US08158882B1
A system for the adjustable suspension of electrical outlet, junction boxes or the like including in combination an elongated wire for attachment to an existing fixed overhead member, a wire gripper including a passageway therethrough, and a knockout engagement device that engages an opening in an electrical junction or outlet box and further includes an engagement mechanism for engaging the elongated wire as it passes from a fixed overhead member through the passageway to the engagement member and returns thereto through the passageway where it is secured by an appropriate screw, bolt or the like.
US08158877B2
In one embodiment, a solar cell installation includes several groups of solar cells. Each group of solar cells has a local power point optimizer configured to control power generation of the group. The local power point optimizer may be configured to determine an optimum operating condition for a corresponding group of solar cells. The local power point optimizer may adjust the operating condition of the group to the optimum operating condition by modulating a transistor, such as by pulse width modulation, to electrically connect and disconnect the group from the installation. The local power point optimizer may be used in conjunction with a global maximum power point tracking module.
US08158876B2
A keyboard apparatus having hammers each adapted for contact at its mass-unconcentrated half with a lower surface of an initial stopper that restricts initial pivot positions of the hammers, thereby reducing a contact force with which each hammer contacts the initial stopper, whereby the required thickness of the initial stopper can be reduced and height positions of key-depression surfaces of the keys in a non-key-depression state can be made uniform with ease. In the non-key-depression state, the hammers are in contact with the lower surface of the initial stopper mounted to a stopper mounting portion of the frame, whereby initial pivot positions of the hammers in a key-depression forward stroke are restricted and key-depression initial positions of respective keys are indirectly restricted, so that the height positions of key-depression surfaces of the keys are made uniform.
US08158873B2
Game player performance information systems and methods generate game player performance information. An exemplary embodiment receives a specification of an audio track of interest; receives a specification of a musical instrument, wherein the musical instrument corresponds to an instrument simulation device that a game player operates when playing the musical game; determines an instrument audio track based upon the audio track of interest, wherein the instrument audio track corresponds to music played by the specified musical instrument during the recording of the audio track of interest; generating a plurality of instrument notes based upon the instrument audio track; generates a plurality of game play notes based upon the instrument notes; and generates game player performance information based upon the game play notes, wherein the game player performance information identifies the sequence of specific player actions for the game player to make during playback of the audio track of interest.
US08158864B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015460. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015460. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015460 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015460 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08158859B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes a ferrochelatase.
US08158854B2
The present invention relates to methodology and constructs for modifying plant architecture and enhancing plant biomass and/or sucrose yield.
US08158851B2
The present invention provides a method for altering the tryptophan content of a plant by introducing and expressing an isolated DNA segment encoding an anthranilate synthase in the cells of the plant. Transgenic plants transformed with an isolated DNA segment encoding an anthranilate synthase, as well as human or animal food, seeds and progeny derived from these plants, are also provided.
US08158850B2
The present invention provides a method of herbicide treatment of selected female and male parents in a hybrid seed production system. The system results in enhanced trait purity and efficiency in the hybrid seed production system.
US08158848B2
An absorbent single-use article includes an absorbent element for storing bodily fluids and a backsheet that is fluid impermeable, at least in sections. The fluid impermeable backsheet has a microporous breathable film. A moisture indicator is provided on the side of the film facing the absorbent element in the form of a visual perceptible textured arrangement applied directly to the film, wherein the textured arrangement detaches itself beyond recognition upon contact with aqueous fluid.
US08158847B2
An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence protector, diaper, includes an absorbent structure (4) with a first and a second side, a moisture sensitive additive (8), such as a bacterial composition, and a carrier member (10). The carrier member (10) includes a first and a second water-vapor impermeable material layer (12, 13), the material layers are sealed together by a sealing (11) to form a water-vapor impermeable volume (9) there between holding the moisture sensitive additive (8). The carrier member (10) is located on the first or the second side of the absorbent structure (4).
US08158845B2
A wound dressing comprises in combination (i) a first wound contact layer which preferably has a positive effect on the healing of the wound, and (ii) a second layer of greater hydrophilicity than the first layer.
US08158843B2
The invention relates to processes for reducing the sulfur content in hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel. The invention provides a method and materials for producing ultra low sulfur content transportation fuels for motor vehicles as well as for applications such as fuel cells. The materials and method of the invention may be used at ambient or elevated temperatures and at ambient or elevated pressures without the need for hydrogen.
US08158839B2
A process is presented for the production of linear alkylbenzenes. The process includes contacting an aromatic compound with an olefin in the presence of a selective zeolite catalyst. The catalyst includes two zeolites combined to improve the linearity, and to produce detergent grade LAB. The two zeolites are selected to limit skeletal isomerization while producing a desired 2-phenyl content for the LAB.
US08158837B2
The present invention relates to a method for selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, comprising the steps of: i) introducing a feed comprising acetylene and hydrogen into a reactor containing a supported catalyst, wherein the reactor is a fixed bed reactor containing the supported catalyst additionally diluted with a solid diluent, or the reactor being a wash coated reactor wherein the supported catalyst is coated on reactor walls; and ii) hydrogenating of acetylene to ethylene in the presence of the supported catalyst.
US08158831B2
This disclosure relates to chrysene compounds with deep blue emission that are useful in electroluminescent applications. It also relates to electronic devices in which the active layer includes such a chrysene compound.
US08158826B2
A continuous process for the production of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amides is described, which is characterized in that: fresh mono- or dicarboxylic acid is placed into a first reactor (R1) connected with a distillation column (C1) and subjected to a reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to form a pre-mixture consisting of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide and unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid, while the water of condensation is distilled off; said pre-mixture is transferred into a second reactor (R2) also equipped with a distillation column (C2) and subjected to a further reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to substantially convert all unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid into mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide; and all unreacted ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine is transferred into the first reactor (R1) to start the amidation reaction.
US08158825B2
The present invention relates to a novel class of modified malonate derivatives. The modified malonate compounds can be used to treat cancer. The modified malonate compounds can also 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 modified malonate derivatives and safe dosing regimens of these pharmaceutical compositions, which are easy to follow, and which result in a therapeutically effective amount of the modified malonate derivatives in vivo.
US08158823B2
A method for revamping a conventional self-stripping urea plant is disclosed, where a minor portion (18a) of the carbon dioxide feed is fed to the stripper (7) and used as a stripping agent. In further embodiments, another carbamate condenser is installed, or the conventional horizontal shell-and-tube carbamate condenser (6) is replaced with a vertical submerged unit.
US08158821B2
To provide a novel crystal of 5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate having a high thermal stability, a high melting point, and an excellent moisture absorption resistance as well as a process for producing the same. A crystal of 5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate, which shows characteristic peaks at 7.9°±0.2°, 15.8°±0.2°, 18.9°±0.2°, 20.7°±0.2°, 21.1°±0.2°, 21.4°±0.2°, 22.9°±0.2°, 33.1°±0.2°, and 34.8±0.2° as diffraction angles 2θ in a powder X-ray diffraction, and a process for producing the same.
US08158818B2
Isocyanate-functional silanes, particularly isocyanate-functional α-silanes, are prepared in good yield by a liquid phase thermolysis conducted in the presence of a catalyst at a pressure of >100 mbar, or >80 mbar when a thin-film evaporator is used.
US08158814B2
An object of the present invention is to provide insecticides having high effectiveness. The present invention provides compounds represented by formula (1): wherein A1, A2, A3, and A4 independently represent a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, or an oxidized nitrogen atom; R1 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group which may be substituted, a phenyl group which may be substituted, or a heterocyclic group which may be substituted; R2 and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group which may be substituted, or a C1-C4 alkylcarbonyl group which may be substituted; G1, G2, and G3 independently represent an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; Xs may be the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group which may be substituted, or an amino group which may be substituted; n represents an integer of 0 to 4; Q represents a phenyl group which may be substituted, a naphthyl group which may be substituted, a tetrahydronaphthyl group which may be substituted, or a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, insecticides containing the compounds as active ingredients, and a method for producing the compounds. The compounds represented by formula (1) exhibit an excellent preventive effect as insecticides and also exhibit an excellent preventive effect when being combined with another insecticide, an acaricide, a nematocide, a fungicide, a herbicide, a plant growth regulator, or a biological pesticide.
US08158811B2
The invention relates to unsaturated fatty hydroxy acid derivatives of formula (I), wherein Rn is independent from each other H or linear or branched alkyl group which contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and which are possibly substituted by a halogen atom, in particular a fluorine atom, RI is H, F, Cl, Br or CF3, R is H or linear or branched alkyl group which contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and which are possibly substituted by a halogen atom, in particular a fluorine atom and 3=n=14. Said derivatives is suitable for producing an anti-radical, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic dermocosmetologic composition and/or for treating keratinisation and pigmentation troubles and/or for improving healing.
US08158810B2
Disclosed are novel isoflavone derivatives having the structure of Formula I which are useful as ALDH-2 inhibitors for treating mammals for dependence upon drugs of addiction, for example addiction to dopamine-producing agent such as cocaine, morphine, amphetamines, nicotine, and alcohol.
US08158809B2
4-O esters of podophyllotoxin and 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin are provided. The compounds are 4-O esters of an alkanoic acid or substituted alkanoic acid and podophyllotoxin and 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin. The compounds are useful for treating cancer.
US08158807B2
The present invention provides for a process for preparing 6,6-Dimethyl-3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2-sulfonate, an intermediate useful in the efficient preparation of (1R,2S,5S)-methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylic acid and esters and salts thereof, processes for preparing (1R,2S,5S)-methyl 6,6-dimethyl-3-azabicyclo[3,1,0]hexane-2-carboxylic acid and esters and salts thereof from the sulfonate intermediate and processes for preparing 6,6-Dimethyl-3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2-sulfonate.
US08158805B2
This invention relates to novel compounds that are azapeptides, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to novel azapeptide compounds that are derivatives of the HIV protease inhibitor atazanavir sulfate. This invention also provides pyrogen-free compositions comprising one or more compounds of the invention and a carrier, and the use of the disclosed compounds and compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are treated by administering HIV protease inhibitors. The invention also relates to the use of one or more of the disclosed compounds as reagents in analytical studies involving atazanavir.
US08158804B2
The present invention relates to chelating agents, in particular to chelating agents which are capable of forming complexes with paramagnetic metal ions such as iron (III) and gadolinium (III). The invention also relates to the complexes formed and their use as MRI contrast agents.
US08158799B2
Compounds of the formula I in which X, Y, R1, R1′, R2, R3 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are inhibitors of cell proliferation and can be employed for the treatment of tumors.
US08158798B2
Process for making 7-cycloamino-1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids. Borate ester compounds suitable for use in such process.
US08158795B2
A process for the preparation of neuromuscular blocking agents with isoquinoline structure, such as atracurium besylate, doxacurium chloride, mivacurium chloride and gantacurium chloride, by chromatographic purification of their mixtures of isomers using a silica modified by treatment with a tertiary amine of formula NR1R2R3 or a corresponding quaternary ammonium compound N+R1R2R3R4X− wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4, the same or different, are linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl groups or —CH2—Ar groups or two among R1, R2, R3 and R4 form a 5- or 6-membered cycle, optionally substituted with a —CH2—Ar group or condensed with an Ar group, Ar being an aryl optionally substituted with one or more electrodonating groups, and X− being a suitable anion, is described.
US08158779B2
4-Amino-1-((2R,3S,4S,5R)-5-azido-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one (22) and prodrugs thereof are hepatitis C (HCV) polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting HCV and treating HCV-mediated diseases, processes for making the compounds and synthetic intermediates employed in the process.
US08158776B2
This invention is directed to a method of enhancing or facilitating the clearance or the lung mucus secretions in a subject. This invention is also directed to a method of facilitating the hydration of the lung mucus secretions in a subject. This invention is further directed to a method of preventing or treating diseases or conditions associated with impaired lung or airway function in a human or other mammal. The method comprises administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic effective amount of P2Y6 receptor agonist compound, wherein said amount is effective to activate the P2Y6 receptors on the luminal surface of lung epithelia. The P2Y6 receptor agonist compounds useful for this invention include mononucleoside 5′-diphosphates, dinucleoside monophosphate, dinucleoside diphosphates, or dinucleoside triphosphates of general Formula I, or salts, solvates, hydrates thereof. This invention is also directed to novel P2Y6 receptor agonist compounds.
US08158773B2
The present invention is based on the in vivo demonstration that RSV can be inhibited through intranasal administration of iRNA agents as well as by parenteral administration of such agents. Further, it is shown that effective viral reduction can be achieved with more than one virus being treated concurrently. Based on these findings, the present invention provides general and specific compositions and methods that are useful in reducing RSV mRNA levels, RSV protein levels and viral titers in a subject, e.g., a mammal, such as a human. These findings can be applied to other respiratory viruses.
US08158768B2
The invention provides immunomodulatory polynucleotides and methods for immunomodulation of individuals using the immunomodulatory polynucleotides.
US08158750B2
This invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating the immune system. Such methods include administering an extract, purified peptide-linked glucan or active component thereof from Coriolus versicolor. The methods are particularly useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of secondary immunodeficiency, wherein the immunodeficiency is the result of an infection, a malignant neoplastic disease, an autoimmune disease, a protein losing state, an immunosuppressive treatment, surgery or anesthesia.
US08158744B1
A polymer of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, Ar1, Ar2, and n are as described herein. The polymer may be used in a semiconducting layer of an electronic device.
US08158743B2
Rosin modified phenolic resins are prepared by reacting together rosin, fatty acid, phenol and aldehyde. The fatty acid may be Monomer (derived from the fatty acid dimerization process). The reaction mixture may optionally include α,β-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid(s) or anhydride(s), and polyol(s). The resin may be dissolved in a solvent to form a varnish. The resin may be used as a component of inks for lithographic or gravure printing.
US08158739B2
Branched polydiorganosiloxane polyamide, block copolymers and methods of making the copolymers are provided. The method of making the copolymers involves reacting one or more amine compounds including at least one polyamine with a precursor having at least one polydiorganosiloxane segment and at least two ester groups.
US08158731B2
The present disclosure is directed to polymer blends comprising a biopolymer and a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic polyester. The aliphatic polyester comprises repeating units derivable from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic diacid, repeating units derivable from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic diol, and one or two terminator units derivable from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic alcohol. The polymer blends disclosed herein provide improved flexibility, and are useful, for example, in the production of packaging materials, industrial products, durable goods, and the like.
US08158729B2
[PROBLEMS]To provide a material for producing a bioabsorbable material in which it is easy to remove a metal zinc catalyst from a bioabsorbable polymer such as a polymer of lactide or a polymer of lactide and caprolactone and it is easy to recycle the removed powdery metal zinc catalyst, and to provide a bioabsorbable material produced from the material for producing a bioabsorbable material.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS]A material for producing a bioabsorbable material including a three-dimensionally shaped metal zinc polymerization catalyst and a bioabsorbable polymer such as a polymer of lactide or a polymer of lactide and caprolactone; and a process for producing a material for producing a bioabsorbable material, characterized in that in the process for producing a bioabsorbable polymer by polymerization, a three-dimensionally shaped metal zinc catalyst is used as a polymerization catalyst.
US08158725B2
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising providing a reactive polymer, where the reactive polymer includes a carbon anion, an oxygen anion, a sulfur anion, or a nitrogen anion, reacting the reactive polymer with carbon disulfide to form a polymer including a dithio carboxyl group, and reacting the polymer including the dithio carboxyl group with a blocking agent.
US08158723B2
The invention relates to a moisture cross-linkable composition usable as an adhesive or sealant which is very easy to use and exhibits excellent bonding performance.The composition is obtained by mixing 100 parts by weight of an organic polymer (A) with moisture cross-linkable reactive silane terminal functions and 1 to 70 parts by weight of an organic polymer (B) miscible at ambient temperature with polymer (A), selected from among polyesters, polyethers, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyethylenediimines, polycarbonates, polyureas or polyamides.
US08158722B2
Composition comprising at least one copolymer A composed of at least one alkylated styrene, of acrylonitrile, and, if appropriate, of at least one further monomer, at least one block copolymer B which has at least one block forming a hard phase and composed of at least one vinylaromatic monomer and has at least one block forming a soft phase and composed of at least one vinylaromatic monomer and of at least one diene, and at least one further copolymer C, and, if appropriate, one polymer D, where the copolymer C is at least one triblock copolymer composed of a first block composed of at least one vinylaromatic monomer, of a second block composed of at least one diene, and of a third block composed of at least one methyl methacrylate monomer, or comprising at least 50% by weight of methyl methacrylate, and the polymer D is at least one styrene polymer selected from glass-clear and impact-resistant polystyrene. The present invention moreover relates to a process for the preparation of the inventive compositions, to the use of the inventive compositions for the production of moldings, of foils, of fibers, or of foams, to moldings, foils, fibers, or foams comprising the inventive composition, and also to the use of the inventive composition as packaging for electronic components, such as integrated circuits (microchips) (“electronic packing”), for applications in chemical engineering, in household products, in bathroom items, e.g. toothbrush tumblers, cosmetics holders, etc., as housings, as tubes, as profiles, for medical items or medical devices, and in toys.
US08158715B2
A binder resin composition is provided which retains satisfactory low-temperature flowability and coating film performances and has a lower cost. A binder resin solution composition including: (a) a resin obtained by mixing a chlorinated polyolefin (I) obtained by chlorinating to a chlorine content of 10 to 40% by weight an isotactic polypropylene polymer produced in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, the isotactic polypropylene polymer having a molecular weight distribution of 3 or lower and a melting point as measured with a differential scanning calorimeter of 110 to 140° C.; with a carboxyl-containing chlorinated polyolefin (II) obtained by chlorinating to a chlorine content of 10 to 40% by weight a carboxyl-containing polyolefin obtained by grafting 1 to 10% by weight at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer selected from a carboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid anhydride onto an isotactic polypropylene polymer produced with a titanium catalyst in a weight ratio (I)/(II) of from 5/95 to 50/50; and (b) an organic solvent, in which the composition has a solid concentration of 10 to 50% by weight.
US08158708B2
The invention provides a method for preparing a material which includes an ionomer blend composition containing a polysilsesquioxane, has a good inorganic filler dispersibility and a good moldability (mold releasability), and has an excellent scuff resistance and coefficient of restitution. The invention also provides a golf ball made using such a material. The ionomer blend composition is an ionomer-based material wherein the polysilsesquioxane and the ionomer are at least partly chemically bonded therebetween, and which has excellent properties such as coefficient of restitution and scuff resistance.
US08158706B2
A polypropylene resin composition contains 2 to 15 wt % of a moldability improver (A) and 85 to 98 wt % of a polypropylene resin (B). The moldability improver (A) is formed of propylene block copolymers (A-1) and (A-2). Each of the propylene block copolymers (A-1) and (A-2) has a crystalline propylene polymer component (A-11), (A-21) and a propylene-ethylene random copolymer component (A-12), (A-22). The propylene block copolymer (A-1) is characterized in that the melt flow rate of the crystalline propylene polymer component (A-11) is high, whereas the propylene block copolymer (A-2) is characterized in that the content ratio of the propylene-ethylene random copolymer component (A-22) is high. The polypropylene resin (B) is formed of a propylene-ethylene block copolymer (B-1), at least one of an ethylene elastomer and a styrene elastomer (B-2) and an inorganic filler (B-3).
US08158701B1
Polycarbonate compositions are disclosed that have high flame retardance, good mechanical properties, and low halogen content. The compositions comprise a polycarbonate, a grafted butadiene rubber, a phosphorous-containing flame retardant, and a combination of a silicone-containing functionality with fumed silica.
US08158696B2
An environmentally friendly composition and related methods of use and production of an asphalt prime coat, suitable for application to a base road structure, are described herein. The composition includes an asphaltine, and an emulsion of a natural hydrocarbon resin mixed with a penetrating component, which can include a very limited quantity an organic solvent, or can omit organic solvents. If organic solvents are omitted, a hydrophobic wax can be added for moisture retention and water impermeability. Dispersion agents can be used to facilitate penetration into the base road. Rheology modifying agents and/or alcohols can be used to add flexibility, decrease curing time, and improve thickness and viscosity. The prime coat contains a lower quantity of volatile organic compounds than conventional prime coats, reducing environmental impact. The drying time of the composition is less than alternative compositions. The improved dry time coupled with lower environmental liability can provide significant cost savings.
US08158685B2
The present invention relates to novel chemical compositions and methods of treating and regenerating bone in a patient in need thereof. This invention presents a novel chemical composition of matter that stimulates osteoblast formation and inhibits osteoclastic and phagocytosis activity thereby resulting in a significant increase in bone formation.
US08158678B2
Novel derivatives of α-cyano-β-naphthyl acrylates, sunscreen compositions including one or more α-cyano-β-naphthyl acrylate derivatives are described herein. Also disclosed are methods for stabilizing a sunscreen composition and methods of filtering out ultra-violet light from a substrate by the addition of one or more of the foregoing α-cyano-β-naphthyl acrylate derivatives.
US08158676B2
Disclosed herein are compounds having a formula: Therapeutic methods, medicaments, and compositions related thereto are also disclosed.
US08158674B2
Provided are chalcogenoxanthylium compounds which can effectively be used as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy, virucides in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and reversal agents of Pgp function in cancer cells. Further provided is a general method for the preparation of chalcogenoxanthylium compounds.
US08158665B2
The present invention provides novel substituted isoxazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, therapeutic uses and processes for preparing the same.
US08158658B2
Compounds selectively inhibiting neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNos), such compounds of a formula wherein the variables are defined, herein.
US08158655B2
The invention is concerned with the novel sulfonamide derivatives of formula (I) wherein A, R1 to R2″, X and Y are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds inhibit chymase and can be used as medicaments.
US08158650B2
This invention provides a compound of the formula (I). These compounds are useful for the treatment of disease conditions caused by overactivation of the VR1 receptor such as pain, or the like in mammal. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above compound.
US08158649B2
The present invention relates to 3-substituted-2-(arylalkyl)-1-azabicycloalkanes, methods of preparing the compounds and methods of treatment using the compounds. The compounds exhibit activity at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), particularly the α7 nAChR subtype, and are useful towards modulating neurotransmission and the release of ligands involved in neurotransmission. Methods for preventing or treating conditions and disorders, including central nervous system (CNS) disorders, which are characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmission, are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for treating inflammation, autoimmune disorders, pain and excess neovascularization, such as that associated with tumor growth.
US08158647B2
Provided herein are substituted pyrrolopyridine heterocycles and substituted pyrazolopyridine heterocycles, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said heterocycles and methods of using said heterocycles in the treatment of disease. The heterocycles disclosed herein function as kinase modulators and have utility in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, allergy, asthma, inflammation, obstructive airway disease, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disease, infection, CNS disease, brain tumor, obesity, asthma, hematological disorder, degenerative neural disease, cardiovascular disease, or disease associated with angiogenesis, neovascularization, or vasculogenesis.
US08158645B2
Disclosed is a novel crystalline form of topotecan monohydrochloride pentahydrate, which is a pentahydrate of 10-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-4-ethyl-4,9-dihydroxy-1H-pyrano[3′,4′:6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinoline-3,14(4H,12H)dione monohydrochloride, corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, methods preparation and/or use thereof to treat anti-viral and/or cancer-related diseases.
US08158642B2
Disclosed are compounds which bind VLA-4. Certain of these compounds also inhibit leukocyte adhesion and, in particular, leukocyte adhesion mediated by VLA-4. Such compounds are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases in a mammalian patient, e.g., human, such as asthma, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, AIDS dementia, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, tissue transplantation, tumor metastasis and myocardial ischemia. The compounds can also be administered for the treatment of inflammatory brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
US08158641B2
The present invention relates to 2-arylamino-4-(aminoalkylene)aminopyrimidines inhibitors having the structure shown below: wherein R and R1 are as defined herein. The 2-arylamino-4 -(aminoalkylene)aminopyrimidines inhibit Protein Kinase C-alpha (PKC-α). The PKC-α inhibitors of the present invention are important for improving myocardial intracellular calcium cycling, resulting in improved myocardial contraction and relaxation performance and thereby slowing the progression of heart failure. The present invention further relates to compositions comprising said 2-arylamino-4 -(aminoalkylene)amino-pyrimidines and to methods for controlling, abating, or otherwise slowing the progression of heart failure.
US08158632B2
The invention provides novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines which are useful for treating or preventing anxiety, epilepsy and sleep disorders including insomnia, and for inducing sedation-hypnosis, anesthesia, sleep and muscle relaxation.
US08158631B2
Compounds having the formula I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined herein are Hepatitis C virus NS5b polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for treating an HCV infection and inhibiting HCV replication.
US08158620B2
A compound represented by the general formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, wherein Ring A is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, L is —NReCO— or the like (wherein Re is a hydrogen atom or the like), Ring B is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, X is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Y is a single bond or the like, Z is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or the like, and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia.
US08158619B2
This invention relates to novel 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl oxadiazolyl derivatives and their use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds of the invention are found to be cholinergic ligands at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and modulators of the monoamine receptors and transporters.Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US08158608B2
Ulcer is a serious oxidative stress induced disease with complex pathologic events including upregulation of H+K+ ATPase of parietal cell (PC) membrane, damage of mucin layer around PC, PC-DNA damage etc. The polysaccharide (GRPP) fraction and antioxidant extract (GRAOX) of ginger was examined for their ability to inhibit H+ K+ ATPase. Results indicated that the inhibition of H+ K+ ATPase activity which causes acidity in the lumen of the stomach, also exhibited better H+K+ ATPase inhibition (PPI) at the IC50 of 27.2 μg (GRPP) and 16.5 μg GAE (AOX) respectively than the known antiulcer proton pump blocker Lansoprazole (19.3 μg). Further the antioxidant activity in antioxidant extract (GRAOX) by various assay systems was examined such as Reducing power, Free radical scavenging (FRS), DNA and cytoprotection systems etc. GRAOX exhibited concentration dependent reducing power ability at 5-25 μg equivalent of phenol. FRS activity with IC50 of 6.8 μg equivalent of phenol etc. At 0.3 μg level GRAOX offered >80% protection to DNA and against FeSO4-Asc'orbate induced oxidation. The major active phenolic components were identified as Gallic acid/Tannic acid (46%), and Cinnamic acid (51%).
US08158607B2
The disclosure herein relates to a new Lamivudine polymorphic form, methods of making the same, and pharmaceutical formulations thereof. A (−) cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one in the form of monoclinic crystals has characteristic powder X-ray diffractogram, as disclosed herein, is disclosed along with a process for preparation of the same. A pharmaceutical composition in solid dosage unit form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a new Lamivudine polymorphic form in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also disclosed along with a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating HIV infections in humans.
US08158598B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating the expression of PTPR.alpha. in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are methods of target validation. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders. Also provided are methods for the prevention, amelioration and/or treatment of airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary inflammation by administration of antisense compounds targeted to PTPR.alpha.
US08158589B2
The described peptides possess the capacity to bind to Transforming Growth Factor TGF-β1 (TGF-β1), and are potential inhibitors of the biological activity of TGF-β1 through direct binding to this cytokine. These peptides can be used in the treatment of diseases or pathological alterations based on excessive or deregulated TGF-β1 expression, e.g., liver fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, corneal fibrosis and haze.
US08158586B2
Compounds that are capable of inhibiting the activity of one or more protein kinases are provided. The compounds are short, predominantly basic peptidic compounds comprising between about 5 and about 20 amino acids, and can optionally comprise an ATP mimetic moiety. The protein kinase inhibiting compounds can be used to inhibit the activity of one or more protein kinases in vitro or in vivo. Also provided are methods of inhibiting a protein kinase in a subject by administration of an effective amount of a protein kinase inhibiting compound and the use of the protein kinase inhibiting compounds, alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, in the treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases and disorders.
US08158584B2
In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the insight that a polypeptide comprising a ligand-binding portion of the extracellular domain of activin-like kinase I (ALK1) polypeptide may be used to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, particularly in mammals suffering angiogenesis-related disorders. Additionally, the disclosure demonstrates that inhibitors of ALK1 may be used to increase pericyte coverage in vascularized tissues, including tumors and the retina. The disclosure also identifies ligands for ALK1 and demonstrates that such ligands have pro-angiogenic activity, and describes antibodies that inhibit receptor-ligand interaction.
US08158574B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising chemopreventive agents that may be cupredoxin(s) or variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins, and at least one other chemopreventive agent. Specifically, these compositions may comprise azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or the 50-77 residue region of azurin (p28). The at least one other chemopreventive agent may comprise an antiestrogen such as Tamoxifen. The compositions of the invention may be used to prevent the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues and animals, and thus prevent cancer.
US08158570B2
The present invention provides a laundry detergent composition comprising an efficient sequestrant.
US08158557B2
The present invention relates to storage-stable solid water-dispersible formulations comprising one or more herbicidally active compounds from the group of the sulfonamides and their salts, one or more carrier materials and one or more wetting agents from the group of the naphthalenesulfonic acids and the group of the sulfosuccinic acid derivatives and also the salts of these groups.The formulations according to the invention are suitable for use in crop protection.
US08158556B2
Carbon cryogels, methods for making the carbon cryogels, methods for storing a gas using the carbon cryogels, and devices for storing and delivering a gas using the carbon cryogels.
US08158553B2
A photocatalyst dispersion element includes: a photocatalytic material; a solvent; and an ion additive. The ion additive generates a cation having a smaller ion radius than a tetramethylammonium ion in the solvent.
US08158552B2
An exhaust gas purifying catalyst exhibiting high purification performance in the Hot range is provided. The exhaust gas purifying catalyst has a catalyst substrate and a catalyst coating layer formed on the catalyst substrate. The catalyst coating layer has a layered structure including an inside layer a containing the component (a-1) and the component (a-2) described below, and an outside layer b containing the component (b-1) and the component (b-2) described below. Component (a-1) and component (b-1): noble metals. Component (a-2): a compound oxide of (i) Ce, (ii) Zr and (iii) an element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements, alkaline earth elements and Y, having a ratio of (ii) to (i) within the range of more than 40/100 but not more than 100/2 in terms of the weight ratio between CeO2 and ZrO2. Component (b-2): a compound oxide of elements including at least (v) and (vi) selected among (iv) Ce, (v) Zr and (vi) an element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements, alkaline earth elements and Y, having a ratio of (v) to (iv) of not more than 40/100 in terms of the weight ratio between CeO2 and ZrO2.
US08158547B2
An absorbent of ZSM-5 zeolite ion-exchanged with copper ion, characterized in that at least 60% or more of the copper sites in the copper ion-exchanged ZSM-5 zeolite are copper (I) sites and preferably at least 70% or more of the copper (I) sites are three-oxygen-coordinated copper (I) sites.
US08158545B2
A highly effective and regenerable method, system and device that enables the desulfurization of warm fuel gases by passing these warm gasses over metal-based sorbents arranged in a mesoporous substrate. This technology will protect Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts and other sulfur sensitive catalysts, without drastic cooling of the fuel gases. This invention can be utilized in a process either alone or alongside other separation processes, and allows the total sulfur in such a gas to be reduced to less than 500 ppb and in some instances as low as 50 ppb.
US08158544B2
To provide a high purity Yttria sintered bodies having a high strength, a low dielectric loss and high plasma corrosion resistance of halogen gas during wide range surface roughness (Ra). An Yttria sintered body having a dielectric loss tan δ of 1×10−4 or less in the frequency range from 1 to 20 GHz, wherein the Yttria sintered body contains Yttria of 99.9% by mass or more, has a porosity of 1% or less and an average crystal grain size of 3 μm or less, and the cumulative frequency ratio calculated from the following formula (1) is 3 or less: Cumulative frequency ratio=D90/D50. In the above-described formula (1), the meanings of the individual symbols are as follows: D90: The crystal grain size (μm) at which the cumulative number of grains as calculated from the smaller grain size side is 90% in the grain size distribution of the crystal grains in terms of the number of grains. D50: The crystal grain size (μm) at which the cumulative number of grains as calculated from the smaller grain size side is 50% in the grain size distribution of the crystal grains in terms of the number of grains.
US08158543B2
A fining agent for reducing the concentration of seeds or bubbles in a silicate glass. The fining agent includes at least one inorganic compound, such as a hydrate or a hydroxide that acts as a source of water. In one embodiment, the fining agent further includes at least one multivalent metal oxide and, optionally, an oxidizer. A fusion formable and ion exchangeable silicate glass having a seed concentration of less than about 1 seed/cm3 is also provided. Methods of reducing the seed concentration of a silicate glass, and a method of making a silicate glass having a seed concentration of less than about 1 seed/cm3 are also described.
US08158542B2
A known SiO2 slurry for the production of quartz glass contains a dispersion liquid and amorphous SiO2 particles with particle sizes to a maximum of 500 μm, wherein the largest volume fraction is composed of SiO2 particles with particle sizes in the range 1 μm-60 μm, as well as SiO2 nanoparticles with particle sizes less than 100 nm in the range 0.2-15% volume by weight (of the entire solids content). In order to prepare such a slurry for use, and to optimize the flow behavior of such a slurry with regard to later processing by dressing or pouring the slurry mass, and with regard to later drying and sintering without cracks, the invention suggests a slurry with SiO2 particles with a multimodal distribution of particle sizes, with a first maximum of the sizes distribution in the range 1 μm-3 μm and a second maximum in the range 5 μm-50 μm, and a solids content (percentage by weight of the SiO2 particles and the SiO2 nanoparticles together) in the range 83%-90%.
US08158541B2
Provided is an optically uniform and high-quality optical glass that is free from the occurrence of striae when a precision press-molding preform is produced therefrom, and that is a fluorine-containing glass having a refractive index nd(1) wherein the refractive index nd(1) and a refractive index nd(2) are substantially equivalent to each other, said refractive index nd(2) being a refractive index of the fluorine-containing glass after the fluorine-containing glass is re-melted in a nitrogen atmosphere at 900° C. for 1 hour, cooled to its glass transition temperature and then cooled to 25° C. at a temperature decrease rate of 30° C./hour.
US08158538B2
The present invention relates to a single-electron transistor (SET) operating at room temperature and a method of manufacturing the same, and to be specific, to a single-electron transistor operating at room temperature and a method of manufacturing the same, which are capable of minimizing influence of the gate voltage on tunneling barriers and effectively controlling the electric potential of a quantum dot (QD), by forming the quantum dot using a trenched nano-wire structure and forming the gate to wrap most of the way around the quantum dot.
US08158533B2
A piezoelectric tactile sensor comprises a piezoelectric membrane with a top surface, a transducer of elastic column with a bottom end surface to overlay over the top surface of the piezoelectric membrane and plural microelectrodes being sandwiched between the top surface of the piezoelectric membrane and the bottom end surface of the transducer in spread manner. When the transducer is subjected to an external stress, the piezoelectric membrane will generate uneven stress distribution to initiate dispersed microelectrodes output a corresponding induced voltage signal for being analyzed to figure out the direction and magnitude of the external stress.
US08158527B2
A resist pattern (5) is formed in a dimension of a limitation of an exposure resolution over a hard mask material film (4) over a work film (3). The material film (4) is processed using the resist pattern (5) as a mask. A hard mask pattern (6) is thereby formed. Thereby a resist pattern (7), over a non-selected region (6b), having an opening (7a) through which a selection region (6a) in the mask pattern is exposed is formed. Only the mask pattern (6a) exposed through the opening (7a) is slimmed by performing a selection etching, the work film (3) is etched by using the mask pattern (6). A work film pattern (8) is thereby formed, which include a wide pattern section (8a) of a dimension width of the limitation of the exposure resolution and a slimmed pattern section (8a) of a dimension that is not more than the limitation of the exposure resolution.
US08158524B2
To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention a method for etching an etch layer disposed below an antireflective coating (ARC) layer below a patterned mask is provided. The ARC layer is opened, and features are etched into the etch layer through the patterned mask. The opening the ARC layer includes (1) providing an ARC opening gas comprising a halogen containing gas, COS, and an oxygen containing gas, (2) forming a plasma from the ARC opening gas to open the ARC layer, and (3) stopping providing the ARC opening gas to stop the plasma. The patterned mask may be a photoresist (PR) mask having a line-space pattern. COS in the ARC opening gas reduces line width roughness (LWR) of the patterned features of the etch layer.
US08158523B2
A non-destructive and simple analytical method is provided which allows in situ monitoring of plasma damage during the plasma processing such as resist stripping. If a low-k film is damaged during plasma processing, one of the reaction products is water, which is remained adsorbed onto the low-k film (into pores), if the temperature is lower than 100-150 C. A plasma (e.g. He) that emits high energy EUV photons (E>20 eV) which is able to destruct water molecules forming electronically excited oxygen atoms is used to detect the adsorbed water. The excited oxygen is detected from optical emission at 777 nm. Therefore, the higher the adsorbed water concentration (higher damage), a more intensive (oxygen) signal is detected. Therefore, intensity of oxygen signal is a measure of plasma damage in the previous strip step. The proposed analytical method can be performed in-situ immediately after plasma processing and most preferred the optical emission of oxygen radicals is monitored during the de-chucking step in the plasma chamber.
US08158514B2
The invention relates to a method for producing vertical electrical connections in semiconductor wafers, the method including the following steps: application of a protective resist to the wafer front side; patterning of the protective resist such that the contacts to be connected to the wafer rear side become free; laser drilling of passage holes at the contact connection locations from the wafer rear side through the semiconductor substrate, the active layers and the contacts to be connected on the wafer front side; cleaning of the wafer; application of a plating base to the wafer rear side and into the laser-drilled passage holes; application of gold by electrodeposition onto the metallized wafer rear side and the passage holes; resist stripping of the protective resist; and application of an antiwetting layer in the region of the entrance openings of the passage holes at the wafer rear side.
US08158512B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, including the following steps: flowing a first precursor gas to the semiconductor substrate within a ALD chamber to form a first discrete monolayer on the semiconductor substrate; flowing an inert purge gas to the semiconductor substrate within the ALD chamber; flowing a second precursor gas to the ALD chamber to react with the first precursor gas which has formed the first monolayer, thereby forming a first discrete compound monolayer; and flowing an inert purge gas; forming a first dielectric layer to cover the discrete compound monolayer; forming a second third monolayer above first dielectric layer; and forming a second discrete compound monolayer; and forming a second dielectric layer to cover the second discrete compound monolayer above the first dielectric layer. There is also provided a semiconductor device formed by the ALD method.
US08158507B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises: immersing a semiconductor substrates in a Pd activating solution containing Pd ions and adhering a Pd catalyst to a surface of the semiconductor substrate; and immersing the semiconductor substrate, to which the Pd catalyst is adhered, in a Pd electroless plating solution and forming an electroless-plated Pd film on the semiconductor substrate.
US08158505B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor wafer including a plurality of interconnect layers, the semiconductor wafer including: a plurality of chip-composing portions; a dicing region separating the chip-composing portions from each other; and a plurality of inter-chip interconnects electrically connecting adjacent ones of the chip-composing portions and formed in one of the interconnect layers and in the dicing region; a dummy metal pattern comprising a plurality of dummy metals, the dummy metal pattern being formed in at least one of the interconnect layers over or below the inter-chip interconnects only in an area corresponded to a region where the inter-chip interconnects are arranged and corresponded to a region therearound; and forming semiconductor chips by dicing the dicing region so as to divide the chip-composing portions.
US08158497B2
A nonpolar III-nitride film grown on a miscut angle of a substrate, in order to suppress the surface undulations, is provided. The surface morphology of the film is improved with a miscut angle towards an a-axis direction comprising a 0.15° or greater miscut angle towards the a-axis direction and a less than 30° miscut angle towards the a-axis direction.
US08158479B2
This semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of tunnel insulator films formed on the semiconductor substrate along a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with certain spaces in each directions, a plurality of charge accumulation layers formed on the plurality of tunnel insulator films, respectively, a plurality of element isolation regions formed on the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of element isolation regions including a plurality of trenches formed along the first direction between the plurality of tunnel insulator films, a plurality of element isolation films filled in the plurality of trenches, a plurality of inter poly insulator films formed over the plurality of element isolation regions and on the upper surface and side surfaces of the plurality of charge accumulation layer along the second direction in a stripe shape, a plurality of air gaps formed between the plurality of element isolation films filled in the plurality of trenches and the plurality of inter poly insulator films and a plurality of control gate electrodes formed on the plurality of inter poly insulator films.
US08158476B2
A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.
US08158475B2
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a first high-voltage well (HVW) region of a first conductivity type overlying the semiconductor substrate; a second well region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type overlying the semiconductor substrate and laterally adjoining the first well region; a gate dielectric extending from over the first well region to over the second well region; a drain region in the second well region; a source region on an opposite side of the gate dielectric than the drain region; and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric. The gate electrode includes a first portion directly over the second well region, and a second portion directly over the first well region. The first portion has a first impurity concentration lower than a second impurity concentration of the second portion.
US08158460B2
A leadframe for the assembly of a semiconductor chip has regions (112) with an original smooth surface of glossy appearance and regions (113, 114, 210) of a frosty appearance with rough surface contours. The regions of rough surface contours include two-dimensional arrays of spots (401) comprising a central area (402) below the original surface (400) and a piled ring (403) above the original surface. The piled ring (403) consists of the leadframe material in amorphous configuration.
US08158446B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a groove portion in a dicing region of an insulating layer and forming a via hole in an internal circuit formation region; providing a first resist film on the insulating layer; providing a second resist film to cover the first resist film; forming an interconnect opening in a region covering an internal circuit formation region of the second resist film and forming a position aligning opening in a region covering the dicing region of the second resist film; and detecting a positional relationship between the groove portion and the position aligning opening so as to detect whether the interconnect opening of the second resist film exists at a predetermined position with respect to the via hole of the insulating layer. In selective removing of the second resist film, the position aligning opening is formed such that a region of the position aligning opening covers the groove portion of the insulating layer.
US08158435B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide for detecting and/or screening for conditions associated with altered sterols by derivatization of sterols to provide suitable sensitivity and selectivity of detection using tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization. Such testing may be performed to detect and/or screen for conditions such as Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, familial hypercholesterolaemia, and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, or certain bile acid disorders.
US08158424B2
Previous methods for culturing primate pluripotent stem cells have required either fibroblast feeder cells or a medium which was exposed to fibroblast feeder cells to maintain the stem cells in an undifferentiated state. It has now been found that high levels of fibroblast growth factor in a medium together with at least one of gamma aminobutyric acid, pipecolic acid, and lithium, enables pluripotent stem cells to remain undifferentiated indefinitely through multiple passages, even without feeder cells or conditioned medium. Without beta-mercaptoethanol, the medium improves cloning efficiency. Also, a matrix of human proteins can be used to culture the undifferentiated cells without exposing the cells to animal products. Further disclosed are new primate pluripotent cell lines made using the defined culture conditions, including the medium and the matrix. Such new cell lines will have never been exposed to animal cells, animal products, feeder cells or conditioned medium.
US08158417B2
This invention relates to the use of specific recombinant cell lines in order to produce biologically active DKK1 protein in a stable and high-level manner. The invention also relates to these recombinant cell lines, as well as a method for stable and high-level production of biologically active DKK1 protein, implementing such recombinant cell lines.
US08158404B2
The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising biosynthetic pathways and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce various beneficial metabolites. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may further comprise one or more modifications resulting in the reduction or elimination of 3 keto-acid (e.g., acetolactate and 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate) and/or aldehyde-derived by-products. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US08158400B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having lipase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US08158399B2
A method for processing environmental or industrial samples to remove, reclaim or otherwise reduce the level of chemical species present in the sample that act as redox active species. The redox active species is kept in a waste chamber and is separated from an aqueous bacterial culture that is held in a culture chamber. The waste chamber and the culture chamber are separated by a porous membrane through which electron transfer can occur but through which the aqueous bacterial culture cannot pass. The redox active species substantially remains in the waste chamber and is in non-contact with the aqueous bacterial culture during the process of removal, reduction or reclamation.
US08158395B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having C4-dicarboxylic acid transporter activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, and methods of producing C4-dicarboxylic acids, such as malic acid.
US08158391B2
A substantially pure Candida host cell for the production of a α-carboxyl-ω-hydroxy fatty acid having a carbon chain length in the range from C6 to C22, a α,ω-dicarboxylic fatty acid having a carbon chain length in the range from C6 to C22, or mixtures thereof, is provided. The Candida host cell is characterized by a first genetic modification class and a second genetic modification class. The first genetic modification class comprises one or more genetic modifications that disrupt the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway. The second genetic modification class comprises one or more genetic modifications that collectively or individually disrupt at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a CYP52A type cytochrome P450, a fatty alcohol oxidase, and an alcohol dehydrogenase.
US08158390B2
The invention relates to a method for producing L-valine and to a suitable microorganism. The inventive method is characterized by preferably enhancing the transaminase C activity of a coryneform bacterium, especially Corynebacterium glutamicum. The organisms so modified have a yield in L-valine which is 35.8% higher than that of non-modified organisms.
US08158388B2
Methods and compositions are provided for repairing a polynucleotide so that it can be copied with improved fidelity and/or yield in, for example, an amplification reaction. This involves the use of a reaction mixture that includes a ligase and a cofactor selected from NAD+ or ATP and incubating the polynucleotide with the reaction mixture in the absence of Endonuclease VI.The reaction mixture may further contain an AP endonuclease and a polymerase. If used, these enzymes may be selected according to their ability to withstand high temperatures. For example, the reaction mixture may be used prior to a polynucleotide synthesis reaction in which case enzymes that are not thermophilic may be used. The repair reaction is not time sensitive with respect to seconds, minutes or hours of incubation in the enzyme mixture in as much as the repair is effected rapidly and prolonged incubation is not generally adverse.
US08158384B2
The present invention provides methods to reduce or eliminate α-mannosidase resistant glycans on glycoproteins in yeast. The reduction or elimination of α-mannosidase resistant glycans on glycoproteins results from the disruption of the newly isolated P. pastoris AMR2 gene encoding β1,2-mannosyltransferase. The present invention also discloses novel genes, polypeptides, antibodies, vectors and host cells relating to α-mannosidase resistance on glycans.
US08158379B2
A method for determining microbial contamination of allograft products includes providing an extraction vessel having an outer container and a removable inner basket, placing the allograft product into the inner basket, providing an extraction fluid in the outer container of the extraction vessel, positioning the inner basket in the outer container, so that the allograft product and the inner basket are submerged in the extraction fluid and agitating the extraction fluid for a predetermined amount of time and analyzing the extraction fluid for microbial contamination.
US08158378B2
The invention relates to a method for utilizing low-quality tail gas derived from a pressure swing adsorption system or membrane system, which is used to upgrade biogas, as a beneficial fuel for the facility and/or digester boiler.
US08158365B2
An antibody that reacts with 2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate, a hybridoma that produces the antibody, a detection method and a detection kit to which the antibody is applied are disclosed. The antibody that reacts with 2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate can be produced by immunizing a mammal using as an antigen a substance obtained by chemically bonding a protein to 2-O-desulfated acharan sulfate.
US08158363B2
An optical fiber for use in an immunoassay device having at least one microfluidic channel, the optical fiber being for transmitting excitation light to the microfluidic channel and for transmitting emitted fluorescence to a light detector.
US08158347B2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for determining the molecular age of a tissue. Also provided are methods for employing a molecular age that has been determined for a tissue for assessing the appropriateness of various therapeutic applications for the tissue or a subject comprising the tissue.
US08158340B2
Described herein are methods for detecting conformational changes in bioentities.
US08158334B2
An underlayer to be patterned with a composite pattern is formed on a substrate. The composite pattern is decomposed into a first pattern and a second pattern, each having reduced complexity than the composite pattern. A hard mask layer is formed directly on the underlying layer. A first photoresist is applied over the hard mask layer and lithographically patterned with the first pattern, which is transferred into the hard mask layer by a first etch. A second photoresist is applied over the hard mask layer. The second photoresist is patterned with the second pattern to expose portions of the underlying layer. The exposed portions of the underlying layer are etched employing the second photoresist and the hard mask layer, which contains the first pattern so that the composite pattern is transferred into the underlying layer.
US08158328B2
A composition for forming an anti-reflection film on a resist film is provided, which is superior in handling characteristics, and is not accompanied by generation of deposits and the like after forming the film. A composition for forming an anti-reflection film to be provided on a resist film is provided, which includes at least a certain fluorochemical surfactant, and a certain water soluble film forming component. The composition for forming an anti-reflection film can be easily handled, has no adverse effect on health or the environment, and also avoids the generation of deposits and the like even after forming an anti-reflection film.
US08158322B2
The toner of the present invention, comprising a colored resin particle and an external additive, wherein said external additive contains a silica fine particle (A) having a Dv50/Dv10 of 1.8 or more, in which Dv10 represents a particle diameter at which a volume cumulative total from small particle diameter side is 10% and Dv50 represents a particle diameter at which the mentioned volume cumulative total is 50%, a volume average particle diameter in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 μ, and a sphericity in the range from 1 to 1.3. The toner of the present invention cause less fog, and excellent resolution on the printed image, excellent in cleaning property, and cause less filming.
US08158321B2
Novel UV-curable liquid toner compositions, methods for preparing same and imaging processes and apparatus utilizing same are provided. The UV-curable liquid toner compositions include a dispersion of toner particles in a hydrocarbon based liquid carrier and one or more UV-curable component(s) which form a part of the carrier.
US08158316B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes an electrically conductive substrate, an organic photosensitive layer and a surface layer laminated in this order. The surface layer includes at least gallium (Ga) and oxygen (O) as constituent elements thereof, and has a thickness of 0.2 μm to 1.5 μm, and a microhardness of 2 GPa to 15 GPa.
US08158305B2
A method for fabricating a photomask for extreme ultraviolet lithography is provided. A reflection layer reflecting extreme ultraviolet light is formed over a transparent substrate having a main chip region and a frame region. A phase shifter pattern is formed over the reflection layer to selectively expose the reflection layer. An absorber pattern is formed over the phase shifter pattern of the frame region. A reflectivity reduction region guiding the shielding of the extreme ultraviolet light is formed in the absorber pattern.
US08158303B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body that generates electricity through electrochemical reaction of a first reactive gas and a second reactive gas, a first gas supply passage and a second gas supply passage supplying the first reactive gas and the second reactive gas to the fuel cell body, a first gas discharge passage and a second gas discharge passage discharging an off-gas of the first reactive gas and an off-gas of the second reactive gas from the fuel cell body, and a branch passage branching out from one of the first gas discharge passage or the second gas discharge passage. The off-gas discharged by the other one of the first gas discharge passage or the second gas discharge passage is arranged to flow through the branch passage.
US08158302B2
A rubber composition comprising (A) a liquid alkenyl-containing organopolysiloxane with Mw<100,000, (B) a gum-like organopolysiloxane with Mw≧150,000, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, (D) fumed silica, and (E) an addition reaction catalyst and having a viscosity of 20-200 Pa-s at a shear rate of 10 s−1 and 25° C. is effectively injection moldable into a cured product which is useful as a separator seal in PEFCs.
US08158301B2
A polymer electrolyte membrane includes a porous base membrane and electrolytes dispersed within the pores of the base membrane. The electrolytes include metal oxide compounds having acid functionality. A process for making the membrane is also provided. The membrane is compatible, durable, highly conductive, mechanically strong and dimensionally stable.
US08158295B2
A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell configured to generate electric power using a fuel; a fuel processor configured to generate the fuel from a power generation material and supply the fuel to the fuel cell; composition-related information acquiring means (22) for acquiring composition-related information related to the composition of the power generation material; and control parameter setting means (111) for setting control parameters for the fuel cell system based on the acquired composition-related information, the control parameters being related to a composition of the power generation material.
US08158293B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a secondary battery, an oxidizing gas supplier, a gas supply flow regulator, an oxidizing gas supply path, a cathode off-gas exhaust path, a bypass flow path, a flow regulator, an available power output acquirer, and an operation controller, wherein the gas supply flow regulator regulates the gas supply flow rate to cause the oxidizing gas supplier to supply an excess gas flow rate, which is set to be greater than a target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate, wherein the target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate is the fuel cell-requiring gas flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell in order to achieve the target current value, when the available power output is less than a minimum amount of electric power required for the oxidizing gas supplier to increase the gas supply flow rate from 0 to a preset gas flow rate within a preset time period, and the operation controller controls the flow regulator to make the bypass flow rate equal to a difference gas flow rate between the excess gas flow rate and the target fuel cell-requiring gas flow rate.
US08158281B2
A battery with a high capacity and superior cycle characteristics and an anode active material used in the battery are provided. An anode includes an anode active material capable of reacting with lithium. The anode active material includes tin, cobalt and carbon as elements, and the carbon content is within a range from 9.9 wt % to 29.7 wt % inclusive, and the ratio of cobalt to the total of tin and cobalt is within a range from 30 wt % to 70 wt % inclusive. Moreover, the size of a crystalline phase of an intermetallic compound of cobalt and tin measured by small-angle X-ray scattering is 10 nm or less. Thereby, while a high capacity is maintained, cycle characteristics can be improved.
US08158276B2
Disclosed are magnetic thin films, sputtering targets and vapor deposition materials, each of which is composed of 40-60 at % of Pt, 40-60 at % of Fe, 0.05-1.0 at % of P and furthermore depending on the occasions, 0.4-19.5 at % of Cu and/or Ni.
US08158270B2
Under the presence of at least one out of copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, and compounds thereof, a tetravalent titanium salt solution and a basic solution are reacted together to form a hydroxide of titanium and the above metal, and then the titanium hydroxide is peroxidated with an oxidizing agent to manufacture an aqueous liquid or dispersion having therein titanium oxide fine particles having peroxy groups; by using this alone to form a coating film adjacent to a coating film of an organic dye or pigment, or using this to form a coating film together with an organic dye or pigment, a drop in decorativeness of color due to fading or discoloration of a coating material, a printed article, a building material, a fiber, an organic polymer resin product or the like can be prevented, and moreover surface anti-soiling and hydrophilic properties can be realized.
US08158256B2
A new class of plant biomass feedstock particles characterized by consistent piece size and shape uniformity, high skeletal surface area, and good flow properties. The particles of plant biomass material having fibers aligned in a grain are characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces. The L×W surfaces of particles with L/H dimension ratios of 4:1 or less are further elaborated by surface checking between longitudinally arrayed fibers. The length dimension L is preferably aligned within 30° parallel to the grain, and more preferably within 10° parallel to the grain. The plant biomass material is preferably selected from among wood, agricultural crop residues, plantation grasses, hemp, bagasse, and bamboo.
US08158237B2
A precise exhaust gas control can be achieved without being influenced by fluctuations of the excess air ratio (λ) between cylinders of engines or the size of the diameter (the sectional area) of the honeycomb structure. The honeycomb structure is formed by a plurality of cells separated from one another by porous partition walls and functioning as fluid flow paths, the honeycomb structure includes: a sensor plug-in hole 7 which is formed in an outer peripheral surface 4 of the honeycomb structure and into which a sensor can be plugged, and the sensor plug-in hole 7 is provided with at least one deep hole 8 which communicates with the sensor plug-in hole.
US08158234B2
The invention is principally to provide an archival optical recording medium of high quality which has satisfactory recording/reading characteristics when used in high-speed recording and high-density recording. The invention accomplishes the object with an optical recording medium comprising a resin substrate, a recording layer comprising an organic dye, and a reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer has a first reflective layer and a second reflective layer in this order from the side close to the recording layer, the second reflective layer has a thermal conductivity lower than the thermal conductivity of the first reflective layer, and the first reflective layer has a film thickness larger than the thickness of the second reflective layer.
US08158233B2
An optical information recording medium (9) of the present invention is an optical information recording medium including: N information layers, where N is a natural number of 2 or more; and an intermediate layer for separating the N information layers optically from each other. With the N information layers being referred to as a first information layer (10) to an N-th information layer (7) sequentially from an optical beam incident side, a first information layer (10) corresponding to an L-th information layer included in the N information layers includes a recording layer (104) on which information can be recorded by irradiation with an optical beam, a reflective layer (108), and a transmittance adjusting layer (109) in this order from the optical beam incident side, where L is an at least one natural number that satisfies 1≦L≦N−1. The transmittance adjusting layer (109) contains tungsten (W) and oxygen (O).
US08158226B2
Provided is a paper container having a window and being formed of a laminate that includes at least a paper layer and a gas barrier laminate, the paper layer having a cutout part for the window, the cutout part being covered with the gas barrier laminate, and the gas barrier laminate including a substrate and a gas barrier layer laminated on at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the gas barrier layer is formed of a composition containing a polymer having at least one functional group selected from a carboxyl group and a carboxylic anhydride group, and wherein —COO— groups contained in the at least one functional group are neutralized at least partly with a metal ion having a valence of two or more.
US08158223B2
The invention relates to an ink jet recording medium, in which at least one of a substrate and an ink receiving layer contains a compound of the general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are individually a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a linear or branched alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, with the proviso that R1 and R2 may be the same or different from each other, R3 is a linear or branched alkylene group or arylene group, and X is an acidic solubilizing group.
US08158220B2
A cellulose acylate film comprising a cellulose acylate resin satisfying the formulae (i)-(iii) and a compound capable of forming a hydrogen bond satisfying conditions (A)-(C): (A) the compound has both a hydrogen bond donor moiety and a hydrogen bond acceptor moiety in the molecule, (B) the value obtained by dividing the molecular weight of the compound by the total of the number of the hydrogen bond donor moiety and the number of the hydrogen bond acceptor moiety is from 30 to 65, (C) the number of aromatic ring structures is from 1 to 3, 0.5≦A+B≦2.7, (i) 0.0≦A≦2.5, and (ii) 0.1≦B≦2.0, (iii) wherein A means the degree of substitution with an acetyl group, and B means a total of the degree of substitution with a propionyl group and the degree of substitution with a butyryl group.
US08158219B2
The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least two of the characteristics; and is to provide a AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth, wherein the liquid crystal composition has negative dielectric anisotropy and includes a two-ring compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and having at least three fluorines at the lateral positions as a first component, a specific two-ring or three-ring compound having a pyran ring as a second component, a specific compound having a small viscosity as a third component and a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and the liquid crystal display device contains this composition.
US08158202B2
A honeycomb structure 1 of the present invention includes: a cylindrical cell structure 2 having porous partition walls and a plurality of cells separated and formed by the partition walls and functioning as fluid passages, and an outer peripheral coat layer 3 disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the cell structure 2, and the outer peripheral coat layer 3 has an outer peripheral coat portion 6 disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the cell structure 2 and a protruding portion protruding outside from an end face 8 of the cell structure 2 and disposed so as to cover the outside portion on the end face 8 of the cell structure 2. In the honeycomb structure 1 of the present invention, the outer peripheral coat layer 3 is effectively inhibited from being damaged and peeled.
US08158201B1
A bi- or multi-layer coating is deposited upon a substrate using a low temperature process. The bi-layer is a lower layer of a SAM coating, which is overlaid with a hard coating. The hard coating can be made of materials such as: polymer, Si3N4, BN, TiN, Si02, Al203, Zr02, YSZ, and other ceramic materials, and the underlying, compliant, SAM coating can comprise substances containing long chain molecules that chemically bond to the substrate. This bi-layer provides both environmental and hermetical protection to electronic hardware and MEMS systems, without employing expensive packaging materials and processes. Multiple bi-layers may be combined to form multi-layer coatings. A protective polymer or other material may optionally be formed as an outside layer.
US08158193B2
A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.
US08158190B2
Techniques for attaining high performance magnetic memory devices are provided. In one aspect, a magnetic memory device comprising one or more free magnetic layers is provided. The one or more free magnetic layers comprise a low magnetization material adapted to have a saturation magnetization of less than or equal to about 600 electromagnetic units per cubic centimeter. The device may be configured such that a ratio of mean switching field associated with an array of non-interacting magnetic memory devices and a standard deviation of the switching field is greater than or equal to about 20. The magnetic memory device may comprise a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device. A method of producing a magnetic memory device is also provided.
US08158187B2
The methods of the present disclosure in a broad aspect provide for dry diazeniumdiolation procedures for producing nitric oxide releasing medical devices. These medical devices may alternatively have cap coats applied prior to dry diazeniumdiolation to produce nitric oxide releasing medical devices with cap coats.
US08158182B2
The present invention resides in methods of preparing low moisture sweetened fruit product base. The methods comprise the steps in sequence of forming a hot sweetened intermediate moisture flowable fruit or confectionary composition or slurry by extended cooking with agitation at final moisture levels and a solids content ranging from about 85 to 92° Brix; and without intervening drying, forming the hot slurry into sized and shaped individual pieces.
US08158179B2
The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of an expanded edible food product obtained by cooking-extrusion and containing solid inclusions having a size larger than 0.5 mm.
US08158170B2
Provided is a pharmaceutical or food or drink composition for preventing or treating alcohol-induced fatty liver or steatohepatitis comprising metadoxine (pyridoxol 1-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylate) and garlic oil as active ingredients. The concurrent administration of metadoxine and garlic oil according to the present invention exhibits outstandingly superior effects of inhibiting the accumulation of triglyceride and increase of blood AST (aspartate aminotransferase) level in liver el tissue, inhibiting the expression of FAS (fatty acid synthase), CYP2E1 and iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and inhibiting the deactivation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), as compared to the administration of metadoxine or garlic oil only.
US08158167B2
A method of producing a product to correct hypercholesterolemia including pulping fruits of Emblica officinalis with demineralized water to create a slurry. The slurry is treated with pectinase. The pectinase-treated slurry is filtered to create a solution. The solution is concentrated to create a product. A product having an extract of Emblica officinalis for prophylactic and for therapeutic treatment of coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
US08158162B2
A eutectic-based self-nanoemulsified drug delivery system (SNEDDS) is formulated from polyoxyl 35 castor oil (Cremophor), medium chain mono- and diglycerides (capmul), essential oils, and a pharmacologically effective drug. The preferred pharmacologically effective drug is a poorly water soluble drug, such as ubiquinone (CoQ10). The SNEDDS can be further incorporated into a powder to produce a solid dosage form. The solid dosage form contains the SNEDDS, a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate (Kollidon VA 64), maltodextrin, and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC).
US08158161B2
Pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions including cruciferous plant extract or isothiocyanates such as 4-methyl-thio-butyl-isothiocyanate which are useful for treating psoriasis are provided.
US08158156B2
Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antagonist, an agonist, a seal coat, and a sequestering polymer, wherein the antagonist, agonist, seal coat and at least one sequestering polymer are all components of a single unit, and wherein the seal coat forms a layer physically separating the antagonist from the agonist from one another. Methods for manufacturing such a pharmaceutical composition are also provided.
US08158153B2
Nanoparticulate bisphosphonate compositions, having an effective average particle size of less than 2000 nm, are described. The compositions are useful in treating bone resorption in a mammal.
US08158151B2
Methods are provided for loading polymeric regions of medical devices with therapeutic agents. In these methods, a polymeric region of a medical device is first pretreated with a solvent system. Subsequently, therapeutic-agent-containing particles are impacted into the pretreated polymeric region at a velocity that is effective to at least partially embed the particles within the pretreated polymeric region. The pretreatment step parameters (e.g., the particular solvent system employed, amount of time that the solvent system contacts the polymeric region, etc.) are typically selected such that the surface tack of the polymeric region is increased. Consequently, the depth, the amount, or both the depth and the amount of the particles that become at least partially embedded in the polymeric region is/are typically increased, relative to what would be achieved in the absence of the pretreatment step. Also provided are medical devices made by such methods.
US08158149B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations for the controlled delivery of threo-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)serine (threo-DOPS) and derivatives of it. Such formulations can contain an extended or slow release component that maintains therapeutic concentration of threo-DOPS in the blood plasma over a prolonged time period. They can be further combined with an immediate release formulation to produce a product that, when administered to a patient in need thereof, results in substantially steady levels of active drug, eliminating the sharp peaks and troughs in blood plasma drug levels experienced with the existing threo-DOPS formulations.
US08158148B2
Accurate means of dosing with a compressed, segmented pharmaceutical tablet, and tablettes formed from said tablets, is disclosed.
US08158142B2
A stent is coated with 3-deazaadenosine or an analog of 3-deazaadenosine for the prevention and/or treatment of vascular disease or graft rejection.
US08158141B2
A device for transplanting a graft such as a layer or layers of cultivated, autologous, allogenic or xenogenic cells to cover an accidental or surgical wound. The graft is cultivated and carried on a bed of collagen or other dissolvable or releasable material mounted on a protective substrate molded to conform to the profile of the wounded area and provided with a lateral attachment zone. The device facilitates the graft cultured in vitro to the recipient surface.
US08158135B2
The present invention relates to a delivery system based on a film of an imine forming liquid crystalline phase, mixed with at least with one biologically active substance, to which a constant or variable electric field can be applied. The delivery system can be used as a delivery system for biologically active substances such as flavors, fragrances, bactericides, fungicides, insecticides, insect attractants or repellents, agrochemicals or pharmaceuticals.
US08158129B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming PEGylated complexes of defined stoichiometry and structure. In preferred embodiments, the PEGylated complex is formed using dock-and-lock technology, by attaching a therapeutic agent to a DDD sequence and attaching a PEG moiety to an AD sequence and allowing the DDD sequence to bind to the AD sequence in a 2:1 stoichiometry, to form PEGylated complexes with two therapeutic agents and one PEG moiety. In alternative embodiments, the therapeutic agent may be attached to the AD sequence and the PEG to the DDD sequence to form PEGylated complexes with two PEG moieties and one therapeutic agent. In more preferred embodiments, the therapeutic agent may comprise any peptide or protein of physiologic or therapeutic activity, preferably a cytokine, more preferably interferon-α2b. The PEGylated complexes exhibit a significantly slower rate of clearance when injected into a subject and are of use for treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
US08158122B2
The present invention provides a fluid exchange cell culture technique and tissue repair cells (TRCs) made by these methods, as well as methods using these cells. The method includes a new wash step which increases the tissue repair properties of the TRCs of the invention. This wash step allows for the production of TRC populations with greater tissue repair and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Embodiments of the present invention include a post-culture process for cultured cells that preferably includes the steps of: a wash process for removing unwanted residual culture components, a volume reduction process, and a harvesting process to remove cultured cells. Preferably, all these steps are performed within a aseptically closed cell culture chamber by implementing a separation method that minimizes mechanical disruption of the cells and is simple to automate. The harvested cells may then be concentrated to a final volume for the intended use. In such embodiments, the final composition is a substantially purified and concentrated cell mixture suspended in a physiologic solution suitable for immediate use in humans without further washing, volume reduction, or processing. Embodiments are also applicable to harvesting (and/or washing) particles within a liquid or solution within a chamber.
US08158116B2
A method of treating one or more hair shafts, each hair shaft including a cuticle layer and a cortex enclosed in the cuticle layer is disclosed. The method comprises: selecting one or more polymers that can penetrate the hair shafts with a pore size of about 5 angstroms to about 5000 angstroms; and treating the hair shafts by applying an effective amount of a composition containing said polymers to said hair shafts.
US08158112B2
A hair cosmetic product has a two agent type hair cosmetic which comprises a first agent containing an alkali agent and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide, wherein at least one of the first and second agents contains a surfactant; and a foamer vessel which discharges a mixed liquid comprising the first and second agents in the form of foam. Another hair cosmetic product has a two agent type hair cosmetic which contains a first agent that includes an alkali agent and a second agent that includes hydrogen peroxide, and which is used after mixing the first and second agents immediately prior to use, and a foamer vessel from which a mixed liquid of the first and second agents is discharged in the form of foam. A surfactant is contained in the mixed liquid at an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt %, and the viscosity of the mixed liquid at 25° C. is 1 to 300 mPa·s.
US08158111B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition that provides prolonged moisturizing to the skin and a differentiated sensorial, and may be employed in various types of products. This cosmetic composition comprises olive esters, biosaccharide gum-1, a wetting agent of vegetable origin, an emollient of vegetable origin, a silicone and an oiliness adsorber. Further, the present invention relates to a process of preparing this cosmetic composition.
US08158107B2
Disclosed is a panel of biomarkers associated with angiogenesis, and the use of such biomarkers (genes, proteins, homologues and analogs thereof) to regulate angiogenesis. Methods for identifying compounds useful for regulating angiogenesis and conditions related thereto are disclosed.
US08158105B2
A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rr+Al(1-x)ExSiyOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the propyltrimethylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to MWW but are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes.
US08158101B2
A stable, homogeneous dispersion of potassium hydride is formed by reacting a mixture of wax and potassium metal with hydrogen.
US08158091B2
Processes directed to the removal of sulfurous compounds from air are presented herein. The compositions and processes may be able to treat air with H2S concentrations of at least 1000 ppm. The processes are used to remove sulfurous compounds from air associated with wastewater systems in various aspects. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and processes disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
US08158089B2
Particular aspects provide a method for recovering phosphate, comprising: obtaining an effluent or wastewater, etc. having calcium-sequestered phosphate; adding to the effluent or wastewater a calcium chelating or sequestration agent suitable to chelate or sequester Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate to facilitate release of phosphate from the calcium-sequestered phosphate; transferring, facilitated by said Ca++ ion capture and in the presence of sufficient concentrations of NH4+ and Mg2 ions, of the phosphate into struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate or MgNH4PO4.6H2O), or hydrated magnesium ammonium complex of phosphate; and recovering the struvite, or the formed hydrated magnesium ammonium complex. Preferably, the method further comprises acidification of the effluent or wastewater to facilitate release of Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate and chelation of sequestration of the Ca++ ions by the calcium chelating or sequestration agent. Additional aspects provide a phosphate-containing fertilizer comprising struvite, and methods for making same.
US08158084B2
An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user. The control system can also include a monitor element that can gather data from outside the enhanced water system, such as user health information or environmental information, and provide the data to the enhanced water system. In some embodiments, a control logic element can be used to coordinate and control operation of the elements of the enhanced water system.
US08158082B2
Embodiments described herein provide micro-fluidic systems and devices for use in performing various diagnostic and analytical tests. According to one embodiment, the micro-fluidic device includes a sample chamber for receiving a sample, and a reaction chamber for performing a chemical reaction. A bubble jet pump is structured on the device to control delivery of a fluid from the sample chamber to the reaction chamber. The pump is fluidically coupled to one or more chambers of the device using a fluidic channel such as a capillary. A valve may be coupled to one or more chambers to control flow into and out of those chambers. Also, a sensor may be positioned in one or more of the chambers, such as the reactant chamber, for sensing a property of the fluid within the chamber as well as the presence of a chemical within the chamber.
US08158080B2
Disclosed herein is a biosensor. The biosensor includes a measuring layer configured to measure whether reaction to a biological sample has occurred. An upper cover is disposed on a top of the measuring layer, and is provided with an open window configured to allow a measurement area of the measuring layer to be exposed and an upper protrusion configured to protrude from an outer portion of the open window in a direction in which the upper protrusion is coupled to a lower panel. The lower panel is disposed below the measuring layer, and is provided with a lower protrusion which protrudes between the open window and the upper protrusion of the upper cover so that the lower protrusion is spaced apart from the upper protrusion by a gap and which presses the measuring layer so that a top of the measuring layer upwardly protrudes from the open window.
US08158068B2
A plasma chemical reactor is provided. The reactor includes a chamber, a cathode assembly, and a baffle plate. The chamber forms a plasma reaction space. The cathode assembly includes a cathode support shaft and a substrate support. The cathode support shaft is coupled at one side to a wall surface of the chamber. The substrate support is coupled to the other side of the cathode support shaft and supports the substrate. The baffle plate is out inserted and coupled to the substrate support, and has a plurality of vents arranged to be spaced apart and through formed such that reaction gas can pass through, and the vents asymmetrically arranged and formed to get a vent area smaller at an opposite side than a top side of the cathode support shaft.
US08158067B2
A NOx reduction device for diesel vehicles includes an Lean NOx Trap (LNT) serving as a NOx filter, a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) located downstream of the LNT, and a Hydrocarbon-Selective Catalyst Reduction (HC-SCR) catalyst provided on the LNT. The HC-SCR catalyst can remove NOx in the regeneration of the DPF even if an additional post injector is not provided to promote an active reaction of the HC-SCR catalyst.
US08158065B2
By providing a tool internal sensor device in a process tool in a semiconductor facility, metal contamination may be monitored in situ, thereby avoiding or at least significantly reducing the requirement for sophisticated sample preparation techniques, such as vapor phase decomposition tests in combination with subsequent analysis procedures. Thus, a full time inspection of process tools may be accomplished.
US08158064B2
The present invention relates to an improved system for efficiently and accurately performing immunoassays, such as ELISAs. The invention provides an immunoassay assembly which includes a flow-through unit and an aspiration pump. The immunoassay flow-through unit includes an outer seal; at least one bed support; an inner seal; and a packed non-porous bed. The unit is releasably attached to an aspiration pump which enables the controlled flow rate of liquid passing through the packed bed of the flow-through unit. The invention also provides a method of using the immunoassay assembly to identify analytical targets of interest.
US08158058B2
An automatic analyzer is disclosed that includes a supplementary reagent storage section and reagent bottle transfer mechanism besides an analysis reagent storage section, and that, by managing information on reagents stored in these two reagent storage sections, is capable of automating reagent management such as reagent replacing work, thereby reducing the burden on an operator, minimizing the interruption of an analysis due to reagent registration and reagent replacement, mounting many reagents thereon, and achieving a high throughput.
US08158056B2
An arrangement producing metal nanoparticles includes a γ-ray irradiator installed in a radioactive shielding room, a reactor that is disposed to oppose the γ-ray irradiator, and a power supply installed outside the radioactive shielding room to supply power to the reactor. The reactor includes a container receiving reaction materials and transmitting the energy of γ-rays to reaction materials arranged inside of the reactor, an agitator that is installed in the container to be capable of rotating, and a driving source for receiving the power from the power supply to drive the agitator.
US08158049B2
Slag fiber is used to fabricate a friction material. Friction factor and abrasion loss of the friction material are controlled. The friction material can be used to make linings. Thus, slag fiber can be used as a replacement for natural material to make a friction material, and waste is thus recycled.
US08158040B2
An optical sheet and a method for fabricating the optical sheet, wherein a diffusion pattern is formed to diffuse and condense light. The optical sheet includes a prism pattern having a plurality of mountains and ravines to condense light generated from a light source and a plurality of diffusion patterns irregularly formed on the prism pattern to diffuse the light.
US08158031B2
It provides a method for preparing metal nanoparticles using a metal seed and metal nanoparticles including the metal seed, the method including: preparing a solution by adding a polymer surfactant in an alcohol solvent; heating the solution; forming a metal seed by adding a first metal salt of at least one metal salt selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium and iridium in the heated solution; and adding a second metal salt into the solution including the metal seed. This method allows the production of uniform-sized nanoparticles under high concentration conditions in high yield and mass production in which the metal nanoparticles have high dispersion stability so that they are suitable for various application.
US08158030B2
This invention provides a process for producing a dispersion liquid of an intrinsic electroconductive polymer in an organic solvent, comprising a deionization step of deionizing an aqueous colloid dispersion liquid of an intrinsic electroconductive polymer by a liquid feeding method to remove cations adsorbed on the intrinsic electroconductive polymer, a solvent displacement step of subjecting water in the aqueous colloid dispersion liquid after the deionization step to solvent displacement with an organic solvent (excluding N-methylpyrrolidone and dimethyl sulfoxide), and an additive treatment step of, after the solvent displacement step, adding N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethyl sulfoxide. This process can easily produce a dispersion liquid of an intrinsic electroconductive polymer in an organic solvent that can be used in various applications such as electrode materials, antistatic agents, ultraviolet absorbers, heat absorbers, electromagnetic wave absorbers, sensors, electrolytes for electrolytic capacitors, and electrodes for rechargeable batteries.
US08158028B2
This invention relates to luminescent materials for ultraviolet light or visible light excitation containing lead and/or copper doped chemical compounds. The luminescent material is composed of one or more than one compounds of aluminate type, silicate type, antimonate type, germanate/or germanate-silicate type, and/or phosphate type. Accordingly, the present invention is a good possibility to substitute earth alkaline ions by lead and copper for a shifting of the emission bands to longer or shorter wave length, respectively. Luminescent compounds containing copper and/or lead with improved luminescent properties and also with improved stability against water, humidity as well as other polar solvents are provided. The present invention is to provide lead and/or copper doped luminescent compounds, which has high color temperature range about 2,000K to 8,000K or 10,000K and CRI over 90.
US08158023B2
Disclosed are a biaxial liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same, and an optical film using the same liquid crystal composition. More particularly, there is provided a liquid crystal material of a viewing angle compensation film with high quality characteristics, which can improve a contrast ratio and minimize variations in color with viewing angles in a black state, a liquid crystal composition comprising the same liquid crystal material, and a compensation film obtained from the same liquid crystal composition.
US08158018B2
The ferrite sintered body of the present invention contains main components consisting of 52 to 54 mol % Fe2O3, 35 to 42 mol % MnO and 6 to 11 mol % ZnO as oxide equivalents and additives including Co, Ti, Si and Ca in specified amounts, and has a temperature at which the power loss is a minimal value (bottom temperature) of higher than 120° C. in a magnetic field with an excitation magnetic flux density of 200 mT and a frequency of 100 kHz, and a power loss of 350 kW/m3 or less at the bottom temperature.
US08158017B2
Detection of arcing events in wafer plasma processing through monitoring of trace gas concentrations
A method of detecting substrate arcing in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus is provided. A substrate is placed on a substrate support in a reaction chamber of a plasma processing apparatus. Process gas is introduced into the reaction chamber. A plasma is generated from the process gas and the substrate is processed with the plasma. Intensities of real-time spectrometry signals of selected gas species produced in the reaction chamber during plasma processing are monitored. The selected gas species are generated by a substrate arcing event. The arcing event is detected when the intensities are above a threshold value.
US08158005B1
Microcomposites comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles embedded within cross-linked, thermally responsive microgels of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) are disclosed. Interpenetrating linear chains of poly(acrylic acid) functionalize the nanoparticles for dispersal within the microgel framework. The microcomposites show rapid sedimentation, which is useful for gravity separation applications such as environmental remediation via photocatalytic degradation.The extent of loading of the TiO2 within the colloidal particles can be easily manipulated from 10% (weight) to a value as high as 75%. The microgel-titania composites showed rapid sedimentation, which is useful for gravity separation of these particles in photocatalytic applications. The settling of the microgel-titania composites occurred over minutes and was much faster than solid, impermeable spheres. As the content of TiO2 increased within the particles from 10% to 75%, the increased effective particle density led to significant decrease in the settling time from approximately 2200 seconds to approximately 100 seconds.
US08158004B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing target substances with use of supercritical fluid chromatography, by which the following are achieved: solution of a problem at the time of sequential injections of samples containing the target substances; an increase of a treatment amount of separation per unit time; and improvement of efficiency in separation. The method includes the steps of: injecting the sample containing the target substances into a mobile phase; and returning composition of the mobile phase to a pre-change state after changing the composition of the mobile phase. The step of returning the composition of the mobile phase to the pre-change state after changing the composition of the mobile phase is performed during a period of time from detection of a peak of one of the target substances which is eluted latest from a column among the target substances separated by the supercritical fluid chromatography apparatus to injection of the next sample, whereby the problem is solved.
US08157987B1
A multiple filter controller for monitoring two or more filters to detect when any of the filters is malfunctioning and for polishing a fluid, wherein the multiple filter controller comprises a first filter; a second filter; an inlet valve, wherein the inlet valve provides the fluid to the first filter and to the second filter wherein the fluid originates from a supply station; an outlet valve, wherein the outlet valve provides an outlet source for the fluid from the first filter and from the second filter; a bleed valve located downstream of the outlet valve; and a first conduit in communication with the bleed valve and with the supply station, wherein the fluid passes into the multiple filter controller via the inlet valve, and wherein the fluid is returned to the supply station by feeding the fluid into the first conduit via the bleed valve.
US08157985B2
Catalytic cracking processes such as fluidized catalytic cracking, naphtha cracking, and olefin cracking are catalyzed by the UZM-35 family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites represented by the empirical formula: Mmn+Rr+Al(1-x)ExSiyOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the dimethyldipropylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These UZM-35 zeolites are active and selective in the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons.
US08157983B2
The galvanic cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete structures is enhanced by the utilization of a flexible composite anode assembly containing a sacrificial anode member. The anode member is at least partially covered by a matrix comprising an ionically-conductive material. The conductive material includes at least one electrochemical activating agent such as a mixture of lithium bromide and lithium nitrate and a compressible water-retaining mineral such as a phyllosilicate mineral. The presence of this mineral in the matrix increases the current delivered by the anode, thereby resulting in a greater level of cathodic protection, and a longer effective service life of the anode. Exfoliated vermiculite is a preferred phyllosilicate mineral and is present in an amount of between about 2% and about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the matrix.
US08157980B2
A method and apparatus for achieving high output efficiency from an electrolysis system (100) using a plurality of electrolysis cells all located within a single electrolysis tank (101) is provided. Each individual electrolysis cell includes a membrane (105A) and at least one pair of low voltage electrodes of different polarity (115A/116A). The electrolysis system also includes at least one pair of high voltage electrodes (119A/120A). In at least one embodiment, the low voltage electrodes within each electrolysis cell are comprised of at least one pair of low voltage electrodes of a first type (115A/116A) and at least one pair of low voltage electrodes of a second type (117A/118A). In at least one other embodiment, the low voltage electrodes within each electrolysis cell are comprised of at least one pair of low voltage electrodes (701A/702A). The voltage applied to the electrodes is pulsed.
US08157979B2
A method for making a film having an array of cobalt selenide nanowires including: providing an aluminum substrate; anodizing the aluminum substrate to form anodized aluminum including an aluminum oxide layer having a plurality of pores therein on a surface of the aluminum substrate; preparing an electrodeposition composition including a source of cobalt ions and a source of selenite ions; contacting the anodized aluminum with the electrodeposition composition; and applying AC current to the anodized aluminum for a sufficient duration to electrodeposit cobalt selenide into the pores to form a film having an array of oriented cobalt selenide nanowires. According to a different aspect, a film has an aluminum substrate; an oxide layer having a plurality of pores therein on a surface of the aluminum substrate; and an array of cobalt selenide nanowires disposed in the pores.
US08157978B2
Disclosed is an electrochemical etching system with localized etching capability. The system allows multiple different porous semiconductor regions to be formed on a single semiconductor wafer. Localized etching is achieved through the use of one or more stationary and/or movable computer-controlled inner containers operating within an outer container. The outer container holds the electrolyte solution and acts as an electrolyte supply source for the inner container(s). The inner container(s) limit the size of the etched region of the semiconductor wafer by confining the electric field. Additionally, the current amount passing through each inner container during the electrochemical etching process can be selectively adjusted to achieve a desired result within the etched region. Localized etching of sub-regions within each etched region can also be achieved through the use of different stationary and/or moveable electrode structures and shields within each inner container. Also disclosed are associated method embodiments.
US08157974B2
A magnet unit for a magnetron sputtering system includes a base plate and a plurality of magnet parts each including a first magnet and a first supporting member. The first supporting member supports the first magnet and fixes the first magnet to the base plate. The magnet parts confine a plasma.
US08157971B2
An electronic water treatment apparatus includes an electronic impulse generator and control box attached to a power source. An impulse chamber includes a cylindrical anode rod inside a tubular cathode and is connected to the impulse generator and control box with a low-voltage cable which is no more than about six feet long. The impulse generator and control box supply about 16 v DC power and 120-180 milliamps to the impulse chamber at between 2300 and 5200 Hertz. The discharge frequency within the impulse chamber automatically varies with the conductivity of the aqueous solution within the impulse chamber. The impulse generator and control box supply power with a waveform that includes about a two microsecond break between each positive and negative pulse to prevent corrosion of the electrodes and create the aragonite form of calcium carbonate instead of the calcite form.
US08157969B2
Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method involves positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region comprising liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate comprising same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment. The apparatus of the present invention includes: a process vessel having at least one wall forming an interior space which includes at least one wetted region having moving liquid phase fluid therein during operation of a process in the process vessel; and equipment affixed to the wall of the process and positioned proximate to the wetted region such that, during operation of a process in the process vessel, the moving liquid phase fluid at least intermittently contacts the equipment, and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate comprising same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment. The method and apparatus of the present invention are effective for maintaining the service-readiness of the equipment, which provides for safe long-term operation of the process apparatus.
US08157966B2
An apparatus in connection with wire water treatment in the approach system of a paper machine, board machine or corresponding web formation machine, which apparatus includes a deaeration tank connected to devices for generating a vacuum inside the deaeration tank. At least one wire water feed pipe extends into the tank, which pipe opens into a vacuum space above the liquid surface level in the tank. A wire water discharge duct is connected to the bottom part of the tank. The feed pipe extends above the liquid level in the tank so that the wire water overflows the edge of the feed pipe onto the liquid level in the tank and the wire water discharge conduit extends downward and is connected to a pump.
US08157955B2
A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop.” The outgoing and return legs of each loop optionally are located adjacent each other.
US08157946B2
A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing, and a label supply carried by the housing and having a label strip being separable along a longitudinal centerline, and labels carried by the label strip. The labeler may also include a separation notch member carried by the housing for separating the label strip into separated strip portions as it is advanced thereover, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the housing, and bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel to pick up labels from the separation notch member and to place the labels on the articles advanced along the article conveyor. The labeler may also include a pay-out motor adjacent the label supply to pay out the label strip therefrom, and a take-up motor downstream from the separation notch member to take up the separated strip portions.
US08157942B1
Implementations of the present invention relate to a translucent and/or transparent polymer-based panel system that incorporates multi-colored insert layers that enable manipulation of color, transparency or light transmission of the finished panel system. Implementations of the present invention also relate to the construction of such panels to avoid the capture and retention of air within the panels through the use of textured surfaces at the lamination interfaces. In addition, implementations of the present invention provide a method of quantifying the optical response achieved in a given panel system and describes types of construction that enable the multiplicity of color and optic manipulation. Furthermore, implementations of the present invention provide methods for applying texture in an efficient, uniform manner.
US08157938B2
In a method for stabilizing folded filter media, a thread is coated with a hot melt adhesive to prepare a coated thread. The coated thread is wound in a plastic state about fold tips of a folded filter medium. The plastic state of the coated thread is maintained by applying heat. The heat is applied in the form of hot air, infrared radiation, or generated by microwaves.
US08157935B2
This invention relates to explosive grade ammonium nitrate porous granules. The granules are produced in a fluidized bed and are formed through a combination of layering and agglomeration to produce ammonium nitrate granules are spherical in shape, smooth, hard and dry and do not break down easily during handling. Ammonium nitrate granules of a specific size range and density can be prepared and the size range and density of the granules can be varied, depending on the application of the granules, and this has particular advantages in preparing granules for use in ANFO explosive compositions.
US08157931B2
An advanced secondary hardening carburized Ni—Co steel achieves an improved case hardness of about 68-69 Rc together with nominal core hardness of about 50 Rc.
US08157903B2
The present invention provides a gas absorbing system which comprises: an inlet pipe, a gas accommodating section into which gas enters through the inlet pipe, and a negative pressure exhausting pipe which exhausts the gas in the gas accommodating section to external device by using negative pressure wherein the gas accommodating section comprises a first chamber which is provided with air holes in the side wall for discharging the gas in the gas accommodating section or allowing external air entering the gas accommodating section. The gas absorbing system according to the present invention not only can effectively prevent the system internal gas from discharging directly to environment to endanger the health of patients and medical care personnel, but also can reduce the variation of the pressure inside the system when an abnormal incident occurs, so as to prevent it from influencing the safety of the patient to the most extent.
US08157893B2
One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a vessel containing a fluid including at least one reactant; a fluid transfer device receiving the fluid including at least one reactant from the vessel; at least one drier receiving the fluid including at least one reactant from the fluid transfer device; and a reactor communicating with the at least one drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant. In addition, the at least one drier may communicate with the vessel at least by sending the fluid including at least one reactant or the regenerant through a fluid tapering device for at least one of regulating the flow and reducing the pressure of the regenerant to the vessel.
US08157887B2
A thermal system for separating out co-mingled metals in almost pure form, the system including a tunnel kiln having temperature zones through which the co-mingled metals are conveyed and progressively heated until at least one metal of the co-mingled metals melts thereby separating the melted metal from the other metal or metals of the co-mingled metals. The system includes molten metal catch basins for collecting the melted metal which are arranged beneath a conveyor on which the co-mingled metals are transported within the kiln. The catch basins are tapped to the outside of the kiln so that as the various metals melt out at progressively higher temperatures, they can be collected into cast iron chills or other collection devices to form pure ingots.
US08157883B2
A filter element, comprising a first component, a second component, and a filter medium, which is situated between the components, the components being spaced apart by the filter medium, the components and the filter medium delimiting a permeable volume, and the filter medium implementing a wall surface, through which a fluid may pass for filtering, is characterized in regard to the object of designing and refining a filter element in such a way that it may be used in tight installation spaces in that the components are oriented inclined to one another or have surfaces inclined to one another.
US08157874B2
Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels.
US08157871B2
Implants and methods are presented for surgically repairing a hip joint with a proximal femoral prosthesis that comprises femoral head component and a femoral stem component. The femoral stem component comprises a neck portion, a flange portion, a transitional body region and an elongated stem. The femur is prepared for implantation of the femoral hip prosthesis by resecting the proximal femur and reaming a symmetric intramedullary cavity in the femur. The femoral hip prosthesis is then inserted the on the resected femur and in the intramedullary cavity. The femoral hip prosthesis elastically deforms when loaded during use to apply dynamic compressive loads and displacement to the calcar region of the resected proximal femur.
US08157870B2
A prosthesis for replacing a surface in an area of a ball of a ball-and-socket joint includes a spherical shell section having an outer surface that is configured to lie in an articular fossa and is for attachment to a surface. The shell section having a cavity for receiving a bone end. The prosthesis also includes a crown that partitions the cavity of the shell section into a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein a shape of the shell section is at least a section of a hemisphere and a free edge of the crown lies in the same plane as a free edge of the shell section.
US08157869B2
A modular knee prosthesis can include a femoral component having a superiorly extending portion, a first femoral bearing surface and a second femoral bearing surface. The superiorly extending portion can define a first tapered augment receiving surface. A tibial component can have an inferiorly extending portion and a tibial bearing surface. The inferiorly extending portion can define a second tapered augment receiving surface. A first augment can define a first receiving bore and a first stepped surface. A second augment can define a second receiving bore and a second stepped surface. The first and second augments are adapted to mate at the first and second stepped surfaces in a first position at the first tapered augment receiving surface of the femoral component and in a second position at the second tapered augment receiving surface of the tibial component.
US08157868B2
A replacement knee implant has a femoral implant and a tibial implant, each of which are inset in a bone surface. The tibial implant is generally elongated with one end rounded and an opposite end conforming to the shape of the tibia, and is made of a metal alloy or a ceramic. The upper surface is dished while the lower surface is planar and can be parallel or sloped relative to the upper surface. The femoral implant for implementation in a femoral condyle is rounded such that, when implemented, the femoral implant is flush at the anterior and posterior sides and protruding away from the femur between the anterior and posterior ends. The femoral implant can have an elongated keel for extending into the femur, and can be made from a highly cross-linked polyethylene.
US08157856B2
A method for implanting a balloon expandable stent at a site within a passageway of a curved coronary article. The stent includes at least two longitudinally spaced apart circumferential rings. At least one longitudinally extending connector extends between adjacent rings. The connector has at least one turn back portion that can expand or contract in length while being passed through a curved passageway. The stent is disposed on a stent delivery catheter having an inflatable balloon. The stent delivery catheter and the stent is delivered through the passageway to the site of implementation with the connector member expanding or contracting in length to facilitate delivery and placement of the stent. The stent is expanded at the site of implantation by inflating the balloon to force the stent radially outward against the wall of the coronary artery.
US08157855B2
An inventive repositionable stent may comprise a plurality of adjacent serpentine bands connected to one another by at least one permanent connector strut and by at least one disengagable connector strut. The stent may self-expand within a bodily lumen to an intermediate deployment diameter, wherein the stent is constrained from further expansion by the at least one disengagable connector strut. The stent may be repositioned within the bodily lumen while in the intermediate deployment configuration. The disengagable connector strut may be disengaged via electrolytic detachment, whereupon the stent may expand to a full deployment diameter.
US08157852B2
A delivery system for delivering a stented prosthetic heart valve to a lumen of a patient, the delivery system including a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of wires extending from the distal end of the tubular body, wherein each of the wires has a distal end that is coiled for engagement with a stent of a stented prosthetic heart valve.
US08157849B1
A tanning bed air filter is provided that filters incoming air that is provided to tanning beds. An air filter, complete with holder, filter media, and cover screen is provided on the outside of the bed. The filter provides for the filtering of incoming air to the bed, which may be sucked in by internal fans, or by natural convection due to the heating property of the bed. The cover of the invention allows for easy removal, thus exposing the filter media, which may be cleaned or replaced.
US08157844B2
Dynamic posterior stabilization systems are described. A dynamic posterior stabilization system may include bone fasteners and a dampener system. The dampener system may include a first elongated member and a second elongated member that couple together to form a variable length elongated member. The dampener system may also include one or more dampener sets. The dampener sets may provide resistance to movement of vertebrae coupled to the dynamic posterior stabilization system.
US08157843B2
A flexible stabilization device for dynamic stabilization of bones or vertebrae is provided comprising a rod construct including a rod made of an elastomeric material the rod having a first connection section, a second connection section and a third section therebetween, the first and second connection sections being connectable with a bone anchoring device, respectively, and a sleeve provided on at least a portion of the third section of the rod such that at least the first and second connection sections are exposed.
US08157839B2
The present invention is directed to tissue closure devices for closing a tissue opening, including one or more closure components, each closure component having a first member and a second member, each of the first and second members having a first surface that adheres to a tissue surface proximate to the tissue opening, each of the first and second members having a second surface substantially orthogonal to the first surface, and each of the first and second members having a transitional region between the first surface and the second surface which is contoured to evert an edge of the tissue opening upon the drawing together of the first and second members. The present invention is also directed to systems and kits, dressing systems, and methods for tissue repair and closure.
US08157837B2
A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.
US08157833B2
A trocar fixation device includes a cannula and an elongate tube mounted onto and coupled to the exterior surface of the cannula with the distal end of the cannula extending distally beyond the distal end of the elongate tube. The elongate tube includes a plurality of slits cut at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube. The trocar fixation device is activated by rotating the proximal-end region of the elongate tube in a first direction and is deactivated by rotating the proximal-end region of the elongate tube in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. Activation of the trocar fixation device compresses the material positioned between adjacent slits and forces the material radially outwardly, away from the exterior surface of the cannula, thereby forming ridges. Deactivation of the trocar fixation device returns the exterior surface of the elongate tube to a substantially smooth condition.
US08157832B2
A handheld medical instrument designed for efficient, atraumatic blunt tissue dissection and/or elevation during surgery. The instrument generally comprises an elongated shaft having a cottonoid or similar disposable dissection device at one or both ends. Attachment to the cottonoid may be direct or the shaft may include grasping constructs designed to grasp the cottonoid or to grasp a support structure which is attached to the dissection device. The devices may have reusable components or may be disposable.
US08157830B2
A surgical apparatus is provided including a disposable loading unit selectively operatively engagable within a distal end of a first half-section; and a wound treatment material applicator assembly for delivering wound treatment material to the target surgical site. The disposable loading unit includes a cartridge; a plurality of deployable needles supported within the cartridge, wherein each needle includes a lumen extending therethrough and at least one hole formed in an outer periphery thereof; and an actuation member translatably disposed within the cartridge for delivering a driving force to each needle to deploy the needles from the cartridge. The applicator assembly includes a first and second reservoir supported on the distal end of a respective first and second half-section; and a source of wound treatment material in fluid communication with each reservoir.
US08157827B2
A handpiece and system having a surgical handpiece adapted to perform an operation on a patient, the surgical handpiece having a primary circuit being driven by an applied signal. A controller is operatively coupled to supply operating power to the surgical handpiece. A hand switch is operatively coupled in conjunction with the surgical handpiece to at least partially control an operation of the surgical handpiece. The switch has a secondary resonant circuit receiving the applied signal from the primary circuit and couples a response signal back to the primary circuit. Detection circuitry, operatively coupled to primary circuit, is responsive to a characteristic parameter of the response signal indicative of the presence of the hand switch in proximity of the surgical handpiece.
US08157825B2
A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue (330, 360) from a vessel (300) of a patient comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft (2) and an abrasive element (101, 102) mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced from a solid support element (10, 10s) mounted at the distal end (6) of the drive shaft, the solid support element having a rounded outer surface and an outflow channel (20, 20s) with an outflow opening in said rounded outer surface. The drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil (4) and at least one fluid impermeable membrane (3) forming a fluid impermeable lumen for the antegrade flow (FF) of fluid into the outflow channel such that, during rotation of the drive shaft, a flow of fluid out of said outflow opening forms a fluid bearing between the rotating solid support element and the wall of the treated vessel.
US08157809B2
The present invention provides a compression and distraction shaft assembly used to apply compression and distraction to bones including vertebrae. Shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly are attached together via a polyaxial fulcrum. The polyaxial fulcrum allows all rotational degrees of freedom between shaft A assembly and shaft B assembly. Such fulcrum, during compression and distraction, does not impart ancillary stresses or motion to vertebrae. A hour glass shaped bore for engaging pliers is formed in approximately middle of both the shaft A assembly and the shaft B assembly. A distraction pliers having cylindrical tips is used to apply distraction to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart appropriate amount of distraction to the vertebrae they are locked in this position. A compression pliers having cylindrical tips is used to apply compression to vertebrae. Once handles are pressed to impart appropriate amount of compression to the vertebrae they are locked in this position.
US08157806B2
Apparatuses and methods of treating a collapsed vertebra may include inserting cannulae into the damaged vertebral body and one or more adjacent vertebral bodies and repositioning the one or more adjacent vertebral bodies by manipulating one or more of the cannulae. Before or after repositioning the vertebral bodies, the method may further include passing through the cannula and into the damaged vertebra a disruption tool for fracturing the damaged vertebral body. Once the cortical bone is broken or otherwise disrupted, the height of the damaged vertebral body may be restored, for example by removing the disruption tool and inserting through the cannula another tool, implant, device and/or material to restore the height of the vertebral body and to restore normal spinal curvature in the affected area. Bone cement, bone chips, demineralized bone or other grafting material or filler may be added with or without an implanted device to augment the damaged vertebral body.
US08157804B2
The present invention relates generally to medical devices and medical methods, in particular, devices and methods useful for stabilizing fractures of long bones. In one embodiment, the present invention is a device comprising a housing having a lumen; a plunger having a proximal portion and a distal portion, where the plunger is disposed within the lumen and is movable relative to the housing; a plurality of blades, where the blades can expand radially from the axis of the housing; and a manipulator functionally connected to the plunger, wherein the manipulator is operable to: move the plunger relative to the housing; expand the blades radially from the axis of the housing; and move the blades about the axis of the plunger.
US08157798B2
A treatment tool for an endoscope includes: a treatment portion that is positioned on a distal end side and of which at least a portion is formed from an electroconductive material; an operating wire that is formed from an electroconductive material and is connected to the treatment portion; a sheath that is formed from an electrically non-conductive material through which the operating wire is inserted; a base that is fixed to a base end side of the sheath; an operating section that is rotatably mounted on the base and is connected to a base end side of the operating wire, and that causes the treatment portion to move forwards and backwards and to rotate via the operating wire; and a plug that is provided on the base and is electrically connected to the operating wire.
US08157796B2
An electrophysiology catheter and method of use for mapping and ablation procedures. The catheter includes a braided conductive member at its distal end that can be radially expanded. The catheter can be used in endocardial and epicardial mapping and ablation procedures.
US08157792B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a wound drainage system for draining fluid from a wound of a patient. The system includes a drain catheter. A suction means applies suction at the drain catheter such that fluid is drawn from the wound. While drawing fluid from the wound, a controller periodically increases and decreases the application of suction at the drain catheter. This allows the tissue surrounding the wound drain to relax, thus preventing obstruction of the drain catheter.
US08157789B2
A touch sensing catheter having a strain sensor assembly that may resolve the magnitude and direction of a force exerted on a distal extremity of the catheter, the strain sensor assembly being substantially insensitive to bulk temperature changes. A deformable structure having a plurality of optical fibers associated therewith that are strained by the imposition of a contact force transferred thereto. The optical fibers cooperate with the deformable structure to effect variable gap interferometers, such as Fabry-Perot resonators, that vary in operative length when a force is exerted on the deformable structure. The strain sensor assembly is rendered insensitive to bulk temperature changes by matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the deformable body with that of the optical fibers. The strain sensor assembly may also be configured to mitigate the effects of thermal gradients using various thermal isolation techniques.
US08157788B2
A pharmaceutical composition for administration to a patient body. The composition includes a physiologically-acceptable formulation including at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient, wherein said physiologically-acceptable formulation including said at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is provided in a delivery form, said delivery form being administrable to a patient body through a plurality of administration routes, which include the oral and rectal routes.
US08157786B2
Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.
US08157785B2
A method and system for operating a semi-closed loop and/or a closed loop resuscitation of a burn patient in view of patient information and other physiological data gathered as part of the method and/or by the system. The method in at least one embodiment includes receiving patient information, calculating an infusion rate based at least on part on a portion of the received patient information, outputting the infusion rate to an infusion pump, obtaining a urinary output, calculating a new infusion rate using infusion rate model based constants, and outputting the new infusion rate to an infusion pump. In some embodiments, the method includes notifying medical staff when problems arise, displaying information regarding the resuscitation, and setting limits regarding the infusion rates.
US08157781B2
A body waste handling article includes a first sheet, a second sheet and a body fluid absorbent core sandwiched between these two sheets, wherein the first sheet defines a liquid-pervious skin-contacting surface. The second sheet is rectangular and has a pair of ends and a pair of lateral edges wherein inside these ends and lateral edges, end flaps and lateral flaps are formed. The end flaps and the lateral flaps are provided with elastic members attached in a stretched state thereto so as extend along the ends and the lateral edges and to become contiguous one to another at corners of the second sheet.
US08157777B2
An absorbent product comprises (i) a package and (ii) a plurality of absorbent articles contained in the package. The package comprises a first panel and a second panel opposed to the first panel. The package comprises a first window area in the first panel. Each of the absorbent articles has a body facing surface and an external surface opposed to the body facing surface. Each of the absorbent articles has a front region and a rear region opposed to the front region. Each of the absorbent articles comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a disposable tape secured to the external surface of the rear region. Each of the absorbent articles comprises a graphic in the front region and in the rear region. The front region faces the first panel and the rear region faces the second panel. The graphic of the front region is visible through the first window area. As the disposable tape is located in the rear region, the disposable tape faces the second panel. The disposable tape faces away from the first panel, and may be protected from the ultraviolet ray.
US08157775B2
Continuous performance monitoring and an automated alert system are provided for a postoperative fluid drainage procedure. The system uses an automated controller in communication with at least one sensor that monitors the amount of liquid collected during the procedure. The controller compares current collection data with historical collection data to identify trends that can be indicative of problems in the patient's recovery or in system drainage. Upon identifying such trends, the controller automatically provides an alarm to alert the care provider so that the system can be checked and remedial action taken.
US08157772B2
A medicament dispensing device including a substantially rigid carpule body which has a dispensing end and an actuation end opposite the dispensing end. The carpule body is substantially tubular and thus defines a carpule bore. The device further includes a plunger operatively disposed within the carpule bore having a plunger actuator near the actuation end of the carpule body and a plunger tip opposite the plunger actuator. The plunger tip and an orifice at the dispensing end of the carpule bore define a medicament volume which may be loaded with a medicament selected to achieve specific therapeutic goals. The carpule body may also include a wound depth scale. The depth scale is typically associated with the dispensing end of the carpule body. Similarly, the medicament dispensing device may include a dosage scale. Also disclosed are methods of dispensing medicaments.
US08157769B2
A cartridge insertion assembly including apparatus with a pathway formed therein, a cartridge insertable into the pathway, the cartridge including a cartridge coupling element connectable to an activation mechanism disposed in the apparatus operative to cause a substance contained in the cartridge to be metered out of the cartridge, and a door pivoted to the apparatus that includes a door coupling element arranged with respect to the cartridge such that when the door is in a fully closed position, the door coupling element couples the cartridge coupling element with a coupling element of the activation mechanism.
US08157768B2
An injection device is provided. The device includes a housing having a first end defining a first opening. A plunger is received within the first opening of the housing to move between first and second positions. A cartridge is disposed in the housing and has an interior serving as a reservoir for a drug. A delivery needle is disposed within the housing and is in fluid communication with the reservoir via an interruptible fluid channel. A locking mechanism is disposed in the housing. In the first position of the plunger the delivery needle is enclosed by the plunger and in the second position of the plunger the delivery needle is placed in an injection position and the plunger activates the locking mechanism whereby when the plunger returns to the first position the .locking mechanism prevents the needle from being placed in the injection position.
US08157763B2
The present invention is directed to a system, method, and computer program product for controlling the supply of a distending media (such as an insufflating gas) from a distending media source to an endoscopic device so as to prevent the excess venting and/or waste of distending media. More specifically, the present invention provides for the detection of a pressure level within a lumen of an endoscopic device and adjusts a supply parameter of the distending media based at least in part on the detected pressure level, and in some cases, on the relationship between the detected pressure level and a user-defined threshold.
US08157762B2
A portable medical liquid infusion device receives an input of a medical liquid infusion rate (cc/hour), the quantity of medical liquid to be infused or the length of time for infusion, and outputs a recognition signal corresponding to the input, thereby allowing a drip interval to be easily adjusted, and which quantitatively calculates and outputs a medical liquid infusion rate on the basis of a count input which is received in accordance with a drip interval when measuring the medical liquid infusion rate. The medical liquid infusion device judges a count input having an irregular interval as an erroneous input, and renders another count input to be conducted again through automatic resetting, whereby the medical liquid infusion device can output a correct measurement result only, and also can output the length of time for infusing the remaining medical liquid when measuring the medical liquid infusion rate.
US08157761B2
A peritoneal dialysis patient assist device includes (i) a port holder shaped to hold a first connector and a first plug, (ii) a transfer set holder shaped to hold a second connector and a second plug, the transfer set holder rotatable and translatable with respect to the port holder, and (iii) an ultraviolet (“UV”) applicator positioned to radiate UV light on at least part of the first and second connectors when loaded into the port and transfer set holders, respectively.
US08157760B2
Interventional procedures on the carotid arteries are performed through a transcervical access while retrograde blood flow is established from the internal carotid artery to a venous or external location. A system for use in accessing and treating a carotid artery includes an arterial access device, a shunt fluidly connected to the arterial access device, and a flow control assembly coupled to the shunt and adapted to regulate blood flow through the shunt between at least a first blood flow state and at least a second blood flow state. The flow control assembly includes one or more components that interact with the blood flow through the shunt.
US08157754B2
The present invention provides a portable device and method for enhancing blood flow in a limb and for reducing the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) formation by applying periodic squeezing forces on a limb, in particular a lower limb. The device comprises a flask-like casing box and a strap connected to opposite sides of said casing such as to form a closed loop around the limb. Said box contains machinery for actuating periodical change in the circumference of said closed loop between a contracted and a relaxed positions.
US08157752B2
A posture assessment and feedback instrument (FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B) all contained within a single housing (1). The output of a capacitive sensor (4) within the housing (1) varies in response to the distance between the sensor and the body of a user. The housing (1) is strapped to the body of a user (FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5B) with a belt (2). The application area is chosen such that the distance between the sensor (4) and the body varies in response to a defined posture change (FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B). Thus the sensor output will vary in response to the defined posture change. The output is compared to a stored threshold value and triggers a feedback signal when the threshold is exceeded.
US08157748B2
A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the lancet during the lancing cycle. The driver further includes a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.
US08157744B2
A biopsy device for harvesting at least one tissue sample from a human or animal body, e.g. in percutaneous aspiration biopsy, includes a hollow needle with a distal end portion adapted to be introduced into the body. A sample-receiving device with a cavity is movable in the hollow needle between a first extended and a second retracted position. A liquid supply unit comprising a flushing liquid, such as saline, is provided for ejecting the sample from the cavity, when the sample-receiving device is in the second retracted position. The liquid is conveyed form the liquid supply unit to a flushing chamber by an appropriate pump, such as a peristaltic pump.
US08157743B2
A device and a method for evaluating a signal that can indicate the respiration of a person, particularly suitable for examining a patient with respect to the occurrence of sleep-related breathing disturbances. In one example, a device for evaluating a signal indicative of the temporal course of the respiration of a patient, in particular a respiratory flow signal, includes an electronic evaluation program or circuitry which is configured in such a manner that it evaluates the signal by continuously generating intermediate evaluation results for short signal periods and for longer signal periods being parallel thereto, and performs an identification of respiratory patterns in the time signal or in specific time periods on the basis of the position of the intermediate evaluation results of the short signal periods relative to the intermediate evaluation results of the longer signal periods.
US08157740B2
A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) device, includes: a cMUT obtained by processing a silicon substrate by using a silicon micromachining technique; and an oscillator circuit having the cMUT as a capacitor, and outputting a frequency modulation signal by modulating a frequency of an oscillation signal to be output on the basis of a change of capacitance of the cMUT.
US08157733B2
The present invention relates to a blood pressure measurement apparatus comprising: an input unit where at least one value selected from the maximum applied pressure, which is the applied pressure at which the maximum pulse pressure is attained during the pulse pressure measurement at the measurement part, the maximum pulse pressure, which is the pulse pressure at the maximum applied pressure, the depth of blood vessel at the measurement part measured by a pressure sensor, the elasticity of skin tissue at the measurement part and the elasticity of blood vessel at the measurement part is inputted; and a mean arterial pressure calculation unit where the mean arterial pressure is calculated from the input values of the maximum applied pressure, the depth of blood vessel and the elasticity of skin tissue. The present invention offers more effective and reliable blood pressure measurement apparatus.
US08157726B2
A portable hand-held endoscopy system adapted for interchangeable use with a variety of endoscopes. The system includes an endoscope having a first end and a second end, the first end having an eyepiece and the second end having a viewing end, the endoscope further having a coupler for coupling to a light source; and a battery operated unitary digital camera having an optical input, viewing screen, digital signal processor, memory with embedded software for processing data from the processor and for displaying an image on the viewing screen, and a coupler having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a connector for removably connecting to the eyepiece, and the second end is coupled to the optical input of the digital camera. The video display is rotatable and pivotable about several different axes of rotation and a pivot point spaced distally from the main camera body. An ergonomic camera housing is provided, including a bulbous gripping region and two opposing forefinger accepting regions, facilitating a trigger-like grip and use of the camera by a physician. Redundant controls for moving video and still image capture facilitate ease of use by the physician as the camera and associated endoscope are held in a variety of orientations.
US08157723B2
Embodiments of the presently described invention provide a mannequin including a torso, an artificial organ and a plurality of rings. The artificial organ includes first and second openings and a channel connecting the two openings. The rings connect the artificial organ to the torso. Embodiments of the presently described invention also provide an apparatus for connecting an artificial organ to a mannequin torso. The apparatus includes a plurality of rings a plurality of holes in a torso. The rings are attached to the organ and the holes in the torso. The rings are attached to the organ proximate two openings in the organ. Embodiments of the presently described invention also provide a method for attaching an artificial organ to a mannequin. The method includes attaching a plurality of rings to the organ and attaching the rings to the mannequin.
US08157717B2
A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between certain positions while maintaining a substantially constant separation distance between the outer and inner cages.
US08157716B2
The centrifugal separator comprises a rotatable bowl having a separation chamber defined by a base. The base comprises a first outlet opening defined by a weir at a first level. An outlet chamber communicates with the separation chamber through a first outlet opening. The outlet chamber is connected with an outlet opening, which opens at a second level below the first level into an exterior of the bowl. The outlet chamber outlet opening is provided with an outlet nozzle with an outlet direction opposite the direction of rotation, and an overflow inlet opening is present in the outlet chamber, and is placed at a third level between the first and the second level. The overflow inlet opening communicates with an overflow outlet opening, that opens into the exterior of the bowl.
US08157714B2
A reformer exercise apparatus is disclosed that has a generally rectangular frame with a head end and a foot end and parallel spaced tracks therebetween supporting a movable carriage thereon. The frame includes a foot support at the foot end of the frame and one or more elastic resistance members fastened between the carriage and the foot end of the frame. Supporting the frame is a first rocking support assembly supporting the head end of the frame and a second rocking support assembly supporting the foot end of the frame, whereby the frame can rock from side to side to provide a dynamic feedback to a user of the apparatus as to whether or not the user is properly centered on the apparatus. A kit for changing a conventional reformer into a rocking reformer apparatus is also disclosed.
US08157709B2
The present invention provides a multidirectional exerciser for hand, wrist and forearm comprising a handle having an axial opening through which a bolt extends. A spring means is around one end of the bolt disposed against an adjustment ring. A resistance knob is mounted on the adjustment ring. A pressure plate is mounted at the opposite end of the handle between the handle and the head of the bolt. At least one clutch disc is disposed against the pressure plate. A knob is mounted around the pressure plate and clutch disc, mounted for relative rotational movement with respect to the handle. The wrists and hands are exercised by holding the handle in one hand and the knob/grip member in the other hand, and repetitively twisting the handle and knob/grip member in opposite directions. A detachable grip member is mounted over said knob and the detachable grip member further comprises a gyro ring and a squeeze grip strengthener.
US08157694B2
In an outboard motor having a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power of an engine to a propeller, the power transmission mechanism has a transmission ratio changing unit having a planetary gear train including a sun gear, planetary gears, and an internal gear. The internal gear is connected to an input side shaft on the engine side. The planetary gears are connected to an output side shaft on the propeller side. The sun gear is connected to a stationary portion via a one-way clutch. The planetary gears and the internal gear and/or the sun gear are connected by an on-off clutch. When the on-off clutch is disengaged, the one-way clutch is engaged and the speed from the input side shaft is outputted from the output side shaft with a reduced speed. When the on-off clutch is engaged, the speed from the input side shaft is outputted from the output side shaft with the same speed.
US08157693B2
A vehicle differential assembly includes a differential housing rotatable about an axis. A first output assembly includes a first side gear positioned within the differential housing and a first output member coupled to the first side gear and having an aperture aligned with the axis. A second output assembly includes a second side gear positioned within the differential housing and a second output member coupled for rotation with the second side gear. A first helical pinion gear is meshingly engaged with the first side gear. A second helical pinion gear is meshingly engaged with the second side gear and the first helical pinion gear. A first coupling assembly includes a coupling mechanism disposed in the aperture and a biasing member engaged with the coupling mechanism to bias the first output assembly into frictional engagement with the differential housing.
US08157692B2
The invention relates to a differential assembly in the form of a crown gear differential, more particularly for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The differential assembly comprises a differential carrier (3) which is produced in one piece, which is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation A and which, in a casing portion (26), comprises two radial openings for mounting sideshaft gears (15, 16) and differential gears (14). Per opening (20), there is provided a bearing disc (19) which is inserted into said opening (20) and which comprises a central bore (30) in which there is held a journal end (28) of a bearing journal (27) for a differential gear (14).
US08157691B2
The engagement of gearwheels with curvilinear teeth is intended to create small-sized mechanical gears of rotational motion with big gear ratio in one stage. The smaller gearwheel—pinion (16)—has one tooth, having in its face section the shape of circumference (3), eccentrically shifted with respect to the axis OO1 of the gearwheel (16). The curvilinear helical tooth of the gearwheel (16) (helical eccentric) is generated by sequential shifting of the circumference 3 along the axis OO1 and its continuous turning around the axis. The greater gearwheel (17) has helical teeth, generated by turning of the cycloidal curve (5), the teeth are conjugated with the helical surface of the pinion (16). The engagement has a continuous line of contact along the whole length of the tooth, where in each section a circular pin tooth and a cycloid are engaged, having minimum losses for friction. In order to eliminate axial loads, occurring in engagement of helical teeth, the gearwheels (16) and (17) are made herring-bone. The similar eccentrically cycloidal engagement can be implemented by assembled gearwheels. On the basis of the engagement one can design cylindrical gearboxes with parallel shafts, bevel gearboxes with intersecting shafts, and also planetary gears according to David and James schemes, possessing the increased load carrying capacity at smaller overall dimensions.
US08157687B2
A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
US08157681B2
When a speed ratio (ip) at a stopping time of the vehicle cannot be stored, an operating position of a step motor (27) is initialized to a home position such that a primary pulley pressure (Ppri) is completely drained, a secondary pulley pressure (Psec) is increased to a predetermined pressure (P1), and a pulley ratio (the speed ratio (ip)) between a non-rotating primary pulley (2) and a non-rotating secondary pulley (3) is set at a lowest speed ratio. As a result, the primary pulley pressure (Ppri) is supplied reliably, and the startability of the vehicle improves.
US08157665B2
A golf training device includes an elongated pointer shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A connector is adapted to fasten to a golfer's waist, where the proximal end of the elongated pointer shaft is attached to the connector and the distal end is free to encroach into an inside downward path of the golfer. An elbow swing alignment element upwardly protrudes from the elongated pointer shaft between the proximal end and the distal end. The elongated pointer shaft and elbow swing alignment element are located so that the elbow swing alignment element contacts the golfer's inside elbow when crooked, thus providing a corrective indication.
US08157659B2
A telescopic shaft (5) has an inner shaft (12) and a tubular outer shaft (13) that are fitted to each other so as to be relatively movable in an axial direction (X1) and to be able to transmit torque between each other. A row of a plurality of rolling bodies (14) is interposed between corresponding axial grooves (15, 16) of the inner shaft (12) and the outer shaft (13). A retaining member (17) moving together with the rolling bodies (14) while retaining the rolling bodies (14) has a facing portion (33) facing an end surface (121) of the inner shaft (12). As the telescopic shaft (5) telescopes in and out, the facing portion (33) comes into contact with the end surface (121) of the inner shaft (12), and this limits the movement of the rolling bodies (14) in the axial direction (X1).
US08157653B2
Automatic player profile generation may be implemented for an interactive online game in which one or more players interact via one or more client devices connected to a server device via a network. Information relating to game activity may be collected for the one or more players during one or more game sessions with the server device. One or more player statistics relevant to the game activity may be calculated for each of the one or more players during the game session based on the information relating to game activity with the server device. A player profile may be generated for each of the one or more players with the server. Each player profile may include the one or more player statistics for a corresponding one of the one or more players.
US08157641B2
A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and one or more displays for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The one or more displays further display a trigger time indicator. The gaming system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover, (ii) randomly select a trigger amount from a range of available trigger amounts, (iii) calculate a time estimate when the actual turnover will become equal to or greater than the trigger amount based on a current turnover rate, (iv) update the trigger time indicator based on the time estimate, and (v) award a prize in response to the actual turnover becoming equal to or greater than the trigger amount.
US08157633B2
A gaming device having one or more primary games. The primary games may be played simultaneously. Each primary game has a triggering event which corresponds to an award or bonus game. If multiple triggering events occur in the same play, the player receives a multi-trigger bonus or bonus game.
US08157621B2
A wafer back side grinding process. A workpiece comprising a first assembly having a first semiconductor wafer and a second assembly having a second semiconductor wafer is provided. A first back side of the first semiconductor wafer is grinded by using the second assembly as a carrier. Thereafter, a second back side of the second semiconductor wafer is grinded.
US08157620B2
A system and method for cleaning receiver slots with hook-fits for stator blade ring segments. A first cleaning tool with an abrasive coating and sideward projection in the shape of the hook is slid through the slot using the hook-fit as a guide. A second cleaning tool with an abrasive coating and a formed/machined hook-fit used as a guide while cleaning the receiver slots as it is pushed through the receiver slots. The tools remove trash, oil rust/oxidation, and other foreign materials from receiving slot. Both tools may attach to a metal rod with two knuckles as part of the handle that connects to and uses the hook-fit as a guide enabling the operator to reach deep into the radius of the compressor case receiver slots and hook-fits located adjacent to and beneath the rotor and rotor blades so that the hook-fit and receiver slot can be thoroughly cleaned.
US08157618B2
An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a setting unit which sets points on an edge of a lens, where a line on a target lens shape and passing through the first and second points intersects a line on the target lens shape and passing through the third and fourth points; and a calculating unit which: obtains a first plane including a bisection point between the first and second points and perpendicular to the first line; obtains a second plane including a bisection point between the third and fourth points and perpendicular to the second line; obtains an intersection line of the first and second planes; obtains a bevel spherical surface so that a center of the bevel spherical surface is located on the intersection line and passes through a desired edge position; and obtains the bevel path on the basis of the bevel spherical surface and target lens shape data.
US08157616B2
A method for detecting an end point of a polishing operation (e.g., a polishing stop point or a changing point of polishing conditions) of a film of a substrate is described. The method includes applying light to a surface of a substrate during polishing of the substrate; receiving reflected light from the surface of the substrate, monitoring a first characteristic value and a second characteristic value calculated from reflection intensities at different wavelengths; detecting a point when an extremal point of the first characteristic value and an extremal point of the second characteristic value appear within a predetermined time difference; after detecting the point, detecting a predetermined extremal point of the first characteristic value or the second characteristic value; and determining a polishing end point based on a point when the predetermined extremal point is detected.
US08157613B2
A grinding assembly contacts a tire supported by a frame relative to the tire. The grinding assembly includes at least one section, and an axial positioning assembly supporting the at least one section. The axial positioning assembly enables the at least one section to be axially repositioned relative to the tire. The at least one section includes a grinding head, where the grinding head includes a grindstone rotatably supported thereon, the grindstone having rounded shoulders at its axial extremities. The grinding assembly further includes a radial positioning assembly supporting the grinding head for radial movement with respect to the tire.
US08157604B2
An electrical linear motor for propelling a marine vessel through a liquid medium, comprises a housing secured to the marine vessel and submerged in the liquid medium, an insert within the housing and having at least two electrical coil windings disposed on internal walls of the insert; a thruster subassembly moves between the internal walls of the insert, the thruster subassembly having a front cover, an internal channel with check valve and at least two sets of permanent magnets attached to the thruster subassembly and maintained in sufficiently close proximity to the electrical coil windings so that an electromagnetic field created by a controlled energizing of the electrical coil windings interacts with a magnetic field from the permanent magnets to provide a resulting linear force, which causes a reciprocating linear motion of the thruster subassembly, wherein the check valve is in an open position during a back stroke of the thruster subassembly so that the liquid medium flows freely through the thruster subassembly internal channel and wherein the check valve is closed during a working stroke of the thruster subassembly so that the front cover of the thruster subassembly displaces the liquid medium, thereby propelling the marine vessel through the liquid medium.
US08157598B2
A plug connector (100) has an insulative housing (103) with an. elongated mating blade (104) that supports a plurality of conductors (130) in the form of conductive surfaces disposed on a mating face of the mating blade. Dielectric barriers (150) are disposed on the conductive surfaces so that galvanic connection with contacts on a circuit board is prevented. The dielectric barriers permit transfer of electrical signals from the plug connector conductors to the circuit board contacts. The plug connector fits into a shell member (200) mounted to the circuit board (153) and the shell member includes a plurality of cantilevered press arms (220) that apply a contact pressure on the plug connector to ensure contact between the dielectric barriers and the circuit board contacts.
US08157592B2
A connector includes a first connector member configured to arrange a plurality of plane first boards with gaps in a thickness direction of the first boards, the first board including a conductive layer and an insulation layer, the insulation layer having a surface where a first signal pattern is formed; and a second connector member configured to arrange a plurality of plane second boards with gaps in a thickness direction of the second boards, the second board including a conductive layer and an insulation layer, the insulation layer having a surface where a second signal pattern is formed.
US08157591B2
An electrical connector system may include a center housing that defines a plurality of first electrical contact channels on a first side face of the center housing and a plurality of second electrical contact channels on a second side face of the center housing. A first array of electrical contacts is positioned substantially within the plurality of first electrical contact channels on the first side face of the center housing. A second array of electrical contacts is positioned substantially within the plurality of second electrical contact channels on the second side face of the center housing. The first array of electrical contacts is paired with a third array of electrical contacts to form a first plurality of differential pairs of electrical contacts. The second array of electrical contacts is paired with a fourth array of electrical contacts to form a second plurality of differential pairs of electrical contacts.
US08157584B2
A cable connector assembly includes an insulative housing, a number of connectors retained in the insulative housing and a number of cables retained at a rear side of the insulative housing to electrically connect with the connectors. The insulative housing defines a plurality of first cavities and a second cavity arranged in a row along a transverse direction thereof, and a third cavity at an upper side of the second cavity. The second cavity defines a height which is larger than a width thereof. The connectors include a number of standard USB connectors retained in the first cavities, a lower Audio jack uprightly retained in the second cavity and an upper Audio jack horizontally retained in the third cavity.
US08157581B2
A plug in power line module apparatus, e.g., removable to be for plug and play. The apparatus has a removable housing member, which has an outer region and an inner region. In a preferred embodiment, the housing member has a width, a length, and a depth. The apparatus has a first prong and a second prong extending from the removable housing member. The first prong and the second prong are adapted to couple into a power line outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the first prong and the second prong can be physically inserted into one or more different power outlets, e.g., U.S. standard, China standard, European standard, Japan standard. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus has a communication port coupled to the first prong and the second prong, the communication port. In a preferred embodiment, the communication port is for an Ethernet (i.e., CAT 5) connector, VoIP connector, or other communication devices. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus has a spatial volume provided by the width, length, and depth of the housing member.
US08157574B2
A power strip has a stationary base, at least one rotating base, at least one pintle and a power cable. The at least one rotating base is mounted rotatably on the stationary base. Each of the at least one rotating base has a top surface facing along a Z-axis and at least one socket mounted on the top surface and selectively covered by the stationary base by rotating each of the at least one rotating base to align with the stationary base. The at least one pintle faces along the Z-axis and rotatably connects the at least one rotating base to the stationary base. The power cable is mounted on the stationary base. The socket may be covered to prevent malfunction and shorting problems due to dust accumulation on the socket and prevent penetration by objects.
US08157569B1
A biaxially rotatable electrical connector has a base and a rotary part. The rotary part has a rotary member and an insertion member. One end of the rotary member is pivotally connected with the base and is rotated around a first axis, the other end of the rotary member is pivotally connected with the insertion member so that the insertion member can be rotated around a second axis. The base and the rotary part are hollow and their inner spaces communicate with each other. Accordingly, the electrical connector can be flexibly rotated with multiple angular directions and does not conflict with or block other adjacent plug or socket when connected to an electronic device.
US08157567B2
An endoscope simulation apparatus aims to offer improved simulation, a simpler structure and can be fabricated at lower costs. The endoscope simulation apparatus comprises a bracing rack, a spheroid and a controlling bar. The spheroid is held in the bracing rack and turnable freely. The controlling bar is slidable relative to the spheroid in a passage running through the center of the spheroid to control rotation of the spheroid. The bracing rack has an inner side spaced from the spheroid to hold at least two direction sensors. The controlling bar has a depth sensor. The controlling bar is a simulated endoscope and also is insertable and retractable. The invention can be turned at a greater angle and provide improved simulation through the turnable spheroid. Through the direction sensors and depth sensor that are linked to a computer, the turning angle and insertion depth of the simulated endoscope can be measured.
US08157561B2
A system for controlling atmospheric gas inside a furnace may include a furnace into which an atmospheric gas is charged for thermaltreating carbon steel, a flow control portion that is connected to the furnace for controlling the flow of the atmospheric gas, a gas generator for producing an endothermic gas (Rx gas) and supplying the flow control portion with the endothermic gas, and a gas analyzing control portion for analyzing the atmospheric gas that is supplied through a sampling line that is connected to the furnace and for controlling the flow control portion based on the analyzed data so as to control a flux of the atmospheric gas that is supplied to the furnace. With the system, decarbonization of carbon steel can be prevented or reduced.
US08157559B2
An injection molding apparatus is provided with a die having a hot nozzle, and a manifold formed by a hot runner. A communication passage that is in communication with the cavity is provided in the die, a concave portion defined at an end portion of the die, and the hot nozzle includes a nozzle body of a cylindrical shape that is inserted in the communication passage, and a flange portion that is formed at an end side of the nozzle body and is exposed outside of the communication passage, in which a band heater that heats the nozzle body is inserted between the communication passage and the nozzle body, and a ring heater that heats this flange is inserted in the concave portion and between the communication passage and the flange.
US08157552B2
A rotary fluid pressure device (11) includes an end cap (23) which is disposed rearwardly of, and adjacent, the fluid displacement mechanism (21). The end cap defines a piston cavity (103) in which is disposed a lock piston (105), which is moveable between a first position and a second position, in which the forward portion (107) of the lock piston extends within a central opening (121) of a rotor member (49) to prevent movement. A release piston (137) is disposed in a central opening (125) of one of the housing member (13) and stationary valve member (63). A brake pin (141) is disposed in a bore (139) of a drive shaft (57), with a first axial end of the brake pin being operably associated with release piston and a second axial end being operably associated with the lock piston.
US08157544B2
A motor stator (24) has a stator iron core (24a), a stator winding (24b), and a mold member (30) embedding them in an inner portion and having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity. The mold member (30) has a heat insulating layer (32) closely attached to an inner surface thereof surrounding a motor rotor (22) and to an outer surface thereof in an axial direction. Further, an outer sleeve (26) is provided so as to be closely attached to an outer peripheral surface of the mold member (30) and to an inner surface of a bearing housing (16). The outer sleeve (26) forms a liquid tight water cooling jacket (26b) between the outer sleeve and the bearing housing.
US08157534B2
The present invention refers to a control equipment for a pressure set, said pressure set being made up of a main pump and at least one auxiliary pump, characterized in that it comprises a housing fitted to the exit of the main pump, therewithin it is provided with: a pressure transducer; a minimum flow detector associated to the circulation pipe that is related to the main pump; a frequency changer to regulate the flow speed that is flowing through the hydraulic pipe that is connected to the main pump; and an electronic control circuit electrically connected to the pressure transducer, the flow detector, so that based on the signals received from them it sends a signal to the frequency changer so as to regulate the working parameters of the main pump and at least one auxiliary pump, keeping the pressure value unchanged throughout the workings of the pressure set.
US08157527B2
A turbine engine airfoil includes an airfoil structure having an exterior surface and an end portion. A cooling passage extends a length radially within the structure in a direction toward the end portion. The cooling passage provides a convection surface along the length adjacent to the exterior surface. The convection surface includes a generally uniform width along the length. The cooling passage has generally decreasing cross-sectional areas along the length in the direction.
US08157523B2
The invention relates to a method for the operation of a wind energy plant (10), wherein the wind energy plant (10) has a rotor (11) with a rotor axis and at least one rotor blade (15, 15′) arranged on the rotor (11), wherein the rotor blade (15, 15′) is adjustable or adjusted around a rotor blade axis with a predetermined rotor blade pitch angle. Further, at least one rotor blade (15, 15′) is rotated into an idle position, the rotation of the rotor blade (15, 15′) is braked after a first predetermined rotational position of the rotor blade (15, 15′) is reached and the stand-still position of the rotor blade (15, 15′) reached as a result of the braking procedure is captured. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wind energy plant (10) with a rotor (11) and at least one angle-adjustable rotor blade (15, 15′) arranged on the rotor (11).
US08157522B2
The invention relates to a method for the calibration of at least one sensor (11-14) of a wind power plant (10). The invention also relates to a wind power plant (10). The calibration process according to the invention is captured by the at least one sensor (11-14). The measurement value (30, 31), which is a measure for the load of a component (15-17), is evaluated, wherein the wind power plant has at least the moveable component (15, 15′, 15″, 16, 17), wherein the component (15-17) is pivoted or rotated around a predeterminable axis (19, 20). The wind power plant according to the invention is provided with a calibration module for the automatic calibration of at least one sensor (11-14), which measures the load of a movable component (15-17) of the wind power plant.
US08157513B2
An axial flow fan according to the present invention comprises an impeller which rotates about a central axis and including a plurality of blades, a hollow member accommodating therein the impeller, a base portion which is arranged at the hollow member and supports the base portion in a rotatable manner, a plurality of inner air guide members each connected to the base portion, and a plurality of outer air guide members each connected to the hollow member.The inner air guide members and the outer air guide members each include a first edge member and a second edge portion. A length of the first edge member and that of the second edge member of the outer air guide member are greater than those of the first edge member and the second edge member of the inner air guide member.
US08157512B2
A turbomachine includes a compressor having an intake portion and an outlet portion. The compressor compresses air received at the intake portion to form a compressed airflow that is passed from the outlet portion. The turbomachine also includes an intercooler operatively connected downstream from the compressor. The intercooler includes a plurality of heat pipes that are configured to extract heat from the compressed airflow.
US08157507B1
A stator assembly having an inner shroud and an outer shroud with a plurality of airfoils extending between the shrouds, and a vibration damping horn extending from one of the shrouds and aligned with the airfoil, the vibration damping horn having a higher stiffness than the airfoil, the vibration damping horn extends into a damping chamber formed between the shroud and a seal plate, and the damping chamber is filled with ceramic balls that rub against the vibration damping horn to dissipate vibration energy from the airfoil by friction.
US08157505B2
A turbine blade is provided comprising: an airfoil including an airfoil outer wall extending radially outwardly from a blade root, a squealer tip section located at an end of the airfoil distal from the root, and cooling structure. The squealer tip section comprises a blade tip surface including pressure and suction edges joined together at chordally spaced-apart leading and trailing edges of the airfoil, and a squealer tip rail. At least a substantial portion of the squealer tip rail is located near the blade tip surface suction edge. The cooling structure directs cooling fluid toward the squealer tip rail to effect impingement cooling of the rail after the cooling fluid has convectively cooled at least a portion of the airfoil outer wall. Cooling fluid is also deflected by the squealer tip rail so as to yield a very small effective flow area above the squealer tip section through which hot working gases may flow.
US08157500B1
A device for determining the orientation of a fork on a forklift has an indicating rod adjustably attached to the fork assembly which passes through a electrical contact switch assembly mounted to the cylinder which in turn is rigidly attached to the cylinder of the piston assembly and is comprised of electrical contactors that are activated by the indicating rod that indicates to the forklift operator with an orientation of the forks relative to the wheel base.
US08157498B2
A storage rack having a shelf with storage spaces, arranged over top of each other, for pallets that are horizontally removed sideways. A rack operating device moves the pallets from the spaces, and a station cart forms a lowermost space for a pallet, and can be horizontally moved from the rack on first rails. An upper cart is located above the station cart and forms another one of the spaces to receive a pallet and is horizontally movable on second rails that have a wider track than the first rails and also lead out of the rack. The upper cart has a greater clearance in an area of the station cart which is larger than a length of the pallet, and runs on the second rails, and parts of the upper cart not related to the support structure thereof can be inserted between the vertical rack supports of the rack.
US08157497B2
A loader assembly for a TEM machine having a retractable arm that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A hoop portion of the retractable arm also moves between the retracted position and the extended position. A lower closure for holding a part to be processed in the TEM machine is removably positioned in the hoop portion. A ram piston of the TEM machine is movable between a load position and a process position. When the ram piston moves from a load position to a process position the ram piston contacts the lower closure and extends through the hoop of the retractable arm to move the lower closure to the process position. A thermal chamber receives the lower closure when the ram piston moves to the process position.
US08157492B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for securing a container on a platform of a transport vehicle, in particular on a lifting platform of a floor-bound and automatically guided transport vehicle, with securing elements which are supported on the platform and bear against the container to secure same. A multiplicity of securing elements are arranged moveably on the platform in such a manner that, depending on the position and type of a container deposited on the platform, a first group of the multiplicity of securing elements is moved from the container into a passive position, and a second group of the multiplicity of securing elements is moved from the container into an operating position or remains in the operating position in which the second group of securing elements secures the container against slipping from the platform.
US08157490B2
The present invention provides a method of securing freight containers on a deck of a large ship, and a spring lashing bar, a space adjuster and a securing system used in the method. In the method of the present invention, a movable lift is installed on a rail provided on a lashing bridge so as to be movable in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. Freight containers are aligned with each other using tensile force generated in a horizontal direction by a container aligning device provided on a work table provided on the movable lift. The freight containers are coupled to each other using twistlocks in a vertical direction. Subsequently, adjacent left and right containers are coupled to each other using couplers and variable type coupling devices such that the freight containers are integrated with each other along an entire width of the ship or some width thereof.
US08157483B2
Disclosed is a method for rendering vacuum conveyors inert, the vacuum conveyors including at least one intake device (30), a discharge device (40), a separating vessel (100), a vacuum pump device (20), and a system for feeding inert fluid into the separating vessel (100). An inert fluid is fed into the at least one separating vessel (100) below the free surface of a separated material (102) during inertization. A corresponding vacuum conveyor (10) which can be rendered inert includes a system for feeding inert fluid below the free surface (103) of a separated material on and/or in the at least one separating vessel (100).
US08157477B2
A system for trench and drain installation. The system utilizes an implement driven trenching assembly and a backfill pipe installation assembly. The implement driven trenching assembly digs a trench utilizing a circular trenching blade which is hydraulically operated and is mounted onto a front loader plate. The backfill pipe installation assembly uses a backfill hopper to simultaneously install drainage pipe above the trench floor and envelop the drainage pipe in backfill material to maintain the drainage pipe at a constant height above the trench floor.
US08157476B2
The various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to remediation of contaminants in the environment, and more specifically to improved chemistries, systems, and methods for in-situ immobilization of contaminants in various media. More particularly, an aspect of the present invention is directed to an in-situ method for immobilizing a contaminant in a medium, comprising: contacting a medium in-situ with a chemical reagent, the medium comprising a contaminant, wherein the contacting the medium in-situ with a chemical reagent does not involve physical mixing of the medium and the chemical reagent; and immobilizing at least a portion of the contaminant in the medium in-situ to yield an immobilized contaminant in the medium, wherein the immobilized contaminant in the medium is neither extracted from the medium nor degraded by the chemical reagent.
US08157471B2
A combined guardrail and cable safety system is disclosed. In one aspect, the present invention teaches a safety barrier including a plurality of cable posts spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to a roadway. At least two cables are releasably engaged with and supported by the cable posts. The cable posts and the two cables cooperate with each other to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway. A plurality of guardrail posts are spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to the roadway longitudinally spaced from the plurality of cable post. A guardrail beam is fixedly coupled to the plurality of guardrail posts and including slots. The two cables extend from the cable posts through respective slots formed in the guardrail beam permitting each cable to engage a respective cable anchor bracket securely fastened to a portion of the guardrail beam.
US08157457B2
An image capturing device includes a camera housing configured to house a set of electronic modules for generating a video stream from captured light. The camera housing includes a camera opening configured to let light enter the camera housing to be captured by the set of electronic modules. The webcam further includes a camera-housing base rotationally coupled to the camera housing, and includes a mounting base rotationally coupled to the camera-housing base. The camera housing is configured to rotate with respect to the camera-housing base to face the camera opening toward the mounting base or face the camera housing opening away from the mounting base. The webcam further includes a first hinge rotationally coupling the mounting base to the camera-housing base. With the camera opening facing toward the mounting base, the first hinge is configured such that the mounting base is foldable onto the camera opening to cover the camera opening.
US08157446B2
A cage for a roller bearing comprises a base body with a plurality of pockets for the reception of the roller elements of the roller bearing. At least a part of the surface of the base body is coated with a layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride (FL-CNx), wherein an inter-layer of chromium (Cr) or aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (Mo) or titanium (Ti) or tungsten (W) or a diamond-like coating (DLC) or a metal-mix diamond-like coating (Me-DLC) is arranged between the surfaces of the base body and the layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride.
US08157445B2
At least one of an obverse surface film and reverse surface film, which are used to together constitute a plastic pouch, is folded back across the entire width of the plastic pouch, and peripheral edge portions of the pouch are heat-sealed, to thereby form, on at least one position, a folded-back section communicating with the body of the pouch.
US08157443B2
The disposable radiograph cassette cover is formed of two sheets of x-ray transparent pliable material having a low coefficient of friction to facilitate sliding the cover and contained cassette beneath a patient for the radiography procedure. The cover includes distinctively colored integral radiopaque anatomical markers disposed over a portion of the film or plate in the cassette to shield that portion of the underlying plate during the procedure. The plate is thus automatically marked during the procedure to show the side of the body where the cassette and cover were placed. The cassette is sealed within the cover by an adhesive flap, with the adhesive and/or release sheet also being color-coded to indicate the side to which the cover is to be used. The cassette is removed from the cover by tearing off the adhesively sealed end along provided perforations.
US08157437B2
A thermo insulated beverage container having a sensor and a counting device. The sensor senses the number of beverages that have been placed into the container and the counting device records the sensor signal as a count repetition and displays the count on a displayer which is a count of the total number of beverages that have been placed into the container from the beginning and a count of the total number of beverages that have been placed into the container from the time that the counter was reset.
US08157435B2
A lid that is removably mountable to an upper open end of a jar of a mixing device includes a generally circular base having a top surface and a opposing bottom surface. A pour spout extends generally vertically upwardly from the base when the lid is mounted to the upper end of the jar. The pour spout has a crisp edge for pouring foodstuff when the lid is mounted to the jar. Further, the lid includes a channel that generally surrounds the pour spout to collect errant drips of foodstuff when the lid is mounted to the jar and when foodstuff is poured through the pour spout.
US08157434B2
New high density microfluidic devices and methods provide precise metering of fluid volumes and efficient mixing of the metered volumes. A first solution is introduced into a segment of a flow channel in fluidic communication with a reaction chamber. A second solution is flowed through the segment so that the first solution is displaced into the reaction chamber, and a volume of the second solution enters the chamber. The chamber can then be isolated and reactions within the chamber can be initiated and/or detected. High throughput methods of genetic analysis can be carried out with greater accuracy than previously available.
US08157430B2
Electrode terminals (33a, 33b) of an LED (3) and a mounting wiring (42) of an FPC (4) are bonded by using a conductive adhesive, and a metal slug (31) of the LED (3) and a heat dissipation wiring (43) of the FPC (4) are bonded by using the conductive adhesive. The heat dissipation wiring (43) corresponds to each of the LEDs (3) and isolates the LEDs one from the other, not permitting electricity to be carried between them.
US08157424B2
A lamp holder comprising a lamp holder base, a lamp holder housing and a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the lamp holder base has a longitudinal axis and an actuator finger coupled to and shielded within the lamp holder base. The lamp holder housing is removably coupleable to the lamp holder base, and the microswitch is mounted within the lamp holder housing, wherein the microswitch is activated by the actuator finger when the lamp holder housing is inserted into and rotated with respect to the lamp holder base.
US08157420B2
An LED (light emitting diode) lamp includes a lamp body, a plurality of fixing assemblies fixed to a top of the lamp body and a plurality of fasteners fixed to the fixing assemblies. The lamp body comprises a housing defining a plurality of runners in a top thereof and a light emitting module mounted in a bottom of the housing and applying an LED module as a light source. The fixing assemblies are placed on the top of the housing. Each fastener has a head located at an underside of a corresponding one of the fixing assemblies and securely received in a corresponding runner. The fixing assemblies are provided for securely fixing the LED lamp in position and in a desired illuminating angle.
US08157416B2
A Light-Emitting Diode (“LED”) light including a housing with two ends, a base coupled to the housing at one of the two ends for connecting to an electrical fixture, the housing including vertical plates with a majority of higher-power LEDs mounted on the vertical plates at an angle of less than 75 degrees relative to the vertical plates. In one aspect, the LEDs are mounted in a column and row grid pattern. In one aspect, the housing includes a horizontal plate with lower-power LEDs mounted thereon. In one aspect, the LED light includes a temperature regulation device housed with in its housing for heat dissipation.
US08157414B2
An LED optical assembly is provided having a support surface having a plurality of light emitting diodes, a plurality of reflectors, and a plurality of optical lenses. Each reflector is positioned over a corresponding light emitting diode and at least one optical lens is placed over a corresponding reflector.
US08157407B2
A handheld searchlight for producing a high intensity beam of light output has an elongated housing including a handle portion for gripping by a user. A head has a window opening for transmitting a light beam. There is a mechanical coupling between the housing and the head. A parabolic reflector is mounted in the head facing the window and has an aperture for accommodating a high intensity lamp. The reflector has a longitudinal optical axis. The rotation of the head about the coupling causes movement of the parabolic reflector relative to the lamp along the optical axis thereby changing a spread of the high-intensity light beam. The searchlight further includes a rotatable bezel ring mounted on the head and a filter ring mount connected to the rotatable bezel. An optical filter is mounted in the filter ring mount.
US08157399B2
A control unit including a keypad having a plurality control indicators, a light producing device configured to illuminate the control indicators, and a light blocking device disposed between the control indicators and the light producing device and configured to selectively restrict or transmit light from the light producing device to the control indicators.
US08157394B1
A mirror assembly having a versatile clamping assembly for use during hunting or other outdoor sporting activities comprises an adjustable mirror which provides a user with a wide viewing angle to the rear and periphery of a current location. The mirror assembly is attached to an upper end of a flexible arm element that provides multiple degrees of articulation as desired by the user. A bottom end of the arm element is affixed to a clamping mechanism which enables the assembly to attach to various sized branches, railings, platforms, or other structures. The clamping mechanism further provides a pair of thumb-screw fasteners on the handle which enable the clamp to be secured to inserted branches or similar objects.
US08157392B2
An apparatus (3) for generating a three-dimensional kaleidoscopic image, comprising a screen (4) for the projection of images thereon, and a plurality of mirrors (31,32,33) surrounding the screen, wherein the screen is substantially shaped as a portion of a surface of a polyhedron or sphere with an icosahedral group symmetry of reflection, and the plurality of mirrors are aligned with planes extending through a projected centre of said polyhedron or sphere and intersecting each edge of the screen such that an image generated on the screen is reflected in the mirrors to produce an apparent three-dimensional image of said polyhedron or sphere.
US08157389B2
The present invention provides a display apparatus, comprising: an a light source for emitting illumination light for transmitting along illumination light path; a display device includes a plurality of pixels for modulating the illumination light for reflecting the illumination light along a projection light path after said illumination light is modulated by said display device; light path change actuator for changing the projection light paths; and a control circuit for controlling the light source, wherein the control circuit controls the light source in response to changes of the projection light path.
US08157386B2
In a projection optical system comprising: two lens groups, and a curved plane mirror, wherein the projection optical system including two story structure, and having bend means for bending at least two times the light incident from an electro-optic modulator.
US08157385B2
A reflector used in combination with a light emitting portion that emits light and disposed around a central axis on which the light emitting portion is disposed includes a curved reflection section having the substantially same shape as that of a surface of revolution around the central axis, the curved reflection section reflecting light from the light emitting portion, and a flat deflection section formed on a flat surface positioned closer to the central axis than the surface of revolution, the flat deflection section deflecting the light from the light emitting portion forward. The flat deflection section has a plurality of structural members formed on the flat surface.
US08157377B2
An ophthalmologic photographing apparatus includes an optical system, a pedestal, an auxiliary lens configured to be able to be inserted into and retracted from the optical system, a focusing lens, a focusing lens driving unit configured to move the focusing lens along an optical axis, a pedestal position detection unit configured to detect that the pedestal is away from the subject's eye by a predetermined distance, an auxiliary lens insertion detection unit configured to detect that the auxiliary lens is inserted into the optical system, a storage unit configured to store a position of the focusing lens, and a control unit configured to cause the focusing lens driving unit to move the focusing lens to a predetermined position stored in the storage unit based on outputs from the pedestal position detection unit and the auxiliary lens insertion detection unit.
US08157376B2
A multifocal ophthalmic eyeglass (1) corrects a wearer's vision for a first vision distance in a principal vision zone (10) of the eyeglass, and for at least two different second vision distances in a secondary vision zone (20) of said eyeglass. For this purpose, the secondary vision zone is divided into at least two series of alternating regions, each producing an ophthalmic correction suitable for one of the second vision distances. A presbyopic wearer provided with such an eyeglass can both read a book and view an obstacle on the ground equally well, for the same direction of his gaze through the secondary vision zone.
US08157371B2
Provided is a recording apparatus capable of performing recording on a recording medium having a lenticular lens. The recording apparatus includes a mounting portion on which the recording medium is mounted, the mounting portion including a positioning structure that comes to be positioned between neighboring lens elements of the lenticular lens of the recording medium so as to be engaged with at least one of the lens elements, thereby positioning the recording medium with respect to the arrangement direction of the lens element; a distance information acquisition unit that acquires information on the distance between a reference edge, which serves as the reference of a recording position and is defined at the edge in the arrangement direction of the lens elements, and a predetermined reference position with respect to a target recording medium which is the recording medium which is mounted at a predetermined position of the mounting portion in a state of being positioned by the positioning structure, and on which recording is actually performed; a correction unit that corrects the recording position on the target recording medium based on the distance information obtained by the distance information acquisition unit; and a recording unit that performs recording on the recording medium based on the recording position corrected by the correction unit.
US08157368B2
An ink jet recording device includes a recording head, a conveying member, a platen, a supporting member, and a driving member. The recording head ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium. The conveying member conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction. The recording medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge in the conveying direction. The platen is disposed in confrontation with the recording head to support the recording medium while keeping a predetermined distance from the recording head. The supporting member is disposed in the platen to slide in the conveying direction while supporting the recording medium. The driving member drives the supporting member to start sliding in the conveying direction at a starting timing corresponding to a position of at least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge.
US08157364B2
An ink cartridge includes a case having an ink chamber for storing ink, and a face that faces an exterior of the case and has a first opening formed therethrough, and a wall comprising a chamber formed therein. The wall extends from a portion of the face, and the portion surrounds the first opening. The wall supplies ink from the ink chamber to the exterior of the case via the chamber. The ink cartridge also has a cap having a second opening formed therethrough. The cap has an inner surface covering an outer surface of the wall, and a groove formed in the inner surface of the cap and extending to the second opening. The chamber is in fluid communication with the exterior of the case via the second opening.
US08157355B2
A heating channel unit which includes a communicating channel for supplying liquid from a liquid supply source to a liquid ejecting head. The heating channel unit is detachably mounted between the liquid supply source and the liquid ejecting head, and includes a heat generator which heats the liquid in the communicating channel.
US08157349B2
A method of a cleaning of an ejection face by supplying a head liquid on the face of an inkjet head provided with ink ejection openings and then by performing a wiping operation. Sufficient cleaning is achieved by appropriately specifying relative relationships among the surface tensions of the face, the ink and the head liquid, and by efficiently and surely removing an ink residue from the face. By supplying the head liquid to the ink residue on the face, both are mixed with each other, and thereby the ink residue is incorporated into the head liquid. In this respect, by using the ink and the head liquid both having a surface tension higher than that of the face, a wetting of a dissolved matter of the ink residue with respect to the face is reduced, and the dissolved matter of the ink residue is smoothly moved by the wiping operation.
US08157346B2
An ink supply device includes a controller, a cartridge mounting portion, and an ink cartridge. The cartridge mounting portion includes first, second, and third detectors configured to detect first, second, and third detection target portions of the ink cartridge and to output first, second, and third detection information, respectively. The controller is configured to execute a first process based on whether the first detection information and the second detection information are output when the third detection information is output during insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion. A type of the ink cartridge is determined in the first process.
US08157339B2
In order to increase the reliability of the parts constituting the basket and to conveniently use the basket and to stably accomplish the operation of the basket, as the shaking of the basket is prevented, there is disclosed a basket operation device of a refrigerator, comprising: a basket freely moved in a back-and-forth direction in the state that the basket is supported by an inner wall of the refrigerator; a rotation shaft supported by the basket and moved with the basket and respectively rotated; a pair of rotation elements supported by both sides of the rotation shaft and rotated at the same angle to guide a movement of the basket when the basket moves in a back-and-forth direction; and a corresponding element formed in the inner wall of the refrigerator in a back-and-forth direction to contact with the rotation elements.
US08157322B2
A seat back assembly including a frame molded from expanded polypropylene (EPP). The expanded polypropylene frame includes a first surface and a second surface. The EPP frame is molded so as to include at least one standoff. The standoff extends outwardly from the second surface into a contact surface. The contact surface is registered to engage a vehicle body structure. Thus when the seat back experiences a frontal load, the frontal load is transformed so as to compress the standoff, and also transfers a load to the vehicle body structure. The EPP frame may also be molded so as to encapsulate an armrest bracket for attaching a pivotable armrest, or attachment wires to secure the seat back assembly to the vehicle body. The EPP frame may also be molded to include a headrest.
US08157320B2
There are provided a headrest that can be tilted from a head support state to a storage state by an operation at a position separate from the headrest, and an associated vehicle seat. The headrest includes a pillar mounted on the upper part of the seat back; a headrest frame turnably engaged with the pillar; a spring that urges the headrest frame to one side; a locking element or elements that hinder turning the headrest frame with respect to the pillar; a remote control section provided at a position separate from the headrest; and an inner cable one end part of which is connected to the locking element and the other end part of which is attached to the remote control section. The locking element or elements release by pulling the inner cable by the operation of the remote control section.
US08157312B2
A modular storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The modular storage system includes an adjustable frame having a plurality of first posts, a plurality of second posts, a first beam connecting one of the plurality of first posts to another of the plurality of first posts, and a second beam connecting one of the plurality of second posts to another of the plurality of second posts. The first posts and second posts are each secured to a curved member. The modular storage system is attached to a rail on an interior of a vehicle. Various off-the-shelf storage components can be used with the system.
US08157310B2
A reconfigurable vehicle console system having a plurality of interchangeable side panels of different lengths. The system also includes a plurality of interchangeable blank and equipment mounting face plates and quick disconnect clamps associated with each panel.
US08157306B1
A device for removing and installing ceiling panels and that includes a base member having opposed ends and a support piece on the base member for supporting the base member in an overhead position. A pair of elongated support arms are mounted at a location intermediate the opposed ends of each elongated support arm to respective opposed ends of the base member. A pair of fasteners, one for each elongated support arm, secures the lower side of each elongated support arm to the upper side of the base member at the respective opposed ends of the base member. Nails or the like are mounted to the respective pair of elongated support arms engageable with a ceiling panel to assist in the removal thereof. A pair of retention hooks is mounted from one of the base member at opposed ends thereof and respective elongated support arms and engageable with a ceiling panel to assist in the installation thereof.
US08157303B2
A vehicle end structure mainly includes a vehicle bumper fascia and a grille assembly. The vehicle bumper fascia includes a sill portion and a receiving member extending from the sill portion. The receiving member defines a channel with an opening extending in a forward vehicle facing direction. The grille assembly includes inner grille and outer grille members that are coupled together. The inner grille member has a support member formed at a periphery of the inner grille member. The support member is disposed in the channel of the receiving member to limit movement of the inner grille member in a direction normal to the forward vehicle facing direction. The outer grille member is disposed on a forward vehicle facing side of the inner grille member to conceal the support member from view in the first direction.
US08157302B1
An electric strike which provides vertical adjustability of the position of the strike relative to the latch bolt in the closure with modification to the doorframe on the dust box. A ramp element on the strike housing is slidably adjustable relative to the strike housing and is securable at the time of installation to align with the center of the latch bolt. The ramp element has a channel to allow entry and exit of a latch bolt having a dead latch. A keeper engages the dead latch and maintains it in a retracted position when the closure is locked and is released when the electric latch solenoid is energized. A travel limiting foot limits rotation of the keeper so that the latch bolt may transition from the keeper to the ramp element without interference.
US08157297B2
An apparatus for practicing tying knots includes a base board having a horizontal upper surface, a first post coupled to the board and extending upwardly from the horizontal upper surface, a second post coupled to the board and extending upwardly from the horizontal upper surface, a crossbar extending laterally from the first post to the second post, and a rope having a first end secured to the base board and second end that is free to allow the rope to be tied to one or more of the first and second posts.
US08157296B2
A connector device comprising a connector socket, a connector housing, and a connector plug. In an embodiment, the connector socket and connector plug may be configured so that they can be formed, for example, on pipe ends in a cold-forming process. The connector housing may be a plastic part that can be produced in an injection-molding process. Detent elements may secure the connector housing to the connector socket. The connector plug in turn may secure the detent elements in a locked position, so that the connector housing cannot become detached from the connector socket as long as the connector plug remains in the socket. A locking ring can secure the connector plug in the connector housing. The locking ring can, if necessary or desired, be located and configured in such a way that it can be moved into a release position with a tool.
US08157293B2
A method of security printing can comprise the steps of printing a transparent ink onto a portion of a coated substrate resulting in printed region and an unprinted region, where the transparent ink is devoid of dyes, pigments, ceramics, metallics, and fluorescents; illuminating both the printed region and the unprinted region of the substrate, where the printed region scatters more light than the unprinted region creating a contrast; and detecting the contrast with a sensor that is sensitive to detecting light scattering differences between the printed region and the unprinted region.
US08157291B2
A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an airbag and a crash sensor system. The airbag is normally folded together in a non-activated basic state and is able to be inflated with different volumes. The crash sensor system detects a vehicle impact and emits an activation signal. The crash sensor system includes both a pre-crash sensor system and also an in-crash sensor system, and emits a pre-crash activation signal as activation signal upon detection of an impending collision. The in-crash sensor system detects an actual impact and emits an in-crash activation signal (backup) if the pre-crash sensor system has previously not detected the impending collision and has not emitted a pre-crash activation signal. The airbag may be inflated to a larger airbag volume and to a relatively smaller airbag volume in an in-crash mode.
US08157288B2
A trailer including a cargo carrier is provided. The cargo carrier may be secured to the rear of the trailer to increase the carrying capacity of the trailer. The cargo carrier may also be used independently of the trailer. The trailer may be positioned in a vertically disposed position for transport or storage.
US08157285B2
A snowboard with retractable braking device includes a board member with a brake member reversibly pivotal through a hole in the board member. When retracted, the bottom surface of the brake member is flush with, or above, the bottom surface of the board member. A retractor, such as a torsional spring, may resiliently hold the brake member in a retracted position. Also provided is a snowboard with an automatically deployable retractable braking device which deploys when the rider falls off a pressure pad affixed to the board member. Also provided is a braking device for boards that glide on snow, and an automatically deployable braking device for boards that glide on snow.
US08157278B2
The present invention is an integrated step load support for a rear fascia of a vehicle which includes features that are molded in one orientation and folded and fastened in a support orientation. The features are integrated into the existing component configurations of the vehicle, and no additional parts are molded, assembled, or shipped to the customer location. The present invention includes the lower fascia having a molded and support structure which is attached to a main body through the use of living hinge features. The structure is then folded into a support position and locked into place with complimentary folding features molded into the upper fascia. The upper folding structure also incorporates an offset attachment surface without additional tooling action.
US08157247B2
A support jack for supporting semitrailers including a vertically telescopically displaceable supporting device having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve. A spindle nut has projections and contact elements for being positively detachably connected to the sleeves. The projections interact with openings of the inner sleeve for fixing the spindle nut in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the support jack. The contact elements interact with an inner side of the outer sleeve for fixing the spindle nut in the direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis. A method of assembling a support jack is also described, in which the spindle nut is connected detachably to the inner sleeve by at least one translatory and one rotary joining movement or at least two translatory joining movements.
US08157243B2
An evacuation valve for a metering device for a liquid medium is disclosed. The valve includes a seal holder having a chamber formed therein and a seal. An elastomeric material fills the chamber to form the seal. The seal includes a smooth, flat sealing surface located above the seal holder. The inclusion of a lip in the chamber retains the seal; a non-circular lip prevents rotation of the seal.
US08157242B2
A valve actuator with manual lock is provided. The valve actuator with manual lock includes a locking button arrangement that is operably coupled to a shaft extending along an axis of rotation of a drive train. The locking button arrangement is selectively engageable with a housing of the valve actuator to lock the drive train in a selected orientation.
US08157233B2
An improved adjustable mounting system for mounting a flat panel display to a surface. A mounting bracket is configured to attach to the surface, while an adapter bracket is operatively connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to operatively connect to the flat panel display. At least one carrier mechanism operatively connects the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket, the first carrier mechanism positioned with a set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces to couple the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket. When the flat panel display is operatively connected to the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket is attached to the surface, the flat panel display is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis substantially parallel to the surface as a result of the interaction of the first carrier mechanism with the set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces.
US08157219B2
An vehicle detection system is provided for tracking, detecting, and monitoring vehicles. The system and methods of the present invention are suitable for on track and roadway vehicles. In particular the present invention provides an improved and cost effective system and methods for tracking, detecting and monitoring locomotives and on track vehicles.
US08157214B2
An aircraft window darkening system includes a movable slide that darkens an aircraft window when in a closed position and does not darken the aircraft window when in an open position. The darkening system also includes a motor which is coupled to the slide in order to move the slide. The motor may be attached to a window frame of an aircraft window. The slide may have a handle for moving the slide. The motor may be disposed behind a region covered by a frame cover and behind a holding ring, so that the motor is accessible from the aircraft cabin when the holding ring is removed.
US08157213B2
A composite skin (11) with swept angle and dihedral for an aircraft mid-box lifting surface having a left side (5), a right side (7) and a central transition area (9) where both sides meet, that is designed and manufactured as a single part from left tip to right tip following a common ply structure for the whole part defined in relation to a single orientation rosette (25). The invention also refers to a composite aircraft mid-box lifting surface including an upper and lower panel with said composite skin (11).
US08157212B2
Composite sections for aircraft fuselages and methods and systems for manufacturing such sections are disclosed herein. A composite section configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a skin and at least first and second stiffeners. The skin can include a plurality of unidirectional fibers forming a continuous surface extending 360 degrees about an axis. The first stiffener can include a first flange portion bonded to an interior surface of the skin and a first raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. The second stiffener can include a second flange portion bonded to the interior surface of the skin and a second raised portion projecting inwardly and away from the interior surface of the skin. A method for manufacturing a section of a fuselage in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes positioning a plurality of uncured stiffeners on a mandrel assembly. The method can further include applying a plurality of fiber tows around the plurality of uncured stiffeners on the mandrel assembly.
US08157204B2
Symmetric external parts of a front lower aircraft wing sweep forward such that lift generated by a rear upper wing is greater than lift generated by the front lower wing. The rear upper wing is in direct contact with rear upper parts of fuselages. A propulsion system of the aircraft has a turboprop engine and is carried by an internal part of the rear upper wing, with the propulsion system lying in a longitudinal mid-plane.
US08157199B2
Generally, the present disclosure is directed to, in one embodiment, a process for controlling a converting line web. More specifically, a sheet material is provided on the converting line. A loss of control is detected in the sheet material web and the sheet material web is broken at a location upstream from the converting line web rewinder. The broken sheet material web is redirected.
US08157189B2
A fuel injection nozzle comprises a body member having an upstream wall opposing a downstream wall, a baffle member having an upstream surface and a downstream surface, a first chamber, a second chamber, a fuel inlet communicative with the first chamber operative to emit a first gas into the first chamber, and a plurality of mixing tubes, each of the mixing tubes having a tube inner surface, a tube outer surface, a first inlet communicative with an aperture in the upstream wall operative to receive a second gas, a second inlet communicative with the tube outer surface and the tube inner surface operative to translate the first gas into the mixing tube, a mixing portion operative to mix the first gas and the second gas, and an outlet communicative with an aperture in the downstream wall operative to emit the mixed first and second gasses.
US08157181B2
The invention relates to transaction tokens (“fobs”) having wireless functionality and methods of using the same. More specifically, fobs having radio frequency functionality such that information, such as payment information, identification information, or other like information, may be wirelessly transmitted from a memory within the fob to a receiver are disclosed. The fobs of this invention may comprise a microchip or other memory component, and/or antenna disposed on or within an insert and encased within an enclosure in an interior compartment. The fobs may have a quick-release mechanism for easily attaching to and detaching from a securing device, such as a keychain or the like. Moreover, the interior compartments of the fobs may be easily accessible for replacing the enclosed insert.
US08157180B2
An integrated circuit device having multiple communication modes is provided. The integrated circuit device includes a transceiver coupled to first and second data lines. The integrated circuit device further includes a voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit determines whether or not an external device is connected to the integrated circuit device. In the case where the external device is connected to the integrated circuit device, the voltage control circuit controls the voltage of the first data line so as to cause the external device to not recognize the integrated circuit device for a predetermined time.
US08157179B2
A support (10) provided with at least first (12) and second (14) parts capable of displacing relative to one another along a selected axis of displacement (16), and a contactless electronic device (1) mounted in the first part (12) of the support and including an electronic microcircuit (3) and an antenna (2) electrically connected to the electronic microcircuit (3), and capable of being (electro)magnetically coupled with an external reading station (5), the electronic microcircuit (3) being capable of exchanging information with the outside. The second part (14) is provided with electromagnetic coupling attenuating elements, having a resonator circuit (7) coupled to the antenna (2), and situated in line with the antenna (2) when the first and second parts are essentially superimposed one above the other, and are capable of rendering the exchange of information with the outside inoperative or operative according to the distance between the first and second parts.
US08157172B2
A tire and RFID tag combine as an assembly to include a tire and a tag package mounted to a tire tag mounting surface. The tag package includes a carrier substrate having a die receiving surface and one or more interconnection tabs mounted to the die receiving surface. The tag package further includes a dipole antenna or other antenna configuration formed by first and second antenna members having inward ends connected to respective first and second interconnection tabs on the die receiving surface and outer antenna segments extending outward from the carrier substrate. An integrated circuit die mounts to the die receiving surface and has electrical contact(s) in contacting engagement with the interconnection tab(s). A cap member or, alternatively, a cylindrical encapsulating member, may be utilized for enclosing the integrated circuit die, the carrier substrate, and the inward ends of the first and second antenna members; the outer antenna segments of the first and second antenna members extending outward from the cap member or encapsulating member in operable position against respective portions of the tire tag mounting surface.
US08157166B2
A computer-implemented method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves enabling a transaction card account by a card issuer for use with pre-defined categories of providers of goods/services and goods/services sold and issuing a transaction card and establishing an associated pre-qualified category card account. Upon receiving data for a transaction with the transaction card at a transaction terminal by a processing platform of the card issuer via a card association processing network, the category of the provider and goods/services is interrogated to determine whether or not the transaction can be posted on the pre-qualified category card account of the cardholder, and the transaction is approved and posted to the pre-qualified category card account if the transaction falls within the pre-qualified category of the cardholder.
US08157165B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a user station or input medium allowing a user to view available functions and to enter selection information for requesting the association of one or more functions with a user operation vehicle. A verifier, responsive to the user station or input medium, can be provided to determine based upon a set of pre-determined rules, whether the user is entitled to the selected functions. A linkage generator can be provided to associate a user operation vehicle with the selected functions after they have been verified by the verifier. A reward function may also be combined with one or more of the functions associated with the user operation vehicle. Interoperability can also be provided between functions on a user operation vehicle based on a pre-determined set of rules. The interoperability between functions may be bidirectional.
US08157151B2
A surgical stapling apparatus including a cartridge assembly defining a first tissue contacting surface, an anvil assembly defining a second tissue contacting surface, and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface is provided. The buttress provides a uniform profile to be used on both the anvil and cartridge of a loading unit.
US08157148B2
The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position, preferably the axial position, of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.
US08157146B2
An endovascular stapler (100) for securing an endograft to a vessel is disclosed. The stapler has a staple housing (104), an actuating mechanism (148) and an expansion mechanism (126). The staple housing (104) has a plurality of staple cartridges (128) adapted for storing at least one staple (180) therein. The staple cartridges (128) have an exit area (130) for discharging at least one of the staples (180) therethrough. The actuating assembly (148) is adapted for actuating the plurality of staple cartridges (128) to discharge the at least one staple through the exit area. The expansion mechanism (126) is in operative association with staple cartridges (128). The expansion mechanism (126) is operative for pushing the exit area (130) against the endograft when discharging the at least one staple therethrough.
US08157143B2
A stitching device for producing stitching wire staples for stitching stacked sheet materials, includes a stitching head base body and a cutting box fixed to the stitching head base body. The cutting box includes a movable knife slide. A control device controls the movement sequences of the stitching head, in particular of the knife slide, for cutting off the stitching wire automatically. The stitching head base body, the cutting box and the knife slide are configured in such a way that, during interaction, the movable knife slide can be displaced relative to the stitching base body in order to cut off the stitching wire. The cutting box and the knife slide are provided with at least partly aligned openings in such a way that, during interaction between these openings and an operating device, it is possible to cut the wire off manually.
US08157142B2
A mounter is operable to sequentially detect feed amounts of a motor at respective times when respective electronic components held by a tape reach a pickup position, while rotating a sprocket 52 of a tape feeder 50 360 degrees or more, and store the feed amounts in correspondence with respective pins 54 drivingly feeding the tape. This makes it possible to reliably duplicate a state when each electronic component reaches the pickup position, based on a feed amount itself of the motor at a time when each electronic component truly reaches a pickup position.
US08157137B1
A neck-mounted personal eating apparatus designed to facilitate eating by a person away from a table, is herein disclosed. The apparatus comprises a rectangular tray equipped with a raised lip around the entire perimeter to prevent liquid spills or loss of crumbs. The short side edges of the tray are provided with an adjustable padded neck strap which goes up and around the rear neck area of the user and attaches to the opposite sides of the tray. The neck strap comprises a flexible plastic “U”-shape strap having a plurality of holes to allow for adjustment. The holes connect to molded ball-end appendages located on either side of the tray. In such a manner, the neck strap can be easily resized to suit all size users from large adults to small children. Additionally, the apparatus comprises an angled fixed length strap that connects to the neck strap to help keep the tray level and prevent movement during use.
US08157130B2
In a gas cartridge, inside of a metal made outer can 1 is arranged with a metal made inner bag 2 charged with a fuel gas G1. A space between the outer can 1 and the inner bag 2 is charged with a compression gas G2 for pressing to crush the inner bag 2 in accordance with consumption of the fuel gas G1. Pertinent positions on an inner side of the outer can 1 are provided with deformation introducing members P1 through P7 for producing an initial deformation for introducing a deformation of the inner bag when a press force of the compression gas G2 is received.
US08157115B2
A child-resistant cap comprises: an inner cap mounted at a vessel inlet of a vessel; an outer cap disposed at an outer circumferential surface of the inner cap so as to perform an idling with the inner cap; a rotation force transmitting portion disposed between the inner cap and the outer cap for transmitting a rotation force of the outer cap to the inner cap only when the outer cap is downwardly moved with a force more than a certain degree; and a sealing member removing unit formed at the inner cap for removing a sealing member sealed at the vessel inlet when the inner cap is detached from the vessel inlet, and storing the removed sealing member in the inner cap. Since the sealing member removing unit is integrally formed at the cap, the sealing member is automatically removed at the time of opening the cap. Accordingly, the sealing member needs not to be additionally removed, and thus a usage convenience is enhanced. Furthermore, under a construction that the outer cap maintains an upwardly moved position from the inner cap by an elastic force, the cap can be opened only by downwardly moving the outer cap with a force more than a certain degree. Accordingly, a child can be more effectively protected.
US08157113B2
A hoisting device or crane can be operated with at least two different maximum loads. The maximum load that can be hoisted in each case is correlated with the hoisting speed in order to prevent the dynamically developed peak load from exceeding the predetermined allowed load limiting values of the components of the crane or the hoisting device.
US08157108B1
A motorized pull-out, drop-down, closet storage shelf system is herein disclosed. The shelf system provides a track system and a series of roller slides which propel a shelf forward and downward from its conventional stowed position to a lowered position by simply pressing a button. The access position allows comfortable access for someone sitting in a wheelchair, for a child, or for someone unable to reach the shelf without assistance. The shelf system is capable of transporting heavy loads of up to fifty (50) pounds. When shelf access is complete, the motorized mechanism returns the shelf to its original position.
US08157107B2
A liquid filter has a filter housing with a first thread and a drain passage. A filter element including a filter medium is arranged in the filter housing. A filter lid is provided with a second thread configured to engage the first thread for connecting the filter lid to the filter housing. The filter lid further has a filter by pass valve for bypassing the filter element when a pressure loss that is too high occurs when liquid passes through the filter medium of the filter element. First bayonet connectors are provided on the filter lid and second bayonet connectors are provided on the filter element for connecting the filter element to the filter lid by engaging the first bayonet connectors. A double-concentric seal is arranged on the filter element for closing off the drain passage.
US08157105B2
An oil strainer includes a body which has lower and upper walls and an inside space between the lower and upper walls, a filter substantially horizontally disposed within the body so as to divide the inside space into lower and upper space sections, an outlet port provided on the upper wall of the body and communicated with the upper space section, and an inlet port provided on the lower wall of the body and communicated with the lower space section. The lower wall includes a first area in which an inlet port periphery of the inlet port is disposed, and a second area separate from the first area. A vertical distance between the filter and the lower wall in the first area is smaller than a vertical distance between the filter and the lower wall in the second area.
US08157103B2
A reservoir for use with a blood collection system includes a housing, a pre-filter, and a spring mechanism. The housing defines a cavity and has an inlet for receiving fluid from a source. The pre-filter is located within the cavity, removes particulates contained within the fluid, and allows the fluid to pass through the pre-filter. The spring mechanism is connected to the pre-filter and allows the pre-filter to travel within the cavity as the pre-filter collects particulates.
US08157100B2
Disclosed herein is a structure for fixing screen bars of a screening apparatus, which is installed in a wastewater treatment plant to remove impurities contained in wastewater and includes a screen panel formed by arranging the screen bars parallel to each other to have gaps ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm therebetween. The screen bar fixing structure of the present invention is constructed such that screen bars, which are thin and long shapes, can maintain the straightness and gaps therebetween constant even though the screen bars are not welded to support bars provided on the rear surfaces of the screen bars, thus solving the problem in which impurities such as hairs, which are relatively long, are wound around the support bars, with the result that rakes undesirably flip or are damaged, or the gaps between the screen bars become clogged.
US08157097B2
Described herein is a serving tray having an audio player associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the serving tray includes an item supporting portion having a periphery, and a wall extending upwardly from at least a portion of the periphery of the item supporting portion. In other preferred embodiments, the audio player of the serving tray includes a receiver and/or memory for storing digital content.
US08157095B2
The invention refers to a flexible package comprising a plurality of walls including first and second opposing side walls having side seams. At least a first gusset is formed in at least the first side wall, the first gusset comprising an internal panel and an external panel together forming a pocket. At least the first side wall comprises lines of weakness which are at least partially formed in or through the external panel. The lines of weakness are adapted to create an opening in the first side wall.
US08157089B2
A height adjustable top frame for a golf bag has a base, at least one locking rod mounted slidably through the base, a holding bracket mounted securely on an upper end of the at least one locking rod and a locking mechanism mounted between the base and the holding bracket and selectively engaging the at least one locking rod. Despite being different lengths, golf clubs can be supported by adjusting the holding bracket to allow heads of the golf clubs to rest on the holding bracket. The golf bag with the height adjustable top frame does not have to be lengthened and the golf clubs with different lengths are appropriately and stably mounted in the golf bag without colliding or damaging each other.
US08157087B2
A hinge-lid package has a box body and a lid, the box body and the lid being formed from a blank (28). The blank (28) has strip-like notch arrays (16a and 18a) for making longitudinal edges of the box body and of the lid into round edges. The notch arrays (16a and 18a) have a large number of notch rows (19) formed only in the inner surface of the blank (28). The notch rows (19) are inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction of the blank (28), and are formed at intervals in a width direction of the notch arrays (16a and 18a).
US08157086B1
A financial transaction card is packaged within a carrier which contains the card and prevents access to any indicia borne on the card (e.g., magnetic stripe, barcode, and the like) prior to activation of the financial transaction account associated with the card at the point of sale. The package bears no alternative indicia correlated with those borne on the card, and thus only the indicia on the card itself may be used for account activation. Such indicia are exposed at the point of sale by opening a section of the carrier to reveal the actual indicia borne on the card itself. Thus, any breakage of the carrier or other attempts to access the card within the packaging, prior to presentation of the packaged card for activation at the point of sale, is evidence of tampering of the package. In a preferred embodiment, the package is a simple three-panel, partially perforated construction that provides substantial security for the packaged card, at minimal manufacturing cost.
US08157081B2
A method and an automatic picking machine is provided for filling an order container by means of an ejector and conveyor belt. An ejector is provided configured as a revolving belt directly as a substantially horizontal product storage element. The stored products (3) to be picked are placed onto the conveyor belt (2) or directly into the order container (10) upon actuation of the revolving belt. The preferably bulky non-stackable products (3) are located preferably individually in product compartments (5) of the ejector and are ejected individually.
US08157077B2
A clutch device for an electric winch includes a ring gear that is settled in a gear box and is in communication with a gear mechanism of the electric winch. A plurality of braking recesses are provided on the outer periphery surface of the ring gear. A detachable clutch sleeve is fixed in a braking port defined in the gear box and includes a T-shaped clutch lever. A clutch handle is provided on the sleeve. The inner surface of the clutch handle and the top surface of the clutch sleeve are cam faces formed by double tapered faces. A rotating-positioning mechanism, which can be rotated 180 degrees, is provided between the clutch handle and the clutch sleeve. The clutch lever is movable between an engaged position, where the clutch lever engages the braking recesses, and a disengaged position, when the clutch handle is rotated in clockwise and anticlockwise directions.
US08157072B2
A transfer case for selectively coupling a secondary driveline with a primary driveline comprises: a first output shaft; a second output shaft; a clutch assembly disposed at the second output shaft, the clutch assembly including inner and outer drum members, one of the inner and outer drum members rotatable in association with rotation of the first output shaft and the other one of the inner and outer drum members coupled with the second output shaft, the clutch assembly further including a plurality of frictional clutch plates, the frictional clutch plates formed of at least one frictional clutch plate coupled with the inner drum member and at least one frictional clutch plate coupled with the outer drum member; an actuator shaft rotatably coupled with an actuator; and a clutch actuator means coupled with the actuator for applying axial force to the frictional clutch plates to transmit a drive torque of the first output shaft to the second output shaft. The clutch actuator means can be a pivot lever pivotally moveable in association with rotation the actuator shaft coupled with the actuator for said applying the axial force to the frictional clutch plates, or can be a sliding lever moveable in an axial direction of the actuator shaft in association with rotation the actuator shaft coupled with the actuator.
US08157067B2
A dynamic energy management restraint anchor device interfaces with a child seat in a vehicle, engaging common child seat attachment clip features. A device restraint anchor is operable to dynamically extract and permit distortion of load bearing deformable member(s) in order to manage the displacement of, and load transferred through, an anchor connected to a child seat. The device may be further operable to limit or prevent restraint anchor displacement and the distortion of said deformable member(s) under quasi-static load conditions in order to meet motor vehicle static load/displacement anchorage performance requirements applicable to certain anchors. Anchor retraction capability and various interlocking configurations for securing the position of an anchor, before or after having extracted, may be incorporated relative to the energy management device interfacing with both a vehicle and a child seat. An indicator may further be provided to identify the functional state of the restraint device.
US08157065B2
A hydraulic shock absorber has a cylinder having a hydraulic fluid sealed therein and a piston connected with a piston rod and slidably provided in the cylinder. The piston is provided with a circular main seat portion to form a main valve chamber communicating with an extension passage. Arcuate sub-seat portions are provided in concentric relation to the main seat portion to form sub-valve chambers. A disk valve is seated on the main and sub-seat portions to form clearances between them that always communicate between the main and sub-valve chambers. The disk valve opens upon receiving the pressure in the main and sub-valve chambers. The clearances restrict the flow of hydraulic fluid flowing out through the sub-valve chambers at the beginning of opening of the disk valve to prevent a sharp change in damping force. The concentric arrangement of the main and sub-seat portions facilitates the setting of an initial deflection for the disk valve.
US08157059B2
A destination floor indication device that enables elevator users to get to know destination floors that have already been registered easily and in a short time. For this purpose, a destination floor indication device installed in a hall or car of the elevator is includes an indication part that indicates registered destination floors to elevator users, and indication contents of this indication part are controlled by an indication control part. It is ensured through the control by the indication control part that when the number of indications of registered destination floors exceeds a prescribed specified value, the size of indications of destination floors is made smaller than when the specified value is not exceeded, whereby all registered destination floors are caused to be indicated in the indication part.
US08157056B2
A coupler for a standoff arrangement for ladders and the like. The standoff arrangement comprises a ladder attachment portion and a ladder support portion, with the attachment portion formed to be releasably securable to a ladder and the support portion extending from the ladder attachment portion. The ladder support portion has a pair of individually adjustable bearing arms, and a coupler is installed in each bearing arm to make the bearing arm universally adjustable in relation to the structure against which the ladder standoff arrangement bears.
US08157036B2
A breather device provided on the outer peripheral section of a case of an in-wheel motor is located at a position above the rotation shaft of the in-wheel motor, between the in-wheel motor and a wheel. The position is inside the wheel in the width direction of a vehicle.
US08157035B2
A method of operating an engine control system includes reducing pressures within cylinders of an engine based on an auto start command signal including: receiving a torque request signal; calculating a powertrain output torque; and controlling air flow to the engine based on the powertrain output torque. During a startup of the engine: electric motor torque is increased to a predetermined level and reduced to increase a current speed of the engine; combustion torque of the engine is activated and increased after the current speed is within a predetermined range and a manifold absolute pressure is less than a predetermined level; and the electric motor torque is increased based on a crankshaft output torque signal to increase a crankshaft output torque subsequent to the reducing of the electric motor torque and while performing the activating of the combustion torque.
US08157033B2
A steering system for a vehicle having left and right endless tracks, left and right sprocket wheels, a motor and a hydraulic pump includes left and right hydraulic motors mounted to a respective one of the left and right sprocket wheels, a hydraulic circuit connecting the fluid outlet of each hydraulic motor to the fluid inlet of the other hydraulic motor, and a steering mechanism for receiving hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pump and selectively distributing it to the first and second hydraulic motors. The steering mechanism is in fluid communication with the fluid inlets of the left and right hydraulic motors to provide hydraulic pressure in response to first and second steering inputs from a user. An attachment kit includes the steering system.
US08157032B2
A robotic system that can have a body and four flippers is described. Any or all of the flippers can be rotated. The flippers can have self-cleaning tracks. The tracks can be driven or passive. The robotic system can be controlled by, and send audio and/or video to and/or from, a remote operator control module. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.
US08157031B2
A multi-legged walking device includes a crankshaft, a plurality of linkage bar mechanisms, a support member, and a driving device. The crankshaft includes a plurality of main journals and crankpin journals. The plurality of linkage bar mechanisms is spaced from and substantially parallel to each other. The linkage bar mechanisms include a plurality of frames. Each frame is rotatably connected to one of the plurality of main journals. Each linkage bar mechanism includes a connecting bar, a first rocker, a second rocker, and a leg. Two ends of the connecting bar are rotatably connected to one of the crankpin journals and the leg. Two ends of the first rocker are rotatably connected to one of the plurality of frames and the leg. Two ends of the second rocker are rotatably connected to one of the plurality of frames and the connecting bar. The support member is fixed to the frames.
US08157026B2
An earth boring drill bit comprising a bit body having a bit profile including nose, shoulder, and gage sections; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the body and defining a fixed cutter profile; and a roller cone rotatably secured to the body, the roller cone having a plurality of roller cone cutting elements defining a roller cutter profile, wherein the fixed cutter profile extends beyond the roller cutter profile in at least one of the sections and the roller cutter profile extends beyond the fixed cutter profile in at least one of the sections. The roller cutter profile may extend beyond the fixed cutter profile in the shoulder and gage sections, possibly with the fixed cutter profile extending beyond the roller cutter profile in the nose section and/or a cone section.
US08157016B2
A method of actuating a well tool includes the steps of: increasing pressure in a fluid line of a fluid metering device; closing a pilot-operated valve in response to the pressure increasing step; and discharging a predetermined volume of fluid from the metering device in response to the pressure increasing and valve closing steps. A fluid metering device for a well tool includes a piston separating chambers; and a pilot-operated valve which selectively prevents fluid communication between the chambers in response to at least a predetermined pressure being applied to a fluid line of the metering device, and which permits fluid communication through the valve between the chambers in response to pressure in the fluid line being less than the predetermined pressure. A greater pressure may be applied to the fluid line to thereby bypass the metering device and allow fluid to discharge from the line.
US08157014B2
In a dual-gradient drilling apparatus, a subsea solids processing unit includes a housing, a solids processing mechanism disposed in the housing between a drilling mud inlet and a drilling mud outlet, and a flushing mechanism configured to flush the solids processing mechanism with a flushing fluid. A subsea solids processing unit may be controlled by rotating the solids processing mechanism in a forward direction and increasing a drive torque when a measured speed of the solids processing mechanism is below a desired rotation speed. The desired rotation speed may be decreased when a measured torque exceeds a selected maximum and a rotation direction of the solids processing mechanism may be reversed when the measured speed falls below a selected minimum.
US08157011B2
A system and method for performing a fracture operation on a well site having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein. The method involves measuring at least one seismic wave before and after stimulating the subterranean formation, comparing the seismic waves measured before the stimulation of the subterranean formation to the seismic waves measured after stimulation of the subterranean formation, and determining at least one fracture parameter of the subterranean formation from the compared seismic waves.
US08157009B2
Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cement compositions and methods comprising sub-micron calcium carbonate and latex. An embodiment includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. The method may comprise introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water, sub-micron calcium carbonate, and latex. The method further may comprise allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Another embodiment includes a cement composition that may comprise cement, water, a sub-micron calcium carbonate, and latex.
US08157002B2
A downhole tool includes a slip ring assembly deployed radially between a shaft and a housing. The slip ring assembly may be configured as a stand-alone assembly and is further configured to provide a plurality of distinct electrical communication channels between the shaft and housing. These communication channels are suitable for transmitting electrical power and/or electronic data. Electrical connection is made between the housing and the slip ring assembly via a connector block that is fastened to a plurality of stator rings in the slip ring assembly. The connector block extends radially outward from the stator rings and physically engages an opening in the housing thereby rotationally coupling the stator rings to the housing.
US08156996B2
A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.
US08156991B2
A cord lock of the window blinds or shade includes a box having a chamber therein, an engaging block on an outer side, a first opening for a cord exiting the box, a second opening for the cord entering the box, a fixed locking portion on the outer side, and a flexible locking portion opposite the fixed locking portion; and a movable driving wheel, which is received in the chamber of the box, to be moved between a lock position, in which the movable driving wheel is moved toward the engaging block to clip the cord therebetween, and a release position, in which the movable driving wheel is moved away from the engaging block to release the cord. The fixed locking portion provides the box fixing to the top rail with a strong strength, and the flexible locking portion provides an easy way to mount the box on the top rail.
US08156972B2
A liquefied gas storage/delivery system and method that includes a liquefied gas storage system. The liquefied gas storage system includes a housing containing a storage vessel suited to contain a supply of liquefied gas, such as liquid oxygen (LOX). A rotatable turntable is provided on an exterior surface of the housing. An interface shaped to match the shape of at least a portion of a portable liquid storage/delivery device is provide in or on the turntable. A connector is disposed in the interface that couples to a corresponding connector on the portable liquid storage/delivery device. The two connectors are coupled by placing the portable liquid storage/delivery device in the interface and rotating the turntable.
US08156967B2
A quick-dry textured towel is disclosed. The quick-dry textured towel comprises a lightweight fabric including a plurality of low-twist pile yarns forming a textured weave design.
US08156947B2
A system for carrying out a pedicure wherein a conventional pedicure is closely simulated while protecting the foot from microbial infection and harsh chemicals. The foot is encased in a waterproof sock containing appropriate liquid conditioners for softening the skin. The encased foot is placed in a warm, recirculating water bath for a period of time. The foot is then removed from the bath, the sock is removed from the foot and discarded, and a conventional pedicure trimming process is carried out. The skin of the foot is thus protected from any contact with the water bath, while the soothing, stimulative, and otherwise pleasurable effects of the recirculating warm water are provided as in a conventional pedicure process.
US08156944B2
An aerosol electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly, an atomizer assembly and a cigarette bottle assembly and also includes a shell (a) which is hollow and integrally formed. Said battery assembly connects with said atomizer assembly and both are located in said shell (a). Said cigarette bottle assembly is located in one end of the shell (a), which is detachable. Said cigarette bottle assembly fits with said atomizer assembly. Said shell (a) has through-air-inlets (a1).
US08156943B1
A method for opening a smoke passage in a cigar includes using a tool which has a tube which is connected to an air supply. The tube has an air exit aperture(s) which exhausts air delivered by the air supply. The tube is inserted into a cigar and the air supply is operated. The air blows out a passageway within the cigar so that the cigar will draw when smoked.
US08156941B1
A heel offloading leg abductor pillow which is adapted to relieve pressure from a post-surgical hip patient's heels while supporting the patient's legs in an abducted position includes a generally resilient, wedge-shaped pillow body and a pair of leg support portions carried by the pillow body for supporting a patient's legs, respectively.
US08156940B2
Provided is a snoring prevention device including an upper support supported by upper teeth of a patient, an upper protruding part provided at the upper support to protrude downward from the upper support, a lower support supported by lower teeth of the patient, and a lower protruding part provided at the lower support to protrude upward from the lower support and caught to a front side of the upper protruding part.
US08156937B2
A portable ventilator uses a Roots-type blower as a compressor to reduce both the size and power consumption of the ventilator. Various functional aspects of the ventilator are delegated to multiple subassemblies having dedicated controllers and software that interact with a ventilator processor to provide user interface functions, exhalation control and flow control servos, and monitoring of patient status. The ventilator overcomes noise problems through the use of a noise attenuating system comprising noise reducing pressure compensating orifices on the Roots blower housing and multiple noise reducing chambers. The ventilator is configured with a highly portable form factor, and may be used as a stand-alone device or as a docked device having a docking cradle with enhanced interface and monitoring capabilities.
US08156934B2
An airway tube securing device (ASTD) having a tubular constrictor attached to an oral piece and a fastener for fastening the ASTD to the face of a patient provides for the correct placing and fixation of an airway tube within the patient's airways. A rotatable clamp provides for constricting the airway tube thereby securing it to the oral piece. An optional mouthpiece attached to the proximal face of the oral piece provides for the protection of the tube from the jaws of a patient. One or two apertures in the oral piece provide for further insertion of tubing, auxiliary intubation tools and or probes.
US08156924B2
A system and method of controlling/adjusting purge flow rate in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system includes an air intake assembly, a fuel tank assembly and an evaporative emissions control device such as a carbon canister in operational association with each other. Fuel vapors from the fuel tank assembly flow into the evaporative emissions control device for adsorption. The adsorbed fuel vapors from the evaporative emissions control device are recovered, at least in part due to pressure differentials, and actively purged into the internal combustion engine. The purge flow rate from the evaporative emissions control device is controlled/adjusted by a flow control device, the flow control device that is at least indirectly connected to the evaporative emissions control device and the air intake assembly. In one aspect, the flow control device can comprise an orifice device, such as, a connector device having at least one orifice for regulating purge flow rate. In another aspect, the flow control device can comprise a filter device for cleaning the intake and/or purged air in addition to regulating the purge flow rate.
US08156921B2
A valve opening arrangement includes a first contact surface on a first member, and a second contact surface on a second member discrete from the first member. A first and a second opening are provided, and a first and a second valve movable to open and close the first and second opening, respectively, are provided. A yoke is arranged to move the first valve and not the second valve when contacted by the first contact surface and is arranged to move the first valve and the second valve when contacted by the second contact surface.
US08156916B2
An oil sump for use in internal combustion engines or transmissions, where the oil sump consists of sheet metal shaped by deep drawing and has a reinforced edge, by means of which it rests, in its mounted state, in the internal combustion engine or the transmission with a seal positioned between them. The reinforcement consists of at least one separate metal part, which is mounted on the edge of the oil sump by positive locking and/or nonpositive locking with deformation of the edge of the oil sump.
US08156909B2
An end pivot valve train is provided in a cylinder head to open and close a cylinder valve. The end pivot valve train includes a cam follower forcing the cylinder valve, and a cam holder assembled onto an upper portion of the cylinder head and includes a receiving groove to receive the cam follower therein, wherein the cam holder has a protrusion configured and dimensioned to interfere with an upper surface of the cam follower when the cam follower rotates such that a longitudinal edge thereof moves up.
US08156906B2
When a spool is positioned in a lock range including a stroke end in a first direction, an advance port and a lock port are respectively connected to a supply port and a discharge port. When the spool is positioned in an advance range deviating from the lock range in a second direction, the advance port and the lock port are fluidly connected to the supply port. While a driving source generates a driving force to move the spool in the second direction, a biasing member biases the spool in the first direction. When the spool is positioned at a limit position of the advance range, a biasing force biasing the spool in the first direction is stepwise varied by a specified variation width.
US08156902B2
The gas-steam engine of this invention is divided into boiler, turbine and piston reciprocating types. This engine controls the burning through the binary or ternary gas supply system, producing the hi-temperature and hi-pressure gas and steam or mixture by utilizing the kinetic and heat energy form by burning, so as to do work by the above gas, as well as reclaiming the heat consumed heat at the same time, with the steam reverted and recycled for use after doing work. Therefore, it radically the great energy waste and serious environmental pollution question in the existing heat engine. Compared with the former technology, it realizes the energy saving of about 75%, with little exhaustion.
US08156891B2
A system is described to deposit a buffer layer onto exposed surfaces of two different solar cell absorber layers of two different flexible workpieces from a process solution including all chemical components of the buffer layer material. The buffer layer is deposited from the process or deposition solution while the flexible workpieces are simultaneously heated and processed within a chamber in a face to face manner as the process solution is flown through a process gap formed between the exposed surfaces of the two solar cell absorber layers.
US08156883B2
A boat bumper and a securing harness for mounting the boat bumper to a boat hull. The securing harness includes a main strap which is flexible and sufficiently stiff to be self sustaining to maintain its shape, and securing straps for securing a bumper roll to the main strap. The main strap has an elongated section and at least one generally transverse section. Each section has at least one free end to which a suction cup is releasably attached.
US08156882B2
A marine vessel steering apparatus includes a rudder unit arranged to be mounted pivotally on a hull, an actuator arranged to turn the rudder unit, a rudder angle sensor arranged to detect the rudder angle of the rudder unit, a steering wheel arranged to be operated by an operator to steer the rudder unit, a wheel angle detecting unit arranged to detect the amount of change in the rotation angle of the steering wheel, and a control unit arranged to perform steering control by controlling the actuator based on values detected by the rudder angle sensor and the wheel angle detecting unit. The control unit is arranged to set the rudder angle of the rudder unit detected by the rudder angle sensor at the start of steering control corresponding to the steering wheel as an initial target rudder angle and compute a target rudder angle based on the initial target rudder angle and the change in the rotation angle of the steering wheel, and to control the actuator to change the rudder angle of the rudder unit in accordance with the target rudder angle.
US08156870B2
Disclosed is an ammunition cartridge case that includes a sleeve, a base fixedly attached to the sleeve and a fiber reinforced polymer composite annulus that is at least partially within the base. In certain embodiments, the sleeve and the base are formed partly or entirely from a metal, for example steel or stainless steel. The base has a central aperture that affords for the annulus ring to fit within. The annulus is dimensioned such that it fits securely within the central aperture of the base and has a center aperture wherein a primer can be located. The annulus ring contains a volume of composite fibers ranging from 10 to 90 volume percent. The annulus isolates the primer from the cartridge case and thereby prevents galvanic corrosion between the primer and case. In addition, a metallic foil can be present between the annulus and the cartridge case in order to assure proper securement of the annulus therewithin.
US08156860B2
A grill comprising a lower cooking unit and an upper cooking unit, the lower cooking unit comprising a lower shell and a lower cooking plate detachably mounted on said lower shell, the upper cooking unit comprising an upper shell and an upper cooking plate detachably mounted on said upper shell, wherein the lower shell has a storing unit for storing the plates. The present invention further comprises a storing unit, so when the equipped plates are not in use, they can be stored in the storing unit after being cleaned.
US08156850B2
A tailstock control device supports an object to be machined by driving and controlling a servo motor which drives a driving system of a tailstock having a spring member in forward and backward directions, to cause a tailstock center connected to the tailstock to contact a center hole of the object to be machined. The tailstock control device comprises a limit torque value calculating unit which calculates, as a limit torque value (Tm), a drive torque value of the servo motor necessary for supporting the object to be machined, and a servo control unit which drives and controls the servo motor to attempt to move the tailstock at a tailstock movement velocity (Vs) which is set in advance, until an output torque value (Tr) of the servo motor reaches the limit torque value (Tm). The limit torque value (Tm) is calculated by subtracting, from the support thrust (Fa) necessary for supporting the object to be machined, an excessive thrust Fs which is calculated based on the tailstock movement velocity (Vs).
US08156837B2
A countershaft transmission with positive engagement clutches for changing transmission gearing ratios and shift rails for supporting shift forks in a transmission housing, one shift rail being adapted to support at least two shift forks, whereby an assembly of shift rails is simplified and the transmission housing size is reduced.
US08156835B2
A vehicle includes an engine, a pair of side frames extending along a vehicle body, and a transmission adapted to be axially connected with the engine and transversely mounted on the vehicle body, including, an input shaft, an output shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, a reverse shaft, a first gear mechanism, a second gear mechanism, a third gear mechanism, a reverse movement gear mechanism and a transmission case, wherein the first and second gear mechanisms are arranged relatively close to the engine, the third gear mechanism is arranged more remote from the engine than the second gear mechanism, the transmission case includes a back wall portion having a first back wall portion, a second back wall portion and a third back wall portion, thereby forming a cut-out portion at an upper portion of the back wall portion.
US08156823B2
A 6-axis force sensor includes bumper 10 with bumper axis 12 and press member 11 which has four horizontal beams 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d in a cross shape with end, side and bottom faces. Sensors 31, 32, 33, and 34 on end faces sense force in one direction and sense a moment acting on opposite end faces. Sensors 41, 42, 43, and 44 on side faces sense force in a second direction transverse to the first direction and sense a moment acting on opposite side faces. A film 20 on the bottom faces has four sensors 21, 22, 23, and 24, one on each bottom face, for sensing force in a direction transverse to the first and the second directions and sensing a moment acting on opposite sensors on the film.
US08156813B2
An apparatus for performing ultrasonic inspection of an object, during one measurement on the object, triggers a sequence of excitations of the probe system and receives a sequence of substantially identical echo signals reflected from the object, and further scales each echo signal to different degrees to increase and extend the dynamic range of the echo signals. An A/D converter is then used to digitize the scaled signal sequentially in a manner which dispenses the need for using numerous A/D converters and the associated filters. The digitized signal samples are then combined to produce a single digital output in a manner that is not over-flowed and with desirable resolution. A sequence of successive acquisitions of the scaled signal with the highest sensitivity are averaged to reduce system noise.
US08156811B2
A diagnostic means to enable real-time inspection of bonded structures. The disclosed apparatus detects bond failure stress waves on-axis from the front side (beam application side). Pi-box and pi-rail EMAT gauges can be used with the disclosed apparatus. An inductively coupled EMAT may also be employed. An improved means to remotely deliver an interrogating laser beam to a surface is provided. The process head may utilize a water column or a water film. The water film process head may include the use of either a single water film or two spaced apart water films. The disclosed apparatus can be used with bonded composite structures, bonded structures using various materials, and to determine the dynamic strength of unbonded solid materials. The apparatus may also be used in other applications that require remote flexible delivery of a localized stress wave to a material and/or diagnosis of the resultant stress waves.
US08156810B2
A method for characterizing a defect of a defective heat fusion joint connecting two pipe segments in which the time of flight of an ultrasonic waveform reflected off an exterior surface of a heat fusion joint fitting connecting the two pipe segments or reflected off an interior wall of one of the pipe segments at a plurality of locations around the circumference of the heat fusion joint fitting is measured to determine the minimum and maximum times of flight, which correspond to the maximum and minimum combined wall thicknesses of the heat fusion joint fitting connecting the pipe segments and the pipe segment wall. If the difference between the minimum and maximum combined wall thicknesses as determined from the measured times of flight is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, then the heat fusion joint is defective and possibly unacceptable for use, requiring a second set of time-of-flight measurements to characterize the nature of the defect.
US08156801B2
A fluid flow metering device comprises a ball valve locatable in a fluid flow, having at least two transverse bores through the ball valve, a first transverse bore and a second transverse bore. The first transverse bore includes a fluid flow metering apparatus for measuring the rate of fluid flow through the first transverse bore. The ball valve is preferably rotatable between a first metering position where fluid is flowable through the first transverse bore and a second open position where fluid is flowable through the second transverse bore. In addition, the second transverse bore is dimensioned so that a tool is movable through the second transverse bore when the ball valve is in the second open position.
US08156764B2
Device for gravity-bending glass on several support moulds with controlled transition between moulds
A device for gravity bending of at least one glass sheet supported by at least one support forming part of a bending assembly, plural supports supporting the sheet during bending. The device includes a drive system for changing the shape of the support, the drive system controlling the rate of the change. A method of bending glass sheets utilizes the device.
US08156760B2
A novel gemstone cut that has 162 facets such that the crown has 65 separate facets and the pavilion has 97 separate facets.
US08156758B2
Methods and systems for recovery of natural gas liquids (NGL) and a pressurized methane-rich sales gas from liquefied natural gas (LNG) are disclosed. In certain embodiments, LNG passes through a heat exchanger, thereby heating and vaporizing at least a portion of the LNG. The partially vaporized LNG passes to a fractionation column where a liquid stream enriched with ethane plus and a methane-rich vapor stream are withdrawn. The withdrawn methane-rich vapor stream passes through the heat exchanger to condense the vapor and produce a two phase stream, which is separated in a separator into at least a methane-rich liquid portion and a methane-rich gas portion. A pump pressurizes the methane-rich liquid portion prior to vaporization and delivery to a pipeline. The methane-rich gas portion may be compressed and combined with the vaporized methane-rich liquid portion or used as plant site fuel.
US08156742B2
A fuel-injection device in a turbomachine is disclosed. The device includes a high-pressure pump supplying a flow control valve, whose outlet is connected via a pressurization and cut-off valve to a fuel-injector feed pipe. The valve is connected to the inlet and to the outlet of the pump in order to define two fuel pressurization thresholds, one of which is used to start-up and restart the turbomachine and the other is used for operating the turbomachine from an idle speed and for commanding an equipment with variable geometry.
US08156739B2
In an adiabatic expansion heat engine, adiabatically expanded low pressure fluid is returned to a source of high pressure fluid through a balance of internal pressures or forces that balances out the resistance to the flow of the fluid being pumped from the low pressure to the high pressure with the high pressure fluid metered into the working chamber.
US08156736B2
A system comprises an injection control module and a fuel film module. The injection control module controls a flow rate of fuel injected into an exhaust system to adjust a temperature of exhaust gas. The fuel film module determines an accumulation rate of fuel on a surface of the exhaust system based on the flow rate of the fuel. The fuel film module determines a release rate of fuel from the surface of the exhaust system based on a flow rate of the exhaust gas. The injection control module adjusts the flow rate of the fuel based on the accumulation rate and the release rate.
US08156713B2
A water-soluble pouch suitable for use in machine dishwashing and which comprises a plurality of compartments in generally superposed or superposable relationship, each containing one or more detergent active or auxiliary components, and wherein the pouch has a volume of from about 5 to about 70 ml and a longitudinal/transverse aspect ratio in the range from about 2:1 to about 1:8, preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:4. The water-soluble pouch allows for optimum delivery of dishwashing detergent. A process for the manufacture of multi-compartment pouches and a pack to contain the pouches are also disclosed.
US08156710B1
A piece for flooring which includes a wear layer, a pattern layer, a base layer, and a backing layer. The base layer may be made of a mixture including ilmenite powder. About one third of the mixture may be ilmenite powder. The mixture may also include calcium carbonate, wherein about one quarter of the mixture is calcium carbonate. The mixture may further include polyvinylchloride, wherein about one quarter of the mixture is polyvinylchloride. The backing layer may include a plurality of devices which are hexagonally shaped, wherein the plurality of devices form a honeycomb structure which contacts a top floor surface when the piece is placed on the top floor surface. The backing layer may have a bottom surface including anti-slip backing film, which may be comprised of polyurethane.
US08156703B2
A PCM heat insulation blanket (10) is positioned in a wall structure of a building for modulating the transfer of heat to and from the controlled internal temperature of the building structure. The PCM heat insulation blanket includes an array of pods (12) with one group of pods 12A containing a first PCM and a second group of pods containing a second PCM 12B having a different phase change temperature than the first group of pods. The pods with different PCMs are substantially uniformly intermixed among each other. The pods are formed of laminated sheets, each of which may include a metal foil that is vapor impermeable and tends to maintain the PCMs in the blanket at approximately the same temperature, and which also functions to reflect radiant heat away from the temperature controlled internal space of the building structure.
US08156700B2
An assembly for sealing such as a rooftop which can include at least one type of projecting conduit such as a projecting pipe or an HVAC duct. A plurality of thermoformed membranes are provided in sheet form and are configured for applying over an exterior of the rooftop. The membranes are heat welded to one another along overlapping edges. A further plurality of membranes are configured for applying about an extending length of the conduit and are likewise being directly heat welded to one another along overlapping edges. A boot shaped membrane is applied over and directly welded to an interfacing location established between a proximate rooftop membrane and a further conduit wrapped membrane, such that the assembly provides a sectionalized and continuous vapor barrier across the roof and conduit.
US08156689B2
A large-capacity booth for the treatment, in particular for the spraying and/or drying, of workpieces, in particular motor vehicles, rail vehicles, aircraft or watercraft, having at least two opposite booth walls and one booth ceiling is described. The booth walls each have at least two vertical supports composed of open sectional elements, which are connected to one another via wall elements. The booth ceiling has at least two lattice beams extending in a planar manner in the vertical direction and composed essentially of open sectional elements. The lattice beams connect mutually opposite supports of the booth walls in such a way that the booth walls and the booth ceiling stabilize one another.
US08156684B2
A pest control bait station having separated bait reservoirs for holding different kinds of bait. The bait station has raised regions with pest access apertures. Each aperture is aligned with at least a portion of a pest conveyance structure extending from the base walls of the reservoirs, providing a space for the pest to enter and exit the bait station. The bait in each reservoir is prevented from contacting bait in any other reservoir. At least one reservoir may contain a liquid bait, and at least one reservoir may contain a dry bait.
US08156683B2
A system and method of detecting and signaling the activation of a spring-loaded rat trap located at a remote location. The system includes a wireless transmitter mounted inside a transmitter unit upon which a spring loaded rat trap is placed. When a rat is caught by the trap, the rat drags the trap over the top surface of the transmitter unit causing activation of one or more switches located on the top surface. The switch is coupled to the wireless transmitter that sends a signal to a wireless receiving unit located in the vicinity. Coupled to the receiving unit is a light or sound alarm that is activated when a signal is received from the transmitter unit indicating that the trap has been moved over the transmitter unit. The system may be used with one or more transmitter units so that system may be used to monitor rat infestation one or multiple locations.
US08156680B2
A mounting system includes an electronic device, a support plate, and a scope ring. The electronic device has a bottom surface. The support plate is engaged with the bottom surface and has a first mounting rail extending along a first side. The scope ring has a first clamp for coupling to the first mounting rail and a second clamp for surrounding the scope thereby attaching the electronic device to the scope.
US08156678B2
A detachable rail platform adaptable for selective and secure mounting to a weapon's rear iron sight assembly, the rear iron sight assembly having a sight base and a sight guard. The detachable rail platform includes a body having forward and rearward portions. The body further includes a rail portion and is positionable to envelop the rear iron sight assembly. A first clamp assembly is selectively engageable with the sight base at a predetermined position. A second clamp assembly is selectively engageable with the sight guard. Upon engagement of the first and second clamp assemblies to the sight base and the sight guard respectively, the rail platform is selectively and securely mounted to the weapon.
US08156675B2
A magazine for a firearm may include a cavity that is shaped to prevent the tip of the bullets in the cartridges from contacting the magazine when the firearm recoils. The magazine may also be configured so that the cartridges in the magazine exit the cavity at least approximately in the center of the magazine. The magazine may be configured to include a biasing mechanism that pushes the cartridges upward in the cavity. The biasing mechanism may be configured to allow the magazine to be compact, simple, and reliable.
US08156665B2
A padded shoe for use in mixed martial arts and similar activities. The padded shoe may have a flexible, resilient sole; a shoe upper adjoined to the sole, wherein at least a portion of the shoe upper has padding disposed therein; an inner padded tongue attached to the shoe upper; an outer padded tongue attached to the shoe upper; and an engagement structure for securing the outer padded tongue to the shoe upper, the engagement structure being located substantially under the outer padded tongue such that the outer padded tongue substantially covers the engagement structure. The wearer can strike a target with the shoe, and the target and the wearer are protected from injury caused by direct impact with at least one of the engagement structure and the wearers instep. A bladder containing air or a gel-like material can be included in at least one of the inner and outer padded tongues.
US08156664B2
A padded shoe, such as a kicking boot, is disclosed that is lightweight and padded for use in mixed martial arts and other related activities. The padded shoe may be formed from a flexible, resilient sole having a substantially smooth surface; a shoe upper, wherein at least a portion of the shoe upper has padding; an ankle padding structure extending from the shoe upper that is adapted to cover the medial malleolus of a wearer; a padded tongue and other components. The sole may be formed from a material having a shore durometer reading between about 40 and about 60 such that the shoe is lightweight yet provides appropriate support.
US08156658B2
A linear encoder that includes a scale supporting a measurement graduation and an assembly that includes a support. The scale is fastened on the assembly by a fastener, wherein the fastener has a structure that makes a temperature-dependent linear expansion of the support in relation to the scale possible in case of temperature changes. The linear encoder includes a holder in a position in a measuring direction, wherein the holder fastens the scale to a body to be measured by the linear encoder at a fixed point while bypassing the support. In addition, the assembly is fastened by the support on the body to be measured by the linear encoder.
US08156657B2
In one embodiment, a measuring tool includes a transparent sheet; a first pattern of markings on the transparent sheet for measuring characteristics of a test sheet; and a second pattern of markings on the transparent sheet for measuring characteristics of a target image printed on the test sheet. In another embodiment, a measuring tool includes a transparent substrate and a reference image on the transparent substrate. The reference image includes an alignment pattern for aligning the reference image, a first scale for measuring distances in a first direction, a second scale for measuring distances in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a skew pattern for measuring perpendicularity.
US08156654B2
The invention provides a chain saw attachment for unobstructed cutting of smaller objects with diameters less than three inches and larger objects with diameters greater than three inches. The attachment includes a set of prongs that vertically extend at an acute angle from a cover above the cutting teeth of the chain saw blade to a specified distance below the blade. The prongs stabilize small objects from whipping and dragging when engaged by the cutting teeth and facilitate the cutting of brush with diameter equal to height of the blade. Moreover, the cover does not extend the full length of the blade to allow for fully unobstructed cuts using the uncovered section of the blade. The cover increase safe operation of the chain saw and distributes stress from a particular prong over the entire attachment.
US08156652B2
It is possible to change a shaving area width that can be shaved at a time in accordance with a shaving portion, and to swiftly cut hair. The shaver includes a plurality of outer blade frames which hold a blade block for cutting hair. The outer blade frames are arranged in a direction Y intersecting with a moving direction X of a movable blade of the blade block. At least one of the outer blade frames can slide in the moving direction X of the movable blade from an initial position. The shaver has a fixing unit which fixes the outer blade frame at a sliding position.
US08156649B2
A gas turbine engine hot gas component repair method for defects that do not extend through the thickness of the component is provided. First defects are removed by machining a cavity in the surface of a component. Coupons, fittable within the cavities are manufactured, are for example coated with brazing medium on an inner surface and then joined to the component by joining means such as laser metal forming. The joint holds the coupon during later heat treatment, thereby eliminating a need for holding aids. Before heat treatment, a further brazing medium can be applied to the surface of the coupon overlapping onto the component. A single heat treatment, brazing the coupon to the component and, brazing the brazing medium to the outer surface of the coupon can, then be used to complete the repair.
US08156648B2
A hollow structural connecting rod including a first end fitting, a second end fitting, and a hollow main portion situated between the first and second end fittings. First and second connecting rod elements are integrally joined to one another and have, respectively, a first hollow shank made in one piece together with the first end fitting and a second hollow shank made in one piece with the second end fitting, the first and second connecting rod elements being joined by a joint situated at mid-length on the connecting rod, and which can be produced via flow-turning. The connecting rod may find particular application to an assembly system to be interposed between an aircraft engine mounting structure and an engine.
US08156645B2
Printed circuit boards have circuit layers with one or more via filled holes with copper wraps and methods of manufacturing the same. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method to enhance the consistency of the wraparound plating of through-hole vias of printed circuit boards with (requiring) via filling to provide extra reliability to the printed circuit boards and enables the designers and/or manufacturers of printed circuit boards to design and manufacture boards with relatively fine features and/or tight geometries.
US08156638B2
A connector apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a housing having at least a first aperture and a second aperture. The apparatus can further include a hollow, flexible member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the hollow, flexible, member can be non-detachably attached to the first aperture. The second end of the hollow, flexible, member can be detachably attached to the second aperture. The apparatus can also include a tensioning member disposed to bias the hollow, flexible, member towards the housing.
US08156636B2
An apparatus to manufacture a semiconductor package is provided. A die attaching process and/or a wire bonding process for first and second surfaces of a lead frame are sequentially performed inside the apparatus. Thus, time required for a semiconductor packaging process decreases and yield is increased.
US08156625B2
A method and article for designing dual-mode adapters in a joint press kit. A plurality of ball joints for use with the adapters are selected. An adapter design is created by defining a first variable representative of a physical characteristic of the adapter design; defining a second variable representing a quantity of ball joints that are not compatible with the adapter design in a second operational mode; generating data sets including the first and second variables; and utilizing the data sets to determine a value for a characteristic of the adapter.
US08156621B2
The subject processes are for making piezoelectric vibrators, particularly those having a tuning-fork configuration. An exemplary process includes preparing a flat plate of piezoelectric crystal material exhibiting anisotropic etching properties. A corrosion-resistant film is formed on both major surfaces of the piezoelectric material. A first coating of photoresist is formed on the surfaces of the corrosion-resistant film. A lithographic exposure is performed of the pattern of a piezoelectric vibrating device on only one side of the piezoelectric plate. Then, the corrosion-resistant film, appearing unprotected on the one surface, is removed after developing the photoresist. A first etching is performed of the piezoelectric material appearing unprotected after removal of the corrosion-resistant film.
US08156614B2
Buckle type attachment elements, such as for belts, watch bands, or the like, and/or for securing or fastening elements (e.g., for footwear, handbags, briefcases, containers, or other objects) may be produced in a manner that generates minimal waste materials, without the use of metal or mechanical hardware type connectors, from completely recyclable materials, without the need for molding, without the use of plastics, and/or without the use of adhesives or cements. Such buckle elements may include a buckle portion and a tongue portion formed from the same material. In some structures, the tongue portion may be made from a part cut out to form the buckle portion. In other structures, the tongue portion may be formed by cutting slits into a base substrate that also makes up the buckle portion. Final products and methods of making such products also are described.
US08156613B2
An adjustable door stop system. The system includes a hinge pin having an axis about which the hinge leaves rotate, a top end, and an opposed bottom end. In one embodiment, a hinge pin cap has a first portion extending radially from the top end of the hinge pin and a second cylindrical portion extending from the first portion parallel to the access of the hinge pin. A control cap has an opening to receive the hinge pin therethrough, the control cap having a radially extending first portion and a cylindrical second portion substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge pin. A mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the hinge pin cap with respect to the control cap including a plurality of teeth on the control cap second cylindrical portion and a plurality of teeth of the control cap cylindrical portion which mate with each other.
US08156611B2
A vehicle door attachment unit for rotatably and detachably coupling a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The unit may include a bodyside bracket mountable to the vehicle body and having first and second portions with respective first and second apertures, with the first and second portions extending generally away from the vehicle body. A doorside bracket may be mountable to the vehicle door and include a segment with a third aperture, the segment extending generally away from the vehicle door. A retaining mechanism may extend through the third aperture, and through the first and/or second apertures. A fastener may extend through at least one of the apertures and mate with the retaining mechanism to substantially align the first, second, and third apertures. A bearing may be disposed on the retaining mechanism for providing rotational freedom between the retaining mechanism, and the bodyside or doorside bracket.
US08156606B2
A wiper blade includes a first blade and a second blade surrounding the first blade, such that the first blade is not exposed for use, wherein the removal of the second blade exposes the first blade for use. In another embodiment, a wiper blade includes a body, an inner blade attached to the body, an outer blade bonded to the body or inner blade, a gripping mechanism attached to the outer blade and a removal mechanism located between the inner blade and outer blade, wherein the removal mechanism is attached to the gripping mechanism.
US08156599B2
An oral care implement is provided with a head platform having a plurality of faces and an insert retention space formed therebetween. The oral care implement can have an insert disposed within the insert retention space. The oral care implement can further include a transparent or translucent support member on one of the faces and a reflective insert within the insert retention space. The oral care implement can include a plurality of support members on the plurality of faces from which cleaning elements extend. The oral care implement can further include a fluid-permeable and/or air-permeable support member on one of the faces and an insert containing a fluid-permeable and/or air-permeable agent. The oral care implement can be formed by affixing a first AFT-tufted carrier plate to a first face of the head platform and affixing a second AFT-tufted carrier plate to the second face of the head platform.
US08156591B2
A washing machine and an operating method of the washing machine are provided. In the operating method of the washing machine, it is determined whether a washing machine has a regular laundry load or a single laundry load based on the amount of laundry and the number of times of detection of the amount of laundry. Therefore, it is possible to precisely determine the laundry load of a washing machine, reduce the time taken to determine the laundry load of a washing machine, and prevent a washing machine from being damaged by a misreading of the laundry load of a washing machine.
US08156589B2
Disclosed herein is an air mattress including at least two separate zones. A first and second groups of elongate, inflatable cells are disposed alternately within each of the at least two separate zones. An air pump is to supply pressurized air. At least two air distributors are serially connected with the air pump for respectively distributing the pressurized air to the at least two separate zones. Each air distributor is operable to supply the pressurized air to the first and second groups of cells within each of the at least two separate zones. A pressure reducer is serially connected between any adjacent two of the at least two distributors for reducing the pressure of the pressurized air to a downstream one of any adjacent two of the at least two distributors.
US08156583B2
This invention relates to a springer slat suspension device formed by a cap having an upper section which comprises at least one housing for accepting the end of a slat, a lower section provided with means of anchoring the said cap on a springer frame and an intermediate section comprising suspension elements linking the lower section with the upper section, the intermediate section being essentially made of a first material of the flexible type, whereas the lower section is made of a second material of the rigid type. This invention is characterized in that the intermediate section and the lower section are made in one single piece by molding.
US08156579B2
A shower arrangement (10) includes a mixer valve assembly (110) and conduit means (120) for the supply of water to the assembly (110). The conduit means (120) includes a conduit casing (2) defining an interior (122), a hot water pipe (3) defining a passage (103) for hot water and a cold water pipe (4) defining a passage (104) for cold water, the hot and cold water pipes (3, 4) being located in the interior (122).
US08156576B1
A flash fire and chemical barrier composite fabric, comprising a flame resistant fibrous basic layer; a radiant heat and chemical permeation barrier, the barrier including a metalized polymeric chemical permeation resistant layer film; and a clear heat sealable outer film layer overlying the radiant barrier and forming a heat sealable outer surface of the composite fabric.
US08156572B2
A weighted article of clothing comprising a clothing substrate with weights attached thereto, the weights being made of a gel and being strategically placed so as to not interfere with the movements of a wearer and to not interfere with outer clothing or equipment worn over the weighted article of clothing and with the weights being arranged in a plurality of weight clusters and linking strands, with neighboring weight clusters being connected together with the linking strands.
US08161566B2
A transmission/reception system includes a providing apparatus and a recording apparatus. The providing apparatus has a generating section which generates restrictive information for each piece of content to be broadcast, and a providing section which provides the restrictive information by broadcasting to the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus has a management section which manages the restrictive information, and a restriction section that adds a restriction to at least one of a next copying of the same content as copied last or each piece of the recorded content that provided a source of the copying.
US08161561B1
Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media for protecting confidential data on a network. An embodiment of the inventive method comprises the steps of: monitoring 110 data directed to a website; identifying 120 a data string having at least one confidential characteristic; categorizing the data string with a categorization level; examining 140 the website for at least one characteristic consistent with confidential data; creating 155 a website characteristic profile; comparing 170 the website characteristic profile with the data string's categorization level for compatibility; and determining 180 whether the data string can be communicated to the website.
US08161557B2
In accordance with this invention, a system, method, and computer-readable medium that selectively scans files stored on a computing device for malware is provided. One aspect of the present invention includes identifying files that need to be scanned for malware when a software update that includes a malware signature is received. More specifically, attributes of the new malware are identified by searching metadata associated with the malware. Then, the method searches a scan cache and determines whether each file with an entry in the scan cache is the type that may be infected by the malware. If a file is the type that may be infected by the malware, the file is scanned for malware when a scanning event such as an I/O request occurs. Conversely, if the file is not the type that may be infected by the malware, the file may be accessed without a scan being performed.
US08161549B2
A method of defending against a denial-of-service (DoS) attack on an IPv6 neighbor cache includes steps of determining a number of neighbor cache entries currently stored in the neighbor cache and then determining whether the number of entries exceeds a neighbor cache threshold that is less than a neighbor cache limit defining a maximum capacity of the neighbor cache. When the number of entries in the neighbor cache exceeds the neighbor cache threshold, stateless neighbor resolution is triggered. Stateless neighbor resolution entails sending a neighbor solicitation to resolve an address for an incoming packet without logging a corresponding entry in the neighbor cache. Additional techniques that complement the above method involve purging of neighbor cache entries designated as incomplete, prioritization of the entries based on trustworthiness, shortening the incomplete-status timer to less than 3 seconds, and curtailing the number of retransmissions of the neighbor solicitations.
US08161547B1
A communication system includes a traffic monitoring element that monitors network traffic between network components. The network traffic monitoring element monitors for security anomalies and, upon detecting a security anomaly, may respond appropriately. For example, the network traffic monitoring element may identify a security certificate communicated from a server application to a client application, determine the validity of the certificate, and disrupt further communications between the server application and the client application if the certificate is not valid.
US08161540B2
A method and system for unified communications threat management (UCTM) for converged voice and video over IP is disclosed. A computer-implemented method for threat management receives an incoming packet. The incoming packet is broken into sub-packets and fed to a plurality of packet processing engines. Each packet processing engine inspects the sub-packets and annotate the sub-packets with meta-data. The annotated sub-packets are combined and processed by a plurality of application engine to generate a processed packet. The processed packet is classified and stored in a database.
US08161535B2
A control system includes a user management server or server group, a Service Policy Decision Function (SPDF) server, an Access-Resource and Admission Control Function (A-RACF) server, and a control interface location between the user management server or server group and the SPDF n server for transmitting the information. In addition, a control method using the control system above and a control device are provided. By the technical solutions above, when there are many access network operators connecting to the uniform network operation operator, the problem that the SPDF server searches the A-RACF server is solved, and the user information is acquired by setting the interface between the SPDF server and the user management server or server group.
US08161534B2
One embodiment provides a system that verifies a user's identity. The system generates a list including a plurality of items and formulates a substantially large set of security questions base on the plurality of items. The number of questions in the set is significantly larger than a subset of security questions presented to the user to reduce the likelihood of the same questions being asked repeatedly. During account creation, the system presents to the user the subset of questions, and receives and stores a response from the user. At least one question in the subset is selected based on user information that is automatically extracted from devices associated with the user. Subsequently, the system receives a request to reset the user's password and presents the subset of questions to the requester. The system determines whether the requester is the user by comparing the requester's response with the stored user response.
US08161531B2
A method and system are provided for allowing a user to efficiently manage communications. A system for allowing a user having a unique identity is provided, wherein the unique identity is associated with a plurality of electronic devices. The system includes a service for assigning a reference to a user's unique identity, wherein other identities can access the user's unique identity only by using the reference. The system additionally includes permission controls for allowing the user to control access to the unique identity by restricting authorization to a selected set of other identities. Groups of individuals may receive different levels of authorization such that some individuals may be authorized to make live contact and others may be required to leave a message. Preference controls allow the system user to select at least one associated device from a plurality of associated devices for receiving communication upon an access attempt by an authorized user. The preference controls also allow a system user to select a preferred mode of receiving communication such as audio, video or text modes.
US08161530B2
This invention discloses a system wherein behaviormetrics are utilized to authenticate electronic transactions, either alone or in combination with other identifiers such as PIN's, passwords, codes and the like. Probability profiles or probability distribution representations may be constructed for determining whether a purported or alleged authorized user is in fact the authorized user, by comparing new data on a real-time basis against probability distribution representations including an authorized user probability distribution representation and a global or wide population probability distribution representation, to provide a probability as to whether the purported authorized user is the authorized user. This invention may utilize keypad, touch screen dynamics, X-Y dynamics, data, X-Y device data, or other data from similar measurable characteristics (such as movement filmed by an ATM machine), to determine the probability that the new data from the purported authorized user indicates or identifies that user as the authorized user.
US08161516B2
One or more of a topology location test and a distance test are applied to determine if a CPE device has moved in a cable plant. An indication of service fraud is provided if the CPE topology location or distance test indicate an unauthorized CPE device move.
US08161515B2
In an internet protocol television (IPTV) system, fast channel change (FCC) transactions that experience late multicast joins are handled specially, thereby allowing the system to be provisioned for the vast majority of multicast joins that are within an expected range. During an FCC transaction, the subscriber interface device, such as a set-top box (STB), can determine how long it can wait to join the multicast stream of the new channel before a gap can be predicted to occur in the handover from the FCC unicast to the multicast. If the STB has not joined the multicast stream by the determined time, a recovery procedure is invoked in which the STB sends a RESTART request to the FCC server which, in turn, increases the rate of the FCC unicast as if the FCC transaction were restarted, thus allowing the handover to occur seamlessly. This solution reduces the demands of each FCC transaction, allowing for greater scalability and reduced cost.
US08161513B2
A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, the method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, parsing the second signaling information to identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling channel, receiving the NRT service signaling channel by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling channel.
US08161504B2
Systems and methods of memorializing a viewer's viewing experience are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment presents a program stream to the viewer, detects an occurrence of one of a plurality of event capture triggers, captures at least one image of the viewer in response to detecting the event capture trigger, and stores the image of the viewer.
US08161500B2
A service-oriented architecture environment system which enables a service to be designed and implemented independently, regardless of the supported protocol and signature requirements of dependent or target services is disclosed. Data type transformation is supported through a context mapping mechanism. The system is configurable during deployment or just before actual invocation of the dependent service(s). The configuration capability is enabled through an XML-based descriptor, and services are invoked based on a given context dynamically during runtime.
US08161498B2
Globalization functionalities for JavaScript applications are provided by asynchronously invoking globalization Web services related to specific JavaScript applications that are developed using asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax) technology. A result of the asynchronous invocation is processed to obtain the corresponding globalization functionality. A client-side component invokes the globalization Web services by creating a SOAP request including specific parameters in passing that request to a server-side component. The server side component creates a result that is passed back to the client side component.
US08161496B2
Technologies for performing positive and negative event-based testing of systems such as software and the like. Such technologies may be applied to any type of system for which activities and state changes and the like can be monitored. Event monitors are typically established to monitor each type of event of interest, including negative events. Such event monitors detect corresponding system activity, state changes, and the like and describe such as events that are placed in an event queue. The present invention provides technologies and methods for comparing these events to expected events, thus enabling positive testing. Such expected events may be expected to occur sequentially (one after another in a specified order) or in parallel (multiple events wherein the order of the events is irrelevant) or any combination of the two. Further, unexpected events are noted as well, thus enabling negative testing.
US08161493B2
An aspect of the present invention improves the accuracy of measuring processor utilization of multi-threaded cores by providing a calibration facility that derives utilization in the context of the overall dynamic operating state of the core by assigning weights to idle threads and assigning weights to run threads, depending on the status of the core. From previous chip designs it has been established in a Simultaneous Multi Thread (SMT) core that not all idle cycles in a hardware thread can be equally converted into useful work. Competition for core resources reduces the conversion efficiency of one thread's idle cycles when any other thread is running on the same core.
US08161483B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for configuring an application for execution on a parallel computer that include: booting up a first subset of a plurality of nodes in a serial processing mode; booting up a second subset of the plurality of nodes in a parallel processing mode; profiling, prior to application deployment on the parallel computer, the application to identify the serial segments and the parallel segments of the application; and deploying the application for execution on the parallel computer in dependence upon the profile of the application and proximity within the data communications network of the nodes in the first subset relative to the nodes in the second subset.
US08161481B2
An operating system for a computing device includes a scheduler incorporating an algorithm for ordering the running of threads of execution having different priorities. The operating system is also arranged to provide a list of threads which are scheduled to run on the device, ordered by priority. At least one locking mechanism for docking access to a resource of the device from all threads except for a thread that holds the locking mechanism is also provided, and the operating system arranges for a scheduled thread which is docked from running because the resource it requires is locked to cause the thread which holds the locking mechanism to run.
US08161477B2
The functionality of a virtualization layer interposed between computer system hardware and a plurality of applications can be altered by pluggable extensions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a virtualization layer is divided into a privileged portion and an unprivileged portion. While the privileged portion remains untouched, the functionality of the unprivileged portion can be modified by one or more pluggable extensions. Furthermore, file images operating on top of the virtualization layer, and in some cases unaware of the virtual nature of the virtualization layer, can be supplemented using pluggable extensions.
US08161476B2
A computer system including a plurality of physical processors (CPs) having physical processor performances (PCPs), a plurality of logical processors (LCPs), a plurality of logical partitions (LPARs) where each partition includes one or more of the logical processors (LCPs), and a system assist processor having a control element. The control element controls the virtualization of the physical processors (CPs), the logical partitions (LPARs) and the logical processors (LCPs) and allocates the physical processor performances (PCPs) to the logical partitions (LPARs). The control element operates to exclusively bind logical processors (LCPs) to the physical processors (CPs). For a logical processor (LCP) exclusively bound to a physical processor (CP), the logical processor (LCP) has exclusive use of the underlying physical processor (CP) and no other logical processor (LCP) can be dispatched on the underlying physical processor (CP) even if the underlying physical processor (CP) is otherwise available.
US08161473B2
Embodiments of dynamic software fingerprinting techniques are presented herein. In an implementation, an inventory of applications installed on a client is performed by examination of one or more inventory categories. Relationships are then created between the installed applications from the inventory and one or more supplemental categories. Based on the relationships created, a fingerprint inventory corresponding to the client is produced which describes: the relationships; the installed applications of the client; categories including the applications; and attributes corresponding to the applications.
US08161455B2
A method to concurrently execute multiple primitive commands in a command line interface (CLI) is provided. Each of a plurality of signal parameters is designated for each of a plurality of primitive commands. The plurality of primitive commands is encapsulated into a header CLI command. The CLI command is executed.
US08161451B2
Disclosed is a layout tool that verifies the operability of a printed circuit board design. Electrical parameters may be calculated for wire traces that are laid out for a given design. Based on the voltage drop calculations and the voltage and current requirement of the various system components, the layout tool may determine if a given system component will remain within its required operating range. The layout tool may additionally be operable to verify proper spacing between traces that make up a differential signal and to verify that certain pins of integrated circuit are properly connected.
US08161450B2
An integrated circuit includes a buck converter controller, a PFET, an NFET that is coupled in common drain configuration to the PFET, a first microbump that is connected to the source of the PFET, a second microbump that is connected to the source of the NFET, a third microbump that is connected to the common drain node, a fourth microbump that is connected to a feedback input lead of the controller, and a plurality of other microbumps. The other microbumps are utilized to supply signals to and/or to conduct signals from the controller. A respective one of the four microbumps is disposed to occupy a respective one of the four corners of a square pattern. The other microbumps are disposed in a regular grid along with the four microbumps, but none of the other microbumps is disposed between any two of the four microbumps.
US08161442B2
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.
US08161433B2
A proof of unsatisfiability associated with a bounded model may be extended to apply to another bounded model having a larger bound. In some exemplary embodiments, an unbounded model may be proved using one or more such extensions. A proof may be reordered in order to decrease its size and increase the productivity of systems that utilize it. The proof may be reorder by a natural temporal order of cycles.
US08161418B2
The subject application is directed to a system and method for generating an informational media display on a document processing device. A document processing signal representing the status of a document processing operation on an associated document processing device is first received. Media content data and preference data corresponding to user-specified media content data is then received. Pre-selected media content data is then generated on a display of a user interface associated with the document processing device when the device is idle, as determined by the document processing status signal. Display of the pre-selected media content is then suspended when the document processing signal indicates that the document processing device is active. User-specified media data content is then generated on the display of the user interface when the received document processing signal corresponds to active status of the associated document processing device.
US08161417B1
A system and method for improving the usability of a touch screen on a moving mobile device are provided. Upon determining the mobile device is moving in a pattern that is consistent with a person walking while carrying the mobile device, a new interface that is easier to use is displayed. The new interface may be easier to use than a standard interface by showing less action buttons, zooming into a portion of the standard interface, and/or by requiring less user input to complete a requested task.
US08161406B2
An image processing device 100 includes a mode selection processing portion 50 capable of selecting a desired operational mode, a program registration processing portion 51 for storing in a program memory portion 57 the selected operational mode as a piece of program information, a program selection processing portion 52 capable of selecting a desired piece of program information from a plurality of pieces of program information stored in the program memory portion 57, a program call processing portion 53 for setting the operational mode on the basis of the piece of program information selected by the program selection processing portion 52, and a program information search processing portion 54 for searching a piece of program information from the plurality of pieces of program information stored in the program memory portion 57 on the basis of a piece of search key information corresponding to an individual operational mode.
