US08106444B2
Provided is a semiconductor device including: source-drain regions formed on a silicon substrate with a channel forming region sandwiched therebetween; a word gate electrode formed on the channel forming region via a word gate insulating film not including a charge storage layer; a control gate formed on the silicon substrate on one side of the word gate electrode via a trap insulating film including a charge storage layer; and a control gate formed on the silicon substrate on the other side of the word gate electrode via a trap insulating film including a charge storage layer. A bottom of the word gate electrode is made to be higher than the control gate and a bottom of the control gate, and a level difference between the bottoms of the electrodes is made to be larger than a physical film thickness of the word gate insulating film.
US08106443B2
A non-volatile semiconductor device includes an n type well formed in a semiconductor substrate having a surface, the surface having a plurality of stripe shaped grooves and a plurality of stripe shaped ribs, a plurality of stripe shaped p type diffusion regions formed in upper parts of each of the plurality of ribs, the plurality of stripe shaped p type diffusion regions being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the ribs, a tunneling insulation film formed on the grooves and the ribs, a charge storage layer formed on the tunneling insulating film, a gate insulation film formed on the charge storage layer, and a plurality of stripe shaped conductors formed on the gate insulating film, the plurality of stripe shaped conductors arranged in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the ribs with a predetermined interval wherein an impurity diffusion structure in the ribs are asymmetric.
US08106442B2
A method of fabricating an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer in a memory cell to retain charge well in the nitride layer includes the steps of forming a bottom oxide layer on a substrate, depositing a nitride layer and oxidizing a top oxide layer, thereby causing oxygen to be introduced into the nitride layer. Another method includes the steps of forming a bottom oxide layer on a substrate, depositing a nitride layer and oxidizing a portion of a top oxide layer, thereby causing oxygen to be introduced into the nitride layer and depositing a remaining portion of the top oxide layer, thereby assisting in controlling the amount of oxygen introduced into the nitride layer. A further method includes the steps of forming a bottom oxide layer on a substrate, depositing a nitride layer, depositing a portion of a top oxide layer and oxidizing a remaining portion of the top oxide layer, thereby causing oxygen to be introduced into the nitride layer.
US08106441B2
A memory cell capacitor (C3) of a DRAM is formed by use of a MIM capacitor which uses as its electrode a metal wiring line of the same layer (M3) as metal wiring lines within a logic circuit (LOGIC), thereby enabling reduction of process costs. Higher integration is achievable by forming the capacitor using a high dielectric constant material and disposing it above a wiring layer in which bit lines (BL) are formed. In addition, using 2T cells makes it possible to provide a sufficient signal amount even when letting them operate with a low voltage. By commonizing the processes for fabricating capacitors in analog (ANALOG) and memory (MEM), it is possible to realize a semiconductor integrated circuit with the logic, analog and memory mounted together on one chip at low costs.
US08106440B2
Embodiments of the present invention describe a method of fabricating a III-V quantum well transistor with low current leakage and high on-to-off current ratio. A hydrophobic mask having an opening is formed on a semiconductor film. The opening exposes a portion on the semiconductor film where a dielectric layer is desired to be formed. A hydrophilic surface is formed on the exposed portion of the semiconductor film. A dielectric layer is then formed on the hydrophilic surface by using an atomic layer deposition process. A metal layer is deposited on the dielectric layer.
US08106439B2
Disclosed herein are improved fin-type field effect transistor (FinFET) structures and the associated methods of manufacturing the structures. In one embodiment FinFET drive current is optimized by configuring the FinFET asymmetrically to decrease fin resistance between the gate and the source region and to decrease capacitance between the gate and the drain region. In another embodiment device destruction at high voltages is prevented by ballasting the FinFET. Specifically, resistance is optimized in the fin between the gate and both the source and drain regions (e.g., by increasing fin length, by blocking source/drain implant from the fin, and by blocking silicide formation on the top surface of the fin) so that the FinFET is operable at a predetermined maximum voltage.
US08106435B2
In one embodiment, a lower interlayer dielectric layer, and first and second landing pads penetrating the lower interlayer dielectric layer are formed on a substrate. Interconnection patterns covering the second landing pads are formed on the lower interlayer dielectric layer. An etch stop layer is formed over the interconnection patterns. An upper interlayer dielectric layer filling a gap region between the interconnection patterns is formed on the etch stop layer. The upper interlayer dielectric layer is patterned to form a preliminary contact hole between the interconnection patterns, where the etch stop layer is exposed at the bottom of the preliminary contact hole. The preliminary contact hole is extended and the etch stop layer exposed by the extended preliminary contact hole is removed to form a first contact hole exposing the first landing pad. A buried contact plug is then formed within the first contact hole.
US08106431B2
A solid state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells each including a plurality of photoelectric sections arranged in an array of at least two rows and two columns; a plurality of floating diffusion sections each being connected to each of ones of the photoelectric sections which are included in the same row of each said photoelectric conversion cell via each of a plurality of transfer transistors, and being shared by said ones of the photoelectric sections; a plurality of read-out lines each being selectively connected to at least two of the transfer transistors; and a plurality of pixel amplifier transistors each detecting and outputting the potential of each said the floating diffusion section. Charges of the photoelectric conversion sections each being connected to one of the read-out lines and being read out by the transfer transistors are read out by different floating diffusion sections.
US08106429B2
Disclosed is an image sensor. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a lower interconnection, a plurality of upper interconnection sections protruding upward from the semiconductor substrate, a first trench disposed between the upper interconnection sections such that the upper interconnection sections are spaced apart from each other, a bottom electrode disposed on an outer peripheral surfaces of the upper interconnection sections, a first conductive layer disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the bottom electrode, an intrinsic layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate including the first conductive layer and the first trench, and having a second trench on the first trench, a second conductive layer disposed on the intrinsic layer and having a third trench on the second trench, a light blocking part disposed in the third trench, and a top electrode disposed on the light blocking part and the second conductive layer.
US08106428B2
Devices, systems, and methods for detecting nucleic acid hybridization, including single nucleic base mutations at low concentrations, are disclosed, using capture units having nanoparticles with attached single-stranded oligonucleotides that are capable of hybridizing target oligonucleotides and reporter molecules having nanoparticles with attached single-stranded oligonucleotides, without the use of labeling or target modification.
US08106425B2
Example embodiments relate to an interconnection substrate and a semiconductor chip package and a display system including the same. The interconnection substrate may include a base film, a signal line provided on the base film, a power line provided on the base film as a line pattern including a plurality of bent portions, and a ground line provided on the base film in parallel with the power line. The interconnection substrate may further include a semiconductor chip provided on the base film, wherein the power, ground, and/or signal lines are electrically connected to the semiconductor chip to form a semiconductor chip package. A display system may include the above semiconductor chip package, a screen displaying an image, and a PCB generating a signal. The semiconductor chip may be connected between the PCB and the screen and relay the generated signal from the PCB to the screen. Use of the power, ground, and/or signal lines having a plurality of bent portions may reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) within the display system.
US08106416B2
A light emitting device package including a light emitting device and a magnetic ring is provided. The magnetic ring surrounds the light emitting device for forming a magnetic source for applying a magnetic field to the light emitting device.
US08106414B2
A semiconductor light emitting device is provided which allows emission light from a light source to efficiently outgo from the semiconductor light emitting device so that the light emission intensity of the semiconductor light emitting device is increased. A penetrating opening is formed in the substantially central part of a cap member to communicate the interior side to the exterior side the cap member. The penetrating opening has an inclined portion. The inclined portion is opposed to and spaced away from a semiconductor light emitting element and includes a light entering portion through which emission light from the semiconductor light emitting element passes. The opening width of the inclined portion is getting wider from the light entering portion in the light traveling direction so that the inclined portion is tapered. The emission light from the semiconductor light emitting element can effectively outgo from the semiconductor light emitting device.
US08106409B2
A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes a substrate; a plurality of semiconductor islands formed on the substrate, the plurality of semiconductor islands including a plurality of first and second extrinsic regions, and a plurality of intrinsic regions; a gate insulating layer covering the semiconductor islands; a plurality of gate lines including a plurality of gate electrodes overlapping the intrinsic regions and formed on the gate insulating layer; a plurality of data lines connected to the first extrinsic regions and formed on the gate insulating layer; and a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the second extrinsic regions, wherein a plurality of protrusions are formed on the surfaces of the semiconductor islands, and a length of a semiconductor island is a multiple of the a distance between at least two protrusions.
US08106403B2
Embodiments of the invention include a III-nitride semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting region disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. At least one layer in the light emitting region is Bx(InyGa1-y)1-xN. In some embodiments, x is less than 14%. In some embodiments, the BN composition is selected such that the Bx(InyGa1-y)1-xN layer has the same band gap energy as a comparable InGaN layer, with a bulk lattice constant that is the same or smaller than the comparable InGaN layer.
US08106401B2
Provided are a display device in which variation in output characteristics of the photodiode is suppressed, and a method for manufacturing the display device. The display device is provided with the active matrix substrate (2) and photodiode (6). First, on a substrate of glass (12), a silicon film (8) and an interlayer insulation film (15) for covering the silicon film (8) are formed in this order. Then, a metal film is formed, and metal lines (10, 11) traversing the silicon film (8) are formed by etching the metal film. Then, p-type impurity ions are implanted by using a mask that has an opening (24a) that exposes a portion that overlaps a region where a p-layer (9a) is to be formed, a part of the opening (24a) being formed with the metal line (10). Furthermore, n-type impurity ions are implanted by using a mask that has an opening (25b) that exposes a portion that overlaps a region where an n-layer (9c) is to be formed, a part of the opening (25a) being formed with the metal line (11).
US08106397B2
A thin film transistor (“TFT”) includes a poly silicon layer formed on a flexible substrate and including a source region, a drain region, and a channel region, and a gate stack formed on the channel region of the poly silicon layer, wherein the gate stack includes first and second gate stacks, and a region of the poly silicon layer between the first and second gate stacks is an off-set region. A method of manufacturing the TFT is also provided.
US08106395B2
A technique of manufacturing a semiconductor device capable of performing a probe test by a common test apparatus as normal LSI chips even for large-area chips is provided. A chip comprising a device formed on a device area by a semiconductor process and including a plurality of test areas sectioned by chip areas is prepared. Next, pads to be electrically connected to the device are formed at corresponding positions on the respective plurality of test areas. Subsequently, the respective test areas are tested by a same probe card via the plurality of pads.
US08106392B2
An object is to provide a novel anthracene derivative. Another object is to provide a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency. Yet another object is to provide a light-emitting element with a long lifetime. Still another object is to provide a light-emitting device and an electronic device having a long lifetime by using the light-emitting elements of the present invention. The anthracene derivative represented by General Formula (1) is provided. The ability of the anthracene derivative represented by General Formula (1) to exhibit high luminous efficiency allows the production of a light-emitting element with high luminous efficiency and a long lifetime.
US08106391B2
An organic EL device includes: an anode, a cathode and an organic thin-film layer interposed between the anode and the cathode, in which the organic thin-film layer includes: an emitting layer containing a host material and a phosphorescent material; and a hole transporting layer provided adjacent to the anode relative to the emitting layer. The hole transporting layer includes a first hole transporting layer and a second hole transporting layer that are sequentially layered on the anode, in which the first hole transporting layer contains an amino compound substituted by an aromatic substituent represented by a formula (1) below and the second hole transporting layer contains at least one of compounds represented by formulae (2) to (5) below.
US08106385B2
Disclosed is materials design for prolonging the duration of the low relative dielectric constant of an organic siloxane film having a low relative dielectric constant. Specifically, in an organic siloxane film having a relative dielectric constant of not more than 2.1, the elemental ratio of carbon to silicon in the film is set to not less than 0.10 and not more than 0.55.
US08106381B2
The present invention discloses structures to increase carrier mobility using engineered substrate technologies for a solid state device. Structures employing rare-earth compounds enable heteroepitaxy of different semiconductor materials of different orientations.
US08106380B2
Semiconductor structures and devices including strained material layers having impurity-free zones, and methods for fabricating same. Certain regions of the strained material layers are kept free of impurities that can interdiffuse from adjacent portions of the semiconductor. When impurities are present in certain regions of the strained material layers, there is degradation in device performance. By employing semiconductor structures and devices (e.g., field effect transistors or “FETs”) that have the features described, or are fabricated in accordance with the steps described, device operation is enhanced.
US08106375B2
Resistance-switching oxide films, and devices therewith, are disclosed. Resistance-switching oxide films, according to certain preferred aspects of the present invention, include at least about 75 atomic percent of an insulator oxide matrix having a conducting material dopant in an amount up to about 25 atomic percent. The matrix and dopant are preferably in solid solution. The insulator oxide matrix may also preferably include about 6 to about 12 atomic percent of a conducting material dopant. According to certain aspects of the present invention, the insulator oxide matrix, the conducting material dopant, or both, may have a perovskite crystal structure. The insulator oxide matrix may preferably include at least one of LaAlO3 and CaZrO3. Preferred conducting material dopants include SrRuO3, CaRuO3, or combinations thereof.
US08106371B2
In a charged particle irradiation system, forming a uniform dose distribution is required by irradiating a moving irradiation object through beam scanning and energy stacking. The charged particle irradiation system includes an ion beam generator 1 from which an ion beam is extracted with a target beam current value thereof set; an irradiation nozzle 21 having scanning magnets 23, 24 and an energy filter 26, the irradiation nozzle 21 for irradiating an irradiation object with the ion beam; and an irradiation object monitoring unit 66 for measuring a position of the irradiation object and outputting signals that vary with time according to displacement of the irradiation object. The charged particle irradiation system determines extraction timing of the ion beam based on the signal outputted from the irradiation object monitoring unit 66 and sequentially changes energies of the ion beam to thereby perform a repainting irradiation with each of the energies.
US08106365B2
Fissionable materials are distinguished from other high-effective atomic number materials by producing dual-energy x-ray radiation sufficient to cause fission in fissionable materials and directing the dual-energy x-ray radiation sufficient to cause fission in fissionable materials towards a physical region. X-ray radiation and a product of fission from the physical region are sensed. An absorption of the dual-energy x-ray radiation by the physical region is determined based on the sensed x-ray radiation, and whether the physical region includes fissionable material is determined based on the presence of a product of fission.
US08106362B2
A surface contamination examining device includes a radiation detector 11 and an arithmetic/display device 13 for displaying radiation intensity in form of a counting rate. The arithmetic/display device has a boundary detecting device 10 that detects the boundary of contamination 14 of an object to be measured by a radioactive material while the radiation detector moves along a surface 18 of the object to be measured. The boundary detecting device 10 includes a counting rate storage unit that sequentially stores counting rates Yi at a predetermined time interval, a slope arithmetic unit that computes slopes aM and aN of approximation lines from previous M (where M is an integer of 3 or larger) counting rates Yi including a final counting rate YM and previous N (where N is an integer smaller than M) counting rates Yi including the final counting rate YM, and a boundary determining unit that determines the boundary of contamination of the object to be measured by the radioactive material on the basis of lines of slope aM and aN.
US08106360B2
An infrared (IR) emission spectroscopy and microscopy apparatus with X-ray excitation or electron excitation and an improved process for extending spatial relation of infrared (IR) microscopy and performing microscopic infrared (IR) analysis by X-ray or electron radiation are provided. By utilizing nanometer sized X-ray beams or electron beams to produce IR emission, the spatial resolution of IR microscopy is extended. Simultaneously performing X-ray or electron-based spectroscopy as well as structural studies are enabled.
US08106358B2
A scanning charged particle apparatus includes a layered charged particle beam column package; a sample holder; and a layered differential pumping aperture that assists in maintaining two different vacuums.
US08106357B2
In the case where a specimen is imaged by a scanning electron microscope, it is intended to acquire an image of a high quality having a noise component reduced, thereby to improve the precision of an image processing. The intensity distribution of a beam is calculated on the basis of an imaging condition or specimen information, and an image restoration is performed by using a resolving power deterioration factor other than the beam intensity distribution as a target of a deterioration mode, so that a high resolving power image can be acquired under various conditions. In the scanning electron microscope for semiconductor inspections and semiconductor measurements, the restored image is used for pattern size measurement, defect detections, defect classifications and so on, so that the measurements can be improved in precision and so that the defect detections and classifications can be made high precise.
US08106346B2
A photodetector includes a photoelectric conversion circuit that generates a first voltage by converting a first current generated in accordance with the illuminance of incident light into log-compressed voltage; a temperature compensation circuit that generates a second voltage by performing temperature compensation for the first voltage and generate a second current by converting the second voltage into current; and a digital signal generation circuit that generates a clock signal having an oscillation frequency depending on the second current, counts pulses of the clock signal for a certain period, and generates a digital signal using the count value for the certain period as data.
US08106340B1
A method for guiding a multistage interceptor missile toward a target missile that may transition from a boost mode to a ballistic mode during the engagement. The method comprises the steps of tracking the position of the target missile with a sensor, generating a predicted intercept point and time, and loading the predicted intercept point and time into the interceptor missile guidance system. The interceptor missile is launched and transition is made to the second stage of propulsion of the interceptor missile. Second-stage midcourse guidance acceleration commands are generated in response to an elevated predicted intercept point generated using the Runge-Kutta integration method working on predicted target missile position, velocity, and acceleration. During third stage propulsion said interceptor missile is guided toward an updated predicted intercept point of the target missile. During fourth stage, the kinetic warhead effects a hit-to-kill intercept of the target missile.
US08106333B2
A heated frequency converter assembly having a resistor element and/or brake means that are configured to heat the frequency converter assembly to produce a sufficiently high operating temperature and/or to prevent moisture condensation.
US08106332B2
A connector is shaped to receive the edge region of an automotive glazing between opposing connector arms. A first surface of the automotive glazing is provided with a first electrical function situated thereon, and a second surface of the automotive glazing is provided with a second electrical function situated thereon. Connector arms carry wiring for the automotive glazing electrical functions. The connector further includes a cap which covers one connector arm and a connection between the wiring carried by that arm to the electrical function on the surface of the glazing.
US08106329B2
A laser system for processing conductive link structures includes a seed laser generating a seed laser beam. The seed laser is sliced by a modulator into a user configurable series of pulses and the pulses are optically amplified and applied to a conductive link structure. Preferably, the bandwidth of the seed laser is less than 1 nm with an IR center frequency, and the frequency of the laser light of the pulses is doubled or quadrupled prior to application to the conductive structure. Preferably, the pulses are about 1-18 second pulsewidth and are separated by 100-400 ns.
US08106314B2
A method and an apparatus for dynamically checking the weight of objects (18a-c) which are guided across a weight-sensitive zone (14) of a weighing device (12) at an adjustable conveying rate by a conveying mechanism (20a-c). At regular intervals, the weight-sensitive zone (14) supplies individual measured weight values (E1, . . . , En) from which resultant weight values are derived in a digital evaluation unit (16) by averaging. The evaluation unit (16) includes a plurality of cascaded averaging filters (24a-e) which have different filter lengths that are varied by a common scaling factor depending on the conveying rate.
US08106313B2
The present invention is directed to a wire fitting that may be used to pass a wire, cable or other conductor through a surface in order to produce a substantially secure and water tight connection between the wire fitting, the wire and the surface. The wire fitting may include a cap unit that is configured to be removably affixed to a base unit. The cap unit and the base unit may include corresponding threads to allow the cap unit to be screwed onto the base unit. A compressible plug may be placed between the cap unit and base unit in an opening at an end of the base unit. A washer with a set of ridges may also be placed between the cap unit and the base unit on the compressible plug to facilitate compression of the compressible plug and secure the cap unit into place.
US08106307B2
A substrate structure capable of miniaturizing and thinning a housing of a portable terminal is provided.A substrate structure 10 comprises a substrate 11, plural electronic components 12 mounted along one mounting surface 11A in the substrate 11, and a resin part 13 for making close contact with the mounting surface 11A of the substrate 11while each of the electronic components 12 is covered with a resin 13A. In the substrate structure 10, a through hole 14 extending through the substrate 11 in a thickness direction is disposed and also the side of the mounting surface 11A in the through hole 14 is closed by a lid member 15. A rising part 21 is disposed in a peripheral part of this lid member 15.
US08106304B2
A mounting structure of an electronic component includes: a bump electrode included in the electronic component, the bump electrode having an internal resin as a core and a conductive film covering a surface of the internal resin, and elastically deforming so as to follow a shape of at least one corner of a terminal so that the conductive film makes direct conductive contact with at least part of a top surface of the terminal and at least part of a surface along a thickness direction of the terminal; a substrate having the terminal and the electronic component that is mounted on the substrate; and a holding unit provided to the substrate and the electronic component so as to hold a state in which the bump electrode electrically deformed makes conductive contact with the terminal.
US08106298B2
An electrical component having at least one cable element, at least one solder joint, at least one hotmelt element and at least one substrate element, a method of manufacturing such an electrical component, and a tool for manufacturing the electrical component. The cable element is connected with the substrate element by the solder joint. The at least one solder joint is not embedded in the hotmelt element. Preferably, the solder joint is free from the hotmelt material of the hotmelt element. Wherein a flow of hotmelt material is stopped before it reaches the solder joint. A hotmelt cavity for forming the hotmelt element from hotmelt material is separated from a substrate cavity adapted to receive the substrate element by a compressible solder sealing.
US08106294B2
A dye-sensitized solar cell having high long-term reliability is provided by inventing a glass composition, which is hardly eroded by an iodine electrolyte solution and has a low-melting point property, and a material using the glass composition. The glass composition for a dye-sensitized solar cell of the present invention is characterized by including as a glass composition, in terms of mass %, 20 to 70% of V2O5 and 10 to 50% of P2O5.
US08106289B2
A hybrid photovoltaic device comprising a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a matrix of a photosensitive material including one or more layers. A combination of innovative structural aspects of the hybrid photovoltaic device results in significant improvements in collection of incident light from the solar spectrum, better absorption of light, and better collection of the photo-carriers generated in response to the incident light, thereby improving efficiency of the hybrid photovoltaic device.
US08106275B1
A novel maize variety designated PHPDG and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHPDG with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHPDG through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHPDG or a locus conversion of PHPDG with another maize variety.
US08106259B2
Mixed duplex oligonucleotides (MDON) are used to effect site-specific genetic alterations in a target DNA sequence of a plant. The MDON are introduced by electroporation into microspores. Thereafter, plants having a desired genetic alteration are produced by germinating the microspores.
US08106257B2
In angiosperm and gymnosperm plants, overexpressing a SAMdc nucleotide sequence can decrease lignin content and, for plants with woody tissue, increase wood density.
US08106256B2
The present invention relates to plant cells and plants which synthesize an increased amount of hyaluronan, and to methods for preparing such plants, and also to methods for preparing hyaluronan with the aid of these plant cells or plants. Here, plant cells or genetically modified plants according to the invention have hyaluronan synthase activity and additionally an increased glutamine:fructose 6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) activity and an increased UDP glucose dehydrogenase (UDP-Glc-DH) activity, compared to wild-type plant cells or wild-type plants. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of plants having increased hyaluronan synthesis for preparing hyaluronan and food or feedstuff containing hyaluronan.
US08106254B2
The present invention relates to a heat- and ethylene-inducible plant specific promoter, and its relevant recombinant plasmids and transgenic plants.
US08106253B2
The present invention is directed to plants that display an improved oil quantity phenotype or an improved meal quality phenotype due to altered expression of an IMQ nucleic acid. The invention is further directed to methods of generating plants with an improved oil quantity phenotype or improved meal quality phenotype.
US08106247B2
Provided herein are, among other things, jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the fuel compositions comprise at least a fuel component readily and efficiently produced, at least in part, from a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise a high concentration of at least a bioengineered fuel component. In further embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise amorphane.
US08106238B2
Provided is a production method of glycolic acid having a first step of preparing glycolonitrile from formaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid and a second step of hydrolyzing the glycolonitrile into glycolic acid directly or via a glycolate salt, which method can produce glycolic acid in easy production and purification steps while consuming less energy. In the production method, by carrying out the first and second steps continuously or by storing the glycolonitrile obtained in the first step at pH 4 or less and carrying out a hydrolysis reaction of the second step at from pH 5 to 9, a production yield of glycolic acid, activity for the production of glycolic acid and accumulated concentration of glycolic acid are improved, resulting in the production of glycolic acid having an improved purity and quality.
US08106235B2
Biphenyl compounds having the formula (I): are useful for preventing/treating pathologies linked to a deficiency of the activation of the RAR gamma receptor, e.g., for treating a pathology linked to a cell differentiation and/or proliferation disorder, for treating acne, for treating psoriasis.
US08106231B2
A process for the enantioselective preparation of (2R,3S)-3-phenylisoserine methyl ester acetate salt of formula (I) which is an useful building block for the synthesis of taxane derivatives. The process involves the resolution of racemic threo-phenylisoserine amide and its conversion into (I).
US08106229B2
Organosilane-modified nanoparticles of silica, having a particle size of no more than 1 micron, in which the organosilane resides throughout the entire volume of the nanoparticles and not just at the surfaces of the nanoparticle. The nanoparticles may be in a colloidal solution. They may be prepared by hydrolyzing an alkali silicate under acidic conditions to obtain a silicic acid dispersion, followed by adding an organosilane having hydroxyl and/or hydrolyzable groups to the dispersion under acid conditions; and then raising the pH of the dispersion to at least eight to form the nanoparticles. They may be used in an effective paint primer/protective coating formulation.
US08106224B2
This invention relates to a new method for the stereospecific thiocarboxylation and nitration of organic compounds for the preparation of compounds according to formula (I): comprising the following steps: (a) reacting a compound of formula (II): with a sulfonic derivative of formula (III) wherein the R is chosen from the groups C1-3-alkyl, C1-3-alkyl substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atoms, phenyl, C1-3-alkyl-phenyl and C1-3-alkyl-phenyl wherein the alkyl is substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atoms and G is a halogen atomo or a group —O—SO2—R wherein R is as hereinabove defined to yield a compound of formula (IV) (b) treating compound (IV) with a thiocarboxylic acid of formula (V) or a salt thereof: wherein Z is as defined above, to yield compound (VI) and (c) treating compound (VI) with tetrabutylammonium nitrate to yield a compound of formula (I).
US08106222B2
A fluorine-containing ether compound with a fluorine content increased, the fluorine content being enhanced by fluorinating a polymer including a repeating unit represented by the following Formula (I): wherein Rh1 represents a divalent linkage group; Rf2 represents an perfluoroalkylene group; each of Rf3 and Rf4 independently represents a fluorine atom, a perfluoroalkyl group or a perfluoroalkoxy group, and any two of Rf2, Rf3 and Rf4 may be combined with each other to form a ring.
US08106217B2
The present invention relates to ionic liquids of low viscosity and high electrochemical stability, in particular for use in the area of electrochemistry and as solvents for carrying out chemical reactions.
US08106216B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of 2-n-butyl-3-[[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl]-1,3-diazaspiro[4.4]non-1-en-4-one (Irbesartan).
US08106215B2
The invention relates to 3-aza-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivatives of the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, and A are as described in the description and their use as orexin receptor antagonists.
US08106200B2
The present invention relates to new borane complexes with substituted pyridines, a process for the synthesis of new borane complexes with substituted pyridines, solutions comprising new borane complexes with substituted pyridines and a method of using new borane complexes with substituted pyridines for organic reactions.
US08106194B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an antagonist against CRF receptors which is effective as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diseases in which CRF is considered to be involved, such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, eating disorder, hypertension, gastral diseases, drug dependence, epilepsy, cerebral infarction, cerebral ischemia, cerebral edema, cephalic external wound, inflammation, immunity-related diseases, alpecia, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, dermatitides, schizophrenia, pain, etc. A pyrrolopyrimidine or pyrrolotriazine derivative substituted with a carbamoyl group represented by the following formula [I]: has a high affinity for CRF receptors and is effective against diseases in which CRF is considered to be involved.
US08106193B2
There is described novel organo-platinum luminophores comprising a complex of formula (I). The luminophores have application as the emissive component in organic light emitting diodes.
US08106189B2
An improved process for preparation of triazol-benzodiazepine derivatives, such as alprazolam, triazolam, brotizolam and etizolam, is presented. The process comprises a cyclization reaction of compound Formula B in toluene with catalytic amount of p-toluene sulphonic acid to obtain the triazol-benzodiazepine derivative of Formula C: wherein R is, and X is hydrogen or halogen.
US08106186B2
There is provided a novel transition metal phosphine complex having excellent anticancer activity. The transition metal phosphine complex is represented by general formula (1): (wherein R1s and R3s each represent an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, a pyridyl group, or a pyrimidyl group; R2s and R4s each represent an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group, provided that each R1 and each R2 are not the same group and that each R3 and each R4 are not the same group; As each represent a linear alkylene group or a cis-vinylene group; M represents a gold atom, a silver atom, a copper atom, or a platinum atom; and B represents an anionic species).
US08106179B2
The invention relates to small interfering RNA specific to sub-units α, α′ and β of the kinase protein CK2, and to the applications of the same, especially for treating cancer and viral illnesses.
US08106171B2
The present invention provides novel human genes, for example a novel human gene comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for the amino acid sequence shown under SEQ ID NO:1. The use of the genes makes it possible to detect the expression of the same in various tissues, analyze their structures and functions, and produce the human proteins encoded by the genes by the technology of genetic engineering. Through these, it becomes possible to analyze the corresponding expression products, elucidate the pathology of diseases associated with the genes, for example hereditary diseases and cancer, and diagnose and treat such diseases.
US08106166B2
The present invention relates to a purified molecules, including antibodies, that bind specifically to murine β-catenin phosphorylated at amino acid position Serine552 and to orthologs thereof, such as mammalian orthologs, including human orthologs. Methods of making and using such purified molecules are also provided. Kits containing such purified molecules are further provided.
US08106151B2
A ophthalmic composition, comprising: an aqueous liquid medium, and an effective amount of polyquaternium-1 made by a process of: a) mixing 1,4-bis-dimethylamino-2-butene, triethanolamine and an acid; b) introducing a 1,4-dichloro-2-butene to the mixture, and c) isolating polyquaternium-1 having a molecular weight as determined by a proton NMR method of about 10,000 or more, at a yield of at least about 50%.
US08106148B2
A series of resins were synthesized using a range of bio-based materials to control the molecular architecture, and therefore the properties, of the inventive resins. The utility of these resins was demonstrated in the formulation of powder coatings, such as β-hydroxy amide crosslinked and hybrid types. Generally, the bio-based resins flowed out on heating faster than conventional petrochemically-based resins, allowing the use of lower temperatures in the curing oven than is typically possible and a more active catalyst system, especially in the carboxylic acid-epoxy crosslinked hybrid coatings formulations.
US08106137B2
The invention concerns a novel catalytic combination for polymerizing alpha-olefins based on a titanium diamidide complex. The invention also concerns a method for polymerizing alpha-olefins using said catalytic combination, in the absence of any aluminum-containing compound. The inventive catalytic combination comprises: component A which is a dichlorinated titanium diamidide complex of general formula (I) wherein R represents a methyl group (component A2) or an isopropyl group (component A1); component B which is a dialkylmagnesium whereof the reaction with component A enables an alkylated component AA to be obtained: and as activator of said component AA, component C which is trispentafluorophenylboran (B(C6F5)3).
US08106135B2
Polyethersulfones having Tg greater than about 225° C. and a notched Izod value greater than about 1 ft-lb/in, as measured by ASTM D256, comprise from about 5 mol % to less than about 40 mol % structural units of formula 1; and from greater than about 60 mol % to about 95 mol % structural units of formula 2 wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12 aromatic radical; n, m, q are independently at each occurrence integers from 0 to 4; and Q is a C3-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C20 aromatic radical.
US08106134B2
A golf ball having a polymer layer that has been subjected to impregnation treatment with an isocyanate and/or isothiocyanate-containing olefin compound exhibits at least one improved golf ball attribute, such as scuff resistance or spin performance, compared with an original golf ball that has not been treated by impregnation.
US08106124B2
The present invention relates to an antifogging film formed on a transparent substrate. The antifogging film is characterized in that the film comprises a urethane resin having a water absorption percentage of 20-40 wt %, that the urethane resin is one derived from an acrylic polyol having an average molecular weight of 1000-4000 and a polyoxyalkylene-series polyol having an average molecular weight of 400-5000, that the film is used in an interior environment having a mechanism to forcibly remove water from the film after the water absorption saturation of the film, and that a water film is not formed upon showing antifogging property.
US08106120B2
An aqueous based concrete curing compound is made easily removable by including in the composition polyvinylpyrrolidone or other water-soluble, readily redissolvable, film-forming polymer resin.
US08106118B2
A glass adhesion composition containing a copolymer having an acid and a substituted amide, silanol, or amine oxide functionality. The substituted amide, silanol, or amine oxide functionality provide excellent adhesion of the copolymer to glass, silica, sand and other silicon-based substances. The copolymer is useful as a fiberglass binder, and also useful in providing protective coatings on glass sheets. A fiberglass sizing composition is also provided having a copolymer that includes at least one acid group derived from at least one acid monomer, a hydrophobic comonomer, and a crosslinker. Additives can be added to the compositions to provide other functionality such as corrosion inhibitors, hydrophobic additives, additives for reducing leaching of glass, release agents, acids for lowering pH, anti-oxidants/reducing agents, emulsifiers, dyes, pigments, oils, fillers, colorants, curing agents, anti-migration aids, biocides, plasticizers, waxes, anti-foaming agents, coupling agents, thermal stabilizers, flame retardants, enzymes, wetting agents, and lubricants.
US08106115B2
A golf ball material composed of (A) an oxygen-containing inorganic metal compound in the form of a particulate or a master batch capable of neutralizing at least some of the acid groups in an acid-containing polymer blend, (B) one or more polymer selected from among diene polymers, thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers, and (C) an acid-containing polymer is prepared by mixing component A in a blend of components B and C. The golf ball material has a good heat resistance, flowability and processability, and can be used to produce high-performance golf balls having durability, scuff resistance and optimal hardness without a loss of rebound.
US08106112B2
The invention relates to a biodegradable resin composition containing a biodegradable resin, a plasticizer and a crystal nucleus agent, the plasticizer being a compound containing two or more ester groups in the molecule thereof, wherein at least one alcohol component constituting the ester contains an alkylene oxide having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, added in the average amount of 0.5 to 5 moles per one hydroxyl group, and the crystal nucleus agent is a mixture of the following crystal nucleus agent (1) and crystal nucleus agent (2); the crystal nucleus agent (1) being the following crystal nucleus agent (1-1) or crystal nucleus agent (1-2): crystal nucleus agent (1-1): at least one selected from compounds having a hydroxyl group and an amide group in the molecule thereof; and crystal nucleus agent (1-2): at least one selected from hydroxy fatty acid esters; crystal nucleus agent (2): at least one selected from a metal salt of a phosphate, a metal salt of an aromatic dialkyl sulfonate, a metal salt of rosinic acids, an aromatic carboxylic acid amide, rosinic acid amide, carbohydrazides, N-substituted ureas, salts of melamine compounds and uracils.
US08106110B2
The present application relates to a dental primer adhesive system that is capable of being used as either a one-step or two-step self-etch dental primer and is compatible with self-cure composites and dual-cure composites with reduced permeability.
US08106107B2
A radiation curing composition suitable for building a three-dimensional object by a solid freeform method is disclosed. The composition includes one or more mono-functional monomers where a respective polymer has a Glass Transition Temperature higher than about 60° C., one or more di-functional oligomers where a respective polymer has a Glass Transition Temperature lower than about 40° C. and a filler that comprises particles having an average diameter of less than 100 nm. The functional groups of the components may include meth(acrylic) and the composition has a viscosity of about 50-500 cps at ambient temperature. Further, the concentration of the mono-functional monomer may be at least 30% by weight elative to the total weight of the composition and the concentration of the di-functional oligomer may be at least 20% by weight elative to the total weight of the composition.
US08106100B2
A process for producing a tablet characterized by performing high-speed direct compression with a moving speed of a pestle of 800 mm/s or more while compressing a powder which contains at least 15 to 80% by mass of cellulose, an active ingredient and a lubricant and has an angle of repose of 50° C. or less, a compression degree of 20% or more and an elongation at break of 30 μm or more.
US08106084B2
This invention provides for compounds, compositions, and methods that involve anti-proliferative and anti-neoplastic activity in cancer cells. In particular, a series of benzimidazole, purine, imidazopyridine, and imidazopyrazine compounds having selected substitution patterns are disclosed, and the activity of various subject compounds is demonstrated. For example, the invention provides compounds having the general formula: their pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treatment using the subject compounds and compositions.
US08106083B2
The present invention relates to substituted triazole compounds and compositions comprising substituted triazole compounds. The invention further relates to methods of inhibiting the activity of Hsp90 in a subject in need thereof and methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancer, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a substituted triazole compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a compound.
US08106081B2
The present invention relates to a combination, especially a pharmaceutical composition, comprising as active ingredients (i) an AT1-receptor antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (ii) (a) an insulin secretion enhancer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or (b) an insulin sensitizer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and, in case of a pharmaceutical composition, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08106080B2
The present invention is directed to compounds, combinations, compositions and methods for enhancing nitric oxide (NO) delivery to target sites, and in particular to muscle, both normal and dystrophic. Enhanced NO delivery according to the present invention may be achieved by using a combination of a muscle relaxant and an NO donor compound, or by using a compound of the invention: formula (I) wherein R1 is H, halo, C1-6 alkoxy or C1-6 alkyl; R2 is H, NO2 or C(O)NH2; R3 is H, NO2 or C(O)NH2; and at least one of R2 and R3 is NO2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound.
US08106078B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds effective as human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors thereby regulating angiogenesis. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising said human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors, and to methods for regulating angiogenesis.
US08106076B2
This invention provides a crystalline S-omeprazole strontium hydrate for the prevention or treatment of gastric acid-related diseases, which has high optical purity, theremostability, solubility and nonhygroscopicity, a method for preparing same, and a pharmaceutical composition containing same.
US08106068B2
The invention provides compounds of Formula (2), and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and L are as described herein; as well as methods for using such compounds to treat, ameliorate or prevent a condition associated with abnormal or deregulated kinase activity. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods for using such compounds to treat, ameliorate or prevent diseases or disorders that involve abnormal activation of c-kit, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ, CSF1R, Abl, BCR-Abl, CSK, JNK1, JNK2, p38, p70S6K, TGFβ, SRC, EGFR, trkB, FGFR3, FLT3, Fes, Lck, Syk, RAF, MKK4, MKK6, SAPK2β, BRK, KDR, c-raf or b-raf kinase, or mutant forms thereof.
US08106065B2
An antitussive, which can be used for therapy or prophylaxis of coughing, is disclosed. The antitussive comprises as an effective ingredient a morphinan derivative having a nitrogen-containing cyclic substituent or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, having a specific structure, such as the compound below [N-(17-cyclopeopylmethyl-4,5α-epoxy-3,14-dihydroxy-morphinan-6β-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalimide]. The antitussive has an excellent therapeutic or prophylactic effect against coughing and the side effects thereof are small.
US08106064B2
The invention is related to pyrimidine-2,4-dione HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors of Formula (I), (II), or (III): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, thereof, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds.
US08106055B2
Substituted amide compounds corresponding to formula I: processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and the use of substituted amide derivatives for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of pain and various other conditions.
US08106054B2
A crystalline compound of formula (1) and its salts and solvates are provided for the treatment or prophylaxis of hepatitis C virus infections Methods of making and formulating crystalline compound (1) are provided.
US08106053B2
To find a compound having a tissue fibrinosis-inhibitory activity and a fibrinolytic activity, and to provide a novel compound that is useful for preventing and/or treating tissue fibrinosis diseases (pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis etc.), diseases caused by pathological blood clots such as ischemic heart diseases (myocardial infarction, angina), intraatrial thrombus, pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, ischemic cerebral diseases (cerebral infarction, cerebral bleeding) and arteriosclerosis and the like. To provide a pharmaceutical drug comprising a 5-phenyl-3-pyridazinone derivative represented by the following general formula (I): and an optical isomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a hydrate or solvate thereof, useful for preventing and/or treating disease conditions or symptoms mediated by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
US08106050B2
The invention relates to pyrrolo[2,3b]-pyrazine derivatives having the general Formula (I) wherein R2 and R3 are identical or different and represent H, C1-C6 alkyl, said alkyl being a straight or branched-chain alkyl, which can be substituted, R6 is an optionally substituted aromatic cycle Ar or a cycloalkyl, said cycloalkyl being optionally substituted by an aryl group which can also be substituted, R7 is H, C1-C6 alkyl, (alk.)n-hal., CH2-CH═CH2, CH2-cycloalkyl, CH2-Ar, with “alk.” being a C1-C6 alkylene group, n being 1-6, Z is H or CH3. Application as active principle of pharmaceutical compositions, particularly for treating or preventing neurodegenerative disorders and proliferative disorders.
US08106048B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) and salts and physiologically functional derivatives thereof, (I) wherein R1 is independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, arylalkyl or substituted arylalkyl; R2 is independently —NR3R4, (II) or (III) R3 is independently alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylamine, —OH, —SH, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl or heteroaryl, R4 is independently alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylamine, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl or heteroaryl; R5 is independently H, COR6, CO2R6, SOR6, SO2R6, SO3R6, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, —NH2, alkylamine, —NR7COR6, halogen, —OH, —SH, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkyloxy, aryl or heteroaryl; R6 is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, —NH2, alkylamine, aryl or heteroaryl; R7 is independently H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, —OH, —SH, alkylthio, hydroxyalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; p is 0, or 1; q is 0, or 1; X is CO, or SO2.
US08106043B2
The present invention features benzothiazines that inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS), particularly those that selectively inhibit neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in preference to other NOS isoforms, and that have the formula: The NOS inhibitors of the invention, alone or in combination with other pharmaceutically active agents, can be used for treating or preventing various medical conditions.
US08106042B2
This invention relates to novel N-oxides of a 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl oxadiazolyl derivative and their use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds of the invention are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US08106041B2
Medicament comprising, in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, an anti-psychotic or an antidepressant (A), which, on its own, has an undesirable effect of a gain in body weight or sedation, and an antagonist and/or inverse agonist (B) of the histamine H3 receptor, the antagonist and/or inverse agonist of the histamine H3 receptor being present in a therapeutically effective amount for ensuring at least one of the following three effects: suppression or at least limitation of the undesirable effect of weight gain, suppression or limitation of the undesirable effect on alertness, epilepsy/convulsions, increase in the precognitive effect of the treatment. Use of such an antagonist or inverse agonist for the preparation of a medicament which is to ensure at least one of the said three effects in a patient treated by such an antipsychotic or antidepressant.
US08106039B2
Provided are novel organometallic compounds that inhibit PI3K lipid kinase and phospho-AKT in human melanoma cells, and also inhibit the migration of melanoma cells. The present invention is also directed to methods for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, migration or both comprising contacting a cancer cell with a disclosed organometallic kinase inhibitor. Also disclosed are methods for treating a kinase-affected disease or condition comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a disclosed organometallic kinase inhibitor.
US08106035B2
The present invention provides novel D-ring and side-chain analogs of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds as selective inhibitors of CYP24. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful for treating diseases which benefit from a modulation of the levels of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, for example, cell-proliferative disorders.
US08106033B2
Methods and compositions are provided for treating proliferative disorders, wherein the composition comprises at least one compound according to Formula I: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of —OH, —NH2, —NH—CH2—CO2H, —NH—CH(CH3)—CO2H, and —NH—C(CH3)2—CO2H, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such a compound; and an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a platin, e.g. oxaliplatin, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08106031B2
Compositions and methods of use of boron derivatives, including benzoxaboroles, benzazaboroles and benzthiaboroles, as therapeutic agents for treatment of diseases caused by fungi, yeast, bacteria or viruses are disclosed, as well as methods for synthesis of said agents and compositions thereof.
US08106025B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression and function of small non-coding RNAs. The compositions comprise oligomeric compounds, targeted to small non-coding RNAs. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of small non-coding RNAs as well as downstream targets of these RNAs and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with small non-coding RNAs are also provided.
US08106022B2
The present invention provides iRNA agents comprising at least one subunit of the formula (I): wherein: A and B are each independently for each occurrence O, N(RN) or S; X and Y are each independently for each occurrence H, OH, a hydroxyl protecting group, a phosphate group, a phosphodiester group, an activated phosphate group, an activated phosphite group, a phosphoramidite, a solid support, —P(Z′)(Z″)O-nucleoside, —P(Z′)(Z″)O-oligonucleotide, a lipid, a PEG, a steroid, a lipophile, a polymer, —P(Z′)(Z″)O-Linker-OP(Z′″)(Z″″)O-oligonucleotide, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, —P(Z′)(Z″)-formula (I), —P(Z′)(Z″)— or -Linker-R; R is LG, -Linker-LG, or has the structure shown below: LG is independently for each occurrence a carbohydrate, e.g., monosaccharide, disaccharide, trisaccharide, tetrasaccharide, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide; RN is independently for each occurrence H, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, or benzyl; and Z′, Z″, Z′″ and Z″″ are each independently for each occurrence O or S.
US08106021B2
Provided are compounds having an inhibitory effect on sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, methods of preparing the compounds, synthetic intermediates, and methods of using the compounds, independently or in combination with other therapeutic agents, for treating diseases and conditions which are affected by SGLT inhibition.
US08106015B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a safe and effective method for enhancing an immune response and a medicament for preventing or treating Alzheimer disease comprising amyloid β peptide that induces an enhanced immune response. An amyloid β peptide or a portion thereof with addition or insertion of cysteine and a method for enhancing an immune response using the peptide or a method for enhancing an immune response using the peptide together with an adjuvant. A medicament for preventing or treating Alzheimer disease comprising an amyloid β peptide or a portion thereof that induces an enhanced immune response. A DNA vaccine, that may have the same effect, comprising the gene encoding an amyloid β peptide or a portion thereof that induces an enhanced immune response with addition or insertion of cysteine.
US08106010B2
The present invention relates to anti-angiogenic variants of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) comprising a plurality of altered phosphorylation sites, polynucleotides encoding same and uses thereof. In particular, the PEDF variants of the present invention provide superior anti-angiogenic activity and high neurotrophic activity and are useful in treating diseases associated with neovascularization and with neurodegenerative conditions.
US08106006B2
This disclosure provides modified antimicrobial agents, for example modified defensin polypeptides. Compositions including a modified arginine residue, such as an ADP-ribosylated and/or ribosylated alpha defensin polypeptide, are provided. Also provided are methods of modulating an immune response using the modified defensin polypeptides. Methods are provided for modulating an antimicrobial activity and for inhibiting a cytotoxic activity. Also disclosed are methods for treating diseases in a subject that are associated with an immune response, such as inflammatory and pulmonary diseases, using the disclosed modified defensin polypeptides.
US08106004B2
The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.
US08106000B2
Orally administrable, site-specific (colonic), particulate delivery systems including adsorbents are disclosed. When delivered specifically to the colon, they can remove various substances present in, or as they reach, the colon. Methods of treatment using the delivery systems, and methods of preparing the delivery systems, are also disclosed. The particulate delivery systems are based on adsorbent matrices encapsulated into and/or onto particles, which selectively deliver the adsorbents to the colon. Representative drug delivery devices include pectin beads, which can optionally be crosslinked with metal ions such as zinc and/or calcium. The delivery system protects the adsorbent and prevents its adsorbing effect in the upper gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. When the particles are made from pectin, and the beads are administered to the colon, specific pectinolytic enzymes in the colon degrade the pectin, allowing the adsorbent to be released and to be fully active. Antibiotics, toxins, and other absorbable substances present in the colon will then be inactivated by adsorption into or onto the adsorbent.
US08105999B2
The present invention provides compositions which not only effectively kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms present on surfaces on contact but continue to kill microorganisms for a period of time thereafter.
US08105994B2
The present invention relates to super mild surfactant systems used in combination with skin or hair benefit agent. Specifically, surfactant systems comprise a combination of specific alkanoyls or mixtures of alkanoyl surfactants with specifically identified fatty acyl isethionate product to provide synergy which reduces irritation (as measured by Patch Testing) so greatly that it is comparable to mildness which normally can be only achieved using very great amounts of benefit agent (e.g., emollient). Use of benefit agent reduces irritation even further.
US08105989B2
A method of cleaning a wellbore prior to the production of oil or gas is disclosed, wherein the wellbore has been drilled with an invert emulsion drilling mud that forms an invert emulsion filter cake. The method may include the steps of circulating a breaker fluid into the wellbore, where the breaker fluid includes an aqueous fluid, a water soluble polar organic solvent, a hydrolysable ester of a carboxylic acid, and a weighting age, and where the hydrolysable ester is selected so that upon hydrolysis an organic acid is released and the invert emulsion of the filter cake breaks.
US08105987B2
One or more methods for inhibiting corrosion in an aqueous medium that contain a composition with a specified generic formula are disclosed. The aqueous medium can be contained in an oil or gas pipeline or refinery.
US08105982B2
The present method is an improved in vitro selection protocol that relies on magnetic separations for DNA aptamer production that is relatively easy and scalable without the need for expensive robotics. The ability of aptamers selected by this method to recognize and bind their target protein with high affinity and specificity, and detail their uses in a number of assays is also described. Specific TTF1 and His6 aptamers were selected using the method described, and shown to be useful for enzyme-linked assays, Western blots, and affinity purification.
US08105981B2
This invention provides a thin superconducting oxide film, which can realize a high critical current, and a superconducting member having a high level of electric power resistance. The superconducting member comprises a sapphire R face substrate, a buffer layer formed of grain lumps of an oxide provided on the sapphire R face substrate, and a superconducting layer provided on the buffer layer. The nearest neighbor distance between oxygen atoms in the oxide and the grain diameter of grain lumps of the oxide have been specified. The superconducting member can be used as a member for superconducting filters.
US08105977B2
The present invention relates to a counterfeit prevention paper and manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to currency, securities, official document and several certificates, etc.The counterfeit prevention paper according to the present invention comprises a paper and a thermopaint layer which is formed on a paper and is discolored according to a temperature.The counterfeit prevention paper according to the present invention can detect easily a counterfeit by an unaided eye. Also, a function for preventing a counterfeit is not copied by a counterfeit device, thus the counterfeit prevent paper according to the present invention can improve a reliability of various official documents and several certificates, etc.
US08105972B2
A catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a paraffin to form an olefin, the catalyst having a general formula MoaVbXcYdOn wherein: X=at least one of Nb and Ta; Y=at least one of Te, Sb, Ga, Pd, W, Bi and Al; a=1.0; b=0.05 to 1.0; c=0.001 to 1.0; d=0.001 to 1.0; and n is determined by the oxidation states of the other elements. The catalyst may have a selectivity to the olefin of at least 90 mole % at a paraffin conversion of at least 65%.
US08105971B2
A process for forming a catalyst useful for the production of an olefin from a hydrocarbon is disclosed. The process may include: admixing at least one of elemental metals and compounds to form a multi-metal composition comprising Mo, V, Nb, Te and at least one of Ni and Sb; adjusting the pH of the multi-metal composition by adding nitric acid; drying the acidified multi-metal composition; calcining the dried multi-metal composition; and grinding the calcined multi-metal composition. The ground multi-metal composition may then be sized or shaped to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst. Alternatively, the ground multi-metal composition may be treated with an acid, optionally annealed, and sized or shaped to form a mixed metal oxide catalyst.
US08105969B2
A solid catalyst, such as a molecular sieve catalyst or solid acid catalyst, is supported by a binder, such as amorphous silica or alumina, wherein the binder is charged with metal ions to form an ion-modified binder. The ion-modified binder is capable of attachment to polar contaminants and inhibit their contact with the catalyst. The catalyst can be a zeolite and can be the catalyst for an alkylation reaction, such as the alkylation of benzene with ethylene.
US08105968B2
Solid acid catalysts for use in alkylation processes are described. The solid acid catalysts include a multimetallic (e.g. bimetallic, trimetallic or tetrametallic) component that performs a hydrogenating function for the reactivation (or regeneration) of the catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. The multimetallic catalyst includes a noble metal such as platinum or palladium. The invention also relates to alkylation processes using the multimetallic solid acid catalysts having a multimetallic component for hydrogenation.
US08105967B1
According to typical inventive practice, precursor particulate is pressed and/or caste and/or molded and/or machined, thereby producing a porous green body of a desired shape. A gas is brought into contact with the porous green body so that, via reaction bonding between the gas and the porous green body, the porous green body becomes a porous reaction-bonded ceramic preform, geometrically corresponding to the porous green body. One or more infiltrant materials, at least one of which is glass or polymer, is/are caused to infiltrate the pores of the RB ceramic perform. The infiltrants are selected from glass, polymer, and metal. The infiltrated preform is permitted to cool and solidify, resulting in an embodiment of an inventive non-ceramic-infiltrated reaction-bonded-ceramic structure. Because of their potential material attributes such as strength, energy dissipation, and low density, the present invention's non-ceramic-infiltrated reaction-bonded-ceramic structures are especially favorable for inclusion in personal/personnel ballistic armor systems.
US08105950B2
A method for forming fine patterns in a semiconductor device includes forming a first hard mask layer and a second hard mask layer over an etch target layer, forming second hard mask patterns by etching the second hard mask layer, wherein an etching profile of the second hard mask layer has a positive slope, and etching the first hard mask layer and the etch target layer using the second hard mask patterns as an etch mask.
US08105948B2
A process is described for making contact to the buried capping layers of GMR and MTJ devices without the need to form and fill via holes. CMP is applied to the structure in three steps: (1) conventional CMP (2) a Highly Selective Slurry (HSS) is substituted for the conventional slurry to just expose the capping layer, and (3) the HSS is diluted and used to clean the surface as well as to cause a slight protrusion of the capping layers above the surrounding dielectric surface, making it easier the contact them without damaging the devices below.
US08105946B1
A method of forming the conductive lines of a semiconductor memory device comprises forming a first polysilicon layer over an underlying layer, forming first polysilicon patterns by patterning the first polysilicon layer, filling the space between the first polysilicon patterns with an insulating layer, etching a top portion of the first polysilicon patterns to form recess regions, forming spacers on the sidewalls of the recess regions, filling the recess regions with a second polysilicon layer to form second polysilicon patterns, and performing a metal silicidation process to convert the second polysilicon patterns to metal silicide patterns.
US08105943B2
During the patterning of sophisticated metallization systems, a damaged surface portion of a sensitive low-k dielectric material may be efficiently replaced by a well-controlled dielectric material, thereby enabling an adaptation of the material characteristics and/or the layer thickness of the replacement material. Thus, established lithography and etch techniques may be used in combination with reduced critical dimensions and dielectric materials of even further reduced permittivity.
US08105940B2
A first through via is electrically insulated from surrounding wafer substrate material. A second through via is not electrically insulated from the surrounding wafer substrate material. This configuration is advantageous when the non-insulated via serves as the path for either Vdd or GND. By not insulating the through via, a first supply voltage (Vdd or GND) is allowed to flow through the surrounding wafer substrate material thereby decreasing the resistance of the first supply voltage path.
US08105931B2
The present disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming a capping layer over the high-k dielectric layer in the first region, forming a first metal layer over capping layer in the first region and over the high-k dielectric in the second region, thereafter, forming a first gate stack in the first region and a second gate stack in the second region, protecting the first metal layer in the first gate stack while performing a treatment process on the first metal layer in the second gate stack, and forming a second metal layer over the first metal layer in the first gate stack and over the treated first metal layer in the second gate stack.
US08105928B2
A method of implementing bandgap tuning of a graphene-based switching device includes subjecting a bi-layer graphene to an electric field while simultaneously subjecting the bi-layer graphene to an applied strain that reduces an interlayer spacing between the bi-layer graphene, thereby creating a bandgap in the bi-layer graphene.
US08105925B2
An improved insulated gate field effect device (60) is obtained by providing a substrate (20) desirably comprising a III-V semiconductor, having a further semiconductor layer (22) on the substrate (20) adapted to contain the channel (230) of the device (60) between spaced apart source-drain electrodes (421, 422) formed on the semiconductor layer (22). A dielectric layer (24) is formed on the semiconductor layer (22). A sealing layer (28) is formed on the dielectric layer (24) and exposed to an oxygen plasma (36). A gate electrode (482) is formed on the dielectric layer (24) between the source-drain electrodes (421, 422). The dielectric layer (24) preferably comprises gallium-oxide (25) and/or gadolinium-gallium oxide (26, 27), and the oxygen plasma (36) is preferably an inductively coupled plasma. A further sealing layer (44) of, for example, silicon nitride is desirably provided above the sealing layer (28). Surface states and gate dielectric traps that otherwise adversely affect leakage and channel sheet resistance are much reduced.
US08105924B2
A far subcollector, or a buried doped semiconductor layer located at a depth that exceeds the range of conventional ion implantation, is formed by ion implantation of dopants into a region of an initial semiconductor substrate followed by an epitaxial growth of semiconductor material. A reachthrough region to the far subcollector is formed by outdiffusing a dopant from a doped material layer deposited in the at least one deep trench that adjoins the far subcollector. The reachthrough region may be formed surrounding the at least one deep trench or only on one side of the at least one deep trench. If the inside of the at least one trench is electrically connected to the reachthrough region, a metal contact may be formed on the doped fill material within the at least one trench. If not, a metal contact is formed on a secondary reachthrough region that contacts the reachthrough region.
US08105916B2
The invention relates to a process for fabricating a heterostructure. This process is noteworthy in that it comprises the following steps: a) a strained crystalline thin film is deposited on, or transferred onto, an intermediate substrate; b) a strain relaxation layer, made of crystalline material capable of being plastically deformed by a heat treatment at a relaxation temperature at which the material constituting the thin film deforms by elastic deformation is deposited on the thin film; c) the thin film and the relaxation layer are transferred onto a substrate; and d) a thermal budget is applied at least the relaxation temperature, so as to cause the plastic deformation of the relaxation layer and the at least partial relaxation of the thin film by elastic deformation, and thus to obtain the final heterostructure.
US08105913B2
Disclosed herein is a method of fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device that includes sequentially forming an interlayer insulating film defining a contact plug, a lower electrode oxide film, and a hard mask film over a semiconductor substrate; etching the hard mask film with a mask comprising a dummy pattern and a cell pattern to form a hard mask pattern wherein a first trench is formed in a dummy pattern region and a second trench is formed in a cell pattern region; forming a capping film that buries the first trench; and etching the lower electrode oxide film with the capping film and the hard mask pattern as a mask to form a lower electrode trench that exposes the contact plug.
US08105902B2
A semiconductor device with a vertical transistor includes a plurality of active pillars, a plurality of vertical gates surrounding sidewalls of the active pillars; a plurality of word lines having exposed sidewalls whose surfaces are higher than the active pillars and connecting the adjacent vertical gates together, and a plurality of spacers surrounding the exposed sidewalls of the word lines over the vertical gates.
US08105900B2
In a manufacturing method of a non-volatile memory, a substrate is provided, and strip-shaped isolation structures are formed in the substrate. A first memory array including memory cell columns is formed on the substrate. Each memory cell column includes memory cells connected in series with one another, a source/drain region disposed in the substrate outside the memory cells, select transistors disposed between the source/drain region and the memory cells, control gate lines extending across the memory cell columns and in a second direction, and first select gate lines respectively connecting the select transistors in the second direction in series. First contacts are formed on the substrate at a side of the first memory array and arranged along the second direction. Each first contact connects the source/drain regions in every two adjacent active regions.
US08105899B2
A method for fabricating flash memory devices, e.g., NAND, NOR, is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate. The method includes forming a second polysilicon layer overlying a plurality of floating gate structures to cause formation of an upper surface provided on the second polysilicon layer. The upper surface has a first recessed region and a second recessed region. The method includes depositing a dielectric material overlying the upper surface to fill the first recessed region and the second recessed region to form a second upper surface region and cover a first elevated region, a second elevated region, and a third elevated region. The method forms at least one dielectric spacer within the first recessed region and at least one dielectric spacer within the second recessed region to form a resulting surface region, and subjects the resulting surface region to a chemical mechanical polishing process to cause formation of a substantially planarized second polysilicon layer free from the dielectric material.
US08105893B2
A method of forming diffusion sidewalls in a semiconductor structure and a semiconductor structure having diffusion sidewalls includes etching a trench into a semiconductor substrate to form first and second active regions, lining each trench with an oxide liner along exposed sidewalls of an active silicon region (RX) of the first and second active regions, removing the oxide liner formed along the exposed sidewalls of the RX region of one of the first and second active regions, forming diffusion sidewalls by epitaxially growing in-situ doped material within the exposed sidewalls of the RX region of the one of the first and second active regions, and forming an isolation region within the trench between the first and second active regions to electrically isolate the first and second active regions from each other.
US08105890B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises forming a first layer of silicon and then forming a second, silicon germanium, layer adjacent the silicon layer. A thin third layer of silicon is then formed adjacent the second layer. A gate structure is then formed upon the third layer of silicon using convention Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor processes. Trenches are then formed into the second layer and the structure is then exposed to a thermal gaseous chemical etchant, for example heated hydrochloric acid. The etchant removes the silicon germanium, thereby forming a Silicon-On-Nothing structure. Thereafter, conventional CMOS processing techniques are applied to complete the structure as a Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor, including the formation of spacer walls from silicon nitride, the silicon nitride also filling a cavity formed beneath the third layer of silicon by removal of the silicon germanium.
US08105877B2
A stacked type chip package structure including a package structure, a corresponding substrate, and a number of second bumps is provided. The package structure includes a first chip, a second chip, a number of first bumps, and a first underfill. The first chip is disposed above the second chip. The first bumps are disposed between the first chip and the second chip for electrically connecting the first chip and the second chip. The first underfill is used to fill between the first chip and the second chip and encapsulates the first bumps. The package structure is disposed above the corresponding substrate in a reverse manner, such that the first chip is disposed between the second chip and the corresponding substrate. The second bumps are disposed between the second chip and the corresponding substrate, such that the second chip is electrically connected to the corresponding substrate through the second bumps.
US08105870B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on a substrate; forming an organic semiconductor layer including a π conjugated organic compound at least between the source electrode and the drain electrode; applying an application liquid on the organic semiconductor layer, the application liquid being made of a polymer of an alicyclic compound dissolved in a paraffin hydrocarbon solvent that is a carbocyclic compound without having aromaticity; forming a gate insulation layer including the polymer of the alicyclic compound by removing the paraffin hydrocarbon solvent from the application liquid; and forming a gate electrode on the gate insulation layer.
US08105863B2
This invention discloses a method for etching a see-through thin film solar module, comprising: printing ink paste which resists the etching of etching solutions in the protected area of the thin film solar module which is placed under a screen; drying and solidifying the ink paste; coating etching solutions on the thin film solar module; and removing the ink paste. The method of this invention can accurately position the see-through area, achieve various selections of see-through patterns, facilitate the realization of the see-through function in large-area thin film solar modules, and alleviate the problem that a short circuit easily occurs in a see-through thin film solar module.
US08105852B2
A method according to embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate comprising a host and a seed layer bonded to the host. The seed layer comprises a plurality of regions. A semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region is grown on the substrate. A top surface of a semiconductor layer grown on the seed layer has a lateral extent greater than each of the plurality of seed layer regions.
US08105847B2
A composition is disclosed which is capable of being used for detection, comprising an encapsulated noble metal nanocluster. Methods for preparing the encapsulated noble metal nanoclusters, and methods of using the encapsulated noble metal nanoclusters are also disclosed. The noble metal nanoclusters are preferably encapsulated by a dendrimer or a peptide. The encapsulated noble metal nanoclusters have a characteristic spectral emission, wherein said spectral emission is varied by controlling the nature of the encapsulating material, such as by controlling the size of the nanocluster and/or the generation of the dendrimer, and wherein said emission is used to provide information about a biological state.
US08105846B2
The invention relates to a method of identifying an individual nucleotide, comprising (a) contacting the nucleotide with a transmembrane protein pore so that the nucleotide interacts with the pore and (b) measuring the current passing through the pore during the interaction and thereby determining the identity of the nucleotide. The invention also relates to a method of sequencing nucleic acid sequences and kits related thereto.
US08105842B2
The present invention relates to use of interleukin-13 as a cardiovascular disease marker. The therapeutic composition and diagnostic composition of the invention for cardiovascular diseases are characterized by comprising an antibody to an interleukin-13 receptor and/or an antibody to interleukin-13.
US08105836B2
Dominant negative alleles of human mismatch repair genes can be used to generate hypermutable cells and organisms. By introducing these genes into cells and transgenic animals, new cell lines and animal varieties with novel and useful properties can be prepared more efficiently than by relying on the natural rate of mutation. Methods of generating mutations in genes of interest and of making various cells mismatch repair defective through the use of chemicals to block mismatch repair in in vivo are disclosed.
US08105831B2
The present invention provides methods of generating a mammalian cell that is homozygous at a locus of interest, as well as cells made by the method. The present invention further provides methods of using the cells.
US08105819B2
The sensitivity and durability of fluorescent assays may be increased through structures and methods using plasmon fluorescence augmentation and sealing of the structure against degradation by reagents used in the assay. The resulting structures make practical extremely sensitive fluorescent assays for DNA and other biological analytes.
US08105812B2
Novel laccases, nucleic acid sequences encoding such laccases, and vectors and host cells for expressing the laccases are described. The novel laccase enzymes may be employed in conjunction with mediators to provide an improved method for bleaching denim fabrics.
US08105810B2
Disclosed herein are two-component enzymatic peracid generation systems and methods of using such systems wherein the first component comprises a formulation of at least one enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity, a carboxylic acid ester substrate, and a cosolvent and wherein the second component comprises a source of peroxygen in water. The two components are combined to produce an aqueous peracid formulation useful as, e.g., a disinfecting or bleaching agent. Specifically, organic cosolvents are used to control the viscosity of a substrate-containing component and to enhance the solubility of the substrate in an aqueous reaction formulation without causing substantial loss of perhydrolytic activity of the enzyme catalyst.
US08105808B2
A microbial composition for concurrent dechlorination of a mixture of chlorinated ethanes and chlorinated ethenes includes a isolated consortium of bioremediative microorganisms comprising strains of microorganism comprising Clostridium, Acetobacterium, Dehalobacter, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. The composition may also include Methanomicrobia.
US08105806B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing, in particular, enantiomerically enriched L-α-amino acids, in particular those of the general formula (I). In this connection, the process according to the invention uses 2-ketocarboxylic acids which are converted into the desired products using a whole-cell catalyst which comprises an amino acid dehydrogenase and a cofactor-regenerating enzyme.
US08105798B2
This invention relates to methods for identifying agents useful for treatment of diseases and pathological conditions affected by Retinoid X Receptor apoptosis. The invention also relates to methods for treating diseases and pathological conditions affected by RXR apoptosis. The invention includes compositions that are useful in the study and treatment of diseases and pathological conditions affected by RXR apoptosis.
US08105796B2
We describe the use of PI3Kβ protein and/or its encoding gene for the screening for substances useful in the treatment of cancers, preferably breast cancers, as well as a method for the diagnosis of malignant cell growth comprising the measuring the expression of PI3Kβ. We also describe non-human transgenic animals as models for studying human pathologies, preferably breast cancer, being transgenic for having altered PI3Kβ and Neu-T expression.
US08105791B2
A marker for mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is provided, comprising an integrin alpha10 chain and/or an integrin alpha11 chain expressed on the cell surface of or intracellular in a MSC. The marker is used in methods for identification of mammalian MSC and in methods for isolation of MSC. Also included are isolated cellular populations of mammalian MSC and a cellular composition comprising the latter. Moreover, uses of said marker for isolation, modulation and identification of mammalian MSC are provided.
US08105776B2
The presence of horns within commercial cattle populations increases the chances of injuries. The Polled (hornless) condition in cattle has existed since domestication, and it has been selected by breeders because of its economic importance and ease of management. A dominant mutation is believed to cause the polled phenotype. The present invention relates to the identification of breed-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes, in the bovine genome, in or near gene(s) encoding polypeptides associated with the Polled phenotyped in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data, haplotype data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable productions quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field location.
US08105768B2
The present invention provides methods for identifying cancer patients susceptible to effective treatment with trastuzumab and other medications that function similarly to trastuzumab. The invention is based on the discovery that certain chromosomal abnormalities can be used to selectively identify cancer patients that are likely to be successfully treated with medication that inhibits the signaling capability of the HER-2 receptor protein or otherwise function similarly to trastuzumab. The invention is based on the use of nucleic acid technology where nucleic acid probes are allowed to hybridize to cell samples and the number of copies of particular genetic regions quantified. The present invention also provides kits and sets of probes for use in identifying cancer patients susceptible to effective treatment with trastuzumab and other medications that function similarly to trastuzumab.
US08105764B2
A pattern is formed through positive/negative reversal by coating a chemically amplified positive resist composition comprising an acid labile group-bearing resin, a photoacid generator, and an organic solvent onto a substrate, prebaking the resist composition, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, post-exposure heating, and developing the exposed resist film with an alkaline developer to form a positive pattern; irradiating or heating the positive pattern to facilitate elimination of acid labile groups and crosslinking for improving alkali solubility and imparting solvent resistance; coating a reversal film-forming composition thereon to form a reversal film; and applying an alkaline wet etchant thereto for dissolving away the positive pattern.
US08105749B2
There is provided a positive resist composition including a resin component (A) which displays increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid, and an acid generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, wherein the resin component (A) includes a polymer compound (A1) containing a structural unit (a0) represented by a general formula (a0-1) shown below, and a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester which has an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group: (in the formula (a0-1), R represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or a halogenated lower alkyl group; two of R′ each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, or an alkoxy group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; X represents an alkylene group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom.).
US08105736B2
A method of performing overlay error correction includes forming a photoresist layer over a substrate and exposing a first set of apertures to incident radiation. The method also includes determining an overlay error associated with the first set of apertures and determining an overlay correction as a function of the determined overlay error. The method further includes exposing a data area and a second set of apertures. The data area and the second set of apertures are exposed based, in part, on the determined overlay correction. Moreover, the method includes verifying the determined overlay correction.
US08105729B2
An electrode cartridge, a hydrogen generating apparatus and a fuel cell power generation system equipped with the electrode cartridge and hydrogen generating apparatus are disclosed. The electrode cartridge can include an anode configured to generate electrons in an electrolyte solution, a cathode configured to generate hydrogen from the electrolyte solution by receiving the electrons at the anode, a liquid-gas separation membrane, which is disposed to surround the anode and the cathode, configured to separate the hydrogen from the electrolyte solution and discharge the hydrogen to the outside, and a support configured to support the liquid-gas separation membrane for preventing an expansion of the liquid-gas separation membrane. The electrode cartridge of the present invention can prevent an effect of electrolyte solution flowing backwards when generating hydrogen as well as an effect of electrolyte solution leak when moving.
US08105726B2
A gas-impermeable fuel cell separator including ribs that form a gas flow passage, and a sealing section, wherein at least the gas flow passage has a hydrophilically treated surface, and in which the fuel cell separator base material is exposed within the sealing section.
US08105718B2
A negative electrode material comprising an active material and 1-20 wt % of a polyimide resin binder is suitable for use in non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. The active material comprises silicon oxide particles and 1-50 wt % of silicon particles. The negative electrode exhibits improved cycle performance while maintaining the high battery capacity and low volume expansion of silicon oxide. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a high initial efficiency and maintains improved performance and efficiency over repeated charge/discharge cycles by virtue of mitigated volumetric changes during charge/discharge cycles.
US08105716B2
The present invention relates to an active material for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same. The active material includes an active material and a fiber-shaped or tube-shaped carbon conductive material attached to the surface of the active material. The active material includes a conductive shell including a fiber-shaped or tube-shaped carbon conductive material and increases discharge capacity due to improved conductivity and improves cycle-life efficiency by maintaining paths between active material particles during charge and discharge cycles.
US08105713B2
Separated support tapes are attached to an electrode assembly which includes a negative electrode plate, a positive electrode plate, and a separator for performing charge and discharge operations. The separated support tapes are attached to a lower portion of the electrode assembly so as to allow the electrode assembly to be easily inserted into a can, while reducing the possibility of fire in a secondary battery caused by a hard short when the secondary battery is compressed due to external force applied thereto, preventing battery performance from being deteriorated by allowing electrolyte to sufficiently flow into a lower portion of the electrode assembly, and reducing a manufacturing cost of the secondary battery by minimizing the amount of separated support tape to be used.
US08105712B2
An electrode group 4 formed by stacking or winding a positive electrode plate 1 and a negative electrode plate 2 with a separator 3 interposed therebetween, is housed in a battery case 5. An opening of the battery case 5 is sealed with a sealing plate 10. A lead 11 extending from one of the positive and negative electrode plates in the electrode group 4 is laser-welded to the sealing plate 10 by application of a laser beam 12 having a spot diameter smaller than a thickness of the lead 11.
US08105708B2
A heat exchanger is connected to at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device in a heat-conducting manner. The energy storage device is enclosed by a housing. The energy storage cells have at least one safety pressure release valve or burst opening for the release of gases to the outer environment. The heat exchanger at least partially forms at least one side of the housing and has holes that connect the safety pressure releases of the energy storage cells with the environment.
US08105704B2
A memory is provided that is improved in cost, life, energy consumption and recording density over existing optical disks and hard disks and operates under novel principles, as well as its manufacturing method. A nonvolatile phase change magnetic memory comprises a substrate and a film loaded on the substrate, which film is of a crystalline transition metal chalcogenide compound that in composition is deficient in transition metal from its stoichiometric ratio composition and expressed by formula: AyX where A is a transition metal, X is a chalcogen element and 0
US08105694B2
The invention provides a PTFE-containing aqueous dispersion composition which is excellent in mechanical stability and scarcely allows the formation of agglomerates due to fibrillation of the PTFE resin during transportation or processing thereof. This invention is a polytetrafluoroethylene-containing aqueous dispersion composition comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene resin (A), a hydrocarbon-derived nonionic compound (B) and a water-soluble high-molecular compound (C) having no oxygen atom in the main chain thereof.
US08105691B2
By coating the surface of a powder comprising a silicone resin and/or an organic powder with a specific hydrophilizing agent, such powder is hydrophilized. Such coated (treated) powder has extremely great dispersibility (ease of dispersion) and very good dispersion stability (long-term dispersion stability with lapse of time) in aqueous dispersion media, particularly under acidic and alkaline conditions, specifically at pH 3 through 13. Using the surface-treated powder, additionally, a dispersion with good dispersibility (ease of dispersion) and great dispersion stability, preferably for cosmetics can be provided. The use of the surface-treated powder, or the use of the dispersion can provide further a cosmetic excellent in dispersibility and dispersion stability and further in re-dispersibility and dispersion stability with lapse of time and smooth feeling as compared to the related art when selecting aqueous cosmetic as an agent form.
US08105687B2
An electroconductive bonding material contains a thermosetting resin, a low-melting-point metal powder which is melted at a temperature equal to or lower than the thermosetting temperature of the thermosetting resin, a high-melting-point metal powder which is not melted at a temperature equal to or lower than the thermosetting temperature of the thermosetting resin and which reacts with the low-melting-point metal powder to form a reaction product having a high melting point of 300° C. or higher during heat-hardening of the thermosetting resin, and a reducing substance which removes an oxide formed on the surface of the high-melting-point metal powder. The total content of the low-melting-point metal powder and the high-melting-point metal powder is 75% to 88% by weight, and the particle size ratio D1/D2 of the average particle size D1 of the low-melting-point metal powder to the average particle size D2 of the high-melting-point metal powder is 0.5 to 6.0. Thereby, an electroconductive bonding material is provided which has good conduction properties and high connection strength even when reflow heat treatment is repeatedly carried out or thermal shock accompanied with a rapid temperature change is applied to the electroconductive bonding material, and an electronic apparatus using such an electroconductive bonding material.
US08105683B2
A treated refractory material includes a sintered porous refractory material having one or more protective materials disposed within pores of the refractory material, wherein the protective material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, silica, rare earth oxides, rare earth zirconates, titanium oxide, mullite, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicate, yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and blends thereof. Methods of preparing the treated refractory material are also provided. The treated refractory material provides protection from the penetration of slag and extends the service life of the refractory.
US08105681B2
A composition of the present invention includes an organosilica sol; and a siloxane graft-type polymer obtained by compositing fluorine resin or acrylic resin with siloxane and/or a cold glass coating agent. A melamine decorative board of the present invention includes a low refractive index layer formed on a surface thereof. The low refractive index layer is composed of a cured product of the composition.
US08105680B2
A heat sealable, multi-layer film structure for multi-color printing or lamination processes and method for making the same are provided. The multi-layer film structure may include a core layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and essentially no migratory slip agents; a functional layer on a first side of the core layer, wherein the functional layer is a printable layer or a laminatable layer; and a heat sealable skin layer on a second side of the core layer, the heat sealable skin layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a slip system. The multi-layer film structure is prepared without any migratory slip additives. Without migratory slip additives, the multi-layer film structure exhibits excellent machinability on typical packaging equipment.
US08105673B2
A sputtering target for optical media is mainly composed of Al and contains 1 to 10 at % of one or two species of elements selected from the group consisting of Ta and Nb and 0.1 to 10 at % of Ag. An optical medium 100 comprises a substrate 10 and reflective layers 20A, 20B provided on the substrate 10. Each of the reflective layers 20A, 20B has a composition, mainly composed of Al, containing 1 to 10 at % of one or two species of elements selected from the group consisting of Ta and Nb and 0.1 to 10 at % of Ag.
US08105671B2
Syntactic polyurethanes are obtainable by reacting a polyisocyanate component a) with a polyol component, the polyol component b) comprising a polyetherpolyol mixture having an average OH number of from 10 to 280 (constituent b1) and an oil based on fatty acids of 6 to 25 carbon atoms or derivatives thereof (constituent b2), in the presence of hollow microspheres c). Furthermore, the syntactic polyurethanes are used for insulating offshore pipes and other parts and equipment used in the offshore sector, and the insulated offshore pipes as such are described.
US08105669B2
In forming a molded member (30) by insert molding, a porous member (10) and a cylindrical member (20) fitted on a peripheral edge of the porous member (10) are set in a die (40); and the molded member (30) is formed with the molded member (30) out of contact with the porous member (10) and with the molded member (30) in close contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical member (20) by the insert molding. Therefore a landed position (first landed surface (45A), second landed surface (45B)) of the die (40) is set on the outer surface of the cylindrical member (20). Thus there is no fear that liquid resin penetrates into the pores of the porous member (10) in the insert molding. Thereby by the insert molding, it is possible to form the molded member (30) holding the porous member (10).
US08105667B2
A multi-layer film with barrier properties having one or more layers made from a bio-based film is disclosed. In one aspect, a multi-layer packaging film including (a) an outer layer including a bio-based film, wherein the bio-based film is polylactide, (b) an adhesive layer adjacent to the outer layer and (c) a product side layer including a metalized polyolefin having barrier properties, wherein the multi-layer packaging film is a flexible film.
US08105662B2
The present invention relates to mesogenic, cross-linkable mixtures comprising (i) a cross-linkable liquid crystalline host compound comprising at least one cross-linkable liquid crystalline compound, and (ii) at least one chiral or achiral rod shaped additive component, wherein said additive component has a rigid core and comprises at least two fused or linked, optionally substituted, non-aromatic, aromatic, carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups, and also comprises at least one optionally substituted alkyl residue, and at least one polymerizable group and wherein the additive component has a transition temperature to the isotropic state of 40° C. or lower. The invention also relates to the novel chiral or achiral rod-shaped additive compounds used for the preparation of these mixtures, to mixtures according to the invention in form of an elastomer, polymer gel, polymer network or polymer film, to polymer networks and liquid crystalline polymer films prepared from these mixtures and to optical or electrooptical components comprising polymer networks and liquid crystalline polymer films prepared from such mixtures. Further, the invention relates to the use of the chiral or achiral rod shaped compounds as components of a cross-linkable liquid crystalline mixture in the production of orientated liquid crystalline polymers, to liquid crystalline mixtures comprising these compounds, to liquid crystalline polymers and liquid crystalline polymer networks prepared from such liquid crystalline mixtures, and to liquid crystalline devices comprising these compounds.
US08105648B2
A method for operating a chemical deposition chamber is disclosed. First, a digital liquid flow controller is provided to guide a precursor fluid into a chemical deposition chamber. Then, a pre-cleaning step is performed in the chemical deposition chamber. Later, a pre-tuning step is performed on the digital liquid flow controller so that the precursor fluid can be substantially stably guided into the chemical deposition chamber. Afterwards, the chemical deposition chamber is used to carry out the chemical deposition.
US08105645B2
A foam mount of an aircraft window has a groove to receive an electro chromic window. The foam mount is painted by placing a blank in the groove to divide the foam mount into a first section designated to face the exterior of the aircraft and an opposite second section. The groove and the first section are coated with an electric conductive paint, and the second section is covered with a decorative paint. The conductive coating on the foam mount and the conductive coating of the electrodes of the electro chromic window provide an RF shielding to prevent electronic signals from personal electronic equipment from passing through the cabin and door windows of the aircraft. A mask is also provided to coat one section of the foam mount while covering the other section.
US08105639B2
A process of precooking grains which comprises the steps of: a) Charging the grains into a reactor in a controlled manner; b) Applying a first negative pressure to the reactor; c) Heating the grains contained in the reactor; d) Applying a second negative pressure to the reactor; and e) Cooling the grains. Equipment for precooking grains comprises at least one reactor, which is associable with means for applying negative pressure.
US08105633B2
Apparatus and method for the extraction of material from glands of arthropods. The apparatus includes a container in which at least part of the glands are placed and a buffer solution at least partially immersing the glands. Gland material is collected in the material collection area of the container, e.g., by release of the material from the glands into the buffer solution and sedimentation of the material at the bottom of the container. The method involves removing from a body of the arthropod the gland containing at least partially the material, making an opening in an epithelium of the gland, and placing the gland in the container at least partially immersed in a buffer solution, so that the material exits the glands and sediments in the material collection area of the container.
US08105621B2
A biocompatible meniscal repair device is disclosed. The tissue repair device includes a scaffold adapted to be placed in contact with a defect in a meniscus, the scaffold comprising a high-density, dry laid nonwoven polymeric material and a biocompatible foam. The scaffold provides increased suture pull-out strength.
US08105619B2
The invention relates to a medicotechnical product having an antimicrobial finish consisting of a complex material of metal nanoparticles and macromolecules, the macromolecules being at least partially formed from amphiphilically modified polyamino acids which contain amino acid units, which aside from the functional groups bonded in the peptide bond contain at least one further functional group and at least some of these groups are modified with substances bearing hydrophobic radicals via covalent bonds. The hydrophobic radicals are bonded by addition of substances bearing epoxy groups to the at least one further functional group and/or via at least one amino group of an amino acid unit bearing at least one amino group as a further functional group with maintenance of an amino function on the polyamino acids. The invention furthermore relates to the production of the complex material and of the medicotechnical product.
US08105612B2
A newly identified serum resistance factor of gram positive bacteria can be used to treat or prevent bacterial infection.
US08105593B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that differentially recognize multi-dimensional conformations of Aβ-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention can distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease and control human brain extracts and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLs, and tau phosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with soluble oligomers of amyloid β 1-42.
US08105585B2
Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture useful for the treatment of various Group B streptococci (GBS) bacteria using various lysins, including certain PlyGBS mutant lysins, are provided.
US08105583B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods of delivery of CoQ-10 solubilized in monoterpenes. Use of monoterpenes as dissolving agents, greatly effects the ability to incorporate greater amounts of bioactive CoQ-10 in formulations, such as soft gel capsules.
US08105582B2
The present invention provides a composition for the treatment of a tumor, comprising: (i) allogeneic or xenogeneic tumor cells; and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. If two or more heterozygous individuals have the same cancer/tumor of the same or similar histological grade, then transplantation of tumor/cancer tissue/cells from one individual to another will not only induce rejection of the transplanted tissue/cancer, but will also increase the immunological awareness of the immune system to peptides shared between the tumors/cancers and other tumors possessing similar peptides.
US08105579B2
The present invention relates in its broadest aspect to combined phage/antibiotic therapy. More particularly, it relates to use of (i) one or more bacteriophages and (ii) one or more antibiotics in the manufacture of a combined product for simultaneous, separate or sequential administration of (i) and (ii) to treat a bacterial infection characterized by biofilm formation, for example an infection comprising or consisting of P. aeruginosa. Treatment in this context may be either therapeutic or prophylactic treatment. Also provided are deposited bacteriophages each exhibiting different strain specificity against P. aeruginosa and combinations of such bacteriophages, e.g. a panel of six deposited bacteriophages which was found to be effective against a high percentage of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from canine ear infections.
US08105567B2
Compounds of the formula: Wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, NH2, and NHBoc; and R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH2Ph and tBu, optionally de-protected. Such compounds may be conjugated with a suitable molecule able to interact with physiological systems; and their chelates with bi-trivalent ions of the metal elements having atomic number ranging between 20 and 31, 39, 42, 43, 44, 49, and between 57 and 83, and radioisotopes chosen among 203Pb, 67Ga, 68Ga, 72As, 111In, 113In, 90Y, 97Ru, 62Cu, 64Cu, 52Fe, 52mMn, 140La, 175Yb, 153Sm, 166Ho, 149Pm, 177Lu, 142Pr, 159Gd, 212Bi, 47Sc, 149Pm, 67Cu, 111Ag, 199Au, 161Tb, 51Cr, 167Tm, 141Ce, 168Yb, 88Y, 165Dy, 166Dy, 97Ru, 103Ru, 186Re, 188Re, 99mTc, 211Bi, 212Bi, 213Bi, 214Bi, 105Rh, 109Pd, 117mSn, 177Sn and 199Au, as well as the salts thereof with physiologically compatible bases or acids.
US08105565B2
A graphite film having excellent thermal conductivity, surface hardness, surface adhesion and appearance can be obtained. Further, a thick graphite film in which each of such properties is excellent can be obtained. There is provided a process for producing a graphite film in which a polymer film is thermally treated at a temperature of 2,000° C. or more, the process comprising the step of bringing a polymer film into contact with a substance containing a metal during graphitization treatment. When a polymer film having a high plane orientation is used as a raw material and the raw material is brought into contact with a metal to thermally treat the material, a problem of separation of graphite from the surface can be solved which has not been solved by the prior art, and furthermore a graphite can be obtained having excellent thermal conductivity, surface hardness, density and surface adhesion. An effect that cannot be expected in the prior art can be achieved by bringing a polymer film having a high plane orientation into contact with a metal to thermally treat the film.
US08105561B2
A catalyst for purification of exhaust gas in which a noble metal is supported on a metal-oxide support wherein, in a oxidation atmosphere, the noble metal exists on the surface of the support in high oxidation state, and the noble metal binds with a cation of the support via an oxygen atom on the surface of the support to form a surface oxide layer and, in a reduction atmosphere, the noble metal exists on the surface of the support in a metal state, and an amount of noble metal exposed at the surface of the support, measured by CO chemisorption, is 10% or more in atomic ratio to a whole amount of the noble metal supported on the support.
US08105555B2
The invention relates to a pipette tip package, which has one pipette tip (1) in an enclosure (2) with a closed bottom end and a top end tightly closed by a lid.
US08105553B2
The present invention provides for microfluidic devices and methods for their use. The invention further provides for apparatus and systems for using the microfluidic devices, analyze reactions carried out in the microfluidic devices, and systems to generate, store, organize, and analyze data generated from using the microfluidic devices. The invention further provides methods of using and making microfluidic systems and devices which, in some embodiments, are useful for crystal formation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a platen having a platen face with one or more fluid ports therein. The fluid ports spatially correspond to one or more wells on a surface of the microfluidic device. A platform for holding the microfluidic device relative to the platen is included, and a platen actuator for urging the platen against the microfluidic device so that at least one of the fluid ports of the platen is urged against one of the wells to form a pressure chamber comprising the well and the port, so that when pressurized fluid is introduced or removed into or from the pressure chamber through one of the ports, fluid pressure is changed therein.
US08105552B2
Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.
US08105551B2
A microfluidic device and a method of fabricating the microfluidic device are provided. The microfluidic device includes: a platform including an upper substrate and a lower substrate that are bonded to face each other; a microfluidic structure obtained by forming grooves in the lower substrate; a lower substrate protrusion pattern including an outline protrusion that protrudes from the lower substrate toward the upper substrate along an outline of the microfluidic structure; and an adhesive layer disposed between the lower substrate protrusion pattern and the upper substrate in order to bond the upper substrate and the lower substrate to each other. The lower substrate protrusion pattern only supports the upper substrate, and remaining portions of the lower substrate except for the lower substrate protrusion pattern do not have structures for supporting the upper substrate.
US08105548B2
A zeolite membrane production apparatus is provided having a reaction container having a support insertion opening for insertion of tubular supports and which houses a reaction solution for formation of zeolite membranes on the surfaces of the supports, a heating means for heating the reaction solution through the reaction container, and a supporting apparatus provided on the reaction container in a freely detachable manner and which supports a plurality of the supports. The inner wall surface of the reaction container has two mutually parallel flat surfaces, the supporting apparatus has a plurality of supporting sections that anchor one end of each of the plurality of supports, and the plurality of supporting sections are provided in the supporting apparatus such that when the supporting apparatus is set in the reaction container, each of the plurality of supports is disposed between the two flat surfaces and parallel to the two flat surfaces.
US08105543B2
The present invention relates to a structure, for filtering particulate-laden gases, of the honeycomb type and containing an assembly of adjacent ducts or channels, whose axes are parallel to one another, separated by porous walls, the ducts being sealed off by plugs at one or other of their ends so as to form inlet chambers opening onto a gas entry face and outlet chambers opening onto a gas exit face, in such a way that the gas to be filtered passes through the porous walls, wherein said walls comprise material based on silicon carbide and the walls have an open porosity of between 30 and 53%; a median pore diameter of between 9 and 20 μm; the average number of open pores on the surface of the walls, the opening area of which is between 20 and 310 μm2, is greater than 300 per mm2 of wall; and the ratio of the total opening area of said open pores to said area of the walls is between 0.15 and 0.30.
US08105541B2
A reactor system includes a fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized zone having sorbent particles and catalyst particles. The sorbent particles are sized to become entrained in a product stream from the fluidized zone and the catalyst particles are sized to gravimetrically stay within the fluidized zone.
US08105540B2
A method of treating a polymer compound has the steps of: mixing and agitating the polymer compound and a chemical agent in an extruder while controlling the inside of the extruder to be kept at a high temperature and a high pressure to have a reaction mixture containing a polymer treated product; supplying the reaction mixture continuously into a high-pressure container disposed following the extruder and retaining the reaction mixture at the high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined time; then supplying the reaction mixture continuously to a chemical agent separator to separate the polymer treated product; and supplying the separated polymer treated product continuously to a molding means to form it into a molded material.
US08105535B2
The present invention is to present a pipette tip supplier which is capable of convey the pipette tip smoothly. The pipette tip supplier 30 comprises: container 31 for containing pipette tips 3; separator 36 for separating pipette tips one by one; transporting section 37 for transporting pipette tips separated by the separator 36, one by one, to a first position via a second position and for dropping the transported pipette tips from the first position, the pipette tips transported by the transporting section 37 comprising a preceding pipette tip and a following pipette tip transported after the preceding pipette tip; detector 40e for detecting the following pipette tip at the second position before the following pipette tip arrives at the first position; and controller 2a for controlling the transporting section 37 so as to suspend transporting operation when the detector 40e detects the following pipette tip at the second position.
US08105534B2
A process and system for purifying an impure gas to produce a purified gas in a gas purification system and protecting the system from damage by a) passing a portion of a first gas stream into a reactor vessel, which exits as a second purified gas stream; b) combining a portion of the second purified gas stream with another portion of the first gas stream to form a combined gas stream; and c) passing the combined gas stream into a sensing device to regulate the flow of the first and second gas streams into the reactor vessel.
US08105533B2
The present invention provides a corrosion loss measuring apparatus which enables to quantitatively determine corrosion loss characteristics of ceramic materials and heat-resistant metallic materials, which is excellent in terms of safety, cost, and operation easiness, and whose size can be reduced. The invention also provides a method for measuring corrosion loss by use of the apparatus. The corrosion loss measuring apparatus which, in use, allows an atmosphere gas to be continuously fed into a test-piece-placing section for accommodating a material test piece, the atmosphere gas having a predetermined composition and having been heated to a predetermined temperature, wherein the apparatus includes a gas-heating section and a test-piece-placing section, the gas-heating section and the test-piece-placing section are included a one-piece ceramic-made tube for use in a heating furnace, and the cross-sectional area of the gas-heating section through which the gas flows is larger than that of the test-piece-placing section.
US08105519B2
A method of making a liquid crystalline fiber is disclosed. A copolymer having a liquid crystalline side group and a crosslinking side group is crosslinked. A fiber of the crosslinking copolymer is drawn before the crosslinking reaction is complete.
US08105509B2
A transparent polycrystalline ceramic having scattering and absorption loss less than 0.2/cm over a region comprising more than 95% of the originally densified shape and further provides a process for fabricating the same by hot pressing. The ceramic can be any suitable ceramic such as yttria (Y2O3) or scandia (Sc2O3) and can have a doping level of from 0 to 20% and a grain size of greater than 30 μm, although the grains can also be smaller than 30 μm. In a process for making a transparent polycrystalline ceramic in accordance with the present invention, ceramic nanoparticles can be coated with a sintering aid to minimize direct contact of adjacent ceramic powder particles and then baked at high temperatures to remove impurities from the coated particles. The thus-coated particles can then be densified by hot pressing into the final ceramic product. The invention further provides a transparent polycrystalline ceramic solid-state laser material and a laser using the hot pressed polycrystalline ceramic.
US08105508B2
The present invention relates to crystalline nanometric olivine-type LiFe1-xMnxPO4 powder with 0
US08105503B2
It is intended to provide an aqueous solution of a thermoresponsive polymer, which shows an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and is capable of maintaining a dissolved state, even if it is stored for a long period of time at a temperature at which a ligand such as an antibody or an antigen is not inactivated. A UCST lowering agent is incorporated in a predetermined amount in an aqueous solution of a thermoresponsive polymer which shows a UCST in a state of containing water, thereby lowering the UCST of the aqueous solution to less than the storage temperature, and the resulting aqueous solution is stored.
US08105493B2
It is intended to provide a method capable of simply aggregating magnetic particles having a surface modified with a thermoresponsive polymer at a given temperature without heating or cooling an aqueous solution containing the magnetic particles, and a separation method and a detection method of a substance to be detected in a sample using the method. The method of separating a substance to be detected from a sample includes the steps of: mixing an adsorbent and the sample in an aqueous solution to adsorb the substance to be detected on the adsorbent, aggregating the adsorbent by changing a salt concentration in the aqueous solution; and collecting the adsorbent from the aqueous solution by a magnetic force, wherein said adsorbent comprises a magnetic particle of an average particle size of 50 to 1000 nm, a surface of which is modified with a thermoresponsive polymer and is immobilized with a substance having an affinity for the substance to be detected.
US08105491B2
An extracorporeal filtration and detoxification system and method generally comprise separating ultrafiltrate from cellular components of blood, treating the ultrafiltrate independently of the cellular components in a recirculation circuit, recombining treated ultrafiltrate and the cellular components, and returning whole blood to the patient. A recirculation circuit generally comprises an active cartridge including active cells operative to effectuate a selected treatment; in some embodiments, the active cells are the C3A cell line.
US08105488B2
Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
US08105487B2
The present invention is directed to novel systems for conducting the filtration of blood using manifolds. The manifolds integrate various sensors and have fluid pathways formed therein to direct fluids from various sources through the requisite blood filtration or ultrafiltration system steps.
US08105485B2
A filtering device for filtering liquids in internal combustion engines has a filter housing and a filter element inserted into the filter housing. A cover disk closes off the filter housing. The cover disk consists of two individual disks and a central flow connection connects the two individual disks. The two individual disks and the flow connection form a common plastic component.
US08105483B2
An improved water sensor and method for retaining a water sensor to a filter housing are described herein. A snap-fit connection is utilized to secure the water sensor to the filter housing. In one embodiment, the snap-fit connection is achieved using non-metallic components.
US08105476B2
An integrated lancing and measurement device is provided comprising a sensor designed to determine the amount and/or concentration of analyte in a biological fluid having a volume of less than about 1 μL. A piercing member is adapted to pierce and retract from a site on the patient to cause the fluid to flow therefrom, and the sensor is positioned adjacent to the site on the patient so as to receive the fluid flowing from the site to generate an electrical signal indicative of the concentration of the analyte in the fluid. The sensor is comprised of a working electrode comprising an analyte-responsive enzyme and a redox mediator, and a counter electrode. An analyte monitor is operatively connected to the sensor and adapted to measure the signal generated by the sensor. Also provided are analyte measuring methods that optionally employ the integrated lancing and measurement device.
US08105468B2
A tantalum nitride film-forming method comprises the steps of introducing, into a vacuum chamber, a raw gas consisting of a coordination compound constituted by elemental Ta having a coordinated ligand represented by the general formula: N═(R,R′) (in the formula, R and R′ may be the same or different and each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms) to thus adsorb the gas on a substrate; then introducing an NH3 gas and then activated H radicals derived from a reactant gas into a vacuum chamber to thus remove the R(R′) groups bonded to the nitrogen atom present in the reaction product through cleavage, and to thus form a tantalum nitride film rich in tantalum atoms. The resulting tantalum nitride film has a low resistance, low contents of C and N atoms, and a high compositional ratio: Ta/N, can ensure sufficiently high adherence to the distributing wire-forming film and can thus be useful as a barrier film. Moreover, tantalum particles are implanted in the resulting film according to the sputtering technique to thus further enrich the film with tantalum.
US08105466B2
A biased pulse DC reactor for sputtering of oxide films is presented. The biased pulse DC reactor couples pulsed DC at a particular frequency to the target through a filter which filters out the effects of a bias power applied to the substrate, protecting the pulsed DC power supply. Films deposited utilizing the reactor have controllable material properties such as the index of refraction. Optical components such as waveguide amplifiers and multiplexers can be fabricated using processes performed on a reactor according to the present invention.
US08105463B2
Tissue sheets are disclosed containing an additive composition. The additive composition is applied to the tissue sheet during a creping process in a controlled manner such that the additive composition forms deposits on the sheet separated by untreated areas. In one embodiment, the additive composition is applied to a creping surface. A wet tissue sheet is then transferred to the creping surface by a topographical surface containing elevations. The elevations press the tissue sheet against the creping surface. When creped from the surface, the additive compositions transfers to the tissue sheet according to where the elevations were located on the topographical surface.
US08105459B2
A method and apparatus for producing labeled, plastic foam containers, such as a labeled EPS cup uses a heated pocket to thermally bond a label to a plastic cup. Also described is a labeled plastic foam container, such as a labeled EPS cup, having high quality printing capabilities, sufficient stiffness, acceptable insulation and barrier properties and reduced production cost.
US08105452B2
The present invention is a bonding apparatus which bonds a first object to be bonded and a second object to be bonded by bringing a bonding member into contact with an upper surface of the second object to be bonded placed on an upper surface of the first object to be bonded and ultrasonically vibrating the second object to be bonded by the bonding member, and the bonding member includes: a contact portion brought into contact with the second object to be bonded; and a holding portion holding the second object to bonded. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the object to bonded from sliding sideways to thereby properly bond the objects to be bonded to each other, even with a low pressing force.
US08105449B2
An aluminum alloy extruded product includes an aluminum alloy including 6.0 to 7.2 mass % of Zn, 1.0 to 1.6 mass % of Mg, 0.1 to 0.4 mass % of Cu, at least one component selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, and Zr in a respective amount of 0.25 mass % or less and a total amount of 0.15 to 0.25 mass %, 0.20 mass % or less of Fe, and 0.10 mass % or less of Si, with the balance substantially being aluminum, the aluminum alloy extruded product having a hollow cross-sectional shape, a recrystallization rate of 20% or less of a cross-sectional area of the extruded product, and a 0.2% proof stress of 370 to 450 MPa.
US08105444B2
A process for producing a highly anticorrosive rare earth permanent magnet, characterized by sequentially subjecting an R—Fe—B sintered magnet to surface finishing involving cutting and/or polishing, plating pretreatment, nickel electroplating to a given plating thickness, immersion in an aqueous solution containing a phosphoric salt, washing with water and heat treatment at 150° to 400° C. for 1 to 24 hr in an atmosphere of 1.3×103 Pa or higher oxygen partial pressure so as to form a thin nickel oxide layer at the surface layer portion.
US08105435B2
The inhomogeneous energy distribution at the beam spot on the irradiated surface is caused by a structural problem and processing accuracy of the cylindrical lens array forming an optical system. According to the present invention, in the optical system for forming a rectangular beam spot, an optical system for homogenizing the energy distribution of the shorter side direction of a rectangular beam spot of a laser light on an irradiated surface is replaced with a light guide. The light guide is a circuit that can confine emitted beams in a certain region and guide and transmit its energy flow in parallel with the axis of a path thereof.
US08105434B2
A method of purifying substances is described herein, particularly suitable for purifying silica and forming it into silicon oxide sheets or ribbons, or silicon sheets or ribbons. The method includes ion sweeping a sheet of a substance containing ionic impurities by providing an ionic driving force and a thermal driving force. Ions are swept to a collectable region of the sheet. A system is also provided for purifying substances including an ion sweeping sub-system for providing an ionic driving force to a sheet or ribbon, and a heating sub-system positioned and configured for heating the sheet or ribbon. Impurities swept to an edge, surface or both are then mechanically or chemically removed.
US08105426B2
The present invention includes a canister having a housing for receiving therein an adsorption material and a heat storage material. The adsorption material can adsorb a fuel vapor. The heat storage material can absorb and dissipate a heat in response to change in temperature within the housing. The heat storage material includes a plurality of heat storage granules each having a cover layer made of an alcohol resistance material.
US08105423B2
A method and apparatus for practicing the method are provided for separating droplets of finely aerosolized elemental mercury from a gaseous stream in which the droplets are dispersed. In the method a gold plated metallic capillary surface is contacted with the gaseous stream, causing the aerosolized droplets to deposit on the capillary surface and by capillary action to coalesce with other of such droplets to form increasingly large drops of mercury. The surface is oriented to allow the mercury to flow by gravitational forces and capillary action to the lowermost portions of the surface, at which it accumulates, and is then collected at a suitable vessel.
US08105403B2
A novel method of combining the CTL fuel plant and IGCC electrical plant by sharing the systems of coal intake, coal preparation, gas separation, and water units is described herein. This configuration allows for the combined facility to offer advantages in efficiencies of production, operational flexibility, scalability, and reliability by a multi-path integration of the processing units.
US08105395B2
A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a battery comprises the steps of intermittently transferring a strip-shaped electrode plate material (1) in a longitudinal direction at intervals of a predetermined length and stopping it in a fixed position; and while pressing a cut portion of the electrode plate material (1) from above and below and compression-molding between a top stripper (12) and a top cut die (11) which slide on each other and a bottom stripper (14) and a bottom cut die (13) which slide on each other, cutting the compressed portion with sliding blades (11a and 13a) of the top and bottom cut dies (11 and 13), respectively, on each other. According to this method, the electrode plate material is cut while restraining the generation of a large burr which causes a short circuit between the electrode plates without reducing productivity and increasing costs to obtain the electrode plate for the battery.
US08105394B2
The invention relates to the dyeing of keratin fibers using azomethine direct dyes or reduced precursors of azomethine direct dyes of formula (I) and (II) obtained from 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine. The invention relates to a dye composition comprising at least one azomethine direct dye or a reduced precursor of an azomethine direct dye, to a process for dyeing keratin fibers, using the said composition, and to their uses in the dyeing of keratin fibers. This composition allows a particularly stable and fast coloration to be obtained.
US08105385B2
A medical procedure for use in connection with a patient suffering from cuff tear arthropathy is disclosed. The medial procedure includes providing a humeral prosthesis having a prosthetic head component, wherein (i) the prosthetic head component includes a glenoid-bearing portion and an acromion-bearing portion, and (ii) the glenoid-bearing portion and the acromion-bearing portion define an outer bearing surface, and (iii) the outer bearing surface extends in a medial/lateral direction across a radial distance D, and (iii) D≧190°. The medical procedure further includes implanting the humeral prosthesis in the patient so that the acromion-bearing portion contacts and bears directly against a natural acromion of the patient during abduction of an arm of the patient that possesses the humerus.
US08105382B2
An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant is provided that can comprise upper and lower body portions that can each have proximal and distal wedge surfaces disposed at proximal and distal ends thereof. An actuator shaft disposed intermediate the upper and lower body portions can be actuated to cause proximal and distal protrusions to converge towards each other and contact the respective ones of the proximal and distal wedge surfaces. Such contact can thereby transfer the longitudinal movement of the proximal and distal protrusions against the proximal and distal wedge surfaces to cause the separation of the upper and lower body portions, thereby expanding the intervertebral implant. The upper and lower body portions can have side portions that help facilitate linear translational movement of the upper body portion relative to the lower body portion.
US08105380B2
A cellular scaffold that is suitable for tissue regeneration, cell culture and in vitro assays. The invention relates to a layered cell scaffold that is seeded with mesenchymal and ectodermal cells. The layered cellular scaffold comprises an inoculum of mesenchymal cells and ectodermal cells positioned between two opposing scaffolds in a sandwich configuration. The layered cell scaffold provides a functional skin equivalent that is suitable for transplantation and in vitro cell-based assays.
US08105379B2
Disclosed herein is an improved Bone Tendon Bone graft for use in orthopedic surgical procedures. Specifically exemplified herein is a Bone Tendon Bone graft comprising one or more bone blocks having a groove cut into the surface thereof, wherein said groove is sufficient to accommodate a fixation screw. Also disclosed is a porcine bone tendon bone graft for use in orthopedic procedures. Additionally, Also a method of harvesting grafts that has improved efficiency, increases the quantity of extracted tissue and minimizes time required by surgeon for implantation is disclosed.
US08105378B2
Disclosed are soft, high refractive index, acrylic device materials. The materials contain a functionalized alkyl ethoxylate to reduce glistenings.
US08105373B2
A stent comprises a generally cylindrical band having a pattern of alternating first and second struts, the first struts being wider than the second struts, the first and second struts being of substantially the same length.
US08105364B2
A system for stabilization of the spinal column, including an elongate support member extending along an axis and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae. A first of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that substantially prevents axial movement of the support member relative to the first anchor member, and a second of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the second anchor member. In a further embodiment, a third of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that also allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the third anchor member, with the second and third anchor members positioned on opposite sides of the first anchor member.
US08105358B2
An apparatus includes a spacer, a proximal retention member, a distal retention member, and an actuator. The spacer is configured to engage adjacent spinous processes. The proximal retention member is coupled to the spacer such that a portion of the proximal retention member is in contact with a proximal surface of the spacer. An axis within a plane defined by a first surface of the distal retention member is non-parallel to and non-normal to a longitudinal axis of the spacer. The distal retention member is movably coupled to the spacer such that a second surface of the distal retention member contacts a distal surface of the spacer. The actuator is movably coupled to the spacer and is configured to move relative to the spacer along the longitudinal axis. An actuation surface of the actuator is slidably coupled to and substantially parallel to the first surface of the distal retention member.
US08105354B2
A triangular suture needle having a low thrust resistance and a press mold suitable for manufacturing the same are provided. The triangular suture needle includes: an angular triangular prism-shaped part (100a) on the needlepoint side; a rounded triangular prism-shaped part (100b) connecting to the needle base side of said triangular prism-shaped part; and a thread attaching part (100c) in a needle base end. The entire angular triangular prism-shaped part (100a) is ground, forming a pointed, sharpened part (100d) with a sharp tip. Furthermore, width (w1) of the thickest portion of the sharpened part (100d) is greater than width (w2) of the rounded triangular prism-shaped part connecting to that portion.
US08105353B2
The present invention includes a first and a second interlaced component, each having a permeable adhesive-backed wound edge pad for attachment to the skin of a patient adjacent to a laceration or incision to be closed. Each of the permeable wound edge pads is attached to an opposing tension adjusting pad that also has an adhesive backing. The wound edge pads are connected to the respective tension adjusting pads by elongate connecting elements that may be flat or tubular in shape. The present invention also includes an adhesive that may be applied in liquid form to the permeable wound edge pads. Adhesion of the adhesive on and within the permeable wound edge pads seals the wound site and adds structural rigidity to the interlaced components.
US08105350B2
The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member is supported from the control handle and has locked and unlocked states; in the unlocked state enabling control of the distal work member from the proximal control handle via the bendable members; and in the locked state, holding the bendable members in a pre-selected relative fixed position.
US08105343B2
In repairing soft tissue with a bone anchoring instrument (such as reattaching a tendon of a torn rotator cuff), the bone anchoring instrument may be used to anchor the soft tissue to a region of bone. The anchors inserted into the underlying bone may have one or more lengths of suture or wire attached thereto which may be tensioned independently of one another to affix the soft tissue to the bone by having a selector mechanism selectively engage and disengage ratcheted tensioning wheels from one another. Suture loading mechanisms may be employed for passing suture lengths into and/or through the anchors prior to deployment into the bone where such mechanisms may employ suture snares which are configured to reconfigure from an expanded shape through which suture lengths may be easily passed to a low-profile shape which secures the suture lengths within the snare.
US08105336B2
Baskets with atraumatic distal tips allow the capture of material from difficult-to-reach areas of the body, while reducing the risk of tissue damage.
US08105329B2
An instrument is provided for use in orthopedic surgery for reduction of a connecting member such as a spinal rod toward an implant such as a bone screw. An embodiment of the instrument includes handle portions that are pivotable relative to each other and biased apart, and arm portions pivotable relative to each other and to the handle portions. Distal portions of the arm portions, which may be offset from the arm portions, provide structure for engaging a connecting member and an implant. Squeezing the handle portions force the distal portions of the arm portions together, forcing together the connecting member and the implant. A toothed bar and pawl may be provided to retain the instrument in a squeezed state.
US08105328B2
Instruments and methods are provided for delivering multiple implants to multiple implant locations in a patient without requiring a second implant to be loaded onto or engaged to the delivery instrument after delivery of a first implant. The implants can be sequentially engaged using the delivery instrument to the patient or to receptacles of one or more receiving members secured to the patient.
US08105326B2
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of an implant, such as an intramedullary nail, and a fastening assembly, such as a lag screw and compression screw assembly. The implant in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture and a cross-section that may be shaped to more accurately conform to the anatomical shape of cortical bone and to provide additional strength and robustness in its lateral portions, preferably without requiring significant additional material. The fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the implant. In some embodiments, the engaging member and the compression device are configured so that the compression device interacts with a portion of the implant and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between the first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US08105325B2
The present invention relates to a plasma-generating device comprising an anode, a cathode and an elongate plasma channel which extends substantially in the direction from said cathode to said anode. The plasma channel has a throttling portion which is arranged in said plasma channel between said cathode and an outlet opening arranged in said anode. Said throttling portion divides said plasma channel into a high pressure chamber, which is positioned on a side of the throttling portion closest to the cathode, and has a first maximum cross-sectional surface transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plasma channel, and a low pressure chamber, which opens into said anode and has a second maximum cross-sectional surface transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plasma channel, said throttling portion having a third cross-sectional surface transversely to the longitudinal direction of the plasma channel which is smaller than said first maximum cross-sectional surface and said second maximum cross-sectional surface. Moreover at least one intermediate electrode is arranged between said cathode and said throttling portion. The invention also relates to a plasma surgical device, use of such a plasma surgical device in surgery and a method of generating a plasma.
US08105310B2
An infiltration cannula and method of using the infiltration cannula during a tumescent infiltration procedure are disclosed herein. The infiltration cannula may have an outwardly flaring hub which may be wedged into an adit of a patient to minimize leakage of fluid being infiltrated into the patient. Also, the infiltration cannula may be utilized to hydrate a dehydrated patient by a medically untrained person. The infiltration cannula may also be used to deliver an antibiotic/vasoconstrictive drug solution to minimize surgical site infections.
US08105305B2
The present invention provides an absorbent article having a composite sheet with a plurality of gathers on an inner surface facing a wearer's body, which fits and adheres comfortably to the wearer's skin. The composite sheet is provided which includes a stretchable non-woven fabric which expands and contracts in at least one direction, a non-stretchable non-woven fabric, a junction which binds intermittently the stretchable non-woven fabric to the non-stretchable non-woven fabric in the stretching direction, and a plurality of gathers which is formed by loosening a unbounded area of the non-stretchable non-woven fabric in a contracted state, and is arranged along a direction intersecting the stretching direction, in which an apex of each gather does not reach the neighboring gather when the gathers lean to one side of the stretchable direction.
US08105304B2
Folded disposable pants which include an outer wear sheet of pants shape and an absorbent main body adhered to a skin-contacting surface side in the outer wear sheet, wherein elastic members are added at least to circumferences of a waist opening and a leg opening. The folded disposable pants are formed by folding back a crotch part of the disposable pants over a center pants part on the upside of the crotch part, folding back a left lateral part and a right lateral part of the pants over the center pants part, and then folding back an upper pants part in which the left and the right lateral parts of the pants are overlapped with each other, over a downside part thereof.
US08105289B2
An anchoring system for securing a dialysis catheter to a patient comprises an anchor pad and a retainer. The anchor pad is attached to the skin of the patient by an adhesive layer on one side of the pad. The retainer is disposed upon the surface of the anchor pad opposite the adhesive layer and includes a base and a cover and a adhesive spot. A groove upon the base is arranged to receive a Y-site portion of a dialysis catheter where the lumens merge distal to the insertion site. A post also protrudes from the base to the cover at a position which will be disposed between the two distal branches of the dialysis catheter. The cover closes over the base, securing the Y-site between the groove and the post. Closing the cover also places at least a portion of the catheter in contact with the adhesive spot. This contact between the retainer, adhesive spot and catheter thereby inhibits inadvertent motion of the catheter upon the patient. A latch mechanism is disposed upon the retainer to maintain the cover in a closed position over the Y-site of the catheter on the base.
US08105287B2
A tearaway introducer sheath assembly (100,200) having an integrated valve (300). The valve is seated within a valve housing (222) defined by the hub portion (200) of the sheath (200). The valve (300) includes a pair of distally extending opposed side walls or flaps (324) extending to converge at a distal tip (328) having a virtual opening (334) therethrough. The valve further includes a pair of tensioners (340) along outer surfaces of the opposed side walls (324) that extend radially outwardly to engage and bear against the interior valve housing surface (230) to press the opposed side walls (324) together at the distal tip (328) for sealing, both when a dilator extends through the valve and sheath and afterward upon removal of the dilator.
US08105281B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a medicament container, an actuator, and a biasing member. The actuator is configured to move the medicament container within the housing when the actuator is moved from a first configuration to a second configuration. The actuator includes a gas container and a puncturer. When the actuator is in the first configuration, a portion of the puncturer is disposed apart from the gas container. When the actuator is in the second configuration, the portion of the puncturer is disposed within the gas container. The gas container has a longitudinal axis offset from a longitudinal axis of the medicament container. The biasing member is configured to bias the actuator toward the second configuration.
US08105280B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and systems associated with a disposable dispenser (100, 200) of therapeutic fluid. Preferred embodiments having a small size of less than about 75 mm in length, less than 50 mm in width and less than about 10 mm in thickness and may be releasably attached to the body (B). In one embodiments, the dispenser draws fluid from a flexible volume-conformable reservoir (4) and operates a dosing and metering pump (6, 61, 62, 63) incorporating a motor to deliver fluid through a fluid delivery tool (8, 81, 82). Disposed on the housing bottom (2B) is a peel-off tape (22) that when removed, electrically connects a power supply (18) to power the operative components (3) of the dispenser into operation, exposes an adhesive (28) and a window (21) in the housing (2), and allows the fluid delivery tool (8) to extend for insertion into the skin (S).
US08105275B2
A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a matted fabric layer composed of at least two matted fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.
US08105273B1
This single unit, known as a self flushing duel compartment container, can be used with or without an electrical feeding pump. It will perform a dual, fluid composition administration process, which would usually require two separate units to perform. Thus eliminating the need for the use of a secondary unit needed to follow the administrations seen in the existing products used primary/secondary fluid delivery technique. Two separate compartments are capable of retaining their own fluid composition within the boundary of it's own separate compartment separated by an air tight, sealed section of the single unit that divides this single unit into two separate compartments. Each compartment leads into a section of thermoplastic tubing, which eventually forms a pre-attached junction tubing similar to the “Y”, shaped tubing that becomes a single much longer section of thermoplastic tubing. Fluids from both compartments (side A) and (side B) will flow through this thermoplastic tubing, one following the other, when the fluid compositions are administered to the receiver of the contents contained in this new invention.
US08105263B2
A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.
US08105262B2
A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.
US08105258B2
A hemofiltration system and method for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.
US08105257B2
The present invention provides an extremity stress reducing modality for a human subject having an extremity, the extremity having an uninjured portion and an injured portion. The modality includes: (1) a frame having a connecting member for removably connecting the frame to an extremity of a human subject; (2) a support member on the frame for engaging the uninjured portion but not the injured portion; and (3) an attachment member on the frame for attaching the frame to a portion of a moveable resistance mechanism.
US08105255B2
An orthosis including arms held in place on body parts by a respective fastening member and interconnected by a pivot joint adjacent to a body joint. For bending of the body parts required during normal movement, the pivot joint is formed by a central adjusting ring bordered by both arms. One arm includes an axle ring which is coaxial to the adjusting ring. The other arm includes a ring bearing, which is eccentric to the axle ring. The ring bearing is pivotable with respect to a rotational plane of the axle ring by rotating the adjusting ring in such a way and at such an angle that the arm, supported by the ring bearing in conjunction with the body part retained by it, assumes a pivoting position of this body part depending on the rotation angle of the adjusting ring in relation to the arm connected to the axle ring.
US08105243B2
The device is used to remove tissue from a patient and to also place a marker in the patient. The device has an opening through which tissue enters the device. The tissue which enters the opening is cut and the tissue is removed. The device may be used a number of times to remove a number of tissue masses. The device also includes a marker which the user may release in the patient at the desired time.
US08105237B2
A system and method are disclosed that facilitate characterizing vascular plaque tissue based upon spectral analysis of intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. In particular, a power spectrum analysis of an integrated backscatter parameter renders a set of characterizing parameter values based on received intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. The resulting parameter values are applied to plaque tissue characterization criteria to render a plaque tissue characterizations for regions of interest. The system and method include computer-executable instructions performed on a computing device to render an estimate of a system transfer function using a homomorphic deconvolution technique.
US08105235B2
Surgical methods and devices allow closed-chest surgery to be performed on a heart of a patient while the heart is beating. A region of the heart is stabilized by engaging a surface of the heart with a stabilizer without having to stop the heart. Motion of the target tissues is inhibited sufficiently to treat the target tissues with robotic surgical tools which move in response to inputs of a robotic system operator. A stabilizing surface of the stabilizer is coupled to a drive system to position the surface from outside the patient, preferably by actuators of the robotic servomechanism. Exemplary stabilizers includes a suture or other flexible tension member spanning between a pair of jointed bodies, allowing the member to occlude a coronary blood vessel and/or help stabilize the target region between the stabilizing surfaces.
US08105234B2
A surgical access device includes a single valve that forms a seal with the body wall and provides an access channel into a body cavity. The valve has properties for creating a zero seal in the absence of an instrument as well as an instrument seal with instruments having a full range of instrument diameter. The valve can include a gel and preferably an ultragel comprised of an elastomer and an oil providing elongation greater than 1000 percent and durometer less than 5 Shore A. The single valve can be used as a hand port where the instrument comprises the arm of a surgeon, thereby providing hand access into the cavity.
US08105232B2
An inter-image calculation portion includes a switch circuit made up of three switch portions for switching each of three image data (R, G, B) from a 3-board processing portion, a first divider, a second divider, a first adder, a second adder, a first LUT, a second LUT, a first clip portion, and a second clip portion. The inter-image calculation portion executes addition processing of two different fluorescent images with two different wavelength bands and division processing the two different fluorescent images with two different wavelength bands and then it executes addition processing which adds the addition results and the division results of the two different fluorescent images with two different wavelength bands or it executes subtraction processing which subtracts the addition results from the division results of the two different fluorescent images with two different wavelength bands.
US08105225B2
A process for manufacturing reclosable bags (30) by forming a film (50) includes moving the film (50) and attaching to the film (50) sequentially and crosswise with reference to the direction of movement of the film (50), a fastener (1) including a first strip (2) supporting at least one reclosable profile (10) engaged with another reclosable profile (12) that is complementary thereto and supported by a second strip (4) or a part of the first strip (2), which will subsequently be attached to the film (50). Each strip (2, 4) includes at least one web (6, 8) extending substantially mostly sideways on one side of the profiles (12). The above arrangements make possible special fasteners (1) that include sliders (9), gasket membranes (26), fasteners inverted within the bag (30), peel seals (18, 20, 21) and hinged fasteners (1).
US08105223B2
A method of forming a container from a blank of sheet material using a machine is provided. The blank includes a bottom panel, two side panels, two end panels, and a reinforcing panel assembly extending from a first side panel. The machine includes a hopper station, a corner post forming station, and a plunger station. The method includes rotating the reinforcing panel assembly upwardly toward the first side panel as the blank is transported from the hopper station to the corner post forming station, forming a corner wall and a reinforcing end tab by folding reinforcing panels about fold lines as the blank is transported through the corner post forming station, rotating the side panels and the end panels to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel by directing the blank through the plunger station, and coupling the reinforcing end tab to an end panel to form the container.
US08105216B2
A free-standing exercise device is disclosed for exercising the abdominal muscles of a user being in a substantially upright position. The exercise device includes a base structure, an upper structure, two handles and a beam element. The beam element is suspended by tensioning means and is configured, positioned and sized to directly engage the abdomen when the user grasps the handles and pulls himself or herself forward and backward relative to the handles. The exercise device may further include a skateboard or roller device to facilitate the forward and backward movement by the user.
US08105214B2
A small, light personal fitness device offers capability to perform both light and heavy exercises. The invention employs flywheels (61) to provide continual and variable resistance. The invention includes a method to adjust range of motion and a method to view the operating force of the system. Flywheel unit (3) and the hand unit (9) are attached via a cord (21). Handle (1) is held by hand or by foot. Knob (7) is used to wind the cord manually. Knob (13) is used to adjust the length of the cord. The invention also includes a resistance indicator (31) to show the resistance for each exercise, and to allow the user to monitor the exercising progress and increase in strength.
US08105209B2
A process is disclosed for enabling an operator to exercise on an exercise device. The process includes measuring a range of movement of the operator during exercising on the exercise device for generating an electronic range of movement data. A strength is measured of the operator during exercising on the exercise device for generating an electronic strength data. An electronic program is designed based on the electronic range of movement data and the electronic strength data. The electronic program is stored in an electronic media. The electronic program is displayed as a moving scale on a screen for instructing the operator to exercise at the same rate as the moving scale to complete the exercise in a timely and controlled matter.
US08105200B2
An actuator for the electromotive actuation of a parking or stop brake, especially of a private car comprises, downstream on the electric motor, a planetary wheel transmission which is axially cascaded in a multi-stage manner and comprises a centering pin which is radially mounted on the two front ends thereof and extends coaxially to the output shaft, on the radial overdefined bearing arrangement thereof. Respectively one planet carrier comprising a pinion is embodied, along the centering pin, as a sun wheel for the planet wheels on the planet carrier of the following transmission step.
US08105195B2
A tensioner for a power transmission system includes two tensioning arms operatively engaged with a strand of either the chain or the belt of the power transmission system. The upper end of each tensioning arm is connected to a one way rotational clutch which is pivotally mounted between the upper ends of the tensioning arms. The one way clutch rotates in one direction in response to changing chain loads to adjust the tension substantially equally on both strands at the same time. In order to prevent over-tensioning, a damping means is included in the one-way clutch. When a pre-determined overload threshold is reached, the amount of torque required to overcome the coefficient of friction of a spring in the damper allows the one way clutch to slip in the direction opposite from its normal rotational direction, thereby relieving the overload condition on the chain.
US08105191B2
The line hydraulic pressure setting portion sets the line hydraulic pressure PL, which is the base pressure for the required shift control pressure Pin and the required belt clamping pressure Pd, based on the higher of the required pressures Pin and Pd. At this time, if the continuously variable transmission is to be shifted up, the required Pin calculating portion calculates the required shift control pressure Pin based on one of the target speed ratio γ* and the actual speed ratio γ with which the required shift pressure Pv is calculated to be higher than with the other. As such, the required shift control pressure Pin is set to the minimum necessary level for shifting up the continuously variable transmission and the line hydraulic pressure PL is appropriately set to a level for obtaining the required shift control pressure Pin.
US08105190B2
A pulley assembly for a continuously variable transmission in a vehicle, comprising a shaft having an axis, a supporting element rotatable about said axis, a first half pulley rigidly and rotationally connected to said supporting element, a second half pulley facing said first half pulley for defining a seat adapted to accommodate a belt of the transmission, at least one of the first and second half pulleys being longitudinally mobile with respect to the supporting element, and a clutch comprising a second supporting element connected to the shaft, a drum connected to the supporting element and accommodating the second supporting element, and a plurality of friction elements hinged to the second supporting element about respective hinge axes to selectively cooperate with the drum. In particular, the respective centres of gravity of said friction elements are located before the respective hinge axes with respect to a direction of rotation of the shaft which defines a forward running condition of the vehicle.
US08105188B1
An archery arrowhead having a body with a substantially triangular base and truncated triangular sides to form a substantially truncated triangular pyramid. A cutting blade is formed at the juncture of adjacent truncated triangular sides. Each of the cutting blades have a leading end and a trailing end. The leading ends of the cutting blades terminate in needle points. The width of the blades at their trailing ends is greater than the width of the blades at their leading ends. The leading end of the body located opposite the base has a concave recess formed therein. A concave flute is formed in each of the sides of the arrowhead.
US08105187B1
An arrow broadhead adapted for attaching to an open end of a hollow arrow shaft. The broadhead is adapted for moving from a retracted position during arrow flight to an extended and fully-locked position when contacting a target. The broadhead includes a pointed tip with tip base and a sliding shaft. A sliding shaft housing with a bore hole is used for receiving the sliding shaft therein. A lower end of the sliding shaft housing is adapted for receipt inside the open end of the hollow arrow shaft. At least two cutting blades are pivotally attached at one end to the tip base. Pivot arms are pivotally attached to an inside edge of the cutting blades and to the sliding shaft housing. The pivot arms hold the cutting blades in a retracted position during arrow flight and expand the cutting blades outwardly upon target contact.
US08105184B2
A sports product may include a support member and an impact region configured to impact an object. The impact region may be coupled to the support member. The sports product may also include a shear thickening material in at least one of the support member or the impact region. The shear thickening material may be configured to exhibit shear thickening behavior when an impact occurs between the impact region and the object.
US08105182B2
A cavity back golf club head having a bridge member is disclosed. The bridge member extends across a first rear cavity connecting a heel and a toe of the golf club head to control the trajectory of a golf ball. For the longer iron clubs, a wall extending from the sole portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member defines a second cavity to further influence the trajectory of the golf ball. For the shorter iron clubs, the wall extends from the top portion of the cavity back golf club head to the bridge member.
US08105181B2
A golf club head, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises a metallic striking wall having a striking surface and at least one through score-line opening. At least one complementary component may be disposed rearward of the striking surface such that at least a part of the at least one complementary component extends into only a part of the at least one through score-line opening.
US08105180B1
The present invention provides a method of manufacture and design such that very small detail features can be produced within the groove profile on an iron or wedge. The advantage in being able to do this is that spin will be enhanced for a variety of shot types and conditions when striking a golf ball with cover composed of a urethane-based material.
US08105168B2
Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments. According to one aspect of the invention, physical playing instruments are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical playing instruments are traditional poker-style gaming playing cards. The playing instruments include at least one identifier that may be read upon being dealt, such as identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.
US08105166B2
The invention is a fantasy vault system and method for operating a fantasy league, such as a fantasy sports league. The system is independent from the league participants, namely, a fantasy league commissioner and fantasy competitors. Fantasy data providers provides data whereby the performance of the fantasy competitors can be scored and ranked. Different league accounts can be associated with respective distinct data providers. A data provider can be a fantasy host. The system is, therefore, adapted to scoring competitors based on competition data represented in a plurality of formats. The system may accept default and alternate award schemes from commissioners, the particular scheme to be used depending upon the number of competitors paying their entry fee by a deadline. Entry fees from the fantasy competitors are not handled by the league participants, but are deposited into an account in the vault system, from which they may be transferred to a bank account. Awards to successful fantasy competitors from the pool of entry fees are made directly from the vault on or before a payout date, typically chosen by the commissioner.
US08105158B2
Provided are a game service method, where UCC can be used in an online music game that uses music as an element, and a game server therefor. The game service method includes receiving user created contents (UCC) data in which accompaniment music data and a song sung by a music user are combined, generating note background music (BGM) data in which action note data corresponding to the accompaniment music data and the UCC data are combined, and providing an online music game using the generated note BGM data to a game user.
US08105155B2
A loss limit system and method automatically tracks a player's entry and cash play, and does not allow them to play more than an allotted dollar amount during a given time frame or lose more than the established limit. Typically, excursions of play sessions are set up by day. Play is tracked at gaming machines and locked from all other play during card in at a machine. No other play is allowed at gaming machines, auto table rating systems or open table ratings, purchase of tokens, unless buy-in has not reached the loss limit for the session. At rollover, players are allowed to play again until they meet the same criteria for loss limit.
US08105150B2
A method for use with a gaming machine including presenting an outcome by displaying a symbol as travelling along a path and stopping in a stopping position that overlies another game symbol. An award is paid or changed when there is a particular relationship between the symbol.
US08105143B2
A game machine includes an LCD. The LCD displays a plurality of puzzle elements of different kinds. When a player uses an input means such as an operating key and a touch panel to designate some puzzle elements consecutively in the manner of one-stroke drawing, the kind of the designated puzzle elements is changed to another one. One stage of game is cleared if display of the changed puzzle elements has entered a predetermined state or met a predetermined requirement.
US08105127B2
A log based building system including a plurality of logs having different lengths and a square cross section; at least one connector having an opening sized to slide over an end of a stack of at least two logs and thereby clamp the at least two logs together. The two logs can include notches that allow a third log to be clamped in place by the connector, this arrangement allows for building toys with long reach arms.
US08105126B2
A method for fabricating a touch panel is provided. A first substrate and a second substrate are provided. A first carbon nanotube composite layer is applied on a surface of the first substrate to obtain a first electrode plate. A second carbon nanotube composite layer is applied on a surface of the first substrate to obtain a second electrode plate. The first and second electrode plates are assembled to obtain the touch panel.
US08105125B2
A buoyant device that enhances water activities and surfing by providing increased thrust from incident waves through utilization of a surface or volume to propel the buoyant device. A buoyant enclosure with an internal hand grip has surfaces that promote hydroplaning, flotation and the reduction of friction through the shape, materials and laminations used to manufacture the device. At least one of the surfaces can engage moving water allowing a user to benefit from the thrust of a wave to increase propulsion. A shape that combines a planar bottom surface with planar area to at least one side surface forms a wave wall to enhance propulsion from the force of a wave. Hydroplaning is enhanced using material with increased buoyancy to improve the body surfing experience. The devices are hand held by the user and can be used independently or combined to function as a single device. A “bow” like shape can be created by placing devices on both the left and right hand components together as a method of utilizing the system to efficiently cut through the water while simultaneously hydroplaning.
US08105124B2
A device and method for recovering articles inadvertently submerged in a body of water are disclosed. The device comprises a housing attachable to the article, the housing defining a storage chamber with a storage chamber opening at one end. The storage chamber contains a buoyant flotation element held in the storage chamber by a water-activated release mechanism that permits the flotation element to move toward and through the storage chamber opening when the device is submerged in water. The flotation element remains connected to the housing by a connection mechanism. The device housing also may include a biasing mechanism configured to bias the flotation element toward the storage chamber opening. The method includes attaching the housing to the article to be retrieved, having the flotation element release from the housing and float to the surface of the water and following the connection mechanism from the flotation element to the housing.
US08105118B2
A screw terminal and a terminal block incorporating the same provides a mechanically a screw terminal frame with a closed perimeter that resists deformation of the terminal frame when a captured nut is being clamped against a wire within the terminal frame, allowing the captured nut to be clamped more tightly against the wire. Sidewalls of the terminal frame may include tabs that engage ledges of a block housing to support the screw terminal and the captured nut may have surface irregularities upon the surface that engages the wire and to improve electrical contact therebetween and resist mechanical pull out of the wire.
US08105112B2
An electrical connector includes a plurality of terminals, a housing and a shield plate. The terminals are arranged and held in the housing. The shield plate is formed by bending a metal plate and attached to the housing. The housing includes a sidewall and an edge wall at an end portion of the sidewall. The shield plate includes a shield portion covering an outer surface of the sidewall and a held. The held portion is supported on a holding portion disposed on the edge wall of the housing. The shield portion includes a regulating portion capable of abutting against the outer surface of the sidewall. The regulating portion regulates deformation of the shield portion when the shield plate is attached to the housing.
US08105105B2
An electrical connector includes a housing and a terminal. The terminal is disposed in the housing. The terminal includes a pressing portion for receiving a wire and a connecting portion extending from the pressing portion. The pressing portion includes two elastic arm portions and a pressing groove portion between the elastic arm portions. The elastic arm portions includes a base portion extending from a connecting portion, a first arm portion extending from the base portion toward an opening portion of the pressing groove portion, a transition portion in a curved shape at a distal end portion of the first arm portion, and a second arm portion extending toward the base portion in parallel to the first arm portion. The elastic arm portions contact with the wire at inner edge portions of the second arm portions when the wire is inserted into the pressing groove portion.
US08105099B2
A lever connector includes a first connector portion including a first terminal housing with a plurality of first connecting terminals, a second connector portion including a second terminal housing with a plurality of second connecting terminals, a plurality of isolating plates, a connecting member to fix the first and second connecting terminals at the contacts therebetween, and a lever structure including a turn lever provided to hold both sides of either one of the first or second terminal housing. The lever structure includes a housing attaching/detaching mechanism for turning the turn lever to pull and mate the first and second terminal housings together, or pull the first and second terminal housings apart to release the mating, and a connecting member manipulating mechanism for turning the turn lever to manipulate the connecting member to apply a pressing force to each of the contacts or release the applying of that pressing force.
US08105090B1
An electrical connector assembly includes a socket and a plug. The socket includes a first main body defining a first longitudinal receiving space. A sidewall of the first longitudinal receiving space defines a helical slot. The helical slot includes at least one entrance formed on an end of the first longitudinal receiving space. The plug includes a second main body and at least one fixing assembly mounted in a peripheral sidewall of the second main body. Each of the at least one fixing assembly includes a ball rotatably connected to and extends partially out of the peripheral sidewall of the second main body. The extending part of the at least one ball being is able to slide in the helical slot through the at least one entrance.
US08105083B2
A device for removing stains and polishing a user's teeth including a handle portion and a brushing head mounted on said handle, the brushing head comprises a support member; a pad of melamine foam coupled to the support member, and at least one tooth projecting outward from the melamine foam pad; wherein the at least one tooth, when rubbed against a users teeth, removes stains from the user's teeth.
US08105080B2
A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which the teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions.
US08105079B2
An orthodontic appliance 1 for promoting development of a dental arch form in a patient who has an underdeveloped dental arch form is disclosed. The appliance 1 includes an arch-shaped base member 2 that is made of a resiliently flexible material, and a teeth engaging member 5 that encloses at least part of the base member 2. The teeth engaging member 5 defines upper and/or lower dental arch receiving channels 46, 47 and is made of a resiliently flexible material that is softer than the base member and is deformable. The appliance 1 has a resting form in which the resilient materials of the base member 2 and the teeth engaging member 5 are in their resting condition. The appliance 1 can be flexed or deformed out of the resting form to fit the underdeveloped dental arch form into the dental arch receiving channel 46, 47. When deformed the appliance 1 exerts a return force that is directed to returning it to its resting form which in use urges the underdeveloped dental arch to expand into a developed dental arch form.
US08105056B2
An aerating bag has a body, a connector, a check valve and an intake valve. The body has a connecting tube, a mounting tube and a chamber. The chamber communicates with the connecting tube and the mounting tube. The connector is detachably connected to the body and has a connecting pipe, an inserting pipe, a mounting recess, a release pipe and a cover. The release pipe is formed on and protrudes from the connector and communicates with the connecting pipe and the inserting pipe. The cover is mounted on the release pipe. The check valve mounted in the mounting recess and has an open end, a closed end and a slit. The slit is formed longitudinally in the check valve near the closed end and communicates with a clearance between the connecting pipe and the check valve. The intake valve is detachably mounted in the mounting tube of the body.
US08105054B2
A scroll compressor is provided with an oil return tube having an outlet for directing oil toward a motor protector for an electric motor. The oil supply tube is positioned to be at an angle relative to the drive axis of a shaft driven by the electric motor. This ensures that the outlet of the oil supply tube can be properly positioned relative to the electric motor. Under normal conditions, an adequate flow of refrigerant will pull the oil from the oil supply tube and away from the motor protector. However, should there be an inadequate flow of refrigerant within the sealed compressor, the oil will contact the motor protector, which in turn may stop operation of the electric motor.
US08105052B1
A pumping mechanism that utilizes wave and tidal energy to operate. The mechanism relies on the depth of the fluid or sea and the length of the pump cylinder to accommodate shifting wave and tide patterns. Alternatively, the mechanism is imbedded or placed in an excavation in the fluid or ocean bed of sufficient depth and width to accommodate the piston cylinder, its' easing and the shifting wave and tide conditions. The invention relies on a buoy or float for the lift of a ballast weighted piston and the ballast weighted piston, when descending, provides the means of creating pressure on the water entrapped in the cylinder, thus causing a pumping action. The pump may be used individually or in concert with other pumps. The pump is intended to move large or small volumes of water at high or low pressures, singularly or in concert with other pumps.
US08105045B2
Wind turbine blade includes a first blade part and a second blade part, the blade parts being bonded by bonding means forming a bond. To reduce peel stresses of the bond and reduce the risk of crack formation, an edge portion of the bond is covered by a low elastic modulus adhesive joint bridging a gap between the first blade part and the second blade part.
US08105043B2
A two-stage high pressure turbine includes a second stage blade having an airfoil with a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08105039B1
A turbine disk includes a rotor and a plurality of turbine blades, each comprising a root at a proximal end secured to the rotor and a tip having a shroud at a distal end. The shroud includes a inner diameter surface, an outer diameter surface and a segmented sidewall surface separating the inner and outer diameter surfaces. The shrouds of adjacent turbine blades are separated by a tip shroud damper, and which includes a retention rail that cooperates with the outer diameter surface to maintain a positional relationship of the damper, a inner flange that engages the segmented sidewall surface, and a web that separates the retention rail and the inner flange. The tip shroud damper reduces the vibratory responses of modes involving axial and radial shroud motion to prevent high cycle fatigue (HCT).
US08105037B2
An example airfoil assembly includes a base having an airfoil projecting radially therefrom. The base extends laterally away from the airfoil. The airfoil extends axially from an airfoil leading edge portion to an airfoil trailing edge portion. The base has a humped area forward the airfoil leading edge portion.
US08105036B2
A device is provided for the adjustment of the pitch of a rotor blade of a wind turbine comprising a pitch actuator acting on an adjusting plane for the adjustment of the pitch and a fixing device to which the pitch actuator is attached, the fixing device comprises a first and a second bearing shaft allowing a pendulum motion of the pitch actuator wherein both the first and the second bearing shaft are arranged respectively under a certain tilt angle relatively to the adjusting plane which tilt angle is respectively substantially different from 0° or 90°.
US08105028B2
A control system for mitigating the effects of a wind turbine on a radar system is disclosed. The control system includes a sensor configured to detect an operating condition of the radar system; a processor configured to receive an operating condition of the wind turbine and determine a rotation modification sequence based on the operating condition of the radar system and the operating condition of the wind turbine; and a controller configured to apply the rotation modification sequence to the wind turbine. A method of mitigating the effects of a wind turbine on a radar system is also disclosed.
US08105027B2
A housing for an axial-flow fan includes a frame, a seat and a plurality of stationary blades. The frame has an air inlet and an air outlet. The seat is received in the frame and at a position where the air outlet is formed. Two ends of each stationary blade are respectively fixed to an outer periphery of the seat and an inner periphery of the frame. Furthermore, extending directions of any two adjacent stationary blades jointly define an included angle, and all of the included angles formed by all of the stationary blades are of more than two values in degrees, so that the stationary blades are not spaced with equal intervals. Consequently, while sucked air passes by the stationary blades, noises with the same tone can be suppressed effectively.
US08105026B2
It is intended to provide a centrifugal blower capable of suppressing the generation of noise including periodic noise that is caused by interference between a tongue and an impeller. The centrifugal blower is provided with an impeller (2) provided with plural blades around a rotating shaft; a casing (3) which houses the impeller (2) and has a suction portion at one end in an axial line direction of the rotating shaft; a spiral flow passage (4) formed around the impeller (2) in the casing (3); and a tongue (6) for suppressing inflow of air from a winding end to a winding origin of the spiral flow passage (4). The centrifugal blower is characterized in that an extension (20) is provided at a tip of the tongue (6) in a reverse rotational direction that is reverse to a rotational direction of the impeller (2) in such a manner that it projects in the reverse rotational direction by a length that varies depending on the position in the axial line direction and that the gap between itself and the impeller (2) in the radial direction of the impeller (2) is kept approximately constant.
US08105017B2
The disclosed solid waste pump is a chopper pump, and preferably a chopper pump having a small rated motor and a semi-open impeller design. Particularly, a chopper pump having an impeller, at least one pump-out vane, an end plate, and a back plate including at least one cutting rib is disclosed. The impeller includes a back shroud and cutting vanes sharpened on a first edge extending opposite the back shroud and fixed on a first surface of the back shroud. The at least one pump-out vane is preferably fixed to a second surface of the back shroud opposite the first surface, while the end plate includes a surface adjacent to and facing the first edge of the cutting vanes and at least one internal cutting rib fixed to the end plate surface for shearing operation in combination with the sharpened edge of the cutting vanes of the impeller. Finally, the back plate has a surface adjacent to and facing the at least one pump-out vane and at least one cutting rib attached to the back plate surface for shearing operation in combination with the at least one pump-out vane.
US08105014B2
A gas turbine engine article includes a substrate extending between two circumferential sides, a leading edge, a trailing edge, an inner side for resisting hot engine exhaust gases, and an outer side. A gaspath layer is bonded to the inner side of the substrate and includes a metallic alloy having a columnar microstructure.
US08105011B2
A fan for cooling a circuit board (26) has a fan wheel (10; 10′) that is adapted for rotation about a rotation axis (11) and in a predetermined rotation direction (14), and an outer wall (18) that is rigidly joined to an inner wall (16). Defined between the two walls (16, 18) are curved air-directing conduits (39) that extend from an axial air entrance opening (40) to a radial air exit opening (42). The axial air entrance opening (40) is at a lesser distance from the rotation axis than the radial air exit opening (42), and the air-directing conduits (39) are separated from one another by air-directing blades (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) that each extend, oppositely to the predetermined rotation direction (14), from a point between two adjacent air entrance openings (40) to a point between two adjacent air exit openings (42).
US08105009B1
A method of positioning lumber in a given orientation in a handling apparatus having a base frame, a longitudinal transport assembly, and at least two gripper arm support platforms with a pair of gripper arms positioned on each of the support platforms. A work piece is gripped with the gripper arms without the work piece engaging the longitudinal transport assembly. The gripper arms are adjusted on at least one of the support platforms in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal transport assembly in order to selectively position the work piece. The work piece is then brought into engagement with the transport assembly and the gripper arms are released from the work piece.
US08105005B2
An article transport facility includes an article carrier movable along a track, and an article rack arranged along the track. Each article rack has a fixed frame, and a movable frame supported to be movable relative to said fixed frame between an extended position projecting toward the track and a retracted position retracted away from the track. A movable guide shiftably supports and guides the movable frame to be movable relative thereto in a shifting direction. A fixed guide is mounted on the fixed frame for supporting and guiding the movable guide to be movable in the shifting direction.
US08104997B2
The present invention relates to a vacuum loader assembly wherein the assembly is comprised of a frame, a first and second tube, a flexible tube, a motor, and a sweeper assembly. The frame is adapted to be positioned over an opening of the container. The first tube is mounted to the frame and is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The second tube is rotatably mounted to the first tube and is also in fluid communication with the first tube and the sweeper assembly is mounted to the second tube. The flexible tube extends from the second tube such that, when the frame of the present invention is placed over a container, the second tube, flexible tube, and sweeper assembly are lowered into the container and rotated by the motor such that, when the vacuum source is activated, the flexible tube suctions out the contents of the container.
US08104996B2
The invention relates to a two-shell structural unit and system of attaching the units to form an outer layer in the construction of a steep embankment formed from several layers, this outer layer being suitable for greening. The structural unit is formed by a front element, a spacer element, and a rear-wall element. The front and rear-wall elements have a flexurally rigid lattice structure. The rear-wall element is a planar element that is either a flat element or has a shape defined by a polygonal curve. The spacer element has a stepped form on at least one side and has mounts for frictional joints with geosynthetics. Connector pieces permit positive and frictional joining of the elements of the unit. The structural unit is intended for use as an independent support system to continuously resist horizontal loads exerted by a backfilled embankment.
US08104990B2
A paving system comprises an upper paving layer (1) permeable to liquid, and a substrate layer (7) of load bearing particulate material. Particles (10) of a non-load bearing, non-degradable porous foamed polymeric material are distributed in the interstitial spaces between particles (9) of the load bearing particulate material. The porous material may be an open celled phenolyic foam such as foamed phenol formaldehyde resin. The porous material absorbs water and also serves to retain microorganisms to break down pollutants. The system can be in fluid communication with the surrounding soil. Elements of the porous material may be used in lumps, which crumble under load into particles, which settle into the substrate layer.
US08104978B2
A wedge-type mechanical optical fiber splice is provided in the present invention. The splice comprises a housing, a V-grooved block, a pushing block, and a first wedge. The housing is a hollow block, and has two openings for guiding optical fiber at two opposite sides. The V-grooved block, so called a first block, is a long strip block having a V-shaped groove on its surface. The pushing block, so called a second block, confronts to the V-grooved block. The first wedge is a wedged-type block. The second block is moved toward the first block or the first block is moved toward the second block by pushing down the first wedge, so that two optical fibers are aligned and secured in the V groove.
US08104975B2
The invention relates to an optical waveguide plug part of an optical waveguide plug connector for an optical waveguide, which has a fiber and a sheath, with a contact carrier for receiving the optical waveguide and at least one clamping part for securing the optical waveguide in the contact carrier. According to the invention, the clamping part has a first clamping section with at least one and preferably several free-standing and/or column-shaped clamping webs for clamping the sheath of the optical waveguide and a second clamping section with at least one and preferably several free-standing and/or column-shaped clamping webs for clamping the fiber of the optical waveguide.
US08104967B2
A device encapsulates a main bearing of a crankshaft. The main bearing is supplied with oil via an oil supply groove. The device has a bearing seat for the main bearing and on its sides which face toward the crank webs of the crankshaft, has oil channels which are open in the direction of the main bearing and in the direction of the crankshaft webs. In the device, the oil channels are sealed off in the direction of the crankshaft webs by sealing disks which are fastened to the bearing seat.
US08104963B2
Provided is a shaft member for a fluid dynamic bearing device, which is excellent in wear resistance and which can exert a high dynamic pressure effect. A shaft material (11) is rolled to form a recess (7) for causing a dynamic pressure effect of a lubricating oil in a radial bearing clearance (6). In this case, in a surface layer portion (14) of the recess (7) to be formed in an outer peripheral surface (11a) of the shaft material (11), a first hardened layer (14a) is formed by rolling. At the same time, also in a surface layer portion (15) of a surrounding region (8) of the recess (7), a first hardened layer (15a) is formed by rolling at a partial region thereof. After the recess (7) is formed by the rolling, barreling is applied to the shaft material (11). As a result, an outermost surface layer portion of the surface layer portion (15) is formed with a second hardened layer (15b) by the barreling. A hardness of the second hardened layer (15b) formed in the surrounding region (8) is higher by 50 Hv or more and 200 Hv or less than that of the first hardened layer (14a) formed in the recess (7).
US08104954B2
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature field on the surface of casting billet/slab, including: a thermal imager, an infrared radiation thermometer, a mechanical scanning unit, an image and data processing system; the thermal imager, the infrared radiation thermometer and the mechanical scanning unit are respectively connected to the image and data processing system; the infrared radiation thermometer is installed on the mechanical scanning unit and can measure the temperature of casting billet/slab surface by scanning; the thermal imager can measure the temperature of a certain area on the surface of casting billet/slab by thermal imaging. The present invention makes use of the combination of high-resolution thermal imager and scan-type infrared radiation thermometer, through the model-based filtering method, overcomes the influence of iron scales on the surface of casting billet/slab, and implements real-time stable measurement of surface temperature of casting billet/slab.
US08104938B2
A vehicle headlamp is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source, an image forming section which forms a light image using light from the light source, and a projection lens which projects the light image. The image forming section includes a boundary shade and movable shades. Each of the movable shades is individually movable between a closed position at which the movable shade blocks a corresponding part of the light from entering the projection lens and an open position at which the movable shade allows the corresponding part of the light to enter the projection lens. The boundary shade is disposed to extend along distal ends of the respective movable shades that are arranged side by side when the movable shades are in the closed positions. When the movable shades are in the closed positions, the boundary shade forms a boundary line of the light image.
US08104935B2
A method is provided for operating a headlight system in a motor vehicle, wherein the headlights of the headlight system encompass a first operating mode with a first response behavior and a second operating mode with a second response behavior, which is different from the first response behavior. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, rapid change of the response behavior from the first response behavior beyond the second response behavior until a third response behavior is reached, slow reversal of the response behavior from the third response behavior until the second response behavior is reached. A headlight system is also provided that operates in accordance with the method.
US08104931B2
An exemplary anti-glare indoor lamp includes a shade, light source, and an optical sheet. The shade defines a receiving cavity therein and an opening at the bottom of the receiving cavity. The light source is received in the receiving cavity and positioned to emit light toward the opening. The optical sheet is arranged facing the opening and is sized to cover only part of the opening. The optical sheet is configured for reducing the brightness of the light passing therethrough, and is movable to cover a selected part of the opening. Therefore, the light reaching eyes of a user is reduced, and glare is avoided or at least mitigated.
US08104928B1
An adjustable direction LED puck light is disclosed that incorporates an inner bowl shaped with external radial sides, an open top and a closed bottom incorporating an outwardly extending square post. A printed circuit board, including an LED cluster, is mounted in the interior of the inner bowl. A transparent lens is snapped into the open top of the inner bowl directly above the printed circuit board. An outer bowl body is, shaped inside with reversed internal radial sides in mirror image of the inner bowl. The inner bowl assembly is nested within the outer bowl body, permitting the inner bowl to be angularly reposition therebetween. A bezel is attached within an open top of the outer bowl body permitting the inner bowl to be manually repositioned at an angle to direct light emitting from the LED cluster in a desired direction. Mounting provisions permit the outer bowl body to be attached onto a fixed surface that contains a hole provided to receive the LED puck light.
US08104926B2
An LED lamp assembly includes a bracket, a heat sink secured on the bracket, a plurality of LED modules mounted on a bottom of the heat sink, and a transparent envelope correspondingly covering the LED modules. A sealing chamber is cooperatively defined by the heat sink, the bracket and the envelope, and the LED modules are received in the sealing chamber. The LED assembly is further provided with a gas-injecting member for injecting a predetermined gas into the sealing chamber of the LED lamp assembly therethrough.
US08104920B2
A modular lighting system includes an elongate light module with a printed circuit board having at least one light emitting diode mounted thereon for emitting a shadowless light pattern. The light module is adapted to be electrically connected to one or more other light modules where each light module generally includes a support frame having a base member disposed between an upstanding right-side wall member and an upstanding left-side wall member. Each side wall member includes an upper inner wall channel, a lower inner wall channel and an outer wall channel which is disposed between the upper inner wall channel and the lower inner wall channel. The channels support a track cover and in cooperation with a pair of spaced apart removable retention members help determine, at time of installation, the mounting angle of the printed circuit board for directing light emitting from the light module.
US08104915B1
A flashlight includes a light powered by a battery, and a circuit having: a memory for storing a battery life information and voltage output information versus time for the battery to power the light, a controller operating a count down timer to accumulate an amount of time that the battery powers the light, a voltage measure circuit for monitoring the voltage output by the battery while the battery powers the light and supply the voltage output to the controller. The controller determines: a first remaining battery life by comparing the accumulated time to the battery life, a second remaining battery life by comparing the voltage output to the voltage output information, and the lesser of the first and second remaining battery lives. The flashlight includes a display for receiving a command from the controller to display the lesser of the first remaining battery life and the second remaining battery life.
US08104907B2
A device includes a reflector and a wavelength converting material disposed on the reflector. A backlight is disposed between the reflector and a surface to be illuminated, such as a liquid crystal display panel. The backlight includes a light source and a waveguide. The waveguide is configured to direct a majority of light from the light source toward the reflector. At least a portion of the light is converted by the wavelength converted material, reflected by the reflector, and incident on the surface to be illuminated.
US08104906B2
An electronic flash apparatus includes a flash device, a light emitting device which is different from the flash device, and a concave reflector configured to reflect light beams from the flash device and the light emitting device. The concave reflector includes a flash-device reflecting surface configured to reflect the light beams from the flash device and a light-emitting-device reflecting surface configured to reflect the light beams from the light emitting device. The flash device is disposed inside the concave reflector, and the light emitting device is disposed outside the concave reflector. The light-emitting-device reflecting surface is disposed at a position where a light path of the light beams from the flash device does not exist. The apparatus further includes a light guiding member configured to guide the light beams from the light emitting device to the light-emitting-device reflecting surface positioned inside the concave reflector.
US08104899B2
A beam projection apparatus and method with automatic image adjustment. A beam projection apparatus includes an actuator module being operable to move the beam projection apparatus, a beam projector being operable to project images, and a control module being operable to search surrounding structures around the beam projection apparatus and select a plane portion of the surrounding structures as a screen, to control the actuator module to move the beam projection apparatus for image display on the selected plane portion, and to control the beam projector to project the images on the selected plane portion.
US08104898B2
A projection apparatus includes a prism set, a light source, a reflective element, a light valve and a projection lens. The prism set includes a first prism having a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, and a second prism having a fourth surface opposite to the second surface, a fifth surface and a sixth surface. The reflective element, light valve and projection lens are respectively disposed adjacent to the third, fifth and sixth surfaces. The light source emits an illumination beam to the first surface. The non polarized illumination beam is reflected by the second surface and the reflective element. The non polarized illumination beam passes through the third, second, fourth and fifth surfaces in sequence. The non polarized illumination beam is converted by the light valve into an image beam which is reflected by the fourth surface and passes through the sixth surface to the projection lens in sequence.
US08104891B2
A face protector includes a one piece shield in which an optical center is displaced away from the normal straight ahead line of sight toward an activity specific line of sight to minimize image shift that occurs when a direction of gaze passes across the edge of the shield. An apex of the shield is formed at a forwardmost point of the shield, or a virtual extension of the shield, when the shield is in an as worn position on a wearer. In particular examples, an optical axis extends through the optical center, at a non-zero angle to the normal straight ahead line of sight and substantially parallel to the activity specific line of sight, with the optical center being placed away from the apex. In particular examples, the optical axis is closer to (or coincident with) an activity specific line of sight of one of the right or left eye. The face protector is particularly useful in activities such as sports, for example hockey, football, or baseball which involve activity specific lines of sight. In one disclosed embodiment, the optical center is positioned at or below a bottom edge of the shield so that a hockey player can view an object on the ice below the lower edge of the shield with reduced image shift.
US08104889B2
A method of printing onto a print medium using a mobile device with a printhead and sensor, the print medium comprising: a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and a data track containing first information encoded in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, the data track extending in a linear read direction across a portion of the first face of the print medium, the read direction being oriented at between 45 and 135 degrees with respect to the print direction; the method comprising the steps of: receiving the print medium into a media feed path of the mobile device; using the sensor to sense the data track at least once before or during printing onto the print medium with the printhead; and determining a lateral registration of the data track relative to the sensor.
US08104886B2
An image forming apparatus having a first image forming unit and a second image forming including a printing medium supplier which supplies a printing medium, a selection guide which selectively guides the printing medium from the printing medium supplier to one of a first supplying path of the first image forming unit and a second supplying path of the second image forming unit, and a first feed roller which is disposed between the selection guide and the printing medium supplier, and transfers the printing medium from the printing medium supplier to the selection guide.
US08104885B2
An apparatus and method of driving multiple printer functions using the same motor is provided. The method includes providing a motor; providing a selector pin; providing a cam member assembly including a cam member including a plurality of paths, each path corresponding to a printer function; and relatively moving the cam member and the selector pin through the plurality of paths to selectively permit the motor to drive the corresponding printer function.
US08104880B2
A liquid cartridge mountable in a recording device includes a liquid accommodating chamber that accommodates liquid therein, a float movably disposed in the liquid accommodating chamber, and a detection section to be detected by an external light detector for determining remaining amounts of the liquid in the liquid accommodating chamber. The detection section is movably disposed in the liquid accommodating chamber to move along a predetermined path in conjunction with movements of the float. The light detector includes a light emitting section that emits light and a light receiving section that receives the light. The detection section includes a first section and a second section; the first section transmits the light when the first section is in a detection point, while the second section blocks the light, the first section and the second section being arranged alternately. An amount of liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber when the liquid cartridge is mounted in the recording device is determined based on a number of times the light emitted from the light emitting section traverses the alternately arranged first and second sections during mounting the liquid cartridge in a mounting direction in the recording device.
US08104878B2
A method includes forming drops of first size by applying drop-forming pulses during unit time period, τ0; forming drops of second size by applying drop-forming pulses during second size drop time period, τm, wherein the second sized drop time period is a multiple, m, of the unit time period, τm=m*τ0, and m≧2; providing timing between drops for printing consecutive pixels is equal to τi=a*τ0 where a is an integer ≧m and is a function of print media speed; forming the corresponding plurality of drop forming pulse sequences so as to form non-print drops and print drops according to the liquid pattern data; delaying the timing of the drop forming pulses sent to the transducers of the second group relative to the drop forming pulses sent to the transducers of the first group by a delay time τL which is approximately equal to τi/2.
US08104877B2
A flat flexible substrate of a recording head has: a base having a surface facing an actuator unit, a plurality of lands placed on the surface and bonded to respective individual bumps, a plurality of wirings placed on the surface and connected to the respective lands, an insulating land cover layer covering parts of the respective lands other than the bonded points with the respective individual bumps, and an insulating wiring cover layer covering the wirings. The wiring cover layer and the land cover layer are placed on each other to form a layered part so that the wiring cover layer is sandwiched between the land cover layer and the wirings, and a piezoelectric layer and the wirings sandwich therebetween at least a part of the layered part. In the layered part, the land cover layer is fixed to the piezoelectric layer.
US08104869B2
In a device for cleaning an inkjet print head (in particular the surface with nozzle exit openings) for a franking and/or addressing machine in which the print substrates are directed along a stationary but pivotably arranged inkjet print head, the entire nozzle exit surface is cleaned in a short time and a contamination of the transport region is avoided, with a small apparatus expenditure, by a wiping device formed by a driven wiping roller that is transversally, non-positively directed along the nozzle exit surface in a cleaning operation, and that continuously, non-positively rests on an associated cleaning element. The nozzle surface is repeatedly wiped off and the wiping roller is simultaneously cleaned in a single pass. An actuator of the wiping roller can be selectively coupled with an actuator for a cleaning and sealing device that operates the cleaning element, or can be autonomous. The cleaning element can be a stripper for the wiping roller that rests parallel to and positively on the wiping roller.
US08104864B2
There is provided an image recording device, comprising: a platen that supports a recording medium; a carriage that is located to face the platen and is configured to move in a first direction along the recoding medium; a recordation head that is mounted on the carriage and performs image recordation on the recording medium; a long member elongated, to face the platen, in the first direction within a region in which the carriage moves; a support member that fixes the long member such that the long member does not move in the first direction relative to the platen; and a guide member that is located on the carriage to deform the long member such that the carriage and the platen face directly with respect to each other.
US08104863B2
Printing systems are disclosed that produce homogenous, smooth edged printed patterns (such as integrated circuit (IC) patterns) by separating pattern layouts into discrete design layers having only parallel layout features, and by printing each design layer using individual print solution droplets deposited onto the substrate. A first alignment operation is performed to achieve a specified orientation between the printhead and a first set of alignment marks on the substrate using first image data generated by the imaging sensor of the camera before performing a first print operation, and a second alignment operation to orient the printhead relative to a second set of alignment marks is performed before a second print operation. A first pattern layout portion includes first layout elements aligned parallel to a first reference axis, and the first print operation is performed by making multiple printing passes in a print direction aligned with the first reference axis.
US08104861B2
A method for calibrating a multi-color inkjet printing system includes using a 3×2 test target array. The test target includes printing a first color three times in which two of the three colors are aligned along a first axis and the third is offset from the first axis and at a midway point between the other two test marks along the other axis. A second test color is aligned with at least one of the first colors along both axes.
US08104860B2
An ink-jet recording apparatus, including: a flow-passage unit; a plurality of actuators including a plurality of individual electrodes; a plurality of signal output circuits; a power supply device; an electric current detecting device; and a control device including an abnormality judging portion which judges that there exists an abnormality among (a) at least one of the signal output circuits corresponding to at least one test-target individual electrode that is at least a part of the individual electrodes and (b) at least one of the actuators corresponding to the at least one test-target individual electrode, on the basis of a current change amount that is a difference between a first current value and a second current value, the first current value being detected by the detecting device when each of the signal output circuits outputs a first signal for giving a first potential and the second current value being detected by the detecting device when each of the at least one of the signal output circuits outputs a second signal for giving a second potential while each of the rest of the signal output circuits which excludes the at least one of the signal output circuits output the first signal.
US08104854B2
In an ink-jet printer, as a liquid-droplet jetting apparatus, when a predetermined condition is satisfied during an printing operation, a non-jetting drive pulse is applied to an actuator to impart vibration to an ink meniscus of an ink in the vicinity of nozzles without jetting the ink from the nozzles, while a carriage is moving along a width direction of a recording paper. This makes it possible to prevent the drying of the ink in the nozzles without performing flushing operation frequently. Accordingly, the occurrence of printing failure can be lowered and the printing time can be shortened.
US08104849B1
An expandable table device for allowing a user to change a baby's diaper or to care for the baby which is composed of a base, a storage compartment disposed in the base, and an expandable table component disposed in the base. The table component is composed of a plurality of wings that can be stacked atop each other and stored in the storage compartment, or the wings can be expanded from the storage compartment and unstacked so as to create a generally flat surface.
US08104842B2
An upper cross beam 10 for supporting a rear side of a cab 19 from below is formed as a separate member from a base frame 7. This upper cross beam 10 is separably mounted on left and right column portions 7E of the base frame 7 by using bolts 12. Namely, when an engine 27 is mounted to the base frame 7, the upper cross beam 10 is separated in advance from the base frame 7. Consequently, at the time of the operation of carrying in the engine 27, it merely suffices to vertically hoist or lower the engine 27 by use of a crane. It is thereby possible to carry in the engine 27 between the column portions 7E of the base frame 7 without being hampered by the upper cross beam 10.
US08104841B2
An attachment assembly for securing a child safety seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle is provided. The attachment assembly may include a guide having a channel, and a metal strap positioned in the channel of the guide in a retracted configuration such that a free end of the metal strap is adjacent to a front face of the guide, a fixed end of the metal strap is secured to a side of the channel, and a body of the strap is bent along a radius so as to double back between the free end and the fixed end. When pulled in tension, the metal strap is configured to transition from the retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and the guide is configured to constrain the strap during this transition so that the strap rolls along the radius within the guide, thereby absorbing energy.
US08104831B2
A vehicle seat is provided comprising a seat back frame having right and left side frames, a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, and a back-and-forth movable body provided inside a backrest that is positioned at a rear of the seat occupant, wherein a backward movement of the back-and-forth movable body forwardly moves the headrest to support the head of the seat occupant. The back-and-forth movable body is attached to each side frame through a link member and is provided with a backward protrusion protruding backward, and the backward protrusion extends laterally.
US08104826B2
A vehicle with a cabin comprises a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; a cabin bracket supported by the vehicle body; an elastic member for supporting the cabin, disposed between the cabin and the cabin bracket; and a weight member attached to a plate-shaped member of the cabin.
US08104824B2
According to a vehicle door system (10), when a forward collision prediction sensor (76) predicts a forward collision of a vehicle (12), a state is immediately brought about where a terminal edge portion (54) at the rear end of a front door (16) is positioned more outwardly in the vehicle width direction than a terminal edge portion (56) at the front end of a rear door (18). Thus, even when the front door (16) is moved toward the rear door (18) side (that is, toward the rear of the vehicle) due to a forward collision or the like that has occurred after the forward collision is predicted, for example, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the front door (16) is jammed inside the rear door (18), more specifically, the situation in which a rear-end hemmed portion (60) of the front door (16) gets inside a front-end hemmed portion (62) of the rear door (18) with respect to the vehicle width direction.
US08104819B2
An automotive audio bracket for mounting a vehicle component to an interior surface of the vehicle includes a first mounting surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the interior surface and adapted for attachment to a rigid support structure of the vehicle, and a second mounting surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the interior surface and adapted for attachment to the vehicle component. An elongated aperture extends through one of the first and second mounting surfaces, the aperture being elongated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the interior surface. A fastening mechanism is positioned within the aperture and connects the first mounting surface to the second mounting surface.
US08104814B2
The invention relates to a vehicle used in transporting or treating large numbers of victims or patients from a mass-casualty incident to or from a hospital in an evacuation situation. The typical vehicle contains a stacked stretcher system, a loading ramp system, and an oxygen system. This vehicle must have an independent energy source or must be capable of being powered by an outside energy source. The vehicle can be flexible enough to provide facilities for treatment of victims either at the site of a disaster, in route from the disaster, at any remote site, or near a healthcare facility. A variation of the vehicle contains refrigeration or freezer units and is capable of transporting or maintaining casualties until mortuary services can be obtained. Variations of the equipment include trays made of stainless steel, stretchers that can be easily cleaned and that allow for easy drainage of liquids.
US08104808B1
For use to enhance operations in a mechanized doughmaking facility, a dough ball lifter is comprised of a pair of opposing surrounds, having cutaways to minimize contact between the surrounds and the dough ball, and which lifter preferably is attachable to a robotic arm to move the surrounds from open to closed positions, so that the dough ball can be lifted and placed.
US08104798B2
The adapter is designed to receive an outlet end (23) of the cartridge (20) and an inlet end (32) of the induction device (30), as well as a seal (11) between the two ends (23, 32). The seal (11) includes an annular transverse portion (53) intended to be interposed between the two ends (23, 32) and the material of the seal (11) is selected from the group consisting of compressible and flexible materials.
US08104794B2
A seat belt retractor (1) is provided which comprises a rotation sensor (8) for detecting the withdrawn amount of a seat belt, a control amount setting unit for setting a first control amount for winding up the seat belt (3) and a second control amount to which the amount reaches after the first control amount according to the winding of the seat belt (3), an electric motor (6) having a two-stage winding speed composed of at least a high speed and a low speed as the speed winding the seat belt (3), and a winding speed adjusting unit for setting the winding speed of the electric motor (6) to the high speed between the time when the electric motor (6) starts the winding of the seat belt (3) and the time when the amount reaches the first control amount, setting the winding speed of the electric motor to the low speed when the amount exceeds the first control amount, and stopping the winding action of the seat belt (3) after the amount exceeds the second control amount, thereby quickly accommodating the seat belt (3) regardless of the body size of the occupant and preventing a seat belt fixture (sic) (17) from strongly hitting a pillar or the like.
US08104784B2
A core assembly for a gliding board such as a ski or a snowboard. The core assembly includes a plurality of horizontal layers that are sized to various desired lengths, positioned to achieve a desired thickness profile, and laminated. A method of making a core assembly for a gliding board.
US08104782B2
A slider tube unit for a suspension fork of a bicycle, including two spaced-apart slider tubes and a wheel receiving space in-between, and at least one connector bracket connecting the two slider tubes above the wheel receiving space. The connector bracket includes a connector body which in its longitudinal extension from the one slider tube to the other slider tube is configured hollow wherein the connector body consists of an open basic profile and a reinforcing device closing the opening of the basic profile.
US08104777B2
A golf cart collapsible device includes a frame folding articulation mounted between an upper frame and a lower frame for folding the upper frame, a frame collapsing articulation mounted on the lower frame for folding the lower frame, a rear wheel frame mounted between the frame folding articulation and a rear wheel, a first pull bar mounted between the frame folding articulation and the rear wheel frame for folding the rear wheel, a front wheel folding articulation mounted between the lower frame and a front wheel frame for folding a front wheel, and a second pull bar mounted between the rear wheel frame and the front wheel folding articulation. Thus, the front wheel and the at least one rear wheel are folded simultaneously by linking of the first pull bar and the second pull bar.
US08104774B2
A hand-held instrument, for dental or surgical use, intended to rotate a rectilinear detachable tool (13) includes a tubular sheath (1); a hollow shaft (3) rotatably mounted inside the sheath with an upstream portion (5) and a downstream portion (6) which in turn includes an upstream portion (11) partially clamped around the upstream portion (5) of the shaft and a downstream portion (12) of which the inside diameter substantially matches the outside diameter of the tool (13); a clamp (14) rigidly rotationally connected to the shaft (3) but movable along the axis thereof, which clamp is placed inside and concentric with the upstream portion (5) of the shaft; and elements for moving the clamp (14) longitudinally so that the jaws (17) thereof penetrate under the upstream portion (5) of the shaft (3) thereby gripping the tool.
US08104772B2
A seal for containment of fluids or gases during high temperature applications, separating a high pressure area on one side from a low pressure area on an opposite side, and formed to convert axial displacements into radial movements eliminating axial strains, having at least one engaging, conical ring structure with a tapering arcuate side facing radially away from the high pressure side. The conical ring structure has a side opposite the tapering side that is cylindrical, and a cylindrical diameter that is concentric with the arcuate side. The conical ring structure has an axial distal end with a larger diameter than its opposite end for engaging a flat annular surface on an adjacent structural member to form the seal. A heat-destructible wax spacer may be used for insertion within the clearance gap to locate the seal concentrically with the gland for ease of assembly.
US08104769B2
A liquid and gas tight bi-directional metal frustro-conical seal is energized by compression between planar, annular faces causing its inner and outer diameters to sealingly engage opposing cylindrical surfaces of inner and outer metal pipes. The contact forces between the concentric sealing surfaces are high in order to locally deform the softer metal and eliminate leakage paths. The sealing ring is backed-up by a similar ring that is reduced in cross-sectional width, such that when compressed the ring does not engage the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces. The second ring is nested with and directly below the sealing ring, and equally axially compressed when the joint is assembled. When the pipe joints are disassembled, the second ring serves to restore the seal ring to its original, deeper frustro-conical shape, allowing the pipe joints to be easily separated for reuse of the piping in a different location.
US08104767B2
An automatic poker shuffling machine includes a card dispensing device having a vertically movable platform and a first conveyer mounted to the platform; a card cartridge installed on the platform for placing poker cards thereon, the first conveyer being stopped against the poker cards for controllably conveying the poker cards outward; a card collecting device having a movable indexing member and a plurality of card holders mounted to the movable indexing member, a movable indexing member being able to enable the card holders to face the card cartridge alternately for collecting the poker cards conveyed from the card cartridge; and a card retrieving device having a second conveyer corresponding to the card cartridge and to be stopped against the poker cards in the corresponding card holder for controllably pushing the poker cards back to the card cartridge. Therefore, automatic poker shuffling machine has low failure rate and reparative difficulty.
US08104763B2
Described herein is a system and device for singulating mail pieces during mail processing and sorting. A double inhibit mechanism, mounted opposite a feed belt assembly and having at least two degrees of freedom at its downstream end, can maintain contact with mail in the mail path while separating overlapping mail pieces and allowing only single pieces to pass thereby.
US08104754B1
An assembly comprises a platform including a first clamping surface, a track proximate to an edge of the first clamping surface, and a clamp mechanism including a second clamping surface. The clamp mechanism is configured to clamp a workpiece between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface. The clamp mechanism is mounted to the track. The clamp mechanism is positionable at different locations along the track. The assembly may further comprise one or more adjustable spacer blocks mountable to the track to facilitate precisely positioning a workpiece proximate to the track at least two different spacings.
US08104751B2
A device for holding a constructional unit (40) of a double clutch in a balancing machine, wherein the constructional unit (40) comprises a clutch cage (41) to be balanced, with a pivot bearing (45) and driving disks (46, 47), and contains a bearing mandrel (1), which has a first clamping device (24) for clamping the pivot bearing (45) rotatably bearing the clutch cage (41) to be balanced and a second clamping device (11) for clamping the driving disk (47). One of the clamping devices (11) is adjustable in respect of the bearing mandrel (1) in the axial direction by means of an operating device (22). The bearing mandrel (1) additionally has a third clamping device (29, 57) for clamping the driving disk (46), which is stationary or adjustable in respect of the bearing mandrel (1) in the axial direction by means of an operating device (34).
US08104749B2
A vibration damping device having a rubber heat-insulating cover wherein the rubber heat-insulating cover is formed as a separate component from a stopper member and is disposed between the stopper member and a main rubber elastic body connecting a first and second mounting member. The rubber heat-insulating cover is fixed to the stopper member with a center section of the rubber heat-insulating cover juxtaposed from an inner face side against a strike plate portion of the stopper member to be supported by the strike plate portion. With a peripheral wall section of the rubber heat-insulating cover juxtaposed from the inner face side against leg portions of the stopper member to be supported by the leg portions. A cushioning rubber is integrally formed with the center section of the rubber heat-insulating cover supported on the strike plate portion, and projects towards the first mounting member.
US08104746B2
A cooling tower system, including a principal cooling tower; an auxiliary cooling tower for receiving a portion of the warm water flow into the main tower; a central shaft mounted vertically in the auxiliary tower; a turbine mounted on a portion of the shaft; a cooling blade mounted on the upper end of the shaft; a water jetting system delivering warm water under pressure from the main cooling tower into the auxiliary cooling tower to impart rotation to the turbine blades for imparting rotation to the cooling blade; a quantity of high efficiency film fill in that portion of the tower below the turbine for receiving the water coming off of the turbine blades; air flow produced by rotation of the cooling blade upward through the fill in order to cool the water before it is returned to the main cooling tower.
US08104744B2
A panel including a plurality of first members disposed in a first direction, at least some of the first members defining a first part of a passageway, at least one second member disposed in a second direction and defining a second part of the passageway, the second member having a plurality of openings for at least partially receiving a first member, and at least one elongate locking member, adapted to pass through the passageway, and substantially in alignment with the first member or the second member to lock the first member relative to the second member.
US08104742B2
A flow control valve is provided in a manner to be capable of locking a position of a differential screw easily without displacing a position adjusted valve element body. The valve element body is brought into or out of contact with a valve seat provided between a first port and a second port, and is connected to an operation member. The operation member is movably inserted into a cover and urged to a direction toward the valve seat by an urging member. A position of the operation member is adjusted by a differential screw, and accordingly a position of the valve seat is adjusted. A rotation member for exerting a rotation force on the differential screw is slidably mounted in the cover along a moving direction of the operation member without rotating. A locking portion is provided in the rotation member to engage with the cover without rotating when the operation member is slid along its moving direction.
US08104740B2
A flow control device is provided comprising: a housing (19) including a first chamber (21) communicated with an inlet port (11) and a second chamber (22) communicated with an outlet port (12); a cylindrical portion (25), which extends in the second chamber, for communicating the first chamber with the second chamber; a valve seat (61) provided at a forward end portion (25a) of the cylindrical portion; and a valve body (32) for opening and closing the valve seat, wherein at least one of the valve seat and the valve body is made of a material, the heat deformation of which is smaller than that of material composing the cylindrical portion. Due to the foregoing, it is possible to stably adjust the flow rate of a fluid of a high temperature and pressure. A pressure chamber (29), which is communicated with the second chamber and provided with a pressure port (18), may be arranged in the housing. A first and second flexible separation means (41, 51), which are connected to each other, for separating the second chamber and the pressure chamber from each other may be provided and a bed (75) arranged between the first and the second flexible separation means may be also provided. A reinforcement member (90) may be embedded in the cylindrical portion (25).
US08104737B2
The invention relates to a sidewall construction to be used in casting of concrete elements, said sidewall construction comprising a support construction and a changeable mold surface plate. The support construction of the sidewall construction according to the invention comprises at least one horizontal profile (1) having at least one magnet (2) located therein, by means of which the fixing of the metallic mold surface plate (3) to the support construction is effected.
US08104732B1
A mailbox mounting bracket is provided wherein there are two substantially identical bracket members that are coupled together to form the mailbox mounting bracket. The two bracket members may be adjusted in a lateral direction to have a width corresponding to any typical mailbox size.
US08104731B2
A head component for an anchor assembly for mounting a load bearing track to a hanger component attached to an overhead structure (e.g. a ceiling or ceiling structure), the track comprising a rail element and a mounting element, the mounting element comprising one or more retaining formations, each retaining formation defining a holding cavity and an (cavity) opening communicating with the holding cavity, the holding cavity being sized larger than the (cavity) opening communicating therewith, the head component comprising a support member and a flarable member, the flarable member being attached to and flarable from the support member, the head component being sized and configured such that the head component is able to pass through the (cavity) opening into the holding cavity wherein the flarable member is able to flare (i.e. to open or spread) outwardly so as to present a flared formation in the holding cavity sized larger than the cavity opening so as to inhibit withdrawal of the head component in the holding cavity back through the (cavity) opening.
US08104724B2
The present invention relates to a stabilising device for stabilising an object having a plurality of support elements on a surface, particularly objects that are moved frequently such as garden furniture or the tables or restaurant terraces. The stabilising device comprises a plurality of fluid-containing compartments which are in fluid communication with each other by way of a restricted flow mechanism such that they are each variable in height in response to the amount of fluid contained therein and are located between the support elements and the surface. The stabilising device eliminates the requirement for using a valve to control the flow of fluid by using the restricted flow mechanism comprising a plurality of interconnected narrow-bore hoses.
US08104723B2
The present invention comprises a mounting pedestal for a device, such as a laser scanner. The mount is generally comprised of a base, a triangle bracket and an attachment screw. The base has a base plate and a support attached to the top of the base plate. The support is hollow, preferably cylindrical in shape, has an access opening on the side and a central opening on top. A triangle bracket is bolted onto the top of the support, covering the central opening on the support. The triangle bracket houses a pivot bracket. The attachment screw fits through and is engaged by the pivot bracket on the triangle bracket. A device, such as a laser scanner, is supported by the triangle bracket and is fixed in place by the threads on the attachment screw. The attachment screw is accessed and can be tightened or loosened through the access opening on the support.
US08104722B2
A transporting system is provided with: a track having a junction point; a plurality of transporting vehicles, each travelling on the track; and a transferring device which has (i) a left portion disposed on an edge on a left side of each of two track portions that are located at least before the junction point of the track with respect to a travelling direction of each transporting vehicle as a standard and (ii) a right portion disposed on an edge on a right side, and which can transfer a signal between the left portion in one of the two track portions and the right portion in another of the two track portions, and between the right portion in said one of the two track portions and the left portion in said another of the two track portions. Each of the transporting vehicle is provided with: a transmitting device for transmitting the signal through one of the right portion and the left portion, in order to prevent collision at the junction point; a first receiving device for receiving the signal through another of the right portion and the left portion; and a second receiving device for receiving the signal transmitted by the transmitting device, through said one of the right portion and the left portion, in order to confirm a transfer operation through the transferring device.
US08104720B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a flight control system for controlling an aircraft in flight having a backup control system integrated into an active control stick. The actuated control stick may include a processing unit that includes independent and separate hardware and/or software dedicated to the primary control system and the backup control system. For the primary control system, the processing unit may receive a sensed primary control stick signal and communicate with a primary processor, which may be configured to generate a primary control signal. For the backup control system, the processing unit may receive a sensed backup control stick signal and generate a backup control signal. The processing unit may also generate tactile signal for use by the actuated control stick to adjust the feel of a pilot's control stick.
US08104719B2
A multi-stage missile with plural stages adapted to be physically coupled to and decoupled from adjacent stages and a processor disposed on a single stage for controlling each stage thereof. In the illustrative embodiment, the processor includes a field programmable gate array. In the illustrative embodiment, the processor is disposed on stage 4 of a four-stage missile and performs guidance and navigation functions for each stage and control functions for stages 2, 3 and 4. In a specific embodiment, a serial bus interface is included for coupling the processor to electronic circuitry on each of the stages of the missile. In the best mode, the interface is an IEEE 1394b interface with a physical layer interface and a link layer interface.
US08104705B2
A film packing device includes an axle tube having two opposing ends connected with a first handle and a second handle respectively. The axle tube is composed of a plurality of sleeves which are connected in series. Each sleeve has one end formed with a connecting block and an opposing end formed with a connecting trough for insertion of the connecting block of an adjacent one of the sleeves. The length of the axle tube of the film packing device is adjustable by adjusting the number of the sleeves to correspond to the width of a roll of film which doesn't have a reel therein for packing with ease.
US08104702B2
Blending methods for adding and uniformly mixing a small fraction of relatively small particles (additives) to a bulk particulate powder of larger size than the additives. In particular, the present invention provides blending methods for adding and uniformly mixing a small percentage of flow/fluidization additives into fine powders, especially fine paint powders. The fine powder and additives are first pre-mixed for macro-scale homogeneity and then further mixed at a micro-scale (such as with a screen mixing process) for micro-scale homogeneity. With these methods, optimum dispersions and maximum functionalities of additives can be obtained and the disadvantages caused by severe agglomerates of additives can be avoided.
US08104699B2
The invention relates to a method and a system for dehusking grains, in particular for removing the spelts and/or the seed coat and the germ bud of grains and/or of malted grains and its processing in the brewing industry. The outer layers/shells are removed from cleaned and malted distiller's grains in a husking machine.
US08104697B2
Disclosed is a method and device for fluid handling relating to controlling and directing the water streams from spray devices utilizing multiple liquid streams to produce an effluent that enhances a user's perception of spray performance. In the disclosed embodiments, a cavity acts as a mixing chamber for multiple fluid jets that enter the cavity at various locations, angles and flow rates. By positioning these inlet ports in the upper portion of the cavity, and with the ability to precisely direct and meter the fluid flow, the spray device may achieve a multitude of flow patterns from an outlet.
US08104696B2
A rotary spray nozzle for spray guns comprises a metallic outer housing and a plastic assembling element wherein the metallic outer housing has a hollow chamber disposed at one side to accommodate the plastic assembling element therein, a water-emitting port disposed at the other side to fluidly connect to the hollow chamber, and a ringed water-blocking seat protruding between the hollow chamber and the water-emitting port. The plastic assembling element, formed a hollow extending there-through, is molded similarly to the hollow chamber and equipped with an internal-threaded portion therein to secure to an external-threaded section defining a water-outlet cylinder of a gun body. The plastic assembling element also has a reverse-stop ring extending at the middle section to restrict the position of a sealing ring mounted to the water-outlet cylinder thereof, achieving anti-leaking and anti-loosing benefits as well as simplifying the structure and manufacturing process of the present invention thereby.
US08104695B2
A fuel injector for injecting fuel into a gasifier includes a mating end including a nozzle portion and a first flange fixedly coupled to the mating end and having a first receiving hole there through and including a first diaphragm disposed therein. The injector also includes a fuel transmission nozzle displaced at least partially within the mating end and passing through the first receiving hole arranged and configured such that a secondary oxygen channel exists between the fuel transmission nozzle and the mating end, the fuel transmission nozzle being fixedly coupled to the first diaphragm and further including a fuel inlet for receiving fuel for introduction into the gasifier.
US08104693B2
A multilayer piezoelectric element is provided which has excellent durability even if it is continuously driven for a long period of time under high temperature and high humidity. The multilayer piezoelectric element has a laminated body that a plurality of piezoelectric layers are laminated through an internal electrode interposed therebetween, in which the internal electrode, a dummy electrode spaced apart and electrically insulated from the internal electrode, and an insulating part between the dummy electrode and the internal electrode are arranged between two adjacent piezoelectric layers. A porous part having a larger number of voids than the internal electrode is formed at positions opposed in the laminating direction to the internal electrode, the dummy electrode and the insulating part through the piezoelectric layer interposed therebetween, respectively.
US08104690B2
A smart card system having: a smart card including a security logic circuit to detect an external attack; and a reader communicating with the smart card. The security logic circuit detects the external attack by measuring the external input capacitance through an input/output pad of the smart card and comparing the external input capacitance to the input capacitance of the reader. This improves the security of the smart card system.
US08104686B2
An apparatus having an image sensor is provided. An image sensor of the apparatus can include a two dimensional image sensor. A lens assembly can be provided in combination with an image sensor. In one aspect, an apparatus can attempt to decode a decodable symbol representation. In one aspect an apparatus can output a frame of image data.
US08104683B1
A hand-operated document processor includes a base including a perforated bed for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized. The base defines a chamber under the perforated bed. A manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem includes a MICR read head and is attached to the base such that movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document. MICR reading and recognition logic receives the signal from the MICR read head. A document positioning and retentioning device connected to the base includes a manually-powered anti-skew device for creating a vacuum. The created vacuum is provided to the chamber under the perforated bed such that the vacuum, acting through the perforations, securely holds the document during the scanning operation.
US08104679B2
A payment card comprises a display to support card-not-present transactions where no card reader is available to automate the transaction, and an account number retrieval method for dynamic, one-time use virtual account numbers whose use can assist authorities in rapid fraud and location detection. The account number generator is able to produce a sequence of virtual account numbers over its life that are predictable by the issuing bank and useful in authenticating transactions. A server for the issuing bank logs the merchant locations associated with each use or attempted use, and provides real-time detection of fraudulent attempts to use a virtual account number outside the predicted set. Fraud identification efforts can then be directed in a timely and useful way.
US08104674B2
A system controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read card data from user cards including identifying data, and authorizes operation of an automated banking machine responsive to the identifying data. The automated banking machine is operative to generate a check in response to inputs from a user of the banking machine. The banking machine is operative to present the check to a user of the automated banking machine. The banking machine may be operative to present an interface or other method for a user to sign the check. The banking account corresponding to the user of the banking machine is charged an amount corresponding to the value of the check. In exchange for the check being presented at the same banking machine that generated the check, the banking machine is operative to provide the user with cash dispensed from the automated banking machine.
US08104673B2
Method and system for processing image returns. Embodiments of the invention provide for automating data flow and reporting processes connected with administrate image returns to a financial institution with multiple image processing sites. A computer-implemented method of processing a cash letter file identifying returned items includes obtaining an identifier for a processing site for each item identified in the cash letter file. A separate report corresponding to each processing site as indicated by the identifier is assembled. The report lists each returned item for the processing site. Each separate report is forwarded to each processing site to enable the processing site to re-process just the returned items specific to the processing site. Provision is also made for automatically updated stored ledger information based on a cash letter settlement table.
US08104671B2
Disclosed are systems and methods that time correlate input at a point of entry of consumer data of least two identifications for products, prescriptions, vouchers, or codes, uses positive correlation determinations for triggering output of predetermined information. The time correlation of identifications may be used to build a time correlation database, and thereafter use that database for targeted communications. Related inventions include an intelligent Y cable or the like to filter data transmitted from a scanner at a point of entry of consumer data, and a novel POS CS configured to receive bar codes that would otherwise cause the POS CS to enter an error condition.
US08104670B2
A combination greeting card and gift container includes a gift container portion having a plurality of panels, in which at least one panel forms an oblique surface with respect to the remainder of the panels. The gift container preferably includes an integral device for securing a greeting card positioned on a first panel of the gift container. There may also be included an integral greeting card cover formed from a second panel of the gift container.
US08104665B2
A composite substrate manufacturing method including the steps of grinding a sapphire substrate to uniform the thickness of the sapphire substrate, next forming an optical device layer on the front side of the sapphire substrate, next bonding the front side of a heat sink substrate through a bonding metal layer to the front side of the optical device layer formed on the front side of the sapphire substrate to thereby form a composite substrate, next grinding the back side of the heat sink substrate of the composite substrate to uniform the thickness of the composite substrate, and finally grinding the back side of the sapphire substrate of the composite substrate to reduce the thickness of the sapphire substrate to a predetermined thickness.
US08104652B2
An accessory connecting means for a bicycle saddle includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member and a latching apparatus. The first connecting member includes a fixing portion for fixation to the bicycle saddle, and a first engaging portion extending downward from a lower side of the fixing portion. The second connecting member includes a coupling portion removably coupled with the accessory, and a second engaging portion extending upwardly from an upper side of the coupling portion to releasably engage with the first engaging portion. The latching apparatus is disposed between the first and second engaging portions in such a way that the first and second engaging portions can be interlocked with each other at the time of engagement and quickly released from each other at the time of disengagement.
US08104649B2
A device for dispensing a heated liquid, such as a hot melt adhesive, which includes a dispenser body adapted to dispense the heated liquid, a solenoid valve, and a pneumatic section including a housing coupled between the solenoid valve and dispenser body. The pneumatic housing is formed from a thermally insulating material which may include a thermoplastic polymer such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or a fluoroplastic polymer to reduce heat transfer from the dispenser body through the pneumatic housing thereby thermally insulating the solenoid valve.
US08104648B2
An applicator mixes an additive with a fluid stream and dispenses the resultant mixture. The applicator includes a housing having a fluid inlet, a downstream auger chamber, a downstream mixing chamber, and a flow path fluidly connecting the fluid inlet to the mixing chamber. A turbine auger assembly including an auger and a rotor is rotatably connected to the housing to move the additive towards the mixing chamber, help mix the additive with the fluid stream, and then disperse the mixture to the auger chamber, which includes a hopper port and a downstream auger chamber exit exposed to the mixing chamber. The turbine auger assembly is rotatably connected to the housing.
US08104647B2
An improved pressurizable container and closure. Some embodiments provide an improved sealing arrangement for a pressurized container and closure. Other embodiments provide an improved closure is easier to grasp and/or manipulate. Some embodiments are directed towards a venting assembly for a pressurizable container.
US08104643B2
A fluid dispenser device having: a fluid dispenser member such as a manually-actuated pump or valve, the fluid dispenser member being fastened by a fastener ring on a reservoir; an actuator head that is mounted on the dispenser member, and that is movable so as to actuate the dispenser member; and a removable blocking element that, in its blocking position, prevents the dispenser member from being actuated. The blocking element is assembled to the actuator head and co-operates with the fastener ring, or with an element that is secured thereto, through at least one opening that is provided in the actuator head.
US08104640B2
A system for dispensing ammunition magazines. The system includes a housing for holding the magazines with an open region defined in the housing; a spring-loaded follower imparting a force against the magazines to move a first magazine into a dispensing position for removal from the housing through the open region. A user can access the first magazine through the open region, exerting a force on the first magazine and withdrawing the first magazine through the open region.
US08104635B2
A base for a food container includes a pattern of rib units in a side wall of the container. The rib units are formed at multiple angles and depths to provide strength to the side wall. The base also includes a bottom with ribs of alternating heights and angles that provide strength to the bottom.
US08104631B2
A portable crane assembly for servicing a wind turbine. The crane assembly includes a first primary support member and a second primary support member being rotatably attached to one another. The first primary support member is configured to attach to a wind turbine component. The second primary support is coaxially rotatable with respect to the first primary support member. The crane assembly further includes a boom member pivotably attached to an end of the second primary support member. The portable crane assembly is disassemblable into components that can be manually carried. A wind turbine servicing system and a method for servicing a wind turbine are also disclosed.
US08104628B2
A dishwasher rack is provided. The dishwasher rack includes a tine holder, a tine holder moving portion, and/or a movable rack moving portion. The tine holder includes a plurality of portions formed to receive a holding tine for adjusting a gap between the holding tine and a structure opposite to the holding tine, according to a received position of the holding tine. The tine holder moving portion changes a position of the tine holder with respect to the rack frame. The movable rack moving portion changes a position of the movable rack with respect to the rack frame.
US08104627B2
A pallet for holding at least one window frame includes a base and movable sides pivotally attached to the base. The movable sides are positionable to be substantially perpendicular to the base and are configured to hold the window frame. Connectors attached to the base and the movable sides, respectively, prevent the first and second movable sides from moving away from each other. A method for using the pallet is also disclosed.
US08104614B2
A case for storing medical instruments contains a rotating bracket for holding the instruments. The bracket is connected to the tray and hinged lid of the case via a movable frame, and the bracket movement is controlled by opening and closing of the lid. When the lid is closed, the bracket points the tips of the instruments downward to minimize water collection; and when the lid is opened, the instrument holding bracket rotates so that the instruments it holds are moved to a vertical position, facilitating instrument selection.
US08104612B2
Sleeve and album page devices for holding flat items, in particular a compact disc such as a photo compact disc together with an associated index print, the preferred embodiment including an embedded synthetic paper strip with an exposed write-on area for identifying the subject matter of the compact disc.
US08104611B2
A mixing container having an outer vessel with an open mouth and an inner vessel also with an open mouth separately stores two liquids for automatic mixing when the container is opened. Upon assembly, an interior seal between the open mouth of the inner vessel and the bottom of the outer vessel is effected through placement of a closure in the open mouth of the outer vessel. The inner vessel is received by a socket mounted in the closure which provides a resilient bias on the inner vessel to force the open mouth of the inner vessel against the bottom. A method for filling the mixing container includes a filling of the inner vessel, placement of the outer vessel over the inner vessel, immersing at least the open mouth of the outer vessel into a second liquid and evacuating the outer vessel. The mixing container may then be closed to resiliently bias the open mouth of the inner vessel against the bottom of the outer vessel to effect the interior seal.
US08104604B2
A lumber transfer system and a method for individually transferring lumbers from a feeding conveyor to an outfeed conveyor. Detectors are used for monitoring a lumber presence along a corridor on a longitudinal conveying surface. Motorized blocking fingers located about the corridor and transversally spaced along the conveying surface are provided and are configured for moving between blocking and unblocking positions. A controller is also provided, the controller having at least one input for receiving detecting signals from the detectors respectively, the detecting signals of the detectors being respectively associated to the motorized blocking fingers. The controller also has at least one output for sending independent control signals to the motorized blocking fingers respectively, in response to the detecting signals, for moving the respective blocking fingers for which a lumber presence is detected from a blocking to an unblocking position, and otherwise keeping the respective motorized blocking fingers in their blocking position.
US08104601B2
A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles follow a track that guides the delivery vehicles to the sort destinations, which are positioned along the track. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered.
US08104599B2
A hand-operated control lever release apparatus for a transmission of a vehicle includes a housing, a manual release lever rotatably mounted in the housing, a brake cam which is rotatably coupled to the housing through the cam shaft and the rotation of which is restrained by the manual release lever, a first cable connecting the manual release lever to a control lever for the transmission and unlocking the control lever in response to rotation of the manual release lever, and a second cable connecting the brake cam with a brake pedal. According to the apparatus, the control lever for the electronic transmission can be manually unlocked in response to rotation of the manual release lever, thereby actuating the movement of the vehicle.
US08104596B2
A clutch actuator assembly may include a motor provided with a rotatable worm shaft, a screw thread being formed at an exterior circumference of the worm shaft; a worm wheel having a disk shape, and provided with a worm gear engaged to the screw thread and first and second guiding holes; an operation unit mounted in the first and second guiding holes in order to move toward a radial direction of the worm wheel; and an upper body provided with a fork, and engaging or releasing a clutch by upward and downward movements of the fork corresponding to a movement of the operation unit.
US08104595B2
A hydraulic control unit is set up to hydraulically actuate a starting clutch of a motor vehicle and gear selectors of a transmission of the motor vehicle by use of hydraulic valves which are integrated in the hydraulic control unit and which have in each case at least one control element. The hydraulic control unit is characterized in that the integrated hydraulic valves are aligned in the hydraulic control unit in such a way that a movement direction of a vibratory element of a hydraulic valve which controls only the starting clutch differs from the movement direction of vibratory elements of the other hydraulic valves, and is aligned to a lesser extent with the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle.
US08104589B2
An electro-hydraulic brake actuator for a vehicle can include an electric motor configured to operate at about 28 Vdc, and to operate at about 2 Amps or less to hold a vehicle brake in a disengaged position. A hydraulic master piston can be operatively coupled to the electric motor, the hydraulic master piston configured to slidingly move within a master cylinder fillable with a hydraulic fluid such that advancement of the master piston within the master cylinder varies the hydraulic pressure supplied to the vehicle brake. The electric motor and hydraulic master cylinder are configured to fit within a wheel hub corresponding to the vehicle brake, the motor configured to operate the hydraulic master piston to vary the hydraulic pressure applied to the brake.
US08104577B1
A bracket system enabling secure attachment and access of a ladder thereto a flatbed type trailer used with tractor-trailer rigs is herein disclosed, comprising two (2) generally square metal plates. One (1) side of the metal plate is provided with a narrow “U”-shaped cut-out which slides over a rub rail feature typically provided around the perimeter of a flatbed trailer. The exterior portion of each plate is then bolted to the side rails of a ladder. The plates are located so the ladder is completely supported and the bottom of the ladder is positioned approximately one (1) foot off of grade to allow use of the bracket system on any type of terrain.
US08104575B1
A support pad apparatus, including a rigid platform and a load-spreading conformable pad thereunder that conforms to the bottom surface of the platform and may either be flat or concave along its bottom surface to engage the surface of a flat, uneven or sloped roof or some other type of flat, uneven or sloped hard or soft underlying surface, both within and outside of a building, or in any other appropriate setting. The top of the platform contains the structural means to ensure that the person working, standing or walking upon the platform is able to maintain a secure, stable, and balanced footing.
US08104574B1
A temporary sound barrier system is provided, with two support columns, a stiffening structure fixed between the support columns, and at least two sound proofing curtain elements having top and bottom edges attached to the two support columns and over the stiffening structure. The curtain elements preferably at least partially overlap, the overlapping portions of the curtain elements being sufficiently free to move with respect to one another to permit a substantial amount of wind to pass between them, to reduce wind loading and to minimize build up of noxious or flammable gases.
US08104556B2
A drive-control apparatus for an electric-drive vehicle drives and controls a vehicle driven by electric power generated from mechanical power produced by an internal combustion engine (1). In order to cool down an electric power converter (3) without increasing the engine-rotation speed during deceleration of the locomotive using electric braking; the drive-control apparatus includes a braking resistor (10) for dissipating electric power that is generated by a main rotating machine (4) and supplied through the electric power converter (3); a fan motor (7), whose pole number is changeable, supplied with alternating electric power that is generated by an auxiliary generator (6) and has a frequency proportional to a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine (1); a fan (8) for making an air flow in order to cool down the electric power converter (3), being driven by the fan motor (7); a pole-number-changing switch (9) for changing the pole number of the fan motor (7); and a controlling unit for controlling the internal combustion engine (1), the electric power converter (3), the braking resistor (10), and the pole-number-changing switch (9).
US08104551B2
Provided is an excavation tool which can firmly fix a locking pin so that the locking pin does not move even in the case of an impact during excavation and/or the locking pin being pushed out in the insertion/removal direction.The excavation tool (10) includes a tool body (20) having an attaching hole (32) and an attaching member (40).The attaching member (40) is provided with an attaching shaft (45) inserted into the attaching hole (32), and the outer peripheral surface of the attaching shaft (45) is provided with a groove (46) which crosses the extension direction of the attaching shaft (45).The tool body (40) is provided with a pin hole (33) extending in a direction crossing the extension direction of the attaching hole (32). A part of the pin hole (33) passes through the attaching hole (32).A locking pin (56), which can engage with the groove (46) of the attaching shaft (45) inserted into the attaching hole (32), is inserted into the pin hole (33). An opening of the pin hole (33) is provided with a fixing member (50) which is a rigid body and abuts on the end face of the locking pin (56) to fix the locking pin, anda locking portion (57) which locks the fixing member (50) in the extension direction of the pin hole (33) to fix the fixing member.
US08104545B2
A handgrip (1) for pneumatic machines (2) for machining surfaces, includes adjacent to one another, a delivery pipe (3) and a discharge pipe (4) for discharging the compressed air. The handgrip (1) consists of a first side cap (5) and of a second side cap (6) that are associated to enclose ergonomically the delivery pipes (3) and discharge pipes (4).
US08104536B2
The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
US08104533B2
The subject invention pertains to a spray nozzle apparatus and method of use. The subject spray nozzle can be used to spray atomized fluid. The atomized fluid can then be incident on a heated surface such that heat is transferred from the heated surface to the atomized fluid. The subject invention also relates to a spray-cooling system and method of use. The subject spray-cooling system can incorporate a spray nozzle and a heat transfer plate. A device to be cooled, such as a laser diode, microwave amplifier, or other high power electrical device, can be placed in direct thermal contact with the heat transfer plate. The spray from the spray nozzle can then be sprayed onto the heat transfer plate. In a specific embodiment, a cellular transfer plate can be used and the spray from the spray nozzle can be sprayed into a cellular cavity or compartment, within the heat transfer plate. Heat is transferred from the heat source to the sprayed liquid via the wall of the heat transfer plate. The heat transfer plate can be attached to the spray nozzle housing, such that as the sprayed liquid exits the spray nozzle housing, the sprayed liquid enters a cellular cavity of the cellular heat transfer plate. Removing the cellular heat transfer plate from the spray-cooling assembly can allow the apparatus to be used as a conventional spray nozzle.
US08104527B1
A method and apparatus for joining angularly oriented side planar members into an otherwise orthogonal awning frame of open ended side plane and transverse members joined by fitted right angle connectors has the angularly oriented member cut to length at end angles that provide a flush fit to the side plane members at transverse member connections and lengths of formed right angle section material, cut at the same flush fitting angles as the tubing end angle cuts, for fastening to inwardly facing surfaces of the planar and transverse members, so as to present a smooth exterior surface for supporting an awning cover.
US08104519B1
A pipe insulation product including a core of insulating material and a roughly rectangular laminate. The core may include an outer surface; an inner surface; and a wall extending between the outer and inner surfaces. The laminate may include a foil or metallized polymeric film sheet layer, a scrim, a porous media sheet layer, and a polymeric film sheet layer bonded together via an adhesive. The polymeric film sheet layer may also include a closure flap that adhesively couples opposite ends of the laminate together to form a cylindrical tube with the core enclosed therein. A charge dissipator may be applied to the polymeric film sheet layer in an amount sufficient to reduce generation of a static charge on the laminate's exterior surface without affecting the closure flap's ability to adhesively couple the opposite ends of the laminate.
US08104516B2
A gas supply unit and a gas supply system that are small-sized and inexpensive. The gas supply unit is installed on operation gas conveyance pipeline and has fluid control devices communicated via flow path blocks and controlling operation gas. The gas supply unit has the first flow path block, to one side of which an inlet open/close valve included in the fluid control devices is attached, and also has the second flow path block, to one side of which a purge valve included in the fluid control devices is attached. The first flow path block and the second flow path block are layered in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the operation gas. The inlet open/close valve and the purge valve are arranged between a mass flow controller installed on the operation gas conveyance pipeline and an installation surface where the unit is installed.
US08104514B2
A microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve includes a microfabricated elastomer material having a flow through channel. The microfabricated fluidic unidirectional valve also includes an elastomer flap attached to the elastomer material in the flow through channel. The elastomer flap forms a seal in the flow through channel to prevent fluid from flowing in a first direction through the flow through channel and to allow fluid flow in a second direction through the flow through channel.
US08104504B2
An assembly is for extremely fast opened lids systems, where compressed gases or liquids or oils are used. Mainly, the removable lid is comprised of a lid, a lid platform, a dynamic hinging mechanism, and a releasing mechanism. A final action could be via means of mechanical or electrical via an action of a solenoid.
US08104500B2
The filling noise generated inside a pressurized container when liquid is injected into the container is detected at the outer end of a vent tube which extends into the container. When the level of liquid in the container reaches the lower end of the vent tube, the filling noise detected at the outer end is abruptly diminished. This abrupt change is detected and used to automatically terminate filling of the tank.
US08104498B2
Moisture sensor devices and methods are disclosed herein. One embodiment includes an integrated moisture sensor and controller to be placed in soil comprising a controller circuit for controlling a switch; a sensor circuit comprising a probe and adapted to provide the controller circuit a signal corresponding to a moisture level of the soil. The controller and sensor circuits integrated into a single device positioned within the soil; the switch coupled to the controller circuit and to be coupled to a control line of an irrigation controller at an electrical position between the controller and a valve, the control line to carry a power signal from the controller to the valve; the switch to interrupt irrigation in response to a signal from the controller circuit; the controller circuit is adapted to determine an amount of time for which irrigation is interrupted.
US08104495B2
A multi-functional or versatile emergency shutdown valve controller may be used in various different emergency shutdown configurations to enable the testing of different types and configurations of emergency shutdown devices and the supporting equipment associated therewith. In one example, a digital valve controller for use with an emergency shutdown valve includes two pressure sensors and is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic valve actuator and to a solenoid valve device to assist in the on-line testing of the valve actuator as well as in the on-line testing of the solenoid valve. To perform testing of the solenoid valve, the valve controller may measure the pressure at different ports of the solenoid valve as the solenoid valve is actuated for a very short period of time. The valve controller may determine whether the solenoid device is fully functional or operational based on the derivative of the difference between the measured pressure signals, i.e., based on the rate of change of the difference between the measured pressure signals over time.
US08104494B2
A portable sun and weather shelter is provided. The shelter comprises an umbrella foldable between open and closed positions. The umbrella has a center post, a canopy, and a frame to fold the canopy up and down. A pair of wings are attached to the perimeter edge of the canopy and can be extended outwardly beyond the canopy.
US08104491B2
An outdoor shading device includes a supporting frame, a shading awning supported by the supporting frame to define a shading area underneath the shading awning, and a solar power system. The solar power system includes a solar collecting unit having a solar collecting surface overlapped on the shading awning for solar energy collection, and a power storage supported at the supporting frame to electrically connect to the solar collecting unit, wherein when the shading awning is orientated for providing shade from the sun, the solar collecting surface of the solar collecting unit is aligned with the direction of the sun to maximize the solar energy collection, such that after the solar energy is collected, the solar collecting unit converts the solar energy into electrical energy and stored in the power storage.
US08104488B2
A centrifugal workpiece processor for processing semiconductor wafers and similar workpieces includes a head which holds and spins the workpiece. The head includes a rotor having a gas system. Gas or air is sprayed or jetted from inlets in the rotor to create a rotational gas flow. The rotational gas flow causes pressure conditions which hold the edges of a first side of the workpiece against an angled annular surface on the rotor. The rotor and the workpiece rotate together. Guide pins adjacent to a perimeter may help to align the workpiece with the rotor. Outlets through the rotor allow gas to flow out of the rotor.
US08104484B2
A smoking article such as a cigarette, or a smoke filter or other component thereof, comprises a catalyst for the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst comprises gold, and an oxide of zinc or titanium. Titania and mixed oxides of zinc and copper or aluminum are preferred (TiO2, ZnO, ZnAlOx or CuZnOx). The gold preferably comprises species in the metallic state)(Au0), together with species in an oxidized state (Auδ+).
US08104483B2
Methods of advancing a laser catheter across an occlusion are described. They may include the steps of advancing a guidewire through a first proximal lumen and a distal lumen of the catheter into a first region of the occlusion, retracting the guidewire from the distal lumen, and advancing a diagnostic device from a second proximal lumen of the catheter to examine the occlusion. The methods may also include retracting the diagnostic device from the distal lumen and advancing the guidewire through the distal lumen. The laser catheter may be activated to create a lumen through the occlusion.
US08104479B2
The present invention provides for pleated bags used with interventional pullback systems, including imaging catheters such as IVUS catheters, as well as for use with other catheters. An exemplary pleated bag of the present invention may be an elongate, sterile bag, having a plurality of pleats near the distal end, and including an orifice proximal to the pleats designed to allow passage of a catheter into the bag. The present invention also provides for a system that includes a pullback device, catheter, and pleated bag. The present invention allows for improved imaging catheter procedures at reduced costs.
US08104473B2
A system for securing a mask onto a subject's head is provided. The system may include a mask base, a mask latch, and a mask head strap. The mask base may be configured to support a gas delivery conduit for delivering gas to the subject. The mask latch may be pivotally coupled to the mask base about an axis extending generally laterally across the mask base. The mask head strap may be configured to be positioned around a subject's head and coupled to the mask latch such that rotation of the mask latch about the axis and relative to the mask base adjusts the mask head strap.
US08104469B2
A medicinal inhalation device having applied to surface thereof a composition comprising a monofunctional polyfluoropolyether silane and a non-fluorinated cross-linking agent.
US08104468B2
The clip device is used for clipping a laryngeal mask airway. The laryngeal mask airway includes a gas filled portion and a tube portion. The clip device includes a first clip unit and a second clip unit. The second clip unit is connected to the first clip unit. The gas filled portion can be clipped between the first clip unit and the second clip unit.
US08104467B2
A rapid orotracheal intubation guide device is disclosed that facilitates orotracheal intubation or direct orotracheal visualization without resting the device on the subject's tongue and that, during a bronchoscopic intubation, automatically ejects the endotracheal tube from the device as the endotracheal tube is advanced coaxially over a bronchoscope previous placed through the guide, thereby providing a mid-line entry of the bronchoscope and endotracheal tube, higher intubation success rate by lower skilled operators, and easy removal of the device from the patient's oral cavity.
US08104462B2
The present invention is directed to a ball feed mechanism and associated method for use in a paintball loader. The ball feed mechanism includes a feeder which conveys or impels balls toward a feed neck, and a drive member which is concentric with the feeder. The feeder is coupled to the drive member. An electric motor is used to rotate the drive member which in turn causes the feeder to rotate. The feed mechanism includes sensors which detect the motion of the feeder and the drive member. A controller determines the position of the feeder relative to the drive member and actuates a motor when necessary.
US08104459B2
A sling like apparatus comprising a release cord, retention cord, finger loop, release tab, guide assembly, and basket creates a throwing device that is simple to reset, reload and throw while still retaining the power and accuracy of a traditional sling, thus making it user-friendly for anyone to quickly learn and operate. The retention cord comprises a comfortable finger loop that forks about half way in length into two cords that are each attached to specific and unique locations on the basket. The basket deforms into a form fitting structure that secures around a circular object or ball that may be roughly 2.5 inches or smaller in diameter. The release cord is attached to a particular location on the basket and is fed through a guide assembly. The end of the release cord connects to the release tab.
US08104458B2
A projectile launcher having a magnet based driver motor. The driver motor is constructed of a coil winding suspended within a magnetic field formed by the combination of a front plate, a magnet and a pole piece attached to a back plate. An electrical controller is electrically coupled to the driver motor and allows for remote operation of the launcher. The coil may include a diaphragm capable of producing sounds wherein electrical current applied to the coil winding causes the coil to vibrate according to an audio frequency to make a desired sound, or travel a predetermined distance so as to cause an ejection of a projectile placed over the coil.
US08104454B2
A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
US08104452B2
In known methods for carrying out a high-pressure start of an internal combustion engine, inconvenient starting behavior can sometimes occur. In a method for carrying out a high-pressure start of an internal combustion engine (1), a high-pressure pump (22) is used to feed fuel from a fuel tank (17) to a pressure accumulator (20) and a pressure adjuster (23) is used to control the pressure in the pressure accumulator (20), wherein the high-pressure pump (22) is operated before carrying out a fuel injection into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (1), and the pressure adjuster (23) is activated in such a way that, during the operation of the high-pressure pump (22), the pressure build-up in the pressure accumulator (20) above a pressure limit value pTHRES, upon the exceedance of which the fuel injection is enabled, is delayed.
US08104450B2
Fuel is injected into and through the exhaust port and into the cylinder of the piston engine during the time when the flow is reversed from the normally expected flow. The engine is able to operate with some or all of its fuel injected backwards of conventional expectations. In another embodiment the fuel is injected with solid stream injector sprays directed against exhaust valves and ports and deflected into the piston cylinder against the flow of normally aspirated or supercharged engines. This invention can apply to gasoline or diesel cycles and four and two stroke type cycles of engine.
US08104448B2
A bolt fastening structure for an internal combustion engine includes bolt fitting holes formed in a cylinder of the engine. An inner wall of a top portion of a crankcase includes boss portions having openings, as an extension to the corresponding bolt fitting holes, with internal threads formed therein. The crankcase further includes hollow recesses formed thereon between the boss portions and crankshaft rotational support portions. Fastening bolts, each having an external thread formed at a tip portion thereof, are extended through the bolt fitting holes, and engaged with the internal threads of the boss portion. The hollow recesses include portions of the openings of the boss portions having the internal threads opened therein.
US08104439B2
Traditional camshaft adjusters are connected to a lubricant circuit of an internal combustion engine. Lubricant flows which are too large flood the drive of the camshaft adjuster, which leads to needless churning losses in the drive and needless losses of the pump capacity of the lubricant for other structural components of the internal combustion engine. According to the invention, a flow element (59), which includes a throttle element or screen in the flow channel (26), is used. According to another embodiment of the invention, the throttle element or screen can be used in various ways.
US08104434B2
In various aspects, the present invention provides an electric tankless liquid heater system capable of delivering liquid, such as, for example, water, with an acceptable increase in output liquid temperature upon a sudden and substantial decrease in liquid demand. In various aspects, the electric tankless liquid heater comprises an inlet manifold and a plurality of liquid heaters the inlets of which are connected in a parallel flow relationship by the inlet manifold, and the outlets of which are each connected to a separate outlet conduit, and which is configured to provide water to a plurality of automatic water fixtures with a less than about 2° F. (about 1.1° C.) increase in output water temperature upon about a one-and-a-half-fold or greater decrease in water demand that occurs in less than about 500 milliseconds as measured by the increase time of the inlet liquid pressure.
US08104433B2
Disclosed herein are gustatory and/or olfactory aversion compositions comprising one or more bitterants and appropriate adhesives or tackifiers, and the like, which provide a long-lasting effect. The compositions are useful for behavior modification, especially in animals, such as pets or livestock.
US08104432B2
Devices, apparatuses, systems and/or methods related to animal enclosure latches. Specifically, the disclosed devices, apparatuses, systems and/or methods relate to animal enclosure latches having an internal latch receptacle and an external latch receptacle, where the internal latch receptacle has a top downward-sloping portion to prevent animal collars and the like from becoming hooked, snagged and/or caught on the internal latch receptacle.
US08104423B2
A coating material atomizing and dispensing system comprises an atomizer and an assembly of electrodes. The electrode assembly is removably coupled to the atomizer to permit the assembly to be disassembled from the atomizer to permit entry of the atomizer through an opening smaller than the atomizer-electrode assembly can pass through. A device is provided for supporting the assembly when the assembly is disassembled from the atomizer.
US08104415B2
A sailboat includes a sail assembly with opposing upper and lower ends, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The sail assembly is normally offset from the hull and oriented for generation of a propelling force substantially free of heeling moments. A support structure supports the sail assembly for rotation about an axis inclined relative to vertical and substantially parallel to the leading edge. The support structure includes an upper rotary joint mounting the upper end of the sail assembly to the support structure and a lower rotary joint mounting the lower end of the sail assembly to the support structure. The rotary joints are positioned to allow unobstructed rotation of the sail assembly fully through 360 degrees about the inclined axis. At least part of the support structure is mounted for rotation together with the sail assembly and the inclined axis relative to the hull, largely eliminating weather helm. Controls are provided to permit adjustment of the angular orientation of the sail assembly about the inclined axis thereby adjusting propelling force.
US08104411B2
A device for supporting equipment and for attaching to an apparatus. The device includes a tray which supports the equipment and which includes a mounting location. The device also includes a back plate which is configured to engage the mounting location. The back plate is also attached to the apparatus. The mounting location may include a tooth and notch, a step or other types of mounts that engage the back plate. The device is suitable for supporting a computer or other equipment, and for attaching to an exercise apparatus or other apparatus.
US08104408B2
An obstacle-removing device having brushes that can be retracted when the device is at the rear side in the traveling direction of the vehicle. The device includes a vertical frame positioned to the leading end in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and a lifting/lowering device attached to the vertical frame to lift and lower a brush holder having brushes and attached to a vertically movable member which can be lifted and lowered by the lifting/lowering device. The brush holder is pivotally attached to the vertically movable member such that the brush holder is tilting forward when the brushes held by the brush holder contact the running surface to perform an obstacle-removing operation.
US08104404B2
An ignition element mounting capacitor having an ignition element mounted on a capacitor, includes therein a first capacitor section and a second capacitor section, and first external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the first capacitor section and second external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the second capacitor section. The first capacitor section has a capacity for igniting ignition powder, and the second capacitor section has a function for removing noise which affects external circuits. Further, provided on the surface of the capacitor are third external terminal electrodes electrically connected to the ignition element. In this manner, the invention provides a squib enabling its size to be miniaturized and its quality to be improved, while keeping a high productivity, and hence provides a header assembly and a ignition element mounting capacitor as components of the squib and further provides a gas generator having such a squib installed therein for an air bag and a gas generator having the squib for a seat belt pretensioner.
US08104399B2
A cage for holding a filling material includes a housing have a first part and a second part. An orifice is defined between the first part and the second part for holding a filling material. The housing is shaped in a manner such that is it insertable inside a cavity and has an open position in which filling material may be inserted into the orifice. The housing also has a closed position in which the filling material is trapped within the orifice. The housing is cage-like for holding the filling material. The housing may include a handle, hinges for joining the first and second parts, and a latching mechanism for latching the first and second parts together.
US08104394B2
Flash suppressors having novel expansion features are disclosed. In one embodiment, a suppressor includes an attachment portion adapted to attach to a gun barrel, and a suppressor portion coupled to the attachment portion. The suppressor portion has a suppressor bore that is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the gun barrel to allow a projectile from the gun barrel to pass therethrough. The suppressor bore is defined by at least one bore surface having at least one expansion groove disposed therein. The expansion groove may be partially-circumferentially disposed about the suppressor bore, or may include a plurality of expansion grooves. In another embodiment, a flash apparatus includes a suppressor portion having a plurality of longitudinally elongated members spaced apart about a circumference of the suppressor bore, each member being separated from adjacent elongated members by a longitudinal slot, at least one longitudinal slot having non-parallel sidewalls.
US08104383B2
A torque socket assembly includes a first connecting portion which has a positioning hole and a fitting hole respectively defined in two ends thereof. A second connecting portion which has a driving hole and a receiving hole respectively defined in two ends thereof. The fitting hole and the receiving hole respectively have a first and a second positioning block disposed therein. A first and a second gear teeth are respectively disposed on the first and the second positioning block and are meshed with each other. A through hole is penetrated through the first and the second connecting portion, and the positioning blocks. A torque setting unit includes a resilient piece, a rod, and a screwing nut. The rod is inserted through the through hole, and the screwing nut is fastened to a second end of the rod for setting a stable torque value to the torque socket assembly.
US08104379B2
According to disclosure, the hammer has a head made of striking grade steel. The handle comprises a 6-4 titanium hand grip and over strike plate insert in the handle and under the head. The head has an eye for accommodating a handle which in a preferred embodiment is made of a graphite titanium composite comprising from about 60 to 65% graphite by weight and from about 35 to 45% 6-4 titanium. The head of hammer has a claw end and a striking head. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the device of the disclosure comprising using one or more bladder compressed carbon fiber processes to anneal the graphite, titanium and steel components of the hammer.
US08104375B2
A differential gear unit for motor vehicles comprises a housing and, therein, a differential gear mechanism (8), two coaxial gear mechanisms and two controllable friction clutches, the coaxial gear mechanisms transmitting an additional torque to one or other axle shaft according to the degree of engagement of the friction clutches. In order for it also to be possible for very high forces to be absorbed in long-term operation with very low installation space and wear, the coaxial gear mechanisms have in each case one internal gear which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to one side of the associated friction clutch, and one sun gear which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the respective output element, and the second element of each coaxial gear mechanism is a sun gear, and a third element is configured as an annular gear which has an external toothing system which meshes with the first element and an internal toothing system which meshes with the second element.
US08104374B2
In a belt continuously-variable transmission, a casing or a housing is formed with an air communicating hole extending through an upper part of the casing or the housing. The casing and the housing include inner walls defining an air breather chamber and communicating parts. The air breather chamber is defined in a region located above a joint between the casing and the housing and ranging from an upper side of the second shaft to an upper side of the first shaft and between the second shaft and the first shaft. The communicating parts are defined at a position in the upper side of the first shaft and at a position between the second shaft and the first shaft. The air breather chamber communicates with open air via the air communicating hole, and communicates with an inside part of a casing assembly via each of the communicating parts.
US08104365B2
A vibration generator has two groups of shafts, on which at least two groups of imbalances are disposed, and which are connected with at least one drive, by means of which they are put into rotation. The shaft groups are connected with the at least one drive in such a manner that the speed of rotation of one shaft group amounts to half the speed of rotation of the other shaft group, and the ratio of the static moments of the shaft groups provided with the imbalance groups amounts to between six to one and ten to one.
US08104360B2
A measuring transducer comprises a measuring tube vibrating at least at times during operation, having a wall thickness (s) and at least one oscillation sensor, especially an electrodynamic oscillation sensor, for producing at least one primary signal of the measuring transducer representing vibrations of the measuring tube. In the measuring transducer at least one securement element, especially a metal securement element, fixedly encircling the measuring tube essentially along a circumferential line thereof and having a total width (B), for holding a component of the oscillation sensor, especially a magnet coil or a permanent magnet, on the measuring tube is provided. The securement element has an essentially rectangular outer perimeter with a projection protruding out therefrom by a height (h) and serving for holding the component of the oscillation sensor. The projection has a width (e), which is smaller than the total width (B) of the securement element.
US08104358B1
A high sensitivity strain sensor that utilizes a micro-scale cavity built in a multi-layer structure, with a pair of interdigitalized capacitor incorporated on one of the layers, is described in this document. The device's capacitance changes produced by unattended deformations of the cavity can be used to measure the associated strain without using any movable electrodes. The sensor can be remotely energized from a radio frequency wave sent by a reader antenna to construct a battery-free wireless instrument. Changes on the sensor's resonant frequency are remotely detected so that a strain level is measured from fluctuations in the received signal. This detection method provides a simple, reliable and sensitive technique to measure small strain changes down to the pico-scale. Materials with a highly strain-dependant permittivity are integrated in the sensor to enhance its sensitivity. The proposed sensor consists of a simple planar structure. It can be used as the main component on low-cost, accurate and highly stable strain measuring instruments capable of monitoring very small strain levels. Furthermore, the sensor is passive, may be operated wirelessly, and can, thus, be used for remote long-term embedded strain detection.
US08104352B2
The present invention relates to a pressure measurement unit to determine positive and negative fluid pressure within a disposable for medical devices. As part of the disposable, the invention consists of a rigid measurement chamber, which is covered by an elastic form part. This measurement chamber can be connected to a medical device, which is equipped with a pressure transducer. Specific shapes of the elastic form part and specific instrument interfaces ensure the connection between this elastic form part, the measurement chamber and the pressure transducer to exclude the influence of atmospheric pressure during measurements. The coupling and the sealing ability against atmospheric pressure is controllable. Such pressure measurement units can be used to measure fluid pressure in disposable to control for example fluid pumps.
US08104351B2
The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor (2) in particular a motor vehicle ultrasonic sensor, comprising a housing (4), and a diaphragm (6) which is supported in or on a section (12) of the housing (4) and which has a diaphragm base (8) and a substantially cylindrical wall section (18) adjoining the diaphragm base (8), at least one stabilizing and/or attenuating auxiliary element (22, 30, 32) being arranged on or in the wall section (18) of the diaphragm (6).
US08104343B2
The invention relates to measuring devices to be used in the measuring of angular velocity and, more precisely, to vibrating micromechanical sensors of angular velocity. In a sensor of angular velocity according to the invention, a mass is supported to the frame of the sensor component by means of an asymmetrical spring structure (1), (2), (3), (4), (22), (24) in such a way, that the coupling from one mode of motion to another, conveyed by the spring (1), (2), (3), (4), (22), (24), cancels or alleviates the coupling caused by the non-ideality due to the skewness in the springs or in their support. The structure of the sensor of angular velocity according to the invention enables reliable measuring with good performance, particularly in small vibrating micromechanical solutions for sensors of angular velocity.
US08104340B2
A fluid flow sensing device can include a tapered fluid flow channel formed into a main channel defining a fluid flow tube as an alternate fluid flow path. A tapered fluid flow channel can bypass some fluid flow from the main fluid flow channel into the alternate fluid flow path and a flow sensor disposed within the alternate fluid flow path. The tapered flow channel is tapered in a direction of fluid flow toward the flow sensor to thereby reduce flow eddies and enable optimal sensing performance by fluid flow sensor. An upstream fluid flow channel and a downstream fluid flow channel can be molded into the main fluid flow channel, especially bypassed in the fluid flow path of the main fluid flow channel. A fluid flow sensor can be placed between the upstream fluid flow channel and the downstream fluid flow channel for measuring fluid flow rate the channel.
US08104328B2
An apparatus detects a leak of an electrically conductive fluid from a disposable plastic bag used in mixing applications, such as during bioprocessing in a sterile environment. In one embodiment, the bag is associated with a sensor for detecting a leak from an interior compartment. The sensor may be arranged to detect either a leak internal to the at least two material layers of the bag or external to the outer layer, or both. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08104326B2
A gas chromatography system comprising a sample introduction device, an oven coupled to the sample introduction device and a detector coupled to the oven is disclosed. In certain examples, the oven may be configured to receive a chromatography column in a space in the oven. In some examples, the oven may be constructed and arranged to provide a substantially constant temperature to the space during an analysis stage of the gas chromatography system.
US08104324B2
Intra-extra oral shock-sensing and indicating systems and other shock-sensing and indicating systems
A mouth guard comprises a base member configured to fit inside the mouth of a user, and at least one shock-sensing and indicating device coupled to the base member. In one exemplary embodiment, the shock-sensing and indicating device is a passive shock-sensing and indicating device that detects a shock substantially along a selected axis with respect to the base member. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one shock-sensing and indicating device detects a shock substantially along a plurality of selected axes with respect to the base member, each selected axis being substantially orthogonal from another selected axis. The shock-sensing and indicating devices can be configured to detect different levels of shock. In one exemplary embodiment, the shock-sensing and indicating device comprises a multi-component chemical-reaction system, such as a chemi-luminescent reaction system.
US08104321B2
A system for reducing the diameter of a stent comprises a stent contracting assembly. The assembly comprises a plurality of blades, which define a diameter reduction chamber. The chamber has an open diameter configuration and a closed diameter configuration. The plurality of blades comprises active blades and floating blades, wherein each active blade is engaged to an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is constructed and arranged to move each active blade from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration. Each floating blade is moved from the open diameter configuration to the closed diameter configuration only as a result of the movement of the active blades.
US08104318B2
In some preferred embodiments, an extrusion die for metallic material capable of obtaining a high quality extruded article can be provide while securing sufficient strength and durability. The extrusion die is provided with a die holding case 20 having a dome portion 21 with an external surface functioning as a metallic material pressure receiving surface 22, the metallic material pressure receiving surface 22 being disposed so as to face rearward, a male die 30 held in the die holding case 21, and a female die 40 held in a front portion of the die holding case 20. The metallic material pressure receiving surface 22 is formed into a convex configuration, and a porthole 24 is formed in the dome portion 21. The central axis A2 of the porthole 24 is inclined to the central axis A1 of the die holding case 20. The metallic material pressed against the metallic material pressure receiving surface 22 is introduced into the die holding case 20 through the porthole 24 and passes through the extrusion hole 11.
US08104317B2
The present invention relates to a manifold for a vehicle transmission. The manifold defines a plurality of laterally extending channels suitable for simultaneously transferring oil at separate flow rates and pressure signals and may be subdivided to provide a plurality of like defined manifolds. The manifold, formed through an extrusion process, is fittable within or around a transmission shaft.
US08104316B2
A piercing mill includes a plurality of inclined rolls, a plug, a pusher, and an undriven guide roll. The pusher pushes a round billet from the rear end at least until the round billet advances for a prescribed distance after contacting the inclined rolls. The guide roll is between the inclined rolls and the pusher and includes a roll shaft and a roll surface, with the roll shaft arranged obliquely with respect to a pass line PL. The sectional shape of the roll surface is a concave arch shape. The round billet is rotated by the guide roll and the friction force generated when the round billet contacts the inclined rolls is reduced. Consequently, the wear of the inclined rolls can be restrained if the round billet is pierced and rolled while it is pushed in between the inclined rolls using the pusher.
US08104314B2
A construction unit (35) comprising a support (30) and a locking cylinder (20) is present in the device and is secured from the inner door side (11) behind the outer door lining (15). Those parts of the locking cylinder which project on the outer door side are covered by a cap which is secured on the inner door side (11) by securing means. In order to simplify the handling and to save space, it is proposed to use the securing means for the cap at the same time in order to also secure the construction unit (35) on the inner door side (11).
US08104308B2
In a refrigerant cycle device with an ejector, a branch portion is located at an upstream side of a nozzle portion of the ejector so that the refrigerant flowing out of an exterior heat exchanger is branched into first and second streams in a cooling operation mode. A passage switching portion is configured such that the refrigerant of the first stream flows through the nozzle portion of the ejector, and the refrigerant of the second stream flows through the decompression unit, the using-side heat exchanger, and the refrigerant suction port of the ejector, in the cooling operation mode. In contrast, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the nozzle portion after passing through the using-side heat exchanger, and the refrigerant flowing out of the exterior heat exchanger flows into the refrigerant suction port of the ejector, in the heating operation mode.
US08104303B2
A branching unit has a refrigerant pipe that is branched into a plurality of branching refrigerant pipes, and includes an insulation material resin casing and an expanded insulation material casing. The insulation material resin casing encloses branching portion while assuring an insulation space between the insulation material resin casing and the branching portion. The expanded insulation material casing is disposed on the external periphery of the insulation material resin casing.
US08104293B2
A method of operating a cooling device is provided. The method includes sequentially regulating a temperature of a plurality of thermally coupled magneto-caloric elements for maximizing a magneto-caloric effect for each of the magneto-caloric elements when subjected to a magnetic regenerative refrigeration cycle.
US08104291B2
An improved floating collar assembly for gas turbine combustion units consists of a sheet metal collar with a flat flange and an E seal that is pre-compressed within a block of epoxy. The collar fits over a corresponding fuel nozzle burner tube and is retained on a cap assembly by a flat plate. During assembly, the collar is loose so that it floats, which makes cap assembly easy. During operation, the epoxy used to pre-compress the E seal heats up and burns off, whereupon the E seal opens up and produces a seating load between the collar and plate that is high enough to keep the collar from rotating and thereby reduce collar wear.
US08104289B2
Systems and methods involving multiple torque paths of gas turbine engines are provided. In this regard, a representative spool assembly for a gas turbine engine, which incorporates a compressor, a turbine and a gear assembly, includes: a shaft operative to be driven by the turbine; a first spool segment operative to couple the shaft to the compressor; and a second spool segment operative to couple the shaft to the gear assembly. The first spool segment and the second spool segment are not coupled to each other.
US08104287B2
A retaining element for retaining a heat shield element on a support structure comprises at least one fixing section adapted to fix the retaining element to the support structure and at least one retaining section adapted to engage with an engaging groove present on a periphery of the heat shield element. A projection is arranged on the retaining element in such a manner that it projects in the direction of the heat shield element when retaining a heat shield element.
US08104285B2
A gas turbine equipped with a burner, which has an axial swirler for generating turbulence in a flow of comburent air, a secondary supply line of fuel gas, a main supply line of fuel gas arranged concentrically around the secondary line, and a pilot line of fuel gas. Accordingly, the burner is ignited by firing a spark and feeding, towards the spark, comburent air and fuel gas which is synthesis gas.
US08104278B2
A system for and method of harvesting, storing and converting naturally occurring energy, includes exposing an active material, and more preferably a shape memory element to an ambient activation signal or condition, harvesting a portion of the energy by pseudoplastically straining or superelastically deforming the element, storing the energy by causing a change in the element and/or engaging a locking mechanism, and converting the energy by exposing the mechanism to an activation signal and/or otherwise releasing the mechanism.
US08104276B2
A hydraulic circuit for preventing a change of stroke of a boom cylinder or an arm cylinder during transportation. The hydraulic circuit includes first and second hydraulic pumps, a boom cylinder, an arm cylinder, a boom confluence logic valve, a first port connected with a chamber of the boom cylinder in a housing in which a spool for the boom cylinder is shiftably installed, a second port connected with a hydraulic tank in the housing, and a first orifice formed between the housing and a land part of the spool for the boom cylinder located between the first port and the second port. During transportation, a small amount of hydraulic fluid fed from the second hydraulic pump to the large chamber of the boom cylinder drains to the hydraulic tank through the first orifice to prevent a change of stroke of the boom cylinder.
US08104273B2
This exhaust manifold (12) includes: an outer casing (18) includes: an outer shell (22); a flange (24) which is welded to the outer shell (22) and which has a surface (24B) for abutment against an engine cylinder head and at least one aperture (28) which opens at the abutment surface (24A), at least one inner channel (20) which is arranged in the outer casing (18) and which opens via an aperture (28). The or each inner channel (20) is formed from a ceramic material; and extends from one side to the other of the flange (24) through the or each aperture (28) and comprises a continuation (32) outside the outer casing (18) which extends outwards beyond the abutment surface (24A).
US08104271B2
An SOX trap catalyst (11) in which at least one of an alkali metal and alkali earth metal is carried diffused is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. By holding the temperature of the SOX trap catalyst (11) during engine operation at the temperature where a nitrate of the at least one of the alkali metal and alkali earth metal becomes the melted state, a nitrate movement and coagulation action where the nitrate in the SOX trap catalyst (11) moves to and coagulates at the surface of the SOX trap catalyst (11) is promoted. Due to this nitrate movement and coagulation action, SOX is removed while restoring the SOX trap rate.
US08104269B2
A vehicle system includes a hydrocarbon adsorber, a catalyst, a control module, and a heater. The hydrocarbon adsorber receives first exhaust gases, adsorbs hydrocarbons from the first exhaust gases, and outputs second exhaust gases. The catalyst receives the second exhaust gases. The control module controls a heater and fuel injectors. The heater heats a portion of the catalyst to a predetermined temperature. The control module controls the fuel injectors to generate a fuel-rich air/fuel mixture when the portion of the catalyst is heated to the predetermined temperature.
US08104265B2
An representative gas turbine includes: a first annular gas flow path; a second annular gas flow path located radially outwardly from the first gas flow path; in series order, a multi-stage fan, radially inboard portions of a first set of high pressure compressor blades, a second set of high pressure compressor blades, a combustion section and a high pressure turbine, positioned along the first gas flow path; and in series order, the multi-stage fan and radially outboard portions of the first set of high pressure compressor blades, positioned along the second gas flow path such that the inboard portions of the first set of high pressure compressor blades, the second set of high pressure compressor blades, the combustion section and the high pressure turbine are not positioned along the second gas flow path.
US08104264B2
A gas thruster is configured to supply thrust over a relatively wide range, from a relatively low value to a relatively high thrust value, and exhibits relatively fine minimum impulse bit (MIB) performance. The gas thruster includes a thrust nozzle, a main stage, a main valve element, and a pilot valve. The gas thruster responds to thruster control signals supplied to the pilot valve and is configured such that for commands of relatively short duration, only the pilot valve responds and relatively low thrust is produced. Conversely, for command or relatively longer duration, the pilot valve and main valve element both respond and relatively higher thrust is produced.
US08104262B2
A gas turbine engine system includes a nozzle having a plurality of positions for altering a discharge flow received through the nozzle from a gas turbine engine fan bypass passage. The nozzle is integrated with a thrust reverser having a stowed position and a deployed position to divert the discharge flow and generate a reverse thrust force. At least one actuator is coupled with the nozzle and the thrust reverser to selectively move the nozzle between the plurality of positions and to move the thrust reverser between the stowed position and the deployed position.
US08104258B1
The fuel system of a dual fuel turbine includes a flow control valve having a metering purge valve that in one state directly meters fuel to injectors of the turbine, in another state closes of fuel flow and passes purge air to the injectors and in another state positively closes of flow of both fuel and purge air. The metering purge valve is a pressure compensated spool valve that has a unique cross-ported interchange that passes fuel from the inlet through the spool to the metering edge. The direct metering of the valve to the injectors eliminates the need for additional shut off valves, and if used with a combining valve having an integral distributor section metering fuel to multiple injectors, the need for a separate flow divider is also eliminated. The valve can be actively cooled by dedicated coolant lines or lines shared with other flow control components such as additional metering valves for either the primary or secondary fuel.
US08104256B2
Provided is an imaging optical unit used in an image reading apparatus for imaging image information on a photoelectric conversion element. The imaging optical unit includes a case and an imaging optical system having multiple reflecting members housed and disposed in the case. The reflecting member has a mirror surface for detecting assembly performance in the case on a side opposite to an optical surface for performing an imaging action. A light beam from a light source unit is projected to the mirror surface of the reflecting member and reflection light from the mirror surface is used for detecting one of a shift of posture and a distortion of the reflecting member.
US08104254B2
A front attachment for harvesting stalked plants has an intake conveyor mechanism that operates independently of the distance between rows, and a picking assembly located downstream thereof and transversely to the direction of travel, which separates the crops from the stalked plants and conveys them to a separate utilization, the plant stalks are guided in a guide channel from the intake conveyor mechanism to the picking channel, the guide channel is at least partially swept over, in the region of the intake conveyor mechanism, by driving elements of intake conveyor elements, which are situated in pairs and rotate in opposite directions, and, in the region of transfer to the picking assembly, the guide channel is at least partially swept over by driving elements of at least one rotating transfer element.
US08104244B2
Floorboards with a format corresponding to a traditional parquet block for laying of mechanically joined floating flooring. Rectangular floorboards include a surface layer and a core with two long sides and two short sides, for making a floating flooring, which floorboards are mechanically lockable and which along their four sides have pairs of opposing connectors for locking similar, adjoining floorboards to each other both vertically and horizontally wherein the long sides have a length not exceeding 80 cm and the short sides have a width not exceeding 10 cm.
US08104239B2
A fastening device for flat components, especially solar modules, to be arranged on a framework, includes a first profile mounting rail and a second profile mounting rail that are spaced apart from one another and that are arranged horizontal and parallel on the framework and on which one component can be affixed in the area of its mutually opposing edges. Profile elements, which are arranged on the bottom of a frameless component in the area of the lateral edges, are provided with a retaining rib which projects toward the lateral edge, and connect to the profile mounting rails. A retaining element is provided with a first fastening segment for fastening to a fastening area of the profile mounting rail and with a second fastening segment having two retaining segments that project to both sides and that, in the assembled position, overlap the mutually opposing retaining ribs of two components to be placed next to one another.
US08104227B2
A vehicle belt molding includes an attaching member and a seal lip. An elastic repulsive member is disposed between the engage wall portion and the seal lip and integrally provided with a fixed piece portion, a shifting piece portion, and a connecting piece portion. The seal lip is always urged toward the window pane by an elastic restoring force of the connecting piece portion itself or by a cooperative function of the elastic restoring force and an elastic restoring force of the elastic polymer material. When the attaching member is mounted to the mounting member, the seal lip causes the contacting portion to be elastically restored by the elastic restoring force toward a thickness direction of the window pane at a speed exceeding a restoring speed obtained only by the elastic polymer material.
US08104226B2
A plant-growing apparatus (10) has a plurality of rotatable plant-growing modules (32) which can be moved between two positions, separated vertically or horizontally. Each module (32) comprises a cylindrical structure for holding plant-growing containers (80) in which the plants grow radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure toward a light source (68). The apparatus (10) has module support means for supporting each module and rotating it in a substantially horizontal position. The apparatus has module moving means, for example sprocket driven chains (20, 22), for conveying the modules between the two positions.
US08104223B1
An apparatus designed to catch flies and other flying insects comprises an aesthetically pleasing rectangular housing with a top opening which allows an insect to fly or crawl onto an internal tacky sheet to be trapped. The housing may be placed upon any flat surface or be wall-mounted, thereby minimizing an occurrence of observing the trapped dead insects. A side surface of the housing provides loading and unloading of a slide-in tacky sheet. The tacky sheet attracts and traps flying or crawling insects such as flies through the top opening of the housing, thereby partially blocking a view of the trapped insects inside.
