forming areas to the return point. In the returning stroke, the seal material is continuously drawn from the return point and through a different portion of each of the substrate forming areas.
US08097111B2
There is disclosed method and apparatus for encoding labels with information relating to temperature, life expectancy and/or discard dates and times of products such as perishable items. A hand-held portable printer mounts a thermometer which can sense the temperature of an item and the printer can print a label bearing the sensed temperature and/or other related data.
US08097109B2
An apparatus for the concurrent converting of multiple web products includes at least a first unwind station and a second unwind station. The apparatus further includes a first web transformation station associated with a first web material unwound from the first unwind station, and a second web transformation station associated with the second web material unwound from the second unwind station. The first and second web transformation stations are disposed such that less than twice the width of the widest web material separates a portion of the first web material in the first web transformation station from a portion of the second web material in the second web transformation station. The method of the invention includes steps of unwinding web materials from rolls at each of the first and second unwind stations and transforming the respective web materials using the first and second web transformation stations.
US08097107B2
A glass sheet assembly including a first glass sheet arranged in an opposing parallel configuration with respect to a second glass sheet is provided, with a heat sensitive layer of adhesive laminating film disposed between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, the glass sheet assembly having a leading edge and a trailing edge and being of a fixed length and width, the laminating film having a bonding temperature at which melting of the laminating film is initiated. The glass sheet assembly is heated using an array of heating elements so as to cause differential heating along the length of the glass sheet assembly such that the temperature at the leading edge of the glass sheet assembly is higher than the temperature at the trailing edge of the glass sheet assembly with uniform heating across the width of the glass sheet assembly. The first and second glass sheets are pressed toward each other to purge air or moisture from the glass sheet assembly until the first and second glass sheets adhere together via the adhesive laminating film, the step of pressing being initiated at the leading edge of the glass sheet assembly when the temperature of the laminating film at the leading edge of the glass sheet assembly reaches the bonding temperature of the laminating film.
US08097101B2
A method of forming a hypoeutectic aluminium silicon alloy including the steps of: forming an aluminium melt including greater than zero and less than about 12 wt % silicon, adding 20-3000 ppm of a eutectic modifying element selected from the group consisting of strontium, sodium, antimony, barium, calcium, yttrium, lithium, potassium, ytterbium, europium and mischmetal; and either adding nucleant particles and/or causing nucleant particles to be formed in the melt, the nucleant particles being selected from the group of TiSix, MnCx, AlP, AlBx and CrBx wherein x is an integer of 1 or 2.
US08097097B2
Disclosed is a stainless steel containing, by mass, 0.05% or less carbon, 1.5 to smaller than 3.5% Si, 3.0% or less Mn, 6.0 to 12.0% Cr, 4.0 to 10.0% Ni, 10.0% or less Co, 6.0% or less Cu, 0.5 to 3.0% Ti, 0 to 2.0% Al, less than 0.4% Mo, not more than 0.01% nitrogen, and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. Preferably, it has a hardness of not lower than 59 HRC and may contain not more than 1.0% Nb and/or not more than 1.0% Ta. Alternatively, the stainless steel may further contain not more than 0.1% of Zr. The process for producing the steel includes producing a steel having a composition as described above by a consumable electrode remelting process, and then subjecting the steel to a solution treatment at a temperature of 1000 to 1150° C. and an aging treatment at a temperature of 400 to 550° C., thereby aging the stainless steel to a hardness of not lower than 59 HRC.
US08097096B2
The present invention provides a fire resistant steel material excellent in high temperature strength, toughness, and reheating embrittlement resistance containing, by mass %, C: 0.001% to 0.030%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.4% to 2.0%, Nb: 0.03% to 0.50%, Ti: 0.005% to less than 0.040%, N: 0.0001% to less than 0.0050%, and Al: 0.005% to 0.030%, limiting P: 0.03% or, less and S: 0.02% or less, satisfying C—Nb/7.74≦0.005 and 2≦Ti/N≦12, and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities and, further, a process for production of a fire resistant material comprising heating a steel slab comprised of this chemical composition to 1100 to 1350° C. and hot rolling it by a cumulative reduction rate at 1000° C. or less of 30% or more.
US08097095B2
A method of producing a hard metallic material by forming a mixture containing at least 55% iron and at least one of boron, carbon, silicon and phosphorus. The mixture is formed into an alloy and cooled to form a metallic material having a hardness of greater than about 9.2 GPa. The invention includes a method of forming a wire by combining a metal strip and a powder. The metal strip and the powder are rolled to form a wire containing at least 55% iron and from two to seven additional elements including at least one of C, Si and B. The invention also includes a method of forming a hardened surface on a substrate by processing a solid mass to form a powder, applying the powder to a surface to form a layer containing metallic glass, and converting the glass to a crystalline material having a nanocrystalline grain size.
US08097093B2
Disclosed are methods for treating and coating a ferrous metal substrate, such as cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, and electrogalvanized steel. These methods include contacting the ferrous metal substrate with an aqueous pretreatment composition comprising: (a) a Group IIIB and/or IVB metal compound; (b) phosphate ions; and (c) water.
US08097091B2
There is an apparatus for cleaning a substrate (5) mounted on a moveable platen. In an example embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first chamber (20), the first chamber has solvent-dispensing nozzles (25); the solvent-dispensing nozzles wet the substrate surface (5) with a solvent (7) as the platen transports the substrate. The platen moves in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined scan velocity as it transports the substrate into a process chamber. The process chamber has a hot source (30) at a predetermined height (h) from the substrate surface (5); it provides heat energy directed toward the substrate surface, the heat energy evaporates the solvent (7) dispensed on the substrate surface; the solvent evaporation removes particulates (35) from the substrate surface, as the platen transports the substrate from the first chamber (20) into the process chamber. Substrates cleaned may include precision photo-masks, or wafers.
US08097089B2
A method is provided for recovering a metal from electronic device deposition equipment including: providing deposition equipment wherein the deposition equipment is at least partially coated with a deposited metal; blasting the deposition equipment with a grit to remove at least some of the deposited metal to form a blasted grit and a removed metal; and separating at least some of the removed metal from the blasted grit to form a recovered metal.
US08097083B2
An operating method for a large dimension plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition cavity and an apparatus thereof are provided. The present invention reduces the time needed for filling the manufacturing gas into the large volume manufacturing cavity. Therefore, the plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition apparatus can switch the precursors rapidly to increase the thin film deposition rate, reduce the manufacturing gas consumption and lower the manufacturing cost.
US08097079B2
A laminating adhesive includes a polyol; an acid-modified polyol obtained by reaction of a hydrophobic polyol containing a hydrocarbon moiety having 12 to 80 carbon atoms in its molecule in an amount of 30 to 95% by weight or a derivative thereof with an aromatic polycarboxylic acid anhydride and having a carboxyl group at a molecular terminal thereof; an organic polyisocyanate compound; and a silane coupling agent.A laminating adhesive film is excellent even after high-temperature sterilization treatment in adhesion performance between a metal foil or a barrier film and a plastic film serving as an inner layer, and also in adhesion performance between a metal foil or a barrier film and a plastic film serving as an outer layer.
US08097074B2
An air filtration system and method for the remediation of hydrazine from contaminated air. The system is provided in the form of a container with an inlet port and an outlet port containing absorbent pads or filters or wipes saturated with a solution of a dicarbonyl compound. As contaminated air passes through the container, hydrazine present within the air reacts with the dicarbonyl compound and becomes neutralized, thereby resulting in the exit of pure air from the container. The absorbent pads can also be used independently to remove hydrazine liquid spill.
US08097073B2
A dehumidifier is provided. The dehumidifier includes a base, a barrier installed on the base to divide front and rear portions of the base, a drain pan formed on an upper portion of the barrier to collect condensed water and provided with a water collecting hole through which the condensed water is discharged, a drain hose connected to the water collecting hole to discharge the condensed water, and a hose fixing unit formed on the barrier to fix the drain hose.
US08097069B2
A pressurized container (10, 20) for containing oil and a gas dissolved therein at a constant overall average pressure at a pressure above atmospheric pressure comprising a means (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) for introducing a local area of reduced pressure within the oil. Preferably the local area of reduced pressure result in the gas dissolved in the oil evolving from the oil. This enables gas to be evolved from the oil without needing to reduce the pressure of the entire volume of oil which the gas is to be evolved from. The evolved gas and remaining oil occupy a greater volume than did the gas containing oil and consequently the pressure in the vessel will increase. This will allow the gas to be drawn off while the overall pressure of the container (10, 20) is maintained.
US08097068B2
A diamine absorbent that contains heat stable salts is regenerated using an ion exchange process wherein the concentration of heat stable salts in the feed stream provided to the cation exchange unit is limited.
US08097066B2
A control system includes a heater control module, a measured duration module, and a regeneration volume module. The heater control module selectively initiates a regeneration in a zone of a particulate filter in an exhaust system. The measured duration module measures a duration of the regeneration. The regeneration volume module determines an available volume within the particulate filter to regenerate particulate based on the measured duration of the regeneration.
US08097064B2
The invention provides a method of chemical recovery of no-carrier-added radioactive tin (NCA radiotin) from intermetallide TiSb irradiated with accelerated charged particles. An irradiated sample of TiSb can be dissolved in acidic solutions. Antimony can be removed from the solution by extraction with dibutyl ether. Titanium in the form of peroxide can be separated from tin using chromatography on strong anion-exchange resin. In another embodiment NCA radiotin can be separated from iodide solution containing titanium by extraction with benzene, toluene or chloroform. NCA radiotin can be finally purified from the remaining antimony and other impurities using chromatography on silica gel. NCA tin-117m can be obtained from this process. NCA tin-117m can be used for labeling organic compounds and biological objects to be applied in medicine for imaging and therapy of various diseases.
US08097061B2
A filter assembly is described that includes a unique seal configuration between a filter and a housing. The filter has a filter media that allows fluid to be filtered therethrough, and has an endplate with an opening that allows fluid to flow into or out of the filter media. The endplate has a main surface with an elliptical spud protruding outward from the main surface and surrounding the opening. An oval seal is disposed about an outer surface of the elliptical spud. The housing is releasably connected to the filter, and has a mounting component. The mounting component has an elliptical boss that mates with the elliptical spud and seals against the oval seal.
US08097053B2
The present invention is related to the separator (dust chamber) for separating solid particles from vapor-gas mixture, particularly to the structure of the dust chamber belonging amongst installation of the plant processing the fossil fuels or materials containing organic matter. The dust chamber (1) for separating solid particles from vapor-gas mixture comprises main body (2) with inner refractory lining (7) arranged to the inner surface of said main body, first and second stage cyclones (3, 4), lamella compensators (18, 19), dust removal conduits (5, 15) and inlet conduit (13) of the vapor-gas mixture into the first cyclone (3). The main body (2) of the dust chamber (1) is manufactured in all height from the cylinder of equal diameter and first and second stage cyclones (3, 4) are placed outside of the main body (2) of the dust chamber (1). For the refractory lining of the main body (2) of the dust chamber (1) and first and second stage cyclones (3, 4) the non-porous and wear proof material, for example concrete, is used.
US08097051B2
A separator for liquids, in particular condensate, from liquid-loaded compressed gases-generally serves, by coarse separation of condensate from the compressed gases, to protect downstream prefilters of cold dryers or adsorption dryers against overload due to condensate. In the separator of the invention, in a pot-shaped housing, a separator element in the form of a hollow cylinder is arranged, which consists of a multiplicity of flow chicanes formed from guiding bodies and impact bodies. The moisture-loaded gases are passed from the interior of the hollow cylinder to the exterior via these flow chicanes, condensate separating off on the chicanes and collecting in the collecting space.
US08097041B2
An infra-orbital implant is provided for surgically altering the appearance of an infra-orbital region of an associated human eye. The implant includes a body made from a biocompatible material adapted for use with human tissue. The body includes an anterior surface and a posterior surface. The anterior surface of the body includes a skin tone correction surface. The skin tone correction surface of the infra-orbital implant cooperates with the overlying skin to correct a skin tone of the infra-orbital region when the implant is introduced beneath the skin portion of the infra-orbital region of the associated human eye.
US08097024B2
A dynamic bone anchor for anchoring a spine stabilization assembly which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The dynamic bone anchor provides load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The dynamic bone anchor includes a deflectable post connected by a ball-joint to a threaded anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a compliant member. The dynamic bone anchor may be used as a component of a dynamic stabilization system which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The dynamic bone anchor has splines on the outside of the housing to facilitate installation and the secure attachment of spine stabilization components.
US08097021B1
Spinous stabilizing system comprises spaced apart, pointed staples held to a connecting rod, a stabilizing plate and a set of locking caps for the staple's tips. The tips are forced through the spinous process and captured/secured by the locking caps, pulling the stabilizing plate against the spinous process and toward the heads of the staples and connecting rod. A pair of pliers loaded with the components on the lever arms can be squeezed together to cause the tips of the staple to penetrate the spinous processes and then become frictionally captured within the locking caps. The spacing between the staples are adjusted, pre-installation, by a locking screw acting on the connecting rod or, alternatively, after the device is percutanteously inserted, by laterally directed locking screws which mate with and cam a locking wedge. Matingly engageable speculated plates, installed by pliers, can also be used for spinous fixation.
US08097017B2
The present disclosure relates to surgical fasteners and more particularly to surgical fasteners coated with wound treatment materials. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical fastener for use in combination with a surgical fastener applying apparatus is provided. The surgical fastener includes a pair of legs; a crown interconnecting the pair of legs; and a wound treatment material coating at least a portion of the legs and crown.
US08097016B2
A laparoscopic surgery close device used to close an entrance hole into a patient's abdomen with other embodiments that can function as a hemostasis device or as a drain device. An elongated stem with christmas-tree serrations (one way) has an inflatable balloon on a distal end and an anchor disk that can slide over the stem from the proximal end. After inserting the stem into a surgical entrance hole in a patient's abdomen, the balloon can be inflated providing support from the bottom, and the anchor disk can be slid on from the top effectively pinching the tissue along the hole. The device can be left in for around 5-6 days to allow healing to take place. After that, the balloon can be deflated, and the device can be pulled out. A second embodiment has a lager diameter hollow stem and can be used as a hemostasis device where the surgeon can pinch off a bleeding blood vessel and continue surgery through the same entrance port. A third embodiment is longer with slightly larger diameter hollow stem and can be used as a drain. An alternate embodiment uses a soft tube as a stem with a split disk anchor that pinches it when engaged.
US08097012B2
The invention provides an apparatus having a tubular member for receiving an endocardial lead implanted within a patient's body. Disposed generally at a distal end of the tubular member is at least one blade or cutting surface. An adjustment mechanism moves the blade between retracted and extended positions to engage the cutting surface with the endocardial lead to cut the lead. Once severed, the cut portion of the lead remains within an inner channel of the tubular member and the apparatus and cut portion of the lead are removed from within the patient. Various embodiments include the blade pivotally connected to the distal end of the tubular member and activated by a wire adjustment mechanism. Others include a metallic wire for slicing through the lead. Still others include a pneumatically actuated adjustment mechanism that inflates to move the blade and engage the cutting surface with the lead.
US08097011B2
A surgical treatment apparatus includes a first unit including a first vibration transmission member and a first holding member, a second unit including a second vibration transmission member, a second holding member, and an elastic member provided between the second vibration transmission member and the second holding member, configured to be deformed in accordance with a relative arrangement of the second vibration transmission member and the second holding member with respect to the axial direction to give the second vibration transmission member an elastic force in the axial direction, and an adjustment coupling mechanism to couple the first unit and the second unit with each other, arrange the first vibration transmission member and the second vibration transmission member coaxially, and adjust a relative arrangement of the first holding member and the second holding member.
US08097008B2
An apparatus is provided for the laparoscopic deployment and positioning of surgical materials, such as mesh. The mesh is applied by at least one extension arm which radiates from a central shaft. Alternate embodiments employ simultaneously and/or individually extended rigid arms, and simultaneously deployed resilient arms. Various methods are also disclosed for attaching the mesh to the abdominal wall once it is deployed by the extension arms. Illustrative attaching methods include staples, low viscosity adhesives, and electro-cauterization.
US08097007B2
A system for supporting the urethra using an introducer needle, the ends of which are flattened and which have openings therethrough, a handle having a latch mechanism which engages the opening in the flattened portion of the first end of the introducer needle, an implant, and a connector joining the end of the implant to the flattened portion of one of the ends of the introducer needle. These components are used to draw the implant into position, either through vaginal or abdominal incisions, to form a U-shaped loop beneath the urethra. The ends of the implant are adjusted to provide proper support for the urethra. The implant can have slits that open under applied tensile force.
US08097006B2
A surgical suture instrument including a shank (2) on whose distal end a forceps jaw (4) is formed. The surgical suture instrument comprises a needle guide (30) through the forceps jaw (4). A receiver (40) for the releasable fastening of a needle holder (42) is formed on the shank (2), connected to the needle guide (30) on the proximal side of the needle guide (30).
US08097004B2
An apparatus is described for dispensing a surgical clip (1) of memory metal, the clip being of the kind having a central portion (2) defining a plane and a pair of limbs (3, 4) extending from opposite sides of the central portion, one (3) of the pair of limbs having a free end disposed forward, and above the plane, of the central portion (2) and the other (4) of the pair of limbs having a free end disposed forward, and below the plane, of the central portion (2). The apparatus comprises an inner shaft (27) in which the clip (1) can be mounted and an outer movable member (25) for displacing the clip along the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft (27). The inner shaft comprises a central region (40) for accommodating the central portion (2) of the clip and a pair of diagonally opposed guide rails (41, 42) provided on opposite sides of the central region (40), one (41) of the guide rails being positioned above the central region to accommodate the one limb (3) and the other (42) of the guide rails being positioned below the central region to accommodate the other limb (4) of the clip. The rails hold the limbs of the clip splayed even though at room temperature they are biased into their clamping configuration, and the clip can then be applied round a body passageway from the end of the shaft (27).
US08097003B2
A variceal banding endoscope includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end that is removably connected to a control unit. The endoscope includes a variceal banding apparatus fixedly attached to the distal end of the endoscope and capable of receiving a plurality of ligation bands. A trigger cable extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft and is digitally actuated by an actuator in the control unit or handle of the scope in response to a user input device.
US08096997B2
A device for guiding a cutting tool capable of cutting bone portions at the level of the head of a bone includes a seat intended to be fastened at the level of said head defining a first rotation axis (Γ). The device includes means for adjusting the position of the first rotation axis with respect to said seat and an arm, with one end of said arm being pivotally assembled on said seat according to the first rotation axis. A guide intended to support the tool is pivotally assembled on the arm according to a second rotation axis (Δ).
US08096994B2
An apparatus includes an elongate member configured to engage a spinal implant and a locking member. The locking member is disposed at a distal end portion of the elongate member. The locking member is configured to move relative to the elongate member between a first position and a second position in a direction substantially perpendicular to a center line of the elongate member. The locking member is configured to allow the distal end portion of the elongate member to move relative to the spinal implant when in the first position. The locking member is configured to couple the distal end portion of the elongate member to the spinal implant when in the second position.
US08096988B2
Methods and apparatus for delivering, monitoring, balancing, and/or dispersing high-frequency current flow in monopolar electrosurgery. The methods generally include positioning an active electrode in or on target tissue, positioning at least two dispersive electrodes on tissue remote from the target tissue, establishing electrical current flow from the active electrode through the dispersive electrodes, and individually adjusting the current through at least one of the dispersive electrodes to balance the current through the dispersive electrodes. By adjusting and balancing the current through two or more dispersive electrodes, safety of electrosurgical systems may be enhanced by preventing unwanted patient burns.
US08096977B2
A protector comprising an inner tube, a lid connected to an upper opening of the inner tube through a hinge, and an outer tube for holding the inner tube in an inner cavity part of the outer tube. A blood collecting needle to which a tube is connected is stored in the inner tube. The inner tube comprises an annular seat face which seats on the base end part of a hub formed integrally with the blood collecting needle when the blood collecting needle moves downward. An operation lever extending downward is installed at the side of the lid, and an end part of the operation lever is slightly projected outward. When the blood collecting needle is moved, the inner tube is pulled integrally with the tube by the annular seat face to be slid relative to the outer tube until the end part abuts on the lower end part of an operation hole. Then, the lid is closed and the blood collecting needle is stored in the inner tube.
US08096962B2
A method of processing a raw acceleration signal, measured by an accelerometer-based compression monitor, to produce an accurate and precise estimated actual depth of chest compressions. The raw acceleration signal is filtered during integration and then a moving average of past starting points estimates the actual current starting point. An estimated actual peak of the compression is then determined in a similar fashion. The estimated actual starting point is subtracted from the estimated actual peak to calculate the estimated actual depth of chest compressions. In addition, one or more reference sensors (such as an ECG noise sensor) may be used to help establish the starting points of compressions. The reference sensors may be used, either alone or in combination with other signal processing techniques, to enhance the accuracy and precision of the estimated actual depth of compressions.
US08096961B2
A switched resonant power amplifier system for ultrasonic transducers is disclosed. The system includes an amplifier that receives and processes a driver output signal for generating a drive signal that is provided to an ultrasonic device for controlling output of the ultrasonic device. An output control circuit receives and processes a signal related to a feedback signal generated by the ultrasonic device and a divider reference signal, and generates a compensated clock signal that is adjusted for at least one of phase and frequency differences between the received feedback signal and the divider reference signal. A compensated drive circuit receives and processes the compensated clock signal for generating the divider reference signal, and for generating the driver output signal.
US08096955B1
A specimen collection system for collecting urine and fecal samples for a person so that the urine and fecal samples can be tested includes a dish being positionable under a pelvis of a person to receive excretions from the person. The dish includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The peripheral wall has at least one pour spout formed therein and extending outwardly from a top edge of the peripheral wall to facilitate pouring of the excretions from the dish. A cover is positionable over the top edge of the dish and inhibits the excretions inadvertently spilling over the top edge of the dish when the cover is positioned over the top edge. At least one cup receives the excretions poured from the dish. The at least one cup stores the excretions for transport to be tested.
US08096954B2
A system and method to sense heart sounds with one or more implantable medical devices according to one or more parameters. The system alters one or more of the parameters as a function of one or more triggering events. The system then senses heart sounds with the one or more implantable medical devices according to at least the one or more altered parameters.
US08096952B2
The electric-powered air release valve comprises a nozzle, a fixed iron core; an excitation coil; a movable iron plate; a leaf spring: a rubber valve; and a yoke; wherein a circular hole capable of accommodating a circular column part at one end of the fixed iron core when the movable iron plate is moved toward the nozzle is formed in the movable iron plate; and a magnetic gap is maintained between an internal periphery of the circular hole and an external periphery of the circular column part at one end of the fixed iron core.
US08096948B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for visualizing movements of an object, preferably the movements of blood vessels during the cardiac cycle. The method includes scanning the object by at least a two dimensional ultrasonic image scanning apparatus at discrete acquisition times to acquire a data set by using surface reconstruction and/or volume rendering techniques. Next, the three-dimensional data set is partitioned into a plurality of volume units, wherein each volume unit has a unit surface. The method further includes calculating the change of volume of each volume unit over the acquisition times to obtain level information of each corresponding unit surface over time, and displaying the three-dimensional data set with its level information over time.
US08096946B2
The present invention pertains to a system and method of monitoring the alertness or wakefulness of a driver. The monitored parameters include cardiac, respiratory and movement parameters. Sensors are located in various locations of the driver side section to detect the vigilance of a driver. These sensors include pressure sensors embedded in the seat and pedals, and a head band for monitoring EEG, EMG and EOG signals.
US08096932B2
A system for processing nested/unnested content material in a mailpiece inserter includes a first accumulator, a second accumulator and a folding module disposed therebetween. The first accumulator is operative to feed individual sheets of content material, in one operating mode, and accumulate multiple sheets of content material in another operating mode. The second accumulator is operative to accumulate unnested, folded sheets of content material in one operating mode, and feed sheets of nested, folded sheets of content material in another operating mode. The folder interposes the first and second accumulators and is operative to (i) receive the individual sheets of content material from the first accumulator, fold the individual sheets, and feed the unnested, folded sheets to the second accumulator, in one of the operating modes, and (ii) receive the multiple sheets of content material from the first accumulator, fold the multiple sheets, and feed the nested folded sheets to the second accumulator, in the other of the operating modes. A system processor is operatively coupled to, and controls the operation of, the first accumulator, second accumulator and the folder in each of the operating modes.
US08096928B2
An arrangement for treatment of the back having a base, a backrest, a footplate and a spring arrangement. The spring arrangement is disposed against the backrest so that when a user sits on the seat, and presses against the footplate, the lower back of the user is pressed against the spring arrangement.
US08096923B2
A mat that can be used for the practice of yoga includes a curve-shaped design and strategically placed stitch markings to assist the user in producing a properly aligned position with each yoga pose or yoga posture. Both the shape enhancements and stitch markings can help create a technological and functional mat to help both novice and expert practitioners achieve better performance in their yoga practice.
US08096920B2
An approach is described that coordinates transmission shifting with changing between two-stroke and four-stroke combustion to improve shift and drive performance. In one example, responsive to a driver tip-in, the system may transition the engine to a two-stroke combustion mode from the four-stroke mode and increase a transmission gear ratio in order to avoid transmission shifts during the subsequent acceleration.
US08096916B2
The forward/reverse travel changeover mechanism includes a projection formed by causing an output power shaft for outputting the power from a main transmission to project to the outside of a case, a carrier rotatably supported around the projection relative to a sun gear provided rotatably integrally with the projection, a planetary gear, an internal gear held in meshing engagement with the planetary gear, an output sprocket rotatably supported integrally with the internal gear and rotatable around the projection adjacent the main transmission with respect to the sun gear, and a shifter for selectively changing over the position of the carrier and the internal gear between a forward travel position at which the carrier and the internal gear are connected against relative rotation and a reverse travel position for preventing rotation of the carrier around the projection, and is disposed outside the main transmission case.
US08096909B2
A power train according to an embodiment of the invention includes three sets of planetary gear sets, one clutch, and two brakes, such that it provides two electric vehicle modes, two hybrid modes, and two engine modes of overdrive shift ratio. Further, the power train of a hybrid vehicle has a simple configuration, high power performance, and reduced weight and fuel consumption, while being easily equipped in the vehicle. In particular, since an engine mode that makes it possible to reduce a significant amount of fuel consumption especially when a vehicle is traveling at a constant high-velocity.
US08096903B1
A device for connecting a soccer net to the horizontal crossbar of a soccer goal eight feet above the ground without using a ladder includes a resilient clip having an inner surface which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the horizontal crossbar and a line long enough to be thrown over the crossbar and hang down low enough to be reached and pulled down. The clip is attached to the edge cord of the net. The line is then thrown over the crossbar and pulled down raising the clip and net to the crossbar until the mouth of the clip is facing downward on the top of the crossbar. The line and net are then pulled down simultaneously forcing the mouth of the resilient clip to open, receive, and clamp on the horizontal cross bar. Conversely, when the net is to be removed, the line is thrown over the crossbar in the opposite direction and the line is pulled down until the clip is rotated until the mouth of the clip is facing upward on the crossbar. The line and clip are then pulled down simultaneously forcing the mouth of the resilient clip to open and disengage from the crossbar.
US08096890B2
An amusement ride assembly includes a rotatable endless loop cable spanning between end stations and a drive system operable to rotate the loop cable. A passenger carrier is suspended from the cable and includes a roller mechanism to enable the passenger carrier to free-roll along the cable and an associated clamping mechanism to alternatively fix the passenger carrier to the cable. A control system may control the drive system and to enable actuation of the clamping mechanism to fix the passenger carrier to the cable when the carrier is at a position along the cable remote from the end stations.
US08096888B2
An opposed path joint including an inner hub, which is provided with first and second inner grooves, and an outer hub, which is provided with first outer grooves and second outer grooves that respectively form a pair with the first and second inner grooves. The opposed path joint also includes a ring-shaped cage, which is placed between the inner hub and the outer hub and which has radial openings whose number corresponds to that of the groove pairs. Balls that engage inside the grooves are guided inside these radial openings. The outer hub of the opposed path joint has at least two elements that are located one behind the other on the outer hub axis and jointly center the cage.
US08096883B2
Systems and methods for delivering wager gaming machine information are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting information about a wager gaming machine. The method can also include creating a human-readable wager gaming machine information report based on the information and e-mailing the wager gaming machine report to an email address.
US08096875B2
A gaming system includes a wager input device and a display for displaying a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a manufacturer player identification reader for receiving a manufacturer player identifier and a casino player identification reader for receiving a casino player identifier. The system further includes a controller operative to associate the casino player identifier with the manufacturer player identifier.
US08096871B2
A gaming machine includes a display having a reel section and a grid section. The reel section includes a plurality of cells arranged in one reel row and a plurality of reel columns. The grid section includes a plurality of cells arranged in a plurality of grid rows and a plurality of grid columns, with each of the reel columns corresponding to a specific grid column. A game is played by repeating the steps of displaying icons in each of the cells in the reel section, selecting one of the icons in the reel section and transferring the selected icon to the lowermost unoccupied cell in the grid column corresponding to the reel column in which the icon is displayed. The game is won when an alignment of icons in the grid section is equal to a defined winning grid alignment of icons.
US08096853B2
The method of the invention provides a capability for accurately and uniformly determining the sizes of bores of workpieces, both pre- and post-process, to improve process control, particularly compensation for tool or stone wear and other factors, and process data collection. The present method makes all required bore measurements, including those in both the workpiece bore and the calibration ring or sample workpiece bore, with the honing tool, under controlled static, non-honing conditions, including expanding the tool in the bores in a predetermined manner, such as at a predetermined rate. The method of the invention has utility for honing multiple workpieces to a finished size with a single tool, and also for multiple spindle applications.
US08096849B2
A rattle stick having an elongated member with an outwardly extending flange at one end and a handle at the opposite end. On the outer surface of the elongated member is at least one knob. Slidably fitted over the elongated member is a sleeve having at least one knob on an inner surface that is positioned to engage at least one knob on the outer surface of the member.
US08096843B2
An electrical connector (200) includes a housing (30) having a number of contact cavities (34) and a number of contacts (20) upwardly inserted respectively into said contact cavities (34). Each of the contacts (20) has a lower section (22) and two upper contact beams (24, 26). The lower section (22) includes a center fixing portion (225), two end fixing portions (224, 226), and two connecting portions (228, 229) connected between the center fixing portion (225) and the two end fixing portions (224, 226). The two upper contact beams (24, 26) respectively extend upwardly from the two connecting portions (228, 229). The two end fixing portions (224, 226) and the center fixing portion (225) are fixed to the housing (30).
US08096841B2
A connector has a housing (11) with terminal accommodating chambers (12) for receiving terminal fittings (25). A retainer mount opening (15) extends into one surface of the housing (10) and receives a retainer (30) for locking the terminal fittings (25) in the terminal accommodating chambers (12). Cutouts (16) extend from an opening edge of the retainer mount opening (15) into adjacent side surfaces of the housing (11) and form jig insertion openings (20) that can receive jigs (50) for detaching the retainer (30). The retainer (30) includes blocking walls (33) for blocking flow paths from the jig insertion openings (20) into terminal accommodating chambers (12), thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the terminal accommodating chambers (12) and causing a short circuit.
US08096839B2
A multi-port telecommunications connector panel has an electrically conductive housing that defines a plurality of ports, each with a plug receiving cavity aligned with a respective set of jack contacts. The housing surrounds the sets of jack contacts individually and collectively to separate and isolate adjacent ports. Electrically conductive isolation barriers, which are electrically connected to and may be integral with the housing, separate adjacent sets of insulation displacement contacts, which are arranged in an offset pattern.
US08096831B2
An electrical connector includes a base portion defining a receiving cavity, a tongue plate portion retained in the receiving cavity and a first set of contacts retained in the tongue plate portion. The tongue plate portion defines a mating portion projecting out of the at least one receiving cavity for mating with a plug connector and receiving grooves thereon. The first set of contacts includes four first contacts each defining a retaining portion received in a corresponding receiving groove and retained in the receiving cavity, a contacting portion extending forwards from a front end of the retaining portion and a mounting portion. The retaining portion defines a pair of wings bending upwards from two side edges thereof and projecting out of the receiving groove, and the base portion defines corresponding pressing portions projecting to and pressing the wings.
US08096822B2
An IC socket includes a base receiving a number of contacts, a lid mounted upon the base, and at least one latch mounted in the base. The lid is able to be operated between a first position away from the base and a second position adjacent to the base. The latch is driven by the lid to open and close. At least one stopper is disposed on the lid and extends into a recess defined on the latch to lock with latch the latch when the lid located at the first position for preventing the lid from dropping from the base.
US08096821B2
An electrical card connector (100) includes a receiving space (10) for receiving an electrical card, an insulative housing (1), a metal plate (3) installed on the insulative housing (1) and an ejecting mechanism (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). The ejecting mechanism (4) includes a movable slider (41), a coiled spring (42) urging the slider forwardly and a link rod (43) for controlling the slider to be positioned at a first position or a second position. The slider (41) includes a heart-shape groove (413) for guiding and limiting a movement of the slider (41). The metal plate (3) defines a pair of first and second retaining portions (31, 32) for limiting movement of the slider (41).
US08096820B2
A multi-connector, and a charging cable and a data cable including the same are disclosed. The multi-connector includes a 24-pin connector and a 20-pin connector that may be used regardless of the type and manufacturer of a portable terminal. The multi-connector includes a first connector body having a first connector installed on a side thereof, a second connector body having a second connector installed on a side thereof, and a hinge shaft to connect the first connector body to the second connector body. The first connector body and/or the second connector body are pivotable about the hinge shaft.
US08096817B2
An electrical plug connector includes a rotary assembly, an electrical plug assembly having a live prong assembly, a neutral prong assembly, and a ground prong assembly and capable of rotating with respect to a first predetermined axis, and a linkage portion between the rotary assembly and the electrical plug assembly for linking the live prong assembly, the neutral prong assembly, and the ground prong assembly. The linkage portion is configured to enable the live prong assembly, the neutral prong assembly, and the ground prong to rotate with respect to a first predetermined axis simultaneously. When not so linked the three prongs may be folded into receiving spaces on the plug connector.
US08096816B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member. The clamp includes a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, which define an opening for receiving the structural member. The top section includes a plurality of mounting sections separated by at least one slot. Each of the mounting sections includes a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member.
US08096815B2
An electrical connector assembly has a printed circuit board having a row of first and second circuit traces and an electrical connector for mounting on the printed circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a longitudinal base and a pair of clip portions extending rearwardly from the base and a plurality of contacts respectively received in the insulative housing grouped into a set of first and second contacts. Each clip portion has a first partition, a second partition and a board-receiving groove therebetween. Each first contact has a first soldering point jointing on the first circuit trace and each second contact has a second soldering point jointing on the second circuit trace. At least one of the first contacts crossing over the second contact, and the first soldering point locates at the back of the second soldering point. When the printed circuit board is located in the entrance of the groove, the first soldering points are located between the first circuit traces and the second circuit traces so as to prevent the printed circuit board from abrading by the overlapped contacts.
US08096808B2
An alternative steel and concrete target configurable to represent a wide variety of military surplus vehicles is described herein. The alternative steel and concrete target is used as a hard target for training on high explosives bombing ranges.
US08096786B2
A system is disclosed for the control of fluid flow in a micro-fluidic system, the system having: a substrate; at least one micro-fluidic channel having disposed in a microchannel layer atop the substrate; a conformable layer disposed on the micro-fluidic layer; a receiving cavity disposed within the at least one micro-fluidic channel; at least one occluding member disposed within the conformable layer, and configured to be received by the receiving cavity so as to occlude the micro-fluidic channel when depressed by an actuator.
US08096785B2
A hydraulically driven multicylinder diaphragm pumping machine has pump cylinders, each having at one end an inlet/outlet for fluid material to be pumped, and at the other end an inlet and outlet for hydraulic oil. A separator inside the pump cylinder is connected to the fluid-material end of the cylinder by a flexible diaphragm and to the fluid material end by another diaphragm, leaving an outer annular space that contains hydraulic fluid. The total volume of pumping hydraulic oil in the cylinders is maintained constant and by a device that compensates for thermal expansion and controls the necessary return flow of hydraulic oil for driving the pump. The separators move with an intake stroke at constant speed for all cylinders, and with pumping strokes function of the hydraulic oil delivery, so a lesser number of separators effect an intake stroke while a greater number of separators effect a discharge stroke.
US08096769B2
Dampers (56, 76, 96) are utilized with regard to mounting arrangements (50, 70, 90) in gas turbine engines (10) in order to facilitate cooling. It is known to provide slotted upper surface or cottage roof dampers to enhance cooling effect. However, cooling efficiency cannot be optimized and improving cooling effectiveness particularly between the parts of a mounting arrangement can be difficult without detrimental reductions in overall efficiency of a gas turbine engine (10) incorporating such a mounting. By provision of impingement jets (54, 75, 94) which extend through the damper (56, 76, 96) into slots (51, 71, 91) which define an upper surface of the damper (56, 76, 96) improvements in cooling efficiency can be achieved. The slots (51, 71 91) are typically closed to reduce requirements with respect to pressure differentials. However, open ended slots (51, 71, 91) with impingement jets (54, 74, 94) can also be provided. Typically, the slots (51, 71, 91) extend laterally across the dampers (56, 76, 96) but could also extend longitudinally with closed ends or one end open. By such an approach improved heat transfer is achieved without necessary increases in pressure gradients and flow rates.
US08096760B2
A centrifugal air blower guides returning air from a fan rotated by a rotational drive source out of interference with air delivered by a fan. The centrifugal air blower includes a rotational drive source having a rotational drive shaft, a housing including a holder which holds the rotational drive source in surrounding relation thereto, and a fan coupled to the rotational drive shaft of the rotational drive source. The housing has a disk-shaped flange extending from the holder, and the flange has a plurality of air guides disposed on a surface thereof and extending toward a peripheral edge of the flange.
US08096742B2
A blind rivet assembly is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a blind rivet has ends that are received within countersinks in one or more workpieces and a mandrel head is completely pulled through the rivet without being severed from a mandrel stem. A further aspect of the present invention includes a mandrel with one or more ribs located on an outwardly tapering shoulder.
US08096740B1
An apparatus designed to aid in the winding of cargo straps used on flatbed trailers of tractor-trailer rigs comprising a metal cylinder with an internal power/spiral spring is herein disclosed. A first end of the cylinder is closed with an outer spring case while a second end is slipped through a standard cargo strap winch bracket system commonly found on conventional flatbed tractor-trailers. A similar arrangement is used on all cargo straps systems on a truck. The user pulls out enough strap to anchor on an opposite side of the truck and over a carried load. The strap is then tightened and cinched down in a conventional manner. When unloaded, a lever is released, and the entire cargo strap is quickly retracted back onto the winch shaft. This not only represents huge timesavings for the truck driver, but also protects the stored cargo strap from damage.
US08096739B1
A rail system for transporting wind turbine blades includes both pivoting and pivoting-sliding support structures carried by a plurality of railcars. Each support structure includes a platform system having a bolster for supporting the wind turbine blade and a support plate for supporting the bolster. The pivoting and pivoting-sliding support structures allow for selective rotational and longitudinal movement of the blades relative to the railcars as the rail system negotiates straight and curved sections of railway.
US08096737B2
It is an object to provide a spindle device of a machine tool which has a simple structure and is capable of having high suction efficiency of cutting chips. A draw bar bringing engaging claws into engagement with a tool holder or releasing the engagement includes an engagement drive part moving the engaging claws to an engagement position with the tool holder; and a draw bar main body connected to the engagement drive part, and the engagement drive part is inserted into the draw bar main body to be detachably connected to an inner surface of the draw bar main body.
US08096725B2
A writing implement that includes an ink reservoir, a writing tip fluidically connected to the reservoir and through which the ink emerges during a use of the implement, and a reservoir-venting device that includes a cavity in communication with the reservoir and with an orifice open to the outside of the implement. The cavity is suitable for absorbing an overflow of ink, characterized in that the cavity is filled with separate grains having angles and sharp edges having dimensions that are significant compared with an apparent dimension d of the grains.
US08096724B2
A package for a consumer care product that includes (a) a product chamber and (b) an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the product chamber. The product chamber comprises at least one lateral wall having an inner surface that at least partially surrounds a consumer care product. Each of the product chamber and the outer jacket contain an identifier, wherein the identifier of the product chamber and the identifier of the outer jacket coordinate to aid a consumer in selecting the desired consumer care product.
US08096710B2
The invention seeks to provide a rotor for use in rotary encoder, which is increased in magnetic intensity and mechanical strength thereby achieving exact detection of rotation speed.A corner portion formed between a cylindrical portion 21 and a mounting flange 22 of a core 20 constitutes a protrusion 23 unitized with the cylindrical portion and the mounting flange, protruded from axial one end of the cylindrical portion 21 and opened toward the axial other end thereof. A part of a pulser ring 31 is disposed in the protrusion 23.
US08096699B2
A dough processing device has a support frame, a dough feed device, a dough portioning device, a dough kneading device and a dough transfer device. The latter transfers at least one dough portion from at least one portioning chamber of the dough portioning device to at least one kneading chamber of the dough kneading device during transfer time periods. An adjustment device serves for defining a vertical distance between the transfer device and the kneading chamber. This results in a dough processing machine in which a reliable transfer of dough portions from the at least one portioning chamber to the at least one kneading chamber is ensured even in the case of a high throughput.
US08096698B2
In an extruder or a kneader, load (torque T) values on an input shaft portion of a screw shaft are detected by a load detector installed on the input shaft portion, then an overload condition is determined from a load mean value (Ta) and a load amplitude value (Tw) of the detected load values, and the issuance of an “abnormal” alarm and/or the stop of rotation of the screw shaft are (is) performed when an overload duration time (to) of maintaining the overload condition exceeds a set time (ts). In this way the screw shaft is protected from fatigue fracture caused by application thereto of such a load as does not exceed a designed mechanical strength but causes fatigue fracture.
US08096695B2
Disclosed are various embodiments of a light guide and corresponding ambient light sensor, computing device and backlit display for use in a portable electronic device. The various embodiments of the light guide are configured to permit ambient light to be collected efficiently and accurately over wide angles of incidence, even under low-ambient-light conditions. The efficient and accurate collection of ambient light by the various embodiments of the light guide disclosed herein may be employed to more accurately control the amount and degree of backlighting provided to a backlit display, which in turn can be used to conserve valuable battery power in a portable electronic device.
US08096692B2
A surface light-emitting device includes a transparent plate having two main surfaces and a light source. The light source is arranged adjacent to a side of the transparent plate so that the light source radiates light to the inside of the transparent plate from the side of the transparent plate. One main surface of the transparent plate is formed with a plurality of cone-shaped dimples, which reflect radiated light toward the other main surface of the transparent plate. The surface light-emitting device may further include a black sheet arranged adjacent to one main surface of the transparent plate formed with the plurality of cone-shaped dimples. The surface light-emitting device can be used as a guide device for an input/output interface unit of an automated transaction apparatus.
US08096676B2
A high-intensity light source configuration has a long lifetime and can be modulated at a high rate. The configuration includes a movable member mounted to an actuator; a light-emitting phosphor region associated with the movable member; an input light source that illuminates the light-emitting phosphor region at a spot that is fixed relative to an emitted light output region; and a light source controller controlling the movable member actuator and the input light source. The input light source (e.g., laser) provides high-intensity input light to the illuminated spot, causing the light-emitting phosphor region to emit high-intensity output light. The light-emitting phosphor region is moved relative to the illuminated spot so as to reduce optical quenching and photobleaching, to thereby extend the life of the light source configuration. The phosphor region may emit broadband light and/or may include respective sub-regions having phosphors that emit respective peak wavelengths.
US08096653B2
A first recess (102) of a lower substrate (100) is coated with conductive ink to form a first auxiliary electrode layer (104), a lower electrode pattern (105) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, a second recess (202) of an upper substrate (200) is coated with the conductive ink to form a second auxiliary electrode layer (204), an upper electrode pattern (205) is formed thereon by vacuum deposition, the upper and lower substrates are bonded to each other with an electric element (300) interposed between the lower substrate (100) and the upper substrate (100), and the upper and lower substrates are cut at positions on the overlap portion of the first auxiliary electrode layer (104) and the lower electrode pattern (105) and the overlap portion of the second auxiliary electrode layer (204) and the upper electrode pattern (205) so as to expose the cut surfaces of the substrates.
US08096651B2
An ink-jet recording method including: printing on a medium by ejecting thereon ink having a pH value of 8 or more and containing at least a particulate colorant, emulsion resin and surfactant, the medium prepared by providing at least a coat layer containing a pigment on at least one surface of a substrate containing cellulose pulp as a main component, wherein printing is performed at a deposited ink amount of 15 g/m2 or less, and wherein the medium has a pH value of 8 or more at a paper surface, and the amount of pure water transferring onto a surface of the medium having the coat layer after a contact time of 100 ms measured with a dynamic scanning absorptometer is 1 mL/m2 or less and the amount of pure water transferring onto the surface of the medium after a contact time of 400 ms is 35 mL/m2 or less.
US08096637B2
A method of drawing on a workpiece by ejecting functional liquid thereon while relatively scanning the workpiece and an ejection head is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a first scanning for drawing in a plurality of first areas along a scanning direction; and a second scanning for drawing in a second area between the plurality of first areas drawn in by the first scanning.
US08096636B2
A disclosed waste liquid storage container includes: a container body divided into plural segments; and a waste liquid absorption member disposed on each segment of the container body, the waste liquid absorption member being made of a high water-absorbing polymer or a high oil-absorbing polymer.
US08096624B2
A brake control apparatus for a vehicle includes a first calculating portion for calculating a master cylinder pressure, a first determining portion for determining whether or not the brake operation is performed, a second calculating portion for calculating a target wheel cylinder pressure, a third calculating portion for calculating a controlled pressure, a controlling portion for controlling a pressure difference control valve, a second determining portion for determining whether or not the vehicle is stopped, and a driving portion for specifying a drive pattern of a motor to a first motor drive pattern in a case where the vehicle is not stopped, the motor driving a pump for discharging a brake fluid, the driving means specifying the drive pattern to a second motor drive pattern in a case where the vehicle is stopped, the driving means driving the motor based on the motor driving pattern specified.
US08096603B2
A lock (57) for a door assist system (12) for use on a vehicle door (10) and connected to a vehicle to lock the door into an open position. The door assist system includes a door handle (40) having a first operable position, a second operable position and a released position, a pneumatic actuator (28) having an actuator rod (32), where the actuator rod is extendable when the door handle is in the first operable position and the actuator rod is retractable when the door handle is in the second operable position. The door assist system also includes a slide block (34) displaceable by the actuator rod of the pneumatic actuator. The slide block (34) also includes a door link (54) connecting the slide block (34) to the vehicle frame. As the slide block is displaced away from the pneumatic actuator (28), the door link opens the door (10) with respect to the vehicle. The lock also includes a hydraulic locking actuator (58) with a hydraulic rod (66) extendable and retractable with the slide block (34). When the door handle (40) is in the released position, the hydraulic rod (66) is prevented from extension and retraction and locks the slide block (34) at the current location, preventing opening or closing of the door (10).
US08096583B2
A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.
US08096581B2
A convertible motor vehicle with at least two vehicle seating rows and with at least two side doors is provided. A respectively associated door column is arranged in between the doors, and an active rollover protection system is provided in the region thereof. The door columns end upwards in the region of an associated waistline of the motor vehicle, and the rollover protection system is at least substantially arranged below the waistline of the motor vehicle in a retracted position.
US08096559B2
Seal assemblies are herein discussed. The seal assemblies can have a stiff backing ring supporting a seal ring, which is positioned adjacent an inner seal ring. In preferred embodiments, the inner seal ring is made from a material that enables the inner seal ring to absorb media particles in situ to change its particle density. This allows the seal assembly to form wearable surfaces on the fly to decrease wear on the seal ring.
US08096555B1
A wagering game, such as Ban-Nag or Blackjack, includes defining a finite set of cards. The player plays multiple sequential game hands by placing a wager, receiving cards from the finite set cumulatively excluding any cards previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the cards from the player and dealer and excluding the dealt cards from further play, and displaying at least the excluded cards or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded cards. Optionally, a proposition wager may be offered in each player game hand having an eligible game hand sum in which the player is rewarded if the player game hand reaches a target value. The game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may be manually triggered or automatic, that restores the excluded cards. Optionally, multiple game hands may be dealt simultaneously from a finite set continuously depleted of dealt cards.
US08096552B2
An apparatus including a belt support system having a first belt support roller and a system for automatically moving the first belt support roller. The belt support system partially wraps a continuous belt on a belt drive roller. The belt support system includes the first belt support roller at an upstream side of the belt drive roller and a second belt support roller at a downstream side. The system for moving the first belt support roller moves the first roller from a first location relative to the belt drive roller to a second different location, based upon a predetermined load of the belt on the first belt support roller to thereby reduce an amount of wrap of the belt on the belt drive roller and reduce a length of the belt located proximate to the belt drive roller between the first and second belt support rollers.
US08096550B2
A paper-out mechanism includes a paper out wall and a paper out board. The paper out wall defines a paper out opening. The paper out opening includes a first edge and a second edge facing to the first edge. The paper out board is slidably mounted on the paper out wall below the paper out opening. The paper out board includes an adapter portion which includes a first side and a second side. A distance between the first side and second side is greater than a distance between the first edge and the second edge. The paper out board is slidable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first side is in alignment with the first edge. In the second position, the second side is in alignment with the second edge.
US08096548B2
A paper-sheet feeding device including a kicker roller configured to contact a forefront paper-sheet of a plurality of stacked paper-sheets and kick out the forefront paper-sheet; a feed roller to feed-out the paper-sheets to be kicked out by the kicker roller; and a press-fitting roller press-fit against the feed roller to provide a gate unit adapted to separate the paper-sheets to be fed by the feed roller, into one sheet. The kicker roller includes a base part and a high friction part formed in part of the outer circumference of the base part along the circumferential direction and configured to kick out the forefront paper-sheet. The feed roller includes a base part and a high friction part formed over the entire outer circumference of the base part and configured to contact the surface of the paper-sheet to be kicked out by the kicker roller to perform feed-out of the paper-sheet.
US08096534B2
A water distribution tray having an improvement including a first downwardly inclined surface therein commencing at a base of a water impingement pedestal within a first of a plurality of channels and ending at a corresponding first of a plurality of discharge apertures, wherein the first downwardly inclined surface has a first declension angle associated therewith, and a second downwardly inclined surface commencing at the base within a second of the plurality of channels and ending at a corresponding second of the plurality of discharge apertures, wherein the second downwardly inclined surface has a second declension angle associated therewith different from the first declension angle. A method of manufacturing is also provided.
US08096530B2
A flexible impeller pump includes first and second component housings. The first component housing includes a first flexible impeller and the second component housing includes a second flexible impeller. As these impellers rotate within their respective housings, they draw in and expel individual components into a common receiving chamber. In a particular application, one component is a foamable liquid, and the other component is air, and a mixture of foamable liquid and air is thus created in the common receiving chamber.
US08096522B2
A pressure regulator can be used particularly in a CNG-operated motor vehicle as an electronically controlled pressure reducer for maintaining the gas pressure constant on the injection valve used for filling the respective cylinder. The pressure regulator is composed of a control unit (1), a pressure reducer (3) that is controlled by the control unit (1), and a throttle (2) which connects the gas outlets (20, 40) of the working chamber (17) of the control unit (1) and the pressure reducer (3). A piezoelectric actuator (11) which affects the valve (21, 22) of an overflow device (14) makes it possible to specifically modify the gas pressure (P2) in the working chamber (17) of the control unit (1) and simultaneously influence the position of the valve (38, 39) of the overflow device (33) of the pressure reducer (3), thus allowing the output pressure (Pout) of the pressure reducer (3) to be adjusted to a predefined desired value.
US08096517B1
The present invention may be used for retaining a laptop computer on a generally horizontal member of a structure. One or more hooks may each have an arm rotatably attached at a first end to a screen housing opposite a screen of a laptop computer. The hooks may have a first projecting member attached approximately orthogonal to the arm at a second end.
US08096508B2
The present disclosure provides a tape comprising: a) a single layer comprising a crosslinked polymer, selected from the group consisting of crosslinked polyurethane, crosslinked polyurea, and crosslinked mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer, and b) an adhesive layer. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides an erosion resistant construction comprising, first, an element of an aircraft comprising: an aircraft skin segment having an external surface, and a deicing mechanism associated with said aircraft skin segment capable of heating said external surface to temperatures in excess of 65° C.; and, second, a tape comprising: at least one layer comprising a crosslinked elastomeric polymer, which may be a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of crosslinked polyurethane, crosslinked polyurea, and crosslinked mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer, and an adhesive layer; wherein the tape is bonded to the external surface of the aircraft skin segment by the adhesive layer. In another embodiment, the tape comprises at least one layer comprising a semi-interpenetrating polymer network of a crosslinked acrylate and an uncrosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyurea, and mixed polyurethane/polyurea polymer.
US08096501B2
Aircraft nacelle which includes a cowl with a longitudinal axis, an engine housed in the cowl, an annular channel surrounding the engine and designed to receive a secondary flow, wherein the cowl includes a fixed part and a moving part which slides along the longitudinal axis to define a radial opening between the moving and fixed parts, a thrust reverser system which includes internal flaps mounted so that they rotate and which are designed to block the annular channel, at least partially, in the deployed position, where the moving part of the cowl includes a radial housing to receive the internal flaps in the at-rest position and where a system of applying an elastic force on each flap towards deployment is provided. Thus control over the position of the internal flaps is obtained directly by sliding the moving part.
US08096497B2
A coaxial twin propeller model helicopter comprises a power assembly, a twin propeller rotation assembly, a tail rotation assembly, a motor assembly and a gear assembly. The twin propeller rotation assembly comprises a main rotation assembly and a minor rotation assembly. The power assembly comprises a motor assembly having a motor, a motor gear, and a fuel tank and a gear assembly having a main gear, a synchronous belt gear and a belt pulley. The main gear is engaged with the motor gear, and connected to the main rotation assembly. A lower part of the main gear is connected to the synchronous belt gear which connects to said minor rotation assembly. An upper end of the belt pulley is connected to said tail rotation assembly. A middle part of the belt pulley is engaged with the main gear. A lower end of the belt pulley is connected to the synchronous belt gear.
US08096481B1
A method, system, apparatus, and device to provide an effective, automatic means to effect exhaust, supply, or balanced ventilation, or a combination thereof, by automatically activating a ventilation fan for the selected operation time per cycle interval based on prior fan operation due to automatic cycle operation and user demand. In a second embodiment the ventilation fan controller automatically activates said ventilation fan in conjunction with operation of a blower of a central air conditioning system. In a third embodiment, the ventilation fan controller also automatically operates the blower for the selected operation time per blower cycle interval, including operation due to thermostat and/or humidistat demand and operates the ventilation fan in conjunction with operation of the blower and/or for the minimal time selected per interval, including operation due to user demand. Optionally, a position of an outside air intake damper is controlled in conjunction with activation of the blower.
US08096475B2
A data capture terminal for, and a method of, automatically capturing data from targets, employ a handheld housing orientable by a human operator in different orientations relative to the targets; a data capture system, preferably including a plurality of actuatable data capture modules, supported by the housing; an orientation sensor supported by the housing for detecting the orientations of the housing relative to the targets, and for generating respective orientation signals in response to the respective detected orientations of the housing; and a controller operatively connected to the orientation sensor, for independently actuating one of the data capture modules for capturing the data from one of the targets in one data capture mode of operation in response to generation of one of the orientation signals, and for actuating another of the data capture modules for capturing the data from another of the targets in another data capture mode of operation in response to generation of another of the orientation signals.
US08096470B2
A system for tracking sales activity and enhancing customer relationships comprising at least one processor, data storage connected to the processor, at least one input device connected to the data storage and processor, a clock means for generating a time record, and computer instructions for: receiving and tracking sales commitments and individual sales data by sales account code and time, tracking the steps of the sales process, tracking total and average time spent with each customer, providing a logical comparison between sales data and steps of the sales process using a discrete event modeling and simulation method to monitor and forecast sales, providing an alarm to at least one client device when sales data reflects sales occurring below sale commitments, and providing customer data relating to an event that brought the customer, items viewed, amount of sales per customer, the customer's address, and reasons for inconclusive sale.
US08096469B2
Credit card applications typically involve the help of a third party to input the necessary data required by a credit card issuing agency. Using the present invention, a customer at a fuel dispenser can complete a credit card application and have it approved or denied in a quick and easy transaction, without the need of assistance from a third party. All required data at the fuel dispenser is entered through a user interface which includes card swipe inputs and numeric inputs through a numeric key pad. The customer does not make any alphabetical inputs on a typical keyboard because fuel dispensers do not have keyboards.
US08096466B2
A system for recording a transaction relating to a security document, the security document having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions. Each coded data portion is indicative of at least an identity of the security document. The system includes a computer system that receives indicating data from a sensing device, in response to sensing of the coded data. The computer system determines the identity of the security document and the transaction and uses this to update transaction data indicative of the identity of the security document and the transaction.
US08096461B2
A wire-bonding machine includes a main body, a fixture block, a mounting block, a gas supply tube, a cover-gas supply device, a capillary tool and an electrode. The fixture block is provided with a chamber defined therein and a central bore formed at one side wall of the fixture block communicating the chamber. The mounting block has a fixture member extending upwards for being mounted to the main body and an electrode clamping member extending downwards into the chamber of the fixture block. The cover-gas supply device has a continuous gas passage and an orifice defined therein. The protection gas flows in a steady flow field around the orifice in the continuous gas passage of the cover-gas supply device so as to result in better ball formation during the ball formation and ball-bonding process.
US08096446B2
A turbine meter for measuring the flow of a fluid comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and defining a fluid flow path along a central axis thereof. A flow conditioner is mounted in the flow path downstream of the inlet port and has a plurality of flow deflectors canted in a first direction relative to the central axis. A first turbine rotor is located downstream of the flow conditioner and is mounted for rotation about the central axis. The first turbine rotor has a plurality of first rotor vanes canted in a second direction relative to the central axis, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The meter further comprises a second turbine rotor located downstream of the first turbine rotor and mounted for rotation about the central axis. The second turbine rotor has a plurality of second rotor vanes canted in the first direction relative to the central axis such that the first and second turbine rotors rotate in opposite rotational directions when fluid flows through the housing at rotational speeds indicative of fluid flow rate.
US08096443B2
An adjustable storage container is formed with a removable lid that fits telescopically over the bottom section. The container's storage capacity is adjustable based upon the ability to increase and/or decrease the container's capacity by changing the orientation of the lid placement telescopically over the container bottom. Key slot ledges of differing depths that are designed into the side walls of the container's bottom section enable the lid to perch at different heights above the floor of the container depending upon which orientation of the lid is used when placing the lid telescopically over the container bottom. The abstract is not intended to be limiting in regard to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims to follow.
US08096442B2
A portable, foldable, soft-sided insulated container has an a lid mounted carrier, or seat, for a substantially rigid container of a thermal storage medium, such as water. The container assembly may be free of any rigid tub, and may thus retain the ability to fold. The carrier is a substantially rigid plate or panel, or array, that mounts to an otherwise soft panel. The panel, or portion of a panel, to which the rigid carrier mounts is a panel that may tend to stay substantially flat (or curved) when the container assembly is folded. The mounting is such that the substantially rigid thermal storage medium container can slide in and out of the seat. When not in use the entire assembly can be folded into a collapsed position for storage.
US08096438B2
A fuel tank cap for a fuel tank of an engine. The fuel tank cap includes a fuel cap cover, a housing having a side wall, a bottom wall, and a receptacle, a fuel vapor adsorption material positioned within the receptacle, an inlet disposed near the bottom wall and configured to provide fluid communication with a fuel tank vapor space, an outlet disposed near the bottom wall and configured to provide fluid communication with the atmosphere, an internal wall adjacent the bottom wall and disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and at least one aperture configured to permit fuel vapor to flow in a vapor flow path from one side of the internal wall to the other side of the internal wall.
US08096437B1
A disposable, segmented, sorbent, steam-permeable, cooking utensil cover for selectively covering foodstuffs in a stovetop cooking utensil, having upstanding sidewalls which terminate at a rim. The cover has sufficient wet-strength to render it rigid. The edge of the cover contacts the rim of the cooking utensil to cover contained foodstuffs and support the rigid cover. The cover is made of steam-permeable, sorbent, fire-retardant material to allow cooking steam to escape, while grease spatter and cooking juices are absorbed; and, to prevent combustion of the cover due to its proximity to the stove heating element. The cover contains a plurality of radial slits to form liftable segments hinged at the cover center to allow independent elevation of a selected segment. A flip-up handle for removing the cover and adhesive lift tabs to facilitate lifting and securing the segments are provided. Once utilized, the entire cover assembly is discarded.
US08096436B2
The invention relates to a pressure cooking appliance (1) having: a bowl (2) with a side wall (2B), a lid (3), a sealing gasket (4) interposed between the side wall (2B) and the lid (3), said appliance (1) being designed so that, when the pressure inside the chamber reaches a predetermined safety value, the gasket (4) moves up to reach a safety position, said appliance (1) being characterized in that the side wall (2B) comprises a geometrical irregularity (10) intended to interact with the gasket (4) when the latter is located at the predetermined safety position thereof so as to interrupt the contact between the gasket (4) and the side wall (2B).
US08096435B2
A two-part (1, 2, 102, 118) transporting and vending package (52, 152) for containing and displaying articles (A). The articles are grouped and disposed upon the first part (1), which is augment by the second part (2) to give the package sufficient structural integrity to resist compressive forces being transmitted to the articles when the package is stacked with other such packages. The second part also restricts access to the articles. The package also comprises a releasable retaining means (24, 124) provided to maintain the first and second parts as a unit until access to the articles is required. The retaining means can be manipulated to deprive the package of its initial structural integrity and to provide improved access to the articles to facilitate vending.
US08096434B2
A thermoplastic container, in particular a bottle, made by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding of a heated preform and including a bell-shaped convex base with its concavity facing outward and provided with reinforcing impressions projecting inward and radiating around a central recess, the impressions having a trapezoid shape with its smaller dimension located toward the center of the base; the impressions include respective arches which form convex trapezoid segments with concavity facing inward and extending from the seat to the central recess by being connected thereto immediately proximate the upper end of the central recess.
US08096428B2
The inventive counter display for articles such as perfumes and cosmetic products comprises a connecting element (3) extending between a lower end (3b) fixed to a displaying element (2) and a top end (3a) pivotally mounted with respect to a ceiling (8). A mirror (6) is also arranged on the connecting element.
US08096426B2
A tray assembly for supporting papers, folder, files, or smaller articles such as vouchers and ticket books includes a plurality of identical tray modules configured to be joined end to end or stacked upon one another. Each tray module includes a plurality of rectangular slots which are slanted with regards to a vertical plane which allows for easy recognition of a top sheet and simplified insertion and removal of sheets and other items to be supported within the slots of the trays. The rectangular slots of each tray module include a plurality of grooves which can receive separators for dividing the rectangular slots into multiple compartments. Additionally, each rectangular slot includes a stop flange, and wherein the stop flanges of the rectangular slots can be used to attach individual tray modules to a vertical surface such as a wall.
US08096421B2
A micro-fluidic chip including a channel through which a liquid containing micro-particles flows, and a gas jetting section configured to jet a gas toward the micro-particle-containing liquid ejected from the channel is provided.
US08096417B2
The main object of the present invention is to provide a patch package structure capable of stably retaining the physiologically active ingredient in a patch during preservation of the patch. This object can be achieved by employing the following constitution.To be specific, the present invention is a patch package structure including a patch 1 and a packaging member 51 holding the patch, wherein the patch 1 includes a support 2 and an adhesive layer 3 formed on at least one surface of the support 2, the packaging member 51 includes a first package 11, the first package 11 including an acrylonitrile resin layer 12, a moisture-absorbing layer 13 formed on the acrylonitrile resin layer 12, and a moisture impermeable layer 14 formed on the moisture-absorbing layer 13, and the acrylonitrile resin layer 12 is provided on the proximal side of the patch 1.
US08096408B2
A conveyor system is provided. The conveyor system includes a threshold assembly. The threshold assembly has a base plate that is secured to a floor, and the threshold assembly has a channel that is formed between two support beams that are secured to a base plate. A plurality of threshold center plates are provided, which span and enclose the channel formed by the support beams, such that each threshold assembly includes a modular printed circuit board that fits within the channel and is enclosed within the channel by threshold center plates. And, multiple conveyor segments are mountable to the threshold assembly. Other systems components and methods for making and operating the same are provided.
US08096405B2
A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller and an idler roller. The drive roller is mounted between two bearings and for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller is shorter than the drive roller and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations and at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.
US08096396B2
The invention relates to a sintered, dry-running friction lining containing no binding agent with a friction lining body comprising a metallic matrix, at least one abrasive material and at least one filler. The friction lining body has a porosity which is greater than 10%. The proportion of the at least one abrasive material in the friction lining body is at most 5% by weight.
US08096395B2
A pressure-regulated friction clutch is provided including a cylinder-piston unit, operated by a pressure medium, which permits a frictional connection of an output shaft with a driven plate fixed thereto and an input shaft with a driving plate fixed thereto, for the transmission of a torque from the input shaft with a permanently pressurized cylinder-piston unit.
US08096386B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling the load-handling elements of a fork-lift truck, the load-handling elements being used in the method to grip the load to be handled. The load-handling elements are operated using an electrically controlled operating device, which is controlled using an analog control voltage formed using an electromechanical controller. In addition, the analog control voltage coming from the electromechanical controller is regulated actively externally on the basis of measurement data and set criteria, before the analog control voltage formed by the electromechanical controller is conducted to the electrically controlled operating device. The analog control voltage coming from the electromechanical controller is regulated using a feed external to the electromechanical controller, in parallel with the electromechanical controller. The invention also relates to a corresponding operating system and regulating apparatus.
US08096382B2
[PROBLEM] To provide a construction machine capable of performing necessary operation or operations without a difficulty even when a remaining amount of a reducing agent becomes small.[SOLUTION] In a hydraulic excavator having an engine, a hydraulic cylinder (18), plural actuators including a hydraulic motor (29), and an exhaust gas treatment system for subjecting, to purification treatment, nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas from the engine, the hydraulic excavator is provided with an actuator operation control means for performing, when the remaining amount of the reducing agent in a reducing agent storage tank (30) is detected by a remaining reducing-agent amount detector (33) to have become equal to or smaller than a predetermined remaining amount, limiting control to limit an operation of the hydraulic cylinder (18) such that a front working implement driven by the hydraulic cylinder (18) becomes difficult to exhibit its function, and at a same time, holding control for holding the hydraulic motor (20) operable such that a function of a travel base (1) or swing upperstructure (3) driven by the hydraulic motor (20) can be exhibited.
US08096374B1
A vehicle including a linkage-based motion control system for varying a parameter (e.g., velocity) of the vehicle as a geometric relationship between a vehicle input (e.g., velocity control lever) and a vehicle output (e.g., drive train) is modified. In one embodiment, the control system provides a linkage that allows a fixed level of input applied to the control lever to produce a repeatable output to a variable drive unit even as the drive unit is moved relative to the control lever. In another embodiment, an adjustable stop for use with setting a terminal position of a control lever (e.g., a velocity control lever) is provided. Accordingly, the maximum potential speed of the vehicle may be adjusted (e.g., reduced) without altering the speed of the vehicle engine.
US08096371B1
A method and apparatus for disposing of drill cuttings 500 from an oil and/or gas well drilling platform 510, comprising (a) transporting the drill cuttings 520 to a cuttings collection area 530 on the platform 510; (b) providing a barge 10, the barge 10 having at least one storage area 30, a cover 100 operably connected to the at least one storage area 30, and covering the at least one storage area 30; (c) placing the cover 100 in a first open state so that cuttings 500 can be placed in the at least one storage area 30; (d) transporting the drill cuttings 500 from the cuttings collection area 530 to the at least one storage area of the barge 10; (e) placing the cover 100 in a closed state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 of the barge 10 are contained; (f) transporting the barge 10 from the drilling platform 510 to a collection site 540; (g) placing the cover 100 in a second open state so that the cuttings 520 in the storage area 30 can be removed; and (h) removing the cuttings 520 from the storage area 30.
US08096364B2
A method for providing an umbilical connection for a well installation, the well installation being located at the bed or floor of a body of water, comprises the steps of providing an umbilical with first and second ends and prior to operative deployment of the umbilical, locating the umbilical such that at least a portion of the umbilical is substantially statically retained within the body of water. Additionally, an umbilical deployment system for a well installation located at the bed or floor of a body of water, comprises an umbilical, wherein, prior to operative deployment of the umbilical, at least a portion of the umbilical is substantially statically retained within the body of water.
US08096359B2
Set retarders of copolymers of at least one polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one alkoxylated sulfate, phosphate or ketonic salt are capable of delaying the hardening of a cementitious slurry when introduced into a subterranean formation until a downhole temperature greater than or equal to 500° F. is obtained, even in the absence of an intensifier. The ethylenically unsaturated monomer is preferably a carboxylic acid, amido carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, amido carboxylic acid ester, hydroxylated alkyl ester of a carboxylic acid or a hydroxylated amido carboxylic acid ester, sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid or amide as well as mixtures thereof and the alkoxylated sulfate, phosphate or ketonic salt is of the formula: wherein unit R1 is H or a C1-C4 alkyl; R2 is —(CH2CH2—O—)n or (—CH2CHCH3—O—)n or a mixture thereof; n ranges from about 1 to about 100; X is an anionic radical selected from —SO3, —PO3 or —COO or a water soluble cationic moiety which counterbalances the valence of the anionic radical X.
US08096335B2
A heavy vehicle tire comprising at least four working plies formed of reinforcing elements which, from one ply to the next, cross one another, and comprising at least one protective ply. The tire is supplemented on each side of the circumferential mid-plane by a single working half-ply the reinforcing elements of which make an angle greater than 30° with the circumferential direction, the half-ply being radially on the inside of and adjacent to the radially outermost continuous working ply, its axially outer end being axially on the outside of the ends of the continuous working plies, and the reinforcing elements of the half-ply, the reinforcing elements of the radially outermost continuous working ply and the reinforcing elements of the protective ply the end of which is axially on the outside of the ends of the working plies being oriented in the same direction.
US08096330B2
Isobaric rotary filling machine for filling containers, has a rotating table supporting a pressurized tank and valve units. Each valve unit has a filling duct for supplying the liquid from the tank to the containers, regulated by a faucet, and an air return pipe associated with a shut-off valve for controlling the pressure balance between the container and the tank. A flushing station, operationally associated with but fixed relative to the rotating table, has a receiving tray connected to a flushing circuit and operable to move between a non-operative position situated outside the travel path of the valve units, and an operative position situated underneath the travel path. The faucets and the shut-off valves open each filling duct and each pipe when the receiving tray is in the operative position and the flushing circuit is connected to the supply line of the tank.
US08096318B2
A valve flap for a plumbing valve, includes a body having a first face, a second face, a top and a bottom. A pivotal mounting is provided in the vicinity of the top. A curved lower snake deflecting contact face is provided in the vicinity of the bottom, adapted to facilitate sliding contact with a plumbing snake. This valve flap enables a plumbing snake to be inserted into and withdrawn from the plumbing valve.
US08096314B2
A fluidic device includes a fluidic module with a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber closed with the exception of a fluidic connection to the first fluid chamber. A drive is formed to impart the fluidic module with a first rotation at a rotational frequency below a rotational frequency threshold at which liquid is pneumatically held in the first fluid chamber and does not enter the second fluid chamber. The drive is further formed to impart the fluidic module with a second rotation at a second rotational frequency above the rotational frequency threshold at which a liquid column created in the first fluid chamber becomes unstable and the liquid enters the second fluid chamber.
US08096313B1
In a method for communicating electrical positioning information of an actuator-positioned final control element such as a valve element, the positioning information resulting from continually sensing the position of the final control element, a binary signal is formed or received signalling a condition 0 (zero) when the final control element has attained a predefined position and a condition 1 (one) when the final control element has not attained the predefined position or the predefined position range. For forming a positioning signal, the corresponding signal condition of the binary signal and the associated continually sensed positioning information are combined such that the corresponding signal condition of the binary signal or the positioning information or both can be optionally invoked from the positioning signal.
US08096297B2
Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.
US08096293B2
A liquid-heating system has a solar energy collector exposed to solar radiation, a geothermal heat exchanger buried in the ground at a depth between 0.5 m and 5 m, a heater through which a liquid to be heated passes, and a heat pump having a sink side connected to the heater and a source side connected to the geothermal heat exchanger or to the solar energy collector. A first controller or valve setup connected to the heat collector can in one position connect the solar energy collector to the water heater such that heat collected by the solar energy collector is applied to the water heater. In another position it can connect the solar energy collector to the geothermal heat exchanger such that heat collected by the solar energy collector is applied to the ground surrounding the geothermal heat exchanger.
US08096290B2
In an internal combustion engine, contaminated air in the crankcase creates problems. As a rule, the contaminated air is led into the engine's inlet manifold, and this can disrupt the smooth running of the engine. The invention eliminates the problem by having a filter connected to the crankcase, such that contaminated air from the crankcase must pass through this filter, where it is freed of its contaminants.
US08096288B2
A supercharger is provided that includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The housing may at least partially define a chamber and may include at least one rotor disposed within the chamber. The supercharger includes an inlet port proximate the first end of the housing and an outlet port proximate the second end of the housing. The supercharger further includes a relief chamber in fluid communication with the chamber. In an embodiment, the relief chamber may extend in the axial direction and may have a depth in the axial direction that is equal to at least about 10% of the axial length of the rotor.
US08096286B2
A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, in which a traveling with reduced cylinders is controlled according to the idle-speed after the engine starting, so as to restrain the discharge of white smokes at the time lag for temperature equilibration soon after a cold starting. The method comprises a coolant water temperature detecting means 10 for detecting the coolant water temperature in the internal combustion engine 1, a rotation speed detecting means 12 for detecting the rotation speed of the internal combustion engine 1 and a control means for controlling the operation of the internal combustion engine 1 in accordance with the coolant water temperature and the rotation speed. When the internal combustion engine is evaluated that it is at the cold starting and the rotation speed reaches the predetermined rotation speed after the engine starting, a traveling with reduces cylinders is performed, which reduces the number of cylinders injecting fuels for a certain period of time.
US08096281B2
A supercharged diesel engine is equipped with an electronically controlled hydraulic system for variable actuation of the intake valves of the engine. The cam that controls each intake valve has an additional lobe for causing an additional opening of the intake valve, during the exhaust stroke, so as to provide an exhaust-gas recirculation directly inside the engine. Said additional lobe is shaped in such a way as to give rise to a profile of the additional lift of the valve as the crank angle varies with a boot conformation, including an initial stretch with a gentler slope extending from a point of zero lift corresponding to the expansion stroke in the engine cylinder. The engine is moreover equipped with a duct for exhaust-gas recirculation of the long-route type, which picks up the gases from a point of the exhaust duct set downstream of the catalytic converter and of the particulate trap.
US08096279B2
A premixed compression ignition type engine is operated while change over between spark ignition combustion and compression ignition combustion. This engine has a negative overlap period during steady operation under compression ignition combustion. In the same cylinder, a valve-closing timing of an exhaust valve during steady operation under spark ignition combustion is retarded with respect to the valve-closing timing thereof after the change over. In a case where an intake valve is first changed over after start of the change over from spark ignition combustion to compression ignition combustion, the valve-opening timing of the intake valve during a change over period from spark ignition combustion to compression ignition combustion is in an advanced state with respect to the valve-opening timing thereof during steady operation under spark ignition combustion.
US08096275B2
A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.
US08096272B2
A variable valve device, which is capable of automatically canceling a deviation in the relationship between the rotation angle of a control shaft and the lift degree generated because of the disassembling and assembling of an engine, includes a target lift degree calculator that calculates a target lift degree, a motor driver that drives a brushless DC motor that rotates the control shaft until the lift degree reaches the target lift degree, and an automatic deviation canceller that automatically cancels the deviation. More specifically, the magnetic pole pulse pattern of the motor before the engine starts is obtained and it is determined whether the pattern match magnetic pole pulse pattern stored before the engine stops. If they do not match, an idle lift degree is set, the idle lift degree is changed so that the engine speed is within the tolerance range of an idle engine speed, the rotation angle for the idle portion is subtracted from the obtained angle of the control shaft and a reference angle is updated by the difference.
US08096264B2
A method and apparatus for coating articles with a coating material comprise forming a charged body of coating material, atomizing coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles, and repelling the charged coating material particles from an apparatus which forms the charged body of coating material and atomizes the coating material from the charged body to form charged atomized coating material particles. Repelling the charged coating material particles from the apparatus includes providing a repelling electrode, providing a power supply to supply electrical charge of the same polarity as the charged atomized coating material particles, positioning the repelling electrode adjacent a region where the charged atomized coating material particles are formed, and providing on the repelling electrode a feature which increases an electric field gradient adjacent the feature to enhance the repulsive force between the feature and the charged atomized coating material particles.
US08096260B2
A coating apparatus for coating an entire surface of a building board without forming uncoated area, while conveying the building board, having: an application device for applying a coating material to the surface of the building board; a removal device for removing an excess coating material applied to the surface of the building board and forming a coating liquid film; and a pressure device for blowing air to the coating liquid film on the surface of the building board, wherein the pressure device is provided in a step posterior to a step that uses the removal device and has an air outlet which is wider than the building board and which covers the surface of the building board, and wherein the surface of the building board is applied with pressure of the atmospheric pressure or higher, while the building board is conveyed from the removable device to the pressure device.
US08096259B1
Apparatus for coating food products with breading material has an excess breading-material circulation/re-circulation system, which itself has a main, central product-intake conveyor scraping across an up-sloping bottom panel flanked by left and right elevators that course through up-sloping gutters astride the central conveyor's bottom panel. The central conveyor is relatively broad but shallow for only carrying a relatively light load that becomes a bottom bed of breading material for conveyance of food product thereon. In contrast, the elevators are relatively deep but thin in order to carry relatively-substantial streams of breading material, and disproportionate to their thin width, which are ultimately elevated to a topcoat-applicator and becomes a top-coating of breading material. One or more plows are arranged in the overhead space above the central conveyor to divert a main stream of excess breading material into one or more diverted streams aimed at the flanking elevators.
US08096254B1
In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a system for launching and recovering one or more unmanned, underwater vehicles. The system includes a surface vessel having a generally low waterline for transporting, launching and recovering the unmanned vehicles. The system provides the ability to transport, launch and recover unmanned vehicles from either the port or starboard sides of the surface vessel, utilizing an A-frame hoist assembly which can be moved laterally in a controlled manner between the port and starboard sides of the surface vessel for lifting the unmanned vehicles, and which can be pivoted in a controlled manner to provide the launch and recovery operations.
US08096252B2
A ship hull structure includes a main hull and a movable rearbody having an engine and a propeller. The movable rearbody is located at a lower side of a stern of the main hull, connected with an aft of the main hull to form an integral unit by a hinge linking device allowing the rearbody to pivot up and down. By a block, a crane or a winch and through a chain or a hanging wire, a pivoting angle of the movable rearbody with respect to the main hull can be adjusted and controlled. A bottom of the hull can be provided with at least one, usually plural, air cushion recess, which is filled with pressurized air to reduce a viscous force between a bottom of the ship and water.
US08096251B2
A balancer is fixedly attached to a rotary input shaft of a crank mechanism that converts rotary drive of a needle bar drive source to up-and-down motion of a needle bar. The balancer is caused to rotate at substantially an opposite phase with respect to up-and-down motion of the needle bar with the rotary drive of the needle bar drive source. When the balancer is driven at substantially the opposite phase with respect to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar, inertia force in an up-and-down direction of the needle bar, generated due to the up-and-down motion of the needle bar is negated, whereby it is possible to reduce vibration generated in the up-and-down direction. Sewing heads paired with each other by being arbitrarily combined are controlled so as to be rotationally driven to cause rotational directions of the needle bar drive sources to become opposite directions to each other.
US08096246B2
The modular folding table includes a collapsible truss framework that supports a folding table top and a folding utility shelf, and includes legs that can be connected horizontally or vertically to the legs of one or more similar modular folding tables, to provide desired table and shelf space with a structure that is foldable, strong and stable.
US08096245B2
The present invention is directed to a non-adhesive covering for a shelf. In one embodiment, it includes a substantially incompressible polymer-based material with an upper surface comprising an embossed pattern, lays flat upon a shelf surface, has a thickness of 4 gauge or above, and has a PHR in a range of 28 to 42. In another embodiment, it includes a substantially incompressible polymer-based material, lays flat upon a shelf surface, has a thickness of 2.8 gauge or above, and has a PHR in a range of 28 to 42.
US08096231B2
A food warming apparatus includes a heating compartment that can hold one or more trays containing previously cooked food portions. A cover for a tray has a horizontal section and a vertical section extending downwardly from one side of the horizontal section. A rack in the heating compartment includes a channel and a stop that blocks the front end of the channel. The vertical section of the cover fits securely in the channel behind the stop such that the rack supports the cover substantially only through the vertical section. When a tray is inserted into the receiving space cooperatively defined by the cover and rack, the cover is lifted up so that the horizontal section rests on the tray and at least partially blocks the open top of the tray, thereby restricting evaporation of liquids from the previously cooked food portions contained in the tray.
US08096230B2
A portable beverage preparation device comprising a drink container containing a predetermined volume of a potable base liquid, at least one beverage preparation of a predetermined quantity; at least one sealed compartment for confining the beverage preparation, and a dispenser means for dispersing the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid within the drink container; wherein the drink container and the at least one sealed compartment are in close physical proximity to each other and separated by at least one thin membrane which, when inwardly perforated by the dispenser means, disperses the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid to make a beverage ready to drink.
US08096227B2
A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have an actuator with a first chamber and a second chamber. The hydraulic system may also have a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and an operator input device displaceable from a neutral position to generate a signal indicative of a desired movement of the actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a controller configured to open the first and third valves by amounts related to the signal to pass fluid, and open the second valve by an amount related to the signal to pass fluid when the signal indicates a desire for increased actuator velocity. The third valve may continue to open during opening of the second valve.
US08096225B1
An armored cab having at least an upper wall, two side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall. The armored cab and its respective walls include a longitudinal axis extending from the back wall to the front wall. The bottom wall includes at least one concave surface. The at least one concave surface faces downwardly and away from the armored cab, and is disposed in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the armored cab.
US08096222B2
The present invention relates to a silencer for reducing muzzle blast and noise of firearms or similar devices. The present silencer has a hollow cylindrical or other shape casing comprising front and rear end caps and an opening aligned along a longitudinal axis defining a passage for a projectile and propellant gases to emerge from the muzzle opening. A plurality of serially placed baffles of symmetrical or slanted orientation and intervening coaxial spacers are positioned within the casing and define a multitude of chambers among the baffles, spacers, and outer housing. The baffles shear propellant gases away from the projectile path and through openings or ports into additional chambers formed between the spacers and outer housing. The arrangement of baffles and spacers provides flow-impeding paths, dispersion, and controlled expansion of gases and lowers gas temperature to reduce audible noise and observable signature of the muzzle blast.
US08096212B2
A two-section tool joint comprises a first rod, an engaging element, a second rod and a limiting element. The two-section tool joint utilizes an elastic engaging structure to obtain an engaging effect during a multi-angle screwing/unscrewing operation, meanwhile, the tool joint can be fixed stably, avoiding the retraction of the tool joint and reducing the difficulty and inconvenience of the screwing/unscrewing operation.
US08096208B2
A positioning apparatus for a shift control device for a bicycle transmission comprises a movable member having a positioning element, a positioning member having a positioning element structured to engage the positioning element of the movable member, and a biasing member that biases the positioning member towards an engaged position wherein the positioning element of the positioning member engages the positioning element of the movable member. The positioning member moves toward and away from a plane of movement of the movable member. A releasing member is disposed between the movable member and the positioning member, wherein the releasing member moves between an initial position and an operating position. The releasing member allows the positioning member to be in the engaged position when the releasing member is in the initial position, and the positioning member moves to the disengaged position when the releasing member moves to the operating position.
US08096202B2
A transmission and a gear changing method capable of changing a reduction ratio while a load is supported without stopping rotation, and transmitting a rotation angle accurately and power efficiently.First and second gear element pairs (16, 17) are arranged between an input member (12) and an output member (14) via first and second clutches (40, 42), and a non-circular gear pair (18) is arranged via a non-circular gear element pair-use clutch (44). The non-circular gear pair (18) includes between the input member (12) and the output member (14) a first meshing section where it has a ratio equal to a first reduction ratio when the first gear element pair (16) is coupled, and a second meshing section where it has a ratio equal to a second reduction ratio when the second gear element pair (17) is coupled. When the gear element pairs (16, 17) to be coupled between the input member (12) and the output member (14) are switched, the non-circular gear element pair (18) is coupled between the input member (12) and the output member (14) transitionally.
US08096192B2
A flowmeter of Coriolis type includes a supporting base that supports a pair of fluid pipes in a manner capable of being vibrated, and a frame fixed to the supporting base. The frame is integrally formed with a mounting portion disposed between the fluid pipes and having a thickness that does not interfere with the fluid pipes, a reinforcing portion disposed at the outer circumference of the mounting portion and enhancing the rigidity of the mounting portion, and a fixing portion for being fixed to the supporting base. The reinforcing portion has an outer wall portion that protrudes at least to one side of the thickness direction of the mounting portion, and substantially continuously surrounds the outer circumference of the fluid pipes. Penetrating portions for disposing the coils corresponding to respective magnetic substances mounted on the fluid pipe are formed in the mounting portion.
US08096160B2
A method for increasing slab rolling yields and rolling mill efficiency by minimizing shearing and crop losses in the rolling of assembled slabs. An assembled structure for aluminium rolled products includes a core slab with a reduced cross-section in the thickness direction of the slab in at least one of the slab edges running parallel to the rolling direction. At least one second slab is assembled to the core slab. The edges of the slab may have a cut-out and/or a tapered shape. A method of reducing shearing and crop losses at the rolling of assembled slabs, by using a core slab with a reduced cross-section in the thickness direction of the slab in at least one of the slab edges running parallel to the rolling direction.
US08096159B2
A lubricant supply apparatus for endless hot rolling equipment includes a width-detecting sensor for detecting widths of steel sheets continuously supplied toward a roller, a controller connected to the width-detecting sensor, a lubricant pump connected to and controlled by the controller to supply a lubricant to a lubricant line, solenoid valves disposed on sub lines formed by dividing the lubricant line and controlled by the controller to supply or cut off the lubricant, a water pump connected to and controlled by the controller to supply water to a water line, mixers for mixing the lubricant and the water supplied to the water line for each of the sub lines, and nozzles connected respectively to the mixers and disposed according to a width of the roller so as to spray a mixture onto the roller according to the widths of the steel sheets.
US08096154B1
A door lock is openable by a key from outside and by a combination mechanism from the inside. The interior combination mechanism may alternatively be supplemented by a key mechanism. The combination is entered by positioning the hands of a simulated clock, an array of push buttons, an array of sliding rods, or a rotating dial. A method is also provided for changing the combination.
US08096153B2
Under the present invention, methods and apparatus for securing equipment at a workstation are provided. Portable security apparatus for preventing unauthorized removal or theft of equipment from a workstation at which such equipment resides are disclosed. The apparatus utilize a hole in a surface of a workstation so as to not require permanent attachment to the workstation. A security cable may be utilized in combination with the security apparatus to secure equipment at a workstation. Construction and installation methods for the apparatus are also disclosed.
US08096151B2
The invention provides a padlock assembly (10) which can be convertible between a “snap lock” configuration and a configuration where a key is required to lock the padlock. Padlock assembly (10) includes a cam (62) with asymmetrical driver engaging means (64). Cam (62) can be inserted in the padlock assembly (10) in either of two positions to provide dual functionality. The invention also provides the cam (62), a driver (50) and a shackle (36) for a padlock assembly.
US08096146B1
stones of a jewelry piece including a diamond which is set through an invisible stone mounting so as to make the stone appear to be “floating” in the jewelry piece. The invention also includes the method of manufacturing the jewelry setting with a “floating” stone therein. The invisible stone mounting for the stone includes a collet which retains the stone, and means by which the collet is affixed to the interior sidewall of the jewelry piece. The method can include directly affixing the collect to the interior sidewall of the jewelry piece so that the setting is shielded by the stone or including a short metal connecting member by which the collect is affixed to the interior sidewall of the jewelry piece with the collet and short metal connecting member shielded by the stone. The affixation method can include welding.
US08096134B2
An annular combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes an external wall, an internal wall, a chamber end wall connecting these two walls and provided with openings for the fuel injection systems, and heat shielding deflectors fixed to the chamber end wall. The deflectors include a flat wall portion with an opening centered on said openings for the fuel injection systems, two longitudinal edges, and two transverse edges. Along one of the longitudinal edges, the deflector includes a tongue forming a joint cover, creating a housing along the edge for the edge of the adjacent deflector so as to seal the join between the two adjacent edges of the two deflectors. The tongue is spaced away from the chamber end wall so as to create a space supplied with cooling air via orifices in the chamber end wall.
US08096131B2
An inlet tube within a gas turbine engine which includes a primary fuel channel and a secondary fuel channel formed in a cylindrical tube body. The secondary channel has a substantially crescent shaped cross-sectional area which is complementary in shape to the primary fuel channel, such as to maximize the combined fuel flow area through the primary and secondary fuel channels relative to an outer diameter of the cylindrical tube body.
US08096129B2
A fuel distribution apparatus has a manifold head, a waisted portion and a nozzle head. An inlet channel is formed in a mounting surface of a casing of a jet engine. An annular inlet manifold is formed in the manifold head to receive fluid from the fuel inlet channel. Six outlet fluid passageways extend substantially tangentially away from the annular inlet manifold and open out into an annular outlet manifold. Three ports are formed in the inner wall of the annular outlet manifold and the ports are connected to fuel delivery tubes which extend away from the ports in a substantially helical fashion around the waisted portion into a nozzle head. The outlet fluid passageways are arranged to direct the fluid around the outlet manifold in a first direction and the helical fuel delivery tubes extend in the opposite direction.
US08096126B2
A motor-driven supercharger is provided with a turbine shaft (12) having a turbine impeller (11) in one end, a compressor impeller (14) rotationally driven by the turbine shaft, a housing surrounding the turbine impeller, the turbine shaft and the compressor impeller, a motor stator (24) fixed within the housing, and a motor rotor (22) rotationally driven by the motor stator. The motor rotor (22) is fixed to an inner diameter side of the compressor impeller (14) in accordance with a fitting.
US08096122B2
An electric booster according to the present invention comprises a booster piston disposed around an input piston so as to movable relative to the input piston. The booster piston and input piston also serve as a primacy piston of a tandem master cylinder. A brake fluid pressure is generated in the tandem master cylinder by an input thrust force provided from a brake pedal to the input piston and a booster thrust force provided from the electronic actuator to the booster piston. In this electric booster, a slide hole is formed through the secondary piston of the tamed master cylinder in the axial direction therefore, and a rod member is slidably disposed through the slide hole. When the fluid pressure is not increased in the primary pressure chamber, due to the fluid pressure in the secondary pressure chamber, the rod member comes to abut against the input piston, and a reactive force in the secondary pressure chamber is returned to the brake pedal.
US08096116B2
For reducing the number of anchors required for mooring a plurality of WECs in a body of water, the WECs are arrayed in two patterns enabling the sharing of anchors among the WECs. One pattern comprises pluralities of WECs disposed in polygonal shaped cells with an anchor disposed beneath each cell connected to all the WECs in the cell. A second pattern comprises a tessellated pattern of contiguous cells with WECs at the interface between contiguous pairs of cells being common to both cells of the pairs.
US08096112B2
An exhaust after-treatment system having a main tank configured to retain and supply a reductant is disclosed. The exhaust after-treatment system includes a main heat source disposed in the main tank and configured to thaw the reductant. The exhaust after-treatment system also includes a secondary tank configured to retain a supply of reductant and a pump configured to pass reductant from the secondary tank to the main tank. The exhaust after-treatment system further includes a secondary heat source configured to thaw the reductant within the secondary tank.
US08096109B2
A system including a fuel cell and an internal-combustion engine, particularly for a motor vehicle. Preferably, exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine flows at least essentially around the fuel cell. Exhaust gas from the internal-combustion engine may also flow around an afterburner for the fuel cell exhaust gas and/or around a reformer for processing fuel. The fuel cell and/or afterburner and/or reformer may be arranged downstream of a purification system for the internal-combustion engine exhaust gases and may be essentially inside a pipe or the like carrying the latter. The fuel cell and the reformer may also be arranged upstream of an exhaust gas purification system. Part of the fuel cell exhaust gas flow may be fed to the internal-combustion engine for combustion, and exhaust gases from the fuel cell and/or the internal-combustion engine may transfer heat with the air for the fuel cell.
US08096106B2
A drive mechanism comprising a first sprocket encircled by a tensioned chain and an orbit sprocket arranged to orbit the first sprocket in response to a resynchronisation signal. The orbit sprocket is arranged to displace the tensioned chain relative to the first sprocket. The first sprocket is rotatable and is coupled to an output drive sprocket by the tensioned chain such that the first and output drive sprockets are rotatable in synchronicity, whereby the orbit of the orbit sprocket alters the relative angular orientation of the first and output drive sprockets.
US08096105B2
A plurality of hatches are distributed on the rear periphery of an engine cowl. The hatches are opened only when turbojet engine power is greater than cruising power. In an open position, the hatches draw hot air jets passing through an intermediate chamber before ejecting the jets through longitudinally-distributed communication components.
US08096103B1
General Wheel Rotation Power Motor(GWRPPM) systems, apparatus, devices and methods of using a pressure generation, storage and control element: a pressure conversion to rotational force unit with reverse and neutral capability and components to transfer said rotational force to a power accumulator/multiplier whereby useful rotational force can be applied to varied applications. Pressure can be generated from an internal combustion engine(ICE), a pressurized air source, and the like.
US08096094B2
A method for finishing an edge of an insulating concrete form wall constructed from insulating concrete form blocks having a cavity including covering a top surface of a side panel and a top portion of an exterior surface with an elongated member having two surface portions coupled together with an intermediate portion positioned between the two surface portions the intermediate portion being dimensioned and positioned for enclosing an end of the side panel and a portion of an opening to the cavity and attaching a plurality of wire ties positioned along the elongated member between the elongated member and rebar members positioned within the cavity, said coupling devices being attached before, during and after concrete being received within the cavity.
US08096092B2
What is described is a lightweight structural panel which comprises a planarly extended outer skin of given thickness and stiffening elements which are connected to this outer skin and are arranged at a given distance from one another. According to the invention, the outer skin is formed by component layers which are each extended in the planar direction of the lightweight structural panel and complement one another in the direction of thickness to form the thickness of the outer skin and are interconnected, the stiffening elements being formed in one piece with one of the component layers.
US08096088B2
A barrier assembly for sealing the gap between the frame of a window and the rough opening of a building in which the window is received comprises an adaptor attached to the window frame and a sealing membrane providing an air and moisture barrier between the window frame and the framing members defining the building's rough opening. The flexible sealing membrane is formed from multiple membrane sections, at least one of which is formed from a flexible sheet and a projection integral with the flexible sheet, the projection being received in a channel defined by the adaptor to provide an air and moisture-proof barrier seal between the window frame and the associated building framing members.
US08096083B2
A health booth includes a telescopic and pivotal board including two telescopic units having one ends pivotably attached to a board; a seat assembly including two parallel columns mounted on the other side wall, a horizontal bar slidably put on the columns, a telescopic support post mounted between the horizontal bar and a bottom, and a collapsible seat secured to the horizontal bar, and a pivot assembly including a channel mounted onto one side wall, two torsion springs in the channel, two outer cylindrical members each together with one inner cylindrical member to dispose the other ends of the telescopic units therein, and two groups of a plurality of fasteners wherein each group of the fasteners are driven through the outer cylindrical member into the inner cylindrical member to fasten the other ends of the telescopic units.
US08096080B2
In an embodiment an adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly is provided. The adjustable window regulator lifter plate assembly includes a base, a window holder and a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism. The base is configured for movement along a path. The base has an inboard side and an outboard side. The window holder is configured to receive and hold a vehicle window. The window holder is movably connected to the base. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism is operable by a cross-car orientation adjustment tool and is operatively connected to the window holder to control the cross-car orientation of the window holder. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism includes a cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member configured to receive the cross-car orientation adjustment tool. The cross-car orientation adjustment mechanism tool-receiving member is accessible from the inboard side of the base.
US08096074B2
A firearm including a barrel having a chamber and an integrally formed upper receiver having a passageway, an accessory rail extending the complete length of the upper receiver, and a guidance feature extending along the passageway. The firearm also includes an operating rod having an anti-bounce mechanism, a bolt that is rotated counter-clockwise to lock against the chamber, a bolt carrier having a safety extension disposed below the bolt that prevents a hammer from striking a firing pin until the bolt is locked against the chamber, a lower receiver, a recoil spring assembly, and a fire control group. The bolt includes a polymer spring that biases a sliding extractor against the base of a cartridge. The sliding extractor is disposed at an angle ranging from thirty degrees to fifteen degrees on the bolt face to provide a low ejection angle from the firearm.
US08096072B2
One example embodiment disclosed herein includes a sign substrate including a front side and a back side, a reflective traffic sign layer to reflect a light to display a traffic message to traffic, the reflective traffic sign layer coupled to the front side of the sign substrate, a light blocking layer masking the reflective traffic sign layer to prevent the light from reflecting a ghost image of the message through the light blocking layer to the traffic and a replacement reflective traffic sign layer disposed on top of the light blocking layer, the replacement reflective traffic sign layer to reflect the light to display a reflected replacement message to the traffic.
US08096066B2
An extensible snowplough blade comprises a fixed blade body (10), having a substantially linear conformation in a longitudinal direction and is provided, at a posterior surface (11) thereof, with means for support (12). It further comprises a raising structure (20) for defining a hinged connection between the blade body (10) and a vehicle (150). The raising structure (20) in turn comprises a frame (21) for fixing thereof to the vehicle (150) and coupling means (25) of the fixed frame (21) to the means for support (12). The extensible snowplough blade (100) further comprises a first extension (30), slidably mounted on the means for support (12) in a parallel position to the blade body (10) and destined to extend longitudinally with respect to the blade body (10) in a left-wards direction, and a second extension (40), slidably mounted on the means for support (12) in a parallel position to the blade body (10) and destined to extend longitudinally, with respect to the blade body (10), in a right-wards direction. Adjusting means (6) are further provided in the raising structure (20) in order to regulate an angle of incidence to the ground of the snowplough blade (100).
US08096063B2
An apparatus for thermally de-coating and/or drying coated and/or contaminated materials comprises a support and an oven pivotally mounted to the support. The oven has charging portion for receiving material to be treated and a changeover portion. Incorporated within the changeover portion is a heat treatment chamber through which a stream of hot gases can be passed. The oven is pivotally moveable between a first position in which the changeover portion is higher than the charging portion and a second position in which the charging portion is higher than the changeover portion. The arrangement is such that the oven can be repeatedly moved between the first and second positions so that material within the oven falls from one portion to the other portion, passing through the stream of hot gasses in the heat treatment chamber. A method of using the apparatus is also disclosed.
US08096050B2
A method may include locating a first lobe member of a camshaft on a first shaft having an annular wall defining a first bore and a first outer radial surface. The first lobe member may include a second bore receiving the first shaft. The method may further include forcing first and second deforming members through the first bore. The first deforming member may have a first outer diameter that is greater than an initial inner diameter of the first shaft and may displace the annular wall in an outward radial direction to provide a first engagement between the first outer radial surface and the second bore. The second deforming member may have a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter and may displace the annular wall in the outward radial direction to provide a second engagement between the first outer radial surface and the second bore.
US08096045B2
The present invention relates to device and method for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly that reduces an error rate by reducing stress concentrated on rolling elements in manufacturing processes of the wheel bearing assembly. The device for manufacturing a wheel bearing assembly may include: a base, on which a hub is mounted, supporting the hub in a case of orbital-forming; a forming tool mounting portion mounted above the base; a rotating portion rotatably connected to an outer ring and rotating or pivoting the outer ring about a hub axis in a case of the orbital-forming; and a forming tool mounted at the forming tool mounting portion, rotating on a first axis slanted to the hub axis by a predetermined angle, and simultaneously orbiting about a second axis parallel with the hub axis.
US08096037B2
Well screen fabrication. A method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a filter portion having an inner dimension, and then increasing the inner dimension, the providing and increasing steps being performed prior to installing the well screen in a wellbore. Another method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a base pipe having an outer dimension, providing a filter portion having an inner dimension less than or equal to the outer dimension, then increasing the inner dimension to greater than or equal to the outer dimension, and then decreasing the inner dimension. Another method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a base pipe having an outer dimension, providing a filter portion having an inner dimension, and then providing an interference fit between the inner and outer dimensions.
US08096036B2
A method of manufacturing a steering column assembly having a first jacket and a second jacket with a bushing between the first and second jackets. The method utilizes a manufacturing machine having a loadable member, a fixed member, and a thermal fixture. The method comprises the steps of: assembling the first jacket to the second jacket with the bushing located radially between the first and second jackets to interlock the first and second jackets and prevent axial movement between the first and second jackets; connecting the first jacket to the loadable member of the manufacturing machine; connecting the second jacket to a fixed member of the manufacturing machine; loading the loadable member to apply an axial force to the first jacket; heating the thermal fixture of the manufacturing machine; and melting the bushing until the first jacket moves axially relative to the second jacket.
US08096031B2
A hand tool that can be used to physically engage a release feature on a push-lock fitting so that a tube, hose, or other conduit can be easily inserted into and/or removed from the fitting. This can be particularly useful with industrial machines that have a number of pneumatic fittings installed close together in a tight proximity. According to one embodiment, the hand tool includes an elongated body portion, engagement portions located at opposing ends of the body portion, and transition portions located therebetween. Each engagement portion includes an open pocket for fitting around the tube, and a contact surface for engaging the release feature.
US08096025B2
A method and apparatus for affixing, rigging or attaching objects, articles or vessels using a fabric case, two double O-ring sets and a cord with two adjustable loops each with a bead stopper or chock. The fabric case serves as a semi-rigid cladding sleeve within which the attached cord extends, making two loops, one each at the opposite ends, each with a threaded bead or chock. Using the bead, the cord loop is passed about and object and returned under two adjacent O-rings, then back over one and under the other of the same O-ring pair to secure the cord loop by means of pressure against the fabric case. In this manner, the semi-rigid fabric cladding sleeve serves as the support base for the pressure or tensioning of the double O-rings and works to fasten or rig the attached objects, articles, or vessels.
US08096011B2
An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle, a head with a carriers and a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. A motor is disposed within the handle. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. The shaft is operatively connected to the carrier to move the carrier in a first motion. The carrier is capable of moving in a second motion when subjected to user forces.
US08096006B2
A medical examination table is provided. The medical examination table comprises a base providing a storage area, a patient support movable independent of the base between a lowered position and a raised position, and a lift mechanism coupled to the patient support for moving the patient support between the lowered position and the raised position. The patient support comprises a backrest and a seat. Movement of the patient support independent or separately from the base and without interfering with the storage areas within the base may allow for the efficient use of the examination table as a storage area.
