US08119804B2
An organic semiconducting layer formulation containing an organic binder which has a permittivity, ∈, at 1,000 Hz of 3.3 or less and a polyacene compound of Formula A: and processes for the preparation thereof and uses thereof in various electronic devices.
US08119795B2
Novel triazole derivatives of the formula (I) in which R1-R6 and Y have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are HSP90 inhibitors and can be used for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of diseases in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of HSP90 plays a role.
US08119787B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that bind CD33. More particularly, the invention relates to anti-CD33 antibodies, fragments and homologues of these antibodies, humanized and resurfaced versions of these antibodies, functional equivalents and improved versions of these antibodies, immunoconjugates and compositions comprising these antibodies, and the uses of same in diagnostic, research and therapeutic applications. The invention also relates to a polynucleotide encoding these antibodies, vectors comprising the polynucleotides, host cells transformed with polynucleotides and methods of producing these antibodies.
US08119782B2
The development of the first solution-phase molecular assembly comprising over 100 molecular logic gates, which more than quadruples the complexity performed by any previous system. “MAYA-II” is a second generation molecular automaton capable of playing a complete game of tic-tac-toe against a human opponent, and encompasses 76 permissible game plays. MAYA-II is more user-friendly than MAYA-I, as it signals both players move in a two-color output system and imposes no constraints on the position of the human player's first move. MAYA-II is constructed from three classes of stem-loop controlled deoxyribozyme-based logic gates that are allosterically modulated by input oligonucleotides to produce fluorescent output signals.
US08119774B2
The present invention provides a cell marker that is characterized by binding to a GCTM-5 antibody of active fragment. The cell marker identifies a unique sub-population of stem cells that show characteristics of hepatic or pancreatic stem cells or hepatic or pancreatic progenitor cells. More specifically the marker is an early liver marker, which could prove a useful tool for the isolation and identification of liver and pancreatic progenitors for both diseased adult liver and differentiating human embryonic stem cells.
US08119758B2
Provided is a heat-conductive silicone composition, including: (A) 100 parts by volume of an organopolysiloxane having a specific structure, (B) 0.1 to 50 parts by volume of an organosilicon compound that functions as a wetter and contains a triorganooxysilyl group bonded to one terminal via an alkylene group that may be branched, (C) 100 to 2,500 parts by volume of a heat-conductive filler, and (D) an effective quantity of a curing agent. Also provided is a heat-conductive silicone cured product obtained by curing this composition. The heat-conductive silicone composition, even when filled with a large quantity of a heat-conductive filler in order to provide superior thermal conductivity, exhibits a minimal increase in viscosity or plasticity, and retains favorable handling properties and moldability. The heat-conductive silicone cured product exhibits excellent flexibility even when filled with a large quantity of a heat-conductive filler. Heat generated by a heat-generating electronic component can be dissipated into a heat-radiating component by sandwiching the cured product between the heat-generating electronic component and the heat-radiating component.
US08119740B2
The invention describes curable liquid acryloyl group containing compositions, which are produced by reacting monofunctional vinyl compounds and multifunctional acrylic esters with β-dicarbonyl group containing compounds having two activated hydrogen atoms in its methylene position. These material can be polymerized or crosslinked by free radical polymerization, UV (ultraviolet) or electron-beam radiation. The curable liquid compositions are suitable for producing curable coatings, printing inks, adhesives, or molding compositions.
US08119735B2
A golf ball having a cover having a pearlescent effect is disclosed. The cover comprises a first thermoplastic and a second thermoplastic having an index of refraction that differs from an index of refraction of the first thermoplastic by at least about 0.5 percent. The cover further comprises a compatibilizer.
US08119729B2
The invention concerns aqueous secondary polymer dispersions based on special acrylate building blocks, a process for their production and their use as binders for the production of blister-free coatings.
US08119727B2
The present invention relates to the use of comb polymers which have a carbon backbone which bears polyether groups of the formula A *—U—(C(O))k—X-(Alk-O)n—W A wherein * indicates the binding site to the carbon backbone of the comb polymer, U stands for a chemical bond or an alkylene group with 1 to 8 C atoms, X means oxygen or a NR group, k is 0 or 1, n stands for a whole number, the mean value whereof, based on the comb polymer, lies in the range from 5 to 300, Alk stands for C2-C4 alkylene, where Alk within the group (Alk-O)n can be the same or different, W means a hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl residue or an aryl residue or means the group Y—Z, Y stands for a linear or branched alkylene group with 2 to 8 C atoms, which may bear a phenyl ring, Z stands for a 5- to 10-membered nitrogen heterocycle bound via nitrogen, which can have as ring members, as well as the nitrogen atom and as well as carbon atoms, 1, 2 or 3 additional hetero atoms, selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, wherein the nitrogen ring members can contain a group R′, and wherein 1 or 2 carbon ring members can be present as carbonyl groups, R stands for hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or benzyl, and R′ stands for hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or benzyl; and functional groups B, which are present in the form of anionic groups at pH>12, and salts thereof as grinding aids in cement-containing preparations.
US08119720B2
A thermoplastic resin composition that can have improved flowability of the present invention comprises (A) about 1 to about 98% by weight of a functional group-containing vinyl copolymer resin reactive with polyester; (B) about 1 to about 98% by weight of an aromatic vinyl graft copolymer resin; (C) about 1 to about 98% by weight of a polyester resin; and (D) about 0.5 to about 30 parts by weight of a bromodiphenyl ethane mixture, based on the total weight of a base resin comprising (A), (B) and (C). The resin composition of the present invention can have flame retardancy, excellent impact resistance, and improved flowablity.
US08119719B2
Disclosed are an intermediate transfer belt for use in a laser printer, a fax machine and a copier, and a production method thereof. Specifically, an intermediate transfer belt including silicone modified polyimide resin and a production method thereof are provided, thereby realizing a monolayer intermediate transfer belt having excellent electrical properties, water repellency and heat dissipation properties and good mechanical strength. Further, even without the additional use of an adhesive layer for adhesion to a fluorine resin layer and fluorine resin, the intermediate transfer belt can exhibit satisfactory properties, and process efficiency can be maximized.
US08119714B2
The present invention is directed to a multi-layer golf ball comprising at least one core or core layer, at least one intermediate layer, and at least one cover layer. The core has a diameter of about 1.20 to about 1.56 in. and a PGA compression of about 40 to about 90. The intermediate layer comprises a modified ionomeric polymer, and it has a thickness of about 0.01 to about 0.10 in. and a Shore D hardness of about 30 to about 70. The cover layer has a Shore D hardness of about 40 to about 75. The multi-layer golf balls of the present invention provide high driver ball speed and/or a high Coefficient of Restitution, while maintaining excellent shot feel.
US08119709B2
An acoustic (sound or ultrasound) wave transmitter having a plurality of waveguides is described, and a method of making such a transmitter is described. Each waveguide can have a cladded core. The cladded core is capable of transmitting acoustic wave energy from a first end surface to a second end surface of the cladded core. The waveguides can be substantially fixed relative to each other by a binder. The binder can be formed by fusing the claddings together, potting a material between the waveguides and/or mechanically holding the waveguides.
US08119700B2
Disclosed is an organic aerogel including a polymer obtained from reaction an aryl alcohol compound, an aldehyde compound, and a polyol compound, a composition for forming the same, and a method of preparing the same.
US08119695B2
Disclosed are novel compositions and novel methods for the creation of both the novel compounds and known compounds. Also disclosed are methods for use of the novel compounds for treating a variety of diseases relating to decreasing or preventing activation of estrogen receptors and/or estrogen related receptors.
US08119685B2
The present invention relates to a novel class of disubstituted aniline compounds. These compounds can inhibit histone deacetylase and are suitable for use in selectively inducing terminal differentiation, and arresting cell growth and/or apoptosis of neoplastic cells, thereby inhibiting proliferation of such cells. Thus, the compounds of the present invention are useful in treating a patient having a tumor characterized by proliferation of neoplastic cells. The compounds of the invention may also be useful in the prevention and treatment of TRX-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory diseases, and in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as neurodegenerative diseases. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the instant invention and safe dosing regimens of these pharmaceutical compositions, which are easy to follow, and which result in a therapeutically effective amount of these compounds in vivo.
US08119684B2
Compounds of formula (I), compositions, methods and kits are provided. The compounds and compositions may be particularly useful for modulating immunological responses. Formula (I) wherein, R1 is alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl; R2 is H, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, OR3 or N(R3)2, R3 is H, alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl; R4 is H, CN, halogen, CF3, CO2R3, or C(O)N(R3)2; X is S, SO2, O, or NR3; and Y is S, O, or NR3.
US08119674B2
Novel 4-phenylimidazole-2-thione tyrosinase inhibiting compounds corresponding to the following general formula (I): formulated into pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions are useful for the treatment or prevention of pigmentary disorders, or for preventing and/or treating signs of skin aging, and/or for body or hair hygiene.
US08119670B2
Antimicrobial compositions useful for preserving wood, and comprising a variety of antimicrobial compounds.
US08119668B2
Methods of treating depression, binge eating disorder, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, substance use disorders, and Prader Willi syndrome, disorders characterized at least in part by hypocortisolemia and decreased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and disorders related to disturbances in circadian rhythm, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a histamine type 3 (Bb) receptor antagonist, such as betahistine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or its metabolites to an individual.
US08119663B2
The invention relates to novel heteroaryl-substituted piperidines, to processes for their preparation, to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, in particular of cardiovascular diseases and tumor diseases.
US08119661B2
Compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R2, R3, X, m and n are as defined in the specification as well as salts and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds are prepared. They are useful in therapy, in particular in the management of pain.
US08119656B2
The present invention generally relates to compounds to treat viral infections and methods of their use. In particular, compounds of the present invention inhibit the activity of NS1 protein, thereby mitigating viral infection and, in particular, influenza virus infection. Accordingly, NS1 protein inhibitors and methods of treatment that employ such inhibitors are contemplated by the present invention.
US08119651B2
This invention relates to a method for treatment or prevention of metabolic syndrome and diseases or conditions resulting therefrom in an individual, wherein an effective amount of an amine oxidase enzyme inhibitor is administered to said individual. In addition, the invention relates to a method for inhibiting an amine oxidase enzyme or for treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions benefiting from inhibition of an amine oxidase enzyme in an individual, wherein a vitamin B1, its derivative, its precursor or metabolite is administered to said individual. Finally, the invention relates to a food product comprising an amine oxidase enzyme inhibitor in combination with a foodstuff, a food additive comprising an amine oxidase enzyme inhibitor in combination with a liquid, solid or semisolid carrier.
US08119647B2
The present invention provides transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) modulators. In particular, compounds described herein are useful for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3. Also provided herein are processes for preparing compounds described herein, intermediates used in their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating or preventing diseases, conditions and/or disorders modulated by TRPV3.
US08119637B2
Compounds active on Fms and/or Kit protein kinases are described, as well as methods of using such compounds to treat diseases and conditions associated with aberrant activity of Fms and/or Kit protein kinases, wherein the compounds have formula I:
US08119634B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, Z, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08119633B2
Substituted sulfonamide compounds corresponding to formula I pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, a process for preparing them, and the use of such compounds to treat or inhibit pain and other disorders or disease states.
US08119631B2
The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-γ-mediated diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, and necrotic diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity, for treating interleukin-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-γ-mediated diseases and decreasing IGIF and IFN-γ production using the compounds and compositions of this invention. This invention also relates to methods for preparing N-acylamino compounds.
US08119627B2
There is provided a compound having Formula (I) wherein each of rings A and B is selected from five or six membered carbon rings optionally containing one or more hetero atoms selected from N, S, and O and optionally having fused thereto a further ring; X is an optional group selected from O, S, —S═O, —S(═O)2, —C═O, —S(═O)2NR8, —C═ONR9, and —NR10, wherein n and p are independently selected from 0 and 1; Y is (R11)1-3 wherein each R11 is independently selected from —NR12, —CR13R14, —S(═O)2 and —C═O; Z is selected from (i) six or seven membered ring containing carbon and at least one nitrogen, which may be optionally substituted wherein the substituents may together form further ring fused thereto; and (ii) a —R15—NR16— group.
US08119615B2
The invention relates to methods for folding protein comprising providing an aqueous solution of a protein in non-native conformation and a linear or branched sugar polymer comprising three or more saccharide units, or a derivative thereof at a concentration suitable to permit folding of the protein and incubating the solution to permit folding of the protein.
US08119605B2
The invention pertains to methods and compositions for treating medical disorders characterized by elevated levels or abnormal expression of TNFα by administering a TNFα antagonist, such as recombinant TNFR:Fc.
US08119600B2
A composition comprising a content of a lysozyme and a content of a C-1/C-4 polysaccharide is useful in oral care, cosmetology and dermatology, contraception, urology and gynecology. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader quickly to ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the appended issued claims. 37 CFR §1.72(b).
US08119599B2
A method of treatment of native, non-denatured tissue to increase resistance to tearing, fissuring, rupturing, and/or delamination, comprising the step of: contacting at least a portion of the tissue with an effective amount of a reagent that increases crosslinks in the tissue.
US08119592B2
Macrocyclic compounds having the structures described herein are useful for inhibiting replication of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In preferred embodiments, the compounds are active against both the NS3 protease and the NS3 helicase of HCV.
US08119590B2
Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), preferably a variant form such as Apolipoprotein A-I Milano (ApoA-IM), alone or more preferably in combination with a lipid carrier such as phospholipids or other drug, can be administered locally before or during bypass surgery on diseased coronary, peripheral, and cerebral arteries, surgery to implant grafts or transplanted organs, or angioplasty, or to stabilize unstable plaques. In an alternative embodiment, the apolipoprotein is not provided directly, but the gene encoding the apolipoprotein is provided. The gene is introduced into the blood vessel in a manner similar to that used for the protein, where the protein is then expressed. The technique can also be used for delivery of genes for treatment or prevention or restenosis or other cardiovascular diseases. In yet another embodiment, stents are coated with apolipoproteins alone, apolipoproteins formulated with lipids, genetically engineered cells expressing the apolipoproteins, naked DNA coding for an apolipoprotein, or other drugs such as anti-proliferatives for local delivery to an injury site. In a preferred embodiment, the system is used with combination therapy, with for local delivery of an agent such as an apolipoprotein in combination with systemic anti-hypertension therapy, anti-inflammatoy therapy, lipid regulation and/or anti-coagulation therapy. These treatments can begin prior to, concurrent with or following local delivery.
US08119588B2
Sulfo-estolides and formulations of sulfo-estolides in and as hard surface cleaners, glass cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, carpet cleaners, all purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, and others are described. Further details of cleaning performance, stability of diluted and concentrated forms and contemplated cleaning applications are provided.
US08119583B2
Soap and cosmetic products can be made from oil-bearing microbial biomass via the alkaline hydrolysis of glycerolipids and fatty acid esters to fatty acid salts. The saponified microbial oils/lipids can be combined with a variety of additives to produce compositions for use as soaps and other cosmetic products, which may also contain other constituents of the biomass, including unsaponified oils, glycerol and carotenoids, among others.
US08119573B2
Provided is an anticorrosive composition for use in aqueous salt solutions. The composition contains an antimony compound and at least two other components selected from morpholine derivatives, acetylenic alcohols, ascorbic acid derivatives, and selenium compounds. The composition is particularly useful for inhibiting corrosion of metallic surfaces of drilling devices or refrigeration systems that are in contact with salt brines at elevated temperatures.
US08119570B1
3-biphenyl-substituted-3-substituted-4-ketolactam and ketolactone and their utilization as pesticide
The present invention relates to novel 3-biphenyl-substituted, 3-substituted 4-keto-lactams and -lactones of the formula (I) in which A, B, Q, G, W, X, Y and Z are as defined in the disclosure, to processes for their preparation, and to their use as pesticides and/or microbicides and/or herbicides.
US08119566B2
The present invention relates to novel 4-biphenyl-substituted pyrazolidine-3,5-dione derivatives of the formula (I) in which A, D, G, W, X, Y and Z are as defined above, to a plurality of processes for the preparation and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides and/or microbicides. Moreover, the invention relates to selective herbicidal compositions comprising both the 4-biphenyl-substituted pyrazolidine-3,5-dione derivatives of the formula (I) and a crop plant compatibility-improving compound.
US08119561B2
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet containing at least one heat insulation layer and at least one receptor layer on a support, wherein said heat insulation layer contains at least one kind of hollow polymer particles and said receptor layer contains at least one latex polymer and at least one water-soluble polymer; wherein said water-soluble polymer is at least one of a gelatin and a polyvinyl alcohol in which the gelatin has an average molecular mass of 20,000 or more and the polyvinyl alcohol has a saponification degree of 95% or more and an average polymerization degree of from 200 to 1600 or has a saponification degree of less than 95% and an average polymerization degree of from 500 to 2000.
US08119556B2
A method of producing a primary amine by the hydrogenation of a nitrile in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation catalyst contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and iron. Before use in the hydrogenation of nitrile, the hydrogenation catalyst is pretreated with at least one treating agent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, esters and carbon monoxide at 150 to 500° C.
US08119555B2
The invention provides a method of increasing the mesopore volume of a porous activated carbon, comprising coating a porous activated carbon with a metal oxide or metal oxide precursor to form a treated activated carbon; and calcining the treated activated carbon, in a dry atmosphere, for a time and at a temperature sufficient to increase the mesopore volume of the treated activated carbon. The invention also provides an activated carbon having a total mesopore volume of at least about 0.10 cc/g and less than about 0.25 cc/g, and a percentage of mesopore volume per total pore volume of at least about 15% and less than about 35%. Activated carbon modified according to the invention, cigarette filters incorporating such activated carbon, and smoking articles made with such filters are included in the invention.
US08119553B2
The present techniques relate to catalyst compositions, methods, and polymers encompassing a Group 4 metallocene compound comprising bridging η5-cyclopentadienyl-type ligands, typically in combination with a cocatalyst, and a activator. The compositions and methods presented herein include ethylene polymers with low melt elasticity.
US08119551B2
The present invention is for a catalyst, a process for making the catalyst and a process for using the catalyst in aromatization of alkanes having three to five carbon atoms per molecule, such as propane, to aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylene. The catalyst is an aluminum-silicon zeolite having a silicon to aluminum atomic ratio (Si:Al) greater than 15:1, such as MFI or ZSM-5, on which germanium, aluminum and a noble metal, such as platinum, have been deposited. The catalyst may be bound with magnesia, alumina, titania, zirconia, thoria, silica, boria or mixtures thereof. The aluminum and germanium may be deposited simultaneously on the zeolite.
US08119549B2
A consolidated fibrous structure including a multiplicity of fibrous layers. The fibers of each fibrous layer contain a core and a skin layer. The core has an exterior surface portion containing polypropylene. The skin layer is disposed on at least a portion of the core and contains a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer contains a polymer having at least 70% α-olefin units and is characterized by a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The second polymer contains a co-polymer having at least 50% α-olefin units and is characterized by a number-average molecular weight of about 7,000 g/mol to 50,000 g/mol, a viscosity of between about 2,500 and 150,000 cP measured at 170° C., and a melting temperature lower than the melting temperature of the exterior surface portion of the core. The viscosity of the second polymer is not greater than about 10 percent of the viscosity of the first polymer measured at 170° C. At least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers in each fibrous layer are fused to at least a portion of other skin layers of fibers within the same fibrous layer, at least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers of each fibrous layer are fused with at least a portion of the skin layers of the fibers in an adjacent fibrous layer, and the stiffness of the consolidated fibrous structure is at least 1 N-m. A fibrous layer is also described.
US08119546B2
An array substrate includes a base substrate, a switching element, and a pixel electrode. The switching element is on the base substrate. The switching element includes a poly silicon pattern having at least one block. Grains are formed in each of the at least one block that are extended in a plurality of directions. The pixel electrode is electrically connected to the switching element. Therefore, current mobility and design margin of the switching element are improved.
US08119543B2
Methods for reducing and inhibiting defect formation on silicon dioxide formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are disclosed. Defect reduction is accomplished by performing processing on the silicon dioxide subsequent to deposition by ALD. The post-deposition processing may include at least one of a pump/purge cycle and a water exposure cycle performed after formation of the silicon dioxide on a substrate.
US08119539B2
Methods of forming oxide layers on silicon carbide layers are disclosed, including placing a silicon carbide layer in a chamber such as an oxidation furnace tube that is substantially free of metallic impurities, heating an atmosphere of the chamber to a temperature of about 500° C. to about 1300° C., introducing atomic oxygen in the chamber, and flowing the atomic oxygen over a surface of the silicon carbide layer to thereby form an oxide layer on the silicon carbide layer. In some embodiments, introducing atomic includes oxygen providing a source oxide in the chamber and flowing a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gas over the source oxide. The source oxide may comprise aluminum oxide or another oxide such as manganese oxide. Some methods include forming an oxide layer on a silicon carbide layer and annealing the oxide layer in an atmosphere including atomic oxygen.
US08119537B2
A method is provided for selectively etching native oxides or other contaminants to metal nitrides and metal oxides during manufacture of a semiconductor device. The method utilizes a substantially non-aqueous etchant which includes a source of fluorine ions. In a preferred embodiment, the etchant comprises H2SO4 and HF. The etchant selectively etches native and doped oxides or other contaminants without excessively etching metal nitrides or metal oxides on the substrate or on adjacent exposed surfaces.
US08119535B2
Differently-sized features of an integrated circuit are formed by etching a substrate using a mask which is formed by combining two separately formed patterns. Pitch multiplication is used to form the relatively small features of the first pattern and conventional photolithography used to form the relatively large features of the second pattern. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning a photoresist and then etching that pattern into an amorphous carbon layer. Sidewall spacers are then formed on the sidewalls of the amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon is removed, leaving behind the sidewall spacers, which define the first mask pattern. A bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) is then deposited around the spacers to form a planar surface and a photoresist layer is formed over the BARC. The photoresist is next patterned by conventional photolithography to form the second pattern, which is then is transferred to the BARC. The combined pattern made out by the first pattern and the second pattern is transferred to an underlying amorphous silicon layer and the pattern is subjected to a carbon strip to remove BARC and photoresist material. The combined pattern is then transferred to the silicon oxide layer and then to an amorphous carbon mask layer. The combined mask pattern, having features of difference sizes, is then etched into the underlying substrate through the amorphous carbon hard mask layer.
US08119525B2
Methods of controlling deposition of metal on field regions of a substrate in an electroplating process are provided. In one aspect, a dielectric layer is deposited under plasma on the field region of a patterned substrate, leaving a conductive surface exposed in the openings. Electroplating on the field region is reduced or eliminated, resulting in void-free features and minimal excess plating. In another aspect, a resistive layer, which may be a metal, is used in place of the dielectric. In a further aspect, the surface of the conductive field region is modified to change its chemical potential relative to the sidewalls and bottoms of the openings.
US08119520B2
A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same is provided, capable of gap-filling a copper metal wiring while minimizing void generation. A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a copper sulfide layer formed on a first barrier metal formed in a via and trench; and a via plug and an upper metal wiring formed in the via hole and the trench, respectively, on the copper sulfide layer and an exposed lower metal wiring.
US08119517B2
A chemical mechanical polishing method comprises polishing an organic film using a slurry including polymer particles having a surface functional group and a water-soluble polymer.
US08119516B2
A method for forming a bump structure and a bump structure for conductive interconnection with another element having at least one of microelectronic devices or wiring thereon, used as an electric connection in an electronic circuit, includes the steps of forming a mandrel by steps including forming at least one opening extending through a bump-forming die body in the thickness direction thereof and positioning a bump-forming die lid on a surface of the bump-forming die body so as to cover one end of the opening and to thereby define a bump-forming recess. The bump-forming die body may be comprised of a metal sheet. A metal layer is formed at least on an inner surface of the bump-forming die lid exposed within the bump-forming recess. The mandrel is removed so as to expose the metal layer and form a bump structure.
US08119513B1
A method for making a cadmium sulfide layer is provided. The method includes a number of steps including providing a substrate and disposing a layer containing cadmium on the substrate followed by sulfurization of the cadmium-containing layer.
US08119509B2
A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of vertical transistors each comprising barrier metal layers corresponding to source/drain regions in which a conduction region is formed under a channel region having a pillar form, and a bit line comprising a metal layer to connect the plurality of vertical transistors.
US08119505B2
A method of making a group III nitride-based compound semiconductor includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising group III nitride-based compound semiconductor, polishing a surface of said semiconductor substrate such that said polished surface includes an inclined surface that has an off-angle θ of 0.15 degrees or more and 0.6 degrees or less to one of an a-face, a c-face and an m-face of the semiconductor substrate, providing a stripe-shaped specific region on the polished surface, the specific region comprising a material that prevents the growth of the group III nitride-based compound semiconductor on its surface, and growing a semiconductor epitaxial growth layer of group III nitride-based compound semiconductor on the polished surface of the semiconductor substrate. The specific region is provided on the polished surface such that the longitudinal direction of the specific region intersects with the longitudinal direction of a step portion that is formed with an atom-layer height on the polished surface by introducing the off-angle θ.
US08119500B2
A method for providing a stacked wafer configuration is provided. The method includes bonding a first wafer to a second wafer. A filler material is applied in a gap formed along edges of the first wafer and the second wafer. The filler material provides support along the edges during a thinning and transportation process to help reduce cracking or chipping. The filler material may be cured to reduce any bubbling that may have occurred while applying the filler material. Thereafter, the second wafer may be thinned by grinding, plasma etching, wet etching, or the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, this process may be repeated multiple times to create a stacked wafer configuration having three or more stacked wafers.
US08119493B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes the following processes. A first groove is formed in a semiconductor substrate. An insulating film is formed in the first groove. An interlayer insulating film is formed over the semiconductor substrate. A removing process is performed to remove a part of the interlayer insulating film and a part of the insulating film to form an alignment mark in the first groove.
US08119491B2
Methods of fabricating a passive element and a semiconductor device including the passive element are disclosed including the use of a dummy passive element. A dummy passive element is a passive element or wire which is added to the chip layout to aid in planarization but is not used in the active circuit. One embodiment of the method includes forming the passive element and a dummy passive element adjacent to the passive element; forming a dielectric layer over the passive element and the dummy passive element, wherein the dielectric layer is substantially planar between the passive element and the dummy passive element; and forming in the dielectric layer an interconnect to the passive element through the dielectric layer and a dummy interconnect portion overlapping at least a portion of the dummy passive element. The methods eliminate the need for planarizing.
US08119490B2
A semiconductor substrate and a base substrate made from an insulator are prepared; an oxide film containing a chlorine atom is formed over the semiconductor substrate; the semiconductor substrate is irradiated with accelerated ions through the oxide film to form an embrittled region at a predetermined depth from a surface of the semiconductor substrate; plasma treatment of the oxide film is performed by applying a bias voltage; a surface of the semiconductor substrate and a surface of the base substrate are disposed opposite to each other to bond a surface of the oxide film and the surface of the base substrate to each other; and heat treatment is performed to cause separation along the embrittled region after bonding the surface of the oxide film and the surface of the base substrate to each other, thereby forming a semiconductor film over the base substrate with the oxide film interposed therebetween.
US08119487B2
A Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The method includes implanting first conduction type impurities into a semiconductor substrate to form a first well, implanting second conduction type impurities into the first well to form a second well, implanting second conduction type impurities into the second well to form an impurity region, forming a gate on the semiconductor substrate, and implanting second conduction type impurities to form a drain region in the impurity region on one side of the gate.
US08119474B2
A method of manufacture and device for a dual-gate CMOS structure. The structure includes a first plate in an insulating layer and a second plate above the insulating layer electrically corresponding to the first plate. An isolation structure is between the first plate and the second plate.
US08119472B2
A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing is provided. The method of manufacturing includes forming shallow trench isolation (STI) in a substrate and providing a first material and a second material on the substrate. The first material and the second material are mixed into the substrate by a thermal anneal process to form a first island and second island at an nFET region and a pFET region, respectively. A layer of different material is formed on the first island and the second island. The STI relaxes and facilitates the relaxation of the first island and the second island. The first material may be deposited or grown Ge material and the second material may deposited or grown Si:C or C. A strained Si layer is formed on at least one of the first island and the second island.
US08119466B2
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, e.g., a field effect transistor (FET), that includes at least one one-dimensional nanostructure that is typically a carbon-based nanomaterial, as the device channel, and a metal carbide contact that is self-aligned with the gate region of the device is described. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a CMOS device.
US08119464B2
Semiconductor devices with high-K/metal gates are formed with spacers that are substantially resistant to subsequent etching to remove an overlying spacer, thereby avoiding replacement and increasing manufacturing throughput. Embodiments include forming a high-K/metal gate, having an upper surface and side surfaces, over a substrate, e.g., a SOI substrate, and sequentially forming, on the side surfaces of the high-K/metal gate, a first spacer of a non-oxide material, a second spacer, of a material different from that of the first spacer, and a third spacer, of a material different from that of the second spacer. After formation of source and drain regions, e.g., epitaxially grown silicon-germanium, the third spacer is etched with an etchant, such as hot phosphoric acid, to which the second spacer is substantially resistant, thereby avoiding replacement.
US08119456B2
An electronic packaging having at least one bond pad positioned on a chip for effectuating through-wafer connections to an integrated circuit. The electronic package is equipped with an edge seat between the bond pad region and an active circuit region, and includes a crack stop, which is adapted to protect the arrangement from the entry of deleterious moisture and combination into the active regions of the chip containing the bond pads.
US08119455B1
A method of forming an electronic component package includes coupling a first surface of an electronic component to a first surface of a first dielectric strip, the electronic component comprising bond pads on the first surface; forming first via apertures through the first dielectric strip to expose the bond pads; and filling the first via apertures with an electrically conductive material to form first vias electrically coupled to the bond pads. The bond pads are directly connected to the corresponding first vias without the use of a solder and without the need to form a solder wetting layer on the bond pads.
US08119453B2
A method of manufacturing semiconductor chips includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having on its front side a plurality of chip forming areas; sticking a support to the front surface of the substrate via an adhesive sheet; forming through holes extending from the back surface of the substrate; forming a groove along each of boundaries between the chip forming areas, the groove extending from the back surface of the substrate through the adhesive sheet to the support to expose cross-sections of the adhesive sheet; forming an insulating film over the back surface so as to cover side walls of the through holes and the cross-sections of the adhesive sheet; and dicing the substrate along the grooves with the insulating film remaining.
US08119448B2
A semiconductor chip comprises a substrate including a front surface and a rear surface, the substrate having a first via hole formed in the front surface and a second via hole formed in the rear surface, a first conductive plug formed on the substrate, the first conductive plug including a first portion formed in the first via hole and a second portion protruding from the front surface of the substrate, and a second conductive plug formed on the first conductive plug, the second conductive plug having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first conductive plug.
US08119445B2
Organic semiconductor devices exhibit desirable mobility characteristics. In connection with various example embodiments, a monolayer of methyl-terminated molecules exhibits density characteristics that are sufficient to promote two-dimensional growth of organic semiconductor material formed thereupon. In some applications, the methyl-terminated molecules are sufficiently dense to dominate inter-layer interactions between layers of the organic semiconductor material.
US08119441B2
A method for manufacturing a solar cell comprises disposing a first doping layer on a substrate, forming a first doping layer pattern by patterning the first doping layer to expose a portion of the substrate, disposing a second doping layer on the first doping layer pattern to cover the exposed portion of the substrate, diffusing an impurity from the first doping layer pattern which forms a first doping region in a surface of the substrate, and diffusing an impurity from the second doping layer which forms a second doping region in the surface of the substrate, wherein the forming of the first doping layer pattern uses an etching paste.
US08119436B2
An image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The image sensor can include a semiconductor substrate that includes photodiodes arranged for each unit pixel; an interlayer dielectric layer and metal wirings disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and a photorefractive unit that is formed on the periphery of an optical path incident on the photodiodes. The photorefractive unit has a lower refractive index than the interlayer dielectric layer. The slantly incident light can be incident on the photodiodes, while maintaining the slanted optical path as it is. The light sensitivity of the photodiodes can be improved, thereby improving image quality.
US08119435B2
A backside illuminated image sensor comprises a sensor layer having a plurality of photosensitive elements of a pixel array, an oxide layer adjacent a backside surface of the sensor layer, and at least one dielectric layer adjacent a frontside surface of the sensor layer. A color filter array is formed on a backside surface of the oxide layer, and a transparent cover is attached to the backside surface of the oxide layer overlying the color filter array. Redistribution metal conductors are in electrical contact with respective bond pad conductors through respective openings in the dielectric layer. A redistribution passivation layer is formed over the redistribution metal conductors, and contact metallizations are in electrical contact with respective ones of the respective redistribution metal conductors through respective openings in the redistribution passivation layer. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.
US08119428B2
An object is to provide a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device having high light emission output and allowing decrease in forward voltage (Vf). The invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor light emitting device including at least an n-type nitride semiconductor, a p-type nitride semiconductor and an active layer formed between the n-type nitride semiconductor and the p-type nitride semiconductor, wherein the n-type nitride semiconductor includes at least an n-type contact layer and an n-side GaN layer, the n-side GaN layer consists of a single or a plurality of undoped and/or n-type layers, and the method includes the step of forming the n-side GaN layer by organic metal vapor deposition with the growth temperature set within the range of 500 to 1000° C., such that the n-side GaN layer is formed between the n-type contact layer and the active layer.
US08119424B2
A process of forming an electronic device can include forming a stack including a tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier layer can have a ratio of the metal atoms to oxygen atoms of greater than a stoichiometric ratio, wherein the ratio has a particular value. The process can also include forming a gettering layer having a composition capable of gettering oxygen, and depositing an insulating layer over the gettering layer. The process can further include exposing the insulating layer to a temperature of at least approximately 60° C. In one embodiment, after such exposure, a portion of the gettering layer is converted to an insulating material. In another embodiment, an electronic device can include a magnetic tunnel junction and an adjacent insulating layer lying within an opening in another insulating layer.
US08119422B2
Chemiluminescent acridinium esters are provided which are fast light emitting and hydrolytically stable. The chemiluminescent acridinium esters are useful labels in assays for detecting or quantifying analytes.
US08119416B2
Methods and compounds are provided to improve the desorption and ionization of analyte for mass spectrometry analysis. More specifically, it is for laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The method uses photon energy absorbing molecules that can bind with analyte either temporarily or permanently to improve the desorption and ionization of analyte. The photon energy absorbing molecules can be positively charged or negatively charged.
US08119412B2
A use composition monitor determines the concentration of peracid and/or peroxide in a use composition using a kinetic assay procedure. A sample mixture containing a sample of the use composition, a diluent and at least one reagent is prepared and analyzed using, for example, an optical detector. Response data obtained by the detector is indicative of the optical absorbance of the sample mixture as a function of time. A processor analyzes the response data to determine a corresponding best fit linear relationship. The initial absorbance of the sample mixture is indicative of the concentration of peracid in the use composition, while the slope of the best fit equation is indicative of the concentration of peroxide in the use composition.
US08119411B2
The present invention provides a method for analyzing the C-terminal amino acid sequence of a peptide by using a reaction for successively releasing the C-terminal amino acids of the peptide, which method can suppress, when successively releasing the C-terminal amino acids of a peptide of long amino acid length, such a undesirable side reaction as cleavage of peptide bond in the intermediate position of the peptide and can carry out the chemical treatment thereof under widely applicable conditions; In the method, a dry sample of a peptide with long amino acid length is beforehand subjected to an N-acylation treatment; by using a reaction reagent where an alkanoic acid anhydride is combined with a small amount of a perfluoroalkanoic acid, successive release of C-terminal amino acids is conducted under mild conditions; a hydrolysis treatment is applied; then, selective fragmentization at site of arginine residue is performed by digestion by trypsin; thereafter, decreases in molecular weight are measured for the C-terminal side fragments derived from a series of reaction products with use of a MALDI-TOF-MS apparatus; thereby, the C-terminal amino acid sequence of the peptide sample is identified.
US08119407B2
What is described is a single reference material and method of making useful for calibrating or qualifying instruments that are diagnostic spectroscopically for bilirubin, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin fractions, and, optionally, diagnostic for other blood analytes by sensor means.
US08119401B2
The present invention to methods for producing mononuclear cells overexpressing IL-10. The method comprises the ex vivo introduction of an expression construct comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having IL-10 activity into peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a subject. The thus obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells have an altered phenotype as a result of the expression of an introduced IL-10 transgene. In particular the invention relates to CD4+ T cells that functionally behave as regulatory T cells as a result of the expression of an IL-10 transgene. The IL-10 transgenic mononuclear cells may be used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, particularly T helper 1-mediated inflammatory diseases.
US08119396B2
Recombinant adenoviruses or pseudoviruses having a deletion of all or part of the region of the adenovirus genome corresponding to nucleotides 311 to 499 in canine adenovirus type 2 (GeneBank J04368). Therapeutic methods of using the recombinant adenovirus or pseudovirus.
US08119390B2
Methods and compositions are described that relate to obtaining concentrated preparations of secreted recombinant proteins. These proteins are expressed in the form of fusion proteins with a chitin-binding domain (CBD). The fusion proteins are capable of being concentrated in the presence of chitin. Also described is: a shuttle vector that includes a modified LAC4 promoter; a chitinase-negative host cell; a CBD capable of eluting from chitin under non-denaturing conditions; and sterilized chitin, which can be optionally magnetized for facilitating recovery of recombinant protein.
US08119388B2
The present invention provides novel MDCK-derived adherent non-tumorigenic cell lines that can be grown in the presence or absence of serum. The cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of vaccine material (e.g., viruses). More specifically, the cell lines of the present invention are useful for the production of influenza viruses in general and ca/ts influenza viruses in particular. The invention further provides methods and media formulations for the adaptation and cultivation of MDCK cells such that they remain non-tumorigenic. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for the production of vaccine material (e.g., influenza virus) in the novel cell lines of the invention.
US08119387B2
A new strain Bacillus sp. P203 (Bacillus plakortiensis) is disclosed. Isolated mature functional polypeptide which is obtainable from the bacterium strain Bacillus sp. P203 deposited under accession number DSM 17419 are disclosed.
US08119386B2
The present invention relates to isolated proteases of the RP-II type and variants of RP-II proteases exhibiting improved properties in comparison to the parent RP-II protease, DNA constructs and vectors coding for the expression of said proteases and variants, host cells capable of expressing the proteases and variants from the DNA constructs, as well as a method of producing them by cultivating said host cells. The proteases may advantageously be used as constituents in detergent compositions and additives, optionally in combination with other enzymes such as proteases, lipases, cellulases, amylases, peroxidases or oxidases.
US08119382B2
Methods are provided for making restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity by one or more targeted mutations to a catalytic site within the restriction endonuclease. Examples of modifications to restriction endonucleases with significant sequence identity with KpnI are provided and reduced star activity demonstrated.
US08119375B2
An improved method for preparing ramipril is disclosed, and also an intermediate for use in the method.
US08119374B2
This invention relates to the nucleotide sequence of coryneform bacteria coding for proteins which are involved in L-serine metabolism with reduced and switched off L-serine dehydratase activity. The invention also relates to microorganisms used in methods for producing L-serine.
US08119356B2
The present invention relates to an analyzing method of measuring the changes of glycosylation in various glycoproteins which participate in tumorigenesis and metastasis.
US08119351B2
The present invention provides a method of screening a subject for mutations in the CC2D2A gene that are associated with Joubert syndrome, an autosomal recessive form of mental retardation. The present invention also provides proteins that are associated with Joubert syndrome including proteins comprising an amino acid sequence that terminates in DHEGGSGMES (SEQ ID NO: 1). Also provided are nucleotide sequences encoding such proteins and methods of screening subjects to identify nucleotide sequences or proteins associated with Joubert syndrome.
US08119346B2
The present invention relates to methods and reagents for modifying the emission of light from labeled nucleic acids for the purpose of real time detection, analysis, and quantitation of nucleic acid sequences, e.g., using singly labeled probes. These methods and reagents exploit advantageous properties of thiazine dyes and diazine dyes. Furthermore, the use of these light emission modifiers in background reduction, nucleic acid duplex stabilization and other uses is also described. Related kits, reaction mixtures and integrated systems are described.
US08119344B2
Homozygous alterations in the gap junction protein GJB2 (connexin 26), within the DFNB1 locus, are responsible for up to 50% of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI). Analysis of the GJB2 promoter revealed the potential importance of T-228C in the regulation of GJB2 expression. Of regulatory factors known to be expressed in the inner ear, the T-228C transition would delete potential binding sites for the X-box binding protein (RFX1) and the H6 homeobox 3 (HMX3/Nk×5.1) transcription factor which has been linked to hearing impairment. These results suggest that T-228C may represent the most common mutation associated with development of NSHI in Caucasian populations identified to date and should be included in worldwide newborn screening programs for NSHI.
US08119336B2
The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers and compositions and kits containing the same for rapid identification of alphaviruses by amplification of a segment of viral nucleic acid followed by molecular mass analysis.
US08119332B2
A method for manufacturing a coordinate detector having a resistive film formed on a substrate formed of an insulating material and a common electrode for applying a voltage to the resistive film. The substrate includes a quadrangular shape. The method includes the steps of a) forming first resistive film removal regions by removing predetermined first regions of the resistive film provided along a peripheral edge of the substrate, b) forming the common electrode on the first resistive film removal regions, c) applying voltage to the resistive film, d) measuring an electric potential of the resistive film, e) calculating second resistive film removal region data according to the measured electric potential, and f) forming second resistive film removal regions by irradiating a laser beam to predetermined second regions of the resistive film according to the calculated second resistive film removal region data.
US08119327B2
The present invention relates to functionalized acrylate polymers, a process for their preparation, photopolymerizable compositions comprising these polymers and the use of the compositions, especially in the production of electronic components. The functionalized acrylate polymers are reaction products comprising at least a) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or a mixture of acrylic and methacrylic acid and b) a (meth)acrylic ester of substituted or unsubstituted phenol, C1-C8 hydroxyalkylbenzene or C1-C8 hydroxyalkoxybenzene and methyl(meth)acrylate in a molar ratio of from 5:95 to 100:0. 5-90% of the acrylic or methacrylic acid units having reacted with a glycidylvinyl compound.
US08119320B2
A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet is provided in a form that it is wound into a roll and all periphery of the roll is covered with a protective sheet, and in which the heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet contains, on a support, at least one receptor layer containing a latex polymer, and at least one heat-insulating layer containing hollow polymer particles.
US08119310B1
A method includes providing a layout of an integrated circuit design, and generating a plurality of double patterning decompositions from the layout, with each of the plurality of double patterning decompositions including patterns separated to a first mask and a second mask of a double patterning mask set. A maximum shift between the first and the second masks is determined, wherein the maximum shift is a maximum expected mask shift in a manufacturing process for implementing the layout on a wafer. For each of the plurality of double patterning decompositions, a worst-case performance value is simulated using mask shifts within a range defined by the maximum shift.
US08119305B2
An electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a porous separator, between the first and second electrodes, a first channel, having an inlet and an outlet, and a second channel, having an inlet and an outlet. The first channel is contiguous with the first electrode and the porous separator, and the second channel is contiguous with the second electrode and the porous separator.
US08119295B2
A battery system includes a metal oxygen battery. The metal oxygen battery includes a first electrode, an oxygen storage material, and a selective transport member separating the oxygen storage material and the first electrode.
US08119294B2
A method is provided for reducing degradation in a fuel cell assembly, including at least one fuel cell with a PBI membrane, during standby, operation. The method may include electrochemically consuming an oxidant from a cathode coupled to the PBI membrane in response to a disconnection of an external load and supplying fuel to remove or electrochemically consume any back-diffused oxidant to the associated fuel cell sufficient to replace or consume the back-diffused oxidant while the external load is removed, and/or also may include controlling a standby temperature of the fuel cell. In this way, it may be possible to avoid increased cell voltage decay associated with degradation of the PBI in a simple and cost effective system.
US08119282B2
The invention relates to a cell connector (6) for a battery, especially for absorbing, in conjunction with at least one damping element (9), the vertical forces that are caused by the impact of shocks. The cell connector (6), at one end, is connected to the positive or negative electrodes (4, 5) which are received in a housing (2) having a housing cover (3), and, at the other end, comprises at least one terminal (7, 8) projecting from the housing cover (3). The aim of the invention is to elastically dampen the electrode plates (4, 5) of an accumulator (1) which are disposed inside a housing (2). For this purpose, a terminal (6) having a supporting shoulder (11), integrally molded thereto, is used in the housing (2), a damping element (9), disposed between the housing cover (3) of an accumulator (1) and the cell connector (6), coming to rest thereon. The forces caused by the impact of shocks are passed from the cell connector (6) into the damping element (9) and from the at least one damping element (6) into the housing cover (3) via large-area plane faces (30, 31), said cover being fixed to the housing (2). This measure allows to elastically cushion the electrode plates (4, 5) inside the housing (2). For this purpose, the at least one damping element (9) has corresponding large dimensions and is adapted to receive higher vertical forces. The invention also allows the terminals (7, 8) to move in relation to the housing cover (3) if there is a movement of the electrode plates (4, 5) in relation to the housing (2).
US08119281B2
The secondary battery includes: a can, and electrode assembly disposed in the can; a protection circuit board disposed around an opening of the can, including an external connection terminal; a double-coated adhesive tape interposed between the can and the protection circuit board; a cap assembly including a cap-up, to seal the opening of the can; a first lead connected to the protection circuit board and welded to the cap-up; a second lead connected to the protection circuit board and welded to a bead of the can; and a top cover having a terminal hole corresponding to the external connection terminal.
US08119280B2
A cap assembly for use in an electrochemical cell. The cap assembly includes a tab collection post, a core insert, and at least one current collecting tab connected at one end to an electrode foil in the electrochemical cell, and horizontally connected at the other end to the tab collection post and the core insert. The at least one current collecting tab is disposed between and welded with the tab collection post and the core insert. The cap assembly also includes a shock absorber disposed around the core insert.
US08119274B2
Provided is a stacked-type secondary battery comprising a battery cell formed by stacking a plurality of full cells having a structure of cathode/separator/anode or bicells having a structure of cathode(anode)/separator/anode(cathode)/separator/cathode(anode), as a unit electrode assembly, wherein a cathode active material and/or an anode active material in two or more unit electrode assemblies are configured to have a different composition to induce a voltage difference and separate electrode terminals are installed in a battery case according to the voltage difference to thereby simultaneously provide two or more voltages by a single battery.
US08119273B1
The invention relates to a unique battery having an active, porous membrane and method of making the same. More specifically the invention relates to a sealed battery system having a porous, metal oxide membrane with uniform, physicochemically functionalized ion channels capable of adjustable ionic interaction. The physicochemically-active porous membrane purports dual functions: an electronic insulator (separator) and a unidirectional ion-transporter (electrolyte). The electrochemical cell membrane is activated for the transport of ions by contiguous ion coordination sites on the interior two-dimensional surfaces of the trans-membrane unidirectional pores. The membrane material is designed to have physicochemical interaction with ions. Control of the extent of the interactions between the ions and the interior pore walls of the membrane and other materials, chemicals, or structures contained within the pores provides adjustability of the ionic conductivity of the membrane.
US08119268B2
Glass for information recording media substrate, glass substrate for magnetic disk and magnetic disk
To provide a glass for an information recording media substrate, which is excellent in weather resistance.A glass for an information recording media substrate, which comprises, as represented by mol % based on oxide, from 61 to 66% of SiO2, from 11.5 to 17% of Al2O3, from 8 to 16% of Li2O, from 2 to 8% of Na2O, from 2.5 to 8% of K2O, from 0 to 6% of MgO, from 0 to 4% of TiO2 and from 0 to 3% of ZrO2, provided that Al2O3+MgO+TiO2 is at least 12%, and Li2O+Na2O+K2O is from 16 to 23%, wherein in a case of where B2O3 is contained, its content is less than 1%. The above glass for an information recording media substrate, wherein when the glass is left under steam atmosphere at 120° C. at 0.2 MPa for 20 hours, and the amount of Li, the amount of Na and the amount of K, which precipitate on a surface of the glass are represented as CLi, CNa and CK respectively, CNa is at most 0.7 nmol/cm2, and CLi+CNa+CK is at most 3.5 nmol/cm2.
US08119265B2
A thin film structure, such as a magnetic recording media, having a magnetic layer and a stress-effecting layer is disclosed. The stress-effecting layer induces a magneto-elastic anisotropy in the magnetic layer. The stress-effecting layer can be activated by the application of an external stress and/or strain. The induced magneto-elastic anisotropy can transiently achieve and/or enhance a tilt angle of the medium. The medium can be a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, a longitudinal magnetic recording medium and/or a tilted magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording media is suitable for use with a data storage system, such as a HAMR data storage system.
US08119259B2
An object is to provide a novel quinoxaline derivative. Another object is to provide a light-emitting element with low driving voltage and less power consumption. Further, another object is to provide a light-emitting device and an electronic device each consuming less power by using the light-emitting element. A quinoxaline derivative represented by a general formula (G11) is provided, in which at least one of carbon at a 2-position and carbon at a 3-position, and carbon at a 2-position of benzoxazole are bound via an arylene group.
US08119252B2
An electroconductive endless belt can withstand repeated continuous operation, in particular has anti-setting properties, and has consistent gloss and electrical conductivity. An image-forming apparatus including the electroconductive endless belt is also provided. The electroconductive endless belt contains a substrate and a conductive filler. The substrate contains a thermoplastic polyalkylene naphthalate resin and at least two types of thermoplastic resins having an ester bond other than the thermoplastic polyalkylene naphthalate resin. The weight ratio of the thermoplastic polyalkylene naphthalate resin to the at least two types of thermoplastic resins having an ester bond is in the range of 95:5 to 55:45. The at least two types of thermoplastic resins having an ester bond contains at least one amorphous thermoplastic resin and at least one crystalline thermoplastic resin.
US08119251B2
The reaction of diner acids, C10-C20 dicarboxylic acids, and alkylene diamines having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms provides polyamides having good oil and solvent resistance, high heat resistance, flexibility, and relatively low melt viscosities.
US08119249B2
A silicone resin composition is provided, which includes polysiloxane including (PSA1), (PSA2), (PSB) and (PSC), and a hydrosilylating catalyst, wherein a weight ratio between (PSA2) and (PSA1) (w2/w1) is 0.03-0.2:
US08119247B2
Environmental barrier coatings providing CMAS mitigation capability for ceramic substrate components
Environmental barrier coatings having CMAS mitigation capability for silicon-containing components. In one embodiment, the barrier coating includes a bond coat layer comprising silicon or silicide, and an outer layer selected from the group consisting of Ln4Al2O9, and Lna4Ga2O9.
US08119244B2
An active energy ray-curable resin composition comprises a compound (A) having an active energy ray-curable unsaturated bond in a molecule, an anti-staining property-imparting agent (B) which is a fluorine-containing polyether compound having a perfluoropolyether unit, a urethane bond and an active energy ray-curable unsaturated bond in a molecule, a compound (C) represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 may be either the same or different, and are respectively an organic group having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a vinyl group, an epoxy group, a (meth)acryloxy group, an amino group and a mercapto group, and n is an integer of 0 or more; and inorganic fine particles (D).
US08119241B2
A method for growing a low-resistance phosphorus-doped epitaxial thin film having a specific resistance of 300 Ωcm or less at 300 K on a principal surface of a {111} monocrystal substrate under conditions in which the phosphorus atom/carbon atom ratio is 3% or higher, includes the principal surface having an off-angle of 0.50° or greater. The diamond monocrystal having a low-resistance phosphorus-doped diamond epitaxial thin film is such that the thin-film surface has an off-angle of 0.50° or greater with respect to the {111} plane, and the specific resistance of the low-resistance phosphorus-doped diamond epitaxial thin film is 300 Ωcm or less at 300 K.
US08119238B2
A self-healing system for an insulation material initiates a self-repair process by rupturing a plurality of microcapsules disposed on the insulation material. When the plurality of microcapsules are ruptured, reactants within the plurality of microcapsules react to form a replacement polymer in a break of the insulation material. This self-healing system has the ability to repair multiple breaks in a length of insulation material without exhausting the repair properties of the material.
US08119230B2
A transparent film, which has a rugged surface with tiny cilia, is prepared by the tetrapod-shaped ZnO (zinc oxide) nanopowders coated with polymers including CFX and/or CHX functional group(s). This transparent film possesses UV-shielding and water/oil repellent functions, which can be applied to textiles, glass, woods, ceramics, tiles, plastics, and metals.
US08119228B2
Disclosed are a polycarbonate resin composition obtained by blending a specific amount of an acrylic resin (B) having a specific viscosity average molecular weight or a specific amount of a polyorganosiloxane into a polycarbonate resin containing a polycarbonate copolymer (A) having repeating structural units represented by the general formulae (I) and (II) below and an optical molded body using the resin composition such as a light guide member. The polycarbonate resin composition enables to obtain a molded body having good light conductivity and being free from yellowing due to thermal deterioration, even when it is molded into a large-sized light guide member or light guide plate.
US08119220B2
Disclosed is a multilayer material in which at least two components are jointed to each other via an adhesive bond. The adhesive bond is formed by an adhesive or bonding layer containing nanofiber material in a matrix that is suitable as an adhesive.
US08119210B2
In one embodiment, a method for depositing a capping layer on a dielectric layer in a process chamber is provided which includes depositing the dielectric layer on a substrate surface, depositing a silicon-containing layer by an ALD process, comprising alternately pulsing a silicon precursor and an oxidizing gas into the process chamber, and exposing the silicon-containing layer to a nitridation process. In another embodiment, a method for depositing a silicon-containing capping layer on a dielectric layer in a process chamber by an ALD process is provided which includes flowing a silicon precursor into the process chamber, purging the process chamber with a purge gas, flowing an oxidizing gas comprising water formed by flowing a H2 gas and an oxygen-containing gas through a water vapor generator, and purging the process chamber with the purge gas.
US08119208B2
There is disclosed an apparatus and method for focused electric field enhanced plasma-based ion implantation. The apparatus includes an implantation chamber, a vacuum pump for maintaining the pressure in the implantation chamber at a desired level, a sample holder, means for applying a negative potential to the sample holder, and means for supplying a gaseous or vaporized implantation material. The supplying means takes the form of a feed conduit having an exit opening located in the implantation chamber above the sample holder, and when a negative potential is applied to the sample holder the exit opening of the feed conduit is maintained at a potential that is positive relative to the sample holder.
US08119207B2
A process for manufacturing set cellular cement, including the steps of: (i) mixing cementitious material, water, foaming agent and optionally additives into a free flowing slurry having a slump of at least 100 mm; subsequently (ii) injecting and distributing air into the slurry of step (i) to form a cellular slurry; subsequently (iii) casting the cellular slurry of step (ii); and finally allowing the cellular slurry to set. And, an apparatus for carrying out the process.
US08119205B2
The invention is directed to a method for producing Palladium alloy composite membranes that are useful in applications that involve the need to separate hydrogen from a gas mixture. The method includes providing a substrate for supporting a palladium alloy film, seeding the support surface with palladium crystallites to produce an activated surface, first plating, over the activated surface, a palladium film, second plating, over the palladium film, an alloying material other than silver, and annealing the porous substrate, palladium film, and alloying material so that there is intermetallic diffusion of the alloying material into the palladium film to produce a palladium alloy film over the porous substrate.
US08119204B2
A binder material layer including an evaporation material is formed over a main surface of an evaporation source substrate, a substrate on which a film is formed is placed so that the binder material layer and a main surface thereof face each other, and heat treatment is performed on a rear surface of the evaporation source substrate so that the evaporation material in the binder material layer is heated to be subjected to sublimation or the like, whereby a layer of the evaporation material is formed on the substrate on which a film is formed. When a low molecular material is used for the evaporation material and a high molecular material is used for the binder material, the viscosity can be easily adjusted, and thus, film formation is possible with higher throughput than conventional film formation.
US08119195B2
The present invention pertains to the use of quaternary organic ammonium compounds for the reduction of efflorescence in building materials. In addition, a mixture containing at least one quaternary organic ammonium compound and at least one water-soluble organic polymer and, optionally, further additives is described. The mixture according to the invention can be prepared by a) at least one quaternary organic ammonium compound and at least one water-soluble organic polymer being mixed with one another in water and the obtained aqueous mixture optionally being subsequently dried, or b) at least one powdery quaternary organic ammonium compound and at least one powdery water-soluble organic polymer being mixed with one another, or c) at least one liquid and/or dissolved quaternary organic ammonium compound being applied on at least one powdery water-soluble organic polymer, in particular by means of spraying, adsorption, mixing, fluidized bed drying and/or granulation.
US08119194B2
An infrared radiation reflecting transparent layer system on a transparent substrate and a method for producing same is provided. The infrared radiation reflecting layer system comprises an infrared radiation reflecting layer sequence which includes a selective function usually consisting of a noble metal, mostly silver, or an alloy thereof and having a good selective reflectivity in the infrared range. The layer sequence is supplemented by at least one transparent dielectric layer of an oxynitride of a metal, a semiconductor or a semiconductor alloy having a low to moderate refractive index arranged directly on the substrate or above the infrared radiation reflecting layer sequence.
US08119192B2
The method of manufacturing a piezoelectric element includes: a lower electrode forming step of forming a lower electrode on a surface of a substrate; a piezoelectric film deposition step of depositing a piezoelectric film made of a piezoelectric material by one of epitaxial growth and oriented growth onto a surface of the lower electrode reverse to a surface adjacent to the substrate; an upper electrode forming step of forming an upper electrode onto a surface of the piezoelectric film reverse to a surface adjacent to the lower electrode; and a polarization direction reversal step of reversing a polarization direction of the piezoelectric film by maintaining, after the upper electrode forming step, a state for a prescribed duration where a temperature of the piezoelectric film is set to a first temperature while application of an electric field to the piezoelectric film in a direction from the upper electrode toward the lower electrode is performed, then keeping the application of the electric field while lowering the temperature of the piezoelectric film to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and then stopping the application of the electric field.
US08119188B2
A method of forming a film consisted of an organic compound material at low cost using an organic compound material having the high luminescence efficiency is provided. The present invention is characterized by the fact that a layer containing an organic compound is formed on the substrate under the inactive gas atmosphere by spreading the colloidal solution (referred to as sol) in which an aggregate of organic compound is dispersed. Noted that in the present invention, an organic compound may be particulate that several pieces of organic compound is aggregated in the liquid, or may be an organic compound partially dissolved in the liquid. Moreover, according to the present invention, a metal thin film is formed using the colloidal solution in which a metal material having a small work function is dispersed on the layer containing an organic compound by a coat method and made it a cathode or one portion of a cathode.
US08119182B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a chocolate drink having a smooth texture in the mouth without graininess, a refreshing aftertaste and also an excellent and rich flavor.More specifically, the present invention provides a method for producing a chocolate drink, which comprises the step of extracting cacao nibs with water and the step of removing insoluble solids from the extract, wherein the liquid temperature in both steps is set at a temperature higher than the melting point of cacao fat/oil. Thus, the present invention enables the provision of cacao fat/oil-rich chocolate drinks, in which the formation of precipitates is inhibited and no solidification of cacao fat/oil occurs during storage. The chocolate drinks have a smooth texture in the mouth without graininess, a refreshing aftertaste, and also an excellent flavor.
US08119177B2
Method for the preparation of a crumbly, and expanded dairy product, comprising the steps of subjecting a hard cheese with a humidity content lower than or equal to 45% to a microwave treatment until a crumbly and expanded product with a humidity content lower than 15% is obtained, which is subjected to immediate cooling with dry air at 4-10° C., wherein the starting hard cheese is finely divided.
US08119174B2
A ready to eat breakfast cereal is prepared by coating dried cereal base pieces with a low sugar sweetener in powder form such as a high conversion maltodextrin or low conversion corn syrup that includes a high potency sweetener. The cereal is pre-coated with a liquid oil for better adhesion of the powdered low sugar sweetener. The low sugar coating has a sugars content of less than 10% yet provides taste, texture, appearance and bowl life that mimics presweetened RTE cereals having a sucrose based coating.
US08119168B2
Disclosed are compositions comprising an effective amount of a zinc containing material having an aqueous solubility within the composition of less than about 25% by weight at 25° C.; from about 5% to about 50% of a surfactant; and from about 40% to about 95% water; wherein the pH of the composition is greater than about 7. Further disclosed are compositions comprising an effective amount of a zinc containing material having an aqueous solubility within the composition of less than about 25% by weight at 25° C.; from about 5% to about 50% of a surfactant; and from about 0.1% to about 5% of a zinc ionophoric material; from about 40% to about 95% water; and wherein the pH of the composition is greater than about 7.
US08119166B2
A method of treatment for epilepsy and other disease states is described, which comprises delivery of gabapentin in a gastric retained dosage form.
US08119157B2
Stable solutions of lipophilic drugs, such as cyclosporin, forming a polar lipid self-emulsifying drug delivery system. The solutions can include lipophilic drugs, such as cyclosporin, dissolved in a polar lipid, such as having a C6-C12 fatty acid monoglyceride content of at least about 50%, surfactants and triglycerides. The composition forms a fine emulsion on exposure to water. The encapsulated dosage form of this composition needs neither a hydrophilic component nor air-tight blister packaging, and is particularly suitable for oral administration.
US08119154B2
Biocompatible intraocular implants include a steroid and a polymer associated with each other to facilitate release of the steroid into an eye for a period of time greater than about two months. The steroid may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the steroid may be associated with a polymeric coating having one or more openings effective to permit the steroid to be released into an external environment. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions. The steroid is released from the implant for more than about two months, and may be release for more than several years.
US08119153B2
The present invention relates generally to medical devices, preferably a stent, having a drug eluting surface coated or covered with a coating of particles comprising at least an outer layer, an inner layer, and a core comprising a therapeutic agent. Specifically, the invention relates to medical devices having a hydrophilic coating comprising particles with a hydrophilic outer layer, a hydrophobic inner layer, and a core comprising a hydrophobic therapeutic agent, as well as medical devices having a hydrophobic coating comprising particles with a hydrophobic outer layer, a hydrophilic inner layer, and a core comprising a hydrophilic therapeutic agent. The coating, outer layer, and inner layer are preferably biodegradable and capable of providing sustained release of the therapeutic agent over a time period. The invention also relates to methods of making and methods of using the coated or covered medical device.
US08119151B2
The present invention is directed to methods, systems, devices, and kits for coating portions of a medical device or other work piece as well as to medical devices that have themselves been coated in accord with the invention. Under methods of the invention, portions of a medical device may be selectively coated. The method may include providing a medical device, an applicator, and a spreader. A layer of coating having a thickness may then be applied to a target surface of the medical device with the applicator. When the coating is applied, the spreader can be positioned in contact with the coating to reduce the coating thickness by spreading the coating over a larger surface area of the target surface.
US08119128B2
Anti-uPA antibodies and antigen-binding regions thereof, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antibodies and antigen-binding regions, are described. Also described are methods of using such antibodies and antigen-binding regions to bind uPA epitopes and activate uPA function, such as inhibition of uPA mediated inflammation. Epitopes that can be used to activate uPA function and anti-inflammation activity are also described, as well as methods of identifying compounds that can bind them.
US08119127B2
Methods for treating neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases or disorders in humans by administering to the human a therapeutically effective dose of specific biologics are presented. The biologics of consideration include antagonists of tumor necrosis factor or of interleukin-1. The administration of these biologics is performed by specific methods, most, but not all of which fall into the category of anatomically localized administration designed for perispinal use. Anatomically localized administration involving perispinal use includes, but is not limited to the subcutaneous, intramuscular, interspinous, epidural, peridural, parenteral or intrathecal routes. Additionally, intranasal administration is discussed as a method to provide therapeutic benefit.The clinical conditions of consideration include, but are not limited to the following: diseases of the brain, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease; migraine headache; spinal radiculopathy associated with intervertebral disc herniation, post-herpetic neuralgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, neuropathic pain, vertebral disc disease, low back pain, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome; and neuropsychiatric diseases, including bipolar affective disorder, anorexia nervosa, nicotine withdrawal, narcotic addiction, alcohol withdrawal, post-partum depression, and schizoaffective illness.
US08119123B2
The invention provides compositions of adult cardiac vascular progenitor cells (VPCs) and adult cardiac myocyte progenitor cells (MPCs) useful for the treatment of various cardiac conditions. The invention also encompasses methods of generating a biological bypass, repairing damaged myocardium, and treating or preventing hypertensive cardiomyopathy and heart failure with the compositions of the invention. Methods of isolating the cardiac progenitor cells are also disclosed.
US08119116B2
The present invention relates to methods of treating a cancerous tumor using selective inhibitors of ATP production. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations comprising such inhibitors and methods for administering them intraarterially directly to a tumor, as well as methods for identifying compositions that selectively inhibitor ATP production for use in the invention.
US08119115B2
This invention provides a method of inactivating non-enveloped virus particles. The method includes the step of contacting the virus with a virucidally-enhanced alcoholic composition that includes an alcohol, and an enhancer selected from the group consisting of cationic oligomers and polymers, proton donors, chaotropic agents, and mixtures thereof.
US08119110B2
Disclosed herein are a cosmetic composition comprising a cosmetically acceptable organic liquid medium, at least one non-volatile silicone oil and at least one film-forming block ethylenic polymer and use of the composition for making up keratin materials, such as the skin.
US08119109B2
The composition of the present invention is geared towards treating hyperhidrosis or any condition involving and/or promoting excessive sweating, typically involving the whole body, include hyperthyroidism or similar endocrine disorders; endocrine treatment for prostatic cancer or other types of malignant disorder; severe psychiatric disorders; obesity and menopause. The foamable composition of the present invention is suitable for treating palmar hyperhidrosis; axillary hyperhidrosis; plantar hyperhidrosis; hyperhidrosis of the trunk and/or the thighs; and facial hyperhidrosis; and any combination of them consisting of a therapeutic foamable composition including: an active agent, suitable for the treatment or prevention of hyperhidrosis.
US08119105B2
The invention relates to an aerosol container for pharmaceutically active aerosols that are to be administered in predetermined amounts and that are supplied in the container in the form of a suspension, the suspension also comprising, in addition to a pharmaceutically active substance, at least a propellant gas. The aerosol container has a metering valve that comprises a metering chamber and a valve stem. In a first position of the valve stem, the metering chamber is in communication with the interior of the container and has been filled with a predetermined amount of the aerosol. In a second position of the valve stem, the amount of aerosol disposed in the metering chamber is released. The propellant gas is an alternative propellant gas that is free of fluorochlorohydrocarbons, preferably a propellant gas that comprises only fluorohydrocarbons, and the inner wall of the container is coated with a plastics coating.
US08119100B2
The present invention involves methods and apparatus for supplying hydrogen to a fuel cell to produce electricity. Water may be supplied in the form of steam for input to a catalytic converter. The converter may have a substrate element disposed therein coated with an oxide that may be oxidizable with steam and reducible back to an original state without use of a chemical agent. The steam may be converted to hydrogen and oxygen with the hydrogen channeled to an input and the oxygen channeled to an output of the fuel cell. The hydrogen output of the fuel cell and the oxygen may be combined to produce steam. The steam from the output may be recycled to the converter.
US08119091B2
A method of carbon dioxide capture is disclosed. In a step (a) anhydrous sodium carbonate is separated from a first aqueous solution formed by reacting carbon dioxide and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. In step (b) the anhydrous sodium carbonate is treated by causticization to generate carbon dioxide and sodium hydroxide. The first aqueous solution of step (a) is formed by scrubbing a gas containing carbon dioxide with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.
US08119090B2
Disclosed is a method for preparation of a nickel-carbonitride sphere, which includes preparing a melamine-formaldehyde resin, adding a nickel salt and a surfactant to the melamine-formaldehyde resin to prepare a nickel-melamine resin mixture, and conducting spray pyrolysis for the mixture to produce nickel-containing powder including nickel-carbonitride spheres. In addition, this method may further include thermal treatment of the nickel-containing powder.
US08119089B2
A method for making iron silicide nano-wires comprises the following steps. Firstly, providing an iron object and a growing device, and the growing device comprising a heating apparatus and a reacting room. Secondly, placing the iron object into the reacting room. Thirdly, introducing a silicon-containing gas into the reacting room. Finally, heating the reacting room to a temperature of 600˜1200° C.
US08119087B2
Provided is a method of stabilizing and solidifying elemental mercury using sulfur and paraffin. The method includes reacting elemental mercury with sulfur to prepare a mercury sulfide compound, adding a mixture of the mercury sulfide compound and the remaining sulfur after the reaction to high-temperature liquid paraffin to melt the remaining sulfur, and cooling the sulfur to solidify the mercury sulfide compound. According to the method of stabilizing and solidifying elemental mercury using sulfur and paraffin, a surface of a solidified product is covered with a thin paraffin layer to prevent exposure to the outside.
US08119085B2
A process for the heap leaching of multiple ores, the process characterized by the process steps of: (i) the agglomeration or wetting of an ore feed; (ii) exposing the agglomerated or wetted ore to an inoculum containing one or more bacterial species capable of biooxidizing sulphide minerals in that ore; (iii) forming one or more heaps from the ore of step (ii); (iv) dispersing further bacterial inoculum over at least a portion of the or each heap; and (v) recovering leach solution draining from the heap and passing a portion thereof to a means for metal recovery.
US08119083B2
This invention relates to a multiphase reactor which is especially suitable for desulfurization of flue gas. A rotary build-in member comprising a axisymmetric body and an annular axisymmetric body is fixed on the shell of the reactor. The shell is cylindrical, and its surface is smooth or waved. The maximum diameter of the axisymmetric body is no less than the inner diameter of the annular axisymmetric body. The axisymmetric body is installed on the annular axisymmetric body coaxially. One rotary build-in member and its corresponding shell constitute an unit, and the reactor may have one or more such units. The multiphase reactor can effectively improve the flow pattern of the fluid and the contact of gas-liquid-solid three-phase of the reactants, speed up the mass transfer, and prevent deposition of the solid phase. The reactor is simple in structure and convenient for use. It can be used in the fields such as environmental protection, chemical engineering, metallurgy, and architectural industries.
US08119082B2
Plastic test tube for taking blood samples, comprising a hollow tubular body and an adhesive protective film able to adhere to the tubular body. The tubular body is made of polyethylene terephthalate and has: a tubular wall which delimits a working volume and defines an outer surface; an open mouth for insertion of liquids at a first end of the wall; and a bottom for closing a second end of the wall. The adhesive protective film is able to adhere to the wall of the tubular body over at least a portion of the outer surface. The test tube is characterized in that the wall of the tubular body has a thickness in the range of 1 to 3 mm and in that the protective film is defined by a layer of polypropylene, polyethylene or copolymers thereof. The layer has a thickness in the range of between 40 and 60 μm and is able to form a liquid barrier.
US08119073B2
Described is a device for conditioning a comminuted light alloy feedstock to heat and remove impurities from the feedstock. The conditioner device includes a reaction chamber having a substrate feed port for feeding the comminuted light alloy feedstock into the reaction chamber and a discharge port for allowing the conditioned feedstock to exit the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas baffle is positioned at one end of the reaction chamber and coupled to a scrubber gas injector which is configured to inject a scrubber gas through the scrubber gas baffle at a volume and rate of flow sufficient to fluidize the feedstock in the reaction chamber. A scrubber gas heater is also provided for heating the scrubber gas to a temperature sufficient to condition the feedstock as desired.
US08119071B2
The instant application provides apparatus and methods for the generation of chlorine dioxide. The methods and apparatus of the invention use a water dissolvable membrane to allow the reaction of precursor chemicals, e.g., chlorite salt and an acid. The methods and compositions of the invention provide chlorine dioxide for a number of personal and commercial applications.
US08119064B2
Systems, devices, methods, and compositions that improve the scent perception for a user. Improved scent perception is achieved by presenting alternating scents and by varying levels of output of scents, as well as by minimizing device clogging, thereby improving evaporation profiles.
US08119062B2
A method for manufacturing a cutting insert green body having undercuts includes providing a die cavity formed in closed top and bottom dies; closing a bottom of the die cavity by a bottom punch accommodated in a punch tunnel formed in the bottom die; filling the die cavity with a pre-determined amount of sinterable powder; moving a top punch towards the die cavity through a punch tunnel formed in the top die; compacting the powder by urging the top and bottom punches towards each other, thereby forming the green body; and moving the top die and punch away from the bottom die and punch, thereby enabling removal of the formed green body. An apparatus for manufacturing a cutting insert green body having undercuts includes top and bottom dies which abut each other and top and bottom punches which slide in their respective dies.
US08119061B2
A method for attaching a metal structure to a dental coping having opposite sides in the preparation or repair of a dental restoration comprising the steps of: (1) forming a dental material composition comprising high-fusing temperature metal particles in a range of between 1-10 weight percent with the high-fusing temperature metal particles having at least 30% thereof selected from the platinum group of metals, low fusing temperature metal particles having a melting temperature below the melting temperature of the high-fusing particles with the low fusing temperature metal particles being present above at least about 90 weight percent of the total composition and being composed primarily of gold, and a small measure of borate fluxes in a range of between 0.1 to 2.0% by weight of the total composition; (2) adding a volatile binder such that the dental material composition forms a loose paste; (3) placing paste between the metal structure and the metal coping; and (4) applying heat to the dental material composition at a temperature below the melting temperature of the high-fusing temperature metal particles and at or above the melting temperature of the low-fusing temperature metal particles to cause the dental material composition to solidify into a relatively dense solid.
US08119053B1
A three-dimensional printer adapted to construct three dimensional objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the printer includes a first surface adapted to receive a bulk layer of sinterable powder, a polymer such as nylon powder; a radiant energy source, e.g., an incoherent heat source adapted to focus the heat energy to sinter an image from the layer of sinterable powder; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer or print the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled while fusing the sintered image to the object being assembled. The transfer mechanism is preferably adapted to simultaneously deposit and fuse the sintered image to the object being assembled. The process of generating an image and transferring it to the object being assembled is repeated for each cross section until the assembled object is completed.
US08119019B2
A method of fabricating a printhead ejection nozzle is provided which includes depositing sacrificial material on a planar substrate form a scaffold of the sacrificial material on the substrate, defining openings in the sacrificial material to the plane of the substrate at positions for sidewalls of a nozzle chamber and a filter structure for the nozzle chamber, depositing roof material over, and into the openings of, the sacrificial material so as to form the sidewalls of the nozzle chamber on the substrate, a roof of the nozzle chamber bridging the sidewalls, and the filter structure, etching the roof material to the sacrificial material to form a nozzle aperture through the roof of the nozzle chamber, and removing the sacrificial material.
US08119018B2
A magnetoresistive effect element manufacturing method includes a first step of preparing a magnetoresistive effect element including a magnetic film and a substrate, a second step of etching a predetermined region of the magnetic film by a reactive ion etching method, and a third step of exposing the magnetic film having undergone the second step to a plasma at an ion current density of 4×10−7 A/cm2 or less.
US08119017B2
The invention is a method for making a master mold to be used for nanoimprinting patterned-media magnetic recording disks. The method uses conventional optical or e-beam lithography to form a pattern of generally radial stripes on a substrate, with the stripes being grouped into annular zones or bands. A block copolymer material is deposited on the pattern, resulting in guided self-assembly of the block copolymer into its components to multiply the generally radial stripes into generally radial lines of alternating block copolymer components. The radial lines of one of the components are removed and the radial lines of the remaining component are used as an etch mask to etch the substrate. Conventional lithography is used to form concentric rings over the generally radial lines. After etching and resist removal, the master mold has pillars arranged in circular rings, with the rings grouped into annular bands.
US08119010B2
This invention relates to an improved cake-filtration solid-liquid separation process wherein the improvement comprises simultaneously subjecting the solid-liquid mixture to a homogeneous magnetic field, a magnetic field gradient or both and cake-filtration to accomplish separation.
US08119009B2
Dissolved metals are removed from contaminated water by passing the water through a bed containing media bodies, preferably limestone bodies. Various contaminants carried by the water become associated with the media bodies, thereby inhibiting water flow. The media bodies are rehabilitated by using an excavator, loader, or other machine to scoop them into a bucket having a peripheral wall including a sieve, immersing the container into a liquid held in a wash pit, rotating the bucket so that contaminants abraded from the bodies fall through the sieve into the pit, removing the container from the liquid, and dumping the rehabilitated media bodies from the bucket. When the media bodies have filtered mine drainage containing a particular dissolved metal such as manganese or iron for example, a residue remaining in the basin is a rich source of metal compounds that can be recovered for economic use.
US08119004B2
A liquid-liquid extraction process that uses counterflowing liquid phases, especially in conjunction with a reciprocating plate extraction column, wherein one of the liquid phases has a lower density than the other and is at least partially saturated with a dispersible gas, requires less plate stack height or a smaller column diameter when plate-to-plate spacing is non-uniform rather than uniform and such non-uniform plate-to-plate spacing includes greater plate-to-plate spacing proximate to raffinate liquid discharge than proximate to feed of the lower density liquid phase.
US08119003B1
A method for reducing the odors of an anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids or other biosolids or sludge may include separating first anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids into first and second portions, storing second anaerobically digested dewatered biosolids, removing a portion of the second biosolids, and mixing the removed second biosolids portion with the first portion of the first biosolids. The method may be implemented in a system including a separation device, first, second and third transporters, a storage area, and a mixer. The separation device may separate the first biosolids into first and second portions. The first transporter may transport the first portion to the mixer. The second transporter may transport the second portion to the storage area. The second portion may be stored in the storage area for a select time period. The third transporter may transport a portion of the stored first biosolids to the mixer for blending.
US08119000B2
A combined degassing and flotation tank for separation of a water influent containing considerable amounts of oil and gas. A rotational flow is created in the tank which forces the lighter components such as oil and gas droplets towards an inner concentric cylindrical wall where they coalesce and rise to the surface of the liquid and are removed via the outlet. The heavier parts are forced down where the heavy particles sink to the lower part where they can be removed as a sludge. The water is discharged via an outlet in the lower part of the tank. The combined degassing and flotation tank is particular suited for use in oil production at sea for removal of oil and gases from water streams before the water is returned to the sea.
US08118998B2
A combination full flow media and bypass media filter cartridge for filtering fluid in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a venturi filter having a full flow media attached to and extending between a first endplate and a second endplate. The second endplate includes an orifice. The apparatus further includes a stack of disks extending between a compression end and a venturi end. The stack of disks has a flow path defined by a plurality of openings wherein each disk includes at least one opening. The flow path extends between the compression end and the venturi end. The venturi end is substantially adjacent the second endplate of the venturi filter. The apparatus further comprises resilient compression member connected to the venturi filter for maintaining a minimum sealing force on the stack of disks.
US08118992B2
A sensor designed to determine the amount and concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 μL. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a non-leachable redox mediator. The redox mediator acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. In addition, a second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. The redox mediator is typically a redox compound bound to a polymer. The preferred redox mediators are air-oxidizable.The amount of analyte can be determined by coulometry. One particular coulometric technique includes the measurement of the current between the working electrode and a counter or reference electrode at two or more times. The charge passed by this current to or from the analyte is correlated with the amount of analyte in the sample. Other electrochemical detection methods, such as amperometric, voltammetric, and potentiometric techniques, can also be used.The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08118991B2
The invention discloses a device and method by which dry reagent enzyme based electrochemical biosensors, which are in a relatively mature form due to the extensive amount of development pioneered by the blood glucose monitoring industry, may be simply adapted to perform tests for blood coagulation, enzymatic activity, or immunochemical assays for antigens present in a fluid sample. In particular, the utility of combining apoenzyme based dry reagent electrochemical biosensors with apoenzyme reactivation technology is taught. This combination creates a novel combination test technology capable of detecting a wide range of different analytes, and operating in a wide variety of wet or dry, in vivo or in vitro environments.
US08118987B2
A method for providing a two dimensional spatially varying surface potential on a surface of a conductive substrate and use thereof. The method comprises providing a conductive substrate having a first conductive surface and comprising an array of“n” electrical potential contact points spatially arranged in two dimensions on the first conductive surface, wherein “n” is at least 3. An electrical potential is then applied to each of the “n” electrical contact points, wherein the electrical potentials applied to at least two of the “n” electrical potential contact points are different. Also disclosed are methods and applications for use of the methods disclosed herein.
US08118984B2
Proposed is a sintered sputtering target containing two or more types of refractory metals. In particular, proposed is a sintered sputtering target of refractory metals that is able to improve the target structure to prevent the dropout of metal particles other than the matrix-forming major component, improve the deposition quality as well as the workability of the target by reducing impurities such as gas components, enhancing the density and eliminating the generation of arcing and particles in sputtering. This sintered sputtering target of refractory metals is composed of one or more types of minor components selected from W, Ta and Hf at less than 50 at % as well as at least one or more major components selected from Ru, Rh and Ir and inevitable impurities as the remainder. The metal structure of the major component comprises a granular minor component metal phase, or an alloy phase or a compound phase of the major and the minor component having an average grain size of 100 μm to 500 μm.
US08118978B2
The invention relates to an arrangement and a method of a paper machine or the like for saving energy in the drying section. According to the invention, in the drying section of a paper machine or the like in connection with a pocket space (9) between two drying cylinders (1, 2) and one turn roll (3), there are the following delimiting said pocket space (9): a first drying cylinder (1), a second drying cylinder (2), a turning suction roll (3) and a wire (5, 5a, 5b), which is arranged to travel from the first drying cylinder (1) to the turning suction roll (3) and from there on to the second drying cylinder (2). The arrangement further comprises a box-like runnability component (10) and a sealing element (19) arranged in the lower part of the runnability component (10), in the gap between the runnability component and the turning suction roll (3) in order to seal said gap and thereby to promote the operation of the turning suction roll (3).
US08118972B2
Toilet paper based on tissue paper being treated with an O/W emulsion comprising at least one non-ionic emulsifier, at least one anionic co-emulsifier, an oil component having a polarity of at least 20 mN/m or a mixture of oil components wherein at least 75 weight-% of the oils constituting the mixture have a polarity of at least 20 mN/m, 6 to 35 weight % of water, based on the total weight of the emulsion, wherein the total amount of emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers is between 4 and 20 weight based on the total weight of the emulsion. Since in the above lotion composition the external phase is aqueous, a web treated therewith can easily be wet by water and does not float on the water if it is to be disposed in a toilet. Moreover, this lotion shows an improved brightness after application on tissue paper, smell and rheology.
US08118962B2
Methods and apparatus for bonding block of paraffin having cellular material embedded at one end thereof with an additional amount of paraffin are disclosed, including a method comprising placing the paraffin block in a well of a mold with the paraffin-embedded cellular material positioned on a support structure that elevates the cellular matter from a bottom surface of the well; heating the mold to thereby soften and at least partially melt and blend together the embedding paraffin and additional paraffin located in the well, the support structure sized such that some of the additional paraffin flows on the bottom surface of the well at least partially surrounding the support structure; and cooling the mold to thereby bond the additional paraffin to the embedding paraffin and re-solidify the paraffin block, wherein the retained cellular matter is spaced apart from an end of the re-solidified paraffin block defined by the bottom surface of the well.
US08118957B2
In a vibration welding method and a vibration welding apparatus, a base plate and a vibrating plate which can be vibrated relatively to each other clamp an instrument panel, a storage box, and a duct as layers therebetween, which are joined to each other under pressure with vibration. A protective member of urethane is disposed on a workpiece rest for placing the base plate thereon. The storage box is made of a material having a relatively low melting point, and the duct is made of a material having a relatively high melting point. The thickness of the protective member is different depending on the location where the protective member supports the resin base, and the storage box or the duct.
US08118950B2
Improved aluminum-copper-lithium alloys are disclosed. The alloys may include 3.4-4.2 wt. % Cu, 0.9-1.4 wt. % Li, 0.3-0.7 wt. % Ag, 0.1-0.6 wt. % Mg, 0.2-0.8 wt. % Zn, 0.1-0.6 wt. % Mn, and 0.01-0.6 wt. % of at least one grain structure control element, the balance being aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. The alloys achieve an improved combination of properties over prior art alloys.
US08118949B2
A carburized and tempered hardened steel structure includes an iron based steel alloy including from about 3.7 to about 6 wt % copper, from 6 to about 10 wt % cobalt and from about 1 to about 10 wt % of non-ferrous secondary carbide formation elements selected from any of the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium and combinations thereof. At least a percentage of the secondary carbide formation elements are in the form of metal carbides attached to nucleation sites on copper precipitates within a carburized portion of the structure, and wherein the copper precipitates are at least one of i) characterized by a mean copper precipitate radius of from about 0.1 nm to about 5 nm, or ii) characterized by a density of about 2.7×1018 per cubic centimeter.
US08118948B1
A vehicle mounted cleaning device cleans a series of large garbage containers at one at time, while recycling, reusing and retaining the cleaning fluid, until disposal thereof is required. The vehicle mounted cleaning device permits the vehicle to be maneuvered down a street. The cleaning device has a cleaning bin or wash bay to receive the garbage or trash container. A cleaning fluid tank communicates with nozzles in the wash bay to provide fluid for cleaning the garbage container. After the fluid is used to clean the garbage container, it is filtered, treated and returned to the cleaning fluid tank for reuse.
US08118945B2
A substrate processing method includes a cleaning processing step, a mixed organic solvent supplying step, and a fluorine organic solvent supplying step. The cleaning processing step is a step of cleaning a main surface of a substrate by supplying deionized water to the substrate. The mixed organic solvent supplying step is a step of supplying a fluid of a mixed organic solvent to the main surface of the substrate after the cleaning processing step. The fluid of the mixed organic solvent contains a fluid of a water-soluble organic solvent and a fluid of a fluorine organic solvent having a smaller surface tension than that of the deionized water and a lower water solubility than that of the fluid of the water-soluble organic solvent. The fluorine organic solvent supplying step is a step of supplying the fluid of the fluorine organic solvent to the main surface of the substrate without supplying the fluid of the water-soluble organic solvent after the mixed organic solvent supplying step.
US08118941B2
Holes in semiconductor processing reactor parts are sized to facilitate deposition of protective coatings, such as by chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the holes each have a flow constriction that narrows the holes in one part and that also divides the holes into one or more other portions. In some embodiments, the aspect ratios of the one or more other portions are about 15:1 or less, or about 7:1 or less, and have a cylindrical or conical cross-sectional shape. The holes are coated with a protective coating, such as a silicon carbide coating, by chemical vapor deposition, including chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure.
US08118938B2
A plasma processing chamber has a lower liner with an integrated flow equalizer. In an etching process, the processing gases may be unevenly drawn from the processing chamber which may cause an uneven etching of the substrate. The integrated flow equalizer is configured to equalize the flow of the processing gases evacuated from the chamber via the lower liner.
US08118937B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thin film is provided which can form its crystal grains having a uniform direction of crystal growth and being large in size and a manufacturing equipment using the above method, and a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor. In the above method, by applying an energy beam partially intercepted by a light shielding element, melt and re-crystallization occur with a light-shielded region as a starting point. The irradiation of the beam gives energy to the light-shielded region of the silicon thin film so that melt and re-crystallization occur with the light-shielded region as the starting point and so that a local temperature gradient in the light-shielded region is made to be 1200° C./μm or more. In the manufacturing method, a resolution of an optical system used to apply the energy beam is preferably 4 μm or less.
US08118935B2
A thin film manufacturing system, wherein a stage for placing a substrate thereon is disposed within a vacuum reactor and a gas head for supplying a film forming gas to a central area on a top face of the vacuum reactor is arranged so that the gas head is opposed to the stage. A cylindrical sleeve member is disposed and comes in close contact with a side wall of the stage to surround a periphery of the stage. The height of the stage can be established at the position where the volume of a second space formed below the stage and connected to a vacuum discharge means is larger than that of a first space formed above the stage, in such a manner that an exhaust gas is isotropically discharged from the first space without causing any convection current therein through the interstice between the sleeve member and an inner wall surface constituting the reactor.
US08118929B2
A well cement composition for plugging a bore at the location for initiating sidetracking to bore a lateral well is formulated as a slurry of hydraulic cement that contains at least two, but preferably all three of the following additives: (1) a source of silicon dioxide, (2) fracturing proppants and (3) an expansion compound selected from the group consisting of 1%-5% crystalline silica and 60%-99% MgO or CaO, and their mixtures.
US08118902B2
A filtering medium is comprised of a non-woven fabric containing mainly an organic fiber, in which single fibers are fixed, wherein the non-woven fabric is constructed of a plurality of single fibers having different Young's moduli and finenesses, a non-crimped single fiber having a Young's modulus of 150 cN/dtex or more, and a fineness of 7 dtex or more is contained at a ratio of 20% or more of a total fiber mass, and single fibers are fixed with a resin having a glass transition temperature of 30° C. or more.
US08118890B2
A method and device for the gasification of solid fuels such as bituminous coals, and cokes such as those from bituminous coals, lignite coals, and biomasses, as well as petroleum cokes, that are ground fine and mixed with water or oil to obtain fuel-in-liquid suspensions, so-called slurries, and their gasification together with an oxidizing medium containing free oxygen, by partial oxidation at pressures between atmospheric pressure and 100 bar, and at temperatures between 1200 and 1900° C. in an entrained flow reactor. The method includes slurry preparation and infeed to the reactor, gasification in an entrained flow reactor with cooled reaction chamber contour, full quenching of the crude gas to saturation temperature that may be 180-260° C. depending on the gasification pressure, and wet or dry dust separation. The crude gas is pretreated so that it can be fed to further technological steps such as crude gas conversion, H2S and CO2 removal, and synthesis.
US08118886B2
A fuel mixture for fuel cells, comprising a gelled product containing at least a fuel and a gelling agent, in which reliquefaction for the fuel of the gelled product is brought about in the coexistence with a reliquefying agent; and a method of extracting a fuel for fuel cells, including: providing a gel structure in which a fuel is incorporated into a network structure of a gelling agent, with a reliquefying agent dispersed therein; adding a reliquefaction inducing agent to the gel structure to make the reliquefying agent break the network structure of the gelling agent, and thereby reliquefying and extracting the fuel.
US08118878B2
The invention relates to an orthopedic appliance which is designed to support the weight of a patient and comprises a power supply device for an electrical consumer. The aim of the invention is to be able to convert the kinetic energy introduced into the appliance into electrical energy. To this end, the power supply device comprises a stack (7) of piezoelectric ceramic elements, and the force of the weight is introduced into the stack (7) by means of a force transmission system.
US08118874B2
A nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc is supplemented or replaced by an elongated, physiologically fully hydrated hydrogel prosthesis inserted into the central region of an intervertebral disc, where it can fold upon itself to form a prosthesis body within the central region of the annulus fibrosus. The hydrogel prosthesis may have expanded portions that assist in preventing expulsion of the prosthesis through the insertion aperture. An instrument for inserting the prosthesis has a cutter for severing the elongated prosthesis within the central region of the intervertebral disc after a sufficient amount has been implanted.
US08118862B2
A stent graft for animal or human implantation and method of delivery thereof. The device stent graft employs a first component having an axial passage communicating with the axial cavities of a cuff and longer first leg. A separate leg extension is engageable to an aperture in the distal end of the cuff. A first catheter engages the first component for translation to the implantation site along a first guide wire. A guide member communicating through the first component and extending from the distal end of a second catheter and adapted for slidable contact along the first guide wire when pushed by a translatable core shaft extending from the first catheter, or by the second catheter, is provided as a pre-positioned guide for subsequent engagement of the leg extension to the aperture in the distal end of the cuff. Translation of the core shaft while in contact with the guide member pulls a third guide engaged with the second catheter into the cuff to provide a track for proper and speedy positioning and engagement of the leg extension with the cuff.
US08118857B2
A medical article that includes (a) an electronically conductive substrate having a specific conductivity of at least 1 μS/cm and (b) a galvanic couple that includes a first member and a second member arranged in sufficient proximity to each other to generate a localized electric field under physiological conditions. The first and second members are selected such that the galvanic couple exhibits an average plateau current density of at least 25 microamps/cm2 when short circuited in a zero resistance ammeter test at room temperature using a saline electrolyte.
US08118852B2
An introducer apparatus for deploying a self-expandable medical device, such as a stent, to a target area of a body vessel of a patient comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal end portion disposed at the shaft distal end. The distal end portion comprises an introducer body and at least one deployment member. The introducer body is sized and shaped relative to the self-expandable medical device such that the medical device is receivable on a surface of the introducer body when the medical device is in a compressed condition. The deployment member is configured and arranged relative to the introducer body for selectively restraining the self-expandable medical device in the compressed condition on the introducer apparatus surface.
US08118848B2
The present invention relates to an orthopedic plate for use in repair of a fibula. The plate has a Y-shaped profile which has the contour of a spoon where the bowl includes a terminal pair of arms that form differing angles and lengths relative to the trunk portion of the plate. The arms include locking screw holes where the screws converge toward each other, but do not impinge so as to provide-multiplanar fixation.
US08118846B2
The present invention relates to a series of orthopedic plates for use in repair of a clavicle. The plate has a Y-shaped profile or an X-shaped profile which includes an elongate central trunk with a complex contour and wither one or two terminal pairs of arms that have a first arm and a second arm that form differing angles and lengths relative to the trunk portion of the plate. The arms include locking screw holes where the screws converge toward each other to provide for multiplanar fixation but which do not impinge.
US08118839B2
This interspinous implant is able to be engaged between the spinal processes of two vertebrae and formed by a block of elastically deformable material. According to the invention, the block is subdivided into a central part made from a first elastically deformable material and two lateral parts made from a second elastically deformable material, more rigid than the first material. The lateral parts are situated on the two opposite lateral sides of the central part, that is to say on the sides intended to be situated longitudinally on each side of the spinal processes after implantation, and being connected to the central part.
US08118838B2
Systems and method in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention can include an implant for positioning within a cervical facet joint for distracting the cervical spine, thereby increasing the area of the canals and openings through which the spinal cord and nerves must pass, and decreasing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The implant can be inserted laterally or posteriorly.
US08118835B2
A suture anchor (e.g. 100) for knotlessly securing nearby tissue to bone is formed from an anchor body (e.g. 101/102) that includes a mechanism for being securely anchored to the bone, an elongated suture puller (e.g. 122) extending through the anchor body with a proximal end for being pulled in a proximal direction by a surgeon and a distal end (e.g. 125) with a suitable mechanism for engaging suture (e.g. 127), suture (e.g. 132) carried by the engaging mechanism (e.g. 127) at the distal end (e.g. 125) of the elongated suture puller (e.g. 122), and a suture locking mechanism (e.g. 110) that substantially prevents the suture (e.g. 122) from moving in at least a first direction after being pulled into and through the anchor body (e.g. 101/102) by the elongated suture puller (e.g. 122).
US08118831B2
A closure device for sealing a percutaneous puncture in the wall of a blood vessel includes: an insertion tool having an actuator which is operable in a first mode in which the actuator is configured for deployment of an inner seal inside the vessel and operable in a second mode in which the actuator is configured for tamping a locking member on an outside of the vessel, where the actuator is arranged to be set into the second mode in response to a pulling force acting on a filament connecting the inner seal and the locking member.
US08118814B2
An implement for orientating a tool at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane of a target surface to be engaged by the tool includes a rod having a distal end coupled to a head formed with three contact points arranged in a circular array around the longitudinal axis of the rod, such that the three contact points define a plane. The rod is coupled to the head with the longitudinal axis of the rod at the predetermined angle to the plane defined by the three contact points, such that when the three contact points of the rod are in contact with the target surface, the longitudinal axis of the rod is at the predetermined angle with respect to the plane of the target surface. The implement is described particularly for orientating a surgical cutting tool perpendicularly to bone tissue for harvesting and implanting a bone plug to repair damaged bone tissue.
US08118810B2
A medical implant system has parts for detachably establishing a spatial orientation between a body implant such as a bone plate and an aiming device. A contoured portion of a body implant is designed in such a manner that an adapter device can be detachably fastened to the body implant by means of a mechanic form-fit connection. Preferably the form-fitting elements are grooves and protrusions which tightly engage when clamped together. The adaptor device provides a basis for aiming or targeting a device such that the targeting device may be detachably positioned in a stable spatial position with respect to the body implant. Preferably, the adaptor device comprises a dowel pin, a handling device and a clamping element, which elements allow for a quick and easy assembling and disassembling of the adaptor device in a desired alignment.
US08118806B2
An optical eye-contact element is disclosed that is at least partly translucent, the optical eye-contact element giving rise to a wavefront error of at most about λ/2, preferentially at most about λ/4, highly preferentially at most about λ/10, in a traversing light beam. The optical eye-contact element may be a so-called applanation plate or applanation lens.
US08118803B1
A deflectable catheter assembly and methods of use are herein disclosed. The catheter assembly, in one embodiment, is deflectable and includes a first catheter, a second catheter, and a third catheter. The second catheter fits coaxially within the first catheter. In some embodiments, the first and/or second catheter can be constituently different from proximal end to distal end. At least one of the first catheter and the second catheter include a deflectable portion to allow deflection of that catheter from a first position to a second position. The third catheter has a sheath and a medical instrument positioned within the sheath. The third catheter fits coaxially within the second catheter.
US08118798B1
An absorbent undergarment liner including an absorbent material placed in a medial crotch area of an undergarment that is used to prevent leakage of male genitalia onto the undergarment. The absorbent undergarment liner is constructed with a lower outward flared base in which a first lower flare extends radially inward around an inner thigh region of a trunk leg toward the rear of the undergarment. A second lower flare extends radially outward toward an outer thigh region of the trunk leg. A vertical elongated portion extends upwardly and offset from the center of the open fly region of the undergarment from a front panel lower crotch region to a front panel medial region of the undergarment.
US08118797B2
A flushable biodegradable pouch having water-dispersible fibers along at least a portion of the outer surface of the pouch's cover layer provided with a water-soluble hydrophilic coating. The pouch's cover layer is water-disintegratable, and the water-soluble hydrophilic coating is a lubricating agent capable of becoming slippery when exposed to water and, upon subsequent drying, again becoming water-soluble upon re-exposure to water. As such, the hydrophilic coating serves as a rewettable, redesolving lubricating agent.
US08118796B2
An arrangement in connection with the handling of patient fluids, comprising a suction canister open at one end, a cover for closing the suction canister, a suction bag fastened to the cover, and an underpressure apparatus for applying underpressure to a space between the suction canister and the suction bag. The arrangement further comprises fastening means for keeping the suction bag narrowed in such a manner that the width and length of the suction bag are at least along part of the suction bag smaller than when the suction bag is opened, and the fastening means are arranged to release the suction bag to be opened into the suction canister under the action of the underpressure when the cover is closed.
US08118790B2
The present invention is an ophthalmic injection system with a limited reuse assembly and a tip segment. The tip segment is connectable to and removable from the limited reuse assembly. The tip segment includes a dispensing chamber, a plunger, and a housing. The dispensing chamber holds a quantity of a substance to be injected into an eye. The proximate end of the plunger has a first mechanical linkage interface. The limited reuse assembly of the ophthalmic injection system has a power source, a controller, a motor, a second mechanical linkage interface located on an end of the motor shaft; and a second housing. The first mechanical linkage interface is mateable with the second mechanical linkage interface such that when the tip segment is connected to the limited reuse assembly, the first mechanical linkage interface mates with the second mechanical linkage interface so that motion of the shaft results in motion of the plunger.
US08118786B2
A guarded medical winged needle assembly for safely and securely encasing a winged needle without any complicated operation, includes a cylindrical needle cover 1 having a forward section 2, a middle section 3 and a backward section 4, the middle section 3 having an opening 5 formed at a bottom thereof, the backward section 4 having a slit 7, and a winged needle 21 having a pair of wings 24 fitted to on both sides of a hub 23, a needle 22 provided before said hub 23 and a tube T fitted to a backward portion of said hub 23, and said winged needle 21 being slidably housed and protected in said needle cover 1, (A) an engaging member 27, 28 being fitted to said tube T, or (B) an engaging member 30 being fitted to a backward portion of said hub 23, said winged needle thereby being fixable when housed in said needle cover.
US08118785B2
A surgical access device, such as a trocar, includes a pendent valve having an elongate structure extending from a proximal end to a septum valve disposed at a distal end. In operation, the elongate structure follows the angle of the instrument to pre-position the septum valve into the path of the instrument where it is not significantly challenged during instrument insertion or manipulation. The pendant valve can be made to float at both the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate structure, to further reduce the vulnerability of the septum valve. Since the valve is less vulnerable to instrument insertion, it can be formed to minimize friction and maximize the functional range of the access device.
US08118780B2
A hand-held remote for a medical fluid injector includes a syringe and a conduit which may be coupled to a pressure transducer on a control circuit of the injector. Movement of a plunger within a syringe body on the syringe creates a pressure which is sensed by the pressure transducer and the control circuit responds to the sensed pressure by causing fluid to be ejected from, or drawn into, a syringe mounted to the injector. The pressure developed by the remote provides tactile feedback to an operator for improved control over injections.
US08118777B2
The present embodiments provide systems and methods suitable for delivering a therapeutic agent to a target site. The systems generally comprise a container for holding a therapeutic agent, and a pressure source configured to be placed in selective fluid communication with at least a portion of a reservoir of the container. In one embodiment, fluid from the pressure source is directed through a first region of the container in a direction towards a second region of the container. The fluid then is at least partially redirected to urge the therapeutic agent in a direction from the second region of the container towards the first region of the container and subsequently towards the target site. In alternative embodiments, the fluid from the pressure source may be directed through the second region of the container in a direction towards the first region of the container.
US08118775B2
A catheter for diagnosing or treating the vessels found within a body or body space includes a center strut that is bonded, preferably thermally, along its longitudinal axis with the thermoplastic tubular member within which it is housed. The tubular member preferably has three layers: an inner layer, a braided layer and an outer layer. The composite catheter is made using a process in which two half-cylinder shaped mandrels are placed on each side of the center strut while the strut is heated in order to cause the thermal bonding. The bonded center strut provides in-plane deflection and improved transfer of torque to the tip of the catheter.
US08118756B2
A sensor and a lancet are integrated with each other. A thin strip-shaped sensor and a lancet are integrated so that the lancet moves in parallel, along a longitudinal direction of the sensor. A measuring device to which an integrated lancet and sensor is attached is provided with a function of driving the attached lancet.
US08118750B2
The disclosure describes blood flow sensors for detecting penile tumescence. A system according to the invention may include at least one sensor for sensing blood flow into the penis, and one sensor for sensing blood flow away from the penis. Detecting penile tumescence may be accomplished by comparing the flow of blood into the penis to the blood flow out of the penis. A greater inflow of blood indicates an increasing tumescence whereas a greater outflow of blood indicates a decreasing tumescence. The sensors may be used for short- or long-term monitoring of penile tumescence, or as closed-loop feedback in a therapeutic penile tumescence control system, which may deliver electrical or chemical stimulation therapy to control a tumescence or erectile state, thus treating sexual dysfunction or, more specifically, erectile dysfunction.
US08118748B2
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for an implantable capacitive pressure sensor. Some embodiments of the invention include a capacitive pressure sensor capsule comprising a substrate, a conductive plate functionally coupled to the substrate, a conductive diaphragm spaced from the conductive plate and functionally coupled to the substrate, a lid hermetically sealed against the substrate, and pressure sensing circuitry disposed within a volume generally defined by the lid and the substrate. Embodiments of the invention also include a lead provided with an implantable pressure sensor capsule and a method of manufacturing a capacitive pressure sensor capsule.
US08118745B2
With a natural number n, an ultrasound pulse having a center frequency of nf0 is transmitted, and an echo wave produced by the reflection at an acoustic-impedance interface within the object to be examined is received. Another ultrasound pulse having a center frequency of (n+1)f0 is transmitted, and, similarly, an echo wave produced by the reflection at an acoustic-impedance interface within the object to be examined is received. The received echo signal which has a center frequency of nf0 is raised to the power of (n+1) in a self-multiplication unit. Meanwhile, The received echo signal having a center frequency of (n+1)f0 is raised to the power of n in another self-multiplication unit. Each multiplication produces a signal having a center frequency of n(n+1)f0. A signed echo signal is obtained by a phase-sensitive detection between the two obtained signals.
US08118737B2
A retractor device for cervical spinal fusion surgery. The retractor device includes a first post assembly having a first pin for mounting the first post assembly to a first vertebral body and a first rod coupled thereto in a multi-axial manner so that the first rod can be pivoted relative to the first pin. The retractor device also includes a second post assembly having a second pin for mounting the second post assembly to a second vertebral body and a second rod coupled thereto in a multi-axial manner so that the second rod can be pivoted relative to the second pin. The retractor device also includes a first retractor blade having a first retractor blade arm slideably engageable to the first rod, and a second retractor blade having a second retractor blade arm slideably engageable to the second rod. The first retractor blade is slid down the first rod and the second retractor blade is slid down the second rod to be positioned and separate the anatomical structures.
US08118733B2
Heat isolation and relocation systems and methods are provided to enable utilization of a remote viewing device in a wider range of temperature environments and while operating its one or more light sources at or near full power without fear of causing temperature-related harm to the one or more light sources and/or to the imager, even if the imager is positioned nearby the one or more light sources.
US08118730B2
Improved optical devices and methods transmit optical images along elongate optical paths with relatively limited cross-sectional dimensions using an improved objective, relay, and ocular systems. In a first aspect, at least one intermediate image formed within an optical component, rather than being formed in a gap between optical components. In a preferred embodiment, a first intermediate image is formed within glass of the most proximal objective lens, with the first intermediate image extending axially along a curved image location within the glass. The last intermediate image may similarly be disposed within a distal lens of the ocular system. By making use of a first and/or last intermediate image disposed in this manner within a lens, endoscopes can exhibit a significantly larger Numerical Aperture than known endoscopes having similar cross-sectional dimensions. In a second aspect, the ocular system allows independent adjustment of diopters, magnification, X-Y positioning, and rotation orientation of the captured image while introducing minimal aberrations.
US08118729B2
An endoscopic instrument with a hollow shank which on the proximal side is provided with a connection part with at least one suction connection and/or rinsing connection, with a coupling part for fixing a working insert. The coupling part is mounted rotatably with respect to the connection part and the coupling part is detachably connected to the connection part. The endoscopic instrument further includes an annular axial seal which is arranged between the connection part and the coupling part.
US08118723B2
The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.
US08118719B1
An exercise routine includes holding an elastic band in clenched fists and rotating the fists against the elastic restraining force of the elastic band while obtaining leverage through the contact of both hands. In one approach the right arm is rotated in the clockwise direction while in another approach the right arm is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction. The left arm rotates in the opposite sense to that of the right arm. By rotating the fists, wrists, and lower arms against elastic force, the biceps and triceps muscles are worked, and by repeating the exercise over a controlled program of repetitions and sets with increasing resistance, the arm muscles can be strengthened.
US08118714B2
The present invention relates to a hand-eye coordination training apparatus designed for all sports enthusiasts and martial artists seeking hand speed timing and accuracy. The apparatus offers unpredictable vertical and horizontal target movement, as well as instant adjustability to change the tension and height of the target. This allows the target to travel at varied heights, speeds and distances. The apparatus is effective in isolating the skill of hand eye coordination because it provides minimal resistance. The apparatus is completely portable and can be assembled in any environment in a matter of seconds.
US08118709B2
A system for processing biological data is provided and includes a monitoring device configured to receive biological data responsive to a living being. The system also includes an interface device communicated with the monitoring device to receive the biological data. Furthermore, the system includes a data transfer device, configured to receive the biological data from the interface device and communicate the biological data to a processing device for processing. Additionally, a method for processing biological information is provided, wherein the method includes receiving biological information from a monitoring device responsive to a first party and responsive to an exercise regime and processing the biological information to generate resultant information responsive to at least one physical characteristic of the first party.
US08118696B2
A virtual shuffleboard table gaming apparatus including a housing having a playing field, a game acquisition circuit, and a display. As a puck is propelled towards a puck return at the distal end of the playing field, the puck temporarily obstructs at least two beams from transmitters. Sensors that receive the transmitted beams provide information to the game acquisition circuit indicative of the time when the beams were blocked and unblocked. The duration of time the beams are block are used by a game controller to calculate the angle of travel, location, and velocity of the puck. This information is then used by the game controller to determine the travel path and resting place of a virtual puck on a virtual playing field, as well as determine whether the virtual puck rests in a scoring zone and maintain a game score.
US08118689B2
A golf club head includes a body defining an interior cavity. The body includes a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion, and a skirt positioned around a periphery between the sole and crown. The body has a forward portion and a rearward portion. The club head includes a face positioned at the forward portion of the body. The face defines a striking surface having an ideal impact location at a golf club head origin. Some embodiments of the club head form a club head for a fairway wood that has a high moment of inertia, a low center-of-gravity and a thin crown.
US08118688B2
A golf club head 1 having an improved dischargeability of foreign matters such as water and mud caught in face line grooves and a sufficient frictional force with a golf ball generated when hitting the ball, the club head 1 comprising a ball hitting face 2 including a hitting surface 7 and at least one face line groove 8 formed in the hitting surface 7, wherein the hitting surface 7 includes a rough surface portion 7a having an arithmetic mean roughness Raf of 0.20 to 0.55 μm, and the surface of the face line groove 8 has an arithmetic mean roughness Ra1 smaller than the arithmetic mean surface roughness Raf of the rough surface portion 7a, and a method for producing the club head 1.
US08118684B2
An infant support structure with a collapsible frame is disclosed. In one embodiment, the infant support structure includes a frame with a lock mechanism that is configured to maintain the collapsible frame in a deployed or use configuration.
US08118677B2
The system provides the capability of identifying the presence and location of network devices. During start-up, a device sends its MAC address out on the network. A local switch collects MAC and IP addresses for the devices connected to it. Periodically, the switch transmits raw Ethernet frames, USB packets, or TCP packets containing tables of devices and associated MAC/IP addresses. When a device receives information about another device, the device may attempt communication with that device. First, a verification procedure is used to validate the devices. Subsequently, communication is possible between the devices.
US08118675B2
A system and method for relaying race information related to a plurality of races, such as horse or greyhound races, typically held at racetracks. The system includes a computer system that receives and stores current race information from the plurality of races. The system also includes a remote device coupled to the computer system. A user operating the remote device can view race information and place wagers on the races. The method begins by the computer system sending initial race information to the remote device. As current race information is received from the racetracks, the computer system compares current race information with the initial race information sent to the remote device. The computer system then sends updated race information to the remote device. This updated race information includes only race information that has changed since the initial race information was sent from the computer system to the remote device.
US08118671B2
An image display apparatus which realizes a new visual effect is provided. According to a game apparatus 10 of the present invention, images from the viewpoints of a plurality of characters in a virtual space can be switched arbitrarily. A first processing unit 22 is in charge of an image from the viewpoint of a main character, and a second processing unit 24 is in charge of images from the viewpoints of sub characters. When this technology is applied to a game, it is possible to recognize the position of one's own main character and the like from the images from the viewpoints of the sub characters. This makes it possible to realize a new visual effect and enhance gameability.
US08118668B2
Apparatus, systems, architectures, and methods provide instrumentality to assign a game instance as an account owner in a gaming system and to convey owner functions in the gaming system to the game instance.
US08118663B2
A method of optimizing a number of gaming machines comprises providing a first number of gaming machines having a first appearance and configured to present at least one first game. Game play is monitored at the gaming machines and if the game play reaches a threshold level, a number of the gaming machines are changed to have a second appearance and configured to present at least one second game. Preferably, the appearance of the gaming machines is modified by changing certain door/frame coverings and/or the number or arrangement of visible components, permitting the gaming machine itself to be reused.
US08118660B2
A system and method for controlling the number of plays of an electronic game based on the different denominations at which the electronic game can be played. A game field is constructed having a plurality of elements on a game display wherein each element is filled by a game symbol from a plurality of available game symbols, wherein the game symbols for each element are automatically determined such that there is no winning combination without player interaction. The field of game symbols is presented to the player for selection of a field element wherein such player selection turns the symbol displayed in the field element into a wild symbol. The player's selection of the field element for the wild symbol location is received by the game software which determines each winning combination of symbols that is formed by such wild symbol location selection. Each winning combination of symbols on the field of game symbols is displayed to the player. The total number of plays of the game remaining is dynamically determined based on an action taken by the player prior to selecting the field element location for the wild symbol.
US08118652B2
A beater (17) for use in a combine harvester in which harvested crop is fed as a number of separate streams towards a threshing and/or separating rotor (21) which rotates within a housing (20) about an axis disposed generally longitudinally relative to the combine. The beater rotates about an axis generally transverse relative to the combine and is divided asymmetrically along its length into a number of sections (A1, B1,C1) corresponding to the number of streams of crop, each section of the beater having differently angled crop feeding members (17a,17b,17c) which direct crop towards a crop steam.
US08118644B2
Chemical mechanical polishing pads having a polishing layer with a polishing surface adapted for polishing a substrate are provided, wherein the polishing layer has a unique integral identification feature; wherein the unique integral identification feature is non-polish active, wherein the unique integral identification feature comprises at least two visually distinct characteristics, wherein at least one of the at least two visually distinct indicia is a non-color based indicia, wherein one of the at least two visually distinct indicia is a color based indicia, and wherein the at least two visually distinct characteristics are selected to uniquely identify the chemical mechanical polishing pad as a type of chemical mechanical polishing pad selected from a plurality of types of chemical mechanical polishing pads; and, wherein the polishing layer has a polishing surface adapted for polishing the substrate. Also provided is a method of making such polishing layers and for using them to polish a substrate.
US08118639B1
An apparatus for concealing a bodily protrusion such as a human nipple comprising a foam pad for placing against the protrusion and a rubber pad for placing against a garment interior like the inside of a brassiere cup wherein the foam pad and the rubber pad are attached together.
US08118637B2
A toy that is capable of moving between a first orientation and a second orientation and includes a housing having a first end portion with a first handle and a second end portion with a second handle, at least one of the first and second handles is rotatable within a respective handle opening defined by the housing. To move the toy from the first orientation to the second orientation, the at least one of the first and second handles is rotated by a user within its handle opening, such that the housing is rotated between its first orientation and second orientation.
US08118636B2
A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.
US08118635B2
A mechanical toy having two enclosed chambers, one positioned above the other, connected by a tube; a vaporizing medium contained within the enclosed chambers and tube; means for rotationally supporting the tube and chambers; means for exciting the vaporizing medium within the lower chamber to create an increase in vapor pressure within the lower chamber relative to the upper chamber that exerts force upon the vaporizing medium within the lower chamber to communicate the vaporizing medium through the tube into the upper chamber allowing gravity to act upon the upper chamber when a sufficient amount of the vaporizing medium has collected within the upper chamber pulling the upper chamber downward around the means of rotational support.
US08118633B2
There is provided an organic electroluminescence type two-dimensional color image display panel includes multiple arrayed pixels, the pixels being each formed by arranging organic EL devices having at least red, green, and blue luminescent colors in a certain order, in which each of the organic EL devices has a pair of two parallel sides in a planar shape, the organic EL devices having luminescent colors different from each other are adjacent to each other at the two parallel sides, and the organic EL devices having the same luminescent color are adjacent to each other in a parallel line direction of the two parallel sides, and are arrayed to be of shape of stripes arranged parallel to each other while being slanted with respect to a vertical line.
US08118627B2
A propulsion arrangement for a marine vessel is disclosed. The propulsion arrangement comprises an engine (12, 14) for propelling the vessel and an electrical machine (26, 28) coupled to the engine. The electrical machine is arranged to supply onboard electrical power for the vessel. A control unit (44) controls the electrical machine such that the electrical machine is selectively operable as a generator or a motor. The control unit and the electrical machine are arranged such that the electrical machine when operating as a motor can supplement the power of the engine while the engine is in operation. In one embodiment, the control unit and the electrical machine are arranged to provide active damping of the engine torque.
US08118625B2
An electrical connector includes a row of terminals and a plastic base having a row of terminal slots. The terminals are disposed in the slots. Each terminal has an elastically moveable portion having a connection point, a fixing portion fixed into the slot, and a pin portion extending out of the plastic base. An inserted electrical element may be connected to the connection point and elastically move the elastically moveable portion. The row of terminals is one of two rows of terminals formed by oppositely tearing and pressing a metal sheet. The terminals have oppositely torn and cut portions seamlessly oppositely connected together. When the row of terminals is developed into a plane and one of the terminals is reverse-backside joined between the two neighboring terminals, the oppositely torn and cut portion of the terminal is seamlessly jointed to the oppositely torn and cut portions of the two neighboring terminals.
US08118621B2
A connection terminal includes a terminal connection portion, a wire connection portion and a neck portion. The terminal connection portion has a tubular part surrounded by a first wall, a second wall opposing the first wall and side walls connecting the first wall and second wall. The tubular part accommodates and is electrically connected to a mating terminal. The wire connection portion engages a wire. The neck portion is disposed between the terminal connection portion and the wire connection portion and has a third wall extended from the first wall and standing walls standing on the third wall. The standing walls are extended from the side walls respectively and oppose each other. A distance between the standing walls is decreased according to an extending direction in which the third wall is extended from the first wall. The neck portion is electrically connected to the wire connection portion. An end of the second wall is protruded in the extending direction than connecting parts of the side walls where the standing walls are connected.
US08118617B2
Jack assemblies having cylindrical contacts are provided. For example, an enclosure may provide a cavity with a longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical plug. The jack assembly may also include at least one jack contact positioned in the cavity. The jack contact may include a first end region extending about at least a portion of the axis and a contact region extending from the first end region towards the axis. The first end region may extend completely about the axis or just about a portion of the axis. The contact region may deflect and contact a first conductive region of the plug in multiple contact areas when the plug is inserted into the cavity.
US08118614B2
A molded connector (20) has a molded connector main body 21 including a terminal (22) of a cable (40) and a molded resin section (26) molded onto a portion of the terminal (22) and a distal end of the cable (40). A barrel-like cap (50) has a cable insertion hole (50β) for passing the cable (40) and is attached to the molded connector main body (21) so as to cover an outer periphery of a support section (37) of the molded connector main body (21). An annular seal (55) is provided on an inner surface of the cap (50). The seal (55) closely contacts and seals an outer periphery of the cable (40).
US08118603B2
An electrical connector includes an insulting main body having a plurality of receiving holes, and a plurality of pins located in the receiving holes. Each pin has a base portion, a welding portion and a flexible arm. The flexible arm has a first bend portion bent and extended upwards from the base portion, a second bend portion bended from the first bend portion, a first yield space above the second bend portion, a third bend portion bent slantedly and extended upwards from the second bend portion and a second yield space below the third bend portion. A contact portion is located at the end of the flexible arm. Due to the pin structure with the first yield space and the second yield space, the two flexible arms will not easily contact each other to prevent the short circuit problem or the interference problem from occurring.
US08118602B2
A method is disclosed for providing electrical connections for an area array device. Each of a plurality of holes in a circuit board has a conductor within it and has an opening on a side of the circuit board. Electrically conductive contact posts extend from the openings of the holes. The contact posts are in a pattern corresponding to contact pads on an area array device. A compliant portion of each contact post is inserted within a hole. The conductor compresses the compliant portion to removably secure the contact post within the hole. The conductors form an electrical connection with the contact post. A spring portion of each contact post extends away from the circuit board. The spring portion is compressible toward the circuit board, and provides an electrical connection between a contact post and a contact pad in response to contact with the contact pad.
US08118599B2
An off-ice edge trainer includes a platform having at least one substantially planar surface that is arranged at a first angle relative to horizontal and at a second angle relative to the horizontal. The first angle and the second angle are greater than 0°. The first angle is configured to cause a user standing on the at least one substantially planar surface of the ice-skating training system to shift their weight to a predetermined portion of a skate blade.
US08118591B2
A heat shield plate for a substrate annealing apparatus is provided with a horizontally supported flat-plate-like substrate 1, a heater 5 positioned above the substrate to heat the upper surface of the substrate with radiation heat, and a heat shield plate 10 horizontally movable between a shielding position where the substrate is shielded from heater and an open position out of the shielding position. The heat shield plate 10 is composed of a structural member 12 made of a low thermal expansion material (carbon composite material) which is hardly deformed due to a temperature difference in the shielding position, and a heat insulating member 14 which covers the upper surface of the structural member and keeps the surface at an allowable temperature or below.
US08118588B2
A burner assembly that produces very low NOx emissions includes a plurality of furnace gas openings for receiving a portion of furnace gasses back into a combustion cylinder. The burner assembly includes the combustion cylinder, a plurality of combustion air inlet conduits that extend into the cylinder and a plurality of fuel gas discharge nozzles that also extend into the cylinder. The burner assembly is mounted within a combustion chamber of a furnace, wherein the walls of the combustion chamber are provided with or are made up of heat transfer pipes. Thus, in operation, furnace gasses exit the combustion cylinder and, due to combined aspirating action created by air jets as they exit the air conduits and fuel gas jets discharging from the fuel gas discharge nozzles inside the combustion cylinder and a pressure differential between the combustion cylinder and the combustion chamber, a portion of the furnace gasses flow from the outlet of the combustion cylinder and past the heat transfer pipes toward the proximal or upstream end of the combustion cylinder. Passage of the furnace gasses past the heat transfer pipes cools the furnace gasses and the furnace gasses then flow through the furnace gas openings and mix with the combustion air and fuel gas to provide a lower NOx emission in an energy-efficient manner.
US08118585B2
In one embodiment, a pattern formation method is disclosed. The method can place a liquid resin material on a workpiece substrate. The method can press a template against the resin material and measuring distance between a lower surface of a projection of the template and an upper surface of the workpiece substrate. The template includes a pattern formation region and a circumferential region around the pattern formation region. A pattern for circuit pattern formation is formed in the pattern formation region and the projection is formed in the circumferential region. The method can form a resin pattern by curing the resin material in a state of pressing the template. In addition, the method can separate the template from the resin pattern.
US08118584B2
A carrier tape forming apparatus includes a tape paying-out unit for paying out a tape to be worked, a tape feeding unit for feeding the tape, a forming unit for effecting embossing on the tape, a perforating unit for perforating at least a feeding hole in the tape, and a tape taking-up unit for taking up the finished (embossed) tape thereabout. The apparatus includes also double-acting driving units provided as driving sources at least for the tape feeding unit, the forming unit and the tape taking-up unit, each driving unit being fluid-operated and movable along a straight path and a controller for independently controlling driving/stopping of the double-acting driving units for the forming unit and the tape taking-up unit in association with driving/stopping of said double-acting driving unit for the feeding unit.
US08118581B2
Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of polymer material in a sequential injection molding process. In one embodiment, the method provides: delivering a first shot of a first material simultaneously to a plurality of mold cavities; independently sensing for each cavity a property that is indicative of a volume or flow of material that is delivered to the corresponding cavity during the step of delivering the first shot; independently stopping the step of delivering the first shot to one or more cavities according to a program that uses as a variable a signal indicative of the property sensed for the corresponding cavity during delivery of the first shot; and delivering a second shot of a second material simultaneously to the cavities subsequent to the step of stopping the step of delivering the first shot.
US08118577B2
A scroll compressor (CP) in which the cylinder oil circulation rate of lubricant is optimized during the operation to improve the compression efficiency is provided. In the scroll compressor (CP) having a stepped shape, the cylinder oil circulation rate of lubricant taken into the scroll compressor (CP) and circulated together with refrigerant is set to fall within the range from 1% or more to 10% or less.
US08118563B2
A compressor system including a first compressor and a second compressor. The first and second compressors each include a shell, a compression mechanism disposed within the shell, and a drive member adapted to drive the compression mechanism. A discharge tube assembly interconnects the first compressor and the second compressor, and the discharge tube assembly includes an inlet portion adjacent the first compressor that is inclined relative to another inlet portion adjacent the second compressor. The inlet portion that is inclined is adapted to prevent a backflow of oil through the discharge tube assembly.
US08118558B2
A camber line in a radial section of a runner vane has a curved part extending near the tip of the runner vane is convex toward the front surface of the runner vane. The runner vane is formed in a shape meeting a condition expressed by: ρs<ρp, where ρs is the radius of curvature of the back surface of the runner vane and ρp is the radius of curvature of the front surface of the runner vane. The runner vane of this shape suppresses flows toward the tip thereof to moderate the variation of flow velocity in the turning direction. Consequently, loss can be reduced without impeding the recover of pressure in a draft tube.
US08118545B2
A turbocharged engine includes an internal combustion engine and a variable geometry turbocharger. The turbocharger is adjustable to operate efficiently under various engine operating and environmental conditions. The turbocharger includes a turbine and compressor, with the compressor including a compressor housing, an impeller rotatably mounted in the housing, and an adjustable diffuser vane assembly. The diffuser vane assembly includes a plurality of pivotal diffuser vanes spaced about the impeller and a vane rotation drive that interconnects the vanes and permits simultaneous adjustment of the diffuser vanes to improve the efficiency and operating range of the turbocharger. The diffuser vane assembly also includes a vane locking drive operable to engage the pivotal vanes and prevent vane movement during turbocharger operation.
US08118539B2
The present disclosure relates to an exhaust gas turbocharger for a motor vehicle. The turbocharger includes a turbine housing having a first area in which exhaust is carried to a turbine wheel and in which the turbine wheel is essentially situated and having a second area connected axially to the first area, such that the first area and the second area are essentially separated from one another by a separating element. It is provided that for thermal insulation, the separating element is made of a material having a low thermal conduction and/or thermal capacity.
US08118532B2
A container transportation system that includes a dolly system that can be mounted underneath the container and then used, optionally in cooperation with a boom or lift, to navigate a container to a desired location. The dolly includes a motor mounted in a swivel bracket that facilitates movement of the dolly for storage. The dolly includes a locking mechanism to clamp in on a load. The dolly can be navigated through the use of a wireless remote control unit that is either held by an operator or by a device that is integrated into the electronics of a road tractor and/or dolly system. The system may include a mounting system for mounting the dolly to a road tractor and a boom for lifting the dolly from a deployed state to a loaded state.
US08118531B2
A tray holding device includes a frame (20) that defines a tray elevation area (A) in which a tray containing workpieces can be lifted and lowered and that allows the loading and unloading of workpieces from above, a lower supporting member (40) that is fixed to the frame to horizontally receive and support the tray in the tray elevation area (A), an elevation mechanism (60) that is provided at the frame to lift and lower the tray supported by the lower supporting member, and an upper supporting mechanism (50) that is mounted to the frame to receive and support the tray lifted by the elevation mechanism from below and to horizontally carry it out. Thus, the size, installation space, etc., of the tray holding device can be reduced, and the productivity can be heightened by shortening a waiting time.
US08118526B2
An adhesive washer for a toilet seat fastener assembly which can be easily installed in the toilet seat fastener assembly without having to cope with the problem of slipping bolts and nuts as they will be securely adhered together. An adhesive toilet seat washer in accordance with the present invention comprises a washer material having an adhesive on at least one side of the washer for adhering to the fastener and holding it in place. In practice, a toilet seat is positioned such that the hole on the toilet seat hinge is directly above the hole on the outer wings of the commode bowl basin and a fastener is inserted through both of the holes in the toilet seat hinge and the commode bowl basin. The washer then is secured against the bottom of the commode bowl basin hole and the fastener, and the adhesive on at least one of the surfaces of the washer acts to hold the fastener in position, thereby maintaining the tightness and security of the fastener assembly.
US08118524B2
A centerline restraint includes a conventional center guide/restraint and a pair of a overrideable guide/restraint at either end. Each overrideable guide/restraint is lockable into one of three rotational positions about a common axis: a retracted position, an erect position and an overridden position. The overrideable guide/restraint has a yoke-shaped body with a pair of legs rotatably mounted on an axle which, in turn, is mounted on a base of the centerline restraint. Lift handles, each operatively connected to a spring-loaded plunger are used to adjust the overrideable guide/restraint between the three positions. A head of the spring-loaded plunger abuts one or more stops formed on the legs of the overrideable guide/restraint to lock the overrideable guide/restraint in various predetermined positions. Lift handles operatively connected to the plungers, when operated, cause the overrideable guide/restraint to switch between positions.
US08118523B2
The invention relates to a support system for a wind turbine component with a rigid structure such as a wind turbine nacelle or a section of a wind turbine tower. The support system comprises a plurality of engagement mechanisms (6, 7, 8, 9) defining at least three corners, possibly at least four corners, of a surface. The surface, in case of the support system comprising at least four engagement mechanisms, is capable of forming a curved surface, and the surface, in case of the support system comprising at least three engagement mechanisms, is at least capable of being tilted in relation to e.g. a vertical orientation. Further, the invention includes a method for operating the support system by simultaneously operating the lower and upper telescopic actuator on each of the support systems, so that the wind turbine component can be lifted or lowered.
US08118522B2
A working apparatus, provided with a base stage, work hold and rotation device for holding and rotating a work, working device movable toward and away from the work via slider mechanism and having a working tool, press structure for pressing the working tool toward the work via the working device, and trace device pressed toward the work together with the working tool by the press structure and in contact with the work and moving the working device as a whole in forward and rearward directions according to outer shape of the work. By pressing of the pressing structure, the working tool deburrs and chamfers under control of working volume by the trace device. The work hold and rotation device has work rotation axis angle adjustment mechanism, for adjusting angle of rotation axis of the work by holding the work. The working apparatus can precisely deburr and chamfer complicated shape of work such as worm gear.
US08118520B2
In order to improve a device for a drilling machine in such a way that manual drilling can be carried out with optimum conditions, it is proposed that the device include a workpiece jigging device, a guide device for the guidance of the machine when there is a displacement of the workpiece jigging device, and a control device for the control of the feed displacement of the workpiece jigging device and the machine. The control device has combinations of impact dampers and/or springs to achieve control over the feed displacement.
US08118505B2
A label printing apparatus having a label peeling mechanism determines the appropriate time to run a process for setting the paper. Paper having a plurality of labels continuously affixed to a web liner is loaded inside the label printing apparatus when a main cover is open. A peeling mechanism cover is attached and openable from the main cover. When opened, the paper is routed through one path or another to exit the printer from one or another exit depending on whether or not the peeling mechanism is used. A control method for this printer has a step of waiting for a switch to be pressed by an operator after the operator puts the paper inside the label printer and closes the main cover, and a step of executing a paper setup process when the switch is pressed.
US08118501B2
A device with a camera unit, and an operational procedure for the device, where the device has a lens for taking pictures of the area outside of a motor vehicle and a cover unit that can change by means of a drive from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, where the cover unit covers the lens of the camera unit in the closed position and uncovers the lens in the open position making it possible to take a picture, and where the cover unit has a lens cover that is movable on one side by means of a bearing shaft on the device.
US08118489B2
The bag may include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, a second side edge and a bottom edge. The sidewalls may be un-joined along their top edges to form an opening. When the bag is placed in a trash receptacle, the top edges may be folded over the rim of the receptacle. To assist with securing the bag to the receptacle, the bag may include an elongated elastic strap of elastic material attached by a first end to an attachment point proximate the first sidewall and by a second end to an attachment point proximate the second sidewall. The strap length and attachment point locations are selected so that, when the strap is in a relaxed state, the strap may not extend to the side edge. The strap may be stretched commensurate with the side edge when folding the top edges about the receptacle rim.
US08118487B2
An apparatus for detecting temperature includes an adjustable current source operable for supplying a current, a thermistor coupled to said adjustable current source, and an auto-range hysteresis logic coupled to said thermistor and said adjustable current source operable for outputting a signal to control said adjustable current source by sensing a voltage across said thermistor. A method for detecting temperature is also disclosed.
US08118485B2
A very high speed thin film RTD sandwich is provided that can be used in high speed temperature probes for medical applications and in environments that are corrosive or hostile in a protected configuration, as well as ambient and surface temperature measurements in an unprotected configuration. The high speed is achieved by maximizing the transfer of heat from the outside perimeter of the sandwich to its internal thin film RTD element to the absolute minimum of time. The thin film RTD element is electrically insulated by the extremely thin film layers. The insulating layers and thin film RTD are then embedded in two layers of high purity silver, the element with the maximum conduction coefficient of heat transfer k.
US08118472B2
The present invention relates to a fixing structure for printed circuit board of backlight module. It includes a protective cover having at least one first supporting portion and the first supporting portion having a first protrusion; a printed circuit board having at least one pierce hole; and a back plate having at least one second supporting portion and the second supporting portion having a second protrusion, wherein the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion oppositely support the printed circuit board, the first protrusion and the second protrusion oppositely wedge in the pierce hole, and two copper areas respectively surround two ends of the pierce hole and electrically connect with the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. The present invention economizes the cost of using screws and eliminates the static electricity from the printed circuit board of the backlight module.
US08118471B2
A connecting structure for connecting a cable and a light source includes a wound part and a pin-shaped terminal. The wound part is formed at a distal end of the cable by bending an exposed end of a lead wire of the cable in a spiral shape. A direction of a center axis of the wound part substantially coincides with a direction of the distal end of the cable. The pin-shaped terminal is disposed at an end of the light source and fixedly connected to inside of the wound part. A direction of the pin-shaped terminal substantially coincides with the direction of the distal end of the cable.
US08118458B2
An optical lens refracts and reflects a light to increase a luminance in a top direction of the optical lens and to decrease a luminance in a horizontal direction of the optical lens. The optical lens includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion has a convex shape. The peripheral portion has a concave shape. The peripheral portion surrounds the central portion. Therefore, power consumption and manufacturing cost are decreased.
US08118455B2
A specialized lighting fixture including a main housing and a front bezel, and a pair of clip elements mounted in the bezel to removably secure one or more filters and a reflector. The clip elements also include a pair of opposed spring arms angled towards the bezel axis with the upper portion of the side edges of the arms positioned closer to the bezel axis than the lower portion of such edges. The bezel includes support surfaces that function, together with the clip elements to position the reflector with respect to the bezel and the bezel with respect to the main housing.
US08118451B2
In one aspect, a lighting system is disclosed that includes an inner reflector extending from a proximal end to a distal end along an axis, where the proximal end is adapted to receive light from a light source and the distal end provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The system can further include an outer reflector that is axially positioned relative to the inner reflector. The outer reflector extends from a proximal end adapted to receive light from the light source to a distal end that provides an exit opening (aperture) for the received light. The inner and outer reflectors are axially movable relative to one another and are configured such that, beginning in a position with the inner reflector nested within the outer reflector, distal movement of the outer reflector (that is, a movement away from the inner reflector) along the axis about which the reflectors are disposed progressively reduces a flood spread produced by the lighting system.
US08118442B2
A light module of a LCD backlight module includes a circuit board and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on the circuit board. Each of the LEDs has a wide far-field pattern, and each of the LEDs includes at least one LED chip and a molding unit packaging the LED chip. The LED chip is electrically connected to the circuit board.
US08118436B2
A projection image display apparatus has a front panel, a projection lens, a lens hood, and a lens dial. The front panel has an opening for the projection lens. The projection lens projects through the opening for the projection lens. The lens hood covers the projection lens circumferentially, and has an opening spaced from an end of the lens hood for a dial. The lens dial is provided for adjusting focusing or zooming. It is provided at a circumference of the projection lens and exposed through the opening for the dial. The apparatus can thus avoid dust or the like foreign matters otherwise entering from a top side thereof into its main body, and also protect the projection lens when the apparatus is carried and inadvertently has a projection lens unit brought into contact with a desk or the like.
US08118435B2
A display system for providing enhanced brightness projected images from a micro-projector. The system includes at least two micro-projector display devices, one or more sensors, and a controller. The sensors provide information to the controller indicative of the micro-projector display devices having been placed in proximity to each other to project identical images, the controller further being programmed to determine from information generated by the sensors their alignment and maximize cooperative pixel alignment between multiple images generated by the micro-projector display devices by offsetting a center of an image in one or more of the projector devices.
US08118433B2
In an image projection apparatus, a sensed image obtained by sensing a projection surface, which contains a projected image, is obtained. Then, a difference image obtained by removing the projected image from the sensed image is used to detect a region corresponding to a predetermined object such as a user's hand or a pointer. Then, a user operation is determined based on the position and temporal variations of a particular portion of the region corresponding to the predetermined object.
US08118432B2
A lens array element has a rectangular plate-like external shape, and includes plate surfaces that functions as light transmission surfaces; and a plurality of cellular lenses that are formed on at least one of the plate surfaces. Each of end faces 4 of the rectangular plate-like external shape forms an inclined surface that slants inward from a plate surface 6 on one side toward a plate surface 2 on the other side, and a reference surface 5 perpendicular to the plate surface is formed on a part of at least two adjoining end faces among the end faces. A front view shape of the reference surface region arranged side-by-side with the inclined surface of the end face is a trapezoid, an oblique side 7 of the trapezoid is disposed so as to extend from a plate surface on one side toward the plate surface 2 on the other side, and an upper side 9 of the trapezoid is disposed on a side of the other of the plate surfaces. Regarding the reference surface provided to the rectangular plate-like end face for optical alignment, the occurrence of inaccuracy due to the releasing properties at the time of molding the lends array element using a metal mold is suppressed.
US08118422B2
An inkjet printer having an inkjet printhead having at least one printhead IC for ejecting ink, and a support structure for mounting the ink jet printhead in the printer and supporting the at least one printhead IC. The support structure has a paper guide adjacent the at least one printhead IC. The printer also has a print platen for facing the at least one printhead IC during printing to define a gap between the print platen and the at least one printhead IC, the print platen having a guide surface for directing the sheets of print media into the gap. A media feed path extends through the printer along which sheets of media substrate are fed, the media feed path being partially defined by the paper guide on the support structure and the guide surface of the print platen. During use, the sheets of print media path in sliding contact with the paper guide and spaced from the guide surface during printing.
US08118418B2
An inkjet printer with a printhead and a conduit connected to the printhead. The conduit defines a flow path for the printing fluid and has an internal cross section configured such that the surface tension of printing fluid within it favors gas bubble growth along the conduit length over radial bubble growth that would fully occlude the flow path.
US08118417B2
A system provides an operator of a solid ink stick printer method with information regarding solid ink stick exception conditions detected in a solid ink printer. The system includes a solid ink stick identifier that obtains identification data from a solid ink stick and that generates an ink stick ejection signal in response to detection of a solid ink stick exception condition, and a solid ink stick exception controller configured to generate a message for display in response to the ink stick ejection signal. obtaining solid ink stick identification data from a solid ink stick inserted into a solid ink printer, detecting a solid ink stick exception condition, generating an ink stick ejection signal in response to the detected solid ink stick exception condition, and generating a message for display in response to the ink stick ejection signal.
US08118416B2
Provided is a valve assembly for a printer ink cartridge. The valve assembly includes a flanged valve stem defining an inlet opening with a skirt engaging portion for operatively engaging an outlet port of the cartridge, and a depressible valve member within the stem. The valve assembly also includes a pressure regulator having a spacer within a central hub and a diaphragm spanning a central inlet opening. The pressure regulator further includes a clip defining an outlet opening, the clip configured to operatively engage the valve stem to sandwich the valve member, spacer and diaphragm between the valve stem and clip. The pressure regulator also includes a spring configured to bias the diaphragm against the central inlet opening into a closed position, so that ink from the ink cartridge is only able to flow through the valve when the diaphragm is in an open position.
US08118415B2
An ink cartridge includes an ink tank which includes an ink chamber formed in an interior of the ink tank, and a first wall separating the interior of the ink tank and an exterior of the ink tank, in which the first wall has a first opening formed therethrough. The ink tank also includes a partition wall connected to the first wall. The partition wall defines a first chamber formed therein, and the first chamber is continuous with the first opening. Moreover, the ink tank includes a divider. The first chamber and the ink chamber are in fluid communication via the divider, and when ink flows through the divider from the first chamber to the ink chamber, the divider is configured to divide a first air bubble contained in the ink into a plurality of second air bubbles. Specifically, a size of the first air bubble is greater than a size of each of the plurality of second air bubbles. The ink cartridge also includes a pump configured to selectively force ink into and out of the interior of the ink tank.
US08118407B2
A thermal inkjet printhead has an array of nozzle arrangements provided for ejecting ink. Each nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet passage. A nozzle chamber structure extends from the substrate assembly to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage. The nozzle chamber structure defines an aperture through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. A pair of parallel heater elements extends from the nozzle chamber structure and into the nozzle chamber, and can be supplied with current so that ink in the nozzle chamber is ejected out through the aperture. Each heater element is shaped to define at least one broken annulus, in turn, comprising said at least one arcuate portion.
US08118397B2
A printhead maintenance station includes a housing operatively positioned with respect to an ink ejection face to be maintained. The housing defines a pair of slots. A support arm has lugs at each end that are slidably received in respective slots. A support is mounted on the support arm. A pad is mounted on the support and is suitable for wiping ink. A motor is operatively mounted with respect to the housing. A pair of cams is rotatable by the motor and engaged with respective lugs such that the motor can slide the arms with respect to the housing, thereby moving the pad between a first operative position and a second, inoperative position.
US08118394B2
A droplet ejecting device including: plural droplet ejecting heads that eject droplets; a transporting body, disposed to face nozzle surfaces of the droplet ejecting heads, that transports a recording medium; and a head holding member that holds the droplet ejecting heads movably along droplet ejecting directions respectively is provided.
US08118389B2
An image recording device comprises: a recording head that has a plurality of recording elements; non-uniformity information acquiring unit that acquires non-uniformity information of each recording element by using a test pattern; non-uniformity correction coefficient calculating unit that calculates a non-uniformity correction coefficient value for each density as recording characteristics of the recording element; misfiring correction coefficient calculating unit that calculates a misfiring correction coefficient value for each density in a case where a nearby recording element is misfiring as the recording characteristics of the recording element; selecting unit that selects one of the recording characteristics for each recording element based on pixel density data of image data and the misfiring information detected by misfiring information detecting unit; and correction processing unit that corrects the pixel density data using the recording characteristics selected by the selecting unit.
US08118364B2
A travel blanket is placed upon an infant in a car seat. The travel blanket has contoured sleeves and an open back construction, as well as stabilization means for securing the base section of the blanket onto an outer, exterior bottom portion of the seat. With these features, the travel blanket can be readily donned upon an infant that is buckled within a car safety seat without the need to adjust safety straps. The travel blanket includes a base section constructed with a base periphery integrated with the base stabilization means. Lateral sections of the travel blanket further include lateral perimeters appointed for aiding in securing the lateral sections over the infant, without wrapping the torso of the infant. Contoured arm sleeves provide enhanced safety to infants. The sleeves snuggly fit over the infant's wrists and do not have loose flowing material about the arms and wrists, which could present a suffocation risk. Construction of the travel blanket ensures a significant amount of coverage over the entire body of the infant that does not contribute to shifting, zero wrapping of the infant's body/torso, and minimal jostling of the infant when applied.
US08118363B2
A tape-shaped engaging member F for fixing an upholstery material to seats, which includes a hook surface fastener composed of a double Raschel-knitted base fabric 1 and projecting mushroom-type fastening elements 2 on the surface of the base fabric and a foamed resin layer 3 integrally united to the back surface of the hook surface fastener, and a method of producing a resin molded article equipped with the engaging member. The tape-shaped engaging member is easily set to a mold, has good in-plane flexibility and deforms in good conformity with three-dimensionally curved surfaces.
US08118362B2
A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat includes a sheet-like sensor member, a sheet-like electric device, and a seat main body configuring a sitting portion and including therein the sensor member and the electric device while overlapping each other. The electric device is provided between a pad member which forms a cushion element of the seat main body and a skin cover which covers an outer surface side of the pad member, and the sensor member is provided between the electric device and the skin cover. The electric device is formed with a through hole, so that a measuring circuit unit which is wired and connected to the sensor member is provided in an inner surface side of the electric device, and the measuring circuit unit is accommodated in a recessed portion formed in the pad member.
US08118356B2
A vehicle roof is proposed, comprising a roof opening, which can be either closed or at least partially exposed by means of a cover element, which at its rear edge can be tilted relative to a fixed roof section and which is traversable above the fixed roof section towards the rear of the vehicle and which is guided on both sides relative to a vehicle longitudinal center plane by a front sliding unit in a leading guide rail section and by a rear sliding unit in a rear guide rail section respectively. According to the invention the rear sliding unit is guided on a guide link of the cover element and the tangents of the rear guide rail section and of the guide link of the cover element, projected in the vehicle vertical direction, are at least in part set counter to a vehicle longitudinal axis, so that the rear guide rail section and the guide link fixed to the cover in this projection intersect when the cover element is in an open position.
US08118344B2
There is provided a slide door structure of a vehicle which has a slide door to slide in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a side of a vehicle body, comprising a center rail which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the side of the vehicle body so as to guide a roller provided at the slide door, and an expansion preventing bracket which is provided at a front end portion of the center rail so as to connect a pair of guide-face portions which face to each other for preventing an expansion of a center-rail end. Accordingly, the expansion of guide-rail end can be prevented in case the outward load acts on the slide door when the slide door is in the closed state.
US08118341B2
A rear floor structure in a vehicle body rear part has a spare tire placing panel having an inclined surface inclined downward toward the vehicle front provided above a rear floor, and a spare tire tiltingly mounted on the spare tire placing panel. In the rear floor structure, in an intermediate portion in the front and rear direction of the spare tire placing panel, a convex part directed upward is provided so as to extend along the vehicle width direction; between the rear floor and the spare tire placing panel in the vertical direction, a space for disposing a jack, being a rigid member, is formed; and on the vehicle front side of the axis center of the jack on the rear floor, a projecting part extending in the vehicle width direction is provided.
US08118336B2
A doorstop includes a flange connected to a floor contacting portion. The flange is deflectable under transverse pressure. During operation, a door-engaging end portion of the flange contacts a vertical face of a door. Upon deflection, the end portion drops below the vertical face to allow the door to close. In some embodiments, a doorstop includes a spring member and a flange. The spring member includes an arc-shaped portion having a rest curvature and a floor contacting end portion. The arc-shaped portion is deflectable to an arc with less curvature under transverse pressure and returns to the rest curvature upon removal of the transverse pressure. The flange includes a door-engaging end portion and a different attached portion. The attached portion is attached to the arc-shaped portion of the spring member such that the flange is substantively tangent to the arc-shaped portion of the spring member along the attached portion.
US08118334B2
The description relates to an adjusting device for hook spindle rotating bolts, sash fastener rotating bolts, pull-turn bolts, swiveling bolts and the like of closures, particularly of closures for mounting in thin walls, such as sheet-metal cabinets with a frame and door, in which the closures have a closure driveshaft which is provided with an external thread and which holds a bolt so as to be axially adjustable, and/or a bolt which is provided with an internal thread or bore hole near its free end and which holds a back-engaging device so as to be adjustable perpendicular to the back-engagement plane. According to the invention, the rotating bolt carries or forms an internal thread for screwing in the closure driveshaft and one side of a coupling, such as a claw coupling, which acts by positive engagement, whose other side is held by the closure driveshaft so as to be rigid against rotation.
US08118327B2
A structure of a steering support portion includes a steering support member (40), which is positioned within an instrument panel, a pair of front and back column brackets (22, 23), which are attached upon the lower portion of the steering support member (40), and a steering column (24), which is anchored, at two front and back locations, in a suspension support state, respectively, at front and back fastening points (25, 26) that are provided respectively upon the front and back column brackets (22, 23), wherein the steering support member (40) further has a shape of a triangular cross-section, which in turn further includes a horizontal upper surface portion (41), a forward facing incline surface portion (42), and a rear facing incline surface portion (43).
US08118326B2
Coupling systems and methods enable adjustable utilization of counterweights and other components on vehicles, such as riding lawn mowers. A mounting bracket and pivoting locking plate are operable to releasably secure a component, such as a counterweight, to a vehicle without the use of tools. Responsive to insertion of the component into the mounting bracket, the locking plate pivots to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle.
US08118313B2
A riding apparatus for children is disclosed. The riding apparatus of the present invention includes a main body (110), which has a handle (111) and a footrest (115), and support plates (120), which are installed in the main body and are placed upright at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The riding apparatus further includes an operating unit (300), which has a front rotary member (330), a rear rotary member (340), a front spring (350), a rear spring (351) and a connection bar (310). The front rotary member and the rear rotary member respectively have interlocking shafts (213) and (223). The riding apparatus further includes front legs (210) and rear legs (220), which are respectively fastened to the interlocking shafts (213) and (223). A one-way wheel assembly is provided on the lower end of each of the front and rear legs.
US08118304B1
A stopping device and a multi-function peripheral (MFP) using the same are provided. The stopping device disposed in a track having a recess includes a driving unit, a forcing unit, a first restricting point, a second restricting point, a rotating unit, and a stopping unit. The forcing unit has a pivoting portion pivoted with the driving unit and a forcing portion. The forcing portion is located between the first restricting point and the second restricting point aligned in a perpendicular direction. The rotating unit has a rotating axle, and a first end and a second end located at two opposite sides of the rotating axle. The forcing portion of the forcing unit contacts the first end. The stopping unit has a third end and a fourth end. The third end has an opening, through which the second end of the rotating unit passes.
US08118299B2
A manual sheet feeder including a pickup roller; a pickup arm; a sheet stopper; a rotation regulation member; a solenoid including a movable core having a straight line motion; a solenoid link rotatively coupled to the movable core; and a first spring to bias the pickup arm in a direction in which the pickup arm is rotated downward. At start of sheet feeding operation, the pickup arm is rotated by the first spring in a direction in which the pickup roller is moved downward in conjunction with rotation of the solenoid link caused by the straight line motion of the movable core in one direction, and the rotation regulation member is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the solenoid link caused by the straight line motion of the movable core in the one direction to release regulation of rotation of the sheet stopper.
US08118298B2
A sheet feeding device includes a holding unit configured to hold a stack of sheets; a pickup roller, which feeds a sheet placed on top of the stack held in the holding unit when the pickup roller comes in contact with the sheet; a holder arm having a distal end to which the pickup roller is attached, wherein the holder arm has a swing center set at a position closer to the pickup roller side than the holding unit, and wherein the distal end of the holder arm extends from the swing center to the holding unit side; and a resiliently-deformable unit, which generates a swing moment to swing the holder arm to increases contact surface pressure between the sheet held in the holding unit and the pickup roller, wherein the swing moment increases as a contact angle between an extension direction of the holder arm and the sheet increases.
US08118297B2
A sheet feeding unit includes a side warm-air mechanism that blows air toward a side surface of a sheet stack S from a warm-air outlet. The sheet feeding unit controls the lift mechanism so as to perform a sheet separating operation every time a predetermined number of sheets P are fed during a continuous sheet feeding operation.
US08118292B2
The present utility model provides an operation table with a telescopic table board positioned with an eccentric rocker. The operation table includes a table board and support feet, the support feet being positioned at both ends of the table board along the length direction. The table board is characterized by the following features: The table board includes a left table board and a right table board, which are slidely nested with each other at the inner end, and connected at the outer end to the support feet at both ends, respectively; as for the left table board and the right table board, one of them is fixedly provided with a rack, while the other with a corresponding claw clutch, which is mainly composed of a claw and a spring; the claw is provided at the head with a tooth head engaged with the corresponding rack, and at the tail with an unlocking operation handle; the claw is supported at the central part via the spring on the left table board or the right table board correspondingly provided with the claw clutch; the spring acts in the same direction with the tooth head, and the tooth head and the unlocking operation handle are eccentrically positioned on one side of the support center of the spring, thus constituting the telescopic positioning mechanism between the left table board and the right table board. The present utility model improves the table board structure of the operation table, greatly enhancing versatility of the operation table.
US08118288B2
An engine mount system for a lawn mower having a front, rear, and two sides. The engine mount system includes a mounting plate, an engine, first and second elastic members, and first and second brackets. The engine is mounted to the mounting plate and applies a torque force to the mounting plate during lawn mower operation. The first bracket is provided on the mounting plate and includes a first surface. The first surface is adjacent the first elastic member and partially faces the front, thereby placing the first elastic member into compression when the engine applies the torque force to the mounting plate. The second bracket is provided on the mounting plate and includes a second surface. The second surface is adjacent the second elastic member and partially faces the rear, thereby placing the second elastic member into compression at the same time as the first elastic member.
US08118282B2
Disclosed is an improved method and apparatus for installing a cable into cable guide tubing and the like. The method typically includes rotating a reel of cable guide tubing at least 360° while, using compressed gas, feeding a cable, such as a plurality of microducts, into the cable guide tubing. The related apparatus includes a cable injection unit and a rotation coupling unit to facilitate the installation of cable (e.g., microducts) into the rotating cable guide tubing.
US08118276B2
A valve actuator having an electric drive motor with a motor shaft and having an output shaft linked to the motor shaft to drive movement of a valve, the actuator further having a control system arranged to provide a first closed loop control of the actuator output shaft and including a controller coupled to a first position sensor to sense the position of the actuator output shaft, and to a second position sensor to sense the position of the motor shaft and to enable determination of the speed of the motor shaft, the control system being configured to respond to sensed signals from the first and second sensors and adjust the motor speed/position accordingly.
US08118272B2
A link rod type adjustable screen fixing apparatus includes: a fixing base, having at least one operating slot; at least one distal plate device, having at least one pair of distal plates embedded in the operating slot, and slidably moving in the operating slot, and an upper frame plate disposed at an external side of the distal plate; at least one contractible device, formed by pivotally coupling link rods, and installed in the operating slot, and a side of the contractible device being pivotally coupled to the distal plate; and a containing space, defined by the upper frame plate of the distal plates for installing a screen. The distal plate is contractible in the operating slot for adjusting the containing space, such that the invention can fit screens of different sizes, and provide a convenient replacement and a dynamic adjustment.
US08118270B2
A mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a securing element. The mounting bracket is configured to receive a disk drive. The securing element is slidably mounted to the mounting bracket. The securing element includes a stopping portion. The securing element is configured to slide, along a first direction to engage the disk drive to prevent the disk drive from moving along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The stopping portion is configured to block the mounting bracket to prevent the securing element from sliding out of the mounting bracket along a third direction that is opposite to the first direction.
US08118268B2
A hands free baby bottle holder and feeder which includes a wedge shaped pillow and a U-shaped shaped pillow. A mechanism is for attaching the U-shaped pillow in an inverted position onto the wedge shaped pillow. A C-clamp mechanism on the U-shaped pillow is for holding a baby bottle in position, so that an infant placed onto the wedge shaped pillow between the U-shaped pillow can safely drink from the baby bottle.
US08118264B2
An aircraft system may include an airfoil and a deployable device coupled to the airfoil. The system may further include a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device. The actuator may be movable between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil. The system may additionally include an activatable link positioned between the actuator and the deployable device. The link may have an engaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is transmitted to the deployable device, and a disengaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is not transmitted to the deployable device.
US08118262B2
A hybrid parachute, method of deploying a parachute and method of landing a payload. The hybrid parachute utilizes a reefing system that provides for the initial deployment of a deceleration stage that is configured to withstand the stresses of high-speed and/or high altitude openings. The deceleration stage has operating characteristics similar to known high-speed parachutes. After sufficient deceleration has been achieved with the deceleration stage, reefings are released deploying one or more low-speed high drag stages of the device. The high drag stage(s) provide the landing characteristics of a low-speed parachute, including the possibility of controlled descent and landing.
US08118258B2
The invention relates to a separation element for separating a first space from a second space in an aircraft. The separation element can be affixed between a ceiling region of the cabin, a hatrack in the ceiling region of the cabin, and between a movable space separation device. Furthermore, as a result of attachment between the ceiling region, the hatrack and the movable space separation device, the separation element is connectable in a lightproof manner to the ceiling region, and in a lightproof manner to the hatrack. Furthermore, the separation element is designed in such a manner that it is connectable in a lightproof manner to the movable space separation device.
US08118257B2
A thermal management system comprises a first heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a second heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid loop, a first heat pump, and a second heat pump. The fluid loop circulates a fluid, and forms a continuous path between the first and second heat exchangers. The first heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the second heat exchanger and the inlet of the first heat exchanger. The second heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlet of the second heat exchanger.
US08118253B1
An Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) includes a power module (1) to be supplied with fuel (2), a gearbox (5), an electric generator (6), and an element selected from a compressor (4), a hydraulic pump and a combination thereof, in order to provide a functioning mode for production of power selected from electric (8), pneumatic (7), hydraulic and a combination thereof; the APU presents the novelty of including an electric motor (9), integrated into the electric generator (6), with the electric motor (9) and the electric generator (6) connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and a main clutch (10). Moreover, the compressor (4) and/or the hydraulic pump are also connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and the main clutch (10). Also, the compressor (4) and/or hydraulic pump are connected to the power module (1) via the gearbox (5a) and the main clutch (10). This architecture permits the functioning modes of the APU to be extended, increasing its performance and reducing harmful environmental effects.
US08118252B2
A rear lower aerodynamic fairing for an attachment device for an aircraft engine, including two side panels assembled together with transverse stiffening inner ribs spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the fairing, and a heat protection floor to be closely followed by a primary flow of the engine. The floor includes plural floor segments distributed along the direction and non-rigidly bound to each other, and the fairing further includes an assembling mechanism assembling the floor segments, offsetting the latter of the ribs to which are connected the assembling mechanism.
US08118245B2
A shredder having a sizing chamber and a reducing chamber for sizing and reducing material.
US08118235B2
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of macrodots encoding Reed-Solomon codewords. Each codeword is comprised of Reed-Solomon data symbols and Reed-Solomon redundancy symbols. The coding pattern encodes the symbols using mixed multi-pulse position modulation, with a higher number of symbol values available for redundancy symbols than data symbols.
US08118234B2
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of target elements defining a target grid. The target grid comprises a plurality of cells, wherein neighboring cells share target elements. A plurality of data elements are contained in each cell. Tags are defined by a plurality of contiguous cells and each tag comprises respective local tag data encoded by a respective set of the data elements. Each cell comprises one or more translation symbols encoded by a respective set of the data elements. The translation symbols identify a translation of the cell relative to a tag containing the cell.
US08118230B2
A stored-value card includes a housing, an audio circuit storing an audio file, and a speaker coupled to the audio circuit. The housing includes a first panel, a second panel spaced from and positioned opposite the first panel, and a side wall extending between the first panel and the second panel. The side wall extends substantially perpendicular to each of the first panel and the second panel such that an open cavity is formed between the first panel and the second panel. The housing further includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card. The audio circuit and the speaker are substantially enclosed within the open cavity of the housing. Stored-value card assemblies and methods of using a stored-value card are also disclosed.
US08118228B2
A laser scanner for reading symbology, such as barcodes. The laser scanner includes a housing, a laser source or generator disposed in the housing and operative to generate a laser beam, and an output window supported by housing and being positioned to receive the laser beam incident thereon. The window is operative to transmit the laser beam therethrough at a symbology target. In one embodiment, the window includes a vertical wedge angle between front and rear surfaces of the window that is oriented substantially in alignment with a vertical axis defined by the window. The vertical wedge angle is preferably oriented perpendicular to a horizontally-extending scanning line of the laser beam on the window. In one embodiment, the vertical wedge angle is substantially the same along the entire length or width of the window.
US08118200B2
A device for removing the wrinkles from the sleeve of a garment. A working surface defines a plurality of openings. Each of first and second sleeve holders are secured proximate an opening at a proximal end of each sleeve holder. First and second air bags are each configured to substantially surround a cooperating sleeve holder. Each sleeve holder and cooperating air bag is adapted to be received within a sleeve of the garment to extend the sleeve from the working surface. In one embodiment, a steam transfer device is configured to selectively transfer steam into each air bag and outwardly through each air bag to an interior surface of the sleeve. In another embodiment, a heated air transfer device is configured to selectively transfer heated air into each air bag and outwardly through each air bag to an interior surface of the sleeve.
US08118198B1
The disclosed preferred embodiment of the current invention relates to a spout or a spout extension system for assisting in the transfer of pourable material from a storage container to a receiving destination or equipment. Said spout extension has a means of controlling the flow of said material allowing for the inversion and positioning of said container spout combination, prior to initiating the flow. More particularly this invention relates to an attachable spout extension, said extension contains a control means or valve which can be operated when the container and spout extension combination is inverted and positioned in the desired location prior to commencing flow of material.
US08118186B2
A torque-limiting cap (100) for an air conditioning service port (14) includes an inner body assembly (122) having a retaining body (116) configured for engagement on the service port, and an outer body assembly (134) annularly disposed around the inner body assembly. The outer body assembly (134) has a first ratchet portion (140) configured for engagement with a second ratchet portion (146) that is disposed on the inner body assembly (122). When the outer body assembly (134) is torqued, the outer body assembly transmits the torque to the inner body assembly (122) from the first ratchet portion (140) to the second ratchet portion (146) to threadably engage the retaining body (116) onto the service port (14). When there is a preset amount of torque resistance, the first ratchet portion (140) slips with respect to the second ratchet portion (146) such that no additional torque is transmitted to the inner body assembly (122) from the outer body assembly (134).
US08118183B2
A particularly small eyedropper or the like is provided, which has a construction such that, when a body thereof is squeezed, an introduction hole thereof can be easily closed to compress air in a space between an inner layer and an outer layer thereof even in the absence of a check valve in the introduction hole, and defectiveness of the introduction hole can be easily checked. To this end, a test hole (19) communicating with an introduction hole (17) via a space between an outer layer bottle. (1) and an inner layer bag (16) is provided in an outer layer mouth portion (4). The test hole (19) is closed by the inner layer bag (16) and an inside plug (21) fitted in the mouth portion (4). Further, the introduction hole (17) is provided in a middle portion of a body which is pressed by a finger when the bottle is squeezed. The introduction hole (17) is closed by the finger.
US08118182B1
A disposable or long term use beverage container having a cup portion with an aperture therein and a mating cap portion with a mouthpiece extending therefrom with one of the portions having an annular ridge and the other an annular groove for receiving said ridge therein sealing the disposable beverage container from leakage. Additionally the mouthpiece extending from the cap is designed to anatomically fit the user's mouth and provides that the mouthpiece may be nipple shaped for babies and toddlers. Also provided are nubs protruding from opposing sides of the cap that when squeezed breaks the cup cap seal allowing for removal of the cap for selective refilling as desired. The present invention also provides that the disposable beverage container may be manufactured from microwave safe material for those beverages that may require heating.
US08118180B2
A system (1) for supporting a rollable object (4), such as a cylindrical container. The system comprises at least one elongated rail (2) and at least one supporting part. The rail (2) has a contact surface (6) for bearing on a base, and is furthermore provided, along at least two sides, with an at least partly profiled surface (5) for holding a supporting part (3) in position at least in a longitudinal direction of said elongated rail (2). The supporting part (3) comprises a supporting surface (7) for preventing a movement of the object (4) in a horizontal direction, and, optionally, for supporting the object (4) in a vertical direction, and a contact surface (8) for bearing on the rail (2) and/or the base. The supporting part (3) further comprises a passage (9) for receiving at least a part of the rail (2). This passage (9) is provided with an inner wall which is at least partly provided with a profiled surface (10) complementary to the profiled surface (5) of the two sides of the rail (2), for at least partly transmitting a force, applied to the supporting part in said longitudinal direction, to the rail (2).
US08118165B2
A blank of foldable material to form a sleeve having a recess and a latching mechanism openable and closable by a user. The sleeve can contain articles such as packets of consumer products to form a package.
US08118164B2
A product display assembly having an x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, x-y-plane, x-z-plane, and y-z plane. The product display assembly also having a base, a plurality of product packages having a product space, and a support stem. The support stem also has one or more hingedly attached flaps wherein the one or more flaps are foldable to extend beyond the product space.
US08118159B2
An apparatus and a method for safely disposing of medicines. The apparatus includes a container assembly and a bag. The container assembly includes a container member capable of storing the medicines, and a lid extending from a top portion of the container member. The bag includes a pair of gloves capable of being worn by a user for allowing hygienic handling of the medicines, one or more funnels capable of being configured in one or more openings of the lid for allowing receiving of the medicines and storing of the medicines in the container member, a first receptacle having a bittering agent capable of denaturing the stored medicines, a second receptacle having a coloring agent capable of providing a characteristic color to the denatured medicines and a third receptacle having a thickening agent capable of converting the denatured medicines into a partially solid disposable mass.
US08118149B2
The invention relates to a selective freewheeling mechanism for developing an electromechanical vehicle brake (service brake) into a parking brake. The freewheeling mechanism according to the invention has an outer ring and a locking element cage which are configured as an electric motor with a rotor and a stator. The rotor and stator can be swiveled in relation to each other when a coil is supplied with current. Due to a symmetric design, the freewheeling mechanism is advantageously insensitive to acceleration forces.
US08118145B1
A suitcase with wheels that is convertible to be a pushcart or pull-cart upon which a traveler can load other luggage items and pull or push the suitcase for easy movement of several pieces of luggage simultaneously. When the suitcase is not being used as a pushcart or pull-cart it functions as a traditional “wheelie bag.”
US08118141B2
In one embodiment, a clamp jaw includes a face having an annular groove therein and a linear groove therein tangent to the annular groove. In another embodiment, an assembly includes an overhand loop in a cord compressed between two faces.
US08118116B2
An elongated percussive rock drilling element comprises at least one thread portion and a flush channel. At least the thread portion is made of a corrosion resistant steel having a structure with a martensite content greater than about 50 wt-% and less than about 100 wt-%, in which the steel comprises C+N greater than about 0.1 wt-% and less than or equal to about 0.8 wt-% and Cr greater than or equal to about 11 wt-% or Cr greater than or equal to about 5 wt-%, Mo less than or equal to about 5 wt-%, W less than or equal to about 5 wt-%, Cu less than or equal to about 2 wt-%, Mo+W+Cu greater than about 0.5 wt-% or Cr+3.3 (Mo+W)+16N greater than about 10 wt-%. The surface of said at least one thread portion of said corrosion resistant steel is ball blasted.
US08118114B2
A steering tool has a controller configured to provide closed-loop control of blade pressure and position. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to execute a directional control methodology in which the drilling direction is controlled via control of the blade position. The pressure in each blade is further controlled within a predetermined range of pressures. This embodiment tends to prevent excessive borehole friction while at the same time reducing undesirable rotation of the blade housing. In another embodiment, the controller is configured to correlate blade pressure measurements and blade position measurements during drilling. The correlation is utilized as part of a secondary directional control scheme in the event of a downhole failure of a blade position and/or pressure sensor.
US08118112B2
A hydraulic rock breaking device, a protection valve and a method of operating a hydraulic rock breaking device. The rock breaking device comprises a percussion device to which pressure fluid is fed along an inlet channel. The inlet channel is provided with a protection valve arranged to monitor the volume flow of pressure fluid flowing through it. If the flow is larger than what has been preset, the protection valve closes, at least partly, the connection through it, protecting thus the percussion device against too high an input power. The protection valve comprises a throttle which generates a pressure difference the magnitude of which is dependent on the fed volume flow. Information on the pressure difference is utilized in controlling the protection valve.
US08118111B2
The present device is generally a stabilizer bracket for small to mid-sized skid steer vehicles used to grade earth using a dozer blade in conjunction with remote grade control equipment (such as laser automation or other automated leveling system). The device is most suited to skid steer vehicles capable of using a variety of interchangeable front end accessories in addition to a dozer blade.
US08118108B2
A fire extinguishing apparatus in which one embodiment comprises of a dome lengthening into an extendable and flexible cylinder which contains a device that can adapt and form a seal with the surface as it is lowered, by means of a lifting device, on to a fire below, encapsulating said fire and extinguishing it by striving it of oxygen. The apparatus can be stretched or collapsed by means of installed winches, to accommodate different sizes of burning materials and to facilitate transportation.
US08118097B2
An apparatus comprising a fluid communication device configured to extend from a drill string and establish fluid communication with a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore in which the drill string is positioned, wherein the drill string comprises a passage configured to conduct drilling mud and an opening extending through an outer surface thereof and into a cavity. A sample chamber is coupled within the cavity and is in selectable fluid communication with the formation via the fluid communication device. A retainer is configured to absorb axial loading of the sample chamber within the cavity.
US08118094B2
A tool system for monitoring a flow of liquid within a borehole. The tool system comprises a plurality of tools disposed on a longitudinal axis of the tool system. The plurality of tools comprises at least a first injector tool for ejecting in the borehole a tracer and a detector tool to detect the ejected tracer. The tool system further comprises a standard digital bus traversing at least a portion of each tool of the plurality of tools. The standard digital bus allows a communication between each tool of the plurality of tools.
US08118093B2
An apparatus for retaining and tensioning an end of a transmission line includes a nut element having internal threads configured to engage an externally threaded transmission line, such as an externally threaded coaxial cable, thereby retaining an end of the transmission line. The internal threads may form a passageway extending from a first end of the nut element to a second end of the nut element. This passageway may allow a transmission line to pass through the nut element. A socket may be incorporated into one end of the nut element to enable a tool to apply torque thereto. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08118089B2
An improved delivery system for pumping fluid from a pay zone to the surface of a well consisting of a pump situated near the pay zone of the well, a drive head at the surface of the well and a rod string connecting the two, wherein a transmission is interposed between the pump and drive head on the rod string and fluid pumped from the pay zone passes through conduits, extending longitudinally in isolation through the transmission.
US08118086B2
An inexpensive heat exchanger is disclosed, wherein the heat exchanger is made up of a plurality of plates and each plate has at least one channel defined in the plate. The plates are stacked and bonded together to form a block having conduits for carrying at least one fluid and where the exchanger includes an expansion device enclosed within the unit. The plates include construction to thermally insulate the expansion region from the heat exchange region to improve efficiency of the heat exchanger.
US08118075B2
An apparatus for separating a laminated substrate assembly comprises at least a substantially planar assembly, a cutting member housing assembly positioned on a first side of the substantially planar assembly, a cutting member receiving assembly positioned on a second side of the substantially planar assembly, substantially opposite from the first side of the planar assembly suitable for receiving an amount of the elongated cutting member. At least one of the cutting member housing assembly or the cutting member receiving assembly is configured to provide an amount of tension to the elongated cutting member as the elongated cutting member is released by the cutting member housing assembly or received by the cutting member receiving assembly, and the elongated cutting member is configured to remove an amount of adhesive from an adhesive layer of the laminated substrate assembly.
US08118072B2
An improved run flat tire and system for use with a two-piece or multi-piece wheel and tire to provide for continued operation of vehicles after tire deflation. Certain aspects of the invention include a plurality of arcuate sections releasably aligned and secured to each other for positioning around a wheel, wherein extended lip portions of each arcuate section extend laterally from the inner base portion of each arcuate section to limit lateral movement of the run flat device relative to the wheel.
US08118069B2
A liquid loading method, a liquid container and a head cartridge are provided, which allow the liquid container to be appropriately loaded with liquid such that a stirring member provided in the liquid container fully fulfills its function. For this end, an infusion needle is inserted from the outside of the ink cartridge into the ink storage chamber comprising a swinging member for stirring ink, so that the ink is loaded into the ink storage chamber through the infusion needle.
US08118068B2
The invention is directed to a dispensing unit suitable to precisely dispense material in powdery and/or granular form. The dispensing device comprises an gate valve opening sealingly closed by a blend. A control unit, which is interconnected to a scaling device, controls the opening of the gate valve opening by the position of the blend. The precise amount of the material is adjusted in relation to the signal of the scaling device.
US08118063B2
A new apparatus for repairing a damaged portion of a pipe includes a liner having a tubular sleeve of resin absorbent material that is capable of being stretched circumferentially and a plastic film laminated to an exterior surface of the sleeve. The plastic film contains resinous material in the liner until the liner is stretched circumferentially to thereby breech the integrity of the plastic film and expose the resinous material to a damaged section of pipe in need of repair. A method of lining a damaged section of pipe using the liner is also provided.
US08118057B2
A temperature limit stop assembly for a mixing valve including a stop surface supported by a stem and a hot water stop shoulder supported by a stop member and engagable with the stop surface of the stem to limit rotational movement of a valve plate.
US08118038B2
What is disclosed is an electric motor powered mascara applicator brush. The mascara applicator brush comprises a cylindrical container and provides for two components of rotation of the brush and more even distribution of the mascara around the eyelashes.
US08118036B2
A dispensing device, having a hollow nipple-shaped stopper configured to act as a one-way valve, for use as a hair dyeing comb is provided. The nipple-shaped stopper has an aperture at its tip end. The aperture opens toward outside when the operator compresses the plastic bottle and closes when the operator releases the plastic bottle. When the aperture is in its closed position, the stopper prevents the liquid hair dye already in the conduit from flowing back to the plastic bag inside the bottle. The purpose of using the stopper here is to keep the air out of the dispensing system in order for the operator to pump the liquid dye efficiently. The stopper and a small aperture at the bottom of the plastic bottle are replacing the one-way valve currently used in many hair dye-dispensing devices. With interchangeable comb heads, the operator can choose the proper comb head for his hair type and different application purpose.
US08118033B2
An apparatus for manufacturing rod-shaped smoking articles which includes a forming section (10) for forming a material layer (K) made up of particles of smoking material and delivering the formed material layer (K); a wrapping section (20) disposed downstream of the forming section (10), for forming a rod (KR) by wrapping the material layer (K) in a web (W); a pair of guide blocks (54) disposed in the terminal end portion of the forming section (10), for guiding the material layer (K); a web shield (56) disposed downstream of the guide blocks (54) as viewed in the direction of delivering the material layer (K), for separating the material layer (K) and the web (W) from each other; a tongue (40) disposed in the start end portion of the wrapping section (20); and injection openings (64, 70, 76) provided to the guide blocks (54), the web shield (56) and the tongue (40), for injecting a liquid flavor additive into the material layer (K).
US08118027B2
A patient interface assembly that includes a substantially rigid support and a patient interface device coupled to a first end of the support. A first arm is coupled to a first side of the support and a second arm is coupled to a second side of the support. A cross member spans between the first arm and the second arm such that the cross member is disposed under a patient's mandible when the patient interface assembly is worn by a user. An addition, a conduit is coupled to a second end of the support.
US08118021B2
Disclosed is a temperature control pouch pack including: a first pack which is filled with a predetermined reaction fluid and a reaction material that react with each other to cause a certain reaction while isolating one of the reaction fluid and the reaction material from the other one; and a second pack which is disposed to exchange heat with the first pack and accommodates an article of which temperature is in need of control.
US08118016B2
Methods, apparatus, systems, and kits for loading paintballs into a feed tube of a paintball gun are disclosed. A loader includes a chamber for holding paintballs, a feed mechanism having a rotational feeder within the chamber that feeds paintballs from the chamber along a feed channel when rotating to fill the feed tube, and a drive mechanism that drives the rotational feeder of the feed mechanism, ceases to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempts to rotate the stopped rotational feeder. Paintballs are loaded from a loader into a feed tube of a paintball gun by driving a rotational feeder within the loader, the rotational feeder configured within the loader to feed paintballs into the feed tube when rotating, ceasing to drive the rotational feeder responsive to stoppage of the rotational feeder, and periodically attempting to rotate the stopped rotational feeder.
US08118005B2
Cooperative operation of an auxiliary power unit having a mechanical power output shaft with a transmission coupled power takeoff operation system of a vehicle is provided by allowing the vehicle's main engine to be cranked by the auxiliary power unit through the power takeoff operation system.
US08118003B2
A pivot cam mechanism included in a valve operating system is configured such that a coupling pin is supported at a pivot member in a position closer to a camshaft than a control shaft, and the pivot member and the driven member are integrally pivotable according to the rotation of the drive cam while changing relative attitudes of the driven member and the pivot member. Positions and shapes of the drive cam, the driven member, and the pivot member are designed so that a valve maximum acceleration point at which an acceleration of a valve body is at a maximum is located in a front part of a valve acceleration period in which the acceleration of the valve body has a positive value while the drive cam is rotating once.
US08118002B2
In a dual intake valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable valve lift (CVVL) system controls two intake valves for one or more engine cylinders. In each cylinder, one of the intake valves includes an associated valve deactivation device, and the other intake valve does not. To improve in-cylinder air flow turbulence under low valve lift, one of the intake valves may be deactivated, resulting in mixture intake through only one valve, resulting in strong swirl by unbalanced flow. A CVVL-equipped engine including a valve deactivation device provides the same amount of air flow for the same engine load as a prior art CVVL engine. A method of introducing a swirl to the mixture is also described.
US08117988B2
The invention relates to a rotary platform for milking of animal. The rotary parlor comprises a platform (3), a circular rail member (10) connected to a lower surface of the platform (3) and a plurality of rolling members (11) having a wear surface (11′) adapted to be in contact with a wear surface (10b″) of the rail member (10). The rail member (10) comprises a first part (10a, 17, 18a, b) connected to the platform (3), a second part (10b, 18c) comprising said wear surface (10b″) and a connection arranged between said first part (10a, 17, 18a, b) of the rail member and said second part (10b, 18c) of the rail member, which connection is adapted to allow angular movements between the first part (10a, 17, 18a, b) and the second part (10b, 18c) of the rail member (10).
US08117984B2
A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.
US08117980B1
A rigid mooring system that instantly secures pontoons, float planes, boats, and other forms of craft to a variety of dockage types and consists of two identical, yet separately positioned devices which together moor a craft safely away from the dockage. Barrel plate hinges permanently secure the two devices to the dockage allowing both the devices and the attached craft vertical motion but prohibit parallel or lateral movement. Each device has two reinforced arms coming together to form a right triangle shaped rigid body with one arm projecting further, bending into a curved attaching end. This attaching end is integrated with a self closing latch. The latch opens when pressed against the craft's mooring fixture then automatically snaps back into place capturing the craft. Pressing the release button opens the latch, freeing the craft. Each device also provides a place for a separate lock to be installed preventing theft or unauthorized use of the craft.
US08117977B2
The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercrafts, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit by a tractive cable, having a first end of the tractive cable connected to the steering unit and a second end of the tractive cable connected to a base platform, a guiding line having a first end connected to the aerodynamic wing or to the steering unit, a pole being connected to the base platform. According to the invention, an aerodynamic wind propulsion device as mentioned above is provided, characterized in that a second end of the guiding line is connected to the base platform during and between starting and landing maneuvers wherein the guiding line is guided through or along the pole and is capable of transferring a tensile force onto the aerodynamic wing at least during starting or landing.
US08117960B2
A water-cooled piston compressor having at least one air-compressing piston, which can be driven with means for producing a linearly oscillating drive force and which is accommodated in an axially movable manner in a cylinder housing which is closed at the end face via a cylinder head and is provided with water-cooling means, wherein the water-cooling means comprise a cylinder housing which is formed with a double wall and on whose end face facing the cylinder head a plurality of cooling openings are arranged, via which coolant flowing through the double-walled cylinder housing comes into contact with the region of the cylinder head.
US08117957B2
A breech device of a hand firearm comprises a firearm casing, a trigger mechanism, a carrier slidably arranged within the firearm casing, and a breech block engaging the carrier and having a firing pin. The breech device further includes a tensioning element slidably engaged with the carrier and coupled to at least one follower pin engaging the firing pin and slidably engaged with the breech block. The tensioning element includes a projecting part having a forward-directed nose adapted to engage a stop detent on the trigger mechanism. The breech device further includes a tensioning pin slidably engaged with the carrier and the breech block.
US08117954B1
A kit for modifying a firearm such as a Kalashnikov assault rifle, better known as the AK-47, so as to permit the bolt carrier to be pulled back easily with either the right hand or left hand of a user. The kit includes a receiver cover including an arch-shaped crown and a pair of retaining fins that are affixed to the bottom of the crown. Each of the retaining fins has an upper portion extending outwardly and downwardly from a respective one of the opposed sides of the crown. Each of the retaining fins also has a lower portion that extends downwardly from the bottom of one the upper portions. One of the retaining fins is provided with a slot that extends along the length of its upper portion. A guide track is affixed to the retaining fin having the slot. The guide track has a pair of retaining flanges disposed on opposite sides of the slot. A charging handle assembly is secured to the guide track and includes a slide that is slidably engaged with the retaining flanges and is adapted to move along the length of the guide track. An auxiliary charging handle is affixed to, and projects outwardly from, the slide. An engagement pin is affixed to, and projects inwardly from, the slide. The engagement pin extends through the slot so as to engage the bolt carrier of the firearm and move the bolt carrier when the charging handle is pulled rearwardly.
US08117953B2
A stop rule for circular saw benches includes a profiled hollow body extending longitudinally with a substantially right-angled cross section, on which means are located for the attachment thereof to a table. One side of the profiled hollow body is designed as a guide member with a coplanar extension extending therefrom, which has a guide rule on the front edge thereof for low workpieces. Such guide rule extends vertically at right angles from the table, on which the guide member lies when the stop rule is in a horizontal position. The extension protruding sideways has a horizontal contact surface in the horizontal position of the stop rule, on which surface a vertically adjustable hold-down device for low work pieces is connected.
US08117942B2
A vehicle handle with improved vibration proof function. A balance weight has an inner balance weight portion with a center-of-mass positioned in a handle pipe, and an outer balance weight portion. A floating damper interposed between an outer periphery of the inner balance weight portion and an inner surface of the handle pipe supports the balance weight in one location that includes the center-of-mass of the balance weight.
US08117935B2
A synchronizer actuating system with selectives for use in dual clutch transmission is provided. The synchronizer actuating system includes an apply finger and a fork mounted on a shift rail. The fork grips a synchronizer sleeve that supports a synchronizer. The synchronizer is moveable to a neutral position. A three area piston assembly is operable to engage and actuate the apply finger. The three area piston assembly includes a hydraulic neutral position. A selective element is coupled to the synchronizer actuating system to calibrate the hydraulic neutral position of the three area piston assembly to the neutral position of the synchronizer sleeve.
US08117929B2
A system and method utilizes distance-measuring equipment including a laser sensor for controlling the collection instrument-to-surface distance during a sample collection process for use, for example, with mass spectrometric detection. The laser sensor is arranged in a fixed positional relationship with the collection instrument, and a signal is generated by way of the laser sensor which corresponds to the actual distance between the laser sensor and the surface. The actual distance between the laser sensor and the surface is compared to a target distance between the laser sensor and the surface when the collection instrument is arranged at a desired distance from the surface for sample collecting purposes, and adjustments are made, if necessary, so that the actual distance approaches the target distance.
US08117925B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling together a plurality of pipette tips using a tip collar that will provide structural rigidity to the plurality of pipette tips and the method of incorporating such an apparatus. Such rigidity created by the tip collar apparatus will allow for an innovative method of connecting the plurality of pipette tips to their respective pipettors that will reduce the amount of downward axial force required to impinge the plurality of pipette tips using the traditional connection method.
US08117923B2
A bicycle bottom bracket force sensor includes an outer portion, an inner portion, at least one sensor mounting surface and a strain gauge. The inner portion is dimensioned to receive and support a crank axle bearing that rotatably supports a crank axle. The at least one sensor mounting surface extends between the outer portion and the inner portion has the strain gauge fixed thereto. The sensor mounting surface extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis of the crank axle when the force sensor is coupled to the bicycle bottom bracket.
US08117902B2
The invention is comprised, in part, of a surface that contains more than one component or construct. Such heterogenous surface compositions and configurations, related systems and methods for sensing particle or analyte interaction therewith can selectively and/or differentially interact with a range of particles/analytes, in lieu of specific molecular sensor-analyte interactions for each particle. These interactions of various analytes or particles can differ sufficiently in strength and range between multiple analyte types or particles to effect a separation of analytes or particles mixtures, in a way that requires no sensing or detection. With incorporation of a sensing mechanism, discrimination/detection of different compounds within an analyte mixture can be accomplished.
US08117898B2
A method for sensing gas composition and gas pressure, based on the thermal constants of a variable electrical resistor, is presented. The method for sensing gas composition and pressure includes monitoring a variable electrical resistor whose dynamic thermal response is determined by the thermal conductivity and thermal capacity of the surrounding gas of a given atmospheric environment. In the thermal domain, the sensor has a low-pass characteristic, whose phase delay is determined by the thermodynamic characteristics of the surrounding gas such as composition and pressure. The method can be used for sensing gas composition and can also be used for sensing gas pressure.
US08117875B2
The retractable wheel lock has a wheel axle assembly that includes a hub forming a housing with an opening. The hub is freely rotatable about the axle. A retractable cable including a male locking element is coiled in the hub and can be retractably paid out from the hub, guided through a frame of an attached bicycle, around a bike rack, pole, or the like, and then back into a female lock socket affixed to the hub to conveniently secure the bicycle in a theft resistant manner. Alternative embodiments allow a rim to rotate freely around the hub.
US08117874B2
A device to protect an article from theft is disclosed. The device includes a pointed pin member to enable attachment of the device to the article to be protected from theft. A housing disposed within the device includes a floor and a wall tapering towards a confining end. The housing includes coaxial openings for insertably receiving the pin member. A ball clutch mechanism is located within the housing and includes a plurality of balls. As the balls are urged towards the confining end of the housing, they wedge between the tapering wall and the pin member to apply increasing radial pressure against the pin member to prevent it from being withdrawn from the device. The floor includes a member which deflects downwardly upon insertion of the pin member into the housing to apply a radial force against the pin member to frictionally engage it within the device.
US08117872B2
A signal inspection apparatus of a commercial washing machine that is capable of inspecting whether a signal generated from the commercial washing machine is abnormal is disclosed. The signal inspection apparatus includes a connector configured to be connected to ports of a machine body of the commercial washing machine, through which the exchange of a signal between the machine body and a charge settlement device is achieved, and a display unit for displaying whether the signal inputted through the ports is abnormal.
US08117871B2
A method and a knitting machine for producing a knitted product composed of fiber material fed by a roller pair (11c) are described. The stitches are formed as usual by knitting elements (3) being raised out of a non-knitting position into a fiber take-up position, while at the same time previously formed stitches are being knocked over, and being withdrawn again after the fiber material (6) is inserted. The presence of fiber material is monitored by means of a sensor (22), which when there is no fiber material present emits an error signal, as a result of which the knitting elements are prevented from being raised further into the fiber take-up position. According to the invention, when the error signal occurs, the knitting elements (3) are withdrawn from an intermediate position again without the previously formed stitches being knocked over and without the fiber material being taken up. In addition, the sensor is preferably arranged at a location between the roller pair (11c) and the knitting system (4) (FIG. 1).
US08117855B2
Modernized refrigeration cycle includes two consecutive expansions with two expansion devices and two condensers, wherein the first condenser liquefies refrigerant after compressor and the second condenser liquefies refrigerant after the first expansion device. The cooling medium for the second condenser is either air to be conditioned in the refrigeration system or another available medium. Invention presents sealed systems of air conditioners, dehumidifiers and heat pumps operating per aforementioned refrigeration cycle that allows enhanced dehumidification with efficiency improvement in cooling mode and heating capacity and efficiency increase in heating mode.
US08117852B2
LNG from a carrier is unloaded to an LNG storage tank in configurations and methods in which expansion of compressed and condensed boil-off vapors from the LNG storage tank provide refrigeration to subcool the LNG that is being unloaded. Most advantageously, such configuration and methods reduce the amount of boil-off vapors and eliminate the need for a vapor return line and associated compressor.
US08117849B2
A temperature control device for controlling temperature of an object substance, the temperature control device includes: a pulse width modulator for changeably providing current directions of a providing current; a low pass filter; a Peltier device electrically connected to the pulse width modulator via the low pass filter; and a diode placed the low pass filter in parallel.
US08117844B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for implementing a closed loop thermodynamic cycle utilizing a multi-component working fluid to acquire heat from two or more external heat source streams in an efficient manner utilizing countercurrent exchange. The liquid multi-component working stream is heated by a first external heat source stream at a first heat exchanger and is subsequently divided into a first substream and a second substream. The first substream is heated by the first working stream at a second external heat source stream at a second heat exchanger. The second substream is heated by the second working stream at a third heat exchanger. The first substream and the second substream are then recombined into a single working stream. The recombined working stream is heated by the second external heat source stream at a fourth heat exchanger.
US08117836B2
A pressure keeping mechanism is provided downstream of a discharge port of a compressor. The pressure keeping mechanism is set to a small flow path area having only a bypass orifice until a pressure in a downstream pipe reaches a predetermined pressure after the operation is started, the pressure keeping mechanism is set to a large flow path area of a pressure keeping valve which is opened when the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure and the bypass orifice, thereby changing the flow path area at least in two stages. The pressure in the upstream pipe which is almost closed by the pressure keeping valve can be thus increased at a dash and the pressure in a compression chamber can also be increased swiftly immediately after the compressor is started.
US08117834B2
In an internal combustion engine, an NOx selective reduction catalyst is arranged in the engine exhaust passage and a urea aqueous solution stored in a urea aqueous solution tank is fed to the NOx selective reduction catalyst where the NOx is selectively reduced. Opening and closing of the urea aqueous solution refill port of the urea aqueous solution tank are detected and it is judged if the urea aqueous solution is refilled in the urea aqueous solution tank. When it is judged that the NOx purification rate has fallen to an allowable level or less at the time of engine operation right after the urea aqueous solution is refilled in the urea aqueous solution tank, it is judged that the refilled urea aqueous solution is abnormal.
US08117828B2
A pressure wave apparatus utilizing the principles of pulsed detonation and wave rotor technologies. The apparatus includes inlet and outlet ports that interface with a plurality of fluid flow passageways on a rotor. A buffer gas is routed through some of the inlet and outlet ports and into and out of the plurality of fluid flow passageways. One of the inlet ports is a buffer gas inlet port that when placed in registry with a fluid flow passageway allows the flow of buffer gas into the respective passageway. Fuel is delivered into the buffer gas proximate the buffer gas inlet port so that only a portion of the buffer gas inlet port receives any fuel.
US08117827B2
A gas turbine engine assembly includes at least one propelling gas turbine engine and an auxiliary engine used for generating power. The propelling gas turbine engine includes a fan assembly and a core engine downstream from said fan assembly. The core engine includes a compressor, a high pressure turbine, a low pressure turbine, and a booster turbine coupled together in serial-flow arrangement such that the booster turbine is rotatably coupled between the high and low pressure turbines. The auxiliary engine includes at least one turbine and an inlet. The inlet is upstream from the high pressure turbine and is in flow communication with the propelling gas turbine engine core engine, such that a portion of airflow entering the propelling engine is extracted for use by the auxiliary engine.
US08117823B2
A system and method for controlling the temperature of a fuel gas. The system and method includes mixing an intermediate pressure feedwater stream from the heat recovery steam generator with a high pressure feedwater stream from the heat recovery steam generator, then using that mixture to heat the fuel gas mixture. The system and method may provide for improved control over the Modified Wobbe Index of the fuel gas, which may allow for greater variation in the composition of the fuel gas.
US08117820B1
A jet engine intake deflector system for preventing foreign objects from entering the intake of a jet engine. The jet engine intake deflector system generally includes an air intake frame, a plurality of fins and a deflection member. The air intake frame is generally comprised of a plurality of laterally extending outer supports arranged at equidistance from each other in a substantially circular configuration around a center support. Each fin is generally comprised of a flat plate, wherein a front end of each fin is attached to the deflection member and a rear end of each fin is attached to the air intake frame. The free end of the air intake frame is generally welded directly onto a jet engine to protect its intake from foreign objects, such as birds. Upon striking a foreign object, the deflector member will direct the foreign object out and away from the jet engine intake.
US08117818B2
A steel cord has a multi-twist structure in which N (N=2 to 8) strands 2 are twisted, each strand 2 being formed by twisting a plurality of element wires 1 and having a substantially elliptical cross-section, wherein d1/d2>1.08 is satisfied, where the major diameter of the strand 2 is represented by d1 and the minor diameter is represented by d2, and εe defined by the following equation: εc=√(−b/2+√(b2/4−c))−1 (in the equation, b represents −1+π2(−4R2+d2)/P2, c represents π2d2k(4π2R2+P2)/P4, R represents (D−d)/2, k represents tan2(π/2−π/N), and d represents (d1+d2)/2) satisfies εc>0.005, where the diameter of a circle circumscribing the cord is represented by D (mm) and the twist pitch of the cord is represented by P (mm).
US08117817B2
A cable includes a first layer of wire helically wound to define a lumen having a lumen diameter. A second layer of wire is helically wound over the first layer. A first end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together. A second end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together.
US08117797B2
A sump system for use in basement waterproofing systems. A sump liner may be generally rectangular in geometry, and may include two side elements with apertures to exchange groundwater while blocking debris. An adjustable inlet may be provided in another side element to fluidly connect other elements of a basement waterproofing system to the sump liner. The sump liner may further include a base configured to provide a built-in stand for a sump pump. The pump stand may contain a lip with notches to allow debris to fall and collect in a trough around a periphery of the base. The base may further provide an underside cavity for accommodating an obstruction in the floor of a sump hole. A removable lid may facilitate access to the sump liner interior, and may contain a break-away feature to accommodate discharge piping, as well as a groove to lodge a pump power cord. The sump liner may be strategically oriented within the sump hole to protect the basement foundation from erosion.
US08117777B2
A bracelet that has two layers, one forming the outside of the bracelet and the other forming the inside of the bracelet. The layers have different properties. The bracelet has a head end and a tail. The layers are bonded to each other and there is at least a first portion of the band at the head end in which the first layer is bonded to the second layer by means of a contact adhesive and in which the second layer is a release liner with regard to the contact adhesive. The bracelet is formable into a loop by removing the second layer from the first layer in the first portion and attaching the exposed contact adhesive to the first layer in the tail. Also disclosed is a business form which contains a band that can be formed into the bracelet.
US08117772B2
A ground engaging tool system comprises a ground engaging tool such as a tip, an adapter mounted to or part of a work tool, and a rotating lock member. The ground engaging tool is attached to the adapter, and a post portion of the adapter slides into a slot provided on the lock. The lock is rotated so that the entrance to the slot is blocked and the post cannot slide out of the slot. The lock in this position is in a locking position, and the retention of the post in the slot of the lock retains the ground engaging tool to the adapter.
US08117768B2
The present invention is an anatomical toepiece that is adapted for insertion into the footbed of a footwear article to provide increased comfort and control. The toepiece has a molded core comprising an anchoring flange for embedded attachment within the footbed of the footwear article. Additionally, the molded core further has an inter-toe engagement portion which extends upwardly from the anchoring flange for engagement between the great toe and the adjacent digit, and a wing which caps the inter-toe engagement portion and extends outwardly in both directions over a portion of the upper forefoot. The inter-toe engagement portion has arcuate curved sidewalls and an arcuate curved back wall to contour to the curvature of an engage foot thereby providing comfort and dexterity.
US08117767B2
The present invention relates to the footwear industry. More specifically, the present invention concerns a device that, inserted in soles for footwear, allows the user to equip his or her own footwear, mechanically and easily, with anti-slip serrated nails in the presence of snow or ice or other slippery material on the paved surface.
US08117760B1
A device for preparing to mount a wall fixture includes a main base having opposed first and second ends and a first auxiliary base having a substantially similar configuration. The first auxiliary base is coupled to the main base and movable between a closed configuration in which the first auxiliary base is positioned substantially atop the main base and an open configuration in which the first auxiliary base is linearly adjacent the main base. The main base and first auxiliary base each define a slot extending longitudinally between respective first and second ends. Each base includes a marking member situated in a respective base slot and slidably movable therealong. Each base includes a respective locking assembly for securing a respective marking member at a desired position along a respective slot. Each marking member includes a pointed distal end for making a starter hole when depressed against a wall surface.
US08117758B1
A scribe tool includes a three-dimensional, polygonal block having two opposing ends with a plurality of planar, non-orthogonal surfaces formed therebetween. A bore extends from one of the ends to another and is offset from the block's central, longitudinal axis. Each planar surface is spaced a discrete distance from the central axis that corresponds to one of a plurality of conventional measurements. The tool allows a craftsman to form a trim line along an architectural item that conforms to surface irregularities on an adjacent wall.
US08117755B2
A precision cutter is disclosed. The cutter is curvilinear in shape, and has an elongated handle with a blade projecting from the top end thereof, and a cap adapted to fit over the blade, the cap being so configured that when in place covering the blade, it provides the appearance of a unitary piece to the cutter. The handle has a weight positioned in it eccentric to the central axis thereof, so that when rolled on a flat surface the handle consistently returns to the same position relative to the flat surface.
US08117754B2
A fixed-blade knife having a knife body. The knife body has a blade with a cutting edge and an elongated handle extending from the blade. A guard is pivotally coupled to the knife body and adapted to be actuated between an open position and a closed position. The guard has an external surface that is ergonomically configured for handling the knife when the guard is in the open position. In the open position, the guard is positioned adjacent the handle to expose the cutting edge. In the closed position, the guard is positioned adjacent the blade to cover the cutting edge.
US08117742B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit device uses a mold which is provided with a plurality of air vents and movable pins which are formed such that the movable pins include grooves in the distal ends thereof which project into the air vents. By clamping the mold in a state such that the distal ends of the movable pins are pushed against a multi-cavity board at the time of clamping the mold, resin can be filled while leaking air inside the cavity through the grooves formed in the distal ends of the movable pins by setting the depths of the respective air vents to a fixed value irrespective of the irregularities in thickness of the multi-cavity boards. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent insufficient filling of resin in the cavity, the leaking of resin or defective welding, whereby the yield rate of products can be enhanced.
US08117736B2
A method of lapping a magnetic head slider includes a step of lapping a lapping surface of a row bar provided with a plurality of MR read head elements arranged along at least one line, a step of obtaining at least one output signal from at least one of the plurality of MR read head elements of the row bar during lapping, the at least one output signal corresponding to element resistance, a step of detecting at least one peak value of the obtained at least one output signal, and a step of controlling an amount of lapping of the row bar depending upon the detected at least one peak value.
US08117720B2
A rotary tensioning device that is low profile when not being used to apply or reduce tension and that provides an easily manipulated tightening and loosening control mechanism. A control mechanism in the form of a flip up handle is pivotally connected to a drive member and rotation of the handle and drive member rotates a driven member connected to a spool to take up or let out a cable or wire to apply or reduce tension in the cable or wire. When not being used to apply or reduce tension, the flip up handle is pivoted to lie flush against a housing of the spool to provide a low profile. A tension indicating device provides a user with a mechanism for reproducing tensions between uses.
US08117718B2
The present invention discloses a locking mechanism having a locking member disposed with a fan-shape protrusion and a fan-shape notch, such that when the locking member is rotating, the jerk as a result of rotation can be reduced, and when the locking member is returned to its original position, a sufficient torsion can still be generated. Also, when the locking member is in the locking position, the fan-shape protrusions are positioned at the fan-shape notches.
US08117715B2
A caster includes a base carrying a rotation shaft and forming a pivotal joint seat. Wheels are rotatably mounted to the rotation shaft. Each wheel has an inside surface that is recessed to form an inner rim. A brake arm has a first end rotatably coupled to the pivotal joint seat and a second end forming a brake pawl extending into the inner rims of the wheels. A spring is arranged between the brake arm and the base so that the spring normally biases the brake pawl to depress against the inner rims of the wheels to brake the wheels. A release knob is rotatably mounted to the base and forms a cam section positionable against the brake arm. The cam section, when rotated by the release knob, drives the brake arm backward to release the brake pawl from the wheels, allowing the wheels to freely rotate.
US08117707B1
A brush device can be releasably attached to a distal end of a pool broom and has a plurality of strategically placed brushes which brushingly engage the surfaces of the beams of a pool cage to clean those surfaces. The brushes are mounted on a head that can be angularly adjusted so the brushes will engage the cage surfaces in a manner which is conducive to thorough cleaning of those surfaces. The brushes are releasably mounted so they can be removed for cleaning or replacement.
US08117693B1
A bedclothes apparatus includes a blanket sized to cover two occupants of a bed, first and second coverlets, a first fastener assembly operable to secure the first coverlet to a central section of the blanket to allow the first coverlet to be laid across a first segment of the blanket and to release the first coverlet from the central section of the blanket to allow the first coverlet to be moved away from the first segment and the central section of the blanket, and a second fastener assembly operable to secure the second coverlet to the central section of the blanket to allow the second coverlet to be laid across a second segment of the blanket and to release the second coverlet from the central section of the blanket to allow the second coverlet to be moved away from the second segment and the central section of the blanket.
US08117688B2
An auxiliary tank for the flush toilet, wherein the one end of the pulling line is connected with a floating ball of the auxiliary tank, then the line is wound from a lower pulley to an upper pulley, and passed through a penetrated hole of a hollow tube, finally the other end of the line is connected with a extension arm in a main tank. When the water level in the main tank is full, the extension arm of the water refilling pipe will be hold by the pulling line which is connected with the floating ball, to limit the refilling water into the main tank from the water refilling pipe but from the auxiliary tank. In the light of above, the flush of the toilet is still able to be operated even at the time of water outage or shutting off the water valve. In addition, the water that refills into the auxiliary tank is the recycling water.
US08117679B2
Protective structures, such as helmets, may have a shell including an outer shell and a tunnel element integral to the outer shell. The tunnel element may have a first opening at an outer surface side of the shell and a second opening at an inner surface side of the shell so that air flow may occur between the openings and wherein the tunnel element is fused to the outer shell. An impact liner may be directly in-molded to shells suitable for use in motorcycle helmets and other helmets that must meet certain standards. The impact liner may include one or more venting channels that are coupled to a tunnel integral to the shell structure.
US08117675B2
A pretty, stylish and comfortable waterproof panty that has a unique design technique of rolled over welded seams. The rolled over welded seam will inhibit the leaking of bodily fluids at the leg openings caused by stitching and wicking. The panty has an outer shell and an inner panty layer. The outer shell a continuous cut formed of a soft blend laminated fabric. It is liquid proof, breathable, hypo-allergenic, stain resistant, and elastic. It is cut to form a waist opening and two leg openings. If desired stretchable lace or elastic side portions can be provided. The inner panty lining is a breathable soft blend fabric and includes a front portion, back portion and a crotch portion. The crotch portion is double layered for added dryness. The inner panty layer is cut to the full design of the panty having a waist opening and two leg openings. This over all design provides the user peace of mind and security with a stylish, lightweight, comfortable, waterproof panty.
US08117672B2
An improved process and material for making elastomeric nitrile rubber articles is disclosed. In particular, the process and material formulation can produce nitrile rubber based articles, which exhibit force-strain characteristics that are comparable to those of natural rubber latex articles, while maintaining the tensile strength properties of nitrile rubber. The process includes an accelerator composition at the pre-cure stage having a dithiocarbamate, a thiazole, and a guanidine compound. The invention also includes an elastomeric nitrile rubber product made by the process, such as examination, surgical, or work gloves.
US08117671B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a necktie includes a front tie material of elongated shape having first and second end portions including tips and first and second tipping pieces having a periphery complementary to the first and second end portions, respectively. The tipping pieces are peripherally stitched to the first and second end portions so as to form first and second pockets and the tie includes a lining in which end portions thereof extend into the first and second pockets. The first tipping piece and the first end portion of the front tie material are folded along first and second fold lines that are located adjacent the periphery of the lining and along third and fourth fold lines that are located spaced from and further from the lining than the first and second fold lines to cause the first tipping piece and first end portion to be folded over itself and form a pair of once-folded sections. The first tipping piece and the first end portion are folded along fifth and sixth fold lines to cause the once-folded sections to be folded over themselves to form a pair of twice-folded structures. The tie being is along the first and second fold lines to cause the third and fourth fold lines to be placed adjacent another.
US08122516B2
A method for enabling a first party to provide a second party with personalized digital content includes at a network unit: in response to receiving a request from a first party, the request including an identifier identifying a second party, retrieving identity credentials of the second party; and transmitting the identity credentials of the second part to a first party or to a content providing system; and in a content providing system: in response to receiving: a) an identifier from the first party, the identifier identifying digital content in a digital content storage, and b) the identity credentials of the second party, personalizing digital content using the identity credentials, the personalizing adapted to enable the second party to reproduce the digital content but to prevent any unauthorized party to reproduce it; and delivering the personalized digital content to the first party.
US08122511B2
A method for providing attribute data. A request is received from a user device for a virtual ID token relating to attribute information pertaining to a subscriber associated with the user device. Responsive to the request for the virtual ID token, a data record is read from a database. The data record includes L attributes of the subscriber. L is at least 2. The data record is provided to the user device. A selection of M attributes of the L attributes is received from the user device. M is less than L. A virtual record including the M attributes selected from the data record is generated. The virtual record includes a virtual ID (VID) for identifying the virtual record. The generated virtual record is stored in the database. The virtual ID token is provided to the user device. The virtual ID token includes the VID.
US08122505B2
Systems and methods are provided for detecting malicious behavior in mobile ad-hoc wireless networks. The mobile ad-hoc network contains a plurality of actual nodes and a plurality of decoys that are derived from the actual nodes using duplicate instances of the operational software of the actual nodes in combination with a virtual interconnection topology created to make the decoys appear as actual nodes within the mobile ad-hoc network. The interconnection topology includes routing characteristics indicating that the most efficient path of communication to any given decoy is through at least one actual node in the network. The decoys are used to identify malicious behavior in the network and in particular to identify attempt to communicate directly with decoys in contradiction to the created interconnection topology. When the malicious behavior is associated with an identifiable node, corrective action is taken that includes quarantining that node from the other nodes in the network.
US08122500B2
The “Grid Security Monitor” tracks the security status of resources in a grid computer system. When a client submits a job to the grid scheduler, the Grid Security Monitor creates a security contract. The security contract comprises all the security credentials needed to access the resource executing the job, as well as privacy and security requirements. The Grid Security Monitor compares the security status of the resource to the requirements of the security contract. If the security status of the resource changes or violates the security contract, then the Grid Security Monitor notifies the client. The Grid Security Monitor has a user interface that allows the client to perform a manual security validation by asking the grid management system to verify the security status of the resource.
US08122496B2
A secure display device is designed to display on a screen a first set of information edited by an open operating system. A secure operating system resident in a dedicated circuit edits a second set of information. A filter allocates, independently of the open operating system, a first zone of the screen to the first set of information and a second zone of the screen to the second set of information. The zones and can have a non-zero intersection and any value. A real video memory is used for transferring the two sets of information to the screen under the sole control of the secure operating system so as to produce a secure display of the second set of information.
US08122493B2
The invention is a firewall capable of blocking access to a website or other Internet node based on a domain name. A DNS request is monitored and a domain name is decoded from the DNS request. An IP address is received in a response to the DNS request. The IP address and domain name are associated with each other. The steps are executed non-intrusively with respect to traffic flow through the firewall. Afterward, a determination is made if the IP address is associated with a domain name for which access is restricted. If the domain name is a restricted domain name, access to content of the website is denied by blocking traffic flow on the basis of identifying the source IP address of data packets.
US08122489B2
An approach to managing stored-value data objects, such as electronic tickets, comprises secure systems and procedures for ticket issuing, storage, and redemption. With these systems and procedures in place, stored-value data objects may be securely transferred to remote systems, such as a user's personal electronic device, for subsequent secure redemption, thus allowing the user to gain access to the desired goods or service upon redeeming the data object. Techniques provide secure delivery of the requested data object to the requesting device, and provide secure redemption and disposal of the data object. Ticket issuing systems may be Internet-accessible systems, and users may purchase and redeem tickets using mobile terminals or other devices adapted for wireless communication. Standardized WPKI and Internet access procedures may be employed in ticket issuance and redemption. Techniques further provide temporary and rapid verification data objects useful where rapid ticket verification is essential, such as mass transit systems.
US08122484B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for generating an access control policy data structure for a single-authorization-query access control system from a source policy data structure of an access control system in which primary authorizations can be subject to auxiliary constraints. Authorizations in the data structures are defined in terms of subject, resource and action elements. For each resource in a set of resources in the source policy data structure, the data structure is analyzed to identify primary authorizations relating to that resource. For each primary authorization, policy data which represents a policy defining an access rule expressing that authorization is generated and stored in system memory and analyzed to identify any auxiliary constraints associated with that primary authorization. For each auxiliary constraint so identified, policy data is generated and stored in system memory.
US08122482B2
A method is disclosed for cryptographic peer discovery, authentication, and authorization. According to one embodiment, a data packet, which is addressed to a destination device other than an intermediary network device, is intercepted at the intermediary network device. The data packet contains a request and a group identifier. A shared secret cryptographic key, which is mapped to the group identifier, is selected. A challenge is sent toward an upstream device from whence the data packet came. A response is received. A verification value is generated based on the cryptographic key and the challenge. It is determined whether the response matches the verification value. If the response matches the verification value, then it is determined whether the request is allowed by an authorization set that is mapped to the group identifier. If the request is allowed, then a policy of the intermediary network device is configured based on the request.
US08122468B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for dynamically constructing audio in a video program. The method includes extracting video metadata from a video program displayed on a playback device to a viewer, extracting component metadata from a plurality of audio components stored in a media object library, extracting viewer preferences from a viewer profile, receiving synchronization information about the video program, identifying a segment of the video program susceptible to inserting an audio component based on extracted video metadata, component metadata, and viewer preferences, transmitting the audio component to the playback device and a set of instructions detailing how to insert the audio component in real time in the segment of the video program, and constructing audio in the video program at the playback device using the audio component and the set of instructions.
US08122466B2
A system and method for updating digital content are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure enable updating of content on digital media by dynamically presenting specialized selected content from a global computer network, e.g., the Internet, or other stored digital medium. The system and method provide for reading at least one identifier of at least one media content; transmitting the at least one identifier to a remote server; receiving at least one indication of updated supplemental content related to the at least one media content from the remote server; and presenting the received at least one indication to a user. In one embodiment, the at least one indication is a menu of at least one selectable item. The at least one item may be a movie preview, a movie segment, a web page, an ecommerce website, a product preview, a document or an audio file.
US08122465B2
A digital watermark in video includes a plural-bit payload that sets different permissions governing usage of the video. One bit, for example, may flag whether fast-forwarding of the video is permitted. Another may flag whether storage in non-encrypted form is permitted. A compliant video appliance governs its actions in accordance with such flag data provided by a video watermark detector.
US08122456B2
The invention concerns a microcircuit card including at least one computer object and a register (Registry) having a logic identifier (myCalculator) of the object and at least one local reference (A000000000H,0060H) of the object pertaining to the card. The card further includes elements (CardManager) adapted to communicate, upon reception of a first message (look_APDU) including the logic identifier (myCalculator), at least one local code (K(0060H) obtained from the local reference (0060H).
US08122449B2
Provided are techniques for workload balancing. A message is received on a channel. A thread in a thread pool is selected to process the message. In response to determining that the message has been processed and a response has been sent on the channel by the thread, it is determined whether a total number of threads in the thread pool is greater than a low water mark plus one and whether the channel has more than a maximum number of threads blocked on a receive, wherein the low water mark represents a minimum number of threads in the thread pool. In response to determining that a number of threads in the thread pool is greater than the low water mark plus one and that the channel has more than the maximum number of threads blocked on a receive, the thread is terminated. In response to determining at least one of the number of threads in the thread pool is less than or equal to the low water mark plus one and the channel has less than or equal to the maximum number of threads blocked on a receive, the thread is retained.
US08122445B2
Processing system capable of downloading firmware code and being tested at same site during MP phase
A processing system capable of downloading a firmware code and being tested at the same site during a mass production phase includes: a processor for performing operations of the processing system, where the processor has a plurality of terminals as communication terminals of the processing system, and is capable of receiving the firmware code through the plurality of terminals of the processor; and a storage unit, coupled to the processor, for storing the firmware code received from the processor.
US08122441B2
Embodiments of the invention enable application programs running across multiple compute nodes of a highly-parallel system to compile source code into native instructions, and subsequently share the optimizations used to compile the source code with other nodes. For example, determining what optimizations to use may consume significant processing power and memory on a node. In cases where multiple nodes exhibit similar characteristics, it is possible that these nodes may use the same set of optimizations when compiling similar pieces of code. Therefore, when one node compiles source code into native instructions, it may share the optimizations used with other similar nodes, thereby removing the burden for the other nodes to figure out which optimizations to use. Thus, while one node may suffer a performance hit for determining the necessary optimizations, other nodes may be saved from this burden by simply using the optimizations provided to them.
US08122440B1
A computer-implemented method and apparatus for enumerating program code dependencies is provided. According to an embodiment of the invention, a user selects or otherwise indicates a code base to be processed and analyzed for the purpose of enumerating those program code modules required by the code base in order to properly compile and execute the code base. Next, the code base is processed in accordance with instructions designed to mirror those of a compiler for compiling the code base. Accordingly, external program code dependencies are identified using compile time compilation parameters, as well as extensive programming language analysis.
US08122433B2
A computer-implementable method and system for managing software code documentation is disclosed. The method receives computer software code and documentation selected by a user and inserts one or more association keys in the selected code and one or more association keys in the selected documentation. The association keys are used to identify a portion of computer software documentation that corresponds with the computer software code. When the user wants to see documentation for a section of code, or code that corresponds to a section of documentation, the user selects the relevant text. The method receives the selected text, retrieves the association keys inserted in the selected text, determines whether the selected text is code or documentation, searches for documentation or code with matching association keys and alters the display of the matching documentation or code.
US08122427B2
A Decentralized System Services (DSS) architecture defines a framework for building fault-tolerant distributed applications across decentralized and heterogeneous systems. DSS enables “complexity through composition” by defining distributed designs as compositions of limited function and observable services which may be quickly and dynamically assembled to perform higher level functions. DSS defines a standardized interaction between distributed services using sessionless, asynchronous communications with explicit failure semantics. Accounting for latency, failure and state management all become a natural part of the design process. DSS includes a runtime implementation for managing concurrent services—the Common Concurrency Runtime (CCR), a protocol for service interactions—the Web Services Application Protocol (WSAP), and a set of required service behaviors which provide for composibility, location independence, and fault tolerance—Distributed Protocol Oriented Programming (DPOP). DSS also includes a set of base level infrastructure services which make it easy to communicate, secure, distribute, debug, and store content across devices.
US08122414B1
Within a system comprising a processor and a memory, a method of creating a circuit design for implementation within an integrated circuit can include inserting a placeholder block into the circuit design, wherein the circuit design includes a circuit block comprising circuitry and a circuit block interface, and wherein the placeholder block is devoid of circuitry and, responsive to receiving a user input specifying a coupling between the placeholder block and the circuit block, automatically determining a plurality of attributes of the circuit block interface. The method can include automatically generating, according to the attributes and by the processor, a placeholder interface within the placeholder block, wherein the placeholder interface is complementary to the circuit block interface. The placeholder block can be stored within the memory.
US08122412B2
Methods and apparatuses to design an Integrated Circuit (IC) with a shielding of wires. In at least one embodiment, a shielding mesh of at least two reference voltages (e.g., power and ground) is used to reduce both the capacitive coupling and the inductive coupling in routed signal wires in IC chips. In some embodiments, a type of shielding mesh (e.g., a shielding mesh with a window surrounded by a power ring, or a window with a parser set of shielding wires) is selected to make more routing area available in locally congested areas. In other embodiments, the shielding mesh is used to create or add bypass capacitance. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08122407B2
A method for implementing pattern matching of integrated circuit features includes computing Voronoi edge regions for both a reference configuration and a search space of an integrated circuit design to be searched and presenting the computed Voronoi edge regions of the reference configuration to a user; receiving one or more selected bisectors of the Voronoi computed reference configuration from the user, indicative of user identified salient regions of design shapes and/or corners to be searched, so as to define one or more search elements, wherein a search element comprises a given bisector and a pair of Voronoi edge regions bounded thereby; constructing a search pattern from the one or more search elements defined from the reference configuration; examining the search space for matching sequences with respect to the search pattern; and highlighting resulting matching patterns in the search space for the user.
US08122406B2
A method for generating model files of target devices of an integrated circuit includes providing the target devices; providing a device target set for the target devices, wherein the device target set comprises target values of parameters of the target devices; determining a nearest known model related to the target devices, wherein the nearest known model comprises a first model file; performing a sensitivity analysis to determine sensitive parameters in the first model file; modifying the sensitive parameters in the first model file to generate a second model file; and determining a fitness value of a circuit simulated using the second model file with values of parameters in the device target set.
US08122403B2
Methods and systems are provided for producing more efficient digital circuitry designs by identifying trace-containment for a sequential circuitry design netlist through the use of constraint-based uncorrelated equivalence checking. A set of candidate input netlist sets n1 and n2 is first uncorrelated and then submitted for equivalence checking. Mismatches discovered during the equivalence checking are avoided by imposing constraint to the input set until discovering an equivalency relationship between the input sets n1 and n2.
US08122402B2
To provide a checking method that utilizes a test bench for a circuit model, which will serve as a fundamental for equivalence checking of a circuit to be newly developed for the fundamental circuit model. In order to check the equivalence of a model to be verified using a sample model a circuit of which has been described in a predetermined language and a test vector generation model for the sample model, a process for writing an output from the sample model test vector generation model into an input FIFO group for each signal of the sample model with the same timing as that of the sample model while the sample model is inputting/outputting a signal from/to the sample model test vector generation model with cycle accuracy and a process for reading data from the input FIFO group with the same operation timing as that of the model to be verified and outputting the data to the model to be verified are carried out. The output of the sample model and the output of the model to be verified are written into an output FIFO pair group for each corresponding signal name and coincidence judgment is carried out for a pair output for each written signal name.
US08122398B2
A system and method is disclosed for converting an existing circuit description from a lower level description, such as RTL, to a higher-level description, such as TLM, while raising the abstraction level. By changing the abstraction level, the conversion is not simply a code conversion from one language to another, but a process of learning the circuit using neural networks and representing the circuit using a system of equations that approximate the circuit behavior, particularly with respect to timing aspects. A higher level of abstraction eliminates much of the particular implementation details, and allows easier and faster design exploration, analysis, and test, before implementation. In one aspect, a model description of the circuit, protocol information relating to the circuit, and simulation data associated with the lower level description of the circuit are used to generate an abstract model of the circuit that approximates the circuit behavior.
US08122391B2
A method of generating complementary masks based on a target pattern having features to be imaged on a substrate for use in a multiple-exposure lithographic imaging process. The method includes the steps of: defining an initial H-mask corresponding to the target pattern; defining an initial V-mask corresponding to the target pattern; identifying horizontal critical features in the H-mask having a width which is less than a predetermined critical width; identifying vertical critical features in the V-mask having a width which is less than a predetermined critical width; assigning a first phase shift and a first percentage transmission to the horizontal critical features, which are to be formed in the H-mask; and assigning a second phase shift and a second percentage transmission to the vertical critical features, which are to be formed in the V-mask. The method further includes the step of assigning chrome to all non-critical features in the H-mask and the V-mask. The non-critical features are those features having a width which is greater than or equal to the predetermined critical width. The non-critical features are formed in the H-mask and the V-mask utilizing chrome. The target pattern is then imaged on the substrate by imaging both the H-mask and V-mask.
US08122388B2
The present invention discloses a method of designing a set of two tiled masks, as well as, a mask including: a first tile, the first tile being transparent to a light, the first tile having a first characteristic linear dimension that is 15% or less of a wavelength of the light; a second tile, the second tile being transparent to the light, the second tile having a second characteristic linear dimension that is 15% or less of the wavelength of the light; and a third tile, the third tile being opaque to the light, the third tile having a third characteristic linear dimension that is 15% or less of the wavelength of the light.
US08122387B2
A method of physical design for integrated circuit (IC) chip fabrication, physical design system and program product therefor. A design shape is fragmented into segments for Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) and a harmonic mean of the segments is determined. Electrical intent is determined for the shape and a harmonic mean is determined for the segments. Segments may be moved based on a effect on the harmonic mean from moving the segments, measured using a harmonic mean cost function. Finally segmented shapes are passed to OPC.
US08122381B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for user a context debugger. A computer-implemented method of displaying information on a computer display device includes loading data into a context hierarchical data structure into memory during an execution of a business software application, the context hierarchical data structure comprising an arrangement of nodes and attributes, and displaying a first view on the display device during the execution, the first view comprising the context hierarchical data structure and data.
US08122379B2
A disclosed image display apparatus for displaying multiple images on a single screen includes a magnification unit configured to, in response to a zooming operation on the screen, magnify distances between centroids of first group images included in the multiple images and magnify the first group images; and a display control unit configured to display in a space of the magnified distances one or more images different from the multiple images. A magnification rate of the distances between the centroids has a nonlinear relationship to a magnification rate of the first group images, and within an extent of the nonlinear relationship, the magnification rate of the distances between the centroids has a predetermined range in which the magnification rate of the first group images is larger than the magnification rate of the distances between the centroids.
US08122374B2
A method includes receiving a representation of a service, the service including handling of a request for a context-dependent data set derived from one or more collections of data elements. The representation includes a specification of a first data field, a specification of an input data structure including two or more data fields and the first data field, the two or more data fields defining a context for the first data set, a specification of an output data structure, instances of the output data structure including the context-dependent data set, and a name of a service provider. The method stores the representation of the service in a repository, receives a request for the service by a software entity, the request including an instance of the input data structure, checks the request against the representation of the service, sends the request to the service provider, receives one or more instances of the output data structure from the service provider, and sends the one or more instances of the output data structure to the software entity.
US08122373B2
An image display control apparatus, an image display control method for the image display control apparatus, and a program for the image display control apparatus that control display of windows on a screen on the basis of window headers, the program including the steps of: creating the window headers, in which coordinates on the screen of the windows are described, on a memory; sorting y coordinates in coordinates of the windows described in the window headers; linking the window headers in an order of the y coordinates sorted; and setting a position on the memory of the window header at the top of the link.
US08122372B2
A wireless handset and a method and system for a wireless handset that better enable a user of the wireless handset to identify, select and view objects on a web page. Objects from a web page are rendered on a wireless handset display as selectable panels in perspective views. The rendering of objects from a web page as selectable panels in perspective views allows a web page designed for rendering on a display of a conventional Internet capable device to fit within a much smaller display of a wireless handset while maintaining the relative position, visibility, selectability and natural appearance of the objects.
US08122371B1
Criterion-based feedback allows users to provide useful information in a quick and easy to understand fashion. When information for an item is relayed to a user, the user is provided with the ability to provide feedback for any criteria relating to the item. In some embodiments, this feedback takes the form of a submission of a response to a question or statement pertaining to a criterion for the item. The user is able to create new responses if the existing responses do not adequately convey the feedback that the users wishes to submit. Further, a user can also submit entirely new questions and/or statements, along with corresponding new responses, that correspond to a criterion relating to the item. Such an approach provides flexibility for users to quickly and easily provide feedback on specific criteria that might be useful for other users viewing information for that item.
US08122368B2
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing graphical completion status information for the management of serial computer operations that are forked into parallel operations. A first interactive progress bar, comprising a plurality of progress indicator segments, is implemented to show the completion status of a composite application. A second progress bar is implemented for each element of the composite application as it is executed. Elements that are serially executed may require prerequisite or dependent operations. Forking operations are performed to execute elements in parallel. One or more progress indicator segments are selected to display information about their related computer operations. The user interacts with the information to pause, modify, reorder, reverse, retarget, or reverse the selected computer operations.
US08122366B2
Disclosed are various embodiments for visualization of exception-handling constructs. In one embodiment, among others, a system includes at least one computing device; a program maintained in a memory accessible to the at least one computing device; and logic executable in the at least one computing device configured to analyze the program to determine exception-handling information; generate a graphical user interface based upon the exception-handling information; and provide the graphical user interface for display on a display device.
US08122365B2
A method, system, and computer program product for dynamic creation and customization of a user interface in a web service environment, including dynamically generating and customizing a portlet; providing policy based access to the portlet depending on a consumer of the portlet; providing caching or cache refreshing of a feed to the portlet; and providing authentication of a consumer of the portlet.
US08122355B2
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including: a display unit; a communication unit for carrying out a communication with an external apparatus; a reproduction unit for reproducing a content; and a control unit for executing control to change a predetermined display screen appearing on the display unit on the basis of whether or not the content being reproduced by the reproduction unit is a content acquired through the communication unit.
US08122343B2
A computer system that allows a user to select one or more of the documents that are listed in a summary view of documents and creates a list of the selected documents. Advantageously, for each selected document, the list includes document summary data pertaining to the selected document and a hyperlink to the selected document.
US08122338B2
A method, a client terminal and a computer program for presenting on a display a (X)HTML document which includes a table. The table in the (X)HTML document is examined and determined to be a true table or a non-true table. If the table is determined to be a true table, the content of the table, including its table structure, is presented on the display. If the table is determined to be a non-true table, the table is formatted by rejecting the table structure, and the content of the table is presented as a linear structure on the display. The invention is particularly suitable for presenting HTML documents, including tables, on a client terminal with a display with a limited number of horizontal pixels, such as a mobile telephone or a PDA.
US08122323B2
A method, apparatus, and system for dynamic adjustment of an error control coding (ECC) code rate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a code rate may be changed from a first code rate to a second code rate in response to a change in a bit error rate.
US08122317B1
The present invention is directed to a two-dimensional parity technique for data to be stored in one or more memory arrays, each of which has various rows and columns of cells. A row of bits in a super bundle is referred to as a row bundle. A super bundle includes numerous rows of row bundles, and corresponding bits in each of the row bundles in the super bundle are aligned in columns. A row check bit is provided for each row bundle in each super bundle. Each row check bit provides a parity bit that is derived from the k bits of the corresponding row bundle. A column check bit is provided for each column in each super bundle. Each column check bit provides a parity bit that is derived from each of the bits in the corresponding column in the super bundle.
US08122314B1
In iterative decoding, a data recovery scheme corrects for corrupted or defective data by incorporating results from a previous decoding iteration. In one embodiment, a final multiplexer selects between the final detector output or a previous detector output based on the absence or presence of defective data. In another embodiment, the branch metrics for the defective data, which otherwise would be combined with a priori LLRs from an outer decoder of a prior stage, are ignored so that the a priori LLRs themselves are used alone. The two embodiments can be used together.
US08122308B2
In one embodiment, a controller can perform a secure clear of a poisoned indicator associated with an uncorrectable error (after recovery from the error). To this end, the controller may access a register storing an address of a memory location associated with indicator, determine whether the address corresponds to an entry in a table storing a list of such errors, and perform the clear based at least in part on the determination. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08122307B1
One Time Programmable (OTP) memory structures and methods for pretesting the support circuitry are provided. A group of dedicated test cells associated with one or more groups of regular OTP cells are used to test the support circuitry for the regular OTP cells. The dedicated cells are programmed and read. The read values are compared to the programmed values or expected values. As a result of the comparison, failing memories may be designated “Not Usable”, while regular OTP cells of passing memories can be programmed for their purpose resulting in elimination of wasted memories during test.
US08122299B2
The present invention provides a method and system for performing in-line error correction in a disk storage system. The system includes an error correction (ECC) module; and a first memory storage device, wherein the first memory storage device and the error correction module simultaneously receive data from a storage disk before being buffered for transfer to a host system. The ECC module provides error correction mask before any data is transferred from the first memory storage device to a second memory buffer.
US08122290B2
A system for error log consolidation is disclosed herein. A server computer includes a plurality of system processors and error log consolidation logic. The system processors are configurable to form isolated execution partitions. The error log consolidation logic is configured to, based on detection of a fault in the server, retrieve error logs from the system processors, and to consolidate the retrieved logs with server computer information not available to the system processors to generate a consolidated error log. The consolidated error log includes a comprehensive set of server information relevant to identifying a cause of the detected fault.
US08122289B2
Compute resources of multiple resource cards are assigned to compute resource pools. Each compute resource pool is typically associated with a specific service (e.g., VoIP, video service, deep packet inspection, etc). Compute resource groups are created in each compute resource pool and are allocated one or more compute resources of that compute resource pool. Those compute resources in a given resource pool that are not allocated to a compute resource group are set as backup compute resources. Upon a failure of a compute resource in a compute resource pool that includes backup compute resources, a backup compute resource is selected and takes over the function of the failed compute resource. Upon a failure of a compute resource in a compute resource group of a compute resource pool that does not include a backup compute resource, the traffic is load balanced across the remaining compute resources of that compute resource group.
US08122286B1
An on-disk storage arrangement increases the number of persistent consistency point images (PCPIs) that may be maintained for a volume of a storage system. The on-disk storage arrangement comprises a novel volume information (volinfo) block representing a root of the volume; the volinfo block is stored at predefined locations on disk and comprises various system wide configuration data. The volinfo block further comprises a data structure configured to provide a level of indirection that increases the number of PCPIs maintainable by a file system executing on the storage system. To that end, the data structure may be organized as an array of pointers, wherein each pointer references a block containing a snapshot root, thereby enabling efficient access to each PCPI maintained by the file system.
US08122285B2
A computer system including a plurality of PCIe paths is configured such that a failed PCIe path only is disabled, thereby preventing the computer system from system resetting. The computer comprises a root port for detecting a failure on a PCIe path, and then for issuing a SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt) to a CPU; and the CPU for, on the receipt of the SMI, executing BIOS to issue, through the root port, a PCIe reset to the PCIe path on which the failure has occurred.
US08122277B1
In one embodiment, a clock distribution chip includes a clock input adapted to receive an input clock signal, clock dividers each adapted to receive a clock signal based on the first input clock signal and to generate a divided clock signal, and programmable clock outputs adapted to provide output clock signals. The clock outputs are configurable to support a number of signaling standards. A programmable switch fabric is coupled between the clock dividers and the clock outputs and is configurable to provide the divided clock signals to the clock outputs.
US08122257B2
The presently claimed technology relates generally to audio-based, location-related methods. One claim recites a method in which a microphone in a user's portable device captures ambient sound, and corresponding data is then processed to determine location information about the user's location. Action is then taken involving the determined location information. By such arrangement, location information is determined by reference to ambient sound captured by a user-carried portable device. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08122247B2
One example embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for processing an application packet for transmission, includes breaking the application packet into a plurality of segments, creating first pseudorandom bits, and generating partial tags based on each of the plurality of segments and portions of the first pseudorandom bits associated with each of the plurality of segments. The method further including combining the partial tags including a last partial tag associated with a last segment of the application packet to create an accumulated tag, generating an authentication tag based on the accumulated tag and second pseudorandom bits, storing the authentication tag, and transmitting the plurality of segments including the authentication tag.
US08122242B2
The present invention performs “flow control” based on the remaining encryption capacity of an encrypted outbound network interface link of a network routing device, such as a router or switch. As the encrypted link begins to run low on encryption key material, this invention begins to discard datagrams queued for transit across that link, in order to signal distant host computers that they should slow down the rate at which they are sending datagrams. The invention, which is particularly useful in cryptographically protected networks that run the TCP/IP protocol stack, allows fine-grained flow control of individual traffic classes because it can determine, for example, how various classes of data traffic (e.g., voice, video, TCP) should be ordered and transmitted through a network. Thus, the invention can be used to implement sophisticated flow control rules so as to give preferential treatment to certain people, departments or computers.
US08122240B2
A method for establishing a security association between a client and a service node for the purpose of pushing information from the service node to the client, where the client and a key server share a base secret. The method comprises sending a request for generation and provision of a service key from the service node to a key server, the request identifying the client and the service node, generating a service key at the key server using the identities of the client and the service node, the base secret, and additional information, and sending the service key to the service node together with said additional information, forwarding said additional information from the service node to the client, and at the client, generating said service key using the received additional information and the base key. A similar approach may be used to provide p2p key management.
US08122232B2
A self programming slave device controller is described which comprises interface circuitry and control circuitry. The interface circuitry is responsive to one or more configuration parameters to communicate data between the slave device controller and a slave device in accordance with the one or more configuration parameters. The control circuitry is responsive to one or more operating parameter signals indicative of one or more operating parameters influencing current performance characteristics of the slave device to set the one or more configuration parameters so as to control an access operation for accessing the slave device to accommodate the current performance characteristics of the slave device. In this way, an access operation can be conducted efficiently and reliably having regard to the current performance characteristics of the slave device. This makes it possible to automatically adjust configuration parameters used to control an access operation in dependence on changes to operating parameters of the slave device which may influence the performance characteristics.
US08122225B2
A “LUN Table” enables Logical Unit Number (LUN) mapping/masking within an Input/Output Virtualization IOV adapter included in a Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (“SAS” or “Serial Attached SCSI”). A plurality of System Images (“SI”) share block storage through the SAS. The IOV adapter includes one or more Virtual Functions (VF), a Physical Function (PF), and a LUN Table within the PF. The VF allows each SI to communicate I/0 requests with a storage device through the PF. The LUN Table maps the I/0 requests to unique locations within the storage device. Each SI is isolated from all other SIs. Interference between each SI is avoided. A VIOS or a LUN mapping/masking SAN are not required. I/0 latency, processor overhead and storage cost are improved over prior LUN mapping/masking solutions.
US08122217B2
A novel and useful method of implementing a full coverage low power mode in a storage system comprised of one or more memory storage devices storing replicated data items. A subset of the memory storage devices is chosen whose replicated data items require the least amount of storage. If the chosen subset stores uncovered data items, these data items are copied to an auxiliary memory storage device. The storage system can enter a full coverage low power mode by powering down the chosen subset of memory storage devices.
US08122210B2
The data backup device comprising a receiver unit receiving from an image forming apparatus via a network, backup data and sender information indicating the location of the image forming apparatus on the network; a memory unit storing the backup data and the sender information that are received; an operating state acquiring unit acquiring based on the sender information, the operating state of the image forming apparatus whether or not it is ready to receive the backup data; a judgment unit judging based on the acquired operating state, whether or not the image forming apparatus is ready to receive the backup data; and a transmitting unit sending back the backup data to the image forming apparatus based on the sender information when the judgment unit judges that the image forming apparatus is ready to receive the backup data.
US08122209B1
A diskless storage device includes a volatile memory and at least one director, coupled to the volatile memory, that receives data for the diskless storage device and provides the data to the volatile memory. The at least one director provides logical storage device functionality without using non-volatile memory. The logical storage device functionality may include addressing tracks, blocks, and cylinders of logical storage devices of the diskless storage device. The volatile memory may include a plurality of slots and where data is stored in the slots. Data may be stored in unused ones of the slots and/or slots marked for reuse.
US08122205B2
Techniques for using structured virtual registers in embedded systems are described. A virtual register structure definition provides a map of virtual registers within an embedded controller. The virtual registers are externally accessible and correspond to memory locations within the embedded controller. In various embodiments, an embedded controller and/or an external entity may store data in or read data from the virtual registers using the virtual register structure definition. The problems of manual tracking of virtual register addresses and manual transcription of virtual register addresses to program code are ameliorated. When the virtual register map changes, logical references in program code to particular virtual registers need not necessarily be changed.
US08122202B2
An arrangement of memory devices and a controller is based on an interface with a reduced pin count relative to a known memory device and controller arrangement. Facilitating the reduced pin count interface are some operations performed by the controller. The controller determines a width for a Data bus while assigning a target device address to each of the memory devices.
US08122175B2
A method is described that involves determining that software state information of program code is to be made visible to a monitoring system. The method also involves initiating the writing of the software state information into a register. The method also involves waiting for the software state information to be placed onto a link within a link based computing system.
US08122167B1
A software thread is dispatched for causing the system to poll a device for determining whether a condition has occurred. Subsequently, the software thread is undispatched and, in response thereto, an interrupt is enabled on the device, so that the device is enabled to generate the interrupt in response to an occurrence of the condition, and so that the system ceases polling the device for determining whether the condition has occurred. Eventually, the software thread is redispatched and, in response thereto, the interrupt is disabled on the device, so that the system resumes polling the device for determining whether the condition has occurred.
US08122164B2
Provided is an information processing apparatus and method of controlling same in which, when data transfer is performed among a plurality of control circuits, which control circuit is used to execute data transfer is controlled appropriately based on the transfer conditions of data transfer. To accomplish this, the apparatus has first and second control circuits, a request for data transfer performed between the first and second control circuits is acquired, the transfer conditions of the acquired data transfer are analyzed and which of the first and second control circuits is to execute the data transfer is selected.
US08122160B2
A system and method for dual mode DP and HDMI transmission are provided. Briefly described, one embodiment of a dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter, among others, can be implemented as follows. The dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter comprises a driver circuit controlled by a data signal. The dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter also comprises a control circuit coupled to the driver circuit. The control circuit is configurable to transmit the data signal in a DP mode or a HDMI mode according to a mode signal. One embodiment of a method, among others, comprises: receiving a mode signal; determining whether to configure the dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter for transmitting in a DP mode or an HDMI mode based on the received mode signal; and configuring a dual mode DP and HDMI transmitter in accordance with the determination.
US08122159B2
In one aspect, a system includes electrical components arranged in a daisy chain that include a first electrical component disposed at a first end of the daisy chain and a second electrical component disposed at an opposite end of the daisy chain than the first end. Each of the first and second electrical components includes an input port, an output port and a common port. The input port of the first electrical component is coupled to one of a supply voltage port or ground and the common ports of the first and second electrical components are coupled to the other one of the supply voltage or the ground. An address of the second electrical component is determined before addresses of the other of the electrical components are determined, and the addresses of the electrical components determine a position of an electrical component with respect to the other of the electrical components in the daisy chain.
US08122158B1
A method, system, and a computer program product for improving IO (input/output) performance of host systems using external storage systems. An aspect of the present invention predicts policies to be applied in the host system based on historical information. Several characteristics of a set of IO requests sent by a host system are collected and analyzed to determine a usage/IO pattern. A suitable policy is then determined based on the pattern and applied on the host system when a similar pattern of IO requests is sought to be sent again, thereby improving the IO performance of the host system.
US08122157B2
Techniques are described herein for expanding the range of data targeted in I/O requests made by clients, so that the expanded range results in aligned I/O operations within the file system. Data that is included in the expanded range, but was not actually requested by the client, is trimmed off the data chunk returned by the file system, so that the client receives only the data required by the client. The blocks that contain the partially-read data are cached, so that they can be provided to the clients in response to subsequent I/O requests, without having to retrieve the blocks again from the file system. The I/O requests of multiple clients are handled by a read scheduler that uses a single global queue for all such requests. When appropriate, the read scheduler creates companionship relationships between the requests, and services the “companion” requests based on the data returned for the requests with which the companion requests are associated.
US08122154B2
In a storage system that manages update prohibition (WORM) information, when time management is not performed with precision, there arises a possibility that an update prohibition (WORM) attribute may be erased before a preservation period expires. This invention provides a storage system coupled to at least one of time servers through a network, including: a first time information holding unit that holds first time information to be used to manage an update prohibition attribute of data; a second time information holding unit that holds second time information to be used to establish time synchronization with a device coupled to the network; and a time update unit that manages the first time information and the second time information, in which the time update unit receives third time information from the at least one of the time servers and judges whether the third time information satisfies a predetermined condition, and updates the first time information based on the third time information when the third time information satisfies the predetermined condition.
US08122146B1
The content-aware application switch and methods thereof intelligently switch client packets to one server among a group of servers in a server farm. The switch uses Layer 7 or application content parsed from a packet to help select the server and to schedule the transmitting of the packet to the server. This enables refined load-balancing and Quality of-Service control tailored to the application being switched. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method includes maintaining a server load metric for each server in a group of servers; parsing application content from a packet; selecting a destination server from the group of servers, wherein selecting the destination server is dependent on the server load metric for each server, assigning a priority to the packet, the priority being dependent on the application content; and dropping the packet if the priority comprises at least one of a predetermined type.
US08122130B2
A method for controlling access to content on a network, the method comprising the steps of associating access credentials with content to be published for download receiving a content download request from a mobile device, the content download request including access information, matching the received access information with the published content access credentials to permit access to the published content and allowing the permitted content to be downloaded by the mobile device.
US08122129B2
In various embodiments, techniques can be provided for identifying and filtering network resources. The filtering may occur not only on the type of network traffic (e.g., HTTP traffic) but also with resources identified by the network traffic. In some embodiments, one or more hash functions may be used to facilitate the identification, searching, and matching of network resources. The network resources may be identified as a unique domain, unique network host, unique URL, or the like.
US08122127B2
A virtual device includes multiple devices connected to operate as a single device. A first one of the devices is configured to determine that the first device connects to a second one of the devices via a first link; identify a second link; determine that the second link connects the first device to the second device; and automatically aggregate the first link and the second link to form a link aggregation with the second device based on determining that the first device connects to the second device via both the first and second links. The first device is further configured to transmit packets to the second device via the first and second links of the link aggregation.
US08122124B1
A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests are provided. A client computing component associated with a client computing device identifies an original resource request and associates a record identifier with the original resource request. The client computing component transmits the original resource request and the associated record identifier to a performance measurement component. The client computing component also determines performance data associated with processing the original resource request. In response to the transmission from the client computing component, the performance measurement component further transmits the original resource request and also monitors performance associated with processing the original resource request as well as any embedded resource requests included in a response to the original resource request. The performance measurement component and the client computing component each transmit the determined performance data associated with the record identifier to a processing component for further analysis. Aspects of systems and methods for monitoring the operation and performance of networked devices are provided. In some embodiments, performance measurement components are provided for network client and/or network content providers. Performance measurement components may transmit performance data to a metric processing component.
US08122122B1
Embodiments of the invention provide systems, software and methods for monitoring events on a computer. In a set of embodiments, a monitoring application monitors events on a monitored computer. Each of the monitored events may be analyzed, and based on the analysis, some or all of the monitored events may be collected. A variety of rules may be used in analyzing events. In some cases, collected events can be queued, for example, by storing a representation of each collected event in an event cache. When connectivity with a monitoring computer is available, a connection with the monitoring computer may be established, and/or the queued events may be transmitted to the monitoring computer. In a particular set of embodiments, the monitoring application is designed to avoid detection by a user of the monitored computer.
US08122106B2
Integrating design, deployment, and management phases for a system in accordance with certain aspects includes using a system definition model to design a system. The system definition model is subsequently used to deploy the system on one or more computing devices and, after deployment of the system, the system definition model is used to manage the system deployed on the one or more computing devices.
US08122088B2
The present invention discloses a personal note capability for a text exchange client. A personal note can be a note not transmitted in a dialog between text exchange participants. It can, however, be transmitted in a communication outside the text exchange dialog communication. The personal note can be created and presented within a text exchange window. In one implementation, a user can utilize a special symbol to denote that a personal note follows. For example, a user could enter “ subject globalization program,” into a text output field, where “” is the special symbol, “subject” denotes a category of the personal note, and “globalization program” defines the subject of the text exchange. Personal notes can be stored along with a log of the communication session and used for indexing, searching, and other log management functions.
US08122070B1
Systems, methods, and software to provide document management system user interfaces to clients. Some embodiments include an intermediary server to provide document management system indexing data to a client in a form that is displayable within an existing client file browsing user interface, such as Windows Explorer.
US08122068B2
Mechanisms of memory management in a scoped memory system of a data processing system having a one or more scoped memory areas are provided. The mechanisms identify a set of one or more child scoped memory areas of the scoped memory area for garbage collection. The mechanisms further identify, in each scoped memory area of the set, references to the scoped memory area for garbage collection as root references for objects allocated in the scoped memory area of the scoped memory system, thereby generating a set of root references. The mechanisms also recursively traversing and marking objects that are referenced from the set of root references and that are allocated in the scoped memory area of the scoped memory system and identify objects in the scoped memory area of the scoped memory system that are not so marked. The identified objects are discarded from the scoped memory system.
US08122066B2
A query profiling system and associated operating methods implement a database query profiler. The illustrative database system comprises a parser, a query model, a catalog manager, a binder and view rewriter, and a query analyzer. The parser parses statements by checking syntax of a statement according to a structured query language (SQL) grammar and representing the statements in a syntax-oriented internal format. The catalog manager processes data definition SQL statements (DDL) that are transformed to the internal representation; transform the representations of the DDL to database objects abstractions; groups the database objects into a Catalog. The binder and view rewriter take the internal representations obtained by parsing workload queries (data manipulation SQL statements or DML) and rewrite table references by their corresponding View definitions; bind database object references to their actual database objects contained in the catalog. The query analyzer analyzes the queries for relevant attributes and stores the attributes in a profile repository.
US08122056B2
A computer-implemented method, which comprises the following: aggregating a plurality of records in accordance with an aggregation specification, wherein the records are part of a dimensionally-modeled fact collection; graphically representing the records in un-aggregated form; graphically representing the records in aggregated form; and causing the graphical representation of the records to be switched between aggregated form and un-aggregated form based on a user indication.
US08122054B2
A multifunctional product connected with a plurality of terminals over a network includes an image information obtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storing device that stores the image information in a prescribed location as a document file, and a designating device that designates a prescribed terminal to receive the document file. A file transmission device is provided to transmit the document file to the prescribed terminal simultaneously when the document file storing device stores the image information in the document file.
